Chapter Five

The lonesome sound of Ladybug's yoyo being tossed and retracted seemed wrong without the familiar tap of Chat Noir's staff accompanying it. As usual, the spotted heroine had followed one of their patrol circuits around Paris, hoping that her partner would suddenly resurface. But he didn't.

Sinking disappointment settled in her belly as she reached the Eiffel Tower. With yoyo in hand she wondered about adding yet another video voicemail message to Chat Noir's current collection. Every night she checked her tracker and her messages to find them devoid of her partner's presence. Periodically she left him a message, hoping that he'd eventually answer.

Tonight, her gloved fingers made the decision for her, flicking opening her yoyo and dialling Chat Noir. It went straight to voicemail and she closed her eyes as she listened to his recorded message. They shot open the moment it was time for her recording. "Hi Chat, it's me again." She chuckled to herself. "Well of course it's me, I doubt anyone else has your number. Anyway, I just wanted to call. I'd hoped you answer this time. I'm really worried about you. Please call me. Bye."

She groaned at the lame message and reattached the yoyo at her hip. It was almost time to head home and transform back. After some wrangling, Marinette had managed to book a time to see Adrien. In the past she'd considered it difficult to fit into his schedule but since his father's arrest it was almost impossible. Nathalie already had him booked up for months. She growled at the thought. Everything that had been lumped onto Adrien was just wrong. It was like he was being punished for his father's sins. With her ire rising, Ladybug decided it was time to call it a night.

The Agreste mansion was a striking building and may have been a monument to affluence but to Marinette it would forever be tainted by the downfall of Hawkmoth. For her, the only redeeming feature was that Adrien lived in it. Once she was buzzed through the ginormous metal gates she strode through the courtyard at a brisk pace, keeping her eyes on the box of goodies she'd picked up from her parent's patisserie rather than scoping out the familiar landscape.

As she reached the double front doors her hand hovered uncertainly in a fist. It seemed surreal to be visiting Adrien in the evening without her costume on. For so many nights she'd tried to get his attention as Ladybug, loitering around his bedroom window in hope of him finally letting her in. She'd learned that Adrien used the climbing wall around 7pm, every second night. With this in mind she'd thought she'd be able to attract his attention and waltz in through his window to talk.

It wasn't all that long ago when Adrien had enthusiastically welcomed her masked persona whenever she'd stopped by. Apparently that friendliness had diminished since Hawkmoth's capture. But last night things had changed. He'd slipped while climbing and her instinct was to help. She'd swung to his window and searched desperately for a way to get in but he'd caught himself and stopped his own fall. Then the most peculiar thing happened, he'd studied his hand like he was seeing a ghost. For at least ten minutes he'd stared blankly at his fingers before lifting his head to look directly at her.

Ladybug's heart had thundered against her ribcage, completely captivated by his eyes that gazed at her with such tenderness she found it hard to breathe. But something changed and he flashed her a reassuring smile that didn't reach his eyes then resumed his climbing.

Why wouldn't he talk to her? Surely he understood her reasons for seeking him out. Ladybug needed to explain everything that had happened with his father. Yet it didn't matter how many times she lingered outside his window, he never invited her in.

Desperate times called for desperate measures. Adrien had no problems conversing with her as Marinette. If anything, their relationship had grown closer, even if they did communicate primarily via phone. With that in mind she'd decided that if he wouldn't speak to her as Ladybug, then she'd try to talk him around as Marinette.

Given the circumstances she probably could reveal the truth of her identity but it seemed wrong for many reasons. One, she'd always intended to share that secret with Chat Noir first. Two, there was a very large chance that it would destroy her relationship with Adrien under the given circumstances. And three, Adrien could potentially pass the information on to anyone in a moment of anger.

Taking a deep breath through her nose and blowing it out her mouth, Marinette rapped her knuckles on the door. She half expected Nathalie to answer but it was Adrien who opened the door and her jaw dropped.

A visual feast lay before her. Adrien looked like he'd just stepped away from a swimsuit photoshoot. A towel was lazily draped around his shoulders but hung open exposing a serious amount skin being caressed by mini cascades of water dripping from his golden locks. Her eyes couldn't help following the rivulets sliding invitingly down his jaw on the way to his sculpted chest. She had to mentally slap herself from continuing her perusal to the waist of his boardshorts.

So much lush man on display had her gulping like a fish out of water. He blinked in surprise, grabbing the edge of the navy towel to wipe the water from his face. "Hey Marinette, that's right, you were coming over. Wow, is it 8 o'clock already?"

Her mouth snapped shut as she gave him a smile that was more like a grimace. "Oh, I can go if it doesn't suit." She really hoped he wouldn't turn her away.

"Don't be ridiculous, come in." He said pulling the door wide enough for her to enter. "So, um, I really should take a shower. Did you want to wait here or in my room?"

Marinette's fingers tightened on the box in her hands. "In your room is fine."

"Okay, you can watch some TV if you want." She followed him up the stairs and around to his room. It hadn't really changed that much since their teens. The fact that he was unfazed by her proximity when he was about to get naked in the next room had her unnerved. Sure, there was a door to his bathroom, but what if it just opened a smidgen? Marinette shook herself, now was not the time to be having those thoughts. She was here to convince him that he should talk to Ladybug about his father's final battle. He deserved to know what exactly went down that night as she could only imagine how Gabriel would have portrayed it.

She made her way to the white lounge and Adrien passed her the remote. "Watch whatever you want, I shouldn't be too long." With that he disappeared behind the bathroom door and she found herself staring at the closed door wondering if he needed someone to scrub his back. Who was she kidding, she'd happily soap him everywhere.

Instead she made herself focus on the TV and take some notice of what was on. But her ears were distracted by the sound of running water and her mind quickly came up with its own concept of what was going on in there. The image of water streaming down his firm muscular body had her flushing and she quickly slapped her cheeks. "Don't go there," she whispered to herself as she picked up the remote and began flicking through the channels as a distraction.

Her finger halted on the button when a familiar snapshot flashed up. It was the last photograph taken of Ladybug and Chat Noir together. Plaster dust coated Chat Noir from the tips of his feline ears all the way to his toes, making his suit a more grey than black. A blatant smear of dark red drew attention to his injury while she stood beside him as Ladybug, looking equally weary with her hand on his upper arm. To most people it was the image of battle congratulations. The photo had captured Chat's profile and only part of his expression. There was a serious look on his face but no indication of the flinch at her touch nor the haunted look in his eyes.

As Ladybug she'd been questioned relentlessly about his wound in the image. She'd explained that Hawkmoth had slashed his face with a sword when he'd attempted to block a blow intended for her. What she didn't mention was how petrified she'd been when it happened.

Chat Noir's firm shoulder had crashed into hers, sending her careening to the floor. By the time she looked up Hawkmoth's sword was lodged in the base of Chat Noir's mask. Her partner had been incredibly still and her heart had thundered in shock. With his head twisted on a strange angle she had the chilling thought that her partner might be on the verge of dying. In all their time together, she'd never seriously contemplated losing her partner in an ultimate act of sacrifice. The concept was so utterly horrifying that she screamed out his name in anguish.

The faint movement of Chat Noir's hand leaving his staff had drawn her attention. His voice was filled with venom as he shouted "Cataclysm!" in an angry roar. Then his hand had slapped down on the blade protruding from his mask, turning it to ash. Stepping back, he glared at Hawkmoth with such intense fury that their enemy had frozen, as if realising how close he'd come to actually killing someone.

Marinette stared blankly at the television. Chat Noir didn't die but he could have. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear the shower being shut off. It was when she heard the bathroom door open that she snapped back to reality. Adrien was towelling his hair dry as he walked out and for a moment she could have sworn she was looking at Chat Noir. She decided it was her inner thoughts mixing with reality and dismissed it.

Trying to clear her mind, Mariette offered up the box from her parent's patisserie. Adrien picked up an éclair and let out a happy moan with the first mouthful. Her dark musings were immediately swept away by more pleasant ones and she had to yank her mind out of the gutter again.

Adrien sank down on the sofa beside her. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Well I wasn't able to visit you during the risotto crisis so I figured I'd make up for it. Even though it took Nathalie quite a while to find a blank space in your schedule."

His eyes widened in surprise as he finished chewing. "Why didn't you ring me directly?"

"I did but it diverted to her phone, she said something about you being indisposed at the time."

The blonde shook his head as he leaned back and looked to the ceiling. "Story of my life lately."

Marinette's gaze landed on the exposed length of his throat, particularly drawn to the strong line of his jaw. She blinked in attempt to get back on track. Clearing her throat, she rolled her shoulders as she jumped in. "About that, did you talk to Ladybug about what happened?"

His eyes closed as he let out a sigh, his hand lifted to rub his eyelids. "I haven't spoken to her directly but I don't really need to."

"Is that because you know your father's side of things? Adrien, it's not the same as knowing the other side of it."

Marinette watched as Adrien's hand dropped away from his face and his head turned to her. There was a sadness in his eyes. "I know what happened."

"But hearing what's said in court isn't the same as speaking directly with Ladybug. I'm sure there's things that happened that she hasn't needed to disclose as part of the case. I think-"

Adrien raised a hand. "Just stop there." He sat forward, placing his elbows on his knees as he threaded his hands through his damp hair. "There's something…no. I-I…" He stopped to gaze at her with his brow furrowed and torn look on his face. Drawing in a deep breath, Adrien spoke again. "I got Chat Noir's take on that night."

She stared at him in shock, her mouth dropping open and jutting as she tried to work out what to say. Chat Noir had been to see Adrien. Her throat constricted and heart raced with the pounding of a hundred thoroughbreds. "Chat Noir spoke to you."

"One of the reasons why I haven't spoken to Ladybug is because I didn't need to." He looked away from her as if uncomfortable."The wound is only starting to heal, I don't want to rip it open again. I'll get around to talking to Ladybug."

Marinette reached out a hand and laid it on his thigh. "Adrien," she coaxed in a voice more throaty than normal. Her emotions were high. "When did you see Chat Noir? Was it recently?"

"No, it wasn't recent. It happened… then." His eyes had dropped to focus on her hand as he spoke.

"Was he okay?"

Adrien shook his head. "He was in a bad place that night. I was in a bad place that night." He picked up her hand and laid it within his own, individually stroking her fingernails absently. "I'm still not in a great place."

Marinette brought her free hand to his cheek, gently turning his face back towards her. "It's okay to be upset and angry and hurt. But don't shut out your friends, Adrien."

He nodded against her hand, his whole frame turning to face her. "Marinette," he edged closer, his head dipping slowly with uncertainty until his forehead came to rest on her shoulder. "Would you hold me?"

"Of course," she answered as she reached around him with her free arm and pulled him close. Adrien's arms wrapped around her in return and he shifted closer. Marinette closed her eyes, revelling in the feel of being so close to her crush. She knew he was seeking a moment of comfort and she was more than willing to give it, but she couldn't stop the thundering of her heart. To be allowed to embrace him so freely was a monumental event for her. Adrien let out a faint sob, releasing her fingers and tightening his arms around her.

With her hand free, Marinette lifted it to stroke his hair. Even damp it was silky. She'd dreamed of trailing her fingers through his hair for years. He relaxed into her touch, his face snuggling into the crook of her neck. "It's okay, I'm here. I've got you, Adrien." She cooed.

Marinette lost track of how long they sat cuddled up together. She would have stayed there forever if he wanted her to. Her head was resting against Adrien's when she noticed that his breathing had become slow and even. His grip on her had loosened too. As she straightened up, one of his arms slipped down her back and his body rested limply against hers. She silently giggled to herself as she realised Adrien Agreste had fallen asleep in her arms.

Cradling his head against her shoulder, she gently eased him down on the sofa before grabbing a blanket to lay over him. Kneeling beside him, Marinette tucked his hair behind his ear and pressed a soft kiss to his temple. "Sweet dreams, Adrien. I know you need them."

Will Marinette get closer to Adrien and will he finally speak to Ladybug? Stay tuned to find out...

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