Chapter warning: This chapter contains major angst and sexual scenes. Also, in this universe, the miraculous "power ups" don't exist.
- Chapter 13 -
When Marinette rolled over to check her phone, it was nearly three in the afternoon. She also had five missed calls from Adrien. Two from Alya. And about a dozen text messages. All of which she cleared away without reading.
She put her face into her pillow, letting herself faintly scream into it.
Last night, or actually earlier this morning, had been a disaster. A complete and utter disaster.
It was Saturday. Potentially one of her busiest, and most revenue generating days. She had a backlog of orders and commitments to complete. But she just couldn't get herself out of bed.
On top of that, her head was pounding and her throat was dry. Her body felt heavy and a bit listless. She brushed it off, assumed it was just the remnants of her hangover.
Tikki brought her a glass of water, setting it down on her nightstand.
Marinette could hear the small creature buzzing around, as she continued to lie in bed – wishing she could just go back to sleep and not have to face what the day might bring.
Tikki's little hand brushed a lock of dark hair away from her forehead. "You feel a bit warm, Marinette." She told her.
Marinette sat up, taking up the glass of water and sipping it slowly. It was sweeter than honey on her dry throat.
"I'm fine." She answered.
Tikki gave her a worried look. "You know I heard everything last night, right?"
Marinette sighed heavily and nodded.
"If you want to talk about…?"
"Tikki, right now, I just want to forget yesterday even happened." Marinette barked sharply. A bit of irritation gathering in her voice.
Tikki flew into her face, wings buzzing loudly. Showcasing her own irritation. "But it did happen. You can't just ignore..."
Marinette kicked the sweaty covers off of herself, and climbed out of bed in an angry huff. She stumbled as her head felt weirdly fuzzy when she moved.
"I have to Tikki!" she groaned, leaning against the wall for support that she needed both mentally and physically. Groaning loudly, she bitterly added, "For my own sake, I have to pretend that last night was nothing. Because it was nothing. A big, steaming pile of nothing!"
She wasn't in denial. It hadn't been simply nothing. In fact, it could have become her everything. The most perfect, dreamboat of a man, so real in her arms. Lighting every fiber in her body up like a damn Christmas tree.
She slammed her fist into the wall, and slumped to the wood floor in a heap.
Tikki flew over, coming to gently land of Marinette's knee. "Oh Marinette." She cooed sympathetically.
Marinette covered her hand with her forehead, feeling the warmth of her skin from the slight increase of body temperature.
One day at a time, she reminded herself. Just like before. Focus on work, ignore everything else.
You were happy without him before. You'll continue to be happy without him now. Nothing has changed.
"It's going to be okay." Tikki insisted, watching as Marinette's face twisted with emotions displayed so clearly in her expressions.
Marinette nodded her head slowly while rising up onto her own two feet once again. Thank goodness her building didn't have hot water. Because a cold shower was exactly what she needed right now – to help wash away her weariness.
After her shower, she felt a bit better. But her head was still pounding. And her nose was stuffy. She dressed in comfy, baggy clothes and pulled her hair back into a high and tight ponytail before settling down to get some work done.
She kept the front door locked, choosing to stay hidden from the outside world for the rest of today. Which turned out to be quite productive. She got several outfits altered to close out some existing customer orders. And then cutting out and pinning together some fabric panels before running them through her sewing machine. By the time she has done, there was a stack of panels ready for embellishments, buttons or zippers prior to hemming.
The day quickly came and went thanks to the plethora of available distractions – which were a godsend. Evening brought on Marinette feeling a bit weak. She ate a light dinner, although she really couldn't taste much of it.
Due to oversleeping, her sleep schedule was off. So it was late when she finally laid in bed, sketchbook in hand, and began doodling for inspiration. With the Summer season around the corner, and temperatures already heating up, she wanted to have her designs planned out.
While sketching a bold floral pattern on some high-waisted shorts, her nose started dripping. So, she stuffed a tissue in her nostril and kept working.
Marinette hadn't realized she'd fallen asleep again until her phone buzzed violently with a text message. Groggily, she read who it was from, groaned, and cleared it away without reading it.
Her sinuses were horribly stuffed up. Making her head feel like an overly inflated balloon about to burst. Her lips were cracked and dry from breathing through her mouth all night long. Definitely not good signs.
Sitting up slowly, her sketchbook fell out of her lap and onto the floor in the process. Tikki fluttered over with a tissue. Which did nothing to help clear Marinette's sinuses when she blew her nose.
"I think you're getting sick Marinette."
Marinette nodded her head in defeat. "Yeah…"
"You should rest." Tikki urged.
"I'm fine… just need… shower." Marinette responded as she threw her covers off and stumbled downstairs, leaning against the walls in the process.
A hot shower would have helped clear her sinuses. The cold water only made her shiver. Trudging back upstairs, she dressed in an old pair of sweatpants and a sweater because she felt chilled to the bone.
She needed to do laundry. But that wasn't happening today.
She also needed to open her shop up. Staying closed on a weekend was not helping her business.
There was also about a mountain of other things to do today. But the sickness was sucking away her energy.
Scooping up her phone, she sat on the edge of her bed and scrolled mindlessly. Hoping to find some motivation.
Going through her text messages was a good distraction. Although she chose to ignore the half-dozen or so from a certain someone. But answered the others. Alya was outside the city assisting with an interview about some political nonsense. Marinette could feel her friend's irritation through the texted words. She texted her best friend back words of encouragement, and changed the topic to upcoming wedding plans. Which would get Alya hyped.
In other news, Candi has posted some photos from her drag show last night. And she was wearing one of Marinette's long Juleka-inspired skirts, complete with a sequin-blinged out blouse, and some Lady Gaga-esque claw high heels – all of which made Marinette smile.
Leave it to Leo to give her the incentive needed to get herself together.
Standing up, she checked the weather while stripping off her comfy clothes. Which was forecasted to be unusually hot for the rest of the week. And not a drop of rain in sight.
Finding a casual navy t-shirt dress, she slipped on some dark grey leggings and added a burnt orange colored scarf for a pop of color. The orange helped make her skin look less sickly. Adding some blush to her face, she skipped on any eye makeup and put on a tiny bit of lipstick to help keep her color up.
Even if she didn't feel 100%, at least she could fake it.
Satisfied with her physical appearance, Marinette headed back downstairs and started to open up her store. Throwing back the wall of curtains to let in all the bright sunlight.
She didn't feel great, and was moving at a lower pace, but it was somewhat tolerable. Her appetite was nonexistent. But Tikki kept encouraging her to drink more fluids.
By mid-day, she had a bit of cough. Which was soothed by some hot honey tea. She found herself sitting down at lot. But she still smiled brightly when a customer came through her door.
Only about another hour later and she was too exhausted to get up from her stool. Consequently, she sat behind the counter with her head leaning heavily against her hand.
Despite the stuffiness making her feel woozy, it did not stop the thoughts from spinning in her brain. A bit more rational than before: She had finally told Adrien about her crush on him. Hindsight, she probably could have handled that better. It certainly wasn't the way she had imagined telling him. She had pictured that conversation a thousand different ways, and none of them involved yelling in his face directly after they had sucked face… and… other things.
Her face flushed as the memories crashed into her like a wave. In the moment, it seemed to go on forever. Time hadn't existed. All she felt and tasted was him. Glorious him. But now, it was fading. The want and desire replaced with resentment and humiliation.
Check it off your bucket-list, Mari. It'll never happen again.
She could blame her actions on the copious amounts of alcohol. But that was a lie. She was sober enough to be in full control of that situation.
And you certainly took control, didn't you?
She put her head into both hands and let out a small moan of disappointment. All with herself.
He probably thought the worst of her. He had hundreds, if not thousands, of eligible women throwing themselves at him. All pining for a chance to be his girl. And here she was, doing the same exact thing.
Marinette thought she had closed herself off to all those stupid ideas years ago. She should be happy just being friends. As the saying goes, there are plenty of other fish in the sea. Even though he was a god-damn merman.
And yet, Marinette could not explain the pile of unread text messages from him. Perhaps there was something more?
Reaching for her phone, she nervously opened the messages and read the first few.
(Adrien): Are you ok? Can we talk? Please?
(Adrien): Did I do something wrong?
(Adrien): I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you.
And with that, she closed the app, flipped her phone over, and left the rest of his messages unread.
She'd done it. She'd well and truly done it this time.
Just before the sun went down, Marinette found the energy to walk over to the corner store and grabbed as many snacks as she could carry before quickly paying and trudging back home. Abandoning the multiple packages of crackers, chips and cookies on her counter, she headed upstairs to change clothes.
Slipping back into comfy clothes, she collapsed into bed. Pulling the covers up over her head in a fabric cocoon. Feeling like she couldn't stay awake for another second.
Although, sleep still eluded her. Maybe from her stuffed-up sinuses? Or the fact that her feet wouldn't warm up, even buried beneath her blankets.
What was it about being sick that makes you feel so needy? The craving to have someone nurture and take care of you. Tucking you in. Bringing you hot tea and soup. Telling you to rest in the gentlest, most loving of voices.
But when you're all alone. There isn't anyone else. And that makes you feel worse.
During times like this, she would have called Luka and listen to him play his guitar. Lulling her to sleep with his lyrics. Those were the enjoyable times. It was almost painful not to call him anymore. She'd burned that bridge too.
So she laid in bed. Shivering alone in the dark. Feeling sorry for herself. Wanting what she couldn't have.
Sometime during the night, a tiny voice worryingly said, "Marinette… you're burning up."
"C-Cold." Marinette muttered into her pillow. She couldn't feel her fever, only the chills that coursed through her body.
The next sound she heard was an ear-drum shattering alarm coming out of her phone – the warning of an akuma attack.
It had been days since Adrien had heard from her. Which was slowly eating away at him. Sparking all kinds of inappropriate thoughts as he fretted over her well being. He did finally get confirmation from Nino that she had been texted Alya. So that eased his worry that she at least made it home safe and sound.
Why was he even worried about that anyway? She was Ladybug. And certainly wouldn't need any rescuing. However, it still didn't make him feel any better.
He'd slept very little during this time. Spending the nighttime hours tossing and turning about what to do. Or, better yet, what not to do. This wasn't something he could "fix".
You can't just have one of the most intense, hot-n-heavy makeout session of your young adult life with one of your newly reacquainted best friends, and expect things to continue as normal. Now add in to the mix, that you secretly found out that she is one of Paris' most beloved superheroines, who you've idolized for years, and there's not a damn thing you can do about it.
The pieces were all there. And he was slowly putting them together. But the stress was eating away at him.
He had spent all weekend in bed. Tossing and turning. Sleeping for maybe thirty minutes at a time. Feeling the biggest of weights on his chest. His mind unable to relax.
So, come Monday, Adrien did something he'd never done before. He called in "sick" to work.
Of course, his colleagues believed him immediately and wished him a speedy recovery. Because Adrien was probably on the verge of death to actually take a full day off.
And, sure, Adrien would eventually have to deal with his Father finding out about his apparent "illness", and then he'd have to deal with that awkward conversation.
But all that paled in comparison to the hurricane of emotions currently spinning through his head and heart.
How had I not seen it before?
Although, if he was completely honest with himself, it really had never occurred to him that he may actually know Ladybug in real life. That she could and would be someone so close to him. Someone he communicated with so casually. Someone he thought of as a long-lost friend. Someone so poetically humble.
And that was probably why Marinette was chosen to be Ladybug. A perfect fit. It made so much sense.
It was her. Of course it was her. Who else could it be?
To him, Ladybug had always been that magnificent stranger. He could walk past her on the street every day, and never know it was her. His dream girl, hidden behind a mask of spots.
He had grown to accept that her identify would forever be a mystery to him and all the citizens of Paris. It had to be. He had no right knowing it. It was for her protection, as well as his.
And mostly because knowing... knowing would have undoubtedly caused him to seek her out. Rules be damned. He would want to know her. Find her again. Meet her. Casually bump into her on the street and smile at her. Because she was everything he wanted.
Now. After all these years. He finally knew.
Perhaps he deserved this fate? He had abandoned her and Paris for years while he went off to pursue a life he never wanted. Was this karma pointing a cruel finger and laughing at his bad luck?
In an exasperated huff, Adrien abandoned his plush bed and went downstairs to his gym equipment. Because working out often helped him focus and think clearer.
He used his rowing machine until his shoulders ached and his arms were shaking. His fingers were locked up from gripping the metal handle so strongly. He must have rowed fifty miles, and none of it offered any clarity.
She had been in his arms only days ago. His lips on hers. Ladybug's lips. Her body so snug up against his that it was a crying shame to still be wearing so many clothes.
It's Marinette, you idiot. Marinette!
Adrien made a guttural noise and climbed to his feet. His whole upper body felt like it would never forgive him. The overstressed muscles were jelly-like and involuntarily twitching.
So, he took to his treadmill next. Cranking the machine up to max. He ran hard to the non-stop electronic whine of the engine and sliding track. But even the heart thundering cardo did nothing to stop the thoughts that plagued him.
He pushed his already athletic body to the unhealthy point of breaking. Because the physical pain helped drown out the emotional. His bloodshot green eyes staring blankly at a fixed point on the bare wall.
She may, one day, forgive him. Because that was Marinette's personality to be forgiving and understanding.
They might be friends again. Or distant acquaintances. Business partners, maybe? It was plausible. He'd welcome any chance at redemption. He would have loved the opportunity to date Marinette.
He ran in place for several hours. Stopping only to continuously crank his air conditioning temperature down lower and lower, because he was sweating through his clothes.
Plagg flew towards his face, huddled in one of Adrien's alpaca scarfs, with his teeth chattering.
"Kid, are you trying to turn me into a kwami popsicle?"
But Adrien couldn't hear him. His feet were pounding too fast on the rolling track. Every muscle in his body was beyond strained, fatigued and sore. It was a miracle that his legs kept going.
Adrien's face twisted with anguish and the physical pain.
It was an accident. I swear it was an accident!
He'd never tell anyone. Never.
Gritting his teeth, he pushed the incline on the ramp to its maximum and sprinted with all his might.
Hawkmoth or Mayura could torture him and he'd die before he betrayed her.
Her secret was now his secret, and he would do anything to protect it and her.
Only now… she wanted nothing to do with him.
He watched her run from him again. Sprinting down the hall as the door hit him in the face. And he was just as alone… just as lost.
With the though, Adrien physically stumbled as his body said enough. Skinning his knee on the track before toppling to the floor in an exhausted heap. Collapsing on the thick carpet with a loud curse, his pulse pounded steadily in his ears. His breath felt sharp and stung in his lungs with every gasp.
He lay on the floor, staring up at the vaulted ceiling, and felt the stinging burn of his tired body while fighting back little waves of nausea.
Had he known. God, if he managed to find out about her identity years ago – things could have been different.
No they wouldn't, you idiot.
His teenage self would have thrown caution to the wind. But, years had now passed between them. There was more at stake now. More social pressures that he couldn't ignore. More dangers lurking around every corner.
But this is Ladybug. The super-heroine of Paris. And it was Marinette. His… friend.
She had the same secrets as him. The same secret identity crisis. They shared the same heartache.
And I left her alone.
He should have stayed in Paris. He should have stayed by her side. Perhaps then, their bond could have… become something more? Would it have made a difference? Or was his romantic heart wanting what wasn't there?
Because Marinette had liked him… once upon a time. She had said as much.
He heard her voice in his head. "I spent years getting over you… years Adrien! I won't do it again."
Over him? When? How? Why hadn't she said anything? Why hide her feelings from him?
No. No. No. Do NOT blame her.
It was over now. He had to keep telling himself that.
It was over.
He knew her greatest secret. And, probably the worst thing, she didn't know that he knew. And he couldn't tell her without exposing his own identity as Chat Noir.
And yet, here he was. Wanting her all over again. Wanting what he couldn't have. Just like before.
Although, before it had only been Ladybug, and that had been somewhat tolerable because of her celebrity, goddess-like, unattainable status. Now it was both of them. Two women. Both different and yet so similar. And it was almost too much for his heart to accept.
Selfishly, all he had left were the memories of their last night together. Both haunting, and glorious.
His body warmed instantly with the vivid memory still so fresh in his mind that it was painful to recall.
She could have been his. And for the briefest of moments, she was.
Just days ago, his hands had touched her. His arms had held her. His lips had kissed her. Not just kissed, but sucked and devoured her lips and tongue. While the gentle gliding movements from her body threatened to drive him insane.
It was the taste of her mouth, the movement from her body, the most wonderful combination of shyness and boldness to her actions.
Tired, frustrated and unable to help himself, Adriens hand slipped beneath his clothing. Seeking physical comfort from the strain of those heated thoughts.
And, suddenly, she was there all over again. Writhing above him now. Grinding against him. Controlling his hands on her body. Demanding where and how he had to touch her. So strong, confident, and beautiful.
Adrien groaned loudly. The pent-up desire of an unfinished encounter driving away the shame of his actions.
In his spinning head, it was Marinette. Then, it was Ladybug. They were one body, one voice. And that voice moaned for him. Gasping, breathless, and boneless as he remembered her touch, the taste of her lips, and the scent from her body.
His orgasm was so immediate and raw that his hips bucked off the floor, and his eyes pinched tightly closed as he faintly whined from the release.
What should have been a glowey and heady aftermath, only left Adrien feeling bitter and more alone.
Rolling to his knees and standing up, he stumbled into the bathroom to clean himself up. The face in the bathroom mirror looked hollow back at him.
Coming out of the bathroom, he leaned heavily against the doorframe trying to remember how to breathe correctly.
"What is wrong with me?" He asked aloud.
Plagg flew a bit closer, still wrapped up in the scarf. "Is that a rhetorical question, or did you want an answer?"
Adrien glared at him and shuffled back downstairs to the kitchen to drink some water.
"I don't know why you don't just go over there and run into her awaiting arms." Plagg encouraged him.
Downing a full glass of water, Adrien coughed and then said, "Awaiting arms? I think she'd sooner punch me, then hug me."
"Maybe." Plagg muttered. Pausing for a few seconds before snidely adding, "And knowing now that she's Ladybug, the punch would hella hurt too."
Adrien scoffed, not amused by his kwami's dark humor.
Plagg chuckled to himself. "Probably break your jaw…." He mumbled playfully.
Adrien didn't say anything, just continued to drink more water. He needed a shower. His sweaty hair was matted to his head. Not to mention, his body was shivering from the shock of the strenuous workout plus the frigid air conditioning drying his sweat.
"… At minimum a black eye." Plagg grinned mischievously.
"Ok that's enough." Adrien warned angrily, not in the mood for jokes right now.
Plagg landed on the kitchen island, tucking the scarf all around him as he tried to keep warm.
"So… How much longer are you going to mope for?" Plagg asked casually.
Adrien shot him a dark look. "Do you have any idea how hard this is for me?"
"Yes, in fact. I do." Plagg answered. Giving his Chosen a squinty eyed but concerned look.
"Then why are you being difficult?" Adrien insisted, leaning against the island because it was difficult to stand up on his own.
Plagg rolled his eyes, deliberately choosing not to answer.
Truly, Adrien didn't blame him. He was moping, he just wouldn't admit it. Plus, the idea of having to plaster on a fake smile and go about his week like the past few days hadn't happened just sounded exhausting.
He had years of practice perfecting a fake persona. He could slip back in and resume his so-called life.
However, she might have been the one to change all that. To crack his walls and see the person he was behind all the masks he wore.
No. No. No.
It's all in your head.
He was betraying her by knowing her secret, and not telling her that he knew. Somehow, he just was. But maybe that's what he needed to do: betray her. Push her away. That way, she'd well and truly hate him.
He slammed his fist against the marble covered island in frustration.
I wish I didn't know.
And that's when his akuma alarm went off.
The akuma was a generic, wash-rinse-repeat of a lame comic-book-looking villain sporting a large freeze ray gun that turned the beginnings of a hot Paris summer, into a freezing winter. The akuma's magic froze cars, trees and fountains into solid blocks of ice. Except the fountains, those now spouted tons of fluffy snow up into the air.
And the reason? Turns out the akumatized victim liked colder weather, and was disappointed by the early season temperatures. Not that the citizens of Paris were complaining much. A few kids were actually playing in the snow.
It wasn't until the akuma turned his sights on freezing innocent people, did everyone start to panic.
Chat Noir was dodging freeze ray blasts while perpetually slipping on the icy roads. He was fighting alone longer than usual.
And when Ladybug did finally make her appearance, he noticed almost instantly that her movements were slow and uncoordinated. The pain his heart might have felt upon seeing her, was immediately forgotten. Something was definitely wrong.
Leaving the akuma for a moment, he bounded towards her as she hid behind a frozen tourist bus. Her arms were crossed over her chest like she felt the cold, and was trying to warm up.
Chat froze (no pun intended). Her face looked pale and her eyes almost grey in color. Not the bright sapphire blue he knew so well.
He knelt down beside her, opening his mouth to speak, but she beat him to it.
Flashing a dull smile, Ladybug dryly joked through chattering teeth. "A-Another winterized-d akuma, huh? I th-thought it-t was supposed-d to be summer s-s-soon?"
Hearing her voice brought it all back again. That was Marinette's voice. And in this moment, he wished he had her powers so he could summon a thousand blankets to warm her.
He was staring at her intently, and it was slightly unnerving. "Kitty? You o—?"
"Are you okay?" he interrupted, his voice demanding and urgent. And, maybe, a little panicked.
Sniffing back a runny nose, she nodded dully. "A little under the weather, I-I s-suppose."
Chat Noir swallowed hard on a dry throat. She was sick. Why did it bother him so much?
The akuma's freeze ray went off over their heads. Freezing another car into a block of ice. That car now slid uncontrollably down the icy coated road directly towards them.
Chat didn't think, he just reacted. Grabbing Ladybug and jerking her away, seconds before the frozen car hit the spot they just were.
They both skimmed across the ice, separating as they fell. Chat Noir scrambled to his feet as quickly as the ice would allow. Ladybug got up too, but much slower than him.
He rushed to be at her side again, but the akuma's ice beam blocked his path so he was forced to dodge.
Luckily, Ladybug had used her yo-yo and repelled away. He watched her get some distance and felt himself sigh in relief.
When the akuma's weapon went off again, he was back on the defensive. Using his staff to divert the beam away from himself.
His eyes weren't focused on the akuma in front of him. He was frantically searching for her amongst the chaos. Feeling every bit responsible for her in her weakened condition.
A solid kick from the akuma struck him in the chest, throwing him backwards at an astonishing pace. His back collided with a billboard, but a well-timed yo-yo caught him around the waist before he went splat against the ground.
Once he was safely lowered to the ground, Ladybug ran past him and down into a nearby metro tunnel. Calling over her shoulder as she ran.
"Quick, down here."
He gave chase. Stopping with her at the bottom of the stairs and inside the empty metro station.
"Why here?" he asked.
"Less stuff to freeze and throw at us down here." Ladybug told him smartly. She was leaning against the wall. Her hand against her forehead as if checking her own temperature.
"You're sick." Chat Noir told her. As if she needed to be reminded. Maybe he's the one that needed to be?
She nodded, closing her eyes as if she was already exhausted. But really her fever was just getting worse. So much so that her vision was fading in and out.
"I'll be fine." She responded stubbornly.
Another loud boom from above meant the akuma was about to be following them down into the metro.
She moved away from the wall and stumbled on her feet as she began to walk down the dark tunnel. Chat's cat eyes could see perfectly in the dark. Although Ladybug was at a slight disadvantage. But the akuma would be too.
Chat Noir moved closer, prepared to catch her if she stumbled badly again. He shouldn't pry, but he was troubled with her not feeling well.
"How did you get sick?" he asked with genuine concern.
Another loud boom shook the metro walls. Causing little pieces of concrete to break away and rain down on them.
Ladybug thought about Chat's question for a second. Not thinking anything of it, because she had no reason to lie, so she answered with the truth.
"Stupid reason. I got caught in the rain the other night." She said as she kept walking down the tunnel.
It took a few seconds for her words to sink in. But when they did, Chat Noir felt like she'd struck him.
He stopped dead in his tracks.
It hadn't rained since that night she'd been with Adrien. He caused this. Maybe not on purpose. But it felt like his fault.
Finally, after a long and painful silence he spoke.
"I-I'm so sorry." He breathed and his voice echoed in the tunnel.
Ladybug shot him a look, now over twenty feet away and still walking away from him. But he could catch up in a second if he needed to.
"What are you sorry for, kitty? It's not your fault." She answered casually. Trying to put her partner's mind at ease. Even though he was sweet for saying that to her.
However, Chat Noir still blamed himself. Plus, she had no idea who he really was. No idea whatsoever. That's what made it even harder.
The temperature around him dropped significantly and abruptly. Even his breaths formed little clouds.
Looking up, he saw a bright glowing spot in the roof of the tunnel. He stared at it, watching it get bigger. Not sure exactly what it was he was seeing.
And suddenly, as the crack appeared in the concrete, he knew.
The tunnel exploded from above as the akuma's weapon carved itself through the tunnel's roof. Raining down chunks of ice, cement and evil laughter – right on Ladybug.
In panic, her name erupted from his lips.
"Mari!" he yelled at her, and that got her attention.
As if in slow motion, she turned towards him. Eyes impossibly wide.
'He… he knows?'
Chat Noir did not think he was capable of moving at the speeds that he moved at just then.
Seeing her silhouette in the shadows of dust, he reached out for her in a blind fury. Strong arms tightened around her body as he flung them both sideways just as the ceiling collapsed entirely bringing down bits of the road and an entire frozen truck.
Their propelled bodies skidded to a halt, slamming into the nearby wall.
While he had protected her from the rubble coming down from above, there was no way to keep her back and head from slamming into the wall.
Ladybug's fevered world went abruptly black. And with it, her transformation fell away.
Chat Noir could feel the normal clothing on her skin, not the smooth almost Kevlar texture of her spotted suit. She wasn't Ladybug anymore. Which meant she was unconscious.
But years of keeping secret identities forced his eyes closed on impulse.
Pieces of concrete continued to fall around them like hail. He covered her with his body. Shielding her as much as possible from the debris. The akuma cheered in delight at the demise of Paris' superhero due. Hopping away in celebration, despite Hawkmoth yelling in his head to search the rubble for their Miraculous.
"Ladybug!" Chat called to her. She didn't respond at all to his voice.
Chat Noir still refused to open his eyes and see her like this. Simply because, it wasn't supposed to happen this way. Their inevitable reveal.
They were meant to find out together. In a quiet moment of trust and honesty. Surrounded by a beautiful and cascading Paris moon. With the stars reflecting in her eyes.
Not feeling her half broken in his arms.
"Marinette!" he begged.
Still nothing.
God, she was hurt. And he had no way of knowing how bad it was without looking at her.
"Chat Noir!" came a little panicked voice from over his shoulder. He could hear what sounded like the buzzing of tiny wings.
He turned his head towards the noise, but didn't open his eyes.
Tikki was covered in dust from the collapsed metro. She surveyed the situation presented before her. And, as trickle of blood dripped down Marinette's face, she made the decision.
"Open your eyes, Chat Noir. You already know. Just get her out of here. Please." The kwami begged.
Chat Noir hesitated. He was so torn.
"Please. Chat Noir, please." Tikki wailed. "She's bleeding."
That did it. He opened his eyes and, blinking the dust away, stared down at the woman who was Ladybug.
Tikki flew over to Marinette, hovering close to her face to see if she was breathing. Which, thank goodness, she was.
She turned her wide blue bug eyes to Chat Noir. "She's okay. She's still breathing."
Another blast sounded above their head. Maybe the akuma was coming back after all?
"Come on!" Tikki told him urgently.
Chat Noir scooped her up, leaned her face into his chest to keep it hidden from anyone who might look, and they moved.
Chat Noir carried Marinette far enough away from the overly powerful and destructive akuma – who should have been a no-brainer to fight and defeat. How did he let it get this bad?
Finding a quiet spot, he set her down as gently as possible. The little trickle of blood coming from her head was not easing up.
"H-Hospital." He breathed nervously. Yes, she needed a hospital. The sight of her blood terrified him.
But Tikki was better prepared and more level headed in this moment. "Take her miraculous, Chat Noir. Become Mister Bug again. The magic will heal her wounds faster than any hospital."
He touched the side of Marinette's face tenderly. Feeling the weight of her condition like a lead weight on his chest. She was still unconscious. Still pale. Still feverish.
As much as it chattered his heart into a thousand tiny pieces to leave her alone, he knew that he didn't have a choice. Tikki was right. He had to do the smart thing. Even if it didn't feel right to leave her alone.
Chat Noir had always been the assisting magic. It was Ladybug who healed the world. It needed her more than him.
Taking in a deep steadying breath, he called out to Plagg and let his transformation fall away.
Somehow it distressed him more to be staring at her as Adrien. Maybe because any second she could wake up and see him. Although, with how pale her skin appeared, that didn't seem like it would happen too soon.
He'd see Paris safe. Cleanse the akuma and come right back.
"I promise." He whispered.
"Plagg," he ordered, standing up. "Stay with Marinette. I don't want her to wake up alone and scared."
Plagg instantly flew over and huddled close to the young woman. A tiny paw on her neck.
"Hurry kid. Her pulse is weak."
Adrien felt his blood run cold. "Tikki, come on!" As he took off running back towards the akuma.
While running, he called for Tikki's transformation and ran to finish the job.
As the cloud of ladybugs descended upon the city, and undid all of the destruction, Mister. Bug could only run as quickly as he could to get back to his Lady. Who also happened to be Marinette. He wondered if anything would ever be the same again.
Marinette woke up in her own bed. A purring black kwami tucked against the crook of her neck. So much like a real cat that she hated to move at all. But she wanted under her blankets. Her body was still cold. Whether it was from lingering akuma magic or her sickness, all she wanted was to be warm.
She shifted, and Plagg took to the air to hover near her face.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Just c-cold." She replied. Plagg moved out of the way so she could lift back the covers and snuggled in.
The tiny kwami brought her a glass of water, which she drank while fluffing her pillow with the other hand.
Twisting her body to put the empty glass back on her nightstand, she turned back and was eye to… erm spotted abs with a very worried looking Mister Bug. She hadn't even heard him come in the room.
"Chat?" she questioned.
"Mister Bug, remember? Just borrowing your spots, m'lady." He corrected her, with a dull smile on his lips.
She knew that. But glad he confirmed. "How did I get here?" she asked him.
A fair question. But he still lied.
"Your kwami, Tikki, led the way and let me in."
Marinette was feeling too sick to even question how that had worked out. Her dizzy brain was too worried about something else.
"… the akuma?" she asked.
"Tikki and I handled it. Mister Bug made a special appearance. All is well. Except for you, that is."
Marinette smiled at his little joke and physically relaxed. Still feeling weak from her fever. But happy to have one less worry. And a big worry at that.
"N-Never thought I-I'd get to see M-Mist-t-ter Bug again." She muttered teasingly, shivering with every word.
Mister Bug smiled at her comment and kneeled on her bed. "Are you alright?"
Marinette nodded her head slowly. "G-Good thinking t-t-taking my miraculous and st-stopping the akuma." She praised him through her half-closed eyes.
Mister Bug shook his head. It hadn't been his idea. He'd been in too much shock to think clearly.
"It was your kwami's idea. Not mine. I-I…"
Marinette closed her eyes gently and sighed heavily. "Well, at least the akuma is g-gone now. Paris is saf-fe again."
Her blankets weren't warm enough and felt twisted around her legs.
She tried to sit up and untangle the covers. She nearly succeeded if Mister Bug hadn't grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her against his chest.
She ended up sprawled across his half-way across lap, and in one of the tightest, saddest hugs she'd ever felt.
He may have kept hugging her forever if the miraculous earrings he wore hadn't started beeping.
He pulled away just enough to look at her face.
"Go hide in the next room and transform back. I won't look." She told him sincerely.
Mister Bug nodded and ran off to hide on the other side of the wall.
Before Plagg flew to follow after him, he turned to Marinette. Dropped his voice very low and spoke to her.
"He's going to insist that you know who he is now." He warned her.
Marinette appreciated the heads up. "I know." She told Plagg confidently. "I won't let him."
Plagg nodded his little head and flew off.
When Chat Noir came back around the corner. Marinette was still sitting up in bed and her blankets were straightened. Tikki sat perched on her knee. They were talking in whispers, but Chat Noir could hear that Tikki was reassuring her about something.
Noticing him enter the room. Marinette turned to him.
"Chat… I…" Marinette started to say.
He shook his head, stopping her question with a gesture of his clawed hand. "Rest m'lady, you're very sick."
But that wasn't enough to stop her questions. "How did you know it was me?" she asked him.
He couldn't answer that honestly. God help him. So, he settled on a half-truth this time.
"It was an accident. I swear." He poured as much sincerity into his voice as possible.
She would either believe him, or she wouldn't. He was ready for the consequences whatever they may be.
Closing her eyes in quiet contemplation Marinette took in a breath and let it out slowly.
"I believe you." She told him. The expression on her face, almost looked… relieved?
There were more questions to ask. So many more questions. But they could all wait. She didn't have the energy to ask them right now.
Truthfully, she never wanted this to happen. But now that it had. Well, let's just say it had been a very revealing few days. Add it to the plethora of other issues in her complicated life. Chat knowing about her identity almost paled in comparison. But she would deal all of it on another day.
"This all feels like a bad dream." She spoke weakly, collapsing back against her pillow.
Chat felt his heart burn. Feeling like he had betrayed her.
"I'm so sorry, Marinette. I really am." He urged. Wanting so badly for her to believe him.
"K-Kitty, it's ok. I-I'm just glad it-t was you." She shivered.
At least it was him. Someone she could wholeheartedly trust. And not Hawkmoth or all of Paris for that matter. Chat Noir would never betray her. He was, perhaps, the only constant thing in her life.
Teeth chattering she muttered softly. "S-Sorry, I can't seem t-to get warm."
Without another word, he pulled back the blankets and sheet, and climbed into her bed.
"Scoot over." He instructed gently.
"Chat… no… I'll get you sick." But she was already scooting over to accommodate him next to her..
He laid down next to her, pulling her closer. "Worth it." He purred.
He wrapped his arms around her. Using his body heat to warm her.
There was a little bit of adjusting, but soon Marinette lay still.
Laying in her bed, facing the pale-pink wall, Marinette tried to tell her heart to stop beating so fast. But she couldn't deny how unbelievably sweet the gesture was. Her mind also tried to ignore the fact that Chat Noir felt like a hand-carved Greek statue of living, muscled, flesh wrapped up in a magical wrapper that faintly hummed against her skin.
He smelled subtly like eucalyptus and mint. Perhaps a lingering shampoo? At least her sinuses weren't as stuffy anymore and she could actually smell it.
And after a few short, but glorious minutes, she finally stopped shivering. And it only took another few seconds, for her to fall asleep. Blissfully warm, comfortable, and relaxed.
Chat Noir continued to hold her tightly. Only because he didn't know when he would ever get to do it again. And the thought was killing him.
He buried his face in to her hair and focused on what to do next. Because he never wanted to let go.
Author's Note: Happy New Year! Oh my gosh, I have so much to say. I guess, number one, I want to thank everyone for their patience. I know this chapter was a long wait. Trust me, I wanted to be writing, but I've just had soo much going on.
If you're curious, here's a little breakdown: Moved to a new state, new job, hated the job, got a new job (a better job!), bought a house, spent two month renovating said house, moved in, Holiday madness, and now, here we are.
I must say, this year has been interesting. But I am settling in now. Things are good. My New Year's resolution? Write more. Because I do love it. And I love you all for loving my stories. Thank you for all the positivity and kindness. Stay well! Stay safe!