Chapter Eight

Marinette was reclining in her room, staring at the ceiling and trying not to fiddle with the lucky charm Adrien had given her long ago. Despite her anger she hadn't been able to relinquish the gift and had been taking solace from it, even though she was still mad at its maker.

Tikki continued throwing her concerned looks as she nibbled away at her cookie. "I know what you're thinking," Marinette said as she thumbed one of the bird beads.

The red kwami swallowed a large bite and wiped her mouth with the back of her arm. "And what would that be?"

"That I should talk to Adrien and let him finish what he was trying to say."

"Perhaps," Tikki said with a shrug and a mischievous look.

Marinette's eyebrows dropped to shadow her eyes. "Perhaps?"

"Or you could let Chat Noir dazzle you with another rooftop date." Tikki smirked, knowing full well who lay beneath the mask. "After all you are due to meet up with him for patrol. I'm sure he'd skip it if Ladybug suggested a romantic night together instead."

The girl made a gagging noise. "No way. I'm not encouraging Chat Noir."

"Why not? He adores you."

"He adores Ladybug, and all the heroics and mystique that goes with the job."

"If that's the case, why has he visited you twice as Marinette in the last few days and promised to meet you again after patrol? Doesn't it suggest that he's got some vested interest in you?"

Marinette stood and placed her hands on her hips. "He said he considers me a friend."

"So that means he likes both sides of you, even though he's not aware that he's been interacting with an unmasked Ladybug. Imagine if he found out the truth, I doubt you'd find a more devoted boyfriend."

"Don't even suggest it, Tikki."

"Why, because you might like it? Come on, you remember his sensitive side when he attempted to set up a date with you as Ladybug. The boy is a romantic at heart. He's just waiting for a chance to woo you properly."

The alarm sounded on Marinette's phone. "Patrol time," she muttered with little enthusiasm.

"Give the guy a chance. You know he's very interested." Tikki insisted as she finished off her cookie.

"I'll think about it," Marinette uttered before calling for her transformation.


Ladybug was first to the pair's usual meeting place. Tikki's words of advice continued to roll around her head and she began to wonder if her kwami secretly preferred Chat Noir to Adrien. Her tiny companion had never pushed for her to notice Chat in the past but still, Tikki had looked rather smug about something.

Her musings were interrupted as she glimpsed movement across the rooftops. The familiar lean figure of her partner was heading her way. Yet her eyes narrowed as she noticed he had something slung diagonally across his chest, only as he came closer did she see that he was hauling a pale grey satchel bag.

As soon as he was in earshot, she pointed to the bag. "What have you got there?"

"Secret cat business." He smirked as he cleared the last gap between buildings to land before her.

Ladybug raised a masked eyebrow. "Since when do you have secrets, Chat? You're an open book."

His lopsided grin turned roguish. "I don't tell you everything, milady."

"I suppose not," she said as she eyed the bag. Examining the shape as she tried to guess what was inside. "Is that your catnip stash?"

A laugh escaped her partner as he splayed a hand over the bag flap. "Hardly. It's a surprise for a friend." Her eyebrow lifted higher and the jovial look on his face turned teasing. "Were you hoping it was something for you?"

"Well it usually is," she muttered as she crossed her arms.

Chat Noir strode closer to her, standing sidelong and pushing the bag to sit at his back. His feline eyes were filled with amusement. "Is that a hint of jealously I see, bugaboo?"

"You wish," she grumbled, taking a step away from him.

His grin widened. "Indeed, I do."

Ladybug cast an unimpressed look over her shoulder at him. "Is that thing going to hinder you on patrol?"

"No, I planned on stashing it somewhere but I'm reconsidering it now. You might not resist the temptation to peek."

She ignored his goading and loosened her yoyo string from her hips. "Just try to keep up."

"Your wish is my command," he replied with a two fingered salute.

Mentally she rolled her eyes. Chat Noir only listened to her when he wanted to, at least when they weren't in the heat of battle. She'd lost track of how many times she had asked him not to call her bugaboo. Yet he continued to do so because he considered it cute. His persistence was exasperating.

Thankfully he was professional for their patrol, at least for the most part, only teasing her every ten minutes about the bag which was rather restrained for Chat Noir. To her relief there wasn't anything they needed to respond to, so that meant they could go home. It wasn't surprising since Hawkmoth's last attack was less than a week ago. No doubt he was busy plotting his next move.

Having returned to their meeting point, Ladybug realised she needed some way of delaying Chat. She required a head start to get home and transform prior to his arrival. Luckily for her Chat Noir was always keen to spend extra time with Ladybug. "Chat," she started as he called her name at the same time. They both chuckled and smiled at each other. She indicated that he should go first.

The black clad hero placed his hands behind his back and rocked forward on his feet. "There's something I meant to ask you the other day. Alya, the girl who runs the Ladyblog, wants to do an interview with both of us. I agreed but said I'd need to check with you."

Ladybug tapped her finger to her chin as if considering. "When is the interview?"

"Nothing has been formally arranged. I think Alya was happy to work around us."

"I suppose we could do it after our next patrol, if that suits you?"

He nodded eagerly. "Sounds purrfect."

This time she didn't hesitate in rolling her eyes, especially since he looked so impressed with himself.

The surety faded from his face as he studied her. "Was there something you wanted to say to me?"

"Yes," she said clamping her hands together as her gaze dropped away from his. The toes of his boots stepped into her field of vision and her heart began to pound with nervousness. There was one guaranteed way to make sure he didn't immediately leave and that was to show him a bit of affection. Guilt twisted in her gut, she didn't like playing with his feelings, maybe she could come up with something else.

Ladybug's hesitation had him moving closer. "Bugaboo?"

Looking up she discovered how much of her space he now encroached. Her impulse was to move away but she didn't. Hopeful curiosity shone from feline eyes, very much focussed on her. She managed not to swallow. "I'm sorry for my attitude last time we met. But also…" Her eyes darted away from his before she forced them back. Lifting a trembling hand, she placed it on his cheek. "…thanks for being there for me."

As expected, Chat Noir's eyes filled with yearning at her touch and he nestled his cheek further into her gloved palm. His voice was deeper than normal as he responded, "You're welcome."

The intensity of his stare was making her uncomfortable and she quickly lowered her hand. The unexpected shift caused Chat Noir to lose his balance momentarily and a slight flush touched the exposed section of his face. He sheepishly looked up at her, his masked face downturned. "Oops."

"Well, I better go. See you later, Chat." She said with faked cheerfulness as she backed away from him, giving a final wave as she launched herself to the next rooftop. She heard his answering farewell and glanced over her shoulder a block away to see him standing where she left him, watching her with a dazed expression on his face. Yep, distraction delay tactic achieved.

Within a few minutes she was home and transformed back. Tikki made herself scarce while Marinette positioned herself at her desk. She flipped open her design sketch pad and pick up a pencil, tapping it on the side of her page as if considering her creation. She half expected Chat Noir to drop on her balcony within seconds but it took more than twenty minutes for him to arrive. The thump of his landing was heavier than his previous visits and when she opened the skylight he seemed a bit spacy as he climbed down. "Is everything alright, Chat?"

The glazed look disappeared as he shook his head and blinked. "Um, yeah. I'm good."

Marinette cocked her head to the side as she perused his befuddled face. Part of her was stunned by how flummoxed he was from the brief moment she'd held his cheek as Ladybug. Before she considered the wisdom of saying it, Marinette asked. "Did Ladybug kiss you or something?"

Chat Noir let out a dreamy groan as his whole body relaxed and his eyes turned distant. "No, but if she did…" His legs gave out under him and he flopped onto the chaise to lie back amongst the pillows with a dopey grin on his face.

Biting her lip to contain her urge to laugh, Marinette gently kicked the toe of his boot. "Hey loverboy, in case you're not aware she's not here right now."

His arm dangled from the side of the chaise as he turned his head towards her. "I know but she held my cheek." He lifted his hand to cup that same cheek. "And looked at me in a way that made me burn."

"You've got it bad." She said as she sat down beside him, trying to ignore the guilt that was being smothered by amusement. Chat Noir really was as wrapped up in Ladybug as she'd been with Adrien. That sobering thought quashed her grin.

"She's so amazing." Chat sighed.

Marinette clicked her fingers in front of his face. "Earth to Chat, reality is calling." She was starting to feel embarrassed, knowing that it was actually her he was mooning over. "What's in the bag?"

Again, Chat Noir blinked a few times as his gaze fell on the grey satchel still slung around his torso. He reached for the strap, lifting it over his head. "I'm glad you asked," he said in a more lucid tone. His hand rested on the flap and he eyed her with a cheeky smirk, all traces of swooning now gone. "When I was a kid and feeling down, my Mum used to play this with me so I'd have something else to think about."

"It's not a ukulele, is it?" she asked dubiously.

"No," Chat Noir sniggered. He flipped open the bag flap and pulled out a board game. "It's Cluedo."

"Cluedo," Marinette chuckled. "So, you're suggesting I need to find out who killed Mr Boddy in order to clear my mind of Adrien Agreste."

The confidence Chat Noir exuded wavered. "I was thinking more about helping you detach from your disappointment not Adrien. He is still your friend, right?"


Sorry to leave it there but the next part needs to be from Chat's perspective. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter, swooning Chat is so delightful. Please let me know your thoughts via review. Thanks as usual!