Hello everyone! Maylyn here. :) For all my past readers, thanks for hanging in there! For those new readers, welcome! I recommend reading the original story before this, because I do have some references to the original...but it's not mandatory. Most of it will still make sense by itself. The first is called Midnight under the Eiffel Tower.
I plan to have this all up and finished by the thirteenth of December, because I'm moving to Arkansas for a year and a half and will be out of touch, but I apologize in advance if for some reason that doesn't happen. It's not as long as the first...I hope. :)
Anyway, here's the beginning of the sequel! Hope you enjoy!
Marinette yawned as they waited for the limousine to return. Adrien scooted closer to her on the stairs of the school building.
"It's been a long day, hasn't it?"
Marinette nodded, blinking owlishly. "I suddenly can't keep my eyes open."
"You can sleep on my shoulder if you want," Adrien offered. "Until the limo gets here."
Marinette blushed. "Are you sure? I don't want to get sparkles all over you."
Adrien chuckled. "A little late for that, m'lady. Go ahead, I don't mind."
Marinette yawned again, her head sagging. "O-okay. Thanks."
"Anytime," Adrien said softly as Marinette's head rested on his shoulder. Her hands wandered across her lap, and Adrien impulsively reached out and took her hand. It felt so small and soft within his-and a little cold.
"Are you cold?" Adrien murmured, squeezing Marinette's hand.
"Yes, I want some ice cream please," Marinette replied, snuggling closer to Adrien.
Adrien chuckled, toying with the corsage on her wrist. "I'll take that as a no."
Adrien listened as Marinette's breathing grew heavier, and he felt her heartbeat slow. Her hand twitched within his, and he felt a sudden surge of protectiveness.
The doors to the school burst open, and Max and Rose appeared at the top of the stairs, chattering excitedly.
Adrien glanced up at them as they passed by. "Hey guys. Have a good night?"
"Ooh!" Rose squealed. "It was wonderful! Everything was perfect!"
Max nodded smugly. "What she said."
Adrien smiled. "Good. I'm glad." He spoke softly to avoid waking Marinette.
"What about you two?" Rose asked, pointing to his date. "Did you have fun?"
Adrien's smile grew wider. "We had an amazing day. It's been crazy, which is why Marinette is exhausted."
"Are you two...an item now?" Rose whispered the last three words, her eyes wide.
Adrien's cheeks turned pink. "I, uh, don't know. Maybe."
Rose clasped her hands together excitedly. "Ooh! Marinette must be thrilled!"
Marinette shifted her position, her eyelids fluttering. Adrien ran his thumb over Marinette's comfortingly.
"Sorry, we're both a little exhausted," Adrien apologized. "We've had a busy day."
Max winked at Adrien. "Hear that, Rose? He said we so determinedly. I think you're right, they're definitely an item."
Adrien blushed. Rose's eyes widened as her gaze fell upon Marinette's lap. Adrien realized with a pang that he was still holding her hand. He tightened his grip nervously, and Marinette snuggled closer to him.
"Mmmmmm..." She grunted sleepily.
"I should probably let her sleep," Adrien said finally. "Good to see you guys! Have a good night!"
Max waved. "You too!" He offered Rose his arm as they walked down the stairs together.
"What a cute couple," Adrien murmured, watching his classmates leave the school.
"I'll say!" Nino chimed in from several stairs up.
Adrien turned to see his best friend and Alya standing above him, both watching him and his date smugly.
Adrien flushed, pulling his hand away from Marinette's. "Hi guys. How was the dance?"
"Totally awesome, dude!" Nino exclaimed. "After the pear trees all shrunk back to normal." He tilted his head curiously. "Where'd you two go?"
"We, uh, went to the Eiffel Tower," Adrien said truthfully.
Alya gasped. "Marinette loves the Eiffel Tower! Did you kiss her yet?"
Adrien started, and Marinette's head slipped off his shoulder.
"...ice cream," she murmured, then her head snapped up and her eyes opened. "Huh? What?"
"Nothing," Adrien said hastily, shooting a glare at Alya. "Sorry I woke you."
Marinette yawned again. "Mmm. You're okay."
"Girl, you realize what's going on here?" Alya put her hands on her hips and stared down at Marinette.
Marinette squinted up at her friend, rubbing her eyes. "You brought me ice cream?" She frowned as Alya raised an eyebrow. "No, wait, that was in my dream."
"You were asleep on Adrien's shoulder," Alya pointed out.
Marinette smiled sleepily. "Oh yeah. That too." She snuggled back up against Adrien and closed her eyes.
Alya shook her head, glancing back at Nino. "She's not even hearing me. I hate it when she gets like this."
"We'll let you guys chill." Nino took Alya's hand. "Thanks for a great day date, dudes!"
"You too!" Adrien grinned, saluting his friends. Marinette mumbled something and snuggled closer to him.
"You must be really tired," Adrien noted quietly, talking to Marinette's still form. "That didn't take very long for you to fall back asleep."
Marinette didn't answer, her breathing settling once more.
"Adrien!" Nathalie was standing by the curb, her hand resting on the door of the long, sleek limousine.
Adrien glanced down at Marinette. "Marinette? M'lady, our ride's here."
Marinette stirred, but her eyes didn't open.
"Okay then." Adrien carefully slipped out from under Marinette, turning on his knees to keep her head from falling off his shoulder. Then he tucked his hands up under her knees and pulled her closer to him. Rising, he cradled Marinette in his arms and turned back toward Natalie and the limousine.
"Everything all right, Adrien?" Nathalie asked, her face a mask.
"I-I think so." Adrien breathed a sigh as he watched Marinette's chest continue to rise and fall steadily.
Nathalie nodded once and pulled open the door to the limousine.
Adrien clambered in and set Marinette delicately on the seat next to him. He carefully buckled his seatbelt and let Marinette's head settle back onto his shoulder. Automatically, his left hand sought her right and clasped it gently.
Marinette moaned softly and took a deep breath.
"I think she's just tired," Adrien said, watching Marinette closely. "We've had a busy day."
Nathalie glanced back at him from the front but didn't respond.
"Adrien..." Marinette breathed, her eyelids fluttering. Her right hand suddenly jerked violently and her eyes snapped open. "Adrien!"
"Shhh, Marinette," Adrien squeezed her hand gently. "I'm here."
Marinette sat up, her eyes wild. "A-Adrien? What...where are we?"
"Almost to your house." Adrien smiled encouragingly. "Are you okay?"
Marinette looked down at her lap, troubled. "Y-Yeah. Just had a bad dream."
Adrien clicked his tongue sympathetically. "Ooh. I'm sorry." He hesitated, not sure if he should reach out to her. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Marinette's eyes fell on the silver ring on Adrien's right hand. "It's nothing. You-you were in danger, and I couldn't save you." She took a shaky breath.
"But it was just a dream, right?"
Marinette nodded weakly. "Just a dream," she repeated.
The limousine rolled to a stop in front of the Dupain-Cheng's bakery, and Adrien quickly hopped out of the car.
"Don't move," he told Marinette, then ran around the back and pulled open her door.
"Thanks, my lord." Marinette smiled weakly and swung her feet out onto the sidewalk.
"You're welcome, m'lady." Adrien held out a hand, and Marinette grasped it, clambering out of the car.
Adrien pushed the door closed and led Marinette to her door.
"Well," he exhaled and took Marinette's other hand, stepping closer to her. "This is it."
Marinette nodded, smiling. "Thank you, Adrien. For everything." Her cheeks flushed slightly.
"You too," Adrien wrapped his arms around Marinette and hugged her tightly. "M'lady." He turned his head and kissed her cheek. "Promise me you'll get some sleep tonight? And no more bad dreams?"
"I'll d-do my best." Marinette buried her face in his chest and took a deep breath. "Be careful, okay? That dream..." She shuddered.
"Hey," Adrien said softly, rubbing her back. "You're okay, it was just a dream. I promise I'll be careful."
Marinette sighed and pulled away. "Good night, Adrien."
"Sweet dreams, Marinette." Adrien smiled as Marinette pushed open her door and slipped inside.
Adrien took a deep breath, resting his hand up against the doorframe.
"What do I do now?" He murmured.
Leave a review if you're one of those wonderful people who've been waiting for the sequel! :) Tell me your thoughts, I'd love to hear them!
Thanks for reading!