It was early in the morning when Marinette started to wake up. She stretched her body and it felt like it was made of lead. She was still sore, and very tired. She didn't want to wake up. She tried to turn on her side but couldn't move. She thought she was once again tangled in her bed sheets. Her eyes still closed, she sighed and tried to pull on her blanket with no avail. Something was definitely wrong with this blanket. It was so heavy... and warm? Then she felt her blanket move on its own and her eyes shot open.
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What Marinette saw first was a mop of blond hair, right beside her head. Then, two green eyes looking at her questioningly. Wait. This was definitely not her blanket. She suddenly realized she couldn't move because two arms were holding her tight... And those two arms were attached to... to Adrien!
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"Hey..."
"A..."
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Wait. Why the hell was Adrien Agreste cuddling her, in her bed?
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Two days ago
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"Oh god... How... How could he do this... and I... I can't to go back to the mansion... I... I have no place to go... I... lost everything..."
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Adrien was in total shock. He couldn't stop shaking. Why? Why him? Why did Hawkmoth have to be his father? Oh god. All this time, he was fighting his father. And he was hurt multiple times. Almost died a few times. Because of him. He was the reason Paris had suffered for the past four years.
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Tears were running down his face. He couldn't stop them. He was all alone. His mother, and now his father...
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"Oh kitty... Adrien... Shhhh... Don't worry, I'm here... I'll never let you down, you hear me?"
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Right. Ladybug... Marinette was there, with him. She was holding him tightly, stroking his hair gently, whispering reassuring words. He griped her firmly in his arms, and hid his face in her shoulder. He was on the verge of a panic attack. His mind was spinning. He felt like he was about to puke.
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He doesn't know how long they stayed like this. He was cold, but a bit calmer. Adrien slowly loosened his hold on Marinette and drew back a bit, to look at her. In her eyes, he could see her pain, her worries, but also softness and something else. He realized that she had been crying too. She smiled softly.
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"Adrien... Would you like to come to my place until we figure something out?"
"I... I can't ask you that..."
"Silly kitty... you're not asking, I'm offering. I know it would be impossible for you to go back to your place tonight..."
"But you parents..."
"...would be glad to welcome home one of my best friends in need."
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Marinette put a shaky hand on the boy's right cheek and wiped a lone tear with her thumb. Adrien leaned into her touch and closed his eyes. They stayed silent for a few minutes.
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"Ok... I'll... I'll come."
"I'm so glad kitty."
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Suddenly, realization hit him.
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"What about fath... Hawkmoth? Where is he?"
"Don't worry. Rena texted me and the police took him and Mayura. They are in the hands of the authority."
"Oh... ok... But... Mayura... Who... Is she..." He couldn't finish his sentence.
"Yes... it's Nathalie... I'm so sorry..."
"I... Who else could it be anyway..."
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At this moment, two floating creatures appeared. Without a word, they both hugged Adrien.
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Tikki had recharged right after Ladybug's transformation was over. She then saw Plagg laying unconscious on the roof tiles. She used her magic to wake him up and fed him. The ladybug-like kwami broke the silence.
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"I'm so sorry Adrien... That never happened before..."
"So, what are we doing now?" asked Plagg.
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Marinette smiled and stroke his little black head. She had a plan.
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Soon after, Ladybug was swinging across Paris, holding tightly Adrien by the waist. They arrived at the Dupain-Cheng bakery and since it was closed due to the fact that it was late, she knocked at the front door. After what felt like an eternity, a very imposing man answered, followed by a small Chinese women.
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"Ladybug! What brings you here, my dear? Oh and Adrien! Oh my poor boy, come inside."
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They came in and Tom locked the door behind them. Ladybug than turned to them.
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"Hi miss and mister Dupain-Cheng. I'm sorry to come so late and unannounced."
"Don't worry, you're always welcome here. Would you both like some warm tea and pastries?"
"Thank you for your hospitality madam..."
"Please, call me Sabine."
"Thank you Sabine but I don't have much time. I came here to ask you if Adrien could stay with your family for a few days. I know he's a good friend of your daughter."
"Of course! Adrien, we would be glad to welcome you in our home. Please, stay as long as you need."
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Sabine immediately hugged Adrien while Tom smiled and patted his back. The teenager was surprised by such a warm welcome. They didn't hesitate a second before they agreed to ladybug's request and it didn't seem to bother them at all. Marinette was right when she said they would be glad to have him stay.
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Adrien smiled slightly for the first time since the moment he discovered the truth.
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"Thank you very much... I... I didn't know where to go tonight..."
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His smile faded and a warm tear rolled down on his cheek. Tom put his large hand on his shoulder.
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"Come on, son. You must be exhausted. We'll feed you and prepare you a bed."
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Ladybug smiled, seeing how her parents were so welcoming.
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"If you'll excuse me, I still have a lot to do so I'll have to go now. Thank you very much. You're so kind!"
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She waved them goodbye and as soon as she was outside, she swung across a few rooftops before she came back on her and leapt on her balcony. She quickly detransformed and jumped on her bed. Marinette then ran down to her family's apartment, were she saw Adrien sitting in the living room while her parents were in the kitchen, preparing a late snack.
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She sat on the couch just beside him, so close that their shoulders were touching. Her parents came back in the living room with warm calming tea (made with special herbs her mom had brought back from China last year) and croissants, macarons, bread and cheese. They explained the situation to Marinette, and agreed that they would set up a bed in her bedroom for him.
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An hour later, Marinette was snuggled up in her bed and Adrien was laying on his back on the foam mattress that was set up for him. They talked a bit, but soon, Marinette fell asleep, exhausted. Adrien though, couldn't close his eyes without images of the last battle flashing behind his closed eyelids. So he stared at the ceiling all night, lost in his thoughts, while listening to the steady breathing of his friend.
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The next morning, Marinette woke up to the sound of a cellphone ringing. She realized it was not hers, and looked down to find the offending device. Adrien, who was sitting on her chaise, answered his phone.
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"Hello?... Yes, it's me. Oh... Oh ok... yes. When? Ok I'll be waiting... Yes, at the Dupain-Cheng's bakery. Thank you officer. Bye."
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She got off her bed and sat beside him.
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"Hey... Were you able to sleep a bit? I hope it's not your phone that woke you up."
"No... I couldn't sleep at all..."
"Oh no... poor kitty... Hum, who was calling?"
"The police... Since Hawkmoth is.. well you know... they need to talk to me..."
"Oh... I hope they don't think you're an accomplice..."
"I don't think so... If it was the case, they would have already brought me to the police station and questioned me about it."
"Yeah, I think you're right... But then, do you know what they wanted?"
"Not really... They said they had to show me something. They must want to verify if I have any information on the location of his lair, probably...something like that"
Marinette took gently his hand in hers and looked at him.
"Don't worry, Chaton. I won't let you go there alone. I... well Ladybug will go with you."
"Thank you so much my lady... I don't know what I would do without you right now..."
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She squeezed his hand and smiled at him. Adrien thought that he was so grateful and lucky that Marinette was his lady. He couldn't have wished for a better partner. And now, even if it was an awful time, he knew she would be there. That was the only thing he was sure of.