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Going through the portal this time felt longer, taking what felt like minutes instead of a blink of an eye. Maybe it was the adrenaline of the chase that made the initial trip to the other universe quick, but this time, it felt time was folding in on itself. By the time they landed in their own universe, all the exhaustion hit Marinette and she stumbled out of the portal, Paw Noir managing to catch her before she could fall. “Be careful.” He said gently, pulling her back and lending himself to lean against. She waved him off, a quick thank you before looking at the scene around her.
The room was dark, save for the large screens next to them, different news channels playing across each screen. Looking at them, Ladybug watched at the carnage her and her partner caused right before leaving, before seeing what life could be like and she felt her heart drop. Paw Noir also stood silent next to her, and the two were glued to the screens, a compilation of their crimes flashing on the news.
Betterfly, who was just starting to recover from the trip himself, hurried over to the panel to turn off the screens. “Don’t worry about that! Everything is okay. We’ll fix it up.” With a smile, he turned on the lights, and illuminated the damage they caused in the base.
The glass elevator was ruined, the glass panels shattered and littering the floor. The metal frame work was rusted and nearly disintegrated. Paw Noir clenched his fists and looked over to Ladybug. “I imagine your lucky charm won’t be able to fix this up?”
She shook her head. “I’m not sure. To be completely honest… I’m not really sure how to use my powers for good.”
Betterfly rests a hand on their shoulders. “That’s okay. You guys are turning over a new leaf and we’re here to help you.” He smiled at them, giving their shoulders a gentle squeeze. “Now, let’s introduce you to the team.”
Releasing Alya from the Kamiko, he waves over her and Nino, who was on the other side of the catwalk looking over the elevator, over to the duo. “Alya. Nino. I would like to reintroduce you to Ladybug and Paw Noir. They will be joining us in our fight against the Supreme.”
Alya gave them a glance over before holding out her hand to shake. “It’s a pleasure to be working with you both this time.” She winked. She looked over at Nino, who held his laser gun still. “You can drop that now, you know.”
Nino, still holding his laser gun, stepping closer with uneasiness. “Are we sure we can trust them?”
Paw Noir choked a bit, seeing his former best friend pointing a gun at him and bit his lip. Can he really be trusted? He thought as he nodded slowly. “I- We… want to help.” He said slowly, looking over to Ladybug, who was standing there, arms wrapped around herself.
“We’re sorry about everything. I- I don’t know how I can fix it, but I want to.” She said, looking around.
Nino, finally placing the laser down, walked over to them and wrapped them into a hug. “This is a start.”
Ladybug and Paw Noir froze at his touch, not expecting the sudden warmth. While Paw Noir leaned into it, Ladybug stepped back, nervous. “Uh… sorry. I’m a little…” she trailed off, looking down.
Nino pulled back and held out his hand. “Is a handshake okay?”
Smiling, she nodded and shook it.
Betterfly cleared his throat to catch everyone’s attention. “Thank you everyone for your hard work today. Alya, Nino. Thank you for everything you have done and the hard work you have put in.” Looking over to Paw Noir and Ladybug, he smiled. “And you two. I’m proud to have you on the team now. But I’m sure all of you are very tired and deserve some much needed rest.” He gestured to another corner of the base. “You can find another exit over their. All of you, go get some sleep and let’s connect again in a few days. We need to make up a new game plan to take down the Supreme.” With a smile, he sends them off.
Nino and Alya, hand and hand, make their way out without a moment’s hesitation, expression their desires to sleep the weekend away. Paw Noir and Ladybug make their way out, and the sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon, bathing the world in a soft hue of gold and red. Despite all the exhaustion, they felt hopeful for what was about to come.
Marinette, still under the guise of Ladybug, leaps across the city to her home. As she leaped from roof top to roof top, her eye would catch little things around the city. A cute boat on the Seline River decorated with lights and a little park near her home. Everything, felt different, yet it was all the same. How did she miss so much while anger filled her heart?
Landing on her balcony, she de-transformed, cloaking herself in the shadows casted by the house. The difference between her’s and the other universe’s Marinette were like day and night. While other Marinette’s was pink and white, her’s were black and red and void of any other color. Absent of any pictures and posters, craft projects and trinkets.
She looked at the wall by her bed, and felt the lack of photos there. She felt a pang in her chest, remembering the contents of Marinette’s diary. If she can have it… so can I. She told herself, steeling herself. She knew she could change things for the better. And so she kept telling herself that as she walked over to the windows, ripping off the dark curtains blocking out the daylight. She squinted, looking at the room now it wasn’t covered in darkness. Her eyes landed to the chest in the corner of her room, covered by discarded clothes and towels. Pushing that aside, she pushed it open to reveal a sewing machine inside. Collecting it, she makes room on her desk and sets it down before making her way to her bed and falling into a deep sleep.
Adrien leaped through his window, transforming mid air. When he landed on his feet, he tumbled forwards into his couch, knees hitting the cushions. “Ouch. Dang it.” He said quietly, reaching down to rub his knees before flopping onto the couch.
Staring up at the ceiling, his mind wondered back to the events of earlier, where he met with the other Adrien. He also struggled with the loss of his mother, but managed to move on. He had friends and seemed happy.
Shifting to his side, he looked over to the wall where a large portrait hung, covered by a sheet. He hasn’t had the heart to remove it to reveal what was underneath. After the news about his mother, he had it covered and hasn’t seen it since. He didn’t want it removed from the room, but he also couldn’t stand to face it.
With a shaky breath, he got up and moved over to it. Shouldn’t I deserve to be happy too? He thought, as he reached a trembling hand towards the sheet. You can do this. This is the first step to healing, right? He told himself, as he pulled off the dusty sheet.
He looked up to the painting, one of him and his mother from a young age, right before he lost her. His chest constricted and he began to feel tears swell up in his eyes.
A gentle knock came from his door, followed by the soft voice of his father. “Adrien?” He inquired, before opening the door, sticking his head inside to catch his son in front of the painting.
His father walked over, standing next to Adrien and the painting. His eyes glanced at him before looking lovingly at his wife. “This was her favorite painting. I remember how thrilled she was when it was finished.”
Adrien didn’t say anything, but moved towards his father, wrapping him into a hug. After years of pushing him away, the touch was comforting and he realized how much he missed his father.
Gabriel, shocked by the sudden hug from his son, stood for a moment before wrapping him into a tight hug. “It’s okay. I got you.”
The weekend flew by and Marinette was steeling herself to return back to school. She was exhausted after transforming her room, but she felt the breath of relief, seeing the change. Over the weekend, she managed to repaint the walls to a soft cream and add some lights around the room. The remodeling was far from over, but she was happy with what she had done.
Looking in the mirror, she looked over her outfit for the day. She was wearing a blouse her mother bought for her months ago, an attempt to get her to wear something other than her usual dark attire. It was soft pink and paired nicely with a brown cardigan she had stuffed in the back of her closet.
Hitching her bag on her back, she made her way down, greeting her parents with a shy wave before taking a fresh muffin from the bakery.
“Marinette?” Her mother stopped her as she was walking out the door.
Stopping, she turned around, moving out of the way from a customer to come inside. Despite how early it was, the place was already busy.
Her mom pulled off her aprons and patted her husband on the shoulder before moving out from behind the counter to meet her daughter. “I just wanted to say before you left for school that I’ve been noticing the changes you’re making and… I’m so proud of you. I knew you were struggling but I didn’t know how to help. But I just want to say that me and your father are here for you.”
Marinette felt her eyes prickle with tears. She wrapped her mom in her arms, squeezing tight. Her mom returned the hug and kissed her forehead. “Now, hurry off to school. I know good things are coming your way today.”
Giving her a small smile, she left the bakery, and started her walk.
The school was already bustling with activity by the time she arrived. Many students hung out on the stairs, chatting with each other before classes begun. At the top, stood Chloe and Sabrina. Marinette, falling back into old habits, started to hunch her shoulders and hide her face with her bangs, trying to go uncover before Chloe could spot her.
Don’t let her scare you. Her inner voice started to say, as she made her way up the stairs. Pick yourself up.
Taking a breath, she stood up straighter, and pushed her bangs back. Hitching her bag up, she looked forward and marched up the stairs with determination.
“Oh, look who it is. Dupain-Cheng. Surprised to see you’re not covered head to toe in black. Did your mommy dress you today?”
Marinette blocked her out and keeps walking forward, while Chloe, huffed and repeated her insult louder as Marinette walked away.
Taking a shaky breath, Marinette mentally gave herself a pat on a back. Good start. She said to herself.
As she walks into the courtyard, she spots Adrien near the stairs, by himself. After the trip back to their universe, she didn’t really have a chance to talk to him. As if sensing her eyes on him, he looks up. Adrien had also opted out for the heavy eyeliner. He looked… brighter, Marinette had thought, lifting her hand to give a wave.
He gave her a small smile, a blush covering his face and a wave back. Before she could make her way over to him, the bell rand and it was time to make their ways to class. Adrien turned, giving her one last look before disappearing into the classroom.
As she was walking there, Chloe passed her by, shoulder checking her and scoffing. “Don’t touch me, Dupain-Cheng. You can’t afford my dry cleaning if you were to get my clothes dirty.”
Marinette, frustrated, blew out a breath and walked into the classroom, taking her seat next to Alya. Despite being desk mates, the two never really exchanged words to each other. Remembering the other Marinette saying Alya was her bestest friend, she decided to make a move.
Turning to Alya, she takes a breath and says “H-hi. I always meant to tell you that I really like your hair. I think-“
“Oh-ho. Would you look at that? Dupain-Cheng and Césaire trying to be friends.” She awes mockingly at them to Sabrina, who giggles. “I mean, who else would want to be their friends? They’re perfect for each other!”
Marinette, fed up now, stood up, slamming her hands on her desk. “Chloe, I’m getting sick and tired of your insults. Just because you don’t have any friends doesn’t mean you should stop others from having them. Now seat down and leave us alone.”
Chloe starts to sputter. “I- What-“ she starts walking towards Marinette, getting in her face. “Who do you think you are Dupain-Cheng? Just because you discovered that absolutely ridiculous black makeup looked hideous on you doesn’t change the fact you’re a sore lo-“
“Chloe. Marinette.” Ms. Bustier walks into the classroom, tsking. “Class is starting. Please take a seat and take your books out.”
Chloe huffs. “This isn’t over, Dupain-Cheng.” She walks over to her desk and flops down on the seat, taking her books out and creating a barrier to use her phone behind it.
Marinette feels her heart drumming. I did it. I finally stood up to Chloe. She smiled, the rush of it filling her up with confidence.
A tap on Marinette thigh takes her out of her head and she felt a piece of folded paper move into her hand.
Undoing the note carefully, so that her teacher didn’t see, she saw Alya’s handwriting scrawled across the paper. That was awesome of you to stand up to Chloe. She needed to be put into her place.
Marinette smiled and scribbled a response. I was just tired of her ragging on me all the time. And it’s not fair for her to pick on people just because her dad is the mayor.
Well, if it’s any consolation, I think you’re pretty cool.
Marinette had to bite her lip to keep from bursting into a big smile. I think you’re pretty cool too. She starts to write and hesitates. Would you like to hang out sometime?
Absolutely :)
The bell rang, signaling the end of class and start of their lunch period. Adrien, sitting towards the back of the class, watched as his class mates started to file out. He looked over to find Marinette walking out with Alya, the two of them deep in a discussion. Trailing behind them was Nino, wearing big headphones.
Taking a deep breath, he got up and hurried after them.
“Nino?” He called out, dodging students gathering around the courtyard for lunch. He started to pick up his pace and made it up to him. “H-hey.” He said, slightly out of breath and giving a small way to Nino.
Nino, stopped while the girls went off into the cafeteria, looked at Adrien, and took off his headphones. “Agreste.” He said plainly, his voice void of any warmth.
Adrien gulped and remembered the warm embrace he gave him, well, Paw Noir, and hitched his shoulders. “I… I wanted to say hi.”
Nino raised his eyebrow. “Uh… hi.” He started to turn away, raising his headphones back over his ears.
“Wait!” Adrien grabbed his shoulder. “Actually… I wanted to talk. And apologize.”
Nino took his headphones off and tilted his head to the edge of the courtyard, guiding them away from the crowds.
The pair walked over to an empty corner and Nino slide his headphones around his neck. Music was still playing, the lyrics sounding familiar to Adrien.
Nino leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “Well?”
Adrien twists his hands and looks down. “I’m sorry for how cold I’ve been towards you. You were only trying to be there and help.” He looked up. “I’ve been shutting everyone away, including my dad. But… I don’t want to anymore. I want to be happy. That’s what my mother would want.” His throat started to sting and he choked down tear.
Nino looked down for a moment before sighing and wrapping an arm around Adrien’s shoulder. “Water under the bridge. But I’m glad you’re back, bud. I missed you.”
Adrien smiled and wrapped his arm around Nino. “I missed you too.”
“Now, let’s go eat. Alya and Marinette are waiting for us.”
Later that evening, Paw Noir and Ladybug were sent on patrol. The night was quiet, thanks to the pair not wrecking havoc. But it’ll only be a matter of time before the Supreme sent someone else in their stead.
Ladybug sat at the top of the Eiffel Tower, looking down at the expansive city below here. The people looked like little specks, buzzing around the city of lights. She watched the twinkling of the tower and felt a sense of awe wash over her.
Paw Noir landed next to her, legs brushing against hers as he sat down. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”
She nodded. “It’s wild that we missed so much. I’m glad we were able to fix some things up. I would hate to miss this view.”
The pair sat in silence, taking in the city around them.
“So…” Paw Noir started, leaning back onto his arms. “I saw you talking to Alya today. Guess you guys are friends now?”
Ladybug shrugged and looked down at her hands, a small smile spreading across her lips. “I think? We were talking a lot after school today. She’s really cool. She even invited me to the movies.”
He bumped his foot against hers. “I’m happy for you.”
She laid back, crossing her arms behind her head. Peering up at Paw Noir, she ask ”And what about you? Seemed like you and Nino are starting to talk again.”
He nodded. “Yeah. We talked it out before lunch. I’m glad to have him back in my life. I hate that I pushed all these people away.” He paused for a moment. “Do you think we’ll be happy too?”
She didn’t say anything right away. Sitting up, she took his hand in hers. “Of course. We deserve to be happy.”
Looking down at their hands, Paw Noir’s checked start to turn scarlet. Noticing this, Ladybug tried to snatch her hand away, her face redden to match his. His hand tightens around hers, stopping her from pulling away. He moves closer, his face inches from her.
“What are you doing?” She said softly, her voice soft.
“Being happy.” He said, a sly smile playing on his lips.
Embarrassed, she pushes him away, turning her face and fanning it. “D-Don’t joke around like that.”
“But I wasn’t joking.” He says, leaning in. He rests his hand on her cheek, turning her towards him again. “Ladybug… Marinette… I like you. I liked you from the time I first saw you working at your parents’ bakery. Then when I saw we were in the same class. I was overjoyed. But I was too nervous to say anything.” He moved his hand to hers, scooping them up. She didn’t pull away, her eyes glued to his. “I want to be happy with you. If you would let me… can I take you out on a date?”
She stayed quiet for a moment, before nodding. “I… I would like that.”
Face splitting with a wide grin, he wrapped his arm around her. “It’ll be a great time, I promise.”
Leaning into him, she smiled. “I’ll hold you to that.”