Stopwatch | Miraculous Ladybug | Soulmates AU

The Glow Of The Tower

Marinette walked home under the comfort of Adrien's umbrella. Sure, it didn't do much to keep her dry as she was already soaked to the bone, but she held it over her head proudly nonetheless. By the time she walked through the front door of the bakery, she was humming a gentle tune to herself.

"Did you have a good day at school, sweetheart?" Her mother's voice called out from the back.

Marinette smiled as she called back, a little startled to be pulled out of her dreamy daze. "Yeah mom, just super!" She couldn't help but giggle at her own joke as she walked up the stairs to her bedroom.

For a while, Marinette just smiled dreamily as she stared outside her window at the rain. However, her smile faded as a thought entered her mind for the first time in a while in the chaos of the day.

"Tikki, how is it possible for my soulmate mark to change?" She asked, nervously biting her lip.

"Marinette, you're a clever girl. That's why you were chosen. Have you really not figured it out yet?" Tikki asked with a suspicious smirk.

"Well..." Marinette paused for a moment. She realized that she had never really tried to think of a real explanation, she'd just panicked. "Due to the fact that I have two identities, Adrien too, because of the miraculous..." she thought aloud. "My timer counted down towards both identities!" Marinette's smile returned as she saw the smile of confirmation of Tikki.

"And since you met Chat Noir a day before you met Adrien, it reverted back to one day," Tikki nodded, finishing off the girl's thought.

With her mind finally at ease, Marinette turned back to the window and watched the rain as it slowed from a hurried fall to a gentle mist.

It was still raining when she transformed into Ladybug and flew from rooftop to rooftop with her yoyo until she reached the Eiffel Tower. The gentle blanket of rain flowing delicately from the sky made the lights on the tower glow magnificently in the darkness and in that moment, any anxieties the girl might have had disappeared. She knew that this would be the most magical night of her life. When she arrived at their meeting place, the boy was already there waiting for her. He was in his superhero form still, so when Ladybug's feet landed on the metal surface, she stayed in her hero form as well.

Chat Noir stood up from where he was sitting and smiled at her. The look in his eyes made her blush in spite of herself. They both just stood there for a moment, staring at each other wordlessly. The silence wasn't awkward or uncomfortable though. No,  it was filled with understanding and warmth, even in the chill of the rainy night.

After a while, Chat Noir finally spoke up, breaking the silence. "Allow me to introduce myself." He did a little bow that made Ladybug stifle a laugh. "I'm Chat Noir, but you can call me..." He took a step closer to her. "Your soulmate."

At that, she couldn't help but burst out laughing at his attempt. "Wow, you really are quite the flirt, aren't you?" She teased, gently poking him on the nose.

Somehow, despite the fact that she hardly knew him, she felt so comfortable around him. It felt as if she'd known him her whole life.

"Well, what can I say? You bring out the best in me, M'Lady." He smiled.

"If that's the best, I'm in for a long ride." They both laughed and went on flirting and teasing for a little while.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" He spoke in a more serious tone.

Butterflies ate at Ladybug's stomach as she nodded.

He took another step towards her so they were only inches apart. "How is it that I just met you yesterday but it feels like I've known you my whole life?" He murmured. His breath gently tickled her cheek. 

Ladybug opened her mouth to respond, though she wasn't sure what to say. After a pause, she simply said, "Maybe it's the magic of the rain,"

With that, Chat Noir closed the gap between them, wrapping his hand around her waist and pulling her close. His other hand slowly moved a wet strand of hair out of her face. He seemed to search her eyes for permission, finding it easily, before finally fitting their lips together.

The kiss was gentle in the harsh rain. Gentle and slow. Ladybug smiled against his lips as he started to pull away after a few moments. After that, they sat down, her snuggled in his arms, and talked. They talked for hours about themselves, their lives. Their hopes, their dreams. Eventually, they fell asleep in each others' arms. 

Maybe it was the magic of the miraculous.

Maybe it was the glow of the tower.

Maybe it was the connection of two hearts beating as one.

Or maybe it truly was the magic of the rain.