A/N: WARNING: This chapter has subtle mentions of rape. This does not actually happen, nor will it ever happen.
I am really nervous to see what you all think about this chapter... This one is by far my favorite so far, though. I'm excited.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and tips! They are greatly appreciated! Hope you all enjoy. Drop a comment if you did.
"Make me."
Adrien's eyes widened a fraction at how far the girl -Marinette- had gone. Who knew she was so gutsy? Well, this would not do.
"Oh, I will," he said darkly. His eyes held a new, frightening light in them.
Adrien closed the distance between him and the girl with sudden speed. She gasped and tried to move away, but he was too fast.
He grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the counter, where he opened a drawer. He rummaged around while maintaining a vise-like grip on Marinette's arm.
After a moment, he found what he needed. This would make her shut up.
He ripped off a piece with his teeth, and turned toward the struggling girl.
Adrien saw the moment she realized what he was going to do. Those beautiful blue eyes widened and she pulled back, attempting futilely to get away from him. But he was too strong.
"Maybe this will teach you a lesson," he smirked. "And hopefully you'll remember when to hold your tongue next time."
With a little difficulty, he finally managed to hold her still, and he placed the tape over her mouth. He stepped back, letting her go and admiring his handiwork.
She immediately raised her hand to tear off the makeshift gag, but Adrien waggled an elegant finger.
"Ah ah, Princess. Don't even think about trying to take it off or I'll have no choice but to use this on your wrists, too." He waved the roll of tape in the air.
Marinette contemplated tearing it off anyway. The gag scared her. But she knew he would carry out his threat if she did. She would be even more defenseless if he tied her hands. The thought made her stomach turn.
Slowly, resentfully, she lowered her hand, letting it hang limply at her side. Her face flared in anger and embarrassment. This was so, so wrong.
"That's much better," he mockingly, a cruel tone to his voice.
Marinette huffed, making sure he knew her displeasure.
"Aww, don't worry, Princess," he mocked. "If you behave, I'll take it off."
She looked away, crossing her arms. No way was she cooperating with him.
"Don't be that way," he said condescendingly, sauntering toward her. She automatically backed away from him. "It's for your own good."
Marinette shook her head as Adrien came closer; a silent warning to stay away. He came even closer. Marinette was backed into a cabinet now. There was nowhere for her to go.
So, she did the only thing she could.
She pulled her arm back before she even knew what was happening and...punched him squarely in the nose.
Adrien cried out, stumbling back and holding a hand to his face. He was more shocked than hurt, but he had to admit that she had a good arm.
Marinette gasped, surprised at herself. She had reacted on instinct; the thought of punching him didn't even cross her mind. She just did it.
If she was scared before, she was terrified now. Who knows what he would do now. He was going to be angry, and she had no way of really defending herself. He could overpower her in an instant, and no one would hear her.
To her utter shock, Adrien started laughing. Laughing. He wasn't... mad?
Adrien was pleasantly surprised by the girl yet again. She kept doing that. He liked her fire.
"You're a feisty one, aren't you?" Adrien chuckled.
Marinette's eyes widened. That wasn't at all what she was expecting out of his mouth.
He noticed the confusion in her blue eyes.
"Nice punch, Princess," he said with an amused smile.
Marinette didn't understand. Surely he was going to tie her wrists now, or... something.
Adrien pulled his hand away from his nose, seeing red. "Hmmm."
Marinette saw the blood. A few drops dribbled down over his lips.
Come to think of it, she realized vaguely that her knuckle hurt. She hadn't thought she'd hit him that hard.
Adrien saw it as well. He reached out for her hand with an odd look on his face.
She pulled away fearfully. That was what she was expecting. Any second now he was going to do it.
His hand stopped midway, seeing the fear written on her face.
"I'm not going to hurt you," he said softly.
Marinette gazed into his green eyes, noting the sincerity in them. Maybe... Maybe he really wasn't going to hurt her.
Adrien reached out his hand again, slowly this time, so he didn't scare her. She looked apprehensive, but didn't back away from him. He took her hand in his, turning it over gently to examine her knuckle.
Her breathing hitched as his long, warm fingers grazed over the small cut. Ouch.
"Hmmm. You'll be fine. It's only a little cut. You have a stronger punch than some of the policemen I've fought," he told her.
Marinette scowled at that remark and pulled her hand out of his. She hadn't forgotten about all of the people who had lost their lives to this maniac.
Adrien sighed and rolled his eyes. He forgot about her opinion on his actions. Why did she care so much about those incompetent idiots? The police couldn't even do their job properly when Chat Noir was a superhero. Honestly, he was doing Paris a favor. No matter. She would see it his way soon.
His arms flew out and grabbed her around her middle before she could even blink. She yelped behind the tape, the muffled sound amusing Adrien. He hoisted her over his shoulder, carrying her like a sack of potatoes. A very wiggly bag of potatoes.
She kicked and hit him, trying to get out of his hold. He kept a firm grip on the back of her legs, holding into her pajamas. What on earth was he doing?
Adrien took her out of the kitchen and plopped her onto the leather couch in the living room. The girl sat, bewildered. No, really. What on earth was he doing?
He stood and straightened his clothes; Marinette had skewed them when she had tried to twist off of his shoulder.
"Stay here," he said. He started to walk away.
She watched him, plan forming in her mind.
Maybe this was her chance; she could slip out while he was in the other room. She could run pretty quickly. Maybe she could get help. Maybe-
Adrien stopped abruptly and turned back toward her small form.
"And don't even try, Princess. You and I both know I can hear and see better than you, and I'm faster. You won't get ten feet out the door before I overtake you," he warned her with a sharp glint in his eyes.
Marinette hesitated before nodding shakily. He returned her nod and continued down the hallway, leaving her to her thoughts.
Marinette slumped. Tears started to gather as she realized that he was right.
She pulled her feet onto the couch and wrapped her arms around her knees, hugging them closely to her chest.
There really was no means of escape. The icy-cold realization of that fact hit her like a ton of bricks. So what was she supposed to do now? What was her purpose here? Marinette gasped as a horrible thought crossed her mind. Surely he wouldn't- But then again, he was Chat Noir. Who knows what his intentions were with her. He could do anything with her.
New waves of tears rushed down her cheeks and chin. She trembled, and a sob was caught behind the gag. This isn't how she planned life.
A few minutes later, soft footsteps behind her alerted Marinette to Adrien's presence, and she stiffened. Sniffling, she quickly reached up and wiped the tracks of tears from her face.
Adrien knelt in front of Marinette, holding the bandage and clothes out for her, but she didn't look up at him. She kept her eyes fixed on her knees, and Adrien noticed the redness in them. She had been crying again.
Adrien sighed. Not this again. He felt a twinge of sympathy for the girl, but honestly, the whole crying thing was annoying.
Gently, slowly, he set the clothes beside the girl and took her cut hand. Surprisingly, she didn't resist. She still didn't look at him, though.
Adrien ripped the packaging off, taping the bandaid on her bleeding knuckle. Then, she did look.
The blood on his face was gone; he must have washed it. His nose wasn't bleeding any more, but it was red. But what was he doing? Why did he get her a bandage? Why did he care if she was hurt?
Adrien studied her as she studied him. Her appearance was comparable to that of a wounded puppy. She was scared, confused, tired. Adrien had forgotten that she hadn't slept. His sleep schedule was different than hers. It was almost 3:00 in the morning.
He took the clothes, and, with the touch of a feather, he pulled her shaking form up and led her down the hall. She walked on legs of jelly and with a mind of butter. She was so tired that she almost wasn't aware of her surroundings.
Marinette's breathing quickened as she saw where they were going, and she mentally prepared to herself to fight.
Adrien felt her stiffen and saw the worry on her face. It dawned on him what she was probably thinking.
"Relax," Adrien said softly. "I told you, I'm not going to hurt you."
Whatever she thought, she must have decided to trust him, because she calmed down some.
Adrien led her to the guest room, pushing in the already open door; Marinette hadn't closed it before her attempted escape.
He walked her into the bedroom, and let go of her.
She stood with her arms wrapped around her torso, hugging herself tightly.
Adrien laid the clothes on the dresser, then walked to the door.
"Good night, Princess," was all he said before he left, shutting the door behind him and locking it.
Marinette was so confused. She was so tired. Her brain was muddled with so many thoughts. She had so many questions. She didn't even register that she was moving until she was yanking off her clothes and pulling on the ones Adrien had given her.
The fabric was soft, fluffy, and warm. The pants were ankle-length and black, covering her completely. The shirt was the same, but it was a little big, so the sleeves fell over her hands. She didn't care.
The tape was still over her mouth, but Marinette was afraid what would happen if she removed it. She left it where it was.
Deciding she would figure everything out in the morning, she fell onto the mattress. Covering herself in the huge, warm blankets, she snuggled into the pillows and drifted off to sleep.
Adrien sighed again as he locked her door. He paced his way back to his room, thinking.
The girl intrigued him. She was different. She wasn't like the other girls he had seen, with their Barbie doll looks and fake acting. She didn't cower in fear when he tried to grab her; she had full-on punched him. He admired her guile.
He reached his door and mechanically opened it, stepping in and gracefully collapsing into bed.
He honestly wasn't sure what to think of her. She was definitely going to be fun to have around. While he wasn't sure what he would do with her, he could figure something out.
Saving the problem for tomorrow, he pulled his blankets over his shoulders and felt into a light sleep.
...
A/N: The diss on policemen/women is purely fictional. I completely respect and admire all policemen and women for the bravery and tenacity they have to put their lives on the line for people they don't even know. Those sentences were only put in there because it was Adrien's opinion on the police. Remember that he is a jerk in this story.