Here's the second act, so to speak. Sorry this took so long. I had exams and I needed to sort out some uncertainties, because there were a few scenes I wanted to include, but I wasn't sure whether or not I should.
Now, lights, camera, Miraculous, ACTION!
The following months of rehearsals went off without a hitch. No akumas had attacked during rehearsal times, thankfully, and Marinette was being sung praises for her singing as well as her costume designs for the show. She was not only having fun, but she was nailing all her cues and parts with precision. Nothing like the klutz that people would expect from her.
Adrien himself, however, was struggling to keep his cool, especially during the scenes where Marinette and Nathanaël were together. It was making him act very territorial during scenes where he was off-stage and singing. Even the moments where Marinette and Nathanaël either spoke or hugged made him want to pounce.
With the exception of Nino, no one seemed to pay any mind to this. In fact, they all just thought Adrien was taking his performance seriously. On the other hand, Adrien was letting his inner black cat shine in through some moments and had to catch himself before he would hiss. Even Plagg tried his best to make Adrien tow the line because he was getting worried.
Adrien had made it to the auditorium before anyone else got there, so Plagg was able to come out and not have to worry about getting caught. He immediately got into Adrien's face.
"Kid, you've got to get your jealousy under control! I understand that everyone sees it's enhancing your performance during rehearsals, but if you don't reign it in, you could ruin the whole show during opening night!" Plagg said.
"Come on, Plagg, no one's the wiser as to how I'm really feeling during practice. Besides, you're the one who's always telling me it's okay to let my feelings go instead of keeping them bottled up." Adrien said, reading over his script.
Between himself and Tikki, Plagg was usually the irresponsible one. Needless to say, this had caused trouble quite a few times, such as when he mistook one of Chloé's bracelets for a box of camembert and it wound up causing an entire mess where Marinette was blamed for theft.
On the other hand, his easygoing attitude was a good offset for Adrien because the blonde was also so uptight and unable to unwind because of his lifestyle. He needed to be able to cut loose, live it up, have fun, etc., and Plagg was there to help him do that just by being there for him.
However, there were times where Plagg knew when to get serious. And under the current circumstances, Plagg knew he had to say something before Adrien snapped.
"That may be true, but you're acting more and more like a cat! Not necessarily a bad thing, but..." Plagg said.
"Acting like a cat? When I'm not transformed?" Adrien inquired, putting his script down. "How so?"
"Cats are territorial and jealous in general," Plagg said. "And you're getting very defensive where Marinette is concerned. You need to be careful."
Adrien scoffed and rolled his eyes. His lazy, stubborn, devil-may-care kwami was telling him to be careful? Now he had seen everything.
"I'm doing nothing of the sort." Adrien denied.
"Oh, no? What about yesterday? I could hear your heavy breathing and gritting teeth during the whole "Masquerade" scene where Marinette and Nathanaël were having a moment before you made your entrance. Or last week, where Nathanaël and Marinette were hugging during the second "Notes" scene? You were off-stage, but I could swear you were going to claw Nathanaël's eyes out. Or what about..." Plagg said, going on about examples of Adrien's jealousy.
"Okay, okay, I get it!" Adrien said. "Yes, I'm jealous."
"Don't you feel better now that you've admitted it?" Plagg asked.
Adrien nodded. Plagg immediately hid again when he heard the doors open. Adrien took his script back up again to read it.
Time passed quickly, and then opening night was upon the school before anyone knew what happened. The house was completely packed. Tom and Sabine were there, Mayor Bourgeois (who provided the funding necessary for the production) was in attendance, and several other parents and peers of the school were sitting in their seats, so excited for the show. Sadly, Gabriel Agreste was not in attendance, much to Adrien's dismay. However, Nathalie Sancoeur, Gabriel's assistant, was in the audience in an aisle seat and had a professional-grade video camera to record the show.
"Our Marinette... Playing Christine Daaé! I'm so proud..." Tom said, as he squeezed Sabine's hand.
"I know she'll perform well. Her punctuality has gotten better." Sabine said, as she squeezed back.
Marinette was in the girls' changing room in the greenroom, putting on the first costume Christine wore in the act.
"You look great, Marinette!" Tikki said, flying to eye level with her charge. "You're going to kill it out there!"
"Thanks, Tikki," Marinette said, as she took out her pigtails for her role. "And everyone in the cast is going to be wearing the clothes I designed! It's going to be perfect!"
"But... have you noticed that Adrien's acting has been really good?" Tikki inquired.
"Yeah. He must really want to play his part well," Marinette said with a shrug. "Otherwise he wouldn't be so passionate."
"That's not what I meant," Tikki said, shaking her heads. "The parts where you and Nathanaël are together... During rehearsals, it was like Adrien really was angry about it."
"...Now that you mention it, you're right," Marinette said, crossing her arms. "I wonder what's gotten into him?"
Tikki was about to continue, but she immediately sensed someone was coming and hid in her usual hiding spot, Marinette's purse.
"Marinette, come on!" Rose said, peeking into the dressing room. "The show's about to start."
"Coming," Marinette said, as Rose shut the door. "Alya should be recording the whole show up in the sound station, so I'll be sure to show you the footage of it later, Tikki."
Tikki opened up the purse and gave Marinette a nod before shutting it.
Marinette soon made her way out onto the stage.
After her solo in the beginning of the show, Marinette was singing along with Rose, while the former was wearing a white night robe. They were standing in a box set on the stage that represented Christine's dressing room.
"'Angel of music, hide no longer! Secret and strange Angel.'" Marinette sang in tandem with Rose.
Meanwhile, Adrien was standing behind the set's two-way glass mirror. Adrien could see what was going on from his side of the mirror, but no one could see him for the moment. Adrien had been watching and listening to Marinette's singing. She was just as good as the first rehearsal, if not better. Adrien felt comfort from her voice and wanted to hear more. He understood how the Phantom felt, in a way.
Once Juleka made her appearance and cued for Rose to go and practice with the other dancers, Marinette was alone on the stage again, sitting in the chair with her back to the door, doing her own thing, messing with her hair and the like, waiting for the next part.
Nathanaël, Max, and Kim were walking on the stage outside the set. They were all in similar clothes, though Kim and Max had hats on their heads.
Nathanaël was wearing black dress pants and shoes, a white dress shirt with a black 19th century necktie. It was under a a black dress jacket with a coattail that went just above the back of his knees. His usual red hair was the same, down to the style. Finally, Nathanaël was holding a single, thornless, red rose in hand.
"'...If you don't mind, this is one visit I would prefer to make... unaccompanied.'" Nathanaël said, reciting his lines, approaching the set's door.
Kim and Max walked offstage, making sure to recite their lines about how Raoul and Christine have met in the past.
As the redhead opened the door, holding the rose behind his back, he said, "'Christine Daaé, where is your red scarf?'"
Marinette, not turning around, said, "'Monsieur?'"
"'You can't have lost it. After all the trouble I went to. I was just fourteen and soaked to the skin.'" Nathanaël said, taking a few steps forward.
"'Because you had run into the sea to go get it,'" Marinette said, a smile adorning her features as she turned around. "'Oh, Raoul, it is you!'"
She stood up with a bright smile on her face. Nathanaël gave her the rose, which she tenderly took into her hand, and Nathanaël once again said, "'Christine.'"
The two of them hugged. Nathanaël himself was happy at hugging his crush, while Marinette did not feel any real emotions about it at all. She honestly wished she was hugging Adrien instead. Speaking of whom, he was watching them from behind the mirror and was balling his fists.
"'Little Lotte, let her mind wander.'" Nathanaël sang, as Marinette once again went to sit in her chair.
"'You remember that, too?'" Marinette said with a smile.
"'Little Lotte, thought 'Am I fonder of dolls...''" Nathanaël sang, and then Marinette sang along with him at the end with, "'Or of goblins or shoes?'"
"'Or of riddles of frocks.'" Marinette sang, smiling.
"'Those picnics in the attic, or of chocolates?'" Nathanaël said, as he came behind Marinette and gently placed his hands on her shoulders.
"'Father playing the violin.'" Marinette said, placing one hand on one of Nathanaël's, albeit she felt no emotions once again.
"'As we read dark stories of the north to one another.'" Nathanaël said, reciting his lines.
Adrien kept still, but watching and listening to the musical exchange between Nathanaël and Marinette was making his stomach churn and he was not liking it at all. He could see what Nathanaël was up to, even though he could not see the redhead's hands.
'Okay, Adrien, stay calm. Wait for your cue, THEN you can cut your inner jealous cat loose!' Adrien thought to himself, trying to maintain his cool.
He was balling his fists and trying his best not to ruin the show by jumping through the mirror to punch Nathanaël in the face to get the redhead away from his Princess.
"'No, what I love best, Lotte said, is when I'm asleep in my bed, and the Angel of Music sings songs in my head.'" Marinette sang.
"'The Angel of Music sings songs in my head.'" The pair sang together in perfect harmony.
Adrien squeezed his eyes shut so he could not have to watch them anymore, but he could still hear what they were saying and singing and it was very unpleasant for him. On the other hand, he knew it was part of the show, so he found no point in complaining.
Soon, he heard the door open and close again, and then Marinette said, "'Things have changed, Raoul!'"
Adrien opened his eyes, grit his teeth, and thought to himself, 'Oh, think you can steal my Princess from me, huh, Nathanaël?! Not on my watch!'
"'Insolent boy, this slave of fashion! Basking in your glory! Ignorant fool! This brave young suitor! Sharing in my triumph!'" Adrien sang, bellowing in anger from his hiding spot. His singing was completely out of nowhere, and Adrien could see that Marinette nearly screamed, and then stiffened up.
It was no act. His true feelings were leaking into his performance again. Adrien was really jealous that Nathanaël had that moment with Marinette and was wishing that it was him instead of the timid artist playing Raoul.
"'Angel, I hear you. Speak, I listen! Stay by my side, guide me!'" Marinette sang, standing up and pleading, just as her part demanded. "'Angel, my soul was weak. Forgive me. Enter at last, master!'"
Adrien's heart swelled with affection for Marinette, just as the Phantom would have felt in that moment for Christine.
"'Flattering child, you shall know me. See why in shadow I hide...'" Adrien sang, a tender, loving tone to his singing. "'Look at your face in the mirror...'"
Marinette turned to look in the mirror and immediately, light from behind Adrien illuminated the mirror, and it looked as if a man with a white half-mask on his face was literally inside. Being blonde, his hair stood out, too.
"'I am there inside.'" Adrien sang.
"'Angel of Music, guide and guardian! Grant to me your glory. Angel of Music, hide no longer! Come to me, strange angel.'" Marinette sang, a smile of relief gracing her lips.
The fog/smoke machines that were being used were activated, and smoke started to surround the mirror. Adrien gave a smirk and sang, "'I am your Angel of Music. Come to me, Angel of Music...'"
Marinette pretended to fall under the spell of the Phantom. Nathanaël had come back and was jiggling the knob.
"'Whose is that voice? Who is that in there?'" Nathanaël sang, banging on the door.
'Sorry, Nate. You're not taking My Lady away from me!' Adrien thought, his smirk widening as the mirror's glass slid open.
"'I am your Angel of Music. Come to me, Angel of Music...'" Adrien sang, holding out his hand to Marinette. She took it, and he gently let her in through the mirror's opening like a door, and then he covered her with his cape. The mirror's glass slid shut again.
In that moment, Nathanaël stumbled into the dressing room and shouted, "'Christine?!'"
The lights were killed and the curtains were shut. Organ music began playing and then the light turned back on to reveal Adrien and Marinette were standing off the stage. Adrien was still holding one of Marinette's hands while holding a lantern in the other. He was gently leading her across the stage. Meanwhile, Marinette herself was looking around, as if scared and nervous.
In spite of the darkness on the stage, the spotlights made it clear what Adrien's costume consisted of. He was wearing black dress pants and shoes, a black dress shirt under a black men's dress jacket and a matching 19th century necktie and white gloves on his hands. He also had a white half mask that covered the right half of his face. He was also wearing a black fedora on his head.
"'In sleep, he sang to me. In dreams, he came. That voice which calls to me, and speaks my name,'" Marinette sang, as she quietly followed Adrien across the stage, as if they were going down an unfamiliar stairwell. "'And do I dream again? For now I find, the Phantom of The Opera is there... Inside my mind.'"
'Doing great, Princess.' Adrien thought, as he was ready for his cue.
"'Sing once again with me! Our strange duet! My power over you grows stronger yet,'" Adrien sang, gently leading Marinette along. "'And though you turn from me to glance behind... The Phantom Of The Opera is there inside your mind.'"
The pair ducked offstage, and then the lights went out again. This time, after a few seconds, the lights came on once more and the set had been changed. There were tall, eerie candelabras around the stage.
The fog machines were also at work, and it gave the floor a very creepy vibe, too. There was a grand chair with red upholstery on the left of the stage, and next to it was a white cloth that looked like it was covering something. On the right of the stage was a pipe organ with candles around it, too. And between the center of the stage and the chair was a beautiful bed.
"'Those who have seen your face draw back in fear,'" Marinette sang, somewhere off-stage. "'I am the mask you wear.'"
"'It's me they hear.'" Adrien sang, also off-stage.
The pair came back on the stage, sitting in a remote-controlled boat. Marinette was sitting near the bow while Adrien was near the stern, standing and "rowing" with a prop stick made to be the paddle.
Marinette and Adrien continued singing, this time together, "'Your/my spirit and your/my voice in one combined... The Phantom of the Opera is there inside your/my mind...'"
"'He's there, the Phantom of the Opera... Beware the Phantom of The Opera...'" The chorus in the background sang.
The boat stopped in the center of the stage, and some sort of gate came down from behind, separating the pair from the rest of the stage.
"'In all your fantasies, you always knew... That man and mystery...'" Adrien sang, as Marinette looked around in awe of her surroundings.
"'Were both in you.'" Marinette sang, turning around to look at him, her eyes never leaving his own.
"'And in this labyrinth, where night is blind...'" The pair sang, as Adrien put the paddle down and then he stepped out of the boat. He held his hand out to Marinette and she took it, and then he escorted her off the boat. "'The Phantom of the Opera is there inside your/my mind.'"
Adrien led her a few feet away from the boat and he began his part.
'Marinette... My Lady... I want to hear more of your sweet singing.' Adrien thought, before saying, "'Sing, my Angel of Music!'"
He started making hand movements that mimicking a conductor, and as he did, Marinette sang, "'He's there... The Phantom of the Opera...'"
Marinette began vocalizing a few notes, and Adrien demanded, "'Sing for me!'"
Marinette vocalized again, this time at a higher note, while Adrien ditched his fedora and his cape, smoothed his hair back, and once again continued "conducting."
"'Sing!'" Adrien demanded once more, and what was going through his mind at that moment was, 'More, Marinette... Encore, please!'
Marinette once again vocalized at a higher pitch, meanwhile Adrien was moving closer and closer to the pipe organ.
"'Sing for me!'" Adrien sang in demand for one last time, and then Marinette vocalized at the highest pitch she could hit for the last time. Adrien was soon behind the pipe organ.
Once Marinette stopped, she put a hand to her throat, mimicking fatigue from the singing. The audience was roaring in applause, and the two teens knew they would have to wait until the clapping died down before they could continue.
Once the clapping noise quieted a little bit, Adrien started pounding random keys on the organ.
He began, "'I have brought you to the scene of sweet music's throne! To this kingdom where all must pay homage to music. Music... You have come here for one purpose and one alone!'"
Adrien looked Marinette in the eye and remembered how enraptured he was with her singing voice since their first rehearsal.
"'Since the moment I first heard you sing, I have needed you with me to serve me, to sing for my music... My music...'" Adrien sang, giving Marinette a pleading look in his green eyes.
Marinette merely stared at him, as she let him continue with his performance.
"'Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness stirs and wakes imagination. Silently the senses abandon their defenses...'" Adrien sang, before leaving the pipe organ and approaching Marinette.
Marinette kept her eyes on him, but she remained silent. He soon stood next to her and continued his singing.
"'Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor. Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender...'" Adrien sang, as Marinette kept looking around and trying to follow his instructions regarding the darkness.
"'Turn your face away from the garish light of day,'" Adrien sang, gently pushing Marinette's face away from his hand while she closed her eyes. He then softly held her chin with that same hand and slowly made her face him once more, even those her pretty blues were still shut. He gently stroked her cheek with his thumb. "'Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light...'"
Marinette opened her eyes and looked into Adrien's, whose green ones were boring into her blues with tender, loving affection.
"'And listen to the music of the night,'" Adrien sang, as he made a bit of distance. Marinette closed her eyes and listened to Adrien's singing, mimicking Christine following the Phantom's instructions. "'Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams. Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before. Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar! And you'll live as you've never lived before.'"
Marinette started to feel at ease and relaxed around Adrien's singing. Adrien himself was grateful for all of the time he and Marinette spent on this scene in rehearsals, and now he could woo her with his singing voice and charm her the way she did him.
Adrien sang, "'Slowly, deftly, music shall caress you. Hear it, feel it secretly possess you. Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind, in this darkness which you know you cannot fight. The darkness of the music of the night.'"
Marinette was beginning to relax as Adrien came closer, but as he started to get a little too close, she backed off and got closer to the chair and covered object.
"'Let your mind start a journey to a strange, new world. Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before.'" Adrien sang, as he once again made it to Marinette, who closed her eyes in response.
Marinette once again in awe of Adrien's singing, let her eyes flutter shut and continued to listen to her crush's serenade. She thought, 'Wow... I sort of get what Christine was going through in this moment. The Phantom's singing voice is so soothing.'
"'Let your soul take you where you long to be~!'" Adrien sang, hitting the last word's high note.
Making sure to take a breath after that note, Adrien continued.
"'Only then can you belong to me.'" Adrien quietly sang, as he turned around and tenderly caressed Marinette's face with his hand before quickly standing behind her.
In his mind, Adrien was thinking, 'Yes, my Princess... By the end of this show, you and I... We'll be...'
Marinette was half-acting when she gently relaxed into Adrien's arms, with her eyes still closed and her breathing even.
"'Floating, falling, sweet intoxication,'" Adrien sang, gently cradling Marinette with one arm and threading the fingers of his free hand through hers, and then slowly brought her hand up to the masked portion of his face. He kissed the back of Marinette's hand. "'Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation.'"
Marinette made a go for his mask, but Adrien saw this one coming - as per the act - and he turned her around to face him while still holding her hand. Marinette's eyes flew open and he began leading her towards the chair.
"'Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in to the power of the music that I write,'" Adrien sang, as he let go of Marinette's hand, went next to the covered object, and held on to the cloth. "'The power of the music of the night.'"
He took off the cloth to reveal a mannequin in a beautiful wedding dress. Marinette was in awe at the sight of one of her own designs being brought to life.
Adrien gave a smile, finding joy in seeing the expression Marinette was wearing. It only made him much more endearing.
Partly acting, partly genuine, Marinette began to swoon. Adrien, being close enough to her, caught her in both of his arms and started carrying her like she was his bride. With a tender smile, Adrien held Marinette close to him as he quickly brought her over to the bed on set.
'Hopefully the two of us will be like this for real one day.' Adrien thought, as he softly placed Marinette on the bed, and placed the covers over her. Adrien gently cupped her cheek in his hand and stroked it.
He gave Marinette a soft kiss on her temple and sang, "'You alone can make my song take flight. Help me make the music of the night.'"
Marinette, her eyes still closed, thought, 'Wow. Adrien's really good. Is there anything he can't do?'
The lights were killed and the audience started to applaud the pair. After a few seconds, the lights came back on again, fast-forwarding the plot about a few hours ahead.
This time, Adrien was at the pipe organ. He was standing with his face downwards and his and playing random keys and notes on the keyboard. Ironically, even though he had been taking piano lessons for most of his life, Adrien was playing pretty poorly and loudly. However, this was on purpose because it was part of the show.
Adrien then stopped for a few seconds and made to pretend to be writing the music down with a quill. Immediately, a small music box nearby the set's bed opened. It started to play a quiet, pleasant, tinkling tune.
Marinette sat up in the bed, and pretended to stretch herself awake. She rubbed her head as she looked around and started her singing.
"'I remember there was mist. Swirling mist upon a vast, glassy lake.'" Marinette sang, slowly looking at her surroundings while gently placing a hand on her head.
"'There were candles all around, and on the lake there was a boat,'" Marinette sang, as she soon grew fully conscious. "'And in the boat there was a man...'"
Marinette turned to Adrien, who was still furiously working on his music and was muttering things to himself. Marinette got off the bed and started to slowly approach Adrien.
"'Who was that shape in the shadows? Whose is that face in the mask?'" Marinette sang, as she soon got behind Adrien and made to reach for his mask.
He was about to turn to face her, and she backed her hand away. Once Adrien went back to writing the music, Marinette soon took the mask and gently lifted it for his face.
Adrien snapped up straight and screamed, causing Marinette to scramble back in fear of his rage. Adrien covered his unmasked portion of his face and turned to Marinette in rage.
"'Damn you! You little prying Pandora! You little demon!'" Adrien shouted in song, as Marinette ran across the stage, while still holding his mask.
Adrien chased after her. Marinette stopped and tried to run the other way, but Adrien grabbed her hand while shouting in song, "'Is this what you wanted to see?!'"
He gently "threw" Marinette to the floor. She cowered in fear, as her per act. She was shaking in fear and keeping her face away from Adrien.
"'Curse you! You little lying Delilah! You little viper! Now you cannot ever be free!'" Adrien sang, in false rage, still covering his face with his hand. He was standing so that way the audience could only see the part of his face that was usually nude anyway.
"'Damn you! Curse you!'" He sang, and then Adrien took a few steps away, and fell to his knees. He had one hand on his face, the other holding his body up on the floor.
He was breathing heavily, still riled up from the experience. Marinette herself was still keeping her distance, acting afraid, while daring to look at Adrien.
As Adrien "calmed down," he began to sing.
"'Stranger than you dreamt it. Can you even dare to look, or bear to think of me?'" Adrien sang while still staying in place. He was acting like he was upset, about to cry.
Marinette was pretty freaked out. She knew it was only an act, but Adrien made it seem so believable.
"'This loathsome gargoyle, who burns in hell, but secretly yearns for heaven. Secretly... Secretly. But Christine...'" Adrien sang, turning to face her.
She was thinking, 'Wow... His acting is so good. I'm actually pretty spooked right now.'
As he began to crawl over to Marinette, only on his knees and in time with the rhythm of the song, he sang, "'Fear can turn to love. You'll learn to see, to find the man behind the monster.'"
Adrien was soon close enough to reach out and touch Marinette. She kept shying away in fear, as required by the show.
Adrien continued, "'This repulsive carcass who seems a beast, but secretly dreams of beauty. Secretly... Secretly... Oh, Christine...'"
He turned his head down and away from Marinette, acting as if he was very scared and disturbed from the experience. She was pretending to breathe heavily as she watched Adrien from her spot.
'I hope I didn't scare her too much. I know that this is part of the show, but I honestly want her to see me as more than just a handsome man... Or ugly in this case.' Adrien thought, hoping that the performance did not turn her off.
Marinette was still holding the mask. She slowly handed it back to him. Adrien reached out, took the mask, and put it back on his face. He took a deep breath and then stood up.
He faced Marinette once more, and sang, "'Come, we must return.'"
Adrien took her hand and then stood her up. He started to "drag" Marinette away, going off stage. He sang to her, "'Those two fools running my theatre will be missing you.'"
Once they were off the stage, the audience roared in applause while the stage lights went dark.
Adrien and Marinette went to the greenroom. Adrien had released her hand and he opened the door to let Marinette in.
"After you." Adrien said with a smile.
"Thank you." Marinette said, as she went inside. Adrien followed and closed the door.
The pair needed a bit of a break after that performance. Marinette was not supposed to be back on stage for a few minutes, so they went to the greenroom to relax a bit before the next scene.
"Sorry if I was too rough with you, Marinette." Adrien apologized, as he took up two bottles of water. He gave one to Marinette before opening his own water to take a drink.
"Not at all. Besides, that was part of the act." Marinette said, following suit.
As the pair began to drink their water, Adrien was unsure of how to respond and continue the conversation.
"Adrien..." Marinette began, as she sat down on one of the chairs. Adrien took a spot next to her.
"Yes, Marinette?" Adrien asked.
"You're doing fantastic out there," Marinette said, as she managed to make conversation. "Your acting is so realistic."
Adrien blushed and rubbed the back of his head, like he was prone to doing whenever he was nervous or embarrassed. Marinette had no idea how right she was about his acting.
"Thanks, Marinette," Adrien said as he chuckled. "Your performance is amazing, too."
Marinette giggled in response and said, "Thank you."
"You certainly pull off Christine Daaé well." Adrien said with a shrug and smile.
"And you make a great Phantom, Adrien," Marinette said with a wink. "The teacher was right to put you in that role."
Adrien's smile faltered a bit before telling Marinette, "In all honesty... I wanted to play Raoul instead."
Marinette tilted her head and she inquired, "Really? Why?"
"Well, because... I..." Adrien began, as he took Marinette's hand into his own. He blushed and slowly began to lean closer to her. "I..."
As if by nature, Marinette started to mimic Adrien and began leaning in, too. Her face was also red. The two were slowly tilting their heads at a specific angle, their eyes were closing, and they were beginning to pucker their lips, when...
The greenroom door opened and the two jumped away from each other in fright.
"Come on, you two. It's almost time for the "Il Muto" scene," Nino said, as he had come back from his scene. "Marinette, you gotta get out there."
"Right..." Marinette said, as she went into one of the girls' changing rooms to get into her costume for the next part.
Adrien was giving Nino a pretty annoyed look. Adrien growled a bit and said, "Dude. You ruined the moment!"
Nino shrugged before quietly telling him, "Don't worry, man. You'll kiss her."
"But Nathanaël gets her lips first." Adrien hissed, quiet enough so Marinette would not hear him.
"Bro, you've been acting really jealous towards Nate during the rehearsals for this show and now. You just gotta be patient." Nino said, crossing his arms.
"I can't help it," Adrien said, his voice above a whisper. "I'm just so angry that Nathanaël gets several kisses from Marinette while I only get one."
Nino nodded, understanding Adrien's plight.
"Still, you gotta relax," Nino said. "You'll get your kiss."
Adrien sighed before putting his face in his hand. Nino was right: Adrien would get his kiss from Marinette soon enough. On the other hand, he would have to endure another romantic moment between Marinette and Nathanaël and he was not looking forward to it.
The stage was set to look like the rooftop of the opera house. There was a large angel statue on the right, and the backdrop looked like the night skyline of Paris. Adrien was hiding behind the statue, which was part of the show.
'Show time.' Adrien thought, from his hiding spot.
Marinette ran onstage, followed by Nathanaël. She had changed her costume and was now wearing a fancier, pink dress and a grey cloak with a hood. She was acting afraid and frightened, with heavy breathing, shaking, and looking around in anxiety. Nathanaël approached, ready to sing his part.
"'Why have you brought us here?'" Nathanaël asked in song.
"'Don't take me back there!'" Marinette sang, with her hands together in a begging motion.
"'We must return!'" Nathanaël sang, gesturing to the wings to the stage, telling Marinette that they had to go back downstairs to continue the show.
"'He'll kill me! His eyes will find me there!'" Marinette sang, hugging her forearms and rubbing them.
"'Christine, don't say that!'" Nathanaël sang in response, trying to placate Marinette and calm her down.
"'Those eyes that burn!'" Marinette sang, acting completely scared and frightened.
"'Don't even think it!'" Nathanaël sang, as he stepped closer to Marinette.
"'And if he has to kill a thousand men...'" Marinette continued, completely freaking out while wringing her hands.
"'Forget this waking nightmare!'" Nathanaël sang, trying to help put her mind at ease.
"'The Phantom of the Opera will kill...'" Marinette sang, but then Nathanaël grabbed her by her shoulders.
"'The Phantom is a fable!'" Nathanaël sang, while Marinette finished with, "'And kill again!'"
"'Believe me, there is no Phantom of the Opera!'" Nathanaël sang, looking Marinette in the eye and pleading with her to relax.
Marinette broke away, walked across the stage, singing, "'My God, who is this man?'"
"'My God, who is this man?'" Nathanaël sang, following along with Marinette.
"'Who hunts to kill?!'" Marinette sang, clearly scared and putting her hands to her head.
"'This mask of death?'" Nathanaël sang in askance, following Marinette.
"'I can't escape from him!'" Marinette sang, turning to Nathanaël with horror in her eyes and tone of voice during her singing.
"'Whose is this voice you hear...'" Nathanaël sang, asking aloud to no one in particular rather than Marinette.
"'I never will!'" Marinette sang, about to cry.
"'With every breath?'" Nathanaël sang, coming closer to Marinette, hoping to ease her mind and make her feel better.
"'And in this labyrinth where night is blind... The Phantom of The Opera is there inside my/your mind!'" The pair sang together.
Nathanaël immediately took Marinette by her forearms and sang to her, "'There is no Phantom of The Opera!'"
"'Raoul, I've been there! To his world of unending night,'" Marinette sang, brushing Nathanaël's hands away from her. "'To a world where the daylight dissolves into darkness... Darkness...'"
'Wow, Marinette's doing great!' Nathanaël and Adrien thought at the exact same time.
"'Raoul, I've seen him! Can I ever forget that sight?!'" Marinette sang, before launching herself at Nathanaël and hugging him close. He protectively hugged her back. "'Can I ever escape from that face?! So distorted, deformed, it was hardly a face. In that darkness... Darkness...'"
Marinette continued her song. She pulled away and sang, "'But his voice filled my spirit with a strange, sweet sound. In that night, there was music in my mind...'"
Marinette clasped her hands together and placed it against her chest, gave a peaceful smile, before singing, "'In that night there was music in my mind. And through music, my soul began to soar!'"
She held the high note for a few seconds, and it was pleasant and sweet to the ears. Tom and Sabine watched on, so proud of their daughter.
Marinette then sang, "'And I'd heard as I've never heard before.'"
"'What you heard was a dream and nothing more.'" Nathanaël sang, trying to reassure Marinette.
"'Yet in his eyes, all the sadness in the world...'" Marinette sang, looking at Nathanaël with certainty. "'Those pleading eyes that both threaten and adore.'"
Marinette could not help but think of Adrien when she sang this part. The way he would look to others for companionship, and how he was essentially alone in the world whenever he was at the mansion. And the spark in his eyes that would light up with affection whenever he looked at her, or in rage whenever he was angry. In that respect, Adrien was a lot like the Phantom.
"'Christine... Christine.'" Nathanaël sang, as he gently placed a hand on Marinette's shoulder.
"'Christine.'" Adrien sang from his hiding spot.
"What was that?!" Marinette squeaked, completely frightened.
Marinette traveled across the stage, as did Nathanaël. While she was looking around in fear, Nathanaël himself was looking around the stage, as if trying to find the source of the voice.
Marinette fell to her knees and began to cry in her hands. If she were not acting, one would think she was truly scared and upset. Nathanaël turned to Marinette, and looked at her with a resolute and determined look on his face. He walked over to her, knelt down beside her, and held out his hand to Marinette.
Marinette looked at Nathanaël with a facial expression that held hope in her eyes. He was looking at her with a smile that told her that she would be safe. Marinette took Nathanaël's hand, and then they stood up.
"'Raoul... Oh, Raoul!'" Marinette said, as she once again hugged Nathanaël and began sobbing into his chest.
Nathanaël was silently reveling in this moment. He was hugging his crush and he was subtly blushing. Nathanaël also took to stroking Marinette's hair with affection to try and comfort her. While he was enjoying it, Marinette felt no such emotions. She wished that Adrien was the one hugging her at that very instant.
From his hiding spot, Adrien grit his teeth and balled a raised fist. Seeing Marinette and Nathanaël in each other's embrace was not pleasant. It made him want to claw at the statue like a cat at a scratching post. But the the pair was about to have another tender moment. Adrien knew what was coming, he was NOT looking forward to watching.
Listening to the music, Nathanaël knew it was his cue to sing.
"'No more talk of darkness. Forget these wide-eyed fears. I'm here, nothing can harm you. My words will warm and calm you.'" Nathanaël sang, as he and Marinette started looking into each other's eyes.
'Wow. He's pretty good.' Marinette thought, still staying in character.
"'Let me be your freedom. Let daylight dry your tears,'" Nathanaël sang, as he cupped Marinette's cheeks in his hands, and used his thumb to wipe away a few of Marinette's tears. He then took her hands into his own. "'I'm here, with you, beside you. To guard you and to guide you.'"
Marinette was impressed with Nathanaël, but not enough that she would lose her place. She continued with her part.
"'Say you'll love me every waking moment. Turn my head with talk of summertime.'" Marinette sang, as she brought one of his hands to her cheek.
She then looked Nathanaël in the eye, imagining he was Adrien instead. This helped her get fully into character for the scene, and it was working like one of her Lucky Charms.
"'Say you need me with you now and always. Promise me that all you say is true. That's all I ask of you.'" Marinette sang, her sweet voice echoing in the audience.
She honestly wanted to be singing these lines with Adrien instead, but she did not complain. Speaking of whom, Adrien was feeling the same way. He wanted to be the one Marinette was talking, or rather, singing to.
"'Let me be your shelter. Let me be your light. You're safe, no one will find you. Your fears are far behind you.'" Nathanaël sang, giving Marinette a smile.
They broke their handhold and Marinette started to travel the stage. She sang, "'All I want is freedom. A world with no more night.'"
She turned to Nathanaël, and gave him a hopeful smile before singing to him, "'And you, always beside me. To hold me and to hide me.'"
Nathanaël gave her a smile and then declared in song, "'Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime! Let me lead you from your solitude!'"
He walked over to Marinette once again, took her hands into his own, and once again sang to her, "'Say you'll need me with you here, beside you. Anywhere you go, let me go, too.'"
He got down on one knee, as if proposing, and then asked Marinette in song, "'Christine, that's all I ask of you.'"
Marinette smiled and sang, "'Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Say the word and I will follow you.'"
"'Share each day with me. Each night, each morning.'" Marinette and Nathanaël sang together, perfectly in sync, and then Nathanaël stood up.
"'Say you love me.'" Marinette sang.
"'You know I do.'" Nathanaël sang, a blush as red as his hair adorning his cheeks. While he knew it was part of the script, Nathanaël was also admitting his true feelings to Marinette in song.
Marinette herself knew of the redhead's feelings for her, but she did not feel the same. It was bad enough that she had to hurt his feelings when he was akumatized, and it still bugged her every now and again. Had she not have been Ladybug, nor have such strong feelings for Adrien, she probably would have given Nathanaël a chance and genuinely tried to enjoy herself at the time.
"'Love me... That's all I ask of you.'" The pair sang together.
They then did what Nathanaël was looking forward to and what Adrien was dreading - Nathanaël and Marinette shared a kiss, with Marinette hugging Nathanaël by the neck while he hugged her by her waist. It was deep, slow, and passionate. It was everything the redhead could only dream of. Marinette herself felt absolutely nothing from the kiss, once again wishing she was smooching a certain blonde.
Speaking of whom, Adrien was watching from his hiding spot, and his heart was breaking at the sight. He knew it was only a stage kiss, but it was still very painful to see. It made him want to throw up on the stage right then and there. He hated that it was Nathanaël kissing Marinette instead of him. Not wanting to see anymore, Adrien squeezed his eyes shut and turned away, holding back sobs and tears.
Marinette and Nathanaël broke the kiss before singing, "'Anywhere you go, let me go too! Love me, that's all I ask of you.'"
Once again, the pair shared a hug, with Nathanaël thoroughly enjoying it while Marinette did not care one way or the other. The redhead lifted Marinette up in his arms and spun her around. She was giggling and smiling, while he was chuckling with joy.
As soon as Nathanaël put Marinette down, they shared another kiss before hugging again.
Marinette broke the hug before singing, "'I must go. They will wonder where I am. Wait for me, Raoul!'"
As she was running across the stage, Nathanaël sang out to her, "'Christine, I love you.'"
Adrien, his eyes still shut, knew that Nathanaël was not just reciting his lines properly: he was genuinely professing his love for Marinette on stage. The blonde was aware that Marinette was smart enough to know Nathanaël was disguising his love confession in the form of playing his part. On the other hand, it was still burning Adrien on the inside, knowing Nathanaël had that kind of gall.
Marinette gave him a smile and then she ran back to Nathanaël. She took his hands and sang, "'Order your fine horses. Be with them at the door!'"
"'And soon, you'll be beside me.'" Nathanaël sang, as the pair started walking to the wings of the stage.
"'You'll guard me and you'll guide me.'" Marinette sang, and then the twosome were soon offstage.
About five seconds later, Adrien came out from behind the statue. It was clear that his true feelings were once again influencing his performance. He felt like someone had punched him in the stomach and shattered his heart into pieces.
Adrien was holding a red rose in his hand, real tears were streaming down his red face, and he was pretending to stagger in his walking.
"'I gave you my music... Made your song take wing... And now, how you've repaid me. Denied me and betrayed me...'" Adrien sang. His jealousy and rage was fueled further because the kiss he had just witnessed was playing in a loop in his mind.
"'He was bound to love you when he heard you sing,'" Adrien once again sang, as he fell to his knees and began to sob. "'Christine... Oh, Christine...'"
"'Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Say the word and I will follow you...'" Marinette and Nathanaël sang from the background, off stage.
In his mind, the anger jealousy Adrien felt towards Nathanaël and the desire for Marinette to be his and his alone was swirling like a vortex.
In the center of it all, Adrien was thinking, "'NO! Marinette, you're MINE! Or at least... I hope you WILL be once this whole show is over! But... What if she falls for Nathanaël over the course of the performance?! How do I know she hasn't fallen for him during rehearsals?! Or during that kiss just now?! I...'"
"'Share each day with me, each night, each morning...'" Nathanaël and Marinette sang from offstage once again.
In complete fury and envy, Adrien stood up, threw the rose to the ground, crushed it with his foot, and started staring in the direction in whence Marinette and Nathanaël left the stage. He was breathing heavily and glaring with anger and hatred.
"'You will curse the day you did not do all that the Phantom asked of you~!'" Adrien sang, completely absorbed in the entire performance. He had lifted his head to the ceiling, and hollered the last note in song.
He then went off stage in the other direction as the rest of the performance for the first act continued.
Marinette was on the stage, dressed as the Countess for "Il Muto," when the prop chandelier started to fall. And it was headed right for her. On cue, Marinette ran for cover before the chandelier hit the floor.
Sure, there was a shattering sound, but the chandelier itself was intact. The lights were immediately killed...
END SCENE! Okay, that was Act II. This story might take more than three chapters, I'm thinking.