Marinette paced across the wooden floor boards of her room. Her entire body was stiff and all she wanted to do was cry!

"It's been over a week!" she called out to no one in particular and threw her hands into the air. She had been filled with worry and guilt the entire time that her life had basically come to a halt. School work wasn't being done and she'd gained numerous detentions for not handing in assignments or not paying attention. The bakery had only suffered when her parents asked her to help. Marinette's mental state had caused customers to pile up, orders wrongly filled or forgotten entirely. She had hardly slept, only naps when her body forced her to and she passed out.

She hadn't been patrolling the city. She couldn't. The idea of becoming her alter ego once more was riddled with guilt, filled with memories of him and her last images of his convulsing form.

"I know how you feel, Marinette," Tikki said as she flew up and sat on the girl's shoulder. "Maybe you should try and see him."

"Yeah! Go see him so I can go back!" The black cat Kwami floated down to sit next to Tikki.

He'd followed her home that night, claiming that a hospital with so many civilians and an unconscious Miraculous wielder was not a good place for a tiny magical god to be. Marinette and Tikki had agreed, and Plagg had plagued them for the last nine days. He slept with Tikki and demanded cheese and was loud and sarcastic but they all knew he was suffering the most.

"I can't, guys," Marinette sighed and fell onto her chaise, laying down. The two Kwamis found their way to sit on her chest. "They wont let me in. You heard them. 'No friends allowed, his father's wishes.' I can't believe that! I can't believe he wouldn't let Adrien see his friends! Nino was so hurt." Just the memory of Nino's expression that day had pulled at her heart.

"I just want to see him. See that he's okay with my own eyes, you know?" There had been news reports online of his recovery. He'd awoken two days after the battle. There were many speculations, but no one knew much at all.

"Why'd you have to be friends with him? If you didn't say friends then you'd be in there," Plagg grumbled from his place. Tikki reached out a hand and patted his shoulder.

"It doesn't work like that," she said kindly. "They meant any civilian. I bet it's only his father and his staff that get to see him."

The cat Kwami groaned and fell backwards with a huff. "Stupid civilian girl."

"Hey! I'm trying! It's not my fault they wouldn't-" Marinette sucked in a breath, sitting up so quickly that she sent the Kwamis flying into the air. They caught themselves and Tikki floated back towards her charge. Plagg remained in place, still grumbling.

"What is it Marinette?"

"I'm a civilian," Marinette explained with a grin.

"Duh?"

Marinette ignored Plagg's sarcasm and kept talking to Tikki. "I'm a civilian, but Ladybug is a hero. Ladybug isn't his friend. Ladybug saved his life."

Tikki's glistening eyes widened in glee, even Plagg seemed caught up in the idea.

"Think it could work?" the girl asked, hope pooling into her chest.

Ladybug strode through the halls of the hospital. Eyes watched her from every direction. Their expressions were a mix of awe and shock.

The front desk had said fifth floor and so that's where she went with Plagg hidden in a polka-dotted messenger bag that Marinette had planned to use for herself. Well now it was Ladybug's, at least until there were a few more around made by fans. It wouldn't take long.

The red suited hero approached the front desk of the burns ward, glowing with confidence. Inside she wanted to run, hide and cry. It had take several nudges from the two Kwamis to get her inside the hospital. Even now she felt guilty being in her suit without Chat Noir by her side when he lay in hospital.

"Hello. I'm here to see Adrien Agreste," she said smoothly to a young woman sitting in front of the computer. She didn't look up.

"Sorry miss, but Mr. Agreste isn't seeing anyone at-" Ladybug cut her off by clearing her throat pointedly. She finally looked up.

"La-Ladybug!" Marinette just nodded. "Ri-right! Right!" She began to search through files on her computer. "Mr. Agreste is in room thirty four. Down that hall and turn right at the end. Let me get someone to escort you." She was reaching for the phone by her side.

"It's fine," Ladybug said quickly. "I'm sure I can find it just fine."

"Okay then, but I'll just call his security, let them know."

"Thank you, probably a good idea." She gave a small nod and turned down the hall the receptionist had pointed. She didn't need to find the numbers on the doors as a security guard stood outside one way down the end. As she approached the room, the guard opened the door and spoke into the room most likely announcing her arrival.

"Miss," he nodded and held the door open for her. Ladybug ducked in and the door was closed behind her.

It took her a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness of the room. She felt Plagg fly out from her bag but he too was stopped short.

All blinds were closed, barely any light was being let in. It was a private room, only a single bed sat in the middle. A blond young man sat cross legged atop stark white sheets.

He smiled, giving a tiny wave and Ladybug's heart stopped. Tears prickled at her eyes as she realised that he couldn't see her. White bandages and gauze covered his eyes and forehead, wound around his head. Ladybug's tiny gasp was what broke the silence.

"I know it's a bit of a shock," Adrien said and his hand slipped across the back of his head. She knew it was his personal tick when feeling awkward. He was still smiling.
"No! No, no no, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have... I'm sorry," Ladybug ended in a whisper and she slowly moved towards the bed.

"It's okay," Adrien said again. "I'm surprised they let you in, Marinette. I heard you guys tried to come in the other day and I was so upset when they wouldn't let you in. Did the others come?" He was still smiling. Ladybug was forced to admire how strong he was being. She was smiling too as she stood next to him. She was about to open her mouth to tell him they weren't with her when his words sunk in. Marinette.

"H-how did y-you know? You can't s-see." she stammered. "How d-do you k-know it's me?" She stood by him in her Ladybug suit, Plagg zipping around her head, panicking.

"Well now I definitely know it's you now," he said and his grin widened with a light chuckle. "You smell like cookies and you're stuttering. You always do."

"Oh." It was all she could manage to say and she slumped into the visitor's chair that sat by the bed. "That m-makes sense I guess."

"Yeah. So how did you get past my guard?"

Ladybug breathed in deeply and shook away her surprise.

"That's a secret," she said with a laugh. She could imagine Adrien rolling his eyes at that.

"Of course it is. I know you didn't sneak in, he said I had someone coming. It was really nice of you to come see me, Marinette."

"She didn't have a choice!" The annoyed voice filled the room as the little black Kwami cut into their conversation with impatience. "I made her."

"Plagg?" Adrien didn't have a chance to say anything else as the Kwami flew into his chest and into a hug that Adrien gladly gave him. Ladybug sunk lower into her chair as she watched the two reunite. She knew how hard to it could be, she'd been separated from Tikki before. A day had been torture. She couldn't dream of how these two felt after nine.

Plagg was crying and sobbing and complaining that Marinette didn't have expensive cheese. Adrien's shoulders were jerking silently and she could see he was crying without tears on show.

"How do you have Plagg, Marinette? I lost him when I was hurt. Do you know?" Ladybug listened to his swirling questions.

"I- ah... I was there, Adrien. A-and wh-when you were taken a-away he was still there and said the hospital w-was a bad place for him b-because you couldn't c-care for him so I took him home with me and... You know the rest. He complained about cheese until I brought him here."

Adrien was chuckling, still holding his Kwami close. "That sounds like Plagg."

"What's that meant to mean?"

"Nothing Plagg," Adrien and Ladybug said at the same time. They laughed easily together.

"I know what he is, who you are," Ladybug eventfully said once their laughter died away. "B-but you don't h-have t-to worry. I wont tell anyone."

"Thanks, Marinette," Adrien said, she could hear the apprehension leave his voice. He relaxed, he trusted her.

"Anything f-for you, A-Adrien."

"Speaking of things for Adrien!" Plagg spoke up and flew away from his charge. He dipped into Marinette's bag and hefted a bunch of flowers out with obvious effort. He flew them over to Adrien and let them fall into his lap. Adrien laughed and picked them up. He began to run his finger tip over the petals.

"I got flowers for you!"

Ladybug cleared her throat.

"Fine, we got you flowers, but I picked them out," huffed the Kwami and flew to sat on Adrien's shoulder.

"What kind are they?" the blond asked softly.

"Poppies," Ladybug answered.

"I like poppies. Colour?"

"Plagg told me. Some black, some red."

"Favourite colours," he smiled. "Plagg?"

Ladybug hummed gently. "We were walking here and he flew right out of my bag into a florist. There were people everywhere! I followed him in and he was fluttering around the flowers like a damn ladybug until he found the right ones."

She didn't tell him how Tikki had joined him and she had to keep the shop keeper busy while the two Kwamis took over the store, or how Tikki was chomping away at petals here and there.

Adrien's laughter was contagious and Ladybug couldn't help but join in.

They laughed and talked for a long time after that. Marinette filled him in on what he'd missed (sans the actual work) at school, including how mopey the entire class had been. Adrien seemed touched at that. He told her stories of the nurses antics and the jokes they had each morning. The stories and laughter continued until a nurse knocked on the door and poked her head in.

"I'm sorry, Ladybug. But visiting times are over." Ladybug cursed internally.

There was a long moment of silence before Adrien spoke up.

"I'd like her to stay longer, if that's okay."

"I know, Mr. Agreste, but visiting hours-"

"I think we could extend them for the heroine of Paris, don't you?"

Ladybug didn't speak, she was in shock. Plagg had hidden behind Adrien but she could see him from her place. His expression mirrored her own.

"I'll tell the matron she left earlier then, shall I? I didn't see her at all."

The door was closed then with a soft click. The only sounds now came in the from of breaths, some even, and some sharp.

"Ladybug, huh?" Adrien eventually asked her.

As colour drained from her cheeks, confidence drained from her mind. She let out a tiny squeak of a yes, unable to form words.

"Explains how you had Plagg," Adrien said slowly. "Also how you got in here. Guessing you're in uniform."

"Y-yeah, I am," Marinette whispered.

"You don't have to be scared, Mari. It's not like I'd tell anyone."

"That's n-not... I umm... Sorry. I didn't m-mean to lie t-to you."

"It's okay, I understand. I was terrified when you told me you knew. I was sure that... Come here." He shuffled on the bed and made room for her. Marinette slipped from the chair and cautiously sat beside him. His arm hovered over her shoulders and when she didn't protest he hugged her gently. Her entire body became jelly under his touch and she fell against his frame. Adrien gave a little chuckle.

"You know, I always thought you might be afraid of me. I was worried. But you've just got anxiety problems, right? I mean I do. Everyone does."

She nodded into his shoulder, suddenly very glad he couldn't see her. That thought pulled at others. She had to know.

"Adrien, c-can you see anything?" she asked against his pajama shirt. He stiffened under her. Marinette was quick to try and take back her words, stuttering and apologising, shaking and twisting her hands in her lap.

"No," he said and reached down to take her hands, be it for her comfort or his own he didn't know. "No, I can't see. I most likely wont. The scaring on my skin in healing well, my father has a plastic surgeon lined up, so I'll still look like I did. But no, my eyes aren't going to heal, Mari."

Marinette let his words sink in. She let her face drop into her hands, still clasped by Adrien's. She was shaking again and openly crying. It was her fault, all of it. The akuma attacking him, not being able to heal him, ending up in hospital and now...
Adrien hugged her closer. He rubbed his head against her cheek.

"Don't blame yourself, my Lady. We both knew the dangers of the job when we started-"

"But I should have been able to cure it!" Marinette cut in around sobs. "I'm meant to help make you better and I couldn't. This is all on me, and I can't fix it! I've tried... Tikki and Plagg and I have tried so many things and none of it worked. None of it..." she dissolved into tears again and Adrien hugged her close. He tried to comfort her as best as he could, soft touches and gently noises, ones he remembered she'd done for him the last time he'd seen her. When he'd last seen.

He was bitter, there was no denying it. He'd relied so heavily on his sight that he'd taken it for granted like so many people around him. How would he learn? How would he work? There were at least ways for him to continue school, but work? All expression came from the eyes, passion wasn't something that could be Photoshopped. What of his duel life as Chat Noir? How would leaping from roof to roof at midnight work without sight, enhanced by cat magic or not? Would he have to give up all of that?

In one burning moment his world had been torn and thrown away, there was no getting it back. Independence, abilities, esteem had been ripped away in that single moment of torturing agony as he writhed on the ground with his Lady whispering above him. Now all that remained were memories, and memories faded. Adrien could barely remember his mother's voice and if it weren't for her photos, he doubted he'd remember what she looked like. Would he forget her too? Would he forget his Lady's features as well?

He could hear Marinette's breathing slowly becoming more even as she forced herself to calm down.

"I don't blame you for anything, Princess," Adrien said in a voice just above a whisper. Marinette stiffened in his hold once more before she slumped against him.

"I blame me," she replied.

"Then I forgive you, my Lady." He pressed a soft kiss against her hair. "You know I'm resilient, resourceful. I can get through this. And if I have you then I can do anything."