Running from the Night (A Ladybug and Chat Noir Fanfic)

Epilogue

The chilly air bit at Marinette's skin in the few places that weren't covered by her fluffy blanket. She snuggled down into the cocoon and looked up at the faint starlight that was beginning to dot the early night sky.

The skylight to her balcony opened slowly and she shifted to watch as the newcomer managed his way through the tricky door while holding two mugs in one hand. The care he took in his movement to keep the liquid from sloshing over the sides was impressive as she could see the steam rising from the hot beverages in the night air.

His green eyes met hers and he offered her a soft smile. She grinned back as she took in the soft features of her partner. He wore simple grey sweats and a pink sweater she couldn't help but smile at. Its familiar stitches reminded her of the time before she knew his identity. The only evidence of Chat was the dark dye that remained in the majority of his hair, its blonde roots showing his naturally bright locks. His silver ring glinted as it held onto the flowery pink mug she favoured. She wondered briefly if Plagg was still fretting over Tikki as he had been when she left the two gods in her room.

"M'lady," he offered her the pink mug. She took it gratefully, letting its warmth seep into her finger tips. She opened her blanket cocoon with her other hand and silently offered him a place beside her. He hastily took his spot to avoid losing too much of the warmth she had gathered within the blanket.

They cuddled in silence letting each other's presence sink in and taking comfort from their proximity. She closed her eyes and held the mug with both hands as her now ever-present headache swelled .

"Did you see the news?" Adrien's hesitant question sat between them.

"Mhm," she confirmed. The idea of forming a worded response sounded exhausting.

"Me too," he sighed. She tipped her head into his shoulder and moved one hand to his chest and traced slow circles over his heart.

She had turned her phone off the moment Adrien had come over and refused to let the world invade on their time together. But the weight of the shock that was dropped into the news cycle still settled over them.

Hawkmoth was none other than Gabriel Agreste, his assistant had proven the story in his absence after Ladybug and Chat Noir had called the authorities claiming the terrorists' defeat and demise. They had given their statements and gone through hours of interviews but the secret lair holding Gabriel's missing wife all but sealed his guilt in the matter.

The news had failed to mention what exactly had happened in that basement because Ladybug had refused to let it be publicized, all Paris needed to know was who their tormentor was and the fact that he was gone.

She only hoped they would leave the Agrestes alone after making it clear that Adrien and their extended family held no part in the terrorism.

Marinette sipped the cooling hot chocolate before placing it on the metal table beside her with a hefty clunk. She pulled the blanket closer to her chest and watched as lazy smoke billowed from a nearby chimney.

"How are your parents doing? They seemed..." Adrien trailed. Marinette didn't need to look at him to know the discomfort that was surely playing across his face.

"They're tired," she sighed, "and adjusting. They closed the bakery for a couple days but now that it's open again it seems like all of Paris wants to stick their noses in Mama and Papa's business. Or rather in mine." She hugged her arms around herself.

Adrien's fingers rested on her cheek before fiddling with her hair, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be, Chaton," she huffed, "it's not your fault someone decided to put a target on my back. And at least we don't have to worry about Hawkmoth using me against you anymore." She cringed at her words as they senselessly tumbled out of her mouth. She was glad that hawkmoth was dead, she was happy that Gabriel was gone, but letting those thoughts slip out to Adrien only made her heart hurt for him.