Tick Tock

Five

I panicked but reminded myself to be calm so I didn't wake Marinette up.  I carefully and quickly left. So she wouldn't worry when she woke up I went to write a note. I found some paper by her sewing box and wrote in sloppy handwriting, 

sorry I had to leave early duty calls, see ya soon purrincess. P.S. you drool when you sleep.

Left it by where she was sleeping and left as fast as I could.

Marinettes POV

I woke up to the sound of car horns and birds. A strange combination but what are you gonna do. I rose to stretch but hit my head on the table holding together the fort. I turned to talk to chat when I realized he wasn't there.

I left the fort to look for him when I saw a note on my laptop. I read it and giggled. Silly chat. I sighed as I took down the blanket fort thinking about the night before. Had I actually been crying in front of chat noir? Twice?! 

I quickly felt the sleepover glow fade while I thought about what he might think of me now. I'm ladybug, the guardian for goodness sake! I can't show weakness no matter what is thrown my way even a blast by an Akuma.

Yet I did. And it was eating me up inside. I almost let my biggest weakness show. As I was putting away the blankets I heard my mom call me. "Marinette breakfast is ready!"

"Coming maman!"

I walked downstairs on time for once. Instead of grabbing a croissant and dashing to school I could sit down and eat breakfast with my family for once.  As we were eating and talking my dad asked if I can take a later night shift today.

I froze knowing I had patrol. I know my parents need the help but I can't just skip patrol with Chat noir but I didn't have an excuse!

"Uhm I... I can't!"

"Oh why?" My mom asked confused.

"I um... have an after school project with Alya! It's due in two days and we've barely gotten anything done so I'm sleeping over!" I said quickly. That makes sense right?

"Honey it's the day after the ceremony, and you already have work? You know we get big orders around this time."

"I know maman it's just that this is half our grade and it's about the ceremony and our powers! Didn't you do this at my age?"

I hated lying to them but it wasn't a complete lie... I did have a project about my powers and the ceremony but it's due in two weeks.

"No but I suppose I never went to your school either. It's fine we'll find help somewhere else, have fun with your project!" My mom said sadly.

"Thank you! Oh crap I'm gonna be late!" I yelled as I ran of to school. I got to class right on time for the first time in like my entire life. I sat next to Alya who had a shocked look on her face.

"Hey girl!"

"Marinette who are you? Not only are you on time but you just walked by adrien and stayed a completely normal human being."

"Huh."

"Seriously? That's all your reaction?!"

"I geuss I haven't been... well been as in love with him."

"Girl. Are you serious. You've had a crush on him for four years and all of a sudden POOF you're just not in love anymore?"

"If you want to dumb it down yeah I guess." 

In reality it was much more complicated. I wanted to love him but I didn't feel worthy of love, being ladybug/the guardian would make it way to hard and he doesn't deserve that. Besides if he hasn't picked up on it now he never will. If he likes me he would've shown it by now. Right?

Adriens POV

I watched Marinette walk into class with that horrible number above her head slowly ticking down. She walked by me and sat next to Alya while I just sat there miserable. If I didn't have enough reasons to like being Chat Noir more then Adrien here's another one.

I didn't have to feel like my entire world was ending when I looked at her.

When I was Chat Noir I could just be with her, be myself. I didn't have to try so hard. I had hope that maybe just maybe something I did brought that timer up.

We made eye contact for a brief second. I felt my cheeks grow red and looked away quickly.

"Yo dude, what's going on? You're so out of it lately. Do you have a crush on Marinette or something?"

"What?! Nino no she's just a friend! Listen if I tell you... you have to promise to me to never tell anyone else ever."

"Scouts honor dude."

I sighed wanting nothing more then to have someone else to help lighten the load for me. But it wouldn't be fair to Nino. At least...not right now.

"Maybe later we have to get started on our projects."

"You're right dude I have no idea what to write about. How the heck am I supposed to use telepathy for the greater good other then warn Alya when her siblings are eating her food?"

"Oh I know! You could see into the minds of Akuma victims to see what made them so upset and if you could fix it!"

"Adrien thank you for helping but you are supposed to work on this project by yourself." Ms. Bustier said.

"Sorry!"

As I was writing possible ideas for what to all I could think of was last night with Marinette and Ladybug. If I couldn't see Ladybugs time left to live would hers be just as low as Marinettes?  Why was Marinette crying, did she get hit? 

And that got me thinking not just how I can make the time go up at all, but how she died. I wish I knew so I could help more. She doesn't deserve this. No one does but especially not her! She's talented and smart and funny. She deserves the world and I was going to give it to her regardless of the amount of time she had.

Sorry about the short chapter I have a bad case of writers block, also I know this isn't my best work but I have deadlines that nobody else but me cares about. 😑 anyway if you've made it this far in the fanfic thank you for bearing with me and my bad filler it means a lot to me. Schools starting soon so chapters will probably be more spaced out but I'm still gonna try!

-Crystal