His gaze was intense and concerned.
She was captivated, frozen in place, his protective grip still holding onto her arms, keeping her close to his body, out of the akuma’s sight.
He wasn’t wearing black, but shades of green.
His eyes weren’t feline-esque, but that of a serpent.
A chill raced down her spine.
“Marinette? Are you alright?” her real name whispered from his lips had jarred her back to reality and she realized she was standing in front of him wearing the Mouse Miraculous. She was Mulmousse, not Marinette right now.
She shook her head, “I…I’m alright, Lu- V-Viperion.” his name tumbled so easily from her lips, but she caught herself before she exposed him.
Viperion smiled in relief, sea blue eyes tinged with green scanning her for any signs of injuries, but he found none.
He looked over his shoulder at Chat Noir fighting the akuma with his staff, “If you can fight, we will need to help the kitty fend off the akuma least more people get influenced by the spell.” Viperion’s harp was already in hand, no doubt a plan formulating in his mind to a strategy they could use with minimal casualties.
Marinette smiled, staring at his back before remembering her surroundings and the issue at hand, “Right!” her hand gripped her whip around her waist tightly. She missed the freedom and flexibility her yoyo allowed her, but with Chat Noir temporarily entrusting her with the Mouse Miraculous, she would need to get used to it.
Before she could move, Viperion called her real name softly, “Marinette,” he kept his voice low, aware of Chat Noir’s enhanced hearing abilities and their proximity to the akuma, “Rely on me too.” He looked forward at Chat Noir before back down at her, “I know you can handle your own, but Chat Noir and Ladybug are a team too, because they need each-other.” His gaze softened, “So, don’t forget, if you’re in trouble I’m here.”
Despite the situation at hand, Mulmousse found herself blushing but smiling at the same time, “Sure thing, Luka,” his name fell from her lips in a fond whisper and the snake miraculous holder smiled before bringing his harp forward.
“Let’s show the akuma what real teamwork looks like.”
Mulmousse had to giggle, observing how her kitty parried the akuma’s strikes as Viperion and her advanced to his aid, “Aye, aye, captain.”
Viperion smiled.