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Dangerous Games	By : Cat_Eyes Category: +M through R > Miraculous LadyBug Views: 11603 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug. Miraculous Ladybug is the intellectual property of Thomas Astruc and released by Zag studios. No profit was made writing this story.

Chapter List
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Adrien insisted Marinette stay with him after the police had left, taking with them the mannequin, dress, and surveillance footage from Adrien's door camera. She consented, though she hadn't said much after she'd packed an overnight bag and then collapsed in his bed. She was in shock, he understood, but prolonged silence was unusual for Marinette.
When she staggered into the kitchen the following morning, he held out a cup of tea. 'Would you like something to eat?' he asked.
Marinette shook her head, mutely accepting the cup as she sat at his kitchen counter.
Adrien's brow furrowed as he frowned. 'Come on, Marinette. Please talk to me.'
'What would you like me to say?' she murmured, scowling down at her teacup. 'That I'm a hopeless excuse for a superhero, too scared to be alone in her own apartment? That some creep can just come and go as he pleases, doing god knows what while he's in there? That I can't do anything abut the implied threat that entails?' Her voice rose with each question, irate at her own helplessness.
Adrien reached out to put a hand on her shoulder. 'You know I'm here for you, as are Alya, Nino, and your family. I can tell you're used to keeping your troubles to yourself, but you don't have to do that anymore. We're all here for you.'
Releasing a deep sigh, her shoulders drooped as her head lowered. 'I know. Sorry. I guess I'm too used to being the strong one, the one in charge of every situation. I never thought I'd be the victim. I'm a superhero for god's sake, I should be able to save myself.'
'You're neither a god, nor a saint. When awful stuff happens, you're allowed to feel bad. You're allowed to vent. Just be careful not to push the people who're trying to help too far away.'
Marinette rested her elbows on the benchtop, and put her head in her hands. 'This creep came into my home,' she whispered. 'I couldn't stop him. What if I'd been home? How am I supposed to stop that from happening again?' She broke off on a sob, rubbing the heels of her hands into her eyes.
Adrien hooked her fingers with his, gently pulling them away from her face. 'Hey now, we'll get through this. Only people you know and trust have keys to your place, right? How about, as a security precaution, we change your locks? Would that make you feel better? Only Alya and your parents would have spare copies, and they can be told to never lend anyone the new keys, no matter the reason. Not that I think they would, mind you.'
Marinette nodded. 'It probably won't make a difference, but it's worth a shot. What do we do about the landlord, though? He'll need a copy of the keys.'
'Not until he has reason to go into your apartment, say to fix a leaky pipe or something. Other than general maintenance issues you bring to his attention, he should not be in there without your knowledge. I think you can put off telling him until it's absolutely necessary.'
Marinette agreed with a quiet thanks before showering and dressing at his place. She felt unsafe in her own home, and he didn't want to bring up the possibility of spy cameras in her bathroom.
They found a hardware store within walking distance, and bought new locks, and tools to install them. They were assured the lock was top of the line, and had extra long screws to fix it in place. The salesman then advised they buy a thick latch, for added security while at home.
Adrien purchased the lot, while Marinette protested over his shoulder.
They stopped by a supermarket for groceries while they were out, then returned to their building as clouds rolled across the sky, promising more rain. A stiff breeze caught their clothes, and pulled their hair from their binds, but did nothing to cool the summer heat.
Sweaty and tired, they pushed open the lobby doors to see Luka waiting by the elevator. Immediately, an uncomfortable silence descended.
Beside him, Marinette went rigid, her jaw set and brows furrowed, like she used to do before a fight with an akuma. Adrien transferred his shopping bags to one hand to lay his free one on her shoulder, and was startled to find it was trembling.
'Well, if it isn't the whore and her pet eunuch,' Luka drawled.
Marinette drew in a sharp breath with a hiss.
Adrien's grip on her shoulder tightened. 'I don't care what you call me, but no gentleman calls a lady names. I'd appreciate it if you left out the schoolyard mudslinging, and conversed with us like an adult.'
Marinette turned to him with wide eyes, her mouth falling open as she stared at him.
Luka clapped slowly, with an ironic sneer. 'Look at you, trying to be mature for your mistress. Such an obedient lap dog.'
'Just shut up, Luka,' Marinette demanded. 'So I didn't accept you, big deal. Grow up already.'
Luka lifted an eyebrow. 'Excuse me for thinking our evening together meant something. You know, Adrien, she's just going to use you, too. I suggest you get out, now.'
The elevator doors slid open. Luka stepped inside, pressing the close door button without a backwards glance.
Adrien and Marinette remained where they were for a moment in silence.
'Did you,' Adrien began. Swallowing heavily, he tried again. 'Did you sleep with him?'
Marinette's gaze dropped to the floor. 'It was only one time. It didn't mean anything, and he wasn't even very good.'
'I think it meant something to him,' Adrien observed. 'Why did you do it?'
Marinette walked toward the stairs, Adrien following a second later.
'I was just in need of some comfort,' she explained, quietly. 'I was scared, and I'd been horrible to someone I care about a lot. I was feeling lonely, I guess.'
'It sounds like he took advantage of you while you were vulnerable,' he growled.
Marinette shook her head. 'No, I knew exactly what I was doing, and could've pushed him away at any time. I just didn't want to. Turned out, he's into things a little rough for my liking. I vowed then and there to never sleep with him again.'
They lapsed into silence as they ascended, Adrien thinking over her words. He didn't like the idea of Marinette sleeping with Luka, the thought making his stomach turn. However, he couldn't phrase that in a way that wouldn't cause offense, so he kept his mouth closed.
Reaching their floor, Marinette returned to her place to boil a pot of tea while Adrien perused the instructions on the new lock.
After some inexperienced fumbling, they managed to equip her door with the new mechanism.
Adrien smiled, triumphantly. 'There. Piece of cake.'
Marinette smiled wryly. 'Yeah, cake. After you nearly attached the whole thing upside down.'
Waving a careless hand, Adrien blew a raspberry through his lips. 'Pish tosh. It all worked out in the end. Do you feel a little better about things, now?'
With a thoughtful hum, Marinette crossed her arms. 'I don't really know. I mean, I thought my last lock was secure, and look how that turned out.'
'If things still feel dicey, you can stay with me for as long as you need,' he reminded her.
'I know,' she replied, smiling up at him. 'Thank you. But I'd like to maintain as much of my independence and freedom as possible. I'm a grown-arse woman, for pity's sake.'
Adrien stifled a surprised laugh. 'Indeed you are. Well, if you need anything, I'm right across the hall.'
'Thanks Adrien, your support means the world to me.'
The smile and light blush on her cheeks sent his heart into palpitations. Swallowing heavily, he bade his farewells and last minute reassurances if she needed him again, before heading back into his own apartment.

Chat Noir didn't wander far from his apartment block that night. He circled the neighbouring blocks a few times, but always looped back until he could see the lights through Marinette's windows.
She had not transformed that evening, preferring to stay inside and away from the prying eyes of her stalker. He had suppressed his fears for her sake, but it was worrying that the creep knew who she was. If he photographed Marinette while she was in the process of transforming, her secret identity could be lost. Hawkmoth may have been quiet these last few months, but he was still out there, and still a threat to their safety should their identities be revealed.
Chat Noir dithered, hopping from one foot to the other as he weighed the pros and cons of visiting Marinette now. There was always the chance her stalker was watching, waiting to gather incriminating evidence to frighten her with. But he was also aware that Marinette felt bad for the way she had treated him the last time they met. He wanted to give her the chance to apologise, and ease some of the burden weighing her down.
Plagued by indecision, he ran another lap. The time and exertion did not help clear his thoughts, though he did manage to scare away some kids who had been planning on vandalising a store front. He watched their fleeing shadows with his arms crossed, and his face contorted into a scowl. Leaping back up to the rooftops, he sprinted back to his building.
Marinette's lights were still on. Furtively, Chat Noir glanced around before vaulting stealthily onto her balcony. He landed with a thud audible from inside, but not so loud as to be heard from neighbouring buildings. There was a moment of silence from inside, before the sound of cautious footfalls reached him.
Tapping lightly on the glass, Chat Noir muttered, 'hey Marinette. It's me, Chat Noir. Can we talk?'
She pushed the edge of the curtain aside to peer through the narrow gap. Verifying it was him, she unlocked the door and pushed it open. The noise it made as it rolled over something in its track seemed excessively loud. They both winced at the noise.
Wordlessly, Marinette stood aside, indicating he could enter.
Chat Noir looked around as he stepped over the threshold. Marinette's apartment was smaller than his, but neatly kept. He wouldn't describe her as fastidious, but it was apparent she took pride in her home.
'What brings you here?' she asked, trying to seem nonchalant.
Chat Noir sat on her lounge, staring at the spot they'd once made out on from the corner of his eye. 'I think you know why.'
Loosing a long, quiet sigh, she sat beside him, looking at her hands clasped in her lap. 'I'm sorry for what I said the last time I saw you. I had some stuff going on, and thought it would be safer for you if you were no longer in the picture.'
Carefully, Chat Noir took hold of her hand. When she didn't pull away, he lightly traced his claws over her skin. 'Will you tell me what happened?'
She didn't meet his eyes. 'I've been threatened by a stalker lately. They've taken pictures of me while I was out, alone or with company. They've even taken pictures of me when I was on my balcony. Some of those pictures featured you.'
'So, what about that scared you?'
'They had burnt your face out,' she whispered. 'It felt like a threat against your safety. I couldn't risk it.'
Chat Noir nodded in grim acceptance. 'Is there anything else I ought to know?'
Marinette was quiet for a long moment. 'They know I'm Ladybug,' she confessed.
Chat Noir inhaled, long and slow, thinking how he should react to news he already knew, but his alter ego didn't. This was not the time to pretend to freak out, or seem like he was angry with her.
'My neighbour,' she continued, 'knows too. He was here the night I found out, and I accidentally blurted it out. I am so sorry.' Her voice wobbled like she was trying hard not to cry.
'Hey, hey, shh.' Chat Noir pulled her into his lap, resting her head on his shoulder while he stroked her hair. 'I'm not upset, and I don't blame you. If it were my identity that had been compromised, I doubt I would've reacted any better. Where's your kwami, what do they have to say about it?'
'I'm here,' said a small voice from the kitchen.
Looking toward the sound, Chat Noir saw a small red being hovering over the kitchen counter.
Flying over, the kwami introduced itself. 'I'm Tikki; it's a pleasure to finally meet you.'
Chat Noir nodded. 'Likewise, thought I wish it were under better circumstances.'
Tikki nodded in sad agreement. 'Marinette made the decision years ago that her identity was paramount, for the sake of safety, despite wanting to tell you everything sooner. Us kwamies can only advise, and lend a listening ear, but we cannot force you to do anything. Ultimately, the decisions are yours to make. So, I've been here for Marinette as best I can. However, my existence is a secret, limiting the things I actually can do to help.'
Marinette shifted until she straddled his legs, but still rested her head against his shoulder while her hands lay on his chest. Chat Noir held her loosely around the middle, his thumbs rubbing absently against her back.
'I'm sorry you weren't the first person I revealed my identity to,' she murmured.
'What's done is done; it can't be helped,' he sighed. 'I should've come to visit sooner, too. You shouldn't have had to go through this without me.'
Marinette wound her arms under his, until she could return his embrace. 'I wasn't alone, so you don't have to worry about that. My friends and neighbours have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make sure I feel safe.'
'Is that so? I hope you've thanked them properly.'
'Not yet, but I'll think of something.'
Tikki flew back to the kitchen. 'I'll leave you two to talk. I'm sure there's a lot you need to discuss,' she said over her shoulder, before phasing through her cupboard door.
'Bye,' Chat Noir called after her. 'Nice meeting you.'
Marinette sat up, her hands trailing down his sides to rest over his belly. 'How can you forgive me so easily?' she asked, her head bowed.
Chat Noir retracted his claws to run his fingertips up and down her thighs. 'Because you're my partner and my best friend. We've known each other for years, in and out of our disguises. Also, I get the last I told you so.'
She tilted her head and frowned. 'Huh?'
Chat Noir smirked. 'I seem to recall telling you once that you'd fall for me one day. Well, here we are.' He looked meaningfully down at their intimate position.
Marinette blushed as she turned away. 'Stupid cat,' she mumbled.
Placing a gentle hand on her cheek, Chat Noir urged her to look back at him. 'Marinette, I would drop everything in an instant if you said you wanted me back.'
Her eyes widened as her blush spread to her collarbones. 'What are you saying?'
'My Ladybug, my Marinette, please take me back. Being with you just feels right. Tell me I'm not the only one who feels like this.'
She bit her lip as she looked up at him through her lashes. 'I'm not sure. You might have to remind me.'
'Gladly,' he grinned, before swooping in to meet her with a kiss.
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