Chapter 3

"Nnngh...A-Adrien!"

He smirked at her gasp, running a tantalizingly slow hand down her side, his fingers ghosting over the pink silk of her nightgown. His head descended to her lips to press a languid, passionate kiss.

When he pulled away he grinned with satisfaction. Full, pink lips swollen from his attentions, cheeks painted a rosy color, and midnight hair spread around the pillow like a dark halo. Her normally bright, sapphire eyes were half-lidded and darkened with desire.

He lowered his head again, only this time, he pressed feather-light kisses down the pale column of her neck. Her fingers found their way to his hair as he continued the trail, down her neck and towards her shoulder. He moved the silken strap to the side with his teeth before sinking them into her soft flesh.

She gasped and moaned, back arching slightly and fingers tightening in his locks. Adrien continued to bite and suck, swiping his tongue over the mark when he was done.

He kissed his way to the valley between her breasts, all the while his hands had never left her sides.

"Marinette," he purred, kissing her skin. She shivered in response.

"Je t'ai-"

"Awesome solo!"

Adrien's eyes flew open as he bolted upright in bed. His heart pounded violently in his chest as he wildly looked about the room in a panic.

He sighed when he realized what was happening. Frowning, he turned the alarm off on his phone and laid back down. He really should get a new song to be his alarm, something less heart attack-inducing.

The blond groaned and covered his face with his hands. Another dream about Marinette, or more specifically, him and Marinette. He's been having them for awhile now, and unfortunately they don't seem to be going away anytime soon.

He supposed they wouldn't stop until he got over her. But, he knew, that wouldn't happen for a long time. She was getting more beautiful by the day, and frankly, he didn't know how much longer he could hold himself back.

Adrien growled in frustration. He was Chat Noir, the most feared and wanted criminal in Paris. She didn't deserve to be with someone like him.

Banishing the 'what if' thoughts from his mind, he stood and began to get ready for another day of school.

...

After school, Nino briefly went to his house to work on the literature project with him. He had to leave after an hour to go to work, which Adrien understood all too well. With Nino gone he resolved to do more of the work himself.

Later that night, he walked in his closet to a small corner in the back. He removed the piles of clothing to uncover his baton.

Checking it, he noted that Hawk Moth didn't have any heists for him tonight. He could stay in if he wanted, go to Akuma, or just go for a night run.

He didn't feel a particular urge to play any video games, he's done more than enough work on the project, he was just at Akuma the night before...night run it is, then. Although he didn't mind the runs in the least, in fact, it was refreshing to soar through the wind and feel the breeze in his hair.

After calling out to Nathalie, telling her not to disturb him because he would be going to bed early that night, he suited up and pressed on his mask.

...

He grinned as he leaped over yet another building. He stopped to catch his breath, choosing to gaze at the lit-up Eiffel Tower and the glowing moon. He may steal from this city on a daily basis, but it was beautiful.

He flinched as he heard a small shriek. Curious, he looked down to see a man's hand latch onto a girl's arm and shove her into an alley, then proceeding to pin her to the wall.

He scowled in blatant disgust. He wasn't a fan of the lowlifes who used rape as a means to get a woman. The act was purely barbaric and disgusting.

Wait...was that...Marinette?!

He leaned forward from his perch on the building and squinted his eyes. It was hard to tell due to the darkness of the alley, he could barely make out the two forms.

Suddenly, he heard a man's howl of pain and the girl ran out of the alley, although she wasn't quick enough to escape. The man had her pinned against the wall again in record time.

He shook in fury. That split second she was out in the moonlit street allowed him to correctly identify her.

He extended his baton to land on the ground. Teeth bared, he stalked to the opening of the alley.

"-I'm going to tear your pussy apart and dump your body in the Seine when I'm done!"

Chat Noir let out a loud, threatening hiss at that statement. Not only did he know the victim, but now he knew the attacker.

He was going to sink his claws in that face by the end of the night.

Both Marinette and Jared turned toward him. Chat Noir let out a breath in an attempt to calm down. He had to catch this bastard by surprise, not allow him to think that he might turn on him.

He slowly stepped out of the shadows.

"Chat Noir," Jared breathed out in relief.

The blond mentally smirked at how wrong that reaction was.

"You scared me there! Look what I managed to get." His head gestured to the terrified black-haired beauty pressed against the wall. It was like he considered her to be a trophy, something that made his fists clench.

His green eyes flickered to Marinette. Her eyes were wide as they looked at him, pure terror in their blue depths. He would make this asshole pay for putting such an emotion in her eyes.

He fought against a frown, realizing that she was most likely scared of him, too. No wonder, Chat Noir was the best criminal in the city. Why wouldn't she be afraid of him?

"I see," he spoke, allowing his voice to be coldly calm, not revealing any of his hidden anger. "Let me take a closer look at her."

"Be my guest. But be careful, she already tried to get away once. She's a fighter." Jared looked down at his hand and grimaced.

Chat chuckled, figuring she must have bitten it. Well done, Marinette.

He slowly sauntered closer to her, careful not to scare her. She trembled in his gaze as they were almost nose to nose.

He saw her eyes observe him. In turn, he appreciated the rare, close view he had of her. Those adorable freckles on her nose, heavenly blue orbs, full lips, button nose, long eyelashes, pink cheeks.

Cheeks that were getting pinker the longer they stared at one another.

He grinned at that, hoping she liked what she saw. He certainly did.

"She is very pretty," he commented, meaning every word. Before he could hold himself back he placed the tip of a claw under her chin, gently tilting her head up. Her neck looked as pale and smooth to the touch as in his fantasies. He felt a surge of desire run through him as he spied the spot where he placed the love bite in his dream from the previous night.

"Sweet little thing, isn't she?" Jared's voice tore him from his lustful thoughts. "And she's all mine tonight."

Not even in your dreams, fucker. Chat removed his finger from Marinette's chin and turned his attention to his new scratching post.

"Yeah, about that. I'd like to have her." His voice betrayed no emotion, no hint of the oncoming death sentence he'd soon bestow.

Jared gasped, clearly angry. "What?! I found her first!"

Actually, I found her first. Instead of voicing that answer, he shrugged his shoulders indifferently. "I don't care."

Jared tensed, eyebrows lowered. "You can't just steal her away from me."

Was this guy for real? Chat Noir scoffed in amazement at this man's utter stupidity. "Do you forget you're talking to the best cat burglar and overall criminal in Paris? Stealing is what I do."

"You're not taking her," Jared growled. "I haven't had sex in weeks!"

Chat grinned as he lunged for him. He gripped the oncoming arm tightly, ripping it down out of his way and raised his leg to kick him in the stomach. Jared stumbled back, groaning in pain and bending over to clutch the injured area.

Chat wasn't finished with him, not at all.

Teeth bared in a snarl, he snapped his foot upwards to connect with Jared's chin. With his face in clear view, he drew his hand back and thrust it forward, making three deep, satisfying claw marks down his face.

Jared screamed in pain as he held his face. Chat Noir smirked savagely as he could see the first signs of blood escaping past his fingers.

He would love to continue this all night, but he had a girl to see safely home. So, finishing business (for now), he spun in the air and kicked Jared away from him. When he heard the crash of the trashcans, he returned his attention to Marinette.

She was staring at him, completely horrified. Hm, maybe he shouldn't have been so violent. There was always time for violence later, she shouldn't have had to see that.

She gasped as he took her in his arms and used his baton to propel them to the top of the building. He carried her a few rooftops over, closer to her home, before setting her down gently.

Marinette shivered as her eyes locked with his. He wanted nothing more than to remove the fear from those innocent blue orbs. It pained him that she was looking at him like that.

Maybe if he just played his words right...

"Now, you don't think I'm going to hurt you, do you? Princess?" He purred, lowering his voice to sound like he had in his dreams when he was with her. He smirked at the spur-of-the-moment nickname he thought for her. She was like a princess. Innocent, beautiful, kind...

Her eyes narrowed, taking a look of confusion. At least her fear seemed to go down a notch.

"Really," he continued smoothly. "I would hope you would have more faith in me after I just saved your life. It would've been pawsitively horrible if I hadn't interfered."

She tilted her head inquisitively at him, the action making her look more adorable. "I...I-"

"Hm?" He hummed with a grin. He teasingly cupped a hand to his ear. "Go ahead, all my ears are listening."

She blinked, pausing for a few seconds, no doubt trying to find words. At last, she uttered a single word. "Why?"

He crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "You'll have to be more specific, Princess. Cats can't read minds."

"I mean-" she stopped, shaking her head. "You're the most known criminal in Paris."

Chat Noir smirked, fully enjoying the little stroke to his ego. "A pleasure to meet me, I'm sure."

Marinette blinked, seemingly taken aback, before she asked her next question. "Why did you save me?"

"Despite my crimes, I do have a sense of morals," he informed her. It was true; he had never hurt a person during his escapades. "Besides, I couldn't let that disgusting piece of filth taint you. I wasn't lying when I said you were pretty." He winked flirtatiously at her, taking joy in the small blush that bloomed across her cheeks.

He shouldn't be flirting with her like this, but he'd worry about that later.

"But-uh-I-"

Geez, was that all it took to render her speechless? If he ever had the opportunity to do to her what he truly wanted to do, she would probably pass out.

"How about a thank you for your knight in shining leather," he interrupted, smirking.

"Thank you," she immediately blurted out.

Feeling bold, he slowly reached for her hand. When she didn't take it back, he lifted it to his lips in a warm kiss. He lingered for longer than normal before raising his eyes to her.

"You're welcome, Princess," he murmured. He let go of her hand and took a step back. "Now, while I do love calling you that, I would like to have a real name to know you by."

He felt stupid asking the question, but it was necessary. Adrien knew her, but Chat Noir didn't.

Marinette hesitated, biting her lip and looking beyond wary. It hurt a bit, but it was understandable. If he was in her shoes he doubted he'd give up his name easily.

"If you won't tell me I have other means to get it," he lied. There might be a chance Hawk Moth could find out about her if he provided him with enough details, but other than that, there wasn't any way he could find out.

She rose an eyebrow. "Wh-What means?" She stuttered, something he's listened to numerous times while in his civilian form. For some reason, whenever Adrien would talk to her, she'd stammer and stutter and a lot of times, run away. He was always nice to her, he couldn't understand why she'd be like that. At one point he even suspected that she knew about his criminal life, but that option quickly went out the window. There was no way she could know.

"Nothing to worry your pretty head about," he drawled, flashing her a grin. "That is, of course, you do tell me your name?"

"Marinette," she whispered at last.

He dropped into a gallant bow. "Chat Noir, a purrleasure." As he raised from his position, a sudden question hit him. Why exactly was she even out here this late? He chose to ask her that.

"I was at my best friend's house. We were working on a project and we lost track of time. So I left and was on my way home and then that guy pulled me into the alley and, well, you know the rest." She awkwardly bent her head down to look at her shuffling feet.

A hiss escaped before he could stop it. Just the memory of Jared's hands on her made his temper rise to dangerous levels.

"Did he hurt you?" He bit out. If that son of a bitch harmed a single hair on her head... His claws twitched at the brutal scenarios that could play out.

Marinette brought up an arm and rubbed a spot on her head. "He pushed me into the wall when I tried to run, but I'll be fine," she answered timidly.

That's it. The bastard was going to die.

Chat walked closer to her, ignoring his previous cautions of potentially scaring her, and started inspecting her head for any obvious signs of injury. As his fingers moved strands of hair out of his way, he was careful to avoid accidentally scratching her.

"No blood," he concluded, almost breathing out in relief. "That's a good sign. You didn't pass out or anything, so I don't think you have a concussion. Then again, I'm not a doctor. Does your head hurt?"

He heard her try to stifle a giggle. What was so funny? "No, the spot just hurts a bit if you touch it."

Chat experimentally brushed a finger over the small bump. When she hissed in pain he jumped away as if she shocked him.

"Like that," she breathed.

It was getting late. She had to get home, and he had a man to sink his claws into.

"Where do you live?"

His expression darkened in hurt by her lack of answer. "I'm not going to rob you blind if that's what you're worried about," he growled. "Or come in the middle of the night and kill you." Didn't he already prove that he wasn't going to hurt her?

He crossed his arms and stared to the right, avoiding her eyes. What else did he have to do to make her believe he meant her no harm?

"Twelve Gotlib Street," came her soft voice.

He slowly inclined his head around to look at her. Her eyes, by now completely dried of her earlier tears, were swimming with hope and looked just a bit apologetic.

His lips stretched into a warm smile. She trusted him.

He grinned roguishly. "Then hold on tight, Princess."

The girl rose an eyebrow. "Huh?"

He answered her question by gathering her in his arms again, flipping her around to his back so she was clinging on to him, piggyback style.

As he vaulted through the air with the help of his baton, Marinette would tighten her hold on him whenever they'd make the descent. He smiled at the way she buried her face in his shoulder to avoid looking down.

At last they arrived at her bakery. He dropped onto the roof, chuckling when she didn't relinquish her hold on him. She didn't even look up.

"We're here, you can open your eyes," he spoke soothingly.

Marinette steadily raised her head. Her eyes darted about in confusion.

Wait. This was the right balcony, right? Yeah, there was the school to his right...

His pointless puzzled thoughts were cut off when she slid down his back. He took a step closer to the railings and dipped into a bow.

"Here you are, safe and sound, as promised."

Marinette smiled shyly, her fingers twisted together as she bit her lip. "Thank you. Really, thank you. My friends and parents would've been devastated if I never came back."

He tilted his head at the surprising statement before smiling. "That's one of the most selfless things I've ever heard." Did the list of her good attributes ever end?

Her eyebrows drew forward in uncertainty. "What do you mean?"

"You didn't mention how if you never came back, you wouldn't have been able to grow up, get a life, get married, and all that," he explained. "Your family and friends' feelings were your first thoughts."

"Well, how could they not be?" she asked. "They love me."

"Wish I knew the feeling," he muttered before he could stop himself.

Marinette frowned. "Chat?" She tried to extend a comforting arm to him but he shook his head.

"Nothing, Princess. Don't worry about it. I hope we meet again soon." He flashed her another grin before taking her hand and kissing the back of it.

It was in that moment, as he held her hand to his lips, he knew he had to have her.

One way or another.

With a two-finger salute and a wink, he leaped off her balcony, expression darkening as he headed straight for Akuma.

...

There he was.

Chat Noir's eyes narrowed as he silently stalked to his prey. He was leaning against the bar, chatting with Jackady.

With a hiss he grabbed him by the back of his collar and pushed him into the counter. He barely noticed Jackady stand and gawk at the display.

Jared's face paled, but out of the lower corner of his eye Chat noticed a peculiar gleam. His teeth bared as he snatched the approaching knife from Jared's hold and hurled it at the wall in front of him, the blade sheathing deep in the wood.

"I'm going to kill you," Chat Noir hissed. One set of claws was buried in Jared's neck, blood was already trickling down from the puncture wounds. He raised his other hand and dug his index finger into a scabbed claw mark in his face, effectively reopening the laceration.

"What's going on?!" Jackady asked in bewilderment. Other people were beginning to stare, but since Chat Noir was involved, they didn't interfere.

"He touched her," Chat seethed, reopening the other two marks on his face. Jared whimpered in pain, but he didn't give two shits about it.

"He hurt her," he added, squeezing his neck tighter, sinking his claws deeper and extracting more blood.

"He tried to rape her. And now I'm going to kill him."

Jackady balked at this. He turned to a trembling Jared. "Of all the girls in the city, you go after Chat Noir's? Are you crazy?"

"I-I d-didn't know!" He choked out.

"Not my problem," Chat growled. "Now, just how should I kill you? Claw your face to shreds? Strangle you with my belt? Rip out your throat with my claws? Jackady, any suggestions?"

Jackady picked up his martini glass, eyes wide with nervousness. Anything could set off the feline criminal at this point. "Listen, Chat-"

"Hm, good idea," he murmured.

The older man's head tilted in confusion. Deciding not to elaborate, Chat Noir grabbed the glass from his hands and smashed the side of it against the counter. He raised the jagged edges to Jared's chin with a sadistic smirk.

Jared gulped and his eyes started to water. He shivered in pure fear, and Chat was enjoying every second.

"Chat," Jackady tried again. "Don't kill him."

"And why not?" He asked, voice deadly calm.

"Because you'll regret it."

"I don't think I will."

"Tomorrow you will. You've never hurt a person during your entire time as a criminal. Trust me, you don't want to do this."

Chat paused.

"Besides," Jackady drawled with a grin. "Do you really want to have poor Tikki clean up all the blood from the floor?"

Tikki was the kind, gentle older lady whose main job was to clean Akuma. Chat Noir instantly took a liking to the kind woman, finding she was like a mother to him. He couldn't bare for the sweet lady to have to clean up a gruesome blood bath.

Chat dropped the broken glass on the counter. He stared hard into Jared's wide brown eyes.

"If I ever see you here again, I will hunt you down and murder you. If I ever hear of her seeing you again, I will hunt you down and murder you. Do you understand?"

Jared hurriedly nodded, although it was kind of hard since Chat's claws were still embedded in his neck.

Chat released him, Jared's hand immediately flew to his throat as he drew in panicked mouthfuls of air. The blond directed a fierce glare on him, prompting the lower thief to scamper away and out of Akuma.

He sighed as his anger slowly but surely melted away. Without the fury and adrenaline running in his veins, he was tired.

Jackady chuckled from his place next to him. "Jared told me a cat scratched him. He didn't tell me exactly which one though."

The comment brought a small, amused smile to the blond's lips. He snorted and signaled the bartender for his usual.

"You know," Jackady continued, "Hawk Moth's probably not going to be very happy when he hears you chased out one of his employees."

Chat scoffed. "I didn't chase him out." He swallowed a mouthful of the drink presented to him. "I threatened him, there's a difference. Besides, you know I can handle any of the small robberies Jared was assigned to if it comes down to it. He wasn't really important, let's be honest with each other."

Jackady barked out a laugh, shaking his head. "You're something, Chat Noir."

He smirked, teeth flashing. "Something bad, I hope?"

The magician snorted and took a sip of his own drink. He rose an eyebrow and grinned, leaning closer to his friend. "So, who is this girl you mentioned?"

"Nobody," he quickly responded, taking another drink. He wasn't exactly too keen on sharing details about the girl he's been in love with for two years, now.

"Didn't seem like 'nobody', to me. Who is she? She must be someone really special if she can get your attention and Lucie can't."

"Oh my God." The blond rolled his eyes and laughed. "Are you still on that?"

"She's the fantasy of every man in here, excuse me if I'm confused as to why she didn't have any affect on you. I honestly thought you were gay up until tonight!"

Chat choked on his drink from the sudden bout of laughter. As he coughed, seeing Jackady's head thrown back in howling laughter, he managed to wheeze out, "asshole."

"I am one, I'm not denying it," his friend answered with a grin. "So, come on, tell me about her!"

Chat Noir rolled his eyes. "You sound like a gossiping teenage girl."

"No, I don't! I'm just curious," he denied.

"I'm supposed to be the curious one out of both of us." He flicked an ear attached to his hair, reminding him of his feline theme.

"Just because you're dressed like a cat, doesn't mean you really are one. And now you're just stalling," Jackady deadpanned.

With the glass just poised to his lips, Chat regarded Jackady with a raised brow and a smirk. "Am I?"

"Yes."

"That's a shame, then."

"Yes, it is."

"And what is the shame, again?"

"Stalling!"

"Oh yes, thank you for reminding me."

"You're welcome. Wait a minute. Chat!"

The thief snickered at his friend's growing agitation.

Jackady huffed. "Look, is it really that hard to talk about this girl?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

"That's not an excuse."

"It's a purrfect excuse."

"Don't start with the cat puns."

"Why not, my furiend?

"Chat..."

"Yes?"

"Stop. Stalling."

"Oh, am I stalling again?"

"YES!"

"In that case, I apawlogize."

Jackady threw his hands up in the air in frustration. "Fine! Don't tell me about her! I don't even care anymore!"

"If you wanted to know so bad, why didn't you just say so?"

Chat bit back the peal of laughter as he saw a vein bulge in Jackady's forehead. His right eye was twitching and he could swear he heard the man's teeth grind.

Screw it. He closed his eyes and let out the hysterical laughter, he knew he wouldn't be able to get that hilariously enraged face out of his mind anytime soon.

Jackady glared dangerously at him.

"Alright, alright," Chat conceded. "She's a girl I met when I started public school. I've liked her for about two years. She's beautiful, smart, selfless, talented, kind, and every other nice word in the French language. I kept my distance because I figured she didn't deserve to be with a criminal but after tonight...well, I don't think I can stay away any longer." His voice fell as he neared the end of his speech, eyes downcast in doubt.

"You'll be fine if you play your cards right," Jackady spoke, making a rare pun, the action bringing a small smile to his companion's face. "Just keep your criminal life and your private life with her separate. There shouldn't be any problems."

He nodded, signaling he understood.

"Trust me. Just don't be reckless, plan every move you make, and you'll be fine."

"I hope so."