Adrian did more than just that one night. He still felt guilty about not reacting quicker and saving both of his friends. His conscience still troubled him about that. So he did all he could to appease it. He watched out for her incessantly when she no longer had superpowers on demand.
When Luka learned to walk, she laughed and then cried, remembering who else should have been there for that moment. There were plenty of vulnerable days for her when she really missed him. And on those days, Adrian did his best to simply be there for her. As a shoulder to cry on or as a source of comforting words, he tried really hard to be what she needed.
One day, Marinette left him on the main dock for a moment to take a batch of cookies out of the oven. She had just set the pan on the counter when she heard a splash. Her blood froze.
She ran out and leaned over the railing, calling his name. She checked the other side, but there was no sign of him.
"What's wrong?" Adrian shouted, running out of his cabin in his pajamas.
"Luka! He fell overboard! I don't see him anywhere!"
"Plagg, claws out!" Cat Noir dove overboard. An eternity later, he resurfaced, cradling Little Luka who was unconscious. He set the baby down and began performing CPR. Moments later, Luka started coughing up water and crying.
"Claws in," Adrian sighed, relieved.
Marinette scooped up her son and held him tight, her eyes leaking tears.
"Oh, mon Diu, oh mon Diu," she gasped. "I can't believe it." She hugged Adrian. "Thank you. Thank you, Adrian."
He stroked her hair. "Hey, you can breathe, princess. Breathe."
She started sobbing. "I'm an awful parent. I can't do this. I can't."
"Marinette, don't you dare think that. No one is perfect. And you're doing a pretty damn good job if you ask me. You're a single mother who owns a business. And you're doing fine."
"Adrian, I almost let my child drown. And he would have if you weren't here. I think that qualifies as bad parenting."
"Marinette," he sighed. "Look, I'm sure if you ask any other parent ever, they'll have some story about when their child almost died. You are literally a superhero whether you have a magic gem or not. Ask anyone."
She took a few deep breaths. "Thank you, Adrian. Thank you for everything."
YOU ARE READING
When Walls Crumble
FanfictionA Miraculous Ladybug Lukanette fanfiction. Marinette finally grows up and stops obsessing over an idea to fall for the constant love and support by her side. For a while, they are happy. And then: Lila, tragedy, death, a child, and a shit ton of...
