Marinette clutched Sir Night as he tore off the roofs, easily racing around, carrying her about like she was nothing in his arms. With a nippy air biting at her side, Marinette pressed against the akuma's leather covered chest, shivering slightly. In her shirt pocket, she felt Tikki shift and push against her, just as equally wary about this.
Of the akumas that came after Marinette, none have successfully kept her close long enough for her to not transform.
Typically they left on their own or Chat was able to help her escape.
Only Sir Night wasn't going to leave her alone.
And so far, there was no Chat Noir in sight.
And he… he may not come, a small curious part of her whispered. A part Marinette didn't want to poke at. A part she was going to ignore for now despite how it pushed at the back of her mind. Whispers of little facts that were trying to dig to the forefront of her mind.
Of Adrien's akuma form looking similar to Chat.
Of Adrien called her Princess when he hasn't ever before.
That only Chat ever called her Princess.
She closed her eyes, pressing her face against his shoulder.
It was just coincidental.
Adrien was just being the sweetie that he always was.
And she really shouldn't wonder about it now.
For now, she needed to figure out a way to get away from Sir Night, transform into Ladybug and-
She gave a start when his grip tightened on her.
"Hold on Princess," he warned.
She did so, just in time for Sir Night to make a great leap.
There was a jostle as the hit the metal surface of the Eiffel Tower, and after seconds of rest, Sir Night was racing up the tower with great ease and speed, carrying her high up towards the top. He stopped at the highest level, gently setting her down and beaming as she drew away from him.
Marinette eyed the akuma oddly, then turned to glance out at Paris stretched before them.
Sir Night told her, "I always enjoy coming up here when I'm troubled. It's a nice spot to get away from the world."
Marinette cracked a small grin at that, her brow furrowed at Adrien statement of how he likes to come up here. Turning to the cityscape, she told him, "I usually like to go to Trocadero. Especially to get inspired."
Beside her the akuma gave a start, green eyes widening in alarm.
He quickly said, "We can head there if you'd like-"
"No, no," she reassured. "It's fine. It's pretty up here."
And ultimately private.
Private was ideal for Ladybug.
That is, if she could get away.
But Ladybug had to come soon, had to help Adrien, free him from the akuma.
Beside her, Sir Night relaxed with a sigh, coming to stand beside her, unconsciously leaning towards her as he looked out to Paris. "Breathtaking," he agreed.
Marinette, conscious of Adrien standing so close, shuffled away, crossing her arms and looking away.
Sir Night noticed, giving her a slight, hurt frown.
His eyes narrowed, resolute.
He was here to make it better.
That was Sir Night's purpose. That's why he accepted this.
To make Marinette feel better.
To fix their friendship.
To make it all better, to allow a knight to secure his princess' happiness.
That was his purpose.
"Ladybug and Chat Noir, Sir Night," Hawkmoth whispered in his ear, and out of the corner of Sir Night's eye, he saw Marinette tense at the butterfly symbol glowing over his face. Sir Night grimaced.
"You're scaring her," Sir Night hissed.
"Ladybug and Chat Noir," Hawkmoth repeated. "They'll ruin your chances Sir Night! I need those earrings and ring! If you stop them now, you can make your princess happy! For as long as you desire, but Ladybug and Chat Noir will stop you."
"Adrien?" Marinette warily, leaning forward to eye his expression, ignoring the fact that he was an akuma right now.
His princess, ever brave was she.
He shook his head, his hair rustled, the blue scarf curling and shifting about behind him, smacking the ground, restless. The symbol flickered out and it was only Sir Night and Marinette once more. He turned to her, his smile reassuring. "I'm sorry about that," he apologized. "The impatient moth is making some angry noises. I'm sorry for scaring you."
Marinette frowned at him. She clarified, "I'm scared for you, Adrien."
He gave her a surprised blink, then looked away, frowning slightly.
This wasn't going well.
Not only was she still upset and hurt, now she was scared for him?
It was touching, but it wasn't what Sir Night wanted.
A princess shouldn't fear for her knight.
She should be reassured.
Feel secure.
With a frown, he went forward, hopping onto the railing and plopping down, the scarf shifting about behind him like a long tail, curling up thoughtfully.
Sir Night frowned at Paris, rolling over everything he knew about Marinette that could help make this better.
He gaze slid down to a street, perking when he saw a store below. Just the store he needed, one he knows will help make Marinette feel better!
Sir Night stood and pointed down, drawing Marinette's attention to him. "Let's go shopping!" Sir Night suggested. "Get you some fabrics! You can make something! You're always happiest when you're making something!"
Marinette blinked at him, brow furrowing slightly. She drew near and looked down to see a fabric shop she liked to visit time to time. "I don't have money," she revealed.
"I am rich," Sir Night boasted.
"I highly doubt you have money on you right now, Adrien."
Sir Night pursed his lips, pouting.
It was true, he didn't. And he wasn't up for stealing, and he had a feeling his Princess wouldn't approve of stealing.
So what could he do…
"Adrien?"
He turned, seeing her peer at him, a tired frown on her lips. "Can you take me home?" she asked.
He tensed, wincing as he peered down at her. He shook his head, his wild hair whipping about. She winced back. "Adrien-"
"You're just going to hide and sulk there," he said. "You're going to be sad."
"I am sad," she reminded.
Sir Night flinched.
Beside him, Marinette sighed. Giving him a cautious glance, she leaned over, feeling him jump slightly as she leaned on him. "Thank you for trying to help me feel better," she murmured, feeling him slump beside her. "But it's something you can't help me with."
He shook his head, resolute and insisting. "You're hurt and upset."
And he was the cause.
And his objective was to help her feel better, take her mind off of this and yet…
There was no change. She was still so sad. And hurt. And tired and…
What good was this opportunity if he had nothing to show for it? Nothing to change?
It couldn't be impossible, could it?
While Sir Night desperately tried to think of solutions to this, Marientte watched his face pinch, take in his stress at this.
She felt Tikki shift in her pocket, and turned her tired gaze down to the streets below.
She had to cleanse him, had to save him.
But she needed to get away from Sir Night first…
Her gaze settled on the fabric shop.
She reached over and set a hand on Sir Night's arm, jerking his gaze to her. She pointed down to it, offering, "I wouldn't mind making something."
Sir Night perked, a smile growing over his lips. "Then let's go!" Sir Night reached for her, only for Marinette to draw away, giving him a sheepish smile.
Marinette quickly explained, "I want you to surprise me! Grab some stuff you think I could work with."
Blinking at her, the akuma beamed. "Ok!" he proclaimed, "I'll surprise you! I'll get the perfect items!"
Conveniently forgetting the lack of money on him, or just not caring in his eagerness to make her happy, Sir Night leapt off the Eiffel Tower, dropping down to the streets below. Marinette backed away, making sure he didn't pop back up. That he wouldn't see her.
Tikki popped out, turning to Marinette. "You ready?" the kwami asked, peering at Marinette in concern.
Marinette nodded. "Let's save Adrien."
Tikki smiled and nodded. She voiced, "Ladybug may be just what he needs for this!"
"Spots on," came the low order, washing Marinette in a flash of pink.
Ladybug quickly sped off the tower, jumping down after Sir Night, catching sight of the dark knight just slipping into the fabric shop and no doubt giving the customers quite the scare.
Landing with a roll, she jumped up and rushed in, just in time to see the akuma sorting through random bits of fabric, trying to find what he liked, what he thinks Marinette would like, trying to think of what she could make with these. He ignored all the scared, cowering stares locked on him, focused on his task, to get just the right items.
He does recall that not everything could make everything, and that not all fabrics and colors should go together.
But wha-
"Put those down, nice and easy Sir Night."
Sir Night froze at the order.
He slowly turned, his heart skipping excited beats to see Ladybug there, peering at him, looking worn out yet ready. She waved him towards her, bidding with gentle, tired firmness, "Let's take this outside."
"Ladybug," Sir Night breathed.