A Masked Game

Level 9: The Game is Afoot

Flashback Cutscene: Stay

9 years and 8 months...

"What's a good looking guy like you doing all alone on a rooftop like this?"

Adrien's head turned with enough force to give himself whiplash. Ladybug stood before him, her hair twisted and gripping in an intricate updo, her usual all in one outfit transformed into a wonderful, figure hugging dress. He couldn't help but think her boyfriend was a lucky man — and that Marinette would look amazing in that style too.

"I'm just waiting for the clock to strike midnight so I can transform back into my true self and head home," Adrien said. He lifted the wine glass he was holding to his lips and downed the remaining liquid, wincing at the bitter taste. He hated red wine, but his mother loved it, hence why he was drinking it now.

"Is the night that bad?" she giggled and he found his lips involuntarily moving up with a small twitch. Giving the wine glass a quick twist between his thumb and forefinger by the stem, he placed it beside him and hung his hands in between his knees.

Adrien sighed and looked over at her, a champagne flute being messed with carefully in her own hands.

"Not bad, just..."

"Your girlfriend?" she asked and Adrien nodded.

"She was meant to come, but then she had an interview at a university in London. I couldn't let her miss it just for my birthday party. She's worked so hard for all of this, she deserves it."

"But it's your 18th birthday, you should be enjoying yourself."

He shrugged, a small smile gracing his lips. "I am. I like being outside, looking at the stars. It always reminds me that no matter where she is, Marinette will be looking at the same ones. It's like a strange connection, you know? God, I probably sound pathetic right now."

"Not at all." She moved to sit beside him, looking up at the stars too. "I bet she's doing the exact same thing and thinking about you."

"She is. She sent me a message before she went to bed letting me know that she was missing me and that she sees my eyes every time she catches a twinkling star. I don't know what I'd do if she left Paris for university. I - I don't want to lose her." A sudden wave of emotion shot through him, sending a burning sensation through his nose and to the back of his eyes. He knew he shouldn't have been drinking.

"Would you ask her to stay?"

Adrien shook his head, looking down in front of him. "I couldn't do that. This is her dream. I'd like to think we'd stay together through it, that no matter what obstacles appeared we could get over it and stay together. Then, I do realise going to university will give us both a new life, new friends... but I know I would never love anyone like I love her. I'm also not naive enough to think someone as wonderful as her wouldn't find someone better than me."

"Have you tried speaking to her?"

"I have no right." He let out a huffed laugh. "This is about her, not about me. It's her future and she deserves the best."

They sat in silence, the stars above them appearing and disappearing as the clouds moved effortlessly across the sky.

"What if she wanted it to be about you too? If I know Marinette as well as I think I do, it's fair to say she loves with her whole heart, and I know that love spreads to you too. Talk to Marinette, you matter too much to her. She'll want to make the decision with you."

Adrien picked up his glass again, playing with it between his hands before placing it back down. "Do you really think she'd do that? I don't want to be the reason she puts her life on hold. I feel like I take so much from her, what on Earth could I give her back?"