Ghosts Of Adrien's Past

Chapter 4: A Wild Ride

Marinette and luka stared up at the ceiling, both had been silent for minutes after they'd collapsed onto the bed.

She had the covers up to her chest, he had them up to his torso. Sweat was still beaded on their skin.
After another minute passed, She couldn't help the small giggle that escaped her. He joined her, a small laugh sounding through the air.
"I'm sorry,"
She said, and put a hand over her eyes.
"I don't know why I'm laughing"
His smile stretched wider and he reached across the bed for her hand.
"Its good that we can laugh. Plus,"
His chest was bouncing.
"I don't know why I'm laughing either"
She took the hand off her eyes and turned her head to him.

Past him, the wall was lined with large panel windows. The city lights were bright outside, casting beautiful colours over his handsome face. It made her want to paint it.
"You're good,"
She admitted, her free hand laying across her stomach.
"You're really good"
He made a small humming noise.
"I'd better be"
He said.
"I've had plenty of practice in and out of my head"
She popped onto her side, suddenly alert.
"You what?"
He turned his head to her then, a sly smile stretching across his face.
"You won't laugh?"
She shook her head.
"Promise?"
He said, and she held up her hand with her pinky out, he locked his with hers and made a small noise like a groan.
"In high school I was two years older than you, what do you think I was dreaming about?"

She fought so hard not to laugh, so hard, but not even her will power could stop the restrained grin that bloomed. He didn't seem to notice, and continued.
"This one time, I was starting to commit to a relationship with another singer"
She remembered that. She'd seen their relationship in a magazine and set the paper down with a suddenly heavy heart. He went on,
"I actually proposed to her,"
Her heart twisted with a spike of pain.
"But that night we were in bed, and when I was- finishing, I said your name instead of hers"
He laughed through his nose.
"She left me the next day"
She set her forehead on his chest and muttered an apology.
"I broke up a proposal?"
"Not you, I did. Plus, I'm glad I did. Otherwise i wouldn't be here with you"
He ran a hand through her hair, and she looked up. His blue eyes were darker in this light.

She sat up and straddled him under the covers, his hands moved to be resting on her thighs.
"What now?"
She said, and rested her palms on his chest.
"Now?...round two?"
She laughed and moved her hands further down to his torso.
"I mean what next? What happens tomorrow morning?"
He hummed thoughtfully and sat up with her still in his lap, one of his hands moving to cup her backside.
"I'm thinking tomorrow morning...You come for a shower with me, and then we go out and spend the day together"
"But I have to-"
"After that"
He said, and she smiled and leant her forehead against his.
"I think I was chasing the wrong superhero in high school"
A sound of agreement came from the base of his throat.
"I think so too"
With that he kissed her, his free hand lacing into her hair. The lights outside danced and inked across their skin.

In the next room, Tikki and Sass slept soundly together. His tail curled around them to keep them warm.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The smile disappeared from Adrien's face, as it wasn't Plagg that appeared in front of him, it was his father. He shot to his feet and stumbled backwards.
"Father"
The older man didn't say anything.
"No- no this isn't happening. You're dead you- I buried you"
"This what happens when you attempt to steal a miraculous, Adrien"
"What?"
"The guardian did not give you permission, son. So I was dragged here"
"What? Wh- I don't understand"
"The ring accessed your memories and plucked the most influential person from your past. I'm here to put you back in line"
"Are you a ghost?"

Adrien stepped forward and tried to touch his father's arm, but his fingers passed through.
"No. I am not. A small piece of my conscience was transported here"
"What? How?"
His father's hand smacked over the side of his head, and he hissed at the small pain.
"I thought I couldn't touch you!"
"Did you forget that the miraculous are magic?!"
Adrien groaned and rubbed his head.
"So what now? You give me a little fatherly advice?"
Gabriel pulled a tight smile.
"No."
Suddenly the world dropped from under his feet, and he was falling through nothing.
"I'm here to warn you, son. Don't waste your life like I did"