Chapter Text
Chat Noir was just doing a patrol as usual when he spotted some thugs picking on someone, dragging her to the car. Unusual to see a kidnapping like that, but it wasn't the first time.
He took a moment to review the best way to handle it as they had been taught. He made a call and then jumped in.
"Hey, what are you doing?" he asked, tilting his head casually. His heart stopped when he saw that it was Marinette they were dragging to the car.
She was unconscious, but had clearly had fought back, based on the bruises and cuts.
"None of your business Kitty Cat," one of them spat.
"You're kidnapping an innocent girl. I think it is my business." Chat Noir stated coldly. "Now, set the girl down and back away."
"No. We're being paid-"
"Shh!"
Chat Noir made note of that. Who would pay for Marinette to get kidnapped and why?
"Let. Her. Go." He dropped his voice dangerously.
"No."
Chat Noir moved and knocked out two thugs with a single swing. He leaned on his weapon. "So, want to try that again?" he asked with a smirk.
They set Marinette down and started backing away. Right as police cars pulled up.
Chat Noir knelt down to check on Marinette. She seemed okay. That was good. He hoped she would be okay.
He talked to the police. Then he took Marinette home. She was awake, but woozy. The paramedics were okay with him taking her home, as long as she went to the hospital the moment any worse symptoms appeared.
As he approached, Marinette holding on tightly, he noticed smoke from the vicinity of the bakery and her home. Uh oh.
He landed on the roof next door. "Uh... I don't think it's safe for you to go home."
Marinette gasped. "No! I have to go home, I need to get something out of my room, I can't... please, Chat Noir, take me there. I'll be quick."
Chat Noir wanted to deny her, but she was so panicked and she was begging. So he scooped her up and carried her in.
"Five minutes. And only because the fire isn't to your room yet, Marinette. I don't want you getting hurt for something unimportant."
"You have no idea how important this is, Chat." Marinette rushed down the ladder, forgetting her injuries. She found the Miraculous and hid the box in her purse, glad it easily fit as she was using a big one that day. No need to reveal her identity if she didn't have to.
...although this would have been a good reason to. But she was happy to keep the secret a bit longer.
Chat Noir relaxed once she was back up. "Found what you needed?"
"Just the one thing I can't let be destroyed." Marinette smiled at him. "Everything else I can figure out, even all the orders for clothes. Let's go."
Chat Noir brought her over to the next roof over, where they stared at how much the fire had grown. Now firetrucks were arriving.
Marinette took in a deep breath, bracing herself. "Okay, get me down there, so they know I'm not in there. I mean, my parents would know that I'm not home but I don't know if they'll be able to say anything." She choked back tears at the thought. No crying, not until she actually knew what was happening.
Chat Noir nodded numbly. "I will always be there for you, Princess, just give me a call if you need me."
"I will." Marinette nodded. "But I think I'll be okay. I have my friends to help. You got all of Paris to protect."
Chat Noir nodded. "I will check on you. I have to be sure you're okay."
Marinette smiled and patted his chest. "You're sweet, Kitty cat. Let's go."
Chat Noir just brought them down to the ground next to the growing crowd. He set Marinette down as they both stared at the fire from the front. It looked way worse from this angle.
Marinette looked around and couldn't spot her parents at first. She sniffed, rubbing her eyes, trying not to cry. She kept looking, trying not to look too hard at the fire consuming her home.
Chat Noir just quietly wrapped an arm around her and waited to see what happened. If she had no support, he was happy to be a support.
Finally, the firefighters brought Marinette's parents out. They were coughing, and burned, but they were alive.
Marinette rushed over, grabbing Chat Noir's hand without thinking.
Chat Noir had a moment to be surprised before he was yanked after her. He stayed with her awkwardly, just trying to be supportive.
He was used to helping with the aftermath of Akumas, with helping the victims. Any injuries disappeared with the lucky charm. But something like this? This couldn't be fixed.
Aside from his mothers death years ago, he had no experience with grief. He had no real experience in helping with any of the emotions that came of such a tragedy.
"Mama! Papa!" Marinette cried as soon as she was closer. "Are you okay?"
"We'll be okay," her dad assured her. "Just..." he coughed. "Just need to stay in the hospital for a bit."
Marinette nodded. "Okay... okay." She sniffed, rubbing her face.
"Don't cry. We'll sort this out, as a family, promise."
Marinette reached and held her parents hands for a few seconds until they were brought to the ambulance, then she hugged Chat and cried into his chest.
He stared at her, startled, before he awkwardly started patting her back.
"This wasn't supposed to happen," Marinette cried. "We stay up to date on all codes, we were supposed to be safe. Why did the fire start?"
The fire was reaching the top floor now, reaching her room.
The firefighters were still fighting it. They were making head way, at least.
Chat Noir stared at the blaze, wondering where Marinette was going to stay. What about all her things, were they going to survive? How much was she going to have to buy, how much would she need to replace? He rubbed her back, mentally thinking up possible solutions.
Short term, call all her friends, starting with Alya to see if any of them could stay with Marinette.
Long term... he was going to have to do something he wasn't entirely comfortable with. He was going to have to talk to his dad.
A police officer joined them. Asked some questions about where Marinette was, why Cat Noir was there. Checked the reports filed and found the one from just an hour previous that had both of them involved and left them alone, with a 'we're still investigating the cause'.
Of course they were. The fire wasn't even out yet, though it was finally getting put out.
Marinette found herself unable to hold her own weight. Chat Noir was the only thing keeping her up.
"Do you want to call your friends?" Chat Noir asked gently as he guided her to sit down. He hugged her.
"I... I don't want to make the call..." She pulled out her phone. "But..." She sniffled, staring at her phone. "You can't stay with me the entire night, can you?"
"Unfortunately, I can't. Here, which friends do you want to know?" Chat Noir held out his hand. "I'll send out a group message and we'll go from there." Inwardly, he was hoping his actual identity would be included so he had an excuse to start trying to convince his father as soon as he got home.
Marinette nodded, and quietly listed off all her friends.
Chat Noir nodded, typed out the message and made sure to include them all.
Hey everyone, this is Chat Noir sending a message for Marinette. Her family home is on fire right now, her parents are in the hospital. She's not sure what she's going to do tonight, but it's looking like she's not going to be able to return home any time soon.
He tapped send and then waited.
Messages started coming in immediately.
Alya: I am coming over there RIGHT NOW. Thank you.
He smiled slightly. Alya was a good friend. She would be able to help Marinette. He didn't think he was very helpful for Marinette.
He went back to hugging Marinette, keeping an eye on the messages as she cried.
He understood. First she was almost kidnapped, and now her home was destroyed, and her parents hurt. They could have died.
Of course she was taking it hard. He couldn't imagine how he would react in her shoes. Especially with how warm and loving her parents were.
"Marinette!" Alya called.
Marinette looked up, eyes red, tears still pouring down her face. "Alya! Over here!" She waved.
Alya rushed over and wrapped her friend in a hug. "Oh, Marinette, I'm so sorry."
Marinette hugged her back, crying. "I can't believe this happened. It's not... A fire?" She sobbed.
Chat Noir remained there, awkward, but unwilling to abandon Marinette until she said she was okay with him leaving.
Eventually he did go home... to face his father. He thought maybe he had a solid plan and argument.
He sighed in relief when he got home. He had maybe been cutting it too close on the transformation, but it was worth it. He tossed some cheese at Plagg.
He took out his phone and found the group chat about Marinette and the fire. He smiled at how supportive Marinette's friends were being before typing in his own response.
Oh no! I'm so sorry Marinette. That sucks. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you!
"So, what are you going to do?" Plagg asked.
"I'm going to convince my father to let her stay in our guest room."
"You think that's a good idea?"
"I'm not sure, but I have to do something. She might have lost everything tonight, and someone was trying to kidnap her. I can't just leave her when I can try to do something."
"Alright. Do be careful with your father, kitten. I don't want to see you get hurt."
"I will. I just... I have to try. There has to be something I can do."
"I'm sure there is. Do you want me to come with?"
Adrien hesitated. He was still learning to stand up to his father. He was picking his battles carefully. This was one important battle for him. But his father was intimidating.
"Please. It does help knowing you're with me, Plagg."
"Then I'm with you." Plagg got settled as he always did.
Adrien smiled and checked his appearance. Perfectly presentable. Good.
When he reached his father's door, he knocked.
"Come in."
Adrien swallowed nervously, but hid his anxiety like he was doing a shoot. He entered.
"Adrien. Is there something you need?"
"My friend Marinette texted all her friends earlier letting us all know that her home was on fire. Her parents are in the hospital from burns and smoke inhalation. She's injured but I guess she got into some trouble earlier that night and had arrived with Chat Noir after the fire started?" Adrien rubbed the back of his neck.
Gabriel waited for his son to get to the point.
"I was wondering if maybe she could stay in our guest room, or if we could do something for her and her family. Their home is also their business, as they have a bakery. I'm pretty sure they're going to have to pay for everything. I don't think she knows how bad the damage is... I don't know if anything survived from her room, but she does commission work on clothing normally, and I think the smoke probably damaged it all even if her room is untouched..." Adrien let out a breath.
Gabriel just raised an eyebrow. "You consider Marinette Dupain-Cheng that close a friend?"
Adrien nodded. "She's nice. Always gives thoughtful gifts. She's really clumsy." He smiled. "I don't think she cares that I'm a celebrity. She never asks about what I do or for money. She pays for her own food even when we're with Alya and Nino who are dating."
Gabriel studied him, then looked at his computer, pulling up something. He hummed. "If she expresses needing a place to stay, you can offer. But not before she expresses a need. I see that she does have a good business. Maybe not the sort of fashion our brand uses right now, but she does have potential. Would be a shame to let that go to waste because she lost her materials. I'll set up an account for her to use to replenish her supplies."
Adrien lit up, surprised by how easy this was. "Really?"
Gabriel shot him a look. "But I do have expectations. You both keep your grades up while she is here. I would like to see her make a few things for you here and there. You need to expand your wardrobe a little. If she is not good for you, or is not good to the staff... if anyone has complaints, she is out. Do you understand?"
Adrien nodded, barely keeping a grin off of his face. Marinette would have no problem with those rules. "Thank you, Father. I appreciate it." He hesitated, then decided it was more important to ask so they could avoid trouble.
"Marinette is just a baker's daughter, she doesn't know what is expected in a rich person's house, since she's not friends with Chloe. Do you think we could have some ground rules for her to follow about things such as eating dinner and what is acceptable in the main parts of the house?"
"That is an excellent idea." Gabriel nodded. "I will make sure it is prepared."
"Thank you."
"Is that everything?"
Adrien thought about it. "I think so."
"Good."
Adrien turned to leave.
"Adrien?"
"Yes, father?" Adrien turned to him.
"I'm proud of you for wanting to help a friend, especially one that maybe could work for us one day."
Adrien beamed at him. It was like looking into the sun. Like looking at Emilie's smile. "Thank you, Father. I will make sure you don't regret this."
"You're welcome." Gabriel managed. The door closed behind Adrien.
Gabriel wrestled control of his emotions enough to email Nathalie about the arrangements, adding that while Adrien hadn't asked Marinette yet, he had no doubts that Marinette would need a place to stay or she would be bed hopping with her friends while her parents are in the hospital.
Once he was satisfied, he stood up. He looked at the portrait of Emilie.
"This wasn't supposed to happen," he said, placing a hand on her hand. "You were supposed to still be here. I am losing all hope of being able to bring you back. The Ladybug and Cat Miraculouses are the only way to do so."
He knew he was monologuing. He didn't care. Talking aloud brought him closer to his Emilie and he would not give it up so long as no one could hear him.
"But Chat Noir and Ladybug are stubborn and resourceful, especially considering how young I believe them to be. I also grow increasingly concerned about what using the wish could even mean. I have seen the side effects of some other things besides using a broken Miraculous and I wonder if it's worth it."
He shook his head, resting his head on the portrait now. "But it has to be better than you being in a coma, my Emilie. You should see your son. He is so much like you. His smile is so much like yours. I don't see it often these days, but when I do, it is blinding."
"I can't help but wonder what I can do to bring it out more often. Yet, it hurts to see that bright smiling face. I don't want to see it, and maybe I am harsher sometimes because I don't want to see it." He considered where that line of thought brought him.
"Maybe that's why I gave in and let him go to school, why I'm letting him offer his friend a place to stay when she needs it. A way to get him to smile more. I don't know how to be anything more than the authoritarian parent, not after so many years. But... his friends make him happy, and he deserves the chance to smile."
Then Gabriel frowned, thinking about the news he had gotten before Adrien entered the room.
"I had thought Marinette would be a way to get at Chat Noir. He visits her a lot. But that kidnapping attempt... did not work. Chat Noir stopped them, and took her home. Where the fire I had set as a distraction, to see how Marinette would react, was already going." Gabriel remembered the videos that had already been on the news.
"Chat Noir stuck by her side until her friend was there, and until she told him to go before his transformation dropped. She seems to be reacting as expected, and clinging tighter to Chat Noir than I could have expected. I did not think they were that close despite all those late night visits."
Gabriel sighed. "At least offering her a room will allow me to keep an eye on her. I can also try to see if I can catch Chat Noir visiting her to see if there's any difference with the new location. He does care about her, after all."
He shook his head. "But this wasn't supposed to happen, not this way. I was supposed to be able to get a chance to get in her head, to figure out what she meant to Chat Noir, why they get along so well."
He started pacing. "And instead I am going to be getting a close up look at how she feels about our son and how he feels about her. Adrien might even have a crush on her, the way he was going on about her. He's oblivious, all teen boys tend to be, but he definitely sees her as a close friend. Which means I am going to have to be careful. Marinette as a bargaining chip will risk my relationship with him, if he finds out. It will distress him if she is hurt, and might also bring more trouble upon us if she has to recover from severe injuries while staying in our house."
Gabriel dropped into his chair. "I hate having to rearrange my plans again. But I will save you, no matter what, Emilie."
He started working on figuring out just what to do now to get at Ladybug and Chat Noir. Marinette was a weakness for Chat Noir, so he would have to exploit that. He just needed to figure out Ladybug's weakness.
.
Marinette was able to visit her parents briefly once they had been seen. She assured them she could find a place to stay, that Alya was going to have her over that night and she'd figure something out after.
She was trying not to be too upset. Trying to be brave. She still nearly burst into tears at the warm dinner Alya's parents gave them once they got there.
She borrowed Alya's clothes, which fit weird but it was better than nothing. Probably better than the smoky clothes left in her room... assuming that they were still intact.
School the next day was... rough. But it was better than going to the hospital and alternating which parent she sat with, it was better than doing nothing. Having all her friends around would help.
She was feeling better after her injuries. And had in fact forgotten about them until she was getting ready and needed to change out the bandages on the cuts. They looked better than the night before, but they were still rough.
She shook her head and kept getting ready for school. It didn't matter. She just needed to get through the day. And besides, everyone expected her to be rough after the night she had. Basically losing her home.
"Marinette, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I will be Tikki. How are the others?"
"They're a bit shaken but you acted quick enough. We hope we can all go home soon."
"Me too. Once the police are done investigating, I'll be able to check the damage. I don't want to rouse suspicion by checking it out as Ladybug."
"Alright. Take some time to rest, Marinette. You need it."
"I know." Marinette finished getting ready for school.
Marinette walked to school with Alya after breakfast. Her classmates swarmed and she was able to forget about it for a while.
The day was okay, everyone was patient and nice to her even when she burst into tears at lunch when she realized she couldn't go home.
After school, she was sitting with Alya, Nino, and Adrien, relieved there had not been an akuma attack that day. It was a relief. She could not have handled it in the mental state she was in.
Marinette leaned back and sighed. "I'm going to need to find another place to stay, aren't I Alya? My parents are gonna be in the hospital for a few days, and our house is not livable right now, I bet..."
"I'm sure you can stay for a few days," Alya assured her.
"I don't think it's a good idea. I don't want my parents to have to figure out something for all three of us when they should be resting. I need a place for me, so that I can figure out how to help them find a place to stay. The hotel is always an option, but it's kind of expensive."
"I uh, I mentioned it to my dad yesterday," Adrien spoke up, rubbing the back of his neck.
Marinette felt her cheeks go red. "Y-you did?" She mentally scolded herself. She had been working on not getting so flustered around Adrien so that she could actually be his friend but it was slow going.
"Yeah. He said you can stay our guest room if you need somewhere to say but there will be a lot of rules."
Marinette jumped up and hugged him. "Thank you thank you thank you."
He was startled but hugged her back quickly. "You're my friend Marinette, I had to be sure you have a place."
"It really means a lot Adrien." Marinette shifted. "I was planning on visiting my parents after we were done hanging out, if you want to come with?"
"Oh, I'm okay. I don't need to tag along."
"I'd really appreciate it Adrien. My parents would like to know I'm safe, and it's thanks to you we don't need to spend extra money we can't afford right now."
"Oh, yeah. I'm glad I can help. Want to head out now?"
"Uh, sure, if you're ready, Adrien."
He smiled. "I'm good."
Marinette looked at Alya with wide eyes.
Alya smirked and gestured at her to go on.
Marinette made a face then smiled. "Bye, Alya, Nino, I'll see you again soon!"
At the hospital, Marinette's parents were doing better. She was so relieved to hear that. They were happy that she had a place to say, though both had to give Adrien a lecture on treating her right when she wasn't around to hear it.
They promised to keep her updated, her mom's phone had survived, barely. Once she was allowed to go see if there was anything she could save, they would let her know.
That let a huge weight off of her. Marinette often felt like the weight of the world was on her shoulders, and she had braced herself to take responsibility for the bakery, for being the contact and figuring it all out.
That with what had happened was good. Marinette was free to enjoy staying in the Agreste mansion.
She just hoped the rules weren't too strict.
They arrived and Adrien showed her to the room. To both their surprise, Gabriel asked to see her while she was checking out the room and debating where she would put things.
Adrien smiled at her reassuringly, finding it far easier to stay calm when he had to do so for someone else. Even when it came to his intimidating father.
Marinette gave him a weak smile before following him into the office. She couldn't help but look around in awe.
"Ms. Marinette Dupain-Cheng?"
"Mr. Agreste! Thank you for letting me stay."
"It is no problem. You are a good friend to my son. Here is a card for you." He pushed a credit card at her. "There is no limit. You can get anything you need, including fabric, as there is no reason to let such talent go without practice until you can buy your own supplies again."
Marinette stared at the card and took it with shaky hands. "Thank you. That... that means a lot."
"You're welcome. Now, for the rules..." He slid them both two sheets of paper. "Let me know if any need clarifying."
Marinette read through the list slowly, not sure what to expect.
Adrien was just hoping for something not too strict.
1. Nathalie and Gabriel are allowed to hand out consequences so long as Marinette live here.
2. Be respectful
3. Keep main areas clean, and maintain a relatively clean room, to be vacuumed and dusted once a week.
4. No overnights in each others room.
5. Maintain good grades.
6. Permission needed for deviating from usual routine outside the mansion.
There were more rules, but all seemed reasonable, if a bit more strict than Marinette was used to. She could work with this. There was also a set of expectations on etiquette around the house and particularly around eating.
There still were things that needed to be clarified, but in the end they were all satisfied. Gabriel sent them out to go get Marinette some clothes so she didn't have to borrow any the next morning.
Marinette had a great time shopping with Adrien, who did have a good idea for what looked good together. In then end, she left with seven sets of pajamas, and seven sets of daytime clothes and a couple of fun accessories.
She almost forgot what happened with how much fun she was having with Adrien.
That night, she got everything put away, looking around at her temporary room. She collapsed back on the bed in her pajamas and sighed happily.
She gave the money update to her parents while out shopping. They had responded with gratitude, but also worry about their being strings attached.
Marinette was worried about that too. But some of the things Mr. Agreste had said stood out as him being concerned about his son having good friends. She imagined that she would be out on the street quickly if she proved to be a poor friend. So she would just be the best friend she could be.
"Hello, Princess!" Chat Noir greeted her from the window.
She sat up quickly. "Chat Noir! You got my message!"
"Of course I did. And I wanted to be sure that you're alright!"
Marinette hugged him. "I can't thank you enough for how much you helped me last night. It really means a lot. I needed that."
"Of course. What are friends for?"
Marinette laughed.
For the next hour they joked around like they usually did, occasionally breaking into bits of seriousness.
At one point they ended up in a pillow fight. Marinette knocked Chat Noir off the bed and lost her balance. She landed on top of him. When she adjusted herself, she found her face close to Chat Noir's face. They stared at each other for a bit, then, both doing so impulsively, they kissed.
The world slowed.
Marinette's eyes opened. She wondered when she closed them. And then she realized what just happened. She jumped up.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that."
Chat Noir sat up, fingers touching his lips with a dazed expression. "It's alright... I did it too. Um. But maybe we should call it a night?"
"Oh, yes, it's nighttime, time for you to run on home, kitty cat."
Chat Noir chuckled and hugged her before leaving the window.
Marinette stared out the window for a bit, then fell back onto her bed.
In his room, Adrien was also sprawled on his bed, occasionally touching his lips in disbelief.
At the same time, both of them said aloud: "That wasn't supposed to happen."
They weren't supposed to kiss like that. Not Chat Noir and Marinette. After all, Marinette loved Adrien and Chat Noir was quite in love with Ladybug.
But... that kiss just proved they had feelings too. Neither were sure what to do with that.
After all, for Marinette, Chat Noir was her partner. Real feelings could affect out well they worked together. They were still looking for Hawkmoth. There was no reason for her to be distracted.
For Adrien, Marinette had been his sometimes hard to understand friend. And now she was living in his house. He could walk down the hall to see her if he wanted to, right now! He couldn't put feelings on her, not while she was reliant on his family to survive.