The ticking of the clock was driving Marienette insane. She was still filled with uneasy panic after realizing the situation she was in right now. She had changed Adrien's compress three times already and his fever still hadn't broken, and at this point she wasn't sure if he was sleeping or actually just unconscious, wait was there a difference? Either way she was thankful he wasn't awake to see her right now.

She literally fell off the chair when he groaned, his face contorting and his hand subconsciously moving to clutch his abdomen. She stared at him wide-eye, and then it hit her, she fled to the bathroom coming back with the small trash can and set it down beside his bed. 'He must have the flu,'she thought.

Suddenly he shot up, his hand tightly clutched over his mouth, in a flash she handed him the trash can. Her hearth wrenched as she watched his shoulders heaving, head shoved in the trash can. She couldn't help but hold her breath, as she herself was not the best around vomit. When he finished, she quietly got up and opened the window to get some fresh air into the room, that's when she noticed it was starting to get dark. She would have to call her Mom soon and let her know where she was, she didn't want to worry her.

Adrien was on his side, breathing heavily through his nose, "M-Marientte? You're still here?" His vision was blurry but he could still make out those two cute black pigtails.

She sat back down and nodded, hesitantly brushing a few stray hairs off his forehead, "Yeah... I couldn't just leave you in the condition you were in. Are you feeling any better?"

"No. Not really. If anything worse, my stomach is killing me," He grimaced and swallowed back the burning liquid that threatened to leave his body.

Moving off the chair she sat next to him on the bed, gently stroking his cheek with her thumb, "I'll stay as long as you need me to Adrien, I wouldn't feel right leaving you here like this. Especially with your father out of town."

He nodded and gingerly leaned into her caress, "Thank you Mari."

"Of course Adrien," she smiled, continuing to caress his cheek in small circles. Suddenly a small noise filled her ears and she squinted down at him,'was he purring? no way it's probably just the fever, he's delirious.'


The ringing of her phone practically made Marinette fall off the bed. Trying not to disturb Adrien, she got up grabbed her phone and snuck into the backroom. 'Mama, oh no what time is it?'

9:15 p.m.

Her mother was going to kill her. Quickly she answered, "Mama, I am so sorry!"

"Marinette where are you? Is everything OK? I was so worried!" her mother sounded frantic on the other end, guilt was quickly building inside Marinette's chest.

Could she really tell her mother the truth? No she had to, "Ah... Well... Adrien got sick, so he texted Nino to ask him if he could bring his homework to him, and Nino couldn't do it so he asked Alya and neither could she. So I got nominated and when I got here he was sick, like really sick, so much he actually passed out and I've been taking care of him all night. I'm so sorry I worried you, Mama, I just couldn't leave him alone here, especially with his dad and assistant out of town, he's really sick," she stopped realizing she was blabbering on and on.

She heard a sigh on the other end, "Oh Marinette, your kind heart is going to be the death of me. Do you think you will be home tonight?"

Her mother's reply surprised her, in all honestly she didn't, "No. I'm sorry Mama, I just don't feel right leaving him in the condition he's in. His fever is really high, and he only wakes up to throw up. I've been applying cold compresses but they don't seem to help. I'm not sure what to do anymore," she really didn't, but she wasn't willing to give up. This is Adrien, her crush, she couldn't let him down.

"Have you tried an ice bath? Or just a cold bath? If his fever is that high you need to get him cold by all any means necessary, or he's going to end up having to go to the hospital."

She felt her face flush at what her mother was suggesting, "Bath!?" she squeaked, "But Mama, that's means I would have to get him- MAMA!"

"Oh Marinette, don't think of it that way. First see if he can undress himself, if not help him. I know you are a good girl, just help your friend," her mother giggled.

She was laughing at her, her mother was laughing at this situation, "Augh... OK Mom, I'm going to go, I'm sure he could use some relief from this fever. I love you Mama, I'll see you tomorrow."

"I love you too sweetheart, be a good girl now."

She could practically feel her mother wink on the other end as she closed out of the call. Her mother, of all people, just suggested she strip down Adrien and get him into a bath. She wasn't mentally prepared for this, but she had to be, he needed her and she had to do it.

Softly, she padded back into the bedroom, only to find Adrien sitting up in bed swaying back and forth, sweat dripping off his face. Her heart ached seeing him this way. She made her way over to him, grabbed the cloth and carefully patted the sweat off his brow.

"Marinette... I heard a phone."

"My mother called, she was worried about where I was considering the time, it's OK though she gave me some advice to maybe break your fever."

He gazed at her with half lidded, glazed over eyes, "Time... What time is it?"

"9:30 p.m."

He nodded slowly and gripped her wrist to steady himself, "What did she say?"

Marinette bit her lip and placed her hand on top of his, his skin felt clammy, "Ice bath or a really cold one. She said we need to force the fever out, and the cold compress isn't enough. Do you think you can walk?"

"I-I don't know."

Wrapping her arm around his waist she eased him up, he leaned his head on her shoulder as they slowly made their way to the bathroom. Once inside, he grabbed the side of the tub, slowly sinking to the floor and pressing his face against the cool porcelain.

"I'll run the bath, do you think you can undress? O-or do you need h-help?" she tried not to make her voice waver to much, but she knew she failed. If he needed help, she wasn't sure how it wouldn't end up awkward the next day.


Everything hurt, his head, eyes, body. Everything. He barely heard her question, but nodded none the less and slowly started to take his shirt off. It was drenched in sweat and he was thankful to have it removed. Leaning against the tub again he let out a small whimper when his shoulder touched the porcelain, it was so cold and so soothing, he felt like he could sleep right there.

"Adrien? Adrien?" Marinette gently shook him by the shoulder, her small hand ice cold organist his burning flesh.

"Mmm...?"

"Can you finish undressing? Do you need help?" her voice was riddled with concern.

"Yeah... Help... Please."


She bit the inside of her cheek and grabbed the nearest bath towel, if she had to undress him at least this would cover things up and make things a little less awkward, at least for her. With trembling fingers she undid the tie on his sweatpants and tugged at the legs. Willing herself to focus on his face and not what she was doing, she was able to take them off without much hassle. The next part would prove to be a little more difficult. Taking a deep breath, she hooked her fingers in the waistband of his boxer briefs and in one fluid motion had them off and the towel covering his lower half.

She was so incredibly thankful he was too out of it to actually notice the lovely shade of tomato she had became, but she quickly shook herself off and helped him slide into the tub.

She watched his face carefully as the water flowed over his scorching skin, the first expression she saw was a grimace which made her heart hurt even more. Then it faded into a more calm and content look, the furrows between his brow disappeared and she felt relief spread over her.


Adrien wasn't sure what was going on, all he knew was he was cold, for the first time all night he truly felt cold. He wanted to sleep, his eyes burned and his head hurt but he was cold and that's all he cared about right now. That was until he head was placed upon something soft and squishy, and gentle fingers started to graze across his cheek. He purred, it felt fantastic, but what felt even better were the fingers that were now combing through his tousled locks, massaging his scalp.

He felt so at ease with the nimble fingers feathering his skin, he had to see who they belonged to. Somewhere deep in the back of his mind he was afraid he would open his eyes and see Chloe staring back at him., instead he saw the gentle face of Marinette, worry veiling her face as she stroked his.

"Mari..."

She smiled affectionately at him, "Adrien, are you feeling better?"

He nodded, "Yes... very much so. Thank you Marinette." he smiled, though it was still weak. His smile quickly turned into a frown when he noticed the tears streaming down her rosy cheeks. Had he said something wrong? He didn't think so, maybe he did something wrong... "Marinette, w-why are you crying?"

She forced a smile through the river of tears, "I'm happy, so happy. I'm so glad you feel better, I was so worried, you have no clue."

'Of course,' he thought, typical Marinette. She had such a big heart, such a kind and gentle soul, she would do anything for the ones she cared about, and in that instant his heart was filled with love for this girl, something he hadn't felt this strongly before.

"Do you want to get out now? It looks like your fever might have finally broke," She smiled as she wiped her eyes, and set a towel on the edge of the tub as he nodded at her. "I'll um... be right outside the door if you need me OK? When you are done you need to rest again, it's not even midnight."


Marinette slumped against the door, she was exhausted and hungry, but she need to focus on Adrien's health first. She about screamed when her Kwami suddenly appeared right in front of her face. "Ahhh... Tikki don't scare me like that."

Tikki couldn't help but giggle, "I'm sorry Marinette, how is Adrien doing? How are you doing?"

"He's doing better, I think the bath helped his fever. He was actually making sense before I left, so hopefully it's a good sign. As for me, I'm tired but I'll live. You know yourself I've went with less sleep saving Paris," she winked at Tikki and kissed her head. "Ahh he's coming out, Tikki hide."

She moved away from the door and quickly took her seat in the chair by his bed. He looked better his face wasn't as flushed and he looked much more lively. He plopped down on the bed and sat cross-legged facing her.

"All I can say is thank you Marinette," he smiled at her and took her hands in his, "Without you I'm not sure how I would have made it through tonight."

She blushed and smiled back at him, "Don't speak so too soon, the night isn't over just yet," she teased and rubbed circles on the back on his hand with her thumb. She was trying to focus on his face, blinking away the weight of exhaustion.

"You haven't slept, you spent too much time worrying about me. You need to sleep, Marinette."

"I know, I am tired, but it's to late to head home so I'll stay here just in case your fever comes back." She was surprised when he scooted over and pulled her into his bed, she felt her face grow hot and panic sweep over her, "Uh... A-Adrien what are you d-doing?"

"I feel bad because you haven't slept, and I'm getting tired again. You trust me right, Marinette?"

She nodded and rolled over on her side to face him, "Of course, Adrien, why wouldn't I? It just took me by surprise is all."

She looked into his eyes, they were unsure and she couldn't help but let out a small gasp when he wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her hair. "Mmm... You smell so good Marinette."

She could only contribute his comment to his fever coming back and at this point she was too tired to even ask him what he meant, all she could do was snuggle closer to him and press her face against his chest.