Chapter Text
Adrien had been pacing in his room for hours. He was torn between worrying over his lady and her family, and trying to process the fact that he now knew her identity. He knew who she was, and even more than that he knew her personally as his civilian self. And none of it mattered now because she was sick and he couldn’t do anything to help.
So instead he paced.
“Adrien , come on,” whined Plagg from his miniature cheese throne near Adrien’s bed, “you know she’ll be ok. She’s always ok.”
“This time is different, Plagg.” The boy ran a hand through his hair, sighing. “It’s not like she can use her miraculous to make her better. This isn’t because of some akuma, it’s because of someone being an asshole to her.” He paused by the window to watch the sunset.
Plagg tossed a piece of camembert into his mouth. “Well...actually…*gulp*...she can.” He licked his paw of any remaining flavor.
Adrien turned, “Wait, what do you mean?”
“The miraculous has a healing power too. How else do you think Master Fu lived to be so ancient?”
Adrien wasn’t exactly sure how old the man was, but he suspected the number was pretty high. “Then why did she get sick in the first place? Why wasn’t she protected?” He moved closer to sit by the kwami.
“Duh, I said miraculous have healing powers. You guys aren’t immune. She’ll probably just have a mild case of the virus.”
Adrien felt a huge weight lifted off his chest. She was going to be ok. He knew how serious other cases in the city were, and he was relieved Ladybug wouldn’t get the worst of it.
His lady was like oxygen to him, he would suffocate without her. She gave him hope when his life seemed dismal. And Marinette always filled him with so much joy. Once she had gotten over her stutter and could talk normally around him, they had become really good friends. And now both sources of happiness in his life were combined in the same person. And she was going to be ok.
He flopped backwards into his bed and closed his eyes, arms stretched out beside him.
Plagg hovered over and landed on his charge’s chest. “Kid, are you ok?”
“Yeah,” he smiled, “I think I am.”
It was only a few more moments before a red blur darted in.
“Hey sugarcube,” Plagg drawled, recognizing his fellow kwami.
Adrien say up, “Tikki! How is Ladybu- I mean Marinette?”
Tikki seemed to be understandably concerned. “She woke up soon after you left, but her parents still took her to the hospital for fluids since she had fainted.”
Adrien felt anxiety start to blossom in his chest. “How long will she be there?”
Tikki landed on his knee, placing a comforting hand on his leg. “She’s already home now and resting. The doctor said she passed out from overexertion and dehydration, but otherwise she can recover from the virus at home.”
Adrian jumped up, causing Tikki to go flying. “So, then I could visit her?”
The red Kwami righted herself and landed next to Plagg. “Well, technically yes but I don’t think-“
That’s all Adrien needed to hear. “Plagg, claws out!!”
“Adrien, wait!”
He transformed and jumped out his window before Tikki could finish talking. Chat had to see his lady for himself. He raced over the rooftops looking for her familiar balcony.
Tikki followed from a close distance, “Chat, this really isn’t a good idea. You’re not even supposed to know who she is.”
“I know, Tikki, but I don’t really care about the so-called ‘rules’ anymore.” He paused to change direction slightly. “I just know I have to see her. To see for myself if she’s alright.”
“But what if she doesn’t want you there?”
Her question caused him to trip over a stray roof tile before studying himself. He hadn’t considered that outcome yet. Would she want to see him? Maybe not. “If she doesn’t want to see me, I’ll respect her wishes.” Although the thought hurt him, he was adamant in at least attempting to see his partner. “But unless I hear the request from her lips, I’m still going to try.”
“Well...ok then, Chat Noir.”
~~~
It was dark out by the time Chat reached the Dupain-Cheng bakery. He landed on Mari’s window balcony and peeked in. There was a soft glow illuminating the room, a nightlight most likely. His eyes came to rest on her loft in the far corner. Marinette appeared to be sleeping. Her back was to the window so he couldn’t really tell.
Wordlessly, Tikki phased through the window and flew up to her charge.
Not wanting to impinge on the girl’s privacy, Chat turned away from the window and leaned on the railing. He glanced around at the surrounding street and rooftops to see if anyone was watching him. There was only silence and moonlight in the air that night. It was peaceful.
After a moment, Chat heard a small click as the window quietly opened.
“Alright, you can come in,” the red kwami whispered. “She’s awake.”
As silent as the animal he was named after, Chat crept into Marinette’s bedroom. He had been there a few times before. Once as Adrien, and a couple times as Chat. But during those times he knew it only as Marinette’s room.
The hero made it to the center of the room before it hit him - he wasn’t just standing in Marinette’s bedroom, he was in Ladybug’s bedroom. His Ladybug. After pining after her for so long, wishing he would one day learn who she was, hoping for even a small scrap of insight into her personal life...and here he was just sneaking into her house...just like that? The reality of the situation was sinking in far too quickly. He started to feel a bit dizzy.
“Chat?” A small tired voice called out from above.
He pushed down his internal struggle, turned towards the voice, and grinned. “Good evening, purrincess.”
“...hey,” she coughed and shifted to better see him, “You really shouldn’t be here.”
“Ah, but you forget I have a secret weapon.” He partially climbed the ladder leading to her bed, his head inches away from hers. “I’m immune to all magic spells with this special mask I wear. The dark witch that cursed the princess cannot touch this knight.” He winked.
Marinette sighed, “No silly, I mean you shouldn’t be here...with me.” Marinettte turned into her pillow and sat up as she started coughing again.
Chat saw a water glass nearby and handed it to Marinette, climbing up the final steps. He perched beside her and waited patiently as she drank.
Once her cough subsided, Mari quietly stared at the glass a moment, wanting to say something but hesitating. She seemed shy all of a sudden.
“...Tikki said you...know about me.”
He nodded and put a hand to his heart. “Yes, and I swear on my nine lives not to tell anyone, cat’s honor.”
She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Thank you, by the way, for protecting me and bringing me home. Tikki told me that too.” As if on cue, the red kwami flew over to rest on a nearby pillow.
Chat smiled softly, “Of course. It was furtunate I was able to whisker you away before your transformation gave out. That could have been a catastrophe.” She chuckled at his puns. “You’re my partner M’Lady, in sickness and in health. You already know I’d do anything for you.”
Marinette turned to look at him, and Chat felt like she was truly seeing him. Here they didn’t have to focus on battling an akuma or be on the lookout for Hawkmoth’s wearabouts. Here, in that moment, it was just him and her with no hidden identity between them. At least, on her part that is. Chat ached to tell Plagg “claws in” and make things even, but then he'd be at risk of exposing himself to the virus.
Besides, he still wanted to respect his partner’s desire for some sense of anonymity...even if he knew there was no need. There never should have been a need to keep their lives secret from each other.
Looking at her here, unmasked and visible, seeing how the moonlight played with her freckles, it was still hard to believe that of all the people in Paris his wonderful partner could be, she ended up being his incredible friend. It only took one detransformation and suddenly he knew so much more about his lady than he ever dreamed. And the real kicker was he sat in front of her at school every single day. He knew her.
It suddenly hit him why she always felt so familiar, why her disappearances during akuma attacks never struck him as odd. After all, he did the same thing.
Sitting in front of him was the person he trusted more than anyone else in the world, he just didn’t see it before. How did he not see it? How could Ladybug have been anyone but Marinette. They sharted too many wonderful qualities for it to be a coincidence.
I must have been blind, he realized, not to have known it was always going to be you.
Chat suddenly became aware that he'd been staring. He turned away, blushing in the darkness. A bit too late he realized Marinette had been staring right back.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” Mari set the glass down. “Master Fu specifically warned me to never reveal my identity to anyone…” She peered up at him, “even you. I never should have let this happen”
That irritated Chat. His lady was sick and still blaming herself for things out of her control. “Well, purrsonally, I Think Master Fu is full of it.”
Mari was taken aback “But he-”
“But nothing. It makes no sense why we have to keep our lives secret around each other. And regardless, you have the virus. You shouldn’t be blaming yourself for anything right now.” Meow ch, it sounded like he was arguing. Chat decided to switch topics somewhat. “How are you feeling by the way?” He asked a bit softer. “Tikki said the hospital gave you fluids earlier.”
She leaned back to rest on her pillow. “Yeah, that definitely wasn’t fun. The doctor said to see how things go for the time being. I mainly feel exhausted right now, but I still have congestion and my head aches a lot.”
“Can I get you anything? Painkillers? Another blanket? Crackers to munch on?” Chat instinctively leaned over to feel her forehead with the back of his hand, not realizing that probably was overkill. It felt good to be close to her though, to remind himself she was really here. And still no fever, so that must be good, he hoped.
Just like during the battle earlier that day, Mari seemed to lean into his touch. “Thanks kitty, but I already took everything when my parents brought me home. Honestly, I could just really use some company right now I guess.” Her expression darkened. “It’s going to be pretty difficult not being able to see even my parents until this is all over.”
“Well I’ll be here whenever I can, m’lady. People tell me I can be quite amewsing and am a pawsome guest to have over.” Chat started to pull his hand back to better situate himself on the bed, but Marinette immediately clutched his hand with both of her own. She wasn’t smiling at his cat puns this time. “Are you ok, m’lady?”
“No,” she whispered, “I’m trying to be positive, but I’m really scared, chaton. I’m so worried that my parents will catch the virus from me. Everytime I think of my parents I can’t help but feel that I already exposed them.” She began to tear up. “They don't have a miraculous to protect them. I don’t know what's going to happen.”
“Hey,” Chat laid down beside her and wiped away her tears, “it’ll be ok, bugaboo. Plagg told me your miraculous was already working to protect you from getting a worse case of the virus, maybe it made sure you didn’t expose your folks either. And besides, your parents are the strongest people I know, I’m sure they’ll be just fine.”
Mari took a shuddering breath as more tears fell. “You don’t know that for sure,” she whispered.
Chat didn't know what to say. He’d heard those words before, spoken by a younger version of himself when his aunt said his mother would be home soon. Memories he’d long tried to bury began to resurface. Memories of his mother going to countless doctors and hospital visits before they lost her. Adrien felt his chest tighten with anxiety. He felt like that same helpless kid wondering if someone he loved would return to him.
He knew exactly how Marinette felt.
“You’re right,” he whispered back, ”I don't know that for sure. But then again, I’ve seen some pretty amazing things I never would have thought possible before I met you.” He brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “I know how hard this feels, Mari, and I’m here to help in any way I can.”
Marinette took deep breaths, trying to calm down. “Chat...would you stay with me? At least until I fall asleep? I just really don’t want to be alone right now.”
He wiped away another tear and smiled comfortingly, “Absolutely, M’Lady. I’ll stay with you as long as you want.”