In the Past... (Miraculous Ladybug)

s e v e n: Personal Matters

Word count: 1,932.

"Okay." Alix sighed, pacing around in front of them. "We've contacted the police, and searched around the park. Now you two go on and transform, and I'll try to find my Miraculous just in case." She moved her hand off of each of their shoulders. Alix had just given them a pep-talk after they had reached the police. Adrien and Marinette nodded stiffly, heading into a hidden alleyway. They watched as the redhead headed for her car.

Going further down the alleyway, they made sure they weren't exposed to any bystander. Their hands were still intertwined together as they leaned against the wall. Neither said or did anything until Tikki rose up from inside Marinette's bag. "Do you think they used the Miraculous?"

Plagg came out and sat along them on Adrien's head. "I wouldn't think so. I mean, they've never used one before so why would they want to now?" He was convinced those two little kittens had just gotten lost or something. Wasn't a great alternative, but hey. An idea lit up inside the kwami's mind. "Have you tried texting them?"

Marinette took out her cellphone. "Good idea." She scrolled through her contacts until reaching Hugo's.

Saturday, March 22nd

~You: Hugo? ~

~You: Is Emma with you? We can't find you anywhere.~

Error - Messages not delivered.

"It's not delivering." The bluenette tried sending a quick message to Adrien. The message to her husband sent through quickly, signifying it wasn't her cellphone's problem. "I wish I could say to you that everything's okay." She watched as the kwamis recharged their energies. They were now floating beside the couple.

Adrien shrugged, his attention unfocused. "Well, I guess our only option is to transform and look." And that's what they did.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Ladybug and Chat Noir could be seen soaring through the skies. Many Parisians called out to them or took pictures. What the people didn't know was that it made the heroes feel worse inside. "Marinette." Chat called, not very loud so nobody would happen to hear it. "Do you see them anywhere?" The two had been pacing around for almost two and a half hours. Quite a while, yet neither had succeeded in spotting Hugo or Emma. They didn't seem to be having very good luck.

"No." Within a short amount of time, they noticed Parisians were calling out to them because of worry, not excitement. The pair had been out for much longer than they would be for their usual patrols. Some pointed out the fact that they seemed to be distracted- rather worried about something. Was there a new dark power terrorizing Paris again? Or perhaps the police had sent them out to look for a criminal on the loose?

Whatever the reason was, everyone seemed to be somewhat distraught over the issue. Concerns were growing greater and greater by the minute. "We should sit down and rest, Minou." She needed to take a break, mentally and physically. Chat Noir nodded and sat beside her, hugging her close. He too was growing tired. They both sat without one or the other de-transforming on the rooftop. Ladybug leaned back on her husband's warm touch and sank her head in his chest. "Alix hasn't found her Miraculous, and we haven't found the kids." The heroine sighed. "What do we do, Adrien?"

Chat hugged her tighter. "I don't know bug, I don't know. There's nothing else we can do." It was true. The two of them had searched together through every street, every park, and every possible place their children could have gone. He gently stroked her cheek. "But what I do know is that we should talk to civilians. I've noticed they've started to get worried, and I know you have too. After all, we have been out for a long time." Ladybug let a tired 'mhm' out of her mouth. "What do you say if we let Tikki and Plagg rest for a bit? Then I can give you your favorite back massage, and we can go transform again afterwards. Okay?" He gave her a soothing kiss on the forehead. They were both having a rough day, but if anything, Adrien was going to try to make his Lady feel the best he could.