Chapter 28:

Normally, two teens being shoved into a small space with their crush was never an easy thing for either individual. It's awkward at best and downright embarrassing at worst. But these weren't normal circumstances nor were these normal teens. While Marinette would normally be stuttering and blushing at even the thought of being so close with Adrian that they were partially pressed together, she had far more than her feelings to worry about. Adrian wasn't just her crush, he was her friend and her partner. And right now Marinette could see that her partner was in pain. Adrian was curled against his side of the station, gripping his shoulder tightly. Marinette could see the Ink vines moving and spreading, reaching down past his elbow and going up to his neck and onto the side of his face.

"Adrian?" Marinette said slowly, reaching towards him as if she wanted to comfort him somehow. She paused when he let out an inhuman growl, an instinctive jolt of fear rushing through her at the sound. She forcefully pushed those feelings aside. This was Adrian, the sweetest and gentlest boy she knew he was her partner, the one that was constantly sacrificing himself for her. He would never hurt her of his own free will. "Adrian, it's me. I'm here for you."

"Sorry my lady," Adrian replied, looking up when he realized what he had just done. The inky veins had reached his eye and was slowly turning it black and turning the iris yellow. "I just feel so angry all of the sudden… I… I think I'm feeling what Bendy is feeling."

"That monster is the one that infected you," Plagg grumbled as he hovered near Adrian. Tikki floated by him, offering silent comfort with her presence. "And all the different magic fighting for effect, having a connection with that creature is probably not that unexpected."

"Maybe we could use this to our advantage," Marinette said, trying to find the best into this situation. "Can you tell anything else from your connection? Anything that can be useful?"

"Mostly just his emotions right now," Adrian murmured as he tried to focus on the connection. "I know he's feeling several things right now, but it's hard to discern through the tidal wave of anger. I can sort of feel the general direction of where he is, but nothing too precise-"

Adrian cut off when he suddenly burst into laughter, starling Marinette and the two kwamis. Adrian got his laughter under control pretty quickly though he still had a big grin on his face.

"Sorry, he just felt super happy all of the sudden, though not a good kind of happiness, and…" Adrian's grin faltered as his now yellow and black eye began to glow. "Uncle Henry? What?"

"Adrian?" Marinette asked as he trailed off and his eye stopped glowing. "What happened just now?"

"It was really weird," Adrian replied as he focused back on what was in front of him. "After I felt Bendy's happiness, I swear I saw Uncle Henry for a moment, but then I just saw nothing by ink followed by Bendy's confusion. I'm not sure what it was about, but I'm pretty positive that Bendy's left this floor. I can't sense him anymore."

"Your eye did glow just now," Marinette informed thoughtfully. "Maybe for that moment, you could see what the Ink Demon could see. That could be useful, can you try to do that again?"

Adrian nodded and closed his eyes in concentration. After a few moments of nothing happening, Adrain sighed and shook his head.

"It's no use," Adrain said, opening his eyes again. "I'm not getting anything. Let's get going. I'm really worried about Uncle Henry."

"Alright, but I'm sure he's fine," Marinette said as she opened the door to the Miracle Station. "You said you felt confusion right? Henry must have been able to find someplace to hide so the Ink Demon couldn't find him."

"I hope so," Adrian said softly, unable to convince himself that was the truth as they walked. He couldn't shake the feeling that something bad had happened to Henry. Luckily, it seemed like his fears were for nothing for they came across Henry looking for them. Henry smiled when they saw them and pulled them into a hug.

"I'm glad you kids are safe," Henry said as he released them.

"We're the ones who should have been worried," Marinette replied with a teasing scold. "You're the one that was being chased by Bendy after all. Why do you insist you're the one that needs to be in danger all the time? We can take care of ourselves. We're superheroes. You should have let me transform and help you out."

"It's my fault you're in this mess so it's my responsibility to keep you safe," Henry replied seriously. "I'm fine and the Ink Demon didn't go after you, so it all worked out. Besides, as the adult, I'm supposed to protect kids when I can, even superpowered ones. Anyway, let's get back to the others and see if there's anything else Alice wants us to do."

Marinette and Adrian agreed and headed back to the elevator with Henry.

"Are you guys alright," Alya asked as they got close. "You guys were gone for longer than we were expecting."

"You don't look too good Adrian," Nino commented, looking at how far the ink veins had spread. Adrian's entire arm was covered as well as the side of his face.

"Yeah," Adrian agreed, lightly touching under his changed eye. "Apparently just being around the Ink Demon causes it to spread now. But I'm fine now."

"Luckily none of us were hurt when the Ink Demon came," Henry replied, avoiding going into details. "So let's get back to Alice. Unfortunately, I have the feeling that she still has a few more tasks for us."

"No kidding," Alya scoffed, rolling her eyes. "She's just as bad as Chloe with all the stupid demands she makes."

That comment managed to get a few chuckles from the other teens as the elevator began to descend.

AN: So I may have been influenced by the fanfiction Ink Spots. It's a great story, but this is pretty much where the similarities end.