Removing the Mask (Book Two)

Chapter 23

(Adrien's POV)
Three days have passed since the last sentimonster attack. Not sure what's up, but at least we get to relax before the battle.

"Tomorrow's the day," I whisper, breaking the kiss.

Marinette was underneath me on my couch with my hands on either side of her head. I could feel her breathing in sync with me.

Her hands moved to cup my face, "I'll have your back"

I shake my head, "I'm not letting you endanger yourself for me"

"You won't stop me," she says, smiling softly.

"We'll see about that"

I lean down and kiss her again, this time more passionately. I felt her move her arms around my neck while deepening the kiss.

I break the kiss and get lost in her deep, bluebell eyes that I'll never get tired of looking at.

"I still can't thank you enough," I say, "Thank you for everything that you've done for me. You've helped me through so much and showered me with the love I've painfully lacked"

A smile appears on her lips, "I love you with every piece of my being, so don't forget that, you stupid cat"

I chuckle, "Thanks to you, I have hope that I'll be happy one day"

"I'm glad to hear that you're getting better. I'm proud of you, Adrien. Thank you for opening up to me and letting me help you through your struggles"

I smile, "My life would be so different without you in it"

After one last kiss, I climb off of her and turn on the TV. Marinette and I sit up on the couch with my arm around her while we watch anime on the TV.

"Do you want some tea?" I ask out of nowhere.

She giggles, "That was random, but sure"

"At your service, m'lady," I say in my Chat Noir voice and get up off the couch.

(Marinette's POV)
Adrien walked out of the room and I checked my phone to find five missed calls from Alya. Oh no.

I immediately call her back and her video appears on my screen.

"Girl, what have you been doing? I called you like five times!" Her voice boomed from the other side.

"Sorry, Alya!" I say, "I'm with Adrien right now and I forgot to unmute my phone. Did you need something?"

"Nah, I just wanted to annoy you," Alya says, laughing.

I roll my eyes while smiling.

"But now I do want something," she clears her throat, "Tell me, is Adrien your boyfriend now?"

I blush, "Umm..."

"Yes"

I got startled by Adrien's voice behind me and almost jumped off the couch. Adrien and Alya laugh.

"I brought the tea," Adrien says as he walks around the couch and places a tray with a teapot and two teacups on the table.

"Well, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone," Alya teases, "See you guys tomorrow!"

And with that, Alya's video disappeared from my phone. Adrien hands me a teacup filled with tea and I thank him. He pours himself a cup and sits back. My eyes become glued to the screen while I sip my tea.

Suddenly, I heard Adrien grunt next to me and I look over at him to see that he spilled some tea on his shirt.

"Looks like I'm not the clumsy one anymore," I tease.

"Oh yeah?" Adrien smirks, "Why don't you go on over to my closet and bring me a new shirt?"

I put my cup down and stand up. As soon as I start walking, I trip over something on the floor and fall to the ground with a small scream.

I hear Adrien laughing--like, really laughing. It was a genuine laugh full of joy, not the forced one that I'm used to hearing. I couldn't help but look at him and laugh too. His laugh was adorable.

He stands up and comes over to me, holding his hand out.

"See? You're still as clumsy as always," he teases.

I smirk and take his hand, "And you're still a gentleman as always"

I yank on his arm, pulling him down to the floor next to me. We start laughing again while laying there on the floor.

"In all seriousness, I should really change my shirt," he says, looking at the wet spot on his black T-shirt.

I giggle, "It's a black shirt, though"

"I feel gross," he says calmly.

I couldn't help but laugh again, "You do you"

We stand up and he walks over to his closet, bringing out an identical black T-shirt with the same colored stripes as the one he's wearing.

"I have like a billion of these shirts. I don't know why, honestly," he says.

He takes off his white button-up shirt and reaches for the bottom of his T-shirt.

I blush, "Umm, shouldn't you go change in your bathroom?"

He shrugs, "I mean, I don't care. You see me in a skin-tight suit all the time"

He pulls his shirt over his head, revealing all the scars and bruises from his father's beatings. He presses his fingers against a bruise on his shoulder, wincing.

I walk over to him, ignoring the fact that he was shirtless.

"Do they still hurt?"

He nods, "A little bit. Can you look at the ones on my back?"

He turns around, showing me his back. He was still covered in cuts and bruises.

"How do they look?" He asks.

"They're definitely healing," I say, "Looking better than the last time I saw them, at least"

I lightly place the tips of my fingers on his back. He flinched at my touch.

"Sorry," I say, instantly taking my hand off.

"Don't worry about it," he says, "Can you lightly touch a bruise for me? I want to see if it's starting to hurt less"

I do as he says and his face scrunches up.

I take my hand away, "Does it hurt?"

"Not as bad as before," he answers and pulls his new shirt over his head, "I can still fight pretty well, so it's okay"

I look at the fading cuts on his arms, reminding me to do something.

"Hey Adrien, I'm sorry you may not like question, but," I breathe, "What did you use to... You know"

I gesture towards his arms.

"A... A knife," he answers while looking down.

"Where is it?" I ask.

"Why do you want to know?"

"I want to make sure you don't do it again"

"Marinette, I'll stop, don't worry. This was just one time"

"Adrien," my voice turns serious, "Please give me the knife. I want to make sure you're safe"

I look at him with pleading eyes.

(Adrien's POV)
I clench my fists, "Seriously, it's okay, I'll stop. I promise"

Why am I hesitating to give the knife away?

"Adrien, please," Marinette begs, "I don't want you to be tempted to hurt yourself"

I sigh in defeat and put my white shirt on before walking to the bathroom. Marinette follows me in. I open the drawer and take the knife out, trembling at the sight of it.

Marinette held her hand out with her palm facing up. My eyes darted between the knife, my arm, and her hand. I grit my teeth and force myself to give her the knife.

"It will get better," Marinette says, "I promise"