Return of a Killer

Morning

Marinette woke up laying on the couch with her head on Adrien's chest, her pigtails undone and Ultimate Mecha Strike 3's menu turned on mute. Both controllers were abandoned on the floor together. Adrien was fast asleep, one arm draped over Marinette's shoulders. Surprisingly, it had kept any nightmares she would have had at bay.

Marinette looked at the clock, 6:43 am. She drowsily sat up, waking Adrien in the process. He rubbed his eyes and unceremoniously rested his forehead on her shoulder. Marinette felt around for her scrunchies, finding that they were holding Adrien's hair into what could almost be classified as pigtails. She gently took them out and applied them to her own hair.

" Are you feeling okay?" he groggily asked. Marinette just nodded and patted his head.

" I have to go get back in my room." Marinette grumbled. She didn't want to leave Adrien. They had a lot of fun last night, not that Marinette could remember much.

" Nooooooo," Adrien pouted, " I like protecting you."

" I'm not getting dressed in front of you." she countered. She could tell by the way he quickly sat up, blushing, that he agreed somewhat. Marinette got off the couch, picked up the traces of their early morning time together, then retreated to her room as quickly and quietly as possible.

Adrien snuggled into his bed, which had gone untouched last night in favor of the couch. He felt warm all over from having Marinette so close for so long. He sighed. He was supposed to be making sure that a bloodthirsty akuma wasn't going to kill her, not have a pillow fight with her at 3 in the morning. He still felt sore figments of the soft yet brutal tactics Marinette used against him. He didn't really want to hit her with the pillow in the first place, but it was fun.

He might as well enjoy the bed as a source of warmth while Marinette is gone. He had to stop himself. Marinette is just a friend, why does it take a monster to start changing that?

Marinette felt happy and bright, despite not being fully awake. She picked out some clothes for the day, laying them out. Marinette opened up her little purse to wake up Tikki, but the only trace of her was the remnants of a macaroon. She blinked, feeling her ears for earrings, and finding nothing there. The akuma had her miraculous. The monster she came to this place for. Maybe Chat Noir picked too well.

Marinette got dressed, feeling a bit depressed without the only friend she can tell everything to. Nathalie knocked on the door to the guest room, " Ms. Dupain-Cheng, are you awake?”

" Yes, I am." She responded. Marinette's went over to the door, opening it. 

Nathalie looked a bit surprised, but just adjusted her glasses and said, " Adrien will be waking up soon, and breakfast will be ready a short while after. Adrien has a short Chinese lesson before school, so you will accompany him to that." reading off her clipboard. Marinette could only nod. For someone who said he was bored all the time, Adrien sure was busy.

Marinette picked up her school bag. She and Adrien had spent some of their night together doing homework, since they had both missed any other time to do it. She felt her heart soften a bit, Adrien cared about her enough to do all of this for her. Without him, she would have been relying on a blanket and cat pillow to keep Chat Blanc from making her his victim. She felt so grateful she had him and Chat Noir to help her survive until she can get back her miraculous.

Marinette stepped out into the hallway, seeing Adrien dressed in his usual attire. He smiled when he saw her, coming over to wrap her in a gentle hug, which Marinette returned wholeheartedly. Adrien was much better protection than a blanket, but what Marinette didn't know was exactly how much better.

They pulled away, Adrien taking her hand in his, " Ready for breakfast?” he asked, his voice chipper and inviting. He was so happy there was someone else to sit with him at the table, instead of waiting for the day his father decides to make time for him.

Adrien led Marinette to the dining room, not waiting for Nathalie. He pulled out a chair for Marinette, a bit of his inner gentleman coming out. Marinette smiled and gave a pretend curtsey before sitting down. Adrien quickly sat down next to her, looking about ready to start purring and rubbing up against her.

Marinette couldn't help but laugh, Adrien's excitement making her worries melt away. She had always thought he was cute, but never this cute.

Nathalie entered the room, one eyebrow raised when she saw Adrien out of his normal place. Adrien turned around and saw the look she was giving him, and knew what it meant. A little cloud of gloom covered Adrien's morning sunshine as he moved to get up.

Nathalie sighed, " You can sit by Marinette. Your efforts to comfort her during this time aren't something I want to interrupt." and seeing Adrien perk up again, his eyes just a bit brighter than before, Nathalie felt her own heart soften just a bit.

Chat Blanc watched from a small distance, jealousy burning him to his very core. He'd kill him. He'd tear him apart and make him watch with his last breaths as he makes sure Marinette can never, ever leave him.