The Important Thing

Dawn arrived in hands of pink and gold to cradle the horizon. Marinette blinked at the light. The cuts on her back ached in deep, pulsing throbs. Her legs felt as wobbly as a newborn lamb's and blisters smothered her feet, stinging sharply with every step. Still, she knew if she slowed that Carapace would force her to rest again. They'd already wasted two hours last time. She didn't want to waste any more.

Carapace grabbed her arm. "Someone's coming."

"What?"

He shoved her behind him and got his shield ready. Sure enough, a person sped towards them, black cloak fluttering out like trails of shadow. Their long, wheat-gold hair seemed like a beacon of light in contrast.

Her heart thudded faster, resounding through her body.

"I don't recognise them," Carapace muttered. "Could be one of Mayura's—"

"No." She stepped forward. "It's him."

"Huh?"

Tears slid down her cheeks. She ran. She ran and ran, not caring that she was wounded and half-dead on her feet. She ran until his green eyes were bright before her vision and she could throw herself into his arms, locking her legs around his waist.

"Cat," she breathed.

Then she slipped her hands into his hair and kissed him. She kissed him like she was parched earth and he was the first drops of rain, kissed him like he was oxygen and there was nothing left in her lungs. And he embraced it. He melted into her like honey to heat: soft, welcoming, yearning. He gave her back just as good as he got.

A throat was cleared.

Marinette and Cat pulled back from each other with a start. Carapace stood awkwardly not far from them.

"Uh," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Just thought I'd let you know I'm, uh, still here."

Heat crawled over her cheeks. She quickly slid back to her feet, brushing stray locks of hair from her face. "Sorry. Um, this is my husband."

"I gathered that."

Cat stared at Carapace intently, taking in his armour and shield. "You helped her get away from Mayura?"

"I'd say she mostly helped herself, but yeah. I helped."

"Then you have my deepest gratitude." Cat bowed low.

"Woah there." Carapace held his hands palm-up. "No need to act so formal. Just doesn't feel right."

Cat frowned. "I'm sorry. I didn't realise that would be offensive to you."

"No, no, it's not offensive. I'm just saying you can relax, you know?"

"Oh. Right."

They stared at each other. Cat scratched his cheek and glanced off to the side, his cheeks a bit pink. No doubt he was embarrassed that he had misinterpreted the situation.

"I think I see what you mean now," Carapace murmured to her. "He's nothing like what the rumours say."

She smiled. "Told you."

Carapace returned the smile in his warm, easy way. Then he glanced off in the direction from which they had come, his brow creasing.

"You can go to her, you know," Marinette said softly. "Cat can take me the rest of the way."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded.

He slung his shield onto his back and grinned. "Well, if you're certain."

oOo

They said their goodbyes to Carapace and were soon left standing alone together in the field. She pressed closer to Cat, not just because her legs felt like trembling flower stalks ready to give out, but also because she wanted to be near him. Every brush of contact was a reminder that this wasn't a dream. He was real. He was with her.

"I'm glad you came," she said, leaning her cheek against his shoulder. "I missed you."

"I'm sorry I didn't reach you sooner."

She nuzzled into his robe. "The important thing is that you did."

Silence settled between them, comfortable and undemanding. Her eyes grew heavy, and she found herself leaning more and more against him.

"Come on." He scooped her up into his arms, his gaze warmer than the touches of sunlight that glowed around them. "Let's get you home."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes. That sounded perfect.

oOo

She woke in her own bed. The blinds were shut and a single candle flickered and created a dim glow. Cat sat beside her, gently stroking her hair. He smiled in greeting. The sight, so soft and affectionate, made her warm all the way to her toes.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Like I fought a goddess and ran across an entire kingdom."

His mouth twitched.

Her gaze drifted back to the candle. Wait. It had been morning when she'd last been awake. Had she slept through the whole day?

"Is your father not coming?"

He shook his head. "He knows what happened. He agreed to let you rest."

"Nice of him," she muttered.

She sat up, then winced and let out a low hiss as her back gave a painful twinge. His eyes widened. Suddenly, his hands were hovering near her, not quite touching.

"You're hurt? Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's nothing. Rena Rouge already bandaged the wounds for me."

"Let me see." His gaze ran over her body as if the wounds would appear from wherever they were hiding. "They should be cleaned and the bandages changed anyway."

"Oh, um …" Heat spread over cheeks.

"What?"

"They're on my back."

He tilted his head. "Wouldn't it be easier if I change them for you then?"

Yes. Yes, it definitely would.

She bit her lip, scolding herself for being so silly. It was just her back. It shouldn't make a difference if it was Rena Rouge or Cat tending to her. Besides, she probably looked tired and gross and—

"Okay," she said.

Heart pounding, she removed her jerkin and turned her back to him, tugging off her bloodied white undershirt to expose bare skin. He sucked in an audible breath. The three cuts left by the sentimonster's talons ran down her back from just under her right shoulder to her left hip. Rena Rouge had covered the cuts in thin strips of fabric.

"It probably looks worse than it is," she said quietly. "Your armour saved me."

Silence.

She squirmed, conscious of the fact that she was sitting shirtless in front of him, albeit with her back to him, and he seemed content to say and do nothing.

"Cat?"

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "This should have never happened to you."

"It's not your fault."

His touch was impossibly gentle as he ran his fingertip down the unmarred skin alongside one of the cuts. Her heart stuttered. Rena Rouge had never touched her like that.

She swallowed. "Um …"

"S-sorry. I was just—I don't know why I—"

"It's okay."

Even if her heart did thump and thump. Even if she did find it hard to slow her breathing. It was like she was an instrument and his touch had made her come alive in a song of flutters and pleasant tingles.

Cat shifted on the bed. "I'll just, um … I'll just get the water and bandages ready."

"Okay."

She sat there facing the wall, her pulse racing. No, this was definitely not like when Rena Rouge had helped her.