So we are sitting at 484 pages and about 264488 words in so congratulations to all those that have made it this far!
(Slow Burn Detective AU!) Marinette is used to working alone on the streets of Paris as she strives to take down the Hawkmoth gang. When the thief Chat Noir comes crashing into her life things are bound to get magical, especially when co-detective Adrien returns to Paris and seems to want to be her new partner. Will their fated partnership end in a capture or a kiss?
Closing Actions
The tunnels were silent in a way that the basement and a quiet room were not. The complete darkness with shapes swimming out of the gloom every few steps added to the creepy ambiance but there was no real sound down here. Footsteps were muffled things and it took several minutes for him to finally start picking out the other background noises. Even those noises were muffled twisted things, sounding more like strangled growls or hisses where the odd angles of the walls contorted their echoes. The air was different too. It hung damp and cool against Adrien's exposed skin, like a dew draped cobwebs making him shiver as he wiped the dampness away. It actually startled him a little the first time a shiver ran down his spine; he hadn't realized how much sweat had coated him while running around. He had never really been susceptible to the cold, but with the air so cool around him he actually began to shiver as it leached away his body heat. Part of the tremor was the Adrenalin draining from him too, but when he felt Chloe shiver in his arms he realized it wasn't just him. The silence pressed against him making Adrien want to speak up, fill the heavy silence with noise since he couldn't fill the tunnel with light but the whole point of coming down here was to keep the Hawkmoth gang from catching them. Although, Adrien suspected that no one would actually look for them down here. Even if they did Adrien had a feeling that Marinette could make sure no one ever found them. Marinette knew the city in a way that most people would never learn in their whole lives and even though Adrien had realized this the first time he had followed in her footsteps through the maze of streets, he had no idea how Marinette was navigating these tunnels. After all he had been lost in the first five minutes of their walk. At this point Adrien didn't even know which way was north and if Marinette randomly decided to abandon him down here Adrien knew he would probably never find his way back out. Smaller tunnels and cutouts littered the roughhewn walls around them making Adrien wonder how Marinette kept it all straight as she seemed to wander down paths at random. It was obvious she knew where she was going though since at one point she paused where she could get a phone signal and sent Nino a message saying that they were safe but not worry if they didn't make contact till morning.
Finally Marinette spoke her voice seeming far too loud in the tunnel even though it was a practical whisper. "Sorry about the silence. I didn't want to chance anything. We are almost there."
"Oh good cuz, uh, Chloe is getting cold." Adrien returned unsure as to how long they had been walking or what exactly they were walking to. This hadn't been an escape route they had gone over when planning to rescue Chloe so he had nothing to compare the experience too. He might have actually liked the tunnels in a different situation but in this one they felt far too constricting.
Marinette seemed to flinch and her pace increased, "Right… sorry I forgot how cold it can get down here."
A few turns later Marinette started flashing the phone light up at the roof and walls searching for what, Adrien didn't know. When a flash of silver glinted back at them from the roof Adrien knew that they had found their exit. Shifting Chloe back to his shoulders Adrien held Marinette's light as she used strategically placed handholds in the wall to scramble up and forcefully slide a trap door of sorts open. More darkness greeted them and Marinette swung out over the tunnel gripping the edges of the hole before pulling herself up fully. Long tense seconds passed while she muttered curses above him then a wonderful warm light bloomed from the room above illuminating the tunnel. Darkness licked at the edges of the glow and even though he wasn't afraid of the dark, Adrien found himself creeping closer to the hole on sheer instinct. Moments after the glow appeared a ladder shimmied its way to the ground at Adrien's feet and Marinette waved at him before holding the ladder steady so he could climb. Warily he climbed up into a practical shaft that was all roughhewn walls with too cold air that tasted of dust. The space wasn't made for three people and Marinette reclaimed her phone as she opened a door that had been stuccoed then painted to look exactly like the walls. Adrien had thought that all his surprise had been used up for the night but the way Marinette grinned tiredly at him he realized that it must be clear on his face.
"Just stand in here while I close the entrance back up. Technically I'm not supposed to know this entrance is here but I found it a while back and this is as good a time as any to reveal I know it's here. Don't go too far up though, I don't think anyone is here but I'd rather them not shoot first then ask questions later." Marinette chucked and Adrien made sure to stay close while she resealed the trap door then leaned the collapsible ladder back against the wall. The warm glow was snuffed out last and Adrien cringed as the only light left was Marinette's phone once again.
Sticking the lantern back where it belonged made very little noise and Adrien realized with a shiver that Marinette had made almost no noise as she had done everything. Marinette made even less noise as she shifted past him in the narrow corridor that led to another door up some roughly carved stairs. It amazed him to see her move so effortlessly silent since he usually watched her bumble about almost all day. At work she was always tripping, bumping into things, or chatting to anyone who came to her. This utterly silent, dangerously focused side of her made him shiver and pushed at his deepest instincts to challenge her so he could prove himself worthy of her. It was a push that was getting annoyingly hard to ignore if he were being honest with himself.
"You ok Adrien?" Marinette asked looking at him with concern as she knocked on the door in a pattern he knew he would need to one day learn.
"Adrenalin is wearing off." Adrien replied the crooked grin on his face making Marinette soften.
"Right…" Marinette started but was interrupted by the door opening revealing a wash of electric lighting as well as a small elderly man.
"Ah, right on time." Fu complemented making Marinette and Adrien's jaws drop.
"How?!" Marinette demanded not moving from her place except to maybe move a little in front of Adrien. It was a protective move, one that wasn't lost on either of the males.
Fu chuckled a little, understanding her surprise and sudden lack of trust. "I have a knowing child. A simple knowing of where I need to be. No harm will come to any of you this night and besides, I should be asking how you know this place is here. There should only be four who know of its existence."
"I was exploring months ago since I've been stuck on desk duty and I followed the signs… If need be I can take another route. There are always the south tunnels that spit out a block or two from the hospital." Marinette finally answered her shoulders slumping as she glanced back at Adrien guiltily. She did not want to drag Adrien or Chloe back into the tunnels since she had seen him shivering and she was on her last reserves of energy too. If Fu refused them though…
Fu saw the conflicting emotions shadowing Marinette's eyes and smiled a bit sadly. Marinette had always been a little uneasy around Fu from the moment Tikki introduced them. It had surprised Fu that Marinette could sense what she did, although she never quite understood what she felt was a presence of power. It probably never crossed her mind since the presence was something she couldn't explain, especially since he appeared to be a simple, short old man to everyone. Fu knew he made Marinette nervous, and since Marinette always did well by them, he tried not to intervene in her duties or ask too much from her. However as of late Gabriel had severely restricted Marinette making her antsy and prone to doing crazy things like this raid. Gabriel's restrictions had stirred Grams ire as well forcing Fu to act which had led him here tonight. With the stone in Marinette's hands and Adrien or Chat at her back Fu knew that Marinette would not be allowed to sit on the sidelines much longer. Fate would not allow it and it seemed to delight in wreaking havoc lately. Unfortunately, fate had a twisted sort of humor and he couldn't help but wonder when Adrien would finally be caught out.
"Clever, lucky child of Tiki, you know I will never refuse you." Fu said with such warmth that Marinette couldn't help the small smile that brightened her face.
Fu stepped aside and Marinette moved into the open refurbished basement with Adrien at her back. Fu winked at Adrien then pointed to one of the beds along a wall. "You may place Chloe on one of the beds and then we will have a look at both of your injuries hmmm?"
At the reminder Adrien gave Marinette a once over and he gasped as he noticed the spreading stain on her thigh. "Marinette! What the hell?!" He couldn't point since he had Chloe in his arms but Marinette knew exactly what he was talking about since she looked right at the bloodstain.
He expected her to look surprised or may even guilty but instead she just sighed "I know, I know… I'm going to have to change pants…"
Adrien spluttered as she walked towards one of the beds and Plagg sniggered at the back of his neck while Fu pointed at one of the other beds again.
"She is exhausted young black cat." Fu stated in English startling Adrien into focusing back on him.
"Uh… Sir?" Adrien questioned wondering if Marinette or Chloe knew English.
"They do not." Fu answered before he could even ask the question. "Lay Chloe down while I tend to Marinettes wounds. She does not take well to others trying to tend to her and her energy reserves are not yet as deep as yours. The stone guided her here tonight even if she did not consciously choose to follow it. I will look at Chloe and your wounds next."
This time Adrien did not even try and question Fu. He simply walked over to one of the other beds to lay Chloe down while Fu went to cajole Marinette into letting him look at her wound. Since tending to Marinette's wound literally meant talking her out of her pants it was a fairly hilarious conversation that had Adrien stuffing his fist in his mouth to keep from laughing out loud as he covered Chloe up. Unlike most people Fu never became frazzled with Marinette's antics and with her exhaustion creeping up on her Marinette gave in far easier than normal. Dragging a curtain around the bed Fu cut off Adrien's line of sight which made something in his chest dangerously unhappy.
"How bad is it really?" Adrien demanded moving over to the curtain.
"It's just a graze." Marinette grumbled
"A deep graze that bled much, but it does not require stiches." Fu answered coming out from behind the curtain to move to a tall medical cabinet. "It will be fully healed in a day or two with no scars."
Adrien remained where he was although he followed Fu's movements with his eyes. "Why didn't you tell me you were hurt?"
"Because it wouldn't have changed anything." Marinette replied a touch of irritation in her voice. "If anything it would have made you more reckless and that wouldn't have helped anyone."
"She is correct Adrien." Fu commented, a bowl of green goop in his hands and towels draped over his arm as he slipped back behind the curtains.
Adrien let a hiss of irritation pass his lips since Marinette was right but still! "You lost a lot of blood Marinette. If you had said something it would have only taken a few moments to tie a bandage."
He couldn't see her face but Adrien knew she was rolling her eyes by the tone of her voice. "What on earth would you have used for a bandage Adrien, your shirt? Besides, there wasn't any time, it really wasn't that much blood, and yeowch!"
Adrien jerked the curtain aside before he thought about it to find Fu laying the green paste over a sluggishly bleeding, angry red stripe across Marinette's upper thigh. Marinettes eyes narrowed and she was about to yell at him or maybe throw something, but then she saw how the tension drew tight across his shoulders and how fury bracketed his eyes. The fight simply went out of Marinette and she gentled her voice to call him to her side. He came as she knew he would and Marinette saw the smile that Fu had to hide as he cleaned the dry blood from the rest of her leg.
"You will be able to walk in a few hours with no pain." Fu stated calmly as he covered the paste with a clean towel. "For now you must rest and I will check Adrien and Chloe for their wounds."
"A few hours?!" Marinette complained even though she made no move to get up. In fact she slumped further into the pillow.
Adrien dragged the blanket folded at the end of the bed up to her waist before helping Marinette pull off her jacket then vest. He took his off as well folding then placing the garments on the chair next to the bed.
Fu smiled. "You cannot travel till the streets settle again. I can give you some tea if you'd like."
"And not wake up for two days? No thanks." Marinette scoffed punching her pillow into a shape she liked while grumbling as she settled.
Fu smiled indulgently at her and motioned for Adrien to follow him even as her eyes fluttered shut. Adrien did as Fu bade following the older man as he stopped at the cabinet for more supplies then into a different far smaller room.
"How bad was it and how bad are you?" Fu asked the moment the door snicked shut.
"He got shot twice. Once in the back and once in the side but the vest caught them." Plagg stated before Adrien could say a word. "The vest shouldn't have caught the one in the back since normal Kevlar wouldn't have but then again those vests have miraculous magic clinging to them."
Fu smiled "Yes, they will have miraculous magic clinging to them since the silk is spun by a miraculous user. We are lucky they know how to weave."
Adrien gaped "Th-there are others?! Activated I mean?"
Fu nodded "Yes but they are not a fighting miraculous. There powers are meant to build and help others. It tires them to make the vests these days, but like Marinette enjoys making things, so do they."
Adrien understood so he decided not to press for more information even if he was extraordinarily curious. Rolling his shoulders Adrien slumped into a fold down chair beside him and switched subjects. "Like Plagg said I was hit twice and apparently Marinette was hit once. She must have got hit when they started firing through the wall. They were waiting for someone to try and come for Chloe Fu. They had people covering the entrance in the basement although the guys Marinette took down in there didn't seem to know how to deal with her. They had guns but Marinette was too fast for them."
Fu laughed opening a pouch at his waist that Adrien hadn't noticed before. "Not many people know how to counteract Marinette and those that recognize her don't particularly want to fight her. Now turn around and let me put this salve on. It will lessen the bruising and ease the ache. I suspect the Hawkmoth gang was expecting trouble but figured the few covering the building would be enough to expunge any small rescue attempts."
"What do you mean?" Adrien asked wincing as Fu smeared salve across his back.
"The Hawkmoth gang had a small force ready to move in if an attack happened and we only discovered to group a few hours ago. Had Mar not taken you guys trough the underground you would have had to fight every step you took towards safety. The streets are like a kicked ant pile tonight and there is a good chance that one of you might have been killed. Even Chat Noir wouldn't have helped. Thankfully Marinette knew of this place and I had the inkling to come now, you should rest Adrien. You will need your strength for tomorrow." Fu said holding a hand out for Adrien to take.
"Only until Marinette wakes back up." Adrien sighed rubbing at his eyes before taking Fu's hand. "Chloe probably needs to go to the hospital and we need to let my father know of our success. Thank you for helping with our injuries though. My father is already going to be angry enough when he discovers what we have done. If he found that we had been injured too he might really pop a vein."
"I will look at Chloe to make sure she is not in danger. Rest Adrien." Fu said again and this time Adrien listened.
Leaving the room Adrien made a beeline for the bed closest to Marinette as Fu moved over to Chloe. Adrien felt a little bad climbing into the clean bed as dirty and sweaty as he was but he didn't let it bother him for long as he settled in. Even though he'd had a nap Adrien found that he was worn out now that the adrenalin had drained from his system. Plagg had flown off when Adrien went to lie down and he thought maybe Plagg had gone to Fu but then it seemed like he blinked and Marinette was suddenly there waking him up. Blinking at her groggily Adrien sat up to peer around the dim room.
Marinette started moving towards Chloe's bed "Sorry, I'd love to sleep some more but we need to get moving. We need to turn Chloe over… and ourselves."
"Right…" Adrien rubbed at his eyes and swung his legs over the bed.
He hadn't remembered taking off his shoes but they were at the end of the bed neatly placed with his vest. Marinette already had her vest as well as her jacket back on and she was now wearing a black pair of pants. He tugged his vest back on over his head reclaiming his other weapons that had been settled into the chair that sat between the used beds. Fu appeared as Marinette lightly checked Chloes pulse.
"You could stay you know. We did not help you recapture Chloe. The least we can offer is a ride to the hospital." Fu offered
Marinette smiled at him "I know Fu, but I've already alerted Jackady since I couldn't get through to Gabriel. They will meet us a block or so from the hospital since I don't really want them knowing where we came from."
"You've been busy." Adrien accused as he walked over to where they were still chatting.
Marinette merely shrugged "I've only been up for about 15 minutes. It's almost dawn though and we need to move. The streets have settled and I couldn't get a hold of Gabriel so I called Jackady. He thinks it's funny that we found and rescued Chloe all alone. Apparently he's won the bet his precinct had for who got to Chloe first."
Adrien couldn't help the small grin that slid onto his face. He liked Jakady. "I'll have to tell him congrats when we see him. How are we getting to where we need to go?"
"We can either take to tunnels or Fu has offered to drive us." Marinette huffed crossing her arms as she managed a mild glare in Fu's direction.
"I think the car will be safe Marinette." Adrien admitted after a few moments of thought, "The tunnels were only safe before because the Hawkmoth gang didn't expect you to go underground. Since they haven't found us above ground but also haven't heard anything on the news they might start searching below. A car will be far faster and we can just keep our heads down."
Marinette frowned and rubbed at her temples. "I was thinking along those lines as well but I hate to ask Fu to drive…"
"I am a slow walker Marinette, I am not yet blind." Fu chuckled looking amused.
Flushing a little in embarrassment Marinette waved a hand in defeat. "Fine, fine… I'll tell you where to go when we are in the car. Adrien do you mind riding in the back with Chloe?"
Adrien shook his head and moved to where Chloe lay still unconscious. Lifting her into his arms they all followed Fu as he made his way up out of the basement area and into a closed in garage of some sorts. Another grey nondescript car sat in the center and Marinette opened the back door for Adrien so he could get inside. Marinette closed the door for him and slid into the front seat leaning the chair a little back so it would be easy to duck her head below the windows edge. Fu got in the driver's side and within a few moments had them out on the quiet, sleepy streets. It took less than ten minutes to arrive at their destination and Fu pulled into a small alleyway so they could get out within the shadows. After asking Marinette to remain in touch they said their thanks to Fu and he pulled away. Adrien opted to continue carrying Chloe so Marinette led the way sticking to the backways so they wouldn't be questioned on the main roads. For the most part the streets were empty but every once in a while there would be that one good Samaritan that could throw a wrench in the simplest of plans. Less than 5 minutes of walking later Adrien saw the flashing red and blue lights in the alley way ahead making him pause even though Marinette hadn't. Instead of stopping Marinette picked up her pace and Adrien had to scramble a bit to catch back up. Just before they hit the edge Marinette held up a hand for Adrien to wait and walked out into the alley way.
"Hey there Jackady, did Clare not want to join in on the fun?" Marinette asked and yelps of surprise greeted her.
"Dammit Marinette how in the hell do you do that? Wait… where is Chloe?!" Jackady demanded
"Come on Adrien, they won't shoot us now." Marinette called and Adrien moved forwards into the alley.
There were two cars in the alley. One had its lights on while the other was dark and three police stood in the alley now facing them. Jackady was one of the officers dressed in a comfortable looking suit while the other two looked like basic night shift cops. Even though they all knew he was there Marinette saw one of the Night shift cops hands twitch for his gun when Adrien stepped from the shadows.
Jackadys eye brows rose and he waved them both to the dark car. "I'm driving, these two are following. General hospital ok?"
Marinette nodded moving to the car Jackady had pointed at and opened the door again for Adrien. They all slid in and the silence held for all of two seconds.
"Soooo I managed to get a hold of Gabriel." Jackady said turning in the seat so he could back up.
Marinette winced, "How mad is he?"
Jackady shrugged flicking on the cars lights but not the siren. "He got your message and was about to return your call when I called him. He accused me of setting you up, so I can take the heat for this raid if needed."
"What?!" Adrien snapped from the back "My Father thinks you set this raid up?"
"Well no, he knows Marinette's handiwork as much as anyone else in the criminal world. Jumping out a window? Really Marinette?" Jackady asked sounding amused as hell.
Marinette groaned sinking down into the seat. "They were shooting at us! It's not like we could take the stairs! Besides how in the hell do you know that?"
Jackady chuckled "You would be surprised at the commotion you caused before vanishing without a trace. The man I'm assuming Adrien shot, since you don't shoot at people, ended up in the hospital for hemorrhaging issues. The guys alive but is already getting grilled by my people. They caught the other one you so handily tied up in a bow for us and some chick named Poppy came forwards? It's been a busy night nevertheless."
A whine slipped out of Marinette and she sunk even lower in the seat. She had planned to tell Gabriel a slight fib and say she and Adrien had come upon Chloe as they were moving her and got lucky in taking her back. That definitely wasn't going to work now although she wondered why Poppy had come out to tell her side. She had discussed with Poppy a cover story in case they needed her to come forward but that had been more of a back up plan rather than the main plan.
"Either way you gave everyone the slip." Jackady continued "Some of my men have been seeking for a hint of you for several hours. Gabriel's playing catch up but whatever you had planned to tell him I'd stick close to the truth. If he tries to fire you don't worry too much. I have a job open and waiting for the both of you with a higher wage."
"Jackady." Marinette grouched making him laugh as they pulled into the hospitals ambulance area.
There were several nurses and a gurney waiting for them to arrive and the second the car stopped utter chaos ensued. Everyone was whisked inside to a private room where Chloe was checked from top to bottom for injuries. Questions were thrown at Marinette and Adrien about the rescue to ensure Chloe hadn't been further injured in the escape. The doctors main concern was that she had been drugged, both of them omitted the fact that Marinette had been the one to drug her. Gabriel arrived on the scene five minutes after their arrival at the hospital looking rather pissed and the first thing he did was give Marinette and Adrien a once over. The Mayor arrived moments behind him however so Gabriel wasn't able to start grilling them about the details of the rescue. The mayor lauded them as heroes even though Marinette and Adrien both refused the reward he immediately offered. Chloe woke up in all the commotion and Marinette was thrilled when she managed to slip from the room. The sun had risen by now and Marinette yawned as she collected a cup of water from a frazzled looking nurse.
"You can go home and get some proper rest if you want." Jackady called making Marinette turn to face him.
"Gabriel will have to dismiss me Jackady. I still haven't given my full report or anything yet." Marinette sighed wishing that she simply could leave. Exhaustion was starting to pull at her bones even though she'd had a nap and standing around listening to the mayor wail about his baby being home wasn't helping her headache. Leaning against the wall Marinette was a bit surprised when Adrien came out.
"We can leave Marinette. Father wants to see us at 2pm sharp in his office but right now we are just in the way." Adrien snarked as he walked past.
Marinette raised an eyebrow and glanced at Jackady who looked concerned but he didn't try and stop Adrien as he stalked down the hall. After a moment Marinette shook her head and sent a final text to Alya since she had been texting her randomly for the past hour. "I guess I'm a free working woman for a few hours more. Talk to you soon?"
Jackady nodded and Marinette jogged down the hall to catch up with Adrien. She remained silent as they made their way out of the hospital only mentioning in passing that Alya was picking them up. Adrien remained silently fuming on the inside although most people wouldn't know that from the stony unemotional look on his face. Alya eventually pulled up and she took them home asking for small details since she picked up on Adrien's not wanting to talk vibe. Marinette was happy to tell Alya all that went down. It helped organize the events of the past night in her mind. She was a touch surprised as Adrien added little things too and even though he still wore his stone face Marinette beamed at him because at least he was trying. Both of them were fairly exhausted though and Alya promised not to post anything until Marinette got permission from Gabriel to do so. They arrived and separated at their doors to take showers while Alya opted to return home. Adrien planned to go over to Marinette since they still had to plan out an excuse or story to tell his father and they both wanted to be on the same page. Plagg teased him saying it was simply because Adrien wanted to sleep on Marinette's bed. That was true but the planning was actually a major reason why he went over as soon as he was clean. To his surprise Marinette was already fast asleep in her bed so after setting an alarm he lay down with her, swiftly falling asleep as well. The two of them woke to Adrien's alarm and ate lunch as they decided exactly what they were going to say to Gabriel since they both knew they were in for it. Poppy turning herself in had given them a better excuse than the original one they had and Stormy had texted assuring them that Poppy had stuck to the plan perfectly. Two pm was rolling around fast so Adrien and Marinette walked to work wondering just how much trouble they were in.
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