Back at the hotel, I take a quick shower and flop down in bed. My head is aching a bit, and the softness of the pillows helps. So does the fresh air blowing in from the windows. Its raining lightly, and I love the smell of rain and wet grass. My head is already feeling better as my bed is close to the window.
Its quiet without Adrien here, but having some time on my own is good. I'll be glad to be going home soon, even if school and the ball Adrien's cousin is planning will take most of my free time the next few days. I'm staring out into the rain which is starting to pick up, when I see my phone light up. Teacup. I grab instantly, pressing the Speaker option and laying back down on my pillow.
"Marinette, how's New York?" "Busy. And rainy. I had a dress rehearsal today for the fashion show. I was so surprised that Adrien's cousin is helping with it too. He's throwing a ball when we get to Paris."
Why does my voice sound so sad? Adrien will be back soon. "And Adrien? How is he?" "He's out at the moment." I tell her about what Adrien told me about not wanting to be on camera, and how Anya helped him. "I'm so glad Adrien forgave me. I did something I shouldn't." "Did you have a fight?" Teacup's voice holds no eagerness for gossip, instead it sounds concerned. "I-I took a jog around the block, forgetting to leave Adrien a note. If not for Cat Noir rescuing me, who knows what would have happened." "Oh, Marinette. So, Cat's there too?" I nod. "Yeah. Though I keep wondering who is behind that mask." "Marinette, you know it would be easy for you to find out." "What?" "Cat would gladly tell you who he is, but he's waiting for Ladybug's permission. After you grant it, they'll be no more secrets between you." "Ladybug isn't ready to give permission. I don't want to lose him." My voice cracks. "Your scared that if Cat found out, he would reject you?" "Yes." "I can't speak for him, Marinette, but I doubt Cat would do that to you. Not only have you been through so much together, I can see clearly he cares about you." "Sometimes I just want to run away from my problems," I tell her, and I know the joke is feeble. "Usually dear, that's when we need someone the most." "I don't think Adrien or Cat were to happy about what I did, but they took good care of me." "See? A act of love."
"Its hard to love two people at the same time." "Your strong and brave, Marinette. Keep doing what your doing, and be strong for Adrien too." "I will." "I'll see you when you get back to Paris." "Okay."
I sigh as I click the phone off, and the door opens suddenly. "Hey," Adrien's smiling face enters the room, and my eyes start filling up. Adrien stops, a little bag swinging in his hands. "You okay?" I shake my head no, and immediately Adrien comes over. "Let's talk, but give me a moment to change, okay?" "Okay."
"Are you so proud of your muscles, you don't like wearing shirts?" I try to joke as Adrien climbs in besides me, only wearing a pair of shorts. "More comfortable this way. What's going on?" "Do you love me?" I blurt out, wanting to know the truth. "Marinette….." Adrien starts to say, but I cut him off. "Because I've fallen in love with you, and I don't want you to go away." "Marinette, of course I love you. And why would I go away? I'm here for you." "But what if your only seeing a part of me? What if you don't like the other half of Marinette that's hidden." "I love every part of you, and if there's parts that I haven't seen yet, when your ready to show me, I'll love those parts too." "Really?" "Truly."
His eyes gentle, smiling at me. "I'm glad to hear your in love with me, because I've fallen in love with you, too. Your my compass, Marinette. When my world spins out of control or I find myself in troubled waters, your here to rescue me."
He plays with my fingers. "I can't wait to see you in the fashion show tomorrow. I just don't know how I'll face those awful cameras." "We'll face them together."
Adrien shifts so that his head is touching my forehead. "Let's forget our problems for the moment and focus on us," he whispers.
Next morning, its a whirlwind getting ready for the show. Adrien and I eat in the car, and I take his hand once we get close. "Smile, their all happy to see you," I quote from one of our favorite movies. Adrien smiles and glad to see its a real smile.
Adrien might not like the cameras, and even if I find them a bit confusing, its good to get noticed. I'm shuffled away as soon as we get inside, and Felix is waiting. "I've just been told what Garden plant your going out as," he says. "Oh, no. Its not a Venus Flytrap, is it?" That would be just my luck, (and as a ladybug I should have plenty) to be my in my first show and go out as a fly eating loving plant. "No, a snapdragon." "Whew." "Adrien tells me your pretty feisty. Are you sure you don't breathe fire?"
"Feisty, yes. Breathing fire? Working on it." I mean, I do have the power of creation, but being able to breathe fire sounds like it would hurt. Felix is working on my hair and makeup, and I talk to him in the mirror. Suddenly, I lean forward. "Sit back, please, Marinette. I don't want to start over." "What's that around your neck and that little blue pin?" "Don't you remember, Marinette? I'm a Miraculous holder. That pin is the Miraculous of the Peacock. And I never go anywhere without my Kuagatama."
If I didn't have to keep being Ladybug a secret, I probably would have slapped my forehead. "Then were's your Kwami?" I ask.
"Right here. Yes, Felix doesn't go anywhere without these possessions. He's been seeking help of past Peacock holders about his love life with the Dragon Miraculous holder." "Dussu do you have to tell her everything? Marinette doesn't have to know my love life!" "Don't worry, your secret safe with me. So, did the past holders give good advice?" "Well, seeing we are engaged now, I should think so." "That's wonderful!"
Why didn't I think of it before? I should ask a past holder of Ladybug for help. After all, at least one has been in the same position as me. "There. Hair and makeup applied."
Felix walks me down to the dressing room, and I start to feel a few nerves as they dress me. From there, I'm set out into a little hallway. "They'll call your number when their ready," a girl dressed as a bumblebee says. I nod.
I listen to the music and applause, wondering how many people are out there watching us, each of us waiting to be discovered. When it comes to my turn, I take a deep breath. I'm no longer Marinette at the moment but a beautiful snapdragon that has just blossomed.
The sheer size of the audience takes my breath away, and I strut with confidence. Out of the corner of my eye, I see special effect flames shooting up on each side. I look either left or right, or even smile.
When I get backstage, I feel the adrenaline pumping through my body. That was so much fun! After me, there's just a few others, and then one of the stagehands directs us to the hallway were we will be signing autographs.
"You know your only in this show because Adrien Agreste is fashion royalty, right?" A girl sneers at me as I walk past, but stop dead. "Adrien and I work on the design together. Sure, I modeled it, but we work as a team." "Typical, thinks she's a big deal."
"Is there a problem here?" Cat Noir stands at my side, and even though I don't know where he came from, I'm so happy to see him. "Ooh, Cat Noir! Are you doing a modeling shoot in Paris? Its been years since you were last in the spotlight!" The girl completely ignores his question. "I won't bother to answer, because this girl is the most talented designer in the world. You should think twice about messing with her. Let's go, Princess."
The looks on the girls expressions are priceless, as Cat takes my hand leading me away. "Thank you for standing up for me." "Not everyone in this business is nice, Marinette. In fact, some of them can be downright cruel."
We slip into my dressing room. "Wait here just a moment," I say, going behind the screen. I wonder why I didn't see Adrien out there. I assume he was with Anya, but Adrien is popular in the fashion world, surely he would be near the front. I peek out from behind my screen at Cat, powerful and strong even when motionless.
Blonde hair, check. Green eyes, check. Dimples and dazzling smile, Oh, triple check. His similarities are striking, but that doesn't mean its him.
"You looked beautiful up there. Radiant, even." "You saw the show?" I ask, splashing water on my face. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world." "Cat, how would you tell someone the biggest secret of your life to the person your in love with?" "I would wait for the right time, and make sure they were ready. I know you can be shy, Princess. But you do speak up when the time is right." "Adrien and I are heading back to New York soon. I'm ready to go back." "Paris is your home, isn't it?" I open my mouth to yes, but then close it. Yes, this city is beautiful, but I'm still feeling restless. Though I had fun today, being goofy when I'm alone with Adrien is even more fun. "I don't know anymore. I'm searching for answers, and today I got a lead where to go to next."
"Sounds like you've got it all figured out then," Cat says. I square my shoulders and take a deep breath. "I hope so." Right now, I can't wait to get back to Paris, seeking answers from the past Ladybug before me.