Chat Noir paced the tiny rooftop balcony. With school tomorrow, they wouldn't really be able to run patrol for too long. He had been filling the silence, trying to discuss with Mullo about the details of what Marinette would be able to do while transformed, so he could puzzle out where best to train. But despite his size, Mullo didn't seem inclined much to small chit-chat.

"She'll be able to run across the rooftops. And she'll be able to get away quickly...and hide out of sight."

"What about weapons?"

"She'll have one." Mullo eyed him carefully. "She won't be able to move as much as you do with your staff - or Ladybug with her yo-yo, but she might be able to use it to hold on from time to time. Much as you could do with your tail."

"Hmmm."

Sighing, Chat leaned against the rail, staring out over the Seine.

Heroes' Day had only shown them that they needed as many new and novel elements to their team and the dynamic to keep Hawkmoth off balance. The villain already had too good of a read on what the team was capable of doing - and how they'd interacted with one another, playing it to full advantage against them.

Much as he loved working with Ladybug, it would be nice to have a friend - one who he really knew well - at his side for battles.

Of course, Chloe would be there, too, but with the mask, his oldest friend hadn't exactly been inclined to treat him like the childhood friends they already were.

Not that Chloe exactly did friendship well all the time...

But with Marinette? That was different. She treated everyone well, even if it was sometimes hard to do so. But she had been especially kind to him on either side of the mask.

For all that he spent much of his life secretly saving the city, he didn't really get to make a lot of friends as Chat Noir. People just wanted a photo or an interview...or they wanted to get back to family or friends.

But he had saved - and been saved by - Marinette more than once. He'd had to carry her off from a threat on more than one occasion.

And she'd helped him out without question, reassuring him that his plans for Ladybug had been lovely, even while he'd felt at his lowest point.

He had been entirely honest with her during that picnic in the park: in so many ways, her kindness and generosity - not to mention her own quick thinking - reminded him a lot of his Lady.

Chat frowned. Of course, he wanted to get Nino and Alya to help as well, but he'd need some way to appeal to them without being suspicious. Neither had been out, racing after the Akuma nearly as much as they used to. And he couldn't exactly knock on their doors asking for help without arousing suspicions.

Having Chloe's identity out there had already proven to be a risk with Hawkmoth. That sort of risk was the last thing he'd want for any of this friends.

Working with Marinette might give him a better idea of how to reach out.

Blinking, he hadn't even noticed he had company until Marinette had softly tapped his arm. "Are you ready?"

"Sure!" Straightening, Chat beamed down at her. "Sorry. I didn't hear you climb back up here. It's almost like you're as quiet as a mouse."

A wry smile perked her lips, Marinette shook her head in grumbling disbelief...a sentiment that Mullo echoed until she softly uttered: "Whiskers up."

Notes:

Thank you all so much for the kind words!

I've got my head down right now, trying not to read anything else spoiler related (or probably also answering much of the comments) right now until I wrap this one up. I think I'm fairly close...and have enough for maybe 2-3 small ficlets installments like this.