A/N: Hi everyone! I'm sorry for being gone for so long. I finally found a chance to finish this chapter and now I'm headlong into the next and, hopefully, I'll be able to update once again in the coming weeks.

This is a rough draft of the chapter, so I apologize for any grammatical/structural errors but I thought to upload it out as soon as possible seeing as I haven't updated in a long time.

So, please enjoy!

~The HG

Chapter 10

Normally the sound of a heavy door closing would suggest a moment of finality, an ending, but as Adrien's fingers left the front door he turned around with an energy that came from the prospect of new beginnings. If he thought he was on cloud nine after finding out the lovely, innocent faced Marinette was the fiercely beautiful Ladybug he must be somewhere floating past the moon at the words that had left her lips and embraced his heart.

"I love you, Adrien."

He braced his back against the door, finding balance as his mind replayed those softly spoken words. The back of his blonde head thudded softly against the wood as he closed his eyes, lightheaded as he remembered another moment shared on that rooftop.

He lifted his hand and lightly touched a finger to his bottom lip, remembering what it felt like when the contact he'd been dreaming of finally happened. Her lips were warmer than he had imagined, smooth and pillow-like as they pressed against his. Her action was chaste and sweet, but he'd changed it as he deepened the kiss. Blushing, he rolled his eyes as he silently hoped she didn't think he was too forward. The last thing he would wish was to scare her away. This was the first time he'd ever felt this way about anyone since his love for Ladybug had began feeling like an infatuation in its one-sided nature.

But she did respond in turn, kissing back and not pulling away. Her feelings were made clear in that kiss and her words after simply sealed it.

Ladybug, Marinette, loved him.

Replaying the memory heated his face, drawing out a laugh. He combed his fingers through his hair as he pushed away from the door, deciding it time to head to bed. The house was dark save for a few small lamps still on and his father's office as seen by the sliver of light escaping through the crack under the door. He passed by the room, too preoccupied by his own thoughts to think about what kept his father up that night.

One small, quick observation flashed across his mind and it did nothing to help the heat leave his face.

I got a taste of that mint chocolate cupcake, too.

He entered his room and headed straight for his bed, sinking face first in the plush comforter as he flopped onto it. Plagg swooped over, hovering above his master. The little sprite couldn't hold in his laugh as he heard the boy's muffled laughter end with a dreamy sigh.

"See? I called it that rainy day, didn't I? We should have made a wager… I could have had my own walk-in fridge full of camembert right now."

….

Tikki giggled and twirled around the room in a dance of red light. Marinette had just confided in her about the kiss, though the sprite guessed from the atmosphere around the young heroes that something had happened between the two. Plagg and Tikki were sitting just within earshot of them, ready to come when summoned, but far enough to give the teenagers their space.

The fairy stopped to watch the girl otherwise known as Paris' great defender reach the chaise and immediately muffle squeals of excitement with a pillow.

"Got it out of your system?" the little one giggled behind her hands.

After a deep sigh, Marinette turned content blue eyes to her friend. "Yeah, but I'm not promising that I won't suddenly burst at the memory of it." Flopping on her back, she threw her arm across her eyes, her lips upturned in a big smile.

She soon began to ponder how these new moments created memories she'd be eager to revisit, threads in the ever eclectic tapestry of her life, ones she'd cherish and share with those closest to her.

"I'll tell Mom and Dad…well, maybe just Mom for now. I'll definitely tell Alya, though!" Marinette smiled as she imagined her friend's foreseeable joy filled freak-out. Yet even though the image was a happy one she couldn't keep at bay another thought that crept into her mind. Her smile faltered at the familiar, unpleasant thought. Time would heal it, as everyone had said. She allowed their words of wisdom to seep in and soften the throb of loss, yet it was still a fresh pain. She wished she was already at that place in time where this, too, was just a memory. "I want to share this with everyone I love, especially those that'd be the happiest to hear it."

Tikki knew what had changed Marinette's mood and decided to snuggle against the girl's cheek.

"There, there," Tikki murmured encouragingly. "Rest in the knowledge that she'd be happy for you. Your grandmother would want you to enjoy your life and not dwell in sadness."

Hugging her little friend against her cheek, Marinette smiled softly. "You're very wise, Tikki."

"I hope so. I've been alive longer than you can imagine." The fairy winked and zoomed over to her little basket where she slept on the teenager's desk.

Marinette chose to change and get ready for the night, yet even though Tikki's words comforted her heart she couldn't shake how the weight of loss still clinging to her mind despite her new found joy. Even though her parents, especially her mother, dealt with the same loss she couldn't help but feel alone in it. She glanced at her small sleeping friend and decided to go downstairs. Maybe a cup of warm tea would soothe the ache further.

As she descended to the second floor she saw her mother dressed for bed as well, taking a sip of something steaming from a delicate ceramic cup.

"You read my mind," the girl smiled as her mother laughed softly and placed her cup down. Sabine walked around the small kitchen and fetched her daughter a cup of her own and soon poured her a serving of the auburn hued tea.

"It's a perfect way to wind down." After a quick glance at the young lady before her, Sabine's eyes immediately recognized the pain Marinette hid behind a feeble smile. "Honey, what is it?"

"Mom…" she started, unsure if she should continue for fear of re-opening a wound. "… What would Grandma Yi-Jin think of Adrien?"

"Well, honey, what do you think of him?" Sabine asked in return, lifting an eyebrow as she waited for the answer.

"You know what I think of him, Mom, but… to be honest, my feelings have changed. It's different now that I know he feels the same way." Taking a sip of her tea, Marinette's eyebrows knit together as she thought of how to continue. "Adrien is kind, gentle, selfless, and brave. He's got the corniest sense of humor, rivaling even Dad's." She giggled, thinking of the boy's many cat puns.

"Your grandmother would have loved him, dear, because…," Sabine started, prompting the girl to make the connection.

"Because… I love him," Marinette finished quietly, and her eyed widened as her confession sunk into her own mind. Her heart wasn't aching for something unrequited anymore and this sense of chasing the unattainable was gone, leaving in its wake a weightlessness that was euphoric yet unnerving, beautiful and yet so delicate it felt it could break at the slightest touch.

Sabine expertly read the swirl of emotions behind her daughter's beautiful eyes. She sighed quietly once recognizing it with a twinge of painful pride. Her daughter was growing up.

"Honey, I know. Falling in love can be scary; after all, they wouldn't include 'falling' in the phrase if it weren't. It's a dive into the unknown, and the unknown can be frightening." Sabine patted her daughter's arm and looked off into the darkened living room. Marinette understood her mother's gray eyes were focusing on something beyond the walls of their home.

Grandma Yi-Jin's kind smile popped into the girl's mind at the wisdom reflected in her mother's face and this comforted her. Life had a way of being scary in a myriad of ways and yet, through it all, Marinette understood she had a strong group supporting her in life. Some were physically present or guiding her from memories etched into her mind. This truth lifted her up and she knew she'd be able to find the courage she needed moment by moment.

"Thanks, Mom. I needed this."

"You're welcome, honey." Sabine smiled and looked to her cup of tea, eyes softening in thought. "I'll be gone before you wake up, taking our family's thoughts with me. Grandma Yi-Jin rests knowing of our love for her, be sure of that."

Without another word the Dupain-Cheng women lifted their cups and sipped the last of their tea, exchanging soft smiles and a tight hug before each departing for the night.

…

Adrien rolled over yet again, loosening his blanket from around his torso. He had been twisting in bed, unable to sleep in anticipation of the next day. He sat up, looking at the clock for the umpteenth time and, unlike all the times before it was actually a decent hour to rise.

"5 AM, finally!" He stretched his arms up over his head, much like a cat after a nap, and jumped out of bed. He turned, made his bed with quick and precise movements, giving his work a nod of approval before he headed into the rest of his room, somehow finding the energy to get ready quickly despite his restless sleep.

His steps had more pep in them than normal and as he practically skipped into the dinning room he was delightfully surprised to see his father sitting at the head of the table reading something that appeared to be so important that he didn't lift his head when Adrien entered the room.

Not thinking much of it, Adrien settled in his seat and immediately filled his plate with some fruit salad and scrambled egg whites. As he ate in silence, he couldn't help but think of how a hot and buttery croissant would make this breakfast even better. His thoughts were then interrupted as Nathalie stepped into the room, heading straight for him, her face as straight lipped and stoic as always. Yet there was a tinge of something behind her eyes as she met Adrien's gaze, quickly averting them to the tablet she held in her hands.

"Good morning, Adrien. Let's go over your schedule for today."

As she read, Adrien didn't zone out like he usually did. His excitement about the day made him eager to hear of his last scheduled item and the freedom that came afterward. But as she read she continued on after mentioning his last final for the day. The boy felt the touch of something heavy in his stomach at what she had just read.

"Wait, wait. What dinner meeting?" He asked, looking across the table to his father. The man simply stood up, not addressing the question as he exited the room. His posture was as stiff and formidable as always, unaffected by the concern in Adrien's voice.

"You and your father are going to meet with an overseas distributor for his summer line." Her tone softened as she took in Adrien's disappointment.

"But I've already made plans ahead of time. He knew this, didn't he?" Adrien's eyes sought a confirmation of his suspicions behind the woman's glasses. From the way she avoided answering and the slight pinch between her brows gave him his answer.

Adrien got up and slowly pushed his chair in, his appetite having vanished along with the buzz of energy he woke up with. His heart felt heavy as he thought of ways he could get out of his father's plans, but from the way his father had left the table, no word uttered, spoke to how futile an argument would be. His father's mind wouldn't change, especially after his little speech last night about responsibilities.

Adrien left the dinning room without another word to Nathalie, knowing she couldn't change anything either. What plagued his thoughts was what Marinette would say. She was looking forward to the masquerade as much as he was, if not more. She had worked hard on creating a dress specifically for tonight. It was supposed to be another step forward, but once again obligation forced him to stop in place.

His ever darkening mood didn't help his mind from delving further into thoughts he'd rather keep buried.

He knew that things would be different if his mother were here with him, but every time that thought would come he'd feel the cold of an emptiness, a hollow space in his heart.

His mother was gone, and his wish for her presence only brought him pain. He'd long relinquished the idea of his wish being granted.

That familiar cold void was even harder to shake this time.

Adrien stood in his room, all traces of his earlier joy gone. Pulling his phone from his pocket he turned to Marinette's contact information and was instantly greeted by her smiling picture staring back at him. He felt sick thinking of how sad she'd be once he cancelled their plans for tonight and the weight in his stomach grew more with his own disappointment. He walked over to his bed and sat on the edge, unmotivated to continue getting ready for his day.

Plagg sensed something was wrong the moment his master returned. He flew to his side and snuggled on top of the boy's shoulder. This wasn't the first time he'd seen Adrien be like this, but something big must have happened for his mood to have changed so suddenly. The dark furred fairy kept quiet aside from a soft humming purr he made to comfort his fair-haired master.

…

Her fingers itched to flood a certain black feline's phone with messages of how excited she was about going to the masquerade ball with him, yet the knowledge that he was probably busy with his last finals made her refrain. She brushed her fingers across Adrien's smiling face on her phone's screen before putting it in her small purse where Tikki hid snuggled away. Her bright blue eyes swept up the street taking in the corner bakery she called home standing as a beacon ahead. It only encouraged her excitement as she ran to it, slowing down only once to kiss her father on his flour dusted cheek before she headed up to her room.

She was walking to her dress when the shadow of something from above caught her eye, causing her to climb up the stairs leading to her bed and the skylight above it. There, on the glass, was a small wrapped package and a single rose. Though it was a nice sight, she couldn't help the lump that caught in her throat as she went to retrieve it.

Marinette sat with a bounce on her mattress, placing the gift on her lap as she smelled the rose. Its velvet soft petals brushed against her nose, wrapping their sweet scent around her. With nimble fingers she undid the red ribbon from the white, glossed paper, sliding the box out and opening it quickly. There was her beaded good luck charm she had lent to Adrien along with a small folded piece of paper. The boy's beautiful handwriting was unmistakable, and she could practically hear his voice as she read. She'd come to recognize the weight behind his more solemn tone when speaking of his family.

Her teeth caught her bottom lip, biting against the pang in her chest that also stung her eyes.

My Lady,

Your grandmother would be proud to know you selflessly lent me the charm you made with her. My luck has increased from the time I met you and all our moments after, and for that I thank you.

But now I return the charm to you with an apology. I'm sorry, but I can't take you out tonight. I wish I could keep our plans to go to the ball, especially since I was the one who invited you, but my father won't cancel the plans he's made for me instead. The ball will be over by the time my dinner meeting is done. If there were any way I could skip this meeting, I would do it in a heartbeat.

Please know that I wanted to see you tonight, more than anything. I've been looking forward to seeing you in that dress you've told me about, but mostly I've imagined holding you close as we danced to song after song….

Please, go with Alya and Nino and have a great time. I promise I'll make it up to you.

With all my heart,

Adrien

Marinette's heart pounded due to numerous reasons, some of them conflicting but equally as powerful, yet the dominant feeling was one of pain at the sadness behind Adrien's words. Her eyes stared at the charm resting in her palm, waiting for her thoughts to settle down.

Tikki flew up and touched Marinette's open hand, and caressed her fingers, her voice sympathetic.

"It'll be alright, Marinette. Just remember you aren't alone, and neither is he. It'll all work out, you'll see."

Smiling, Marinette closed her hand around her charm and gently nudged her kwami's cheek in thanks. What the little one said was true, and it made her realize that not only did Adrien have Plagg just like she had Tikki, they also had each other. They were partners first before their hearts got involved, and their relationship had only grown stronger, just like her resolve.

Tikki noticed the look of determination in her master's blue eyes. Marinette's desire to help Adrien cleared away the other thoughts swirling in her mind, and before she knew it her body was moving. She practically flew down her steps to the lower level of her room, and she stopped right in front of her new dress.

"Tikki, I'm getting ready. Pack a few cookies in here," she said, tossing the fairy a black and red handbag that looked a lot like her regular pink one. "We've got some saving to do."

….