The Chase
Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir.
Author's note: This is my first written story, ever. I've always been the imaginative type but am never able to put it on paper. Hopefully this story works out! I appreciate constructive criticism, but will not tolerate harassment of any sort. I apologize of any OCness in the story but they are older now and people tend to grow out of some tendencies as they age. Identity reveal, post Hawk Moth. Will be a couple chapters long at least, if you guys like it then perhaps I'll lengthen it to include their future.
Summary: (A short reveal fiction not tied to any episode in particular) Ladybug starts to realize just how much of a hunk Cat Noir is and he's disturbing her thoughts day and night. Will she give up on Adrien to give Cat Noir a chance?
It was an ordinary morning in the Dupain-Cheng house, dough and flour was being beaten and thrown about in the shop, chatter of early customers floating around the warm and cozy home, and all too familiar squeaks and yells of exclamation could be heard from upstairs. Marinette was late as usual, she slept in as usual, all because that silly kitty wanted to patrol a 'little' longer than usual. Why she let him convince her in the first place was beyond her, but she was going to blame it on the fact that she was a tad bit tired and was under its influence. Not because she had recently come to figure out that he was in fact very handsome, not that she hadn't seen it when he was younger because she certainly had. Marinette had even said once that if it weren't for her crush, to put it lightly, on Adrien, she may have considered Cat as a love interest. Although, they were much older now, her being 21, and assuming he was around her age and both having grown into their bodies. She agreed to lengthen patrol because his body hit her like a tonne of bricks! The spandex leather suit definitely didn't leave anything to the imagination. When he jumped from roof to roof, she could see the rippling muscle and tendons underneath.
"Marinette you're going to be devastatingly late if you keep day dreaming about that kitty of yours!" Tikki exclaimed, jarring Marinette out of her thoughts. She groans and she pulls out her phone and takes a look at the clock. She rushes around, trying to find all her school supplies and the designs she's been working on.
"I know Tikki, it's just…" Marinette pondered trying to find the right words.
"Cat got your tongue?' Tikki gigged to her Chosen.
Marinette scoffs, "I'm perfectly fine, thank you. Just because I've come to realize Cat Noir has become a man doesn't mean I'll turn into a blushing, stuttering school girl!"
Tikki's body erupts into a gigging mess. "Marinette I think you should have worded that differently! Every time you see Adrien that's exactly what you do, and you've had this crush for YEARS!"
"Oh hush! I'll prove to you that I can talk to him like a normal human being today" Marinette huffs. Tikki floats down into the purse she resides in for most days, giggling.
Marinette runs down the stairs, wishing her parents a good morning. Grabbing a couple croissants, some cookies for Tikki while her parents aren't looking, she kisses her parents good bye and gallops out the door. The crisp air and blinding sun light welcome her as she takes her first couple of steps outside, the peaceful autumn Parisian air calming her nerves. Today is her presentation day, all the designers in her class had to create the winter line up. It's still early in the year but they are amateurs so it will take them longer to design then professionals. Realizing that she will be extremely late if she doesn't hightail it to class, Marinette breaks out into a sprint to the school.
When she arrives, her teacher, Mrs. Dawn, clicks her tongue in disapproval but doesn't say anything in regards to Marinette's tardiness. One upside to college is the instructors don't necessarily care if you show up or not. She takes her seat next to her best classmate, River, who transferred to France about 9 months ago. River gives Marinette a knowing look before Mrs. Dawn starts calling students up individually for their presentation.
"Will you ever be on time?" River asks teasingly.
"Of course not, why bother asking. You of all people should know that by now" Marinette whispers.
"You know I do, it's all Alya would talk about when I first met her. Thank god for her warnings otherwise I would have worried too much for no reason" she replies also whisper, as presentations have begun.
Marinette gives River her most exaggerated eye roll and turns her head toward the front. Sure, some of the presentations are good, the styles unique but also traditional. Although they don't hold her attention for very long, as a certain black clad, blond kitty came to her mind and interrupted any other thoughts. She sees more of him now then she ever had before, with Hawk Moth gone they have taken it upon themselves as Miraculous holders to continue to keep the peace in this city. They take on regular criminals, with guns. They know the risks but still wish to keep Paris safe. Her kitty was so brave and strong, most of the time they didn't even need to fight the bad guys, they saw him and would turn the other way running, screaming with their tails between their legs. Not that Cat Noir had a frightening or violent personality, but his tall stature and bright green, feline eyes scared the crap out of anyone in the dark.
Speaking of Hawk Moth, Cat Noir has been different ever since they defeated him. It was like the reveal of Hawk Moth shook him, in his civilian life. Gabriel Agreste was sent to prison, and his son Adrien had to take over the multi-billion dollar company. At 21 years of age he was one of the wealthiest men in Europe. Perhaps Cat Noir worked under Gabriel, or in the company.
Regardless, Cat Noir grew up a bit after they had defeated their enemy. He still jokes around, is still childish and playful, but his serious demeanour dominates his body more often than not. Around the public eye anyway, when they are alone on the roof tops it's a whole different Cat. It's part of the reason why she finds herself slowly but surely falling for her partner. Of course, she still loves Adrien, but she sees him less and less as the months go by, his job taking up most of his free time.
At this point, Marinette hears her name called, she gathers up all her designs, takes a greedy gulp of air, and walks up toward the front.
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Adrien has never felt so suffocated in his life, between modeling and taking over his damned fathers company until he gets out of prison. He hates this life, no freedom, all responsibilities. Too many, too many fitting, this isn't the type of job someone as young as his should have. He should be in school full time, not taking over a company he has no idea how to run. He has never enjoyed what his father does, nor being his puppet for that matter.
His only freedom ever is as Cat Noir with his Lady. Jumping from roof top to roof top, chasing each other across Paris in giggling fits. Those little moments mean more to Adrien then even he realizes.
Unfortunately, now isn't the time to get distracted, he has to get ready to help pick an old geezer to run the company, until Adrien is old enough or until he finds someone who will really help the company grow. He picks himself off his chair and trudges toward the door that leads out of his temporary office. The office itself is neat and modern, but too large and hollow to have any sort of warmth. He never understood why his father wanted things looking so desolate and uninhabited. If Adrien was to spend any sort of time in the company, the style and atmosphere of the building, hell the whole company, would be the first thing he'd change!
He steps into the company's meeting office, long mahogany table, and leather rolling chairs and please let's not forget the ginormous Gabriel symbol: Butterfly. Before Hawk Moth's reveal he had never minded butterflies, if he'll be frank, he found most very beautiful. Now, they make him incredibly dejected, he didn't blame the little insects, but they reminded him of the family mistakes. How he will never see his mother, how he won't look at his father the way he used to ever again.
"If you're ready, Mr. Agreste, we would like to begin now" Nathalie, his father's form assistant, stated. She, along with the other elder members of the company took their seats, hers beside the head. Which was where Adrien had to sit, for now.
"I suppose this will be a vote then?" Asked Monsieur Michael.
"Oh Michael, relax! First we have to figure out who the candidates are." Chuckled Mademoiselle Lucy.
"Personally I think that Nathalie would be the best fit right now. She worked very closely with my father. With her at the reigns, no drastic changes will be made to the company, yet. She had handled most of his meetings and such, she's very familiar with his position. When the board agrees that changes need to be made, and they will, then perhaps I could come back. Or pick a young and talented designer who is new to the whole ordeal. Fresh ideas, fresh start. Do you all agree?" Adrien announced, proud of idea that literally just formed in his head.
Nathalie was clearly blushing at Adrien's words, she wouldn't admit it out loud but she was grateful for the junior Agreste and his kind words. Those kind words got her the dream job she has always wanted, even if it is for a short amount of time.
"Here, here" Agreed everyone at the long table. Adrien beaming proudly at Nathalie as they switched seats.
"Now on to more pressing matters…" Nathalie commenced with her roll. She was indeed the perfect fit.
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Marinette bounded out of class, down the stairs towards the bakery, wanting to get home as fast as she could to tell her parents the great new! Some of her designs would be featured in the school's fashion show, a fashion show where huge design companies would be to pick their interns for the year. She was so excited, beyond ecstatic. She absolutely wanted to get in with the Agreste Company, even if Hawk Moth was their former boss. She didn't just look up to Gabriel, she looked up to the whole company, and their designs were marvelous and unique. Plus it was tied to Adrien, she may still hold a bit of false hope but a girl can dream, right?
Besides Cat Noir has been taking up space in her dreams that Adrien has become a distant memory. Maybe she should call Cat Noir with her good news, it's something they've been doing lately. During patrols they would reveal more about themselves each time. Growing more and more comfortable, enough to call each other best friends, secretly she may want more.
Remembering Alya, Marinette pulled out her phone and started dialing her number. She picked up on the second ring.
"Hey girl! How was school today, anything exciting happen?" Alya greeted
"Yes something amazing happened! Some of my designs were chosen for the Fashion show at school. Huge and inspiring designer companies will be there to pick their interns for the year, including the Agreste Company: Gabriel." Marinette squealed over the phone.
"Oh my god! Are you serious? Girl you had better start getting busy, I'm so proud of you" Alya screamed excitedly for her friend.
"Thank you Alya! I'm still in shock. I'm so glad I got this opportunity, this school is the very best!" Marinette gushed as she walked up to the bakery her family resided above. "I gotta go now, Alya. I'm home now and I gotta tell my parents the amazing news. Bye Alya!"
Bye, girl. Good luck, I know you'll be great!" She hangs up and Marinette walks through her front door.
"Maman, Papa! I've got something amazing to tell you!" Marinette yells as she walks into the living room.
"What is it, honey?" Sabine asks, poking her head around the wall from the kitchen.
"Some of the design's I was working on for the winter collection were chosen for the Fashion show that my school is hosting." She replied dreamily.
"That's amazing Mari! I'm so happy for you" Her Papa yelled from the kitchen.
You haven't heard the best part yet! Some of Europe's biggest fashion companies will be there to pick their interns for the year. I could be chosen for one of those companies" She chirped with excitement.
"That'll be fun, and great experience for you, Marinette. When are you going to get started on your sewing?" Her Maman asked.
"You know what? I'll probably get started now" Marinette replies as she starts to run up her stairs. "Better to stay ahead then to fall behind, I've got to put my best work out there"
As she closes her trap door she hears muffled yes's as replies from her loving and supportive parents. She does indeed get to work on her designs.
Different coloured fabrics litter her room in a intricate but chaotic patterns. She's hard at work well into the late afternoon, her parents kindly bring up her dinner, knowing not to disturb her artistic take over. Once she's got an idea, there is no pulling her back into reality, she becomes so focused, and even Tikki has a rough time getting her attention.
Marinette is just about the start adding the embroidery snowflake pattern to the dress she is designing when Tikki calls for her attention.
"Cat Noir is trying to contact you!" She says frustrated.
"Oh Tikki, I'm so sorry. You know how my designing spels are, once I'm in I almost can't get out." Marinette replies apologetically. "Tikki, spots on"
The familiar flash of pink energy surrounds her as her spandex suit forms her body. Once she's completely transformed, she calls Cat.
"Hey kitty, I'm so sorry. I had my design spell strike again" Ladybug exclaims as she jumps out her trap door and into the Parisian skyline. "I do have some amazing news to tell you though. Where should I meet you?"
"At our usual spot Lovebug, I've also got a surprise for you! I'm excited to hear about your day" Cat flirts shamelessly.
I'll be swinging in soon, bye Cat!" She hangs up and continues flying until she soundlessly drops at the Eiffel tower.
The whole beam was decorated with rose petals and a cute little picnic was set aside. Cat Noir leaning as casually as possible, a rose hanging loosely from his mouth. He gave off a calm demeanour but Ladybug knew he was nervous, it was the quick glances of his eyes, the twitch of his hand.
"It's beautiful Cat, are you planning on proposing?" Ladybug teased.
"Yes. But not now! It's too early! Unless you wanted to" Cat blurted giving away his nervousness.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have teased" She apologized.
"It's alright, my Lady. But I do hope for that one day" Wriggling his eyebrows has he replies. "I set this up because I do really love you Ladybug, and I hope one day we could be an item" He regards her carefully, knowing full well what he is asking of her.
"Cat we will reveal ourselves, but I don't want it to be a predictable reveal. We have always enjoyed chasing each other. Perhaps we could make a game of it" Ladybug smiled mischievously.
"I like the way you think, My Lady. You always come up with the best plans. But do you think, just for tonight, we could forget all about that and have a date. As Ladybug and Cat Noir?" He asked pleadingly. Looking her in the eye with such vulnerability and sincerity.
"I'd love to Cat" She smiled lovingly. She sat down beside him, taking the rose when he offered it. He brought all her favorite fruits, meats and cheese. Along with the butter pecan tarts she's always talked about! This man made her swoon with each passing patrol. She looked at his, really looked at him. She could see his bright green eyes smiling at her while he ate, the way his untameable hair fell across his forehead. The way his nose crinkled when he bit into the more sour fruits, the way his lips moulded together while he chewed. Oh those kissable lips. She hadn't realized she was leaning towards him, to get a closer look, until he looked at her dangerously and smirked. Her heart skipped a beat, she was caught, and rubbing his ego the wrong way too.
"Do you think I'm handsome, My Lady. I wouldn't mind a kiss from you. In fact it's all I ever dream about" Cat teased her. Ladybug grumbled and shoved a ton of fruit in her mouth and looked away to hide her blush. She hated to admit so, but she too had kissing scenes frequent her dreams. She swallowed all the fruit and turned to say something back to Cat Noir, but choked when he said something that surprised the hell out of her.
"Ladybug, would you let me kiss you tonight?" He asked, obviously afraid of the backlash that was expected to be thrown at him.
"I'll be honest Cat, I do still love the boy I've talked about. But you have been invading my thoughts the last little while. I can see my relationship with the other guy going nowhere. So perhaps…" She was interrupted by screams and loud banging noises. They looked at one and other and leaped off the building towards the abrupt attack.