Strong | Sequel to TIRED | Adrienette AU

THREE

'You can't reminisce too much. Because you've got to keep pushing forward, you know?'

start of chapter 3

The Next Day

It was the next morning and Marinette was free to do whatever she wants but still had to take it easy.

Currently, she was laying in bed with her back against the headboard while catching up on her Netflix shows - you know...like every single day of her life.

She heard a knock on her door and in came her three bestfriends. The bluenette smiled at them weakly while putting her laptop to the side to show them that she acknowledged them being here.

Adrien, Alya and Nino all sat on the edges of her bed. "How are you today, Mari?" Nino furrowed his brows with concern. Marinette really appreciated Nino as a big brother, especially after everything she had gone through. Even though, everyone had supported her, Nino has been one of the biggest motivations for staying alive.

"I'm feeling a lot better. Thank you. I mean, I am here in bed watching some Netflix...How much better could I actually feel?" She let out a dry laugh as the rest of them chuckled but admired her attitude.

"Well, we were planning to just chill here if that's okay with you." Adrien grabbed her hand and stroked his thumb gently across her knuckles.

"That sounds perfect." Marinette smiled. "Just give me a few minutes to freshen up and I'll be in the living room as soon as I can." They all nodded while Alya helped her bestfriend around the room before leaving the room with Adrien and Nino.

However, Nino waited until his girlfriend and Adrien completely left the room before turning back around and walking up to Mari, grabbing her wrist before she could enter the bathroom.

Marinette looked into her dark brown eyes that held so much concern and worry for her. He gathered her up into a bear hug and gripped her securely as the bluenette returned the gesture.

He pulled away from his long term bestfriend and rubbed her shoulders, sniffling slightly - something he did not want Marinette to notice but she did regardless. "You really scared me yesterday, Marinette."

"I'm sorry, Nino. You know I never meant to do that." Marinette brought him in for another hug by the waist with a few tears free-falling down her face.

"You can talk to me whenever something's bothering you, okay? You should know that by now." Nino tightened his grip protectively, resting his cheek on top of her head.

"Yeah...Thank you for always being there for me, Nino." Marinette squeezed him one last time before placing a friendly kiss upon his cheek and leaving towards the bathroom.

~{*•*•*•*}~

The four friends were relaxing in the living room until several people walked in on their little get-together.

"Mom?" Alya furrowed her brows and stood up to greet her mom, confused. "What're you doing here? I thought you took Ella and Etta to the park?"

"I was and-"

"MARINETTE!!!!!" Two high-pitches squeals filled everyone's ears when two girls sprinted into the room and straight into Marinette's arms.