A/N: Omg, thank you all so very much for the lovely reviews, I really appreciate the feedback! :) I hope you all enjoy this chapter too! Have a great day everyone :3
A Clawful Plan & A Pawssibly Good Day
Plagg quietly sipped at his coffee the next morning, idly watching Pierre set down the chairs for the morning hours when the restaurant would open for business.
His voice seemed loud in the emptiness of the large space and the lack of the usual talk of the crowd and bustling kitchen, "Did Adrien say when he would be back today?"
The chair scraped slightly against the floor and Pierre pushed it under the table neatly, a sigh escaping him, "He said to expect him just before-"
The doors opened as if on cue and the blond himself walked in, hoodie pulled down deeper to cover his face, hair messy, "Hello Pierre, Plagg." Adrien moved the protective cover of the hoodie away from his face, smiling tiredly at his friends, "I'm sorry for being late, had late night shoots yesterday and an exam earlier this morning." He didn't have any eyebags, he couldn't allow himself to, being a model, but Plagg could definitely see the exhaustion in that green stare.
"Why don't ya take the day off? It's a Wednesday." Wednesdays were reserved for Adrien to freely study for university if his schedules called for it, like upcoming exams or catching up with lost lectures or attend events his father forced him to go to.
Adrien rubbed his chin, resting his hand on his hip and Plagg snickered at the model pose, "Wednesdays are always so full of customers, are you guys going to be alright?" he scratched the back of his head, a sign he was uncomfortable with ditching work.
Pierre offered a kind smile, "Of course, you don't have to worry at all Adrien. Just make sure to keep up with your studies and don't forget to rest too."
Adrien smiled at the elder man, bowing slightly in gratitude, "Thank you Pierre." He looked at Plagg, who was watching him curiously, "Plagg, don't trash the VA room again, please."
The dark-haired man rolled his eyes playfully, "Yeah, yeah, mom don't worry. Now shoo and go before I change my mind and sit your ass down here." Plagg was about to take a sip of his coffee before an arm planted itself around his shoulders abruptly and a hand roughly ruffled his already messy raven hair.
"Thanks Plagg, Pierre! You guys are the best!" with a smile to Pierre, the blond raced out of the restaurant, leather bag filled with today's lecture papers.
Pierre chuckled at the dark, murderous frown on Plagg's face, "Shut it old man."
Pierre's expression changed drastically, a brief flicker of something more sinister shining in those old, brown eyes, "Excuse me, Plagg?"
The raven haired man stiffened, "A-Apologies sir!"
The old butler nodded approvingly, his usual friendly disposition in place and Plagg sighed in relief, sagging further into his seat, muttering about secret demon butlers and pesky blonds.
His phone vibrated with a new message and he lazily took it out, quickly typing in the password and opening the messages.
They were from Tikki.
'Good morning stinky sock! I hope the cheese cake I made you yesterday was alright. Have a nice day at work, catch you for lunch tomcat!'
A heartwarming smile softened his normally sharp features, Pierre discreetly watching the man's lips transform into a gentle smile as he typed a reply.
'Morning, sugar cube. Of course it was, it was purrfect. Don't overwork yourself either today, I'll wait for you with lunch outside the shop.'
Adding a silly emoji at the end, Plagg sent his message taking another sip of his coffee.
For some reason, it tasted sweeter.
Marinette stubbed her toe against the desk, cursing under her breath and Nathaniel paused in his sketch to look over his shoulder curiously, a sympathetic smile on his lips, "You okay?"
The dark haired woman sighed, slumping back onto her chair, "Fine…"
Nathaniel set his pencil down and turned towards his friend completely, "Sure? You don't look that fine to me. When did you go to sleep?" he had always had an eye for detail, ever since his childhood days where he first began to draw every day. It also meant he nearly always picked up on miniscule details other people failed to notice.
As often as Marinette wore very little to no make-up, today she had applied a thicker layer under her eyes, which blended into her skin tone to hide the dark eyebags.
Marinette should've known Nathaniel knew better, she gingerly touched the smooth skin beneath her eye, "That obvious?" she offered a tired smile and Nathaniel shook his head.
"To me, yes, but not to others." His small smile stretched into a concerned frown, "Seriously, what's up? You've been on edge lately. We made the deal with that model and the fashion event is only a few days away, I would be relaxed in your stead." The red-head crossed his arms, carefully observing the woman before him who wrung her hands in her lap nervously before her.
A drawn out sigh and a groan followed her next words, "I know but-! Argh!" she threw her hands in the air, standing up and pacing back and forth in a line, hands gesticulating wildly, "Have you ever met a person you thought was really funny and kind and interesting but like, you don't know them all too well and you suddenly see a different side to them that you didn't expect and you don't like that side of them and you feel really helpless and frustrated?!" Marinette still continued to pace before hands clasped onto her shoulders and Nathaniel gently grabbed her attention by turning her towards him.
"Hey, easy, stop trying to walk holes into our floor." Nathaniel soothingly squeezed her shoulders again, "I…I guess I can relate to what you're saying Marinette." The surprised look she gave him made the professor chuckle, "Remember Chloe? I used to have a bit of a crush on her in primary school, until she started with that bullying anyway. That went away pretty fast. I mean, I don't really think it's the same as your situation, but I can relate with the liking someone and not liking certain aspects of them thing. It's natural." He shrugged, noticing her calming down slowly, "…Want some coffee?"
Slumping her shoulders, Marinette nodded and Nathaniel led her toward the kitchen, setting up fresh coffee while Marinette slowly started talking about the restaurant she frequented in her breaks.
Once both steaming coffee mugs were in front of them, along with a cookie plate inbetween, did Nathaniel stare at the woman in bewilderment, "W-Wait…you…you're saying there's…a toy?" Nathaniel still tried to wrap his head around the quick explanation Marinette had given him, about her recent behavior, her extended breaks, everything. "And…there's a guy voicing that toy and you…started liking him?" Nathaniel rubbed at his chest, feeling a stinging sensation there, but he tried to curb it.
Marinette, pink faced, slowly nodded, "I mean, maybe 'liking' is a bit strong, I mean, he's really nice and funny! I like his puns! And he keeps me company while I eat, he's easy to talk to and get along with and well, I don't know! I l-like his voice okay!?" Marinette slapped her hands to her face, the tips of her ears a beet red and Nathaniel burst into laughter at her shy reaction, "S-Stop laughing! I'll demote you!" the threat was empty, but it sounded adorable coming from her red face.
Nathaniel coughed a few times, trying to hold in the chuckles trying to come out, before he took a sip of his coffee and it finally died down, "So…you like his voice, huh?" Nathaniel adjusted the collar of his shirt, feeling slight embarrassment bubbling within his own chest at how cute Marinette reacted.
"Ugh, Nath!" Marinette looked ready to spontaneously combust or throw something at him, "It's-I-I mean- it's not like I-" she backtracked, eyes blown wide, elbows planted on the table and hiding her eyes, "Uhm…I…actually did see him."
The professor's eyes flew open, leaning forward over the table, "Wait, what? You did? When? How comes you didn't tell me?" he tried pinpointing when it could've possibly been, maybe the time she visited him? But that meant she saw him on campus and that was highly impo-
"I-I met him after your lectures…I kinda bumped into him in the hallway…"
Nathaniel choked.
"What does he look like? What's his name?" alright, maybe Nathaniel was getting too excited to know this guy, but he definitely wanted the best for her, even if it meant throwing his own infatuation out of the window.
He tried ignoring the prickly, painful sensations in his heart.
"H-His name's Erik, he's a bit taller than me, messy dark hair, he likes to joke around and um, he teaches art psychology or uh, art therapy in your university."
Nathaniel's body froze and his blood ran cold.
Images conjured up in his mind.
Memories of the past two years of him working as a professor to be exact.
And him.
'Yo, Kurtzberg, playing with colors again? You've got something there on your cheek.'
'Hey tomato-head, cooped up alone in that room, doesn't that drive you up the wall? Go out and have some fun, maybe you'll get some friends along the way!'
"Nathaniel?" Marinette rose an eyebrow at the vacant stare he seemed to have set on a fixed point on the table and she waved her hand.
'Heh, this looks like a bird shit on it, if I have to guess what's on your mind, I think the answer stays the same dontcha think?'
'Most artists only dream of being able to tell what art truly means like us therapists, it's a shame you chose the weaker craft of the two.'
"Nathaniel? Hey! Earth to Nathaniel!" the man jumped, as if ripped from his own thoughts, wide eyes looking at her.
"Uh, s-sorry, I-uh, got lost in thoughts." He scratched his head, ruffling his already messy hair.
Marinette noticed the familiar almost haunted look in his eyes, it reminded her of her younger days when she used to be bullied in school. Her hand reached across the table and settled lightly over his fist, "Does he treat you badly at work?"
She had a hunch, but she couldn't picture it. It didn't fit together, the picture she had of Chat Noir when she was in the restaurant and when she met him at campus.
Maybe she was wrong, after all.
Nathaniel smiled weakly, "Don't worry, I tell him off politely whenever he tries to act all alpha male on me. I've learned a thing or two following high school." He winked reassuringly, and patted Marinette's hand closed over his fist, "It's just, I always had bad vibes about him, before he started being a jerk to me. He just spells trouble." He noticed the conflicted look on her face, "But don't let my personal judgement influence your own, if you say he acts differently in the restaurant, maybe the jerk behavior is just an act? Maybe it's just me."
At that, Marinette immediately shook her head, "No! Don't think that for a second! I don't know what it is but I'll find out, he can't treat any of my friends that way if…if I really do end up liking him that much." She looked unsure of herself and Nathaniel hated seeing her like that.
He squeezed her hand reassuringly, "I wouldn't worry too much Marinette, if he likes you, he will realize what a mistake it is in letting you go."
Marinette flushed, smiling warmly at him, "Thanks Nath, I can always count on you to cheer me up when I need it." She grinned awkwardly, "Well, except Alya as your female counterpart."
Nathaniel smiled.
Adrien almost groaned in bliss at the explosion in his mouth, the delicious pastry from the bakery he grabbed on the way felt like the first taste of heaven after enduring weeks of hell.
He was on his way to catch up on his studies at Nino's place, before getting ready for the fashion event later this afternoon, he had enough time to pour over the new materials his professor gave him before he had to drive towards the address for the fashion event, of course hosted by Agreste Fashion, with a model wearing a dress made a growing designer. He hadn't caught the designer's name, but according to conversations he overheard, the designer must be good at their craft with decent production time.
He hoped to get breaks in-between, he hadn't eaten much except for the pastry and a small breakfast in the morning before the exam. He bet Nino had some leftovers from yesterday, maybe even something edible in the fridge.
Nino was a surprisingly good cook, courtesy of Nora who loved and treated him like he was her very own little brother since his and Alya's high school days. Nino mentioned Nora being a bit of a tough nut, instead of showering him with affection, she usually showered him with 'tough love' when she visited, whatever that meant.
Adrien smiled when he spotted the building Nino's apartment was in, he also remembered the very stunned look the DJ gave him when he humbly asked to temporarily share living quarters.
'Sure dude, you know you're always welcome, but what happened? Did you lose your apartment? Did your dad piss you off?'
As probable as the last possibility was, Adrien had explained what the true reason was, his apartment was empty.
Not furniture-wise.
It lacked warmth.
It lacked everything a room with people living in it should have, warmth, personal belongings, trinkets that were useless or not that pretty but were still held dear.
Trivial things that made his father scrunch his nose.
Trivial things that made Adrien smile because they reminded him of his mother, when she would take little trinkets and souvenirs from places she would visit for her roles and bring back with her.
Adrien himself didn't have much, not many personal things, the things he recently got that were closer to his heart were pictures of him and Nino. Those were already in his apartment, one in a frame, the other clipped to a piece of string he remembered seeing in Nino's house all those years ago, when they were still teens. It inspired him to do something similar, it felt so personal, so real.
For now, only Nino's picture hung there, they also made a few pictures with Alya at the club as a memory, those would come there too.
Adrien hoped many more would come. Maybe even some with a certain dark haired woman with bluebell eyes.
He took out the spare keys Nino gave him, quickly unlocking the front door and jogging up the stairs before finding the door to Nino's apartment already unlocked.
Was Nino home?
Adrien pushed the door open, stepping in and setting the keys in a bowl near the doorway, taking his shoes off, "Nino?" he called out, already smelling something delicious wafting in from the kitchen.
"M' here dude!" the boisterous voice of his friend called back and a small smile lit Adrien's entire face as he made his way towards the kitchen.
The rooms were small, but enough for one, or two to comfortably live in.
Nino was sitting at the kitchen table, steaming plate in front of him, fork rolling around in the sea of noodles, vegetables and sauce, "Hey man, grab a plate and join me, you haven't eaten anything much, right?"
The blond snorted softly, shaking his head as he fixed himself a plate and glass of water, "It's scary how well you know me after all those years."
The DJ grinned boyishly, gently punching his friend in the shoulder, "Once a model, always a model, huh?"
Adrien chuckled, "Once a friend, always a friend." Nino's teasing expression softened, and he nodded immediately, both men chuckling.
"I thought you were in the studio practicing for that gig you were hired for?" Adrien had to admit, even if Nino was nowhere near Marlena's caliber of cooking, the food was still good.
He wolfed down the veggies and noodles when Nino started talking, "I was, in the morning though. It's already two in the afternoon, don't tell me you forgot how to read the clock?"
Adrien rolled his eyes playfully, "I forgot the time, it flew by so fast after that exam, I was just rushing from one point to the next." Nino spotted the leather bag set on the couch in the connected living room, frowning in concern.
"Aw man, you still gotta study, huh?"
The blond shrugged, swallowing down the noodles, "Yeah, but I should be done in no time. It's not that much, besides I still need to get ready for that event today, so I'll go over to my apartment to prepare. I think I'll sleep there too, so don't stay up late okay?"
Nino huffed, taking a big gulp of water, "Whatever you say, mom. Just drive safe and don't drink too much, young man." Nino imitated the voice of an old woman and both men, despite themselves, burst out laughing at their silly antics.
Adrien enjoyed these things.
Whenever he entered Nino's apartment, it always reminded him of home, or the closest thing he could associate to it. It reminded him of their school days and strong friendship and what a good man Nino was.
The two men continued eating and chatting and laughing, even after half an hour went by, Adrien felt at ease, the papers in his bag temporarily forgotten, the fashion event forgotten.
All that mattered was the food, his friend, the atmosphere.
It smelled – it felt – like home.
Erik strolled across campus leisurely, scanning his schedule for his next class, when he spotted the familiar sight of a certain dark haired woman in the distance.
A grin automatically stretched his lips and he waved to catch her attention, "Marinette! Hey!"
The woman jumped, surprised by the call before she relaxed upon noticing him and waving back.
Erik walked up to her and smiled down at her, "Hey, visiting tom-uh Nathaniel again?"
Marinette smiled, "Hey Erik. Yeah, I just wanted to go over a few things concerning work, I won't be a bother for too long." Erik looked around, that explained why she waited near his office too.
Erik planted his hands in his pockets, "I see. So, you don't have some time today, huh?"
She flashed him an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry, I don't. I have to help organize a fashion event and help dress the models."
His interest peaked at the word 'models', "Models, huh? Mind if I watch?" the grin on his face was positively feral, but the look in Marinette's eyes hardened to steel.
"Watch?" she rose an eyebrow and Erik backtracked quickly.
"You know, your work, how you work." He cleared his throat, "Anyway, I may not make it actually, I have classes starting soon until late. See ya tomorrow, purrhaps?"
A smile made its way on the frown previously marring her pretty features and Marinette nodded, "Sure. Good luck on your lectures!"
"Yeah, you too!" he waved and moved towards the long stairs ahead.
Marinette sighed, rubbing her arm.
A few hours later…
Flashing lights, clicking heels and painted faces greeted Marinette as soon as she entered.
Paparazzi, bodyguards and models as far as the eye can see.
There were so many people.
She took a breath, before carrying her designs and bag with designing tools towards the changing areas. It didn't take her long at all to spot a model, or several of them.
Most were doing their make-up, chatting or doing pep talks. Marinette couldn't fault them for it, she would be a jittery, nervous mess if she would've even have to imagine stepping foot onto a catwalk, or anywhere where hundreds of eyes would be on her.
She wasn't good in the spotlight.
After greeting and going over the minor details and major parts of the show, Marinette helped them put on the dresses she designed, feeling at the same time odd but comfortable, handling something that was hers, her very own work in her hands, and helping models put them on, adjusting things and offering advice.
It felt liberating but also frightening, like an otherworldly experience.
Marinette wasn't new to fashion nor to handling fabrics or designs, but she was new to this; the spotlights, the flashing cameras, the crowded fashion galas with hundreds of models running up and down looking for their agents, bodyguards or organizers.
She smiled kindly when another model thanked her for her help in braiding her hair, it wasn't part of the job, but she would help wherever she could if it meant easing the anxious looks on the young women's faces.
She wasn't much older than them and yet, she felt obligated to keep them as comfortable and relaxed as possible under these circumstances.
Some models were seasoned experts, doing breathing exercises or small, personal rituals. Some were tracing patterns on their hands to calm themselves, others were looking in the mirror and silently encouraging themselves, some were chatting with others while again others were drinking juices or water to distract them from the big event which would open any minute.
It was almost time to shine.
Marinette excused herself from the changing rooms, making sure the models were taken care of before she stepped out.
The large, luxurious ballroom was filled to the brim with people. Some were already sitting, looking like they belonged to the VIPs or high end people who would asses the event. Others in suits were chatting amongst themselves near the buffet, people with cameras were keeping a low profile and trying to discreetly take pictures without disturbing the guests too much.
Marinette was glad she had the pass around her neck, people would mistake her for some lost woman who accidentally stumbled into this fine establishment and not a semi-respected designer whose work was about to be put up on stage.
She took a deep, staggering breath, accepting a glass of orange juice from a waiter who was parading around with a plate full of champagne and orange juice glasses.
She gulped the liquid down in nearly one go, frayed nerves still breaking at the seams, but at least she was sure she was hydrated.
Marinette decided to mingle about the crowd, greeting a few other designers she'd met a handful of times, but otherwise keeping to herself.
Due to so many people, there wasn't much room for individual people to really distance themselves from the crowd. It was inevitable to hear some private conversations.
Marinette pretended to enjoy the ambience while subtly listening in on any remotely interesting conversation topics.
She spotted a group of male models a few steps away, talking, some chuckling. Almost all of them had bathrobes on, they would obviously come up on stage later, after the female models were done with their performances.
As Marinette tried to slip past the group of males, back towards the changing rooms to check on her models, she nearly tripped over her own feet when a particular voice caught her attention.
She was sure she wasn't imagining it, but when she turned around, there were several models talking, it was impossible to say which voice belonged to whom. There was a blond with green eyes, a brunet with blue eyes, several black haired guys with brown eyes.
But there was only one name that hit her like a lightning bolt when she heard a familiar voice sound from among the group.
Chat Noir?
Thanks for reading everyone! I hope you enjoyed it :3 By the way, is the plot advancing too fast?