Desire

Chapter 2 - Sweet Dreams

Landing softly on the rooftop balcony, Chat Noir gently places Marinette on the ground, keeping a light hold of her arms.

"Back home again, safe and sound!" Chat Noir says with a smile. "As promised."

"Thanks, Chat." Marinette says, returning the smile. "And thanks for helping me with, you know..."

"Yeah... anytime Marinette."

After a short pause, Chat Noir bows with a cheeky grin. "Good night, Princess," he says before leaping off the rooftop, disappearing into the night.

Marinette is left standing alone on her balcony, gazing out across the Parisian cityscape. The night lights give a warm glow, while the cool air brushes past Marinette's still rosy cheeks. Tikki flies out of the bag. A quizzical expression is resting on her face.

"We really need to talk about your troubled heart." Tikki says with a concerned look.

"How so?" Marinette asks.

Tikki scowls. "You broke into Adrien's house. You seduced Chat Noir. And don't get me started on the shower se-"

"Okay. Okay. I get it." Marinette interrupts, waving her hands in front of her. Marinette knows deep down there would be consequences to her actions, but the reality is just starting to take shape.

Later that night, Marinette finds herself tossing and turning as her dreams take her somewhere else. Firstly, Marinette finds herself back in school with Adrien on the phone, talking with Kagami. Confused and in shock, Marinette shakes her head, trying to rid her mind from the awkward phone call that she somehow got roped into. Next she can feel Chat Noir's lips on hers, kissing her hungrily, his gloved hands disappearing out of sight. Marinette lets out a moan. In her dream, everything appears to be blurry and out of focus. Only Chat Noir himself appears clear with his green eyes shining brightly through the haze. Marinette takes Chat's face in her hands and brings him in for another lingering kiss.

"Mmm.." Chat purrs.

Closing her eyes, Marinette tilts her head back, inviting the cat to kiss down her neck, as the water from the shower rains over them.

Feeling the absence of his lips, Marinette eyes flutter open as she finds herself at the top of the school steps in a downpour. She sees Chat Noir walking towards her, holding an umbrella.

"Look, I'm sorry about the gum." He starts to say, looking down. "I really was just trying to remove it."

Hearing those words, Marinette can't help but gaze at his beauty. With a soft smile now on his face, Chat Noir holds out his umbrella. Taking it from him, the umbrella suddenly snaps shut on Marinette. When she finally manages to open it, Chat Noir is nowhere to be seen and she finds herself at a party, alone. Looking around the crowded room, Marinette can only see blurred figures dancing.

"Hey Marinette." Chat greets her with a warm smile playing on his lips. "Wanna dance?"

Her world starts to spin as she begins to dance slowly with him, enjoying the closeness of his presence. Holding onto Chat, Marinette snakes her arms around his neck, pulling him even closer.

In a blink of an eye, Marinette is in her classroom looking up at Chat Noir.

"Officer Jones…" She hears herself say, her voice trailing off.

Chat looks down at her with a twinkle in his eye. Standing on her tiptoes, Marinette leans in, closing her eyes as she plants a sweet kiss on his lips.

Stirring in her bed, Marinette wakes up to find herself dripping wet and breathing heavily. The intensity of the night's experience has overwhelmed her.

With a yawn and a much needed stretch, Marinette finds Tikki staring at her from the foot of the bed.

"Morning Tikki." Marinette says, greeting her kwami companion before letting out another yawn.

"Good morning Marinette." Tikki replies. "I couldn't help but notice all the tossing and turning last night. Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine." Marinette answers.

"Well you'd better get to school. Class has already started." Tikki informs her, gesturing to a nearby clock.

"AH!" Marinette panics, bolting out of bed.

Now running up the flight of stairs inside the school, Marinette skids to a halt outside her classroom. Inside, Adrien turns his attention to the door as it opens slowly. He couldn't help but notice a very disheveled Marinette quietly sneaking in.

"Late again Marinette?" Miss Bustier announces, keeping her attention on the blackboard.

Letting out a squeak, Marinette rushes past Adrien and slides into her seat behind him.

As she sits down, her friend leans toward her.

"Hey girl," Alya whispers. "Are you okay?"

Marinette nods, getting her books from her backpack and fumbling with each as she pulls them out one by one.

"Are you sure?" Alya asks, in a hushed voice. "You look like you haven't slept a wink."

"Everything's fine." Marinette says, running a free hand through her messy hair. "I just overslept. You know me!" Alya looks at her, raising an eyebrow as she moves closer toward Marinette's face.

"Yeah... I know you, girl. I can tell a lack of sleep ain't it."

Turning her head to look at the teacher, Marinette scowls at the familiar mop of blonde hair in front. The sunlight bounces and makes his hair shimmer in a golden light.

"Womanizer." Marinette breaths, keeping her voice low.

As the morning wears on, Marinette throws different glares whenever she sees Adrien. Sometimes it was a confusing stare, other times it would be a disgusted look followed by an inaudible insult. Alya definitely notices the change in her best friend's attitude and asks her multiple times what is wrong. After receiving countless one word answers, Alya's patience finally runs out.

"Alright girl, that's enough." Alya snaps. "Is there something you want to share? You're clearly upset."

Marinette starts to babble something incoherent, hoping her friend drops the subject.

"I'm not going to let this go Marinette." Alya informs her, hands on hips. "If you don't tell me right now, then I'm calling an intervention with the girls." Alya manoeuvres Marinette toward a corner, with Marinette's back facing the wall. Marinette grits her teeth. Before she can utter a word, a few tears begin to fall. Marinette throws her hands to her face and starts to sob uncontrollably.

"Oh my goodness! Marinette?!" Alya cries out, wrapping her arms around her distressed companion.