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Redemption	By : Cat_Eyes Category: +M through R > Miraculous LadyBug Views: 2815 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug. Miraculous Ladybug is the intellectual property of Thomas Astruc and released by Zag studios. No profit was made writing this story.

Chapter List
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Clouds had gathered during the evening, as a storm settled in.
Marinette tossed and turned, unable to get to sleep. Normally, she would have let the sound of the rain lull her to sleep, but the brilliant flashes of lightening, and the crack of thunder jolted her into wakefulness.
She groaned in frustration as she dragged her pillow over her face.
There was a timid knock on her trapdoor. Marinette flicked on her lamp, and sat up.
'Come in,' she called, though the upward inflection made it sound like a question. The thunder was loud, so she thought it was possible she had been mistaken, but then, the door creaked open, and Adrien poked his head in.
'Hey,' he greeted her, with a sheepish chuckle. 'Can I come in?'
'Sure, come on up,' Marinette replied, waving him up to her loft.
Adrien eased the door down, then scampered across the room, and up the ladder. He sat next to her in a tailor's position, leaning his back against the wall.
'Is everything all right?' Marinette asked.
He rubbed the back of his neck. 'Couldn't sleep.'
'Me neither,' she sighed. 'Nice PJs, by the way.'
Usually, Adrien preferred plain pyjamas. Tonight though, he wore cobalt blue flannelette covered with large, yellow stars.
'They're comfortable,' he explained, with a light blush.
Taking pity on him, she changed the subject. 'How do you like your new room?'
His expression brightened. 'It's wonderful. It'll be even better when I get an actual bed in there.'
Marinette laughed at his enthusiasm.
Adrien flopped down sideways, his head landing on her cat pillow. Marinette wriggled back under her blankets to maintain eye contact, resting her head on her own pillow.
'It was really nice of your dad to hang my family's portrait.'
Marinette raised an eyebrow. 'Even though he didn't ask for permission?'
He shook his head. 'I don't mind that he did it. Actually, I appreciate the gesture. It means a lot to me.'
'But?'
Adrien curled his hands in front of his nose, and wouldn't meet her eyes. 'I miss them. I miss what we used to be.'
Marinette tugged her blankets out from underneath him. Confused, he shifted his weight for her, but relaxed when she tucked them in around him.
'They're your family, it's natural for you to feel like that. I know we can never replace what you've lost, but we can be a family for you now. If you want, that is.'
Adrien wiped his eyes. 'I know, and I can't even begin to explain what that means to me. You're probably sick of hearing this, but thank you.'
Marinette smiled softly back.
A sudden clap of thunder directly overhead made them both jump. The light flickered, and died, plunging the room into darkness.
'I guess that means it's bedtime,' Marinette said, before stretching up to click the lamp switch into the off position.
'Can I spend the night with you?' Adrien asked.
Marinette reached out, and held him close, while his arms wrapped tightly around her. She sighed, relaxing into his embrace. It was warm and comforting, and made her feel safe.
Adrien gradually relaxed as well, his muscles letting go, one by one. Soon, his breathing evened out into a deep and steady rhythm.
Marinette smiled and snuggled into his chest, finally feeling the pull of sleep wash over her.

Adrien was already gone when Marinette woke up the next morning. She wasn't surprised; he was an early riser, and probably wanted to avoid any awkward encounters with her parents.
After she hauled herself out of bed and got dressed, she met Adrien in the kitchen, where he sat at the counter, eating his breakfast.
'Morning,' he greeted her, around a mouthful of bread,
Marinette felt a light blush crawl up her face. 'Good morning.'
She prepared her own meal, then sat across from him in weighted silence.
It wasn't until after they had finished eating when he spoke again.
'Sorry about the impromptu sleepover last night,' he said, rubbing the back of his head. 'It must've been cramped.'
'Oh no, it was fine,' she replied, holding both hands up. 'You slept well, then?'
'I don't think I've slept that well in years,' he admitted. 'You?'
Marinette nodded. 'Yeah, great. I was perfectly comfortable, but I can sleep just about anywhere, so,' she trailed off.
She washed the dishes as silence descended once more. She chewed her lip, thinking of the bombshell she still had to drop. However, it seemed that every time she tried to tell him, something prevented her from going through with it. Alya had given her until the weekend, and it was already Thursday. She made the decision to come clean, since as Alya had said, better sooner than later.
Drying her hands on a tea towel, she turned back to Adrien. He looked up at her expectantly, his schoolbag sitting on the benchtop in front of him.
'Listen,' she began, 'there's something I need to tell you.'
The door slammed open as Alya and Nino strode into the room.
'There he is,' called Nino, as he hurried over to wrap Adrien in a hug. 'Is it true you're living here now?' he asked, pulling back to hold Adrien by the shoulders.
'It is,' Adrien replied, with a grin.
Alya clenched her fists over her chest and squealed. 'This is so exciting. I'm so happy for you.'
'I can't believe you didn't tell us,' Nino went on. 'We could've helped.'
'I wasn't even allowed to help,' Adrien told him, emphatically.
He filled them in on their way to school, then, he and Nino left to tell the other boys.
Marinette and Alya joined Rose, Juleka, Alix, and Mylene on the stairs to the upper level to catch up on gossip.
'Kim's going to ask Chloe out,' Alix said, without preamble.
'Really? That's so romantic,' Rose squealed, with a theatrical swoon.
Alix shushed her. 'Keep your voice down. He wants it to be a surprise.'
Rose clapped both hands over her mouth, abashed.
'The real surprise would be if she said yes,' Alya snorted.
'When's he going to do it?' Mylene asked.
Alix shrugged. 'As soon as he works up the nerve, I guess.'
They all turned to the far left corner of the courtyard, where Kim stood with Max. Kim was pumping his fists and breathing heavily, while Max gripped his shoulders and muttered in his ear.
'That must be some pep talk,' Juleka murmured.
'He's really nervous,' Alix pointed out.
They all hummed an agreement.
Rose turned back to Marinette and Alya.
'So, what's new with you guys?'
Marinette told them of Adrien's relocation, but the news was met with mixed reactions. Alix was still distant with Adrien, but her dislike seemed to be more for show, rather than from any deeper feelings of resentment. Mylene said she was happy for them, but there was a slight shadow in her eyes.
Marinette was about to reassure her, when the bell rang. She settled for giving Mylene a confident smile, and her shoulder a gentle squeeze. Mylene smiled back, with a helpless shrug. Marinette took that as a good sign.

As Marinette was putting her books into her locker at lunch, the sound of someone clearing their throat announced their arrival. She turned to see Chloe standing behind her, arms crossed and foot tapping.
'So, I hear Adrien's moved in with you.'
'That's right.'
Chloe exhaled gustily as she looked away. 'He likes Darjeeling tea, black with two sugars. He often used to eat a croissant with his tea. He despises kale, but loves anything with tomato.
'Also, he can become so absorbed in a task, that he forgets to eat, so watch out for that. He's afraid of the dark, and of being left alone for too long, so he can be really clingy and needy, so good luck with that.
'Perversely, he'll fight anyone who wrongs you, so keep him leashed and muzzled when you take him out.'
Marinette tried to suppress a smile. 'He's not a dog.'
'No, he's like a small child, which is worse. He'll wander off if you take your eyes off him, even for a second.'
Marinette closed her locker, and walked out with Chloe beside her.
'He'll be fine with us, I swear.'
'I know he will. If you have any questions, though, call me.'
Marinette halted to pull Chloe into a hug. She froze for a moment, then returned the embrace.
Pulling back, Marinette asked, 'so, how have you been?'
Chloe waved a hand. 'I'm fine. After that kidnapping incident, Daddy had me see a shrink. She has horrible fashion sense, but she's good, so I don't mention it. She says I'm making real progress in all aspects of my life, so there's that.
'Things at home were tight for a little while, but they're looking up. Daddy laid off some of the staff, took some things off the menu, and raised the fees a little, but things are getting back to how they used to be. Daddy's wage as Mayor also helps.'
'How is your dad?' Marinette asked.
Chloe raised one shoulder in a half shrug. 'His blood pressure is high, and he's still stressed, but it's not as bad as it was.'
'That's a relief.'
'How are you and your family going?'
Marinette smiled. 'We're great, thanks for asking.'
'Hey, Chloe,' Kim interrupted them. He had only bounded over from the other side of the courtyard, but he was already sweaty and panting heavily.
'Can I help you?' asked Chloe, a hand on her hip.
Marinette noted her tone had lost its usual bite.
Kim coughed to clear his throat, while a blush turned his cheeks ruddy. 'Actually, I just wanted to know if,' he paused.
Marinette stepped behind Chloe, and shot him two thumbs up, with an encouraging grin.
Bolstered, Kim straightened up and smiled. 'Would you like to go on a date with me, tomorrow night?'
Chloe floundered, then spun to face Marinette with wide eyes. Marinette thrust her hands behind her back and nodded enthusiastically, with her smile still in place.
Chloe turned back to Kim. 'Pick me up at six.'
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Redemption