Adrien tossed and turned, a nightmare going on while he slept….bolting suddenly upright.
He clutched at his chest, as if that would stop the pounding of his heart. It was only a nightmare, but it felt so real, so vivid….Adrien checked the time, almost sunrise. Good. He'd shower and dress, and meet Ladybug for an early patrol.
Cat was early as he landed at their spot, hoping Ladybug wouldn't miss the sunrise. With his excellent hearing, he didn't miss the soft padding of feet walking towards him. "Hey, Kitty. Guess the early bird got the worm today, didn't it?"
Cat turned to look at her, but stayed silent. Oh, how beautiful she looked with the sun just rising, turning her raven-black hair a peachy-pink. Golden Hour was magical, even at sunrise.
"Hey," Ladybug's eyes filled with concern as she sat down. "You okay?" she reached out for a hug, and as much as Cat wanted the hug, he rejected it. "No!" he cried sharply, dodging her away with an elbow.
Ladybug looked shocked. Cat's chest heaved in and out. "I'm sorry." "Cat, please talk to me."
"I had a nightmare about you," Cat whispered, finally opening up. "Go on," she encouraged. "I dreamed day after day there were satsumas and I left to find you to be by your side. Only, whenever I arrived, you'd used your Lucky Charm and the Miraculous Ladybugs had repaired everything. It kept happening, and finally I realized you didn't need me anymore, just like…"
Cat stopped just in time, but curse their secret indieties. "Cat, please. You can talk freely." "Just like at home," his voice wobbled and faltered. "I've been rejected, betrayed, and I have no home. I've always felt safe and loved when I'm with you," his voice broke.
"Oh, Kitten," and Ladybug pulled him into a hug. And Cat cried. And it felt good with Ladybug holding him, stroking his hair and letting him let out these emotions that he had been bottling for so many years.
"I'm sorry," Cat wiped his eyes. "When Hawkmoth appeared," Ladybug begin slowly, "I made a promise that you and I would keep Paris safe. And today, I make another promise. I vow to never reject, betray, and stop loving you. I will always love you and will never abandon you."
Fresh tears ran down Cat's cheeks. "Your the best Bugaboo," he held up his fist for a pound it. "Your going to make me cry too," she whispered.
"Ladybug?" "Yes?" "Could we drown our sorrows with sweets at the bakery?" Ladybug laughed and sniffed, taking his hand. "Let's go home, Cat."
And so they went to the bakery, where home was where the sweets are, and the home he had always wanted.