He was quiet today and certainly not the good kind. Not the kind that was only forced because she told him to, no, this was unusual and unsettling. He was usually bouncing with energy, his wings rustling with excitement or just pure joy, despite how he was raised to act. He was a demon, sure, but he certainly didn't act like one.
Today he just looked miserable, quiet and probably tired. His wings were tucked in tightly, proving just how tense he was. Eventually, Marinette watched as the black feathered limbs practically fell limp, drooping against his back almost like a blanket. Maybe he was going through some family crisis, she knew he always had daddy issues. Today could be one of those days.
She moved a bit closer before draping her white feathered wing across him, the equivalent of wrapping an arm around him. He glanced over at her, meeting her gaze for a moment before averting his attention to the floor. She didn't say anything, she didn't want to pressure him into telling her what happened, she just wanted to comfort him and she wanted him to know that she would always be there for him. So she stayed with him, even through the unsettling silence.
Her thoughts drifted off, bringing up the memory of how she first met this friendly demon. Everything changed after that memorable day.
She was running despite the ache and the pain in her wing that dragged against the ground, no longer able to move. Her other wing was tucked in tightly, long since given up on trying to fly away. She ran through the forest, barefoot with only one thing on her mind; Run. She was panicked and her breathing was laboured, her lungs burning with effort but she couldn't stop to rest, they would catch her and she might as well be dead.
Marinette glanced behind her, catching sight of two of them in the sky, following her at a steady pace, as if teasing her. They wanted to watch her run until she couldn't any longer. She didn't see the other one, wherever he was, she figured he'd show up soon to end this game of cat and mouse. They were like vultures, their black wings taunting her and with every sight of them, her heart would skip a beat, fear rushing through her like electricity.
Damn Demons.
They had broken her wing, the feathers of her right limb ripped and torn, ruffled in pain and fear. Blood soaked through most of them, turning pearly white feathers a dark red. She risked a glance over at the damaged wing, glad it hadn't snapped completely. If they had bent it anymore, the bone would've bulged out of the only thing holding it all in.
She had screamed and begged them to stop, but they only laughed until one of them finally decided it would've been funnier if she ran from them. They gave her a 10-second head start but with how fast they could travel with their strong wings, it was pointless, they were on her trail in under 3 seconds.
She ducked under a low branch and kept running, stepping over fallen twigs and plants. She tried to stay on a path to avoid any hazards but luck wasn't on her side today, she ended up scrapping her barefoot against a sharp rock, crying out as she stumbled over, breaking her fall slightly with outstretched arms. Her body screamed at her to stop, it needed a break and more than anything, some medical treatment. She could hear them laughing from above her, watching as she struggled to get up.
"Did you see her fall! How pathetic!" A demon laughed, accompanied by his friends. Marinette pushed herself up with a wince and placed a hand on a tree trunk for support, lifting her injured foot slightly.
She glanced back at them with a snarl and they scoffed, the one who laughed at her grinning widely as he descended closer to her, causing her to jump back. He only got closer. He had hair as black as the void and eyes that could only be described as those of a king cobra, yellow and venomous.
"Do you got a death wish, halo?" He sneered, his wings spread out intimidatingly. She wasn't fazed by his attempts of intimidation, she just knew she wouldn't win against him. She shook her head in response. He grinned.
"Good, it makes it more enjoyable to kill you," He said with a devilish grin and she panicked, turning and taking one step forward before she felt the demon hit her in the back with his wing, sending her flying forward, rolling harshly on the forest floor, sticks and rocks digging into her from all sides. She cried out, her wings falling limp beside her. She reached into the bag tied at her hip, grabbing a small ball before quickly turning onto her side and throwing it at the demon, the ball exploding on contact and releasing a dark sparkling powder. The demon hissed in pain, rubbing his eyes to try the ease the effects. He'd be blind for about 30 seconds, hopefully, enough time for her to get away.
She pushed herself up and ran, but each step sent a jolt of pain through her due to the aching joints and her injured foot. She ended up having to hop, using nearby trees for support. She heard the flap of wings behind her and almost forgot there were two more demons with her. She cursed under her breath and tried to move her wing, using the good one to try and gain momentum. She reached a clearing, like a circle of trees with a single boulder near the edge. If she could only rest on the rock, this would be much easier.
Before she got to the boulder, one of the demons rammed into her, knocking her off her feet and skidding against the grass. She winced in pain, using her only working wing to wrap around her protectively. She glanced up, the three demons swarming around her with evil smiles. She whimpered, curling in on herself. She was trapped and they were going to kill her, most likely slowly and painfully.
The demon she had blinded had dark circles around his eyes, probably an effect from the powder, and a snarl on his unlined face. He was the first to approach her, most likely to get her back for what she did to him. Before he could attack, a pair of velvety wings wrapped around her, protecting her in a sphere of black feathers. She was about to try and break out when she heard a disembodied voice, angry and full of authority.
"Stop! You have no business with an angel," The voice, a male, ordered, most likely the source of the wings that covered her.
"Your highness, we were just—" They started but her protector interrupted.
"I don't want a fake explanation, you three will face me later. Until then, wait back in the castle."
"But your highness—"
"That's an order!"
They fell silent and not a moment later, she heard the sound of wings flapping away until all that left was her heavy breathing and rapid heartbeat pounding against her chest. Slowly, the wings surrounding her parted and she was met with an empty clearing where the three demons were. She turned quickly after realizing the demon was behind her, almost taken aback when she saw a young man around her age, dressed in black with a hood over his head, showing only his golden blond bangs and a pair of strikingly luminous chartreuse green eyes.
She didn't know what to do, she felt like she should thank him but considering the demons called him "highness", she figured he was powerful. Great, he only saved her to kill her himself. She backed away quickly, catching her limp wing and slipping back, crying out in pain at the sudden tug of her broken wing.
"Hey, hey! It's okay, I'm not gonna hurt you," The demon assured her as he came to her side, crouching down and almost placing a hand on her shoulder before deciding against it. She stared up at him, trying to read his expression through his eyes. He looked... genuinely concerned. She didn't trust him, for all she knew, he could be tricking her.
"Why should I believe that? What if you just want to put me into a false sense of security before killing me?" She asked, propping herself up with her elbows. He chuckled and for a moment, she thought she had him, foiled his 'brilliant plan'.
But then he smiled and she couldn't believe it didn't have a single hint of mischief behind it. It was soft and made her cheeks warm up without her permission.
Stupid Demon and his stupid adorable smile. She would never admit that he was attractive, not until she was 6-feet under.
"You're paranoid, that's a good thing. But you don't have to be like that with me, I won't hurt you." He said, sounding genuine. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to be proven wrong and be shown that demons can be kindhearted.
"Do you promise?" She asked, placing a hand on his arm. He glanced over at her grip, then back into her eyes. She realized with him being this close, that the sclera of his eyes were also green and his pupils were slits like a cat.
"I promise,"
She focused on his words, trying to figure it out. He wasn't lying, she decided.
"Why are you doing this? Why did you save me?" She asked, curious. He glanced off to the side, hesitating.
"I... I don't like the way demons treat angels and vice versa in some cases, I'd like to change that." He explained and Marinette stared at him, then smiled weakly.
"I think you're crazy, but I'd love to see you prove me wrong." She said and he smiled, his wings rustling slightly behind him. She had many questions for him, like why the demons had called him "highness" and why he wore a hood but for now, she started with a simple question.
"What's your name?" She asked, trying to ignore the excruciating pain in her wing and the blood that most likely coated her feathers.
"Adrien, and yours?" He asked as he grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. Well, foot. She winced slightly, still holding onto his arm and tightening her grip on his hand without even noticing.
"Marinette,"
He smiled, "Well Marinette, let's go fix that wing of yours."
Marinette glanced over at the sad looking demon, resting her head against his shoulder. She thought she saw him smile, just slightly but it disappeared as fast as it came.
"What's wrong?" She finally asked, lifting her head slightly. He let out a sigh and she could tell he was debating whether or not he should tell her.
"It's nothing, just... demon stuff." He replied hesitantly, she wasn't buying it.
"Demon stuff or family stuff?" She asked and by the look on his face, she knew it was the latter. She let out a small sigh, her wing lifting off his back and tucking back into place, her once broken wing now fully healed thanks to Adrien.
He ran a hand through his messy blond hair, pulling down the hood in the process. Two black velvety cat ears sprouted from hiding, rustling slightly to get used to the feeling of being out in the open. This wasn't the first time he's shown her, it had been around the time they first met, her curiosity got the best of her.
"It's nothing you can help with Mari, don't trouble yourself worrying." He said as he glanced over at her, always putting her before himself. If it weren't such a sensitive topic, she might've blushed.
"I might not be able to help with the problem but I can help get your mind off it!" She decided, grabbing his hand and pulling him up, her wings spreading out in all their glory as she prepared to take off. He looked confused despite the small smile tugging at his lips.
"And how do you plan to do that exactly?" He asked, sounding a bit sceptical. She only smiled, her feet lifting off the ground as she moved her wings, still holding onto his hand, urging him to follow.
"Let's fly around a bit, I know how much you love to boast about your gorgeous wings," She said, exaggerating the word 'gorgeous'.
"Not really..." He muttered but she ignored it and pulled him forward, his wings moving instinctively, lifting him up to her level. She giggled as he stumbled slightly, nearly falling back down to the ground again.
"You okay?" She asked with another giggle, keeping her hand locked with his. He nodded, glancing down at the grass below them before meeting her gaze.
"What if someone sees you with me?" He asked, glancing off to the side again. She smiled slightly, thinking of something he said months ago.
"You're paranoid, that's a good thing," She said and he met her gaze, looking almost the slightest bit amazed by perhaps her memory. "But you don't have to worry, we're not that close to angel territory."
"That doesn't mean they can't just snipe me, angels are known for being skilled archers." He said, Marinette rolling her eyes.
"Yeah and I've heard that Demons are cruel and show no mercy, not to mention rip wings to bits. Are you the only exception?" She asked, continuing to fly up a bit higher, dragging Adrien with her.
"What's your point?"
"My point is each one of us has things that we're known for based on race, that doesn't mean it's applied to all of us. I don't think I've held a bow in my entire life," Marinette stated, earning a small smile from the Demon. He let go of her hand —much to her disappointment— and looked behind him, most likely staring at the giant castle in the distance.
Her attention was drawn to his wings, they were twice the size as he was and the feathers were as soft as silk. It was obvious he had never been in a fight before, or if he had, he didn't use his wings which was the smarter way to go. They were a shimmery black, the light glaring off a row of feathers, and the appendages strong and bulkier near the core, connecting with his shoulder blades. Whenever he had them tucked in, they would form a beautiful arch, unlike some angels she knew who's wings were more softer looking and not nearly as bold. She didn't realize she had reached out to touch one of the feathers until he snapped his attention over to her, startled. His feathers trembled, most likely due to a chill that ran through him and she giggled.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." She apologized with a smile, Adrien crossed his arms defensively.
"I wasn't scared, just... startled."
"Riiight cause there's SUCH a big difference," She remarked with a smirk, nudging him in the shoulder. He scoffed, glancing off to the side to hide his smile. There was a small moment of silence beside the sound of wind whipping around their wings before Adrien finally spoke.
"So why the sudden curiosity? My wings are no different from yours." He stated and Marinette snorted, shaking her head.
"Not true, besides the fact that they're both feathered, our wings are completely different. For obvious reasons, they're different in colour. But they're also different in size," She started, dropping back down to the ground to prove a point, her bare feet touching down softly on the grass. Adrien followed pursuit, an amused smile on his attractive face. Marinette expanded her wings to their full length, waiting for Adrien to do the same. It took him a minute to finally understand and he snapped his wings open. If he weren't such a complete dork, it might've looked intimidating.
"See? Your wings are bigger than mine, not to mention your feathers are sharper and slick, mine are more... soft and fluffy." Adrien snorted but she continued, "Your wings also arch more while mine are kinda curvy, so I rest my case. Our wings are different."
Adrien glanced between her wings and his own, going over it for a moment before nodding, pulling his wings back to stretch them out before tucking them back in. Marinette did the same.
"Well, that was educational. I didn't realize you looked at my wings that often," He mused then winked at her teasingly. She glanced off to the side to hide her blush.
"It's not like that, I just find them very pretty, that's all." She muttered, crossing her arms as her wings raised slightly in embarrassment. Adrien chuckled and took a step towards her, her gaze snapping up to meet his.
"Thanks... for helping me out. I really needed a distraction," He said softly, she stared up at him with her mouth agape, not sure how to react.
"Are you leaving?" She asked, surprising herself by how desperate she sounded. He glanced at the ground for a moment then nodded with a sigh.
"I think I should, I kinda left without telling anyone. They're gonna send someone to find me if I don't return soon and I'd rather not let them see you," He answered, once again putting her well-being over his own. She smiled weakly, her brows furrowed slightly.
"Okay, I understand."
He took another step forward and wrapped his arms around her, catching her off guard. She ended up just standing there stunned for a moment before returning the hug, her hands resting just below the base of his wings. She could feel them shift before she was suddenly wrapped in both his arms and wings. He was warm and she couldn't help but sigh in content. She expected him to smell like sulphur or ashes but instead, he smelt like the forest, fresh air and grass. It must've been from meeting up with her so often, their little rendezvous' in the forest just so they wouldn't be seen by other angels or demons. It was their forbidden friendship and she cherished it.
When he pulled away after many minutes, she had to hide her disappointment but she knew he had to leave so she sucked it up and stayed composed.
"Will I see you again tomorrow?" She asked, hoping he'd say yes. He paused for a moment, glancing off to the side in thought before slowly nodding.
"I think so, I'll try to get out of my 'princely duties' and sneak out." He answered with a smile, Marinette returning the look with a happy grin. She never thought she'd ever be excited to see a demon before but he was truly the exception.
"Alright, bye-bye Kitty," She said with a playful wink, tapping his shoulder as she walked by him, her wings spreading out as they prepared themselves.
She heard Adrien chuckle, "See you later Princess," then the sound of flapping wings told her he had left and she couldn't help but smile at his words. She flew back home, her stomach full of butterflies and her cheeks as pink as a sunset.
She had fallen for a demon.