I swear, I seriously debated chopping this one down, and went over it a number of times. But things just kept happening.
Chapter Fifteen
Luka stepped through the portal with a contented sigh, breathing in the scent of the river and the boats. Pegabug followed him through. The air was clean, sweet with the scent from the trees that lined the streets at the top of the dock steps.
Now in his familiar garb instead of the temple uniform, Luka looked like not a day had passed since the last day he'd been in Paris, before the fight with Monarch. He didn't look like he'd spent three months training with the Tibetan temple monks. He carried his guitar in its case over his shoulder, and a duffel bag.
"Know your way home still?" Pegabug teased, watching him turn towards the boat that rocked gently on the Seine.
He smiled. "I can't wait to see Juleka's surprise."
"Mhm," she looked out towards the streets. She checked the time on her phone. Tibet was 7 hours ahead of Paris, and so leaving here in the morning, 11.30am, finding herself in Tibet at 6.30pm, spending that many hours there unconscious after that plunge into the snow, and then the time to talk to Master Su-Han…having to turn her clock back from 12.30am to 5.30pm…her body felt absolutely confused. She stole a glance at Luka, trying to see if he showed that same sense of jetlag but if he felt it, he didn't show it.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, concerned.
She forced a smile. "It'll be fine. I'm used to all-nighters."
He chuckled and nodded. "Of course. But why don't you come in for a drink? Maybe video Juleka's reaction…I'd love to have that stored on my phone…"
That made her giggle. "I can't deny you that." She swept her eyes over their surroundings, checking for any other pairs of eyes. Satisfied, she murmured, "Spots off." Luke had stepped in front of her too, to shield her, courteously averting his own gaze.
Marinette and Luka walked together to the boat, and mounted the steps. Luka helped Marinette on, then handed her his phone, the video screen on. She grinned, raising it and trained it on the closed door to the cabins. Luka led the way in, holding the door open for Marinette to follow, and they crept down the corridor. They reached Juleka's door, and Luka knocked.
They heard a scuffle from inside, then moments later the door opened. "Mom?" Juleka mumbled, wiping her eyes…then she raised her head, her eyes widening…
Her mouth dropped open, her eyes were like saucers. She sucked in a deep breath then shrieked, hurling herself at her twin brother, hugging him tightly. She stammered. "Luka, Luka, Luka! You're back! You're back!" her voice was rising with her joy.
Marinette smiled, feeling tears stinging her eyes. Juleka's embrace of her twin lasted until he gently hugged her back and then freed himself, smiling at her. "I missed you, twinsy."
Juleka hugged him again, tears streaming down her cheeks, lost for words now. Luka slid Marinette a smile over his shoulder as he steered Juleka out from the corridor, into the galley. "Stay for something to eat, Marinette."
"Alright, just a few minutes," Marinette murmured, following them. She put Luka's phone down on the table, and Juleka tore herself away from Luka to hug Marinette, her cheeks still wet with tears. Marinette hugged her back, smiling so hard that it hurt, so glad for her friend. Luka bustled around the kitchen, putting together snacks. By the time he brought Marinette a plate though…she'd fallen asleep, curling up on the bench.
"Oh, Marinette," Juleka sighed, shaking her head. "How can you fall asleep in the middle of the afternoon?"
"She's had a long day," Luka said. He checked his watch and changed the time to Paris time, deciding to give Marinette a few hours to rest. How could he not? She looked exhausted… Juleka brought over a blanket and laid it over her friend, and Luka eased a small cushion under her head. Then he went and sat with his sister, making himself a sandwich and took a bite.
"Have you ever been akumatized, Marinette?" Master Su-Han asked, hearing her question.
"No," she said slowly. "Almost…but not."
"And that is why I don't mind you knowing who Cat Noir is," Master Su-Han said. "You have resisted it. Your mind is strong. Even when you think it is not."
Tikki snuggled comfortingly against Marinette, reinforcing the Celestial Guardian's words.
"The key thing is…do you think Cat Noir is strong enough in his mind to know your identity?" Master Su-Han asked.
The first thing Marinette thought of was Cat Blanc. Her stomach twisted with anxiety. "I…I…"
"Here, one of the first things we are taught is to meditate," Master Su-Han said quietly. "It is important not to answer that kind of question so quickly, without thought." He invited her to come closer to the fire. "Fire is a very good meditative tool."
She obeyed, sliding her cushion closer.
"Look into the flames."
It was ever-changing. No color was ever the same, each flame climbed higher like a race, then sank down in defeat, soared again. The wood darkened as the flame devoured… Marinette's gaze stayed.
Cat Blanc.
"Milady…" she felt herself whisper in her mind, "My prince…"
Felix and Kagami's story.
Adrien's mother.
The peacock Miraculous.
Adrien.
The ring.
Her breath hitched.
"Cat Noir is your partner," Master Su-Han's voice was quiet, steady. "Think of him."
I trust you to bring me back.
I just love that angry little pout of yours.
Crazy for you, Milady.
We always trust each other.
You haven't lost me. His voice swam through her thoughts.
Her heart hurt with love for him.
"Do you trust him?" Master Su-Han's voice swam through her dreamy thoughts.
"Yes," she heard herself distantly, with certainty.
"Is he strong in mind?"
I trust you to bring me back.
Just crazy for you, Milady. That smile of his, the unwavering certainty in his eyes as he sacrificed himself. Not once. Not twice. So many times…
"Yes," she heard herself say.
"And the boy behind the mask," Master Su-Han's voice said. "Is he any less strong in mind? Does his strength come from only his kwami?"
"No," she said.
When she opened her eyes, Master Su-Han was smiling at her, sitting on one of the cushions. She moved, surprised at how stiff her body felt. She held her hands out to the flames, letting the warmth climb through her. She released a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. Her body felt lighter.
"You've grown up, little Ladybug," he said gently.
"I don't want to outlive him," she said.
He smiled and shook his head. "In this, you are still young."
She sat up straight. "How?"
"I trust you to find the answer. The only clue I can give you is that I will live twice as long as you." He settled back down and sternly indicated the same. "While you are here, I want to see how much you have learned about being Guardian. Tell me. Did Fu teach you how to raise a kwami's energy level?"
She nodded, remembering the lessons Master Fu had given her, following telling her that he intended for her to become the next Guardian.
"Show me. Increase Tikki's energy level as though you were healing her."
Tikki made to free herself from her warm hiding place but Master Su-Han shook his head. "She is in contact with you, Tikki. She can heal you without you being in her hands."
Marinette blinked but obeyed, closing her eyes. She reached out with her mind, feeling the waves of energy from her kwami. She measured her breath, then breathed out, feeling her own energy bleed out, a ribbon from her to Tikki. She felt Tikki take in the energy.
"Now, Tikki, refuse the energy," Master Su-Han ordered. "There will be times when she could overextend herself and you will need to act for her good."
Tikki obeyed. Marinette felt the energy meet her kwami, felt her kwami push it back. She couldn't suppress a giggle at the strange feeling.
"Good." He got up. "Now…wake up, Ladybug."
The words reverberated through her, twinning with her name. "Marinette…"
She sat up with a gasp and saw the evening sky outside the porthole window. "Oh no! I'm late!" she pushed back the blanket and got to her feet.
Luka, sitting on the other bench, ran his finger along the E string, his other finger on the fret. "Good dreams?" he asked calmly.
"I need to go," she stammered, and ran, fumbling in her pocket for Kaalki's Miraculous. She ran up the dock steps, onto the street. The streetlamps burst into light as she ran, and across the road. She shrieked as a car horn sounded and she leapt across to the pavement. "Sorry!" she called back breathlessly, then leaned against the wall, panting, and stepped into the alley. "Tikki, ready? We need to get Pegasus his Miraculous back."
"Ready!" Tikki freed herself from Marinette's purse.
"Spots on! Kaalki, Tikki, unify." Transforming, she opened a portal and stepped through, into Max's bedroom, keeping her eyes averted in case of disturbing him. It was dark, the computer screen the only light. The boy was typing intently but stopped as soon as Ladybug's portal lit the room. "Kaalki!" he was up, eager to take back his Miraculous.
"Thank you, Max," Ladybug said warmly, taking off the glasses. Kaalki reappeared and zoomed over to his holder, settling on his shoulder. Max reached up, fussing his kwami fondly. "Was your mission a success?" he asked keenly.
Ladybug nodded, her smile reaching her eyes. "Yes."
"May I ask…" he hesitated, looking awkward. "Is it anything to do with Cat Noir?"
"Somewhat," she said warily. "And other things. Other people."
He smiled. "Well then, if it was a success, I am glad. I am happy for you and Cat Noir…You two are 99.98% an excellent match."
"Thanks," she gave him a fainter smile. "That's…what I hear. Now…any chance you could give me a portal just…" she thought. "Just across the road from you? Just so people don't see me jumping out of your window."
"Of course," he said promptly and took the glasses from Ladybug, taking his own off and stowing them in his pocket. He slid them on, smiled a quick greeting to Kaalki. "Kaalki, full gallop!" He transformed then wasted no time opening a portal onto the street. Ladybug stepped through and waved one more time in farewell as the portal vanished.
Across the street, standing in the shadows of the wall, she de-transformed, tucking Tikki into her purse and offering her a little food that Luka had given her, assuring her that the temple food was delicious. She broke off a tiny bit to nibble, intrigued, but took care that Tikki had most of it. Tikki mmm'ed in appreciation as she ate in her hiding place.
The night air was warm, and she covered a yawn as she walked home. The bakery's lights were still on as she approached. She winced. Her mother was just turning the 'open' sign to 'closed', and saw her daughter approach, opening the door to her. "You were out late," her mother's voice was concerned. "Where have you been all day?"
"Feels like I've been everywhere in the city," Marinette feigned a laugh. "I saw a movie with a few of my friends. Did some research at the library. Caught up with a few friends that I bumped into near the cinema…lost track of time. Then the streetlamps came on and I realized I was halfway across the city, and the trains were all delayed…I've just got back." She slipped into the bakery, "Any chance there's some dinner put aside for me?" she asked hopefully.
"Of course. I put it in the fridge. Just warm it up."
"Thanks, Mama," she kissed her mother on the cheek, and headed to the fridge, taking a container out, crooked the lid to let it vent, and put it into the microwave.
"There's my little girl," her father, Tom, beamed, bearing down on her. "I told you, Sabine, she would be just fine."
"Sorry if I worried you both, Papa," she kissed her father on the cheek too.
"By any chance, were you with Adrien today?" her mother queried. "His aunt called around at the bakery, asking whether either of you were here."
Marinette frowned and shook her head. "I haven't been with him today, Mama. Not since this morning…" her voice trailed off and she shook her head, confused. She'd forgotten how Tibet was seven hours ahead of Paris. No wonder she was tired. She smiled ruefully. "It's been a long day. I'll try and call him, see if he can let me know that he's got home safely, okay?"
"Thanks honey."
Marinette headed upstairs with her dinner, frowning.
"He should have got home from patrol an hour ago," Tikki voiced her thoughts when they were alone in the hallway.
Marinette nodded. Closing the container and balancing the fork atop it, she started to climb the ladder to her room, pushing the hatch open, and climbing into her room. "At least it's easier to find him, if I really must," she said. "If he's, you know who." She flicked on the light switch and took her dinner to her desk. Sitting down, first she took out her phone and dialed Adrien's number.
"You've reached the voicemail of Adrien Agreste, please leave a message…" she sighed and ended the call. "Maybe he's home and asleep. Or else he might still be transformed."
"What can you do?"
"Not much." She thought it over for a moment. "I don't feel like he's in trouble," she said finally. "And Adrien…he's capable. He doesn't need me to rescue him. And if he's just asleep, I don't want to wake him up. Or get him in trouble…"
"What about calling Felix?" Tikki suggested. "He'd be able to tell you if Adrien's got home safely, right?"
"True…" she hefted her phone then started keying a message, sent it to Felix. Has Adrien got home safely? She put the phone within her sight. "I'll wait fifteen minutes."
Then she reached into her drawer and took out a sketchbook, flipping to a new page. She wielded her fork with her left hand, stabbing a piece of pasta and bringing it to her mouth as she grabbed a pencil with her right and started sketching. Tikki grabbed herself a bit of pasta as well, settling on the lamp base to nibble her snack, watching her holder intently, intrigued. "Those look like wings," she remarked as Marinette swept out a pair of lines, joining them with a loose loop at the base of the skirt. Marinette smiled. "That's kind of what I'm thinking." She reached into her drawer, selecting three colored pencils and laid them out, started tinting the design, grabbing the pencil to add some curls to the design.
"Don't forget your food," Tikki teased. Marinette laughed and obeyed her kwami. Finished, she pushed aside the empty Tupperware and pushed back her chair, getting up. She took the phone with her, and grabbed the catalog of next year's classes to choose from, taking it up the ladder to the loft where her bed was.
Then she saw a shape on her bed. Her hand flew to her mouth, first in shock, then she giggled as she realized…
She pulled herself up the last two rungs, ignoring the twinges from her ankle, and stepped across the floor as silently as possible…
Cat Noir, asleep on her bed.
"Oh, Adrien," she said softly.
His eyes flew open and he breathed a deep sigh of relief. His disguise flowed off of him like water, until then it was her Adrien watching her, a blush growing across his cheeks, along with that sheepish smile. He didn't make to sit up though. "I missed you, milady," he whispered.
"I missed you too, kittycat," she answered, then laid down next to him. He reached forward, twining his fingers with hers. She yawned, moving closer. With the last bit of her energy, she texted Felix. Found him. He's safe… her fingers slid over the screen, missing the send button even as her eyes closed…within moments she was asleep, the message unsent.
Adrien drowsily curled his arm around her, pulling her closer. Something felt more peaceful about his beloved…there was a soft smile on her lips, and that worried line had faded from her forehead. He breathed a sigh of relief, flicking his eyes over at Plagg, who gave him a baleful look, waiting. He rolled his eyes and slipped his fingers into his pocket…great. The camembert that had been fresh hours earlier, that would have been fine after patrol, had grown warm…he groaned, disgusted and pulled it out, flicked it into the bin. Plagg watched it, aghast.
"Give me a moment, Plagg," he muttered, not wanting to wake Marinette but not keen to leave her. This was the first night in ages that he'd slept without a nightmare…the only reason he could imagine was because of being in Marinette's bed, surrounded by everything that was her…
"Here," Tikki whispered and flew down the ladder to Marinette's desk. She opened a box there and took out two chunks of croissant, then carefully sealed the box. She flew the food up and handed a piece to Plagg who accepted it with a nod and started chowing down, needing food to replenish after last night's patrol.
For a small while, it was quiet.
Then Marinette's phone rang.
Both of the teens shot up, exchanged a panicked look, seeing the bleary daylight in the sky.
Adrien rolled off the bed, as Marinette grabbed her phone, gaped at the caller ID. "Adrien, it's Miss Sancoeur!"
"Nathalie?" he echoed, bewildered, then blanched, slapped himself in the forehead. "I was meant to videocall her last night…Aunt Amelie must be freaking out!"
Marinette looked wildly at him then at her phone, back at him…
"Answer it, please," he pleaded.
"What do I say?" she shot back.
"Um…" his eyes flicked to the morning sky. "Good morning?"
She uttered a wild laugh, but forced herself to press the connect button. "Um…hello?" her eyes flicked to Adrien, then she pressed the speaker button so he could hear his guardian.
"Marinette…have you seen Adrien?" Nathalie's voice was urgent.
"Ummm…" she looked wildly to Adrien for rescue.
He grimaced but stepped up. "Nathalie, I'm here."
Silence. A very pregnant silence.
Then, Nathalie's voice was very slow. "Adrien…were you out…all night…with Marinette?"
Marinette's hand bunched at the hem of her rumpled cardigan.
"No," Adrien said slowly, truthfully. "She had other things to do. She got back late…I accidentally fell asleep waiting for her." It was true…
"Where are you?" she sounded disapproving.
"At my house, ma'am," Marinette said, subdued.
"Do your parents know he is there?"
"No. I visited late," Adrien said quickly.
"So you sneaked into Marinette's house?" Nathalie sounded even more disapproving.
"I guess I wasn't thinking," Adrien mumbled. "I was tired…and…"
"Get home. Now, Adrien. Your aunt is very worried about you."
A panicked look flared across Adrien's face. "Wait…that thing we were going to talk about—"
"We will talk about it later." His guardian's voice sounded grim over the phone. "But this does not go well in your favor, Adrien."
His throat moved as he swallowed hard. "I'm sorry, Nathalie," he said genuinely.
"I did not expect this kind of behavior from you," she said honestly. "I will see you when my flight gets in." After a moment, she said, quietly, "I'm glad that you are safe, Adrien."
Then she ended the call.
Adrien rocked back, looking dismal. "I must've worried her if she's already flying back…she was meant to be coming back at the end of the week."
"What…thing…were you going to talk to her about?" Marinette said softly, cautiously, pocketing her phone.
"It doesn't really matter," he muttered, looking away. "I don't think she'll let me now." He got up. "I'm sorry, Marinette…I didn't mean to get you into trouble."
Marinette followed him down the ladder, and then to the hatch that took them down into the Dupain-Cheng's hallway. Just in time to encounter Marinette's mother, Sabine.
Her eyes flew wide as she saw them. "Adrien!" Then her eyes went to Marinette. "You were here?" There was a disapproving note in her voice. "Your aunt called around here. I would have told her that you were here if I had known…she was worried sick!"
Marinette knew that she couldn't say that Adrien had just come around early…her father was always up so early, he'd never have been able to miss Adrien. She hung her head. "Sorry, Mom. Adrien was here last night…we were just talking about things…and then the next thing we knew, we fell asleep. We just woke up when Miss Sancoeur called…"
"We will talk about this later, Marinette," her mother said, not sounding happy. "Adrien, you need to get home right now. Before your aunt reports you as missing. If she hasn't already."
"Yes, Ma'am," Adrien gave Marinette an apologetic look. "I'm sorry…it's my fault. I should've realized how tired I was. I should've left earlier…"
"It takes two to be in trouble," Sabine said sternly, looking at Marinette. "Go and wait in the lounge please."
"Yes, Mom," Marinette hung her head and obeyed.
Moments later she heard the shop bell tinkle, and knew it was Adrien, leaving through the shop door. Then her father came in, his brows knit over his dark eyes. "Marinette?" he sounded stern.
Sabine crossed her arms, facing her daughter. "You two were here all night? In your room?"
"We didn't do anything," Marinette protested. "I swear!"
"It isn't proper," Tom said severely.
"I swear, we just fell asleep."
"Where?"
Marinette felt like sinking into the floor. "In my bedroom."
"Where in your bedroom?"
She couldn't answer.
"Did you do anything…personal?" Sabine asked, her eyes severe.
"No!"
Tom and Sabine exchanged a look.
Marinette felt her eyes start to sting with tears. "I swear, we didn't."
"You are not to have Adrien around at night," Tom said heavily. "Or early in the morning. Do you understand?"
"And for worrying his aunt and his guardian, you are grounded," Sabine said.
"Please, no, don't…" Marinette rested her hand on the back of the couch, staring pleadingly at her parents. She hated lying to them enough…but now knowing that Adrien was Cat Noir…it seemed she was heading towards yet another lie…they were training tonight…
"That's final," Sabine said. Tom nodded in agreement. Discussion over, he headed back to the bakery to resume serving customers. "And you can help in the bakery today," he called over his shoulder.
"Yes, Dad," Marinette sighed.