Chapter Text
Marinette had a very, very long day.
It had all started the night prior, since she'd had to stay up half the night working on an assignment. And when she'd finally gone to bed, she'd forgotten to set her alarm.
When she did finally manage to wake up, she awoke in a panic when she saw she was already an hour late,and already didn't feel good.
She scrambled to school, and barged into class with her hair a mess and her clothes disheveled, feeling like she would vomit and was immediately pointed out by Chloe to the whole class.
Alya and Adrien had been sweet enough not to laugh at her, but even some of her other friends had shared a chuckle.
Next was lunch where Lila had purposefully bumped into her, making her drop her sandwich and drink all over herself.
"Oh I'm so sorry!" She'd said in a pitiful tone. "You know I don't see well, and you were in one of my blind spots!"
Marinette saw red for the next few moments before Alya got to her.
"Calm down girl, it was an accident." Her best friend said trying to use a napkin to dab the soda from her best friends shirt.
"No it wasn't. All she does is lie. It's even in her name! Lila! Lila the Liar!"
For a second, Lila's anger shown in her eyes, but was immediately replaced by a soft, pitiful expression as more classmates gathered around.
"I don't know why Marinette hates me so much!" She fake sobbed as soon as she saw a teacher approaching. "She's such a bully!"
"Bully?!" Marinette gaped, wildly looking around. "Who's the one covered in food and soda here?!"
As she looked around, her classmates faces were grim and disapproving, even Alya took a step away from her. The only one who looked sympathetic was Adrien... but what could he do?
"Marinette, go to the nurses office and get cleaned up." The teacher ordered. " After that it's straight to the principals office!"
Marinette tried to argue, but when the teacher failed to listen, she stormed out of the cafeteria, but did not head to the nurse. She headed straight home.
"Marinette what are you doing?" Tikki asked, alarmed.
"I'm going home." She announced.
"But won't you get in trouble when they realize you're gone?"
"Probably. Don't care though. They can listen to whatever Miss Lila has to say."
"Boy she must really get under your skin."
"You don't know the half of it Tikki! She's so good at lying, she could probably convince everyone that they're colorblind, and that the sky is actually pink."
Tikki giggled a little and flew up to perch on Marinettes shoulder. "Well.. if you're going home anyway, can I get some more macaroons?"
"Oh of course!" Marinette smiled at her little friend, but then immediately dropped into a coughing fit.
"Maybe it's a good thing you're going home after all."
***********
Once Marinette arrived home, she found her parents bakery in absolute chaos.
"Oh dear, you're back already Marinette?" Her mother's panic was evident in her voice. "Tom we're late!"
"Nonono, mom, it's only a little past noon." She tried to calm her parents anxiety as best she could. "I really wasn't feeling good, and then this girl from my class, Lila, she spilled my food and drink all over me!"
"That's nice Marinette, wash up and lend your old parents a hand hm?" Her father said, hurriedly whipping up some icing. "Even if it is only noon, we're dreadfully behind, and you do so well at macaroons."
"Oh... of course dad..."
Feeling a little wounded, the girl slowly made her way upstairs to do a quick wash and then changed. "I can't believe my own parents care more about their stupid bakery than me..."
"They care Marinette!" Tikki offered her a smile. "They're just having a rough day!"
"So am I! But they never seem to care!" The girl shook her head, a dull pain starting to make its way being her eyes. "Sorry Tikki, yes they do... I just... I don't feel well."
"I know.. and it's okay... hopefully after you're done helping you can get some well deserved rest!"
"Hopefully."
Of course 'hopefully' was wishful thinking. Her parents were busy until about 4 o'clock, when she was finally released. And by that time... she was about to pass out.
She was burning alive, her head was pounding, and that vomit feeling had never gone away, and in fact had only intensified.
She finally sat down, and turned on her pc, hoping to watch a little Netflix to unwind. But she'd barely let her head hit the pillow, when a news alert popped up. Some poor Akumatized soul was rampaging in town.
With a groan, Marinette slowly dragged herself up. "Let's go Tikki...."
"Are you sure Marinette? You don't look too good."
"I don't feel too good." She sighed. "But I don't really have a choice. Tikki, spots on!"
After her transformation, she felt a little worse. The suit felt extra warm, and tight against her skin. But she still managed to fling herself from the balcony and make her way to the center of town.
Once there she found Mr. Pigeon. Akumatized for the seven hundredth time it seemed. And there was also.. Chat Noir.
"Running a little late M'lady." He purred, green eyes gliting playfully
"Sorry Kitty." Ladybug panted. "A black crossed my path, so I had to take the long way."
"Hey now, don't tell me you still belive black cats are bad luck." He protested. "I think I'm a good luck charm myself."
When Marinette broke into a coughing fit instead of laughing, the cat tilted his head.
"Ladybug are you sure you're alright?"
"A little under the weather, but I'll make do. Now let's get the akuma!"
Chat Noir made a small sound of doubt, but didn't question her command.
That was... until Mr. Pigeon knocked her into a building.
They'd been fighting Mr. Pigeon so much it was like a normal chore. Wash the dishes, do your homework, get rid of Mr. Pigeon, take the trash out. So seeing Ladybug get hurled into a building, with little effort from the evilized man, Adrien knew something was seriously wrong.
He scampered over to his fallen teammate, his worry building with each moment that she didn't rise.
"Ladybug...?" He whispered.
The girl let out a small whimper, and Adrien winced when he saw the large gash on her head that was oozing blood.
"Wan... mommy..."
"M'lady?" Adrien paused, not sure if he'd heard her right.
"Want mommy!" Marinettes voice had become a little higher, and a little more childlike. She was still laying in the building rubble, her eyes full of tears.
But when she saw Adrien..her expression momentarily changed to a look of amazement.
"Kitty!"
Adrien stared at her, in confused concern, that was... until he touched her forehead.
"Oh Bugaboo..." He said softly. "You're burning up."
She didn't respond, only let out a soft cooing noise as her teammates claws felt cool to her burning skin.
Adrien glanced over his shoulder, noting that Mr. Pigeon was very close to their location. Normally, he wouldn't have cared, but Ladybug was in no shape to fight. He had to move her.
So, gently but quickly, he picked up his small teammate who had started crying again, and swiftly took her to a tiny alleyway that was for the most part abandoned. He gently sat her down and took a deep breath. He knew what he had to do.
"Claws in."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Plagg protested after the detransformation. "What are you doing?!"
"I don't have a choice." He sighed. "Ladybug is the only one able to catch the akuma and she's in no shape to fight!"
They both looked over at the girl. She was laying in the street, eyes half closed, breathing a bit labored, the blood from the gash on her forehead leaving an awful red trail down her face. He wished he had something that could stop the bleeding.
"Hey, Ladybug." Adrien gently shook her. "Can you hear me?"
The blonde felt his heart break as she looked up at him with misty eyes. "Wan mommy..." She whimpered.
"I know kiddo.... I know... and we'll get her. But can you do this one thing for me? Can you say spots off?"
"Spots off?" It came out more like a question, but it worked.
Once the light had faded, Adrien couldn't believe his eyes. There... before him, crying and covered in blood... was Marinette.... this whole time.. the girl he'd been after so much.... was the girl who'd been in love with him for ages...
But he couldn't dwell on that now.
"Tikki, I'm sure you understand." He grimly told the Kwami. "I wouldn't be doing this, accept I need to get the akuma."
"I understand. I just hope Marinette will be ok..."
"Don't worry sugarcube! I'll take care of her." Plagg said, perching himself on Marinette's shoulder.
"Tiny kitty...." Marinette said softly, using one finger to pet Plagg's head. "So cute..."
"Y-you might wanna hurry though Adrien... she's burning up."
"Right, I'm on it. Tikki, spots on!"
After Adrien was transformed, getting the akuma from Mr. Pigeon was a piece of cake, as usual. But he was still worried about his teammate.
Once everything was settled down, he rushed back to the alley, and detransformed.
Marinette hadn't moved, but Plagg was frantically floating around her still form, trying to wake her up.
"Adrien, she's not moving!" The kwami said anxiously.
Heart frozen in fear, the blond slid to where Marinette was and felt for a pulse. Happily, she had one. She was just unconscious.
"Mari." He whispered, gently shaking her. "Mari come back to me darling."
She whimpered a bit, and slightly opened her eyes. Usually they were such a pretty blue color, but at the moment they were so dim they looked grey.
"M-mommy..." She whimpered.
"She means Alya." Tikki supplied. "Marinette has... this mental thing where she becomes a toddler or baby sometimes. But usually only under extreme stress."
Adrien frowned and quickly pulled Marinette's phone from her pocket. "I hope she'll forgive me for the intrusion...but I just want to know how to to help her..."
"I'm sure it'll be fine!" Tikki said worriedly, as her Ladybug began to drift into unconsciousness again. "Just hurry!"
Adrien dialed Alya and nearly dropped the phone when the girl picked up.
"Girl where did you go?! The principal was furious that you never-"
"Alya this is Adrien.... I...I have a... situation."