[Spoilers!] Them hiding from all the akumas attacking Paris!
This is a good idea that I probably shouldn’t have written while exhausted, let’s do it
Also spoilers!!! This fic is (technically) spoilers!!! Don’t read until u see the ep!!! I’m putting the cut really far up to try and avoid any accidental spoilers!!
AO3
--------------------------
“You okay?” Nino huffed, needing a second to catch his breath.
“I’m good.” Alya propped against the locker room doors. “You?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Nino replied, peeking out into the rest of the school. “They didn’t seem all that interested in us.”
“I wonder where they went off to.” Alya leaned over to see what she could make out.
Most of the Akumas had left a short while ago, though a few butterflies still remained fluttering aimlessly. Anyone else still yet to be Akumatized had taken better cover in everything from classrooms to storage rooms, much like the two of them had.
“Any sign of Marinette or Adrien?” She glanced around the mostly empty school.
“I don’t see them.” Nino looked harder, trying his best to prove himself wrong. “You don’t think they...Y’know?”
“No.” Alya didn’t even need to think about it. “I saw them take off, but I don’t know where they went.”
“Have you tried calling either of them?”
“Not yet.” Alya stepped away from the door and pulled out her phone. “Good idea.”
“So, half of the school just got turned into monsters. Again.” Nino stayed close to her while he mumbled to himself. “But we’re still normal.”
“She’s not answering.” Alya interrupted, finding herself increasingly worried the longer she waited on hold. “I’m gonna try Adrien.”
“Er, you probably shouldn’t bother.” Nino squinted at something on the ground. “Because I...think I see his phone.”
“You don’t think they got grabbed, do you?” Alya put her phone away after a few, unanswered rings and faced him. “That’s happened to Adrien a few times, maybe-”
“Don’t think like that, Al.” Nino put a hand on her back in an effort to reassure her. “I’m sure they’re okay.”
“I’m sure, too, it’s just that I feel kinda...” Alya shook her head to rid herself of the feeling, dragging a few fingers along her neck. “Powerless, right now.”
“Me too.” Nino reluctantly sighed and tried to hide his feelings with a subtle grin.
He wouldn’t admit to it, but he was tense. The footage of Ladybug and Chat Noir, regardless of it being real or not, was enough to shake him a little. Hundreds of Akumas descending upon the city and transforming people into an army of villains not long after didn’t help, either.
“You don’t have to put on that brave face for me, Nino.” Alya had seen through his act before they even reached the locker room. “It’s okay to be worried. I am.”
“You, uh,” Nino anxiously chuckled. “You don’t look nearly as bad as I do right now.”
“First off, you look fine. A bit sweaty, but fine.” Alya halfheartedly smirked and fixed his hat. “And I...I just know we can’t let it get to us."
Her eyes drifted towards the window to the city. Mostly still intact, but noticeably empty from what little she could see. A part of her thought she could see a figure swinging along the buildings and rapidly approaching the school, but she decided it best to keep her hopes a little low, just to be safe.
"We have to hang in there.” She eventually added.
“Easier said than done, dude.” Nino seemed to pout. “I don’t think it’s gotten this bad before.”
“I don’t know, there was the first time Ladybug and Chat Noir appeared.” Alya recounted. “That was pretty scary, too.”
“That’s...Probably not helping.” Nino warmly scoffed.
“I know, but, look-” Alya gently took him by the shoulders. “You’re worried about our friends. That’s okay, that's...good, but we have to be brave for them, too.”
“Right.” Nino nodded and then, after a second of thought, baring his teeth and flexing an arm. “Think this looks brave enough?”
“That’ll, yeah-” Alya couldn’t help but giggle. “That’ll help, I’m sure.”
“I just,” Nino dropped the act, but seemed to relax some. “I wish we could do something now instead of just...hiding.”
“I know, I do too.” Alya brushed a hand on his face. “But it’s better that we stay out of the way until we can figure something out. We just need to give it some time.”
“Man, I wish I could sound like that.” Nino dipped his head to hers. “Honestly, I’m kinda freaking out. On the inside, at least.”
“But you're staying composed, aren’t you?”
"Yeah, I guess I am." Nino draped an arm over her shoulder while he looked deeply into her soft, hazel eyes with a warm smirk curling on his face. "Probably because I have something to be positive about."
"Well, um," Alya shrugged, trying to ignore her blush. "I figured it was because of the flexing.”
“That's it. My big arms made me feel better” Nino snickered, feeling at ease with her arms gently wrapped around his neck. “And they're gonna protect you no matter what happens, Al.”
“You're...such a dork.” Alya smiled the most genuine smile she could, staring lovingly at him for a moment before placing a peck on his nose.
“Yeah, but-” Nino returned the kiss, but placed his gently on her lips. “I’m your dork.”
