Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous or any of its characters. Admittedly, I'm just going to write out stuff and see where it takes me today, because I don't have a super solid idea for what to do for this prompt.

Letting My Guard Down

He considered her a saint, what with the amount of patience she had.

No matter what, Marinette always had an air about her. Someone who would listen. Someone who would lift the weight from your shoulders and bear it equally despite it not being her problem. Someone who could rest a hand on your shoulder and remind you that not everything in the world was out to get you, that there was still some kindness in everyday people.

It was always embarrassing, breaking down in front of her. Based on the way she looked at him, he had no doubt that she had envisioned him the way everyone else did: perfect, obedient, and unbreakable. But soon after Marinette knew what kept knocking him down, she understood.

He wasn't perfect, no matter how hard he fought to be.

She would always come in with a peace offering in hand. Maybe it was some camembert she had fished out of his bag, or a small macaroon she had packed with her lunch. Something would be in her hand, and she would always offer it to break the ice.

After that, she'd sit down next to him, and it would take less than a minute before she could convince him to let his guard down.

Marinette had seen him angry. She had seen him depressed. She had seen him cry and scream and bite his lip and struggle to hold everything in because that's what people expected him to do.

And she never judged him for any of it.

Which is why, when she came to him during a late fencing practice, tears in her eyes, he immediately dropped everything.

Marinette's soft sobs echoed from her covered face. Even with the half-hug he could give her, there was nothing stopping the stuttering cries from the black-haired girl.

"'M sorry, Adrien," she whispered, curling further in on herself. "I know I'm supposed to be strong-"

He cut her off at that.

"Hey," he murmured softly. There was a touch of firmness to stop her train of thought before it could go to a place he was all too familiar with. "It's okay, Marinette."

When red-lined blue eyes looked up to him and a protest sounded at her lips, he shook his head. "No, I promise, it's okay to break down at all the stress." He tilted his head, a comforting smile pulling at his lips. "You've always been there for everyone else, including me, and without fail. You do so much for everyone around you. I'm more than happy to help you as you've helped me. So go ahead, let it all out…"

That tripped off more sobs, and in a moment, Marinette's tears were staining his T-shirt.

"I want to help you, Marinette." His thumb stroked the back of her head. "If you ever need to vent to me again, let me know, and I'll be right there to help you through it as best I can…"

A sniffle left her, and as her shaking body began to calm down, her quiet voice reached his ears. "Thank you, Adrien… You're an absolute saint for doing this…"

He laughed at the same low volume as her words. "You know, I could say the same thing about you…"

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