In which Ladybug and Black Cat cuddle.


Adrien had a good point.

The assassins were right on their tail - pun intended.

Yes, he was technically a superhero soldier cat-man, but Marinette knew he wouldn't last long with his wounds. Running wasn't an option anymore. A kick of guilt hitched her stomach. He wouldn't have been shot if she hadn't run off the roof like that, but - no. No, she didn't need to dwell on bad decisions. Not right now. He was depending on her like she had depended on him earlier. They had agreed to be partners, a team.

Right now, she needed to patch him up.

Marinette's blue eyes flicked from one small room to the next. The bedroom came up with nothing. Just a closet full of junk and a small twin bed with a butterfly coverlet. Heading back to the kitchen, she blinked at the happy yellow wallpaper backed by yellow counter-tops and brilliant orange chair covers sitting around a light brown table. Opening the equally yellow cabinets, it took her only a few minutes to find a small first aid tucked behind cleaning supplies. Lifting the lid, she found a suture kit, bandages, and something that resembled pain pills, but she wasn't sure.

Marinette clicked her tongue. No rubbing alcohol. He'd need those wounds cleaned.

Guess their luck was running thin.

A loud banging noise erupting from the front door made her jump in fright and knock over several wine glasses on the shelf. Closing the cabinets with frantically shaking hands, she rushed out of the kitchen just as the door thundered again. Her panic skyrocketed at the muffled voices outside it.

Running to the living room, Marinette gasped and immediately her panic froze as her brain registered exposed abs.

Adrien's green eyes zipped into hers and he point at an open trap door in the floor.

"How did you- what happened to your suit ?" she squeaked. The lean muscles on his arms and shoulders flexed as the door gave another ferocious bang.

"Ask questions later! Get in!"

Hurrying over with a heated blush, Marinette grimaced at the small hole in the floor. It had several small cardboard boxes stuffed inside. Hardly enough room for two full grown adults. She folded herself inside and put the first aid near her head. Shifting a box out of her way, she laid flat against the dusty floorboard and tried not to think about the black pellets around her that showcased another potential resident in there.

As she settled, Adrien jumped in behind her and crouched low to close the hatch. It snapped shut, leaving them in complete darkness except his glowing green eyes. She watched, her heart pounding tightly, as he lifted a hand and pressed against his mask.

Suddenly, his eyes were gone. They were both blind. She straddled him between her legs, his body hovering over hers - and it was so warm she felt a heat flush from her head to her toes.

Trying to hold her catching breath, Marinette laid still as Adrien bent his back and grabbed a small handle on the hatch door to make sure it was securely in place. They both flinched as the door burst open not a moment later and several feet clamored inside. She jerked as his right hand grazed her side and his leg brushed against her ankle. The footfalls pounded into the living room and she felt Adrien lean further down on top of her. The tips of his blond hair brushed against her collarbone. She tried to keep her breathing quiet and steady, but the stress, adrenaline, and closeness of an incredibly handsome and shirtless Adrien were beginning to take a toll on her mental state.

Inhaling was coming in short gasps. Her thigh involuntarily twitched against his waist. The ghost of his nose brushed on her chin as his head turned towards her. She jumped again as she felt his right hand reach up and felt for her shoulder. He glided up to the side of her neck.

"Relax," he breathed at her. His mouth was close, his breath falling on her face. "Relax, Marinette."

His fingers gently pressed and massaged the back and side of her neck. Her body instantly began to tingle and a calmness washed over her. Marinette felt her muscles unwinding, her breathing leveling out, and she closed her eyes against the wonderful pressure. His fingers weren't clawed with the suit, but slightly calloused and warm. Adrien's hand smelled like blood, but felt wonderful.

His chest pressed lightly on her as several footsteps boomed above them.

She'd almost forgotten exactly where she was…

Almost.

It was at least thirty minutes. The thundering feet pounded back and forth on the floorboards overhead. Something was ripped open, cabinets were wrenched open and slammed shut, shouts of frustrations echoed back and forth. Adrien's fingers stopped caressing her neck as a calm set of footsteps clacked into the room and stopped right above their heads. She heard him swallow quietly.

"The lock was broken on the balcony door, so that means they were here. I found some blood drops on the balcony, but nothing else so far. There isn't a sign of them besides that."

Silence followed as the footsteps slowly moved closer.

"What do you suggest we do, Theo? This is your mission after all."

"They are in this apartment, somewhere in the building, or in the surrounding buildings. I think you better find them before I chop you up and bury you in the floorboards." The man, Theo, laughed, but there was no humor in it. Adrien's fingers jerked against her skin. She slid her hand up silently to place it over his. Her heart skipped a beat as he moved to interlock his fingers through hers.

"I'll go with the men to search the next building over. This apartment is empty. If they are anywhere, they are probably hiding in the bakery next door. I'll post a man outside the front door just in case."

"Make it your top priority that they are found."

"Who is this man with her?"

Theo tapped his heels gently on the floor above their heads. "An interesting question. Monsieur Adrien Agreste.

"Agreste!? You don't mean-?

"Estranged son of our esteemed Mayor, Gabriel Agreste. Pretty low-key individual. No wife or girlfriend. Got a job in construction three years ago."

"And before that?"

"The agency is on it. That's all they could give me so far."

"No friends?"

"Well," Theo let out a small chuckle. "There is a couple he's been known to associate with. Nino and Alya Lahiffe. I've been considering paying them a little visit."

Adrien's shoulders trembled and his fingers shook with hers.

Nathaniel…

"Let the agency know I'm waiting for the files. Tell them to send them to me within the next five hours or I will act on my own."

"But, Theo, you shouldn't-"

There was a quiet slicing noise and Marinette's gasp was thankfully covered by the other man's loud yelp of pain. Footsteps stumbling back towards the balcony windows, something heavy thudded against the glass.

"Do you like your appearance?" Theo's dark voice hissed. "Do you like the way your mouth curves or your straight nose or your lovely oval eyes? You see this blade? You want to tell me what I shouldn't do again?" He let out a bark of a laugh. "What are you giving me that look for? Why don't we go ahead and start with your makeover because you obviously came here to waste my damn time with questions."

Another thud bounced off the floor.

"Are you trying to leave? But I want you to tell me what I shouldn't do while they escape further. I want you to tell me what I shouldn't do while I slice off each finger and make you paint your clothes red with what's left of your hands."

The man whimpered.

"No? You don't want to?"

"N-no…" the man's voice came out in a shaky whisper.

"Then get the fuck out of my sight."

The sound of their footsteps clicked away - the poor man's at a much quicker pace - and Marinette heard a low muttering from the entryway:

"Place a man outside this building. We'll be searching the surrounding areas."

The front door shut and the entire apartment fell silent. They lay frozen together. Waiting. Hardly breathing. After about two solid minutes, she heard Adrien's foot shift into a cardboard box.

His forehead hit the floor near her ear and his body collapsed completely on top of her.


Next up: In which Ladybug plays doctor.