ADRIEN

After being cooped up in the infirmary for the past five days every eating time, I finally insisted to eat someplace else.

And I know that people were sneaking glances. I'm not surprised though. If ever I saw someone that is supposed to be dead walking around with a tray in the mess hall, I too would stare.

It could make a man go crazy though. The silence followed with the whispers then worded theories of how I'm still alive. I don't think they are even aware that I could hear everything they are saying amongst each other.

I couldn't also think straight due to the throbbing pain on my right shoulder caused by Alya around early noon.

She immediately broke down into tears when she went to Marinette's quarters and hugged her best friend. Of course, I scrambled to find my shirt on the floor and wore it as Nino also entered the room. It was he who noticed the red marks all over my chest and arms before I covered them, while Alya noticed the same marks on Marinette's abdomen which were poorly covered up with the gauze. They both immediately got the same idea and had different reactions.

Nino bursted out shouting a few cheers then started laughing so loud that he had to go out while Alya started punching me, scolding me and saying that I should have not tired Marinette all the more and that the place where I left my marks is such a suggestive area that it embarrasses her as well.

Marinette was hiding her very red face behind a blanket and I was glad to take the punches of Alya. If ever she saw the marks Marinette left on me, I would not know what Alya would do to her.

Now the pain is still there even if it's been hours already. I rub my shoulder and pull it back and forth to stretch it at the very least.

"Adrien." Chloé suddenly stops in front of me, carrying her own tray as well.

"Chloé," I exclaim and let go of my shoulder. I look at her in confusion as I cannot fathom why she suddenly stopped me in the middle of the canteen.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm looking for a seat here," I answer slowly, not sure where she is heading with the question.

"Not here," she says, "don't meddle with the others first. You need to stay with us."

"Why shouldn't I meddle with them?-"

"You're a dead man walking, Adrien," she cuts off harshly. "And the mutiny has been falling apart ever since you 'died'," she continues in a hushed voice, leaning close and setting off wary glances around as she spoke. "Our members are frustrated, especially over you. That is why you can't just go around freely for now." She draws back then raises her chin. "Follow me," she commands, marching in the opposite direction. And I follow her.

She leads me to the secluded area which is a room where the generals and higher officials would usually stay for they wouldn't mingle with the others outside. This time, though, in the wide room only two people occupied one table - Nino and Nurse Nath.

"Hey," Chloé calls out them, garnering their attention.

"Dude!"
"Why were you not in your room this morning?"

Nino and Nurse Nath speak at the same time and I could muster to do was wave a hand at them. Nino immediately smirks at Nath when he asked the question. "Nath, I think you know the answer to that already," he says sending a thumbs-up at me which I roll my eyes to.

Chloé takes a seat beside Nath and I go to Nino who sat at the farthest area of the table. Chloé and Nath have gotten close for the past days despite knowing their different sides, they found some similarities with each other. As they start their own conversation, Nino slides up to me on the bench and lightly nudges me.

"Someone went all frisky last night," he whispers, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Shut up." I jab my elbow at my his arm. He lets out a small yelp and rubs the spot on his arm. "They were just hickeys, and it's not like you don't leave some on Alya as well," I mumble and stab a slice of carrot with my fork then bring it to my mouth.

"Well here's the thing, I don't," he utters matter-of-factly, "Unless I wouldn't mind getting punched at after. But damn, Nurse Marinette could leave something like that on the Lieutenant Adrien Agreste-"

"Nino," I mutter harshly, "stop with that dirty mind of yours. We did not go any further than that." Yet my cheeks were burning as I continue and I hid them by drinking half of my glass of water. Then I place it back down on the table. "I wouldn't go any further if she doesn't want to. Marinette is worth much more than all of that," I finish, meaning every word I said.

"Woah." Nino lets out a low whistle. "You know what it reminds me of?" He presses on.

"What," I say flatly.

"That time when I asked if anyone could tame you." I choke on my food and grab my water to clean my throat. Nino, indifferent to the situation, continues, "It was right after your break, and I asked you that question right here in this hall. Who would have thought that of all people, it would be Nurse Marinette."

"And what's wrong with that?"

"I never would have guessed that you've fallen this hard," he emphasizes. "It makes me feel guilty over what I told you back at the base, when I told you that you should forget her."

I stop, dropping my fork on the plate as I repeat his words in my head. It just dawns on me now. The road that Marinette and I took to reach where we are in what we have is rough. Our path is not going to get any better from now on. It's going to get more rough and I could feel the rejection we are going to face from a lot of people, but at least we have each other. That is what's holding me despite the temptation to give up at any moment.

"Adrien?"

I blink and face Nino before pulling off a fake laugh. "Guess you ate your own words," I respond, grabbing my fork again.

"You okay?" He asks, still staying serious. "You're in conflict with yourself, aren't you?"

Thankfully, Chloé and Nurse Nath are still busy with their own conversation to even notice ours.

"Not as much as before", I answer truthfully.

Nino shoots a look at the other two people who are busy talking. "I didn't want to reach this topic so soon, but I think I shouldn't wait anymore."

I furrow my eyebrows in visible confusion. "What are you saying?"

He lets out a sigh. "I think we should take this conversation outside." He stands and grabs his tray which causes Nath and Chloé to stop talking and face us.

"Where are you going?" Chloé asks.

"Adrien and I are going ahead," Nino answers and I follow him. "You guys continue eating here," he continues. They both agree and wave at us before going back to their conversation. Nino and I leave our trays at the side before heading out of the mess hall and into an open area where no one is loitering around. I fix the sleeves and collar of my jacket and look around the area. Months ago, I would spend my time here normally doing my training and sometimes obstacle challenges. Now, a lot of things have changed. I cannot go back to how my life was months ago. It is a change, though, that I would not complain about.

"I understand the need for secrecy, but we can also trust Nurse Nath and Chloé," I begin.

"We can't bring them in for now because this involves you." He gives me a pointed look. "I'm not going to deny it and I hope you won't as well. Being with Marinette has changed you."

"Yes," I agree with him, "it has. Nino," I huff out, "where are you going with this-"

"Where do you stand now, Adrien?" He interrupts. "You don't believe in the mutiny anymore, do you?"

An answer dies down in me and I find myself hesitating with what to say. Nino lets out a sigh and continues, "And I bet Marinette does not believe in the government anymore."

"Nino, I can't go on thinking that where I stand is where I should be," I declare, throwing my hand in the air to prove my point. "To answer your question, I don't know where I stand, okay?" I reply, starting to raise my voice. "What I know is that I can't continue with my past beliefs and stay stubborn with them. I will just be blinding myself with those lies."

"You're basically going against two great forces here," He expresses, "and even going against one is hard enough. Dude, how are you going to do it?"

I purse my lips and look away. Then I let out a heavy sigh. "I must first face the consequences that will be brought by the people of the mutiny." I look down in resignation then look at him. "I would need your help, Nino. As well as the help of the people close to us."

"Are you asking us to change sides?"

"I'm asking you to open your minds," I point out. "And I know that it's going to take a lot of willpower to do, but don't deny that you've had the same doubt in your thoughts already. Heck, you've even called General Thaddeus by his first name! What the heck was with that?"

Nino crosses his arms defensively. "Monarch allowed me to call Alya," he tells me in a soft voice.

"He did?" I question in disbelief.

"She was the first one who knew that we were still alive," he continues. "When we received your emergency signal and went to the south for your rescue mission, she was the one who prepared the medical equipment and tools needed to save you and Marinette." Nino takes a pause and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Okay, okay. Monarch is not all bad." He cringes a bit after admitting it. "He was just doing his duty like how we were with ours."

I click my tongue and cross my arms as well. "So what are you trying to say here?"

"Adrien, it will be easy to convince the people closest to you now. We are your allies." Nino then points back at the mess hall. "It's them that will be hard," he emphasizes, referring to the soldier and medical practitioners left in the mess hall. "The people whom we left behind will not believe us in one try, not even in two! They did not see what we saw back in the base and in the south. They did not experience the same things as us. In fact, they are going to look down at your relationship with Marinette...what are you going to do?"

I close my eyes and face the other way. Just for a moment, I gather my thoughts and feelings then let out a heavy exhale. I turn to him harshly. "I can't give you an answer now."

He rolls his eyes. "Then what should I-"

"But when I do," I cut him off in a crisp manner, "you need to promise me that you will not betray me. You said that you are easy to convince, right? Then I will gladly hold on to that statement."

He lets out a sigh of resignation and holds his hands out in surrender. "Okay, fine," he utters. "But you must have an end goal, right?"

"Of course, I do."

"What?"

I smirk at him. "Abolish this damned system."

------------

It's night already, meaning that it is my turn to watch over Marinette.

I would always dread my walk to her quarters when the possibility of her waking up was something that just hung in the air. But everything feels lighter now that she has woken up. I couldn't think of anything else that could make me happier than this.

When I near her quarters, I notice Alya standing outside and looking worried, biting her bottom lip and pressing her ear on the door.

"Alya?" She jumps a bit in surprise and a hand flies to her heart.

"God, Adrien," she murmurs, rubbing her chest in hopes of calming her heart. "You didn't have to scare me like that."

"Why are you outside?" I ask, "Aren't you supposed to be inside with Marinette?"

"I was," she replies then ushers me to come nearer. "But General Thaddeus arrived and asked me to give the two of them some privacy, but it sounds like they're arguing."

"What?" I sputter and immediately press my ear on the door. From there I could hear the muffled voice of Marinette, anger and frustration radiating off from her. And just before Alya could stop me, I grab the knob of the door and yank it open. Monarch's back is facing me and Marinette pauses in place once she sees me. Her face contorts in confusion and worry as she looks at me by the doorway. Monarch turns to see who barged in the room.

"Agreste?" He utters in surprise.

"What's going on?" I question the both of them, furrowing my eyebrows as the tension in the room intensifies.

Marinette, who is clearly wearing my jacket, wraps it tighter around her and takes a step forward at me. "General Thaddeus was just about to leave," she explains.

"Monarch," I walk to stand beside him, "you shouldn't be agitating Marinette. She is still healing."

"Adrien, you shouldn't greet the general informally," she utters in haste, shifting to a serious expression.

"He doesn't have to," Monarch grumbles and crosses his arms, pinching the bridge of his nose. "He knows about us."

"What do you..." she trails off then angrily turns to the man beside me, "Monarch," she exclaims, "you told him?!-"

"No," I cut her off, sternly looking at her. "I asked him to."

"A-Adrien..." she stammers, her words dying down. Her eyes waver, gaping between Monarch and I. "how..."

"I had a feeling already," I tell her quietly.

"I noticed the look you gave her back at that room...she is not just a comrade to you, is she?"

He clicks his tongue and turns his head before saying, "She was 18 and I was 21 when I asked her to marry me...and she said yes."

The weight of the world drops on my shoulders with just that statement alone. I blink in response as my brain continues to process if I heard him correctly. "What?" I utter in disbelief. Out of nervousness, I start to fiddle with my fingers and the blanket on top of me. "M-Marry?"

He pulls off a nonchalant shrug. "We grew up together in the base. With our fathers working as medical practitioners, we were bound to be really close friends. I loved her first..." he sighs.

I gulp, trying to keep my stoic expression so that my raging emotions are at bay. I do find myself trusting Marinette, but this still hurts. The pain of my chest clenching doubles just as I think about it: Why has she never told me?

"We went out for a year before my proposal." He turns back to look at me then lets out a groan in disappointment over how my face was contorted with worry. "Look, she broke it off after two years, okay? So don't worry about anything especially her feelings. She made it very clear that there were none left. And I saw it with how she took care of you and Lahiffe back at the base."

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Marinette pulled a lot of strings to change how we would handle you. Haven't you noticed that she always found time to see you? She gained a few people who looked down on her at the base, yet that didn't stop her from taking care of you."

I fall silent and rack up all my memories in the base, most of them consisted of Marinette visiting me in my room, handing me my food, and even trying to start a conversation. Though, I turned down all her conversations by refusing to say a word. "She chose to go through all that...for me?"

He sullenly nods. "And it seems like," he stops himself then lets out a dry laugh. "No, let me rephrase that or I'll sound like I'm in denial," he murmurs under his breath. He clears his throat and casts a fleeting glance at me. "I know that I am hopeless in wanting her back. I really did my best to win her back, but the way she spoke of you...her words and tone showed how much she cares for you."

"And I know that her decision to go to the south was impulsive and frankly, idiotic," he continues, "yet I cannot thank you enough for going with her. She would have died if you were not there with her. I owe all my gratitude to you."

I shake my head and purse my lips, bitterly closing my eyes. "Don't thank me," I whisper. "What is the difference with your statement when she is still asleep? Where's the assurance that she will wake up?-"

"She will wake up." He interrupts with such conviction. "I know she will. And when she does, you will be the first one she'll be looking for." He stands and bows his head then looks at me again, sincerity in his eyes. "So please, get well, Lieutenant for I leave Marinette in your hands now."

Monarch left after he explained that he visited Marinette to at least talk with her which ultimately led him to scolding her and Marinette turning all defensive. He didn't want to agitate her, though he couldn't help his 'overprotective' self.

Before leaving the room, he gave a pat on my shoulder and leaned in to whisper something only I could hear, "Take care of her. I think you're the only person she wouldn't get mad at."

Marinette lets out a heavy sigh from behind as I am facing the door where Monarch left. I couldn't find myself turning to face her yet. Not now.

"Marinette," I start out slowly but she beats me to it.

"I was really going to tell you," she declares. "I was preparing myself to tell you. I...I wanted to make sure that I said the right words. I didn't want you to doubt how much I love you."

Knowing that she wouldn't see it, a smile plays about my lips. "Did I ever say that I doubted your love?"

Suddenly I feel her arms snake around my waist from behind. She places her forehead against my back. I hold her hands that were resting on my stomach.  "Loving you is freeing," she whispers. "With him, I had to keep this persona that wasn't me. With you, I showed a lot of my flaws, yet you continued to love me through them."

I turn around to fully face her. Her eyes have turned puffy as she has silently started to cry and I hold her face, gently caressing it between my two hands.

"I'm sorry," she continues in a small voice, "I didn't want to keep it from you."

"Don't beat yourself up. I trust you." I smile at her before leaning down to press a kiss on her forehead. "Don't cry anymore." I wipe away her tears. "I'm not mad." She musters to nod in assent.

"I have something to bring up with you," I continue, changing the tone of my voice. She notices it and peers closely at me.

"What's wrong?"

"Marinette, we need to talk to the people here. The soldiers, medical practitioners, staff - everyone."

She draws back and her arms around me fall limp. She purses her lips and looks away, a look of determination on her face. "I know."

I cock my head to the side, curiously looking at her. "I have a feeling that you have a plan already. Care to share?"

"You might not like it..." she breathes out and casts a glance at me before she walks back to her bed and takes a seat on it. "I've had this plan in my head since this morning. It involves me talking with the most stubborn yet strongest people in the garrison."

"What do you mean?" I spit out. She continues to look at me until I get the sudden realization. "Wait..." I utter, "my members? Mari, they are going to attack you-"

"Let them attack me," she cuts me off, looking the other way, "I'm very aware of that already. I just need you to call for a meeting, hopefully tomorrow night."

"That's easy to set-up," I emphasize. "But what exactly will you tell them?"

"The truth," she answers. "They deserve to know." She pauses and looks up at me. "You deserve to know."

I let out a deep sigh and rub my eyebrows out of frustration. "And then?"

"I'll stop there first. I need to see if I can gain their rapport."

"Marinette, almost everyone is going to be against us. Tomorrow night, when you talk to them, they will attack you as well."

"I don't care how many times I would have to talk to them. As long as I will eventually convince them, that is what matters."

"I can't give you any guarantee that your plan will turn out well," I tell her in all honesty. "But whatever happens, I will be standing right beside you. I won't let you face my members alone."

She lets out a small smile. "Thank you, Adrien," she says with all sincerity.

I shrug my shoulders. "It's the least I could do for you." I clear my throat and turn towards the door again. "It's my shift tonight. I'll stay outside. Get some sleep-"

I stop once I feel her hold on tightly to my wrist.

"Mari?"

"You...you still have nightmares sometimes, right?" She quietly asks. "I...I have trouble sleeping as well when I'm all alone and-"

"Is this your way of asking me to sleep beside you again for tonight?" I interrupt, biting down a smirk I want to pull off.

For the love of God, this woman is impulsive in all possible ways. It is eventually going to get me crazy. Still, I love her for it.

"I-If you wouldn't mind..." she trails off.

I turn and hover my face close to her and look at her lips. She could feel my breath fanning over her mouth. "Why would I?" I whisper and leave a chaste kiss on her lips. I pull away and make my way to her bed, taking a seat on it. I take off my boots and place them on the floor.

When I grab the bottom of my shirt and proceed to take it off as well, Marinette's nervous voice stops me from doing so.

"I-Is it really necessary to take it off?" She asks.

"I usually sleep without a shirt on..." I tell her, "I had to adjust when the 'switch' project started. I can keep it on if you want-"

"No," she cuts me off. "You can take it off. I want you to be comfortable tonight."

"But I also want you to feel at ease-"

"I will be if I fall asleep hugging you tonight. I want to feel closer to you," she interjects.

And without a word, I pull off my shirt and fold it before placing it on the chair beside the bed. Marinette climbs on top of the bed and I quietly go on top of the other side. I notice her staring at my chest for some time and I start to feel conscious. "Mari?" I call out, unsurely.

"They're still there," she whispers in awe, bringing out her hand and starts to brush the marks she left on me last night with her fingers.

"I think you were too busy leaving those on me last night to forget that hickeys last at least two days." My breath suddenly hitches in my throat as my body turns all rigid, trying to contain itself from the sheer pleasure I am feeling by her fingers that were innocently exploring my upper body.

I swear. This woman is about to make me lose all sense of control. Even something as simple as what she is doing is making my mind all hazy. It's not the action. It's her. Just her presence is making me lose my mind. Even with her impulsive tendencies, I still fall deeper for her. I grab her hand and pull her towards me to close the distance between us. I tilt my head to fully capture the essence of her whole being - her lips. She immediately starts to kiss me back and I feel her caress my shoulder. When I draw back, I sneak a bite on her bottom lip and a hand flies to her mouth as she pants, letting out ragged breaths.

"I think we should sleep before this becomes hard for the both of us," I mutter under my breath. She turns beet red and buries her head in my neck, fixing her position on the bed to lay down comfortably beside me.

"Okay," she says in the smallest voice I have ever heard her pull off, "Good night...thank you for agreeing with my plan for tomorrow."

I let out a soft laugh and wrap my arms around her frame, making sure that I rest my hands gently on her back. "Sleep well," I whisper. "You got a busy day tomorrow."

She hums as a reply then turns silent until I could hear her steady breaths, knowing that she has fallen asleep so fast.

I finally let myself frown. Is it alright for me to let her do it? To let her talk to my members? I was part of those who personally taught them to be ruthless. And when I look down at the woman I'm holding, I need to protect her at all costs yet not restrain her from speaking out. I don't want them to hurt her even if it will be just through words.

Yet her plan. Will it be okay to let her do it? Will this help us align with Monarch's ultimate scheme?

"Agreste, I'm actually mainly here for an important reason. But you have to take this as an oath to let this stay confidential between the two of us," he speaks, his voice all serious and full of intent.

I shift in my bed and lean forward. "Is this why you asked them to leave the infirmary? What's going on?"

"Before I say anything, swear to me that no one will know that the plan came from me. I want you to carry it as your own."

"General-"

"Monarch," he immediately corrects me.

"Monarch," I continue, "this plan you speak of, does this pertain to the dispute at hand?"

"Exactly." He pushes himself off his chair and paces back and forth beside my bed.

"Monarch-"

He stops and instantly cuts me off, "I know you can see it. Don't deny any of it. You know that we can't continue with this government we have and with how the rebels are handling it. Admit it, you also feel the need to stop both."

"Abolishment of both sides?" I exclaim. "That would take a lot of time to plan for. We would have to take into account the variables needed to bring down both and the resources needed..." I trail off once I notice that a smirk is playing on his face. Realization then dawns on me. "Unless, you've thought of this for a long time already..." I state, looking at him in newfound awe.

He lets out a scoff and crosses his arms. "Did you really think that Marinette was the only radical one out of all of us in the government? Where do you think she got her radicalistic ideas from? I've been keeping these plans for a long time, waiting for the right moment to apply them."

"B-But you were promoted to general," I stammer, still in disbelief. "You planned to take us to the base-"

"And I had a lot of plans after that, but Marinette was too impulsive with her decisions and feelings for you." He lets out a dry laugh. "I couldn't continue with the ones I made." Then he raises an inquisitive eyebrow at me. "That is until I saw how you could lead a group yet stay level-headed. That's when I knew that I would need your help."

I could not wrap my head around this new situation especially with finding out Monarch's true intent that he has been carrying this whole time. Yet, this budding hope in me continues to grow and I know that with this man, change can happen.

"Why me?" I ask in exasperation.

"Listen to me carefully and let's start with this: Agreste, you are in the mutiny while I, in the government. Starting from now, we shouldn't be in either."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

i think you may have noticed that since 'Hurt No More', mari and adrien's interactions have gone all passionate and those things. No, they won't go to the extreme (you-know-what) cuz i say so hahaha

But, their interactions will be kept in that new manner because this stupid author of yours have deprived them of being together. And now that i'm nice, im making up for all the time they missed.

I hope you like their new interactions as well.

And how's Monarch? nyahahaha there was always a reason as to why i've taken extra care of him instead of killing him off. He technically is my favorite original character, and I think you now know why.

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