Chat landed gracefully behind the school, the small alleyway was deserted, he paused for a moment, and prepared to release his transformation when he noticed the black ring was no longer on his hand.
"What!" He brought his hand closer to his eyes as if that would somehow make the ring reappear. He frowned and realized that the absence of a ring was not the only change that had been made to his suit. Over his left breast the iconic green paw-print rested, it glowed brightly. Chat hesitantly touched the paw-print; the glow seemed to be coming through the fabric of the suit or maybe suit itself. He struggled to figure out what it could mean if only flesh was beneath the fabric. He didn't have long to consider it however before an announcement informed the students that the danger had passed and Ladybug and Chat Noir had once again saved the day.
Adrien released his transformation and Plagg span out of the glowing paw-print on his chest. Adrien cupped him in his hands and the Kwami groaned.
"What happened, this deal we made. I need details." Adrien whispered. Plagg pushed himself into a sitting position.
"Please… cheese first… it takes a lot of energy to make the contract, and then you used Cataclysm..." Plagg flopped back down appearing more exhausted than usual. Adrien sighed and tucked him into his coat pocket before slipping through the back doors and into the Library.
Firstly, he checked the closet where he'd left Marinette. She wasn't there, but Adrien didn't think much of it since they were given the all clear. Marinette must have realized she was no longer in danger and went to find Alya. Second, he slipped through the frantic students and teachers, who were trying to restore order, and opened his locker. He snuck a few pieces of cheese into his pocket before surveying the students.
Marinette was talking to Alya; Alya seemed to be showing Marinette pictures on her phone. Adrien assumed they were shots from the fight. He resolved himself to talking to them, if nothing else he could manage to recover face after the incident. Hopefully his father wouldn't have to hear about him shouting, "I need you" to a classmate.
"Are you ok?" He asked, "She didn't find you did she?"
"Oh, w-w-w-well n-no. I m-managed to sneak out in the c-confusion then C-Chat Noir and Ladybug showed u-u-up. Where d-did you go? Y-you're not hurt a-a-are you?" Marinette managed.
"I… I ran the wrong direction. I thought she was down the other hall and by the time I realized my mistake Chat and Ladybug had shown up."
"Look at you running around saving damsels in distress." Alya teased gesturing with her phone. Adrien smiled, but the small ladybug charm on her phone caught his eye.
"Yeah… saving…" He poked it feeling somewhat satisfied when it bobbled, he gave it a bat with his fingertip, it swung a little further.
"Um… Adrien?" Alya caught his attention. Adrien started and gave his signature grin.
"Sorry, your charm is really cool, I might have to look into getting one. I am glad you are both safe. I should go find Chloe." He gave a short wave and left them.
He found Chloe outside being dramatic in front of a camera. He rolled his eyes but headed toward her. When she saw him she fell into him sobbing. It was slightly uncomfortable the way she was hanging on him but he patted her back.
"It's alright now Chloe." She continued to sob and he turned toward the cameras. "That's enough for today. She's been through a lot." He led her into the school. "Do you need to go home Chloe?"
"No, please just hold me a bit longer. It was so terrible. I attacked Ladybug." She sobbed. Adrien allowed her to continue hugging him.
"Its ok now. Everyone is fine." Adrien wasn't sure if her distress was real or faked, he knew she had a habit of crying wolf to get her way but he wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt.
"I was going to kill her." Chloe suddenly whispered while her body shook. Adrien's breath caught in his throat and he looked down at Chloe.
"What?"
"I was… I was seriously going to kill her. I… I love Ladybug. I adore her… yet I was… I was going to kill her."
Adrien held her tighter realizing that she was definitely not faking.
"Chloe… do you want to go home? We can get dinner and talk about this later… I would take you but my father…"
"I'll have my father make him let you ditch. I… I can't believe I was going to kill her. What if she hates me? We were such good friends before this happened." Chloe snuggled up to Adrien.
"If that's what you need Chloe." Adrien agreed. Chloe nodded and he pulled out his phone calling the car, Nathalie and Nino to inform them of the plan. Nathalie informed him that his father wouldn't be pleased and Adrien let her know that the Mayor was going to speak with him on the matter.
A professor tried to usher them to class but Adrien explained in polite tones that they would be leaving shortly due to the traumatizing circumstances.
Chloe continued holding tightly to him, though she had moved to clinging onto his arm while he had made the appropriate phone calls.
His driver sent him a message that he was outside the school and Adrien led Chloe to the car following her in. Adrien stared out of the window thinking about how Chloe could have known that she had tried to kill Ladybug. He supposed she had enough time to see a video of the fight before he had found her. He always assumed that the Akuma victim never remembered the possession by default, but now he was having doubts. What if they only forgot because Ladybug cleansed the Akuma? He'd destroyed it, yes, but what if Chloe actually remembered. Bridezilla had screamed her intentions to the world, it was very likely that someone had just told her what had happened.
Chloe was quiet, staring at her hands. Adrien took one of her hands in his own.
"Listen, what happened, you couldn't help yourself. It's not your fault." Adrien comforted. Chloe shook her head.
"I… I wanted to." She looked back down at her hands, "I wanted to kill Ladybug. I remember wanting to." She shook her head again. "I was so angry."
"Chloe, that was the black butterfly." He told her.
"Adrien…" She looked him in the eye, "There was this man… this man in my head. Hawkmoth, he's the one who controls the Akuma, we have to tell Ladybug."
"She's been fighting these creatures for a year, I think she knows, but I'll ask Alya to put something up on the Ladyblog." Adrien assured. Chloe made a small scoffing noise. "What?"
"I just… Alya." Chloe rolled her eyes, Adrien gave her a small smile, at least she was being herself a bit more. He was growing worried about her. They pulled up to Chloe's house and Adrien followed her in pausing to place Plagg, who was still feeling weak, into his bag.
Marinette was able to transform back and slip through the school quietly milling about with the other students who were talking about the event.
"I think I saw Ladybug swing back toward our school after the battle."
"No way you're making that up."
"I hope school is cancelled for the rest of the day because of this."
"How do you think the Miraculous Cure works?"
"Just be grateful it does."
Alya found Marinette in the crowd and drug her over to a semi quiet spot to show her pictures she had captured or that had been sent to her through the Ladyblog.
One of the pictures showed Ladybug and Chat Noir embracing.
"So… what do you think? Did they finally get together? If they did Nino owes me 10 euro." Alya grinned.
"Don't you think that's a little hasty, I mean it looks like they could have died. Maybe they were just happy they were alive?" Marinette explained. Alya nodded.
"I personally think they were made for each other, but as a reporter it is my duty to wait for the truth." She then gave Marinette a sly grin, "That doesn't mean that I won't speculate until such a time that my suspicions are confirmed."
Marinette rolled her eyes.
"Oh wait… I almost forgot. Here." Alya swiped through her phone quickly until she came across a slightly blurred photo of Chat Noir. "Check out Chat's upgrade."
Marinette scanned the photo, she had been aware that something was different when she hugged him but she hadn't fully noticed the changes. The glowing paw-print over his left breast was the most obvious change but she noticed that the stitching had been modified, and it seemed that he had a thigh holster now. The picture was too blurry to make out too many details, she was anxious to see exactly what had changed when she saw him next. She glanced up to see Adrien making his way across the room and nearly melted when he spoke to her, asking if she was ok.
She managed to sputter out an answer and hoped it made sense, Adrien seemed satisfied by the response, Marinette took the opportunity to ask if he was ok.
"I… I ran the wrong direction. I thought she was down the other hall and by the time I realized my mistake Chat and Ladybug had shown up." Adrien shrugged, Marinette nodded as if that were a normal thing to do.
"Look at you running around saving damsels in distress." Alya teased gesturing with her phone. Adrien smiled. Marinette whimpered quietly, his smile was the best. She could stare at him for ages. Before she realized it Adrien was giving a polite wave and leaving.
"That was weird." Alya frowned.
"Hmmmmm." Marinette sighed contently. Alya shook Marinette's shoulder.
"He just went to find Chloe."
"He… oh." Marinette drooped. "I suppose they are childhood friends though."
"How anyone could be friends with that pest is beyond me."
Marinette shrugged.
"Oh… check this out." She swiped over to a video of the fight, "It looks like his suit isn't the only thing that was upgraded."
Ladybug was on the ground, the Bridezilla above her when a black blur knocked Chloe to the side, the audio was too jumbled to make out anything that was being said. The blur was revealed to be Chat, he planted himself before Ladybug defensively pausing to turn toward her, when he turned back toward the Akuma he vanished, appearing a few inches from her. It was only for a moment before he vanished again, this time appearing behind her, the video cut off and Marinette gasped. She was definitely going to have a talk with Chat later about his 'upgrades.'
"Pretty cool right?" Alya seemed pleased with herself. Marinette nodded.
"So fast." She managed, "who knew Chat had that in him." Alya laughed.
"Girls. It's time to return to class." Madame Bustier ushered them along.
Neither Chloe nor Adrien returned to class, Marinette frowned as her mind went to a dark place. She imagined Adrien kissing Chloe and apologizing, taking care of her after the attack. She shook her head trying to expel the thoughts and focus on the lesson but things like Adrien bringing Chloe to his house or holding her close like lovers kept making her want to cry. She knew it was ridiculous to imagine such things when as far as she knew Adrien had dropped her off at home or was heading to a last minute photo-shoot. Still, she was grateful when class ended and she was able to go home.
Safe in her room she let Tikki out and gave her a cookie before staring at her homework. Tikki was quiet. Marinette looked at the Kwami who had yet to touch the cookie.
"Tikki?" Marinette leaned close to her. "What's wrong?"
Tikki remained silent for a while, her little fins crossed in her lap as if she had her hands folded.
"Tikki?" Marinette prodded. Tikki shook her head.
"That stupid Cat!" Tikki suddenly snapped, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Tikki!?" Marinette scooped Tikki into her hands and gently stroked her head in comfort, "What's wrong? What did Chat do?"
"Not Chat! Plagg!" Tikki hugged one of Marinette's fingers, "I… I think he made a deal with Chat!"
"A deal? What kind of deal? Who is Plagg?" Marinette frowned. Tikki gave a small shuddering sigh.
"Plagg is Chat's Kwami. He is to Chat Noir, what I am to you. I hoped I'd never have to tell you this. The power that a Kwami can lend through our current contract is finite, as you've experienced today and when Lucky Charm drains your power. But a Kwami such as myself is able to make a deal and lend more power to the Miraculous holder."
"That's incredible. Why didn't you want to tell me before?"
"Because it comes with a terrible price. Many centuries ago I made Plagg promise never to make a deal again. In exchange for power the wielder promises their soul and their life to the Kwami, to the Miraculous, and to the duties that they must fulfill. The deal isn't so simple as just that; they give part of themselves to the Miraculous." Tikki shuddered, "It hasn't ended well in the past. Never ended well."
"How do you know Chat made the deal?" Marinette gasped.
"I don't know… Plagg promised." Tikki shook her head, "If he did... Marinette it's terrible to watch. The wielder can't ever live a normal life again, the only time they are able to be free of the Miraculous is at their death." Tikki shivered. "The last Chat Noir that made this deal…"
Tikki grew silent, somehow that was worse than knowing.
"Have… have you ever made the deal with someone?"
Tikki looked up to her and then looked away ashamed.
"Yes… twice. I did my best… but they always die young." Tikki leaned into Marinette's hand. "With Plagg… his bad luck always… always makes things worse."
"What's going to happen to Chat if he made this deal?" Marinette whispered. Tikki looked up at her.
"If he did… lets just say I hope he didn't."
Adrien was able to leave by 19:00. His father had left a message with Nathalie informing Adrien that while his actions were brash, the traction he had gotten with the Mayor was beneficial. He also informed Adrien that he would not be home and that Adrien should eat without him.
Adrien skipped dinner.
Chat flew across the rooftops hoping to spot Ladybug. They were supposed to meet but when, he didn't know. He couldn't stand staying in one place for too long, it drove him mad. Eventually he tired and decided to rest on the Arc De Triomphe. Plagg had consumed an entire wheel of cheese while he was at Chloe's, following this he had promptly fallen asleep and refused to wake up until Adrien's bag was thrown against his bed knocking the Kwami from his slumber.
Chat sighed at the memory of their conversation.
"You promised to tell me more about this deal." Adrien said as he pointed over his left breast. He had checked the area in the bathroom, a black outline of a paw-print in the same area as the green one on his suit was present. Plagg groaned but floated up to him.
"What happened to the Miraculous? I've never been that fast in my entire life." Adrien prompted.
"Speed, stealth, grace, destruction. All things that come with being a Cat, in this case your original abilities have been augmented through our deal; hence you are faster." Plagg avoided the question of the Miraculous instead opting to tell him more about his new powers, "Benefit don't just extend to your transformation now, a soul is a big thing to bargain, you best get your money's worth." Plagg quipped. Adrien wasn't fooled.
"Where is the Miraculous?" He asked. Plagg sighed.
"You are the Miraculous now… more specifically your heart is. The only way Hawkmoth can take it from you now is to kill you."
They were both quiet for a bit while this information was absorbed.
"But that also means that I won't be able to give up the Miraculous and return to a normal life." Adrien reasoned. Plagg nodded somberly, he'd seen many former Chat Noir's lose much over this deal; family, friends, and lovers. He was surprised when Adrien started laughing. Plagg was taken aback; surely the boy hadn't lost his mind so soon?
"That just means you'll always be with me, I'll never have to be alone… I'll never have to go back to an empty house." He started laughing again and let himself fall on his bed, "You say it like it's a bad thing Plagg." Adrien smiled, "Lighten up, being Chat Noir was the best thing that ever happened to me. This does nothing to change that." If Plagg had eyebrows they would have raised.
"It's no use hanging around here any longer. Transform! Chat Noir!" Adrien held his former ring hand over his heart instead of his normal dramatic pose; within seconds Chat had taken to the rooftops.
Ladybug landed lightly behind him.
"My Lady." Chat stood bowing. Ladybug folded her arms giving him a disapproving look. Chat cocked his head to the side.
"What's the matter, Ladybug?" Chat took a step toward her.
"How did you do that back at the school?" Ladybug asked. Chat smiled coyly.
"That was the power of love, my Lady."
Ladybug couldn't help but laugh at the cheesiness of his answer, which only caused Chat to smiled wider.
"You silly kitty." Ladybug recovered from her giggles. "Seriously what did you do?"
Chat sighed.
"It's complicated." Chat shrugged he walked across the arc to sit on the ledge. Ladybug followed him sitting next to him.
"Chat?" Ladybug hesitated before putting her hand on his shoulder. " I was talking to Tikki… she's my Kwami by the way, she told me that you might have made a deal with Plagg, your Kwami. Did you?"
Chat was quiet for a long time then he turned toward Ladybug with a smile.
"Yes, my Lady, but if you're going to express your concerns as well, I must insist that I am alright. I have no regrets." He assured her.
"Chat… I am worried." Ladybug scooted closer, one leg hanging off the Arc the other folded under her, her body facing toward Chat. Chat instinctively mirrored her position.
"When I spoke to Tikki, she made it sound like this was a tragic thing, something that came with a terrible price. She told me you had sold your soul for this power." She lightly touched the glowing paw print above his heart.
Chat cocked his head sideways a bit and stared at Ladybug for a moment, she held his gaze boldly. A slow grin spread across Chat's face, a very Cheshire grin, he took her hand in his removing it from his chest. Ladybug became away of two small fangs in Chat's mouth and blinked staring at them.
Chat poked her in the forehead breaking her gaze.
"My Lady, it isn't so dramatic as you have heard. I did promise to take on the mantle of Chat Noir so long as I live, but that isn't such a bad thing. You see I live a rather boring life, being Chat Noir is one of the more exciting things. Plus I couldn't let you die, my Lady. I would do anything to protect you, and having to keep the Miraculous until death… well I hardly consider it a difficult price to pay to keep you safe. Besides, there is nothing in my other life more important that seeing you." He flirted. Ladybug frowned.
"I don't know Chat… Tikki told me the other Chat Noir's that made this deal… they had tragic deaths, they all died young. I don't want that to happen to you."
Chat took Ladybug's hand and gave it a small squeeze.
"Maybe the other Chat Noir's didn't have such a beautiful reason to live for." He smiled.
Ladybug burst out into giggles again.
"You are such a dork." She smiled. She then looked over Paris then back to Chat, "I should probably get going." She sighed, "Don't forget I'm still worried about you." She pointed at Chat as she stood up and prepared her yo-yo. "Stay safe ok? You can call me if you need me." she told him with a small smile before she swung away leaving Chat to sit on the Arc de Triomphe alone.
Chat watched her swing off until he couldn't see her anymore before watching people slowly shuffle by on the streets below. Some were taking pictures, some were pointing up at him. He slipped away from the edge so he wouldn't be seen.
He tried staying still; thinking about homework but his mind kept wandering back to Ladybug and what she had said about tragic deaths. The thought made him pace; Hawkmoth would legitimately be trying to kill him for his Miraculous. He shivered. He certainly didn't want to die. He had promised Ladybug he'd stay by her side, that he would always be there for her, not only that but he didn't want to leave Nino.
He wondered what Nino would think if he found out about his demise, he'd probably be surprised that Adrien was Chat Noir to begin with. Chat gave a small smile at what Alya might do when she found out that information. He shook his head before his thoughts turned dark, his father.
What would his father do if he were to die?
A stream of bitter thoughts invaded his head. He took off running across the rooftops as if he could escape them. His father… he was always so cold and distant, so strict. Would he feel anything if his only child died? Adrien had heard about what other parents were like; his father wasn't like any of them. According to Nino fathers were supportive and protective and they cared for their sons. Chloe had taught him that fathers would do anything for their children, even to the point of insanity. Marinette's father was kind, and seemed like he cared deeply for his daughter, a gentle giant. Truthfully Adrien didn't know his father well enough to judge if he would even mourn his death, as a father should.
Maybe he'd regret the loss of an asset. A small contrite part of him whispered.
Chat shook his head as he came to a stop atop a roof.
Now wasn't the time to be thinking about it, there was really no use in worrying about what may or may not be, nor what his father would do should something happen. He slipped on some loose tiles and tumbled onto a balcony like roof barely managing to catch himself and nearly knocking over a small table.
He winced hoping that he hadn't woken whoever lived inside. He tried to turn to leave but his eyes met a familiar blue.
"Princess!" Chat blushed beneath the mask. Marinette was poking her head out of a window that lead to the balcony, she had what looked like a plastic arm in her hand. Her eyes narrowed at him, suspicious, and her hand gripped the mannequin's arm tighter.
"What are you doing?" She hissed, the window open just enough for her to peer out; she didn't dare to open the window any further.
"Can a knight simply visit his Princess to show his allegiance?" Chat grinned, Marinette rolled her eyes but slipped out onto the roof with him, though she still held the mannequin's arm at the ready.
"It's 21:00, it's a little late." Marinette frowned seeming upset. "Where's your partner? Is something wrong?" She glanced around as if looking for Ladybug.
"Just me right now, nothing is wrong, the city is quiet as far as super villains are concerned." Chat shrugged with a forced smile. "What are you doing up if it's so late?" Chat leaned close to her. Marinette startled at his proximity.
"Working on a project… a dress to be exact." She opened the skylight back up and threw the mannequin's arm back into her room. "At least I was trying to before you showed up."
"Really? A dress?" Chat cocked his head to the side and tried to peer into the window but Marinette unabashedly pushed him away.
"It's not ready yet!" She gave him a murderous look Chat hadn't expected from her and held his hands up in defeat.
"Very well, I shall follow my princesses commands." He grinned. Marinette gave a sigh of relief. Chat held his finger up to signal an ultimatum. "I would like to see it when it's finished though. May I be the first?" He was curious; he'd seen the hat she'd designed, though she'd had to replace the pigeon feathers with fake feathers when he eventually modeled it as Adrien. He was impressed with her talent, it was every bit as good as the fake Chloe had professionally made. Marinette gave him a strange look.
"I can't promise that, Alya will probably be the first… or my parents, but you can be the first person from the outside that sees it if you'd like. Though I'm not sure why you're interested." Marinette gave him the side eye. Chat gave her a charming smirk.
"And lose the opportunity to see my princess in her ball gown, I think not." Chat waved dramatically.
"Quite presumptuous of you to think I'll model it for you it's it, Chat?" Marinette teased, then she dropped her voice and turned her head talking more to herself than Chat. "I was kind of hoping Adrien would be the first to see me wear it."
Chat didn't think he was meant to hear that. He frowned. Why would it matter if Adrien saw it first? He put his finger to his chin as he thought; perhaps it was because of his father? Maybe she hoped that if Adrien saw the dress he'd mention her to his father? It kind of stung to think Marinette would use him like that, but he wouldn't mind mentioning it to his father… If his father ever listened to anything he had to say.
"Chat?" Marinette's voice was soft and brought him back to earth. Her kind blue eyes reminded him of their brief moment in the library before the Akuma attack. No. Marinette wouldn't use him, he decided, she wouldn't think like that. He gave her another sly grin.
"Should I be jealous of this Adrien, Princess?" He smirked. Marinette blushed hard and looked like she wanted to hit him; her eyes narrowed, cheeks puffed out and hands clenched into fists. Chat laughed, so that was it; Marinette had a crush on Adrien. He hadn't realized it before.
"I… er…. That is none of your business Chat Noir!" She folded her arms and gave him a strange mixture of a glare and a pout that somehow seemed to work and look adorable. He held his hand over his heart like he'd been wounded.
"Ah, so even my Princess's heart has been stolen by another." He joked. Marinette rolled her eyes.
"I don't believe for one moment you were sincerely flirting with me." She glanced at him then her eyes turned kind, "I take it Ladybug has spurned your affections as well, she's in love with someone else?"
Chat realized she must have seen his broken heart behind the smile, he sighed and sat down on the banister, balancing delicately on the rail.
"It is as you say. Perhaps she views me as too much of a flirt? She recently let me know that the person she loves doesn't really notice her. That idiot doesn't even realize what he has in front of him. I could go the whole 'If I were your love I'd do such and such to prove it to you' route, but I feel like that would be taking advantage of her feelings. It would be kind of a dick move." Chat shrugged. "Maybe I love her too much. I just feel kind of hopeless and empty sometimes, I treasure our friendship and I hope things don't get weird between us because of this, but there will always be that awkward element you know?" Marinette nodded and sat on the chair she had on the balcony.
"I know the feeling. The guy I like, Adrien, his last name is Agreste, and he's a famous model. He's so handsome, nice, sweet, caring, kind, and seems perfect. He's my celebrity crush." She blushed, "Before he transferred into our school it was like any other celebrity crush, but then I got to know him, he sits in front of me and that still doesn't make it easy to talk to him. I saw him at a photo shoot once, before I knew him and I fainted when he smiled at me and winked." She covered her face with her hands, "He's such a handsome boy. When he transferred in and I thought I was going to die. But he doesn't really know me. He hardly talks to me. But I can see why, I just get so tongue-tied around him and then I can't speak and then I sound like a broken robot. I don't know, before it was just a crush, but then when I started going to school with him I started getting to know him more and I just fell in love with him. He probably thinks I'm a crazy person or have some sort of mental disorder." Marinette groaned. Chat laughed.
"If he's as kind as you think he probably doesn't think you have a mental disorder."
"Maybe it doesn't matter… I sit behind him in class, I overheard him talking to Nino, he's a mutual friend that is Adrien's best friend, and I overheard him talking about this girl he's in love with. Apparently he's making progress… while I'm happy that he's happy I'm also super jealous because she seems to know him so well. He seems smitten." Marinette sighed dejectedly. It was quiet for a bit, there was the sound of laughter on the street below them, Chat watched as a couple held hands and wandered down the streets of Paris. He felt envious of their relationship.
"I don't even know who Ladybug is under the mask." Chat said suddenly turning back to Marinette who jumped at his sudden confession.
"Oh?"
"Yeah… I know a lot of people assume we know each other but we don't. She wants to keep our identities secret, even from each other. I'm still not sure why. You know I had an opportunity to see who she was? I closed the door on her, the girl of my dreams. I suppose she might have hated me if I exposed her without her consent. It would have been an unforgivable violation and she would probably never talk to me again. At the time I hadn't really been thinking about how she would retaliate though. It was more about not violating her because that would be a terrible thing to do, not because of how she might punish me for it." Chat slipped off the balcony and sat on the roof near Marinette.
"I want so desperately to know who she is. I want to know all of her… her favorite colour, her favorite foods. She usually won't even share that in case I use the information to figure out who she is. I won't deny that even when I try not to think about it, I think about it. I kinda stalk the Ladyblog for information about her, who she is where she's been. Plagg thinks it's crazy, keeps suggesting that I just follow her and find out. I just can't do that to her though. I guess following her exploits through the Ladyblog is a bit of a stalker-ish thing to do though. She'd never let me live it down if she knew." He shivered.
"I subscribe to all the fashion magazines with Adrien in them. I read all of his interviews and even made him a birthday present." Marinette blushed, "That was kind of a stalker-ish thing to do too. Its kind of hard not to be a complete stalker when the person you love is a public figure?" She offered in defense. Chat laughed.
"So this present, did you work up the courage to give it to him?" Chat smiled. Marinette sighed. "That's a complicated story."
"Maybe another night?"
Marinette stood, "I should be getting to bed, I have school in the morning."
"Me too, do you… you don't mind if stop by again do you? We can be like the broken hearts semi-stalker club together? Plus I'll be needing to check on the progress on your dress so I can be the first outsider to see it, remember?" Chat stood and gave Marinette a coy grin.
"I'll think about it."
"Me-ouch, after the heart to heart we just had?" Chat teased.
"I can't exactly have a superhero dropping by every night. Plus I like my privacy. You dropping in unexpectedly is kind of scary, what if I'm changing?" She blushed.
"How about this, if it's okay to visit, leave a sign on the balcony, or in your window, that way I can be sure not to drop in on you while you're changing." Chat offered. Marinette frowned for a moment, then nodded.
"Actually I like that idea." She gave him a kind smile. "I've actually enjoyed this Chat, I'm surprised you didn't fill the time with bad puns." Chat took her hand and kissed it softly, a gesture he usually reserved for Ladybug.
"There's still time purr-incess." He smiled. Marinette could feel his smile against her hand, his bright green eyes shone up at her, the mirth and mischief returned.
"You've got to be kitten me." She smiled back. Chat laughed and stood close to her… perhaps a bit close.
"Careful, Princess, I might fall in love with you instead." He teased, his grin spread and Marinette caught a glimpse of two sharp canines. Then suddenly, Chat was gone; to Marinette he appeared to have simply vanished. Chat was running full speed across Paris; if one was lucky they might catch a black blur flitting across the rooftops.
Chat slipped into the bedroom transforming back into Adrien and slumping against the window with a huff.
A plethora of emotions overwhelmed him. "Careful, Princess, I might fall in love with you instead." Why did he say that to her? Did he mean it? He blushed. His heart beat strongly in his chest; perhaps it was bearing his heart to her that had set the mood. It wasn't as strong as what he felt for Ladybug, it wasn't as intense or overwhelming. It was scary and new and whatever it was, there had been an undeniable connection between him and her. At the moment he said it; there was more than a budding friendship that prompted his words. He shook his head.
"I thought I was going to have to listen to you two talk for hours." Plagg complained flying back over with a piece of cheese from the stash Adrien had in a mini fridge in his closet. "What was that about?" He frowned.
Adrien shook his head. "I don't know." He glanced out into the night sky. Marinette agreed to see him again. His heart clenched with excitement and fear and a small smile graced his lips.
"What are you smiling about?" Plagg cocked his head to the side.
"I'll get to see her again." He stood up and began preparing for bed.
"So what? You'll see her at school tomorrow." Plagg finished off his wedge of cheese and helped himself to another. Adrien paused briefly before shaking his head.
"This is different Plagg, Adrien isn't seeing her, Chat is. I don't have to pretend with her. She's special. Unique. Exciting. I don't know. It's almost exhilarating! I can be myself I don't have to be confined into a small box, I can speak my mind and she listens and she even seemed to enjoy it. She shared her own troubles with me." Adrien smiled. "I've only ever had that with Nino, no… this is something even beyond that, with Nino… there a still restrictions, but with her… it's a whole new level. We connected. We shared a moment."
"Yeah, she shared her troubles about you with you." Plagg joked.
Adrien rolled his eyes. "At least now I know why she can't seem to say two words to me without turning into a babbling mess and hiding behind Alya." Adrien laughed to himself. "I really like seeing this other side of her. She sweet, but confident, and funny."
"Maybe you should try and get her to be like that around Adrien." Plagg suggested. Adrien pulled on his pajama bottoms. "That's actually a good idea."
"I'm full of good ideas, you just never listen."
"Most of your ideas are about cheese."
"Exactly." Plagg nodded before gulping down another large piece of cheese. Adrien rolled his eyes and discarded his top, pausing briefly to stare down at the paw print branded into his chest.
"We're out of Camembert." Plagg called.
Adrien rolled his eyes then pulled on his pajama top before throwing his worn clothes into the laundry chute. "Then don't eat it all. You're going to have to eat the other cheeses until tomorrow, I'm going to sleep, I'm not sneaking down to the kitchen for you tonight." Adrien climbed into bed.
"Fine." Plagg zipped about licking the last of the Camembert from its container. Adrien closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, Plagg eventually joining him; slipping into the crook of Adrien's neck and snuggling down.
"I can't believe that happened." Marinette blushed to Tikki as she pulled her hair into ribbons in the morning. Tikki giggled.
"Maybe it's Marinette that captures Chat's heart, not just Ladybug." Tikki mused. Marinette rolled her eyes. "Why did I tell him all of that? The thing about stalking Adrien too? I have never been so embarrassed." Marinette blushed harder.
"What about the time you spilled coffee on Adrien?"
"Shhhhh… we made a pact not to bring that up remember?"
"Just trying to take your mind off last night." Tikki smiled landing on Marinette's hairbrush.
"Not helping. Making things worse." Marinette stared at her face in the mirror then made sure her pigtails were symmetrical. She then lightly smacked her cheeks as if that would help mentally prepare her for the day. "Ok, I'm ready for today." She decided and she left her bathroom throwing her books in her bag hastily and making sure her phone was in her pocket.
"Should I tell Alya?" Marinette asked her Kwami, Tikki shrugged. "I think I'll keep it a secret for now." Marinette decided. She descended the stairs; her mom was waiting at the bottom of the stairs with a croissant. Marinette pecked her on the cheek.
"Thanks Mom." She smiled. Sabine nodded with a small laugh.
"Alya is waiting downstairs for you, you're running late again." Sabine playfully chastised.
"I know, went to bed late. I was up working on my dress for the talent show." Marinette smiled. "I might have lunch with Alya today, I'll let you know."
Sabine nodded as Marinette took off.
"Have a good day at school."
Marinette ran into the bakery.
"Good morning, Marinette." Alya smiled.
"Gooff Merrfnig, Ahhhyaaa." Marinette waved with a mouth full of croissant. Alya laughed and the two of them let at a brisk walk. The first portion of the walk was fairly quiet, mostly due to the fact that Marinette was trying to eat her breakfast. As soon as that was done Alya leaned in with fresh gossip.
"I overheard from Sabrina that Chloe actually remembers the fight while she was Akumatized." Alya grinned. "I personally think it's due to the fact that Chat used cataclysm to destroy the Akuma rather than Ladybug cleansing it. I'm going to try and talk to Chloe about it. Though Sabrina says she might not be at school today because of it, says she's feeling off. Serves her right though. Maybe it's just Karma after all." Alya smirked. Marinette frowned.
"I know it's Chloe and all… but if she does remember I think it's pretty horrible." Marinette frowned. "She'd have to live with that burden, knowing she nearly killed Ladybug; someone she looks up to. That she was going around destroying buildings and hurting people just so she could force Adrien to marry her. I don't think even Chloe is that heartless. That's probably why she didn't come back to class. And after all of that to still have the anger to work through from the original reason she became possessed. I don't know Alya… it seems pretty horrible." Marinette shivered. This is why she had to cleanse the Akuma. It helped relieve the pain that caused them to become possessed, but it also kept them from remembering the harm they had caused when they were not in control. Alya was silent for a while.
"I never thought of it that way I guess… you're right. It is pretty horrible." Alya was somber. "When I was possessed I don't remember anything, just vague feelings of anger and a sense that Chloe had to pay. I don't remember everything I did, or how it felt really. I guess I wouldn't want to remember that anger and how it drove my actions." Alya reasoned.
They walked along quietly for a while. The silence was a contemplative one.
"You're right, I kinda feel bad for Chloe. Do you think Ladybug can still cleanse the Akuma? Find a way to help her?"
"I don't know. Maybe? But the Akuma was destroyed, there is nothing left to cleanse."
"Maybe the ashes? Could she do something with those?"
"I don't know. Maybe you should put something up on your blog?" Marinette suggested.
"Maybe." Alya frowned. They lapsed back into silence. As the reached the school, Nino and Adrien stood out front talking. Adrien glanced up and smiled.
"Good morning, Marinette. Good Morning, Alya." He gave a polite wave.
"Morning Boys." Alya gave a wave back.
"Morning girls." Nino parroted with a grin.
"Mmmmm." Marinette managed. She was lost in Adrien's kind eyes; they were looking right at her. He seemed to chuckle and broke eye contact turning back to Nino and continuing their previous conversation. Alya dragged Marinette up the steps.
"You've got it bad." Alya laughed.
"He said good morning to me first." She held her hands over her heart. Alya chuckled as they prepared for their first class.
"Yeah he did. Maybe he finally realized his undying love for you." Alya smiled suggestively. Marinette blushed and began shoving books into her locker.
"Really?"
"Of course! What's not to love after all?"
"I'm gonna ask him to help work on the cushion project with me." Marinette decided. Alya gave her a light punch to the shoulder.
"You go girl."
Marinette smiled and nodded. The two walked to class together discussing the previous night's homework and the upcoming Talent show.
"I know I told Nino that I'd help with his film and all but he's impossible to work with! He keeps going on about drama and this and that and oh my god. It's like he won't listen to reason. He keeps altering my script with frivolous things like a 'dramatic kiss' scene. What is with that boy and adding unnecessary romance to my scripts!?"
Marinette laughed setting her books on her desk and taking a seat. Alya relieved her self of her books but did not sit down.
"It's like the story isn't worth while unless it has some romance. Now, I can write romance, I can do it. But I didn't put it in the script and now he's trying to force it. I know we're supposed to do it as joint project, writer/director duo. But I am getting to the point where I can't work with him." Alya huffed then sat heavily in her chair.
"Sounds like you two need to take a break."
"I wish, he keeps yelling how we're behind schedule. Well we wouldn't be if he didn't keep adding unnecessary kissing to the film." Alya rolled her eyes. "How about you, how's your dress coming?"
"I've hit a roadblock. The fabric I'm using is amazing, soft, elegant, looks good on camera, flash or no flash… but the thing is, it likes to snag. Sewing is getting tedious because of it. I might have to do some hand stitching." Marinette frowned.
"You'll figure it out, you always do."
"I know. Plus I decided on the design so last minute and all, I'm worried I won't get it finished in time. Especially since I'll be starting the cushion project here soon. Everyone has emailed me a list of special additions, fabrics, or colors they'd like to add to their cushions. Plus I'm trying to figure out a way to make them easy to carry. Perhaps a way to attach them to school bags… or straps?" Marinette frowned.
"Maybe you could add an adjustable ribbon or colored band that can double as a strap?" Adrien turned around joining in on the conversation. Marinette jumped she had been so caught up in everything she had to do she hadn't even noticed him arrive.
"T-that's a great idea." Marinette smiled. "Um… I could use more like it. W-would you consider being a co-designer on the project?"
"Really?" Adrien cocked his head to the side. Marinette had a slight feeling of déjà vu.
"Yeah. You're input and help would be greatly appreciated." Marinette smiled. Adrien was silent for a moment, thinking, then he pulled out his phone and scrolled through it quickly while Marinette held her breath in anticipation.
"I can only help out Mondays and Wednesdays between 16:00 and 19:00." Adrien smiled. "I would love to help though."
"Great! Meet her at her house tomorrow and you can get started!" Alya agreed for Marinette.
"I'll be there." Adrien smiled. "Oh, and are you girls all free for lunch today? Nino mentioned that we should all hang out sometime since we missed our movie night. Today would be a good day for me."
"Yeah." Marinette smiled. "There's a small Café not far from here, it's within walking distance and they have good food for good prices."
"Sounds like a plan." Alya smiled, Adrien turned to Nino who was listening to music and effectively ignoring the conversation. He tapped him in the shoulder and told him the plan while Alya gave Marinette a covert thumbs up.
Madame Bustier finally instructed the student to quiet down and began the lesson. Marinette could hardly think. Lunch seemed so far away and she was anxious to spend time with Adrien. She smiled to herself. Perhaps she'd have a small victory to share with Chat. She frowned. She still had to find something or think of something that would give Chat a sign that she would be able to meet with him. She decided whatever it was, it would be black cat related. She figured he'd recognize it immediately. She smiled to herself thinking about it, he'd probably get a big head about it and make a stupid pun. Perhaps she'd even make something, not that she'd ever tell him she made it, he'd get even more of a big head if he thought she put too much thought into it. She started sketching in the corners of her notebook. It was a small, simple black cat with big green button eyes. She nodded to herself; she had a pair of light green buttons that glowed in the dark. They'd be perfect.
She glanced up at the board and quickly copied down what was written before returning to her sketch. The stitching could glow too, just to add something extra, and to make it more visible. She had some glowing paint; perhaps she could soak the thread in the paint before she used it then let it dry, hopefully the pain would soak into the fibers and make them glow. She frowned, the problem with the plan was it might make her thread too stiff to use. And of course a golden bell around the neck of the cat to finish it off. Marinette smiled content with her design. Thinking about how she would make the cat distracted her from everything that might go wrong during lunch with Adrien. She resolved to make it a thin stuffed animal, a 2d cut out but with some slight stuffing to give it more substance.
Marinette looked up at the board again and gave a small internal scream before quickly trying to catch up on notes. She didn't have time to focus on her plans because class quickly distracted her.
Marinette's heart was in her throat when lunch finally arrived. Alya and Marinette waited outside for Adrien and Nino to meet up with them. Marinette had already texted her parents and informed them of her lunch plans to which they wished her luck and a good day. Marinette bounced with excitement as Adrien and Nino approached. They were talking about video games.
"I'm telling you melee weapons are superior, I'm not saying you don't have to know how to use a bow, but a sword or a staff are superior in these games." Adrien argued.
"It would be more useful to avoid the fight all together, if you can essentially snipe out your opponents then you don't even have to learn how to fight, easy win." Nino responded.
"If you waste all of your skill points upgrading your bow abilities then what are you going to do when you get caught? If you have to go one on one with your opponent?" Adrien argued. Nino conceded the point.
"You make a good argument but I'm still focusing on archery."
"Marinette, Alya, if you were playing a fantasy MMORPG what do you think would be superior, the sword or the bow?" Adrien asked as they began walking. Alya frowned.
"Personally I would focus on spells if it's fantasy." She shrugged. "I'm a mage myself."
"Marinette?" Adrien turned eager for her opinion. Marinette jumped.
"I… ah… oh… I um… I prefer Arena fighting games." She stammered. Adrien looked her over and Marinette felt vulnerable, what if her zipper was down?
"Is that so, we should totally have a gaming session together." Adrien said with a smile and a nod, then he pulled out his phone and began scrolling through it rapidly as they walked. Marinette blushed then fell in step with Adrien while Alya and Nino continued the debate, this time debating the pros and cons of Magic vs Archery.
"But when you run out of MP you're essentially useless."
"What about when you run out of arrows?!"
"Ah… no good." Adrien sighed. "I don't have much time in my schedule… just a few minutes here, a half an hour there, its not enough time to get into a game, that is if I'm going to continue helping with the cushions."
Marinette frowned.
"Such is life, I guess." Adrien sighed. "I'll loan you some games if you want.."
"Um… w-what system do you have?"
Adrien was silent then he looked away.
"Uh… all of them?" He winced and gave her small polite smile. "I know spoiled rich kid right?" He gave a soft laugh.
"Oh… no… I mean… I don't think that."
"You'd be the first. Even Nino teases me about if from time to time." Adrien shrugged.
"He'd probably just jealous." Marinette smiled at him before looking away with a blush.
"He's definitely jealous." Adrien gave her a mischievous grin. Marinette had never seen him grin like that, her heart pounded a little faster. "So, you like video games, what else do you do?"
"Oh… you know… stuff." Marinette blushed.
"Stuff… uh… ok, that's informative." Adrien didn't seem to know what else to say, but his response was not sarcastic or cruel. Marinette steeled herself deciding that if she could save Paris, she could talk to Adrien.
"Well… I like to design things. Clothes, dresses, phone cases, purses, that sort of thing."
"That's right. You won the design contest. And I've seen your drawings, I think they're pretty good. To be honest I've wanted to ask you about them for a while." Adrien admitted.
"R-really?"
"Yeah. It's just every time I seem to get close to you or try and ask about them, you scream and run away. I was beginning to think you didn't like me." Adrien gave her a playful smile and Marinette blushed and turned away.
"Oh… I'm a mess aren't I. It… I l-l-l… look I just find you intimidating to talk to." Marinette hid behind her hands. Adrien gave a good-natured laugh.
"At least that's all it is. I was worried I'd miss out on your friendship."
"Oh… I… just… you'll have to give me a while to get used to this." Marinette blushed. "Talking to you that is. Or seeing you. Not seeing you seeing you, like we're dating seeing you. I mean obviously not like that HA HA! Right… I just am or was… still is… was… am… you… model good." Marinette babbled. Adrien blinked in confusion.
"Um… Thanks?"
"I'm just going to stop talking now." Marinette looked away. Alya gave her an understanding look before Nino recaptured her attention.
"I'm used to it." Adrien gave her a kind smile and patted her shoulder. They veered into a Café following Alya and Nino. Conversation was suspended briefly while everyone ordered then sat around a table waiting for their food. Discussion turned to the upcoming talent show.
"Marinette is making a dress." Alya offered. Marinette blushed slightly as Adrien turned to her.
"Really? I'd love to see it." He smiled.
"Oh… well maybe you'll see it at the Talent Show. I'll be modeling it." She smiled. Adrien's face fell slightly. "You don't have to I mean, no pressure." Marinette held her hands up and waved.
"No, I'd love to it's just… I have a high profile photo shoot to attend the same day. I tried to get it off but my father wouldn't allow any exceptions. I don't mind that much really, but I'm sorry to miss an opportunity to see your work." Adrien smiled.
"Oh… I'll… uh… send you some pictures."
"Cool." Adrien smiled. "I am looking forward to Alya and Nino's film, at least if they could stop arguing about it."
"It's not my fault she can't see my artistic vision."
"Maybe you should stop trying to force romance that isn't there."
"Romance spices up any plot, I thought girls liked that sort of thing."
"I wrote the script and I'm a girl, I think I'm the authority."
"Well I am the director and I think a romantic subplot would add dimension."
"I already has dimension, romance isn't necessary!"
And so it went.
Marinette and Adrien laughed.
The food was ready. Adrien went to retrieve the food with Nino leaving Alya with Marinette.
"See, this isn't so bad." Alya gave Marinette a nudge with her elbow.
"You're right. He's just a person… a beautiful, famous, kind, and caring person but still a person." Marinette sighed. Alya laughed.
"Yeah. And you have all of tomorrow evening to look forward to spending time with him. Alone. In your room." Alya waggled her eyebrow suggestively. Marinette turned bright red.
"Alya!"
Adrien and Nino returned to the table. Alya was laughing and Marinette was blushing.
"Are you all right?" Adrien set Marinette's sandwich in front of her. Seeing Adrien made her blush harder, if such a thing were possible.
"Ah- yes! E-E-E-everything is just f-f-fine." Marinette opened her sandwich and began shoving it in her mouth while Alya laughed. Nino and Adrien both looked to her for explanation but she remained cryptically quiet.
"We should plan on seeing a movie, the four of us, since last time didn't pan out." Alya smiled.
"I would enjoy that, but I don't have a lot of time in my schedule… maybe a Monday or a Wednesday after Marinette and I finish the cushion project. Or maybe we can take a break from it later to do it, I'm not sure how strict our schedule will be." Adrien turned to Marinette who had stopped scarfing her sandwich down and was eating it like a normal person.
"I don't know. I promised cushions by next month. I guess it all depends on how it goes while we work. I'm sure we can make time for a movie though. My sewing skills are top notch." Marinette gave a confident smile.
"I'm cool with whenever." Nino shrugged. "I don't have too much going on other than the film project."
"Same, except the Ladyblog."
"Would you mind recording some of the Talent Show for me Alya? It's just… I've never been to one before and I was excited to go to this years. Since I can't come I'm hoping you wouldn't mind recording some videos for me to watch."
"No problem Adrien. Plus there is a special piece I'm going to be showing in the Ladyblog, so if nothing else there will be a video for that."
"You've never been to a talent show?"
"Ah… no. I've just been homeschooled; I missed last year's talent show because of the whole Akuma attack thing. I was trapped on the other side of the school during auditions and then my father decided to take a trip to Italy and wanted me to come with him."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It was simply not to be." Adrien gave his signature smile.
"What was your talent going to be? I'm curious now, Agreste."
"I was going to preform a poem in Chinese. Nino thought it was lame, but I thought the poem was good."
"Poetry is lame."
"You just don't appreciate it." Adrien rolled his eyes.
"Whatever." Nino shrugged before finishing off his food.
"If it helps I like poetry." Marinette gave a shy smile. Adrien returned it. He turned to Nino.
"At least Marinette has taste." He gave him a sly grin.
"If you say so."
"Maybe I'll just replace Marinette as my best friend. She's obviously the superior choice." Adrien draped his arm around Marinette's shoulders. "Besides, she is infinitely better looking." Adrien gave a Chat-like grin to Marinette. However, she was frozen in terror. Adrien paused then un-tucked his arm from around her shoulder. "Oh, my apologizes Marinette. I forgot myself; I perhaps got a bit too carried away when teasing Nino. I didn't mean to catch you off guard or make you uncomfortable."
"Oh… no… it's fine." Marinette blushed. He had touched her, draped his arm around her even!
"Besides, she was my best friend first." Alya interjected.
"I still stand by what I said though. You are far more beautiful than Nino." He gave a light-hearted chuckle just as his phone started ringing, he checked the caller ID. "I have to get this, it's Nathalie." He excused himself from the table and left the Café, standing outside on the sidewalk to talk. Marinette gave a contented sigh and leaned into Alya who rolled her eyes as Nino raised his eyebrows.
"I don't know… I think I could stand a change against Marinette in a beauty contest… what do you think Alya?" Nino turned to her.
"With the right dress maybe." Alya teased. She nudged Marinette toward her food.
Alya and Marinette were done eating by the time Adrien returned. He had a distracted look on his face.
"Dude, everything alright?"
"Nothing that wasn't expected." He smiled slightly. "I'll tell you some other time." He shrugged as he sat down to finish off his lunch. Marinette frowned wondering what could have made him feel so down in such a short time. However, Adrien finished and they began the trek back to the school.
Alya and Nino began discussing their film project, attempting to reach some compromise, leaving Adrien and Marinette alone together. Adrien didn't talk much but seemed somber and pensive as they walked. Marinette looked away unsure how to comfort him. A long silence stretched between the two. Adrien's expression grew darker with every step. Marinette couldn't stand it anymore.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Adrien glanced over at Marinette then smiled, his mood seemed to brighten slightly.
"Maybe later. We're almost back." He gestured to the school, not more that a street away. Marinette nodded and silence filled the space between them once more.
Nino and Alya's conversation began to devolve back into argument and Nino broke off, putting his headphones on and zipping to his locker as they entered the school.
Adrien rolled his eyes then gave Marinette's shoulder a slight squeeze.
"Thanks." He smiled.
"What for?"
"Your friendship." He too broke rank to attend to his own locker.
Marinette smiled. Even if Adrien would never consider her in a romantic way, it was reassuring to know he considered her a friend.
Marinette put the last stitches in with a smile. The cat's button eyes peered up at her from her workbench.
"I'm impressed you finished so quickly, you can really work fast when you set your mind to it." Tikki smiled. The Kwami was perched atop a miniature dresser and was eating a cookie. Marinette kept buttons, decals, sequins, and other odds and ends in the drawers, anything she might need for sewing.
She stood up and stretched checking the time.
16:00
She still had time before she met up with Chat for a quick patrol around the city. Chat had first suggested it. Occasionally they would catch a stray Akuma flitting about the skyline and she would purify it before it had a chance to possess anybody. Perhaps Chat had been looking for an excuse to see her more often but it had become a regular habit to devote a few hours out of the week to patrolling the city. They had even stopped muggings and normal crime before while on a patrol.
Marinette sighed. She decided it would probably be best to use the time she had for homework; especially if Chat decided to drop in. She cast one last glance at the stuffed cat before starting her physics homework.
