A/N: For those wondering, Gabriel is NOT Hawk Moth in this story. The show, however? Let's see... they have the same voice actor, in Origins it's shown that Hawk Moth has a picture of Mama Agreste and wears a ring very similar to the one Gabriel has, and let's not forget about Gabe's (not so)secret safe containing the peacock miraculous and that book about all the miraculous. Coincidence? I think not ;)

Chapter 5

The next morning when Adrien came to school, he was a bit disappointed to see Nino and Alya in their usual places, but Marinette wasn't. He hoped she wasn't sick or anything.

As Adrien sat down in his bench, Nino turned to him with an excited grin. "Dude, did you hear about Chat Noir last night?"

Of course I heard...I was there. "No?"

"He robbed another bank," Alya elaborated, eyes glued to her phone. She was probably reading five different news articles at the same time for the latest details. "And we still have no pictures of him."

"The guy's stealing from our city on a daily basis and all you want is a picture of him," Nino chided, laughing. "Glad to see where your priorities lay."

Alya scoffed. Adrien grinned, completely content to see this play out.

"I'm a journalist, Nino. And a journalist is required to get all the juicy details, the police can actually arrest him."

He rolled his eyes, knowing whatever he fired back with, it wouldn't be enough to beat his girlfriend.

At that moment, the door opened and in walked a slightly flustered Marinette. She was breathing heavily and her clothes were unkempt, she had probably ran all the way here. Adrien discreetly covered his smile with a hand. She may have been a little haggard in appearance, but she was still cute.

She gave them a tired smile before sitting next to Alya.

"Hey, Marinette," Alya greeted her. "Did you hear about Chat Noir?"

A frown marred her features. At once her semi-cheery attitude completely turned around to annoyance. "I heard all about it," she bit out.

Did the Princess not like his little escapade last night? He held back the chuckles he was dying to let out. Thanks to years of modelling, he was able to school his features into a neutral look.

"Something wrong, Marinette?" He heard Nino ask.

The girl closed her eyes and released a breath. Geez, was she really that annoyed at his robbery? It's not like he's never stolen before, it's nothing new.

"No, nothing's wrong," she said at last, though he knew she was lying. "Just had a rough morning."

He hoped she would be in a better mood later. What could he do? He certainly couldn't apologize, Adrien did nothing wrong to warrant her anger. Then again, Chat Noir really didn't do anything either. Chat Noir is a criminal, who doesn't apologize for stealing, and has been committing crimes for three years. He's not going to stop just because she may disapprove of it.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath of his own before letting it out. He wasn't in the mood to have a headache at eight in the morning.

Meanwhile, Alya groaned at her friend's response. "Ugh, last morning I had to deal with my sisters screaming about who stole whose shirt." She rolled her eyes. "I think that was the only time I actually wanted to go to school."

Adrien smiled and let out a light laugh, thankful for the amusing distraction of her story.

"Adrikins!"

Hm, maybe he'll get that headache after all.

He couldn't repress the annoyed groan but managed to force a half-smile on his face when Chloe came into view. He heard Nino trying to cover up his snorts of laughter, noting he'd get him back for that later.

"Good morning," Chloe said with way too much sweetness. Adrien grimaced as she tried, yet again, to steal a kiss from him but he was successful at keeping her back.

"Chloe," he spoke, trying to sound friendly. It was getting harder each time she'd act like this. "How was your morning?"

Her smile dipped into a displeased frown. "It was scary! I wake up and on my tv is a news report about that horrible Chat Noir! What if he breaks in my room one night and steals all my shoes? Or my dresses? He has to be caught!"

Adrien snickered. He already had to put up with her presence at school, there was no way in hell he'd potentially get near her during his free time. Besides, what would he do with dresses and shoes? "I doubt he wants your clothes."

"But it's still so scary! You'll protect me if I ever see him, right?" Chloe leaned her face down closer to his over the desk, puckering her lips and fluttering her eyelashes.

Adrien swallowed down his grimace, but he couldn't help the wrinkling of his nose. There was no doubt she put on way too much body spray today. A harsh, overpowering flowery scent.

He personally preferred just a hint of vanilla and sugar, like how someone would smell if they lived above a bakery...

"Uh, if I'm around, then sure," he agreed awkwardly. He made a mental note to keep away from the Bourgeois hotel at all costs. He would tell Hawk Moth to screw himself if he sent him an assignment there.

"It's a date then," she promised flirtatiously. She blew him an air kiss before sitting down next to Sabrina.

"For your sake, I hope Chat Noir doesn't go within 30 meters of Chloe," Nino chuckled.

Adrien felt a corner of his mouth lift in a smirk. He had no plans of going anywhere near her as Chat Noir.

He grinned as he overheard Alya and Marinette's conversation about meeting up for the project, with the former imitating Chloe at the end. Marinette laughed that melodious laugh of hers before quieting down when Mme. Bustier came in the room.

...

After school, Adrien took Nino with him to his mansion to finally finish the project before the former had a photo shoot and the latter had work.

As Adrien was putting in the final touches on his laptop, Nino chose that time to speak about something that had nothing to do with the project.

"So, what do you think of Marinette?"

The blond stilled. Why would he ask that? "She's great, she's my friend," he replied. He didn't feel too comfortable disclosing to Nino of what he really thought about the girl. Not yet, anyway.

His best friend nodded before smirking. "She's pretty though, right? I mean, let's face it, she's one of the hottest girls in our class."

Green eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. "I suppose."

"You suppose?" Nino laughed. "Come on, that can't be all you think."

"What are you getting at?" Adrien asked, tone hardened. Was Nino interested in Marinette? But he had Alya. Adrien figured the last male he had to worry about stealing the blackette's attention was his best friend. Was he wrong, all along?

"Dude, I can see those wheels in your head turning," Nino chuckled good-naturedly. "I'm not interested in Mari, I was just wondering what your opinion of her was."

"She's one of my good friends, that's it," Adrien insisted, scowling. "Now can we please finish up this project?"

Nino held out his hands in a sign of surrender. "Okay, okay. Sheesh."

...

One finished project and a finished photo shoot later, Adrien wanted nothing more than to relax. He tiredly checked his baton, and after seeing that there were no assignments, sent a mental thank you to any possible deity that decided to take time out of their day to bless him.

He rubbed a hand along his face as he stared at the pile of seemingly-innocent black leather. Should he go out for a run? He was pretty tired...

His eyes shifted to his window, through the glass he made out the lit-up Eiffel Tower, the glowing moon, and the buildings that always seemed to have their lights on.

Marinette was out there. What if she needed him?

No, she wouldn't go out again, not this late. The girl almost got raped twice, she wouldn't try to go out at night again.

But what if her parents sent her on another grocery run? What if she went to Alya's house, lost track of time, and was leaving right now? What if-

He snatched the leather before his mind could conjure up another theory.

...

Chat Noir decided to check her house first, if she wasn't there then he'd have to go on a manhunt for her. Paris was a big place, yes, but every passageway and street was engraved to memory. Criminals had to know their way around to get away with their crimes.

He smiled as he came upon the bakery, seeing the soft glow of light filtering out of one of her bedroom windows.

He landed with a quiet crouch on her balcony. Three years of being a lawbreaker gave him plenty of time to master the art of silencing his footfalls.

As he squatted down just above the glass panel that led to her bedroom, he raised his claws in the air to tap on it, but decided against it. Would she even tolerate his presence? This was the first time he ever visited her, he had no idea if she would like it.

She would most likely scream in terror and demand he get off her balcony, call him a pervert, call the cops, and hate him forever like a normal person. But then again, last he saw her she didn't seem to mind his company too much. Maybe he should give this a shot.

But what could his purpose be for being here? His mind went back to last evening's conversations between them. The mental race screeched to a halt when he remembered him teasing her about baking him pastries.

Who was he kidding? He couldn't just ask her for pastries, what kind of a guy does that? She has to give them to him of her own accord. He'd be a selfish bastard if he asked.

He should just leave. Leave right now. He had proof that she was safe, what was he still doing here?

Chat's eyebrows drew down in annoyance. He wanted to talk to her, but she probably didn't want him up on her balcony. Or would she not even care?

Screw it. He'd tap on the glass panel and use the pastry idea. It was all he had.

Doing it before he could stop himself, he tapped on the glass panel.

He waited, it wasn't long before he heard the soft patter of footsteps. His stomach fluttered with nerves, something he hasn't felt in years. His fists clenched in worry, anticipating on what reaction she'd have to him.

"Who is it?" A timid, shaky voice asked.

Chat found all his worry melt away by that amusing question. He snickered before he could stop it.

"Your favorite thief, Princess," he replied in a voice like silk.

He hurriedly jumped back and got into position against her railing. He fell into a pose perfected by his years of modelling, with just a dash of Chat Noir. He crossed his feet together, brought out his staff, and extended it so it would drape across his shoulders.

The black-haired beauty emerged out of her bedroom with a grin as she eyed him.

He smirked, she didn't seem to be angry with him for visiting her. "Evening, Princess." He finished off the greeting with a flirtatious wink.

"Good evening, Chat Noir," she returned. "What brings you here on my balcony?" She inquired smoothly with a smile.

"I was around the neighborhood," he answered vaguely. It wouldn't be very attractive if he told her he came all the way out here just to see her. She'd think he was desperate...

Well, he surmised he kind of was at this point. When did he become so pathetic?

Still, he kept up the smooth outlook as he retracted his baton and strapped it to his back. "When I remembered the possibility of pastries?"

Marinette arched an eyebrow. "I thought I told you I don't bake things for thieves?" She teased, smirking, until it changed into a frown.

His grin dropped as well, only while her frown looked to be in anger, his was in puzzlement.

"How dare you rob the bank after saving me!" She snapped, blue eyes resembling flames in her fury.

He blinked at her sudden attitude change. One minute she was teasing and the next she was pissed off at him?

He managed to recover with a grin. He shouldn't shout at her, that'll make the problem worse. Although, he did feel like he had to defend himself.

"Do you forget who I am, Princess? I may have saved you a couple times, but I'm still a criminal," he reminded her, his tone betraying his growing annoyance. He thought she'd get over this in school, it was more than enough time to.

Then again, she shouldn't have been mad in the first place. Chat Noir will always be a criminal, and being one meant he had to steal things.

"It's the fact that you did it right after I suggested you become a hero instead of a villain. Did you do it just to spite me?" She hissed. Her eyes were narrowed and her fists with clenched.

His own brows drew forward in building anger. She thought he robbed the bank just to spite her? It seemed she was taking his nickname a bit too seriously.

"I was actually on my way to rid that bank of it's money when I saw you being followed. Saving you only delayed me," he bit back harshly. "It wouldn't sway my decision."

She huffed and crossed her arms, still glaring at him. "This would be so much easier if you were the good guy," she grumbled.

"Yeah, well, I'm not, Princess," he spat. "You're going to have to get used to it."

"Get used to it?" She repeated, mockingly. "Like I would want to spend my time with a criminal."

That one cut deep, and they both knew it.

While Marinette's eyes slowly widened as her words sunk in, he guessed he faced her with a similar expression. It felt like her words cut him through the heart.

She rejected him.

Harshly, cruelly, rejected him.

Part of the reason he never approached her before was because of the fear of being rejected, that she'd know she was too good for him and cast him out like the dirty, mangy, alley cat he truly was.

"Chat-" she croaked, but he stopped her with a wave of his hand.

He swallowed his heartache for the moment to allow his voice to harden into a cool, emotionless tone. "No, no. No, I get it. You don't want to be with a lowlife like me. I understand. Nothing I can do will change your opinion of me, it's alright, I get it."

He dipped into a stiff bow. "Goodbye, Marinette. You'll never have to see me again."

"Wait!"

He ignored the plea and jumped off into the night, knowing just where he could go to nurse his broken heart.

...

He slammed down the second shot of vodka, lips pursing slightly at the strongness of the alcohol. As he set the glass on the counter the bartender gave him a pitying look.

"Another," the blond ordered harshly.

The man meekly nodded and went to fulfill the demand.

While the thief was waiting, he felt another presence slip in beside him. He looked to the stool next to him, expecting Jackady, but was surprised to find The Mime.

Chat Noir and The Mime hardly ever mingled, whenever they would Jackady would always be part of the group. While the colorful criminal could easily hold a conversation with the silent one, Chat wasn't as lucky. He talked at some parts in the conversations to let his opinion be known, but couldn't help but stare at the painted criminal as he always refused to talk. It was unnerving, to say the least.

The Mime stared at him, purple lips pulled down in that ever-present frown.

He quirked an eyebrow at him.

Chat Noir quirked one right back.

The silent criminal rolled his dark blue eyes before they locked on Chat's green ones. They seemed to bore into him, search him, with Chat only dragging his eyes away to down the next shot of alcohol.

Mime tilted his head at the action.

Chat Noir scoffed. "Yes, I'm 16 and drowning my sorrows in vodka. Don't even think of patronizing me."

The silent man's eyes widened slightly before going back to their normal size. He seemed to nod to himself, and pointed at Chat's chest.

Chat raised a questioning brow. "What?"

He rolled his eyes in annoyance before pointing to his chest again, suspiciously by his heart. Then he raised his fists in the air and pressed them together, before breaking them apart.

Oh. He got it now.

The handsome criminal chuckled bitterly. "Yes, a broken heart. Isn't that always the case?"

The painted man shrugged. He tilted his head in question again, eyes staring right into Chat's.

"You want to know about her?" Chat Noir guessed uncertainly.

The Mime solemnly nodded.

"Well, I guess I'll indulge you. It's not like you're going to tell anyone," he joked, and for the first time in a few hours, his lips quirked into a grin.

Mime returned the expression, blue eyes twinkling with humor.

Chat's amused expression dropped as he remembered what the topic of his (kind of) one-sided conversation was.

"She's..." he began, pausing as he tried to find the words. "She's the girl of my dreams. Kind, generous, talented..."

He listed good quality after good quality, his gaze becoming somewhat lost as he thought of her.

Mime grinned slyly and pointed to his face.

Chat Noir smiled softly. "Beautiful," he confirmed. "She's the most beautiful girl I've ever laid eyes on. Jet black hair, heavenly blue eyes, a natural, soft pink blush on her cheeks. Her skin is-" he cleared his throat before he could go much further. "She's beautiful," he finished abruptly.

The Mime smiled knowingly, nodding. But frowned and raised an eyebrow again, probably asking him what happened.

"She rejected me," was all Chat said, lips tugging down into a depressed glower.

The silent criminal then pointed to his private area before raising another eyebrow at Chat.

Chat's eyes widened as he took in his meaning. "Uh, no, I'm not interested-"

Mime cut him off with a wave of his hands and a roll of his eyes. He mimed his hands in the silhouette of a woman. Next, he pointed at his private area again and raised his eyes to Chat's intensely.

Chat's eyebrows drew down as the meaning of his gestures was on the tip of his tongue. "You're asking if she..." He remembered the pointing out of Mime's privates, back to the air-woman, and let out a 'oh' when he figured it out. "You're asking if she rejected me for another man?"

Mime nodded vigorously. He opened his hand and slammed a fist into it, it was the one gesture Chat Noir understood all too well.

He had to admit, he was touched that Mime would help him beat up a potential love rival even though they had never really interacted before.

The blond shook his head. "No, it wasn't because of another guy. She doesn't like me being a criminal."

Mime calmed down and nodded. His eyes gleamed with understanding. Without a word he pointed to Chat's heart, his purple finger lightly touching the leather suit.

He looked into Chat's eyes for confirmation.

The feline thief sighed. "Yes. I love her."

The Mime drew back and furrowed his eyebrows with his eyes shining with determination. He raised his fists as if he was challenging Chat to a fight, before miming another woman in the air.

Chat Noir balked at this, his eyes narrowing in anger. "I'm not going to hurt her!"

He shook his head furiously and repeated the gestures, only this time raising four fingers.

The understanding dawned on Chat. He looked at his companion with doubt. "You want me to fight for her?"

He nodded.

Chat scoffed. "I can't. She doesn't want me. I'm nothing. Nothing good, anyway."

For what seemed to be the hundredth time that night, The Mime rolled his eyes. He raised a hand to gesture wildly at Chat. He pointed at his blond hair, his eyes, his chest, before raising his fingers to his lips to mime them being turned up in a smile.

Attractive.

Next, Mime pointed to Chat's black mask, before bringing his hand back and tucking it under his chin in pretend thought.

Mysterious.

He gestured to the club, to all the criminals around them. Then he pointed at Chat, and raised his hand in the air. He used his other to point at the criminals again but this time he lowered his hand. His right hand was up significantly higher than his left.

The best.

Mime pointed at the blond criminal, miming words out of the man's mouth, before tossing his head back and howling with soundless laughter.

Funny.

The Mime's expression hardened. He sat his hands on his hips while glaring around him. He swung a fist in the air, then another. He pointed at Chat when he was done.

Brave.

He raised his arms and flexed the muscles.

Strong.

Finally, Mime finished his show by patting his own heart and smiling up at Chat.

Kind.

Chat Noir stared wordlessly at him, unable to comprehend all the compliments he received from Mime. He didn't think the man thought so highly of him, especially when they hardly interacted.

The Mime kept smiling and rested a comforting hand on the disbelieving blond's shoulder. He nodded, looking earnestly up at Chat.

Chat Noir knew he meant every good quality he mimed about him.

"Thank you," Chat smiled. A bubble of hope started to rise in his chest. Maybe he could win over Marinette, after all?

Mime nodded again and smiled before walking away.

A/N: I think this is my favorite chapter that I've written :')