Chat Noir ran across the rooftops with his partner on their normal patrol through the city. As per usual there were citizens waving to them in glee. But what would usually lift his spirits only made him feel more down. But then a familiar store caught his attention as excitement began to bubble up in his chest.
"I'm taking a detour!" He yelled out to his partner who stopped in turn.
"Detour?" Ladybug asked in surprise, looking back at him.
"Yeah- you know, getting more exercise, covering all grounds!" Chat Noir explained hastily, using his staff to jump off the roof. While Ladybug pondered if he should wait on him or continue. Chat Noir didn't wait for his partner to respond as he jumped across the street towards the shop that had caught his attention. But once he placed some distance between his partner- he looked back at Ladybug for a second with a frown.
The sun began to set as the two heroes of Paris escorted the amnesic master to a nearby clinic due to the master's injured leg, promising that someone would come for him the following week. Ever since the earlier incident, Chat Noir's ears had remained flattened, his eyes were trained on the spherical box that now contained all the Miraculous while Ladybug wore the turtle Miraculous. Chat Noir held back from saying anything after the Master woke up without his memory- at the risk it would hurt Ladybug even further to talk about. But even so, he couldn't help but ask one thing to confirm what had happened.
"Has he... lost his memory?" Chat Noir asked with a heavy heart, still in shock as he recalled Master Fu's earlier words. His tail twitched, at the sound of Ladybug's voice amidst the apprehension that Chat Noir felt.
"Each Guardian is required to make an oath to protect the secrets of the Miraculous. Once their role comes to an end, the box is passed along to their successor, and any memory connected to the Miraculous is erased." Ladybug explained as he looked down at the newly forged box in his hands.
"But- what about Miraculous Ladybug?" Chat Noir stammered trying to think up a way to fix things, but faltered. "There's still hope! There has to be…" He said in desperation as he clutched his chest. But then as he felt a hand touching his shoulder he looked up at Ladybug's wistful expression, holding sadness towards the loss of his master, but not the despair Chat Noir thought he would.
"It's okay Chat Noir." Ladybug said sincerely as Chat Noir couldn't help but feel that he was being lied to. He knew what it felt like to be told meaningless words, to be given hope and only be met with disappointment over and over again. It was the first place his mind went to when he heard his partner say those words, speaking them aloud like Ladybug wasn't mad or upset with what had happened. "All his life- Master Fu has been bound to the Miracle box and the will of a guardian- but now he can finally move on and treasure his own happiness for the first time. He'll be okay, you don't have to worry about him." He said with a forced smile while Chat Noir grappled with his emotions, feeling small as he hung his head in defeat.
There was no way this was okay, not when he was too late to save his partner, not when he couldn't do enough to prevent the master from sacrificing himself, not when Hawkmoth had irrevocably forced Ladybug to bear another burden on his shoulders. Meanwhile, what more could he do than to support his partner, he had already tried his best and the result was the situation they were in right now- with the new Miracle Box as proof of Ladybug's guardianship.
There were a number of things that Chat Noir wanted to say to his partner, to the person he loved, but he couldn't bring himself to speak those words that terrified him aloud as he was left behind.
"Here you go!" Chat Noir said as he held out a bouquet of an assortment of colorful roses with a bright smile on his face. "A token to our friendship and your amazingness." He remarked as Ladybug looked at him in surprise.
"What's the occasion?" The black-spotted hero asked, while Chat Noir felt butterflies in his stomach.
"Well- you know, you're just so great- and stuff. It can't just be conveyed with just a single color! So, here's just a token of my appreciation to the perfect partner!" Chat Noir said earnestly, holding the bouquet closer to his partner. But before Ladybug could respond, the bouquet was knocked out of Chat Noir's hand by a bunch of pigeons. "HEY-" Chat Noir snapped just as he sneezed multiple times.
When the first horde passed, Chat Noir pinched his nose to prevent himself from sneezing more as a second much larger horde passed by and towards the Eiffel tower.
"Since Paris doesn't want us, well just go to the Moon, just like in Jules Verne's book!" announced while both heroes looked on in surprise.
"And how do you figure you'll breathe in space, birdbrain?!" Chat Noir yelled out in frustration just before he started sneezing again due to the falling feathers nearby, only to be stopped by Ladybug holding his nose.
"Do you maybe want to sit this one out? All things considered." The hero remarked, causing Chat Noir to panic at the thought of leaving his partner alone.
"No way!" Chat Noir immediately replied taking a step back and then flexing his muscles. "I'm the apex predator around this parts- I can handle a few birds."
"Well... if you're sure." Ladybug said with some uncertainty as he followed Chat Noir into the city.
Chat Noir continued to sneeze as he was then pelted by pecking pigeons while the Eiffel tower flying into space, via pigeons. Ladybug took on head-on as he was trying to grab the book. The cat-themed hero tried over and over again to attack back- but his allergies incapacitated him. Before he knew what was happening, everything turned back to normal and he was standing atop the Eiffel Tower.
"Wha-what's happening?!" The hero exclaimed, looking around with his staff in hand as his partner walked up to him.
"Don't worry, the situation is handled." Ladybug said as he placed a book back on its display.
Chat Noir, in turn, felt frustration bubble up at himself. "Handled just by Ladybug, you mean." He muttered bitterly.
"You can't help your allergies." Ladybug pointed out, trying to ease his partner's concerns.
Normally, Chat Noir was certain that Ladybug's would make him feel better. But he couldn't break away from the idea that he was just holding his partner back. In the 51 times they had taken on Mr. Pigeon Chat Noir hadn't been able to help once. He didn't think that his arch-nemesis would become a man whose only friends were urban fowl, but here he was; the only cat that couldn't even hunt a bird.
Chat Noir then broke out of his thoughts as he felt something touch his hair. Looking in the mirror he saw a black rose had been placed on him, the same one from the bouquet he bought earlier. He turned back to his partner who had a sheepish expression on his face.
"I managed to save at least one. But I think it looks better on you. It really brings out your eyes." Ladybug complimented.
Chat Noir look on as Ladybug left, feeling his heart swell up with affection. But then immediately pushed away from the feelings as his own remorse began to fester, knowing that Ladybug deserved better than a useless partner like him however, he tried to smile brightly like he always did. "Heh- keep sweet-talking me like this and I'll start to think that you actually like me or something!" The hero chuckled while Ladybug looked at him in confusion.
"I do like you." Ladybug pointed out as though that were obvious. "You're important to me after all." He said as his Miraculous started to beep. The hero quickly said his good-byes as he ran in another direction to safely transform back. But as Ladybug left Chat Noir's smile faded fast only to be replaced with his own insecurities bubbling to the surface.
Liar. How could someone like me be important to you?
Back at school, Adrien sat with the rest of his classmates in the library- watching the independent film that they all had worked on together. His heart was still heavy from the earlier loss he took, but he had already learned to live with such negative emotions already.
"And that's how the friendship between of American George Washington and Frenchman Marquis de Lafayette was born, between two men who believe that freedom should have no boundaries." The narration said aloud as the video ended and everyone clapped. From behind him, Adrien noticed Marin sneaking into class just as their video presentation was completed and the light turned on. "Where'd you go?" He asked as his friend sat down next to him.
"Uh- lunch ran late?" Marin said sheepishly while Adrien smiled in amusement.
"Congratulations! That truly was a sensational student film!" Their teacher praised while the principal stood next to her.
"And completed just in time for our departure to French American Friendship Week... in New York!" Mr. Damocles announced as everyone in the class cheered except for Adrien who felt disappointment bubble up. "I along with Ms. Mendeleiev who will be substituting Ms. Bustier- will be chaperoning."
There were a few cries of disappointment at the thought of their homeroom teacher not attending the trip while calmed them down.
"You're not ill are you?" Someone asked while shook her head.
"It's nothing so serious, I just have a few medical exams that cannot be postponed." announced a smile drew on her face while she placed her hands on her stomach.
"Aw- but Ms. Mendeleiev won't let us have any fun! She's so lame!" Kim complained while most of the class was in agreement. The teacher had proven to be a stickler for the rules time and time again- however, Adrien couldn't focus on that as he became sullen.
"Something wrong, buddy?" Nino asked, tapping his shoulder.
Adrien turned to his friend, with a frown. "My father isn't going to let me go - as usual, I just know it." He said while Lila then turned towards them- interrupting their conversation, yet had a smile on her face.
"What a coincidence-I'm stuck in Paris too! I have obligations because of my charity work, but we could see each other, if you'd like." She said, twirling her hair while Adrien immediately felt uncomfortable.
Though most of his resentment towards Lila faded due to the distance she had placed between them, there was still a part of him that hoped that she could have turned a new leaf. He used his model smile to respond, a skill that he had picked up while behind a lens. "Thanks, Lila."
"What did your father say?" Marin asked, overhearing their conversation as well while Alya looked on as well.
"Well...nothing yet- but I just know that there's no way he'll agree to it. He didn't even let me go on the Startrain for a day, so there's no chance he'll let me go away for an entire week." Adrien explained as he noticed Marin's frown. But before he could inquire any further the bell rang to signal the end of class.
At the end of the day while Adrien was packing his books into his pack he noticed Alya trying to garner Marin's attention as he was tapping his pencil in his notebook- far past the end of class.
"Marin. Marinus. Hey-" She inquired poking his cheek and successfully garnering his attention as he looked at her in surprise. "What are you thinking?" Alya asked while Adrien took notice of their friend tensing.
"COOKIES!" Marin exclaimed out, reflexively. "Oh- I have to... cookies!"
"...You have to bake cookies?" Alya asked, filling in the blanks as Marin nodded.
"Yes, that. I'm...going to do that. Okay, I love you bye!" He said as he then ran away while they looked at their friend running out of the classroom.
"What's up?" He asked, turning around towards Alya while she shrugged in turn.
"You know him, always running around, disappearing, and miraculously reappearing when we least expect it." Alya said, resting her head onto her hands while Adrien noticed Nino checking his phone- furiously texting something and then turned to Adrien with a grin on his face.
"Hey bud- any plans for the day?" Nino asked.
Adrien hesitated for a moment, feeling something was a little off- but brushed it off. "Well, I have to do some fencing practice today, and then the rest of my hectic schedule. Why? Did you want to do something?" He asked while Nino responded by laughing him off.
"Whaat? Why would you think that?! Can't a guy just ask his friend what his schedule is without getting a second degree about it?" Nino said nervously as he edged out of the classroom one step at a time- and then immediately darted out when he was close enough; leaving Adrien and Alya behind.
"We really have some weird friends." Alya pointed out while Adrien smiled.
"Yeah, aren't they great?" He asked as she nodded in agreement with a bemused grin.
Tikki peaked her head out of his jacket curiously, flying out into Marin's room just as he placed a box in his messenger bag. "Why are you acting so weird?" She asked and then gasped in concern. "Are you feeling ill?! Do you feel warm?!" She asked in concern as she placed a hand on his forehead.
"It's not that Tikki, I feel fine, I promise." Marin said reassuringly as he placed his Kwami on his hand. "I'm just going to try to talk to Adrien's dad. We made that film together, all of us there's no way we can go without him."
"But his father won't allow him to." Tikki reminded him.
Uhh... I mean, us! He's our friend and you don't let a friend down! Just like in the film, when sock-Lafayette comes and helps his friend sock-Washington find freedom. Adrien is our sock-Washington! And as his friend, it is my duty to go and see his father and convince him to let Adrien come with us!" He said trying to convince his Kwami of his pure intentions, but she frown in displeasure as he mentioned his friend.
"Are you sure you're really doing this as his friend?" She asked as Marin frowned, looking at the newly formed Miracle Box that was hidden away in his trunk of presents for now.
"I don't know Tikki- I hope so." Marin admitted, sitting down at his desk as he took out his tablet with the recorded information of the Gospel. When he went back to Master Fu's most recent hideout he found the original copy missing- implying that it was either missing or was taken. This, the Miracle Box, and Chat Noir were all the remnants that Master Fu had left behind. And with the way he was now, he wasn't sure if he was capable enough to become a guardian. "Maybe I'm being a little selfish about this. With the Master gone...I think I just really need a win right now. Besides- I can't just stand around and do nothing if I can help it!" He exclaimed energetically with a smile- trying to convince both himself and Tikki he was okay.
Tikki's expression fell as she heard those words, resting on top of Marin's head as she tried to comfort her partner. "Master Fu may not have always made the right choices, but if he made you guardian then he would have never done so unless he believed that you were worthy."
However, his Kwami's words didn't place him at ease as he placed his tablet on the table, shouldering his messenger bag about to leave his room with sullen thoughts.
Is a guardian even deserving of their title after being Akumatized?
Marin stood in the gallery of the Agreste mansion after bribing the bodyguard with freshly baked goods still warm. He clutched his messenger bag as he looked up at Gabriel Agreste standing atop the stairs with his usual stern expression on his face.
"Sir- I am the class representative- of Adrien's class-" He stammered a bit as he was quickly losing his composure. "Meaning that I'm here to ask you to consider allowing Adrien to attend the upcoming class trip with us!"
"Very well-"
"See, most of the class is a little rusty with their English, but Adrien is very fluent, meaning that he'll be an irreplaceable aspect of the trip. Not to mention that everyone really cares about him, he's our friend so leaving him behind would be very disheartening. Not to mention the cultural aspects of-" Marin continued to ramble while Gabriel raised his voice.
"Young man." He said sternly while Marin immediately shut his mouth- now intimidated by the adult. "I shall allow Adrien to attend the trip."
"Ah-wait really?" Marin asked in surprise, not expecting this outcome.
"It has been made clear how my son is seen in high regard."
"Well- I mean everyone really cares about him." Marin rambled as he scratched the back of his head.
"Yet you're the only one who showed up to prove such a point."
"Huh?" Marin looked up at the older man as he said those words, unsure of what he was implying.
"I shall inform Adrien once he returns." Gabriel said as he began to walk away.
"UH- sir?!" Marin called out while Gabriel looked back at him. "If...if you could leave it out that I was even here...I'd appreciate it." Marin requested, bowing his head respectfully. He didn't receive a response however as Gabriel continued to walk away while Adrien's bodyguard placed a hand on Marin's shoulder- signaling him that it was time for him to go.
With some uncertainty, Marin turned away- feeling glad that Adrien's father agreed, but some apprehension as well at the prospect of Adrien knowing that he had gone out of his way.
"Last night the New York Museum kicked off French American Friendship Week with a special exhibition! Reporter Clara Contard was there!" Gabriel overhead as he walked into Nathalie's room where she had the news clip playing.
"That's right, Nadja! For the first time ever and only until Sunday, the museum is putting Lafayette's sabre on display, as well as the eagle-talon necklace he gave George Washington."
As Gabriel approached, he looked at Nathalie who was bedridden with a few machines placed nearby, meant to keep track of her health. It was the aftermath of his encounter with Ladybug that had placed her in such a situation. Yet even while she was incapacitated she continued their work.
"Eagle talon is without a doubt a lost Miraculous." Nathalie said, handing Gabriel a tablet with the information as he looked it over. "Shall I prepare your hologram?"
"No need." Gabriel said as he sat by her side. "It appears that the perfect opportunity has presented itself to me, in lieu of Adrien's class trip to New York."
Nathalie looked at her boss in surprise. "Are you certain that you'd want to place Adrien in harm's way? If the plan proceeds without a hitch-"
"Rest assured Nathalie." Gabriel said. "I would never go forward with the plan if I couldn't ensure the safety of my own son." He remarked with a sinister smile as he looked down at the photo of the supposed Miraculous that would soon be his.
Adrien hung his head as he sat in the locker room, now having to deal with losing all his matches against Kagami.
"What's wrong, Adrien?" Kagami asked as she walked up to him.
Adrien sighed heavily as he held his helmet in his hands. "My whole class is going to New York tomorrow, I just wish I could go with them."
"I'm sad for you, but happy for us. This'll give us more time to practice. When you're as weak as you were today, the pleasure of beating you is lessened." She said as she kissed his cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Adrien smiled slightly at her, seeing the value in her words. "Yeah, see you tomorrow, Kagami." He said, but as soon as she left he sighed again sadly.
"You know- staying in Paris isn't all bad." Plagg said as he popped his head through Adrien's fencing helmet. "You're got the comfort of Camabert, the best Kwami in the universe, and of course more time with your precious Ladybug." Plagg teased as Adrien smiled slightly.
"Thanks Plagg. Maybe, this week won't be entirely bad." Adrien said as he petted his partner's head.
"What do you meant you're going away?!" Chat Noir exclaimed in disbelief as he and Ladybug sat before the Eiffle tower under the illuminated night sky.
"Only for a few days. It's nothing important, Chat Noir. I'll be back before you know it." Ladybug explained as he took something out of his yo-yo, then handing Chat Noir a small remote. "But in case, anything happens in Paris, an akumatized villain, a Sentimonster, anything; All you have to do is click here and I'll come back as fast as I can."
Chat Noir looked down at the small remote in his hand, and at the small cat toy in Ladybug's hand that had a small bell around it's neck. The cat-themed hero pressed the button- causing the small cat to meow. Chat Noir smiled in excitement as he continuously pressed the button, as he was amused by the sounds coming out of the toy.
"Of course! Just go and rest easy. I'll be Paris' substitute guardian! Am I not the perfect partner after all?" Chat Noir remarked, as he continued to press the button playfully.
"I know, which is why I know I can rest easy." Ladybug said while Chat Noir continued to play with the toy, feeling a sudden urge to bat the plus out of his partner's hand.
Adrien almost dropped a mug filled with milked-down coffee the next morning as he thought he had misheard his father sitting across from him. "I... I can go to New York? Really?" He asked once more as his father was reading an article on his tablet.
"You can thank your classmate for convincing me." Gabriel remarked, not lifting his head to look at his son.
"Classmate?" Adrien asked in confusion but then shook his head. "But... Actually, I hadn't planned on... What about my fencing lessons? And Chinese?"
"Nathalie has already packed your bags and cleared your schedule. You will be leaving this afternoon with your class and bodyguard." Gabriel informed in a tone that implied that the conversation was over.
"Ah.." Adrien opened his mouth to try and argue further- but knew that nothing he could say could ever persuade him. "Thank you father." He said as he stood up from the table to go to his room. But as he passed by his bodyguard who was snacking nearby, his eyes widened slightly as he saw a familiar bakery logo and something clicked in his mind- making him feel conflicted.
The moment Adrien closed the door behind him Plagg flew out gleefully as he picked up his cheese magazines.
"I've been dreaming about this ever since the special New York Addition of the Gentlemen's Cheese came out! Blue Marble Jack, Cougar Gold, the legendary Monterrey... All those wonderful American cheeses are just waiting for us to taste them!" He said with a bright smile while Adrien sat down on the edge of his bed with an upset smile.
"We can't go, Plagg. I promised Ladybug I'd watch over Paris, and I don't wanna let him down. But I also don't want to let my friends down by not going…" He remarked as he recalled seeing the bakery box earlier.
"Listen, your father will never let you stay! You wanted more freedom, and, for once, your father is letting you have fun! Enjoy! You'll be in New York with your friends!" Plagg pointed out, but Adrien turned his head away feeling upset at the prospect of leaving the city he was tasked to watch over.
"If Ladybug finds out..." Adrien said as he couldn't bring himself to finish that sentence.
"Hey- what he doesn't know won't hurt him! You're only supposed to call him if there's an Akuma or Amok attack, and may I remind you what warning system does everyone in Paris have on their phones?"
"The Akuma alert!" Adrien recalled as he took out his phone as he felt a little more hopeful. "If I just have it always set on then whenever an akuma does appear then can transform into Astrocat to fly back quickly!" Adrien said but then that momentary bliss suddenly vanished as he saw the small remote sitting on his shelf. "I made a promise though...and if Ladybug finds out..."
"Ladybug will understand!" Plagg pointed out as he hovered before Adrien's face. "You need a break from being a protector of Paris and this may be the only chance you have!" Plagg insisted with some concern in his eyes. "Plus, even if Ladybug does find out and get mad I'll take full responsibility. Not like he can stay mad at us adorable Kwami's for too long." He said with confidence as Adrien's expression softened.
"When you're right, you're right Plagg." Adrien said as he scratched Plagg behind the ears, causing him to purr affectionately at his partner with a smile on his face.
Marin took multiple deep breaths as Alya had to guide him by hand onto the plane. In preparation for the ride, he was wearing his Chat Noir hoodie with the hood up, but even a comfortable jacket couldn't prevent him from thinking about every worst-case scenario. "There's nothing to worry about." She insisted as she was met with her best friend having a mini-panic attack. It's completely safe, nothing is going to happen."
"Ah-ha, so you say." Marin muttered under his breath as his stomach started to feel knotted up. It wasn't the first time he had been on a plane, but as per usual, his fear of heights always seemed to surface one place or another.
Alya sighed heavily as she looked on their tickets to find their seats- but then got an idea as she saw who she was sitting next to.
Adrien messed around with his seat and immediately felt his stomach sink as he saw a magazine with Chat Noir and Ladybug's photo on the cover. But when he tried to pull up a video to watch something to take his mind off of things, the Miraculous movie popped up first, causing him to groan in frustration, as he was unable to escape his guilt for even a moment. However, that changed when Alya walked up holding Marin's hand. "Hey Adrikins, can Marin sit with you instead of me?" She asked as Adrien looked up at them in surprise. "He has a seat next to Nino so I thought we could switch."
Adrien's face lit up, "Sure!" He said, but then noticed how hesitant Marin was to let go of Alya's hand.
"He's going to be terrified this entire flight." She said, as Marin took offense.
"No I won't! I just...need to get to sleep and I'll be okay!" He tried to insist but flinched at the sound of someone opening up a flight cabinet just behind them.
Adrien couldn't help but chuckle as he moved one seat over so Marin could sit on the end. "He's not the only one terrified of flying." He said as he nodded his head towards his bodyguard sitting next to him, fully immersed in his audio relaxation podcast.
"Cool, I leave our precious boy to you then. Enjoy the flight then!" Alya said with a playful wink as she walked away while Marin sat down. Adrien was used to seeing his friend terrified due to his wide range of phobias and it really shouldn't have surprised him that Marin would be terrified of plans as well.
"Um, everything OK?" Adrien asked gently as he saw that his friend was having trouble putting on his seatbelt.
"Oh, yeah, yeah, great! WOO-HOO! It's great- everything's great, nothing wrong here. Nothing at all!" Marin insisted as he continued to try to put his seatbelt on to no avail.
"...Would you like some help?" Adrien offered to which Marin nodded in embarrassment after failing numerous times. After putting his belt on, Adrien searched for a way to make his friend feel more at ease. "You know- I've been on a lot of planes and nothing ever happened."
"So a chance for an accident is more likely then?" Marin asked in turn while Adrien started to panic.
"What- no! No no no, I just mean planes are very safe!" Adrien insisted as Marin sighed heavily.
"Yeah, you're probably right. I'm sorry, I just keep thinking about how there's no safety net other than the sea. The endless...deep blue sea..." Marin remarked, as he now thought about how terrifying it would be flying over a large body of water when he couldn't even swim. He then flinched again at the sound of the voice over the speaker of the plane.
"We are about to take off. Please put up your tray tables and fasten your seatbelts." The entire plane began to rumble as it drove down the runway, and in turn, Adrien looked at his best friend who had his eyes tightly shut, muttering something under his breath.
Though Adrien was used to being on planes to the point where he didn't even flinch during turbulence, it was far from the level of comfort that Marin felt. Not wanting his friend to be upset, Adrien grasped Marin's hand, holding it tight as the plane itself began to fly into the sky.
Marin was screaming internally the entire plane ride as his best friend was holding his hand. Though he was grateful for the distraction, he couldn't bring himself to even move until he was certain that Adrien fell asleep. Even if it took multiple hours, and Marin had passed out a few times, Adrien had eventually fallen asleep. Marin in turn- carefully removed his hand and stood up walking to the small lavatory.
Marin groaned into his hands as Tikki flew out into the cramped space. "Are you feeling sick?" Tikki asked.
"Surprisingly no. Not yet." Marin informed. "How are you feeling? Are you feeling too cramped being in my bag for so long?"
"Nope! I have my snacks and your phone!" She said with a smile while Marin frowned at the prospect of Tikki using all the battery.
"Meh- I'll charge it later." He said shrugged his shoulders, but then bumped his head against door as the plane started to shake and the seatbelt sign turned on. "Tikki- hide." Marin ordered as his Kwami disappeared into his bag but as he tried to step out, the plane shook again and he tripped over his own feet while stepping out. However- instead of hitting the ground, he unintentionally fell onto Adrien who preventing him from all.
"You okay?" He asked while Marin felt his face heat up in embarrassment.
"FINE." Marin insisted as his voice cracked, taking a step back as he ruffled the back of his head. Before Adrien responded, he picked up something off of the ground, which Marin saw was the lucky charm that he had received on his birthday.
"You dropped this." Adrien said holding it out but as Marin reached out for it, he hesitated for a second, which Adrien picked up on. "Are you feeling sick?"
Marin chuckled at his words. "No, it's just. I'm starting to think that lucky charms don't really work for me." He admitted with a sheepish grin.
"Do you not like it?" Adrien asked, appeared to look a little worried.
"It's not that at all, I really like it! I'm just probably being silly about this. Here I was thinking that it would help calm my nerves, but I don't even know who gave it to me to begin with." He remarked, trying to laugh off his anxiety but he tried to take it back but instead, Adrien tied it around his wrist.
"Uh- you know, it's meant to be a charm of protection," Adrien said with some hesitation while Marin looked at him curiously.
"Yeah?" Marin asked in surprise, looking down at the bracelet and then at his best friend. "How do you know?"
"It uh- may have been the intention...when I made it." Adrien said sheepishly, while Marin's face turned bright red hearing his words.
"Wha- you mean, you made this?! Why didn't you just say so?!"
"I don't know, it was my first time making something like this, and I didn't know if you'd judge my craftmanship or not!" Adrien responded hastily as the two met each other's energy.
"You could have just told me!"
"Like you should talk about sharing things- you didn't even tell me that you met my dad!" Adrien pointed out as Marin tensed up.
"What? Who told you?"
"No one, but I saw your family's bakery box in my house, plus my father told me that a classmate came by, and you know- you were actuating all weird so..." Adrien remarked, before taking a deep breath. "I don't know why you didn't tell me about that. Not that I'm angry or anything." Adrien quickly added.
Marin averted his gaze, insteading choosing to look at the ground as he clutched his hands together. "I...I just knew you wanted to come on the trip, so I may have...placed a bribe." Marin chuckled nervously as his stomach sank, unable to even look at his friend. "I didn't expect that it would actually work."
Adrien's expression softened as he smiled at his friend gratefully. "Guess we're both two peas in a pod when it comes acts of goodwill. Would you have continued to let me think that my father just allowed me to come on this trip on a whim rather than just telling me the truth?"
"I mean- that was the plan I guess. Were you planning on ever revealing that you gave my charm if we hadn't been on a plane?" Marin shot back playfully as they laughed off their bickering.
They both stood in momentary silence for a moment until Adrien took notice of the window behind them, "You wanna know the best part of flying?" He asked as he pointed behind him towards the golden sunrise in the distance beyond the cloudline. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yeah..." Marin murmured as he looked out onto the gorgeous scenery.
"If it hadn't been for you, then we wouldn't be enjoying this sight together, and if I hadn't figured out it was you then I wouldn't have been able to thank you."
"It's nothing really, we're friends after all."
"We're friends, but that doesn't mean I need to stop thanking you. I thought going on this trip would be impossible, but you believed in it. You're always willing to take a chance on something or someone, even when no one else is." Adrien said earnestly as he glanced towards the charm around Marin's wrist. "I guess that's why I didn't tell you back then that I made that charm. Because I was too intimidated by how amazing you are at everything." Adrien chuckled. "But, well, what I meant to say was... thanks for managing to convince my father."
Marin in turn appeared frazzled at Adrien's heartfelt thanks, so much so that he began to trip over his words. "Well, I mean, we're friends, friends do this kinda thing you know!" He chuckled trying to calm his racing heart, and in doing so looked down at the charm bracelet that he now knew his best friend made.
"I really treasure this you know. Now that I know it's not exactly a good luck charm, I feel a little better."
"Well- I had it in mind, but since you're always getting sick and ending up getting hurt and whatnot, it seemed like the best thing to make." Adrien explained as bliss-filled his chest at the sight of Marin smiling.
"Well I'm sure as long as I'm wearing it, then I won't be so accident-prone-" Marin said as the plane began to jerk due to the impact of something hitting the wing. Outside the window someone began messing with the wing, causing the plane to turn sideways and the two friends hit the side of the plane while the rest of the passengers remained in place with their seatbelts on.
Both Marin and Adrien clutched each other's hands, as the plan threatened to turn upside down but then was stopped as someone in a strange costume from the outside hit the window- appearing to be a hero from the United States.
"Don't worry, sweethearts! We have the situation under control!" She said to the two of them as her voice them echoed through the speakers. "Dear passengers, the United Heroez are here to protect you!"
"Do you know who that is?" Marin asked as Adrien's eyes widened.
"That's Uncanny Valley, an artificial intelligence created by Majesta!" Adrien explained as he and Alya were both fans of the United Heroez organization. The plan returned to normal as the two fell back onto their feet. From their view, they saw 4 heroes battling another villain on the wing of the plane, but they were quickly taken out due to the teamwork from all of them.
The villain was quickly captured as everything appeared to be alright.
"Are you okay?" Adrien asked, helping Marin to his feet.
"Yeah, I didn't expect to see American heroes so quickly. " Marin responded as he noticed that he was still holding onto Adrien's hand- quickly taking it back as he was certain that his ears were red at this point. "But hopefully, that'll be the last time we'll need to see superheroes in America." He said hopefully as they walked back to the seat together.
Notes:
- Part 1 of a 3 part, I believe.
-This shall give more focus on Chat Noir's/Adrien's because Marin will be getting the Shanghai special.
-There will be a lot of angst to come, so there will be fluff to balance it out
- Adrien is a sad boy, but he will soon be a moderately happy boy
-Marin just afraid of a lot of things, that's just his personality, being overly cautious.
-The Hero family will have a more rounded out story