Whispers *A Miraculous Ladybug AU*

2. drinking buddies

The way to the canteen was rather quiet, not much could be said from the two strangers. Not to mention the situation seemed outlandish on its own.

Though being surrounded by silence, Marinette's mind- a vast vessel for whispers- had never had a second of it. Not really. Tikki had always been there, voicing her thoughts, giving away her feelings. Tikki's emotions, however, were still difficult and rare for Marinette to feel, perhaps a side effect from long trying to avoid her 'gift'.

She could also feel other presences too, though faintly.

Now, her blue eyes traveled throughout the city, coated in a light mist of coldness. Her eyes jumped amongst buildings, streets; never had she paid much attention to the details. Who could blame the girl, though. She had been lovestruck, the source of malfunction in her system. And also she had only just gotten there, really.
It had been a mere couple of months since her arrival.

"It's been two months already."

Two months in which she hadn't seen her family. Her best friend. Months in which she had felt so loved, in which she'd soared through the sky with wings only to suddenly have them thorned. And now she felt empty. She still couldn't believe how it all had vanished.

The bluenette shook her head lightly, willing her mind to concentrate on the path before her. Cold, long, and unknown. It produced a feeling of unbearable sadness.

She realized she missed home. Annecy. The small town that saw her grow and where she'd lived her entire life. Where she'd met her best friend, Alya. Where she'd discovered her gift and where she'd bred flowers on spring for the years to come. Now she wouldn't see them bloom.

Her head turned back and forth slightly as she crossed and unexpectedly new street. Her eyes wide open as she realized they had been walking for long and that they should almost be there.

"So..." The male started, attempting to break the silence. "Are you new to the city?"

"You could say," the girl replied shortly. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, you look rather lost," he chuckled.

"Um, that's because I didn't know there was a canteen around here... And because it's kind of dark so..." Marinette muttered the last part, trying not to look like a lost puppy. Pity is the least thing she wanted at the moment. She just wanted to erase her mind for the night.

"Speaking of which," he began, looking up their path, the moon reflecting its light on his eyes. "Are you even allowed to drink? I mean, you seem a little--"

"I'm of age, alright," the girl said sharply. "And if you meant to mention my height than I'll warn you that it won't stop me from breaking your nose. I'm a blue belt at karate just so you know."

"Someone had a rough night," he commented.

"Don't even get me started," she let out a shuddered breath, her nose coated in rose due to the breeze that brushed her face.

"I have an eternaty," he muttered, before clearing his throat. "Anyway, what is your name Little Lady."

The girl scoffed a laugh, "You just want to get in my nerves, don't you? And it's Marinette. Marinette Dupain Cheng."

"Marinette," he said her name out loud to taste it's feeling on his lips. The way he said her name gave her an unnoticed flutter.

She turned to him with a curious look and slight smirk, "And you? Who are you Bag Retriever?"

He chuckled at the name, leading his hand to his chin to caress it in thought, "Pretty nice. And my name is, um, Adrien."

"Why did he even stop to consider?"