Chapter Text
The city was ablaze.
Chat Noir clutched his side as he stood next to Ladybug on the rooftop. They were both weak and dehydrated as they examined the damage left behind by the akuma.
Three years of battling Hawkmoth's akuma and it wasn't getting any better. Just more dangerous. It was for certain he was out for blood.
The city air was hot and smoke wafted. The akuma had been cleansed all that was left was for the cure to be released.
A tear escaped Ladybug's eye, it never got easier to see her hometown ruined. No matter how many Akumas she fought, Paris should not have to go through the abuse. She threw the Lucky Charm into the air and whispered, "Miraculous Ladybug."
The magical ladybugs absorbed the smoke and fire, healing all injuries and marks left by the attack. But they didn't touch the memories left behind. No, it was up to the people to cleanse themselves of the trauma.
Chat Noir glanced at Ladybug and saw the tear complete its trail. He stole her away before she lost herself, using his staff to lift them both away. He deposited her safely on top of the Notre Dame before she broke down.
Chat Noir held her tight as she relieved herself from emotions that stemmed from what had to be one of the scariest akumas to grace Paris streets.
"It's okay. I'm here, I've got you." He whispered into her ear. It broke his heart. She was sobbing in fits that sounded similar to someone choking. He didn't know how to help and that was probably the worst part. Their Miraculous beeped but they paid no mind. They just held each other on the Notre Dame and tried to heal each other like every other family in Paris.
The beeps were getting faster. Chat Noir tightened his hold on her once before letting her go. She looked up at him with wet eyes. "Go, your family must be worried."
She looked up at him, she could practically see him caged behind his own emotions, but she just looked down and nodded. "You're right. I should go," she looked up once more. "Good job today, kitty." With a teary smile, she shot out her yo-yo and swung away.
Chat Noir watched her go with a sigh.
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Marinette let her transformation drop in the alley next to her parents' bakery. She rounded the corner in a sprint and burst through the doors of the bakery. Her parents shocked faces from her abrupt entrance melted to relief as they saw their baby girl.
It had been just after school when the akuma started so Marinette and her parents had yet to see each other since that morning. The blue-eyed girl launched herself into her father's arms. He patted her head as her mom came to join the embrace. The Dupain-Chengs held each other for a long time.
After a few long moments, they let go of each other. Knowing how the people of Paris reacted after a bad akuma, they closed down the shop. There would be no one leaving home for the rest of the day.
Marinette grabbed blankets and pillows from her room while her parents prepared snacks. Marinette had a comfortable seating area for them when they walked in. She changed into her pyjamas knowing there would be no school the next day.
The family sat cuddled together on the couch watching television. Usually, they'd watch a movie but today Marinette placed old childhood videos. By the time they got to ten-year-old Marinette, her parents called it a night. She watched the last video alone and let the tears stream down her face. She cried as she watched herself smile proudly as she produced her first design creation, her trusty purse. Her tears dried slowly as she climbed the stairs to her room.
She walked in as quietly as she could because she knew her Kwami was sleeping. It had been an intense fight for the little god and Marinette could not be more grateful to have a friend like Tikki. The red bug deserved her rest.
She let out a gasp as she saw Chat Noir in her computer chair. He silently spun in the chair, pretending not to notice her.
"Are you okay?" Marinette asked quietly. The first words she'd said since she left him on that roof.
Chat stopped spinning the chair as he let her words sink. His whole body shook, "No," he admitted, hoarsely.
Marinette clambered into her room clumsily as his shoulders shook. It was her turn to hold him. Marinette knew Chat Noir well and she knew that he always liked to appear strong in front of Ladybug. But now it was her, it was Marinette and he didn't have to hold back anymore. He had already been strong enough.
She lifted him out of the chair and they both fell onto her chaise, with him laying half on top of her. She hugged him as he cried on her chest, each sob shook her to the core.
His blonde hair tickled her exposed skin and his tears wet her pyjamas. But she didn't mind, she didn't care. Her best friend was breaking down.
She ran her hand through his hair as she thought about all his other moods except sad. Ever since he started visiting her after the Glaciator episode they've become much closer. As Marinette and Chat and as Ladybug and Chat Noir.
His green eyes were scrunched shut and his face was twisted into a frown. It wasn't a look Marinette liked seeing. She missed seeing his bright smile and glowing green eyes. She wanted them back.
"Marinette?"
She hummed in response.
"You know I'll always protect you, right?" His voice was raspy but they held a promise.
Her heart beat a little faster for the boy with her. He was just so good. "Yes, Chaton. I have every faith that you will."
And I'll protect you too, she vowed to herself. And Hawkmoth will pay for the pain he caused. To all of them.
They fell asleep in each other's arms on her chaise. They dreamed about each other that night.