Chapter Text
When Adrien woke up that morning, he knew instantly that something was wrong with him. His body ached. He felt warm all over. He refused to move an inch. His nose was runny and his head was banging. It was the clear sign of being sick. He knew it. He just knew this would happen.
After being exposed to the terrible weather during a rainy photoshoot, his body wasn’t happy about going through such extremes. Getting soaked on and on without end, with fluctuating hot and cold temperatures was never good. His body literally exposed to the elements. It was inevitable that he got sick.
This was not how he imagined his Saturday.
When he was younger, he would have expected a visit from Nathalie to check on him, and see how he was. She’d notice right away how terrible he looked and would prepare the necessary medications.
Now 18 years old, he was living by himself, away from his father. Away from the mansion. He wanted to move out when he became 18 and so he did. Living on your own definitely had it’s perks but being sick alone was never great.
It was also bad timing because Nathalie and his father both left for an oversees trip back to Japan for another opening of a Gabriel store. He really couldn’t ask them for help anyway.
“Great…”
Adrien stumbled a little in his bed as he reached for his bedside table. In one of the drawers, he knew he kept a few tablets of a generic brand of Paracetamol ready. He luckily found one and downed it.
“Aaggghhh…” Adrien hissed a little.
His throat was on fire.
“Plagg…” He called out softly with his remaining amount of strength.
His kwami flew up and saw his sorry state.
“Woah, kid. You look terrible. Normally I’d joke about it… but wow. You need some rest.”
“I feel terrible that’s for sure… can you… can you pass me my phone?”
Adrien tried reaching for his phone on the far side of the table but he was struggling even with just that.
Plagg quickly swooped there and gave the boy his phone. After that he went to his kitchen and came back with a bottle of water.
“Here, kid. Drink up.”
Adrien smiled at his longtime companion. He never always said what he felt, but Plagg truly cared for him. Adrien always appreciated it.
“Thanks, Plagg. Listen… if I can’t get it for you… go ahead and get as much as camembert you like from the fridge… I might be out cold for a while.” He hoarsely said.
“Don’t worry about my cheese. You just get better, aright?”
“I gotta… I gotta call, Marinette too.”
“Pigtails? Why?” He asked.
“We were… were supposed to hang out today. I wanted to… catch a movie with her.”
Plagg’s eye nearly bulged out.
“W-what?! When did this happen?!”
Adrien smirked a little.
“I… texted her last night. And she said yes.”
Plagg flew closer to Adrien’s face and it was clear that the kwami shocked.
“So are you telling me… you asked her out on a date?!”
“We didn’t exactly call it that… but I hoped that it could be. I… I wanted to finally ask her out. Finally take a chance.”
Adrien’s been putting off his building feelings for Marinette for a long time now. And after years and years of people hinting what could be possible between them, Adrien finally got a clue. Marinette was a wonderful girl who was always there for him.
He wouldn’t lie anymore. He had fallen for her. He hoped that maybe she might have feelings for him too.
“Of all the days for you to get sick… it really must suck, huh?”
Adrien frowned and agreed.
“Definitely… big time, Plagg. I’ll message her and apologize.”
Adrien typed a few sentences writing an apology to Marinette. He really was a black cat.
Super unlucky.
After a few moments typing the explanation that he was sick and that he’d like to schedule their movie for another day, he sent the message to her.
Adrien was ready to fall back to sleep when his phone started to ring. He checked who it was that was calling.
“Marinette?” He read out loud.
Her display picture shown on the screen.
He answered it quickly, placing the phone to his ear.
“H-hello?” He tried answering as clearly as he could.
“Adrien?” Marinette’s voice replied. “Oh my God. What happened? Are you, okay? You sound… awful.” Adrien could hear the worry in her voice.
“I p-probably caught a cold or something like that… I was under the rain nearly the whole day yesterday. I got soaked… and it got warm and cold… and warm… So yeah. Fever.”
“Oh… I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“I’m the one who’s sorry… I was really looking forward to watching that movie with you. Can we… reschedule?” He asked.
“Adrien… it’s just a movie. What matters more is your health. You get better as soon as you can. Bed rest and fluids. Eat well. We can always watch a movie another day. I’d love to go again when you’re all better.”
Adrien loved the way Marinette spoke so sweetly into his ear through the phone. Hearing her talk to him and sound so caring made him slightly swoon. In fact… he started feeling better already.
“Thanks, Marinette.”
“Do you need help? Are you alright?”
“I’m… fine.” He lied. He felt awful… but he had a feeling if he mentioned how bad he felt, Marinette would swoop right in.
“You’re lying.” She said.
“Damn.”
“Marinette… I’ll be okay. Don’t worry. I’ll just need some bed rest.”
“Didn’t you mention your father and Nathalie would be out of town? You know what… I’m coming right over.”
“Marinette… wait. I don’t want to trouble you—-“
“No arguing, Adrien! I’ll see you in a bit. I’ll be right there to help you out.”
She ended the call, leaving Adrien to sigh on her bed.
“Of course… of course she’d like to come over and offer to take care of me.”
Adrien knew she was that kind of girl. So caring… so thoughtful. So… wonderful.
“God… I’m falling hard for that girl.” He mumbled out.
Adrien then tried his best to make himself look presentable. He fumbled with his bed sheets and tried to rest as much as he could before the inevitable visit of the girl he was falling deeper for.
***
In the house and specifically the room of Alya Cesaire, a now frazzled 18 year old Marinette ended her call with Adrien.
“Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God! What have I gotten myself into?!” Her hands now holding the sides of her head as she jumped a little in place.
Marinette woke up early that morning so that she could get some help preparing for her movie “hangout” with Adrien that day. She wanted to impress him, make herself look the best she could and possibly elevate that movie watching to an actual date. Marinette still debated with herself whether or not he was asking her out for a date. She should have clarified. Alya insisted that it was in fact a date.
It didn’t matter anymore because of the sad news that Adrien was feeling under the weather.
“What? What’s wrong?” A voice asked.
Alya, Marinette’s best friend, came in to her room, where she last left Marinette alone to talk to Adrien on the phone.
“Why the sudden freak out?” She asked.
Marinette frowned at her.
“Adrien’s sick.”
Alya’s face fell and was now filled with concern.
“Oh no. What happened? Is it something serious?”
Marinette shook her head.
“No… it’s definitely a bad cold. He was out the entire day yesterday and the weather must have gotten to him.”
“Oh… that’s too bad, Marinette. I’m sure he’ll back to normal in no time.” Alya reassured her.
“Yeah… I’m sure of it too. He apologized and asked if we could reschedule our movie hangout together. Of course I said yes. But I’m just concerned, Alya. He’s all alone now, living by himself.”
Alya looked pensive for a moment before snapping her fingers.
“Well… you could just drop on by?” Alya suggested.
“I actually offered to already. I’m going to heard there in a bit. That’s why I’m freaking out.”
Alya began to clap dramatically at her best friend.
“I’m proud of you. Already one step ahead. But why are you freaking out? You’re just going to take care of Adrien! You and him alone in his bedroom… for hours on end… No one to see whatever you guys end up doing.” Alya suggestively raised her eyebrows at her.
Marinette pouted.
“HA. HA. Very funny, Alya. You know exactly why! I-I wasn’t expecting this! I was mentally prepared for a movie! Not being along with him in his bedroom! A teenage boy’s bedroom! A super handsome one too!”
“Look, Marinette. Just calm down and be yourself. Let me just check on the twins for a moment and I’ll be right back to help you set yourself up straight!”
Alya closed the door leaving Marinette behind again in her best friend’s bedroom. She was about to go on another panic session when Tikki flew up to her.
“Actually Marinette… I think I have something that might help you.”
Marinette was curious. What did her kwami offer?
“Help? How?”
Tikki concentrated some magic in front of her. Marinette then noticed a little light shining around her body. It brightened and then concentrated into a single point heading straight to the glowing center mass forming in between TIkki’s two hands.
“What was that?”
“Just a second! Almost done!”
Finally… the process was done, and out came what appeared to be a normal marble. It could be passed off as a child’s play thing but Marinette could tell it was special.
“What did you make, Tikki?”
“An emotion orb. The light that came from you? That made a connection for at least a few hours.”
“Okay? What does it do?”
Tikki flew up and offered the orb to Marinette. She took it carefully and examined it.
“It helps balance your emotions! It either helps you calm down and cool you off or pump you up and brighten you when you’re down. Try it!”
Marinette was a bit skeptical that something so small can help her so dearly with her constant fluctuating emotions due to Adrien. But then again… she now lives in a world of magic. She shouldn’t doubt.
She held the marble for a moment. She concentrated and closed her eyes. The little marble suddenly felt cool to the touch. The marble turned a beautiful bright blue. Her whole body was calming down. No longer was she a fumbling mess. She felt good. Really good! She opened her eyes with a smile.
“Oh wow! Tikki! This is amazing! Thank you! Thank you so much!” Marinette went in close and placed a sweet kiss on top of Tikki’s head.
“You’re welcome, Marinette! Now, it’s only temporary and it will only work for a few hours! But in the mean time, you have to take care of it, okay!”
“Of course! Sure thing!”
Marinette placed the little marble into her pocket and headed for the door of Alya’s room. Only to bump into Alya herself.
“Oh sorry! Didn’t see you there!” Said Marinette.
“N-no! It’s my fault. I got all motivated and ready to go! No more overreacting! Tikki helped me out!”
Alya smiled at her best friend, apparently very happy at her sudden enthusiasm.
“She did? How so?”
Marinette put her hand in her pocket to show her the orb.
“She gave me this—“
Marinette’s heart dropped as she started patting the now empty pocket. It was gone!
“W-what?! Oh come on! I can’t have lost it this soon!”
“What? What was it?” Asked Alya who started to look around Marinette for any object she might have dropped it.
“I lost a—-“
“Looking for this?”
Marinette turned her head to the sound of a young voice. It was Ella holding the marble.
“Yes! Where did you find it?!” She quickly approached the young girl. Ella happily placed it into Marinette’s palms who received it happily.
I heard something flying into my set aside toys. I looked around and something shuffled it all. This was on top. A marble, Marinette?” Asked Ella.
“Yes. It’s… a special marble.”
Ella tilted her head, showing she wasn’t exactly convinced by how special it was.
“Looks like any of the marbles I have.” She mentioned.
Marinette shook her head and sighed. She didn’t have time to explain nor should she. It was a secret.
“It’s special to me. It has sentimental value. Anyway.” Marinette turned her head to look at her reporter best friend. “I gotta go Alya. Thank you for helping me getting ready for today. I’m going to pass by the grocery store and the pharmacy for some supplies for Adrien.
Alya held her best friend in a hug.
“Good luck, Mari! Say hello to sunshine and tell him I said I’m wishing he gets well soon.” Said Alya.
Marinette nodded back at her.
“Will do. I’m sure he’ll be happy to hear that.”
Marinette quickly exited the Cesaire home, ready to take care of the boy she loved.
****
He wasn’t sure how much later it was when Adrien heard his doorbell ring from the door of his apartment. He felt a bit better after taking some meds, but he was still groggy. He had to trudge on and go to the door. After stepping out of his bedroom, he walked a bit through his living room area and off towards the front door. He checked the peep hole, and there she was.
Marinette.
He opened the door, and she stood happy to see him.
“Hi Adrien!” She sounded so thrilled.
“Hi Marinette. So nice to see you.” He quickly said.
Adrien immediately noticed the lovely outfit she wore. She was gorgeous. Breathtaking. Or maybe that was the slight colds making him unable to breathe? Anyway. She was stunning for sure.
She wore a nice buttoned up shot sleeve shirt, a brown belt holding her skirt ensemble. She wore a cute pair of heels that brought her height up a slight margin. Her hair fell down miraculously around her face. If he wasn’t already wobbly from the fever, he would be just from how beautiful she looked. Was this what she wanted to wear for the movie “not date?” He really missed out.
She was carrying a few bags with what appeared to be groceries and medicines too. Her face grew concerned as she checked out his haggard appearance.
“How are you feeling now?” She asked.
“A bit better. I think? I drank something for my fever and slept a bit more.”
Adrien then stood aside to let her in. She took in the apartment and seemed to be at awe. He just realized this was the first time she’s visited. In fact… she’s the first visitor to set foot inside since he moved in about 3 weeks ago.
“Wow… Adrien. Your apartment is beautiful. Wait. You have a second floor?” She pointed towards the stairs in the corner. He nodded back at her.
“There are two bedrooms upstairs. But I use this spare room on the first floor by myself.” He pointed to a door nearby.
Marinette was shocked by what he said. She was most likely wondering why he would need 3 bedrooms for himself.
“Why do you have so many rooms?”
Adrien shrugged.
“I honestly hoped I’d share this place with someone some day. A roommate maybe? A girlfriend?” He chuckled a little. “The spare room would have been turned to an office.” He explained his plans.
“Ohh. I guess that makes sense.” Marinette said.
“Can you… uhh… point me to the kitchen?” She asked.
Adrien slowly walked alongside her but was stopped immediately by a gentle hand preventing him from walking any further.
“I said point. Now now mister. You lay down and rest right here.”
Marinette quickly led him to the nearby couch of the living room.
“Oh okay. Fine fine… But seriously, Marinette. You didn’t have to come. I feel so guilty having you take care of me.”
Marinette shook her head.
“Hey. What are friends for? Right?” She gave him a warm smile which sent butterflies to his stomach once more. He might die happy already.
Marinette turned her head to the side and awed a little.
“Oh! I see it now. I’ll just head to the kitchen and drop these supplies there.” She said.
“What did you bring?” He asked.
“Just a few groceries. I’m making you a healthy lunch for your needs. Gotta rest up and build up your strength. And of course some more medicines for you.”
Adrien smiled back at her.
“Thank you for taking care of me, Marinette. You’re the best.”
He saw Marinette’s cheeks tint red for a moment before she giggled.
“You’re welcome. Now you just rest here.”
Adrien laid down on the couch and waited for her to come back. He could hear from the living room, the slight rustling of plastic bags and various groceries being placed on his kitchen counter.
This was like a dream. It was some domestic fantasy of Marinette and him married. She taking care of him. If he wasn’t so darn sick, he’d be over the moon.
He heard Marinette speaking to herself. He wasn’t sure what she was talking about but he could hear bits and pieces.
“I hope this marble works.” He heard her vaguely say.
Whatever it was… he was sure that his day got a whole lot brighter.
*****
Some time later at the Cesaire house, Alya was back from the grocery store for her own supply run. After dropping off the bags, she noticed her two twin sisters playing with something interesting.
“Hey you two. What’re you doing?” Alya asked, her interest piqued with the object now glowing in between them.
“Alya! The marble I got from the arcade? It’s special! Look! it changes color!” Said Ella.
Alya peeked around and noticed the little marble looking thing. It was glowing in between her two sisters. A nice bright glowing blue.
“Woah. That’s amazing! How did you make it do that?” Asked Alya.
“I just put it in something cold and then it turned blue! Here! Watch when I put it in something hot.” Said the other twin.
Etta got the marble and put it in what appeared to be hot water. After a moment, the little marble turned a marvelous shade of red.
“Best consolation prize in an arcade ever.” Said Ella.
Alya was definitely impressed by this marble’s little magic trick.
“We’ve been changing it’s colors for a while! It’s so cool!”
Ella scooped out the marble with a spoon and placed it what appeared to be small bowl of ice water. The marble turned back to a shining blue.
“Wow.”
They all watched it for a moment but suddenly… the marble’s color began to sparkle… and crack!
“Oh no!” The three of them said in unison.
The marble shattered into small pieces. The light bursting for a moment.
“I think you switched it between hot and cold too fast too many times. Sorry kiddos.” Said Alya.
The twins began to pout. Alya picked up the bowl containing the ice water and the broken pieces of the marble.
“I’ll set this aside, okay? It might be sharp and not safe to play with anymore.”
The twins nodded in understanding.
“Hey. We’ll get a new marble for you next time, alright? Was this the only one from the arcade that shined?” Asked Alya.
They both nodded again.
“Yeah… that was the special one.” Said Etta.
“Will look for it again. Don’t worry.” Said Alya.
The young reporter headed to set the bowl aside as she assorted the groceries to their proper places. A few minutes later she headed for her room to do a little drop off treat for her kwami. She also wanted to look at the marble to check it on and possibly look for something similar at the arcade next time. After she was sure she was alone in her room, she called out to Trixx.
“Trixx! I got some fruits for you! A little bit of berries and grapes and—-“
Alya was stopped as her kwami zoomed in right to her face. Trixx was frazzled for sure. Something was bothering him.
“Alya! Thank goodness you’re here! You have to stop them!”
“Stop what? What’s wrong?”
Trixx suddenly gasped as he saw what she was holding. The bowl of ice water with the shattered marble.
“It’s too late…”
“What? What’s too late?”
“Your sisters… They had the guardian’s emotion orb.”
“The what now?”
“They thought it was a toy. But it was something way more important. It’s supposed to help give balance to the guardian’s emotions.”
Alya gulped a little at the thought and saw the broken shards of the marble.
“Oh no. Wait? This thing?! Is that what Tikki gave Marinette a while ago? Balance her emotions?!”
Trixx nodded.
“Marinette! She must have gotten an actual marble! How’s it supposed to help her?!” Alya asked.
“When she would hold it, it would help give her balance and maintain status quo emotionally. But you’re supposed to take care of it. You’re not supposed to expose it to any hot or cold elements!”
Alya sounded afraid to ask.
“What happens when you do that?”
“Extreme warm temperatures make you more animated, excited, and passionate. Cold temperatures make you sad, dreary, and downcast. But the worst thing… is to break it… and when that happens…”
“Let me guess… a whole out flurry of emotions unhinged?!” Asked Alya.
“Who knows how she might express herself?” Said Trixx.
Alya opened her door and walked up to her sisters immediately.
“Girls! How many times did you make it switch colors?”
The twins looked at each other and thought about it.
“I think it maybe changed color less than 10 times?”
Alya was going to panic. The first thing she should do is call Marinette and warn her.
Alya quickly got out her phone and started dialing it. It rang for a moment but stopped after a while.
“No answer.”
Alya quickly went back to her room to ask Trixx for advice.
“What should we do?! Should I just rush there, and warn Marinette?!”
“You can’t call her?” Asked Trixx.
“No. She’s not answering.”
“How about that Adrien? Do you have his number?” Asked Trixx.
Alya groaned.
“And what do I tell him? Hey, Adrien! I know you’re sick and all! By the way! Watch out for Marinette! She’s going to act super weird because of some magic crystal ball breaking apart!”
It sounded ludicrous for sure.
As if to rile her up even further, her phone rang causing Alya to jump a little. She checked her phone and was shocked to see none other than Adrien Agreste calling her. She immediately answered it.
“H-hello?”
“Uhhh. Alya…?”
“Adrien! How are you? Heard you were sick! Are you… feeling better?” Asked Alya.
“A little. Marinette was helping me. But it got weird.”
“How weird… is weird?” Alya cringed at the thought of what could have happened.
“Hard to explain but listen… I might have an emergency.” Adrien was quiet as he spoke.
Alya stood up straight and was on alert.
“What happened? What’s going on?”
“Uhh… I think I need your help. I have a knocked out Ladybug right on top of me. I think she suddenly fell asleep on me…”
Alya’s heart dropped.
“I’ll be right there.” Alya signaled Trixx before she transformed. She jumped out of her window and checked for the address of Adrien’s new apartment with her flute.
“Oh, Marinette. What happened to you?!”