The rain continued, falling heavily into the next day. Marinette was secretly glad for the brief respite of always being on the move lately, but she was slightly concerned about Claw. He had seemed quieter then usual today, and even in the firelight, he looked slightly pale and drawn.
Marinette chopped veggies for a soup, glancing up at her partner. "Are you missing home?" she asked, lightly. She was fully confident that Grandma Hyssop and Hesperia had worked out arrangements with her parents so they didn't worry when their teenage daughter disappeared suddenly. But Marinette had always been an independent girl, and never minded being alone, until she met Adrien and Claw.
She was surprised by the harshness in Claw's voice. "How can miss home when no love lives within its walls, and all I have is painful memories?" Marinette was glad the dark hid her blush. "I'm sorry," she whispered. Claw sighed, his voice now gentling. "Sorry for snapping, Princess. I'm not quite myself right now."
"I'll have food ready soon," she promised, donning her cloak and checking to see how hard it was raining. At the moment, it was only a fine mist. "I'm going to gather firewood, but I won't stray far." she was about to step out of their hideout, when Claw said, "Kiss me goodbye first?"
Marinette nodded, eager for some reassuring love. But she was to distracted to enjoy the kiss. Were his lips hot, hotter then they should be? Was he running a fever? He would tell her, wouldn't he? Her heart thumped away in her chest, and she took deep breaths to calm herself. "Back soon."
The cool condensation calmed her as she looked for wood, getting momentarily sidetracked to watch a spider building its web. Her legs were happy to move around, and so was her mind.
Claw had been busy too, and Marinette was surprised to see he had made little dough balls for the soup she planned to make. "Great, we can use them as dumplings. Looks like you know a little about cooking after all, Kitty."
Claw smiled, then drew his knees to his chest. Marinette was concerned but she didn't comment. However, when she crawled into her small room for sleep with Claw elsewhere, she had trouble falling asleep.
A bad dream woke her several hours later, and she heard an echoing cough. "Claw," she whispered, sitting up and rubbing her gritty eyes. Perhaps not a dream, after all.
She held back her cry of fright as she found Claw huddled in a ball, shaking like a leaf. "Claw, love, can you hear me?" she lent down, feeling her partner's forehead. Hot as fire, and Marinette grew scared. "What do you need me to do, Marinette?" Tikki! Tikki was here, and it was going to be okay. It had to be. "Grab a cloth and wet it in the small stream," she instructed, "we need to get his fever down as soon as possible."
Marinette hated to let go of Claw's hand, but she needed her pack where all her vital supplies were stored. "I'll be back so fast, you won't miss me," she promised, scrambling up.
Tikki was back soon, handing Marinette the cool cloth. Marinette dabbed at his forehead, scared of the sounds Claw was making. He must be cold, she thought. We'll cuddle in the blanket, keep each other warm. Drawing Claw close to her chest, she begin to sing softly. Claw shuddered a moment, then nuzzled, seeming to settle down. He's listening to my heartbeat, she thought, and begin to stroke his hair.
Did anyone but her know that Claw was sick? Could the Guardians see them in the arena? She needed medicine and fast. She still had her magical plum seeds and water flask, but they seemed useless right now, as only days ago they had helped her greatly. Marinette felt her eyelids drooping, but she fought the urge to sleep.
A small voice piped up in her head. But if you don't care of yourself, you'll be sick like Claw, and then what good will you be?
A flash of blue interrupted Marinette's thoughts and she instinctively pulled Claw closer. "How is he, Marinette?" Marinette gasped, and looked up. "Grandma Hyssop?" "I'm actually not supposed to be here, but I could sense you needed help." Marinette felt warm tears track down her cheeks. "Are you sure your not an angel?" Hyssop laughed. "Goodness, no, child. For if I was an angel, where are my wings?" Marinette laughed softly, the laughter feeling good.
Grandma begin to stir up the fire. "I'll make a mash for him to eat and take his medicine…." "Mother? Are you here?" Claw called out and begin to thrash and moan. Marinette held on with all her strength, until Grandma took over. Eventually, Claw settled down and Grandma sighed, now looking worried. "His Miraculous could only feed his illness, being in the suit this long. I hate to reveal his identity to you without his permission, but I fear I may not have a choice." Marinette's voice was soft as she answered. "Claw trusts you, and he'd know you'd do what's best." She knelt down, whispering in Claw's ear.
"Claw, I need to take off your Miraculous for your safety, but I promise I still love you, and always will." "Marinette, you should be the one who takes it off. Your in training, and he's your partner."
Marinette's heart beat fast with nerves as she bent forward to remove the ring, at the last second squinting her eyes shut. A green flash lit behind her lids, but even after it died away, her eyes stayed shut. Grandma laid a cool, but reassuring hand on hers. "Its okay, sweetheart. Open your eyes."
One, two, three, I love you, Marinette whispered, then opened her eyes. Adrien. Adrien Agreste was her partner behind the black mask. Adrien who she hadn't trusted at first, was the kindest, gentlest boy on the planet.
Relief washed through like a small wave, the two halves of loving both boys in her heart, sewing their way into one.
But Adrien wasn't out of danger, and it was her job to make him better. Marinette didn't know how long Hyssop stayed with her as Adrien slowly regained his strength, and if they had failed their quest, she wouldn't care.
"Marinette, take some time for yourself," Hyssop said at breakfast as Marinette chopped some greens. "I'll cook this morning so you can wash up. Trust me, you'll feel better."
There was a small stream a little ways away, and Nikki followed Marinette. Hanging a lantern, Marinette washed her grimy clothes in the spring, then slowly lowered herself into the water.
Marinette gasped at first at its coldness, then begin to move around. Oh, how refreshing the water felt, the soap scrubbing away all the dirt and sweat, making her feel pretty.
Slipping into a hoodie and jeans, Marinette braided back her hair, feeling ten times better as she headed back to the fire.
Marinette stopped a ways from the fire. Adrien was sitting upright, eating from a bowl. A cry of joy left the young ladybug's lips.
"Adrien! Your okay!" "Hey, there, Princess. Guess you know who I am now?" Marinette took his hands in hers. "Whether you are Claw Noir or Adrien Agreste, my love for you never stops, it only grows."
Adrien smiled his very familiar grin. "You might retract that statement when I go into pun-mode, but that's very nice to hear." Then Adrien leaned close. "Thanks for keeping your promise, love. You kept me safe through my sickness. It would be a lonely place without you."
Grandma Hyssop came over, handing them two bowls of creamy, fruity cereal. "Okay, you lovebirds, stop twittering your love for each other and eat up."
Adrien and Marinette burst into laughter, the laughter feeling very, very good.