#tux does normally roll over and paw at him but it is rare to see vlad just fuckin. sit on him

[princeofmints]

checking on the boys because i hear them doing their Play Meows and i want to make sure they aren't hurting each other and this is what i see

[thecrazydragonlady]

“Shall We Dance?” Chapter 22

Author’s Note: I’m sorry for the previous two chapters! Have this one as an apology!

Chapter 22

Adrien’s cellphone rang obnoxiously as soon as his feet touched down on the solid ground of the Paris airport and he’d taken a second to switch it on. There were over fifty messages and calls between two numbers. Both he recognized as Nino and Alya. There were several unheard messages left on his phone and he put it to his ear, wondering what could be so important that they would leave that many messages. His heart pounded in his chest. Please don’t be about….

“You have thirty new messages,” an electronic voice said to him, “First message.”

“Adrien? Dude? Where are you man? We need you here like yesterday. Ladybug’s in trouble dude. Hurry up and get here!”

“Next message.”

“Adrien? It’s Alya. Look, Nino and I know you’re Chat Noir and Mari’s Ladybug. We need you to get here soon. Ladybug got hit by an akuma and we can’t break the magic that’s on her. Please hurry!”

“Next message.”

“Seriously dude. You have to be still up in the air to not have gotten these. We’ve taken Mari to Master Fu’s place. No hospitals. Alya’s covering for Mari and saying she’s sleeping over at her place. We really need you bro. She’s not waking up.”

“Next message.”

“Chat, Adrien, please, please. As soon as you get this, please get here.”

The messages continued in this fashion for several more minutes. With each one, his face grew paler and his breathing more ragged. He had to go. He had no idea what was going on but Ladybug, Marinette, needed him.

“Adrien?” A hand reached out and touched his shoulder lightly. He jumped at the sudden contact. Spinning revealed the sharp features of Nathalie, his father’s personal assistant and his guardian. Her lips were pursed and brow knitted as she eyed him, worry clearly sparkling in her eyes. “Adrien? Is something the matter?” He licked his lips.

“Y-yeah. One of my friends has fallen ill. I need to go see her before I go home.” The older woman clutched at the clipboard in her hand, stood as tall and poised as she normally did, but gave him a soft nod.

“Alright. Your driver will make sure you get there. We will pick you up in….”

“I don’t know how long I’m going to be there,” he cut in. “I’ll call when I’m ready. I promise.” She hesitated. After a few seconds, she nodded again.

“Alright.” He could kiss her. Instead, he opted for a quick hug before running out of the airport. She watched with mild amusement at his childlike innocence but followed after him.

****

Adrien nearly broke the door to Master Fu’s shop upon following the directions to get there from one of the phone messages. He’d had the Gorilla drop him off at Marinette’s bakery before waiting until the coast was clear and sprinting down the sidewalk. Plagg grumbled something about being jostled so roughly and not getting the respect he deserves as a god but Adrien was too focused and busy to worry about what his friend had to say. His breaths came out ragged. He was good for distance but it was rare that he had to sprint in such a manner. Someone came out of the backroom as he tried to regain his breath.

“Oh thank God! Adrien!” He looked up. Standing in front of him was Alya, her hair pulled back into a ponytail, wearing a white tank top and sweats, and a broken-hearted expression crossed on her face. She quickly moved to him and embraced him in a hug. He jerked. Unsure of what to do, he awkwardly patted her back until she regained herself and held him back at arm’s length, “Look. There’s not much time to explain. Marinette got hit by an akuma named Nightmare while you were gone. She’s been asleep since yesterday but we can’t take her to a hospital because of the whole superhero thing. Tikki says she’s experiencing a nightmare because that’s what the akuma’s power does but since she was hit in the suit, she was able to leave a little bit of her magic behind to ensure that we could go in and break the spell. Nino and Master Fu have been trying to get in but Tikki thinks that only Plagg will be able to because he’s her other half.”

“Why hasn’t anyone tried Tikki,” he asked quickly. Alya shook her head.

“Can’t. Take those earrings off Mari and we’ve lost her for good. Tikki anchored the magic to them.” He nodded in response.

“Show me.” Alya stood to the side and motioned to the door she’d come through. Inside the room he walked in was dark. There was a heady scent of incense burning all around them, it made his head spin, and softly there was the sound of chanting. Two people sat kneeling on the ground. One he recognized immediately even though he wasn’t wearing his headphones or signature hat at this moment. The other was a shorter, nearly bald, gray haired man wearing a red Hawaiian shirt. Something tickled in the back of his memory but Adrien pushed it aside for now. He was more concerned with the figure lying on the floor more than anything.

Marinette lay on a bamboo mat looking no more than she had just fallen asleep there. Her face was pale and her hair spilled around her making her skin seem even whiter than it was. She was breathing rapidly. Other than this, there were no sounds that came from her and save for the occasional twitch, there was no other movement. Adrien approached her hesitantly. The chanting stopped.

“Bro,” Nino exclaimed, standing to turn and hug him. Adrien returned it this time. “Dude, you don’t know how good it is to see you. We’ve been trying but….”

“I know,” he swallowed. “Alya filled me in.” He turned to face the old man who had gotten to his feet by now and was watching them, his hands behind his back and his form hunched over a bit. Adrien moved from Nino. His eyes sparked with determination. “Master Fu?”

“Yes Chat Noir,” he answered. “It is a pleasure to meet you once more. Thank-you for coming so quickly. You will need to transform for this to work but once you are ready, I will help guide you into Ladybug’s dreams. From there, it will be up to you to figure out how to free her.” Adrien nodded curtly. He opened the front of his shirt for Plagg to fly out. For once, the little kwami wasn’t arguing; his eyes flashed equally as determined as his partner’s and he gave a curt nod in response. Adrien raised his hand.

“Plagg, claws out!”

When the transformation was done, Chat Noir’s tail switched back and forth but he followed Master Fu’s continued directions, lying down next to Marinette. He took a steady breath. “I am going to have to put you in the same state as Ladybug. Once you are in, you will need to find her and stop the nightmare. That is all I can tell you. Being unable to get inside myself makes it difficult for me to tell you much more than that. Are you ready Chat Noir?” He took a breath and slid a gloved paw over a bit to gently grab Marinette’s hand. “I’m ready,” he whispered. Master Fu nodded and began his chanting again. The smell of the incense and the sound of the chanting made his head spin again only this time, it was far more violent than when he’d first walked in. Slowly, the world started to fade away. The spinning grew more intense. Within seconds, Chat Noir was out, leaving the three people, and three kwamis, to watch in hope.

****

Marinette woke with a start. Her breathing was ragged, her hair matted to her forehead from sweating through her clothes and onto the sheets. Slowly, she regained control of herself and looked over at the nearest clock. Eight. It was eight in the morning. She groaned, flopping back on her bed. She didn’t know what day it was nor did she care. Maybe her mom would let her skip school if she claimed to be sick. Her heartrate slowed more as she lay looking up at the ceiling.

A soft tapping came from her trap door. She rolled over enough to see who it was only to find her mother coming up the stairs. “Marinette? Sweetie? Are you ready to go?”

“Go,” she asked, “Go where?” Sabine came into the room then, worry laced on her face. She wore black from the top of her head all the way down to her shoes. Her eyes were rimmed red from crying. She twisted a blotted, white handkerchief in her hands before hesitantly moving towards the bed, sitting on the edge to stroke her daughter’s face.

“Oh Marinette,” she said softly and sadly, “I know it’s hard to accept but… but we really should go and pay our respects.” She motioned to the completely black outfit laid out on the chaise lounge. “Do you need any help getting dress?” Marinette was shocked but mutely shook her head. Sabine nodded in return. “Alright. I’ll go back downstairs with your father. Come down when you’re ready.” The older woman stood to leave. Marinette continued to watch in shock as a fresh round of tears started down her cheeks.

When the door was shut, Marinette slowly climbed out of bed. Her whole body ached. She let out a hiss of pain and moved to the lounge slowly, picking up the clothing and sliding it on. “Tikki,” she started, “what’s going on? Mom never cries. She’s always been so strong.” Only silence met her ears. She looked around the room. “Tikki…?” No response. She was hesitant to leave without finding her kwami but her mother’s shout from below reminded her that she had somewhere to go. Tikki was probably sleeping anyway. She didn’t need to be disturbed.

Marinette hobbled her way downstairs to meet her parents. Sabine she’d already seen but Tom was even worse; his whole face was red and the tears weren’t stopping from him. He was wearing an all-black tux. He never wore a tux. She nearly fell at the sight of him. He offered her a sad smile and then embraced her. “You ready sweetheart?” Steeling herself, Marinette nodded. They walked out the front of the bakery only to be met by Nathalie Sancoeur standing by the side of a black car. They’d only met a few times before, and she had been curt with her, but Mari understood that Nathalie was really a gentle person who cared very deeply for her charge. Her hair wasn’t up in its usual bun. It was down, allowed to cascade around her shoulders which were covered by a very professional looking black dress. Her glasses did nothing to hide the fact that like her parents, she too had been crying. Nathalie smiled softly at them.

“Hello Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng, Marinette.” Tom and Sabine greeted her but Marinette merely bit her bottom lip. It seemed so odd to see the woman she knew as being composed as looking like the sun will never shine again for her.

“Nathalie,” Sabine greeted softly. The two women hugged before Sabine climbed in, followed by Tom, who patted Nathalie’s shoulder and her. She only offered a sad smile to the older woman. It felt appropriate for the moment. She shut the door once everyone was in. Nathalie sat up front, next to the driver. Marinette vaguely remembered that Adrien had called him the Gorilla at one point but if he had a real name, she didn’t know or remember it. He didn’t look at any of them. His hands stayed clenched on the steering wheel. He made no noise as he put the vehicle in drive and took off through the somber streets of Paris.

Everything appeared to be in hues of gray. The sky was dark and it was only a matter of time before the rain began to fall; it did, just as they arrived at the graveyard. Marinette swallowed hard. Nathalie got out and opened the door for her.

No one paid them any attention. There was a sea of people in black, getting ready to sit in their folding lawn chairs, some talking softly to each other, some hugging, some sobbing. Everyone was somber though. It was nearly tangible in the air and was so thick that Marinette felt her tongue swell at it. She hobbled her way out of the car. Tom caught her shoulders and she smiled up at him in thanks. He led her down the aisle. As they passed, more people began to notice their presence and the talking stopped as eyes landed on them. Marinette squirmed under the scrutiny. Tom ducked his head to whisper, “It’s alright Marinette. They’re not going to bother you. They have enough respect to not do it here or now.” She nodded, confused. What in the world was going on? Bother her? Who were these people anyway? Why would they bother her?

As they moved closer to the front, Marinette was suddenly approached by another figure. It was Alya, wearing black like everyone else. She hesitated for a second and then, after Tom removed his hands, caught her friend in a hug. Marinette too hesitated. Eventually she returned it, ducking her head into her neck. Alya’s hands tightened around her.

“Don’t forget, this is your fault. It’s all your fault Ladybug,” she whispered.

Marinette stiffened and looked up, shocked. Alya smiled at her but it didn’t reach her eyes. She returned to stand by Nino who merely glared at her. He didn’t bother to approach her. Alya took his hand and she squeezed it reassuringly; neither of them looked happy but they certainly weren’t looking at her like they were happy at all to see her. Her head spun. Tom looked at her concerned but said nothing, continuing to guide her forward. The way was clear for them. Marinette’s eyes landed in the very front of her. On a stand at the front was a beautiful black colored casket; the reality of the situation hit her like a ton of bricks. A funeral. She was here for a funeral. But who was dead? No one that she recognized. She swallowed hard, Tom gently pushing her forward. When they got to the front line of chairs, Tom stopped and released her. He motioned for her to go forward. Marinette hesitated. He motioned again.

“Go on,” he encouraged. “Say your good-byes Marinette.” Her brow knitted in worry but she turned back, walking forward uneasily. The top was open for the viewing. She swallowed hard again. As she moved closer, she was finally able to see above the rim.

Everything in her went numb. His hair was slicked back, combed nice and neat, and he was wearing a suit his father probably tailored for him. His skin was pale, lips a light shade of pink, eyes closed, never to show their brilliant green again, and his hands rested on his stomach. Marinette began to shake. Slowly she reached forward, a hand gripping the side of the casket first, then gently, stroking the side of his face.

“A-Adrien,” she whispered. When there was no response, tears swelled in her eyes, and confusion, fear, anger, all twirled in her mind. “Adrien, Adrien!” She reached into the casket with both hands, trying to wake him up. A set of strong hands grabbed her shoulders and started to pull her back but she fought against them, clawing at his suit, trying to stay with him. “Adrien! Adrien!” Those looking said nothing; they just eyed her silently. “No! This isn’t happening! Adrien! Adrien! No! Let me stay with him!” Her screams rang out over the area.

“Marinette!” She continued screaming, ignoring the voice. Why? Why was Adrien dead? Why was he being buried? It couldn’t be… Now she understood. Her. Alya had said it was her fault. Chat had died saving Ladybug. Adrien had died protecting her. It was her fault. The energy left her legs and she crumbled to the ground, covering her face with her hands, crying. Adrien. Vaguely she heard someone shout, “Cataclysm!” Glass shattered around her but Marinette refused to raise her eyes. She didn’t want to see. She just wanted to forget.

Someone knelt down in front of her, slowly, catching her in a hug. They nuzzled the top of her head. This was before they placed a gentle kiss there. “Marinette,” the person breathed, “Mari, my lady, I’m alright. I’m alive. I’m alright.” His voice was shaking; whoever he was, was just as scared as she was. Who wouldn’t be after seeing Adrien Agreste of all people lying dead because of her? “Mari, please. Look at me. Nothing here is real. You got caught by an akuma. It’s a nightmare Mari. It’s not real. Look at me. Please.”

“Adrien,” she sobbed, “I killed him. It’s my fault. Adrien. Adrien!”

The hands around her tightened more. The person was no longer shaking but she could hear the sadness in his voice, “Mari, I’m right here. Look up and see for yourself.”

Slowly, she raised her head, and found herself in the arms of Chat Noir who was smiling down at her. She jerked back out of his reach. Her eyes were wide, the tears still falling.

“Th-there’s no way! I just saw you. You were dead!”

He smiled softly at her and didn’t move. “No Mari. I wasn’t dead. The akuma caused it. She wanted you to see me dead.” Slowly, he reached out a hand towards her. “See?” She hesitated but he didn’t drop her hand; just as slowly as he had done, she reached out her own. It met with his, feeling the coolness of the leather on his hands, and the sharpness of his claws. He was real. He was solid. Marinette calmed enough to continue reaching, brushing his cheek softly, running a hand through his hair, touching his pseudo ears, cupping his face in her hands. The whole time, Chat merely smiled at her. When she stopped, he turned his head enough to kiss the palm of a hand. “See? I’m real. I’m here. I won’t leave you like that. Ever. You will always have me by your side my lady.” She took a shaky breath. Her heart swelled and she pulled him to her to kiss him roughly. Chat wrapped his arms around her waist, completely alright with the way she so desperately crushed her lips against his.

“Chat, Adrien,” she moaned when they broke apart. He leaned his forehead on hers and continued to smile. She squeezed his shoulders, tensing in his arms, “You’re real. You’re here.”

“I’m real. I’m here.” Her lip quivered. She kissed his nose.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“For what?”

“You. Getting hurt. Dying.” A small sob left her throat. “It’ll be my fault. All my fault. I’m your partner yet I…”

“Mari,” he soothed, “You can’t keep worrying about something that hasn’t happened. I know… God Mari, I know how scary the thought is. When I first realized I was in love with Ladybug, I had nightmares for days; I was so afraid I was going to mess up and hurt you or worse. I almost didn’t want to transform again. I thought you would be better off without me.” He pulled her into a tight hug, stroking her hair. “You changed that for me. The more we worked together, the more we just were, the more I realized that it wasn’t alright to think you’d be better off without me; you told me time and time again that I was your partner and that you did need me.” He breathed, kissing her cheek. “I love you Marinette and I promise, I’m not going to be leaving you at all. Not until we’re old and gray haired. Do you believe me?”

A soft smile crossed her lips, the worry and sadness melting away as her mind came to terms with the idea that everything was truly right with the world. “I…I believe you Adrien.”

He kissed her nose. “That’s my lady. Ready to wake-up?” He stood and held out a hand which she took, standing with him. “I’ll see you on the other side princess. I’ll be right there when you wake up.”

“You better be,” she threatened. “I’ve had enough panic for one day.”

“Then good morning Marinette.” She closed her eyes at his words and waited for the sensation of waking to pull her back into reality.

****

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