To answer a guest, updates are coming fast because I spent a day sitting down and writing out every idea I could think for this and what I wanted in it. So I plan to have daily updates till the end! Which'll be Ch 40.

"You will give it up."

Marinette gasped as she hit the ground hard, palms pulsing with the sharp pain of scraping against the ground, her blue eyes wide and dilated, her hair a mess around her shoulders. Her miraculous was hot on her chest, blazing with fear and rage that echoed and courses through her. An echoing snarl of, how dare he ran through her head like an angry mantra.

There was a click of boots behind her, loud and frightening, coming for her.

She gave a fast, instinctive glance behind her, meeting icy, angry blue eyes peering back at her. Behind the man were millions of angry blood red eyes, all locked on her, all staring and leaving her quivering under their savage gaze. The man took another step to her, silver clawed like gloves reaching for her. "You will give it up," he repeats, snarling the statement.

Her miraculous flared and Marinette jumped at the magic coursing through her. "No!" she cried, scrambling up and fleeing, ignoring the rattle and hiss of wings behind her. She won't, she won't, she won't she won't shewon'tshewon'tshewon't-

"Marinette!"

She jerked, blue eyes locking onto the faces that hovered over her.

Juuno and Malin.

No cold man, no blood red eyes.

Just them.

She sighed in relief, her body going limp in the bed.

"Are you alright?" Malin asked, sliding his dark gloved hand through her slick bangs.

Juuno says nothing, staring at Marinette knowingly.

Marinette gave a shaky nod, leaning to Malin's hand, trembling slightly. "Just... just a nightmare."

"Do you-"

"No."

Malin hummed, before settling down beside her, dragging her close. Marinette didn't hesitate to press her damp face into the crook of his neck, breathing him in, taking in the warmth of his presence.

Her miraculous was cold on her.

Not hot, angry and scared.

It was ok.

She was ok.

She relaxed as Malin played with her hair, his tail blanketing her form. Feeling him shift, Malin quietly asked, "Do, do you want to come with me tonight?"

"Tonight?" she repeats.

"It's a new moon," he said, pressing a kiss to her head, "it's the darkest night tonight, and I need to play." He drew back, green eyes glowing in the darkness. "I came to see if you wanted to be here tonight, but..."

"I'll come," she said, sitting up.

"Are you sure..."

"I want to see you play," she insisted, climbing down to grab her blazer. With a tight smile, she adds, "Juuno says it's one of the most beautiful sights to see." At his frown, she insists, "I want to be there."

Malin decided to do it at Notre Dame tonight, close to her home.

Settled on a concrete slab, she watched Malin with Juuno. Watched as the fox set the flute to his lips, music lulling out in a lovely song. Marinette relaxed, enjoying the lull, her body mimicking Malin as she two swayed with the music. It was soothing and light, music to relax too, music that drew you away from your troubles.

She felt Junno shift.

Opening her eye, she gasped softly at the sight of the ghosts.

They flew out of the ground, Seine, and drifted down from the streets, all heading towards Malin. Their forms shifting human like to little glowing orbs, they danced and twirled around Malin, spinning with muted glee to his song.

Mystified, Marinette watched them, a soft smile growing over her lips. "It's beautiful," she breathed.

"It'll be lovelier if you danced with me," Malin requested aloud, pausing long enough to ask, before quickly resuming his song.

Marinette gives a squeaking start. "D-dance?" she utters. "I, I'm not a..."

Malin's eyes gleamed humorously.

"Shut up!" she snapped.

Shoulders jerking as he laughed to himself, his tail beckoned her to his side, green eyes gleaming.

Just dance with me.

It's only us.

With an encouraging nudge from Juuno, Marinette got up, shyly creeping to the fox's side. With a wiggle, he bumped his hip to hers, swaying and moving with a little more life, the music rising in levity. The ghosts echoed it, moving a little faster, spinning and diving about more, their mute glee setting a pleasant spark in the air. Feeling the magic tickle her nerves, the music singing in her ears, and seeing the happy glow of Malin's eyes, Marinette let herself go, willingly joining her fox's song.

In their bliss, they moved and swayed around the other, the song and lights flaring around them.

All they knew though was the spark of the other's eyes, locked together as they danced all the way to dawn.

Don't mind me, foreshadowing an upcoming little story arc for Marinette and Adrien.