Marinette sat huddled against the wall, up her balcony. School was in just a few mere hours, but Marinette could care less at this very moment. Even if Adrien was there. How do you recover from losing almost all the Miraculous? It would take time, she knew, and she had her loyal partner by her side.
But right now, Marinette didn't want to think about Monarch, or akuma or complicated plans with her Lucky Charm. No, the only she felt right now, was heavy and numb. She sipped her honey tea slowly, savoring the sweet taste, feeling the soothing warmth at her throat. This was a habit she could use to.
The scent of roses hung heavy in the air, and Marinette could see a perfect rose from where she sat, covered in dew. The memories of Cat and happiness where everywhere, weren't they? Cat loved to give her roses, and when she accepted them she dried them, pressing them to diary.
She shivered in her gray hoodie and sweats, for the sun had yet to rise, only a blanket of gray carpeted the Parisian sky.
Marinette cried for awhile, better to get the tears out now, instead of it happening at school. Knowing she should do something, she slowly stood up, mug in hand and walked over to the balcony railing.
Faintly at first, a streak of pink pierced through the clouds, till pink fingers of dawn washed across her face. Pink, she thought, slumping down to the ground. Pink roses are for Marinette, and Ladybug the red rose.
But then, a slight movement caught her eye and Marinette stood up. From a nearby rooftop, Cat Noir sat perched, bathing in the light of rising sun.
If Cat can move forward, so can I, Marinette told herself, standing and gripping the railing. Her heart lurched, the pain lapping against her chest. Get up, she told herself. You can do it.
Marinette took down her hood. Come on! Tying her black hair in a pony, she begin to feel more like herself. She headed towards her room, telling herself, one more step, one more time.
Transforming, she leaped back up onto her balcony. The sun was on full display as Ladybug soared over her beloved Paris.
The sun persists on rising, Ladybug silently quoted a line from one of her favorite books, so I make myself stand.