"Dzǎo Tàitai Dupain-Cheng," Felix greeted with a slight bow.
Blinking in surprise, Sabine smiled as she chuckled softly. "Good morning Felix," she returned, "and please, call me Sabine. You don't have to speak Mandarin with me."
"Good practice," he responds as he straightened. Glancing towards the back of the bakery, he asked, "How is she?"
Her smile turned tired, though her grey eyes flickered in good humor. "She's been sleeping all day," Sabine said, shaking her head. "Hasn't gotten up to eat at all."
"I suspected," Felix comments. Waving to the stairs to their apartment, he asked, "Can I?"
"You're welcome too!" Sabine said eagerly, waving him towards the stairs. "Try to get her to eat." Nodding, he moved to head up the steps, stopping when Sabine called for him. She offered him a small plate of cookies. "You should eat more," she told him. "You're skinny."
"Xièxiè," he bid, accepting the plate.
"Xièxiè," she returned.
Felix hurried up before Marinette's father learned he was here. Last thing he wanted was a hug, and get his hair messed up. Following up the steps and heading towards a familiar trapdoor. Cracking it open, he peered out into the soft pink room. "My Queen?" he called.
The room was eerily quiet.
No Tikki came to greet him.
No eager welcome chirping his way from her desk, dummy, or loft.
Just a dim dark room and silence.
Plagg floated out of his pocket, peering around. "It's like the dead in here."
"Plagg," Felix hissed.
"What I'm just saying what we're all thinking!"
Felix gave his tail a slight scolding tug before slipping into the room, a little relieved that he could see a little better than the average human thanks to the black cat miraculous. She had plants moved into her room to protect against the cold and he could see hordes of ladybugs gathered on them.
He wondered if he really should be so surprised…
"Found Tikki," Plagg stated, pointing to one of the plants.
Squinting the blond saw her, huddled up near another horde.
Felix sighed, "She's really opened up her room to a ladybug sanctuary."
Plagg snickered, floating up to the loft, eyeing the bundle on the bed. With a purr, he dove in, eager to snuggle in the dark, warm blankets.
Felix set the plate of cookies down before following. Tikki might wake enough to enjoy them. There was a chance around the afternoon, checking his cell; he found that should be the warmest part of the day. They should wake enough then to eat. As he came up the steps, he secured an alarm to go off in a few hours.
He'll wake at least, and may be able to rouse her if she didn't stir on her own. Setting it down near her bed, he leaned down close to her, searching for a way inside. "My Queen?" he bid imploringly.
She sensed him close to her.
Reacting, Marinette grabbed his arm and before Felix could brace himself, she took that arm hostage, pulling it in and sending him face first into the mattress. Shuffling on the mattress, Felix leaned on his elbow, rubbing his nose with the other hand as he lightly glared at the sheets.
He could feel her through the arm she stole, how close she held it, curling around it. She had it latched to her chest, her knees pressed against his elbow, and her hot, easy breath tickling his fingertips.
Moving slowly, he worked his way under the blanket, joining her as she hid from the frosty season. She wiggled closer, humming happily as she pressed against him. Felix purred, enjoying being covered by soft, warm material, to feel her frame against his, and smell her scent. He leaned forward and nuzzled her head, pressing a light kiss to her forehead. "Good night."
