The loss of Innocents

.9.

The sun shone through the small window in Master Fu's guest bedroom as Alya slipped back into bed. She sighed, thankful that Marinette was still fast asleep after a restless night. Only hours before, Alya awoke to Marinette screaming, something she had been warned about by Master Fu. She hadn't managed to go back to sleep once she'd calmed a shaking Marinette.

After Marinette finally fell back to sleep, Alya watched her closest friend restlessly toss and turn. She couldn't help feeling guilty in the part she'd played, and it didn't help when she heard Marinette call out Adrien's name. So much had happened that she really wanted Marinette to have her happily ever after with Adrien and she would do whatever it took to help the love-sick pair fix their damaged relationship.

While the two girls were asleep, Nino sent Alya a text telling her that Adrien had woken up, talked to Sabine then left without his Miraculous. Once Alya was sure Marinette wouldn't notice her absence, she'd snuck out to call Chloe, hoping that she'd found Adrien before he'd done something stupid.

A sleepy Chloe had answered her phone mumbling something about only just going to sleep before managing to tell Alya that Adrien was okay. Alya could tell by Chloe's tone that there was a 'but' and after demanding she tell her everything Chloe gave Alya all the details of Adrien's fight with Raven.

"Argh… Alya it's too early, why are you awake?" Marinette mumbled as she threw the blanket over her head and curled up into a ball.

"Morning sleepy head. I see you're still not a morning person but don't forget you have a meeting with Gabriel Agreste this morning." Alya nudged the grumpy Marinette and laughed when she mumbled a few colourful words that made no sense at all, while a sleepy Trixx, who had fallen asleep in Alya's messy hair, grumbled about being woken again.

"Shit… shit, shit! Why oh why did you have to send him a fake resume for that internship, Alya? I'm not going to get it. And, who the hell does interviews on a Sunday?" Marinette threw the blankets off her head and glared up at Alya.

"It wasn't fake… it was all your designs plus you got into one of the best schools in Paris with those designs. He would be lucky to have you on his team. I heard he just got back yesterday and wants someone straight away. He's been gone for almost six months, so you'd think he'd have time off and catch up with his son but I doubt Adrien even knows he's back. The mans a workaholic if you ask me."

"Those designs were private Alya and I didn't get into one of the best schools in Paris, you did."

"Uh-huh, keep tellin' yourself that Mari but It was all your designs I just filled out the stupid forms and did a phone interview. By the way, I had to study all night to learn all those designer terms and try and get my head around how to sell you."

"Alya Cesaire, you could sell ice to an Eskimo, but this doesn't mean I deserve the spot though and I still don't know how you got your hands on my designs. Some of them were drawn when I was at my lowest. Everything I was feeling went into them and I… I never wanted anyone to see them." Marinette sat up and frowned at Alya as Tikki floated up and snuggled into her cheek.

"Mari don't be angry at Alya" Tikki let go of Marinette's cheek and floated up to look into her charges blue eyes, hoping that she would understand. "Talon and I decided we had to do something, so we copied your designs and sent them to Alya. Your work is amazing! You need to start following your dream now your back."

"She's right girl and I don't care if your angry with me. You need to start living again so get up, have a shower and let's get you ready so you can kick some arse."

By 7:30am Alya and the two Kwami had the sleepy Marinette ready and she couldn't help but feel like a proud mamma bear as she stared at a very grown up looking Marinette.

"You sure this outfit looks okay? I always imagined I'd be interviewed in something I'd designed." Marinette asked as she studied her outfit in the mirror.

Her black pencil skirt sat just above her knees and the black fitted blazer hugged her curves. It buttoned up just to under her breast showing off just a hint of the soft pink camisole she wore underneath that matched her stiletto ankle boots. The soft pink suede boots were by far her favourite part of the outfit. The front was open and they delicately laced up leaving cute bows on the side of each boot. Her hair was pulled up into a stylishly messy topknot with her bangs combed neatly to the side. A few tassels of dark hair had already escaped framing her pretty face.

"You look beautiful M, you have nothing to worry about." Nino smiled at her and gently squeezed her shoulder while Wayzz floated over his shoulder smiling.

"Are you sure… Gabriel Agreste isn't just anyone and I… I don't look…"

"Don't even say it girl… you're going to rock this so move it. We need to go." Alya smiled at her then gently nudged her out of the bedroom.

After saying goodbye to Master Fu, they planned to grab breakfast at a nearby café before Nino drove them to Gabriel's design studio but before they could leave the door opened, and Chloe strutted in with Adrien close behind.

"Oh my god Chloe I said wait till after 8am. Do you know how this works?" Alya snapped holding her wrist up and pointing to her watch.

"I'm well aware thank you Alya, I thought we could catch you guys before you left. You know to say hi… and stuff." Chole smiled sweetly at Alya, then walked around her to get a good look at Marinette who was trying to hide behind Alya and Nino. As if sensing that no one was leaving anytime soon, the five Kwami flew out from their hiding places and headed towards the kitchen grumbling about their charges drama filled lives.

"Hey Marinette, nice to see you're sane again… my haven't you grown up. See Adrien, I told you we still have command interests." Chloe chirped as she hugged a startled and slightly confused Marinette.

"Chloe that's enough. We should come back later." Adrien warned her, eager to leave while he still had the chance. He couldn't see Marinette clearly, but it was like he could feel her presence and he was struggling to fill his lungs with air.

"No, it's okay stay, we were just leaving." Marinette said trying to escape from Chloe's arms. Taking a deep breath to steady herself she stepped around her friends and shyly smiled at Adrien. She didn't want to cry today, she felt like she would never stop some days, but she'd promised herself today would be different.

If he thought he couldn't breathe before he was wrong, very wrong. It was like everything had stopped except for the girl in front of him with a shy smile on her perfect lips. Those blue eyes of hers held him in place and a thousand-butterflies swarmed around in his stomach. She looked completely different from their confrontation yesterday. He couldn't help but let his eyes trailed from her cute pink boots, over her bare legs and the curves of her waist, lingered slightly on the hint of cleavage before returning to her bluebell eyes.

Marinette noticed the way he looked at her, all of her, and she wondered what had changed since yesterday. He didn't look angry anymore just sad. His shirt was torn, scratches ran down his cheek and a dark bruise was forming on his forehead just under his messy blonde hair. It looked like he'd been in a fight and it took everything she had not to run to him and wrap her arms around his waist.

"Bro, you okay? You look like shit." Nino walked over to Adrien to get a good look at his face. "Is that honey in your hair?"

"Yeah… it's nothing, you should see the other guy." Adrien glared at Chloe then fist bumped Nino's fist. He was still angry at his best friend but now wasn't the time to discuss it and he didn't have the energy.

"Hey, I did what I had to, you were bleeding to death." Chloe snapped. "Ungrateful."

Master Fu appeared from the other room, took one look at Adrien and shook his head. "You not going anywhere son. I could feel your pain from the other room. Come we will start now. Chloe nice to see you home. Marinette, I forgot to wish you luck for interview with Mr Agreste, now go before you late and don't let foolish blonde boy distract you today." Not waiting to hear Adrien's protests he turned and walked out of the room motioning for him to follow.

"Come on Mari, we're going to be late." Alya recovered first and linked her arm through Marinette's then started to drag her towards the door as Adrien started to walk towards them.

"You have an interview with my father? I didn't even know he was back." Adrien stopped in front of the girls blocking their path to the door. He instinctively reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind Marinette's ear and smiled as he watched her cheeks flush making her freckles stand out. Her lips formed an O as she inhaled, and he struggled to take his eyes off her pink bottom lip that had fallen into an adorable pout.

"Y… yes I, I'm interviewing for his internship. Thanks to Alya, Tikki and Talon I got into Esmod. I start tomorrow." Marinette knew her cheeks were flushed, and she nervously chewed her bottom lip while his intense green eyes studied her every movement.

"That's… that's great Mari, you always talked about going there…" Adrien felt a pang of jealously at the mention of Talon, but he was genuinely happy for her and if she was starting school tomorrow it meant she planned on staying.

"Adrien, we really need to go, Master Fu is waiting for you and he's right Mari doesn't need any distractions today." Alya frowned at Adrien even though she was doing a happy dance on the inside. He'd talked to Marinette and it almost sounded normal but if they didn't move soon they would miss breakfast and she knew Marinette didn't work well on an empty stomach.

"Yeah of cause'. Good luck Mari. My father would be lucky to have you, just don't take anything he says to heart. He can be a cruel bastard sometimes." Adrien smiled down at Marinette and gave her a playful wink.

Alya groaned as she dragged Marinette towards the door, sure that her love-struck friend had ceased functioning after Adrien had dazzled her with his amazing smile and threw in a sexy wink for extra measure.

As Marinette passed Adrien her finger brushed his, sending his senses into over drive. All the hairs on his arms stood up and before he knew what he was doing he'd grabbed hold of her hand, gentle pulled her back and wrapped his arms around her. Even with her heels on she was still shorter than him and he lent down to bury his face in the crook of her neck. He felt her tense then relax against his chest as her arms wrapped around his waist. His ribs screamed out in pain, but it was worth it just to feel her heart beat against his chest again and he inhaled her sweet perfume that brought back a flood of memories. It felt like coming home and for the first time since she'd left he felt whole again.

Marinette felt her hand brush Adrien's and it sent shockwaves up her arm. What she didn't expect was that he felt it too until she was wrapped in his embrace and his face was buried against her neck leaving her skin tingling against his breath. It was like everything disappeared around them and all she was aware of was his racing heart against hers and his breath against her flushed skin. She couldn't help but break her promise to herself as silent tears slid down her cheeks threatening to ruin her makeup.

Marinette had dreamed about this ever since she left him and now it was happening she wasn't sure if it was real or not. 'I don't care' she told herself deciding if it was a dream that she never wanted to wake up.

"Ahem… Alya, Chloe let's just give them a minute." Nino knew how hard it was for Adrien to show emotions and having Alya and Chloe staring at the pair opened mouthed wouldn't be helping matters. Plus, he knew both girls had a hard time keeping quiet at the best of times.

"But Nino we have…" Alya couldn't believe his timing and she was torn between squealing in excitement for Mari or yelling at Adrien for distracting her and making them late.

"Alya." Chloe tried to whisper but her voice had no dial tone and it came out more like a loud rush of air.

"Fine you've got five minutes Agreste, make it snappy." Alya grumbled as Nino ushered the girls into the kitchen.

"I thought they'd never leave." Adrien purred into Marinette's neck, each word tickling the sensitive skin at the base of her throat.

"I'm so, so sorry, Kitty." Marinette whispered into his ear.

He wasn't an idiot, they had some serious shit to work out and she'd messed up when she left without telling him. But she'd been to hell and back to protect him and her words sounded so full of pain that he never wanted to leave her side again. Not to mention the fact that hearing her call him Kitty made his heart race even faster than it already was.

"I know princess… I know. Can I see you later?" Adrien lifted his head to look into her eyes, he didn't want to let her go but he didn't want to make her late either, so he knew he would have to settle for seeing her later. If she was late he knew It would be a deal breaker for his father and as much as he hated the man he knew what the opportunity meant to Marinette.

The way he called her princess melted Marinette's heart and she nodded as she struggled to find her voice. "If it's okay with you, I'm going to ask Master Fu if I can move back home." She was afraid of his answer and it didn't help her nerves that she couldn't read his expression as she stared up at him through her dark eyelashes.

Noticing her tears Adrien gentle took her face in his hands and wiped them away with his thumbs as his heart skipped a beat at the thought of what she was asking him. It was her home, it had always been hers, but she was asking him if she could move back like it was his decision. The thought of living in the same house as her did weird things to his stomach and it was his turn to blush. "Thank you for thinking of me princess but it's your home. If me being there makes you uncomfortable, I can leave?"

"No." Marinette answered to quickly, startling herself at the volume of her voice. "It's more your home now Adrien. I can't thank you enough for looking out for my Mom…"

"Boy, get in here." Master Fu yelled from the other room.

Smiling Adrien kissed Marinette's forehead as he reluctantly let go of her face. "I'll see you at home then. I'd wish you luck, but I don't think even my father could say no to you in that skirt." Adrien playfully winked at her as he disappeared into the other room just as Alya opened the kitchen door.

"Girl move your arse. Now." Alya demanded smiling at the stunned Marinette.

Marinette shook her head as she followed Alya and Nino out the door, still trying to process Adrien's parting words as Tikki settled into her purse. 'Home'… he'd said 'see you at home' and it sounded so inviting that she started to smile and not just her fake I'm okay smile, it was the old smile Marinette use to wear before everything went to hell.

Adrien couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he walked into the room from where Master Fu ran his massage business. "You've got it bad kid. See I'm never wrong, told you 24 hours would be all it took before you were making that stupid face again." Plagg mumbled with a mouth full of cheese.

"No, you said before we kiss and where did you find that cheese?"

"Same, same you know it's gonna happen."

"You take too long. Take your shirt off and lie down." Master Fu demanded frowning at Adrien and Plagg, he was seated next to the mat on the floor with his arms crossed waiting.

"What no date first?"

"Hmph, think your funny do you? I am patient man Adrien but you, you are hard work and you're Kwami doesn't help. Now sit."

"I'm worth it though." Adrien gave Master Fu one of his photo perfect smiles as he pulled his shirt over his head, wincing when he lifted his arms.

"Foolish boy enlighten me, what were you thinking, leaving without your Miraculous?" Master Fu asked as he got his first look at the left side of Adrien's ribcage that was a dark shade of purple. "You well trained, who did this?"

"You should ask your pet parakeet." Chole snapped as she walked into the room with Pollen.

"Raven did this?" Master Fu looked from Adrien to Chloe shaking his head and rubbing his temples.

"Unless there is another annoying American bird boy lose in the city, yeah he did." Chloe said as she laid down on the couch against the far wall.

"Chloe, you don't need to speak for me." Adrien snapped as he lay down in front of Master Fu.

"It is as I feared. Talon should never been given the task. Does this hurt?" Master Fu asked pressing on Adrien's ribs.

"Yes…" Adrien nearly jumped off the mat when Master Fu applied pressure to his side. He'd been trying to ignore the pain but if he was really honest with himself, it even hurt to breath. "What task?" He asked closing his eyes trying to block the pain out as his curiosity flared.

"Broken I fear, you shouldn't have waited…" Master Fu sighed closed his eyes and held his hands above Adrien's ribs. "Talon was one of the few that trained and watched over Marinette. He was only there to finish his own training but one of the older Guardians from his homeland favoured him. The older Guardian thought it would do his tribe proud if he could tame Akai Senshi and he thought that Talon was strong enough to handle her without getting emotionally attached. He was one of only two people she trusted..."

"Great so there's another Miraculous holder out there that's going to turn up?"

"No, the other was different… older. She lost her Miraculous years ago and with it her memory of her old life. Her story is long and complicated and for another day. All you need to know is she became like a mother to Marinette and without her I doubt you would have gotten her back."