Not Alone: A Miraculous Ladybug Story

Chapter 20

 The next morning Alya looked down at the two with a conspiratorial grin and took a photo to commemorate this historic occasion. Marinette's eyes began to open and she looked up groggily at Alya.

"My baby girl, all grown up and saving Paris... And falling asleep next to boys who are also saving Paris," Alya chuckled.

Marinette looked down at the arm draped around her waist and back at the blonde boy behind her. Screaming she rolled away and fell out of bed, landing with a thunk.

"Marinette?" Sabine's voice echoed up.

"It's okay Ms. Cheng," Alya popped her head down the hatch. "I just scared her. She was still asleep."

Sabine laughed airily, "Okay dear, just try not to let her fall out a window, will you? She get's her gracefulness from her father."

"Hey!" She could hear Mr. Dupain protest, mock-insulted from below.

"Oh, hush Tom," she winked at Alya, and walked back down the stairs.

Alya turned around to see Marinette still sitting on the floor with a stupefied look on her face. Adrien sat up, also still half-asleep.

"Alya?" he looked around at his surroundings, his gaze coming to rest on Marinette. "Bugaboo," he said with a soft look on his face. Suddenly his eyes widened, and he looked down at his wrist where there wasn't a watch.

"What time is is?" he demanded of Alya.

"9."

"Oh shoot shoot shoot.." he hopped around, gathering his jacket and slipping on his shoes.

"Plagg! Plagg!" He looked around the room. "I have a shoot at 10, Natalie will freak if she doesn't find me in my room."

"Even his half-asleep curses are punny," Marinette murmured to herself, watching his progress through the room and starting to stand.

Plagg floated over groggily. "Get enough beauty sleep, blondie?"

"Plagg we've gotta go," he said, ignoring the kwami's sass. "Claws out!"

The small god was sucked into his ring before he could get another word in, and Chat ran toward the open the skylight that led out onto the balcony. Then he stopped suddenly and spun around, taking two large steps across the room directly towards Marinette, who had managed to stand up fully during his flurry through the room.

Cupping her cheek with one hand and grabbing the back of her head with the other, he kissed her thoroughly and Marinette leaned into him, her hands coming to rest as fists against his leather-clad chest.

"Thanks, Purr-incess. I'll see you later." He gave her a wink and one more kiss on the cheek. With a brief grin and unabashed wave to Alya, he jumped out the window and off the balcony, disappearing as a black spot in the distance as he vaulted across the city.

Marinette sat down again, leaning against her bed for support. Alya sat down across from her.

"Bugaboo, huh?" She cocked an eyebrow at her best friend. Marinette picked up a pillow and threw it at her.

"Manners, Purr-incess!" Alya exclaimed in pretend-horror, and they both dissolved into giggles.

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Once Marinette had woken up fully, both girls went down for breakfast and were stuffed full of pastries courtesy of Tom.

"The perks of having a best friend with a bakery," Alya signed dreamily, finishing off her apple danish as they walked back upstairs. "So sorry to break up the love fest this morning, " Alya gave Marinette and eyebrow wiggle, and the brunette looked over her shoulder with an eyeroll. Doesn't stop her from looking pleased with herself though, Alya thought.

"But," Alya continued, "I have some major news."

"More major than your best friend being a klutz by day and superhero running across roofs by night?"

"I'd say about as major."

"Oooo, juicy. Please, do tell," Marinette laid on the bed on her stomach, and propped her chin up to look at Alya. Alya sat on the chaise lounge, crossed her legs and pulled her necklace out from the pocket of her jeans. She started fiddling with it nervously and spinning it around her finger.

"Well, let's just say you aren't the only superhero in the room anymore."

Marinette narrowed her eyes, and then focused in on Alya's necklace. Her eyes widened impossibly large and her jaw dropped.

"Wait, isn't that--Volp--No. way." she scrambled off the bed and towards Alya. She pulled her up and got a closer look at her friend. Something in her eyes must have confirmed Marinette's suspicions because suddenly the girl started jumping up and down and hugged Alya fiercely.

"You're going to be the best miraculous wielder ever. You so deserve this." Alya was surprised to see tears in Marinette's eyes, but the smile on her friend's face assured her that they were of happiness and Marinette was genuinely ecstatic for her. She hugged her back harder.

"How?" Marinette pulled back.

"Master Fu," Alya began. "After you two went off to save Paris, I just...had this feeling that I shouldn't leave yet. So, I didn't and he said he knew as soon as I walked in...That the miraculous...called to me?"

Marinette saw the familiar look of uncertainty in her friend's eyes. It was the look she saw in her own eyes at first, and sometimes still even now, a year later.

"Guess the LadyBlog is going to have some kickass exclusive content, huh?" She tried to move towards the lighter topic, and a bit of her confident best friend shone back through talking about something she knew she rocked at.

"Oh, don't you know it!" Alya smiled, but still fiddled with the necklace in her hands, not wearing it.

Marinette looked at her, her excitement still palpable, and asked, "Have you transformed yet?"

"No," Alya admitted. "I've been nervous."

Marinette pursed her lips.

"Well, there's no time like the present! Want some support from your favorite superhero and her awesome kwami?" Tikki floated into view and gave Alya a tentative wave. When Alya hesitated, Tikki flew closer.

"I've know all the Volpinas, Alya, and a few Volpinos too." Tikki smirked at Alya. "They're always brave, loyal, clever and strong. I've known you for a year now through Marinette and what I've seen the last few days only confirms it. You were meant for this. The miraculous chose you for a reason. Like Master Fu said, it is never wrong. Trust yourself, and trust Trixx." Tikki's eyes got a nostalgic look in them.

"Trixx?" Marinette asked as Tikki came back to rest on her shoulder.

"Just put on the necklace," Tikki cryptically answered, but looked on supportively.

"Ohhkay," Alya tentatively slipped the necklace over her neck, and squawked when a small orange fox appeared.

"Hello, love. Name's Trixx."