Miraculous Team ✔️

10

Marinette wasn't surprised that she couldn't fall asleep. The room was rather stuffy but the window was right next to a sleeping Alya, and Marinette didn't want to wake her up. Trixx was curled up next to the lamp on the bed stand. Marinette slipped off the double bed and left the room. The clock in the corridor was ticking softly.

It's already 1:30? She exhaled loudly.

Marinette stopped short when she saw Adrien's still body on the couch. It truly pained her. His chest rose up and down steadily, his hair an adorable mess. Then Marinette noticed his arms were tucked together.

He's cold.

Marinette took a blanket from the shelf and tip toed around Nino, who laid in a pile of pillows on the floor next to the couch. She spread out the blanket and put it over Adrien, who shifted a little.

I've never been this close to his face before...

She blushed at the thought. His lips were slightly parted.

He looks so peaceful... I don't want to wake him up.

Marinette walked out to the small balcony, no place to sit. The cool air hit her face and brought goosebumps to her arms. She leaned on the rails.

Things have gotten so complicated over just a few days. I wish all this never happened at all. Knowing Adrien is Cat Noir changes things. Ugh... so many things to regret. I'm not strong enough for all this, not for Hawkmoth, not for our team. They might as well find another Ladybug. It was a mistake to choose me.

Suddenly, she felt something soft touch her shoulders. Frightened, she looked behind her. It was Adrien. His eyebrows were knitted together as he wrapped the blanket around her, then leaned on the rails next to her. It was the same blanket she covered him in.

For a minute, Marinette clutched the warm blanket around her and watched him, speechless. He stared down onto the streets, he wasn't smiling. The streetlights down below were bright and a few cars sped by.

Adrien huffed. She still doesn't want to talk to me, huh?

Marinette couldn't find the right thing to say. This boy, beaten up and tired, was worried if she was cold. He loved her, and she didn't know what to do about it.

"Aren't you cold?" Marinette asked quietly.

Adrien didn't expect her to say anything. He shook his head no.

They were wordless again. Adrien started to wonder if her silence was hinting that she wanted to be alone. Perhaps she needed time away from him. Ladybug never really needed Chat anyway.

He was about to turn around and walk away when he felt a tug on his shirt. It was Marinette.

"I'm sorry." The words rolled out of her mouth before she could stop them.

Adrien looked back at her. His mouth fell open when he realized she was crying. Each tear that rolled down her cheek punched a hole in his chest. Idiot, Adrien scolded himself, She was crying the whole time and you were about to leave her by herself.

Marinette immediately let go of Adrien and backed away. Idiot, she said to herself, He was about to leave...

Doubts spilled into her head.

Why did I have to open my stupid mouth? He doesn't care. He just wanted to do what a good guy would do: give a cold useless girl a blanket to hold on to. He doesn't need me to keep him warm. He hates me. He doesn't want to be near me.

Adrien reached out for Marinette, but she recoiled from his touch.

"Mari..." Adrien managed to grab hold of her arm and she shuddered. "You're... sorry? Sorry for what?"

Marinette stayed tight-lipped. Adrien tried and failed to get her to meet his eyes. "Mari... Mari please."

She was still shaking, sobbing, her body stiff. It broke Adrien's heart. Marinette wished the streetlights were dimmer at night, so that Adrien didn't have to see her like this.

Adrien inhaled like he was about to say something, then suddenly let go of her arm and stumbled back. Not now! He groaned. Everything started to spin around him like circular beats. His head pounded.

Realizing what was happening, Marinette clasped his outstretched arm. "You shouldn't be out here." She spluttered, "I'm sorry."

She lead him back inside and helped him to the couch. Nino snored in the background. Adrien groaned again as he slumped down, but managed to focus his eyes on Marinette, who was busy covering him up with the blanket.

"Mari." He demanded. She stopped moving, then straightened up and gradually met his eyes. "Talk to me, okay? Something's bothering you. I don't know if it's... being in a new place, or Hawkmoth, or me. But you need to trust me... okay Bugaboo?"

Marinette swallowed hard. "Go to sleep."

"Okay?"

She sighed. "Okay."

He knew she was uncertain, but at least she answered. Adrien turned to his side and settled in comfortably.

"Are you hungry?" Marinette whispered, "You skipped dinner last night."

"No." Adrien mumbled, "Thanks anyway." And he fell sound asleep.

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I was debating if I should publish this today or tomorrow, but here you are.

Bug out!