#and adrien smuggled in the card in the stuff he brought for her

[2manyfandoms2count]

It was Heartbeats' first birthday on Wednesday (which is wild because it feels like so long ago and yet not), and I finally got a proper idea for a little epilogue! It's kind of plotless and completely self-indulgent, I just wanted to write some LS fluff, hope you enjoy (there's a tiny bit of "angst" at the beginning, like in the OG fic, but everything's alright) 😌

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Epilogue

Marinette, my dearest Lady,

You might wake up believing that our conversation was just a pleasant (or so I hope) dream, but trust me, I pinched myself enough for the both of us to be certain that it really happened.

Just in case you don’t remember or are fuzzy on the details, I’ll reiterate the main points: I love you, Marinette, and I still can’t believe how lucky I am that you are, well, you. Please know that going on a date with you would make me the happiest man and cat on Earth, if you’ll still have me when the sedative wears off (but no pressure).

Call me later if you feel like it, you have both of my numbers, and let me know if I can help in any way.

Yours,

Adrien

A tear rolled down Marinette’s cheek and fell onto the already tear-stained card. She wiped it off, mindful of the fading handwriting, and couldn’t repress a smile as she looked up to the ceiling of her hospital room, taking a deep breath in an attempt to keep more tears at bay.

It felt like it was only yesterday that she’d found the card on her bedside table, and yet over ten years had passed since she’d learned who her partner was.

Ten years of a beautiful relationship. Their reciprocal confession had been followed by tentative flirting as they integrated all of the new information they’d gained into their interactions. Coming to terms with what it all meant for them and regaining their dynamics after Marinette had been admitted out of the hospital had strengthened their partnership beyond their wildest dreams.

So little had changed since then, and yet so much had; it wasn’t the two of them against the world anymore, for one.

“It’s official, she’s purr-fect,” Adrien’s half-whispered voice preceded his entrance in the room. Marinette quickly wiped her eyes, hoping it would be enough to fool him into believing everything was alright, and flashed him a wobbly smile.

He looked up from his phone with an excited grin, and froze slightly as their gazes met. His brow wrinkled into a worried frown as he pocketed his phone and lengthened his stride to join her.

“Marinette? Is everything alright?” He sat on the very edge of her bed, and carefully took one of her hands in his. She nodded wordlessly, his thumbs rubbing small, soothing circles across the back of her hand only making her tears rise again.

Kwami, she was so lucky to have him in her life.

“My Lady, you know I’m here for you whatever you need,” he said softly.

Marinette reached for the card and handed it to him.

“I hate you,” she sniffled with a small laugh. “I can’t believe you brought it, you know how it makes me feel.”

“Aww, my carefully chosen words moved you to tears once more...” Adrien smiled cheekily, squeezing her hand.

“I blame the tiredness. And the hormones,” Marinette chuckled.

“Lie to yourself all you want, I know the truth.” He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to it. “Ah, what a master wordsmith I already was, back in the day.”

“As if you were confident about your talent then,” she snorted, thinking about how sheepish Adrien had been the next time he’d visited her. “Buguinette, I mean, Marinette, I’m sorry about the wording of my card, I don’t think I insisted enough that it’s absolutely okay if it was just the sedative speaking when you asked me out, I’ll respect your choice whatever happens, blablabla,” she mimicked Adrien’s voice, rolling her eyes with an affectionate smile. “Thank goodness I was feeling well enough to sit up and kiss you, kwami knows what else you would’ve apologised for if I hadn’t shut you up.”

“And what makes you think that hadn’t been my plan all along?” Adrien scooted closer to her and brushed his nose against hers.

“I know you well enough, Chaton. There’s no way your eyes were anything but begging me to take a stray in.” She smiled. “Right?”

“Guess you’ll never know for sure,” he teased, leaning in.

“Adrien!” Marinette evaded him with a small pout.

“I’m joking, darling. You know I was absolutely terrified you’d changed your mind.” He chuckled.

“And you know I never could’ve let you go, my love.” Her lips spread into a satisfied smile before she closed the distance between them, her hands flying to his hair as he deepened the kiss.

The complete and utter glee she felt when kissing Adrien was one thing that hadn’t changed with time, and she knew from Adrien’s smile against her lips that the feeling was reciprocal.

“Anyway,” she said breathlessly when they finally broke off, “what did you do with our daughter?”

Adrien frowned and tilted his head to the side, still in a daze, before sitting up straight and clearing his throat. “Right, that’s why I came back!” He pulled out his phone and started looking through it. “The doctor said Emma was an absolute delight and pretty much a textbook example of baby reflexes, so she asked if she could go through the tests again with students to show them. I said yes in exchange for this.” He pressed a button and a rapid heartbeat sound filled the room, too quick for Marinette to be able to count the cycles. “Apparently her heart rate is a little quicker now that she’s born; she’s just like her mother, excited to be with me.” He nudged her playfully.

“Your heartbeat increased just as much when you saw me, might I remind you.” Marinette stuck her tongue out at him. “I can’t believe you left her with strangers instead of bringing her back with you.” She shook her head.

“Don't worry, she’s in safe hands. And anyway, Plagg and Tikki are hanging around, out of sight, of course. They already signed up to be her unofficial godparents, they won’t let anything happen to our little kitten.” He smiled.

“They better not.” She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back against her cushions. “I can’t wait to take her back home.”

“Me too, Buguinette.” Adrien tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead. “Before we go, would you like to try and sneak into the intensive care unit to show Emma where our dating life started, since we’re in the same building?”

“That would be pretty cute and romantic in almost any other setting, but believe me, I’m not taking my newborn daughter to the ICU if she doesn’t need it.” He pouted and she cupped his cheek. “We can definitely take a trip down memory lane later, though, just the two of us. Maybe Ladybug and Chat Noir can cheer people up while we’re at it.”

“And maybe they can help clueless people realise that they have feelings for each other.” He kissed the palm of her hand, looking at her mischievously.

“Sounds like a good plan!”

“Don’t sound so surprised, my plans are always excellent,” Adrien said with mock indignation.

“Of course they are,” Marinette chuckled, making him pout. “I love you, Chaton,” she added, bringing a smile to his face.

“Love you too, my Lady.”

Heartbeats

The famous “I-swear-it-gets-fluffier-it’s-just-this-first-part-that’s-a-little-angsty” one shot… Inspired by my brief ICU work experience and a reddit thread I read last week. Hope you guys enjoy! And special thanks @sd1970x for beta reading! 

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Beep - Beep - Beep - Beep -

The sound of the heart rate monitor in the dark hospital room was driving Adrien crazy. It just seemed so slow, especially compared to the restless beat his foot was tapping on the ground as he waited. 

“Hey.” Alya layed a soothing hand on his jittery leg. “She’s going to be okay.”

Adrien raked a hand through his hair and looked at the resting body in the hospital bed. Alya couldn’t really understand. Sure, her best friend lay there, having been caught in the middle of an Akuma fight. But she didn’t know how.

She didn’t know it was the saviour of Paris they were watching breathe, making the sheets quietly rise and fall as she did so. His best friend, too. The girl of his dreams. He himself hadn’t known until the car had hit the chimney behind which Ladybug had retreated to feed Tikki while Chat held down the fort, their opponent having escaped their first Lucky Charm plan. 

He’d rushed to it and frantically dug out the rubble; he’d barely registered it was Marinette he was holding in his arms as he carefully extruded her from the pile of bricks. All he’d seen was the red blood that drenched her pink shirt. All he’d felt was the weakening pulse at her wrist. 

He’d dashed her to the hospital, ignoring the Akuma yelling after him to come back and fight.

She’d been rushed to the operating room as soon as they’d arrived, the doctors being afraid that she might sustain internal damage from her apparently broken ribs. Chat had just had time to snatch her earrings to avoid them getting lost. 

He’d then proceeded to kick the Akuma’s ass, fueled by the rage of it having injured his Lady. It was only after he’d purified the butterfly and everything had seemingly returned to normal that he’d realised he’d been crying. 

As he detransformed, two very concerned Kwamis floating in front of him, he’d been relieved to see a message from Alya in the class group chat saying Marinette was in stable condition, although still unconscious after her operation. He’d immediately volunteered to join her and Nino to visit their friend.

He stole another look at her. She looked so peaceful. Unhurt.

He knew the bulk of her injuries were concealed under the linen, though.

The monitor continued its incessant beeping. Adrien knew that it going silent would not be a good sign, but couldn’t help but be irritated by it nonetheless. Especially when the sound was superimposed with that in other rooms, as well as the bustling activity of the resuscitation ward.

“You’d think that with all this noise she’d be awake by now.” He mumbled. 

“Dude, relax. The doctors said she’s still sedated. She’ll wake up soon.” Nino wrapped an arm around his best friend’s shoulder. Adrien harrumphed doubtfully in reply.

“I’m more surprised that we haven’t seen Chat Noir around yet.” Nino added. “Apparently he’s the one who brought her in. He’s a cool dude.”

Alya nodded. “He really is.” Adrien’s heart warmed a little at his friends’ kind words. Then had to refrain from letting out an ironic snort at Alya’s next comment. “I still don’t understand what Marinette was doing there. It’s not like her to roam around fight scenes. It’s usually my job.”

“Your birthday’s coming up, babe, maybe she was trying to get a surprise message from Ladybug.” Nino shrugged.

As the pair bickered about how little or how much it was in character for Marinette to have been caught in the middle of offensive fire, Adrien got up to avoid betraying anything from his facial expression. He wasn’t sure Marinette would appreciate it if she woke up and found that all her friends knew that she actually didn’t need to stalk around Paris to get an autograph, or anything from Ladybug. She just had to say three little words to summon her. 

He approached the monitor screen, taking a look at his friend’s constants. He didn’t know much about medicine, but none of the numbers were flashing, which he assumed was a good sign. The electrocardiogram traced a regular curve that looked like the ones in medical shows. He took a mental note of the values. 

There was a small knock at the door before a nurse came into the room. “Marinette’s parents have returned, I’m sorry but she can’t have more than three visitors at a time and family has priority.” She said almost timidly. 

“Of course!” Alya replied with a smile. “We’ll be off.”

Adrien’s eyes stayed glued on the monitor, so she went around the bed and took him by the hand to gently drag him out of the room. She repressed a smile. For someone who claimed Marinette was ‘just a friend’, Adrien really seemed worried about her.

Tom and Sabine were waiting in the hallway. Tom looked the most shaken Adrien had ever seen him. He could tell he’d been crying.

“Thank you so much for coming.” Sabine said with a brave smile. “Sorry we had to go, but we hadn’t closed the bakery properly in the rush to get here.”

“Anything for Marinette.” Alya hugged her friend’s mother. “You’ll keep us updated? And don’t hesitate to call me if you need a bit of a breather, I’m sure we’re all happy taking turns to keep her company.” She didn’t have to turn around to know the two boys behind her were nodding.

“Of course.”

The three teenagers waved goodbye as they walked towards the exit. When the parents had entered the room, Adrien put his hands in his pockets and felt the two little studs he’d borrowed. 

“I forgot something in the room, I’ll be right back!” He said hurriedly as he turned around. He would’ve kept them safe for her, but he knew his Lady would probably panic if she woke up and couldn’t find them.

Nino looked at each other confusedly and shrugged.

When he was sure no one was in sight, he transformed into Chat Noir. It wasn’t the most discreet he’d ever been, but he couldn’t think of a good excuse as to why Adrien would have Marinette’s earrings. He knocked on the door before opening it. Tom and Sabine were sitting on each side of the bed, each holding one of Marinette’s hands. 

“Hi, Chat Noir.” Sabine said, wiping a tear.

Tom got up and engulfed him in a bear hug. “Thank you.”

Chat Noir awkwardly patted him on the back. “Anything for Marinette.” He parroted Alya. Including die for her. The thought scared him. “How is she?” He asked even though he knew the answer as he stepped away from the big man.

“She’ll be okay.” Sabine said. “The doctors repaired what they could, the rest will heal naturally. She’s going to be in a lot of pain, which is why they’re keeping her here, but they started weaning the sedatives so she can call the nurses if it hurts.”

Chat nodded. “I’m sure we’ll all be relieved when she wakes up.”

“Would there be any way for us to reach you to give you news?” Sabine asked hopefully.

“As much as I’d like to give you my contact details, I’m not sure it would be a good idea.” He smiled sadly. “But don’t worry, I’ll be around.”

“That’s good to know.”

“Anyway, I don’t want to bother you during your family time, I just wanted to make sure Marinette got these back.” He delicately transferred the earrings into Sabine’s hand. 

“Her lucky earrings.” She commented with a smile. “Thank you.”

“They weren’t so lucky this time.” He said gloomily.

“Of course they were! You found her.” Sabine squeezed Chat’s hand. “And the surgery went well.”

“We’re very grateful, son.” Tom patted him on the back.

Chat was moved by their words, which made his heart flutter in his chest. “I was only doing my duty.” 

“But you made a difference. And that matters.” 

Chat Noir wished that his father could sometimes be at least quarter as supportive as Tom and Sabine were. It would avoid him crying in instances like this.

“Will you tell her I came by?” He sniffled.

“Of course!” Sabine dug a tissue out of her bag, which he accepted gratefully, and a pen and paper. “You can write her a message too if you want, she’ll be thrilled to hear from you.”

“Thank you.” 

He scribbled a quick word on the page, aware that he really needed to head back before Nino and Alya started worrying about his prolonged absence. 

Get well soon Purr-incess. I’ll be waiting for you. Love, Chat Noir P.S.: I might come back and borrow those earrings of yours again if I need extra luck.

“You took your time!” Alya greeted him with her hands on her hips as he finally walked out of the hospital.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” Nino asked, noticing the puffiness of his friend’s eyes, but not wanting to comment on it directly. 

“I think so.” Adrien smiled bravely. My Lady, at least. 

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