Ok, I did the lightest amount of research into this. So. For this AU there is no Tikki, the kwami, No miraculous. Just an average girl, living an average life muddling through a condition that she was working to fix:

The glint of a wristwatch caught Marinette’s eye.

Absentmindedly, Marinette scratched at her left ring finger even though she knew this particular itch wouldn’t end until the wristwatch was sitting on her own wrist. She couldn’t - wouldn’t - take the watch (taking the watch would represent a step back that she wasn’t sure her parents could bear), but heard its pristine ticking in her head anyway, perfectly measuring out the day. 

It ground in her ears until the rest of the world drained away. 

Today was a tough day, she thought. 

She examined her thought and her brows furrowed. It was exactly that kind of thinking that was dangerous. She knew that now. Mme. Tikki, her therapist, had emphasized that it was up to her to recognize her own unhealthy thoughts first and then act. 

She continued to scratch at her finger as she trailed her mark. 

Ok, she thought, I can’t steal the watch. What to do, what to do...

Marinette easily matched the speed of and followed the blond man through the crowd as she pondered. 

What if I don’t steal the watch... but just try to touch it unnoticed?

Marinette smiled to herself. it was the perfect way to satisfy her itch AND show that she could remain in control. She couldn’t wait to tell Mme. Tikki!

The watch was a breath away from her finger tips, all she had to do was just slightly 

s

t

r

e

t

c

h

and!

The stranger caught her hand was caught in a vice grip. 

Marinette gaped and met the stranger’s gaze. 

His green eyes gazed down at hers in shock. She floundered for what to say - it seemed like every half-formed explanation came tumbling out at once. 

(“I didn’t-! My therapist-! I’m so!”)

For his part, the stranger seemed to listen as patiently as he could as he scanned the area behind her shoulder. 

“Of course, of course, I understand” he said quickly, distractedly. “I’m sorry for grab- oh shit!” He broke off suddenly, pulling her around a corner. 

As soon as they had taken cover behind a pair of recycling bins, Marinette pulled her hand away from the stranger and took off at full speed, heart pounding. 

~

Adrien opened his mouth to reassure the girl - but it was too late. All he could do was helplessly watch the mystery girl’s sleek, black pigtails bounce as she sprinted away.

 Moments later, his bodyguard’s large hand clamped down on his shoulder and Adrien found himself sighing - not because he had been caught but because he hadn’t even gotten her name.

_______