I know I said I would update yesterday, but life came up...*winces*

At least it's a long one today!!!!

She starts to get worried when her plants start taking over the floor.

Marinette's always had a talent for growing plants. Flowers seemed to bloom at her touch. Leaves seemed to curl into green as soon as she walked past.

They've never overflowed though.

It's the only way to describe them.

Overflowing.

Because their leaves are spilling out of the little pot, and flowers are blooming crazily, and all Marinette can think is-

How did one little seedling turn into this?

Tikki clears it up.

She tells her that when she's Marinette, some of the magic stays, like residue. Essentially, a part of Tikki's life force is with her, whether she's civilian or superhero. While Ladybug can release the energy by using her powers, Marinette can't. So her magic accumulates, until it needs to be released in one burst.

Hence, the plants.

She can't control it yet. Tikki tells her it takes time, and patience, but she'll soon get the hang of it.

All her chosen's do.

He panicked when the cup disintegrated as soon as he touched it.

Adrien's always had a talent for breaking things. Especially immaterial things.

But he's never actually destroyed something before.

Because the cup has turned into black ash, and it's only remains are a few chips of the pearly white handle, and all Adrien can think is-

Is destroying all I'm good for?

Plagg clears it up.

For the first time ever, Plagg is actually helpful. Sympathetic.

Which only illustrates to Adrien exactly how serious this is.

He tells him that he still had residue magic from when he was Chat Noir. That, essentially, a part of Plagg was in Adrien. That when he was Chat Noir, the magic had a gate, an opening to escape. When he was Adrien, the magic was locked up. It would destroy him from the inside, unless it found something else to corrupt.

Hence, the cup. Or what's left of it.

He can't control it yet. Plagg says it will take blood, sweat and tears, but one day, he'll be able to touch without feeling like it's going to break.

But as Plagg watches his kitten struggle, he neglects to mention one thing.

Not all his chosen's succeed.

In the beginning, she tries to avoid plants.

She's paranoid that it will be the reason why her identity is revealed. What are people supposed to think when a plant explodes right next to her?

Tikki tells her she can't talk to Chat about it, not until she's gained control. It would be too dangerous. If she wasn't careful, her energy bursts would hit him.

Tikki tells her they can hit anyone.

So she immerses herself, knowing that she has to figure it out, that she will figure it out.

How can she think of anything else?

He has to wear gloves.

Plagg tells him that the cotton somehow counteracts it, keeps it in. It wasn't fully immune, instead lasting for a week before disintegrating like everything else.

Like everything else in his life, it will be destroyed.

He's almost forgotten how his ring feels, how his fingers feel when they're numb.

He tries. He tries to get it under control. It's all he ever thinks about.

How can he think of anything else?

She slowly gains control.

Her plants are blooming cheerfully next to her, as normal as possible.

She puts her finger to it, and supresses the pure thrill when she sees that nothing happens.

Tikki cheers next to her, but something is wrong.

She asks.

Tikki tells her that she's not the only one who's affected. Chat Noir has magic residue as well.

It's not as pleasant as hers.

And at night, when Marinette is bundled in her blankets, she recalls Tikki's words.

"The black cat miraculous has always been...trickier than mine. I am good luck, he is bad luck. You create, he destroys. While your power comes in bursts, his is a steady stream. He destroys anything that he touches. It is extremely hard to gain control of, and sometimes...sometimes they never do."

"Be careful with Chat, Marinette. He'll be very frustrated. His control will require a lot more effort than yours."

To destroy everything you touch...

He still hasn't controlled it.

By this point, he's forgotten what a pencil feels like beneath his fingers, what a table feels like to touch.

Plagg tells him he will get it. Plagg tells him he's nearly there.

Adrien doesn't believe him.

He breathes, trying to feel calm. Plagg says the calm puts the magic on stasis, keeping it in 'sleep' until he's transformed.

Calm.

Hands trembling, he touches the plate.

One, two, three-

It crumbles to dust.

His hope crumbles with it.

It's getting too much.

He's forgotten what everything feels like without a layer of wool, without a layer of spandex.

He can't take it anymore, just staying in his room.

His room, filled with objects.

Destroyable objects.

He calls Plagg-

And Chat Noir flies.

Marinette sits down on the park bench, sketchbook in hand.

Frowning, she sets the pencil on the page, the point poised to draw.

Nothing.

A soft thud, in front of her.

She looks up.

Chat Noir is sitting on the tree, legs dangling.

He hasn't noticed her yet.

A small frown settles on his features, his eyebrows drawn tight.

Other than that, he looks peaceful.

But Marinette knows her partner.

And she knows that behind those glassy eyes is a world of hurt.

And beneath that blank expression is a world of pain.

And, pencil on page, she draws.

Time passes. He hasn't noticed her yet. She starts to feel awkward, like she's violated his privacy.

A small cough.

Chat's ears flick to the side, and his face follows.

Surprise flashes across his face for a brief moment, before settling down into that smile that Marinette knows so well.

The toothy one.

The fake one.

She pats the space next to her. He sits down, quiet. They sit in silence, both in another place, another time. Hesitantly, she slides him her drawing.

His eyes, widening, take it in.

He looks at her, and his eyes look so vulnerable. She looks at him, and her eyes look so calming.

A soft smile on his face, saying thanks the only way he can.

The moment is broken, and Chat leaves quickly.

Marinette sighs.

A scream.

He is shaken out of his reverie by Nino.

Nino, who is on the floor, writhing in pain, holding his hand near his chest. Adrien immediately kneels down beside him, ignoring the commotion.

"What happened?"

"I don't know, dude, I was just trying to get your attention, and you zapped me real hard!"

He freezes, and looks at Nino's hand. He knows what will be there before he looks.

Black bubbles, slowly winking out of existence.

It was so close. He could have hurt Nino.

He had hurt Nino.

Jumping up, he ignored his classmates' startled cries-

And ran.

He doesn't know where he's going. He twists and swerves, running, running, running-

"ADRIEN!" Someone shrieks behind him. Footsteps thud in his wake.

He doubles his pace. No one should be following him. He was dangerous. He hurt people. That was all he ever did, all he ever does. Hurt. Destroy.

One moment he is running. The next, he is tackled to the ground.

By Marinette.

And she was touching him.

With a yowl, he frantically tries to get her off. Not Marinette. He couldn't hurt Marinette.

"Adrien, calm down, it's alright, I'm here, calm down..." Marinette whispers.

His breathing slows. And he realises...he feels free.

He doesn't have that uncontrollable itch, the burn in his hands.

He looks at Marinette.

She's glowing.

"My Lady."

He whispers like a prayer.

"Chaton." She whispers back.

He rips off the gloves.

And hugs her.

He knows everything will be alright.

At least it's longer...I guess.

If I seem a bit weird to you, I'm sleep-deprived and my eyes keep sliding shut.

Yeah...sleep. A fantasy that only a few select people have, myself not included.

*sigh*

And thanks for 50 followers!