The Salt Files: Additional Cases (MLB)

Overworked

Inspired by my yearly burnout around finals in college :D

Marinette feels burnt out and stresses about not having anything to give Luka for Valentine's Day. Luckily, her boyfriend knows her well and knows the perfect thing to keep her at ease.

Marinette felt like she was going through the ringer. It's only the end of the first day of the school week and she is ready for the weekend. 

Not only does she have a ton of exams to study for, but she also has to help her parents with a major order for a client, as well as her commissions online, and patrol more often because Hawkmoth doesn't know what the definition of a break is. It seems like every time the girl gets through with one thing, another pops up and throws off her entire schedule!

And to top it all off, Saturday was Valentine's Day. Which means the bluenette needs to come up with something special for Luka before he thinks she's an absent girlfriend and isn't worth his time.

"I'm sure he would never think of you like that," Tikki said, attempting to comfort her chosen. "You always think the worst will happen, but things could work out better than you expect."

"But Tikki, how can I prove that I love Luka when I'm never there?" The teenager threw herself onto her bed. "I've cancelled so many things with him lately because I have to study, or help in the bakery, or handle an akuma, or to just sleep. It's not fair to him in the slightest, and I don't want to have nothing to show my appreciation for him." She put her head to her hands. "I just wish I had more time for everything, or a break or something. I feel ready to burst at any moment." Right on cue, Sabine Cheng called up for her daughter and asked if she could help make more progress on the orders. Marinette groaned but went down anyways.

After making sure her chosen was gone, Tikki flew out of the window and headed towards a certain houseboat. After checking the environment, Tikki found her target strumming his guitar on his bed, lost in the song. He grinned as he stopped playing. "Hello Tikki, it's nice to see you again. What brings you back so soon?"

Tikki flew over and sat on the boy's guitar as he strummed a different melody. One that was lighter and had the vibe of cherry blossom seasons. "Marinette is stressing out and I was wondering if you could help her."

"Hm, I do see how saving the day at night and being a teenager with exams would stress you out constantly." He stopped for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "What do you suggest I should do?"

"What you do best: strengthen her. She's overworking herself and not taking care of herself properly. Now she wants to do something for you because she is scared that she's been neglecting you, but I don't want her to push herself too far. My word alone isn't going to bring her back, but maybe yours can? Or if you have any ideas is all." Tikki looked down sadly. "I don't want to see another burn out so soon."

Luka curled a finger around the kwamii in comfort as he passed her a cookie he kept hidden. "Marinette is stronger than we know, but we all know her stubbornness is stronger. But I can think of something." Tikki sighed in relief as she took a bite of the treat. "I know someone who is even more stubborn than her."

🐝🐝🐝

"Of course she's doing it again," Chloe huffed into the phone as she painted hers and Sabrina's nails. "That girl likes to stay on top of everything but feels bad when others help."

"So, do you agree to this plan?" Luka asked through the phone.

"Of course I agree! We're going to need more people too. But spread the word: my place after classes for the rest of this week, snacks provided and sleepovers are possible and will be made necessary if possible. I'll get the others while you handle your girlfriend."