Chapter Text
Adrien watched Tikki as she zipped around his room, checking out every nook and cranny. It had been so long since he got Plagg that the little rascal had stopped being interested in his room. So this was refreshing.
Hopefully, most of the weekend would be this - him enjoying the time off from Plagg and getting to know his lady’s kwami. He wanted to give Ladybug the peace of mind that Paris was protected while she was gone. But he really hoped that Hawk Moth wouldn’t decide to ruin the first time she had trusted him to be Mister Bug and replace her if necessary.
Well, the weekend was kind of ruined already. No patrol to look forward to. No lady to smile at him and make his heart flutter. He’d be all lonely and pining after her.
A sigh fell from his lips as he grabbed his phone and pulled up some photos. He had a few selfies of them that made him smile but also miss her so much more.
“You miss her, right?” Tikki asked, nuzzling his cheek.
“I do,” he admitted. “I just hope that I can live up to her expectations, you know. It’s a big thing for her to trust me with this and I worry that if I mess up, it will be the last time.”
“Adrien, you can do this. Do you think that she’d trust you if she didn’t think so? You have shown your worth in tricky situations before,” the kwami smiled encouragingly at him.
“But she was always here to help me,” he groaned.
“Well, of course you need each other, you’re partners. But you can also hold your ground on your own. I believe in you.”
“Thanks, Tikki,” he smiled gratefully. And after all, if there was a problem, he could always call Ladybug and she’d fly over with Plagg’s space power-up.
He jumped when the phone in his hand chimed in with an incoming text. For a split second before he opened it, he thought that it could be her, his lady. But of course this was ridiculous. She didn’t have his number.
But he still smiled when he saw who was texting him.
Look at this view, Adrien! My aunt is so lucky to have this place , Marinette’s text read. A picture of Big Ben taken from a strange angle accompanied her words.
Oh wow, that’s great! He replied with a smile. Trust the girl who lived just across the Notre-Dame to be impressed with London’s sights.
Did you go to Big Ben when you were in London?
I did, yes. Enjoy your time there, there are lots of nice places to visit.
If only I had time :(. But this is the only time I have to rest and it will be hectic tomorrow.
Marinette had gone to London for a fashion workshop over the weekend. So while she complained, he was sure that she was having a great time.
“Who is messaging you?” Tikki asked. He’d almost forgotten that she was hovering over his shoulder.
“Marinette, a classmate of mine. Hey, you know what, she was a superhero once. She helped save you from Kwamibuster.”
“Oh, right.” Was it his imagination or did Tikki look nervous all of a sudden?
“She’s in London for the weekend.” The moment he said it, Adrien stiffened. Ladybug was away and Marinette was away. Even with the memory of Multimouse he’d just revisited, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that this was a great coincidence.
But think about how much you’ll learn! He typed up, not wanting to keep her waiting. Also, he had to get rid of ridiculous thoughts. And wishful thinking.
The first day was great. If only I didn’t miss my parents’ sweets so much. Let me tell you, it’s not easy at all to find good macarons in London :D
He laughed. She was right of course. But this reminded him that he really needed to get some macarons for Tikki. He’d sent off Ladybug with a bag of Camembert to help her avoid a grumpy Plagg. But he hadn’t had time to drop by the bakery for some macarons for Tikki. And it was getting late.
Speaking of, do you think that your parents would still be at the bakery? I suddenly crave some macarons.
Oh probably. But even if they are upstairs, you can always just ring them and they will be happy to give you anything left.
Really? I don’t want to inconvenience them.
You won’t! They love you. I mean, they are big fans of yours. Just like me.
Adrien smiled fondly at the phone. Marinette was the same endearing funny self even when she wasn’t really around. He could see so clearly the awkward grin that usually accompanied the words.
“Tikki, we’re going to get you some macarons,” he told the kwami.
“At Tom and Sabine’s?”
His eyes zeroed in on her. Since when did she know Marinette’s parents so well?
“Tom and Sabine’s bakery, I mean,” she added, laughing a little. He could have bought that without the initial slip-up.
“Ladybug spoils you with the best, right?” He said. Should he hide his suspicions or exactly the opposite?
“She does, she’s the best.”
“She’s lucky that she lives in an actual bakery,” he said pointedly. Well, it was worth the risk. Tikki was not Plagg, maybe he had a better chance with her.
“Yes, of course. Wait.” He grinned at her. “Adrien. What are you doing?”
“Ladybug is Marinette, right?” He cut to the chase.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Cut it out. Plagg managed to convince me to drop this once. But you know what, things are different now. Ladybug is the Guardian and she’s the only one who can decide what to do if I figure out her identity.”
“No,” Tikki whined. “She’s going to be so mad at me.”
“Why would she? Tell me, what’s so bad about us knowing? Nothing much will change,” he shrugged. He’d just be able to pick up the phone and call her right this second and hear her voice and tell her how much he missed her. Well, maybe without the last one. He didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable.
“Oh it will. It won’t stop at you knowing. You’ll want to be together and happily in love and… “ His gasp made her do a double take. “Oops?”
“What do you mean?” He asked slowly. He remembered Marinette’s jumbled explanation about her parents loving him. They were fans, just like her. Could this mean that she’d inadvertently told him that she loved him as well?
All of a sudden, his daydreams got even wilder. He could call her, yes, but he could do so much more if Marinette wanted it as well.
“Oh, Adrien. I messed up,” the kwami sighed. It was all the admission he needed.
“You didn’t. Not at all,” he grinned. “Tikki, spots on!”
He didn’t give her time to react. He knew what to do. Now, he only needed to find the power-up macarons he had hidden somewhere.