-7-

Studying was very difficult for Marinette the following morning, since her mind was filled with a boy who wore a catsuit and modelled. It was kind of ironic when she thought about it. A cat themed superhero who also graced the catwalk. Maybe Master Fu had more of a sense of humour that she'd initially thought.

Marinette smooth the textbook page and tried to jot some notes. But her mind kept wandering. "Tikki, I can't focus," she grumbled as she scrubbed a hand over her face.

"I can understand that. You've got a lot on your mind and you didn't sleep well. Why don't you take a break, grab a snack and see if that helps?"

"Okay. I think Dad just finished baking some cookies."

"I like that idea," Tikki grinned.

But as she stood to leave, her phone pinged. Marinette picked it up and stared. "Adrien is texting me!"

The red kwami looked down at the phone and read the message.

Adrien: Hi Marinette, you mentioned that you were doing homework today. Mind if I come over and study with you?

"What do I say?"

"If you want him to come over, say yes."

Marinette: That should be okay. I was just stopping for a snack break.

Adrien: Sounds like purrfect timing on my part.

"Oh heck, his Chat Noir is really showing."

Tikki read over her shoulder. "I guess he's happy to show you that side of his personality now."

"I'm not sure I want to see it."

The red kwami gave her an incredulous look. "Are you sure about that?"

Marinette gave a coy shrug. "Maybe."

"How about we head downstairs and you can get the snacks ready before he arrives?"

"Sounds like a plan."

Yet by the time they made it to the bottom of the stairs, the dark-haired girl was surprised to hear a knock on the private entrance door. Surely he couldn't have arrived that fast. With a shrug, Marinette decided it was best opened the door and find out. Tikki wasted no time in zipping back upstairs to hide from their new company.

Unlocking the door, Marinette swung it open and forgot to breathe. There stood Adrien Agreste looking like he'd just stepped from the runway with his schoolbag held tight against his chest, smiling at her with a faint blush. "Hi Marinette. I, um, hope I wasn't too forward in inviting myself over to study."

Marinette's eyebrows had risen and disappeared under her bangs. "No, no, of course not. You're welcome anytime."

"I am?" he said with a hopeful look that made her heart race.

"Sure." Gosh this was awkward. "Want to come and pick out some snacks?"

The blonde nodded eagerly. "I'd love to," he replied as his blush deepened and he rubbed at his nape.

She glanced over his shoulder to see the black sedan sitting in wait. His bodyguard was probably checking he made it inside okay. Stepping back, Marinette waved Adrien in. "This way."

"Sounds like I came at just the right time," the blonde grinned as she closed the door. He glanced from side to side and dipped his head to whisper, "You wouldn't happen to have anything with cheese for Plagg?"

"Um… possibly. I'll see what I can do." Marinette said, turning away to lead him to the bakery. Part of her was thrilled to have Adrien visit but another part of her brain kept turning over the fact that he was also Chat Noir. And by his last comment, he liked having someone in on the secret.

A blush stained her cheeks as she considered the fact that Chat Noir was crushing on her. Well, on Ladybug. She really didn't know what he thought now. Particularly when it came to them being out of the masks. Mentally shaking the thoughts away, the pair made it to the bakery kitchen doorway.

"Hey Dad," Marinette called to ensure her father knew they were there.

Tom turned with a jovial smile which only widened when he saw Adrien. "I didn't know we had a visitor."

"Adrien has come over to study. We were just going to get something to eat."

"You're in luck. The cookies are over there cooling."

"Great. Um, are there any cheese twists I can grab?"

"Sure," Tom said as he reached for a tray behind him and passed over two.

Marinette grabbed a plate and led Adrien to the items they could choose from. The boy grinned with delight and pointed out what he liked the look of. Marinette quickly piled the selection on the plate and headed upstairs with her guest.

For once her focus was on maintaining the plate in her hands, and not being distracted by her crush. She inwardly winced as they entered her room, she hadn't bothered to take down her montage of Adrien pictures. There hadn't been a lot of point since he already knew she had them up.

Placing the plate on her desk, Marinette shuffled her homework over so there was room for Adrien. "I'll just grab you the other chair," she stated but as she turned around. Adrien was directly in her path and an awful lot closer than she'd been expecting. Instinctively, she raised a hand to stop herself from crashing into him, this meant that particular hand landed right on his chest. Was it her imagination or could she feel the pound of his heart?

It had to be wishful thinking. As much as Chat Noir liked to flirt, Adrien had only ever seen her as a friend. She dropped her hand away from him and stepped back. It was time to get that chair. Marinette whisked away and hurried back with his seat, putting it close but not too close to hers.

As they said down together she pointed to her books. "I was just working through our science homework. Want to start there?"

Adrien quirked a brow. "Hmm, chemistry does seem like a good place to start."

Wide-eyed, Marinette was fairly certain there was more to that comment than surface value. In order to break herself out of her stunned stare at the boy who was eyeing her with a nervous smile, Marinette reached for a cookie and shoved it in her mouth.

She could practically feel those green eyes on her. "So, uh, which question were you up to?"

With a mouthful of biscuit, all Marinette could do was point.

"Okay then, I'll catch up and we can go through them together."

Marinette cast a quick glance at him and nodded. Inwardly she prayed that she could act like a normal person. It was so much easier dealing with him when he had the mask on. However, the idea of Adrien flirting like Chat Noir held a certain amount of appeal too.


Could Marinette finally be getting the attention she's been hoping for from Adrien? You bet. But how will she handle it?

Thanks for reading. Your reviews and thoughts are appreciated :)