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Marinette felt the air whoosh out of her as she hit the rooftop, back first. Chat slipped from her arms, but she barely noticed in spite of her panic because she felt her transformation wear off and now she was truly frantic.
"Tikki," she called out, but she knew that it was too late. Her Lucky Charm was gone. She couldn't repair the damage. She couldn't save Chat. She realised that her earrings had fallen off, because they had gotten tangled in her hair and jostled in the fall.
"Kitty," she called out, reaching for Chat. He was breathing heavily as if he couldn't take a full breath. He was hurt. He was seriously hurt and she couldn't help him because they were on a rooftop somewhere and she was helpless. "Stay with me, please," she sobbed, moving closer in spite of the way her muscles screamed with pain. She gently lay his head in her lap, brushing the hair out of his face.
She ached all over but she was much better than him. Because he'd taken the brunt of the hit and now he was slipping through her fingers.
"M'lady," he rasped. He couldn't open his eyes and he looked in serious pain.
"I'm sorry, I failed you," she whimpered, feeling tears roll down her cheeks. She hadn't managed to save him. She should have cast the Cure earlier. Now it was too late.
"It's fine," he gasped.
"It's not, you're... I'm going to lose you," she cried out, the pain that sliced through her having nothing to do with her own injuries.
"I'm not afraid," he said and she felt a hand on her cheek. She blinked back the tears and found him looking at her through half-lidded eyes. "I love you. You're here with me."
"I am. I'm not going anywhere," she promised.
She hadn't noticed earlier how the full moon made the night so much brighter. She could see him so clearly. The way his lips trembled as he coughed. He looked as if he was hanging by a thread.
Then a flash blinded her. His own transformation had worn off. She didn't even think about looking away. She didn't care about this. She was mad at all the rules that had kept her away from him. Now it was too late.
"Adrien," she whispered, fresh tears falling from her eyes. This couldn't be real.
"Hey, Marinette. Fancy meeting you here." He tried to smile, but his face contorted with pain, his hand clutching his side.
"Don't talk," she pleaded.
"Hold me, this is enough."
"I love you," she sobbed.
She remembered so clearly another night under the full moon. When she'd told him that she loved someone else. It had been him all along. Even before she realised that she loved the boy in a catsuit just as much as the one sitting in front of her in class. They were one and the same and she was losing them both.
"Come here."
She leaned in, hastily brushing her tears, until her lips met his. It wasn't a romantic and sweet kiss. It was full of sadness and pain. It wasn't fair, she wanted to scream.
Then she felt the fight leave him. His eyes were closed and his head rolled to the side.
"No!" Marinette cried out, holding him to her. She could barely hear his heart. It really was too late.
"Marinette, come on!"
Startled, she lifted her eyes to look at Tikki.
"I'm ready. Let's go."
It took her a second but she jumped to her feet and transformed, taking Adrien in her arms. Maybe she had one more chance. After that, it was a blur.
*
Marinette had no idea how much time had passed. She'd dozed off on her mother's shoulder so many times only to wake up with a cry, Adrien's lifeless form in front of her eyes. She had no idea if he was going to make it. No one had told her anything.
She'd tried to call his father, but couldn't reach him. There was no one else in the waiting room for Adrien. Just the two of them. But since they weren't family, no one paid attention to them.
It was morning, the sun bright through a distant window, when her mother brought her a cup of coffee with a tired smile. She knew that it was pointless to ask her to go home. Nothing in the world could make Marinette move from her spot.
She was thankful for the fact that her mother wasn't questioning her. She knew. From the moment Marinette had called her, choked by tears, to tell her that Adrien was hurt. Because of her. But her mother hadn't asked for more. She'd just been there for her, holding her together.
"Marinette?"
Her head shot up at the sound of her name, pausing in her pacing. It was an unfamiliar nurse, looking curiously at her. She took the last sip of coffee and threw the cup in a nearby bin.
"Yes?"
"Adrien is asking about you. "The dark-haired beauty pacing in the waiting room," the woman shot her a soft smile.
"He... he's awake?" Marinette gasped.
"Not for long. He has to take it easy. But you can go in for a minute. Follow me."
Looking at her mother who nodded encouragingly, Marinette went after the nurse, trying not to trip.
"Is he going to be alright?" She asked tentatively.
"Eventually. He's taken some serious damage. But he's strong. I'll be back in a minute," the nurse told her at the door. Marinette pushed it open and willed her legs to move.
He was there, a hospital gown in the place of his clothes. His hear was a mess against the pillow and he was hooked to a number of machines. He looked so pale and lifeless. So unlike her smiling kitty. It hurt to see him like that but it was still better than what she'd feared the most.
She approached slowly, afraid to make a noise.
"M'lady," he said, his voice hoarse. This was enough to send her running to his side.
"I'm here," she said, feeling tears choking her. His eyes opened slowly and he blinked tiredly.
"You saved me," he said.
"The doctors did, I just brought you here," she whispered.
"You. You wanted me back."
"Of course I did. I'm not letting you go, silly cat," she cried out. He chuckled weakly but then winced in pain.
"You said you love me," he gasped.
"Should I call the nurse?" Marinette asked frantically.
"No, it's ok," he said, his cold fingers clutching her hand. "I'll live. For you."
"You're a hopeless case," she shook her head fondly.
"Come and give me a kiss. Come on."
"I don't want to dislodge something," she said, eyes darting to the oxygen tube in his nose.
"I know you can be gentle."
He looked as if he'd been through hell and back. Which was the truth. But there was still a spark in his eyes that made her feel weak in the knees. Her lips brushed his carefully and she pulled back.
"You knew that I was going to be here," she smiled.
"Of course. I felt that you were near." Of course he had. Just like a small part of her had told her that he was alive and she shouldn't give up. Their bond really ran deep.
"You need to rest," she sighed. "I'll be back later."
"Love you," he mumbled, his eyes already closing.
"I love you too."
Marinette felt weak with relief when she joined her mother. He was going to be alright. Somehow, the worst had passed. Now she vowed to be next to him until he was fully recovered. And then she'd find Hawk Moth and make him pay for this.