Chapter Text
Adrien felt defeated and horrified. He'd just killed someone, who could blame him for feeling that way? Sure, the person had been an android, and sure, Ladybug brought her back, but that didn't mean everything was fine. It was horrifying, knowing what he'd done, what his powers had done when he got distracted for a second. Ladybug's words still stung, they left him with an ache in his heart. The very thing he was afraid of had happened, and even worse.
He knew he was being drenched by the rain, but he didn't care. He didn't care as the cold seeped into his skin, and he didn't care as started to shiver. His vision became blurry, and soon he wasn't sure if the wetness on his face was from the rain or his tears.
He stopped by the steps of the building he was staying in, looking up to find Marinette around ten feet away from him, her shoulders slumped. A car pulled up as their eyes met, and a door was opened. His father's voice told him to get in the car, that it wasn't safe to stay in New York. He moved to the car slowly, waiting, watching Marinette, hoping she'd say something.
Behind him, he heard a clap of thunder, and something tugged at his heart painfully. Longing. For what, he wasn't sure, but it had to do with Marinette. She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again, looking down dejectedly. Why wasn't she saying anything? Didn't she want him to stay?
He glanced at the car, and with a forlorn sigh, he was about to make his way in. Then he felt a weight crash into his arms, knocking the breath out of his lungs. He looked down at Marinette, and wrapped his arms around her just as tightly as hers were wrapped around him.
Ah, this was what he had longed for. Someone's touch, someone's warm embrace. Something to tell him that it was all going to be ok. And for that someone to be Marinette, that was almost enough to make him feel good.
"Don't go," she mumbled into his shirt. Tentative blue eyes met his, "Please, don't go."
"Adrien? What's going on? Get in the car now," came Gabriel Agreste's voice. Of course his father had to ruin the moment.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I wish I could've stayed with you for longer, but..."
She nodded solemnly, "I get it."
Her arms slowly let go on him, and he reluctantly let go of her too. He glanced back at her dubiously, "I'll see you in Paris?"
She gave him a bright smile, "See you in Paris."
As he slid into his car and closed the door behind him, Adrien couldn't help but feel a little bit better. Yes, he wasn't Chat Noir, and yes, he did something horrible, but for some reason, sometimes hugs can make things better. He knew things weren't really better, but the comfort Marinette gave him, made him feel so warm, so loved. He was really lucky to have her.