I Put My Socks on My 5 Feet (part 1)

Adrien

We were out saving Paris again. It had been an easy battle. Easy enough that I’d gotten in at least three puns before the akuma was defeated and everything was put back to normal. But everything still felt off. I had a weight pressing in on my chest. A pounding in my forehead. My heart beat too fast.

I had five minutes to explain to Ladybug that our time together would soon come to a close.

Instead of rushing off right away, she climbed up onto one of the houses and looked out at the world. The sun was beginning to set, giving her hair an orange glow. I stared at her, completely in awe of this girl. She wore a frown that tugged down on the corners of her mouth.

“Ladybug?” I approached stealthily. Slowly. “Is everything alright?

“I’m going away…” she whispered. She turned away from the fading light to meet my eyes. She had tears streaming down her cheeks.

I reached out as if to brush them away. Would she let me that close? “M’lady--why?”

“I-it’s personal, Chat. But it’s something I chose to do, and…”

“Do you regret it?” I whispered, thinking about my own troubles. I was going to leave too. Graduation was this weekend, and then after that, college. I didn’t know what I was going to do. Where my future was headed. I knew what I wanted to do. My father--well, he had already made my choice for me. He never bothered to ask what it was that I wanted.

“No. At least, I hope I won’t. But, this means…” She fiddled with her fingers. “What if I have to give up my Miraculous? And what if--” She was cut off by the beep of her earring. “Ugh, I have to go.” She swung her yo-yo out and almost lept away when I grabbed her arm.

“Wait. Ladybug, we need to talk about this.”

“Tomorrow, Chat. On a new day.” She pulled on her yo-yo and focused her gaze forward. “I’m sorry.”

- - -

Marinette

For the first time since I’d met him it was hard to swing away from Chat Noir. The weight of my new future had hung on my shoulders for months, and it was weird how I wanted to talk to him about it. As if it pertained to him. As if he could help.

Maybe he could, Tikki had suggested. He’s not inhumane, Marinette. He has feelings and he lo--likes you. I’m sure he’d be willing to open up if you just gave him a chance.

But I couldn’t let him see this side of me. Chat Noir was a joker. There was no way he was truly capable of having a serious conversation.

I could almost feel Tikki scolding me for thinking such a thing.

“Tomorrow,” she said, when I transformed back to my plain self in my bedroom and was getting ready for bed. “You’ll talk to him tomorrow?”

“I… maybe? I don’t know for sure yet. I still have rehearsal and--”

“I would recommend keeping your word, Marinette. Even Chat Noir c

an only take so much hurt.”

I wanted Tikki to elaborate, but my parents opened the door to my room. My mom’s dark locks peeked in until I could see her eyes.

“Marinette? We thought you’d gone to bed hours ago, sweetie.”

“Can’t sleep?” My dad asked. He was out of view, but I’m sure he was just behind my mom on the steps. He was probably thinking of a cake or treat he could bake for me to calm be down.

“Yeah, I guess.” I curled my legs in, silently giving them permission to enter. They both sat at the end of my bed, wearing identical smiles and tired eyes.

“Are you nervous for your rehearsal?” My mom asked, tucking my hair back behind my ear. I secretly loved when she did this.

“I’m more nervous for what I’m going to do afterward…” The words slipped out, and I realized they were the truth. What was I going to do?

“You’re going to do what you’ve dreamed of doing your entire life,” my father said, arm draped around my mom. “Go to school and get your degree. Work for Gabriel Agreste. Or become the world’s most renowned fashion designer--whatever comes first.”

I laughed, looking away from them because if I witnessed anymore of their love, I would probably break. “It’s just… so much change, papa.”

“I know, sweetie,” my mother whispered. “But things can’t stay the same forever.”

After they tucked me in and kissed my head, I lay awake thinking about the future. “What am I going to do, Tikki?” I whispered into the dark. But of course, she was asleep.

Everyone in my class was so excited to graduate and move on. Alya was going to become a journalist. Nino was set on DJing at events in order to work up enough money to become a fulltime musician. Rose, Juleka, Max, Sabrina, even Chloe--especially Chloe--had plans. Then there was Adrien. The guy I’d had a crush on since… Honestly, it felt like forever. But it’d been about four years. Four years of drifting in and out of his gaze. Four years of fangirling, mustering up and losing the courage to talk to him.

Four years to find myself gently settled in the friendzone.

In my sleepy haze I imagined escaping that zone and asking him. Finally asking him.

Would you like to go out with me?

I could see him. Ruffled blonde hair and enchanting greens eyes. I could see his smile and feel the butterflies.

I fell asleep before I could envision his response.

- - -

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