Miraculous Ladybug AU- Soulmates

Chapter 10 - What Best Friends Are For

Ladybug was still stunned. She had let herself lean her head on Cat Noir. Everything seemed to be going well and then he just... left. 

Did she do something wrong? She thought they had an understanding. He didn't know she was his soulmate when she was Ladybug, but why did he just get up and leave? She was hurt.

She stayed at the Eiffel Tower for a moment, observing the city. It was late at night and most of the city was still asleep, but it was still just as beautiful.

She decided she didn't want to go home just yet. She swung her yo-yo and continued her patrol through the city. She needed to clear her head.

After she had finished patrol a second time she decided it was finally time to head home.

When she got home she detransformed and immediately flopped down onto her bed and fell asleep, too tired to even talk to Tikki like she normally did.

The next day, when Marinette arrived at school, Alya was giving her a look. Knowing her best friend for as long as she did, she knew this look was are-you-ready-to-tell-me-about-your-mark-and-why-you-kept-it-a-secret look. Marinette shook her head with a small smile, feeling guilty.

Alya sighed but dropped it.

Marinette was grateful that Alya understood Marinette didn't want to talk about it.  As they were walking to class, they walked past Chloe and Sabrina, seemingly deep in conversation. Then, typically, Chloe 'accidentally' stuck out her foot and tripped Marinette.

"Hey, watch where you're going Mari-trash!" Chloe said, laughing while she walked away, Sabrina at her heels.

"Marinette! Are you okay?" a concerned voice asked. Marinette looked up and saw it was Adrien, who had come over with Nino. She quickly ducked her head and pushed a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Hey, Nino, I forgot to do my homework! Can I copy off yours?" Alya asked, grabbing Nino's arm after one look at Marinette.

Nino looked confused. "Huh? But you always do your homewor-"

"Thanks, Nino, you're a lifesaver," Alya said, pushing him away and leaving Marinette and Adrien alone.

Adrien offered his hand out to Marinette who took it and he helped her up. She quickly let go, remembering her promise to herself: she had to let go.

"Th-thanks, Adrien," Marinette said, avoiding his eyes.

"No problem," Adrien said, smiling. "So... you still haven't gotten your mark?" he asked.

"Uh, no... so, um, any ideas of who your soulmate is?" Marinette asked.

Adrien tensed.

"Oh, um... No, not yet," he said. It was his turn to avoid her eyes.

"Oh, well, um, I'm sure she'll be worth the wait when you find her," Marinette said, trying to smile.She could feel the awkwardness hanging in the air.

"Thanks, I'm sure the same is true about your soulmate," he said touching her shoulder briefly to show support. Marinette's heart quickened when he did so.

"I - um, uh, w-we need to get to class," Marinette said.

"Yeah, we don't want to be late," Adrien said.

When Marinette got to class, she saw that Alya and Nino were already there. When Marinette sat down, Alya passed her a folded-up note with an impatient glance. Marinette opened it and read what Alya had written.

Details later.

Marinette sighed. She knew there was no getting out of this one. She knew exactly what details Alya wanted. Alya knew that she had her soulmate mark, but didn't know why she was keeping it secret, so what Alya wanted to know was: Where did Adrien fit into this picture?