Love by Design - Adrienette

Wait... So They Didn't Break Up?

Marinette dramatically flopped herself back on her bed, her hands clutching the sides of her head. "How can it happen like this?! I've dreamed of marrying him, of raising a family with him, but I'm not ready yet! Also, we can't just be told we have to like that! It's supposed to be a voluntary expression of love. What am I going to do?"

Tikki gently touched Marinette's arm in a reassuring gesture. "Oh Marinette, please don't worry too much about it - Adrien's father can't force you to do it. The only ones who could are your parents, and you know they wouldn't."

"I know, but... did you hear what came out of my mouth?! 'This isn't how it's supposed to happen!' I implied that it was supposed to happen, just under different circumstances. What will Adrien think of me now? It makes me sound desperate!"

'Wouldn't that be an accurate character evaluation?' "A lot of things where happening at that moment; he probably didn't even notice what you said. I'm sorry to tell you this, but you need to suck it up. No matter what happens in your civilian life, Ladybug still has to be able to protect Paris, and that requires working with Chat Noir. I know it was someone else that did the damage, but now you need to be the responsible party and fix your relationship with him."

"I know, I know, I will." Marinette moved the pillow so that it covered her head.

Tikki took that as the end of the conversation. Her human was refusing to function at the moment. She let the girl go to sleep, surprised she was even able to do so after the day's excitement.

The next day at school, most of the class could tell that Adrien and Marinette were trying to avoid each other. Most of the class was confused; hadn't it been only two days ago they announced they were dating? They showed all the signs of having had an awful breakup, but a split that early in a relationship shouldn't have such drastic results! Only Alya and Nino understood, each having a sympathetic look to give their respective best friends. Alya even moved over to Marinette's normal seat so that Marinette could sit in Alya's - thus avoiding having to stare at the back of Adrien's head all of class.

Chloe, on the other hand, was celebrating. Adrikins made quick work of dumping that piece of trash! At least that's what she assumed happened until she tried to throw her arms around  Adrien and kiss his cheek.

He sidestepped her. "Chloe, you know I'm with someone."

Having fed herself the illusion that everyone adored her, Chloe was genuinely taken aback.

"Didn't you wise up and end it? I saw the way you've been avoiding her. I just wanted to comfort you and let you know I'm here for you!"

"Thanks, Chloe, but we're still together... just... We need a while to figure out where we stand." He walked away from Chloe, not wanting to hear any more slander against his... well, whatever she was, she was important. That's why he needed a break to sort things out, and make sure they could return to their relationship later without a hitch. He mentally faceplanted when he caught a potential double meaning for his last thought. A marriage pun? No! He shook his head. Not everything was for him to make puns out of.

During a break from class, Marinette was approached by Mylene. The timid girl had realized what the group of friends had done for Ivan and herself. Now that two of the four who had helped them were having trouble, she wanted to repay a favor if she could. "Hi, Marinette, I don't mean to be nosy, but how is your relationship with Adrien going?"

Marinette gave a startled jump, and looked up with the appearance of a deer caught in the headlights. "Who?"