3. Waiting

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

"A small part of me will always wait for

you to come back."

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

(This is my art and this is how I picture Adrian older, I will try to start Marinette soon :) - for context I have a wattpad account and show off my fan art of Adrian at 18

Adrian and I stand over the small sink washing the paint brushes, I wish he would've left with the others I mean this isn't that hard for one person to clean. I can feel his shoulder brush against mine as he turns to me with a small smile on his plumped lips.

"You haven't changed," he chuckled, I know he didn't mean that as an insult but for some reason it angered me.

"I don't know I think I have," I tried to smile.

"Not really you're the same old Marinette, shy, clumsy, and nice."

"I think I've changed since I left," I mumbled.

"I mean yeah you did, but I'm glad your the same as before."

I thought I've changed, I know I'm still nice and I'm a bit clumsy, but I feel like I've gotten more sure of myself.

I finished drying the brushes and I quickly grab my things before saying a quick goodbye to Adrian and run into the restrooms.

"Whats wrong?," Tikki comes out of my purse.

"Have I not changed?," I grumbled as I slouch on the toilet and scratch my head.

"If you keep acting like this that year and a half  would literally mean nothing-."

"Adrian is bringing this side out of me," I sighed.

"Well don't let him! Get over him Marinette!," Tikki snapped.

"He did nothing for you while you were here, he made you feel like a fool over and over again-."

"Not on purpose," I argued.

"I know I know," she sighed "but think about all those times where he made you feel like you were special and then just called you a dear friend, all those times everyone took advantage over your kindness, you left to be more confident in yourself, don't let Adrian waver you!," she huffed.

"Yes I know."

"Mari you don't understand, just listen to me okay? Adrian is a good person and he is very kind but he isn't good for you so I suggest to stay far away, don't forget what Kagami said to you that day," Tikki touched my cheek softly.

"He hurt you without knowing," I look down at my hands.

"I know."

"He made you feel like he was falling for you and left to Kagami like nothing, he distanced himself with his friends because of her, but he has a brain and there is no excuse."

"We spent so much time away from everyone, and yet you let a boy take over your mind," I sigh.

"You have changed and I'm glad your personality is the same but you've gotten stronger mentally so stop doubting everything you do and remember how great you are!," Tikki hugged my face.

"Thank you I really needed that Tikki," I smiled and stood up before washing my hands and heading towards the cafe.

After school

Adrian tried speaking to me a few times but I kept the talk very dry and avoided him at all cost. Tikki was right, Adrian made me feel like a joke without even knowing, everyone looked hoping something would've happened between us and once we thought he would he left to Kagami.

I walk out the school and I see Kagami outside in front of dark car looking exactly the same as before, perfect.

"Oh Marinette," she waved lightly.

I felt myself falter, until I remember my talk with Tikki and held my head high.

"Oh hi Kagami," I said with confidence.

"You look beautiful," she complimented.

"Thank you as well as you," I smiled.

"Well if you don't mind I have to get home and workout for a bit."

"I hope you remember what we last talked about," she mumbled.

I nod and walk away.

"Mari!," I turn around and see Adrian waving at me beside Kagami.

I turn around ignoring him before making my way home.

"Should we go see Master Fu?," Tikki asked.

I nod.

As we make our way to his building, I go up the stairs and knock on his door before he opens it and smiles happily.

"Marinette welcome back!," he smiled.

"Master," I bow.

"Sweetie stand up," he patted my shoulder.

"Master Fu!," Tikki hugged him.

"Hello my little bug how have you both been?," He asked.

"We've been well, how was the city since we left?," I asked as I sat down on the floor next to him as he served us a cup of tea.

"HawkMoth hasn't shown himself since you've left like I predicted, a few thefts but nothing the police can't handle," he sighed.

"Just be ready."

"I know."

"Is it safe for me so explore the city as ladybug or keep a low profile?"

"I suggest to keep quiet for a while for a week then you are permitted to act as of you want," Master Fu instructed.

I nod and pat Tikki's head.

"I have gotten your videos of you training, very good Marinette you've grown up well, I wish I was there to first hand to see how much work you were put through," he smiled.

"Thank you Master," I bow.

"How has Chat been?," I asked.

"He's been out a couple of times patrolling the area, he's been- okay."

"He's had asked Plagg if he knew anything of Ladybug."

"I suggest you visit him after this week, I'll explain everything to Plagg so he won't be to hard on you."

"I understand," I mumbled.

"Tikki has gotten much stronger and you have a new suit like Chat. Since that's all you may leave, I'll send you a call if anything, have a great day now it is my nap time, you can see your way out," I bow before walking out and head home.

When I reach home I head straight to my balcony and lay on a chair before falling into a deep sleep.

I felt someone watching me and quickly wake up noticing it's already night, I turn to the stare and I was met with green cat eyes.

"Kitty...," I whispered, I mentally sighed seeing he looked fine, he suit looked the same, his hair styled a bit different and he grew taller.

"Princess," Chat stands on the rails and makes his way towards me and smiles lightly.

"I missed you," he brought me into a warm embrace.

"Me too," I smiled and hugged him back.

He pulls away and looks into my eyes.

"Where did you go off to?," he whispered as I notice his eyes start to water.

"I went to stay with my grandma for some personal reasons," I sighed.

"You disappeared out of no where, I thought you weren't going to come back."

I stay quiet and look down.

"I needed some time to myself," I mumbled and sat back down on the chair.

"Why didn't you tell me?," he asked.

"I tried," I looked at him "you didn't show up."

"You didn't leave a note or something?," I can feel the tension start to build up between us.

"If I did, I don't think you would've seen it," I grumbled.

"Yes I would have, you can't just disappear out of no where," he argued.

"I understand that but I remember I told you to meet me that day, that it was important," I mumbled.

"You said you will."

Adrian's POV

I really messed up, I can't blame Marinette for not telling me, I didn't show up that day because I went on a date with Kagami, but of course I can't tell her that. If I just went with her that day I would know why she left and why for so long, If I just saw her that day are relationship- I mean friendship would've been the same right?

I've gotten word from Nino that Marinette has came back from China the day before school started.

Morning of today

"Do you think Marinette looks the same?," Plagg asked while I changed into another regular shirt and turn to him for his approval.

"Ugly," he gagged.

"I mean Marinette never really changed her style since I first met her-."

"Yeah Adrian but it's been about a year, she might look different from before."

"I guess, but I know for sure her personality must've stayed the same right?," I laughed lightly as I remember her always clumsily falling on me.

"I don't knowwww she might've changed Adrian," Plagg mumbled.

"I don't think so."

"I think she has, being gone from her family and friends she must've changed, don't expect for her to be exactly the same as before."

"I know that-."

"No you don't."

End of small flashback

Plagg was correct.

Marinette looked completely different from before, she let her hair grow and toned herself out, but recognized her in a second.

She still looked beautiful.

I was hoping for some odd reason that our friendship was the same before she left, but I forgot how I distanced myself with my friends because of spending so much time with Kagami. I was hoping to speak to her more today, but she was acting as if we were just complete strangers. She didn't look in my direction and she held herself confidently.

I thought she was still going to be clumsy and act nervously but as I saw her in a few classes she raised her hand first asked questions without stuttering and strangely acted like Chloe but nicer.

"I told you she changed," I heard Plagg.

"Shut up," I thought.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled and looked up at Marinette.

"It's okay, I guess I should've left a note," she mumbled before standing up and started making her way to the door that led her into her room.

"You should leave, I have school and I need to sleep," she mumbled before leaving my site.

"That didn't go as planned," Plagg laughed.

"Whatever," I grumbled before jumping off her house and jump on another before walking.

"Thought she would've been happy to see me."

"Well you thought wrong again, I told you she changed but of course you don't listen to me," Plagg mumbled.

"She didn't look for Adrian and now doesn't even want to speak to her Kitty," I rolled my eyes.

"Well for Adrian you kinda left your friends for Kagami, and as of Chat you left her forrr- oh let me guess? Kagami."

"Kagami is my girlfriend," I argued.

"Not a good one."

"Yes she is, she cares for me, she's fun, we have the same problems of hiding who we are, and even father likes her."

"Keep telling yourself that," Plagg mumbled.

"I will because I love her."

"That's a strong word," he stays quiet "you don't even know what that word truly means."

"Yes I do and I love her."

"Whatever but once again I'm right and your wrong and once you see what I'm talking about I better get a crap ton load of cheese."

As I reach my house I change back into myself and look at my computer to check social media, noticing a bunch of pictures with Marinette welcoming her back. I quickly see that she got social media and click on her profile and seeing a simple picture of her sewing and another of her on a mountain in a kicking stance.

I follow her and like the only 2 pictures she posted.

"Nice kick!:)" I commented.

"Welcome home!missed you:)!," I commented on the recent one.

"You've got it down bad," Plagg laughed as he grabs one of his disgusting cheese and starts chewing it out loud.

"She just a good friend," I mumbled.

Plagg rolled his eyes and went to go lay on the couch.

Out of curiosity I check out the tags she was tagged in and notice millions of post, I look at her account again and realize she has a large sum of people following her. I start stalking the tags even more and see how many post of her were of martial arts making her a famous fighter.

"I never knew-."

"Adrian are you asleep?," I heard Natalie on the other side of my door.

"Uhm no just finishing up some homework," I change my computer screen onto some random sheet of work, as I hear her walk in.

"Your father wishes to have dinner with you," she informed.

"No thank you I'm not hungry," I mumbled.

I always wanted my fathers approval, I wanted his attention and after trying so hard I finally gave up, I despise my father for never caring about me. And after years of choosing to ignore his son he finally wants to make it up, but it's to late for that, I don't need him to feel good.

"Adrian please he hasn't seen you in a week please," Natalie begged.

"No thank you I'm feeling tired please shut the door as well as the lights on your way out," I mumbled without looking at her.

I hope he feels how lonely I felt after so many years.

I hear Nat walk out and I turn off my computer before changing into some pjs and jump on my bed before falling asleep.