Where Does the Red String Go? -Miraculous Ladybug AU Soulmates

Chapter 25- Supposedly Misguided

Marinette's POV

"Did he hurt you?" Adrien's voice blares from my phone. I wince, making a 'shush' noise with my finger. I was supposed to be asleep, and I could hear my parent's snores downstairs.

"Sorry! Did he hurt you?" Adrien says again. I giggle. "No, he didn't do anything to me...he actually seemed nice." I say.

"It's a trap, don't trust him." Adrien immediately answers. I sigh. "Yeah, yeah I know, you keep saying that. But why? Can't people change?" I say to Adrien imploringly. Adrien refused to believe that Luka could change.

"Luka literally stuck a knife into you, you should be the one who doesn't trust him." Adrien says.

"I know, but... people can change... you know." I say. Luka was just misguided, he wasn't a true bad person. He only did what he did because he was angry.

"Marinette, can you not hear me? HE STUCK A KNIFE INTO YOU." Adrien says louder, now not caring about my sleeping parents.

"Shush! I heard you. It doesn't excuse his actions of course but people can change! And it can mean a lot to them if a person believes in them!" I say, hoping he'll stop with the 'I Don't trust Luka' speech.

"It can mean a lot to a person if they want to change in the first place. I know Luka, he's just nice because he's using you for his own purposes. He's a psychopath in the making. Stay away from Marinette, please. Adrien says, the tone in his voice making this conversation over.

"Okay." I say quietly. Sometimes I loved Adrien's protective nature, but sometimes it didn't allow me to be independent.

Adrien runs his hands through his hair, something I've noticed he does when he's stressed or scared. "I'm sorry Marinette, I don't want to seem like I'm controlling you, it's just... I can't loose you again." I hear his voice crack in the darkness.

"I know." I say softly, wishing I was there to reassure him. "When are you coming back tomorrow?" I ask.

"Sorry Marinette, the shoot got delayed because the place got rained out. I'm coming to school the day after." Adrien says. My heart sinks.

"Well, you better come back soon. We still have to do the assignment, remember?" I say, attempting to make my voice sound happy. I actually can't believe it's taken us this long to answer a single question.

"Yeah." Adrien replies, and I hear him yawn. I smile. "Goodnight Adrien." I say, and he says it back to me. I end the call and roll over, thinking about his words.

People can change. But it has to be the people who want to change. I think about how quickly it took for me to forgive him again. Was that because our red strings were tied to each other? Or was it because of my trusting nature?

The hours go by as I lie in bed, wondering whether I should trust Luka. I had already rewatched his trial dozens of times but I pull out my phone to watch it again.

This time, I watch his mannerisms. Did he smile when they gave his sentence? What was his facial expression when he delivered his speech? Did he hang his head? Look down? I watch him closely.

When they give him his sentence he's the picture of gratefulness. I look at him closely but I can't see anything that could prove that his reaction wasn't genuine. Although Adrien claimed that everything about him was fake.

I decided that I would make the decision of trusting Luka myself. Contented with my decision, I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning was filled with the usual routine- I woke up late, rushed to get ready, tripped over on the road and nearly got hit by a car.

Arriving at school 10 minutes late, I rush to my classroom and fling open the door, preparing to receive Ms Bustier's usual comments on my tardiness.

"Marinette! You really need to start waking up earlier!" She says. I give her a vague nod and trudge up to my seat, looking sadly at Adrien's empty space while the class snickers.

That's when I hear his voice.

"It's not Marinette's fault she's always so late Ms Bustier, it's only because she stays up studying. That's why she's the best student here." Luka says.

I'm stunned for the second time in two days. The class is too, their mouths gaped open in shock. Why would he defend a girl he attacked with a knife less than a month ago? Inside, I beam proudly.

It's because he wants to change.

I made my decision- I was going to trust Luka. He was a good person, he was just supposedly misguided! Looking up at Luka, I nod thanks. He smiles in return.

I definitely preferred the New Luka to the old one. The trial changed him, he realised his actions and he wants to change. I can't wait until I can tell Adrien about his change for the good!

"No."

It's nighttime again and my parents are snoring softly downstairs. I'm calling Adrien again.

"Why? He's never stood up to me before, no one has!" I say desperately. Adrien looks at me, exasperation on his features. "Marinette, I stood up to you!" His face changed to hurt. "I saved him from you." I instantly feel guilty.

"I'm sorry Adrien!" I hurry to mend the damage. "But there's no harm in talking to him right?" I say hopefully.

"Marinette, how many times do I have to tell you! One action doesn't change anything. Don't trust him!" Adrien bursts out.

"But-" I begin to say but he's already ended the call. I'm left there, confused and hurt. Why couldn't he just trust him?

A tear rolls down my cheek.