I didn't think me being injured would cause Ladybug to drop her transformation, and I look upon the bowed head of Marinette Dupain-Cheng. She's shivering and I can't tell if she's cold or from what's happened. Suddenly, she lifts her head, wipes her eyes and kneels down next to me. "Right, I need to make a bandage to wrap around your tummy," she looks at me, tears still sliding down her cheeks.
Slowly, I lift my hand, wiping away at her tears. "I'm so happy to see you again, Marinette. But why are you crying?" she bows her head again, hiding her pretty face. "Because now that you know who's behind the mask, you'll walk away."
I lift her chin, forcing her to look at me. "I'm not in a position to go anywhere at the moment, and I'm not going anywhere. I've always told you I've loved the girl behind the mask, and I couldn't be happier its you." "Please don't say that," her words are garbled now. And then I understand. Cat told her similar words to Ladybug, and I realize that, she's in love with the whole me, my Cat side and my Adrien side. Myself. She just doesn't know we're the same person, but hey, if we're revealing, there isn't a better time.
"You could make a bandage, or I could transform." "Adrien, don't be silly! You don't have a Miraculous!" I hold out my hand. "What do you think this is?" I point out my ring. Marinette shrugs. "I don't know, some family heirloom? You did tell me once it was from someone special." "Yes, it was, because Master Fu gave it to me." Marinette gasps. "But that means…."
"Claws Out." Silence reigns for the next minute or so as we sit staring at each other. "Kitty?" Marinette touches my cheek. "My Kitty is my Adrien?" "That would be correct, Princess. Claws In."
"Oh, Adrien!" More tears follow from both of us, but now they are tears of joy. "See, Cat never abandoned you at the fashion show. I've been right beside you the whole time, My Lady."
Marinette places a finger to my lips as she laughs happily. "Shush, you silly Cat, and kiss me!" "Well, finally you get around to asking me," I tease and our lips meld together.
Though we have shared first kisses before, this feels like our very first kiss, without secrets or walls between us. We pull back from each other, catching our breath, our foreheads touching. "Oh," Marinette is suddenly blushing a burning red. "If your Cat Noir and I'm Ladybug," she says aloud and I nod, "and your Adrien, that means that once upon a time I would scratch you under the chin!" She buries her face in my chest. I laugh. "And I enjoyed every second of it," I place my arms around her.
She lifts her head. "Seriously, Adrien, we need to get that wound looked at. I'm certain my mother will know what to do." She wraps the temporary bandage around my middle then transforms again.
"I think we should take the shortcut home, in case anymore crows have ideas," she tells me.
Mama frowns when she sees the wound, and she orders both of us up to the bathroom. I hiss and hold Ladybug's hand tightly as she moves her fingers inside the wound and she explains she is checking to make sure no part of the beak was lodged into me.
"It will need stitching," she informs us as she cleans her hands. "Adrien, what do you do to provoke a crow anyway?" I glance at Ladybug, and she shoots me a warning glance. "Must have really wanted my croissant," I joke, but keep my voice serious.
Mama hums as she weaves the needle and thread through me, and I assure them the feeling is bearable. Being isolated and alone for so many years is thousands of times worse, and this is nothing. Still, I don't feel so good after, Sabine makes a cozy nest on the couch.
"Make sure he rests, and he has plenty of fluid while I go get dinner," Sabine informs Ladybug. Her stern look softens into a look of love. "Rest well, dear," she brushes a kiss on my forehead. With a click of the door we are left alone again.
"How are you feeling?" Ladybug asks. I wince, but try to smile. "Just glad your here." Ladybug nods, laying her head down on my chest and we cuddle together. I stroke her hair, breathing her soft scent. Its calming.
"Thank you, by the way," she whispers, her bluebell eyes looking into mine before laying back down. "Mm, for what?" "For being my comfort on the darkest day of my life." "You mean the day we lost all the Miraculous?" she nods. "You kept me calm while I had a panic attack. You were right, if anyone I should trust you the most."
"It was a dark time for me too," I tell her, rubbing her back in little circle motions. "You were so far away for the first few months, and I hated to see you cry and doubt yourself." "It was your puns and your softness that got me through." "Must have been some good puns." she giggles. "I love you, Adrien," she whispers.
She falls asleep for a time, and I can tell she dreams as her eyelids flutter and twitch. I've always been fascinated by emotions and dreams, as dreams are a mystery to me. Just then, she starts to shiver and Ladybug gives out a small cry. "Please, don't leave me…." she wakes, sitting up gasping.
"Marinette, honey, I'm here. I'm here." I rock her gently back and forth, whispering comforting words. "I know your mother wants me to rest, but I think we could use some fresh air. Besides, Starbucks is right around the corner." "Okay, but what about Corvus?" "I don't think we'll be seeing him anymore today."
Its a slow walk to the coffee shop, and suddenly Ladybug gets a playful look in her eye, letting go of my hand and sprinting down the block.
I hurry (slowly) to catch up with her, but in the end there's no need. "Boo!" she swings down in front of me from a nearby lamppost, upside and grinning. I chuckle, surprising her by placing my hands on her cheeks and we share an upside down kiss.
But hey, our world has been upside down today, but for us that seems very normal, and we burst into giggles.