LadyBugOut AU (Snippets)

The Balcony Scene

Summary:
Adrien and Marinette talk about Marinette seeing him getting his miraculous taken.

Chapter Text
Marinette maintained a stoic expression as she opened the trapdoor to her room. Honestly, it didn't matter that Adrien was following her, because she had nothing to hide anymore.

She didn't look back, but she heard Adrien's footsteps behind her, so she walked across her room and went up the staircase to reach her bed.

As she opened the way to get to her balcony, she noted that she couldn't hear Adrien's footsteps anymore. Pausing, she glanced down to her floor, seeing Adrien standing in the center.

He was looking around her room--specifically, the walls--as if he were looking for something that was no longer there.

"Adrien," Marinette called firmly.

Adrien jerked his head up to her, blinked, then headed for the staircase to continue following her.

Marinette climbed up onto her balcony, then turned, holding the way open so Adrien could easily follow her. As he pushed himself up, she closed the opening and watched as he walked aimlessly around her balcony.

She stood, gesturing to the lounge chair, but Adrien waved dismissively at her. She shrugged, then sat down on it instead.

Adrien leaned up against the railing, arms crossed as he stared at her like she was some sort of cryptic code that he wanted to figure out and simultaneously wanted to give up on. Marinette felt vaguely like she was being tested, especially as she waited for him to say something only for him to continue staring at her.

Finally, she decided to be the one to start speaking. "Before you ask, I didn't tell anyone about what I saw."

Adrien stiffened, as if he hadn't expected her to say anything. "What?"

She repeated, "I, Marinette, didn't tell anyone that you're Chat Noir."

It wasn't technically a lie.

He eyed her, both unsure and confused. "And... you're not going to? Ever?"

She tilted her head. "Why should I? I'm not a spiteful person, Adrien. Besides, you already have enough going on without people knowing that you're Chat."

Adrien looked stunned by her bluntness. Marinette merely shrugged, giving him an impassive look that she'd gotten from Kagami.

He stilled, closing his mouth as his eyes darted about at nothing. Marinette just watched, laying back as the metaphorical gears turned in his head.

He glanced at her, solemnly adding, "But the heroes all know."

"Yeah," she confirmed, "because you were akumatized. You being Chat was obvious, given what you looked like. They made sure that no one saw you change back into Adrien though."

Adrien lowered his head, his hair shadowing out most of his face. He slumped, sitting down and burying his face into his knees. "What does it matter? It's not like I'm ever gonna be Chat Noir again anyway."

Marinette wasn't sure if she should feel sorry for him or not. Probably not.

He groaned, rubbing his head in frustration. "I just don't get it."

She took a mental breath--okay, definitely not--knowing what he meant but nevertheless asking, "Get what?"

"All of this," he replied. "Just... why?"

Marinette frowned. "Do you still think you did nothing wrong?"

He jerked his head up to her. "What?" He paused, the question sinking as she remained quiet. "I mean, what else was I supposed to do? I did my job and everything! All I was looking for was a little equality from m'lady."