2022/06/10-2023/2/05

Marinette Dupain-Cheng was known for her many accomplishments at her age, from designing clothes, jewelry, covers and more from her online store to helping her parents in their bakery and taking on responsibilities as the school's student Rep., regardless of her tartness, Mari was one of their best students. It was a wonder how she was able to do so much for so many and still have time for her friends, helping them even when she had the day to relax but that was who she was.

Dependable…

With short dark raven hair tied into her signature pigtails that danced with the wind and bluebell eyes that shined with so much excitement that it left people frozen, accomplished with a smile that left your insides a pile of goo and skin that was a perfect mix of tan and paleness. She was an amazing martial artist, the amount of practice and dedication being found in the way she held herself and the muscle definition of her arms and legs, not to mention her abs that made many guys and girls drool. Marinette may be small in stature but no way was she a push over, able to easily wipe out the schools MMA club by herself within a few hours for practice.

Beautiful…

Marinette had one of the kindest and purest personalities to anyone who got to know her in some way, always ready to listen to other people's problems and help them to their best of her abilities, never once asking for compensation or annoyance. She was selfless without a mean bone in her body, always turning the other cheek and walking away when it was obvious that they wouldn't accept her help or want it. Even if it meant she would lose sleep or money or time for herself, she put her all into bettering others that needed it, volunteering much of her time at homeless shelters, retirement homes, children hospitals and charities all because her heart was big and everyone loved her.

Kind…

But like every human on the planet earth throughout time has their own breaking point, stress builds up everyday, even if it's small and insignificant, it grows as time passes every second of everyday. What would happen if that same girl that was beautiful, kind and smart pushed all her problems and stress to the bottom of her heart and soul, put on a smile for the world if it reassured everyone that she was alright… even though she was struggling handling so much at a young age all by herself, so that people could rely on her and be helpful! It isn't like she doesn't want to help others because that was who she was, she loved it and it made her heart swell but she could only take so much and was slowly starting to show.

Stress…

Marinette was clumsy, that was a fact that everyone knew, and that was fine since she's always been like that at a young age. Failure wasn't something she was accustomed to, mistakes that negatively impact a group or a single person hurt and saddened her. Why was it that the more she wanted to help the more she got hurt and the more she felt tired of everything? It didn't make sense why she didn't have energy when she sleeps and eats healthy, but her feet dragged across the ground and her eyes half open and her complexion a little too pale for her friends and families liking. Her thoughts that were once filled with positivity were now clouded by negativity and anxiety, so much that her skin started to inch and her chest started to hurt and throb. Why was this happening to her?

Depression…

"I'm perfectly fine Alya, so back off will ya!" She was tired of her friends asking her if she was fine, of course she was, perfectly fine! So who cares if she may have missed breakfast and homeroom along with forgetting that she had homework due… again. She's been so busy with responsibilities and duties that she may have been forgetting a few minor things like school and sleep a few times… but that was normal and it only inconvenienced a few things in her life that were easily fixable. Why were people now worried about her, after everything she had and was taking on, people were now beginning to notice? " I'm Fine!" For crying out loud, why were people so irritating and fussing over her, always wondering if she was ok every second of the day! Her parents were no less different from her school, she just needed some space and not be smothered right now… why was that so hard for people to understand!

Anger…

So when Mari didn't show up the following week on Monday, many people figured out it was because of what had happened between her and Alya on Friday. It was rare that they got into arguments but it was the first time that it had gotten so vocal and almost physical too, only because Adrien and Nino were able to hold them back from tearing into each other. The three were worried for her but knew that she was dealing with a lot and thought that she may need more than two days to cool down. But with no phone calls, texts, social media presence or any other form of communication, no one had heard from her all week and weekend. It seemed she needed a big break from school and everyone, but they couldn't get in touch with her and her parents had said she was fine but was under a lot of stress and needed time.

When the following Monday morning came and everyone slowly filled in the class, it was a shock to see Marinette in her regular seat looking as bright as she used to be. It seemed like whatever happened over the last seven to nine days was what she needed and it made them glad to know she was better, but Adrien knew better than anyone when he saw Mair that morning, he knew the minute he saw her that something was amiss. She talked to Alya and them like she always did, smiling and laughing with everyone, always the kind one that helped when they needed it. It was like that for three days before Adrien couldn't take it anymore, Marinette was not alright and if no one could see it, then it was his own responsibility to help her.

He had waited till after school on Thursday so he could talk and so he could get to the bottom of this without everyone interrupting or for gossip to spread. "Hey Mair, could I talk to you real quick? I want to commission one of your designs." It was the most perfect excuse he could think of to drive Alya and Nino away and give him plenty of room to do this, he had already told his father's assistant that he was busy today and to cancel the rest of the day, he didn't care if she did or not since this was more important than anything. "No problem, Adrien. Let me grab my stuff and we can head to the library."

The walk to the library was in silence and he kept glancing at her the entire time, entering the library and picking a far table from everyone else. "So, what did-"

"You can't fool me Marinette, you may others but not me." Adrien looked her straight in her eyes, noticing the ever slightest twitch of her left eye. They were seated across from each other, so Marinette couldn't see how he clenched his fists tight to the point they were pale white. "I understand you're under a lot of stress and responsibilities between school, your parents and your online business but if you need help you can always ask." The way her shoulders tensed wasn't a good sign to the blond boy, and a silence as thick as ice followed as he finished talking.

For a second her smile slipped and Adrien could see the stress in her eyes before it was back up and all gone. "I'm fine, Adrien. Just a little tired-" slamming his hands on the table stopped her from finishing and had dragged the attention of the few people in the library at them but he didn't care because his anger was controlling him and his actions. For Marinette this was the first time she had ever seen him angry and it had caught her off guard.

His voice was low but loud enough for her to hear across the table. "I don't know why I feel like this or why I'm the only one who sees that you're not okay, you haven't been for some time too but I was to blind to say anything or too stupid to say something." He had to take a breath before continuing. "All I know is that my heart can't take you being in pain anymore, can't take you pretending everything is okay when it's not. So when you say you are okay and that everything is fine… your eyes tell me you're holding on to a thread and showing the stress you hide."

It was the first time she had seen tears in his emerald eyes and she wondered when was the last time she actually looked at them. Marinette knew he was right but she had to be the strong one, had to hold it in and be the mature adult so that people could continue being happy… right? That was what she believed she had to do. She had to mature early so that her future was prepared, so that she could provide for her family, so that she could take care of her parents when they get old, so she could- why was her cheek wet?

Wiping her cheek, Marinette realised she was crying. When was the last time she cried, not since she was a child in primary school. She kept wiping her cheeks up to her eyes, confusion clearly on her face. "I'm just tired of everything…" it was but a whisper but he could hear her as clear as day, standing up and hugging her from behind. By now all the students had left which gave them the privacy they needed. "I've always been there for people when they needed it most, always did my best to keep my parents happy… but it's getting harder!" She shouted with her head down staring at the table, her hands wrapping around Adrien's who was still hugging her. "I can't always be there for everyone when I have my own future to worry about! So why does it hurt when I can't help people, why does my heart feel like it's being stabbed every time I'm useless when people need me most!"

"It's because you have a big heart Mari." Adrien whispered in her ear, hugging her tighter as more tears slipped from her eyes. "There's nothing wrong in being unable to help someone or to always be there, especially when you yourself have to look out for yourself. Your friends and parents know how much you care and appreciate all you do and if you need a break, to take things slow for a bit then we'll understand." Marinette choked on her sob and for the first time in a long time felt the stress come off her shoulders.

They stayed like that for the next few minutes as she cried all her pain out of her heart, all the stress off her shoulders and the burden of responsibilities off her back. When she finally stopped it was closing time and they needed to leave, but Adrine accompanied all that he set out to do today.

"Thank you Adrine, I needed that and I'll be taking it slow for a bit." Marinette said, a blush dusting her cheeks and looking away from him. This was the Marinette he knew, all shy when around him. He let out a slight laugh before looking at his father's limo in front of the school. "Looks like I better get going." As they walked down the stairs Marinette's cheeks got darker but the moment they made it all the way down, she leaned in and kissed his cheek before turning around and running home. Adrine's hand went up to his cheek and felt his face burn a fiery red and his heart thump in his chest. When he made it inside and took a seat, he could see the slight smile on the Gorilla's face from the rear head mirror. His face turned a darker shade as he faced outside his window, and as they drove home the feeling of her lips on his cheek remained in his mind.

Finally finished and ready to post, but in all honesty I just really forgot to post this one. It's been a while but I'm back and plan on posting soon. Hope everyone like this one shot

…Until Next Time…