Adrien
He could not believe how far she had gotten. She was almost to the area the acuma had been in. If he had looked around, maybe he would have seen her wandering. Thank god for the Grants of the world. She was all over the place. She'd go from laughing to crying in seconds flat. He pulled up outside of the bakery, and she looked at him, whispering.
"Do you think we can sneak in my window?"
Maybe Chat could have. But not Adrien.
"That's like three stories up, and you're barely mobile. I think we'll stick to the front door."
"But my parents live there."
She whined, and he squeezed her hand.
"It's okay. Just try to be quiet."
He got out, and walked around to her side. She gave him the cutest lopsided grin he had ever seen when he opened the door, and he reached in unbuckling her seatbelt.
"I don't wanna go."
"You have to."
He wrapped his arms around her and drug her out of the car, pressing her against it so he could close the door.
"You're warm."
"Thanks."
"And hot."
He smiled and shook his head, putting her arm over his shoulder and wrapping his around her waist.
"I need you to walk with me."
He moved forward, and she groaned the second he got her moving.
"I don't... I'm gonna get sick."
She whimpered, and he stopped, holding her a little tighter. She was pretty much dead weight at this point. She started leaning, and he had to struggle to keep them both from tipping over.
"You're fine Mari. Let's just get inside."
"You wanna come inside?"
She giggled, and it took him a minute to realize what she meant. God, liquor completely destroyed her filter.
"Very funny."
He pushed forward again, and finally reached the door. He pushed on it, but it was locked.
"Keys?"
"In my pocket."
He sighed, and patted the front of her jeans, his hand hitting something hard in her right one.
"Can you get it out?"
"Can I just sleep in your car?"
He groaned, his arm was starting to ache. He reached in her pocket, and her giggle made his face red.
"Stop it."
He grabbed the keys and pulled them out, trying to find the one for the door.
"Pink."
He glanced at her, before grabbing the pink one and trying it on the door.
"Oh, my bad."
He rolled his eyes, trying a different key.
"You're just prolonging the inevitable. Which key is it?"
"Blue."
She mumbled, and he tried it. Thank god, it actually worked. He pushed open the door and drug her inside. The bell on the door chimed, and they both froze as the door swung shut behind them. He had completely forgotten about that damn bell.
"It's dark."
She whispered, and he squinted, making out the counter. She leaned again, and he had to lean away from her to keep them from falling over. The light flicked on, and he closed his eyes at the sudden brightness. Marinette gasped beside him, and he felt her turn around in his arms.
"Abort."
She wheezed, and he opened his eyes. Sabine was standing at the light switch, and he felt his face get hotter.
"Run."
Marinette hissed, and she leaned forward on his arm, almost making him fall back. She was practically doubled over on his arm, and she started gagging again. Sabine moved forward, to help him keep her steady.
"Is she drunk?"
"No."
Marinette snapped, and he nodded. There was no hiding how wasted she was.
"Come on, let's get her upstairs."
"I don't want to."
Marinette announced, and Sabine's eyes rolled.
"You got my daughter drunk?"
"No, she was drunk before I even got there."
He said defensively, and Sabine sighed, grabbing Marinette's arm.
"Honey, either you come with us or I'll go wake your dad."
Marinette slowly straightened at that, her eyes filling up again.
"I'm sorry Maman."
"If you lead the way I think I can get her up there."
Sabine nodded, and stepped away, further into the bakery. This would be so much easier if he just carried her. So he scooped her up, and she clung to his shirt.
"I'm not touching the ground."
She sounded horrified, and he tried to move quickly. They made it up the stairs before she started dry heaving, and Sabine turned on the light in the bathroom. He ducked in, setting Marinette down in front of the toilet, where she proceeded to start puking again. He leaned back against the wall, looking over at Sabine.
"This isn't my fault."
"I know. Thank you for bringing her home."
She sighed, leaning down and rubbing her daughter's back.
He sat down, closing his eyes. If he had gotten to that party sooner, maybe she wouldn't be so wasted.
"It's late. You can head home."
"I'll leave when she's in bed asleep."
He didnt want to sound rude, but he had already made the mistake of leaving when she was still awake. He wasn't going anywhere until she was safe in bed.
"I'm sorry."
Marinette repeated, and he could hear her sniffling again.
"Please stop crying."
He said it gently, and she shook her head.
"I'm a horrible person."
He looked over at her, and she was still leaning over the toilet, but at least she wasn't puking anymore.
"Watch your mouth. You dont get to talk about Marinette like that. Marinette isn't a horrible person."
He snapped, and Sabine glanced in his direction, but he didn't look at her. He didn't care if that sounded harsh. Marinette was spouting bullshit. She was a great person.
"Sorry."
She whispered, leaning back against the wall. Sabine handed her a damp rag, and she wiped her mouth.
"I'll be right back, I'm going to get you a glass of water."
Marinette made a face, and Sabine got up, walking out of the room.
"You're a good person Marinette. Don't even think otherwise."
She gave him a small nod, but he knew she didn't believe him. Why? Why did she think she was a horrible person?
"Are you ready to try to get to your room?"
She nodded, and he stood up, gently pulling her with him.
"I feel like the ocean again."
She whispered, her tone sounding heartbroken.
"It's okay. Sleep will fix it."
"Promise?"
He nodded, wrapping his arm around her waist again. Carrying her was a bad idea. He gently walked her back to the hallway, leaning against the wall for support.
"My legs aren't working."
"They will in the morning."
"I miss kitty."
He smiled, making his way into the hall. Her eyes were half closed, and he wished she would keep them open long enough to walk.
"I'm sure he misses you too."
She nodded, and he looked up at the steps to her room. That was going to be a challenge.
"I love him."
His heart felt like it was going to burst, and he grinned at her.
"I'm glad."
"I loved you too."
That made his heart sink a little. It was past tense. He got her to the base of the steps, sitting her down on the bottom one.
"You don't anymore?"
He asked, stepping up and swinging the trap door open. He quickly went in and turned on the light, before returning to her.
"I don't know. Love is hard."
He nodded in agreement, pulling her back up.
"I wanna talk to him."
"You can in the morning, I promise."
He started taking her up step by step, getting her up on one before moving up himself. He finally got her to her bedroom, and she sat down on the floor, her feet hanging through the doorway.
"Why are you helping me?"
"We're friends."
"Would you help Lila like this?"
Annoyance made him clench his jaw, and he got up, pulling her farther into her room.
"I would, but I still don't like Lila, Marinette."
"But you like me?"
He leaned down in her vision, and it took her a moment to look at him.
"Of course. You're my favorite person."
She smiled, and he kissed her forehead.
"You're gonna be fine."
Sabine climbed up the steps, and held the cup out to Marinette.
"Drink it."
"Maman..."
She whined, staring at the cup like it was the grossest thing she had ever touched.
"Please Marinette, just a little bit."
He encouraged her, and she pouted at him before taking a sip. She must have been thirsty, because she drank most of it.
"That was gross."
She stated, setting the glass down next to her.
"Okay. Ready to get in bed?"
"I have to pee."
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. She had to be fucking joking. She couldn't have done that when they were in the bathroom?
"Fine."
He picked her up, since she was going back to the bathroom it wouldn't matter if she got sick. He marched down the hall and Sabine switched with him. He stood outside the door, listening to Marinette ramble to her mother. His father was going to be pissed that he was out so late. Whatever. He pulled out his phone, checking the messages. Alya had sent one asking how Marinette was, and he responded, letting her know he got her home. Another text was from Natalie, asking where he was. He wasn't going to explain to her through text. So he just sent a message letting her know he'd tell her what was going on when he got home. Sabine opened the door, and Marinette was slumped against the counter. He pocketed his phone, and looked at her.
"I'm going to carry you back up. It's just easier."
"Okay."
She sighed, and he picked her up again, carrying her back to her bedroom. Luckily she didn't get sick, and he put her over his shoulder when he climbed up to the loft.
"Stay with me until kitty comes home."
She whimpered, and he smiled. Home huh? He could accept that. He gently laid her down, and Sabine tugged off her shoes.
"Please?"
"I can't Marinette. But your mom is here."
He murmered, watching her eyes flutter. She was trying to stay awake.
"Kitty?"
She mumbled, her eyes finally closing. He didn't move at first, wanting to make sure she was actually asleep. When he was sure that she was, he backed off of the bed, climbing down the ladder.
"Thank you Adrien. For getting her home safe."
"You don't have to thank me for that. I wouldn't have left her."
Sabine nodded, and he followed her out of Marinette's room, down to the bakery.
"You're a good kid."
He smiled, but he didn't feel like one. He shouldn't have left her earlier. He still didn't know how she had gotten so far. Not when she could barely hold herself up. Sabine hugged him, and he closed his eyes, hugging back.
"You've grown up to be a fine young man. I'm proud of you."
He felt his chest ache, and he tried to ignore that.
"Thank you. Now that she's asleep, I should head home."
"Of course."
Sabine wiped her eyes, and he wondered why she was crying. She grabbed a box of donuts, shoving them into his arms.
"You really don't have to-"
"I could never repay you for bringing her safely home. Just take the donuts."
He nodded, before heading out to his car. He got in the driver's seat, and closed his eyes. His heart was starting to pound, and he was already starting to sweat. He knew why Sabine had been crying. Because of all of the things that could have happened, and what thankfully didn't. He got lucky with Grant. If she had ran into someone else...
"Adrien?"
Plagg peeked out from the back seat, and Adrien let out a breath that had been trapped in his chest.
"She's fine."
Adrien murmered, starting the car. No thanks to him. He had left her, when she had needed him most. He was going to make damn sure that never happened again.