It was another beautiful, sunny day. The sun slipped through the blind cracks and the distant sound of birds chirping. On her bedside, a beautifully large bouquet of flowers stood in a vase half full of water. In the midst of all the flowers, Tikki was buzzing happily, occasionally chomping on one or two of the petals.

Marinette giggled. "Tikki, I'm sure those were for me and not for you to snack on." Tikki giggled guiltily as Marinette sat up in her bed and stretched.

"Sorry Marinette! It's just... Usual ladybug tendencies." She buried herself in the bouquet again, Marinette giggling.

"You're awake." She jumped, looking around the large bouquet.

"A-Adrien!" She stammered. "H-How long have you been in here?" He gave her a sweet smile and she could feel herself blushing.

"Since this morning." He scratched the back of his neck, looking up at her with his own tinted cheeks. "I hope you don't mind that I join you." Marinette quickly shook her head, flailing her arms.

"Yes! I, uh, I-I mean, no!" Marinette could hear Tikki giggling from the bouquet. At the giggles, a black figure came out from behind Adrien's hair.

"Tikki!" The tiny black kwami rushed into the bouquet, nearly knocking it over. Adrien tried to scold Plagg, but Marinette caught the vase, telling Adrien it was okay.

"Is it safe to assume that you got these for her?" Marinette could see the two kwamis lying in all the flowers, loud purring coming from Plagg. Marinette turned her gaze to Adrien and he was blushing slightly.

"When I found out I was going to be here, I thought that I couldn't intrude without a gift. They were originally for you but I thought... You could have something in here to brighten up the room." Marinette smiled.

"You do brighten up the room quite a lot." Adrien smiled back. He was going to comment back, before a loud voice interrupted them.

"Why wasn't my son left in his own room? Surely I have more than enough money to keep him in his own room!" Adrien looked down, saddened.

"I-I'm sorry sir." The other voice, a female, stammered. "Y-You do have the funds to keep him in his own room, however it seems that when the two of them are together, their health and overall mood seems to improve..."

"I will not tolerate my son sharing a bedroom with a daughter of a baker's family!"

"Excuse me, but my daughter is more than qualified to stay with your son." Another male voice joined them.
"Mr. Dupain-Cheng!" The female voice called.

"Pardon us, Mr. Agreste but if it's for the health of both of our children, I do think it would be best to leave them together, don't you think?"

"Mrs. Dupain-Cheng is right, sir-"

"I will not tolerate this! I will be speaking with the head of staff here to have this issue taken care of." There was a small silence before hushed whispers picked up. Adrien and Marinette remained silent, having heard the whole exchange. After several moments, the door to the room opened.

"Good morning children!" Sabine greeted the two of them happily.

"Good morning Mama, Papa!" Marinette greeted them warmly, Adrien keeping his head down.

"Good morning Adrien." Sabine went to his side, placing a gentle kiss on his temple. Adrien blushed and stammered for words, startled by the action.

"G-Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng." Sabine smiled softly, handing him a brown sack.

"We hope the two of you are hungry. We brought breakfast!"

"Sabine and I thought you two would like a change of menu, for once." Marinette smiled as her father gave her her own paper sack.

"You are the best." Tom leaned in and kissed Marinette on the cheek, the two of them on the sofa as the two began to eat. After light conversation, a comfortable silence passed over them, except it wasn't comfortable for Adrien.

"I..." They all looked at him. "I want to apologize on behalf of my father. He... He didn't like the idea of me being moved in here but the nurses seemed to have noticed that Marinette and I have the same condition and that the two of us can really help each other out... I hope you don't mind that I intrude..."

"Adrien, you're not intruding." Marinette started.

"Sweetie, if the two of you being together helps your health, then you're more than welcome to stay with her. We certainly don't mind." Sabine soothed.

"Not only that but Marinette's a huge fan of yours and has been dying to meet you." Tom added.

"Dad!" Marinette blushed brightly, looking to Adrien. "I-I didn't intend for us to meet in these conditions b-but... I'm glad to have gotten this opportunity." Adrien looked at her blush and couldn't help the blush he had himself.

"O-Oh." There was small movement in the bouquet besides Marinette and he gave a relieved sigh. "Thank you." He smiled. The three of them smiled, more than welcoming Adrien.

They finished breakfast and a nurse came in to give Adrien and Marinette their medication. The two swallowed the white pill down with waters provided by the Dupain-Chengs.

"We hate for having to leave so soon, but we have to go open up shop." Sabine pouted slightly and Marinette shook her head with a smile.

"It's okay Mama. I know the two of you have work to do. Adrien and I will be here to keep each other company." Adrien nodded.

"Don't you worry about us." Tom smiled.

"Don't pout Sabine." Tom put a large, reassuring hand on Sabine's shoulder. "I'm sure Adrien here will chase the bad guys away." Adrien couldn't help his smile and Marinette giggled.

"Don't worry sir, your daughter is in good hands!" He gave Tom a two fingered salute and they all shared a laugh.

"Very well, if you do need anything, don't hesitate to call!" Sabine gave the two of them hugs and kisses and they bid their farewells, leaving the two teens alone. They remained in a small silence, until nothing was heard but the small buzz of chatter outside in the lobby and the loud purring of Plagg.

"Really chaton, Papa surely boosted your ego." Adrien gave his cat-like smirk.

"What can I say, my lady, you're in good hands." Marinette rolled her eyes and she playfully, yet dramatically put the back of her hand to her head.

"Oh, help me, help me, Chat Noir!" She mocked and Adrien chuckled.

"On my way, bugaboo." Adrien climbed out of his hospital bed, crossing in front of the small end table that held the bouquet with the sleeping kwami and into Marinette's bed. Marinette scooted to make enough room for him to join her. Adrien settled in the bed with her, Marinette resting her head on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, about my dad." He murmured after a while.

"Don't apologize." Her hand reached to intertwine her fingers with his. "The doctor said it herself, the two of us being together, we help each other. We make ourselves stronger." Adrien gave a silent nod, waiting a while before he spoke again, simply reveling in being able to be with her.

"And it keeps him entertained. All he wants is to eat camembert and they don't have that here." The two of them giggled as Plagg purred loudly from the middle of the bouquet.

"I'm glad you're here kitty." Marinette commented softly.

"I'm glad to be here princess." Adrien kissed her hair before he rested his cheek on her head.

The sunlight shone warmly on them through the blinds as the two of them closed their eyes. They listened to each other's breathing, the birds that chirped outside, the distant beeping of someone's machine, and a small hum of chatter outside their closed door.

In their hospital room, nobody could hurt the four of them. Ladybug and Chat Noir, Marinette and Adrien. The two of them were there to support and protect each other. Nobody could hurt them. Except their own minds.

《 Notes 》

Arisa might have mentioned that Marinette has Schizophrenia.

What if Adrien did too?

Much love, Mimi