Chapter Thirty-Eight

A near death experience wasn't something Adrien ever wanted to repeat in either guise, but he couldn't help but be happy with the end result. While he had no doubt that Marinette would hold onto some of that residual anger once the initial shock wore off, he was glad that they were able to move passed the angst and confusion that was keeping them apart. The girl owned his heart and he had every intention of showing her that. He wanted to make up for his poor decisions, even if they had been made with the best of intentions.

Lying side-by-side with her as they looked at each other had his heart pounding. Adrien loved the way Marinette's dark hair had come loose from her pigtails to lay in tousled tendrils that cascaded on the pillow. Knowing that he'd caused her current dishevelled state, including the flush to her cheeks and rumple state of her clothing, increased the heat in his gaze. He wanted to memorise every detail, as if studying her like she was a fine piece of art. Adrien raised his hand from her waist to gently trace the line of cheekbone and down to her lips. There Marinette nipped his fingertip playfully making him laugh. This is what he'd wanted between them, an easy-going relationship without secrets.

There was an expression of wonder on Marinette's face as she cupped his cheek and shuffled closer to him. Despite the fact that they'd been kissing for what seemed like hours, the girl was as insatiable as he was. With a smile he closed the distance between them and kissed her slowly, tangling his fingers in the loose hair behind her ear. The rhythm of their actions was becoming more co-ordinated as they learned to move together. Adrien wondered if they'd become this in tune with each other when they eventually got naked, not that he was considering doing that right now. Things between them were too tenuous at the moment for that jump in their relationship.

Although, the way Marinette was undulating her hips against him made him wonder if he should reconsider. He threw a leg over hers in attempt to slow her down but it wedged him closer to her and he couldn't withhold a moan as her tongue stroked his. Honestly, the woman knew how to drive him nuts.

In their current position, both had an arm wedged between their bodies. Somehow Marinette had managed to get her hand under his shirt, and if he'd been Chat Noir he would have started purring the moment she began stroking his chest. Instead he kissed her harder and considered rolling her onto her back, but mentally slapped himself. He was currently struggling with his self-control, putting her in that position was likely to drive him over the edge and he didn't want any regrets from his partner.

Apparently, Marinette had no such qualms. She must have recognised his uncertain intentions, latching onto his shirt on the inside and pulled him over her as she rolled. His respiration changed to long shuddering breaths as she kissed him like her very existence depended on it. How was a guy meant to resist that sort of fervour? His fingers tightened in her hair as he kissed her back with a matching ferocity.

And that's when her phone rang. With a groan of frustration, Adrien lifted his head but Marinette's hands were suddenly caging either side of his face as she pulled him back down to kiss him greedily. Shrugging his broad shoulders, Adrien had no problem in succumbing to his gorgeous partner. Unfortunately, whoever was ringing was determined as the phone continued to buzz for another three calls.

"Maybe it's urgent," he said between kisses.

"I don't care," Marinette shot back as she twisted her fingers in his hair to hold him in place, as if worried that he was going to pull away from her. He smirked, as if he'd want to leave, especially since she was determined to keep him right where he was.

On the fourth redial Marinette let out a growl. Adrien laughed and rolled himself to his right side. "They're persistent." He exclaimed as he reached out his hands to finger comb her hair into some semblance of being neat. "Answer it, I'm not going anywhere."

Marinette frowned as she glanced at her handbag that had ended up on the floor at some point. With a resigned grumble she snatched up her bag and answered her phone. The voice was loud enough on the other end for Adrien to clearly hear that it was Sabine. "Where are you, sweetie? We've been worried sick after that akuma attack."

Pretty blue eyes widened as she glanced back at Adrien. "I'm safe. I'm, um, with Adrien."

A relieved sigh came from her mother. "Thank goodness. I was beginning to panic that you'd been caught up in the crowd. There's mass panic over Chat Noir. The way Ladybug took off with him, people are concerned that he's seriously hurt if not dying."

Adrien gulped when Marinette's eyes widened as she looked at him. "He's not dead," she stated plainly.

"You know what the media are like. They're sensationalising this into something awful. I'm guessing it won't settle down until Ladybug and Chat Noir address the public to clear things up."

Marinette nodded at her mother's words. "I guess you're right."

"So when will you be home?" Sabine asked.

The girl looked at him questioningly. "You're welcome to stay," he mouthed.

"I'm not sure. If there's mass panic I might stay with Adrien a while longer. As soon as things calm down I'll come home."

"Alright, I'd prefer you home safe and sound but I suppose being with Adrien is the next best thing. His mansion is like a fortress."

Adrien swallowed, they weren't exactly at his home but Sabine didn't need to know that. Besides the apartment complex was almost as rigorous with its security, it had been one of the reasons why his father had purchased it in the first place.

Marinette sorted the final details with her mother and hung up. Her shoulders slumped with relief as she placed her phone in her bag. But her spine straightened with her next words. "What are we going to do?" she asked as she turned around to face him.

"You mean in regards to the media?"

She nodded, "Yeah. Sounds like they're making a lot of assumptions."

Shaking his blonde head in disbelief, Adrien adjusted one of the pillows and leant back against the headboard. "Why do they think I'm dying? Surely I wasn't that out of it."

"Revenger was holding you by the neck while you were swinging around limply. When she dropped you, you fell like a stone, it was obvious that you were not conscious." Marinette's face paled as she spoke. "When we made it to the ground you wouldn't wake up, even after Miraculous Ladybug."

"Hey, I'm okay now. Very tired, but okay." Adrien said as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her onto his lap. "I guess we should show everyone else that Chat Noir is alive and well. Then I think I'll take a long nap, that is if a certain gorgeous girl will let me get any sleep."

Marinette's lips quirked in a small smile, but her fingers grazed the sides of his neck, hooking into the collar of his shirts to pull them away from his throat. Apparently, she needed to check for bruising again. The brush of her fingertips from his chin to the hollow of his throat made him swallow. When those big blue eyes looked up at him with such sorrow, he tightened his hold on her and kissed her temple.

In almost a whisper, Marinette spoke. "I know we should transform and go out there but right now I just want to stay here with you."

His heart melted a little more with that declaration. "How about we check the news and make a decision from there?"

She nodded her head against him while her voice was reluctant. "Okay, I suppose that's fair."

"You want me all to yourself, princess?" he teased as he sat back.

"Damn straight," she grinned in return.

Adrien picked his own phone from the bedside table and opened the news app. The main headlines were about Chat Noir's current status: dead or alive? He shook his head. "Looking at this, I need to get out there."

"We should drop in on Alya."

"Is the Ladyblog mainstream enough? It might be better if we talk to Nadja." Adrien suggested.

"Do you really want to be grilled by Nadja? Besides if Alya streams it live I'm sure the TV stations will run it as well."

"Good point." Adrien shifted to get up but Marinette yanked him down onto the bed with a tug on his arm. "What?" he asked with a startled gasp.

She didn't answer him with words, instead she kissed him with a searing hot smooch that had his eyes rolling back into his head. Adrien was certain his bones had turned to mush as he lay on his back with his eyes closed. When she pulled away, he grasped her upper arms and shot her a lazy grin. "Maybe I did die, because this must be heaven."

Marinette groaned. "Adrien, your Chat Noir is showing. Ease up on the love clichés, please."

"And here I was, about to proclaim you as my angel. Oh well, I prefer calling you my lady anyway. Plagg!" He called.

The black kwami floated into the room with a mouthful of something, looking highly unimpressed. "You two done already?"

Adrien and Marinette glanced at each other and blushed. "Um, we need to transform. The media are spinning that I'm at death's door or close to it. We need to show them otherwise."

Plagg shrugged, "Meh, leave them hanging."

Tikki appeared and slapped him up the back of the head. "Plagg, Adrien is right."

The black kwami rolled his eyes as he rubbed where his counterpart had slapped him. "Like the world can't wait a few hours. Besides the kid needs to get some rest, not that your holder is giving him the chance."

Marinette blushed harder. Tikki placed her paws on her hips. "Enough of that, Plagg. We all know that you just want to stay with your beloved cheese for as long as possible."

"Party pooper," Plagg grumbled.

Adrien couldn't help chuckling. "Alright, Plagg, claws out." With a smirk at his partner, the model went through the motions of transforming, showing off with a number of poses as he became Chat Noir. The whole time Marinette watched him with a kind of awe that had him grinning wider.

Then it was her turn and he was the one looking on with wonder as Marinette was morphed into Ladybug. She too posed but in a more natural way and he felt his chest swell with pride in knowing that this was the only time she'd ever transformed in front of anyone else too.

Holding out his arm to her, Chat Noir continued to smile. "Shall we, milady?"

Ladybug returned his expression and linked her arm through his. Together they walked to the balcony and as she reached for her yoyo he stilled her hand.

"I've got this," Chat stated as he wrapped his left arm around her, pulling her flush against his body as he grasped his baton. "Let's kill two rumours with one strike. First, I'm alive and second, there's absolutely no rift between us." Leaping from the balcony together, Chat Noir assisted their travel distance with his extended baton. The pair easily fell into step, moving with a synergy that developed from years of partnership.

At the wicked smirk on his face, Ladybug had to ask, "What's with the grin?"

"I'm wondering if we can move this well together in other circumstances." His wink had her face turning crimson. Clearly, she knew exactly what he was referring to, and to his delight she didn't slap him.

"You're incorrigible, Chat." She huffed in a flustered tone.

He couldn't help but laugh and dazzle her with a toothy smile. "I think the correct word your looking for is encouraging."

Chat's right, the rift is closing. But what will the media's reactions be?

We've still got a few chapters to go people, keep me motivated! Please write something in the box below or hit that follow/favourite button. Thanks :)