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Marinette woke up sweating, in the summer Parisian heat, and looked at the clock. Barely past 12 am. It was unusual for her, to be waking up in the middle of the night, her sleep schedule usually being from whenever she eventually collapsed out of exhaustion from whatever project she was working on, to her first Alarm ringing.
She tried to remember what time she had fallen asleep and-
Remembering the incident that had led to her early night brought her back to the day before, back to the day before.
No wonder she had fallen asleep. It had been a rough start, but Like usual, Marinette had resolved to not let it stay that way, which had been strengthened when Alya had echoed her.
It didn’t last long, it seemed the world was trying to make her upset, and it seemed to be doing a stellar job at it, as barely past the third Period and her mood had already soured, owing itself to a bunch of mishaps, from her forgotten homework to the spilled coffee and ruined notes, and Alya’s failed attempts at wingwomanning, not really Alya’s fault that they failed, no one could have predicted the Akuma that hit them moments before she was supposed to trip and fall straight into Adrien’s arms, instead ending up with her falling straight into the cruel and unwelcoming arms of the concrete floor.
She was tired, and miserable, and it ended up culminating into Marinette taking out her frustrations on Alya, not her best moment, and she was suffering for it now. The guilt came back to her in waves as she thought over what had happened…
“Look there he is! All alone, this is the perfect opportunity!” Alya looked back to see her friend, trudging behind her with heavy footsteps, looking decidedly less excited for someone who was about to score a date with the boy of her dreams.
“I don’t think I should Alya, I am really not in the mood.”
“But what if this is the one Marinette? The last attempt? The one that works!”
Alya’s enthusiasm seemed to make it worse, as Marinette’s expression changed from exhaustion to one of annoyance.
“No! This is the 4th time today Alya! Adrien doesn’t deserve this, you don’t deserve this, I don’t deserve this!”
“Oh Marinette!” Alya said, reaching her arms out and pulling Marinette into a hug, cradling her head in her arms.
Alya hadn’t realised how Marinette had seemed to have gotten more and more weary, with each attempt her resolve going down, it seemed to have taken a toll on her, and, any good wingwoman, of which Alya was the best, knew when to stop and give their friend time for themselves, and now, it seemed, Marinette was in need of it.
So Alya held her friend's hand, understanding her need to rest, and walked with her in silence back to her house, greeting Sabine, busy with the shop.
She tucked her friend in, who, already exhausted, especially after almost crying, fell asleep almost immediately.
Thinking about it wasn’t helping, as tikki, being helpful, pointed out.
Marinette needed to
not
think about it, to clear her mind, to get out on the summer night, and lucky for her, Being the Lady Luck was the perfect escape.
***
A few hours later, after she ate with her parents and helped in the bakery. Marinette found herself running on the rooftops, under the warm colours of the sky as the sun was hiding bit by bit from this side of the world, plunging it into the darkness more each moment.
She breathed in the warm air, landing on a rooftop, opposite a park, with crying kids, and stressed parents, somewhere that was highly targeted from Shadowmoth. She shook her head, she shouldn’t worry about that, not right now, and took a deep breath.
“Look, it’s Ladybug!” A kid yelled, waving at her, a grin spread over his face.
She waved back, mentally deciding that a change of location won’t hurt.
The night breeze started to get chilly, and the city quieter, minus the young adults looking to party, Ladybug walked around, slowing her pace, enjoying the chill on her skin.
“No, not right, she might get sad, and reject me.” She broke out of her daze, hearing the familiar voice, which sounded troubled.
She stalked towards the sound, carefully, for all she knew, the person could get akumatised out of helplessness.
“You were always there for me, I don’t know how or when,” his voice got lower, “I only know that when I loved you, I loved you hard.”
She heard him, as the distance grew shorter, she peeked behind the wall, trying to locate the owner of the voice. She only saw a ball of sunshine hair, with a familiar white shirt, he turned around and showed one face, that was on a billboard behind him, Adrien Agreste stood there, flailing his arms, and talking to himself.
“Maybe I should just write her a letter, send flowers.” He sighed, sitting down on the rooftop, gazing at the city.
“Hey there, beautiful, I’ve known you for a few years, but my heart changed, and it wants you. You know, I’d like to see you get messy while eating on that date, so I could tell you, you’re beautiful, and so is your mess.” He closed his eyes.
“Maybe I want to kiss your lips sometimes too, I’d bet they would taste like you, which would be my favourite flavour from then on. Maybe hold your hand, and tell you how it fits mine, and how you put my heart at ease when you smile.” He added wistfully.
Ladybug felt heat creep up to her cheeks, and her heart beat harder, despite knowing it wasn’t for her, but the words were so sweet, hitting her heart, melting it in the process. She couldn't get rid of the idea that it was for her though.
“Beautiful.” She blurted, grabbing his attention as she put her hands on her mouth.
“Ladybug, is that you?” Adrien stood up, looking where the sound came, feeling his heartbeat quicken the pace, he took a few steps to the wall, missing a step, making him trip.
A yo-yo wrapped around his middle saved him, he looked up to see Ladybug looking down at him, apologetically.
“Hey, Adri- ien!” She stumbled with her words.
“Hey.” He answered, rubbing his elbow, as she started pulling him up.
“What are doing around?” “When did you get here?”
They asked at the same time, they giggled, as he sat back down, her following him.
“You first.” She told him, and he didn’t urge.
“When did you get here?” He asked, watching her carefully.
“I think around a letter, maybe how you wish for three kids with her.” She wandered in a teasing tone, patting her chin in thought.
“What! I said nothing about kids.” He stuttered, his face beetroot, shaking his head.
“Well, that’s good, because it could freak the girl away, let me tell ya.” She winked.
He laughed, rolling his eyes. “I’m sure she won’t, she loves children.”
“Well, my opinion, but it’s too early to think of that, for you at least.”
“Why, thank you for your concern, Ladybug.”
“So, how did you get up here?” She cleared her throat.
“Fire Escape?”
“You really shouldn’t be here, it’s dangerous, Adrien.”
“Well, you are here to protect me, I’m not worried.” He smiled, looking at her with kitty eyes, while cradling his face with both his hands.
“Stop being adorable.”
“Pot meets kettle.” He winked, and she felt the heat creeping up.
“I JUST WANTS MY MUM!” They were startled with a scream, followed by a cry, and cars going off. They looked up to see a giant baby few rows away.
“Well, duty calls.” Ladybug stood up, pulling him up with her, “Hang on.”
In a few seconds, they landed on the ground, “stay safe, Adrien!”
“You too, Ladybug!” He waved to her, as she threw her yo-yo again, leaping to the rooftop.
“Guess it’s showtime, Plagg.” Plagg flew out of his pocket, giving him a scoff, as Adrien uttered the transformation words.