28. Domesticity

The following months were hard, but that was to be expected.

The big difference was that Marinette was over at Adrien's place far more often than not. Whether she was cooking for him, helping him try to keep his thoughts straight, or just working on her fashion commissions in the background, she was there. And while he did complain that he felt like he was taking advantage of her by depending too much on her, she constantly reassured him she didn't mind. He was her partner and her friend, both in and out of the suit. Helping him get back on his feet was hard work but something she was more than willing to do.

Once, the thought popped into her mind that this was what the vow "in sickness and in health" meant. And while they were nowhere near thinking of marriage—heck, even a romantic relationship wasn't even on the table at the moment—Marinette couldn't help but think on it anyway. After all, she'd certainly had a plan to marry Adrien at one time in her life, and she can't say she hadn't considered what a life with Chat would have been like. And if a possibility of them being together surfaced in the near future…

She shook the thought from her head. This was no time to be thinking on things like romance and domesticity. That shouldn't have even been on the table, even if her heart throbbed every once in a while in reminder that she did love the man she was taking care of. Her best friend and partner. No, now was the time to focus solely on helping him recover.

Which, much to Marinette and Adrien's relief, he was.

It was a slow process, but his appetite had been returning. He'd been able to stomach more food as of lately and keep it down without looking green in the face.

The fog over his eyes had also cleared up for the most part, and he no longer walked around in a haze. The exhaustion still persisted, and his mind still wasn't fully on point again, but with the progress he had been making, Marinette was sure they regulate in no time.

And she was extremely thankful for it.

29. Roses

"That… is a lot of roses."

Marinette couldn't help but gawk when she entered Adrien's house. She'd been given a key back before he'd even revealed himself to be Chat, back when she had forced herself into the role of Adrien's caregiver. He'd given it to her one day out of exhaustion of the "game" she played, one titled "I do not care if I stand at your door for an hour, I will knock every thirty seconds until you open the door." So, an agreement had been reached she'd always come over at a certain time and let herself in to check in on him.

Currently, the boy in question was nowhere to be seen. Instead, she was left staring at a large bouquet of deep red roses speckled with brilliant white lilies in a glass vase tied off with a lovely pink ribbon. In the middle of the bouquet was a glittery plastic stick that held a card that read "Marinette" on the front of it. It was a stunning sight.

Where did you even get those, Adrien?

And why?

After putting her purse down by the front door, she walked over to pluck the card off the stick, carefully opening the back and pulling out the pink card. Inside was a familiar handwriting, one that was steady now after months of recovery.

Marinette,

I don't even know where to begin. I guess with a thank you. Thank you for everything. From staying by my side as Marinette and caring for me to insisting I'm still your partner as Ladybug and refusing to let me go to every other thing in between.

While these flowers don't even put a dent into the debt I owe you, I felt they were a great place to start. Something beautiful for someone beautiful. I want to say that I'm ready to spend the rest of my life by your side paying you back, but that's likely getting to ahead of myself. I have been in love with you for years, as you know, and have confessed my love to you as Chat multiple times. My love for you is still true, even though I know you've drawn your lines.

Maybe I'm reading too much into this and only seeing what I want to see, but lately, it feels as though those lines aren't as hard as they used to be. Or maybe I've just gotten Nightingale Syndrome bad for you. Either way, I want to take the chance and put myself in your debt a little more by selfishly asking you to let me take you out on a date.

If your answer is no, I'm prepared for that. I never want to pressure you into something out of responsibility for me or out of guilt. I will still stand by your side as your partner and friend, forever.

But if your answer is yes, it would be one more thing of the countless you've done for me that I will be eternally grateful for.

Forever yours, in whatever way you'll take him,

Adrien

When she finished reading, her hands fell to the table, letter still clutched in them as she tilted her head upwards in a vain attempt to keep the tears at bay. "Don't cry," she warned herself.

But even then, she knew it was too late.

With a beaming grin, she looked down at the card once more, scanning over the contents yet again. She only looked up again when she caught movement out of the corner of her eye.

Adrien, looking better than she'd seen him in the five months since she'd taken his ring, was leaning against wall. He'd somehow cleaned up with a haircut—how he had managed to keep an appointment like that a secret from her was beyond her but also gave her confidence that he was feeling well enough to manage on his own again—shaved, and dressed up in a pressed button down, a vest, and slacks. His eyes were now clear, clear enough for her to see the fragile hope shining in them, even from across the room.

With a smile she couldn't suppress is she tried, she dropped the card on the table, scurried over to him, and threw her arms around his neck. He caught her easily, no longer unsteady or requiring the assistance of a wall or other solid object, and held her tight.

"Yes, I'll go out with you."

She felt the tension leave his shoulders as he squeezed her tighter, clinging to her like a lifeline. "I thought I was might have been asking too much or springing that on you too suddenly."

"No!" she quickly assured. "I mean… it was sudden, but I don't mind. Not at all."

He sighed with relief. "Good. Good; I'm glad."

She giggled. "You're not normally so speechless."

He chuckled awkwardly. "You have no idea how terrified I was of your answer."

"You? Mr. Confess-on-a-daily-basis was scared?"

"Of this one, yeah. I think this was the scariest confession to date."

Worried, Marinette pulled away a bit, just so she could face Adrien and meet his gaze. "Really?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Because this time… it felt like I really had the most to lose compared to any other time I've confessed. You've seen the worst of me, and you've faced my darkest side. You could have easily said no now that you knew that about me."

Pursing her lips, Marinette considered his words. "The thing is… I… don't mind," she eventually sputtered out. "Because I've seen you at your worst, and yet I also know there's no one else I'd rather be with. There isn't anyone in this world who doesn't have that hidden ugly side of them. But yours doesn't scare me in the slightest."

To say Adrien was speechless was an understatement. For a moment, he gaped like a fish on land before he finally grinned, letting loose a chuckle before blinking away tears in his eyes.

Marinette was quick to cup his cheek, gently swiping away the tears. Adrien reached up, laying his hand over hers. "Well," he murmured. "Guess I really can't let you go now, can I?"

Marinette grinned, her own eyes prickling with tears. "Who said I was going to let you let me go?"

"Fair enough," he said, grin growing. "You're stubborn like that. I should know by now you're way too stubborn to let me go."

"You better believe it."

30. Trust

It had been one year since the day Adrien's father's mansion had caught fire, and although Adrien had officially been cleared of suspicion of killing his father, the public was still skeptical of anything involving the Agrestes, especially with Nathalie Sancour having suddenly and mysteriously passed as well.

After struggling with the company for a year, it had officially dissolved and Adrien was finally able to be free of that burden. Yet, the burden of guilt still weighed on him.

"We've been over this," Marinette assured. At the moment, Adrien was laying across her lap while she gently stroked his hair, a habit both of them had come to enjoy very much. "It was an accident. You fought your dad as Adrien and ran, but then went back as Chat when you thought he was out of the house so you could snag the book that wasn't even there. You ended up pushing him off you when he tried to choke you out. The fact he fell and cracked his head open on a fallen statue was not your fault, nor was it your fault a fire started."

"I still don't know what happened," Adrien muttered. "I don't think he had any candles lit. I thought I heard glass break, so did a lightbulb break and send sparks flying? Or maybe he was cooking in the kitchen and something happened there? I really don't have any clue."

"See? So you can calm down. It was all in self-defense. Don't feel bad for Nathalie, either. You were the one that called an ambulance for her when she suddenly collapsed."

"I realized why she did," Adrien said. "Same reason my mom collapsed. They each had the same symptoms, and they both wore the peacock miraculous. It was likely broken the same as my ring."

Marinette's hand stilled in his hair. "They what?"

Adrien froze, his body suddenly becoming stiff. "Did I not tell you?"

"No!" she cried. "Excuse you, but when did you come to this revelation?"

"I really never said anything?" Adrien asked, panicking as he scrambled to sit up so he could meet her eyes. "I swore I did!"

"No, you did not."

With a groan, Adrien rubbed his hands down his face. "I'm so sorry."

Marinette sighed. "Well, at least I know now. I'll be sure to work on that one next."

"Sorry."

"You're fine," she dismissed. "I guess it's understandable considering how out of it you were. There were days you did not know left from right."

"I'll take any excuse you let me have," he said with a sigh, still looking disheartened. Marinette was sure that if he was transformed as Chat, his ears would have been drooped low.

Cute.

"On that same note, how is the ring coming along?" he asked. "I know you've been working hard. Have you made any headway?"

A grin suddenly spread across her face as a sudden urge to tease him struck her. "Oh? Did I not tell you?"

His eyes almost got misty as he pouted at her. "I said I was sorry."

"I am, too," she continued. "Because otherwise, I would have already told you I fixed it."

Adrien's eyes nearly bugged out of his head as his jaw dropped. "Y-you did?"

"No."

She laughed at the sudden shift in his expression, his hope being squashed as he glared at her, completely unamused. "You are cruel, 'bug."

Her laughter subsided as a warmth spread though her. "Did I also mention I'm really glad you started using that nickname again?"

His previous irritation faded as he returned her smile with one of his own. "I won't lie: I missed saying it."

"I'm up for hearing it for as long as you're up for using it."

"Good, because I don't intend on dropping it any time soon."

"I'm really glad to hear it," she said. "For that, I think you deserve a reward."

"Kiss?" he inquired excitedly.

A warmth blossomed on her cheeks as she giggled. "Well, that wasn't what I had in mind, but I'd be willing to give you one of those, too. First, close your eyes."

"Only one?"

She rolled her eyes. Kisses rarely stopped at one. She was very much okay with that, though. "Fine, two. Now, just close your eyes."

He shut them, but then immediately cracked open one to steal a peek at her. "What do you have planned?"

"Just trust me."

He shut his eyes all the way. "You know I do."

"I do," she confirmed. With that, she took his hand in hers before sliding a ring from her pocket onto his hand.

She didn't get the ring halfway on his finger before he looked down at his hand in shock. "My ring."

"Yeah," Marinette said, lacing their fingers together. "I really did fix it. It took a lot of trial and failure, though."

"How…?" He stared at his hand in awe before turning to look at her, then turning back to his ring.

She shrugged. "Magic and time. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to fix the peacock in no time after this experiment."

She swore she saw tears in his eyes. Whether he did or not, she still reached up to cradle his cheek.

"Hey," she said. "Promise me one thing?"

His green eyes locked to hers, and she swore her breath caught in her throat at the intensity in them. "Anything."

"Next time you have a problem like this, one so big your emotions get too much for you to contain, come to me first, and don't push me away."

She was right; he did have tears in his eyes, because at her words, they began to fall.

He grasped her hand tightly. "I promise," he said, nuzzling her palm. "We're partners, and I promise that I'll trust you to be my partner and help me through the next time anything like this happens. But I just hope there won't be any more surprises like that. Once is enough, and I learned my lesson."

He meant it. Marinette could tell by his tone and gentle expression and the way he held her hand: tightly as though he was afraid to let go.

"I'm really glad to hear it," she said, her heart fluttering as a warm, fuzzy feeling floated through her. "Now, I believe I promise you a kiss."

"Two," Adrien said, reaching up to cradle her cheek while he leaned closer. "You promised me two."

"I doubt you'll be able to stop so easily."

"Since when do I ever?"

"Touché."

31. Soulmates

His black suit never looked so good.

"Well, well, Chat Noir," Marinette purred, leaning against the railing of her balcony with a cattish grin. "I thought you said I wasn't going to see you again."

"Unexpected surprises do happen, Princess," he returned, shooting her a wink as he took a seat on the railing.

"And it's such a purr-leasure to see you in your black suit."

His own cattish grin widened. "For your purr-usal, princess," he said with a wink.

Oh, how wonderful it was to have her cat back. She'd even keep up the stupid puns for him. "Hmmm, I sur-paws that you're the cat's meow."

Dramatically, he threw a hand over his heart—

And nearly fell off the railing.

"Chat!" Marinette snatched his wrist, catching him in case he couldn't catch himself, which he thankfully did.

"Heh, uh… looks like it's gonna take a little more time before this cat can land on its feet one hundred purr-cent of the time again."

"Not funny."

"Relax, Marinette," he said, sliding off the railing and onto the balcony so he could stand in front of her and wrap her up in his arms. "I'm almost totally back to normal."

"Don't push it," she warned. "I still worry about you."

"I won't."

"You almost did."

"We were having a good time with my pun-hating girlfriend throwing them back at me. How could I not be awestruck and caught up in the moment."

She snorted in amusement. "Well, the fun and games end when my kitty takes a fall he can't recover from."

He sighed, propping his chin on her head and beginning to purr, settling her down.

"That's unfair," she muttered, happily snuggling into his embrace. "You know I like your purrs."

"I know you do. And it's only fair for me to take responsibility for every heart attack I give you."

She grinned. "I'll hold you to that."

"I'm more than happy to," he assured.

With a sigh, Marinette relaxed completely against him, grinning like the lovesick girl she was. She was more than content to play around with him, but she was more than content to snuggle, too.

"Have I told you today how much I love you?" he asked, smile audible in his words.

"I think you have, but I'm always happy to be reminded."

"Let's see… I love you more than my cat puns."

She gasped. "Impossible."

"I know it seems that way," he teased. "But it actually is possible, if you can believe that."

"I'm not sure I can."

He chuckled. "Well, let me put it this way: puns are the bread and butter of my life. But you're my other half, and I really can't live life to the fullest without you."

"But you need bread and butter to survive. So wouldn't they be more important?"

"They are an inherent need. I didn't choose the pun life; the pun life chose me."

She snorted, burying her face against him to hide her growing grin. "You're such a dork."

"Yes yes, I am. I'm a package deal, but you seem to accept that."

"I do."

"Which I'm so glad for," he continued. "Because as I was saying, unlike the puns, I chose you. You came into my life and completed me in ways I didn't realize I needed to be completed, and if you disappeared, I would be only half the person I once was." He pulled away just enough to look down at her, his joking tone gone in favor of a serious one. "You're my soulmate, and the biggest blessing I have ever received. And I'm so so thankful for you."

Her heart felt like it could burst from her chest. "I love you, too, my kitty. You purr-fect me."

He grinned, his green eyes shining and his expression seeming to brighten the night. "That was a good one."

She giggled. "I learned from the best."

A/N: Thank you all for bearing with me for this story. I know it's not my best work, and I would say chapters 6-10 were not my best work due to life chaos and me focusing more on just wanting this story done. (and I promise I'm not fishing for nice compliments here.) But thank you for all the support for the story anyway :) Hope you enjoyed it.