I use Google Translate, so I apologize for any errors.
Enjoy reading!
I don't own Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir
The sewer was dark and damp, and I could hear something dripping somewhere behind me. Adrien was acutely aware of the unpleasant smell and had to squint to see Lady Bug, who was half a meter away from him.
"Adrien Agreste, this is the snake's talisman. It gives you the power of a Second Chance, " the girl said, handing him the familiar box he'd first found Plagg in. – When the mission is finished..."
Before she could finish speaking, yellow smoke suddenly enveloped her. The MiraculousBox fell to the ground, opening to reveal a familiar bracelet. Somewhere in the darkness, he heard a crazy laugh.
The boy dropped to his knees, picking up the box as tears streamed down his face. Wiping his tears and snot on his sleeves, he opened it, put on the bracelet, and said the words, not even waiting for Sass to say them. He instantly took a Second Chance and scrolled the bracelet.
Of course, nothing happened, because the events occurred before the superpower was used. He gave up completely, his arms sagging at his sides.
His face was gently lifted by the chin, and now he could see the eyes of his enemy.
"Don't worry, Chat Noir," Desperada hissed, holding her weapon to his face. – You'll go straight for your partner.
She pulled the trigger.
Adrien woke up with a cry, sweating and crying, twisting his wrist violently. He could still hear the echoes of the trumpet sounds, which were accompanied by golden smoke.
Twenty-five thousand nine hundred and thirteen attempts.
Twenty-five thousand nine hundred and thirteen cycles.
Three months of endless attempts to save your Lady.
Three months of failure.
He felt like he was starting to choke at the thought, his eyes were starting to water again, and the speed of his wrist's rotation was increasing, but just at that moment, a black blob appeared in front of him and hung in the air.
"...ien! - blob said. - Adr...
The guy couldn't figure out how it was hanging in the air and what he was trying to say. How could the blots even talk? It didn't make sense! But still, he was facing the exact opposite.
"...ien!
In the next second, the blob darted towards him and began to ... purr? What was going on?
After a while, Adrien began to understand the surrounding stop, and the speed of tugging on his wrist decreases. It was night outside, and even the stars weren't shining tonight. There was a small LED lamp on the bedside table, which he had bought secretly from his father and Natalie to help him find some kind of landmark in the room at night.
Then he turned his attention to his bed. The blankets were knocked down at his feet, half over the bed.
"Adrien? Kid?"
Only now did the boy turn his attention to his kwami, who was snuggling up to his neck and purring.
"I'm here, Plagg," he said, raising a hand in invitation.
"This isn't normal, Kid, and you know it," the kwami of Destruction said, landing on his palm. – It's been three days and you're not getting any better.
"I'm sure it was the last rush," Adrien said. "I -"
"We both know that's bullshit, Kid," Plagg interrupted. – "You need to talk to Lady Bug."
"She probably has better things to do," the guy said.
"She's your partner!" – Kwami reminded him.
- Chat Noir partner Lady Bug! At least I hope... " said Adrien bitterly. " And Aspic is a complete disappointment to her. I don't think she'll ever want to talk to Adrien again after this failure.
"Do you realize you're talking about yourself in the third person?" Plagg said. "I think you should get some sleep. You don't get enough sleep. And this new diet of your stupid dad! You're almost constantly malnourished!" he swore. "Kid, you need to eat a lot and often enough right now, otherwise you'll get sick... hey, what are you doing?" he asked, noticing that the boy had gotten out of bed and turned on the light. – I thought you were going back to bed."
"This is pointless," Adrien shrugged, pulling on a shirt over his pajamas and picking up his smartphone to check the time. – I'll need to wake up in three hours. I'd rather have something to do than fall asleep and have another nightmare.
- Kidd…"- Plagg said. – Then go to the kitchen and get something to eat."
"No," the guy said, shaking his head. – if my father catches me unexpectedly, I will be punished. Therefore, no. I'll look up some additional courses in Chinese, " he said, sitting down at the computer.
"Adrien..."
The guy ignored Kwami, pulling out his headphones. The tiny god sighed, saying nothing, and flew over to his camembert cooler.
In the morning, Adrien still had to put on another layer of makeup, over his usual morning makeup, because at some point he fell asleep at the computer and had another nightmare, even worse than the previous one. His eyes were red and swollen from crying, and there were spots all over his face. Naturally, he could not appear in this form in school and in public. He was lucky that the previous two days had only been filled with photoshoots that had caused him to miss school, and makeup was mandatory, and it was also a bonus that he didn't have to interact much with anyone. Adrien always wanted someone to talk to, hang out with, or make friends with, but after Desp... these days, he wanted to be alone, lock himself in his room, crawl under the covers, and sleep. Just sleep.
But today he was going to school. It was lucky that there was only a Chinese lesson in the evening, so maybe a lesson in another language would distract his brain. His hands were too shaky for fencing.
So, after masking the traces of the night, the guy left the room, heading to the dining room for breakfast.
The morning meal consisted of a small piece of scrambled eggs, thin toast, and orange juice. Adrien feelings were twofold: he didn't want to eat, afraid that he might throw up during a panic attack like the first night after the fight, but on the other hand, he knew that he needed to eat.
So, the guy quickly ate his breakfast, after which left the mansion. He wanted to start the day as soon as possible, soрthat he could finish it as soon as possible.
The first lesson went well. It was physics, his favorite subject, so he gave it his all. Once or twice a wave of memories washed over him, but he was still able to suppress them, although a few tears still escaped.
The second lesson is music. The starting point of his suffering today. Everything was going well, he even liked it, right up to the moment the trumpet sounded.
His heart paused for a moment, and a second later it was beating violently with memories and fear that he couldn't suppress this time.
The trumpet sounds reverberate all over the street, getting closer and closer. Desperada appears. Before he can react, she shoots Lady Bug. His Lady disappears into the golden smoke. Desperada smiles rapaciously and points her weapon at him.
She pulls the trigger.
"Adrien!"
The boy flinched at the scream, but it helped distract him from the memory and the spinning of his wrist, even though his heart was still pounding. He turned his head and saw Marinette standing in the aisle. She looked at his hands strangely, so he quickly let go of her wrist.
"Why is she standing in the middle of the aisle? Isn't it class time?"
"Adrien!"
When he felt a touch on his chin, and someone tried to lift his face, he instinctively recoiled and hissed. His brain was working overtime, so he wasn't in control of the feline side that had awakened in him.
"Ow! Ow!" the girl stepped back, palms up. "Adrien, I won't hurt you!"
The guy narrowed his eyes as he looked at classmate. He saw her and heard her, but he couldn't figure out what she wanted.
"It's me, Marinette," she said, reaching out but not touching.
It's just Marinette. His kind, gentle, caring and cute classmate, who sometimes brings delicious pastries. Who is a great class president. Which helps everyone who needs it. She's a great friend. A friend who has beautiful blue eyes, a cute little nose, a nice curve to his lips... where did all this come from? He loves Lady Bug!
"Um... Adrien?"
"H-hi, Mari," he said softly, since he'd spent most of his voice hissing.
"Are you all, right?" the girl asked.
No! I have nightmares, I don't get enough sleep! I feel bad...
"Yeah, just tired," he forced his fake smile. "I have a crazy schedule," he chuckled without humor. – I'm sure it will stop soon.
"Are you sure?" Marinette asked. – If something's wrong, you can always talk to me... or Nino, or Alya. In general, with someone you trust.
"Thank you, Marie, but I'm fine."
No! I need some help!
"I... ah, okay," the girl sighed. " Just please rest, Adrien.
"I'm fine," the guy said automatically, without even thinking. "But thank you, Marinette. That's very nice of you.
The girl blushed and nodded, then quickly left.
Adrien stormed into the bathroom stall, closing the door with a loud bang. He slid down the wall to the floor, covering his face with his hands. His shoulders shook with sobs. My heart was pounding, and my chest was tight.
Yellow smoke. Lady Bug disappears again and again and again. And not once had he been able to save her.
He sobbed harder as the memories flashed through his mind again, tears streaming through his fingers.
"Plagg, I - I can't do this anymore," he croaked. – I can barely learn... How do I go about my extra classes?" he cried. " If my father finds out, he'll punish me!"
Adrien started to choke, and his vision went dark. He began to sink into his memories, which consisted of Desperada's attacks.
They were sitting in an alley, setting up a small ambush. He could feel her thigh pressing against his. They kept quiet so that they wouldn't be discovered.
He moved his hand slowly to her hip, not to frighten her, but to warn her. The girl turned her head to look at him questioningly.
"I'm Cat Noir," Adrien said firmly, and Lady Bug's eyes widened.
"Wh-what?" She squealed in surprise, pulling away.
"I love you," he continued, moving closer once more. – You'll be..."
At the same time, a yellow cloud of smoke formed in the girl's place.
- No! – No, " he said, trying to catch the smoke." - No! No!
"Kid!"
Adrien felt a sharp pain on his cheek as he pulled away from the memory. He cautiously lifted the hand that had started to spin his left wrist violently again and touched his cheek, which was wet with tears, hoping that there wouldn't be a bruise there, otherwise he would have to explain it.
"Why did you do that, Plagg?" The guy asked in an exasperated and hoarse voice.
"You didn't respond to me for more than five minutes! The bell for class also rang." Kwami Destruction also said irritably, then added, " There won't be bruise, don't worry. I'm not heartless.
The thought of going back to class made him feel sick, but he held back. If he doesn't go and skips class, and it gets to his father, then he will be punished. They might lock him in a room, then he won't be able to get to his Lady...
She disappears into the golden smoke . Desperada laughs angrily, urging him to give up the talisman. She points her weapon at him...
"Adrien!"
Another punch follows, and the guy holds on to the wall so that he doesn't fall over from the force of the blow. Thanks to the pain, he is able to focus on the present.
"Plagg, I do not know what to do," he croaked after a while. – I can't go home, but I can't study either!
The guy desperately grabbed his hair and started pulling. It hurt, but it also kept me from falling into the pit of agony of repeated memories. The damage was starting to make his eyes water, but this was better.
"Kid!" Kwami of Destruction called, flying up to his holder's hair. "Please don't do this! Transform yourself and go for a walk! You haven't transformed in over three days!"
"If I transform, I'll be flooded with memories!" he sobbed a little. – That fight, right after Despe - " he choked. – I could barely look at Lady Bug... and after the fight, I cried!"
She disappears into the golden smoke. And again, and again, and again...
"Adrien!"
The boy flinched as he realized he was twirling his wrist again, but he returned his gaze to Plagg, already letting go of his hair.
- Write To The Pigtails! - Kwami suggested. – She's a good girl, even if she's 'just a friend' ... who you don't really believe in yourself!"
"I love Lady Bug," Adrien exclaimed, then coughed at the sudden rise in his voice." Marinette is just a friend!
"Anything that lets you sleep at night," little God sneered – "But I'm serious, write to Pigtails. She'll figure something out.
"I don't want to interrupt her class," Adrien said finally.
"Kid..." sighed Plagg.
The boy ignored the kwami, curling up and burying his face in his lap. The tears didn't flow, as they were spent for the next few hours. He just closed his eyes and let himself relax.
"So, you're not going to go to class?" Plagg asked after a while.
"Please see if I have a makeup kit with me," Adrien said without looking up.
The Kwami of Destruction dived into his school bag, passing through the fabric. He stayed there for a couple of seconds and then came up again.
"Yes, you put it down this morning," Plagg said.
"Okay, get it out, please."
Adrien was surprised when the little god did what he was asked to do without making sarcastic comments. Kwami spent some time opening the lock, but then quickly brought out a cosmetic kit.
The guy opened the kit and saw a mirror and a minimal but necessary makeup kit. The mirror reflected his face, which was pale, with red eyes and tears already dried on his cheeks. He picked up a small brush and started applying makeup.
"Sorry I'm late, Madame Bustier," Adrien apologized as he entered the classroom.
He had cleaned up his face, hiding his previous tears, so no one would notice anything.
Desperada laughs angrily as Lady Bug disappears into the golden smoke. And again, and again, and again...
"Why are you late, Adrien?" the teacher asked, glancing at her watch and also pulling him out of his memories. – You've been gone for almost thirty minutes.
"Natalie called me to the studio to take some new measurements," he lied, just wanting to sit down at his desk as quickly as possible.
"I wasn't warned," Madame Bustier said.
"We were in a hurry, so we didn't have time to warn you," he continued to lie, hoping there wouldn't be any more questions.
"All right, sit down," she said, sighing. – And next time, please warn me."
Adrien nodded silently and went to his seat, sitting down next to Nino, then took out the materials for the lesson. Nino just smiled at him and continued studying. The guy was glad of this, as he didn't want to communicate right now. He just wanted to get through this last lesson of the day and go home.
After a couple of minutes, Adrien realized that he didn't understand anything: the lesson information was flying in one ear and out the other. So, he put hand under his chin and stared at the wall, trying to keep his eyes open, even though they were trying to close because the boy wasn't getting enough sleep.
They are standing around the corner, hiding from Desperada, who is patrolling the area. Lady Bug was cautiously peeking around the corner, looking for their opponent.
Adrien couldn't help but notice the girl's figure. Raven's hair. Gentle shoulders. Beautiful back. Slim waist. Tempting...
The guy quickly looked up from the inappropriate places, after all, he was always a gentleman with his Lady, even if sometimes he didn't want to be.
It was a good thing he did, because that was when Lady Bug turned around. He honestly didn't want to think about what would happen if she noticed… He was also a little afraid.
"I don't see her," she said, looking him over. – Are you all, right?"
"Y-yes," he stammered slightly, blushing.
"You're blushing," Lady Bug said, gently placing the back of her hand on his forehead. – Are you feeling okay?
"Yes, I'm fine," the guy nodded. Don't worry."
She was clearly about to say something, but suddenly disappeared into the golden smoke. The guy jumped back in shock, and a second later Desperada appeared in the alley, pointing a gun at him.
Click.
Adrien jerked awake at the sound of the bell, fighting back tears. Arm was already on his wrist. Madame Bustier was explaining one last thing, and the students were taking notes. The boy gathered up his things, got up without a word, and left the classroom as quickly as possible, ignoring the fact that someone was calling him. He needed to get home quickly.