Behind My Smile - EDITING SOON

XIV) From The Ashes

Marinette giggled as Adrien's Wii remote went flying across the room, nearly hitting her lamp in the corner. His failure to beat Matt in Wii sports had him in a rage, and frankly, it was the funniest thing Marinette had seen in a while. "I'm still really sorry, for not connecting the dots sooner or picking up on cues. I was an ass." He continued their conversation as he huffed to his remote by Marinette's lamp.

"I mean, really you did nothing wrong. I'm the one who made a big deal about it instead of telling you. I just didn't want to ruin your day." Marinette pulled her legs up onto the couch and covered them with a woven blanket.

"How do you explain the weeks after?" He sat beside her with a raised brow as he set the remote beside him.

"How would you?" They sat in silence for a moment, both points fairly made. "Look, I think we've both made mistakes regarding this situation. We've spent too much of our lives not talking."

"Agreed. I was kinda surprised how normal it seemed last week though. It was like nothing had ever happened."

"By then Alya had cleared my head and set me straight. I wish I could have done it myself. Being in this house in silence never bothered me until I had someone to keep me company."

"I'm sorry I haven't been home recently either. I can relate to being lonely - no one should have to deal with that. I do, however, have a surprise." Adrien smirked and ran from the couch, only to return with an open notebook.

"Oh?" He handed the book to Marinette who gently took it in her hands. Her lips spread to a smile, and she gasped once she realized what she held. "How do you still have these? I thought you would have gotten rid of them ages ago." Her hand traced the lines her pencil had carved years ago, flipping through the book and almost crying.

"Well, when you grow up with barely any friends, you tend to keep everything they give you. Plus, it was my favorite birthday present I'd ever received." he stared down at the book at a familiar drawing of Ladybug and Chat Noir, one of the many in the sketchbook.

"Even more than your father's scarf?"

"Yes. Even more than your scarf." He sat beside her again, watching her face with a grin as she turned the pages. The sketchbook was full of color and content; each page was brimming with personality. On top of all the drawings and sketches were photos, movie tickets, passed notes, and small stickers. "I used to open it up when I needed comfort," Adrien said, taking the book and flipping through the pages on his own. "I'd stare at all our memories for hours, lying in bed after a modeling gig or when I ate alone. It never helped... I think, knowing it was my fault it had gone to shit, knowing I gave it all up..." he sighed and turned away, closing the book and standing. With another breath he looked back at her, smiling. "It helps now that everything's been cleared up." Marinette looked at him oddly, standing herself to (almost) meet his eye level. Adrien was prepared for a longer conversation or a question. What he wasn't ready for was the warmth of her embrace and the tight squeeze she gave his torso. He wasn't ready for the way she buried her head in his chest or how her strawberry shampoo smelled in his nose. They stayed that way for a while, holding one another in silence until Marinette's phone began buzzing on the couch. 

"You shouldn't blame yourself for what happened, Adrien." Her phone shook violently on the couch arm, moving closer to the edge. "It's in the past, and we've moved past it all. I forgive you. Don't keep putting this pressure o- oh my god, hold please." she pulled away, much to Adrien's distaste, and grabbed her phone, answering rather rudely. "What? Oh.... sorry Maman," she made a 'holy hell' face as she walked around the room. "She's not there. Did she call in?" Marinette looked around the room as she spoke, her shoulders drooping visibly. "And there's no one else on the clock?" Adrien watched her circle, sighing and shaking her head. "Alright. I'll be there in a few. Love you, Maman," She slipped her phone into her pocket and groaned, looking up at Adrien apologetically.