Adrien
"I don't want to talk."
She whispered, and he frowned. Oh fucking well. They had to talk about what happened.
"You agreed we would talk on Monday."
"I didn't agree we would talk in the middle of class."
She bit back, and he hated how indifferent her tone was.
"Well, this morning you left home an hour early to avoid getting a ride with me, then you blocked me so you wouldn't get my calls."
"I didn't block you. My phone died."
Sure it did.
"That's a lie, and you know it."
She glared at the board, she hadn't looked at him the entire time.
"You seem disappointed it was me."
She wasn't just disappointed. He knew that, he just didn't know what other words he could use to describe how she was acting.
"I'm not disappointed."
He knew it wasn't a lie, but god it felt like one.
"You won't even look at me."
She huffed, snapping her head to the side to stare at him. She looked so detached. Like she didn't care about him anymore.
"Marinette... I'm sorry okay? It wasn't supposed to happen like that."
She stared at him, before looking down at her desk.
"I want to break up."
What? Just because she found out who he was? He felt his chest constrict, as if closing around the air in his lungs.
"I don't."
"I don't care what you want. It's over."
How could she be so numb? Like their relationship meant nothing to her?
"I thought you loved me."
She paused, and he saw a flash of pain in her eyes, before it was wiped away, going back to the empty look. She was wearing a mask today too, and now that he knew, he was going to make her take it off.
"You thought wrong."
Her voice sounded strangled, as if she had to force those words out. Liar liar.
"You can't lie to me Marinette. Not anymore. If you're going to break up with me, I want the truth."
"I'm in love with someone else."
God, he hoped that one was a lie.
"Who?"
"Luka."
She turned to look at him, her expression unreadable. Of course it would be Luka. Jealousy set his soul on fire, and he looked away from her, scoffing. It had to be a lie.
"I don't believe you."
He whispered, and she nodded.
"Well, it's the truth."
"No. I know it's not. The day before yesterday you were saying you loved me. I find it hard to believe that you just suddenly fell head over heels for someone you claimed was just a friend during our relationship."
"Funny you of all people think you can say that to me."
Ouch. He could sense his anxiety skyrocketing, his heart pounding. She had to be lying. There was no way Marinette would do that to him. She wasn't like that.
"I didn't want to hurt your feelings."
"You told me that you were going to start fighting for us."
"I lied."
Bullshit. He would know, because he was the king of bullshit. He could lie, bluff, and put up a front like no other. So why did she think he would fall for it?
"Well I don't accept your breakup."
"Lucky for both of us, you don't have a choice."
Why was she being like this?
"You told me you loved me. Both sides of me. I know you meant it, so don't try pretending like you didn't, princess."
Maybe it was his tone, or him saying her nickname, but something inside her seemed to break. He watched her shoulders drop, and when she looked at him there were tears in her eyes, threatening to spill over.
"Don't."
She breathed, and he could hear the pain in her voice. He didn't understand. Was it because she knew his identity or just because of who he was?
"I love you Marinette. I don't want this to be over. I don't want us to just end."
"Can't you just drop it?"
She hissed, and he immediately shook his head. He couldn't just let this go. He wanted to be with her, for the rest of his life. Why didn't she want that?
"I'm not going to drop it Marinette. You're sitting here, lying to my face."
She tensed, glaring at him through tears.
"Like you have any room to talk about lying."
He knew she only said that in an attempt to get him to be silent, but he wouldn't lie down so easily. Not when she had secrets of her own.
"I'm not going to leave it alone, until you tell me the truth. I tried being completely open and honest with you, and you shot me down. Don't try to berate me about secrets when you keep them yourself."
"Just... leave me alone."
That one hurt. Her words seeped into his skin like poison, and he sat back, looking ahead at Grant. He of course, was watching them with interest. So nosy.
"I'm not giving up on you. I don't care if you gave up on me, but I refuse to. I fight for the people I love. Those who don't are cowards."
His comment pissed her off, and he had meant for it to. If anger was the only emotion she couldn't hide behind that mask then he was going for it. He however, did not expect her to get up.
"Mari?"
She turned to him, obviously crying now. He hadn't meant to make her cry, he just wanted her to talk to him.
"It's over, I'm done. Move on."
Her words felt like bullets, and she grabbed her bag, walking out of the classroom. He snatched his bag up, there was no way in hell he was going to let it end like this. There was no moving on for him. She was it. She had been it for years, he just hadn't realized it. He raced out of the classroom, ignoring Grant's voice telling them both to come back. That guy just wanted a ticket to see the drama unfold, but it wasn't his business.
"Marinette! You're running from me again?"
He shouted, and she stopped, not bothering to look back at him.
"Why can't you just leave me alone?"
"I love you. That's why. I can't let someone I love just walk out of my life. You're the only person that's ever loved both sides Marinette. That means something to me."
She shuddered, and he moved closer, touching her shoulder. She yanked away from him, and the pain that cut through him from that alone felt like it was going to kill him.
"I don't want to be with you. What part about that do you not understand?"
"Why? What did I do to you?"
She wiped away her tears, trying and failing to go back to the indifference she held before.
"What did you do to me? I loved you for years, and you barely glanced my way. The only reason you even noticed me now, was because of a fucking acuma. Because we almost fucked that day. That was the only reason you even remembered I existed."
"That's bullshit. Sure, I didn't notice you loved me, because I was so distracted. But you can't blame me. You never told me how you felt. You never once admitted it. I didn't have a lot of friends Marinette, so I assumed that was how some friendships were."
She rolled her eyes, starting to walk away again. She was being such a hypocrite. She didn't notice Chat either.
"Stop walking away from me! And stop trying to blame me for your commitment issues. You're the one leaving. Not me. So don't pretend that this is my fault."
"You're saying it's mine?"
She whirled around then, fire ablaze in her gaze. He closed the distance between them again, crossing his arms.
"No. Don't put words in my mouth. You're blaming me for something that isn't my fault."
"I didn't put anything in your mouth. You said that it wasn't your fault, because I never told you. So was it mine?"
Why did she always twist his words? That wasn't how he meant it.
"No. We were both at fault okay? You didn't tell me, and I didn't pay attention. Let's put a pin in that for now. I want to be with you. I don't think it's fair that you're throwing our entire relationship out the door, and lying to me about the reason why."
"You know what rich boy?"
"Excuse me?"
She had never called him that before. And it sounded like an insult. Like he was a monster because his father had money.
"Sometimes life isn't fair. Not everything goes your way. The sooner you realize that, the better off you'll be."
"You think I don't know that?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm sure your life is so hard, with the designer clothes, and the grand piano, and the best money can buy. I'm sure it must be so hard for you, having friends, and fans, and hundreds of people that love you."
She was going straight for the jugular, and god how it hurt.
"So what? Now you think I'm some spoiled rich kid? That I must not understand pain or hurt? Because my life is so great. I love having a mom. And a father that cares about me and pays attention to me. I love having to spend most of my days in front of a camera, forcing a smile. The best part, of course are those fans you mentioned. The people in love with the guy in the pictures and interviews. The guy I pretend to be? Yeah that's great Marinette. Not like I'd give all of that up just for a moment of peace. To finally for a moment feel like I'm good enough."
She seemed to falter some, and her gaze went down to her feet.
"What about you? Your life must be so hard. Two parents who love you so much they bug the shit out of you? A best friend who practically begs to be a part of your life? An entire classroom of people who would stand up for you, who care about you genuinely? That must be fucking awful."
"You don't know anything about me."
He let out a bitter laugh, staring down at her.
"Oh yeah, I know everything about you Mari. I know your life isn't half as hard as you make it out to be."
"Bullshit! I'm tired all the time. I constantly have to help my parents. I constantly have to stay positive because of stupid acumas. I haven't gotten a single acceptance letter from any local colleges, my best friend constantly snaps at me for being busy. I haven't had time to work on any new designs, I'm barely passing my classes, and I'm L-"
She stopped, her face twisting into one of horror. Just say it. Please.
"You're what?"
He was giving her an opening, and begging her to take it.
"I'm leaving."
She mumbled, shaking her head. So close.
"Marinette please. Don't."
He took her hand, and she stared down at it, shaking her head harder.
"I can't do this anymore."
Wait. What? Do what? Date him? Or be Ladybug? What was she talking about?
"What do you mean?"
"I have to go."
"When are you going to stop running?"
He asked, bringing his hands to her face, getting her to look up at him.
"Soon. I promise."
He knew that one was a lie. He could see it in her eyes. She had given up. He leaned down and kissed her, as if it would bring her back to him. As if it would fix everything. For a moment, he thought it had. She melted into him, and he could still taste sugar on her lips. He deepened the kiss, and felt her lips part. That had to be a good sign. Maybe it was fixing everything. He swirled his tounge around hers, begging for her to change her mind. Begging for her to want him just as much as he wanted her. He wanted to remind her that she loved Adrien, just as much as she loved Chat. When she pulled away his heart sank. She looked so broken.
"Mari please-"
"Stop. I'm going home. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Marinette..."
"I'll wait for you this time."
He didn't know what to say, and she smiled. A fake, plastered on smile that he could recognize anywhere. It was the same one he wore. She turned around, and as much as he wanted to run after her, he couldn't. She wouldn't listen. Not anymore. Something had changed, and he had to figure out what it was. Before it was too late.