Unshared Secrets

Chapter 20: Aftermath

Marinette strolled into her school, grinning like what she assumed was an idiot. She greeted Alya and Nino as Adrien stumbled in behind, giving her a quick embrace. However, there was an addition to the group. The Brunette hugged Marinette from behind, "I call dibs on her free time to doodle me!" Lila said as Adrien pouted, "But I was gonna take her free time..."

Lila stuck her tongue out at the blonde. Ever since Lila got out of the hospital, she actually became good, and Marinette fulfilled her promise to be her first place. Adrien and Lila usually quarrelled over her free time, since Marinette was the first one to befriend Lila after all her lies were exposed by Chloe some time before. Many had thought she was lying about her memory in fear of being caught, but Marinette believed in her and so, here they were, friends.

"Okay, okay!" Marinette chuckled, "Lila has my school break, and Adrien after school."

Adrien frowned, "I have to wait hours then! No fair!"

She tilted his head towards her, "Come on, you still sit next to me."

Adrien's frown deepened. Marinette sighed, "What am I to do then?"
"Take, read and answer back to all my pun notes for the day."

"If that's what it'll take, so be it."

All sorts of distress and distraught evaporated from his face as he grinned his Cheshire grin in victory.

"Oh dudette," Nino shook his head, "Death was a better option. His puns are the absolute worst."

"I second that." Lila nodded as Adrien stood in shock, "No they aren't! Who's side you on Nino? Marinette likes my jokes, doesn't she? Right Mari?" He said, his mind flying to the memory of Truth when she said so about Chat Noir.

Marinette laughed, "Oh they're awful alright."

His eyes dimmed and looked at the ground, but then she stood in front of him, "But that's what makes him the amazing loyal person he is, so I think they're funny as he does."

Adrien said nothing, his heart squeezing with warmth at her words of appreciation, and acknowledgement. They then began talking about school studies, his arm on her shoulder the entire time.

They sat in class at the back, Adrien passing sticky notes to Marinette the entire time full of puns. From what the teacher said, to her clumsiness, to her staring at him, to the book text, to the lesson, to their friends.

At the end of class, Marinette hit her head on the table, "Adrien, please, stop torturing me."
"But Buginette, they're classics! I haven't even begun!"
"Oh no I'd rather be dead."

Adrien then gritted his teeth at her, and in a very serious tone gripped her hand as she stared at him, "Don't ever go joking about your life okay? It's not funny!"

He saw fear pool in her eyes so he let go, running his hand through his hair, "I- I'm sorry, I just can't bear without you."

"N-no, it's alright. I'm sorry, I should've been more considerate, you lost me a lot too."

Adrien gave her a reassuring smile, knowing she had faced worst. He had seen her fade and get lost, but there was always a chance, however, she had lost him to death. If not for the Miraculous...He shuddered to even address what could've happened. 

They then exited class towards Marinette's bakery to have a small snack before Adrien would be off to the mansion. Today's special was made by Marinette.

Passionfruit Macaroons.

His mouth watered at the sight of the sweets. They softly melted away as he complimented Marinette through a stuffed mouth, "Marinette, these- are great!"