Marinette
"Are you really well enough to go to a party?"
Tiki asked, and Marinette finished brushing her hair.
"Alya said it's the last party of the year. I have to go. I want people to remember me being there."
She mumbled the last part, and Tiki frowned at her.
"Still haven't changed your mind?"
"I'm not going to Tiki. If the doctors are right, stressing so much is going to kill me."
"So don't stress."
Marinette gave her an annoyed look, turning back to the mirror. That was easy for Tiki to say. Tiki didn't have to worry over everything. All she had to do was transform. Tonight, Marinette was going to have a good time. She wasn't going to get drunk again, but she wanted everyone to have good memories of her. Her phone pinged, Alya had texted to let her know she was outside. She took a deep breath, grimacing at the bandage on her forehead. She looked awful. Oh well. Tiki dove into her purse, and she marched down the stairs into the bakery. Her mother smiled softly, looking her up and down.
"Are you sure you should go?"
God, she sounded just like Tiki.
"I'll be fine mom, it's the last get together of the year. I don't want to miss out."
She grinned, and her mother nodded, giving her a gentle hug.
"Be safe, okay?"
"Yes Maman."
She waved at her father, who had a hot tray in his hands.
"Be careful!"
"We will!"
She called over her shoulder, walking out to Alya's car. Alya was wearing a strapless dress, the bust covered in plaid, the rest of the skirt was black. Marinette realized she was severely underdressed, wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans, but she didn't care. She just had to go, make memories, and dip out. Simple.
"Hey girl, how you feeling?"
"I'm fine Alya."
She got in the car, easing herself into the seat as carefully as she could. She was still sore. That was expected, considering she had been shot, but she still hated it.
"So, are you drinking tonight?"
"Probably not."
"Thank god."
Alya laughed, and Marinette found herself smiling.
"I agree. I won't be wandering off either."
Alya grinned, pulling out onto the road. The drive to Kim's took longer than she remembered, and she wondered why that was. Had she just not paid attention before?
"Marinette, you know you can talk to me about anything. Right?"
Yeah, right. She would find out soon enough. When the earrings got passed to her. Would Alya see it as a burden? Or would she revel in it, like she did with Rena Rouge?
"I know."
Alya glanced at her, before pulling onto Kim's street. Cars littered each side, and Alya had to park in his yard.
"I'm not pushing anymore. Whenever you're ready to talk, I'm there."
She reached over and squeezed Marinette's hand, and it brought tears to her eyes.
"Thanks Alya."
"Okay. Let's go party like it's our last night on earth."
Marinette grinned, getting out of the car. Some of the partygoers had spread out onto the lawn, swaying in time with the music. Alya grabbed her hand, pulling her up to the steps and through the front door. The party was even more packed than before, and she found it hard to squeeze through without anyone touching her wounds. They stumbled into the kitchen, and she found herself glancing around at all the passing faces. Unfortunately, she knew she was looking for one in particular. Adrien. She had missed him so much over the past couple of days, and it was no one's fault but her own. She had told him to leave.
"I'm gonna go grab a drink, then you can help me hunt down Nino."
Alya called to her, heading over to the countertop. The thought of getting wasted beyond recognition was tempting, but she wanted to keep a level head. She wanted to enjoy every part of this night, even if she wouldn't remember it. She had decided on monday. That was when she was going to give Alya the role of Ladybug. An acuma hadn't shown up, so she couldn't test her, but she did trust her. Alya could handle it. Someone slung their arm over her shoulders, and her heart fluttered. When she turned she expected to see Adrien, and she couldn't help the wave of disappointment that crashed over her when she saw a wasted Kim leaning against her.
"Tell your boyfriend this was a great idea. I've never had such a huge turnout before."
This was Adrien's idea? He didn't usually go to these parties, he had only thrown one.
"You have a better selection this time."
Alya piped up, holding her wine cooler up in salute.
"Hey, he paid for it too."
Kim laughed, and Marinette frowned. Adrien bought alchohol for the party?
"Let's go find Nino."
Alya grabbed her hand again, and again she was pulled through the swarming crowd. They headed straight for the music, where they found Nino on a laptop, scrolling through songs.
"Hey babe. Having a good time?"
He kissed Alya on the cheek, and Marinette turned, looking for Adrien. Usually he was with Nino.
"We just got here, so not yet. Where's Adrien?"
"I think he was on the couch the last time I saw him."
Alya locked eyes with Marinette, and she knew Alya had asked for her. She smiled softly, stepping back down into the crowd to go find him. She wanted to apologize for how she had acted. He had just been trying to help, and he didn't deserve it. She squeezed through, standing to the side of the couch. Her heart fluttered again when she saw him, he was on his phone, his expression unreadable. Fire sparked in her lungs when she glanced to his side. Lila was there, clinging to his arm, whispering into his ear. In that moment, for a small second, she saw red. She could walk over there and throttle Lila. She could beat the girl to a bloody pulp. But she wouldn't. Adrien was a free agent, and she had made it that way. Didn't stop the jealousy from clawing it's way to her throat, blocking off her airway. As if he sensed she was there, he glanced up, locking eyes with her. She wanted to turn away, to completely avoid the guilt of telling him to leave. But those green eyes, they were back to holding her captive. He stood up from the couch, almost sending Lila into the floor as he did. Unfortunately, she managed to steady herself. He paced over to her, sticking his hands in his pocket.
"Staring huh?"
"It's easier."
She admitted, because it was. It was so much easier to gawk, than to actually talk to him and apologize. He nodded, a soft smile touching his lips. Instinctively, her gaze trailed down to them, and warmth exploded in her stomach. God deserved an award for making those lips alone.
"Mari?"
She felt her face warm, and she looked back into his eyes.
"Want to go somewhere quieter? To talk?"
She nodded, and he motioned for her to lead the way, so she did. They went outside, where the moon was full, casting a soft pale glow on everything it touched.
"I'm sorry. Again. You were right, I keep getting myself into situations I can't handle."
She stopped a good distance away from the dancers, and turned to face him. His eyes glowed in the darkness, much like a cat's would.
"Why?"
Why, why, why. He was always asking that one.
"Maybe I was trying to prove something. I don't know. I was a little confused, but I won't blame my actions on that."
He was quiet, looking around at their surroundings.
"I'm also sorry about what I said. You were just trying to help, and I don't like needing help. It's hard to accept it when I need it sometimes."
"Do you want to dance with me?"
He asked suddenly, looking back at her. After listening, she realized it had switched to a slow song.
"Sure."
He gently placed his hands on her hips, his fingers carefully avoiding her stitches, as if he had memorized their location. She wrapped one arm around his neck, pushing the other between his arm and torso, to keep from stretching the side that had stitches.
"I missed you."
He murmered, and she glanced up at him, before returning her gaze to his chest. Everyone missed her. The old her. From years before.
"Don't do that. I know you're thinking about something. Please say it."
She hated when he did that. When he acted like she was an open book. But she figured, why not? None of this would matter after monday. At least, not to her.
"Everyone says that. They miss who I was back then. No one seems to like this Marinette."
He frowned, stopping them from swaying.
"You're stubborn. Incredibly so. Reckless, and selfless. You're tired, and stressed, and maybe a little depressed. But I love you Marinette. All versions of you. I missed talking to you. I missed your smile, and your cute little laugh too."
"You're rhyming."
She interupted, and he grinned at her. It was deflecting, but she had to. He couldn't give her any more reasons to change her mind. But she knew every word out of his mouth was honest. He fell for Ladybug, when she was happy. And still loved her, when she constantly pushed him away. And he fell in love with broken little Marinette, even though he didn't know it was the same person. He loved all versions.
"I guess I'm a poet and didn't know it."
She smiled, and he leaned forward, kissing her forehead.
"I'd follow you anywhere. You could lead me through the gates of hell, and I'll be there with bells on."
"Bell."
She corrected, and he started swaying again, pulling her into rythm with him.
"That day on the beach, I realized it. When you asked me about my favorite Edgar poem. Before, it had always been Ladybug's reflection I saw in that water. It had been her since I figured out what love was. But you changed it. That's how I knew."
She leaned her face into his chest, her eyes watering. He would know soon enough. She hadn't changed any reflection. It had always been the same. And the guilt sweeping through her soul made no effort to ease her pain. She was giving up Adrien. And Chat. Someone who had been a big part of growing up, someone who loved her unconditionally. There she was, throwing it all away in an attempt to save herself from heartache. Would he even want her when she didn't remember?
"Marinette? Come home with me."
Her heart pounded, and she looked up at him. His eyes were filled with such adoration, those brilliant white butterflies woke, stirring up the warmth in her stomach.
"We can do whatever you want. If you want to lay around and watch movies in our pajamas, I'm game. I just want to be with you, as myself."
His cheeks flushed at the last part, and she already knew her answer. She would follow him through the gates of hell too. Hopefully she would always feel the same. She nodded, and he exhaled slowly, as if he had expected a no.
"I can have Alya cover for me."
His face turned a shade darker, and she thought about how adorable it was when he blushed. Especially when he was blushing because of her.
"You don't have to spend the night. If you don't want to."
"I do."
She admitted, feeling warmth forming on her own face. Maybe this would be a good memory for him. She hoped so.
"Okay. Let's go."