A.N. I'm back ;)

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MARINETTE

"Step aside."

"I'd rather you kill me first."

I'm standing behind Monarch who has a hand clenched into a fist, and the other holding me.

Yet, I do not want to be behind him. I want to be with the man standing across from us.

My chest clenches in pain at the sight of him. A tear runs down my cheek as my heart continues to ache for him.

"Adrien!" I cry out, abruptly reaching out my hand for him. Monarch immediately pushes my arm down.

"Marinette, don't move!" He scolds me but I push him away and start to run to Adrien.

"Adrien!" I shout again.

"Stop or I'll shoot!"

And I do stop in place, finding myself standing in between Monarch and Adrien. But what does not stop are the tears running down my face. The countless tears I continuously shed for the man pointing a gun at me.

"N-No..." I softly cry, my voice shaking.

"What do you mean 'no'?" He spits out and takes a few steps forward, nearing me. "And how the hell do you know me? Answer me!" He seethes out.

"You won't shoot me," I boldly utter then look straight into his eyes. They carry the kind of pent-up anger in them, yet I could see something else in his eyes. Hope brews in me when I see the doubt and curiosity in them. Then I notice the fact that he is trying to hide that he's shaking. "Look at you, the hand that's holding the gun is trembling."

Furious, Adrien stalks up to me and grits his teeth. Now the barrel of the gun is just an inch away from my forehead. I continue to control my breathing, taking even breaths to calm down. Clenching my hands to form fists, I stay determined. I know...I know he won't shoot me.

"Marinette, no!" Monarch shouts from behind me and I could hear him take a step closer.

"Don't!" I shout to make him stop, yet I keep my eyes on Adrien's. "Don't come here, Monarch," I continue.

"I won't be afraid to take another government scum away from this earth," Adrien spits out in a whisper.

"Then shoot me." I lean my head in resignation, placing my forehead right against the barrel.

"No! Don't shoot her, please!" Monarch begs from behind.

"Adrien Agreste, shoot me," I continue despite the endless pleas of Monarch. I raise both my hands and firmly grasp the gun, latching it on my head.

"How do you know me?" Adrien asks quietly, peering at me. Though he held the gun, ready to shoot me in any second, he kept on stopping himself. I could tell by his face. And when he asked that question, I know that even in this alternative world and time I'm in...I can bring my Adrien back.

I close my eyes and let out a few tears fall down my face. "Every night, you get nightmares. Nightmares of people being killed...sometimes by your own hand."

Adrien lets out a short gasp and I open my eyes again, breathing heavily. He's frozen in place, his face contorted in shock and horror.

"How...how would you know-"

"And you claim that you're used to them already," I continue, pressing on, "that they are just merely things that your mind messes with."

"Stop it..."

"But what you really needed was someone to remind you what reality is. Your nightmares have eaten you up so much that you can't tell the difference between what's real and not."

"I said stop it!" He cries.

"I hope when I die," I let my arms fall limp, letting go of the gun, letting Adrien be the one to make a decision, "you'll see me in your sleep. Because in another world, in another time, I was the one holding you and bringing you dreams...never nightmares," I finish in a whisper.

Adrien lets go of the gun. It lands on the ground, along with him who falls to his knees.

I turn around to face Monarch and bring out a hand and shake my head, signalling him to not go near us for now. I go on my knees as well and watch Adrien cry softly, refusing to even face me.

"W-Who are you?" He asks, his voice wavering. "Why do you know me?"

I hesitate for a moment yet reach out my hand and cup his cheek, slowly making him look at me. "I'm someone who should have not abandoned you in the first place," I reply gently. "I'm someone who has learned to love you as much as you have loved me...unconditionally."

"Love? How could you love someone like me?"

I shrug my shoulders and a smile plays about my lips. "I just do, Adrien." I use my thumb to wipe away the tears staining his cheek. "This may be really confusing, but what's not are my feelings."

Adrien opens his mouth, ready to say something. Instead he lets out a sharp cry in pain. His head lands on my shoulder as he heaves in unsuspecting pain.

"Adrien!" I exclaim and see blood running down a spot on his back - a wound that only a bullet could cause. I clutch onto him tightly, wrapping my arms around him. "No, no!" I repeatedly utter in dread.

It is then I notice a person standing behind him and my eyes widen out of disbelief.

It was mother who shot him.

Her face shows that she has no remorse with what she had done. She even throws away the gun she used to the ground and without any other glance, she walks away.

I press on the wound of Adrien, hoping to stop the bleeding but his body has started to fall limp in my arms. "Adrien, stay awake!" I beg, holding him tighter, bringing him closer to me.

"So this is what it feels," he starts in a very soft voice. I could hear him struggle to heave some air, "to have someone cry for you..."

"No!" I sob, "Stay awake, please!"

"Adrien!"

"Adrien!"

My eyes fly open and I pant out loud, immediately searching my surroundings.

"Adrien!" I call out again, disoriented, and force myself to sit up but a sudden pain hits me at the back like a hard kick and I fall back down on the mattress.

Wait. Why am I on an emergency bed?

This time I look around carefully as to where I really am. Now aware that I woke up from a dream, a nightmare rather, I know that Adrien is not here. Monarch would not be here as well, also mother. I flinch, remembering how she looked after she shot Adrien.

No. I won't think of that anymore. It was all just in my head.

But is this also in my head? Where really am I?

I'm in this dimly lit room and I think I've been lying on my right side for a very long time since my right shoulder aches in pain. I use my left hand to rub it then I see the needle, connected to an IV drip, inserted in my arm.

"What the..." I prop up on one elbow, looking around again. I find myself in one of the private quarters attached to the infirmary of the garrison.

Why am I in the garrison?

I let out a hiss in pain as I feel the same sensation on my back again. My hand flies to my chest and I look down to check what the hell I am wearing.

Someone must have made me wear cargo pants but did not think of covering me on top except for a thick long roll gauze wrapped repeatedly around my body that covered my chest until my waist and everything of my back.

...I remember now.

Adrien and I were supposed to be at the ruins. Then we got caught, alongside Nathalie, and I took the torture meant for Adrien...that's how I got the stinging wounds on my back.

But how am I back in the garrison?

And where's Adrien?

There is a single chair and a nurse cart beside my bed. Aside from those things, there's nothing else in this small quarter.

"I...I need to find Adrien," I mutter under my breath.

Despite the pain I force myself up and swing my bed to the side of the bed, pushing the blanket that was covering me away. I pant with the sudden exertion and hold onto the side of the bed. The room spins around me and my vision turns hazy as black blotches appear in my line of sight. I dry heave and force my eyes closed in hopes of taking away the nauseous feeling building up in my throat.

I need to find Adrien.

"A-Adrien," I whisper and plant both my bare feet on the floor. I do not feel dizzy anymore, but I can't say the same if I'm trying to stand which I am attempting to do now. I let out a huff and use all my strength to push myself up. Once I stand, I wobble a bit to find my balance, then take a step forward. But once I do so, my foot gives in to the weight of my body causing me to fall hard on the floor. The sound of something metal landing hard on the floor as well surprises me and I let out a shout. When I see that it was the IV stand that fell, I let out a groan and curse under my breath.

With one hand, I grab the leg of the chair nearby and drag it towards me. I use it to help myself up again, and this time I am more determined to stand and walk away from this quarter. I only have one goal in mind and that is to find Adrien.

I finally get back up again after two tries and I agitatedly pull out the needle in my arm and throw it to the ground. I go to the nurse cart and grab a cotton ball and place it over the small opening on my arm where blood is coming out. I cover it and place medicinal tape over to keep the cotton in place. "Okay," I breathe out and shakily walk, holding myself by placing my palm on the wall, to the door at the other side of the room. I continue to take careful and heavy steps until I finally reach the door. Grabbing ahold of the knob, I turn it and push open the door.

It's dark outside and really cold. Aside from the moon that illuminated the area, some streetlights were left on. What time is it?

It is also really quiet and eerie, yet what is more frightening is the fact that there is a man sitting on the ground in front of my quarters. His back is facing me and I freeze in my place as he stands.

But once he turns, I let out a cry in relief and lean on the doorway, bringing a hand to my mouth as I softly cry.

Adrien stands right in front of me, wearing his casual military uniform and he gapes at me in shock, staggering backwards. He could not believe this as well.

"Y-You're here..." I mumble in disbelief.

"You're awake," he whispers. "Oh my God," he pants as tears start to well up in his eyes, "Marinette, you're really awake." He starts to run right at me.

"My soldier." I start to weep and reach out for him. When he's near enough I grab onto his shirt and pull him towards me. I wrap an arm around him, clenching the fabric of his shirt from behind and bury my head in his chest. And everything I've been keeping in just crashes right through and I start to sob for him.

"I-I thought I lost you," I continue amidst the tears and I cry all the more. "I was so scared that I lost you." Relief washes over me, relief to know that he's alive and here with me. I feel him wrap an arm around my waist and the other cups the back of my head. He shakes against me, sobbing and choosing to muffle it by repeatedly kissing the top of my head.

When was the last time I held Adrien? When was the last time we held each other like this - tight and close? It feels so long ago and I've been missing this feeling every single day. I'm scared to even let go just one bit.

"Does it still hurt a lot?" He manages to whisper at my ear, referring to the wounds on my back. I shake my head slowly, still buried in his chest. He starts to pull away and I whine softly, holding on tightly to him. "I'm not going anywhere." He soothes me. "I just want to look at you." Gently, he holds my arm around him and moves it away so that he could move back.

I also pull away a bit to see that Adrien has leaned down to my level. I sniff and wipe away some of my tears, knowing that it's useless since they just won't stop. Adrien wipes them away too, smiling softly at me. His tears, though, continue to fall and I don't think he wants to hide them from me. "I'm glad to see your eyes again...I was scared that I would never have the chance to tell you that they are beautiful."

I cry harder this time, clutching onto his hand and press a kiss on it. "Adrien," I breathe out.

"Mari, you're shivering."

"I was in a hurry to find you," I confess, now conscious with how the cold air has affected my body especially since I don't have anything to cover me.

"And you only have that gauze wrapped around." Despite his flushing cheeks, he immediately shrugs off the military jacket he has on, causing me to let go of his hand for a while until he drapes the jacket over my body. "You can have this," he whispers and starts to button the top to keep it in place. "I still have my extra ones."

I look down and smile at the name tag placed on the right side of his jacket.

AGRESTE

It warms me inside to know that I carry another thing of his aside from the crucifix...and maybe his heart. The jacket smells just like him, it's such an intoxicating feeling.

But why is he out here? Instead of inside, with me?

"Why were you sitting outside?" I ask in a hushed voice. "I don't know what time it is now but I could tell that it's very late-"

"It's around three in the morning," he cuts me off, rubbing my arms through the jacket.

I look at him, trying to catch his attention but it's clear that he is avoiding my eyes. "You're supposed to be resting," I tell him. "What are you doing here?"

"How could I rest when I had no idea when you would wake up?" He says, now facing me. He licks his lips and closes his eyes while letting out a sigh. "I volunteered to take every night shift to take care of you. It's just...tonight, I couldn't stand watching you lie there. The thought of never getting to see you awake again..." he stops and shakily lets out a sigh, hanging his head low. "I couldn't bear watching you sleep like that." I see tears fall to the ground and I hold his face in my hands, gently pulling him to face me. He looks at me, his eyes covered with tears and continuously emitting soft gasps as he cries. "I-I'm sorry..."

Shaking my head, I cradle his face in my hands. "Don't beat yourself up," I murmur, "You have nothing to be sorry for."

He stays silent, relishing the feeling of my hands on him. Suddenly my stomach lets out a low growl which causes Adrien to laugh lightly, breaking the solemn mood we had just moments ago.

"You must be hungry," he says smirking at me when I look away in embarrassment.

"A bit..." I reply in a small voice, "or maybe a lot."

"I always bring food for you. Hopefully you wouldn't mind porridge."

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Adrien stayed quiet when he saw the IV stand on the floor and the lone needle lying beside the bag. Even if I wanted to explain, he stopped me and immediately said that he understood. He fixes it back in place and wraps the used needle with a piece of paper then throws it in the bin.

Adrien told me that it was Nino, Nath, and Monarch who saved us that day, along with Nathalie. He also told me that I have been sleeping for eight days. He slept for three. In those five extra days where he waited for me to wake up, his leg has healed and the roots of his hair are now showing his natural color I've grown to love.

Now he's feeding me the porridge that is placed on top of the nurse cart while he sits beside me on the bed. I wanted to feed myself but he insisted, saying that I shouldn't over-exert myself. I gave in since he was right and also because I think he wants to take care of me.

He's been feeding me in silence for a few minutes already and I do not mind it at all. This silence with him is comfortable and calming, it almost feels too good to be true.

I hold his right hand while he uses his left to hold the spoon. He gently blows on the hot porridge then brings the spoon to my mouth. This whole time I just eat while playing with his fingers, fiddling or intertwining them with mine.

"Here," he says while holding the jug of water, "drink some."

I grab the jug and take a few sips of water. Then I hand it over to him which he places back on the cart.

"Your hair...it's a mix of the dye and your natural color," I comment in a small voice.

He bows his head to show most of it and the change in his hair. "Give it a few more days and it will be back to nor-" Yet I cut him off by pressing a kiss on his head.

"I love you," I murmur, flashing him a smile just when he pulls slightly away. He lets out a shy smile and rubs the nape of his neck hiding how bashful he looks due to my sudden confession.

"I love you, Marinette," he whispers back. His eyes then widen and suddenly reaches for something in his pocket. "Before I forget," he says then pulls out an object, "this needs to be returned to you." He opens his palm to reveal the crucifix. The same crucifix that I begged those men to spare, including Adrien. I thought it was gone forever.

I let out a gasp and take it from him. I hold it close to my chest. "Thank you."

"Nino got it," he tells me. "I didn't notice it back there but I'm glad he did. He mentioned that it looked familiar that's why he grabbed it back at that room."

"I hope I get to thank him personally."

"Why do you treasure it so much?" Adrien asks, leaning towards me.

"Because it's from you," I simply answer. I look at it again and run a finger across the inner linings of the cross. "Where did you get this?"

"My father gave it to me after the day I told him that I wanted to be a soldier."

"You must have really wanted to become one when you were very young." I smile at him. Adrien shrugs and softly laughs.

"I put my heart and mind into achieving that goal. I was only aiming for that, and only that."

I nod in assent. "That explains why you were furious with the switch project."

"Yeah..." he sighs then lightly nudges me. "Silver lining, though," he continues in a whisper, "I got to meet you."

I place the crucifix beside the jug of water on the cart then pout at him. "But you were so mean to me at first, calling me a maggot and things like that."

"Hey," he calls out reaching for my hand. "I hope you know that I didn't mean any of that."

I raise an eyebrow at him.

"Okay, maybe I meant some of that," he corrects himself. "I wasn't lying though when I said that your stuttering makes you unattractive."

"So I'm not always unattractive?" I tease him, frowning all the more.

"No, no!" His eyebrows are furrowed in worry. "You're always attractive, you're very attractive. Not just physically. I really fell for how kind and compassionate you are."

I grin at him. "And falling for each other led us to these crazy turn of events."

"...do you regret any of it?" He asks reluctantly.

"Should I?" I ask, cocking my head to the side to think, "Because I find no feelings of regret."

He smiles and brings out his hand to cup my left cheek. I close my eyes and lean towards his touch.

"I wish to be selfish like this all the time..." I whisper, "to enjoy holding you." I tilt my head to plant a kiss directly on his palm. "And to kiss you anytime I want," I finish.

"That wasn't a real kiss," he comments in a whisper.

I let out a soft laugh and my eyes open, looking right at his. "Come close," I whisper back.

He keeps his gaze on me and leans close, finally capturing my lips with his. I smile and close my eyes. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me as we continue to kiss to our heart's content.

He slight draws back. "I might hurt your back," he murmurs against my lips.

"Just hold me gently like you always do." I look straight into his eyes as I say my next words, "I know you won't hurt me."

The corners of his lips curve upward and he closes the distance between us again, kissing me harder and holding me closer. I close my eyes again and run my fingers through his hair when I feel him hold me behind my head. I let out ragged breaths as he pulls away to travel down to my neck and upper chest, pressing kisses here and there. He unbuttons the top part of the jacket. I tug on his hair, biting back an intimate cry while I lean my head back granting him more access. 

"I've missed this," I breathe out and emit another sigh, "I've missed you..."

Leaving one last kiss on the area just above my collar bone, he draws back and peers into my eyes. He pulls me closer by the waist. "We don't have to keep missing each other anymore. My nurse, your soldier is not going anywhere."

I beam at him with pleasure. "I love you, my soldier."

He lets out a laugh and plants a chaste kiss on my lips. When he pulls back, I reach out and softly brush my finger on his lips. They're plump and swollen from our deep kissing. Just looking at them stirs a titillating feeling in me.

"Did I ever get to tell you that you have such luscious lips?"

"N-No," he stammers, though he licks his lips and stares at mine. 

"I should have told you way before. Just kissing you is exhilarating, it makes me all dizzy and intoxicated." I connect my lips with his and continue to kiss him again, though they have started to get all hot and heavy. I clutch onto his shirt tightly and tug on it, trying to take it off of him.

Adrien retreats to take off his shirt and mindlessly throws it to the floor. Then he goes back to ravishing me with his passionate kisses. Now with his hard and wide chest pressing against mine, I let myself fall into this deep pit of happiness and pleasure he is bringing me.

"Adrien," I murmur in between our kisses. I graze my hands on his bare back until I reach a slight bump of skin right beside his shoulder blade. I immediately pull away and look at him in worry, running my hand through the irregular bump on his skin again.

"Marinette?" He breathlessly asks in a whisper, studying my face in worry as well. "Did...did I do anything wrong?"

"What's this bump on your back?"

"Ah." He lets out a sigh in relief. "I thought I hurt you. It's just a mark."

"Just a mark?" I emphasize in disbelief. "It's protruding irregularly like it was caused by a heavy rod-"

Him pulling my hand away from his back stops me from continuing. He does a sharp intake of his breath then exhales heavily. "It's one of the first marks of the mutiny."

I stare wordlessly at him and he turns around to show me his back. I let out a gasp at the scar that is brown yet with hints of red in some parts. It's as big as my palm and there is no particular shape to it, unlike mine that is the letter 'M'. His is an irregular circle that looks like it was caused by digging something metal and cylindrical into his skin and flesh. Something that has caused a scar like this must have brought Adrien so much pain.

"It's not that eye-catching if seen from afar," he suddenly speaks up whilst I gape at the scar. "It's like a kind of birthmark, that's why people don't point it out or even notice it. But if seen up close, like where you're seated, you could see every little detail of it."

"What did they do to you?" I quietly ask,  still in a state of shock.

"They burned a metal rod, the size of that scar, and mercilessly pierced it through my skin..."

I bring a hand to my mouth and let out a gasp, bitterly closing my eyes at the same time.

"It's a test of bravery and loyalty," he continues. I hear him shift beside me then I feel his hands hold my face. When I open my eyes, I am met with his looking at me full of concern. "It happened years ago, Marinette. I don't want you worrying over a wound that doesn't hurt anymore."

"Who helped you clean up the wound?" I ask in a small voice. He leans back, choosing to stay silent then he turns away - avoiding my eyes.

"Adrien?" I carry on, moving to the side to get a glimpse of his face, "Who was there to help you heal?"

He continues to stay silent, pursing his lips and looking downcast.

He didn't have to utter a word from there on because I knew the answer.

No one.

"Adrien," I softly coo and bring a hand to his face for him to turn and look back at me. I caress him with the back of my hand and he closes his eyes, letting out a gentle exhale. "I know that you'll always be there to protect me. You always say so and I trust you so much." I grab his hand and bring it my chest, flattening it over where he could feel my heart beat. He gazes at his hand for a while then quietly looks back up at me. "So while this heart beats only for you," I continue, "trust and let me protect you as well."

I let go of his hand and proceed to wrap my arms around his waist, letting my head fall right on his chest where I could hear his heart beat. He wraps his arms around me as well and props his chin on top of my head. "From now on, I promise to not let anyone hurt you nor would I let you feel the pain alone. I'll make sure that you'll hurt no more," I finish.

"Thank you," he merely whispers before pressing a soft kiss on my head.

We spend the night whispering to each other words of promises, of hopes, of fears and doubts. Yet we hold each other tightly, not letting one out of the other's sight - we hold a promise that we know won't break. A promise that we both know deep in our hearts without the need to say it.

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istg if you don't feel the sensual tension between adrien and marinette, i will-

and ugh, the only exception by paramore. I've cried listening to this song when I was 10, and until now I still cry to it. And I believe for Adrien and Mari, they are each other's only exceptions.

Anyway, hopefully you enjoyed this chapter hahaha thank you for waiting very patiently! 💖

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