"Marinette, do you want to talk about what you were saying earlier? Before the akuma attack. Something seemed wrong." Tikki asked as soon as Marinette swung into her room through her window, and let off her transformation.
Not every akuma attack required a Lucky Charm, and therefore she was able to take as long as she wanted as Ladybug without needing to recharge Tikki.
"It's fine, Tikki, I was just listening to what you were saying."
The kwami wasn't sure that was the whole story. "What was I saying?"
The girl stammered, suddenly becoming alert. "umm... I don't..l exactly remember... well it wasn't that important so..." There was a hint of lying in her voice. Tikki decided not to pry any more.
"I don't think Hawk Moth would cause another akuma now, but since I don't know if Chat Noir is back yet, I'd better patrol."
Tikki smiled, Marinette seemed normal again. Whatever was on her mind would either be cleared now, or out away for another time. "Besides, your job isn't just akumas" she giggled.
Marinette transformed, and hopped out of her still open window, into the dusk.
"That was close, kid." Plagg lectured angrily.
"You were there, you know I couldn't have helped it." Adrien replied gloomily, laying on his bed, staring into space.
"Are you even listening to me? I was worried! You could have been seen! And how are you going to explain to Ladybug that you somehow know Chat Noir's identity?"
"Doesn't matter, does it."
"Kid, I don't know what's wrong with you. I just want some cheese."
Finally. The normal Plagg was back. "It's in my bag. Stock up, I'm going out."
"What? What if Ladybug sees you? She'll wonder how you got the miraculous back to chat so quick!"
"She won't be out. Enough happened."
Plagg took a giant bite of his beloved Camembert, and before he could take another, he was sucked into the ring as Adrien yelled "transform me!"
For Marinette, it was so much quieter without Tikki lecturing her, or wondering what's in her head. In fact, she had never asked her if she could hear her thoughts when she was transformed. She guessed not, but it was a possibility. It was nice usually when she talked to her, and helped her. But right now Tikki was acting strange about Adrien.
Or was that Marinette...
"Thank God" Adrien thought. "No more annoying plagg anger. He isn't usually bent up about stuff. Then again, neither am I. Today was dangerous."
He liked to hurl himself from building to building, craftfully using his stick to weave in and out. His favourite way of doing that was getting dangerously close to everything. Almost hitting the ground, then extend his baton just in time.
He was stronger in the suit. And additionally, the thrill was amazing. The higher up, the better. The faster, the better. It helped him clear his mind.
He wasn't as upset as he had been last Christmas. In fact, he wasn't sure yet what was wrong. He found himself stopping and gasping for breath. He noticed he was on the roof across the road from a very familiar building. The Dupain-Chang bakery. He found that this was his favourite place to sit.
He liked to watch his friends. He would check on them more than others. Nino, Chloe, Alya, and Marinette. He found himself hee more than often when he patrolled. As usual, the window was open. There was nobody on the roof, but the trapdoor to Marinette's bedroom was wide open.
He never went in, because that would be rude. He realised that the lights were off, so he jumped over onto the roof. Looking briefly into the room, he saw that it was completely empty. She must have left it open. He gently closed it, making sure it wouldn't lock from the inside, and continued his patrol.
Her favourite spot was the top of the Eiffel Tower. Nobody could reach here, so it made her feel special, especially to watch everything go by from the highest point, and it all looked tiny. All the noises were distant, and the air was clear. It was the best place to think.
She sat and dangled her legs off the edge, taking in the view she would never get tired of. People had seen her up here before. At first, she had been worried that she would be told off, but then realised she was Ladybug, and it became a normal place to go.
People rarely interrupted her. Sometimes they would wave down from where they could walk, or they would yell. They would ask for an autograph, or a picture. The security seemed to be fine with her sitting up where she stayed.
As Adrien, he sometimes looked up at the Eiffel Tower and saw a tiny red figure sitting at the top where normal people couldn't reach. He used to think he was just seeing things.
Soon, he realised that it was actually her standing or sitting there, taking in the views. Only once he went up and joined her, because she looked so lonely.
It caused him to constantly look up there. He had formed a habit of checking to see if she was there.
Tonight he was trying to avoid looking. He had already made his decision. Plus, it was unlikely. She wasn't up there most of the times he looked, or he couldn't make anything out because it was too far. It was the most open place on the tower, but very high up, and it was quite far from most places.
Eventually, no matter how fast he ran, how deep he breathed, and high he jumped, he couldn't take it anymore. He was still curious. He should be close enough to see if she was there or not. He stopped on a high roof.. and turned his head.
There was nobody there.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRGHH" he yelled into the night, which was growing darker now.
"WHY CAN'T I JUST STICK BY WHAT I PROMISED MYSELF?!" There were not many people out, but he didn't care if people were watching.
"Better go and actually patrol." She whispered to herself, hopping off the top and hurling away from the tower with the aid of her yoyo.
Anyone else would be terrified to jump off the tallest building in the country. Heck, even she would have before. But now, it brought delightful thrills, and she was very used to the feeling, and trained with her trusted yoyo.