Hey guys, I just wanted to tell you that my look for grown up Adrien/Chat was inspired by the picture of him as a parallel of a younger and older Chat Noir over on Luaru's Tumblr. Make sure to check it out if it helps you to imagine him a little better.
'A-Adrien' she stuttered looking up at him.
He narrowed his eyes as to somehow identify the beauty that seemed to know his name. And as soon as he looked deep into her blue eyes it became clear to him.
'…Marinette' he spoke, her name vibrating of his lips smoothly.
He gazed at the girl that's been taunting his mind and dreams all these years and he felt speechless. Her big bluebell eyes were wide in shock, but they still managed to put to shame the color of the skies above.
Her cheeks were covered with a shade of pink as her thick black eyelashes flickered ever few second or so. His eyes darted to her slightly parted, luscious pink lips as the sudden smell of strawberries filled his nose. How could someone manage to look so surprised and so attractive at the same time?
He held her tightly, not wanting to let go just yet, but as soon as he felt her long black hair linger on his arm, he realized just how close they actually were.
Marinette finally put a hand on his chest as if to somehow say that they should separate, and although he was a little hurt, he understood her message and did as she wanted.
As they took their positions with a nice respectful distance between them, he took this chance to examine her a bit further.
She was much taller that before, probably up to his nose now; he guessed.
Her long figure stood out in a pretty white dress which hugged her so perfectly to the point that he knew she made it herself. His eyes traveled to her neckline; her shoulders were bare and her top was cut into a V like shape perfectly exposing just the right amount of cleavage. Damn it, she has really grown up.
He allowed his eyes to travel down a bit, tracing her small waist and nice hips that were unfortunately not very visible due to the dress flaring out from the waist down.
Her legs were observed last as he swore he'd never seen anything sexier… and he should know since he worked with a lot of female models. Now that he though about it, they'd never stand a chance compared to Marinette. She was most certainly the emblem of perfection.
He found himself developing a shade of pink as he realized what kind of thought he just had, but it looked like she didn't pay attention to his lustful gaze as she too was eyeing him up and down.
Adrian silently thanked his personal trainer for dragging him to the gym everyday and making his life hella harder with bench presses.
Ever so slightly he flexed his arms, trying his best for it not to look forced.
She finally looked up, her cheeks still blushing. He figured it was the right time to say something.
'I-It's b-been quite some time' he begun, his hands clenching the back pockets of his shorts.
Why the hell was he stuttering!? He never stuttered. It was simply not in his nature, yet one touch of her warm hand and here he is being a total mush.
She didn't say anything, just simply stood there gawking at him.
'Whaaa-what are you doing here?' he asked, mentally hitting himself for asking such a stupid question.
It took her a moment to compose herself, before she spoke.
'I-I was just…leaving' her heels did a one-eighty as hurried to escape from the scene.
'Wait!' Adrien called after her, his hand gently grasping hers as he spun her around so that they were facing each other again.
'Why are you running away from me?' He was truly hurt by her action.
He knows that he moved away and left her here, but she also knows that he didn't have a choice.
Did he seriously mean that little to her?
'I'm sorry. I-I just don't have the time to talk right now.' She lied. Her voice still sounded smooth despite her looking rather scared. She tried to get out of his grasp, but he refused to let go of her hand.
'Oh, no you won't.' he said, determination covering his face. Yeah, he's going to do this. He's gonna straight up ask her why the hell is she acting this way….And no, he's not going to think about how cute she looks when she's mad…and how those lips would feel against his-.. NO! For God's sake, snap out of it!
'What are you doing?' she asked as she looked at their joined hands 'Let me go.' She ordered, but he didn't listen.
'Not until you answer me why you've been avoiding me for all these years!?'
'Who's avoiding you? I'm not avoiding you!' She still struggled to free her hand, but he simply tightened his grip. He was still very aware of her fragile being so he did his best not to hurt her.
'Marinette, it's been 5 years. Just talk to me, goddamnit!' he pleaded.
And that's when he felt a sharp pain in his foot. He jumped back and cursed, bringing his knee up too the chest as he grabbed his burning foot.
She…she just stomped on his foot!
His head snapped up to look at Marinette, but it appeared she was long gone.
He sighed, straightening his posture. How in the world was he meant to do this?
.
.
She stomped on him…she just f-ing stomped on his foot!
Marinette held a hand over her wide opened mouth as she ran to her house.
Dear God, she felt like throwing up.
And she did…she did throw up.
.
.
All the way across the town, the Carnival was being set up. Five hardworking men putting up the long orange tent in which the main part of the annual holiday was meant to be preformed.
A bit further from them, stood a short chubby man dressed like a clown. He was blowing up his balloons when a little boy decided to interrupt him.
'Hey, fatty' he teased, a joking tone in his voice as he approached the man.
The clown turned to him, gasping at his rudeness.
'Where'd you get that nose from, the Clown college?' the boy snickered, sticking his tongue out.
'That's a very rude thing to say, little boy! Where's you mother?' He looked around in hope to find an adult responsible for the little pest.
'Where's you hair? Let me guess, you don't have any!' the boy laughed as he snacked the man's wig, exposing his bald head.
'Why, you little!' The clown chased after him, but the boy kept escaping from his reach, until he finally caught him.
'Let me go!' the boy screamed.
'Rufus!' he was suddenly yelled at from his boss, making the clown jump and release the boy.
'What is the meaning of this!?' his boss asked as he looked at the little kid that was shredding fake tears.
'I-I..Boss..he insulted me…I just wanted t-..'
'Enough!' the angry old man yelled 'I've had it up to here with your lame excuses and sloppy work. And now I see you strangling a poor innocent kid!' His boss yelled.
'But, boss h-..'
'You are FIRED! I can't put up with your lack of humor and creativity anymore! Pack up your things and leave.' the old man spat out, lifting his hand as he pointed to the exit.
The clowns eyes widened in shock.
'But-..'
'No buts! Leave, Rufus!' his boss yelled.
The short man bowed his head in agony, slowly gagging towards the exit. As he walked passed by the little boy he heard his low snicker and in an instant his teeth gritted with anger.
As soon as he was out of the open, the short man crouched down, his hands covering his face as he cried. He was much too angry and sad to notice an akuma flying towards him and entering his red wig.
As of that moment the clown sat up a purple butterfly shape appearing around his eyes.
'Balloonman, I am Hawkmoth. I can help you to make the ones that wronged you regret their decisions…all I ask in return is Ladybug's miraculous.'
'Yes, Hawkmoth' Balloonman smirked evilly as his entire body flashed, transforming into his new identity.
.
.
'39,2°C' Sabine said as she measured her daughters temperature, taking the thin stick out of her mouth and putting it back in it's case.
'Sooo, I'm pretty much gonna die' Marinette said attempting a joke but she only managed to catch her mother's and best friend's narrowed eyes.
'Geez, I'm just kidding. Lighten up.' Marinette rolled her eyes, the action causing another sharp pain trough her head.
She hated being sick. Everything was tasteless and every part of her body hurt. Not to mention that she coughed ever few minutes and had a too hot-too cold cycle that never ended. On top of it all, her mother decided to leave on some lame cartoon shows in hopes it would make her feel better.
'How could you be so reckless as to catch a cold?' Alya lectured her, her hands crossed and a scowl on her face.
'Oh, really miss "You could use some fresh air"?'
'Oh no, don't you blame this one on me girl.' Alya shook her finger from side to side as to somehow intimidate her.
Sabine let out a laugh as she patted Alya on the head 'I'll leave you girl alone. Call if you need anything.'
'We will. Thanks, maman.' Marinette gave her an appreciative smile, before her mother exited.
As soon as she found it safe, Tikki got out of hiding spot flying towards Marinette.
'Oh, hey Tikki.' Alya greeted her.
Yeap, it's been a year or so since Marinette revealed her superhero identity to Alya. She was angry at first; She couldn't believe why her best friend didn't tell her straight away, but after a week of them not talking, she eventually decided to forgive her. It really straightened their bond- Marinette thought.
'Hi, Alya' Tikki smiled, waving her little hand.
'Are you feeling any better, Marinette?' she asked.
'A little' Marinette yawned 'I'll be fine when I get some sleep' she starched her kwami's tiny head resulting in Tikki giving her a pleasurable smile.
'Breaking news!' her TV program suddenly changed; a rather disturbed looking Nadja Chamak appearing on the screen.
Both Marinette and Alya turned towards the TV, curious as to what happened.
'Another akuma attack is happening within only a week after the previous one. The Bubbleman or so the man who calls himself that has been making a chaos all over Paris with his weapon shaped balloons. Paris is in great danger as we all await for our one true hero Ladybug to save us all! We will be updating you on this story as soon as more news come in. Back to you, Bob.' the woman spoke and the camera turned towards her other colleague.
Marinette gasped as she looked at the live video that was playing at the same time as Nadja spoke.
Fuck, of all the times! Why did it have to be now!? –Marinette thought.
Nonetheless she clinched her fist, determination clear in her eyes as she pulled the blanket off of her.
'Oh no, you won't!' Alya tried to keep her down.
'Alya don't you see that Paris is in danger? I have to do something!' She shook of Alya's hand, getting of her bed. But as soon as her feet hit the ground she felt as if her entire world was spinning.
'And how do you plan on fighting the akuma considering the condition you are at!?' Alya scolded her. But she was already familiar with the stubbornness her best friend possessed and it was clear to her she wasn't gonna win this argument.
'Just- just distract my parents. Don't let them see I'm gone.' Marinette explained as she somehow made her way towards her window, the tiny red creature following her.
'But, Mari-..' her kwami tried to say, but Marinette cut her off.
'Tikki, spots on!' she yelled and then came along a pink light that transformed her into her spotted attire.
Alya didn't even manage a gasp as Marinette leaped out of the window and towards the chaos.
.
.
Over at the Agreste residence, Adrien sat on his bed. He's mind racing with question about his earlier encounter with Marinette. He wanted to talk to someone, but seeing as his only companion, Plagg was in his little corner eating Camembert, Adrein decided to just keep his worries to himself.
That is until a loud crash was heard, followed by people screaming in agony. He ran towards his long window, looking out to see where all the fuss is coming from.
'…Plagg' Adrien called, his voice drawling as his eyes were still glued to the window.
'Yeah?' The kwami asked as he casually stuffed a whole piece of cheese in his mouth.
Adrien stared out for a moment or two before his lips formed a small smirk. Finally!
'Plagg, transform me!' he yelled.
.
.
Marinette felt another wave of dizziness hit her as she jumped across two buildings, her yoyo wrapping around the large pipe and saving her just before she fell.
How in the world was she supposed to do this?
Nonetheless she somehow managed to get herself to the main fiasco.
Balloonman was chasing after an old man, levitating on a balloon shaped platform. He managed to successfully trap a little kid to one of the buildings and in looked like he was gonna do the same to the man as he fired some sort of a net from his harpoon shaped balloon.
The man screamed for help, but the clown just laughed sadistically.
'Is this funny enough for you, boss!? Or should I say, Bozzo.' The clown widened his scary smile as he blasted the man, making him change into a clown.
'Now that that's done' he snickered 'There's a certain pest I must get rid of.'; He turned towards the screaming child.
'Not so fast, Balloonman!' Ladybug yelled as she spun her yo-yo in a wide circle. 'You'd-…' she tried to say but instead coughed, sharply inhaling the much needed air. 'You'd have to pass trough me first!' she somehow finished, her throat on fire.
'Aww, does little Ladybug have a cold?' he mockingly pouted his red lips before another devious smirk appeared on his face. 'How in the world are you going to fight me looking so washed up?'
'I wouldn't worry about me if I was in your big shoes. And really, Balloonman? Such an original name.' she smirks, knowing it'll tick him off. 'Bet it's still better than your real one.'
'Oh you've done it now!' he yelled as he charged at her, shaping his balloon in a bomb and throwing it at her.
Oh God, why did she do that again?
Marinette barely managed to dodge the flaming bombarding of the bombs as she spun her yo-yo and jumped around.
Her body dripped in sweat and she did her best to defend herself, but a sharp pain in her body distracted her as the bomb blew up next to her leg, sending Marinette flying into the ground.
She coughed harshly as she pushed her hands to somehow get up; gravity pulling her down every time she tried.
The clown smirked deviously as he flew towards her, still keeping his distance enough so he can fire out of his balloon.
'Are you clowning with me?' he laughed 'I never imagined a few tiny bombs were enough to defeat Miss Lady Luck!' he sighed as to show his fake disappointment.
Marinette fought with her body as she tried to get up; Her entire vision blurred due to the spinning in her head. Trough her clogged ears she could identify a distant sound of a helicopter above them. The entire Paris was watching her!
'Come on I want a real fight. Get up!' he ordered and she really did try, but her body simply gave up on her. She was shivering as the cold night breeze made its way trough her spine. She c-can't...she can't give up.
'Balloonman, get her Miraculous. The earrings!' Hawkmoth demanded.
The akuma nodded, getting off of his platform and approaching the helpless girl as he blew up a new balloon.
He shaped it to look long, before the bright spark appeared and in a split it turned into a sword.
The clown slowly shook his head as he pointed his long sharp sword towards her, a frightening smirk on his make-up covered face.
'Such a shame you'd have to go this way. And to think, I didn't even get a decent fight from you.'
She felt her eyes fill with tears and she sniffed, desperate to somehow keep them in.
'You are truly pathetic.' The clown said, as he finally swung his sword.
Everything seemed to appear in slow motion as the deadly weapon approached her little by little.
So this is it, huh? This is where her story ends.
She feels tears leave her burning eyes. I'm so sorry, Tikki…Alya… Well, at least it's been a good life she lived…Still..
'I wish you were here, Chat' she whispers as she closes her eyes, awaiting for the sharp pain in her body…but it never came.
Instead a loud clanking sound was heard, as if someone had blocked the attack with another weapon.
Marinette slowly opens her eyes. Throughout her very blurry vision she manages to somehow recognize the leather covered back that is facing her.
'...Chat Noir' she gasps when her savior turns his head around, a familiar smirk appearing on his lips as he meets her wide eyes.
'It's been a long time, My Lady.'
Sorry I'm a little late with the update. Hope you enjoyed reading the chapter as much as I did writing it. :3