Thunderstorms Series: Part 3 (Drenched)

Chapter 23

Marinette walked over and sat down on Adrien's bed, letting her book bag land on the floor beside her. She watched as Adrien went and sat down at his piano instead of sitting down beside her like he normally would do.

"Piano practice today?" She asked.

"Unfortunately." He replied, placing his fingers on the keys.

Marinette gave him a saddened look. She loved when he played the piano. It was such a sweet melody that he played. She stood up while listening to him play his soft warm up scales on the piano. She walked over to him and sat down beside him. He looked at her with a surprised look and then gave her a soft smile. She leaned her head on his shoulder listening to the scales, watching his fingers gracefully glide over the keys. He made it seem so easy.

"What are you going to play?" She asked, glancing up at him.

"Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy." Adrien said, starting to play the piece he had chosen.

Marinette listened to Adrien play. She watched his fingers tap the keys and it was almost entrancing. Though Clair de Lune almost seemed sad. Did he play anything uplifting? Did his father only let him play the classical pieces? Is that why he didn't like playing the piano?

Marinette turned to Adrien, seeing him focus on the piano. He was really trying to perfect the skills his father tried to get him to learn. He loved his father and wanted to impress him but he was hiding that hurt deep down. Marinette lifted her head off of his shoulder causing him to stop playing. Adrien watched as Marinette played a note or two on her own. They had no specific meaning. She then laid her hand on the keys and started playing her own tune. Adrien smiled and started to play alongside her, matching the tune with her.

Plagg and Tikki smiled at one another as Adrien and Marinette played the piano together. Adrien knew Marinette had never touched the piano before. She wasn't reading off of any sheet or trying to make something. She was simply trying to enjoy their time together. Adrien started to laugh, causing her to look over at him.

"What? Am I that bad?" She asked, continuing to play.

"Actually, no. I'm matching you... so it isn't that bad. You're making it fun is all." He smiled softly.

Those words. Fun. Marinette stopped playing and placed her hands on either side of his cheeks and kissed his nose. He held his breath, blushing bright red as she did. She leaned out and smiled. Though instead of pulling her hands away, she continued to glide them into his hair and lean her head on his shoulder for support.

"What's wrong?" He asked, looking down at her, feeling her gently play with his hair.

He ran his hand through his own hair until he found her fingers and intertwined them with his. He brought her hands down and held her, seeing her sigh.

"I keep thinking about our decision. Our reveal to Felix, Alya and Nino. We didn't make a mistake... did we?" She asked with a worried expression.

Adrien thought for a moment and smiled.

"Alya and Nino have been our friends for a long time. They would do anything for us." Adrien reassured her.

"And Felix?" Marinette asked.

Adrien hesitated, recalling everything Felix had done so far but sighed.

"Felix has... done things that I know he regrets. Though... he wants to help. He hasn't told anyone about our identities as of right now and personally I don't think he will. He helped you when I was Chat blanc. I think he has proven his loyalty." Adrien said, kissing Marinette's cheek.

"You're right." Marinette said smiling, looking up at Adrien.

"I wanted to say... Marinette... I'm sorry... for becoming Akumatized and becoming Chat blanc. I should have had better control of my emotions." Adrien sighed.

"It isn't your fault. It's Hawkmoth's fault. He sent the Akuma." Marinette reassured him.

"Hawkmoth... My... father... I don't know what to do about my father..." Adrien said with a saddened expression.

"Adrien... We are Ladybug and Chat noir. We... are the heroes of Paris. We will take Hawkmoth's Miraculous and... he will just go back to being just your father. He would have to. He would have no other choice." Marinette said, placing her hand on Adrien's cheek.

Adrien gave Marinette a warm smile, though he was worried regardless. It was easier said than done. He knew she was only trying to make him feel better but... there was no way the people of Paris would just let him walk away. His father already pleaded guilty and he was in jail. Then he went and broke out of jail. They were not going to take it lightly.

Though he wouldn't tell Marinette what he was thinking. He would keep that to himself.

The vibration from his pocket took their attention away from their conversation. He pulled his phone out and he looked down at a number he didn't recognize. He looked at Marinette with a worried look.

"Hawkmoth?" Marinette asked.

"I-I'm not sure." He replied.

Adrien slid the answer button and lifted the phone to his ear. Marinette watched as Adrien's eyes suddenly widened and his mouth opened slightly. It was as if he were in shock.

"Adrien? What's the matter? What's going on?" Marinette asked, concerned.

"It's... It's my mother..." Adrien said, letting his hand drift down to his lap.

"Is she alright? Tell me." Marinette pleaded.

"She's... She's awake. I'm talking to a nurse."

Adrien hit the end call button and she saw his eyes start to water. He stood up and held himself up by using the edge of the piano.

"Adrien. Are you alright? What do you mean she's awake?" Marinette asked, standing up with him to help steady him.

"I need to go. I need to go see her." Adrien said frantically.

"Al-alright Adrien." Marinette said.

"Do... you care if I... go by myself for now. I'll introduce you to her after I see her. It's... It's just that... I haven't seen her... in so long." Adrien confessed, hoping he wouldn't upset Marinette.

"Of course Adrien. Go see your mother. I'll be here when you get back. Text me later." Marinette smiled.

Adrien smiled happily and he hugged her tightly out of excitement that he could no longer contain. Marinette watched him rush out of the room with Plagg in his jacket pocket. Marinette smiled and watched Tikki float out of her purse and smile at her.

"Wanna help me with some homework until he gets back?" Marinette asked.

"That sounds like a great plan." Tikki smiled.

Adrien slid inside of the car and asked his bodyguard to rush him to the hospital where his mother was being hospitalized. His heart was racing. As he grew closer to the hospital it was almost like he started to hold his breath. He hadn't seen his mother in so many years. He was about to see her. He felt the misty residue start to build in his eyes again when he saw the hospital in the distance. He quickly wiped his eyes and smiled. The excitement within his heart was racing faster and faster. All he wanted to do was rush into her room and crash into her arms. Her warm, loving arms like when he was younger.

They pulled up and parked. Adrien didn't hesitate to rush up to her room though. Once he got to her room he stood outside of her hospital room, staring at her door. He took a deep breath, almost trying to calm his nerves. He didn't want to overwhelm her even if he was thrilled with excitement. He needed to be an adult for her.

What was he going to say to her? What... should he say? What if she asks about father? What all should he tell her? This is bad.

Regardless, he took hold of the doorknob and twisted it, taking a step inside of the room. The crisp cold hospital room air hit his face as he stepped inside, letting the door shut behind him.

"Mom? I'm here." Adrien smiled, tears starting to fill his eyes once again.

Though no one answered back. It was just an empty room. He blinked and scanned the room. He saw someone standing near the back of the room and he walked toward them. Before he could say anything else to them. They put something over his eyes and everything faded to black.