I'm Back! Well kinda and its gonna be a bit before I update Cats Closet. I'm still writing but life has me in a bind so updates might be more sporadic than not. Especially since I didn't get hardly anything written these past few weeks. Ah well at least I have the outline done! Enjoy!
Marinette is a detective who can't keep a partner while hunting down the notorious Hawkmoth gang. Chat is the new cat burglar on the streets who never gets caught. After Marinette gets handed his case it's it won't be long before their fates collide especially when monsters start roaming the streets
(Annoying Morning)
After Chat had left her in a random alley Marinette had made it home with no issues, took a shower and fell into bed exhausted. She had planned to wake up in the late morning and work on the Chat Noir case since she now had ample information on him but instead she was jolted awake by someone knocking on her door. Blearily she opened her eyes to see the time 8:30am on her clock. Today was supposed to be her off day to sleep in and sliding from her covers with a grumble she moved into her living room where a slight tapping sound echoed from behind the door. Ready to rip the knocker to little pieces Marinette glanced through her peep hole to see what idiot was knocking at her door so early. A halo of golden hair and green eyes greeted her and Marinette scrunched her face up in confusion. A moment later she swung the door open managing a mild sleepy glare as she stared up at Adrien on her doorstep.
"Uh… Good morning?" Adrien said feeling himself blush as he took in her rumpled state.
Marinette was wearing a long baby pink princess night shirt and a pair of baby blue cotton shorts that just barely peeked out from underneath her shirt around mid-thigh. Her hair was down curling about her face as she yawned and rubbed one of her eyes sleepily.
"I hate morning and today is my day to sleep in." Marinette grumbled blearily and moved away from the door leaving it wide open.
Adrien took it as an invitation since she hadn't slammed the door in his face and walked in closing the door behind him.
"I'm sorry I woke you Marinette. I didn't know." Adrien called as she lifted a blanket off her couch and cocooned herself in it.
Adrien moved to her side handing her a cup filled with her favorite tea. He had asked Alya what she liked to drink and Alya had been happy to divulge such information.
"I's ok what do you need?" Marinette yawned accepting the cup as she snuggled down into her blanket. Unfortunately she was fairly used to random people turning up on her doorstep at all hours from Alya to other people from the Whispers group. Once she knew what Adrien wanted she could go back to sleep.
"Well I kinda forgot my work clothes here last night and I figured that since I needed to collect them anyways I could stop by and possibly walk you to work?" Adrien mumbled still blushing as he watched her sip her tea, a happy sigh escaping her lips.
Marinette hummed looking a touch more awake as she thought about his offer. "Oh I'm not going in today. Its my off day and I have baking to do."
"Huh?" Adrien asked looking confused and Marinette sighed arching her back as she stretched her shoulders.
"I'm on desk duty which means I regulate my own schedule. I put in extra hours earlier this week so today I have a day off. I was going to bake and work on some other case stuff after I slept in." she grumbled already counting the hours of missed sleep.
Adrien winced at her tone and reminded himself to not wake Marinette up again either as Chat or himself. "Sorry Marinette I didn't know and Alya didn't mention it. I wouldn't have come over if I had known."
At his words Marinette froze the tea finally kicking in and giving her brain some much needed caffeine. However it was then that she really realized that a very hot male who she had a crush on was standing awkwardly in her living room, as she was sitting rumpled and sleep starved in blanket on her couch. Instantly she felt her cheeks go red in mortification and just barely managed not to scream out loud, even as her inner self let out a mortified wail.
Adrien watched amused and confused as Marinette looked him in the eye glanced down at herself then sprang off the couch out of her cocoon dropping her tea as she did so. Catching the tea before it hit the ground he just barely caught Marinettes garbled "Wait… change… gha!" as she darted away towards her room and nearly tripped over her side table. The door slammed behind her and a second thump echoed out from the closed door sounding suspiciously like she had fallen.
"I'm fine!" Marinettes voice warbled out and Adrien slapped his free hand over his face to prevent his laughter from escaping. Gently he set her tea back down on her table and walked over to her door where he could make out the sound of mumbled curses and things being tossed about.
"Marinette you can take your time or I could even leave if you want. I promise I will text you next time I need to drop by. Especially if its early." Adrien called out.
He didn't actually want to leave and he didn't even have her phone number but it was obvious he had caught her very off guard and he didn't want to push himself on her since she actually seemed a touch nervous around him. Plaggs green eyes glinted at him from his pocket and the kwami snorted rolling his eyes at Adrien's words. In return Adrien bared his teeth at the kwami in silent warning when the door before him flew open. Marinette stood there panting slightly in shorts and a cute sleeveless top he had never seen before. She was still barefoot and her hair hung loose around her ears, some of it falling in her face.
"No your fine, I mean its fine… I just um need to change back… well you know." Marinette gestured to herself looking a bit helpless as she turned red.
"Oh right. Your tea is on the table." Adrien replied glancing over her head into her room. It was probably rude of him to do so but Adrien was very much curious. A mannequin stood in the recesses of the room and he could see something on it but suddenly before he could really look around Marinettes hand filled his vision as she shoved another hand in his chest forcing him to back out of her doorway.
"D-don't look it's a mess and nothing is done!" Marinette gasped practically shutting her door on her heels, so suddenly they were only inches apart. The top of her hair brushed his nose and he inhaled with a smile her scent filling his lungs instantly putting him at peace. She was so cute, tiny, and she fit perfectly in the circle of his arms. Adrien knew if he wished, he could pick her up and carry her although he would probably get an elbow or more for his trouble. The thought amused him and a smile lifted his lips even as she turned a darker shade of red.
"P-personal s-space!" Marinette squeaked and as he bent his head to look down her finger met the tip of his nose pushing him back in such a way his body had no choice to follow. The prickle of claws against his chest also reminded him that he was Adrien at the moment not suave flirty Chat. The thought depressed him and he stumbled back a little farther than necessary raising a hand to his nose rubbing it.
"Sorry Marinette. I didn't mean to pry or anything." Adrien said his voice slightly muffled by his hand.
Marinette blinked at him looking rather startled then shook her head waving her arms in an adorable manner. "No, no, I should have cleaned or remembered you would have to come back, or something…." Her voice trailed off for several seconds the blush covering her cheeks deepening again. "A-any case um your clothes!"
Ducking her head Marinette darted past him back out into the open space that was her living room and towards the other bathroom. A snicker drifted up to him from his pocket. "Oh she definitely likes you. This is going to be so entertaining." Plagg muttered almost too soft for him to hear.
His words made Adreins heart leap though and trying not to grin like the cat that got the cream he followed Marinettes fleeing form. As he was trying to figure out how he could spend some more time with her Marinette came rushing back out of the half bath nearly running him over. Once more Adrien caught her as she plowed into him the clothes in her arms hitting the floor.
"Sorry, sorry!" Marinette cried jerking back and snatching the clothes off the ground before he could attempt to get them himself. She shoved the clothes into his chest before backing off her cheeks hot. Adrien managed to suppress a snicker bundling his clothes under his arm.
"Well then. Since you're up would you like to go get some breakfast?" Adrien asked startling Marinette again.
Her face crinkled slightly as if she were contemplating something then to his relief she nodded. "Breakfast sounds nice actually. I have to grab a few things while I'm out anyways."
Adrien beamed wanting to jump and shout YES! but knowing he couldn't he gave her what he hoped was a charming smile.
"I'm paying though so don't try anything." Marinette said as she moved past him instantly making Adrien frown.
"Um that's not the way this is supposed to work." Adrien said as he followed her.
Marinette shrugged grabbing a cute pink purse and sliding her feet into a pair of flip flops before heading towards the door. "Too bad. You got me tea this morning and you paid for my lunch the other day. The least I can do is pay for breakfast."
Realizing he wasn't going to win Adrien grumbled but set his clothes down on her table and picked up her still full cup of tea. "Does this mean I pay for next time then?"
Marinette rolled her eyes but waved him out closing and locking the door behind them. "Next time I will have the supplies I need to make breakfast. I have to go grocery shopping otherwise I would just make breakfast here."
"You can cook too?!" Adrien cried then realized it was probably a rude thing to say.
Instead of taking offence Marinette laughed outright. "My parents are bakers so yes I know how to cook. Why don't you cook?"
Adrien cringed "I am very adept at burning water. I can mix things just fine and I'm an expert at prepackaged meals but if it involves the stove I might as well just call the fire department ahead of time."
Marinette laughed again taking her tea from his hand. "Well if you are good at mixing things I could certainly use your help today unless you have to go to the precinct after breakfast."
Adrien instantly brightened at the idea of helping of getting to hang out with Marinette all day. "If I go in I just have some papers to fill out. I may do that later this evening since there is a smaller chance of getting pounced on by Chloe."
Marinette grimaced as they traversed the stairs making their way to the side walk below. "Why do you let her pounce on you?"
Adrien sighed rubbing at the bridge of his nose. "She is an old school friend and since the mayor is comrades with my father we always got thrown together at meetings and banquets and balls and such. Usually I can handle her in small doses but lately she has become…" Adrien paused for a second trying to think of a word.
"Unbearable?" Marinette supplied and Adrien gave a somewhat resigned shrug.
"She didn't used to be this way when we were younger. She was kind. Selfish and a little snobby but when push came to shove she was kind." Adrien sighed as their feet hit the bottom stairs.
Marinette patted his shoulder realizing that while Adrien didn't like how Chloe acted now he clearly missed the way she had once been. It made her a little jealous though Marinette recognized he didn't see Chloe in a romantic light at all. "I have never known her to be kind but maybe she will grow out of this grouchy phase."
Adrien laughed squeezing the hand on his shoulder. "Lets hope so! Now where shall we eat?"
With the change in subject came a lighter happier atmosphere and they enjoyed a small breakfast at one of the smaller cafes that lined the city streets. Once done they headed to a grocery store where Marinette purchased enough baking supplies that Adrien raised an eyebrow in question. Clearly the people in the checkout were used to her because their only comments were requests for some cookies she made. Marinette had laughingly agreed as they gave her a discount on the supplies, then they carried all the bags back to her apartment. Once inside Adrien helped unpack all the supplies then watched bemused as Marinette started organizing everything she needed.
"What can I do to help?" Adrien asked making Marinette jump. A grin creased his face as he realized that Marinette had almost forgotten he was there.
For a moment she looked puzzled as she looked him over then with a smile said "You can get my bowls down out of the cabinet."
He did while commenting on her short stature which began a game of insults between them. For almost an hour they bantered as they mixed and got the batter ready. As Marinette started laying out cookie sheets, Adrien discovered that he loved cookie dough and snuck so many bites that Marinette started to carry the bowl around with her to prevent him from eating more. It left them both in giggle fits and when the last of the cookie sheets were placed in the oven Marinette turned to him while slapping his hand away from the cookie dough once more.
"You are going to get fat. Stop eating the cookie dough or I won't let you take home any baked cookies." Marinette groused and Adrien laughed knowing she didn't really mean it. Instead she left the kitchen after setting a timer and Adrien after sneaking one last bite, followed curious to what she was up to now. She climbed into her loft in a few short seconds and in the next moment she tossed a bag over the edge which he caught. Her head appeared a moment later and she grinned at him.
"Nice catch. These too!" she called
In the next moment she tossed a half a dozen things down to him ranging from two blankets to some bags and other miscellaneous items.
Adrien felt buried under all the stuff and he could hear Marinette chuckle as she climbed back down her ladder.
"You could have dropped the stuff once you caught it!" she huffed her voice filled with mirth as she guided him to the couch. "Just dump it here."
"I didn't realize you were going to throw so much stuff down!" Adrien replied once he dropped his enormous burden on the cushions. "What is all this for?!"
"It for some people I know." Marinette answered evasively "I need to organize it and put the cookies together before this evening."
Adrien frowned a little but before he could press for any kind of specifics the timer beeped and they were off to save cookies before they burned.
By the time they got all the cookies baked, cooled, bagged, and the other items organized it was starting to get late. Realizing they hadn't eaten since breakfast Marinette pulled out a chicken casserole she had made the night before and heated it up for the two of them. They sat on her small balcony that was accessible via skylight and to Adrien the whole idea was amazing. He told Marinette as much and she seemed embarrassed by it. Cookies were dessert and Adrien leaned back against the cushions supremely satisfied. It had been an amazing day for him and Adrien was hesitant to leave although Marinette seemed to be getting antsy as the sky grew darker. Finally she stood as the sun started to set gathering the plates and silverware as she headed in. Watching as she skillfully navigated the ladders Adrien crouched waiting to see if she was going to come back up. A few minutes went by before Marinette stuck her head out of the kitchen looking for him. Realizing he still hadn't come in she called
"Come on in and don't forget to latch the window. It leaks in the rain if it isn't latched."
Adrien slipped in but at the last moment left the window unlatched. He hoped she wouldn't check it before leaving that evening as he slid down the ladder and jumped over the railing of the second one. Landing with hardly a sound Adrien snuck into the kitchen in hopes of making Marinette jump. For a second he thought he had her as he slipped up into position behind her. Before Adrien could make a move to grab her however, Marinette turned whacking one of his outstretched hands with a clean spatula. An amused smirk crossed her face as he nursed his hand pouting.
"I've known elephants quieter than you and you really don't want to scare me. If you do manage it I will probably hurt you accidently." Marinette said her voice light.
Adrien gave a long suffering sigh. "I will nurse whatever wounds I receive from you with pride princess. Besides I don't think anyone can sneak up on you."
Marinette rolled her eyes but couldn't help the grin on her face. "Criminals aren't very good at sneaking and Roger certainly couldn't though I let him think he could since it gave me an excuse to punch him. Tiki was the only one who could really sneak up on me and she was fast enough that she never got hit."
Adrien nodded "My partner in America was the same way. He used to drive me crazy."
They both blinked their eyes meeting as they realized what they had shared and instead of shutting down they both felt something between them shift slightly. A new level of trust had been reached between them and it felt… right. Before Adrien could ask about Tiki an alarm on Marinettes phone began to ring breaking the moment completely.
Instantly she cursed scrambling for the device then grumbled again as she saw the time. "Um Adrien I don't mean to seem ungrateful because you have been a big help today and I'm sorry for taking up your whole day but I kind of have to run."
Stepping forward she actually pressed a gentle hand to his chest making him turn towards the door. "Oh… um ok? Do you need help with something? I can carry stuff if you are going to be making deliveries."
"That's really sweet of you but I've got it covered. I just have other stuff to do." Marinette answered vaguely
They were almost to the door and Adrien stopped causing Marinette to crash into his back. He caught her before she hit the floor and asked once more "Are you sure you don't need help? I don't mind hanging out."
Disengaging herself from his hands Marinette shook her head her cheeks pink. "No I am good. We will have to hang out another night. Maybe go parqouring or something."
Adrien nodded eagerly "That sounds awesome! Would you maybe like to go tomorrow?"
Marinette gaped at him not having expected him to actually accept. Glancing at her watch feeling flustered and realizing she was running short on time she nodded. "That should be good they have a meeting of the minds tomorrow night anyways. In any case I've really got to get ready so…"
She pushed at him again the touch gentle but insistent. Adrien allowed himself to be pushed along and out the door riding on the warm fuzzy feeling that had spread through him when she agreed to see him again outside of work. Suddenly the pushing was gone and turning back Adrien realized he was standing in the apartments hall.
"K bye!" Marinette said flashing him a grin
Adrien nodded and the door clicked shut before he could utter a word. A small sniggering could be heard from his pocket and glancing about to make sure no one was near he lifted his jacket to eye his kwami.
"You're both fools and you totally forgot to search for the miraculous which was your whole reason for coming." Plagg said still sniggering
Adrien groaned realizing Plagg was correct. "I got caught up in the moment Plagg."
Plagg rolled his eyes "You got caught up in her. All. Day. Long. Not that I mind since she has good taste in cheese but still if all you were going to do was flirt you could have left me at home."
"Please tell me you didn't eat all of her cheese." Adrien pleaded heading towards the stairwell that led to the rooftop. He knew that Marinette was going to be leaving soon. To where he wasn't sure since she never did tell him but it wouldn't matter since he could track her easily as Chat.
"I didn't eat all of it just half. Besides you haven't fed me today and this is not the way home." Plagg snapped as Adrien opened the door the rooftop. It was a different piece of roof from Marinettes balcony area filled with equipment and interestingly enough a small rooftop garden.
"Adrien…" Plagg growled at him as he flew from his pocket.
"She will be leaving soon and I am curious as to where she is going." Adrien answered leaning over the edge of the wall a little as he eyed her balcony.
Annoyed Plagg dug his claws into Adriens shoulder making him jump. "I am not helping you stalk her every night. I want cheese and sleep."
With a wince Adrien disengaged Plaggs claws. "I am not stalking her Plagg! I want to see where she is going and I want to see if she left the miraculous in her apartment. Besides you have been asleep in my pocket almost the whole day! At one point I think even she heard you snoring!"
"I don't snore." Plagg growled clearly not believing him but there wasn't much he could do. He was bonded to the kid and whether he wanted to or not as soon as Adrien said Claws Out he would be pulled into the ring. He could force the transformation to unravel if he really wanted to but that was a dangerous safety measure that he never wanted to use. The lights below them flicked off and Adrien turned to Plagg his eyes pleading.
Plaggs lip curled as he let out a small hiss. "Fine but I get tomorrow night off and a whole wheel of Camembert."
"Deal" Adrien said with a satisfied grin and Plagg moved to hover next to the ring on his finger. "Plagg Claws Out!"
They transformed in a flash of green light then Chat Noir leapt to the wall peering into the street as he tried to spot Marinette. After a few moments he spied her, weighed down by several bags and slowly making her way down the sidewalk.
"She is gone and we both know she won't be coming back. Get a move on before someone spots you up here!" Plagg hissed.
Chat grimaced but did as Plagg asked. He didn't really want to break into her apartment but it wasn't like he could show up and ask to look around. If he did so as Chat she might actually arrest him or injure him simply on principal.
"Probably the latter." Chat chuckled to himself and he could hear Plagg sigh in agitation within his mind.
Landing silently on her dark balcony Chat lifted her window which had thankfully been left unlocked and slipped in. Her flat smelled even better as Chat and for a long moment he stood in her loft breathing in the sweet smell of cookies and Marinette.
"Alright lover boy focus, or do you want to de-transform and I will search?" Plagg asked
"Sheesh Plagg I'm moving don't get your fur in a knot." Chat hissed quietly jumping over the railing of her loft and landing silently on the floor below.
He searched the house swiftly coming up empty on both the stone and the Akumas quill she had picked up. Marinette's room had been the hardest thing to search since it was a chaotic mess that had even Plagg whistling in appreciation at. Chat had felt horribly awkward shifting things around in there especially when he had opened her underwear drawer without thinking. He had skedaddled relatively quick from the room after that although the mannequin in the corner had caught his eye since it was an almost completed dress in a ruby red with black sheer cloth coming off the shoulders. Before he could take a closer look Plagg had gruffly told him to move on so he slipped from the room to search elsewhere. After another few minutes of searching however it was clear that neither object was present.
"They aren't here…" Chat sighed resigned, settling some books back where he picked them up from.
"She probably has the stone on her." Plagg murmured "It seems to have bonded well with her and miraculous stones have a way of compelling their future partners to keep them close."
"And you would know that wouldn't you Plagg." Chat sighed feeling a tremor of guilt eat its way through him.
"It's not your fault kit. Never was and never will be. Now don't you have something else to do tonight?" Plagg grumbled wishing to distract the boy and knowing only one thing could do that.
Chat sniffed shaking the feeling off as he climbed back out of her skylight eyeing the rooftops around them. Searching her apartment had taken nearly fifteen minutes but as slow as Marinette had been moving, something told Chat he could still catch up.
"So you think she has it on her?" Chat mused already moving in the direction he last saw Marinette walking in, sniffing the air to catch her scent as he moved Plagg remained silent knowing Chat hadn't really been asking him. "I suppose there is only one way to find out, you up to another possible fight Plagg?"
"Sure. You're the one that wakes up with the bruises." Plagg answered and together they started the hunt.