Chapter Text
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m not hurt,” Marinette said, fighting the urge to not smirk. “The only one that got hurt was the akuma.” Not to mention that the akuma wasn’t even trying to harm her in any way.
For a moment, Marinette briefly felt bad for the akuma. She winced when she heard a crash. Let her take back that thought, she did feel bad for the akuma.
She looked over to see Chat Noir tackling the akuma.
Wow.
“It’s okay, Mari—” Rena Rouge cleared her throat. “—Erm, civilian that I do not know.” She flashed her a smile. “You don’t need to fear because we’re getting you away from the akuma. We understand how scary akumas can be…”
Marinette raised an eyebrow. “I got used to the akumas, since they’re an everyday thing. A literal akuma tried to take me out on a date and my dad tried to keep me locked up in a tower of vines. I’m fine.”
“Oh,” Rena Rouge smiled nervously. “You’re an akuma magnet, aren’t you?”
“Not as much as Chloé though.” Marinette snorted.
That made Queen Bee pause as Carapace snickered. “Excuse me?”
“Just kidding!” Marinette grinned. “I know that she means well…most times.”
Queen Bee looked smug as she smirked. “Hmph, I know that’s right.”
Marinette glanced around, staring as Chat Noir was beating the akuma. It was more of a one-sided fight. Marinette found it funny the way that he was trying his hardest to protect her. Which wasn’t that hard. She could protect herself. Whether she’s Ladybug or not.
Right now, she’s a damsel in distress.
Marinette let out an exaggerated sigh. “Why is Chat Noir fighting alone? I don’t think I need four heroes…protecting me. I’m good with one hero.” She smiled softly.
“I’ll protect you, girl.”
“Since I have a shell, it’ll be easy to protect you dudet—civilian.”
“Of course, I, Queen Bee, will grant you the honors of being protected.”
The superheroes went quiet after hearing the others' response.
Marinette suppressed her sigh. Well, this really wasn’t professional of them. She already knew that she was the mature one out of everyone despite being the youngest. Not that they knew her age. She doubted that Chat Noir was younger than her.
“…How about this?” Marinette cut in between their rising voices. “I just walk back to my bakery while you all distract the akuma. Problem solved.” She looked like a disappointed mother scolding her children.
The heroes blinked in confusion because of what Marinette said. Usually, people are eager to have a hero take them home. Maybe Marinette wasn’t as a fan as they thought she was.
“Okay…” They repeated in unison.
And that was that, they let Marinette walk back home. Of course they made sure that Marinette actually made it there. But they had to make sure that she made it into her room safely—She glared at them, making them back off—Maybe not.
It only took a minute for the akuma to be defeated. Well, it couldn’t be truly defeated without the miraculous cure.
Marinette couldn’t even transform because of those stubborn heroes watching her every move as if she’s fragile.
In another minute, they landed on a balcony.
“Rest assured, princess, I defeated the akuma.” Chat Noir said cockily.
“Well, we did help—“
Chat Noir raised an eyebrow. “—A little.”
“We had to make sure that she was safe.”
Marinette rolled her eyes. “Yeah, Chat Noir did most of the work.” Marinette finished off with a shrug. “But I am thankful that all of you went through such lengths to protect me. Maybe next time don’t have most of the heroes focusing on a civilian and leaving one hero to fight the akuma.”
Their cheeks flushed, but Marinette didn’t say anything about it.
“I agree, I was lucky that it wasn’t a really harmful akuma. But, it’s our duty as heroes to protect any targets of an akuma.” Chat Noir grinned, leaning against his baton.
“Though…I do wonder where Ladybug is.” Rena Rouge murmured. “This is my first time not seeing her when an akuma is present. Like, no show at all.”
Marinette smiled nervously. “Right…”
“Not to mention that we need her to purify the akuma or else Stoneheart will be a repeat.” Carapace shuddered.
Queen Bee let out a huff. “If Ladybug was here, she would’ve praised me for my good work today. Which is everyday.”
Oh the irony.
Chat Noir also looked confused. “This is not the first time that Ladybug didn’t show up when you’re in the presence of the akuma, Mari.”
“How…weird, right? Maybe she’s sick?” Marinette giggled awkwardly.
Chat Noir narrowed her eyes. “Does she have something against you?”
The other heroes gasped at the implication.
“What?” Marinette squeaked. Having something against herself? That’s funny.
“He does have a point.” Carapace said under his breath.
One of Marinette’s eyes twitched. “No, no he doesn’t. Don’t agree with him, turtle boy. Let’s drop this conversation and all you superheroes get off my balcony. I do not want to be on the news again because you all wanted to hang out here.”
“Wait—“
“Out now.”