"Help me, Plagg. I'm a little out of my league here," I whisper to my Kwami. I really want to buy Marinette some flowers. She's been so sweet lately, even though she knows me better as Cat Noir and not Adrien Agreste. I would love to fix that. Why am I so shy as Adrien around her, but so bold and flirty with her as Cat?
"I've told you before, Adrien. Cheese is my specialty. Not flowers." I smile at Plagg. Good thing for customer service.
I ring the bell on the small desk and a young girl comes to help me. "May I help you?" "I'd like to order some forget-me-not please. Or do you have them in stock?" I ask. Oh why are my palms sweating? Because you have a cat crush on her, Agreste. Own up to it.
The girl taps away at the keyboard. "Looks like we'll have to order some. Name please?" "Agreste, Adrien," I say. "Oh! Your the famous model!" I smile and nod. I like to please Father so I model. I'm still trying to figure out a career path. I mean, Ladybug and I will defeat Hawkmoth someday right?
"They should be in a couple of days from now. Ordering them for your girlfriend?" She smiles slyly. I sigh. "yes."
I escape out onto the sidewalk and Plagg looks at me. "Should I have gone in there as Cat instead?" I ask. "Nah. Could practice. Can we get some cheese before going to Mari's?" he asks.
Well, he did come with me, and I guess there's time. "Okay, but in and out. I don't want her getting worried."
Plagg keeps his word and soon were on our way to Mari's. I'm anxious to know how her day went, since I had a fashion shoot.
I walk in to the apartment, I've become a permanent fixture here, and it a lot of ways it does feel like home.
"Cat!" Mari flings herself at me, hugging me hard. "Hey, Princess. Did you have a good day?" I kiss her forehead. She smiles softly at me. "Aren't you supposed to kiss me on the lips?" I chuckle and bend down, meeting her mouth. For a moment, the ache of missing Mother is gone. I've been thinking about so much lately.
"Yeah, I had a good day. It was free art period, so I took the time doing some sketches," she says. Mari wants to be a fashion designer when she's older, and looking at the pile of books and a stray yarn ball, I know she'll accomplish her goals.
Looking at the books makes me think I should get my homework done too, before supper. I give her a pouty look. "You wouldn't want to make me a snack for a hungry kitty would you?" I ask. She grins. "I think I have a can of cat food around here somewhere," she says. She is in a good mood.
"You know what's cool?" she asks as she disappears into the fridge to get out the milk. "what?" "Adrien texted to tell me to have a great day. Wasn't that sweet?" Her face lights up.
Oh, I Forget I sent that as Adrien this morning meaning to send it as Cat. Maybe I should take up Mari's offer of cat food if it'll help me think more clearly.
She sets a glass of milk and a plate with two cookies on it. I take a sip of milk, summing up bravery. "Who do you like better? Me or Adrien?"
She chews on her own cookie thoughtfully. I wish she knew Cat and Adrien are one in the same, but secret identities get in the way.
"I love both of you in different ways," she answers carefully. "Adrien looks out for others, even if he'd rather do something for himself. I love Adrien not for his good looks but for the kindness in his heart," she explains. I look at her. "So good looks don't count, huh?" I wink at her. "I like a good looking guy! But looks aren't everything. Some of the reasons I love you, Kitty, is that your a good listener and you don't get impatient with me when I stammer and be clumsy," she finishes. "It only scratches the surface anyway."
"You really think I'm a good listener?" I ask. My personality as Cat Noir is so much more playful then Adrien's who is more reserved, only letting the cat of the bag at the right time. (Way to Cat pun, Agreste!)
"Do you think your not? I mean, just look at you and Ladybug. If you didn't listen to her, one, your relationship with her would be much different. And two, communication and listening are key roles in a partnership."
"Do I do a good job listening to you, Mari?" I hold my breath, waiting for her answer. I know I can be playful and just want to have fun. But with Mari, I have to be both.
"Your my best friend, Cat. I love being able to tell you everything," she squeezes my hand, and my heart does a little squeeze of its own.
The next morning the sun wakes me up, and I have to shield my face from its blinding lights. I glance down her, making sure she's okay. Her eyes are fluttering with a dream, and I watch her facial expression.
Is she sad or happy in that dream world where I can't go, cannot touch. Dreams are supposed to be a mixed up jigsaw puzzle of our day, but sometimes I wonder about that. Mari opens her eyes slowly, her eyes focusing. She leans over to give me a hug. "Morning, Princess. Did you sleep well?" I kiss her forehead gently, rubbing her back softly. She pulls back a little, looking at me seriously. "Will you promise me something?" she asks, taking my hands in hers. I kiss her knuckles. "Anything."
"If I ever lose my memory, will you help me remember it?" I cup her cheek gently. "Was that what the dream was about?" "Parts of it," she says.
"I'll do anything to help you, Princess."
Suddenly, the ache of missing Mother comes rushing back. I have some memories of her, but why are they foggy and far away? It wasn't even that long ago! Is it because the pain is hard to bear so much I hardly speak of her even as Adrien?
I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Mari, if you did, I still think you'd love me." My green eyes look her over, commenting it to memory. "How could I?" "Because I would help you. And even if we had to become friends again, we'd make it work."
I sigh. "I haven't lost the memory of Mother, Mari, but why does she feel so far away?" I ask. "Because she's someone you love, and with no expalition she just vanished. But she'll always be in your heart," she rests her small hand on my own beating heart.
"Ladybug vanished for the day awhile ago. I was scared, Princess. It was like my Mother all over again. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," I whisper. "She won't leave you, Kitty. She's closer than you think."
"I just hope if she has to do that again, that she's tells me she's leaving. I don't need to where, I just need to know." "Secret identities are hard, aren't they, Kitty?" I nod. "Its necessary but that doesn't mean I like it."
"Do you think?" Mari holds onto my tail, thinking. "that she's doing for a reason? Protecting you from something, someone?"
"Princess, it's my job to protect Ladybug." "I understand that, but protection works both ways. The missing puzzle piece will be found eventually."
"She's a mystery that girl. Sometimes I feel like I have her totally figured out, and then she surprises me in the most creative ways," I smile, thinking of my partner.
"She is the owner of the Ladybug miraculous. The one who uses it is creative, surprising, and willing to follow the rules for the ones she loves."
"Looks like Ladybug has taught you a thing or two," I smile. "Your a different kind mystery, Marinette." "how so?"
"Well, when I first met you, you were quiet and shy. Trying to speak up for others, but trying to stay in the background at the same time," I say. "Then I as I got to know you better, you burst out your cocoon and became a beautiful butterfly." Mari winces at my choice of words. Oops. "No akumas. But your always growing and your wings are sprouting like never before."
"So, you have me all figure out?" she asks. "That's the beauty of our relationship. You never stop learning about the person."
All during class that day, I'm thinking about our conversation. I can tell Mari's thinking about it too, because at lunch I see her scribbling away in her diary.
Lose her memory. Is that another sign she's Ladybug? I watch her stare off into space as she chews her pencil. Her eyes lock on mine, and I don't want to look away. Yes, Princess, even as Adrien I'm looking after you.
When school ends, my phone buzzes and I groan, and I veer off to the bathroom. Plagg looks over my shoulder as I read the message.
Hi, Adrien! Your flower order is ready, pick it up when you can.
Parisian Floral
Whew. Its not a akuma attack. "You ready to pick up the flowers, buddy?" I ask. Plagg nods, but doesn't mention cheese.
Maybe Marinette is growing on him too. When I get to the flower shop, they bring my order to the counter. I start to reach in my pocket, then realize something. Mari is expecting me to walk her home as Cat and I left without telling her. She'll be worried.
I smile an embarrassed smile at the women behind the counter. "Might I use your bathroom?" "First door on the right," she points it out.
Talk about leaving people in the dark! Quickly turning to Cat Noir, I see I have a text from Mari.
Mari: Cat, are you okay? Your usually at school by now
Cat: I'm so sorry, Princess! I had a errand to run, and it slipped my memory. I'm sorry.
Mari: It's fine. You are okay though, right?
Cat: My Princess, always thinking of others. I'll see you soon.
Mari: See you soon, My Kitty!
I smile. "Sorry for the wait," I tell the lady. The flowers are beautiful. As I pay, I look at them. A periwinkle blue, I realize I have ordered the perfect flower. For-get-me-nots.
I dash back to school carefully, not wanting to crush my precious flowers. I owe Plagg some cheese, transforming so often today and I haven't even gone on patrol yet.
Mari's quietly waiting on the steps, once again writing in her diary. She scrambles to feet and hugs me tightly.
"These are for you, Princess," I say with a little bow. I hand her the boquet and I can see the happy tears in her eyes.
"There beautiful Kitty," she says. "I wanted to get you something special to show how much I love you," I say. She blushes. "Then we had our conversations about memories and forgetting things this morning. These flowers representative that I will never forget you, Princess. And if you do forget me someday, I will be right by your side. I love you, Marinette."
"Cat, I'm gonna start crying. So kiss me so I won't," she whispers. She gently sets her flowers down, and takes my hands. I lean down to kiss her and the world disappears. I will always love and protect Marinette, and I will never forget her.