Delicate, Chapter 24
On the way home from Adrien's, Tikki fluttered over and perched on the dashboard of Marinette's car.
"That was a nice evening," she said. "After everything that's happened lately, I think that both of you needed a little something like that."
"Y-yeah, we did," Marinette replied.
"...Are you all right?" asked Tikki, peering at her quizzically. "You look like you're feeling nervous. Are you worried about Adrien being alone tonight?"
"Not all that much," said Marinette. "Like I told him... he's not alone tonight unless he wants to be. I can be there in minutes. He can come to my apartment if he wants; he's always welcome there. He has Nooroo to talk to. He's not just going to lie in bed and feel haunted tonight; I don't need to hover over him."
She paused and gathered her thoughts as she made a left turn. "If anything... he seems pretty certain about everything. About what he wants," she noted. "All of it."
Tikki took that in. "And you're not?" she wondered aloud.
Marinette's voice took on something of a strained tone...
"Everything is just moving so quickly."
Marinette pulled the car over and parked it, recognizing just how distracted she'd become.
"Good things are moving quickly. And I'm not opposed to that! These are things that I think I want, too," she began. "But two weeks ago, I was an ordinary woman, working a regular job, having dinner with my parents once a week. I had my role as the Guardian, too, but that was mostly all in the background without Hawkmoth around, you know? It was..."
Her hands gestured in the air as she attempted to explain herself. "It wasn't an exciting life, or one with a lot of progress happening. But it was safe and secure and something that I was handling just fine... and then one crazy night happened."
Tikki nodded for her to continue.
"And now I'm in love again with the man I was meant to be with all along. I've offered to let him move in, he almost proposed to me, and I kind of said 'yes' to that," mused Marinette. "All the mysteries of my Ladybug years have crashed down on top of me. I've talked with Hawkmoth in his own lair, I've had the best sex of my life, I've caused a cosmic orgasm that had most of Paris quivering, I'm trying to heal Adrien's mother and rescue a hurt Kwami and Adrien's dressing me up in a magical wedding gown and talking about our future together and my friends are discussing a new career for me and I'm babbling right now and I can't help it!"
Again, Tikki allowed Marinette to vent at her own pace.
"I'll figure it out as I go, because that's what I do. There's not much else that I can do, anyway," sighed Marinette. "I'm just feeling kind of overwhelmed with everything happening all at once."
"Are you going to talk with Adrien about his part of that?" asked Tikki. "He would want to know."
"I will. Just not tonight," Marinette replied. "He has enough on his mind right now. I'll miss him tonight, but part of me is glad that I'm getting some time to myself to think about things." She smiled at Tikki and added, "See? You're not the only one feeling tense."
"That's not all that comforting," Tikki sighed. "It means that my little issue is just adding to your problems."
"Don't worry about that, Tikki," Marinette comforted her. "In some ways, yours might be the easiest problem for me to fix."
"You really think so?"
"I do. I'll let you know when I'm ready to try what I have in mind."
The next morning seemed to be precisely what Marinette felt she needed... uneventful. The Bliss Wave's effects had faded sufficiently for most of Paris to resume normal operating hours and procedures, which included her office.
Amy was her typical bubbly self once more, sneaking in conversations with Marinette when she could about the previous night's party and what she'd like to do on her turn as host next week.
"I was originally going to bust out the Paris edition of that one card game - Cards Against Hawkmoth, it's called - but I'm going to be tactful, instead," Amy suggested.
"It wouldn't offend me, and I promise you, I don't think that it would offend Adrien, either," Marinette replied. "Last night just caught him by surprise. In the car, he was asking me if I was sure that he hadn't hurt Jacques's feelings."
"That's good. Because Jacques asked me pretty much the same thing about him," smiled Amy. "No hard feelings either way. But how about you? I had no IDEA that you had such a history with Hawkmoth, Marinette!"
"Oh... I was just lucky, I guess," Marinette smiled, softly.
At that, Gail jumped slightly in her seat, but remained focused on the design on her monitor.
"Is everything all right?" Marinette called to her. "You looked like we startled you."
"N-no!" Gail replied, turning their way briefly. "You're fine. I mean, I'm fine. Nothing at all unusual."
Amy and Marinette shared a questioning look at her response, but left it at that for now.
Later that evening, Marinette reached for her phone. Two things that I ought to do before I go to bed, she reasoned.
Call number one was to a very familiar number.
"Hello, Marinette!" Sabine beamed. "How are things going over there?"
"Pretty well. I'm just checking on you two, hoping that you're doing all right, too," Marinette replied. "Everything normal around the house?"
"I suppose so. It's been a quiet day here," her mother said. "We did get caught up in that, what are they calling it... Bliss Wave the other day; that was some excitement! Did, ah, you and Adrien experience any of that?"
"Yyyyyyyes," admitted Marinette. "But if I don't tell you about my bedroom, you won't tell me about yours, right?"
"Of course. Too much information leads to frightening mental pictures, as usual," winked Sabine. "All I'll say is that I'll wager that neither of us has any complaints."
"Good to hear. I think," Marinette grinned. "Listen... would you mind if I stopped over for a little while tomorrow night, after work?"
"You're always welcome here, naturally," Sabine answered. "What's up?"
"I just had something that I needed to ask you," Marinette ventured. "Nothing too bad, I promise. Nothing too good, either."
"Do you know what sends a mother's heart soaring more than anything else? Hearing that her grown daughter still wants her advice," cackled Sabine. "Stop by any time. Are you bringing Adrien?"
"I wasn't going to," Marinette wavered. "He's kind of what my question is about. And I can see your curious look from here... it's nothing to lose sleep over, honest. I just... want to be sure that I'm reacting to some things the right way."
"Just let us know tomorrow how many extra plates to set for supper," Sabine smiled. "See you then!"
That's settled, thought Marinette. And now, the other call...
"Hello, gorgeous," Adrien answered.
"Hello, handsome," grinned Marinette. "Just checking to see how you're making out. How was your day?"
"Not too bad," said Adrien. "I did sleep pretty well last night, which surprised even me. I let Nooroo rest, too - he didn't need to hear me ramble on about Father again - and I went out wandering today."
"Anywhere fun?"
"Kind of. I scouted out the Rue Saint Honoré for the fun of it... seeing who was still working around there that I'd recognize," Adrien replied. "Some familiar faces were there."
Marinette smiled at that, knowing the large number of major fashion houses found on that avenue.
"I threw on some sunglasses and went incognito. I don't think that anyone recognized me," he continued. "If I go back that way more seriously, I'll dress accordingly."
"If you decide to look for a job around there, let me know if there's any way that I can help you," offered Marinette. "Not that anyone near there has a clue who I am, of course. But I can look over your resume, for instance."
"Huh," Adrien mused. "That's right... Remind me to make one of those."
"Seriously?"
Adrien shrugged at Marinette's surprise. "Oh, I know what that is and why it's important, don't get me wrong. I've just never needed one before," he explained. "With Father, I was simply expected to be there. When I was on the move, the jobs that I took were more walk-up kinds of things. 'Hey, do you need an extra pair of hands?' Fancy, they weren't."
"We will work on that together," Marinette declared.
"Plagg is still in my dresser drawer, with his box closed. I may try talking with him tomorrow," Adrien added.
"You do that when you're ready," insisted Marinette. "I won't rush you if you're not sure yet."
"I will." Adrien paused, then asked, "And how well did you sleep last night?"
Marinette paused as well. "Decently... but a little lonely," she admitted. "You're kind of addictive that way."
"The feeling is mutual," he agreed. "Though I could fix that easily enough. Just listen for the *TH-BMMP* on your roof."
"Which would scare the hell out of my upstairs neighbors," grinned Marinette.
"Oh, for the old days, when a black cat could simply slip through a balcony hatch and find an innocent young woman to seduce... as if he'd have had the nerve then."
"Or when a young man left his bedroom window open at night, hoping to be seduced by a scarlet intruder," Marinette laughed. "As if she'd have had the nerve. How our lives might've been different if either of us had!"
"You'd have thrown me out on my ear, I'm sure," Adrien declared.
"Back then? Probably." Marinette let that hang in the air for a moment... letting it register that her answer wasn't "Definitely." "But now, all you have to do is knock on my door."
"Are you sure you wouldn't rather that I use your bedroom window tonight, and... just slip inside?" teased Adrien, letting his double entendre resonate as well. "Nooroo wouldn't mind. I could be there in five minutes... or in five hours, while you're sleeping..."
"Or we could make a date of it tomorrow," suggested Marinette, "and get some sleep tonight. I have an errand to run at my parents' house after work, but after that I'll be free."
"Sounds wonderful. Sweet dreams, then."
"You, too!"
Hanging up, Marinette flopped back onto her bed, pleasantly frustrated.
You'd think that after the week I've been having, I wouldn't have enough energy to even THINK about anything physical right now. But he knows just the right buttons to push... literally and metaphorically, she grinned. 'I could climb through your bedroom window, and... just slip inside,' indeed... Nnnnngh! Now I'm all revved up inside, and Adrien really IS just two words and five minutes away. Or more like ten, if I do it the normal way and just drive there!
I could just try and get some sleep... though I don't think that my brain will let me right now. I could go in the other room and fiddle with that one dress design for a little while, I guess.
Or...
An errant thought floated through Marinette's mind, making her smile.
Or I could be a grown-up tonight, and take care of my jitters on my own. And maybe help solve Tikki's problem at the same time!
And something that Adrien said could even help me with that...
Now... do I really want to do this right now?
Marinette paused, briefly, considering whether what she had in her current thoughts was a good idea. It seemed that way... but there would be no uncrossing of this line, either.
If there's a better tension-reliever than that, I don't know what it is, she smiled to herself. It's not like my sex life hasn't been on fire these last two weeks... I'm not feeling like I NEED to do this... but I think that I want to. It'll help me relax, and Tikki too, I hope.
Coming to a decision, she closed her bedroom door tightly - interruptions would simply not do for this; sorry, Audrey, she thought - and sat down on her bed.
"Tikki?" she called. "Would you come in here, please?"
It only took a moment for Tikki to flutter to her side. "Hi," she said. "What is it?"
"There's something that I want to try tonight. Something that might do both of us some good," Marinette replied. "I think that it's the right time for it, but I wanted to talk about it with you first, because I'll need your help."
"I'll be happy to help, whatever it is," Tikki told her. "What do you want to do?"
"I want to help you scratch your itch."
Tikki stared back, wide-eyed. "You're... sure?" she managed.
"I think so. But let's make sure that we're on the same page about it first, okay?"
"O-okay."
"All right. Some ground rules," Marinette smiled. "First off... all of the other Kwamis are in the Miracle Box, or with Adrien. What happens tonight stays between you and me, okay?"
"Of c-course it will," Tikki stammered. "If you want it to."
"It's not like I'll be doing anything that I'm ashamed of, or that you should be," explained Marinette. "I'm not planning on feeling you up, or anything weird like that; this would be more indirect. I'm only doing this because you told me about the problem you're having, and because you and I have been close for a very long time. I don't want all the other Kwamis lining up and waiting for their turn. If this happens tonight, this is just between us."
"That makes sense."
"And what I'll be doing... isn't just to get you off, so to speak. This is tension relief for me, too... and this is valuable information about humans that you would benefit from knowing more about. Some of this is for science," Marinette giggled.
"I don't know if I've ever felt more curious," Tikki replied. "Just what do you have in mind, Marinette? I think I have an idea, but..."
"Let's start with this. You can modify my costume any way that I can imagine, right? Within reason, at least," asked Marinette. "And then change it back afterwards."
"That's no problem, yes," Tikki agreed. "It'll be the default one each time unless you request otherwise."
"You kind of are the costume, in a way," pondered Marinette. "But not all of me is covered up. When you're paying close attention, you can see what I see, hear what I hear, feel what I feel. Does it feel different to you if something touches the costume, as compared to, let's say, my uncovered face?"
Tikki thought about that, briefly. "It's pretty similar, to be honest. When you're transformed, we're one combined being in most of the ways that count."
"That's good. That'll help quite a bit," Marinette noted. "How about what I'm thinking, or what I'm imagining? Can you access that while I'm transformed?"
There was another short pause.
"It depends," answered Tikki. "The stronger the connection that I have with my host, the more that I can borrow from their minds... and you and I are as close as I've ever been with any host. It takes a lot of concentration for me, and it's never easy... but the more vivid the thoughts are on your side, the easier it is for me to pick them up and to visualize them or hear them myself. And I will be paying very close attention, and if you'll be actively sharing and leaving yourself wide open... that also helps."
"Also useful," said Marinette. "Last question. Would you want to try out something different tonight? Are you in that kind of mood, I mean?"
"Only if you are. I mean, we don't have to... we wouldn't ever have to... unless whatever this is, it's something that you want to do," Tikki worried. "I'm not asking for you to do this right this minute... it doesn't have to happen at all, if you'd be uncomfortable. But if you're up for it..."
"It's okay, Tikki. You can say it," Marinette smiled.
"I'm g-game if you're game."
"All right... before I change my mind about this. Tikki... spots on!"
A white flash filled Marinette's bedroom for an instant.
When it faded, Ladybug was there... but in a very different version of her costume, one that appeared extremely thin and almost completely translucent. Her normal costume was clingy, but this took that to a whole new level! It was as if Marinette had been coated in trace amounts of Ladybug-themed body paint, or perhaps form-fitting plastic wrap with a faint red-and-spotted design.
She ran her fingers across her abdomen, very lightly, then allowed her fingers to trail upwards all the way to her face.
"Spots off," she called out, returning to her normal self. When Tikki reappeared, she asked her, "How did that feel to you? Was that more sensitive than usual?"
She grinned, seeing the startled expression on Tikki's face. "I'll take that as a yes," Marinette ventured.
"That was... intense, yes," Tikki breathed. "I felt the contact like I usually do... but with the costume being that thin, it was as if there was nothing there at all! The warmth of your fingertips, the ticklish sensations as they moved, the feeling of anticipation... all of it! And I felt that it was more sensitive than you'd anticipated, too."
"That's what I was hoping for," smiled Marinette. "As little difference as possible from my being naked. Touching my covered belly felt the same to you as my uncovered face?"
"I think so, yes. Or close enough that I could barely tell the difference," Tikki smiled back. "it's kind of... like, it's more intense one way because the costume's there and it's connected to me, but it's a little more intense for you where there's nothing at all, and I can feel that, too."
"Well, you haven't felt anything yet," Marinette winked. "Spots on."
Once again, a barely-clad Ladybug appeared. She padded over to her radio, turned on some soft music, turned off the lights and laid down on her bed.
"Tikki... I'm sure that you can hear me now," she said, quietly. "If you get uncomfortable with this, if it doesn't feel right for you, you can tune me out at any time and I won't feel bad about it at all. What I'm going to do now is... well... when I'm by myself and I'm in this mood, I like to do things very slowly, very gently, and let everything build up naturally until I can't wait any longer. Lots of people do this - almost everyone, really, as far as I know - and there are many different ways in which we do it. Sometimes with our hands, sometimes with toys... you've seen one of those in my nightstand, I'm sure... anything that produces a good rhythm and hits the right places. I've used the water from the shower head in my bathroom a few times, for instance."
"And I like to have a fantasy in my head while I'm doing it; most people like to do it that way. I assume so, anyway; it's usually a very private thing. But that's what I've read," smiled Ladybug. "I'm going to close my eyes and imagine a scene where certain things are happening, and I hope that you can picture it with me. That way, you'll understand the effects that those daydreams have on the process."
Ladybug took a deep breath.
"Sometimes, when people do this, they fantasize about unusual things that they might not want to do in real life. A person, or a situation, or a time and place that's normally not a thing. Maybe someone that is off limits, you know? A celebrity, like a movie star or a singer... or someone whom we know is taken, or would be inappropriate. I don't even want to think about how many people used to think about me! Or doing things that we wouldn't do in real life, because they're risky - like doing it somewhere where we could get caught, maybe? Or playing a role that we'd be nervous about trying for real. Or just giving up control entirely for a little while. Like, I'll admit... "
Am I really admitting this? Ladybug giggled to herself. "The way that I found Adrien that one night? I've fantasized about that kind of situation before. But... it wasn't always with me looking down on him. Sometimes it was; other times, I was the one helpless and tingling. I'd never actually done anything like that until the night that I found him, though."
"So... if what you see or hear surprises you, don't take it too seriously, is what I'm saying. Sometimes what I dream about are real things, real memories, anticipation of things that I hope will happen! Other times, it's a way of letting inhibitions loose safely and feeling wild, but just in my imagination. It's a pretty common kind of thing."
"Anyway... The one that I'll be imagining tonight is pretty tame. And, well... now, it could happen, but it was just a silly fantasy for a long time! Picturing it got me through a lot of lonely nights, though, so... I hope that you enjoy it."
With that said... Ladybug closed her eyes. In her mind's eye, she imagined...
Marinette stood on her balcony at her parents' house. She felt a little younger than she was now... not so young as to be worrisome about what might follow, but perhaps just the slightest nudge over the threshold of adulthood, just on the edge of moving out on her own.
It was a warm night; the stars were out and twinkling brightly, not a cloud was in the sky to block her view, and the gentle breeze felt good against her face. She wore pajamas, a pale pink set with white lace, as if she'd been lying in bed and been summoned up to her balcony by nature to enjoy the scene.
It was late, probably after midnight. In her dream, she sensed that her parents had gone somewhere, perhaps on a short vacation; for whatever reason, she had the house to herself.
A familiar *TH-BMMP* sound behind her caught her off-guard - At THIS time of night? - and she whirled around to face a handsome young man in a black leather costume. He seemed quite pleased to see her... but there was something different about his smile this time that she couldn't quite place.
"Hello there, Kitty," she greeted him. "I'm surprised to see you at this time of night! What's on your mind?"
"I finally found you, my Lady. After all these years," Chat Noir grinned.
"Wh-what?" she gasped. "Chat... I don't know what you mean."
"I know," he intoned, and somehow she knew that it was true just from the way that he said it. "Marinette... I know your secret. That you've been by my side all along, my angel in red, the girl that I've loved so much. You wouldn't lie about that to me now, would you?"
A million thoughts and counterpoints and arguments flashed through her mind... but they all fell flat. She shuddered, slightly.
"No... I suppose that I can't," she sighed. "Chat Noir... you're right. I am Ladybug. I have been Ladybug all this time."
Admitting that was anything but easy for her... yet, somehow, once the words had passed her lips, she felt relieved, as if a huge burden had fallen off her shoulders.
I know that he still loves me. My other self, at least, Marinette thought. He deserves to know, and I don't know how he figured it out... but part of me is glad that he did. No more hiding.
But how is he going to feel about me now...?
"Good," smiled Chat. His manner was direct, but also gentle as he approached her. "That helps explain something that I have felt for a very, very long time."
"What is that?" asked Marinette, her hair flowing gently in the evening breeze.
"Marinette... I have been coming to visit you for years now, just like this," he murmured. "And I have found myself falling in love with you, a little more every time that we're together."
Her eyes widened with surprise as he continued. "I told myself that I didn't know what was getting into me," Chat sighed. "That I must be true to my massive crush on Ladybug. Ladybug was whom I loved, I was sure of it... But every moment that I spent with you, every time I saw your smile, I heard your voice... I couldn't help it. You have my heart, without even trying."
Marinette swallowed hard. "Chat... I never told you that I wanted that from you. But that doesn't mean that, deep down, part of me wasn't trying," she replied, her voice shaking. "I held myself back for so many years, because... well... we were just kids then."
Chat moved in close. "We're grown-up now, Marinette," he whispered. "We've been waiting such a long time for this."
"Yes... we are. And, tonight... you don't have to wait any longer."
As one, they moved together into a perfect kiss...
Chat picked Marinette up off her feet, carrying her with one arm as he opened the hatch to her bedroom. The kissing continued as they descended to her comfortable bed.
As Chat began to seduce Marinette in her dream, his hands and mouth wandering all over her neck and upper body... Ladybug's hands wandered in a similar fashion, touching where her Dream Chat touched her, caressing herself very lightly for now.
"I can transform to my real self, if you like," Chat whispered to Marinette.
"You don't have to do that. Not yet," Marinette told him, breathily. "I know that I love the man under the mask... but I love the masked man just as much."
"I need to make love to you, Marinette. Right here, right now."
She stared into green cat-eyes, judging his sincerity... then answered his statement by wrapping her arms around him and pulling him closer.
One piece at a time, her nightclothes were slowly removed from her by her dream paramour, leaving her bare and trembling, lying beneath him. His gloved hands were clawed, of course, but he was exercising the utmost care in his handling of her; his every touch was whisper-soft, gliding over her smooth skin, making her shake inside.
"I've been dreaming of this moment for so long, Marinette. I've wanted you so much," Chat smiled.
"...Show me just how much," she challenged him, playfully, then gasped lightly as Chat returned to kissing her neck and slowly worked his way down her body.
As the dream intensified, Ladybug let her hands drift accordingly, and more insistently in certain places. She did her best to keep Tikki's silent voyeurism out of her mind, other than a passing thought of I hope that you're still enjoying this! at one point.
Feeling her arousal building up rapidly, Ladybug groaned aloud. It's time, she thought, blindly groping for her nightstand drawer and sliding it open. Her hand closed on a familiar object with a sliding switch on its handle.
Hello, my Luckiest Charm, giggled Ladybug. Now, things are about to get real!
She flicked the switch, and felt the device begin to vibrate at a moderate pace in her hand. Slowly, she lowered it down her body, pausing at several places along the way.
No need to rush, she thought. Not yet. I have all the time in the world to make myself want it even more.
Dream Chat moved down between Marinette's thighs, parting them with his hands with gentle ease. His eyes screamed out his need to pleasure her, to feel her shudder, to make her feel better than ever before in her life.
She nodded at him, encouraging him to continue.
"Please," she whispered. "Please, Chat. I want you to. I need you to."
And he did.
Her eyes closed as the sensations built upon each other. Her breathing became heavier, and little noises emerged from her mouth that didn't count as words. One hand began clutching at the bedsheets, gently; the other moved aimlessly in the air just above the bed, as if it couldn't decide what it was that it was searching for.
"Ch-Chat... this feels like heaven," she purred in his direction.
His answer was not in words... but in a gleam in his eye, and in a subtle alteration to his pace and movements. All at once, Marinette threw her head back into her pillow and moaned, unashamedly.
She had half-expected Chat's tongue to be raspy, like a real cat's; instead, it was as soft and smooth as pudding, as slippery as a wet bar of soap, and as steady as the bass guitar riff on one of her favorite records...
...until it wasn't, until it danced and fluttered around like a butterfly's wings, for just long enough to make her writhe and gasp before returning to a gentle, insistent rhythm.
The sensation was like nothing she'd ever felt before, and it took considerable effort for her not to scream..
Paralyzed, she could do nothing but look down at his face, locking her gaze on his. Those eyes of his - those EYES! - told her how much he was enjoying this, how long he'd wanted to devote himself to her this way... and they spoke to her with their gentleness, expressing love rather than lust, making her feel all the more helpless beneath his tender attentions.
His motions were slow and deliberate, intent on prolonging the moment, but also intent on not letting up in the slightest until he judged that she could take no more. His hands reached up and pinned both her wrists to the mattress; not with force, not to prevent her from pushing away or leaving, but as more of a symbolic gesture.
You're mine, Marinette. And I'll never want to let you go again.
Chat's gaze promised that he would never, ever stop until she gave herself completely to him, now and forever, until she exploded with utter delight... and his actions were delivering on that promise.
In reality, Ladybug rocked her hips in small circles, teasing herself with her Luckiest Charm just as Dream Chat teased her imaginary counterpart, keeping herself close to the edge.
She dipped the toy down slightly further, and let out a gasp of mild surprise; rather than the sensation of strong vibration against the razor-thin membrane of her costume, at that precise place it contacted her bare skin directly.
Tikki, you horny little SCAMP! Ladybug gasped. I imagined the sexiest, thinnest Ladybug suit ever. But I don't think that I'd pictured it being CROTCHLESS!
Not that I'm complaining, she whimpered to herself. Well, you wanted the full experience... and you're gonna get it!
A quivering Marinette motioned to Chat as best she could, beckoning him forward.
"T-take me, Chat," she begged. "Come inside. Now. Please!"
Chat paused in his task. "You're certain?" he checked.
"Yes."
Somehow, his costume parted as if by magic, retaining his mask but baring everything else in one motion. She caught a glimpse of him, uncovered... and she liked everything that she saw.
His body climbed atop hers; her legs wrapped around him, instinctively, desperately, her heels driving him forward.
Despite her throbbing need - despite his urgent need - he held himself back and moved gently and deliberately, gliding into place as if he'd been made specifically for her. They rocked back and forth together very slowly, kissing passionately, driving each other insane with one last delicate hesitation.
Marinette stared into Chat's eyes, her last inhibitions hurled away, pleading with him to do the only thing that made sense to either of them...
And that was the last slow-and-deliberate moment for that particular fantasy.
Breathless, shaking and sweaty, Ladybug felt her body relax and her grip on her Luckiest Charm loosen somewhat.
"Spots... off," she gasped.
In a burst of light, she was herself again, still deep into the afterglow of what she'd just accomplished.
Marinette looked down and to her left, and saw Tikki lying on her own back on the mattress, her eyes bugged out, her mouth hanging open.
"You okay?" Marinette asked her.
Tikki breathed deeply before answering, her face melting into a grin. "You mean to tell me... that all by yourself, you can do that... and you actually leave your apartment?"
"Well, I do need money for food sometimes," panted Marinette. "And that means leaving here and going to work. How are you feeling, Tikki? Did you stay for all of that?"
"Yes, yes yes yes, and I feel wonderful!" Tikki glowed, rolling slightly from side to side. "When the big wave hit me the other night, it was out of nowhere... unexpected. Zero to infinity in a half-a-second! But this time... all of that delicious buildup, the rise-and-fall, the anticipation! Wow! And then, when you did that last part...!"
"About that," Marinette grinned. "Whose idea was the little opening - mine or yours?"
"I... um..." mumbled Tikki, bashfully. "It seemed like a good idea at the time."
"Oh, it was," laughed Marinette. "Definitely. What did you think of that?"
"The feeling of fullness?" Tikki marveled. "I don't... know just what to compare it to. I thought that it was going to be more... well... pressure than it was. Uncomfortable. But it really wasn't."
"If you want uncomfortable... imagine a baby passing through there," Marinette pointed out.
"I've witnessed labor pains before. It didn't look like any kind of fun before experiencing that," said Tikki, wide-eyed.
"I've never felt that, obviously. Not yet," Marinette clarified. "And I'm in no hurry for that. But with something that's more the right size... and Adrien definitely qualifies there, not too big, not too small... it's altogether different."
"I thought that I was a little bit jealous before," Tikki panted. "Whoof!"
"Well... it looks to me like you had a very good time tonight," smiled Marinette. "Was that properly educational?"
"It was," gasped Tikki. "And I have an excellent memory when I'm adequately prepared for it. I feel like... I can relive all of that in my mind, when I need to... and have that whole process to work with, instead of just the ending. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"There are two other things that you need to know," Marinette said. "One is that, as strong as that was... that was just from me thinking about Adrien. Er, about Chat."
"Yeah!" grinned Tikki, turning her way. "Come to think of it, innocent little Marinette being seduced by Chat Noir? Before she knew who was underneath?"
"Like I said before!" Marinette blushed. "Sometimes someone unlikely or forbidden is a great fantasy figure. And back then, he was both of those. I don't think that I'd have admitted that little fantasy to anyone when I was younger... and I don't know that I'd ever taken it quite that far before tonight."
"You hadn't?"
"I don't think so. I mean, when I first dreamed that up, I was still a virgin... so I guess I was saving myself for Adrien, even in my dreams... and then later, while I was with Daniel, that's when Chat had disappeared and my feelings were kind of complicated about him. Of course, now that I know that Chat is Adrien... come and get it, Kitty," she giggled.
"I'll bet," Tikki smiled. "What was the other thing that I need to know?"
"That as good as that felt for me on my own... it's so much better with the right partner. The trust, the exchange of sensations, taking turns, acting together, the emotional connection... it's incredible," Marinette sighed. "I don't mean to tease you, Tikki - saying 'you just felt a big splash of water, but with Adrien it's more like a fire hose' - but that's the truth."
"No, I get that. I really do," agreed Tikki. "I've seen many couples over the years. You and Adrien are so perfect for each other that when I've watched you make love, it made my heart soar even before I understood the sensations like this. I remember seeing you with Daniel back in the day, and you were, how should I put it... unimpressed, by comparison."
"He tried to make it work for us. In his own way," Marinette recalled. "He just didn't try very hard most of the time. But with Adrien... he's more concerned with how I feel than with how he feels in bed. We're both like that. And that makes everything all the more special."
Marinette stared up at the ceiling. "I don't know if I can have you 'ride along'... when I'm with Adrien. I have to think about that, and I'd have to talk with Adrien about it," she ventured. "I mean, he doesn't own me, and I'm sure that he wouldn't feel threatened... but I had to think about how I felt about this. In the end, I figured... you've been in my head watching everything else in my adult life, you know? So I can share a little of this, too. But with another person involved..."
Tikki's smile faded somewhat. "Marinette... don't make this complicated just for me," she insisted. "You and Adrien are meant for each other. I do not want to make anything weird that could ever mess that up!"
"You know... I don't think that it would. I really don't," Marinette assured her, her smile returning. "Unless Nooroo would get jealous."
"Hah!" laughed Tikki. "I'd like to see his face if that suggestion came up."
"Here's a question, then," asked Marinette. "If Ladybug made love to a butterflied Adrien... would that be like you and Nooroo making love, too?"
The notion startled Tikki, rather obviously. "...Nnnnnno?" she ventured, not looking quite sure of her answer. "I mean, for one thing, we Kwamis just don't do that."
"You did this."
"That's beside the point," stammered Tikki. "And it's not as if Nooroo or I would feel each other's presence while it was going on... or that we'd even want to... I mean..."
"Forget that I asked that! I was just curious," Marinette backpedaled. "It makes sense that you wouldn't."
Tikki stared at Marinette, then broke into a grin. "You are impossible, you know that?" she declared. "You've just helped me with a huge anxiety, and now you just gave me a whole new level of metaphysical conundrums to figure out."
"I'm sorry!" laughed Marinette, defensively. "I didn't mean anything by it."
She paused... then, with a devilish smile, asked, "...but if you could pick one other Kwami..."
Tikki clapped her hands over her tiny ears. "Not listening!" she declared, as Marinette broke out into further giggles.