Countdown, a miraculous: tales of ladybug & cat noir fanfic

A/N: It's been a little while fellas! Long time no see! Anyway, I have been very busy lately with work, portfolio and other stuff. This includes working on WIPS bit by bit and trying to post them publicly (and yes that includes the recent multichapter fics too so don't worry they're not abandoned or on hiatus LOL).

This was originally meant to be a oneshot and I started this story like last year or something like that and it was left collecting dust in my docs. However, as I worked on it, I realised it was going to reach at least 20,000 words because I never shut the fuck up. Literally 10K in and I was barely halfway through the story and I swear my brain exploded hahaha! So, I decided to split it in half. I'll post the first half now and then post the second half in hopefully a week or so. I write too much I swear but a lot does happen so I guess it's fair.

Rambling aside, we all know I love my angst, hurt and comfort. I love making my faves suffer only to give them the nicest, sweetest endings to balance it out (most of the time). Therefore, how could I pass up the opportunity to write a what-if scenario after episode Kwamibuster/Chaussures de Kwamis where Marinette does indeed suffer magical side effects from utilising so many miraculous at once? :)

Please ensure that you've read the tags! Otherwise, buckle up and enjoy~

"Burning bloody sky above
Is like the end of the world is coming
And we always lose our way"

When My Devil Rises - Man With A Mission

~(x)~

Drip.

"Marinette? I think you should head to the nurse's office. Now." The alarmed tone that belonged to one concerned Madame. Bustier snapped the heroine out of her momentary daze, the piercing ringing within her ears continuing to grate on her poor, aching brain and her vision barely clearing up from the muted fuzz. A soft, confused noise left her lips. She furrowed her brows, wondering why her usually calm and composed teacher sounded so distressed until she registered the ashen, worried expressions of her three close friends as they gaped at her and the quiet murmurs belonging to everyone else in the classroom.

"Your nose- it's- it's bleeding again...a lot." Adrien's horrified whisper was all she needed to finally snap back into reality and suddenly, she registered the nasty, painful and wet sensation running down her nose as if it were molten lava and dripping down her chin and onto the desk in alarming amounts (forming a little puddle and staining the wood a morbid crimson hue). Immediately, Alya gathered some pocket tissues she had to help Marinette wipe her nose and stem the blood flow whilst trying her best to remain as calm as possible; the petite girl on the other hand was quite embarrassed from head to toe from the way everyone gawked as if she's just grown three heads and whispered to each other without bothering to act sneaky about it.

"Oh no- there's so much blood..."

"Did she trip over her feet and fall on her face again like last time?"

"Hmmph! Look at her getting her filthy fluids all over the place."

"Chloé! Marinette is clearly sick! Have some sympathy for her!"

"Shouldn't she be in a hospital right now?"

"Poor Marinette..."

"Maybe if she set aside her stubborn grudge against me and listened to the tips I relayed to her after discussing them with this amazing doctor I know in Mumbai, she would have been in a better state~"

"Lila- now is not the time!"

Marinette felt disgusting.

Even though everyone in the room (barring the rich blonde brat with piercing ice blues and the smirking brunette with malevolent olive greens) was clearly very concerned over Marinette's well-being, the teen herself couldn't help but feel extremely uncomfortable from their scrutinising eyes and their pitiful frowns. It took her literally everything to not squirm from the sensation of dozens of eyes boring into her and all it did was remind her of the long years of isolation and solitude she suffered before Alya and Adrien enrolled into the school. A time when Chloé's rampant bullying and tyranny were at their peak and Marinette was her favourite punching bag, often resulting in hundreds of eyes watching her every move only to see what disastrous misfortune she would stumble across next with her infamous bad luck and meek presence. All without a kind, willing hand that was brave enough to help the poor girl stand back on her feet every time she was pushed down to her limits.

Over and over and over again.

Some feelings will just never go away.

"I'm fine. I'll go wash up and I'll be back. Sorry for disturbing the class-"

But even the most saddest, the most wrecked of hearts can come across a glimmer of warmth and become enveloped in the careful arms of unconditional love and affection.

"Madame. Bustier, I'll take her to the nurse's office. Is that okay?" Adrien then flashed a stubborn yet determined look to his beloved friend and gently helped stand her up to her feet when the teacher granted his request without a beat, paying no mind to her deer-in-the-headlights expression. On an ordinary day, Marinette would have internally swooned and combusted in sheer delight from the way he handled her tenderly and the way he kept those beautiful, beautiful green eyes of his on her frame as if he was ready to lay his life down to protect her for the rest of eternity and as if he'll never, ever show any judgement against her (like they're star-crossed lovers).

His presence was the definition of soothing, forming a shield around her tiny frame from all the inquisitive eyes that tried to linger on them—a strong, dark umbrella under the pouring rain.

However, she couldn't even enjoy it, let alone internally cheer with the way her head pounded excruciatingly and the way her muscles ached relentlessly, even with the love of her life selflessly supporting her on the way to the office with protective arms and attentive greens. So much for believing that today would be a good day regarding these...symptoms.

"You're not gonna go home and rest?" Adrien finally asked after sitting by her side patiently on the spare chair once the nurse was done giving Marinette a check-up (or at least that's what he tried his best to portray externally to avoid scaring off his wonderful friend). She smiled at him sweetly despite her exhausted features and her body's cries to lay down and sleep for the next century or two, unable to stop the bashful giggles that left her mouth. She couldn't help but feel touched by his generous care and how concerned he was over her wellbeing, her previously aching chest now fluttering with pleasant butterflies that soothed some of the stubborn pain with their magical wings.

"I'll rest for an hour or so on the bed. I'm fine, Adrien. Thank you for helping me on the way here, I appreciate it a lot." She then began to fiddle with the thin white blanket and averted eye contact, no longer able to handle the intensity of his worried face and especially his sad little frown which dampened the sparks of giddiness that she felt momentarily. She really, really worried him and she hated herself for making him feel like that. "You should go back to class. I know you love school and hate having to miss out so-" She was interrupted by the way he immediately clasped both of her hands with his larger pair, the boy now sitting by her side on the bed and his frown never leaving his face. She couldn't dare to look away from him.

"You're more important to me than school, Marinette. Always. You mean a lot to me. A lot." He squeezed her fingers as an emphasis, his forehead so close to brushing hers and her breath was simply taken away. "You've been worrying me a lot, lately. And not just me...Alya, Nino and everyone else. All of us are a little scared right now with what's been going on. Are you sure the doctors didn't find anything when you asked about the constant nosebleeds and migraines you've been getting? And all those dizzy spells and times you've fainted? Surely there's got to be something else at play here..."

Ah. Shit.

Her pauvre Adrien.

She hasn't been as good at hiding her current, weak state from her friends as decently as she had hoped (and had internally prayed to every benevolent deity she could think of). She wasn't blind to the way the frowns belonging to her loved ones only deepened over time from the sight of her degrading body and the way they all began to tread on eggshells around her. She also wasn't blind to the way Alya and Adrien clung to her tighter whenever they walked together, as if to support her frail physique and ensure that she didn't get herself hurt with Nino always trailing closely behind them. And she certainly wasn't blind to the way all her loved ones would usher her to safety the instant they got a whiff that an Akuma or Sentimonstre was attacking nearby.

And of course, the doctor wouldn't successfully be able to find a solid cause for her symptoms to begin with.

After all, this is all because she recklessly wielded multiple miraculous all at once when she faced Chaussures de Kwamis a month ago in order to defeat the Akuma as well as conceal her civilian identity from her partner.

And her tiny body couldn't handle the influx of all that ancient magic at once, resulting in its present and very dangerous state.

But she can't tell Adrien that.

She can't tell anyone at all.

Absolutely not.

(And she refuses to let her sweet, beloved Chaton know either...)

So she'll continue to take on this burden all on her own and ensure that she tries her best to keep everyone she loves safe and happy for the time being. It's her own fault for not heeding Maître Fu's warning of utilising so many miraculous at once after all(right?). This karma is hers and only hers to bear alone until she takes her last breath and she'd rather take an early grave now than give her precious people a reason to worry a little more over her stupid, idiotic self.

"I'll get better soon," She answered softly, trying her best to ignore the dwindling confidence in her words and hoping to cheer up her cher Adrien. He already had so much going on in his busy life that made him miserable and unable to enjoy the little freedom he had; she refused to add to his list of stresses and further dampen his beautiful beautiful smile. He shouldn't have to waste any more of his precious time on someone as incredibly stupid and reckless as herself who bit off more than she could ever chew. Only she should suffer the consequences of her own actions. "The doctors have already prescribed me some strong painkillers and supplements which work very well. I'll be back to normal in no lime- I mean time!"

Much to her dismay, he didn't seem convinced at all and his eyes remained a cloudy storm, lips tight and brows taught. This time he allowed his forehead to rest against hers (as if he was allowing himself to finally give in to his impulses), her pulse immediately fastening from the close proximity and their selfless hearts beating in tandem. The boy hoped that his heart could convey just how much she meant to him and just how much he needed her whilst the girl prayed that hers gave him the evidence that her words held some truth.

"You promise?" His words were no more audible than a breath, his touch like a searing fire against her skin and it burned in all the best ways possible. He paid no mind to the way she pinkened beautifully under his gaze (or so Marinette thought, unaware of the fact that he absolutely adored the way her skin often bloomed with the colour of plum blossoms, especially when it was caused by his raw touches).

"Y-Yes." She barely rasped, her heart close to skyrocketing out of her chest from the way his nose grazed hers and the way his minty breath hit her quivering lips like a tease. "I promise I'll get better, don't you worry, Adrien."

His mother said the same thing to him too before she fell deathly sick and then...

Disappeared.

~(x)~

"Chat Noir!" The call of his name was all that the feline hero needed as an indication to activate his deadly cataclysme, his fatal hand slamming against the base of la Tour Eiffel with great mental precision and the monument droned for a second before collapsing on top of the giant, havoc-wreaking Akuma in an instant. The puppet villain let out a defiant roar, unable to move from the weight of thousands and thousands of tonnes of decomposing iron keeping him pinned down all whilst Ladybug tied them up with her bandalore with incredible speed and then proceeded to destroy the akumatised object by tearing it apart with the little remaining brute strength she had left. Finally, she allowed herself to take a moment to just breathe, every inhale and exhale laboured and loud with the wheezing of her exhausted lungs and the harsh swallows of saliva. The condensation of her breath was prominent thanks to the chilly weather and the prickling wind.

On an ordinary day, Chat Noir would've watched the aftermath scene with a lovesick sigh and a syrupy, gooey grin plastered on his face to compliment his round, rosy cheeks. However, all he could do was gently keep his Lady steady on her feet with his hands supporting her bony shoulders (so much bonier than they used to be), his partner still swaying on her feet after casting the cleansing light and clearly drained of all her energy. Indescribable concern and worry bubbled within the pits of his hollow stomach and it was shredding what little sanity he had left, dampening his eyes. But for the sake of her wellbeing, he kept the wailing, heartbroken child locked away inside the deepest, darkest crevices of his heart, not even wanting to dwell on the fact that the people he loved were getting sicker and sicker and that there was nothing that he could do about it but watch in the sidelines.

He can only hold them as close as they allow him to.

"Hey," He stroked her pale cheek tenderly with the back of his knuckles, offering a comforting smile as she tried to refocus her dazed eyes and get her breathing under control. His anxieties were quelled just for a moment when his Buguinette gave him a slight grin of her own, easily relaxing in his sweet, protective hold and leaning into his touch as he continued to cradle her soft face (they used to be rounder and her complexion used to have a cute baby pink hue). "Alya is chatting with the victim and helping them out so let me take you somewhere safe before you time out. Okay?" As if to emphasise his point, her earrings' beeping became louder, indicating that she only had a few minutes left at best. His ring began to beep too much to his seething dismay, knowing that he'd be unable to have the conversation he wanted with her. He opened his mouth, wanting to ask if they could meet up again after their kwamis recharged but he was automatically silenced by the way she stepped out of his hold and continued to smile just so beautifully.

The breeze swept through her hair, midnight strands looking more fragile and thinner than ever and having lost their iconic black-blue sheen some time ago. Her pale skin seemed practically ghostly too, contrasting the blood-red colour of her suit like a sheet of blank paper drenched in blood. And her eyes...her once brilliant sky blue eyes that always held the radiant beams of the sun and rivalled the twinkle of the stars...

Oh, how they looked so tired and so defeated...

Yet she continued to smile at him as if everything was alright in the world.

But she doesn't realise that she is his world and the sight of her so sickly and looking so much like his mother who was on death's door and Nathalie who is on the verge of something just as dangerous and his sweet, sweet Marinette who looked like she was going to disappear anytime soon...? It was destroying him. He was falling apart internally, ready to burst from the seams as she was physically and his Lady still wasn't being truthful about what was really going on with her and why she treated every moment with him as if it was her last.

Neither of the sick women in his life were letting him in at all and it simply fanned the inferno of fury and rage against the world inside of him.

"My Lady?" What was left unsaid was conveyed through his pleading emerald greens alone, his hands desperately itching to just bring her back to him and engulf her tiny frame with his body and arms. To memorise every part of her being pressed against himself and to greedily inhale her homely scent of spiced vanilla and sweets and bread-

"We'll meet up for patrol tonight, okay?" She promised and then leapt away like a dream that he struggled to grasp with his bare hands.

He did not miss the way that blood started to trickle down her nose as soon as she left, his entire body doused in fright and terror, not ready(never ready) to lose another person whom he loved with his everything. The polite, reserved gentleman within him was cataclysmed from his system and all that was left was the desperate, screaming, clingy boy who would stop at nothing, nothing to protect the people he loves.

And he'll be damned if he continued to just watch them become a husk of their former selves as he did during his childhood when his mother was visibly withering away.

'Just a chest infection my ass. We are getting to the bottom of this tonight.' He vowed passionately, knuckles whitening under his gloves as his hands clenched themselves against his sides. He is not going to sit back and worry on the sidelines anymore like the helpless child he once was.

It's time he took action.

Meanwhile, blood and blood and so much blood continued to spurt out of her mouth and nose as Marinette coughed and heaved in an abandoned alleyway right after detransforming. Staying suited up as Ladybug only blocked out some of the symptoms by a marginal amount (or it did until she realised she was getting worse and worse as the days went by). She wasn't able to hear her little kwami's cries, ears ringing horrifically, head pounding as if someone was drilling holes in her skull and hot, bitter iron and burgundy continuing to run up and down her throat as she threw up against the wall grotesquely.

It hurt.

IT HURT.

She didn't know how long she was there for, the girl finally sliding down against the wall that wasn't covered in her blood and her feverish head leaning backwards against the cool, soothing bricks. Marinette didn't even bother looking at Tikki as the little goddess palmed her jaw with her loving hands, her eyes still dripping with large, fat tears.

"Marinette. We have to take you to Maître Fu. Please. You're...you're not going to make it at this rate!" Some of her tears landed on her wielder's skin, the energy of Creation alleviating some of the pain that ricocheted inside her body like an inferno (but only some before it flared up all over again).

"I've read the entire grimoire that Maître translated," The heroine finally spoke, voice hoarse and strained. She then faced the little Goddess and all that Tikki could feel was pure, utter dread from the sight of her holder's defeated expression. She braced herself for what she was to say next. "There's no cure...nothing. If you wield multiple miraculous and get any side effects, that's it. This is the price of my impulsiveness, Tikki. I..."

Tears then started to pool and fall down Marinette's face, her body shivering and shuddering from all the pent-up feelings and crushing emotions and never had she looked as small and weak as she did now.

"Tikki...I'm going to die...and there's nothing anyone can do about it..."

~(x)~

"Ladybug!" The heroine would have smirked at the cartoonish way her partner skidded to a stop in front of her had he not tripped over his clumsy feet just like his namesake (as well as her civilian persona) and landed in a heap behind her against the chimney. Seeing that her partner was completely fine barring the bruised ego, she allowed an endeared smile to play on her lips and helped him back to his feet, only for him to clasp her tiny shoulders with his hands and scan his worried eyes all over her body. "We were supposed to meet up days ago during patrol but then you messaged me and said you're not well! I was so worried! And you didn't answer any of my messages! Is everything okay-"

Chat Noir was swiftly silenced when his Lady cupped his face with her hands, all with that beautiful (but also sad) smile and soft baby blues that held nothing but warmth and affection for the boy.

"I missed you," She confessed with a whisper, her smile widening when his skin took on a brilliant sakura hue. She also wasn't blind to the way he noticed the sorrowful undertones within her words, his brows furrowing under the mask until he brought her in for a tight embrace and whispered her name into her hair. This time, all traces of sadness left her body for just a little while, the girl savouring the way her partner held her as if she were the most precious person in the world and sinking into his warmth. She really, really missed her Chaton.

"Me too..." Chat Noir gingerly pressed a kiss on her head and pushed her frame against his own even closer so that there wasn't even air in between them. "I've been worried sick about you, silly Bug." Reluctantly, he pulled away just a little so that he could sweetly cradle her face with one hand and get a better look at her. Much to his poor heart's dismay, she looked a lot sicker compared to the last time he saw her and his quivering heart shattered anew, overtaken by the tsunami of dread that's been bubbling within him for the past few weeks. What on Earth is happening to his wonderful, kind, loving Lady?

"You've lost weight. Have you not been eating properly?" Her quiet, inquisitive tone had him choke on his own incredulous laughter. He chose to shake his head with a bittersweet smile instead, both hands back on her shoulders as his own biceps trembled with all the intense emotions that roared within his blood.

"I think the one whose health and well-being we need to talk about is yours." He leaned his forehead against hers and entangled his fingers with her hands, pleading with his eyes alone for her to finally, finally be open with him. To finally let him know what was really going on and allow him to help in any way possible. "Please." He added breathlessly, hoping that it would persuade her.

Luck seemed to be on his side for once as she let out a small, defeated sigh, making no movements to escape his grip or argue back. The faint, crisp breeze felt like daggers of ice drilling through her extremities and her stupidly frail body couldn't handle it anymore, letting out a traitorous shudder and silently screaming for more warmth. Her Chaton picked up on that instantly, wrapping his arms back around her anew and rubbing his hands on her shoulder blades.

"First, shall we go somewhere that's a little warmer than out here?" She grinned despite her trembling lips, peering up at him (having to strain her neck because someone decided to have an unfair growth spurt).

"Of course. Where do you want to go? There's a few night cafés nearby if you want to get a hot drink as well." He was all patience and attentiveness, never ceasing his movements and ensuring that she felt as comfortable as possible within his arms. Her heart skipped many, many beats and the apples of her cheeks bloomed with a rosier shade. She had to clear her throat and steady her mind, trying her best to ready herself for what she was going to propose next after a few days of mulling it over(maybe weeks or even months subconsciously).

"How about...my house?"

"E-Eh?" Chat Noir gawked at her dumbly, unable to process what she had just said. With the way Ladybug continued to peer at him with her big blue eyes and questioning expression, he realised that he hadn't just imagined it and that she was still expecting an answer from him. However, all he could do was let out a few more stammers and some more unintelligible noises before he could even think of gathering his bearings. Her little, knowing smile didn't help either and he felt his skin burn from his utterly embarrassing reaction.

"It's okay. Take your time, Chat Noir." Her amused tone didn't make things any better and all he could do was hide his face within his hands and whine out her name, all whilst she held him around the small of his waist and giggled freely.

"I never laughed at you whenever you said something stupid..." His voice was muffled but she still managed to grasp every single word, only holding him tighter (like a lover).

"So~?" He parted his fingers over one eye just to direct a mock glare at her blunt lack of sympathy for his predicament. It didn't even last five seconds because soon he was peeling with quiet chuckles of his own, joined by her chimes of laughter, the duo momentarily forgetting the weight of the world that latched onto their bony shoulders and laughing without any restraints for the first time in what seemed like forever.

Like the true romantic he is, Chat Noir unconsciously tucked some stray hair behind Ladybug's ear, his clawed thumb and finger trailing the sensitive shell tenderly before roaming to her chin and tilting it up ever so slightly so that she could no longer avert her blues shyly from his earnest gaze.

"Why now?" His voice was hoarse, knowing that her answer would either make him or break him. "I thought that our identities should remain a secret until we defeat Le Papillion and Mayura? That Maître Fu prohibited us from sharing it, otherwise he'll take away our miraculous?" The gut-wrenching smile she responded with next shattered his heart completely. His entire body felt like it was doused in ice and suddenly he wasn't able to say anything else with the weight that grew inside his throat and the way his eyes stung and watered. It was as if he instinctively knew that all his worst fears had come true.

"I've been wanting to let you know who I am for a very long time, believe it or not. You're my partner...my Chaton. I was hoping that we would share our identities after the final battle against Le Papillion and Mayura so that it would be all c-c-cool and dramatic and-and..." Tears were already seeping down her face and the only thing that stopped either of them from breaking down into uncontrollable, sobbing messes was the tight grip that they had on each other's hands. "But...but that dream future of mine is no longer attainable with the way things are going..."

He was trying his utmost best not to scream, to not shake her by the shoulders and demand why she was saying such ominous things, only wiping away her tears and making sure that she knew she had all of his attention.

"Maître Fu has given us permission to know...to finally know each other's identity. It would be inevitable anyway in some time ahead. So, I rather I tell you on my own terms now instead of you finding out sooner or later without any warning..." She sniffed, taking a moment to rub her eyes vigorously with the back of her fist but the tears just never stopped. "He also told me that I'm not just someone important to you in the mask, but also outside of it. And that it's the same for me too."

He couldn't even breathe, the dread had him in a fatal chokehold and his entire body was ice cold. All the dots he had connected before in the past and had set aside for a short moment came back at full throttle and all he could do was shake his head in disbelief.

'Please don't say it. Please don't say it. Please don't say it...'

"I wanted to tell you in my house with some tea and surrounded by pillows to soften the blow but I think you've already figured me out," She couldn't stop rambling, her voice breaking midway through her sentence whilst her never-ending tears cascaded down her face. "I didn't want to tell you like this whilst looking like a pathetic crybaby and needing to blow my nose and feeling like absolute shit but luck has never been on my side, hahah..."

He was wiping her tears again, the love of his life mirroring his action as they both slowly sank to their knees on the lone rooftop they were perched on.

"No...you're not pathetic. You're never pathetic." He rasped weakly, settling his head back on hers and entwining their hands once more. His body shook and shook and shook, the beautiful but cruel truth now cemented in his brain and his poor heart wailed. "You've always been perfect in my eyes, no matter what. Everything you say or do or feel is perfection." Chaton was pressing desperate kisses all over her hair, wishing that he had the power of the healing light just for her alone. Just this once. "Be it during Akuma battles, during patrols...and even...during school...you've always made my day better..."

He wasn't strong enough to hold back the choked sob, his tears saturating her hair and face and his heart crushed. The realisation that he's not just losing one beloved person in his life, but in fact it was two all along drove him insane.

"I'm so sorry for making you cry, mon Chaton Noir," She was hushed with a finger against her lips and his head shaking upon hers, a silent scold to prevent her from blaming herself(and an unconscious beg for her to not utter another word). Ladybug took a shuddering deep breath and then came out with it. "My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng...and I'm dying from a magical curse..."

And all that Chat Noir could do as a response to her confession was weep and weep and weep.

Tick. Tock.

The sound of her bedroom's clock was almost inaudible because all that Marinette could hear was her poor partner's sniffles and quiet sobs as he silently cried against the crook of her neck, his arms a vice around her cold body as they lay on her bed. The girl kept her eyes on her skylight window, observing the way the gloomy night clouds slowly drifted through the atmosphere in shades of navy and dirty grey, the only light source in her room being her flickering lamp which was due for a new set of batteries. She continued to card her fingers through his hair like instinct, as if to assure him that she was still alive, still breathing and that she wasn't going to disappear in an instant.

(But she was going to disappear at some point in the future in a matter of months, if not weeks at best).

"Want to hear a funny story?" Marinette finally spoke after hours of her Chaton weeping into her hair like a child. She gave him some time to try and compose himself and even Tikki handed him a box of tissues so that he could dry his face and wipe any excess tears left on her pajamas. When he laid back down next to her, his arms still wrapped around her and his head now next to hers, she brushed his fringe back a few times and blew at his bare forehead to give him some relief. She then began to start. "Did you know that when I was younger, my first dream was to become a ribbon gymnast?" She couldn't help the smile that grew on her lips from the sight of curiosity twinkling in his reddened green feline eyes and the way his rosy lips lightly parted in surprise.

Tikki laid on her stomach on Marinette's chest, also intrigued with this new set of information.

"I was always entranced with how graceful and pretty the gymnasts were on TV. Every time the Olympics were on, I would always watch them on the screen with Maman and Papa. I really, really wanted to be one. I wanted to wear a pretty costume and perform all these cool tricks and spin a beautiful ribbon. So when I was around four or five years old, I began to take lessons." Her Chaton wriggled closer and she could feel his warm, sweet breath hitting her lips in a manner that felt too familiar. She tried not to dwell on it, continuing her story. "Surprisingly, I was actually not...bad. With my clumsiness and disastrous luck, you'd expect that I destroyed either the building or my stubby baby legs on the first day. In fact, I was doing pretty well."

"Oh, Marinette. You're so much more graceful than you think. It's because you're so strong and haven't learned to control that strength yet that you end up in all sorts of silly, clumsy situations." Tikki spoke with endearment, nuzzling her chosen's face with her own and then settling her tiny body on the girl's neck like a little kitten. She earned a bigger smile from her (as well as a twitching lip from Chat Noir who was trying not to grin).

"Well, apparently my grace wasn't strong enough to outdo my stage fright. After a few weeks of practising, we finally held a show for our friends and families." Marinette's face took on a light pink hue and she couldn't help the few stray giggles that left her lips. "I was so, so nervous. So nervous that when it was my turn to perform...I ended up tying my entire body up with the ribbon in one move and looked like a caterpillar that was stuck on the floor. I never touched the ribbon baton ever again since that day." This time, she couldn't hold the laughter back as her partner and her little Goddess quietly let out little 'oh no!'s and giggled, the tension lessening in the room and their hearts a little lighter.

"That's such a shame- I bet if you tried now, you would be amazing as a ribbon gymnast, Marinette." His eyes were earnest and one of his hands rested on the side of her face, fingers slipping through her loose midnight hair. "I would love to see you perform if you ever pick it back up again-" He suddenly stopped midway and his teeth clamped shut as realisation shot his brain.

She's dying.

She won't be able to perform again even if she wants to.

"Hey. Chat Noir, it's okay." Her words did nothing to alleviate his mind and he sat up straight, one hand clawing through his hair almost manically whilst his tears began to pool in his eyes again. "Chaton..." She sat up slowly with great effort and when he snapped himself back to reality, Chat Noir scrambled back to her so that he could help her sit up comfortably.

"There has to be a cure. There must be a cure."

"I...I want to believe there's one but we've tried everything and-" She couldn't continue because the sight of his sad, crying face shattered her heart all over again and she felt her own eyes sting. "I just don't want to give you false hope..."

"We live in a world where magic and the supernatural and Gods and wishes are real." Her hands were cradled with his and he brought them to his lips, soundly kissing every one of her knuckles and worshipping even the tips of her pinpricked, scarred fingers. "I believe that there is a cure. I believe that there is a way for you to get better. And you...you will be able to pick up that ribbon and dance again. You will be able to do anything you want, anything you dream of! You must!" His tears were falling faster and his body was shaking again with each shuddering breath. "You must live...I...I won't be able to take it if you're gone, My Lady..."

"I don't want to leave you...not now. Not ever. I really, really wish there's a cure,mon Chaton." She couldn't help it anymore and the tears were streaking down her face too. Marinette barely noted that Tikki left them to give them some privacy (as well as to wipe away her own tears as she cried on behalf of her sick wielder and cursed her own powerlessness). "But...we have to be prepared for the worst. Such as training you as the next Ladybug holder if you want to take up the mantle or even-" The soft press of his trembling fingers against her lips made her pause and the way his face looked so, so broken only pained her in a manner that was like indescribable torture.

"You can't just give up like that..." His nose was grazing hers now and she could feel his sinfully soft lips feathering her own. "I love you. I love you so, so, so much. I always have. I can't have a world where you're not in it, Marinette. I would rather die."

"I need you to be strong." Her mental strength was diminishing with every second and feel of his close proximity and the dizzying heat of his body against her own. All she could do was clutch his arms with a white-knuckled grip.

"I'm not strong."

"I need you to be able to protect Paris when I'm gone."

"I'm not going to let you go."

"The people need you!"

"And I need you."

"Chaton...please," Instead of being met with resignation or his faux ears lowering in submission, his greens suddenly burst with a blazing inferno of passion and determination as his body hovered over hers.

"My name is Adrien. And I will do anything to make sure that you live!" In an instant, he dropped his transformation and her desperate lips were smothered by the fabric of his cotton shirt as he pressed her face into his chest, enveloping her body with his one more time whilst one of his hands tangled themselves within her petal-thin hair.

And her heart was completely destroyed because the two boys she loved more than life itself turned out to be one all along and her upcoming death was going to kill him.

~(x)~

"This is the most strongest and ruthless of Sentimonstres to date. The very same one that destroyed the Order of the Guardians and their temple and devoured every single thing related to the Miraculous. He is my biggest mistake and I can't afford to have him destroy you both too! So please, relinquish the Miraculous back to me and try your best to live a normal, youthful life. And I will make sure to keep looking for a cure for you, Ladybug!"

Getting eaten by a giant, monstrous dog-like creature who was also akumatised by Le Papillion and ending up in a strange hammerspace of digested items along with his Lady was the last thing that Chat Noir expected on his already very stressful day. He kept his arms around his partner tight, ensuring that they weren't separated even for a second as they floated around, gathering their bearings and the boy trying his best to reel in the shock of the fact that they were literally swallowed by the Sentimonstre. He felt rather nauseous the more he pondered on it, trying his utmost best to keep his full focus on his Ladybug.

"The amok should be nearby. Let's hurry before we get digested." Ladybug's voice was scratchy and raw, the heroine already completely exhausted by today's events, having had to chase their Maître all over Paris with a bike and a makeshift anonymous attire whilst he stuck close to her side in that same ridiculous banana suit he 'borrowed' from the TV studio a while back. Who knew trying to convince a stubborn old paranoid man (who was almost two centuries old) for their Miraculous back would be such a headache-inducing challenge!? All whilst trying to protect him from the oversized creature who was hot on their heels with the help of some brave Parisians! The hero himself was confident that their Maître should regard himself lucky that he hadn't gotten a verbal lashing from him yet considering that he was to blame for his precious lover's current state and allowing her to make such a reckless decision back when they fought Chaussures de Kwamis.

Chat Noir had to shake his head and refocus on the mission, one arm firm around his partner's torso as they pseudo-swam through the space and the beeping of the lucky charm metal detector filled the otherwise silent vicinity.

"How are you doing? Are you feeling too tired? You can just cling onto my back and I can look for the amok instead." He offered, already quite concerned with how far she's been pushing herself lately. She had trouble being able to stand by herself when they met up at le Musée du Louvre today, needing Alya's and Alix's assistance as they checked out some of the artefacts that evidenced the journalist's theories of past holders whilst he dealt with Nathalie's umpteenth dizzy spell, the woman having to be sent back to the manor right away and crushing the boy's petrified heart (she was getting as sick as Marinette and his Maman and he just couldn't figure out why).

Ladybug responded with a fatigued smile, never annoyed or frustrated with his overprotectiveness and treating her like a fragile porcelain doll; she knew that he had experience with losing someone he loved with his everything so how could she ever blame him for acting the way he does now? She knew that she probably would be the same if their situations were reversed so her patience with him was limitless. It was also a bit of a bonus, the two boys she loves turning out to be one all along and doting on her constantly whenever he can.

She refused to treat the limited time she had left with him as if it was a nuisance and always soaked him in as if it was the last time she was by his side. It was a morbid mentality, even she could admit it to herself. However, it also helped her appreciate him and everyone and everything else around her at a deeper level which simultaneously put her at ease.

She was surrounded by people who truly loved her. How can she be anything but content?

"I'm fine. You don't need to worry." She delivered another smile but his faux ears remained plastered against his hair and the deep-rooted sadness never left his once glittering, radiant greens. As happy as she was that he adored her, she also refused to turn a blind eye to the pain she inflicted on him with the way her body continued to wither away.

"You were coughing up blood again earlier on when we had to chase after Maître. Even when you suited up, you were barely able to stand, Marinette." He had his head against hers again, watching her with those pleading green eyes. "Are you sure you're okay?" Oh, her pauvre Adrien...

"I wouldn't be against wrapping up this battle soon. I want to get back in bed, hahaha!" This earned her a small grin from her partner and he pressed a tender kiss on her forehead, focusing back on retrieving the amok so that he could get her home as soon as possible. He didn't utter a word when she handed him the metal detector, loosely wrapping her arms around his neck as she pressed her front against his back, taking a minute to try and relax her screaming muscles and pounding head whilst savouring the warmth of his strong, lithe body against her own. Ladybug couldn't help the pretty pink smile that rested on her lips when he kept one hand protectively on her head whilst the other used the device to locate the amok.

Her smile could only widen when they found what they were looking for.

"MIRACULOUS LADYBUG!"

Adrien finally relaxed and released the breath he didn't know he was holding, watching the magical ladybirds swarm through the entire city and bring everything back to normal. He watched his Ladybug with unadulterated pride, falling in love with her all over again as she stood strongly on the glass ledge of Tour Maine-Montparnasse's roof, the boy only a few feet behind her. Though she activated her lucky charm power first and his cataclysme was released a little while later, his timer was the one to go off within the standard five-minute rule whilst she had another minute or less till she de-transformed. If he could last recall his conversation about it with Maître Fu, the time depended on how mature their minds were.

A roundabout way of saying that his Lady was more grown-up than he was hence why her timer was longer now compared to his (which he personally found hard to believe because he doubted a 'mature' person would bite his arm just because he took the last cookie).

Regardless, he continued to observe her as if she was a Goddess and he was her most loyal devotee, ready to offer his body, heart and soul to her without an ounce of hesitation. He would happily give her his everything if she asked without even thinking twice about it-

COUGH! COUGH!

"Ladybug?" His alarmed voice had her instinctively turn around slowly and it was right there and then that he finally saw how horrifying her curse had become. Blood and blood and so much blood seeped out of her nose, mouth, ears and even her eyes, looking like all of his worst nightmares come true. His heart sank to the pit of his stomach and bile crept to his throat as he froze in pure terror, unable to hear Plagg's call of his name and the ringing in his ears becoming prominent the longer he gawked. In a daze, Ladybug managed to lift an arm, as if she was trying to reach for him and whisper his name, only for her eyes to roll back and her body to lose its balance, plummeting down the tower as everything went dark for her.

210 metres.

190 metres.

Adrenaline coursed through his body and all that he could hear was his heart pounding ferociously, the boy sped across the roof at high speed and then with his kwami clinging onto his hair, leapt off the tower's ledge without wasting another breath and dove towards his falling partner. He couldn't think, he couldn't breathe and he could barely see, focusing on instinct alone

150 metres.

110 metres.

Her earrings gave a final beep and then a flash of red and white took over her frame, unmasking her bloodied, unconscious face and leaving her skinny body unprotected with her loose clothing fluttering from the air friction. Tears ran from Adrien's eyes and his teeth were clenched, arms fighting the resistance so that he could reach for her limp body, using his bigger mass to his advantage and praying to everything he could think of that he'd reach her in time.

90 metres.

70 metres.

His fingertips were close to grazing her face, her little kwami clinging to her chosen's hair and watching him with fright, begging that he'd make it. That he'll be able to save them all in the nick of time. He has to!

40 metres.

20 metres.

They were mere seconds away from a fatal death but he successfully captured his partner in his arms, manoeuvring their bodies with great effort so that her face was pressed against his chest and that his entire body was curled around hers. There was only one thing left to do.

10 metres.

5 metres.

"PLAGG! TRANSFORME-MOI!"

1 metre.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

"Haah...h-haah...haah...h-h-haah..."

With a few more swallows of some desperately needed oxygen, Chat Noir cradled Marinette's body against his own tightly as if she were his bride, his teeth now gritted shut from the excruciating, agonising pain that tore through his bent, stiff legs and spread upwards to his body like lightening and yet miraculously, nothing of his was fractured or terribly injured, let alone broken from the impact of his body rocketing down from a height of over two-hundred metres and landing on his feet hard enough to leave a monstrously sized crater. He wasn't given a chance to take another breath or even blink. The thick cracks under his boots were deep enough to make the godforsaken tower behind him groan and then ultimately, it wobbled and shifted till it was leaning at an odd angle, causing all the glass to shatter and the remaining people inside to scream.

"Take cover!" The sound of a familiar voice was registered in Chat Noir's mind next after he naturally obeyed, shielding his partner's body with his own once more and then they were suddenly encased by a giant, glowing, green hemisphere, causing all the raining broken glass to shatter upon its surface like ice whilst a small figure stood in front of them both as if he himself was holding up the shelter. The hero didn't dare to open his eyes, his feline ears flat against his hair as the harsh sounds of glass splintering and debris collapsing all around them assaulted his senses. Despite all of that, all he could think of was the nightmarish sight of his bloodied Lady and the way Death flickered behind her with a looming promise that it was ready to take her away from him whenever it wanted.

That at any time, any day, any second, she can easily be snatched away by its malevolent claws regardless of what her wishes were and that nothing in the world can stop it.

He had to force himself to focus on her shallow breathing to avoid spiralling further on fatal what-ifs, deaf to his own laboured breaths and the wheezing lungs belonging to their saviour, assuring himself over and over and over again that she was still alive. It was her breath that was hitting the bare skin that peeked over the collar of his suit. It was her blood that was getting smeared all over the surface of his armour. And it was her heart that was beating within her fragile chest that was pushed against his own. When Chat Noir heard his partner let out a soft whimper and felt her body unconsciously pressing itself further into his frame, he allowed himself to finally settle on his wobbly knees and nestle his face into the crook of her bloodstained neck.

She's alive.

"Oh...oh, Marinette..." His breath came out in hitches against her skin, the boy giving no care that his face and mouth were getting coloured with her blood (rather, he took a dark comfort in it, noting that it was warm just like her living, breathing body). "You're alive...you're still here...oh, ma belle princesse..." He was blubbering all over her, crying like the locked up, lonely child that he tried so hard to hide within his heart, joined by Tikki who wept with him and kept her flipper-like hands on the fabric of Marinette's soiled top.

She's alive.

"You saved her. You saved her, Chat Noir! You saved my little Bug!" The sweet Goddess had big fat tears running down her tiny face and her chosen's partner wasn't faring any better, the duo wailing like children as the Guardian watched them with wet eyes of his own. The dangerous rubble and debris have long stopped falling and the tower behind has finally settled, leaving behind echoes of tearing metal (and now, another iconic landmark that has been accidentally altered by a being of Destruction).

She's alive."How...how is she...?" Tortue de Jade asked meekly when the cries died down, taking a couple of steps towards them, only to stop and force himself to keep his distance with shame all over his face. "I'm sorry...I don't deserve to...I...I got you both hurt and..." The green dome vanished into faint specks of light and the trio was now surrounded by the carnage left behind. "I should have trusted you both. I shouldn't have taken your Miraculous back and now...she's-"

"She's alive, Maître." Chat Noir lifted his head up to face the small, guilty old man. His face which was now rouged from his Lady's blood held only peace and relief and there were no signs of hate or fury against his master. Tortue de Jade could only cry at the sight of his wrecked disciples and his lips wobbled, his heart unable to take it anymore.

"I don't deserve to be called your Maître...I got you both into this mess in the first place. The rise of Le Papillon and Mayura, the disappearance of the Order and all sorts of important things! And...and the curse that's killing Ladybug...it's all my fault!" The wielder of Protection seemed less like a soul who has been around for over a century and more like the bawling twelve-year-old he used to be and yet all that Chat Noir and Tikki did was hear him out patiently without an ounce of malice or frustration in their expressions.

Before, Chat Noir would have happily torn the man apart with brutal words and emotionally charged resentment because dammit, it's true that Fu was the cause of many hardships and challenges that he and his partner had to face due to his strict rules, his inexperience as a teacher and his limited knowledge regarding the Miraculous and its powers. Not to mention the unfair treatment between him and his Lady such as himself being left in the dark of many important things when they were supposed to be on equal footing.

Now?

Chat Noir had a better understanding of his poor, brave, cowardly, tired master. The man's entire world fell apart when he was much younger than they were, all because of a childish mistake which ate his soul away like a growing burden as he spent decade after decade running away, fighting, running away, fighting and rinse and repeat. He was forced to grow up, keeping a dome of solitude around him to ensure that anyone he dared to care for would stay protected from the demons that haunted him and the power he had no choice but to conserve. Who did he have to hold his hand when he got lonely? Who did he have mindless chatter with if he ever got to sit down and watch the stars?

Did he even have anyone to wipe away his tears when things got rough?

He's suffered and paid more than enough and all that Chat Noir could feel regarding his Maître was sadness and sympathy on behalf of the poor old man. He reached out a hand and clenched it into a fist, beckoning his master to come closer, all with the look of raw determination cemented on his face. The old turtle hero could only softly gape, unable to fathom the boy's forgiving heart.

"Then, why don't you try and become the Maître that Ladybug and I need you to be? One step at a time, right?" A little grin played on Destruction's lips and his Guardian couldn't help the quiet, relieved laugh that slipped out of his mouth, clenching a fist of his own and firmly pounding it against his disciple's knuckles with enough strength to make the boy lightly wince and smile wider. "Bien joué."

"Hahah...oui, bien joué, Chat Noir-"

SNAP! SNAP! SNAP!

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

"It's Ladybug and Chat Noir and another miraculous holder! How will you explain yourselves!?"

"You're Adrien Agreste and Marinette Dupain-Cheng, aren't you!?"

What.

"How do you feel now that your identities have been revealed!?"

"What is happening to Ladybug!? Is she sick!?"

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng! Adrien Agreste! Give us a statement!"

What the fuck.

What the fuck.

"-Marinette Dupain-Cheng! Is she dead!?"

"-Ladybug and Chat Noir was Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste all along-"

"-We need a statement now!"

"-Were your parents aware of this!?"

"-Why are you children in charge of superheroing-"

"-Is Ladybug dead!?"

"-Say something!"

The conscious ones of the dishevelled trio could only gape wordlessly as they were surrounded by hundreds of yelling reporters, all with flashing cameras that blinded their stinging eyes and all whilst throwing around questions and names that they should not be saying with the guises that the three were in. What the hell was going on!?

Suddenly, a large flash of bright light from above shone upon the heroes, the young boy hissing from the intensity and immediately shielding his beloved with his body again whilst Tortue de Jade stood in front of his disciples, as if to hide them with his small stature. The roaring sound of helicopters was what Chat Noir and the Guardian registered next, at least two or three of the vehicles hovering nearby with even more reporters yelling at them through a megaphone. It was right there and then that the duo became deaf to the world as a brutal, harsh realisation settled into their aching bones.

"-DO WE NEED TO TAKE LADYBUG TO THE HOSPITAL!?"

"-ADRIEN AGRESTE! WHO IS THAT GREEN MAN!? WE CANNOT CONFIRM HIS IDENTITY!? IS HE USING A FAKE ID IN OUR CITY!?"

"-WAKE UP MARINETTE DUPAIN-CHENG!"

They were careless.

"-WHY HAVEN'T YOU DEFEATED LE PAPILLON AND MAYURA YET!?"

"-ARE YOU SICK TOO, CHAT NOIR!?"

"-WHY ARE YOU STILL SUITED UP!? WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE!"

This whole time, they failed to notice the helicopters that were not too far away from the tower, filled with reporters who were originally filming the Sentimonstre battle that just transpired.

"-WHY WON'T YOU ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS!?"

"-WE DESERVE ANSWERS!"

Not only were the cameramen in the helicopters filming everything, it was also live-streamed on the news for everyone to see. Which meant that they were there when Ladybug collapsed from exhaustion and pain and fell off the tower.

"-THE AMBULANCE IS ON ITS WAY!"

"-WE'RE NOT LETTING YOU GET AWAY WITHOUT ANSWERS!"

"-WILL THE CLEANSING LIGHT FIX ALL THE DESTRUCTION YOU JUST CAUSED!?"

Which meant that they were there when he leapt off the roof in order to save her. Which meant that they were there when she de-transformed back to Marinette and when he transformed into Chat Noir.

"-ADRIEN AGRESTE!"

"-MARINETTE DUPAIN-CHENG!"

"-LADYBUG!"

"-CHAT NOIR!"

Which meant the whole, whole world now knew of their secret identities after watching it live on TV thanks to the sheer, disastrous, outrageously bad luck that decided to shine its ugly head on them.

"-WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE!"

And now...

Le Papillon and Mayura know that they're Ladybug and Chat Noir.

~(x)~

A/N: Heh :)

I know, that was a very, very evil cliffhanger.

BUT. It was either I write the second half and take another like a week or two to write it? Maybe longer because adult life is unpredictable and I'm juggling so many responsibilities at once? OR. It was that I post the first half now and let you all have a taste of what I have to give and then take my time writing the next chapter at the best quality possible with no rushing for instant gratification. I believe I made a good decision~ (I say, having asked some lads on the server what I should do LMAO).

Please, let me know what you think about this story so far! What are your favourite parts? Are you sick and tired of my constantly making lovesquare go through pain all the time? Anything~! I am an attention whore and I want to know everything that is going on through your brain!

See ya~