23. Recovery

☆❋──❁ ❃──❋☆

"In the healing,

I realized these things

can just end,

no meaning to make,

no heart to break,

and it can be

as simple as that."

☆❋──❁ ❃──❋☆

I began to stand up "Adrien what are you doing?," Plagg mumbled.

"I'm-," I paused.

"What? You're gonna go to her?," he sighed.

"I mean I can't just leave her like that-," I mumbled.

"I mean you can-, but maybe we should-," I look at Marinette again as she lays on her rail rubbing her head

"She shouldn't be alone," Plagg mumbled in a sad tone "but she does have tikki- nevermind, we shouldn't bother."

"I can't go, and I really don't want to go back to the apartment."

"Just go, I'll just stay quiet."

"Thanks," I smiled lightly before walking back wards and began to run quickly before jumping off the building towards Marinette's balcony.

I did a front flip before landing on the rail only a foot away from her in my regular cat like position.

I look down at her only to see her cheeks stained with tears and a bit of mascara.

My heart shattered at the site of Marinette in pain, I frown and let out a small sigh.

"Chat?," Marinette looked up at me with a confused expression

"Princess...," I whispered as I slowly put my hand on her cheek.

Sadly she pulled away and turned her back on me.

"Sorry I didn't- kn-know you could- see me," she sniffed.

I rub my head softly as I tried to add a smile on my face and jumped off the ledge towards her, I grab her shoulder softly and lift up her chin to meet my eyes.

"What's got you all nervous? Cat got your tongue?," I joked trying to cheer her up.

"Please," Marinette rolled her eyes and turned her head away once again before sitting down on one of her chairs.

I sit beside her and lay my head on the table.

"Want to talk about it?," I whispered as I see her try to hold her tears back.

"... My friend moved back to China today... I'm- I'm not thinking- straight right now," she said very quietly and tears ran down her face once again.

"Princess-," I sighed "you're crying over another guy? I'm right here you know," I smirked lightly.

"Oh please Chat," Marinette smiled softly at me.

"I haven't came since I've been so busyyyy-," she gives me a look of disbelief "doing absolutely nothing," I laughed lightly.

"That's what I thought."

"Well how am I suppose to visit when your never home or not on your balcony, no offense but the label of a puuurrrrvert doesn't look to good on me," I sighed and smirked.

"Very true," she sniffed.

"But when did that ever stop you before, at least you would knock on my window."

"Well yeah but you were busy with your boy toy while I was gone hm?," I mumbled and played with my hands.

"Anthony is not a boy toy," Marinette gave me a dirty look.

"Oooo so your little boyfriends name is Anthony huh?," I chuckled.

"Chat...," she grumbled annoyed.

"How can you cheat on me like that I thought we were meant to be?," I fell on my knees and grabbed her hand dramatically before laying my hand on my face like I was about to faint.

"Well aren't you in love with ladybug?," Marinette said raising her eyebrow.

"Haven't spoken to ladybug lately like we use to, seems like her real life is more important than her super hero life," I rolled my eyes.

I haven't really thought about Ladybug lately which might've been shocking to me throughout freshman and sophomore year. I still admire everything she does, but ever since she came back, it feels like I'm not on her level. I mean I've never really been on her level, but you know..

I'm standing still as I see her already at the finish line, she grew up already while I stayed here this entire time.

I haven't changed and that's the problem.

"Have you talked to her about how you're feeling? I'm sure she'll understand?," she suggested.

"Well it's not like we have time together either way," I chuckled "there aren't as much Akumas like before so there is really no reason for us to speak to one another."

"I'm sure she been thinking about you from time to time, I mean she does have another life from being Ladybug you know?"

"I understand, I guess my real life isn't as busy as hers."

"Maybe she's also having a hard time," Marinette mumbled.

"Yeah... recently I think all of us are," I whispered.

It went quiet for a bit till I let out a deep breath "can I tell you something? Maybe I need some feedback or just your opinion," I asked.

"What are you gonna ask me about some cat puns for you like old times?," she smiled lightly.

"Reallyyy funny kitten but no," I mumbled.

"How do you break up with someone?"

Marinette quickly looks at me as her jaw drops.

"You're dating someone? No wonder you haven't talked about ladybug since you've got here," she said in a confused tone.

"I do stay loyal Princess," I laughed.

"Not really loyal when you call another girl Princess and visit her late at night," she rolled her eyes.

"That's our thing though, plus it's not like I'll be taken for long."

"Oh please I heard that a couple of times."

"What do you mean?"

"One of my friends, saying he'll pick me- I mean his friend group over his girlfriend and guess what? They are still together,"

Marinette was talking about me... about that day.

I rub the back of neck nervously and sigh knowing I screwed up.

"He's dumb," I mumbled.

"A little bit, he's a blonde after all," Marinette joked.

"Oo, right in the heart," I smiled as I held onto my chest pretending to be in pain.

"Sorry not sorry."

"Don't worry, I'm probably as stupid as he is."

"Maybe," she giggled.

"You know, I will break up with this girl, after this talk I might just actually grow the paws to dump her once and for all," I mumbled.

"You seem pretty confident in yourself, what made you feel like this to a person you once liked?," Marinette raised her eyebrows.

"She's a bit manipulative, sometimes rude, she wasn't like this when we first met though... everything changed over time and as well as my feelings for her. I guess I'm tired of watching life pass before my eyes as I stay in the same old spot for the past few years," I frowned and looked down at my hands.

"Hmm," she hummed as she processed what I just said.

"I know a person who is manipulative, but I'd rather not say who she is of course, I just choose to ignore her," she mumbled.

I look up at her and finally take in every little feature on her face. I smile lightly as the air pushes her long dark hair forward as it brushes her soft clear skin, Marinette pushes a strand behind her ear and takes a deep breath and sighs nervously as she looks over Paris. The bottom of her eyelids were red and puffy from however long she has been crying for, her lips were puffy as well as a tint of red, I know when Kagami cried she didn't look as beautiful as Marinette.

God that was mean.

I didn't know what had gotten into myself recently, all I know is that I want to be around Marinette more than anything, I felt at ease with her beside me. Knowing she wasn't to fond of me as Adrien I'm thinking next best thing is being Chat since she really hasn't kicked me out yet.

I can feel my eyes slowly travel down her body outta of curiosity only for my cheeks to burn up at her attire. She was wearing a pink purplish tube top with some shorts with a flower pattern that were darker than the top she was wearing, I quickly look away feeling disgusted with myself and slap my face. Marinette turns to me before giving me a confused smile at my sudden actions as I try to play it off with a chuckle.

"Sooo," I mumbled.

"I've been conflicted these past few months, I haven't really been feeling like myself and well you know my girl problems, but have you ever felt the feeling of being alone? I mean I know you have friends-," I began.

"Multiple times, having friends doesn't really excuse of feeling alone, I always felt alone, my friends are good people yea, but during the time I was here they kind of focused on themselves which is totally understandable."

I frown hearing her words.

"That's why I moved for a while, and I found someone that showed me I'm not so alone in the world," Marinette's smile falters as she began to think about Anthony.

"I've felt alone for a while now, and it's honestly my fault. I ignored my friends and payed attention to someone that I thought cared for me, and now I see them just living life as mine just... never changes... hell," I sighed as I feel my eyes water.

"I love how both of our lives are going down hill today," Marinette joked.

"I want to go back home," she whispered.

"You are home though," I looked at her confused.

It went quiet once again as Marinette began to cry again.

"I'm not home," she whimpered and held herself in her arms.

"I should've left with him Chat, I shouldn't have stayed here if I knew I wasn't truly happy," she cried.

"Princess...- hey," I stood up and walked to her.

"I hate myself for not jumping onto that plane,I- I can't stay- I can't stay-here when m-my emotions are like t-this, I'm going to p-put- everyone in danger," she cried harder as she tried to dry her tears.

For the first time in my life I truly felt hopeless as I see Marinette slowly began to have a panic attack.

"Adrien," I hear Plagg, but all I can hear was Marinette's cries.

"Princess...stop please,... just don't cry."

"I-I miss hi-him so much.. I-I ca-can't help b-but feel so a-alone," Marinette started to try to catch her breath.

Seeing her in this state made me panic.

"Adrien! For Christ sake kid help her!," Plagg grumbled.

I felt tears began to form as I grab onto Marinette's shoulder trying to grab her attention.

"Please! You're hurting me... please just... stop crying," I yelled lightly.

Marinette looked at me with a blank expression as tears kept leaving her eyes.

"I-I'm sorry, I-I didn't- I'm sorry Chat," Marinette let out a shaky breath.

"Princess," I whispered as I looked down at her.

"I've been crying all day, I didn't think I'd cry anymore later on tonight, I-I guess I should've -known better," she stuttered.

"Maybe I should head inside and get ahold of my-myself," she whispered and began to pull away from my grasp.

Before she can walk away I grab her hand softly "don't go," I whispered.

"Kitty...," she whispered.

"I can't leave you like this and I can't go with my brain all fogged up with just happened, plus I don't feel like leaving you alone," I mumbled.

"Well what if I tell you to go?"

"You can't be alone, and I wouldn't like to be alone."

"You can't just stay here all night Chat," she mumbled.

"It's not like I'm going to de transform."

"And how would you know that?," she questioned.

"I just know Princess," I sighed as I grabbed her other hand.

"Adrien just because we both got powerful enough to stay transformed for an entire day doesn't mean I want to," Plagg grumbled annoyed.

"You have yourself a girlfriend how would she feel if you stayed this late at another girls house?," she dried her tears.

"Oh, well she'll be furious and threaten to breakup with me of course," I smiled and laughed lightly.

"I wouldn't like for another girlfriend to hate my guts thank you," she mumbled under her breath.

"What?," I asked.

"Nothing," she shook her head.

"Just go..," she tried to turn but her body gave up on her as she almost fell.

I quickly grab onto her as I scan her face for any expression.

I can tell by just a glance she was already tired of all the events that happened today and she needed her bed.

"Tired?"

"No," she whispered.

"Can you let me go?," Marinette looked up at me.

"I'm afraid if I do you'll fall from how exhausted you are Princess," I mumbled as I put a strand behind her ear, she froze at my touch.

"I'm not exhausted..," I see her eyes start to droop and I smile lightly at her lie.

"Seems like you are," I laughed.

"Am... not," her head began to fall back.

"Since when have you been awake love?," I mumbled.

"I couldn't sleep all night yesterday," she mumbled.

"Let's get some sleep yeah?," I whispered.

"I don't-," she said annoyed.

"Fine we can stay up but you can't keep standing," I chuckled at her stubbornness.

Marinette looks at the chair.

Of course.

—

Like I called a few minutes before Marinette fell asleep on the chair from before, I stared at her tired red puffy eyes and her wild hair all over the place.

"Let's drop her off inside and get the hell outta here," Plagg grumbled.

"How am I suppose to get her inside now?," I sighed.

"Carry her dim-wit, geez do I have to tell you to wipe your butt too."

"Shut up Plagg."

"Once again unappreciated," he mumbled.

I stand up and look down at Marinette as she lays on the beach chair.

I slowly put my hands under her body feeling my body tense at the sudden contact between us, her head fell slightly forward and I smile lightly at the small snore that left her lips.

I open the hatch and slowly climb down the stairs till I look around her room.

Marinette's room didn't really change except from the different bed and decor, her room was still light pink and other things were also pink or black or even purple, I slowly climb the stairs to reach her bed.

"Well isn't your bed a bit messy my Princess," I laughed to myself as try to push off a few papers to lay her down.

I lay her down and cover her with her blanket as I jump down on the floor and slowly admire her room.

"God it's like a pink bomb exploded in here," Plagg groaned.

"But it fits her, I'll tell you that," I laughed lightly.

"Oo let's go see her drawings," Plagg chuckled.

"No no no-... okay," I smiled and walked to her board as I take in her art and fashion designs.

"That girl got skills," He said.

"And that's why my father picked her hat for me to wear," I smiled happily.

"Yeah which you kept sneezing because of your weird allergies of feathers."

"Shut up seriously," I groaned.

I smiled lightly at a pictures of her and Alya laughing and joking around with Chloe and soon my smile falters as I see one on her desk of her and Anthony hugging one another in front of what I presume is there Martial arts studio in China. I bit of jealousy started to raise up in me as I realize that was the beginning of their friendship and that Marinette looked more happier than ever before, she still had her short hair and she still had her hair in pigtails.

I roll my eyes and turn away from the picture.

"We should head home now?," Plagg mumbled.

I look around the room one more time and sigh.

"Yeah... we should... let me just say good bye to Marinette real quick."

I climb up her stairs and bend down and tap her shoulder lightly.

I looked at her bed frame only to see tons of photos with her and Anthony with one another.

"Princess... I'm going to head out now," I whispered.

Before I can turn away from her she grabs my hand softly.

"Don't go, please," she whispered.

"Princess...," I mumbled.

I knew she wasn't fully away and probably didn't mean what she just said, but I didn't want to go back to the apartment. I just didn't feel like I should leave her, not yet at least.

As Marinette held onto my hand I smile lightly as her lips part lightly and close once again, my eyes linger to her eyelashes and realize how long they are, her cheeks seemed so soft and squeezable, her hair was laid out in the most beautiful way a person can possibly think of. Her nose was as small as a button and a bit pink from her tears, and lastly her lips.

Her lips seemed so... so-just so... indescribable.

I look down at her neck only to see a necklace that I've seen before on models I've worked with and raise my eyebrows confused.

"That necklace...," I mumbled.

I've never seen her wear this before and knowing Marinette she isn't the type of person to wear jewelry besides a few bracelets and her earrings.

"Her little boy toy probably got her that before he left," Plagg laughed.

I was so captivated by Marinette that I completely didn't hear what Plagg just said and slowly began to lean in.

Our lips were so close to one another yet so apart, my other hand slowly lifted her head up until her lips were at my level.

I wasn't going to do anything knowing she was in her slumber but I couldn't control my urge and kissed her forehead softly.

As I began to pull away I look down at the necklace once again.

Before I knew it I slowly began to take it off.

"Are you going to steal it? Ooo jealous much," Plagg laughed.

"No, I would never do that to her, I just don't want her to ruin it by accident, I'm gonna place it beside her mushroom lamp," I mumbled.

"Getting a little close there kid."

"Shhh," I whispered.

"Home?," Plagg asked.

"No," I mumbled and sat on the floor beside her as we held onto one another's hand.

I fell asleep watching over her.

————

(Currently 3 am.

About to reread it - {I fell asleep and it is now 11:53 am}

It took a while because of art and then writing the chapter and since I've been busy, and I'm so tiredddddd :$ I hope you all love this chapter and please I love every comment lmao)