Chapter 5: New Beginings

Marinette's dreams are filled with her favorite cat. She loves how she can be herself around him and he can do the same. Seeing Chat Noir be so vulnerable and committed to her is something she admires about him. He's direct and decisive, opposite to her.

Towards the end of the night, Marinette has a dream of Adrien. It started out as a good dream, she was invited into his house. He said he loved her and wanted to show her his true self. Marinette felt so happy and trusted but then the dream took a turn. He had a secret layer underneath his bedroom, swarming with black butterflies. "Be my partner Marinette, we can rule Paris together but first you have to give me your miraculous." Adrien lunges at her and Marinette wakes up panting.

"Were you having a bad dream Marinette?" Tikki looks concerned.

Marinette catches her breath, "Yeah." Marinette explains her dream to Tikki. "What does it mean Tikki!?"

"I don't know Marinette. Maybe you're worried you don't know Adrien as well as you think."

"Now that I think about it, me and Adrien don't talk very often…"

"I think your rendezvous with Chat Noir put things in perspective."

The following week Chat Noir visits Marinette every night, even after patrol with Ladybug. "Whatever happened to the girl you have a club with, Chat Noir?" Marinette asks one night.

"Already taken care of. What about Luka?"

"I'll tell him soon."

Towards the end of the school week, classmates are busy making arrangements for the dance. It's going to be held in the Le Grande Paris Hotel for all of the nearby highschools on Friday night. Marinette is sitting with friends at lunch when Luka shows up. "Hey Marinette I got out of class early!"

"Oh hi Luka!"

"I was wondering if I'd see you at the dance." Adrien is jealous watching from across the table.

Marinette looks around to see that most people at the table are watching. "Actually, I've been meaning to talk to you about something. Can we go someplace else?"

Luka looks worried but follows her into the hallway. "What's up?"

"Look, I'm really sorry but I've decided I don't want any kind of relationship right now. I've been under a lot of pressure lately and I need to work on myself."

Luka looks disappointed. He smiles anyways, "It's okay Marinette. I'm here if you change your mind." He pulls her into a hug.

"Thank you, Luka."

Thankfully Luka's good attitude towards life makes him mostly immune to akumas. Luka goes back to class.

Tikki flies out of Marinette's purse and gets in her face. "Why did you lie, Marinette!? You're involved with Chat Noir, not working on yourself!"

"Come on Tikki, I couldn't tell him I was seeing a superhero."

"You should just be more careful."

Tikki returns to Marinette's purse and she heads back into the cafeteria. "What was that about, Girl?" Alya questions.

"Oh um- I'll you later."

"If you say so."

That night Ladybug meets Chat Noir on the rooftop. "Hey Chat."

"Hey LB. Um- can we talk for a minute before patrol?"

Ladybug sits down. "Oh course, what's on your mind."

"I'm sure you've heard of the masquerade dance around here in our honor… Well I was hoping I could have a dance with you."

Ladybug is completely surprised by this, "I thought you had a girlfriend or something."

"I do, and that's exactly why I want a dance. I think it's closure for my love to you."

He agreed Marinette was a girlfriend. Ladybug smiles, "Alright then, one dance."

"What will you be wearing so I can find you?"

Ladybug thinks back to the dress she bought. Red and black. "I think you'll be able to find me, don't worry."

"You're right! I could spot my bug in any crowd."

How ironic. Ladybug laughs, he doesn't even know he's dating her.

The duo begin patrolling Paris as usual. They soar over rooftops, proudly protecting the city they love so much. Ladybug knows where Chat Noir is headed after patrol so she makes an excuse to leave early. "See you soon, Chat!" Sooner than he thinks.

"Bye Bug!"

Ladybug transforms into Marinette and waits for her Kitty to arrive. It's not too long before she hears knocking on her trapdoor. She opens and Chat Noir hangs his head down into her room upside down.

Marinette kisses his nose, "Silly Chaton."

Chat Noir leaps down onto her bed. "What are we doing tonight Princess?"

Marinette shuts her trapdoor and grabs her ipad. "Movie night?"

"Sounds good to me."

The couple snuggle up on Marinette's bed under a blanket. Chat Noir's arm is around her shoulder and her head rests on his chest. She scrolls through their options. "My Neighbor Totoro or Kiki's Delivery Service?"

"Hmmm… I think Kiki's."

Chat Noir and Marinette enjoy the movie together as the night goes on. Marinette never thought she'd enjoy being held in her Kitty's arms like this and Chat Noir never expected to be cuddling his classmate. Half way through the movie Chat Noir asks a question, "Hey Marinette?"

"Yes?"

"I want to try something but no peeking, okay?"

Marinette doesn't know what he means by this. "Um- okay."

"Claws in." He wanted to be with Marinette as Adrien for a moment just to try it.

Marinette reaches over and holds his hand. "Chat Noir?"

He's nervous for what she'll say. "Yes?"

"Your hands are warm," she sighs happily.

Adrien flushes pink. She's so sweet to him. Plagg looks at Adrien in disbelief. Adrien pulls a camembert slice out of his shirt and tosses it to him.

Marinette winces her nose at the stench, "Is that camembert?"

"It's all my kwami will eat," Adrien groans.

"Can I see Plagg?" She forgets that Chat Noir doesn't know she's Ladybug.

"Wait how do you know his name?"

Marinette hesitates, "I'm Multimouse remember?"

Adrien had forgotten. "Plagg, say hi to Marinette."

Plagg is sarcastic, "Sure I've only met her a couple times beforeee- I mean only that one time."

Plagg flies up to Marinette's face. "Hiiii Marinette…"

"Awwwww..." She holds the kwami in her hands and gives him a kiss on the forehead.

Plagg flusters. "I wholeheartedly approve of the girl Ad-blah." When he tries to say his holder's name bubbles come out of his mouth instead. Plagg flies up to Marinette's ear and whispers, "Where's Sugarcube?"

"Hey what are you whispering about?" Adrien demands.

Marinette saves the day, "Sure you can explore my DESK, Plagg." She winks at him and he flies away to find Tikki.

Marinette and Adrien enjoy the movie together and when it ends he transforms back.

"Will I see you at the dance, Princess?"

Marinette already plans on dancing with him as Ladybug. "How about you come over afterwards?"

"If that's what you want," he smiles.

Marinette follows him onto the balcony to say goodbye. He perches himself on the railing very cat like. Marinette brushes through his hair that she loves so much. "See you Chaton." She delicately trails her fingers down to his jaw and kisses his lips.

"Until tomorrow, Princess." He stands up on her railing and salutes her with two fingers before dramatically falling off backwards. Marinette rushes to look over the railing but he's already caught himself and is just standing looking up at her. He grins innocently and launches himself away.

"Show off!" Marinette calls as he disappears over the rooftops. She can hear his mischievous laugh fade in the distance.

AN: Thank you for all of the support on my previous chapters! I am an amatuer author with no beta reader or fancy editing apps so I appreciate you all looking past my mistakes. I really love writing and the views and comments inspire me to keep going. Thanks again! 3