Chapter Text
CHAPTER THREE
Adrien's pov
I saw Ladybug heading for her night time patrol through my bedroom windows. I need to see her again. There's this feeling… that I felt with Marinette since the other morning when she accidentally ran into me. A sense of familiarity when my arms wrapped around her.
I wasn't paying attention, and then Marinette ran straight into my chest. I wrapped my arms around her on instinct, to stop us from stumbling so far that we toppled over. I was able to catch our momentum and stop it. When she looked up, we caught each other's eyes. I saw the same emotions in her eyes as Ladybug's. And then I caught sight of her lips. I don't know why, but I wanted to taste them. When I focused on her eyes, I found them raw. Like she had been running at them for a while. I had asked her if she was okay, and she assured me that she was. So I asked her if she slept well and had a great breakfast. She said she had, and that she appreciates me asking. Then, she proceeded to ask me if I had a good night's rest and breakfast as well. I told her that I had slept well, but I would have appreciated breakfast more if my father were to eat with me. And that she understood. We said our farewells "Until class," with smiles. I never knew she broke down until Nino told me. I wonder why she hid it from me. But I also wonder about that sense of familiarity.
"Plagg? Grab some cheese. We're going out."
Mari's pov
I sat at the Eiffel tower, and waited. That silly kitty usually shows up even on my patrols. I don't know if he will tonight, but I hope. Is my Kitty… Is my Kitty really someone I could love under that mask? There's a chance. Even if he isn't the most ideal person for me, it wouldn't change the facts. I'm falling out of love with Adrien, and in love with my silly kitty.
Facing the inside of the tower, I could see all the couple's coming to see the night sky here. It is beautiful, but I prefer the sun setting behind my Kitty. Or the night my Kitty held me. I can feel the tears coming. They're here, threatening to spew over onto my cheeks.
Of a sudden, I felt strong arms around me, and a head on my shoulder. At first, I froze. Until I recognized the heavy breathing pattern of Kitty's when he reaches his destination. "Kitty." It came out as a breath. "Kitty. I need to tell you something." He released me, as I turned around. "My heart belonged to one boy." A frown. "And now it belongs to another boy." A deeper frown. "My initial crush, the boy my heart initially belonged to. He's a good friend of mine." An even deeper frown, if that's possible. Though he wears such a deep frown, he doesn't move from his place in front of me. He really is always here when I need him. And that took the cake. I'm in love with him. Adrien, now, is merely a crush. One which still has strength, but isn't as strong as the emotions I feel for my Kitty. "Kitty. I" – his eyes widened – "AHHHHH!" A scream came from beneath us. We looked over to see a girl about our age, screaming at a little girl playing dangerously close to the busy traffic of the late night. "Minni! Minni, please come back over here! Minni, please, come back over here to mommy!" A young mother. I have to set this conversation aside to save her. "Kitty, direct traffic, I'll get the little girl." We took off. Oh no! One car got dangerously close to hitting the little girl. She fell. I threw my yo-yo…
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I got her. I pulled her towards me. She has a few scratches and a few bruises due to falling on the pavement. However, there is a cut that unfortunately is deep enough to require stitches. It'll be there for the rest of her life in the form of a tiny scar. Barely noticeable, but there. What surprised me the most is that she isn't crying. I asked her about it as I was walking her back to her mother. She replied simply. "Because scars are a part of life. And it's better to have learned than to be ignorant." She seemed so wish for her age. I had to ask… "How old are you?" She looked me in the eyes. "I'm almost 10! I'm just very short." Her eyes became comically wide, and that's when I found the childish spark in the little girl. She is very wise.
"Thank you Ladybug! I'm sorry, I didn't notice she wandered off." I smiled at the other teenage girl. "That's quite alright. Just make sure to keep a good eye on her. She's very wise, too, you know. She's safe now. Please stay safe on your way home. Bug out!"
Back on the edge of the Eiffel tower, I found Kitty had left a note. "I'm sorry, Ladybug. I can't stay out any longer tonight, but please get home and rest well. Huh? "But I wanted to tell you…" I claim as I hold the note in my hand and look to the skies. Bug out, I guess.
~
Back in my room, turn on my alarm clock and got ready for a shower.
The next day, I woke up to do my morning routine. I felt dead. Exhausted. I had wanted to tell that kitty everything I was feeling, but he left.
I had gotten down stairs to the breakfast table, when I started feeling light headed. "Marinette, are you okay? You look pale, sweetheart." A few bites into my eggs and toast, I went to reply, but words weren't what came out. Or weren't what was going to come out. I clamped my mouth shut, shook my head no, and ran for the toilet.
Upchucking everything I had eaten in the last few hours, my mom declared from the table, that I am staying home today. I have no problem with that. I had offered to call the school or Alya to let them know, but my mom and dad refused my offer. "No, you will go back upstairs, get in your pajamas and rest it off. "Okay."
Adrien's pov
I heard from Alya, that Marinette was sick. I hope it's not too bad. "Ms. Bustier, I'll take today's assignments to Marinette." She smiles gratefully, and hands me a paper copy of Marinette's assignments. "Thank you, Adrien. Everyone, please have a good weekend." Outside of the school, Chloé puts her hand on my shoulder. "Please tell Marinette that I hope she gets well soon." I smile, not expecting Chloé's words. "Of course."
Mari's pov
I woke up about ten minutes ago, my favorite song playing on my Spotify. I hear a knock on my door, and assume it's my mom. "You can come in," I call out. I had taken the last of the pictures of Adrien down when I woke up. Ironically, that's exactly who I allowed into my room. "Adrien, what are you doing here?" My voice is hoarse, but understandable. He looks down. "Alya had told us that you were sick. So I offered to bring you your assignments. I hope that's okay." Tears fall. He hasn't noticed yet, but if I don't wipe them away, he will. Part of me doesn't care, but I do it anyways. "That's very kind of you, Adrien. I appreciate it very much. Thank you. He looks up. I take the papers from his hands, and set them on my desk. His voice rings out behind me. "You took all the pictures of me down. May I ask why?" I sigh. I can't tell him what's bothering me without telling him that I'm Ladybug. "Oh. I'm rearranging my room this weekend, and I didn't want anything to get damaged." He gave a hum as a honk sounded from outside. His bodyguard. "If you need to go, you can. Again, I appreciate you doing this. Please have a good weekend, Adrien."
"You too, Mari."
That killed me. That hurt so bad. I'm surprised I haven't been akumatized yet.
Adrien's pov
The ride home was, as usual, very quiet. Marinette doesn't know, but I heard her sniffling as I was leaving. I want to talk to her as Chat Noir, if she's not going to talk to me as Adrien. "Plagg, Claws out!" I've been waiting for hours to go see her. I wanted to wait closer to tonight. As I was waiting, I got done with all my homework. Within the first three hours. I ended up sleeping to pass the time. On Marinette's balcony, I could hear more sniffling coming from inside. I gave a knock. At first, nothing. Another knock. Marinette opens the door. "Hey, Kitty." I said nothing. Just walked to her and embraced her.
Mari's pov
I dragged Chat to my bed as he embraced me. I held onto Chat for dear life, as I was about to display my biggest secret. At least it's in the safety of my own home?
One breath.
Three breaths.
No breath. I counted. One. Two. Three. Four, five, si – "Kitty, the second boy is you." He froze…
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… An exhale. "M'lady."
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A tighter embrace. "I love you, Marinette."
TO BE CONTINUED