Chapter 2: Messages/ At the Opera

Adrien's POV

As April turned to May, the anticipation of summer vacation arrived. With only a few weeks of school left, students were becoming antsy. Kim and Ivan in particular were engaged in a spit-wad battle to the death. Poor Miss Bustier was an unfortunate casualty of their warfare.

Adrien was finishing a text message before class started. He had finally figured out a way to text Marinette without revealing who he was. He found an app that allowed him to sync the cell number from his baton, thus giving him capabilities to converse with Marinette and Ladybug.

CN: Hey Bugaboo. You up for movie night tonight? If I get there by 7, we'll have plenty of time to finish it

M: Sure. I'll pop plenty of popcorn since you hog it all ;) What movie you bringing?

CN: My fav American movie, Phantom of the Opera. I think it's funny when Americans try to do French stuff LOL

M: I LOVE Phantom! For other reasons tho… I'll tell you tonight, class is starting. TTYL xoxo

CN:TTYL P

Adrien put his phone away, sneaking a glance at Marinette. Her face was pink, and she was grinning, winning a questioning smile from Alya. The class quieted as Miss. Bustier began her lecture.

Tonight's going to be fun.

Marinette's POV

"This movie never gets old." Chat Noir scrounged around the bottom of his popcorn bowl, looking for any bits he may have missed. The Phantom of the Opera was scrolling through the credits

"So, Mari, you know why I love this movie; I think it's funny when Americans try to do French stuff. Tell me why it's your guilty pleasure."

Marinette readjusted the blanket over her legs. While summer had started to return to Paris, the night air on the balcony was still chilly. "Well I think the story itself is brilliant. I know everyone says, 'the book is always better', but the way they adapted the Broadway show into the movie was spectacular! I also love the costu-"

"The costumes? Why am I not surprised? You are so predictable!" That comment earned him a punch in the gut. "Okay… I deserved that…"

"Ahem! I also believe Andrew Lloyd Webber is a genius. The music is just so beautiful…" Marinette developed a dreamy look in her eyes.

Chat shrugged. "The whole thing is a bit too 'Beauty and the Beast Gone Bad" for me. Gives guys in masks a bad rap." Marinette turned to face him, wondering for the hundredth time who her boyfriend was.

"Well, I know you're a good person underneath your mask, Kitty." She leaned over and pecked him on the cheek. "Do you at least have a favorite song? Mine's All I Ask of You." Chat thought for a moment.

"Um… I don't really have a favorite song… it kind of hits home…" he trailed off.

"Oh, come on! Tell me." As she leaned in close, Chat gave her a look of uncertainty.

"Fine. Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again."

Marinette was confused. "Ok, that song's about how Christine is missing her father because he's dead. But, you've mentioned that your father's still in the picture. He's still okay, right?" Chat shook his head; he wouldn't meet her eyes.

"My mom." He whispered. Marinette noticed tears pooling beneath his mask. "I actually don't know if she's dead or alive." The tears flowed freely now. "She's been missing for more than a year now and I've given up hope!"

Marinette placed a hand on the sobbing boy's shoulder. "Have you talked to your dad about this?" Chat shook his head.

"You're the first."

Chat stood up suddenly, drying his tears quickly. "Sorry about that, Princess." He gave a half-smile. "It's getting late, I'd better be heading off. I've cried enough for one day." As he turned to go, he felt a hand grab his arm. Marinette turned him around and enveloped the hero in her embrace.

"You don't have to be strong all the time," she whispered. "That's why I'm here."

I want to be clear, I don't think either gender is weak. Man was created to do certain things and woman was created to do certain things. Together, they fill the gaps in the other person, to be their bulwark (any person or thing giving strong support or encouragement in time of need, danger, or doubt).

I wanted to write a different side of Adrien/ Chat Noir that we have not really seen before. We now know some vague details thanks to the back half of S2, but Adrien is still in the dark. He is a 15 year old boy with an emotionally stunted father and hardly anyone to talk to about stuff. Natalie may try her best, but even boys need to talk, otherwise everything gets bottled up until it explodes (see the Christmas Special as an example).