Return - Miraculous Ladybug

[Chapter 15] Comfort

Adrien's POV
I wonder what Nathanael has to say? He's almost never confrontational.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Is that Marinette's ex? The young and popular designer Lucas Frangepine?" Nathanael whispered.

"Yes, it is. He's come to Paris to collaborate with Marinette for the Gabriel Agreste Winter Collection, and... probably to get back with her."

My chest felt tight and my head hung low at the upbringing of this topic. Hearing the words Marinette's ex leaves an unpleasant feeling in my heart. Nathaniel gazed at me pitifully, before placing his comforting hand on my shoulder and offering words of encouragement.

"Adrien, I understand that you're feeling anxious and insecure about your feelings and relationship with Marinette. However, it's not like you to just let this chance go. She's finally back in Paris after her long absence, what could you possibly be waiting for! I really loved Marinette at some point as well, so I can understand your feelings to an extent. But if I were to see anyone walking beside Marinette in the far future I would want it to be you. I know you're the one for her Adrien. No relationship repairs itself within a day or two. Take your time to reestablish that bond you guys had like back in school."

I was taken back by Nathaniel's assertive yet kind words. His advice calmed this suffocating ache in my heart.

"Thanks Nathaniel, I really appreciate it. You're right. There's no point in brooding over the past, I should focus on the present."

Nathaniel gave me a soft grin and thumbs up, before we both took off back into Marinette's room. Soon after Nathaniel happily exited the room with a bag pastries, returning the room back into the cold and awkward state that it was in before.

"While you and Nathaniel were chatting, Lucas and I had finished discussing our designs and we were thinking of returning to the studio now. You can bring the pastries back to the studio and have your lunch there. You won't have much to do as of right now due to our project being in the early draft stages. I'll be sure to let you know if I need anything!" Mari said in anticipation.

I wonder if this is how Marinette often felt in school, when she still had feelings for me. I was so busy with photoshoots, fencing and other activities that the time we spent together slowly dwindled as we became older.

"Sounds good, I'm excited to see what you will create for this project Marinette. I look forward to seeing the results!"

We exchanged smiles before the three of us quickly leave for the studio again. A familiar car pulled up on the side of the road and rolled down its window.

"Adrien, your father insists that you return home to greet visitors from your upcoming photoshoot."

I bid the both of them goodbye before taking off in my driver's car.

Marinette's POV
Glad to see Adrien back to being himself. He was being strangely over affectionate and moody. I hope he's gotten everything off of his chest so that everything goes back to how they were before. I stared at the car disappearing in the distance till it's silhouette was no longer visible. Lucas gently placed his arm around my shoulder and began to walk.

"Shall we go?" He asked.

"Aren't we already?" I playfully rebutted before brushing off the hand on my shoulder.

Lucas sighed and smiled warmly at me, continuing to walk beside me while chattering away till we approached the entrance of our studio. I shut the door as I went in and continued to create drafts till it was completely dark out. After hours of endless drawing, I could feel my eyes slowly closing as I lost consciousness. I began to doze off, forgetting the familiar numbing pain I felt In my hands and feet. The sensation of a warm fuzzy blanket being wrapped around me and a faint warm whisper were the last things I felt before falling into a deep slumber.

"Goodnight Marinette, I love you."

Narration
The sun rose as quick as the moon fell, and soon Marinette awoke from her long awaited good night's rest. She yawned in joy as she sat up from her desk, witnessing the blanket that she believed was draped over her shoulders while she was asleep, fall onto the ground. She picked it up and saw something intriguing in the corner of her eyes. Lucas, sleeping comfortably in his chair with his arms crossed. His usual devilish and cheeky expressions reverted back into his vulnerable and sleepy state.

"Thanks Lucas, it's this kindness that I loved about you." I mumbled to myself with warm pink tones spreading over my cheeks.

I removed the blanket from my lap and quietly placed it around Lucas, carefully so that he wouldn't wake up. After retrieving my scattered sheets covered with designs and placing them in my folder, I exited the studio and quickly headed home in anticipation of seeing my mom and dad after a long day of being in cooped up. I stealthily made my way into my room in hopes of them not realising I was out the whole night, however me being me, trying to be stealthy never goes quite right. My foot slips as the remainder of my body through the trap door and I land flat on my face, inducing a detrimental bump on my hopeless head accompanied by a loud thud which very most likely startled my parents. I sighed and softly yelled sorry before completely retiring to my bed and changing into comfortable pyjamas despite it being the morning. My fingertips slightly brushed over my shoulder as the lingering thoughts of Lucas reappear in my mind. I ponder pointlessly about the remains of my one sided feelings for Adrien years ago and the heartwarming words Lucas confessed to me not too long ago. My heart and mind are unsettled, unable to withstand the unpleasant feeling growing in my chest in regards to what the future holds.

A storm is brewing.....

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!! Look forward to more updates coming in the future!
I promise I will write better for the sake of you guys. Thank you for reading this story despite my unrefined and unpolished creative writing abilities haha.
Now that I've caught up on the most recent seasons of MLB, I'd like to know what you guys think? Are you a fan of Kagami or Luka!
I personally, am a huge fan of Luka and I wish I could've included him in this story but unfortunately he wasn't there at the time I created this story. So have Lucas in stead haha!!
Bug out❤️