I help Ladybug up, keeping hold of her hand. "Is there a place where we can sit and talk?" One of the Guardians asks. "Starbucks is good," Ladybug immediately says, and I chuckle. "One thing to know about M'lady here, she loves a good coffee."
"Could I change back first?" Ladybug suddenly speaks up, but quietly. "Of course." I can understand this as Ladybug and Cat don't show their faces much around Paris anymore.
We head to the coffee shop, and I order drinks and baked good for everyone and we find a back table were we won't be bothered. "We wish we were coming here on a friendly visit, but a new villain seems to have been spotted with the Butterfly Miraculous." Ladybug chokes on her drink, and I pat her back gently. "But I defeated Hawkmoth," she whispers. "Though the brooch did go missing. It was in a blizzard." The one who spoke first takes her hand in Marinette's. "You did the best you could, and you made the wise choice to leave when you did. This new holder must have found the brooch many months after. We believe he goes by the name of Scorpius."
"Like the Butterfly galaxy?" I cut in. "Fitting name." "Yes, well, we are unsure of his powers, but we know he is Tibet somewhere. The Council agreed to come get you to train among some of our top students and when the time is right, you will travel to Scorpius's hideout and defeat him."
"But Adrien and I are already in school, and we can't drop out. We worked to hard to get in." "We will forge papers to make sure you stay in school, but we desperate need your help. If you agree, we leave in two days. What is your answer?"
I turn to Ladybug, its up to her. She chews on her lip, thinking. "Maybe this is what that restless itch was about," she mutters mostly to herself. "I'm in if your in, Kitty." "I go where you go."
"Good, you will return to school as normal in the morning, and we'll work out the details from there."
Marinette and I watch them go. "I should learn to trust your instincts more. You were feeling restless and with good reason." "Hey, you know me better then anyone. And speaking of school, you and I both have homework to do. Want to come home with me?"
I grin, feeling slightly more like myself. "My Lady, is that even a question?" "Ah, yes, My Kitty will follow me anywhere if there's a food bowl nearby." We laugh and stand up, heading back to the bakery.
We set our backpacks down at the table, and Marinette reads a note taped to the fridge. "Out to get supplies, would you be willing to make dinner?-Mama.
"How will I tell them I'm just up and leaving to take on a new villain?" Marinette sighs, plopping into a chair. "Hey, they know your Ladybug. At times, duty calls."
"I always knew I would wear the suit to make children feel better, but I never saw myself fighting again." "We'll be each other side," I remind her and she smiles.
We focus on homework for an hour or two, then its time to make dinner. We have all the ingredients for lasagna and its fun making a meal together. "I'll make a cook out of you yet," Marinette giggles as I slide the pan into the oven. "Hey, in sickness and health, my love. And I have a feeling I would be cooking if that happened."
"Mm, no," she teases, taking my hands. "You'd be getting take-out." "And what's wrong with that?" I lean forward, smiling. "Nothing, but I want you to be able to do it." "Aw, can't I be your lovable fur ball who makes puns and makes you laugh?" "Okay, okay. You can be both." "Yes, thanks Princess."
I pull her into a hug, and I tip her chin up. "Kiss?" she nods, and what I thought would be a quick peck, turns into a warm and slow kiss. "I love you, Adrien," she whispers, staring into my eyes. My throat grows tight, and I answer by cupping her cheek and kissing her again.
With all that's happened today, when I get home later in the evening, I thought I would fall asleep quickly, but instead I lay there, staring at the ceiling.
What will it be like to live and train at the Temple in Tibet? Are the students nice? And what is this Scorpius like?
To take my mind off things, I pack.
I get a few hours of sleep and then its already time to head back to school. My coffee tastes extra good this morning, or maybe it tastes good from the lack of sleep.
Marinette always looks beautiful, but today she seems to stand out in the crowd, wearing a yellow blouse and dark jeans, her hair up in to cute buns.
We have art first period, and take our usual spots next to each other. Its not long though before we are called to the Principal's office, and every eye turns in our direction.
We hold hands in the empty hallways, and I rap on the door. "Come in!" calls our Principal, and we enter.
Our new Guardian friends sit in chairs, and we're gestured to sit down. "So, Marinette, Adrien, I hear you have the opportunity to work for a famous fashion model. You know you accept you would leave school for time, hm?" "Yes, we are aware," Marinette answers. "We have a policy here that if you don't return within one year, you will be dismissed. What's it to be?"
I rub Marinette's thumb as I can see tears shimmering in her eyes. School means even more to her then it does me. "It will be alright, Bugaboo." "We're leaving," she says, and I admire how she is able to keep her cool.
"Sign here and here," our principal instructs. After we exit, we all huddle in the hall. "Can we go back to class now?" Marinette asks. One of the Guardians shake his head sadly. "I'm afraid not, Marinette. The Council wants you immediately, and we leave right now."
"But Mama and Papa…." Marinette whispers. "Its going to be alright, sweetheart," I tell her as one of the Guardians opens the portal. We step through, covering thousands of miles in a single step.
We seem to be in some kind of grand living room, and a crackling cozy fireplace blazes in the corner. "We'll give you some time to yourselves," they say, and exit the room.
As soon as they leave, Marinette burst into tears.
