A/N: Hahaha...long time no see, readers :'D I know I did say I'll attempt to upload monthly but ya know- third and final year of uni is super tough, me and my whole flat got covid (and apparently the majority of students living in halls lol), lockdown 2.0, just a punch in the face on a daily basis lmao. This story is purely self-indulgent so I really want to complete this with pure satisfaction but at the same time, do not want to rush it. Without further ado, enjoy!
(P.S. WARNING. A small panic attack takes place at the beginning of this chapter. I have labelled the start of it as (1) and the end of it as (2) in case you're not comfortable reading it and would like to skip it.)
"The signs I'd missed that day fade bit by bit"
"But I'm sure things will be fine - we'll meet again, just as we have..."
テオ (Your hand) - Omoi - Cover by あらき (Araki)
~(x)~
.
.
.
"-This is all my fault. I'm so sorry for failing your daughter-"
"Now, now, Chat Noir. Don't make me repeat myself, it is NOT your fault. She shouldn't have stayed out in the rain for so long and that's why she ended up with a cold and passed out. Not even the greatest heroes on Earth can protect every single little girl from a sniffle or two."
"But Mme. Cheng! I was right there when she fainted and failed to catch her in time! If I was paying more attention, I should have been able to grab her before she slammed her head against the table and now there's blood everywhere-"
"Chat Noir-"
"And now what if her skull got cracked and she got brain damage? What if she loses her memory? What if she lost too much blood or is now in a coma-"
"CHAT NOIR."
"And now she'll never become the fashion designer she deserves to be and take over the world with her amazing creations, all because of me-"
"CHAT NOIR."
"..."
"One, you need to calm down and take a deep breath. Two, stop moving so that I can towel your hair till it's dry. Three, don't be so dramatic, it was only a little bit of blood- the side of Marinette's head got caught on the edge of her coffee-table hence why she got a cut. I have already disinfected it and applied a bandage and she will be as good as new. No stitches needed."
"...oh...okay. I'm...I'm sorry again Mme-"
"Young man. No more apologising. You have not done anything wrong. In fact, Marinette's condition would have been much worse if you weren't there to bring her back to us from the balcony. We were so busy in the bakery today that by the time we would have spotted her, it would have been a disaster. You saved her life again, Chat Noir. So please, don't feel guilty."
"I'll...I'll try."
"Bien! Now, your hair finally seems nice and dry. I'm going to go downstairs and fetch you some soup and some food to take home that will help YOU get better. Also, you are not allowed to leave the house until the downpour has lightened."
"Mme. Cheng! I'm perfectly fine-"
"Every good mother on this planet can tell whether a child is sick or not. It's one of our special powers~ I'll be right back; please keep an eye on my little girl till then~"
"Ah...erm...oui, d'accord...merci..."
The hazy, muffled sounds of her Maman's and Chat Noir's conversation nearby roused Marinette awake, her brows furrowing in slight pain and a soft groan escaped her lips as the older woman made her way down the trapdoor. Chat on the other hand didn't miss a beat, his weight on the foot of her bed shifting till the boy was closer to her pillow, a cracked gasp leaping out of his throat as he noticed her stir. The back of his cool, gentle fingers caressing her cheek was like paradise on Marinette's flushed skin, her baby blues now peeking through her lashes as the last of her unconsciousness seeped away.
Dupain-Cheng was met with a loving, tender smile from Noir, his eyes intense and sweet whilst his spare hand reached for her palm and let the tips of his fingers settle loosely with hers. It was like waking up after a long day of work to the face of your husband-
Before Marinette could blink, an outstanding echo of pain ricocheted in her head, causing her to wince and squeeze her eyes shut as well as clench her teeth with a sharp clack.
'Shoot...Did I get hit by a truck?'
"Hey, take it easy Princesse. You hit your head pretty badly and even have a cold to add to it." Chat murmured softly, lips up turning into an even softer smile when Marinette brought his knuckles against her forehead as if to alleviate the pain and take away the uncomfortable heat that plagued her body. "You're still half-asleep, aren't you?" He added with a chuckle which then turned into a snort from the tsk he got from the girl.
"Dunno...your hand feels so nice and cold and I want it on my face," Marinette mumbled out, sighing happily when she pressed his knuckles closer against her head. "Don't make fun of me." This time, her eyes opened again with a warning glance whilst her partner tried everything to not giggle out loud, lips wobbling as they attempted to stay shut.
"I'm not making fun of you. You're just too cute," The tension on Chat's shoulders started to fizzle down, heart no longer pounding with frenzy since Mari was acting relatively normal. No amnesia, no coma, none of the extreme worst-case scenarios his silly brain concocted up during his panic. For goodness sake, he could have given Marinette a run for her money in the overthinking department! "How are you feeling?" He leaned closer, his messy tresses tilting to the side as he cocked his head, wisps of golden strands sticking out of place.
'His hair looks like a crow's nest in the trees yet he still manages to look so pretty. What the hell!? Stupid boy.' Marinette narrowed her eyes at him, slightly self-conscious of her current state, huffing childishly and turned away from Chat, keeping a tight grip on his hand against her face which caused him to almost topple over her.
'I bet 20€ that I look like absolute shit right now whilst he's there looking like some...some PRINCE who just got out of bed. So not fair...'
"I'm fine, fine, perfectly fine. Just a stupid cold and me being a stupid klutz." She could feel the frown that marred his face without having to see it, decades worth of partnership and battles alongside him has enabled her to read him without relying on her eyes. The raven-haired girl almost gave a pitiful whine when Chat wiggled his hand out of her grip but then her heart started to skyrocket out of her chest when he cupped her cheek and pulled her back towards him so that they can maintain eye-contact.
No room to hide.
She felt a breath hitch in her throat from the concerned, protective expression plastered on his face.
It...did things to her heart.
Wonderful, amazing things.
"What do you remember from today?" His thumb grazed the bone below her eye, mindful of his claws, fingers tangling into her silky locks yet his voice remained low and steady. "If it hurts too much to think, don't answer." He grasped her hand with his free pair reiteratively, resting the entwined appendages above the duvet on her chest.
Solely for his comfort more than hers, his enhanced senses able to feel his Lady's muffled heartbeat below the layers of fabric.
"Oh? Erm..." She cleared her throat, mentally clawing through her brain for the events that took place prior, trying everything to ignore the way his kelly greens set her entire being to flames. "It was...it was just a long school day and when it was lunchtime, I think I was at the park eating with my friends and..." Just as she trailed off, Marinette's eyes widened to the point where they surely should have bulged out of its sockets as everything immediately hit her.
Everything.
Suddenly, she bolted upright on the bed, blind to the way the hero scrambled up to keep her steady as the hammering migraine stabbed against her skull like rusty knives and predatorial teeth. Every memory mocked her with as much intensity as the vocal, deprecating voice in the corner of her mind.
"Marinette! Lie back down-" The rest of his pleas was swallowed back from the petrified face that Marinette wore and the way that her sky blue eyes churned his blood to ice. No longer the loving, warm orbs that often melted his frame into goo.
(1)
Her body began to shiver and tremble uncontrollably. Lips parting open and shut as her lungs seemingly started to reject the oxygen in the air.
"The white rose...you- I mean, Adrien...Adrien getting hurt...the bathroom window and door slamming shut...the white rose again on my balcony and that...that...that person..." The girl instantly inhaled sharply, allowing Chat to guide her back to her pillow as she clawed her head and started to hyperventilate. The boy eased her fingers away from the sensitive flesh, not wanting to risk her digging her fingernails into the skin (a gesture he noted she often did when she was bordering upon a panic attack and would leave crescent marks of blood all over her hands and wrists if no one was there to stop her, her fingers unconsciously finding something to grip on).
All the while, numerous emotions and thoughts clashed in his mind as her words were repeated over and over again like a desperate prayer.
'She definitely knows who I am. That slip up was more than enough to clue me in. And she remembers all the weird stuff that happened today too...' He chewed on his bottom lip anxiously, allowing his partner to clasp his hands with an iron grip in order to keep herself grounded. Chat whispered encouraging words to her, pleading her to breathe and to focus on his voice, allowing her to dig her sharp digits into his suit as much as she wanted.
"It's okay, I'm here, breathe." He slipped one of his hands away from her vice grip, budging her bottom lip away from her teeth to discourage her from biting into the now bruised, almost bloodied looking flesh and used his fingers to wipe away the tears that were starting to pool in her eyes, all the while whispering gingerly to help Marinette calm down.
He hated how he couldn't find the right words or the right things to say other than deliver gentle reassurances. He hated how she was in so much pain, both mentally and physically and he couldn't do anything to make it all go away. Hell, he shouldn't have opened his big mouth and let her rest first before asking about what she remembered.
He felt useless.
Some partner he is.
(2)
Finally, after what felt like hours of her wrangled, muted sobs tearing his heart into pieces, Marinette relaxed and her breathing evened out, exhaustion drowning her body like a tidal wave.
That didn't stop her from tugging Chat towards her frame, pushing his surprised face into the crook of her throat in some form of an awkward embrace, trembling arms tightening around his neck as she nuzzled into his soft hair.
All that Noir could do was freeze up, arms hesitantly raised until belatedly, he loosened up and enveloped Marinette into his arms, snaking one under her neck to push her face into his shoulder and the other around her upper back. His tail that was momentarily stricken like it has been zapped by lightning, mellowed down and draped itself around the girl's torso over the blanket.
It was like coming back home.
"Hey, it's okay," Chat murmured into her hair, nosing through the petal-thin strands as he inhaled her sweet vanilla scent that was mingled with the dampness of the rain, filling him with warmth from head to toe. "It's okay Marinette..." He let loose of all his inhibitions, pressing his lips sweetly against her head, cradling her closer to him, still delivering his delicate, affectionate butterfly kisses. "I got ya," By default, his body let out a deep purr, the boy hoping it would be soothing for her and throwing embarrassment out of the window.
After all, he would do anything to make her smile, anything for the girl he loves.
"Sorry about that..." Marinette's voice came out as a tired croak, her nose congested from the cold and her throat like sandpaper. Her arms loosened themselves around the boy's neck but she didn't have the heart to let them slip away from his touch. The boy quietly paused with his simple kisses in her hair, slowly moving away so that his forehead was against hers and his breath tickled her lips. His purrs never faltering during the process.
She unconsciously licked her bottom lip, noting how dry they felt all of a sudden, cheeks now rouge for a reason other than a fever. She was hypnotised by his eyes and if she tilted her head just right, she could capture his tempting, welcoming lips.
Lips that she knows that is softer and sweeter than they seem upon hers...
"Don't be. I shouldn't have asked you that question in the first place, Princesse," He wore the same sombre look that he gave to her as Ladybug during their last patrol, gutting Marinette on the spot and clearing away whatever daze she was momentarily in.
She really didn't like that expression.
Someone as loving and amazing as him shouldn't have such a sad little frown at all.
'No matter what you say or what you do, you always seem to make him upset. Just your mere existence is a nuisance to the boy you love, the boy you're supposed to protect. Mon Dieu, can you get any more pathetic? Hah! It's a surprise that you haven't managed to get him akumatised yet with your crap!'
Her shoulders sagged with the weight of the world along with the addition of the infinite amount of questions and worries that gnawed at her tiny frame regarding today's anomalies. The biting words and internal yells of her insecurities and failures almost drowned out the feel of Chat Noir's lips brushing her cheek as she attempted to sit back up, allowing the hero to keep her steady and prop a pillow for her back. They wore matching grimaces, exhaustion laced in their features but the older of the two plastered on what he assumed was a reassuring smile.
As expected of her Chaton, always putting her first.
"I...I need to know something, Chat." She squeezed his hand that was resting on her forearm, not able to handle his gaze with the way her mind was frazzled. Much to her dismay (as well as her guilty pleasure), the blonde didn't hesitate to beckon her face back towards him like a needy kitten, palming her cheek so that she was no longer looking at the trapdoor above her bed. The contrast of the coolness of his suit against her heated skin sent relief down her spine and Marinette couldn't help but melt into his touch.
'He's like a blend of his hero side and civilian side now...' Any doubts about his identity that she has been passively speculating on for the past few months or so and even confirmed today was thrown away because whilst his touch was so Chat, his expression was very much Adrien. The wall between them and his identities crumbled in an instance and Chat Noir and Adrien were no longer two separate people, but just interchangeable names for the sole boy.
The French-Chinese decided to fret about that information later (as if the freak-out after school wasn't enough), focusing on her priorities.
"What's up?" He asked, faux ears drooped against his hair, betraying his plastic smile.
"T-Twice now I have seen something...a person outside in the park, in front of my house...it's not you is it?" The response Marinette got was a quiet hiss-like "Quoi?" and an incredulous look from her Minou, thus answering her question.
"Désolé ma Princesse...mais...that was not me...at all." Rage started to seep into his words at the very idea of someone stalking his Lady, his inability to protect her from the unknown. He paused with his internal threats against the mysterious person, repeating her words in his mind. "Twice, you say? When I arrived at your balcony, I assume you saw the person at that time and it pushed you over the edge..." His pupils then turned into slits, Marinette's frown deepening as the cogs started to turn in his head. "Today wasn't the only time these...these things have happened, right?"
There was no use in keeping any secrets, especially regarding this. No akuma, no attack, no problem in the world has ever shaken them up to this extent and it was more beneficial to let down the walls rather than bricking each other out.
Not to mention that their identities were now an open secret between the two, the shorter of the duo absolutely convinced that her partner has recognised her without much difficulty. Probably way before she figured him out.
"They have been happening since yesterday night and maybe, today in the morning-" Marinette began but she was quickly interrupted by Chat, who now clutched her shoulders with a strained grip.
"Why didn't you tell me!? I- You- Dammit! What if that thing hurt you!? Marinette!?"
"I would have told you immediately at the time if I thought it was serious! After it hurt yo- ehem, after it hurt Adrien, that's when I realised that I was wrong...I thought all this time it was some sort of a stressed-out hallucination! But looks like it's not..." She rested her fingers on one of his wrists, giving him a pleading look.
Chat Noir didn't answer for a while, brows furrowed as he was deep in thoughts, teeth chewing on his bottom lip and his hands remained on Marinette's shoulders. The more they dug into this, the more they were thrown into a hurricane of confusion.
Another question leapt out of his mouth before he could think twice.
"You asked if it was me who was standing in the park...why? I understand that I sometimes pop out of nowhere on your balcony when I visit because of how quiet my movements are, but I wouldn't spy on you from afar like that...like some creep." He ended it with a small scowl, sending a tiny accusing glance at his love.
"Calm down, Chat. I only asked because I was hoping it was you and not some random stranger." She glowered back at him but it was quick to melt into a crippled grimace. "I could have sworn he had a cat-like tail and ears but then again, I'm pretty sleep-deprived and it was really dark when I thought I saw him those few times."
"Ears and tail, huh? Perhaps Le Papillon has re-akumatised L'Imposteur instead ofM. Pigeon out of boredom? Ah, no- scratch that. I saw Theo on his bike delivering pizza on my way to your home. Regardless, I wouldn't brush any of this off, Marinette. Your safety has been compromised after all..." One of Chat's claws grazed the surface of her bandage, the belt tail that was draped over her torso now limp and graceless.
Guilt flooded his entire being anew.
"A-And Adrien's too. Moreso him than me cos this was caused by my clumsiness." The bakers' daughter spluttered out, quick to glance at Chat's injured thumb that was hidden by the suit but not quick enough to avert her gaze as the black cat caught it.
'I don't see why you're playing the oblivious card, My Lady. You're terrible at hiding the signs that you know who I am,' Chat thought to himself with some humour, letting out a little sigh. He allowed his forehead to drop against one of her shoulders, hands now grasping hers as he kept his face hidden.
A couple of moments went by with the lovesick pair taking in everything as well as savouring the moment with content. Marinette didn't refrain herself from leaning her head against his, noting the way his chest rose with hers simultaneously as they simply breathed. The scent of the cool autumn air lingering on her partner's suit mingled with the fragrance of the floral softener of the towel her Maman used to dry his hair. Despite everything, just this moment, she felt safe, warm and protected thanks to his presence.
If only they could stay like this forever.
Alas, they weren't normal, ordinary teenagers; they have to save Paris on a daily basis, regardless of where or when and balance it out with their daily lives. Lives that even the average teenager would gawk at.
The blonde's daily life never ceased to be jam-packed with ridiculous early morning routines to stay fit and healthy, extracurriculars to make his father's brand look good, photoshoots as per his modelling job, extra tutoring to stay on top of the class and so much more. His partner's life, despite her tardiness, consisted with commissions and portfolio work at a standard that would make professionals froth, scheduling and working as class president to the best of her ability, helping out in the bakery from creating confectionaries to decorating wedding cakes, creating fashionable clothing that even catered to Jagged Stone's liking and many more things to list!
And the icing on the cake? Neither of them half-ass it when it came to their responsibilities, maintaining high grades and driven with determination to not let their families and friends frown with disappointment. The girl was much more successful with the latter than the boy due to the fact that his Père was an absolute prick and seemed to have a hobby in making his one and only son miserable without batting an eye.
"I'm tellin' ya kid, your old man probably has an attic full of books on ways to be a shitty dad to your children!" Plagg once exclaimed on a particularly bad day for Adrien.
To summarise, the two were exhausted beyond words and the probable 'stalker' only added a few dozen tonnes more of weight upon their crumbling shoulders. If they didn't have each other, they would have shattered into pieces without a doubt.
.
"Chat Noir?" Marinette was the first to snap out of the luxurious façade, ready to face their cruel reality.
"Hm?"
"Do you...do you think that person really is an akuma?"
"...What are you trying to suggest, Marinette?" He pulled away to face her, his lips tightened into a firm line and his broad shoulders tense underneath the sleek black armour. "What else could it possibly be? Une sentimonstre?"
"Non- err...maybe? I don't know, I think I'm being stupid." She was met with Chat sucking in his teeth and giving her a pout, his face leaning closer to hers ever so slightly. The proximity between them both caused the heat in her cheeks to flare almost comically but he was just as much as a mess internally.
"Don't...don't do that. Don't hesitate- say what you mean. I'm not a mind reader and unfortunately, I'm not great when it comes to picking up social cues." He approached even closer. "Wouldn't want me to misunderstand and take things the wrong way, do you?"
'Ah. He's still a little salty with how I made him think I hated him last school year because of my inability to communicate with him properly. Stupid cat...' Pushing her thoughts away, especially her slight annoyance with how the boy was becoming less patient with her these days and more assertive, Marinette finally admitted what was on her mind.
"I feel like we're up against something that is beyond our- I mean! Beyond yours and Ladybug's power." She stubbornly ignored the twinkle in her partner's eyes from her slip up. "After all, what wouldLe Papillon and Mayura gain from stalking a random girl? And so quietly too?"
Chat Noir didn't like where this was going.
"It could...it could be another Sabrina Raincomprix-like akuma..." The boy looked deeply uncomfortable with Marinette's theory, knuckles whitening under his grip. His heartbeat was now speeding up as the doors he never wanted to open in his lifetime was being kicked down by his Princesse.
"Do you honestly think so, Chat? We live in a world where magic exists. Who's to say that the other things we hear about do not?"
She pretty much went and smashed open every door at once.
"...Marinette, if what you're saying is possibly true, I'm probably gonna go absolutely crazy; how am I supposed to protect you from something that we're not fully aware of? Something that no one really is? There are no strategies, no solutions and certainly no miraculous cleansing light to fix everything back up from this. Usually, with these cases, happy endings are almost non-existent."
Chat's eyes turned wide and pleading, internally begging to every omnibenevolent being he could think of for Marinette to be proven wrong. The two of them were thankfully blessed with the wonderful side of the supernatural that thrust itself into their lives last year, the downside entailing them living a double life as well as walking on eggshells regarding negative emotions to avoid getting akumatised.
The dark, mysterious, horrific side of the said supernatural on the other hand?
It would absolutely annihilate them if everything they heard regarding it was true.
"You have to trust me to protect myself." The aspiring designer steeled herself, whipping Chat back to reality and he couldn't help the incredulous look that took over his face. He opened his mouth, ready to protest-
"I'm back! Sorry, I took a while!"
The instant the trapdoor downstairs was opened, the hero tore himself away from the heroine in disguise, feigning nonchalance as Sabine made her way up the steps to Marinette's bed. It took both teens everything to not stammer and pale under the woman's coy gaze, one hand resting on the decently sized satchel that hung from her shoulder, the other gracefully holding a tray of food for her daughter.
Acting upon the gentlemanly instincts that have been ingrained to him ever since he could remember, Chat leapt off the foot of the bed and helped put the tray on a small table next to Marinette, ignoring the sparkling silver eyes that watched his every movement. He could have sworn that he felt the baby hairs on the back of his neck prick up.
Did she overhear anything from their conversation?
"I hope you like spicy food, Chat Noir. They're very good for the sinuses." She cheekily shook the satchel in her hand, a gesture which almost mirrored his Lady's last patrol when she brought along some homemade food to share.
Like mother like daughter.
The boy instantly accepted the package with eager but polite hands, lips curving into a smile despite the heavy topic that was breached moments before the mother stepped in. A perfect distraction that stalled the teens from prying open Pandora's box.
"I have developed a love for them." He was tempted to eye his silent Lady as a nod to introducing him to authentic Asian cuisine but didn't want to give anything away to the curious parent. "Merci beaucoup Mme. Cheng," Chat cradled the package closer to his chest like a precious gift, smile even softer and eyes glazed as they hid below his fringe. "You didn't have to do this for me but you went out of your way to do so. No one has ever done- I...heh...I'll forever be grateful. I feel like the luckiest cat alive," His eyes fluttered closed as he beamed one of his brighter, youthful smile, blind to the way Marinette and Sabine felt their hearts break in tandem from the sad little message in between the lines.
Has no one given him the same love and tenderness when he was sick at home? Ever?
Since Marinette was more conscious about his home life, especially after she just recently found out that other than handsomely paid maids, no one has ever tended to his wounds, sorrowful images of a little blonde boy suffering alone in a big room were all that her mind could conjure up.
No one to come by, take a seat on his bedside and check his temperature with a loving smile.
No one to sit him up and help him drink and eat some food.
No one to caress his soft cheek with a tender hand as he tried to get better.
No one to check if he was even okay.
Marinette was nearly on the verge of tears, hands itching to grab her Chaton back to her and embrace him for eternity with all the love that she could possibly muster. All the love that he rightfully deserves. A boy like him with a heart bigger than many combined deserves the world and mon Dieu, if he ever asked for anything, the girl would not even hesitate to give it to him. Regardless of whether a destroyed, weeping little white cat was involved or not.
She despised his father more than ever and was starting to feel the negativity grow for his absent mother too.
Dupain-Cheng reached forward to grasp his arm, squeezing it as he responded with surprise. The surprise doubled when Mme. Cheng placed her hand on his shoulder, both ladies wearing matching bittersweet smiles yet held welcoming eyes. The younger girl more fond and sweet whilst the other more parental and kind.
"You're always welcome here, Chat Noir. Whether it's to pick up a care-package, to join us for breakfast or even for a cup of tea and some companionship. The Dupain-Cheng household is always open for you." For a split second, the blonde teen could have sworn that the woman rubbing his shoulder was a familiar tall, golden-haired, emerald-eyed lady. He was quick to blink her away and delivered a watery smile.
'It's only been over one and a half year and I've already forgotten what it's like to receive a mother's love?'
"I appreciate it, really. Thank you so much." His smile was infectious, both Chengs mirroring his grin. He hugged the satchel to his chest again for good measure, gratitude seeping out of his pores and his purring more prominent than he realised.
Sabine ruffled his hair like a proud parent and then started to fuss over Marinette. Chat watched the domestic scene with a full heart, brimming with joy as the love of his life got embarrassed and flustered by her mother's doting, being treated with all the love and care she absolutely deserved. Recalling Marinette's previous complaints of her parents having a rather mischievous side and their eagerness to tease her, the boy had a feeling that Mme. Cheng was putting a bit more of a show with her fussing because of his presence.
He didn't mind either way.
In fact, despite him donning the mantle of destruction right this very moment, he didn't feel out of place at all. He felt like he was part of the family, a major aspect of Marinette's life and he couldn't help but wonder what his life would be like in the future if he were to ever officially join them as...
Their son-in-law.
This time, red started to pool in his cheeks and he hoped that his mask hid the evidence, otherwise the smart woman would pry without a beat and he did not trust his tongue right now to give an excuse. 'My Lady will toss me into La Seine without a warning if I brought up her poor father's hopes again with his favourite Chat Noir and Marinette ship by blurting out my fantasies of becoming a Dupain-Cheng.'
Yet, the potential memories he could make here rolled through his mind like a reel.
Waking up at the brink of dawn and kissing Marinette, his wife, good morning in bed whilst she grumbled something out and went right back to sleep, their kwamis snuggled in her hair.
Helping Tom and Sabine get the bakery ready and set up, conversing with the latter in Mandarin like old gossiping ladies ("Māma! You want a grandchild now? A-And at least three children!?").
Marinette speeding down the stairs and scarfing some coffee down her throat as she's late for the umpteenth time for her amazing fashion job but never forgetting to kiss him goodbye and whisper an "I love you, Chaton," before rushing off.
All in all, a typical but wonderful day for Adrien Dupain-Cheng...
Despite these memories not being real, he wanted to protect them. He wanted to protect what he currently has and what he could possibly have.
And no one was going to stop him from giving his everything.
By the time Sabine was finished, squeezing her daughter's cheeks for good measures and scolding her for not being careful in the rain, she made her way back downstairs (but not without giving the hero his fair share of some loving scolding for being just as careless in the horrid weather as well as ruffling his hair once more).
The moment the trapdoor closed shut, all the warmth and joy popped like a bubble as the tension and dread from before swarmed back in the room like smoke.
.
The sound of the raindrops outside fizzling to a halt and the water gushing through the drainage system went deaf to the teens, the duo now stuck in a staring contest, not knowing what to do or what to say. Neither of them wanted the visit to end on a sour note, evident in their timid smiles as Chat hoisted the satchel over his shoulder like a side bag.
They couldn't ignore the territories that they have just embarked upon but there was also no need to focus on it solely right now. Especially with how they needed to get rid of the cold in their system first before diving into the mess.
The hero pushed the worst-case scenarios aside, trusting his Lady and their kwamis to help guide them through this problem as well as protect each other.
She never gave him a reason to doubt her before so there shouldn't be one to doubt her now.
Especially when she turned out to be the two girls he loved and admired more than words could portray, his protectiveness and possessiveness over her reaching the extremes.
And now, with it being him and her against the world, Marinette needed him tofight by her side more than ever. Not have him coddle her like a fragile piece of glass.
No matter how much he just wanted to keep her in his arms forever, shielding her from all the evil in the world that could hurt her or taint her. No matter how many secrets and stories she holds away from him as a method to protect him. Overprotecting his Lady would only guarantee him to lose her.
"I suppose I should make my way home now, it is really late." Chat began, almost startling Marinette when he made his way towards her, one knee on her bed as he leaned into her space. "We'll talk more about this soon, okay?" He placed a hand on her hip, nose almost nudging hers, his breath sweet on her lips.
"Oh- the fact that my friends and I are possibly being haunted by something? S-Sure..." Mari hoped her smile didn't seem too strained or awkward but Chat Noir wasn't her partner for nothing. He raised a brow under his mask, twisting his lips and tapping his claws against her side gently.
'No. I am not going to acknowledge the other thing right now. Leave it alone.' Marinette knew that she was being stupidly stubborn right now regarding their identities. However, she wanted at least some fragments of normalcy to remain as everything else was moving and changing way too fast. She wanted things to go at her pace and leisure as selfish as it was.
Chat Noir, unfortunately for Marinette, wasn't described as angelic or sweet for a reason.
"There's no point in trying to run away from me," His lips brushed against hers as he murmured darkly, a slight edge to his tone, sending a sucker-punch of hormones and feelings down to the pit of her stomach. "I've caught you a long time ago, My Lady,"
The pale girl's brain instantly malfunctioned, trying its best to reboot over and over again as her cheeks fired up with redness that could counter her alter-ego's suit. She didn't even get a chance to argue back or come up with some half-baked excuse as the elusive boy pressed his lips on the corner of hers, parallel to the side he kissed after school in the rain.
No...it was more thanjust the corner.
She could feel the tingle and pressure of velvet and silk capturing almost half of her lips, lingering on the soft flesh long enough for her to get a proper taste of him and Chat to finally, finally get a real taste of her. A feeling that caused electricity to thrum through her veins and set her on fire whilst his touch burned through with indescribable pleasantness.
'Does this count as a kiss? Even if he didn't get my entire mouth? Surely it doesn't right? If kisses count simply with your lips touching, then we have kissed so many times already-' Marinette's spiral of thoughts paused when the model guised as her partner, trailed his lips away from hers, brushed away her fringe and puckered them against the vulnerable wound that was bandaged on her forehead, evoking an inaudible gasp from her. 'This boy...he knows exactly what kind of an effect he has on me and he's using it to his advantage!'
By the time he pulled away, Marinette realised that she was yet to take a breath, sharply inhaling in precious oxygen all the while ignoring the shit-eating smirk that was tattooed on the devilish boy's face.
'I did that. I stole away her breath.' He almost patted himself on the back for achieving such a feat, sucking in his bottom lip to savour and relish that sweet, sweet flavour.
Though, he wasn't done with Marinette much to both her dismay and gluttonous delight. The hand that was placed on her hip guided itself towards her chin, thumb caressing the half of her bottom lip which was still branded by his searing kiss.
He was tempted to capture them again, this time devour her lips fully with his and make herforget her own name. To part her lips with his over and over again until he attempted todive deeper and explore-
"What was that for...?" Marinette's question was no more than a whisper, a breath against the pad of his thumb as he explored the rims of her lips with the digit. Noir merely lowered his eyelids, his feline greens nothing more than crescents on his dark mask and his fangs glinting when he forwarded a toothy grin.
"I don't think you need me to spell it out to you,ma Princesse," He pulled away smugly, combing his fingers through the threads of her dark locks loosely and watched them spill like ink as he stepped backwards. "Get some rest and hopefully I'll see you at school tomorrow before class," All of a sudden, ignoring the way Marinette gaped even further, he directed his gaze at her tray of food, smirk widening to the point where she was sure it would split his face. "Hey Tikki, make sure to look after my Lady whilst I'm gone, please~? And try and leave at least one of thosecookies for her."
The hero swooped through the trapdoor that led to the balcony like a shadow and headed home, cackling with both joy and playfulness as Marinette whirled around to the direction of her food and felt her jaw drop at the sheepish looking kwami covered in crumbs and chocolate stains.
"Tikki!? Why!?" The French-Chinese girl exclaimed, only for her to narrow her eyes even further when the guilty little Goddess let out an uncute burp that would rival her lazy counterpart's. "...Really?"
"What~? He alreadyknows." The little ladybug batted her eyelashes cutely, hugging the last cookie closer to her nimble body. Marinette hated how she was weak to those puppy eyes. She made a mental note to google some advice on ways to become immune to such cute eyes. "And, if you just accepted that instead of pretending you were an ordinary civilian who has no idea who the boy behind the black cat's mask was, he would have given you a better, proper kiss."
"I can't believe you of all people would do this to me...and that's my cookie by the way." The girl ignored the Goddess' last sentence with fiery cheeks and tingling lips. She weakly tried to reach for the biscuit but fatigue and sickness made her motor skills slower and sluggish, causing her to slump over the bed whilst Tikki held the treat out of her reach.
"Marinette, I love you, but these are triple chocolate chip cookies and you know how muchI love triple chocolate chip! I cannot bear to share!"
Said girl didn't bother to argue back, fully aware that trying to pry sweet confectionaries from the usually strict kwami was like trying to tear a kitten away from a ball of yarn or even Plagg from a wheel of camembert.
C'est impossible.
She decided to focus on resting as much as she possibly can. If she couldn't pretend that Adrien was not Chat Noir and that he was blissfully unaware of her secret identity, then she could at least pretend that they weren't currently being stalked by some supernatural entity and that...Chat Blanc didn't happen.
Just for a little while...
~(x)~
After sending Marinette a text to let her know when he reached home, Adrien wasn't expecting the girl to call him a few hours later. The shrill of his customised ringtone for her, echoing in his spacious room, managed to make poor little Plagg dart out of the scrumptious Dupain-Cheng salmon quiche that was packed in the care bag, like a shit-scared cat and hiss at the offending gadget.
Regardless of his initial surprise, Adrien didn't hesitate to rip himself away from gorging through the wonderful and familiar spring rolls to pick up the phone, thus starting a conversation that went way past their bedtimes.
.
"-I can't even believe that we're debating about this at one in the morning, Adrien. This is ridiculous!"
"You're the one who started it,Mlle.'Je déteste le brocoli'. No wonder you're so short- you're not eating your greens."
"Hey! So not true! I'm one of the tall girls now in our year group, even in class. I don't need to eat some nasty, stinkin' broccoli just to get taller."
"But they're full of important vitamins and nutrients and are also guaranteed to make you feel much better when you're ill! If you're not gonna listen to me, then at least listen to your Maman, please?"
"...maybe..."
"Pro-oooooomise me? Buguinette~?"
"Eugh. I can't believe the silly, pun-loving, nerdy catboy is being the wise one right now. One would think that it would be me trying to get you out of trouble as civilians. Also, no. I am not promising. A maybe is better than nothing."
"We'll revisit the battle of the broccoli opinions at a later date, My Lady~ but anyways, you never prioritise your health and safety to the point where you're worse than me; someones gotta keep an eye out..."
"...I'm trying..."
"...Are you? Really?"
"..."
"Not to mention that your sense of self-preservation has only gotten worse around late spring...heh...oh how the tables have turned. Pretty sure it was only like less than a year ago when you gave me a verbal beating for always jumping in the way and taking the hits directed for you..."
"You were literally erased from time and reality during one of the akuma battles. You deserved that scolding you stupid cat. It's nowhere near the same thing as pulling an all-nighter or two."
"You and I both know that you have been pulling way more all-nighters than that, Marinette."
"..."
"You're not eating or drinking on time- very regularly skip meals, you're not getting enough sleep, you're more brutal against the akumas whenever they attack, you hyperfocus on everyone else's needs and wants and heck...don't think that I haven't noticed how you've been trying extra hard to protect me as well as make me happy."
"...I...Adrien..."
"Marinette...it just hurts so much to see you in so much pain, every single day. Not just me, but Alya and Nino too- even the rest of the class...it's probably why I've been a bit pushy lately when it comes to taking care of you..."
"Mmhmm...I've noticed you being a bit more assertive..."
"Even your mortal enemy-"
"Pffttt-"
"Chloé quipped about how it's been a while since you've created something fashion related-"
"Probably said it in that horrible, snarky manner-"
"But she thought it was something worth mentioning regardless. This is more than just an art block, non?"
"..."
"...Are you ever going to tell me what causedall of this? The catalyst to well...everything?"
"...It's complicated,"
"...So even with us knowing our identities, you can't tell me?"
"I don't think it's safe for me to mention what happened at all, especially now that we know who we are. All I can say is that I thought finding each other out would have lead to the disaster..."
"...But we now know and no disaster has taken place."
"Yes, but now something else entirely is going on instead, hurting us both, before we confirmed each other's identities."
"..."
"Can we...can we change the subject, Adrien? I don't wanna think about the deep stuff."
"...I suppose. What do you wanna talk about, Bug?"
"Erm...so erm..."
"Hmm?"
"Ugh- why is this so hard! It's not even a difficult question..."
"Take your time, there's no rush."
"Mmhm...okay. So, how did you...how did you figure me out?"
"It was pretty straightforward if I'm being honest. The more I got closer to you both in and out of the mask, the more the lines started to blur. My heart simply knew it was you all along, Princesse."
"O-O-Oh...is that so...huh..."
"I figured you out when Mme. Mendelieiv got akumatised ya know,"
"Quoi!? But that was months ago! Like half a year ago!"
"Yep. And then you pulled off some convoluted, amazing stunt that only your brilliant mind can come up with, throwing me off the loop completely and made me contemplate my life for a good while."
"Ahahah...sorry about that?"
"You're not even sorry, at all."
"Maybe~? I was really proud of myself with how I managed to pull it off. But...I should have known better. You were bound to find me one way or another even after seeing me and Ladybug in the same place."
"I'm just smarter than you gave me credit for~"
"Oh be quiet, hahah!"
"What about me, then? What gave me away?"
"The cheese smell."
"...Woman, don't make me hang up on you."
"Hahahaha! Fine, fine! It's a bit similar to your story really, with how the lines blurred as I got to know you more. It was only today that I found out for definite that you're...you."
"Okay...and are you...are you okay with him being...me?"
"I couldn't believe my luck, Adrien. The two most important boys in my life turned out to be one all along- it was overwhelming for sure, but I was also really happy,"
"I'm glad. And me too, having solid confirmation thatma Princesse and my Lady were the same girls throughout just made me want to jump on the rooftops and sing-"
"He did just that! That's why you found him on your balcony today, kid-"
"PLAGG! GO AWAY-"
"Oh my, really? I was wondering why you dropped by in the first place but it slipped my mind..."
"...don't make fun of me, Marinette..."
"Aww, I'm not. I find it really sweet,"
"R-Really? I'm glad,"
"Heh..."
"I can't stop smiling right now,"
"Me too- oh! I almost forgot! You're turning fifteen in a few days- is there anything in particular that you would like me to make for you to eat, Adrien?"
"...You~"
"H-Huh? M-Me? You can't eat me!"
"Oh yes I can~"
"Do-Don't be so silly!"
"What was the flavour again? Ah, strawberry-watermelon. Sweet and juicy."
"That...that's the flavour of my chapstick..."
"Yep,"
"...And you must have worked out the flavour when you k-k-kissed...when you kissed me..."
"Mmhm,"
"Chat- I MEAN! A-Adrien...why...why did you kiss me?"
"You know why I kissed you...and why I'm asking for more."
"Oh..?"
"I've confessed to you numerous times, Marinette. My interactions with you have never really been platonic and...I've attempted to kiss you quite a few times as both Adrien and Chat Noir. I'm pretty sure my intentions are crystal clear."
"Y-Yeah..."
"I have a question for you,"
"Hm?"
"You didn't reject the kiss...you haven't been rejecting any of them, why?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"...if...if what I'm thinking of is true...then what about the other boy?"
"...it's always been you..."
"Huh!?"
"NOWGOODNIGHT!"
Beep.
.
"Hey- wait! No!" Adrien pulled his smartphone away from his ear, lips still parted in a bewildered gape as he stared at Marinette's contact photo on his screen. She hung up on him. Immediately after she let out the bomb of the century.
'All along...I was the boy? How did I miss the signs!?' The model groaned into his pillow, mentally punching his brain back and forth for being so fucking dense. It all made sense!
The stammers, the flightiness, the shyness, the gorgeous smiles and the cute blushes...everything!
"You're lucky you didn't piss her off with the whole 'You know why I kissed you, wah wah wah! Notice my feelings! Wah!'. All the while she's been trying to confess to you left and right! BWAHAHAHAH!" The more Plagg teased and droned on about it, the more Adrien sunk his face into the plush fabric with a cringe.
'Mon Dieu...I'm such a DICK!'
"I deserve to be dunk in La Seine a hundred times for this. Man, I can't believe we have been chasing each other around the whole time! We wouldn't have had to deal with it if it weren't for the secrets..." His head suddenly snapped up, realisation plastered on his face and then his eyes narrowed at the mischievous kwami. "And you! You knew all along! About everything!"
"Don't get hissy at me kid, I wasn't allowed to tell you unless it's for an emergency. As for her feelings- that's all on you 'cos the rest of France knew the little lady was head over heels for you." Plagg blew a raspberry at his chosen's face, giving a fanged grin when the boy sputtered in disgust and wiped his cheeks with the sleeve of his pyjama top.
"My blindness to her feelings aside...you don't think the way she has changed counts as an emergency...?" The mood grew solemn, the bedroom now dropping in temperature.
"Unfortunately not. The only time we consider an emergency as an emergency is if it's a life or death situation. Don't look at me like that kid, I don't make the rules...and I don't like them either. Besides, I'm just as much as in the dark as you are. Sugarcube won't tell me anything no matter how much I pester her." The little God then seemed pensive and tense. "This...This isn't due to her stubbornness...I feel like something big has happened, something dangerous..."
"Oh...?"
"And it must have involved you somehow if this caused your Lady to subject herself as a shield to protect you since then."
"What are you getting at, Plagg?" Adrien felt goosebumps take over his body whilst his companion carried on deep in thoughts for once. So much has already happened today and his kwami's sudden use of his brain was just another major shock to the system. The small cut on his thumb which was painless throughout the day suddenly throbbed as the cogs in the little black cat's head began to turn.
.
"I feel like Ladybug fought...something. Something so terrifying. Something that had the potential to destroy everything we knew and loved..."
~(x)~
Meanwhile, whilst clouds parted in the sky to reveal the bright white moon, the young girl was deep in her slumber, oblivious to her surroundings as well as her sleeping kwami.
She didn't notice how everything went dead silent...
She didn't notice how the window to her room down the loft creaked open...
She didn't notice the shadow that slipped in...
She didn't notice its ice-blue eyes dart its gaze at her as it watched...
And watched...
And watched.
"Ma...ri...nette..."
.
.
.
~(x)~
A/N: ...it's 5am...I'll proofread later or something lol. But anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I understand that not much action happens regarding the entity but I wanted to explore the interaction and communication between Marinette and Adrien. Most horror films usually have the protagonist going through shit and their s/o or trusted one being the cynic and disregarding what they say but I didn't want that to happen here. My kids here are a team and I want them both to go through everything together UwU
But also, I wanted to fill in the gaps with titbits, rather than gloss over everything. The identity reveal is not the main factor in the story (it is important though) hence why it's not as climatic as some would have liked.
Regardless, tell me what you think! And I'll see you in 2021! The next chapter then will be when shit hits the fan~