Vulnerable

18

"C-Chloe?"

Adrien couldn't believe the blonde friend of his was watching him while he was having an emotional moment with his newborn daughter from the hallway. Then again, he could believe it now.

"Um...h-hey, Chloe...I didn't expect you to see you here tonight." He said, recovering from his shock and changing his stance as they stood in the same hallway together.

Chloe shrug a bit, holding a red throw blanket tighter around her arms. "I didn't want to go home while someone special was here for observation." She said without the harsh bullying tone everyone knew. Instead, her tone sounded hopeless, drained and tired.

Adrien didn't want to ask about who was in the hospital Chloe was waiting for, he thought that would be rude. He noticed Chloe's appearance and wondered how long she looked like she hasn't slept for a couple of days. Had she been crying?

"I'm glad you and Marinette have life figured out." Chloe started to break the silence. "That little girl of yours is one of a kind."

"Yeah...she is." He sighed, his back pressed into the railing on the wall. "I wish Marinette could see her...and hold her."

"I...overheard Alya talking to Nino." Chloe said. "Is it true...Marinette is unconscious and- "

"It's none of your business, Chloe." He spoke harshly, gripping the railing. "Both of us need to rest until morning, and I don't want to share private information with you about Mari- "

"I thought we were all friends now?" she interrupted his thoughts, then noticed how mean it came out. "Sorry...I can't say I understand the complication, but I can see that you're upset."

He tried to deny himself the truth, but he sank to the floor and hide his face in his knees and arms again like earlier. He wasn't in the mood to talk about it. He was shaking as he finally cried, letting go his built up fear.

He wondered why his wife didn't tell him she was going through an illness that lead to this point, wondered if he did something wrong once again, this time life-threatening. He wondered if he would've gotten more time off to go to those appointments with her. He wondered if she was truly okay with everything she was working for. He wondered if she was overly stressed until she was able to go on leave from work.

So many thoughts that he started gasping through his sobs.

"Adrien...don't overthink it." Chloe said softly, kneeling in front of him and patting his knee. "I remember what happens when you overthink things."

"Can't help it..." He whispered. "Something major is...out of my control...again." He tried taking a breath to calm down, but struggled to find his breath.

"She is going to be okay."

"How do you know?" he snapped with anger and fear in his eyes, but then quickly apologized and put his head back down. "Marinette...is unconscious...and I could have prevented her from getting sick."

"Adrien, she's going to be okay." She watched him through his emotional attack. She sat in front of him and rubbed his knee. She listened to him ramble on and on with the same words. "It is not your fault." She would say after a minute or so. Last time she saw him go through a meltdown was when his mother never came home, and that was many years ago now.

She placed the blanket around him for something to run his fingers through rather than watching him claw his jacket and pants. She ruffled his hair a couple times, then wondered if she would have to call a nurse for when he passes out on the floor. After a couple minutes, she hugged him tightly to comfort him.