Knight in Cat Armour

Adrien clicks on the Ladyblog web page, scrolling down, down, down. His eyes widen and he almost spits out his water. The comments section for the interview is a mess of negativity and bullying remarks, and they're all directed at Marinette.

kittynoir84: Who does this Marinette girl think she is?

chatsg1rl: She's not even that pretty. Chat Noir can do way better.

blondsdoitbetter: this is the girl who went on a date with adrien agreste! what a slut. she clearly just wants a famous boyfriend.

ladynoir4eva: The only person for Chat Noir is Ladybug! This nobody needs to back off!

Adrien's eyes narrow and he places down his cup a little too hard. The comments only get worse the more he reads.

"You alright, kid?" Plagg asks.

"Yeah, fine. I just have some comments to write."

oOo

He finds Marinette later sitting on a bench at the park, bundled up in a coat and a pink scarf. Her sketchbook is next to her, but her shoulders are slumped and she's staring at her phone. Damn. She must have seen the comments, just as he feared. Well, time for some cheering up.

Adrien jumps down from the building and approaches, tucking his baton in its holster. "Hi, Marinette."

She yelps and her phone goes flying. He catches it easily with his heightened reflexes.

"Careful," he says, smiling as he gives the phone back to her.

"Chat. You gave me a fright."

"Not intentional." He places his hand over his heart. "Cat's honour."

Her lips twitch and she makes room for him on the bench. It's a cold day with a sky as grey as concrete, but there are still kids playing on the carousel and a few people walking their dogs. Adrien resists the urge to huddle into himself. Now that he's not moving, the icy dampness in the air seems to sink right through his suit. Still, he's here for a reason and he's not going to let a bit of cold stop him.

"Did you see the Ladyblog?" he asks.

She groans and places her face in her hands. He can't make out the words she mumbles into her palms.

"Hey." He rubs her back and leans down so their faces are close. "I know it sucks to have people say mean things about you, but none of it is true. You know that, right? Those people are just jealous and don't know you. Try to listen to the good ones, like SirPawsalot. That guy really knows what he's on about."

Her fingers spread so she can peep at him from between the gaps. "I knew it."

"Huh?"

"You're SirPawsalot."

He stiffens. "What? No, I—"

She lowers her hands and gives him a look.

He scratches his cheek. "Was it that obvious?"

"Obvious and embarrassing."

"Embarrassing?"

She brings up the Ladyblog on her phone. "Are you people blind?" she reads from one of his comments. "Marinette is so pretty. Just look at her. That smile, those bright blue eyes, those cute freckles. Plus, she's one of the nicest girls in Paris. Of course Chat Noir would want to date her. Anyone would be lucky to call such an amazing girl their girlfriend."

He tilts his head. "What?"

"What do you mean 'what'? You went way over the top."

"But you are really pretty."

Her face goes a sunset of colour. "W-what?"

"I mean it. You're really pretty and you're always so nice and—"

She presses her hand to his mouth. "Okay, okay, stop."

His lips curve against her palm. It's cute the way she gets so flustered.

She removes her hand. "Look, you don't have to defend me like that."

"Of course I do. It's my fault you're even being treated this way."

"I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to be your girlfriend. I can handle it."

"Maybe so, but I still can't sit back and do nothing when people make rude comments about you. I won't do it."

"Chat …"

He smiles and holds both her hands. "Every princess needs a knight. Let me be yours for this."

Her blush darkens. "You're as bad as Alya. She's been ranting and deleting comments all morning."

"That's because she cares." He gently squeezes her hands. "Like I do."

Her gaze darts to his. He winks, earning a fresh bloom of pink on her cheeks.

"Alright, fine," she sighs. "But tone it down a little. It's embarrassing having you say all that stuff about me."

"I'm just saying the truth."

"Chat!"

He laughs and holds his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay. I'll try to tone it down, even though I am just saying the truth."

She holds his gaze, lips pursed slightly, but her eyes are like sun rays dappling bluebells, all softness and warmth. It's obvious she's touched.

"There," he says, slinging his arm around her shoulder. "Now we're—oh, you're warm." He snuggles closer and wraps both arms around her. "Marinette, you've been holding out on me all this time."

"You never said you were cold."

"I am, and now I'm claiming fake boyfriend rights to cuddle you and steal all your warmth."

She giggles and slips her hands free of the hug, but only so she can unwind the scarf and wrap it around them both. "Better?"

He grins. "Much better. Thank you for sharing."

There's a distinct whistle. Both turn their heads to see Alya and Nino smiling at them from not far away. Alya, of course, is taking pictures. Marinette flushes and hides her face against Adrien's chest, groaning at Alya to stop.

"No way, girl. This shot is priceless."

"Looking good, Marinette!" Nino calls.

The girl in question just gives another groan and burrows even more into Adrien. "Get us out of here," she pleads.

Adrien laughs, loops the scarf back around her neck, and then scoops her up into his arms. "As the princess wishes."

Then they're off, leaving the park far behind.