Marinette giggled as she sprayed Tikki with water from the hose. It might be autumn in Paris, but the day was hot and Marinette was wearing a simple tank and a shorts. Tikki delightedly darted in and out of the droplets till Marinette turned the nozzle off.
"Aw, Marinette," Tikki grumbled. "I need to plant this bucket of mum," Marinette explained to her Kwami, squatting down and scooping fresh dirt into the pot holder. Marinette wasn't sure, but since she had become Ladybug, she appreciated flowers even more.
The mum she was planting was a dark red color and she hummed happily as she worked. After an hour or so, she stood back, admiring her work.
Stomach growling, Marinette headed down to check on supper, smelling something delicious but scooting back upstairs when she heard her mother conversing with Adrien in the living room.
"What's-" Nikki asked, but Marinette shushed her and sat still as a mouse, listening.
"Its normal to miss your mother, sweetie. And your welcome here any time. Oh, honey…."
Upstairs, Marinette and Nikki looked at each other. It sounded like Adrien was crying. Marinette peeked and her throat swelled tight as she saw her mother put an arm around Adrien and he placed his head on her shoulder. It was rare to see Adrien, her sunshine Adrien, crying.
Marinette opened her palms and held her Kwami close. She didn't know how she could bear if she lost a parent, and she marveled at how happy Adrien was most of the time, giving everyone smiles.
Eventually, it was quiet downstairs and Marinette braved going downstairs. Sabine was at the stove, and Marinette cleared her throat, holding the small mum in her hand.
"Is Adrien all right?" she asked, in a soft voice. Her mother turned around, not saying anything, only gathering her daughter into her arms.
"I know I'm not his mother, but that boy needs love," she whispered. "Your the best mom in the world," Marinette told her. "And here's a mum to prove it."
Sabine smiled as Tom as Adrien entered the room for dinner. "Well, would look at that," she said. "What?" Tom asked. "There was a little ladybug on the mum Marinette gave me."
Adrien caught Marinette's eye and smiled. She took his hand, leading him to the table for dinner. Whether when she was Marinette or Ladybug saving Paris, she had the best "mum" in the world.