A/N: O.O You guys responded well to the first chapter... Thank you! :)
This is the last chapter for the backstory :)
Chapter 2
Next week, Adrien followed through with Hawk Moth's orders. He went back to Akuma at ten, telling the bouncer that the boss was expecting him. The guard moved to the side without another minute to spare.
Adrien walked past the many tables and chatting criminals, going up the staircase in the back to Hawk Moth's office. He knocked once, and after being granted permission to enter, pulled open the door.
He still kept his head bent down as Hawk Moth observed him with a grin. "Ah, nice to see you follow orders well, Chat Noir. I have your suit right here. You can go change in the back room."
Adrien took the pile of clothing in his hands. Wordlessly he went into the next room, which seemed to be a small storage room.
The model pulled back the hood and straightened out the outfit. A pair of gloves and a mask fell to the floor, prompting him to pick them up. The mask was thin and flexible, and on the back it was covered with a sticky substance. The gloves were made of the same leather as his suit, with sharp claws embedded in the fingertips.
Adrien grinned as he observed the suit. Sleek, black leather, with a front zipper and two side zippers, no doubt they were pockets. A belt was wrapped around the waist, but the end of it trailed to the ground, resembling a cat's tail.
Hawk Moth somehow made a cat costume look intimidating, the thought brought a pleased smile to his features.
Discarding his clothing, he quickly put on the leather catsuit. It slid up along his body easily, and was a perfect fit. It clung to his body, without it being too tight so that it would be uncomfortable. Next he put on the mask, then finally the gloves.
Adrien looked down at himself, flexing his newly-clawed fingers with a wicked smirk.
If only his father could see him now.
He ruffled his hair for good measure before deciding to abandon the clothes in the room. He walked back inside Hawk Moth's office, aware that he was barefoot. Surely he'd provide him with a pair of shoes to complete the outfit?
When he came in the boss's eyes widened, before they returned to their normal size. A rare, amused grin spread his lips.
"I pictured you as a brunet."
Adrien chuckled. "Sorry to disappoint."
Hawk Moth let out a snicker before shaking his head. "There's a couple more things for you." He reached into the bottom drawer of his desk and pulled out a pair of boots, with the toes a silver color and cut to resemble a cat's paw.
Adrien didn't wait for permission and simply tugged on the boots, finding they gave him a tiny boost in height. Hawk Moth then slapped some stiff, looking black things on the table accompanied by two bobby pins.
The blond tilted his head in question.
"They're supposed to be cat ears," Hawk Moth elaborated. He rolled his eyes. "My costume designer insisted I at least offer them to you."
Adrien laughed, finding that he rather liked the cat ears. He had the claws, tail, and paw boots, why not ears as well?
He picked one up and blindly attached it to his blond locks. He did the same with it's twin, hoping the completed look was satisfactory.
Hawk Moth looked him up and down, as though appraising an item before investing in it. Although, Adrien supposed, he guessed he was. If he didn't fulfill this assignment...
He didn't want to think of the consequences.
"Very nice. I see potential in you, Chat Noir. Now, let's get to business," his boss ordered, returning to his chair in his desk. Chat sat opposite of him, eyes eager to absorb the details of his first task.
"You will be robbing a pharmacy, tonight. You're only required to steal as many drugs as you can; those can go for a lot of money, you see. You will leave at midnight, since the store closes at 11. In the meantime you can get acquainted with people in Akuma, but don't forget your assignment."
Chat Noir nodded. "I won't forget, sir." Inside he was a giddy mess. Maybe he could actually make some friends!
"Which brings me to my last gift to you." Hawk Moth then bent down, reaching into another desk drawer. A few seconds later he drew out a gleaming, silver baton about the distance of Chat's elbow to his wrist.
Chat raised an eyebrow beneath the mask. "Um, am I supposed to twirl it, or something?"
He shrugged. "You can, if you want to. It can deflect bullets. But that's not all it's for. This is a very strong metal, you will be able to haul yourself from building to building by extending it. It can be used for combat, and..." He pressed a button, and Chat's mouth parted when he saw a tiny screen come out of it.
"It also works as a GPS, and of course a police tracker is built in it. The location of the pharmacy you're stealing from is already programmed. This is also how I'm going to be sending you your assignments. Think of it as a cell phone, only you can't call or text with it."
Without any more explaining he held it out to take. The budding thief took it from him, his mouth dropped further as he marveled at the technology of this baton. He pressed a tentative thumb on the largest pad of the glowing green paw print, and the screen vanished.
Chat Noir tilted his head in curiosity. This time he pressed one of the smaller pads, only to let out a surprised yelp as it violently extended to the roof, effortlessly shattering through the wood.
Hawk Moth growled and shook his head. "Great, just when I got the last one fixed."
Chat didn't question about the 'last one'. Instead, he sheepishly pressed another pad and the staff retracted back to it's original size. This was going to take some getting used to.
"Oh, one more thing." Hawk Moth held out his hand, displaying a rather bulky, black ring.
Chat furrowed his eyebrows, not knowing why he was giving him a ring, but took it nonetheless. When he flipped it around he saw that there was an emerald paw print in the center.
Hawk Moth shrugged. "Just an accessory to complete the look. Mime has his clear weapons, Jackady has his cards, you'll have your ring."
"Um, thanks." Chat shook his head, that wasn't what he wanted to say. "No, really, thank you. Thank you for giving me a chance."
"Don't make me regret it," he coldly threatened.
"I won't," Chat promised. He stood from his chair, baton in hand and ring on his right ring finger. "I'll bring back what I can, sir."
With that, he turned and left the office. He went back down to Akuma, he had plenty of time to kill before his first heist. He was going to try to take Hawk Moth's advice and attempt to befriend some of the criminals.
As his eyes surveyed the darkened room, they came across Jackady, who was leaning against the bar. He was chatting with a criminal he didn't recognize, sipping on a drink and laughing at whatever it was the other man said.
Chat Noir smirked and prepared to make his grand entrance.
"Hello, Jackady," he began smoothly, still wearing the wicked smirk.
The two criminals stopped their conversation and observed the newcomer. Jackady raised an eyebrow. "And who are you?"
"You don't remember the guy who gave you that black eye and bruised lip? My feelings are hurt." He mockingly placed a hand over his heart and puffed out his bottom lip, quivering it so it'd look like he was going to burst into tears.
Jackady's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets in his shock. His eyes darted over his new outfit. "Y-You're..."
"Chat Noir, now." He grinned. "Got my first heist tonight."
Jackady shook his head with a small smile. "I can't believe you convinced him to let you join." He hummed as he gave him another once over. "You do look the part of a criminal. I think you can become something one day."
"I'm touched," Chat teased.
Jackady rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Hopefully you're grow out of that attitude."
Chat scoffed. "I will never get rid of my cattitude. It's what makes me who I am!"
The colorful criminal groaned. "Cat puns, now?"
Jackady's friend laughed, finally joining in on the conversation. "I like him! Name's Jared." He held out his hand for Chat to shake, which he did.
The man seemed like any other normal guy. Brown hair, brown eyes, no costume of any kind. He must not care about his identity being known, Chat concluded.
All of a sudden, the music ended and an announcer shouted that it was time for 'Lucie'. Immediately all of the men in the vicinity started hollering, making wolf whistles, and clapping. Some even tried to fix their appearance by smoothing down their hair or clothes so the wrinkles wouldn't show.
Chat turned his gaze to Jackady in utter confusion. "What's going on?"
Both Jackady and Jared wore matching, leering smirks. But only the former answered.
"Lucie is the most attractive singer here, boy. Perfectly able to satisfy a growing man's hormones." He snickered and returned his eyes to the stage to await this Lucie person.
Chat mentally scoffed. He was always around many different types of women because of being in the modelling business. He highly doubted this 'Lucie' could impress him so much that he became like all the vultures currently waiting in anticipation for her.
When the curtains opened, a tall woman stepped forward, flashing a smile and a wink at the audience. The men responded with more clapping and whistling, some even had their tongues hanging out!
Chat Noir smirked in amusement. Oh, yes, that would certainly attract her.
The singer flipped her golden blonde hair over her shoulder. The music started, and soon she was singing her song. Chat admitted she was good, but her looks? She was pretty, yes, but he didn't feel any type of reaction to her. Even with her bouncing breasts, long and curvy legs and tiny waist he felt nothing.
He was interested in women, don't get him wrong, but he had yet to meet one that can charm him into oblivion. He chuckled quietly and shook his head, noting that the woman that could do that would probably have to be a goddess or something. Being in the modelling business made him practically immune to the fairer sex.
When the song ended and the curtains drew, hiding her away from view, the men grew louder in their shouts and claps. Chat Noir rolled his eyes, spying Jackady's abandoned drink on the bar counter in the process. He discreetly sneaked a sip before the older criminal could notice.
His eyes watered and he had to suppress a cough. Damn, that stuff was strong!
"So," Jackady turned to a red-faced, trying not to choke, Chat. "Was she all that you could ever want?"
He cleared his throat and shrugged indifferently. "She was okay."
Jared laughed at the careless answer. "I don't believe you. She's every guy's wet dream!"
Chat's lips pursed in disgust. Sex was a fairly new topic to him, so he didn't exactly need to hear that latest sentence.
He was saved by a beeping sounding from his baton. He pressed the largest pad on the paw print and the hidden screen popped up, showing it was now 11:40. He retracted the screen and turned to the two men.
"Well, gentlemen, it's been fun. But I've got a furmacy to rob. Catch you later!" He grinned, gave a two-fingered salute, and rushed out of the club.
...
This was easier than he thought.
In no time he had made it to the store, dropped in from the ceiling, grabbed a bag and began stuffing it with pill bottles with long and unpronounceable names. He took extra precaution and grabbed the tapes from various security cameras, then proceeded with stashing more drugs in the bag.
When he filled the plastic bag to the brim, he curiously walked over to the register and opened it. Figuring it wouldn't hurt, he grabbed the money and squished it into the bag, too.
This was ridiculously easy. The worst threat was the security cameras. No alarms, lasers, nothing! Maybe that's why Hawk Moth sent him here for his first heist.
He put his gloved hands on his hips, now bored. He didn't want to just leave yet, without the people in charge of the store knowing who stole from them.
He grinned as he spied a piece of paper with a pen not too far away.
Hello! It was truly a purrleasure to have this store as my first heist. You'll fur sure be hearing more furom me in the future. I hope mew don't mind the lack of purrscriptions, they simply had to go.
Till next time!
-le Chat Noir
...
Adrien grinned as he watched the news video the next day about the mysterious pharmacy robbing, committed by the even more mysterious 'Chat Noir'. It was concluded that this guy is new to the criminal world, but he won't last for long. Police will catch him in due time.
He snickered and rubbed a finger under Plagg's chin. "You wish."
...
Thus began his growing fame. Hawk Moth sent him on countless assignments, quickly considering the black cat to be his new favorite employee. With each heist the popularity of the other criminals dwindled, with Chat Noir taking their place. Soon, he even knocked Jackady of the top spot of most wanted and most feared.
While Adrien was nervous that the other criminals would take offense to this and dislike him, their actions were the opposite. Everyone grew to like him and they often competed with each other to so much as try to speak with him. Jackady didn't mind that Chat took over his spot, in fact, he was glad a 'rising star' (as he put it) was getting the fame and attention it deserved.
He and Jackady had bonded over the months, with the latter giving the former several tips on making robberies. Chat always listened with attentive ears and absorbing eyes.
"So, another school year is coming up," Jackady began, almost cautiously.
While Chat never gave out his name and other important information, he did disclose to Jackady that he didn't have the best home life, which prompted him to become a lawbreaker in the first place. He knew that Chat was home schooled his whole life and still yearned to go to public school.
"Yes," Chat Noir responded coolly. He took a sip of the martini in his hand before placing the glass back down on the counter. He tapped his claws against it, not meeting the older criminal in the eyes.
"Are you...going?"
Chat locked eyes with him and barked out a bitter laugh. "What do you think?"
Jackady shook his head with sympathy. "Sorry, kid. Hey, maybe if you bother your old man enough, he'll let you go?"
Chat exhaled through his nose in a mixture of amusement and annoyance. "Hell no. If I bother him he just sends me to my room, or orders his assistant to take care of me. I'll never be able to make friends. Well, friends my own age, that is."
Jackady paused for a moment before his lips curled into a sneaky grin. "Why don't you just sneak out, then?"
Chat rose an eyebrow. "Come again?"
He rolled his eyes. "You heard me, sneak out! You're the best criminal in the city, surely escaping your house can't be that hard. Just go to school that way."
The blond frowned. His eyes shifted from the martini glass to Jackady's eyes. "You really think it could work?"
"I wouldn't have suggested it if I didn't."
Chat Noir shrugged and smiled. "Well, I guess it's worth a shot."
...
One failed escape attempt later, Adrien was sitting in his usual chair at the long, often empty dinner table. A stack of books were off to the side, a piece of paper in front of him and he was gripping the poor writing instrument in his hand with a death grip.
He was so close. So close! He was on the first step to the school when he heard the unmistakable limo's tires screech and Nathalie's stern voice.
And now here he was, back to listening to Nathalie's monotonous voice asking questions he knew every single answer to. He didn't hesitate to fire back his answers in the most bored, sour tone he could muster.
Paris's best criminal foiled by Nathalie Sancoeur. Honestly, she should sign up for the police force, she'd do a hell of a lot better job than them. Then again, if he was in costume, he could've just slashed her face and sprinted inside the school.
He sighed. No, he wouldn't do that. Nathalie, unlike his father, actually did care about him a little bit.
"Adrien."
The blond's head perked up at the sudden interrupted. Nathalie stopped her questions and faced the world famous fashion designer.
"Mr. Agreste."
Gabriel nodded in acknowledgement before turning his cold, blue gaze to his son. "Adrien, why did you sneak out?"
The model blinked. His father usually gave him orders, not questions. This was very unusual and truth be told, he had no idea of how to go along with this.
"Because I want to go to school," he answered honestly.
Gabriel, in a rare moment of weakness, let out a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose in between his fingers. "Why?"
"I want to make friends? I want a chance to live my life as a regular teenager?" Adrien was still baffled by this questioning. Was his father actually showing concern for him?
Gabriel sighed one more time before straightening his back and squaring his shoulders. "I suppose this strange desire of yours won't stop?"
Adrien slowly shook his head in the negative. "No?"
"Very well. I have given this a lot of thought, and I've decided that public school may be good for you after all."
Wait. What?!
"Of course, you will still continue your karate, fencing, piano, and Chinese lessons, along with your modeling. I also expect for your grades to be the best, if they go down I will not hesitate to put you back in a home schooled setting. You will be driven to and from school every day in the limo, with no complaints. Do we have a deal?"
Adrien's mouth dropped. He was finally getting what he wanted?
"Y-Yes!" The blond answered before the offer could be taken away. "Yes, we have a deal! Thank you, Father!"
A rare urge to run to his father and hug him coursed through his veins, but he kept his butt rooted to the chair, afraid of the rejection he'd surely get if he tried a foolish action like that.
Gabriel nodded. "Very well. You will start tomorrow."
...
Adrien excitedly bounded out of the limo the next day, green eyes alert and eager. Luckily, Hawk Moth hadn't sent him any new assignments to do last night, so he took advantage of it and went to bed early so he wouldn't be tired the next morning.
His mouth was in an open smile, like a kid in a candy store, as he walked through the halls. Finally, he was in a public school, with kids his own age! He was afraid if he pinched himself he'd wake up from this amazing dream.
Looking down at his schedule, he noted where his first class was. Smiling, he headed straight to the room, greeting anyone on the way that happened to look in his direction. He got a few strange looks on top of the shocked and awed expressions because of the Adrien Agreste attending their school, but he took it all in stride.
When Adrien opened the door, his eyes surveyed the few students already in their desks. He smiled, but it dropped when he heard a very familiar voice.
"Adrikins!"
Yes, lately Chloe has been calling him that. He hated it with a fiery passion, but didn't complain about it. Too bad he couldn't summon that Chat Noir fear while in his civilian form, then she definitely wouldn't call him that anymore.
The blonde ran to him and practically tackled him, her lips dangerously close to his. He forced a smile and managed to hold her back. "Hi, Chloe."
"I can't believe you're finally going to school! Don't worry, I'll give you the grand tour and I'll be sure to tell you who to hang out with. I don't want you to accidentally talk to any losers!"
At that remark, Adrien noted that most of his new classmates glared down them. He gulped and took a step back out of her hold. "Uh, thanks Chloe, but that won't be necessary."
"You're so considerate, Adrien. We'll talk more later." Chloe blew him an air kiss before retreating to her best friend, Sabrina.
He spied a boy with headphones around his neck in the front row, seemingly minding his own business. Biting his lip, he slid into the bench and sat beside him.
The boy turned to him and rose an eyebrow. "Wouldn't you rather sit with Chloe?" He snapped.
Surprised, Adrien's eyes widened as he shook his head. "No, I don't."
"But you're friends with her, aren't you?"
He rubbed a hand on the back of his neck. "Yeah, I guess. I mean, I've been home schooled my whole life so it was hard to make friends."
The boy's expression softened before he grinned. "Well, those days are over. Hi, I'm Nino." He held out a hand to shake.
Adrien smiled and took it gratefully. "Adrien."
Nino's eyes drifted past his shoulder, his once kind expression morphed into one of disgust. "Ugh, now that's just sick!"
Golden eyebrows furrowed as he craned his neck around to see what the problem was. Chloe and Sabrina were standing by the desk next to his, both laughing and looking down at a...pink, chewed up hunk of gum on the seat.
"Now it'll match those pants she likes to wear!" Chloe cackled.
Adrien's temper flared when he understood what was going on. He promptly stood from his seat and marched to the two girls.
"Really, Chloe? Putting gum on people's seats?"
"It's only Marinette." The vain girl rolled her eyes.
"Who's Marinette?" He asked, intrigued. He wondered what this girl did to get on Chloe's bad side. Although, knowing Chloe, it was probably for just existing.
"I am."
Startled, he turned around and was met by the most heavenly pair of blue eyes he had ever seen in his life. His breath caught as he stared into the warm depths. Models would kill for eyes like those, some even wore contacts in an effort to achieve that color, but he now realized it was pathetic compared to the real thing.
A smattering of freckles dotted across her button nose. Full, pink lips were formed into a scowl (why was that?) and her jet black hair was pulled back into twin tails. His fingers twitched, he wanted to know what that hair felt like in between them. It certainly looked silky smooth.
She was beautiful, no doubt about it. Beautiful, gorgeous, adorable...and angry.
He was jolted from his thoughts by that realization.
The girl, Marinette, looked from the gum on the seat to him. Chloe and Sabrina had left by now, leaving the blame on Adrien.
"Did you do that?" She demanded, pointing a finger at the offending gum. He liked her voice, it was high, but not overtly so, and smooth-
Focus, Adrien!
"Uh-what?" He asked stupidly. Later he would smack himself for that intelligent response.
"Did you put gum on my seat?" She seethed. Another girl with auburn hair materialized behind her. She scowled once she eyed the gum and Adrien.
"That's just disgusting," the new girl scolded, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "What are you, five? Who even are you?"
"I-I'm Adrien. And I didn't put gum on your seat, I swear!"
Marinette scoffed in disbelief. "Whatever. And you're Adrien? The same Adrien that Chloe's been talking about nonstop? Figures you'd be just like her." After that biting comment she shuffled around him to place a tissue on top of the gum. Then she and the new girl took their places in the bench.
"Marinette," Adrien tried again. "I'm telling you I didn't-"
Her sharp blue gaze snapped to his green. "I don't like lies. Just leave us alone."
The blond's shoulders sagged in defeat. He trudged back to Nino, who put a hand on his shoulder for comfort.
"Don't worry, dude. Marinette is the nicest girl in the whole school, she'll get over it."
Adrien didn't respond. He tried meeting eyes with her, but she only huffed in irritation and turned her head away. Behind him, he heard Chloe and Sabrina's snickers.
He closed his eyes and sighed. Maybe it was for the best that Marinette hated him. If Nino was right and she was the nicest girl in school, then she didn't deserve to be with a criminal like him.
...
Despite the gum incident, Adrien had a good first day of school. He made a few friends, he liked all his teachers, and so far the work seemed fairly easy. But those blue bell eyes kept popping back in his head, how they were narrowed in anger directed at him.
He frowned as he made his way out of the school, the sound of rain beating on the roof just background noise to his ears.
Adrien stopped as he saw the object of his thoughts. She was standing underneath the roof, holding out a hand to the rain before snatching it back.
He swallowed and walked toward her, umbrella in hand. She was here, alone. Maybe he could make amends? He didn't have to romantically pursue her, he could just be friends with her. Friendship was enough for him.
He opened the umbrella when he walked outside. He forced a smile on his face and waved at her in greeting, but she only made a noise in the back of her throat and turned away.
The blond sighed. "Listen, I didn't put gum on your seat, it was Chloe and Sabrina. Chloe's my friend, yes, but...I'm nothing like her. This is my first time at a school, my first time I'm ever able to make new friends. It's all so new to me."
Adrien smiled as an idea came to him, a way to officially mark the peace. He turned around and held out the umbrella to her, ignoring the way his hair and clothes were getting soaked.
Those beautiful forget-me-not eyes were wide with astonishment. Her lips were slightly parted, she didn't blink as she stared at him in wonder.
He waited patiently with a soft smile.
Slowly, she inched her hand up toward the umbrella handle. She paused, hesitating to take it, but eventually grabbed it. As she held it above her, her gaze didn't move from his.
That is, until the umbrella closed in on her.
Adrien balked in surprise, before a peal of laughter escaped his mouth.
He's laughed at news articles detailing the ways police were going to catch him, he's laughed at Jackady's crude jokes, but this was the first time in years that he's had an innocent, carefree laugh.
Marinette lifted the umbrella with a sheepish expression, cheeks stained pink as she let out the most adorable giggle he ever heard.
His heart nearly stopped at the beaming smile she presented him.
Before he could do something else to screw up this peace, he cleared his throat and smiled. "See you tomorrow."
He turned and walked down the steps toward the newly arrived limo. He heard her stutter a response before he was whisked away to a piano lesson.
A/N: I just love the umbrella scene :') Next chapter will be the start of 'On The Prowl' with a badass 16 year old Chat Noir ;)