"Calm your mind, breath in and out focusing only on your breath." Master Fu instructed, sitting before him. The two were meditating together in the early hours of the morning after having trained together.
Marin followed his direction, feeling him mind calm. His mind was clear of any tension or anxiety that had accumulated in the past few weeks after his...incident. His arm no longer had to be in a sling and he was healing up well, physically. However, his mind often wandered back to that day, so many times it was torture to even fall asleep. But these sessions with his Master had been helping him feel better, even if he couldn't properly talk about what happened to him yet.
Marin opened his eyes as he heard the sound of Master Fu gently hitting his gong, signaling the end of their session.
"Sor-"
Master Fu tsked his tongue at his student.
"I mean- Thank you, for your help Master." Marin said, bowing his head respectfully. Though he still felt a pang of guilt, averting his gaze as Master Fu poured him tea while Wayzz and Tikki sat near the Miracle box.
"Marin, don't forget to mention the school field trip." Tikki reminded.
Marin shushed his Kwami. "Tikki!- It's not like I'll be able to go anyway."
"What field trip?" Master Fu asked causing Marin to sigh heavily.
"It's nothing Master." He saving waving his hands trying to avoid the topic. "My class is taking the train to London tomorrow to see Big Ben. I already paid the fee months ago so I'm still allowed to go since I'm still technically part of the class..." Marin said averting gaze as he nuzzled Tikki's face with his finger. "But if Hawkmoth creates a supervillain while I'm away, Chat Noir won't be able to capture the Akuma on his own, which means I have to stay. It's alright though, I'm too exhausted to go anyway."
Master Fu stroked his beard a few times before standing up. "The Horse Miraculous can be used to teleport back to Paris in the event of an Akuma situation."
"Kaalki ?" Marin asked as his master handed him the Miraculous box along with a letter. "What's this?"
"There is a favor I must ask of you Please deliver this to Miss Lenoir in London, if you have the time of course." Master Fu requested.
"...I'll certainly try, but what is this exactly Master? If you don't mind me asking that is." Marin asked as he noticed that there were no addresses or stamps on the letter.
"It is a simple letter to my dear friend-"
"A love letter?" Marin then asked, his face lighting up as both Tikki and Wayzz shared his glee, while Master Fu grimaced at them.
"It is nothing like that-" Master Fu tried to say but then he was interrupted by the two Kwami's hovering before him.
"Master do you have a crush?" Tikki asked already knowing the answer.
"We'll support you!" Wayzz as all three of them then laughed seeing their Master's expression.
Fu took a deep breath, regaining his composure as he sat before Marin, holding a tea cup in his hand. "It is simply a letter that I would like you to give to Marianne. I will send you the address over your phone and I ask that you personally hand it to her."
"Alright, is everything okay?" Marin asked, taking note of Master Fu's serious aura surrounding him. His master nodded, taking a sip of tea. "There is nothing to worry about it's.
"Ladybug definitely deserves a bit of fun, just like all young people his age."
"Thank you Master. I'll bring you and Wayzz back a souvenir!" Marin said with a smile on his face as he left.
"See you tonight!" Adrien said, waving towards his bodyguard driving away. As soon as he was out of sight Adrien sprinted off towards the train station. "Hawkmoth already struck last night, so there's no chance there'll be another Akumatization today.
"A day of vacation, finally! Far from Paris and those annoying Akumas. Good idea, Adrien." Plagg said poking his head out of Adiren's bag.
He had been planning around his particular day for a while now, everything was set, all he had to do was reach the Startrain and he'd be home free. The last thing he packed was the Ladybug jacket that Marin has gifted him just before he zipped it up for good luck. He doubted that he would need it but felt like taking it along. Then Adrien took his phone out of his back pocket and scrolled through his texts spotting the name 'Félix' and then clicking on the icon.
[Adrien: The plan is going well so far, let's meet up at Big Ben around lunch, that's when my class is going to be there.]
He texted but then frowned as he saw that Félix saw the message but didn't respond.
[Adrien: Hope you and Auntie are doing alright, see you soon.]
Adrien added before clicking out of the messaging app. His father had prevented him from going to his uncle's funeral, but there was no possible way he could prevent him from seeing Félix now. Just before he put his phone away he hesitated for a moment. He glanced at the bakery across the street then towards the upper floors where Marin's room was. He wondered if his friend was coming on the trip as well. He hoped so, he missed talking to his best friend face to face.
Marin had text him a few times the past few days, but they couldn't get a conversation going. So instead, Adrien sent a text just before he walked down into the train station.
[Adrikins: Found a loophole to get on the class trip today, here's hoping that we can sit next to each other.]
As Adrien typed out his text, his heart swelled with giddiness at the anticipation of the trip. Sure he'd have to sneak away to meet up with Félix, but at least they'd have the train there and back together. But then he frowned again seeing that Marin wasn't responding as usual. The day was turning out to be a little strange with the lack of communication, but perhaps that was all just a coincidence.
After getting off from his stop, Adrien ran the rest of the way to the train station with a smile on his face. He spotted Nino first, who was stepping off of the bus.
"Adrien, whoa! What are you doing here?" He asked with a happy smile on his face.
" I'm tired of my father keeping me from going on school field trips...so I may have snuck away." He said with a mischievous glint in his eye as Nino wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
"You're disobeying him?"
"Not really, because as far as he knows, I'm with my class today. Which I technically am." Adrien said as Nino ruffled his hair affectionately.
"That's my guy- a true criminal in the making." Nino laughed in amusement as they walked to the train station together.
Adrien's eyes darted at Nino, wondering if he would know. "...Oh hey- Is Marin coming on the trip with us?"
"I don't know." Nino said shrugging his shoulders.
"...Does anyone know?" Adrien asked.
"Well, maybe Miss Bustier."
"There isn't a high chance that he'll be on this trip." Max said, cutting into the conversation with Alya as the two carpooled together.
"So there's no chance he'll be able to make it?" Adrien asked as he stood in the aisle next to Alya's seat with Max sitting right behind her.
"Sorry Adrikins, I didn't get any reply from him that he would be coming with us." Alya said apologetically as Adrien grew sullen.
"There's a 99.9999% chance that Marin won't make an appearance on this trip." Max said adjusting his glasses, but then looked taken aback as Alya, Nino, and Adrien all stared at him in dumbfounded expressions. "You asked if there's no chance, I'm saying that there's a 0.0001% chance that he may show up."
Alya sighed at her classmate's explanation while they all stepped onto the train together.
"He's right though. If Mrs. Cheung won't let him come then there's no chance of escape." Nino said.
"Is she that strict?" Alya inquired curiously. She and Max hung around Adrien and Nino's seats as the two sat down.
"Well, you can't really blame her wanting to keep her only kid safe, he got pretty messed up after all." Nino said. "But it looks way worse than it actually is, and he seemed alright the last time I saw him."
"I'm a kid, and my dad is super overprotective." Adrien pointed out.
"Sure, but Marin's parents actually have a reason for wanting to keep him at home. Marin even said that he was sure his parents would homeschool him first chance they got and look what happened." Nino pointed out.
Adrien almost shuddered at the thought of his father actually listening to reason once in a while. Sure it happened, but he never actually expected it to happen. After all, it was always easier to ask for forgiveness than ask permission. "I've been homeschooled for almost all my life, trust me; it can get to you after a while."
"Yeah, but it has to help when you've got the best room in the world." Nino chided playfully as he rested his arm on Adrien's shoulder who rolled his eyes in amusement at his best friend.
"Please take your seats, the train will be departing soon." The announcer said over the speakers. Adrien sat down next to Nino as the train started to leave the station, placing his under the seat in front of them. He then pulled out his frown, feeling a little down as he didn't receive any new messages.
Adrien looked down at his phone again, hoping that he would receive at least one message, either from his cousin or his best friend, but there was nothing.
"Nah, but you know him, he's probably dead asleep by now." Ninos said taking out a deck of cards. "Uno?" He asked.
Adrien stared at his phone for a moment, noticing that Marin read the message but even after a few hours still hadn't texted him back. He had already seen how ill his not-friend could get, he just hoped that it wasn't anything that serious. He texted a message first before turning to Nino with a smile on his face, "Sure."
Marin kept chanting 'I am so screwed', in his head over and over again as he sprinted for his life. He had overslept, his parents made him carry too much food for his own good, his bike chain fell off, his train was delayed, and he had just remembered that he was terrible with new directions as had gotten lost in the Startrain station 3 times before finally finding his ride.
" Safe!" Tikki exclaimed as Marin entered the train just before the doors closed behind them, he was ready to collapse on his face. However, he did not have that option as an announcement came over the speaker.
"Please take your seats, the train will be departing soon."
"You ready Tikki?" Marin asked looking into the inner pocket of his jacket.
"Yes! Let's eat lots of tasty food!" She requested happily as Marin chuckled. Just before he stepped into the next car where his class was, he felt a rush of nervousness, wondering how they would react to seeing him, now wearing a cast and an eye patch. He really did not want to have to explain himself. But the first step was taken from him as the door opened automatically.
The next thing he knew he was staring at Adrien who was in the same boat. Two stared at each other for a moment that felt like an eternity...until Alya pushed past him to hug him.
"MY PRECIOUS BOY!" She exclaimed, leaping onto her toes to properly hug him. Marin broke out into a smile as he returned the gesture as best he could with a cast all along his forearm. "UGGHHH- I missed you so much!" She said, squeezing him. She then dragged him out into the car where the rest of the class greeted him happily, not once mentioning his injuries, except for Kim.
"What do you mean your cast is already filled up?!" He asked, heartbroken as Marin showed him a mess of squiggles and the name, Noel.
"Sorry Kim, Noel had first dibs." Marin chuckled as Kim scowled, slouching down in his seat as he pouted.
He checked in with the teacher first before sitting down next to Alya in the window seat. She desired to exploit his time as much as possible, informing him of everything he missed out on while he was no longer present at school. He appreciated her update, and told her about everything that was going on with him as well, including his new routine of physical therapy, taking medicine, and being bored out of his mind.
"Well if you get too lonely, just stay over, my sisters keep asking when "Big brother" Mari is going to bring them bakery treats again."
"Oh right-" Marin said as he took 2 boxes out of his bag. He felt happy seeing Alya's face light up seeing his family's logo on both of the boxes. "My parents insisted on me bringing an icebreaker." He said sheepishly, revealing freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and croissants."
"Free snacks!" Alya called out as the rest of the class cheered. Marin sat back in his seat, looking out of the window, smiling as he felt genuine happiness.
"Dude- go talk to him." Nino prompted.
"I-I can't just stand up and walk over!" Adrien said.
"It literally is the easiest thing in the world, just stand up and-"
"Hello boys."
Both Nino and Adrien turned to Alya who was smiling slyly. "Would you mind swapping seats, Adrien? I wanna chat with Nino."
"Sure?" Adrien agreed, trading seats with her, but then remembered that Alya was sitting next to Marin. His face flushed red as he sat down next to his best friend. But just as he built up the confidence to talk to him, he felt a weight on his shoulder, turning his head to see that Marin had fall asleep with his arms crossed.
He blushed seeing Alya take a picture of them along with the rest of the class giggling at the sight. They all knew Marin had a weird habit of falling asleep in the most miscellaneous of places, he was just another one of them.
"What do you think has him all tired?" Alya asked playfully, holding up the nicely framed shot, showing it to him as she squatted down next to him.
Adrien shook his head, not sure what to answer. Then, Lila approached them, causing Adrien to instinctively become defensive. Alya on the other hand didn't seem to pick up on it as she stood up, pocketing her phone
"Alya, do you mind sending me the photos you take on the trip? I once worked as a photographer's assistant for a summer so I'd like to practice editing."
Before Adrien could say anything Alya agreed promptly.
"Sure. I'll put them on the class folder. Oh, except for this one, this one is mine."
"If you say so." Lila said with a smile on her face. "Adrien, would you mind asking Marin if he has anything for motion sickness? He usually carries around those kinds of things right?"
Adrien frowned at her, wanting to say something stern, but knew that wouldn't work on her. "There's no way anyone of us are going to wake up Marin mid nap."
"Yeah, remember that one time he fell asleep in a locker?" Alix said, popping her head over the seat behind.
"What? When did that happen?" Nino asked, now interested in the conversation.
"The art club plays hide and seek when the school empties out. Rose holds the record for finding the most people, and Marin is-for some reason- really good at disappearing."
"How come you never invited me?! I'm the best at hide and seek!" Kim remarked, popping up his head.
"Because you always go to your swim lessons Kimmy boy." Aliz reminded.
" Ladies and gentlemen, Startrain will be under the sea via the Channel Tunnel in just a few moments!" The intercom announced briefly before shutting off.
"...Speaking of." He said, quickly taking his backpack and running to the next car over, much to his friend's confusion.
" I can help you Lila! I have just what you need in my suitcase!" Sabrina said, turning towards Lila.
"Thanks a million, Sabrina! You're so sweet." Lila said, stepping aside so Sabrina could walk to the next car.
As everyone else returned to their seats, Adrien sighed heavily as he saw Lila grip her fist in frustration. He really did not want any of his friends or himself to be involved with her. He took another look at Marin who was sleeping soundly, taking note of how pretty his eyelashes were, before snapping to attention, scolding himself for being rude. Even if his best friend was asleep it was rude, and weird, to stare.
He simply placed his earbuds on and played one of his Mandarin lessons, closing his eyes as he allowed himself to drift off.
Marin's eyes shot open as he felt his heart racing. While deep in slumber, he felt a familiar feeling, the presence of negativity, the presence of an akuma! However, when he woke up and looked around, he saw that he had fallen asleep and instead of Alya, Adrien was sitting next to him.
"I'm not dreaming am I?" He asked himself, his mind still hazy, and then he saw him walking by in his swimming gear, which didn't help his mental state at the moment. Even so, he trusted his instincts. But first- Marin took a blanket out of his backpack, placing it on Adrien who was sleeping, and then walked towards the car behind theirs.
"Max-" He said, placing a hand on his classmates' shoulder. "I'm just going to the restroom if Miss Bustier asks."
" 'Kay." He said, playing a video game with Markov.
"Do you sense that as well Tikki?" Marin asked, but then his question was answered for him as the entire train turned black and red. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am Startrain! You all get to live my dream with me! Shoot off the rails, and fly off in a rocket to explore not just the moon, but the entire universe!"
Both of them looked up at the speaker.
"Well...count that question answered," Tikki remarked as Marin pushed his hair back, revealing his Miraculous. " Tikki, Spots on!"
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Startrain! You all get to live my dream with me! Shoot off the rails, and fly off in a rocket to explore not just the moon, but the entire universe!" Adrien snapped awake as he heard the announcement booming through the train. He looked around for a moment in a daze, realizing that Marin wasn't here, but for some reason, he had a blanket covering him.
It wasn't hard for him to put two and two together. He stood up, looking around for his friend while also noticing that Nino and Alya were missing as well.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Startrain! You all get to live my dream with me! Shoot off the rails, and fly off in a rocket to explore not just the moon, but the entire universe! Fasten your seatbelts! We have liftoff!"
"Mom!?" Max exclaimed in shock just as everyone on the train went airborne for a few seconds, and then...weightless. Adrien looked out through the window, seeing that it was night. If nighttime had the view of the entire earth of course. If this was such a precarious situation then he would have probably have been amazed.
"See, I was right to change into my swimming trunks!" Kim exclaimed in excitement as he placed his goggles on.
"I don't think Ladybug and Chat Noir are gonna make it up here to save us up here." Alya said as she and Nino floated back from the car before theirs, the two looking worried.
"Have you two seen Marin?" Adrien asked, but the two shook his head.
"Oh- he said something earlier." Max said as their eyes were now on him. Max thought for a moment and then recalled. "I don't remember what he said."
They looked at him with a dumbfounded expression until Marov cut in.
"He said that he was going to the restroom."
"Must have gotten shaken up with the rest of the train." Nino commented.
Even so, I have to get out of here.
"I'll go look for him-" Adrien said, planing on transforming where no one could see, however, someone placed a hand on his shoulder just as he reached the door. The next thing he knew, he was face to face with Ladybug, unable to take his eyes of the brilliant blue of his partner's eyes.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Ladybug said with a serious expression in his eyes.
"Ladybug!" Alya exclaimed in excitement, quickly snapping a photo much to Adrien's surprise as he was caught off guard. "Have you been on the train with us the whole time?! How do you plan on taking down the super-villain? Where exactly is Chat Noir?!"
"Easy girl." Nino said, pulling his girlfriend back, nodding his head in apology to the superhero.
Ladybug ignored most of Alya's questions as he commanded the attention of the entire cabin. "Listen up, everyone needs to head to return to your seats for your own safety, please buckle up and wait for everything to go back to normal!" He asked.
"You heard him, class!" Miss Bustier said clapping her hands. Everyone hovered back to their seats however Adriend noticed Ladybug then placing a hand on Max's shoulder.
"Not you, I'm going to need your help."
"Huh?"
While the hero was distracted Adrien pushed himself towards the back of the car, turning into the restroom as he Plagg flew out of his jacket. "Some vacation huh?" The Kwami asked as Adrien nodded in amusement.
"Yup, best one so far. Plagg, claws out!"
"Mom!" Maz exclaimed through the communication device between cars, trying to contact his mother at Ladybug's request, the two of them hovering nearby along with Markov who was unlocking the doors.
"Max! You see this!? I'm Startrain!"
"Mom, you have to take us back down to Earth. You can go into space once you pass the exam!" Max said trying to be reasonable.
" Why? Now I have a hundred percent chance of traveling the universe! And I get to take you with me, too! Isn't this fantastic?" She replied.
"I don't think I can convince her." Max said apologetically.
"We must get to the operator's cabin to take control of the train, and drive it back home. Do you know how the train functions?"
"Of course, my mom told me everything," Max said. Ladybug led them as the door opened up to the next cabin.
"Hang back for a bit, I don't want you to get hurt. Ladybug said, wrapping his yo-yo around Max's waist. He used the seats to move quickly through the cabin, followed by Markov right beside him and Max a few seats behind them. Ladybug supported Markov as he began unlocking the door, however they were quickly interrupted.
"Oh, where do you think you're going? Don't you wanna sit back and relax! I don't want anyone to get hurt! So stay in your seats and enjoy the view!"
"What the-" Ladybug didn't have time to finish his thought, taking notice of the security camera nearby as he was blasted back by hot air.
"You better give up if you don't wanna fly too close to the sun!" Startrain cackled in amusement.
With nothing to grab onto he was thrown back, but instead of hitting the car's doors he felt himself behind caught in someone's arms.
"Chat Noir?!" He exclaimed in surprise as his partner winked at him flirtatiously.
"My Lady, falling for me already I see." He said.
"How did you get here?" Ladybug asked in disbelief.
"I... was already on the train! Lucky, huh? Just like what they say about black cats?" Chat Noir said, laughing to himself.
Ladybug stared at him for a moment, before nodded. "Well however it happened, I'm glad you're here. Come on, we have to help Mr. Kanté."
Chat Noir felt his cheeks heat up, trying to control himself from straight-up embracing his partner. There was always time later after all. The two saw Max had made his way to the front of the car and was assisting Markov while burning hot air pumped through the vents.
"Aim for the camera." Ladybug directed as he and Chat Noir used his staff to quickly travel through the car towards the front.
"He overheated, but I handled it!" Max informed just as Markov finished hacking and the door opened. Once they passed through, Chat Noir sighed in relief while Ladyubg checked on Max, seeing that his skin was partially burned.
"I think we should classify this as a code red situation!" Markov said in concern for his best friend.
"You did excellently. Don't worry, once this mission is done I'll be able to heal you." Ladybug said as he grasped Max's hands, trying to comfort him, while his classmate trembled, though he kept a brave face.
Max nodded. "Don't worry, something like this isn't going to stop me from saving my mom and friends."
"Pace yourself." Ladybug advised as he looked into the other car.
"You two make an awesome pair, too. Just like me and my lady." Chat Noir complimented, smiling at Max and Markov who appreciated his words.
Ladybug's eyes widened as he saw the next room freeze over, the glass now icing up due to the sub-zero temperatures. "Markov! Check the oxygen level in the next car." Ladybug requested as the little robot scanned the next room.
"It's decreasing quickly!" He warned.
Ladybug narrowed his eyes as he realized what Startrain's plan was. "She's trying to create a void to trap us in. Max wouldn't have a chance to stand against that."
"We're not going to leave my bud behind!" Markov exclaimed, hovering near his best friend. Ladybug's expression softened as he patted the small robot.
"Don't worry, we're not going to leave him behind.
Ladybug then opened his yo-yo, and took out a Miraculous box much to Chat Noir's surprise.
"Where did you get that?" Chat Noir asked as both Max and Markov looked confused.
"It's how I got on the train." Ladybug said as he presented the box before him. "Max Kanté, here's the Miraculous of the Horse, which grants the power of Teleportation. You will use it for the greater good. Once we defeat the supervillain, you will return the Miraculous to me. Can I trust you?"
Max nodded as he took the box. "You can count on me one hundred percent, Ladybug. I'll do everything I can to save my friends, and my mom!" As he opened the box a grey ball of light materialized into a horse-looking Kwami.
" Oh, to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?" Kaalki said with an unimpressed expression on her face.
"Uh, hello! My name's Max." He said eagerly as he observed the Kwami before him.
"Are you glorious and famous?"
" Kaalki! We don't have time for that!" Ladybug scolded causing Chat Noir to chuckle to himself. "Mr. Kanté is perfect for the job, trust me."
The kwami scoffed. "Perhaps I could be persuaded if I were properly compensated-"
"Kaalki." Ladybug said more sternly as the Kwami sighed. "We're going to the last car, to the door leading to the driver's cab, that's where Startrain is. To get through this, we're going to have to be fast, but careful. Once we're in the next car I'll take care of Markov while you two try and handle anything Startain tries to throw at us. Mr. Kanté, once we defeat Startrain you'll be the one to get us home. You'll have to think of a very specific place you want to travel to, somewhere safe otherwise who knows where we'll end up."
Max nodded.
"Lucky Charm!" Ladybug exclaimed, throwing up his yo-yo and then caught what looked to be Tupperware. He clasped it to his belt as Max removed his glasses.
"All you need to transform is to say is: 'Kaalki, full gallop!'" The Kwami explained.
"Kaalki, full gallop!" Max said, transforming into a superhero.
Ladybug placed a hand on the door handle, nodding towards his teammates who returned the gesture. All of them held their breath as they entered the car. Chat Noir used his staff to push them all towards the end, breaking the camera and then prepared for a fight as he held a staff in his hand while Max took out his horseshoe.
"I was expecting you - my dear, super passengers. You can't stop me from living out my galactic dream, I shall conquer the universe! My little drones! Attack!" Startrain exclaimed. All three of them exchanged a confused expression as the drink drones from earlier started shooting lasers. Chat Noir hovered before his teammates, deflecting the shots with his staff, while Max adjusted his aim, taking them all out using his yo-yo. However, more flew out to replace them.
"I'm... getting... cold...!" Markov warned as the ice began to freeze him. Ladybug looked around, eyeing some hand warmers hovering around, taking his stars, as he used his teeth to activate them and then shoving them around to Markov within the Tupperware. A few seconds later, Chat Noir's staff was knocked out of his hands as he was shot in the shoulder, leaving Ladybug to use his yo-yo to deflect the shots. However, they wouldn't last long with more robots approaching them and with Ladybug's hands starting to grow cold from the temperature. But then Max took out most of the robots threatening them using his horseshoe again, buying them more time.
"Door open!" Markov called out.
Chat Noir wrapped his arm around Ladybug's waist as his partner kept their shield up until the door closed before him.
Not bad, Pegasus." Chat Noir remarked, floating past him, activating his power as Ladybug pushed him ahead. "Cataclysm!" Chat Noir called out while Ladybug kept Startrain in place by binding his with his yo-yo.
"Now!" Ladybug signaled as Pegasus activated his power, opening a portal before them as the train turned back to normal. But since they weren't wearing seatbelts, all of them crashed in the cockpit while Ladybug spotted that they were right next to Big Ben. Both he and Chat Noir stared at Pegasus who laughed sheepishly.
"Ah-ha, I'm sorry, it looks like I kinda got the spatial coordinates wrong."
"Well, I've heard of clock-nundrums but this is ridiculous!" Chat Noir remarked lamely but felt some validation as Ladybug was trying to hold back his laughter with little success.
"Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug said, activating his charm as everything turned back to normal.
The next time Ladybug opened up his eyes they were all were standing on the skylight of the train station just overlooking the Startrain. All four of them bumped fists just as Max transformed back.
"You did well today." Ladybug said as he took back the Horse Miraculous. "I hope you and your class had a good field trip."
"Thanks! It was so awesome working with you both!" Max said, thanking them as he and Markov left.
"So..." Chat Noir said, placing his hands on hips, digging his feet in the gravel below his feet, "Do you-" He was about to ask just as both of their Miraculous began to beep.
Ladybug smiled at him, placing a hand on his partner's shoulder "I'll talk you later Kitty cat." He said jumping off the roof.
"Ah..." Chat Noir was at a loss for words as he pushed his hair back, realizing just how bad he had it.
Back on the Startrain platform, Miss Bustier called out to her students. "Children! Please, all aboard! Back to London!"
Just as Adrien was about to board the train with Nino. He looked down at his phone, hoping; but then he saw that it was just a notification from his Nathalie. He spotted them a few yards away, waiting.
Adrien's smile quickly faded as Nino stood beside his friend. "I'm gettin' the feeling that was your first, and last, field trip." Nino said sympathetically.
"That's okay. At least, I got to see Big Ben, right?" He said trying to see a silver lining.
"Sure did! No one's seen it as close up as we did! Too bad we got separated at the end."
"We'll go back there together someday. See ya." He said, hugging his friend as he walked back towards,
"Uh, hey-" Marin said, his face flushed red, reminding Adrien how he used to talk when early when they first met.
"Hey." Adrien said, breaking out into a smile, he wasn't sure why, but something about Marin always made him smile.
"So- uh, you're in a hurry, but-thanks." He stammered out.
"Thanks?" Adrien asked, confused.
"Just- you know." Marin said, taking a deep breath, placing his hands together. "Thank you for being a good friend, I know- stuff happened. But- I wanted to tell you that. Sincerely."
Adrien wasn't sure how to respond, but he didn't get a chance to respond as Alya called to her best friend.
"Coming!" Marin called back, taking one last look at Adrien. "I'll, text you, for real this time." He chuckled to himself with a sheepish smile as he got back on the train, not realizing he had left Adrien trying to cover his red face as he smiling happily.
Side Story:
Félix walked through the city on his own, dressed like someone in his situation ought to have dressed, from head to toe in black. He held his hands behind him as he walked through the street. Once in awhile the personal belongings of others easily feel into his hands, a wallet there, and occasional phone here, but nothing really of substance that he didn't simply toss aside due to its low value.
"WAH!"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone getting splashed by a wave of water caused by a speeding car and a previously heavily rained evening leaving large puddles everywhere. He was amused seeing someone who was clearly a tourist having to be humiliated before his peers who all laughed around him. However, the more he looked on the more he noticed that they were laughing alongside him, even offering to help him dry off and trade jackets.
The sight left an ugly feeling within him, something that he didn't want around. So to rectify the situation, he decided to tease this bloke from across the channel.
Félix followed them for a while until that one boy wandered off, saying good-bye to his friends as he wandered on his own looking at a map on his phone. That device would probably be out of the question, however, this target had a messenger bag as well, perhaps for the picking if he was quick enough. Félix walked the opposite way around the block after seeing what direction that boy was walking towards, easily bumping into him as they both approached a corner. He smiled as he snaked his arm around the taller boy's waist, preventing him from falling while also reaching into his pocket.
"So sorry." Félix said, taking a moment to smirk in amusement. Whoever this person was, they had terrible fashion sense. It was a shame really since it covered up his more appealing features. He took a step back, nodding respectfully towards him, but then smiling in twisted amusement as he left the student confused and probably in a conundrum later on.
Oh well, it wasn't his problem.
Whoever this guy was, he had a weird choice in aesthetic as the wallet was baby pink with white spots. For fun, he wanted to take a look inside but then felt his arm grabbed as he was pulled into an alleyway.
"Hey! You stole my wallet!" The Asian boy exclaimed in annoyance, gripping Félix's arm, much to his surprise as the student gave off more passive mannerisms earlier. Who knew he had some fire in him. Even so-
Félix scoffed at him."I'm sorry, didn't realize the reject Renn fair was still going on." Félix remarked pulling away from him while keeping his composure.
"Is that a real this- No no. You're not getting off that easily, just give me my wallet back." The Asian boy demanded holding out his injured hand. "Come on, I don't have time for this! My ticket is in there, plus I have to go somewhere else!"
"And if I don't?" Félix shrugged putting his hands in his pockets, prepared to be as much of an annoyance as possible.
"Then I won't give yours back." He said seriously, holding up a black leather one with Félix's family crest on it.
Part of him was almost impressed he had managed to do it with a hurt arm; unless it was a prop of some sort along with the eye patch. "I have many like that one, what makes you think I'd want to give yours back?"
The Asian boy scowled at him, sighed heavily. "Listen, you're clearly going through...something- so could you just save us both time and just give me back my wallet?"
Félix frowned at him, folding his hands behind his back. "What makes you say that?" He inquired, genuinely wanting to know.
"I don't know," The Asian boy sighed heavily. " You just remind me of one of my friends for some reason, whenever he talks about his late mother he makes the same face you have right now. But everything about you two is definitely different." He added, placing a hand on his hip.
Félix frowned but even so handed back his wallet. "Take it." He said as the boy returned his own. As Félix stood there for a moment, wondering how this random person saw through his stoic expression, one that always fooled everyone around him...well, almost everyone.
"Well, so long Renn fair, it's been fun." He said, lying as he walked away, never wanting to interact with that boy again, but was met with another issue as he felt his jacket being tugged at again.
"Hey- uh, do you know where this place is?" The Asian boy asked, seemingly now growing more desperate to the point where he was now asking for help from the person who just pickpocketed him. Even so, Félix sighed as he looked at the address on his phone, widening his eyes in disbelief.
"...That's on the other side of the city."
"What?!" The Asian boy rasped out, hanging his head.
For some reason, Félix cracked a smile, at the situation this person had found himself in. "Come on, I'll at least show you the quickest way to get there."
"Huh? Why?" The Asian boy asked, now walking beside him down the street.
Félix shrugged his shoulders. "It's been a while since I laughed at something funny. That's worth at least acknowledging."
"...Thanks." The Asian boy seemed to pick up the subtext to this double-edged compliment, as he frowned at him. "What's your name by the way?"
"...Félix." He said simply.
"I'm Marin."
"Well then, Marin why exactly do you want to visit the retirement village of the city?" Félix asked, making small talk.
"No real reason, just dropping off something for a friend."
"Hm." Félix hummed. "What a kind person you are then, to go so out of your way like that."
"Not really." Marin commented. "I don't mind that much."
"Even so, to think someone would place their trust in someone who clearly gets lost so easily, in a new city less. They must have quite a lot of faith in you."
"...Well, thanks, that's nice to hear." Marin said, smiling while Félix couldn't bring himself to justify what was intended to be a childing remark.
In the end, Félix ended up escorting Marin back to the train station after they had visited an elderly woman. She captured them for an afternoon tea, but released them as Marin said that there was a train he needed to catch. She left them each with a tin of buttered biscuits and a face full of kisses, as elderly women did. However, she handed Marin something that he couldn't make out, but he didn't particularity care as he was just glad to get out of there.
Félix was repulsed by the entire evening, unsure how Marin was able to tolerate such dullness. However, he found himself not unenjoying Marin's company. As they arrived at the Startrain station Marin turned towards him.
"Thanks for helping me out- I probably would have still been lost if you hadn't helped me."
"Well- you would have taken my personal belonging had I not." Félix lightly teased as Marin frowned at him.
"Hey! Cutie come on!"
The two turned to see Marin's classmates waving him down.
"You're quite popular," Félix commented as Marin blushed sheepishly.
"They just like to tease me. Anyhow- you seem alright, original interaction aside." Marin said, trying to end on a positive note.
"You as well." Félix said as he returned Marin's phone, who patted down his pockets and then scowled at Félix in annoyance as he snatched his device back much to Félix's amusement.
"You're really..." Marin sighed heavily, unable to finish his sentence, however, he still smiled. "I guess I'll see you around Félix." He said, waving a good-bye as he wan towards the train while Félix returned the gesture.
As Félix saw the train depart, he held up a necklace in hand. One that had an odd red-looking jewel attached along with a small key. "Perhaps we shall." He mused to himself as he turned to return home.
Notes:
-Man Adrien's really starved for some time with his bestie,
-Idk- I wanted to add some fun Félix times, I think he came off as more like Lila. He has bastard energy and I'm just going with it.
-If ya'll need some fluff for these kids, write it now because the next chapter is going to hit harder than chat blanc hit the moon...probably- actually if it hits that hard please let me know.