True Love?

Chapter 13

The rest of the day goes by without any incident which is a shock for Marinette. She and Adrien spent the day talking. He stayed by her side to make sure that she stayed safe. Eventually, the time came to get ready for their costume presentation. Adrien kisses Marinette on her cheek and heads towards the boy's bathroom to change. Marinette squeezes Adrien's hand and walks towards the girl's bathroom. They both change into their costumes and meet up in the classroom with the rest of the students. The class is dressed in a wide range of costumes from animals to famous people. Marinette and Adrien stay off to the side as they make the last minute alterations to each other's costumes so that they look perfect. As the other groups are presenting, Marinette does Adrien's makeup to complete his costume and he does hers to match. Finally, it is their turn to present. Both walk up to the stage their class built in the courtyard. They walk up the stairs and everyone goes silent. They are dressed as Ladybug and Cat Noir but with a ton of twists. Marinette is a Lady Noir and Adrien is Mister Bug. However, the color schemes are different. Adrien's Mister Bug costume is made with dark colors. Each color is accented perfectly around the whole outfit. They swirl around and compliment each other perfectly. Marinette's Lady Noir costume is in pastel rainbow colors in nearly the exact pattern as Adrien. She grasps Adrien's hand as they begin their little catwalk to show off their creations. They walk in sync as though they have done this forever. To the audience, it is a magical sight. Their presentation ends and the class bursts into applause. Alya runs over to Marinette and tries to drag her to a spot to talk but Marinette stumbles because of her injured ankle. The poor girl falls but is caught by none other than her kitty. Adrien steadies her and glares at Alya. However, the glare fades as Alya's eyes widen in shock.

"Marinette, your ankle," Alya whispers. "What happened?"

"Lila," Adrien cuts in before Marinette can respond. "Lila happened." Alya's eyes get even wider. She shakes her head in disbelief.

"No, that's not possible," Alya argues. Marinette painfully shifts her weight to lean on Adrien. He notices and walks her over to a bench to prop her foot up. Alya follows them, still talking. "I don't believe you. Lila would never." At this, Marinette's face contorts in anger. Adrien goes to speak but Marinette stops him.

"It's not possible?" Marinette asks seething in anger and hurt. "It's not possible Alya?! Lila tore my stuff apart, shoved me out of my seat and onto the floor, is all in Adrien's business, turned into an Akuma and shoved me down the stairs, stabbed me with a freaking knife multiple times in the shoulder and left me to die, and even took all of my friends away from me besides Adrien. You are telling me that all of my sufferings is a lie? That everything that has happened is fake? Look around Alya! Check your gosh darn facts! She lies with every breath and you defend her while your best friend sits here in pain. How do you think that makes me feel? I trusted you with nearly everything and you toss it away the second someone says something bad about me that isn't even true when you dig deeper?" Marinette is shouting at this point with Alya crying on the floor in total defeat. "Find me when you decide to be a real friend." She looks at Adrien and he immediately knows what she wants. Leading her away he smiles. He is so proud of her for standing up for herself. He was fine with defending her but it means more if she does it herself. They reach another bench in the party-ready courtyard and Adrien helps Marinette sit down. Tikki pops her head out of Marinette's purse which is hidden between the two young adults.

"I'm proud of you Marinette," the tiny ladybug kwami says. "It took a lot of courage to stand up to Alya about Lila." Marinette gives Tikki a small smile but tears form in her eyes.

"Thanks, Tikki," Marinette starts with her gaze on the floor. "I just miss her so much. How she can believe Lila's lies, I have no idea but it hurts." Tikki looks at Adrien for help and he nods in understanding, Adrien takes her hand in his as Plagg pops his head out of Adrien's jacket, finally awoken from his nap.

"Hey, everything will be okay, Princess," Adrien says softly. "You have me, you have Plagg and you have Tikki. The four of us can face anything and do anything. We are Ladybug and Cat Noir. A team, partners. As superheroes and as civilians." He boops her nose as he says this, making her giggle. "It's you and me against the world, M'Lady. Always has, always will. I'm not going anywhere no matter what anyone else says." Marinette smiles at Adrien's words. Her tears fade and she looks up at her partner. He leans down and kisses her forehead.

"Thank you, Adrien," Marinette says. Adrien hugs her close.

"No purr-oblem, M'Lady," he replies while she laughs at his pun. "Now, would you like to go join the party, Princess?" Marinette shakes her head.

"Not really, Kitty," she answers. "I kinda want to stay right here with you." Adrien smiles.

"Well, in that case, I have an idea," he says with a smirk. "Close your eyes." Marinette does as he asks and Adrien slips into a classroom. "Plagg, claws out!" a flash of green light transforms Adrien into Cat Noir. Slipping out of the classroom he grabs Marinette bridal style and leaps over to their favorite spot. He gently puts her down and calls his detransformation. She leans on him as the green light fades.

"Where are we?" she asks, kind of nervous.

"Open your eyes," Adrien replies. Marinette does and gasps. He brought her to the Eiffel Tower, more specifically, their favorite spot on the Eiffel Tower. She limps carefully to the edge and holds a beam with her hand. Gazing out into the most beautiful sunset she sighs. Finally, she feels like everything is okay. Adrien stands beside her with his arm around her waist. Together they watch the sunset in each other's arms without a care in the world knowing that as long as they have each other, nothing can go wrong