Marinette's POV

Through the night, the only thing that tugged at me was the kiss Adrien and I shared.  I didn't feel bad, I loved it.  It just seemed, oddly timed if anything.  We almost kissed on date night, but we were to nervous.  We admitted it to each other, which made me feel....a bit better since we were on the same page.  I guess?

As quick as that memory came, it faded off, bringing me back to (Reader) and his injuries.  I should've been taken instead!  I should've found him sooner!  I should've told him where we stand!  Even if he recovers, I feel like I'll never have the chance.  Alix seems to have taken a liking to him, even I happened to notice Alya flirting with him.  My mind shouldn't be this conflicted, I'm with Adrien, he's just a.....foreigner.  I hated using Chloe's words to describe him like that, but it's true.

My eyes opened as I stayed in the same position the whole night.  On my back, facing up at the ceiling, worried sick about everything.

Alya ended up hitting the hay shortly after me.

I stretched and slowly walked down to my desk, seeing her looking over to me.

"Morning Marinette." She said rising from the other bed

"Morning, how'd you sleep?"

"Better question, did you?  Seemed like you'd never get a wink."

"I did.....after my prayer." I admitted

"That was beautiful by the way." She smiled

"W-wait...y-you heard that?"

"Every word girl.  Every.  Word."

I rested my hand on the back of my neck.

"Girl, don't be ashamed.  I prayed for him too."

"Than-"

"He'll be the one thanking you when he recovers, I'm sure."

"That makes me feel better.  He really did clean up nice, seemed like he loved his new outfits."

"Did he ever!"

Alya showed me the pic of him from yesterday.

"Alya, think you can send this to me?  I....I want to get it framed."

"You got it Mari."

Alya - New Picture Message

"Thanks."

Still in our pajamas, we walked down for breakfast.  To our surprise Adrien and Alix were here, already eating.

"Morning guys." Alix said half-cheerily

"Morning Marinette, Alya." Adrien said

I fixed my hair a bit.

"Sorry you have to see me like this, a complete mess."

"Oh, it's fine sweetie, after all, it's just us." Mom said

"Well yeah Mom, but-"

"Alright, enough sweet cheeks.  Eat up." Dad said kissing my cheek

Breakfast was interrupted by the news.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, you're tuned into TVi News, I'm your host Nadja Chamack.  What you're looking at now is footage of heroine of Paris, Ladybug carrying a hostage taken by notorious villain Lady Wifi out of the Notre-Dame Cathedral yesterday.  Other known villains involved in the attack were Dark Cupid, Evilustrator, and Timebreaker.  (Reader,) a new foreign exchanged student at Collège Françoise Dupont has been admitted to the hospital, and as of this morning is listed in stable condition.  Cousin of (Reader,) supermodel Adrien Agreste, has offered this statement.  'I still can't believe this happened to him, the animals that did this will be brought to justice, one way or another.  My blood dies, there's no holding back.'  Adrien soon retracted that statement, but he still stands by it.  No word yet on when he will make a full recovery, if any.  He suffered multiple slashes, badly cracked bones, we're now being told, and he may have been drugged with an unknown substance.  Paris has seen the worst Akuma attack in history yesterday, our prayers goes out to all effected, including (Reader.)  With TVi News, I'm your host Nadja Chamack."

My mother shut it off.

"Alright, enough of that." She said as I helped her with the dishes

"We'll visit him again, Marinette." Adrien said putting his hands on my shoulders

"Did you.....did you really mean what you said?"

"Yes, I know it's not who I am, but it's been done."

"Don't apologize, okay?" I asked as he rubbed my shoulders hugging me from behind

"Like I said last night, you have every right to feel how you do.  You're worried about him, we all are." I said trying not to shudder as his breath hit my neck

As soon as he hugged me, he let go.

"The....Cathedral, is it safe?"

"Yeah."

"Thanks, it's just...it seems like I'm always hanging by a thread." I said walking by the table

My phone started ringing, everyone staring at me.

Incoming call - Hospital

"Hello!?"

"Y-yes, hold on." I said handing my phone to Adrien

"Hello?  Yes, this is Adrien Agreste.  Stable.....awake!?  How-....alright, we're on our way." He said hanging up

Everyone, including me sighed heavily in relief hearing that (Reader) is finally awake and alert.

"We can see him, but come in a few at a time."

The drive was long with a traffic jam.  I answered a text I received from Rose.

Rose: I heard (Reader) is okay. Did you see him yet?

Me: Not yet, we're on our way. I've been worried sick.

Rose: Tell him everyone at school has his prayers.  Well....ya know what, who knows...I bet Chloe is too.

Me: Yeah, if that's so, it'll be the only nice thing she's done.

Rose: Keep me updated!

Me: Will do.

We finally arrived, deciding that Adrien will go in first.

Then Alya

And Alix

Now we're the only ones left.

I exhaled as we came in a few at a time.

Seeing his open eyes, tubes in his arms, and that stupid grin on his face made my day.

After all that, here he is.

High as a kite.

Not a care in the world.

"Hey Quiet and Sweet, ya took a beating there huh?"

"Yeah." He replied with a slur

"That's some good shit they gave ya, huh?  Takes away the pain." I smiled

"Eeeeeheeeeee." He laughed

My mom put a bouquet by the windowsill, since his table was now filled with them.

"You got a lot of people that care about you, (Reader.)" Mom said

"Yep, my sweetheart included." Dad teased

I nodded to him.

Soon after, my parents left...leaving me alone with him.

My hand wrapped around his, my thumb grazing his IV tube.

"You'll be out of here soon from what I'm hearing."

He closed his eyes, and I kissed his forehead again.

When I assumed he was asleep, I finally started opening up to him.

"(Reader,)...if you haven't figured it out by now, I care about you. ...Probably more than I should.  If I'm honest, I cherish you.  I won't say 'I know you've been through a lot,' because that isn't right.  I don't.  This was only the edge of the center of your world.  Your experiences, you as a whole.  You got a long road ahead of you....."

I breathed in, and exhaled.

"And I'll be with you." I confessed

The nurse came in again.

"Miss? Is everything alright?"

"Yes, everything's fine."

As soon as she left, I poured out what I had left.

"Up until this point, I've been hanging by a thread.  I couldn't sleep, eat.  All I've been doing...was Waiting For Your Call."

A tear from my eye finally fell.

The door opened again, as I assumed it was the nurse again.  It was Adrien with said nurse.

"You think you can give me some of his medicine?  For the pain in my heart?" I half-joked wiping my eye

The nurse chuckled.

"Sorry sweetie, you're all good." She replied

I looked on his table, finding his black Our Father ring amongst his necklaces, hat and bracelet.  My right hand acted on its own, slipping it on my middle finger.

It fit me perfectly.

"Adrien, can you take me to the cathedral now?"

"Yes, sure thing."

"Do you know how much longer he'll be here?" I asked

"Probably one more day at the most."

"Thanks nurse, keep him healthy."

Adrien's POV

Unknown to Marinette, I overheard what she was saying to (Reader.)  I know she always has a kind heart, and truth be told; I've been hanging by a thread too.  As much as the thought gnaws at me, I won't let it affect us. The drive back to the cathedral was short with no traffic, the sun finally setting.

She departed with a quick goodbye as we pulled away.

Marinette's POV

The attic of the cathedral was blocked off due to the Akuma attack yesterday.  One thing that made no sense as I walked up the steps, was how (Reader) was the only hostage Lady Wifi took.  As I ran out to the ambulance, I noticed the congregation was unharmed, either hiding underneath the pews or in other areas.  Hawkmoth must have a bigger plan than I thought.

The door creaked open, seeing I'm the only one here.  Dipping my right hand in the holy water with the Sign of the Cross, what caught my attention as my shoes clinked rhythmically down the aisle were the prayer candles, all of them safe for a few were light.

The sight before me was sobering, seeing how just a day ago this church was faced with tragedy, and the next it bounces back.

I slide what money I had left in the box, lighting another candle with (Reader) on my mind.

I walked up to the Mary statue, kneeling as I felt his ring brush against my hand, bringing them into prayer.

Mère éternelle,

S'il vous plaît veillez sur lui, avec votre fils à l'ourlet

Garde-le dans ton Sacré-Cœur

Parce que le mien est sur le point de plier

Il craque, déchire, n'accepte pas

Même si bientôt, il sera de retour avec nous

Mais ma volonté de le protéger

N'aura pas de fin

Mère éternelle,

Anges et Saints

Surveille-le

Car quand il reviendra

Avec sa deuxième paire de Footprints

Il a une toile incroyable devant lui pour peindre

S'il te plaît, Mère Éternelle, en Son nom,

Tout ce que je peux faire en ce moment de consternation,

Est prier

Amen

Eternal Mother,

Please watch over him, with your son at the hem

Keep him in your Sacred Heart

Because mine is about to bend

It's cracking, tearing, non-accepting

Even though soon, he will be back with us

But my will to protect him

Will have no ending

Eternal Mother,

Angels and Saints

Keep watch over him

For when he walks back

With his second pair of Footprints

He has an unbelievable canvas in-front of him to paint

Please, Eternal Mother, in His name,

All I can do in this time of dismay,

Is Pray

Amen

Concluding with the Sign of the Cross, footsteps echoed behind me as I turned seeing a Nun walk towards me.

"That was beautiful, sweetie." She said

"Greetings Sister." I said repeating the Sign of the Cross

"I heard in your voice, your heart is heavy."

"Yes, Sister.  A...someone I hold close was a victim of the Akuma attack...he's finally coming home after tomorrow, but he's been hurt badly from what I've heard in the reports.  I hope the congregation was safe." I said

"We were, we saw Ladybug run out carrying someone."

"As soon as I heard the news, I rushed to him."

"What's his name?  I'll say a prayer for him."

"(Reader.) Thank you, Sister, he's....been through so much.  More than any young man should."

The sun shined through the glass-stained window, feeling it illuminate me, warming my body.

"I have to go, thank you again Sister.  It's been nice talking with you.  God Bless." I said exiting the Cathedral repeating the gesture I made as I entered

Once outside, I called Mom to pick me up.  I took in the sunset and clouds patching the sky as I heard her car pull up.

We talked mostly about our visit, my time at the Cathedral.  Tonight, I need to do something to keep my mind from dwelling on (Reader.)  Whatever that is, hopefully it'll last.

Unknown POV

My plan is already in motion.

Soon, the drug I've injected him with will take him over!

I should have thought of this sooner, such cleaner and if, dare I say-slightly quicker than my butterflies.

No matter,

Fly onward my Akuma

AND EVILIZE HIM!