Chapter 25: Nap Time - Corruption Final

Summary:

Prompt: Nap Time
Final part of Corruption
30 minute speed write
Conclusion of challenge

Notes:

I'm finally finished! I know I didn't complete all 31 prompts, but I'm so excited I was able to get this many prompts cranked out. Now that it's May, I can slow it down and take it easy. I do want to do some Ladrien June, but I'm going to focus mainly on MariChat May!

Thank you again to everyone that has been there for this journey and while I haven't responded to each comment, I do very much enjoy reading them and seeing your suggestions and thoughts. (I also very much enjoy your reactions to the worst of the angst! Not even gonna lie!)

Once the magical water had neared the top, Fu cut the taps and sealed Chat in the tube. He and the kwamis had left her alone probably hours ago. She had curled up in front of the cylinder with a pillow and blanket Fu had leant her. She couldn't find sleep as she tried to nap. She could only stare up at her sleeping kitty. Chat didn't move and his suit stayed the eerie white she was beginning to fear.

When would he wake up? When would his heart be purified?

Her chest felt heavy but also hollow as emotions battled within heart. Logically, she knew she was wasting time by laying around and waiting for something that might never happen. She needed to find Rena and Bee to track down Hawkmoth. But as she watched Chat's soft hair float in the water, she yearned for nothing more than to bury her fingers in it, pull him close, and kiss him.

Regret won out and she closed her eyes tight. She was so stupid. When had she let the cat into her heart? When had he eclipsed Adrien and Luka? And why now? Why now that she had finally realized her feelings for him, had Hawkmoth targeted him?

"Please," she prayed silently. Her fingers stroked her earrings. "Please bring him back to me."

Soft and muted movement in the water had her eyes flying open. Chat's eyes were barely peaking open and his hands twitched at his sides. Marinette flew to her feet and practically slammed her palms against the glass. "Chat? Chat!"

His white ears twitched as his eyes opened more fully. The glow of them was brighter, but the color seemed duller. Was that from the magic working or just the water muting it? His gaze locked on her and he lurched forward in the small distance. He curled his lips in a snarl at the glass separating them but his hands settled opposite hers. Marinette choked back a sob at how badly she wanted to hold his hand.

She swore she would never rip her hand away from his ever again.

"Kitty," she mumbled pitifully as their eyes locked.

She wasn't sure if he could hear her, but he mouthed something in reply. She nodded in response, just happy he was awake again. "You've been akumatized," Marinette explained in case his memory was foggy. "The water is supposed to help because Ladybug…because Ladybug…" Her head dipped downwards and her bags casted her eyes in shadow. "Because Ladybug isn't strong enough to fix you…"

Maybe that was why Hawkmoth had chosen Chat Noir. He had caught onto her feelings before she had. Hawkmoth knew that if she was truly forced to fight him, she would hesitate. It was different when an akuma had controlled him. He was still her Chat deep down. But now, Hawkmoth had taken everything away from him. This wasn't Chat Noir anymore. This was someone entirely different and now Marinette was faced with life without him. Without her best friend; her other half.

Chat Blanc scratched at the glass and she peeked up at him. He mouthed something again and her frowned deepened. He too frowned as he realized she couldn't hear him. He pulled a hand away from the glass and made a fist. Slowly, he brought his fist to the glass. His next mouthed phrase was easy to understand.

Pound it.

Marinette choked out a laugh pass her aching chest and throat. "Pound it," she replied; bring her fist opposite his own. The levity of the moment passed quickly and she nodded in reaffirmation of her beliefs. "I'll set this right, Chat Noir. And when I do," she grinned crookedly at him. "I'll finally give you those kisses, okay?"

Blanc merely tilted his head to the side; his cat ears flicking against the water.