Heartbreak, Hero Style (Complete)

Memories

Marinette skipped up the stairs, gently placing the flowers in their prepared vase, which she had moved to her room. Tikki flew out of her bag, gently adjusting a petal here and a leaf there.

"They're so pretty! He'll love them!" She gazed joyfully at them.

"Of course he will, Marinette! They're wonderful, and from your heart. I couldn't think of a better gift."

She giggled. "You came up with it."

"And you went with it," she countered.

"I guess you're right. But just this once." She grinned, poking the little God gently as she giggled, floating back a bit.

"Marinette~! We're having dumplings for dinner!"

"Tikki! Dumplings! I'll save one for you, maman's dumplings are the best! Could you watch the flowers for me? Thank you!" Marinette skipped off, mumbling a little song about dumplings as Tikki settled next to the flowers, enjoying how happy her chosen was.

Surely, this ladybug's story won't be affected by love as much as the others have been.

Or how little..

Tikki set herself down, trying to shake the memory from her.

---

Adrien walked back into his room to see that Plagg hadn't moved from his spot. He sighed, gently laying the bouquet on his desk, calling for a vase to be delivered to his room. He looked back over at Plagg. "How do you know what a yellow rose means?"

To his surprise, the black god peeked open an eye, clearly speaking something that seemed rehearsed. "The black cat has had to reject many in his days, and the yellow rose has been the go-to for such occasions. The last weilder used them, as did the one before."

"I - um - w-wow. I uhh.. didn't know you were awake."

"I can be awake whenever I want. Besides, I woke up when you opened your door. It was idiotic to leave me behind. What would happen if there was another akuma?"

".. You aren't acting like yourself..."

"And you aren't acting like yourself. One person has to be sensible at all times. Now don't leave me behind again. You could regret it."

"... Are you okay? Is this a cheese withdrawal? Are you sick? Do you need something to eat?" He knelt down in front of the tiny cat.

"I don't need it, but camembert would be greatly appreciated~!" He gave a sly grin.

"Okay, you're fine." He stood back up, dismissing Plagg's groan of displeasure. At the same time, he heard a knock on his door, telling him that the vase was ready and right outside. He picked the flowers back up, quickly racing to the door and thanking the woman outside before closing the door again. "So, it's like a tradition to reject people with yellow roses?"

"You could say that, but Not every cat took my advice. Some who didn't should have. They got in some bad situations," he said, shivering at an unseen memory.

"So.." Adrien said, thinking. ".. with hawkmoth now, the best choice is to follow your advice, so she's not akumatized?"

He sat upright, a thought seeming to strike him suddenly. "You would say she's optimistic, right? She won't get too sad or depressed? She'll be fine?"

".. Plagg, you're scaring me.."

"Adrien," he flew up to his face, staring right through him. "You don't want to fight Marinette, right? That would be terrible?"