Chapter 6
Despite Mime's reassurance the previous night, Adrien was still pretty bummed about the argument the next day. A part of him hoped that he could somehow make Marinette reconsider her words, while another, and larger part, stressed that there was absolutely nothing he could do, that she'd never want to be with a criminal like him.
The alcohol certainly wasn't helping his brain, either.
"Dude, you okay?" His best friend asked once he sat down. Adrien couldn't blame him for asking the question, he probably looked like a depressed zombie.
"Fine," he answered in a brusque voice. He really didn't feel like talking now.
"Your Pops on your case, again?" Nino asked with a half-smile.
"Yeah. That's it," he replied, finding it being the easiest answer.
Thankfully that seemed to be the end of the questioning. Adrien sat in his seat, content to be alone with his thoughts, while Nino talked with Alya.
Maybe he could visit her tonight as Chat Noir and apologize? Ask her to talk to him? But would she even grant him that wish? He did promise that she'd never have to see him again...
"H-Hey, um, Marinette?"
"Oh, hey, Nathanael!"
He scowled and felt himself straighten in his seat. He was fully aware that the red-headed boy held a massive crush for Marinette, but the artist never chose to act upon it. Did something change?
"What did you need?" He heard her ask kindly.
"N-Nothing. I just wanted to thank you for the cookies yesterday.
WHAT?!
Why did he get cookies? What made him so special? Oh sure, she gives cookies to good 'ole Nathanael but Chat Noir gets none? Why? Did that guy save her life twice? No, Chat Noir did! Did he bring her home safely after both times? No! Chat Noir did. So what made Nathanael special enough to get cookies?
An uncontrollable, angry hiss escaped his throat. He couldn't believe this bullshit. It was so unfair.
Why would she give him cookies? Did she like him? No, Marinette didn't like him, he was sure of it. Was Nathanael blackmailing her into giving him cookies?
He may have been taking it too far and jumping to ridiculous conclusions, he knew, but he's had a long, tiring night.
"Someone probably accidentally left their volume up on their phone," he heard Marinette say with a light laugh. "Don't worry, it scared me too."
He was brought out of his envious thoughts by that amusing remark. He covered his mouth with a hand to muffle the snickers threatening to escape.
So apparently he had scared poor Nathanael.
He wished the hiss came from a cell phone.
"But you're welcome for the cookies," Marinette said, bringing him back to his previous bad mood. "That's what a bakery is for, right?"
"Y-Yeah, right."
Hm. Maybe Nathanael wasn't blackmailing her. Maybe he just fairly bought them at the bakery. It was plausible.
The blackmailing option was still on the table, though.
...
For lunch, Adrien and Nino went to a nearby cafe.
"Hope we get a good grade on that project," Nino muttered through mouthfuls of food.
Adrien smirked, amused by his friend's lack of table manners, and swallowed his own food before speaking. "Yeah, me too."
"So, are you going to Chloe's party tomorrow night?" Nino inquired, raising an eyebrow.
Earlier that week, Chloe texted everyone in their grade to invite them to a party at Sabrina's house. The blonde was taking advantage of the fact that Sabrina's parents would be gone for the weekend, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to throw the biggest party of the year. She had texted Adrien multiple times about it, but he always answered just vaguely enough to get her to leave him alone about it.
"No," Adrien refused, grimacing. "You already know how she treats me in school. I don't want to know what she'd do if alcohol was involved."
"But it's the biggest party!" Nino retorted, eyes wide. "Everyone's gonna be there, including Marinette." He finished the little detail with a waggle of his eyebrows.
The blond scoffed, quickly dismissing the notion. "There's no way she'd go to Chloe's party. They hate each other."
"I don't know. Alya's going, and you know how persuasive she can be," Nino reminded.
To tell the truth, Adrien honestly didn't want Marinette to go, and not exactly because of Chloe. The girl was spoiled rotten, she'd be able to get countless amounts of alcohol. And while he knew Marinette wasn't the type to heavily drink, that didn't mean their classmates weren't. The innocent girl would be a perfect target for some creepy drunk.
Still, while Alya could indeed be very persuasive, Adrien had confidence that Marinette would refuse to go. Her hatred of Chloe wouldn't change anytime soon, so why would she subject herself into going to the girl's party?
As a result, Adrien just made a non-committal noise from the back of his throat, nodded, and continued eating.
...
He decided to not visit Marinette that Thursday night, to give her more space and also allow him time to think of his next move. It also may or may not have been due to the assignment that Hawk Moth gave him, to steal from an electronics store. An easy haul, as usual.
Afterwards, as he was sitting at the bar, none than The Mime sat down next to him at the bar. This time, Chat Noir looked to be in better shape. He was drinking his usual martini instead of the straight vodka shots from the night before, and was sitting straight up instead of letting his shoulders hunch.
The Mime faced him with a smile and a raised eyebrow.
Chat shook his head. "I didn't talk to her yet."
He made an exasperated expression, as if to scream, 'why the hell, not?!'
Chat chuckled at this and took a sip of his drink, answering once he swallowed. "I want to give her some space before I try to make amends. Plus this gives me time to think of what I want to say so she doesn't get even more mad at me," he laughed.
Mime smiled and shook his head.
"Why, if it isn't my two favorite villains!"
Mime rolled his eyes while Chat Noir smiled at his friend's appearance. Jackady came between his friends to sling an arm around each. Chat snorted and shook off the arm, taking another drink.
"What's got you so happy?" The blond questioned teasingly.
"Just found out I got a heist tomorrow at one of the most popular banks in the city!" Jackady grinned. "It's hard to find work these days when a black cat keeps stealing your thunder."
Chat's lips quirked into a playful smirk. "Well, maybe if you were better, then Hawk Moth would give you more assignments."
"Ooh, ouch! That one hurt," Jackady laughed, placing a hand over his heart.
Mime grinned and pretended to squirt a bottle of lotion onto his palms, then proceeding to rub them together and glancing up at Jackady.
Basically, he asked him if he needed lotion for that burn.
Jackady swatted Mime on the arm for that unspoken remark before sinking down onto the stool beside Chat. He ordered his usual drink from the bartender and looked at his feline companion.
"So, how have you been, Chat Noir? It's been awhile."
"It has," he agreed. "I've been fine."
To his relief, Mime did not disclose any hints about his troubles. He didn't really want for Jackady to get involved and endure the man's inevitable teasing about it. He normally didn't mind Jackady's humor, but he considered Marinette to be a touchy subject that he didn't want to talk about.
...
On Friday, he decided that he would visit Marinette that night as Chat Noir and somehow make up with her. Who knows, maybe she regretted her words, as well. He had asked Hawk Moth for tonight off. Being the best criminal in the city had it's perks, as his boss approved it without a single question.
Chloe kept pestering him all day about the party, constantly asking if he was going. He kept responding that he'd think about it, and eventually she left him alone. Other than that, nothing of pure significance happened that day.
Nino was also insisting that Marinette was going to the party, despite Adrien's doubts. Every time Adrien would laugh at his friend's misguided assumption, saying that Marinette would in no way, no how, go to a party hosted by her enemy. Nino would groan and keep saying that he was right, but he soon gave up on trying to convince him.
That night, when Adrien was finally alone, he pulled on the leather outfit and took to Paris's streets, heading for a very familiar bakery. He still didn't know what he would say to Marinette once he had her on the balcony. Act smooth and suave and soon go into the apologies, or just quickly delve into pleading for her to take him back.
His eyebrows furrowed as he saw her building was completely dark. Usually there would be a soft glow of light coming from one of her windows, but there was none of that, tonight.
He landed on her balcony, as quiet as ever. Was she asleep? It wasn't that late, then again, he sometimes felt tired enough to go to bed earlier than usual.
A sudden thought made his stomach drop. Did she go to the party?
No. No, she wouldn't have.
But he had to check.
He tip-toed to the glass panel and looked straight down, hoping to see a sleeping beauty tangled in the soft covers of the bed, stomach rising and falling gradually and hair spilled over the pillows.
An empty bed greeted him, instead.
Chat Noir backed away, a feeling of dread creeping into the pit of his stomach.
Was Nino right all along? Did Alya somehow convince Marinette to go to Chloe's party? Marinette wasn't a party girl, she didn't drink excessively. She was a sweet, innocent girl who honestly didn't belong in that type of environment. What if some guy tried to drunkenly take advantage of her? What if she was pressured into drinking and got sick?
He leaped in the direction of Sabrina's house without waiting for another panicked thought to slip into his brain. He had to check on her. If she was perfectly okay and having a nice time, then he'd leave. She could do what she wanted. But if she was in trouble, then he wouldn't hesitate to step in.
He could probably knock out a random guy and steal his clothes and hide his suit somewhere isolated, donning his civilian look and checking on her that way. Yeah, that sounded like a good plan.
"Don't touch me! Get off me, Kim!"
The terrified scream made him halt in his tracks. That was Marinette, there was no doubt about it. And by the sound of it, their classmate was harassing her in some way.
He vaulted to the next rooftop and peered down.
He saw red.
Kim was pinning Marinette to the wall, holding her wrists in his hand. His lips were smashed on her own, tears were falling down her cheeks. His other hand he used to place under Marinette's skirt, no doubt touching a very forbidden area.
His teeth gnashed in fury. An enraged snarl tore from his throat and he used his baton to get to the ground. In no time he had Kim pinned to the opposing wall, digging his claws into the boy's neck and drawing blood.
His green eyes were narrowed into a vicious glare, his teeth were bared and he was growling like an infuriated animal.
He was going to kill him. Paint this wall with this bastard's blood. Tear his claws in his body and rip him apart.
"Ch-Chat Noir?" Kim spluttered, horrified.
Good. He had every reason to be horrified. Not even horror movies could show what Chat Noir was about to do to him.
"Who else?" He hissed, somehow finding the ability to speak in his fury.
The word 'kill' flashed in his mind multiple times.
"Do you," he growled, finally gaining a speck of sanity, "have any idea what you just did?"
He wanted the bastard to know exactly what warranted his death.
"I-I'm sorry!" He blubbered. Pathetic. "Please let me go!" Tears were forming in his eyes, he whimpered in pain.
That made Chat Noir's temper spike impossibly more. "Let you go? Like how Marinette was begging you to let her go just now?" He snarled.
Kim didn't reply, Chat used to moment to sink his claws deeper in his neck. He grinned, delighting in the extra blood this caused to spill. Just how much more could he painfully extract before Kim would die?
He leaned in closer to his face, wanting him to squirm more until he met his end. He wanted him to be bloody and terrified before he granted him the mercy of death.
"Let me let you in on a little secret." He grinned wider, loving how he could just see the terror swimming in the jock's eyes. "Cats are very protective of what belongs to them. And when you try to hurt those things...well..."
He raised his left hand and trailed a claw down his cheek, letting him have a hint on just how sharp his claws really were, a hint of the horrors that awaited him. A nice cut with a small stream of blood was left in his finger's wake. Kim hissed in pain and squeezed his eyes shut, shuddering in fear.
"It doesn't end well," he promised.
"I-I'm sorry! L-Let me g-go!" Kim sobbed.
He ignored the pitiful request. Just how should he carry out his first killing?
Strangle him? Nah, too easy. Besides, not enough blood spilled.
Keep his claws buried in his neck until he dries out? Nah, that would take too long. Marinette still needed to get home.
Smash his skull against the wall? That seemed promising. Plenty of satisfying red liquid and a painful death.
Decisions, decisions.
A sudden idea popped into his head. His gaze traveled down to Kim's private area.
He smirked in anticipation.
"I think I should punish you," he spoke coolly. "A punishment fit for the crime."
Chat lowered his hand, claws stretched and hovering over Kim's area. He grinned up at him, letting the drunk try to put the pieces together.
It took a few seconds, but when he did his eyes almost bulged out of his head in fear. "No, no man! Come on, you can't do that! You understand why y-you c-can't!"
He understood perfectly well why he could, and would. There was no doubt that this would hurt like hell.
"Why not?" He drawled. "You had no problems touching Marinette there."
He remembered how Kim's hand was buried under Marinette's skirt, touching her most sensitive area. A place he wanted no one other than himself to touch, of course, provided she let him, one day.
And that time would most definitely take place in a much more comfortable area instead of a dirty alleyway, with her fully consenting of his attentions.
He noticed Kim pale. Whether that was from fear, or loss of blood, he wasn't sure.
"Yes, I saw," he confirmed, seeing the surprise in his victim's eyes. "You touched a place where no one is allowed to touch. And now I'm going to repay the favor."
He poised his claws above his target.
"No, Chat!"
He stopped, dragging his head back in question to look at her. Her cheeks were stained with dry tears, her clothes rumpled and hair mussed. But overall, she looked scared.
"Please, Chat, don't do it," she begged, her voice soft yet high.
"Why not? I think he deserves it," Chat retorted. This wasn't the time for Marinette's kindness, this bastard was going to get what was coming to him.
"But he's drunk! He doesn't know what he's doing."
"He knew perfectly well what he was doing!" He hissed, new anger causing him to squeeze Kim's neck tighter. He let out another pained whimper.
He knew what he was doing, it wasn't like some other person was controlling him. Kim wanted Marinette, and tried to take her. No ifs, ands, or buts.
"Please, Chat," she pleaded, voice cracking. "Please don't do this."
He stared, taking in her terrified, watery sapphire eyes. She would never look at him the same ever again if he murdered Kim in front of her.
She was his Princess. If she wanted the drunk idiot's life be spared, then so be it.
With a defeated growl he turned around to face Kim again.
"Tell anyone what just happened here, and it won't be just your dick I'll be ripping apart", he threatened, teeth bared in a hiss. If this asshole went around telling people what happened, or a fabrication of what happened that would no doubt lead to a very uncomfortable time for Marinette, he'd kill him. Not even Marinette would be able to stop him.
He nodded hurriedly. Maybe he possessed a brain somewhere in there, after all.
"You even look at her again, I'll rip you apart. Do we understand each other?"
Adrien would have to keep a close eye on Kim come Monday.
Kim didn't answer, instead he shut his eyes and whimpered.
"I said," he repeated, agitated, inching his face closer. "Do we understand each other?"
The boy instantly opened his eyes and nodded. "Yes, yes, I understand! Please, let me go!"
"Good."
Not able to resist at least a little revenge, he pulled his head back and slammed it against the wall. It wasn't enough to kill the idiot, just enough to knock him out.
Chat gently picked up a gasping Marinette and took her straight home to the bakery. Along the way, the rage cleared some to make room for guilt.
He should've believed Nino. If he went to that stupid party, then none of this would've ever happened. He would've been able to keep Marinette company at the party and steer her away from Kim and any other drunken perverts. He would've been able to walk her home safely, with her not having to worry of her companion forcing her against a wall and trying to have his way with her.
This was all his fault.
When they arrived at the bakery and he got her into her room, he didn't hesitate to pull her into his arms for a comforting hug.
She was shivering and sucking in panicked mouthfuls of air in teary hiccups. Her hands grasped onto his suit, as if he were her lifeline.
He held her tighter, silently assuring her he wasn't going anywhere.
"Shh," he whispered in her ear, trying to ease her fears away. "I'm here, no one is going to hurt you."
She responded by burying her face in his neck. She still trembled and he heard her inhale mouthfuls of air, though it was muffled.
"You're alright, Princess," he crooned gently. "Nothing is going to harm you," he promised.
She surprised him by roughly pulling herself away from his hold. He understood that she was probably wary of the opposite sex right now, given what just happened to her, but he still couldn't help but feel hurt by the action.
"I'm sorry, Chat," she apologized in a voice that sounded like she was about to start crying at any moment.
What? What the hell was she sorry for? None of this was her fault, none of it.
"What are you sorry for?" He asked incredulously. Did she really think this was her fault?
"I'm sorry about what I told you. I'm sorry I got in that stupid argument with you. I'm sorry-"
He couldn't believe it. That argument was the furthest thing from his mind, it suddenly seemed so small, now. And wasn't it obvious that he already forgave her?
His lips lifted into a disbelieving half-grin. He pulled her in for another hug to cut off her unneeded apologies.
"It's going to take more than a little catfight to get rid of me," Chat joked, chuckling softly.
He heard her sigh in relief and she clutched onto him tighter. He smiled and was about to close his eyes and lean his head in the crook of her neck, savor the moment, when she pulled away again.
He looked at her with confusion when she grinned. "Wait here," she commanded.
Chat Noir stared after her in befuddlement as she walked down the stairs, took off her shoes, and left the room. What was she doing? He shrugged his shoulders and leaned against the wall, knowing he'll just have to wait and see.
A few minutes later he heard the trap door open again. She had something hidden behind her back and was wearing a sly smirk. What was she up to?
She climbed the staircase to the bed and sat in front of him. Ht tilted his head, wondering what was going on, when she whipped out a plate of macarons.
"I think you've done more than enough to deserve these," she spoke, almost shyly.
His mouth parted in surprise. He forgot all about how he asked for pastries from her, and now she felt it was the perfect time to get him some? He shook his head and let out an amused snort.
He reached over the plate and grabbed a blue one, immediately sinking his teeth in the sweet, soft pastry. His eyes closed as he moaned appreciatively. This bakery's treats were heaven.
"Thank you, Princess."
"You're welcome. I'm sorry they're not fresh, but they were only made a couple hours ago and next time you'll get warm pastries but this is all we had and-"
During her rambling, he switched the macaron to his other hand to bring his right index finger to her lips to silence her. He eyed her with a warm smile.
"Any treat from you is a blessing, Princess. These are delicious, thank you."
He removed his finger to allow her to answer, but instead she kept quiet. She smiled and looked away, probably in an attempt to hide her growing blush.
Chat smiled and soon they were talking, with him eating a few more macarons and listening intently whenever Marinette would speak. However, it wasn't long before he began to notice the first signs of fatigue on Marinette. She would try to hold in yawns, her eyelids drooped with tiredness, the usual bright blue of her eyes looked dulled.
He chuckled at how she was utterly failing at hiding her fatigue. "I think it's time you get to bed."
"No, no," she refused, stifling another yawn. "I'm not tired."
Well, looks like he'll have to put his cunning ways to use. A corner of his mouth quirked up.
"Okay. So, you wouldn't mind just laying down? I mean, it's comfortable, right?"
"Yeah." She shrugged and laid down carelessly. "It is. But I'm not tired," she insisted.
"Of course not," he lied. "And what's a blanket, too? Anyone who lounges needs a blanket, right?"
She paused. Then, "I guess so."
He took care to hide a smirk as he grabbed her pink comforter and pulled it over her body, to just over her shoulders. "There, now," he said, leaning back with an innocent smile. "Comfortable, right?"
"Yeah." Marinette let out a soft sigh and closed her eyes. "Comfortable."
"And how about a little darkness?" He continued, reaching over her to turn off her lamp. The glow of the moon provided him with just enough light to see her face. "Peaceful, hm?"
"Chat?" She asked, half asleep, but managed to slightly open her eyes to look at him.
"Yes?" He whispered smoothly.
"You..." She snuggled deeper into the pillow and sighed. Her eyes closed once more, this time they didn't open again. "You tricked me."
Chat grinned at the spoken fact. It certainly worked out in his favor, after all. He leaned down to press the ghost of a kiss against her cheek, not dwelling too long on the soft skin.
"Good night, Princess."
...
That Monday, Adrien noted with satisfaction on how differently Kim behaved. He barely talked at all, kept to himself, and true to his word, steered clear of Marinette and didn't dare glance in her direction.
He wanted to be sure that Kim would remember his promise. So, the night after he tucked Marinette in bed, he raced to Kim's room a few streets away. The idiot left his window open, making his job a whole lot easier. While the jock slept, Chat raised his hand to the vanity mirror and made three, deep slashes in the glass.
His claws made a loud, almost unbearable screech, but Kim was gone to the world at that point. He held in a laugh and scurried out, knowing his message would get through.
"Dude, what the hell is wrong with him?" Nino asked at their bench. He looked behind to see the trembling jock, he grimaced as his eyes zeroed in on the way Kim was holding his private area for dear life.
"I have no idea," Adrien responded innocently. He turned his head away to hide the knowing grin.