A/N: This one's a little shorter than I wanted it to be, but it's almost midnight on my side of the world and I still have some work stuff to finish, which kind of steals time from writing :( Tomorrow's chapter is uncertain, but I'm going to give my best to get some writing done! Thank you for your reviews on the last chapter, TurnerPendragon, mayuralover and 024mjm! They really helped me while writing this! Sending you all some love!

9.

Adrien woke up to a massive hangover. His bedsheets, tangled around his legs, were soaked with sweat, sticking to his pale skin. Everything hurt. It took his eyes a long time to adjust to the bright light shining in through the uncovered windows. He felt sudden anger towards the sun and whatever pitiful soul had drawn the curtains to let the golden rays in. As soon as he could see properly, he noticed that it wasn't the cozy abode he shared with a dream-like being called Marinette.

Recognizing his own bedroom at the Agreste mansion, he was, for a moment anyway, convinced it had all been a dream. Then the memories started flooding in. The photoshoot that didn't happen. Walking around the town because the mansion was like a prison. Nino's invitation. The Miraculous.

"You look awful." Nathalie's voice cut through his head like a sharp knife. Adrien glared at her, not even bothering to hide the animosity that was running through his veins because of the pain.

"I feel like I'm dying," he groaned, burying his face in the pillow. The darkness felt nice.

"Your father will be back in half an hour." The woman informed him. Adrien raised his head from the pillow, looking so much like a teenager that Nathalie almost smiled with fondness.

"Thanks, Nathalie," the man sighed, forcing himself to get up. "Don't tell him I was here."

He desperately wanted to shower, but there was not enough time, if he wanted to escape the scrutinizing eye of the biggest fashion icon in Paris. He looked for his phone, finding it in the pocket of his pants. Adrien hadn't even undressed once he'd gotten home. He still had the apartment for a couple of hours. He could go there, get himself cleaned up and then see what to do next. There were half a dozen missed calls and a couple of text messages on his phone, one from Kagami, asking him to confirm they were meeting at the airport.

Seen as Adrien was moving about and not going to go back to sleep, Nathalie left. Adrien opened his wardrobe. It was still full of clothes that fit him, though they were more formal than his selection at the apartment. But it would do. Adrien took off his black shirt and dressed into a white one that wrapped snugly around his torso, a little small for the man. Not wanting to draw too much attention on his way back to the apartment, he grabbed a black hoodie and covered himself, hoping it would be enough. He left the house just as Gabriel Agreste's driver pulled in.

Adrien breathed a sigh of relief as soon as he was out. His relationship with his father had only worsened over time. The younger man wondered often why Gabriel was the way he was, controlling and cold. They had argued over so many things and wanting to please his father, Adrien had made a crucial mistake. He had been ensnared into his games, gotten tangled in contracts with no way out. But he had never quite accepted it fully.

The shared apartment was empty, but something about Marinette still lingered. It was nothing in particular, Adrien couldn't put it into words, but it touched his heart. He found a plate of cookies with a note on which a stick-figure girl was thanking him, eyes overflowing with tears. It made him smile.

Chat Noir, hi!

Thank you SO MUCH! I owe you big time!

What happened… is that I was going to clean, but then I fell asleep and had to run and well, it happened! I'm a student and an intern and it's soexhausting sometimes! By the way, do you have a place to stay on the weekend? 'cause it's my time technically, but I'm going to my parents' on Friday, so the flat is yours if you want it. Let me know, okay? I don't want to walk in on anything weird, ya know.

I don't think it's a good idea to share a lot of personal information. It might make things too complicated in the end and I really need this apartment. I'll answer the questions from the other day, but don't ask more, ok? I already have you, kitty, so I guess that covers number two, no? Number three: I'm a big fan of Jagged Stone. Yes to video games, no to siblings.

I've got a question for you too though. What's your favorite flavor? If you're going to keep eating my sweets, might as well know, right? Oh, and another thing. Do you have any allergies?

And, um, if this isn't too much to ask, can you get me coffee instead of hot chocolate tonight? A café latte. I have a project due tomorrow.

M.

Adrien couldn't help the grin on his face. She was so practical and he'd learned four new things about her. Four things that made happiness burst in his heart. Four things they had in common (three, if he ignored the kitty comment, but how could he? He was her kitty.). And she wanted to know his sweets preferences!

As he showered, he thought about her words. An answer was already formulating in his mind and he reached for a notepad and pen, as soon as he was out, still wet, wrapped in only a white towel. His cheeks were flushed and it was a sight Marinette would have paid a lot of money to get a photo of.

When she got back home, however, all she found was an empty plate and a note filled with lots of small hearts. She snorted at it, picking it up to read mostly out of curiosity about what this silly cat was up to.

Princess Marinette!

You've already repaid me with your kindness and the cookies (I love you!).I might take you up on the weekend offer, though I'm not sure yet. You could text me though before you come back and I'll make sure to scram before you get here? My phone number's at the end of this note.

So you're a student and an intern? Amazing! You must be smart then! I'd ask you what you study, but that might be one of those personal questions you don't really want me asking? All I have is a job in the family business. It pays well enough, but it's kind of lonely. I guess you're my first friend in like… ten years? You and your friend Nino. Don't worry. He's promised to keep your secret and I won't pry. But I hope to get to know you anyway. Is that alright?

Your wish is my command, Princess.

CN

Marinette laughed, amused. There was no way this guy was serious, but the way he dotted his i's with tiny hearts was endearing. His lack of friends reminded her about the stuff she had read about IT guys who had trouble connecting with other people. Chat Noir didn't seem like a bad person. He was a bit eccentric, that's for sure, though not in a way that annoyed Marinette.

She told herself that the only reason she called Nino was to find out, if Chat Noir's promises were serious.