Cataclysm

Plotting and healing

Tom Dupain walked down the stairs, shoulders slumped down. Sabine was waiting for him with worried eyes, and once her husband was at hands reach for her she grabbed one of his big hands.

''How did it go?'' She asked in a whisper.

''That boy needs to eat a lot more pastries if he wants to fit into my clothes...''Said her husband in an attempt to lighten the mood. She forced a little chuckle to make him feel better, but the man's eyes started getting wet anyways.

''Oh darling'' She said, hugging him. She knew her husband was more sensible than he liked to let people know, so when the man went up to deliver clean clothes for Adrien to change into, she decided to wait for him instead of going back to the bakery.

She kindly guided Tom into their couch, where she made him sit and then went to boil water for tea.

''They are too young for this'' Commented her husband after clearing his throat. His voice was low and he kept looking at his hands as he talked. ''I just helped a 16 year old boy change because he was too bruised to move properly. This shouldn't be happening to them''

Sabine nodded as she kept preparing the beverages. There wasn't really anything she could say to make him (Or her) feel better about the situation they had to deal with that sunday. Her husband knew, but he kept venting about all the things they could do to help them anyways.

''We need to talk to Gabriel Agreste, too'' Suggested Sabine, adding one more thing to the list her husband was making. It mostly consisted on nutritious food, emergency kits and strategies to keep their identities safe.

''Do you think he knows?'' Asked the man, worry turned into curiosity. Sabine shrugged as she handed a cup of tea to her husband.

''We would have to ask the kids about that, but if he does we could plan ways to further help our children'' She said. Tom smiled at her.

''You're right''

Their conversation was halted as the married couple heard footsteps coming from upstairs. Marinette and Adrien came down, the girl brining the plate they left up there for Adrien to finish eating. It was empty, noted the woman feeling a bit of much needed relief.

''Going out?'' She asked, trying to keep her face from looking too worried as she noticed how both of them looked tired still. Adrien specially, he had to wear a makeshift cast on his arm and his face was plastered with colorful band aids. Then again, he looked a lot worse earlier in the day. She would have to trust them.

''Yup, we uhh have a meeting with the rest of our um, team'' Her daughter was still uncomfortable talking about her double life.

''Here, for everybody'' Said Tom, handing Marinette a box filled with pastries. The parents weren't really sure how many people would be eating them, so they prepared food for a small army, just in case.

''Thanks dad'' Smiled Marinette, then looked at Adrien, who was smiling too, signaling him that they were leaving.

The teenagers closed the door behind them and Sabine heard her husband sigh. It was hard seeing kids that young beaten up that badly, she thought. But logic told her that this was probably a fluke for them, since they never really saw their daughter (Or Ladybug, for that matter) hurt. That thought calmed her down and she made sure to share it with her husband.

-*-

Alya rang the bell on the Agreste mansion and her and Nino waited patiently for Nathalie's voice to answer. She still thought it was weird for them to know full well they would have no problems getting into the house, when before it was a real interrogant whenever they rang the bell.