It was already February vacation, I had just driven back from my grandparent's home in desperate need to get out from both my parents, and both pairs of grandparent's embraces. It felt like between being shunned at school and the over protectiveness of my parents that I had nowhere to escape to but the familiarity of my home, my sanctuary. I finally convinced them that I had forgotten of a big project and I'd be celebrating Alya's birthday which was two days ago. But of course, they weren't true. My parents would be coming back tomorrow night and I just needed time alone. Shuffling with my wrist wallet and keys, I sent a text message assuring Adrien I made it home safe and sound after telling him the same story I told the parentals. I almost bounced back into a bank of snow when a dark figure blocked the door to my house. Leaning back into an iconic pose performed mostly by LadyBug, my fists were clenched and ached for a fight. The figure jumped back, back to the motion sensored light of the front door of the bakery. It was already 6pm and pitch black, but I could recognize those reflecting green eyes anywhere.
"Jesus Christ! Adrien! You scared me!" I put my hand to my chest as if to slow down my adrenaline and beating heart.
"Pll-ease, open the damn door, Dupain.." He shivered, I took a double take to see he was holding plastic bags full of mysteries and even more starbucks coffee. I shifted past him to unlock the door, kicking it open with my black combat boots.
"Here," I took the cold drinks from his hand and placed it on the counter before lighting the fireplace and cranking the heat up. I scanned the house quietly and as discreetly as possible, looking for anymore mysterious envelopes or drawings that my parents would've usually cleaned up or burned before I could see them. But since we were away for two days, I hoped to see recently sent ones. Even checking the messages left on the landline, ever since my mom told me about the possible stalker, did I suddenly connect the dots in the 'no-caller ID' messages that my dad blocked a thousands times once he found that he couldn't track any of the numbers used. But to my relief, there were 0. "Oh, my mom bought those chips that you like." Adrien's presences was becoming a daily occurrence, especially with all the coldness I've received from school as well as advances from guys who thought I was easy. Just a couple of days ago I had to drag Nino and Adrien out of my house before my dad could think the same.
"Sweet! Pour them in a bowl, and bring it over here." He was taking packs of candy and popcorn from his plastic bag as well as two takeout boxes of chinese food.
"What's this?" I walked over rubbing my arms for warmth.
"We never did have that movie marathon, right? I invited Nino but he just ever-so conveniently came down with the flu." Adrien grinned, shrugging off his leather jacket. Upon seeing his dark green sweater and skinny jeans did I feel self conscious, remembering the last time I showered and the four hour drive back home with no makeup or sleep the prior night.
"Okay, okay, but I'm going to take a shower real quick okay?" My hands slid up the stairs balustrade.
"Noo, you look fine, c'mon." Adrien scuffed the floor whining, I could almost see him wearing his leather costume. Times like this reminded me he and Chat really were the same people.
"I smell, I'm covered in sweat, and I feel gross. I'll be done in 15, okay? Pick out the movies, have Tikki keep you company." I didn't occur to me that we both had demigods, I tried to remember the last time I had talked to Plagg. But once I saw two floating orbs, one bright red and the other shining with green did I smile. We really were one big great team. I waved off Adrien's groans and headed to my bathroom. I let the steam and water wash away all the grime and tiredness, by the time I was done pulling a comb through my hair and slipping into a v-neck lilac colored t-shirt and matching plaid pajamas, I was wide awake. I applied chapstick, rubbing my lips together because I hated the feeling when they were dry. Not even bothering to cover my bare face, I pranced down the stairs to see Adrien swiping through his phone, his chinese food still covered and uneaten. Tikki and Plagg already sharing a plate of cookies and cheeses in the kitchen. "You could've eaten you know."
"Pshh, without you? Sorry Dupain, not how I roll." He gestured the opposite of the couch he sat on, I hopped over the back of it with trained agility, landing cross legged, my toes brushing his jeans. He leaned over the couch and started ruffling through the bag, getting out movie sized candy boxes. "I tried to get your favorites, pretty sure Tikki already devoured your hershey kisses but I made sure to save your Skittles. There's plenty of other varieties too." He dumped the contents on the table.
"Woah, Candy Baron, you've outdone yourself." I was snuggled into my faded yellow blanket, grabbing the box of skittles from his hand. "Chose the movie yet?"
He grinned mischievously. "Human Centi-"
"Oh god, no no no no no-"
"I'm kidding! I wouldn't do that to my favorite Lovebug. I chose One Missed Call." He popped a swedish fish into his mouth and pressed play. I expertly consumed my dinner with the chopsticks, laughing at the struggling boy who gave up a good twenty minutes in to exchange it for a fork. Half way through our third movie, we were busy playing footsies and tried not to burst into laughter from the obvious tomato soup like blood and impossible outcomes of Children of the Corn when the phone rang. It was well over midnight and I knew my parent's wouldn't be calling, besides they already shot me a text around 9. Adrien removed our shared blanket, I shifted on the couch as it gave way from his weight. "I'll get it." He wobbled over to the kitchen, one foot being asleep apparently. Before I knew it I was already racing him to the landline as anxiety crept into me. A call, right now? How'd he even know we'd be home-
"I'll get it!" No way I was going to tell him about the my family's 'secret admirer.' Not when he's already doing so much to keep me sane and happy. He looked at it as a challenge, sliding in his socks infront of my path before I had reached for the phone. I countered it by jumping at his back, frantic although he took it as playfulness. I felt the heat and water swell in my eyes, I had trouble breathing as anxiety took over me, leaving me practically blinded. I reached my arms over his shoulder, he used one hand to hold me on his back, right beneath my bottom, the other brought the phone to his ear. "Helllo?" He managed to say through his laughter.
"Don-" I pleaded, but stopped when Adrien had stopped laughing entirely.
"How'd you get this number?" His voice was coated with hostility and.. Something else.
"Oh my god, Adrien give it to-"
"Nino, I told you I would be over here… It's your fault for being such a chicken, actually… Yeah, yeah. We'll hang out tomorrow okay?..." I slid down his back, his hand moving it's grip and support as well when he felt my desire to move. A lump was in my throat and I had to calm down in private, so I sped to the bathroom and washed my face. That was too close. His murmurs were still audible as I tried to steady my breathing. Anger flared through me as I came to a realization. I'm mother fucking LadyBug, why am I so scared? I don't need anyone to protect me because I can kickass and take names on my own… Right? I patted my face and left the bathroom after a couple of minutes, Adrien was now sitting back on the couch trying to get the last of his Snow Caps from his tiny box which his fingers were too big for.
"What was up with Nino?" Hyper aware of what had happened, I swiftly sat down as far as possible from Adrien on the same sofa.
"When he can't sleep he'll bother everyone and anyone with pointless questions. It was good that I picked up, you'd be talking to him for hours if not." He turned the movie back on and we soon went back into conversing idlelessly. I don't remember when I feel asleep, my memories became fuzzy between Case 39 and As Above So Below, I guess I should be happy to of missed the movie about the Paris Catacombs. A light shove woke my up from my sleep, I was so disoriented I went straight to my protective stance, almost punching Adrien in the face if he didn't catch my fist with his palm. His warm calloused fingers pried my clenched fist open and rubbed them until they were practically putty in his hands. "Mar? It's almost 4am.." He whispered.
"Mmm, why didn't you wake me up earlier?"
He shrugged, I noticed he was bent and balancing on the balls of his feet to come eyelevel with me who laid on the sofa. "Something told me you haven't gotten much sleep."
A faint smiled curved on my face. "Maybe it's all the coffee you're giving me." That was also true. But in retrospect I had nightmares every night really, of the letters, the phone calls, of Alya, of school, of.. Mirielle. No way I was going to tell him. Or even mention how this was the first time in weeks that I was able to sleep thanks to his company. We spent a good twenty minutes picking up and cleaning our mess. Despite Adrien basically coming over whenever he didn't have a modeling gig or whenever he made time between Mirielle and Nino, my parents loved him and probably knew all of his favorite snacks that were always stocked in the house, but I don't think they'd appreciate him being over so late especially with them out of town. Adrien insisted I keep all the leftover candy and movies he bought to add to my collection despite my many protest. It must be so nice to be rich. I'd often think that whenever he came over or when we went out to lunch. Stopping in front of the door, he turned to give me one of his bear hugs that could snap a twig like me in half. The bone crushing pressure certainly woke me up. "Thank you for today, and everyday.. As usual." I smiled up at him.
Ruffling my hair, he bent down enough to be somewhat eyes level with me. "My pleasure." I waited, thinking he was going to straighten up, but he simply bent his head lower to mine… His blonde eyelashes visible in the streams of light from the full moon, coming closer and closer to mine. And he kept going. I could feel his warm breath on my cheek, the smell of mint from a peppermint patty he ate earlier, his nose started brush mine right when his lips-I hopped back, hitting my back against the opened threshold. It was the phone that had woke us from our trance. I turned my blushing face towards the kitchen, glancing slightly to see him stiff as a board against the front door. His face was blindingly red and his lips were in a straight line, as if to keep them from wondering.
"It's probably.. Just Nino." I managed to say in an even voice that betrayed my feelings. "I, um. Talk to you later?"
He ruffled my hair once against after finding his composure. "You know it, MD-Chengs." He smiled at his pun. Not to my liking, I made an ugly snort and slapped him on his arm.
"You're so lame, oh my god."
"Besides my looks, it's my best charm." He started to turn the handle, stopping to poke and brush a finger on the tip of my nose. "Lock up okay? Sleep in. And for god sakes, turn off the phone." He laughed, sending a look to the kitchen where the phone rang for the third time.
"Yeah, yeah, thanks mom. Drive safe, text me when you're home." I took the hand that poked my nose and gave it a loving squeeze. I saw Plagg's sleeping stiletto in Adrien's pocket, I softly said my goodnight to him as well and then to Adrien. He saluted me and sent a wink before closing the door behind him. I locked it and watched him leave through the restaurant's display window Did he just try to kiss me? The thought repeated in my head like a broken record as I made my way back to the kitchen, I wrapped my blanket around my shoulders and sighed deeply. Alright, alright, Nino. Picking up the phone on it's fifth ring for the fourth time, ice shot down my spine when I heard the voice. A voice I often heard snippets of during akuma attacks, the one that made my miraculous seem to burn on my ear, the one that Tikki often has nightmares about, and the one that I hear in my head, in my dreams, through past LadyBug live's memories.
"Lady-." Was all I heard as I brought it slowly to my ear and slammed it back down on the receiver. I absent mindedly slid Tikki into my hands from the empty plate of cookies she fell asleep on and brought her to my chest, and I grabbed a kitchen knife with my free one. He knows my identity, he knows my identity, he knows. I slid against the oven's door, wrapping the blanket tightly around me. I breathed slowly and evenly to calm my nerves, blinking rarely as my blue eyes pierced the darkness like frozen daggers. Always on edge, and always waiting.
…..
"I texted you last night and you never responded." Mireille handed me a bright red and black spotted mug full of green tea. She sat herself at the end of my bed, mindful of her short white dress. She tugged at her pink cardigan and casted me an uncertain glance. "Do you usually have 10 hour modeling gigs?"
"No, Mi, you know my dad. He stacks all these appointments ontop of eachother, I try my best to split up my time, y'know? 20% to work, 20% for school, 30% for you, 20% for Marinette, and 10% for everyone else." Quickly doing the math I felt satisfied for for my answer. Mireille did not.
"How come Marinette gets a category by herself?" She placed her mug on the nightstand before turning back to me. I leaned against the headboard, my phone comfortably in my lap. Quickly shutting off my conversation with Marinette, as I was harassing her why she wasn't answering my many texts, seeing it wouldn't be appropriate if Mirielle found out, I was stumped by my own conclusion. Why did she?
"Because she's my best friend." I settled with. Mireille crawled towards me until she straddled my hips. I watched her hand as it stroked my cheek and lightly brushed my lips. The very lips that were millimeters away from Marinette's the day before. In that moment, I saw how closely they looked aliked. How they both looked wearing pink, the way their black hair gets reflected in the moonlight, the way they laugh, the way she can read me like an open book, the way she can make forget my own name with a smile, the way her blue eyes sent shivers down my back, the way her long hair curled slightly at the ends, the way her red and black earrings gave me a melancholy feeling of longing and affection from past lives, the way her lips touched mine and how her hands went through my hair.
"What about Nino?" Marinette asked in half a whisper, tilting her head and teasing me with her light kisses that made me want more.
"What about Nino?" I said sleepily, intoxicated by her sweet smell. It wasn't from the bakery, no it was roses. Marinette wouldn't substitute her loving characteristics that reminded her of home for an expensive artificial smell. Marinette simply smiled at that, and started putting her hands on my chest and down my stomach making my toes curl. I growl escaped my throat and I dragged her legs to straddle my waist, keeping her upright from falling as I explored her mouth. She giggled underneath me, at my force. She mumbled my name when I started kissing her neck.
"Adrien…" Her nails caressed my back.
"Marinette.." I put more of my weight and longing into kissing her, making sure she was there and that she was in my arms. Like she would float away if I didn't. But her hands were now shoving me back, she kicked the sheets around us until I had let her go. She stumbled to stand up straight on the cold dark wooden floors of my room. That's where I noticed her hair was shorter, much shorter than Marinette's, and her big sapphire eyes were now an smaller earthy hazel, that she didn't have the same ivory skin that I saw before but a nice born sunkissed tan, her height a good foot taller than I remembered leaning down on the night before. It was Mirielle. Her face was heated and her eyes watery with betrayal and heartbreak.
"Adrien," She said flatly, coughing the emotion out afterwards trying to prevent herself from breaking down. My blood went cold at the sight. "Do, do you love Marinette?"
"Mi.. I'm so sorry it's just I was thinking of-"
"Do you love Marinette?" She cried.
"No… No, I told you that I love you.." I slowly made my way to my feet, but Mirielle simply shrunk and took a step back from under me.
"But you thought about her while kissing me?" Her makeup was smudging as she let her emotions broke through the surface. "Do you always think of her?"
"I.." I was at a lost for words. Part of me felt empty, the other was full of Marinette. I did love Marinette. I thought about doing anything and everything with her. Seeing her as LadyBug and Chat, stopping by her house everyday and ask how she was doing, cooking a disastrous dinner until she took over, us laughing at all our inside jokes that ranged back as far as middle school, kissing her, hugging her, loving her. I wanted it all. All the things I wanted to have with Mirielle, hoped to have with her, but never came true. I glued my eyes shut. "Yes."
As if it was her worst conclusion she kept denying herself of, she rushed to my side gripping my hands. Like me basically cheating on her was nothing and she needed me by her side, needed me to choose her no matter what. "But-But, Marinette she likes Nino!"
I shook my head, obviously for my own sake. "No, they're rumors."
"But they kissed!" Her fake acrylic nails dug deeper into my arm.
"You heard them! Nothing happened between them, Nino still loves Alya anyways.."
"But I saw them! I saw Nino kiss her during the party, Marinette didn't even try to back away! And, and Nino raced to a private room afterwards and Marinette was most likely going to follow him if I hadn't stopped her!"
The blood that was semi-warmed by thinking of Marinette turned colder thinking of something so preposterous. "Wait, you saw them?"
"Yes! And after, Marinette had the decency to be worried for Alya, as if she didn't just make out with her ex! I knew it-I knew she loved him, baby, Adrien, she can't, she won't. She's heartless, she's been fooling you-" Her eyes darted looking for any weakness, any doubt on my face. But there was none, only cold realization.
"You saw them. Dear god, were you the one who took the picture?" I shot up from sitting on the edge of the bed, not even realizing I had sat back down before. It was like our roles were now reversed.
Mireille bit down frantically, receiving a bloody lip. "I had to-"
I released a harsh sigh, and walked around myself trying to cool my nerves and create distance between us. "And you sent to Alya?"
"I couldn't let her fool Alya too! Adrien, please! She's playing you like she always did- You even told me yourself how fake she is, and, and, how she uses people!"
"Yes! When I hated her because of a misunderstanding. Do you realize it happened again? How many people hate her, including her closest friend, because of your jealousy?"
"I did it for you, for us. I wanted to tell you sooner, but you were already friends with her I was trying to help, I wanted to protect you… But I'm too late! She's already in your head like the dirty whore she is-" I held my hand up infront of her before I exploded myself.
"Mirielle. Take your stuff, leave."
"Adrien!" She hiccupped, her knees dangerously close to buckling.
"We're done, Mirielle. You've done enough." I responded to her frantic behavior cooly. Pain made me freeze. This whole thing was because of me, because I told Mirielle all those lies, because I played her. Before she could finish yelling my name, I turned and stalked out of my house that felt degrees colder, or perhaps hotter with angst, anxiety, and rage. I slammed my shin on the way to my car, cursing that I forgot the phone I threw and relieved to see Mirielle had gotten her stuff from my car. I didn't care if my father would disown me, seeing that he'd have to go the extra mile to deal with the teenage girl crying in my room. All I cared was holding the most dear and beloved person in my life. Tears brimmed the bottom of my eyes. I put her through so much hell and now I'm expecting, praying and hoping, that she would come to love me back. A rough sob escaped my lips while thinking of the possible outcomes. I cuffed one hand around my mouth to stop me from breaking down. No, she could never detest me, there is hope. There is hope. There is hope. Upon taking a sharp turn into her driveway, I almost crashed into a parked police car. There is hope. I saw two more, their lights still on. There is hope. I raced out of the car, not bothering even to turn it off. There is hope. Her front door was still wide open, I stopped dead in my track to see Marinette was holding a knife in a limp hand on the ground, she leaned against the oven's door with her feet sprawled out under her. Her eyes flickered up to me, she was surrounded by her crying mother and red faced father, along with four uniquely shaped officers with notepads. There is hope. Around them were littered small sheets of paper with pictures of dark purple and blue butterflies. Along with messy drawings of ladybugs that were black with red spots. There is hope. My eyes finally met hers after searching through this mess, trying to get an understanding, I winced as I forgot to breath, swallowing uncertainty. There is hope. Marinette numbly sat up, suddenly I thought she knew everything that has happened all because of me and I felt like I was going to cry. But she beat me to it, yes she almost dropped while stumbling to me, throwing her arms around me as she broke down. There is hope. She was here, she wasn't an illusion, and she was hugging me. I squeezed her, not even minding my strength. I was so determined to keep her safe by me, to keep her from really floating away. There is hope. She buried her face into my chest as I draped myself over her, her voice scraped my name over and over again. It took 30 minutes of stroking and whispering in her ear for her to calm down, it was like whatever bottle she kept everything in and whatever facade she was starting adapt to was finally broken. There is hope.
…
"Mom? Dad?" I stepped through the front door to my house and set down my shopping bag on the ground. I had just been dropped off by Adrien and Mireille's friend Rose, who now became one of my closer friends over the past months since she's one of the scarcely few who actually believes my innocences. She asked me out to go dress shopping for the junior prom that was still months away. In the midst of unlocking and locking the door, a small sound came from the inside of the dark living room. I glanced at Tikki who unzipped the purse she occupied to examine the sound as well. She gave me an unsure nod to continue to walk to the kitchen and into the open living room. I couldn't risk transforming, because if someone really was there, my identity would be exposed to the worse type of person. I fumbled getting a knife from the drawer, the same one I held until I fell asleep last night, after Adrien left. Speaking of which, my phone lit up to his many obnoxious pun full text messages. I gripped the phone in one hand, ready to call the police and used the wrist of my other that held the knife to flip the light switch.
A window was open, wide open, and stacks of papers covered almost every inch of the room. Painting it in pictures and drawings of butterflies. And something red and black. I screamed, the high pitched screech that summoned my parents from where they were probably lounging in bed. Hadn't they heard the intruder? I felt a stabbing pain in my back as I walked straight back into the oven's door, which was directly infront of the message Hawk Moth had given us. Tikki hid, either from my parents or the symbols that haunted each of our dreams, and I slid down to the floor before my parents recovered enough to look for me. Sabine knelt by my side, taking my head into her arms while barking commands to my dad who pried the phone from my hand and made his way to shut the open window. The landline seemed so distant but I knew it was on the counter right beside me, right where I sat. My mom screamed at the phone to shut up as it kept ringing, not even noticing the weapon in my hand. She was crying but still oddly calmed. I was oddly calm. My scream seemed to take whatever power I had from myself and I stared at the painted, sketched, printed and taped pictures of butterflies, ladybugs, circles and dots, and green circles with a slits of black, a cat's pupil, going down it. My mom was already yanking the batteries out of the landline, and turned to my father who was screaming at some guy he knew, someone he met at the police station, to get down here. Neither of them left my side.
When I blinked, suddenly a blanket draped over my numb body, did I notice the tall Adrien, clear and bright as the sun awkwardly step into my line of view. He looked like he was going to cry, taking my tears for himself. I've never seen his face so raw with emotion, the face he kept hidden in a laidback expression to hide his fear and hurt from his father, from Natalie, from anyone that stepped into his life. I mouthed his name, his eyes finally finding mine after looking at the mess, the officers, I saw his adam's apple bob with dread. I stumbled up before I knew it, my knife still in my hand as I smacked headfirst into his chest with a mouthful of his coat, his zipper cutting the corner of my mouth. Going limp in his arms, he held me so tightly and close that I could be draped over his arms if I wanted to. But I wanted to feel his heat, I wanted to be surrounded in the one place by the one person where I felt myself. Where I felt allowed to show emotion. And I knew the same went for him. After what felt like hours, I pulled away from him, still swimming in his embrace. He examined my face, his hands and eyes searching for injuries and when there wasn't he forcefully brought his lips to my forehead for a long time. And when he withdrew, he cupped my face and rested his forehead on mine. This time searching for pain in my eyes, at that a happy and relieved sigh escaped my lips.
His eyes caught the knife I still gripped in my hands, instead of trying to pry it from my hands he surprisingly rested a hand at the small of my back and lead me to the couch the officers had just cleaned up for evidence. We sat side by side with our knees touching. Bringing both my hands in in his lap, he held the hand that gripped the weapon, and massaged my white knuckles lightly until I finally lost the tight grip. Taking it and placing it on the coffee table, I took a shaky breath before speaking. "He knows."
"How long has this been going on?" His voice was painfully even.
"Adrien, he knows." I met his eyes through tears. He just kept his focus on our joined hands.
"They were talking. He's been doing this for a while. Notes and phone calls." It was like her couldn't hear me. I winced as he tightened his grasp on me. This time he looked up at me just as pained. "How long?"
I shrugged, I didn't know when it first started. I couldn't bring myself to relive the days of thinking my mom was having an affair. That they stopped caring. "I found out in December."
He whispered, repeating it quietly before saying something of his own. "Mari, why didn't you tell me?"
My voice crack, pleading for him to understand, that he shouldn't feel responsible. "I couldn't, not with how much you've been doing for me, and they said that they had it under control. I was safe.. Safe with you, okay?"
"But you weren't. You were going through so much, and this… Oh god, is that why you didn't want me to answer the phone last night?"
"Adrien… Yes, but it was never this bad-"
"Is there anything else? God, Marinette, please. Just tell me you aren't going through anything else, please. Tell me, I want to be here for you.." The last of his words were in a hushed voice on the verge of breaking.
"No… Yes.. I don't.." I glanced around the room occupied with people that were slowly dwindling. Practically all the lights were on in the house, the first floor illuminated by dimly lit lamps. Adrien just nodded, and got up once he was positive I could handle being left alone for a couple of minutes. A blanket blinded my view of the window that was onced opened, Adrien dropped it on my head from behind the couch, and once he walked to sit by me did he hand me a mug of hot chocolate with a spoon full of fluff. The blanket was a fleece navy blue one, it's smell said it was obviously from his car. When I wrapped it around myself, he put the hand that didn't hold his mug on his hip. "What?"
"Can't spare any room for me?" That's when I really noticed how he was only wearing a dark red v-neck, short sleeved, and a pair of old ripped jeans. It looked like he left in a hurry, not even taking time to dress for the weather. I opened the cave of blanket with one hand.
"Come under my wing." I joked, and he gladly took a seat as close as possible by my side, taking the blanket I held open for him. My parents were sitting in the dining room, right behind where we sat together. There they whispered and made calls to protect our safety. Adrien took the liberty to put on background noise, turning on the TV to some old ABC Family reruns. Sipping the last of the cocoa, I turned my body more towards him giving him a skeptical look. "Why'd you show up, by the way?"
He raised and eyebrow, almost dropping his mug as he coughed, swallowing his drink the wrong way. "Uhm- I just, uh felt like seeing you."
I was puzzled at that. "Weren't you hanging out with Mireille?" He was texting me how much fun it was watching Legally Blonde, and how the third movie was a disgrace to the originals. The source of it was obviously the chick flick fanatic Mirielle. He coughed once before finding a sad smile.
"We broke up."
…...
"What? Oh my god, why? You guys were fine, or I thought you were fine." She fumbled with her phone to see if Mirielle called or texted her for comfort, probably. I placed my hand, freed from holding the mug handmade by Marinette, on her hand that gripped her phone.
"Um.. It was mutual… In a way." Well, I did admit that I thought about Marinette when I was with her, and she admitted to ruining my best friend's life.
She perked an eyebrow, a smile spreading on her lips. "In a way?"
I sucked my lips into a straight line, raising both of my eyebrows. "Okay. I broke up with her… Marinette, there's something that I want to tell you…" I played a small thumb way with myself before continuing. A heat raised up into her cheeks and her eyes widened with anticipation. My face and heat matched her's… I wanted nothing more than to take her into my hands and just feel her heat, feel her lips and just tell her how much I loved her. How long I've loved her.
"...Yes?" Her lids were half close, both our faces tilting as if the magnetic attraction was too much to resist. I stopped myself from brushing my lips against her's. I even bit my lip to keep them from puckering.
"Marinette was the one who took the picture… And showed Alya…" I paused for effect but she simply bored her eyes into mine.
"Oh." She straighten her back from leaning to me in disappointment. Like our kiss was interrupted by old news, it didn't even phase her.
"Oh?' Marinette, she practically ruined your life." And it's all my fault.
"Look. I've come to terms with it, okay? I mean… Mirielle lead me to meet my best friend, my true best friend. I want to be sad, I feel like I should what with the rumors about me and losing so many relationships and reputations… But I'm not." She shook her head smiling. "Even this!" She gestured to the police officers. "I was petrified, so alone despite having my parents, even Nino see if I was okay." I nodded, remembering Nino had stopped by not so long before. "But when I saw you… Everything crumbled. My walls, my fears, just… Everything. You have no idea how much it bewilders me how I can be so at home with you, be myself with you… What I'm trying to say is that, no she didn't ruin my life. I've never felt so alive, so loved before I met you."
My mouth opened and closed enough times that it left Marinette laughing. I closed my mouth one final time before talking again. "But.. It was because of me all of this happened.."
"Is that what you truly think?" I nodded. "What do I have to do to convince you that I don't blame you. That I'm actually thankful for everything you've done?" I shrugged, you can scream at me, yell at me, like the time I called you all those despicable names, you can tell me never to see you again for what I did to you and Alya, for how I betrayed your trust back in eigth grade with that letter. You can tell me to never talk to you again, to leave you alone but I will always have your back. I'll always protect you. I don't get why you don't hate me. Despise me like you used to. I see why you hated me, I see my flaws now. I used to blame yours when they were all mine. I'm truly blessed that you saw beyond my faults and accepted me in your life. But I can't hurt you again, not after all that I've done to you. My thoughts were running amuck, zoning out from Marinette's leaning position, her proximity now dangerously close on seeing my pain. I felt something warm on the corner of my mouth. Alerted I turned my face so fast that her lips brushed fully on my mouth. She slowly withdrew with a bashful look. "You have no idea how much you mean to me."
I blinked away forming tears, it felt like my throat was scorched as I tried to choke out a coherent response. "..I don't deserve you.." A tear rolled down my cheek, much to my dislike for my 'manly-man' image. Her face was still but I saw the tears that streaked her cheeks. Glancing behind her shoulder to see her parents had moved their talking upstairs, she beckoned me to stand up.
"Where's Plagg?" She whispered, grabbing a hold of my hand and leading me upstairs.
"Hes-Uh," I spotted him with Tikki in the kitchen, hidden by a counter where they ate their stash of food. On instinct, they both raced by our sides. We were now in Marinette's room. Still pink and artistic as every. She pointed a finger at me and Plagg. "Change." And with that, she went into her bathroom with Tikki. I did what she said, still numb with her kiss. A few minutes later she came out as LadyBug and with something in her hand. She quietly opened the hatch to her roof and soundlessly hauled herself up. Glancing only to see if I followed, which I did without doubt, she flung herself forward to the night, pouncing off sides of buildings and practically diving off roofs. When we finally stopped to catch our breath did she turned knowing I had mutely followed her. "Do you remember this place?"
"How could I not?" It was the very roof where we would meet up before knowing our true identities, the same roof where we dissolved our friendship as well as exposed who we were as people, feelings, and superheros. She sat down on the ledge, the same one I sat on as I marveled the possible love or hateful letter from the Marinette Dupain-Cheng what felt like yesterday. I cautiously took a seat by her, well aware of the distance I created. She pointed towards a giant billboard eyelevel with us, it was me posing for a cologne brand from years ago. I looked so young and awkward. I smiled to see nothing has changed but the fact one of us had faded and torn from years of neglect. Or maybe nothing really did change. Damn, that was deep.
"I used to come here and just practice talking to you.. Because I was so damn awkward." Her voice sounded distant.
"Oh? I, too, used to come here to oggle at my good looks." I joked though the humor seemed lost.
"That too." I saw her smile lightly, a blush dusting her cheeks. "So.. This is where it started huh?"
"Marinette…"
"It's LadyBug, silly Cat." She forced a laugh to diffuse the tension.
"What I did to you that night was the biggest mistake of my life. I think about it constantly. I just.. You were so perfect, funny, and beautiful and everybody loved you.. All I had was money to buy all those things and I resented you for it. To be honest I thought you were stealing everything I loved on purpose." I picked at my leather gloves too scared to look up at her. "But even then, I still couldn't bring myself to hate you. And the whole time you were just trying to help, trying to be there. Meanwhile, I was the cause of Alya leaving you, you going through hell at school, and even you being targeted..."
"Chat, it's not your-"
"But it is!" I raised my voice, ignoring how raw it sounded
"Chat. Take this." She turned over my clenched fist and gently opened them one finger at a time. She then dropped an older envelope, discolored and wrinkled from abuse and time. The faded pen letters that wrote my name in curly and dragged out cursive left me petrified. It was already opened, evidence of a very sharp knife or claw had sliced through the once sticky adhesive. This was the letter Marinette had given to me, the one LadyBug had taken before I could even lay my eyes on the hundreds of possibilities of what was written on it. I held it gently, so much more care than the last time I did.
"I can't." I tried giving it back to her but she shoved it so fast and hard I stumbled. Her eyes were widening with anticipation and fear. She wanted it over and done with and so did I. It wasn't hard to remove the tape that replaced the adhesive, they lost their use over time. The paper inside was folded in half twice, it was the color of her room, pink, the color of Valentine's Day as well. Holding my breath, I unfolded it.
Dear Adrien,
I'm too shy to tell you this in person but, I'm here for you. I hope that we can be friends because I really like you, and I want to be able to help you! I know you've been giving me the cold shoulder, but I've been talking to your dad and Nino trying to get to know you better… Sorry totally sounding like a stalker.
Of course it wasn't a love letter. She wouldn't selfishly declare her own needs and feelings when I was going through so much, no, she prioritized the situation. And that meant helping me, being there for me, was even more important that he feelings. Something I didn't even considered while I was too busy selfishly hating her.. I gave a half choking half muffled laugh as my throat seemed to swell. I kept reading.
Your father loves to boast about you, he's so proud of you. More than you know. All Nino talks about is you, how you guys hangout and talk dust til dawn. I know you're probably feeling down, and I wanted to make it up to you… And this was the only way that doesn't involve you ignoring me or my stuttering. What I'm saying is that I'll always be there when you need me and I hope we can be friends!
Happy Valentines Day!
Your friend,
Marinette
"Mari.. I'm so, I treated you so bad and now… Can you ever forgive me?" When she shook her head I numbly nodded. The damage of what I've done is unforgivable, all this time I've been so selfish and blinded and now I keep asking for more? "..I understand.." This is it, this is my goodbye. I have to make it short and perfect. "Marinette.. I'll never forget about yo-"
"Oh shut up you big Olf. Turn over the paper."
When I did there was freshly written ink, her cursive was more refined from years of practice. I made the connection on why she chose to transform in the bathroom, so she could write on it.
Dear dumbass,
I could never blame you for anything, infact I'm so thankful for everything you've done. Don't you ever think that I want you out of my life, not even for a second. Because even back then, even when I hated you, I loved you. I loved you so much. I still do. But, if you don't that's totally cool too..
Your BEST friend FOREVER,
Marinette
"A little cliche but. Yeah..I um, lost my confidence halfway through..." Now it was her who was making as much space between us, scared of rejection. I laughed despite myself.
"You love me?" I turned to her.
"...Yes?"
"Like, love-love?" I moved my hands from her embrace to cup her face.
"Um.. Only if you do.." She tried to avoid her gaze but seemed to give up, no longer caring of any outcomes. Only caring about the me in front of her. My thumb brushed stray tears away.
"For so long." I whispered.
"What?" She matched my tone, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion. I lightly put my forehead on her's.
"For so long…" I kissed her nose. "I've longed for this.." I kissed her forehead. "For you…"
"Really?" Her voice was small and raspy.
"Even when I hated you, my eyes always watched you..." I kissed one cheek. "God, you make me so happy.. Hell you make me forget my own name sometimes… Me."
She pouted and nodded into my embrace more. "You do love yourself a lot..."
"Yes.. But I love you so much more." I kissed her other cheek. "You've always had me wrapped around your finger, Dupain." I inched closer to her, her eyes more than willing went to my lips.
"Sorry…" She whispered, her breath warm against the tip of my nose, bitten from the cold. I closed the distance between us in a gentle press.
I unpursed my lips slightly, still barely touching her plumped ones that itched for my touch. "No you're not.." I said almost breathlessly. I brought her face closer to mine, closing all space between us. It was gentle at first, as if I was still unsure if she was actually there. As if it wasn't an illusion. I deepened it, a rough moan escaped the back of my throat as my tongue tried to find entrance, her lips parted eagerly to comply. My hand went from the side of her face to the back of her head. She breathed heavily through her nose, one hand cupped the edge of my jaw the other one bracing herself on the roof. Heat and pure bless exploded in every part of me, my heart thumped rapidly in my rib cage. It was like I could almost hear it through the noise of my blood pumping throughout my body. Marinette withdrew before I could truly etch herself in my memory, before engraving her touch and taste. She rested her forehead on mine again, our breathing slowing until it was in unison.
"I don't think Tikki or Plagg can last any longer…" She grinned while backing away from my embrace, though she kept my hands in hers as she helped me up. It didn't occur the noises I thought were my mechanical heart beat were from my miraculous but It now had occurred to me that my heart was pumping a million times a second. When Marinette had her back turned to me, still leading me by the hand and ready to start leaping back to her house, I scooped her up in my arms before she could even react.
"My princess." I purred, pouncing with cautious agility now that I was carrying precious cargo. She threw her head back laughing, her hands entwining behind my neck for leverage. She kissed my cheek as I increased my speed, our miraculous becoming louder with each passing minute. I felt ontop of the world, my lips still warm from hers, my cheeks streaked with color from warth and bitter cold air resistance. Never in my life, or maybe once during those limited times I had shared with my mom before she left, had I felt so loved, accepted, happy than right at this moment… I felt like an actual person. Someone with feelings and purpose. I squeezed her tighter to my side, she almost folded in half. She smacked me behind my head calling me a dork, but I simply released a short childish laugh as the winter air pierced my lungs. Nothing could ruin my happiness, the love and emotions that corsed through my veins, not even seeing Mireille's car parked in front of Marinette's house could ruin this dream come true.
IT TOTALLY WASN'T WHAT I WAS GOING FOR BUT I SAID WHY NOT CUS THEY WERE JUST MEANT TO BE. LIKE I COULDN'T HOLD IT ANYMORE AND I'M SURE YOU GUYS TOOOOOO!And of course Adrien would have a ladybug themed mug at his house, Marinette vise versa too. AHH, I'm on a roll, I love this story so much. Please review and I hope you guys like it so far! Hmmmm I wonder what more Mirielle could want? ;^)))) XOXOXOX
Oh, And I thought I'd tell you more about myself. My name is Hannah, I'm in highschool and my tumblr is sh-ika. I love reading, writing and drawing. Hmm, my favorite genres include romance, adventure, dystopian, and comedy. Currently I'm testing new ways to write creatively so please bear with me, I'm going with the flow! I'm hoping when things die down in my personal life I can create art for my own fanfics just because I can. Since I'm new to all of this, I hope to create more AUs and other stuff for The Mortal Instruments series, Infernal Devices, Dangerous Mind series, some other animes/cartoons/manga and other TV shows/books. I can't think of any of them right now, but I really want to start making more especially since my clubs are ending for the year and my dance competitions are almost over. I'm having such a blast with this one and I hope you guys are too!