Chapter 4: I'm Giving Up on You Chapter by beccalovesyuge

Notes:

I'm ending this here. My original idea for this was only a more detailed chapter one. But, I believe I've hit all the points I wanted to.

Marinette was on her third or fourth round of the Artist's Alley. She'd already circled the Dealer's Room a few times and Alya had yet to text her. The local convention center had been hosting a multi-fandom convention and Alya was a guest speaker for the Ladybug and Chat Noir panel. Marinette had been hesitant to attend, but had decided she wanted to support her best friend. Nino had been roped in as Alya's technical support and Adrien was of course not too far behind his friend. Marinette had made her friends all matching LadyBlog shirts, but had made herself a Chat Noir shirt. She didn't quite understand Adrien's expression when he had seen her in it that morning. It was no secret to them that Adrien was a huge Ladybug fan.

"You made a Chat Noir shirt?" He'd whispered. His voice had cracked like he was holding back tears.

Turning away from an art booth that focused solely on Doctor Who, Marinette was about to exit the room and text her friend. Alya and Nino had to stay behind after the panel to break down and appease Chloe for not being invited as "Ladybug's Number One Fan."

She was passing a booth that sold custom plushies and pillows when she spotted it from the corner of her eye. The artist was speaking to two cosplayers about their custom aquarium when Marinette walked up beside them. The artist smiled at her before turning back to the conversation. Marinette reached for the soft pillow.

It was circular and made of felt. The front was black featured a large neo green paw print. The back was red with black spots. Her throat constricted as she gazed down at the pillow. It had been the only Chat Noir merch she had seen at any booth. Gingerly, she reached for it and felt the soft fleece. She glanced at the price tag and gave a slight wince. It was probably more than she should pay considering she herself could make one but as she clutched the pillow to her chest in a hug, Marinette found herself reaching into her purse for the money.

The artist waved goodbye to the cosplayers and smiled at Marinette as the girl handed her the euros. "Chat Noir fan, huh?" She asked as she took the money.

Marinette blushed. "Yeah." No need to tell her she was captain and star player of the Chat Noir team.

XXX

She'd been so foolish to think her plan would work.

She should have told Adrien first.

Marinette frowned at that thought. Adrien would have never let her transform and go after Hawkmoth. He would shoulder all the responsibility while she was being forcibly watched by their friends. He would be the one laying in this bed and her heart would break. Her fingers twitched towards her belly. "It'll be okay, Hugo," she whispered.

She was still foggy from the operation and medications. The darkness of the room and softness of the sheets lulled her back to sleep.

XXX

Marinette carried her prized pillow with her back towards the panel rooms. She had wanted to attend the cosplay fabric one before they left for the day. Her plans were put on hold when Adrien grabbed her shoulder gently.

She paused and looked back at him, her face turning pink. "Hey, Adrien," she greeted.

His eyes were locked on her pillow. "Is that…?"

She clutched it a little tighter towards her chest. "Chat and I are friends," she blurted, her face burning at the admission. "It's not like I like him or anything. I absolutely do not have a crush on him." Marinette wanted the floor to open and swallow her. She was rambling and she couldn't stop herself and—"And it's not like I got really excited when he comes to see me."

Adrien blinked at her, his mouth hanging open. "Marinette, what are you-"

Marinette clutched the pillow ever closer as she tilted her head down to nuzzle the soft fleece. "Please don't tell anyone." Tears pricked at her eyes. "Especially Chat."

Adrien turned away from her and raked a hand through his hair nervously. "Why did you never say anything?"

She chewed her lip and glanced away. "It's...It's not that simple."

He snorted humorlessly under his breath. "Yeah, that's for sure."

XXX

Marinette woke from her drugged sleep when the rustling of paper and a soft call of her name filtered through to her. "Kitty?"

Adrien turned and took in the sight of her. Besides looking a little paler from the blood loss and the sickly yellow color the overhead light cast her in, she was, in fact, fine. His shoulders relaxed and he sighed. He crossed the room in two large strides and gathered her in his arms, ever careful of the fluids and blood pumping into her through the clear tubing. "My lady," he choked. Tears burned his eyes as she weakly fisted the back of his jacket with her free hand. He pulled away gently and she lowered herself back to her pillows.

"I should have told you first," she started. His lips cut her off in a chaste kiss.

"Not now, Marinette. We can talk about that later," he whispered as he pulled the plastic visitor chair closer to her bed. He took her free hand in both of his. "Baby, there's something I need to tell you first."

Marinette bobbed her head side to side. "What could be more important? I put our baby in danger because I was too rash." Tears pricked at her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Adrien. I knew if I told you, you wouldn't let me go and I thought Hawkmoth would at least stop for the sake of a child, right? And I had the hunch about who he was. I never thought he would risk Hugo's life and I-"

Adrien's finger tips on his lips silenced her. "H-Hugo?" His whisper was barely heard over the machines. Tears streamed down his face silently.

She offered another head bob. "Our baby. If it's a boy, I wanted to name him Hugo." Marinette mumbled under his fingertips. Her fiancée is sobbing now, his head shaking from side to side. She's confused because Adrien's always wanted a family. Surely the name doesn't upset him that much? His hand slides from her lips to her cheek; his thumb stroking soothingly under the oxygen line.

"Marinette," he cries. His voice is thick and broken and she can barely hear him. "We lost him. We lost our baby."

Her hand settles on her belly that an hour ago homed their child. Suddenly, her womb feels so empty and heavy. She claws her fingers against her gown and folds her hand into a fist. A choked sob escapes her, then another.

When the nurses down the hall hear the scream, they look at each other sadly. Because there was only one patient on that hall with a reason to cry like her soul had been ripped away from her. Just to be sure, however, one brave nurse pats her eyes dry and follows the cry.

XXX

"You would have been great parents…"