I am going on break for a bit but updates will resume when I return to Cats Closet. I am rebuilding my buffer for all my stories however I will probably update this once more. It really depends on how December goes.
I'm A Writing Dreamer... Yes she is. Its a process though so she wont become Ladybug for a long while.
panteabooks... Thank you! I am glad you are enjoying it!
Marinette is a detective who can't keep a partner while hunting down the notorious Hawkmoth gang. Chat is the new cat burglar on the streets who never gets caught. After Marinette gets handed his case it's it won't be long before their fates collide especially when monsters start roaming the streets
(Ready Set…)
They met back up outside the precinct exactly one door down and Marinette had asked if he minded jogging. He hadn't since that would mean less air for embarrassing talk and they jogged to her apartment building. Marinette tried not to think too hard as she showed him the other bathroom and disappeared into her room for a shower of her own. Adrien Agreste was in her home, he had followed her home! Part of her wanted to squeal with joy as the other half wanted to die of embarrassment as she thought of the disastrous state her flat was in.
"I never think things through…" Marinette whisper groaned as she got out of the shower and decided what to wear for the evening.
Nervously since she felt she was taking far too long Marinette decided rather quickly on a red tunic like top that came to mid-thigh and black tights to go underneath. The tunic was practically skintight around her chest and stomach but flowed into waves at her hips. It was comfortable as well as sassy with its swooping neckline and off the shoulder sleeves that came to her elbows. Usually she didn't dress up and Marinette was certain that Alya would be surprised to not see her in jeans and a t-shirt but since Adrien was in fact coming Marinette wanted to look nice for the evening.
Swiftly she bunched her hair up and fastened it into a clip at the back of her skull before grabbing her leather jacket. Like her work jacket this one was equipped with her chains although they were lighter in nature since she hoped to never have to swing off a building while dressed up to simply hang out. In truth she had been meaning to upgrade the jacket as well as make a third in case something happened to her normal one but so far she hadn't made the time for it yet. With a deep breath she cracked her door sneaking a peek outside her room. It took her a moment to find Adrien who was up in her loft area frowning down at the floor. Slipping from the room Marinette mentally kicked herself, the Chat Noir case was up there on the floor where she had been organizing it in the early hours of that morning. She had several notes about her encounters with him written out up there as well although they were thankfully written in hers and Tikis code which for 90 percent of people was unreadable. For a moment she wondered if she should return to her room, possibly slam the door to announce her presence when suddenly he looked up his bright green eyes boring into hers.
"Uh… Hi." They both managed blushing as they took the other in.
Adrien had switched out his formal suit attire for a pair of comfortably stylish jeans, a black shirt with colorful lines drawn across it, and a white jacket like over shirt which framed his physique nicely.
"You look amazing Marinette." Adrien said happy to see Marinette blushed fiercely at his words.
"You're always amazing…" Marinette sighed then flushed even brighter as she realized she said those words out loud. Thankfully she had said them as a whisper and she didn't think he heard her although he seemed to flush a little as he looked her over again.
"I-I uh…" Adrein stuttered as he took a step back his foot partially stepping on one of the papers scattered across the floor.
Hearing the papers crinkle and embarrassed by her slip up Marinette called "Please don't move anything." as he bent over to look at the papers on the floor once more.
His head jerked up and he was glad for the change in subject. "Never princess, in fact I'm sorry for being rude and snooping about. Perhaps I can make it up to you by helping out on the case?" He asked figuring that he might as well kill two birds with one stone. If she accepted he could divert her attention to Chat Noir away from him and quite possibly prevent her from snooping into potentially dangerous situation. Carefully avoiding the papers this time around Adrien made his way back to the ladder and climbed back down to floor level.
Marinette shrugged somehow managing to control her blush. "I'm not sure I need help with it quite yet. I am still in the information gathering stage so far, but next time please ask before looking."
"I uh was just… looking… you uh have the file scattered all over the floor." Adrien answered feeling a touch disappointed at her refusal.
"Oh yes I-I work better with everything laid out in front of me." She asked as his feet touched the ground and walked over to her.
For a brief moment she wondered why she wasn't more annoyed at the fact that he was looking at her files without her permission. Part of it was the fact that the files were in the open where anyone could see them but another part of her seemed to think of him as her partner in crime. Recognizing that her mind was drifting into dangerous territory she shook her head and snuck one last glance at him. He was standing a few feet before her looking rather dashing with bright green eyes and hair styled as a casual mess rather than the slick back he wore around the precinct. Marinette actually liked it a bit better looking like a mess since he seemed more approachable and friendly this way. Realizing she was staring and remembering her earlier slip up Marinette looked away missing the grin that flickered at his lips.
Adrien felt like he was about to burst with happiness. She thought he was amazing. Granted he probably really wasn't supposed to hear those words since she had really only spoken above a whisper but he didn't care. It had taken all of his self-control to not leap over the railing to her loft and snatch her up when those words had slipped out of her perfect lips. Instead he had forced himself to slowly climb down the ladder and walk to her side with a grin. "So what have I gotten myself into tonight?"
Marinette chuckled moving towards the door "That's a loaded question. Usually we go to Cobbles and hang out for a bit and once Alya has had a few drinks I sneak out the back door so I can come home and get some sleep."
Adrien snorted as he walked at her side. "Well I think I will have to sneak off with you. Is there any chance we can call out sick?"
Marinette laughed outright "You probably could get away with it but Alya would be pissed if I tried anything like that."
A horn beeped outside and with a heartfelt sigh Marinette glanced at her phone that had just vibrated in her purse. "They are here, lets not keep them waiting."
To Marinette's surprise they actually went to dinner before heading out to the bar and by the time they actually arrived the bar was fairly crowded with the party scene.
In truth a bar was probably not the best way to describe Cobbles. It was more like a club complete with dancing floors and some pool tables in another room. Two large fully stocked bars decorated both rooms back walls and Marinette headed towards the back area immediately as Alya and Nino broke off to go dance. Music blasted from speakers in an overly loud obnoxious manner and Adrien could feel Plagg cringing in his pocket as he resisted the urge to cover his ears. Adrien followed Marinette not really wanting to mingle out on the dance floor and was surprised when she ducked into another room with pool tables and a far quieter atmosphere. The music still thumped and blared from behind them but in this area the noise was bearable and the hum of other voices could be heard. Marinette slid right up to the bar calling a familiar greeting to the bar tender then seeing the odd look the bar tender shot her she glanced over to finally notice that Adrien had followed her. Unable to help herself she smiled at him happy to realize that he wanted to hang out with her.
"Are you going to drink Alcohol?" Marinette asked curiously and Adrien shook his head rapidly.
The last time he had gotten drunk he had woken 30 feet up in a tree, only to later find half his flat demolished and a news story about a man dressed as a cat tipping over cars.
"No I'll just have some water or a soda." Adrien replied cringing slightly at the memory.
Marinette nodded with a smile. "Two of my usual please!" she called to the bar tender who flashed a thumbs up before refilling another patrons glass. A few moments later he came over with two beer bottles in his hand. Placing them on the table before Marinette he popped the bottle caps and accepted a tip before returning to take care of some other people.
"Here you are." Marinette said with a smile handing one of the bottles to him and Adrien frowned.
"I don't want a beer." He said confused and a little miffed at the fact she didn't seem to care he had said no.
Marinette chuckled still holding the bottle out. "Yes I heard you. Read the side of the bottle before you become more cranky."
Adrien accepted the bottle and felt like a fool as he read the words Root Beer in raised lettering on the glasses surface. "I'm not cranky either. The music was just a bit too loud over there." He grumbled feeling like he had to defend himself.
"That's why I come to this side. Its marginally quieter and I can get my alcohol disguise in place so I'm not constantly pestered as to why I'm not drinking when Alya or someone else finds me." Marinette snickered then almost as an afterthought added "Cranky pants."
Adrien took a swig of the root beer and deemed it unimportant to answer her jibe. Instead his gaze wandered about the room eyeing several men who were looking at Marinette like she was a steak. He bristled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders casually, while resisting the urge to snarl at them from afar.
Marinette snickered again feeling her face heat up. If it had been any other person than Adrien putting his arm around her she would have shrugged it off or if they pissed her off done something worse like cause them pain. For some reason though, she didn't mind Adrien's arm around her and instead of shrugging him off, simply poked him in the side. "Don't glare at them so fiercely. If you scare the other patrons the bar tender won't like it, especially if the other men are afraid to come to the bar."
"Yes don't scare my costumers away. Marinette here can do that all on her own. Most men know not to mess with her and those that are too drunk or dumb learn their lessons right quick. By the way sweetheart there will be no more fighting in my back alley you hear me?" a male voice said causing Adrien to jump and turn. A large male bartender stood there and Marinette grinned at him before giving him an awkward hug over the bar top.
"Awe you are no fun Kim. I got dressed up and everything this time." Marinette answered with good humor.
Kim rolled his eyes and noticing Adrien's hand still on her shoulder gave Adrien a once over. "This one is cute and no bruises to the face so you must like him considering you let him touch you."
Adrien realizing what the man meant released Marinette's shoulder and stood back mutely unable to think of anything to say. He did however feel a bit jealous at the friendly banter the two of them held for several minutes before Kim was called to another patron further down the bar.
"He seems nice." Adrien managed without snarling before taking a swig of his root beer.
Eyeing him over the top of her own drink and keeping her face neutral Marinette answered "Oh yes he's a very sweet guy, very romantic too. He asks me for advice and tips on dating all the time."
Although he tried to hide the mounting frustration Adrien could tell that Marinette knew he was annoyed because in the next instant she leaned forward going up on tiptoe so that her lips just barley brushed his ear as she whispered "He's gay."
Adrien coughed on the sip of root beer he had just taken to look at Marinette who seeing his face burst into a fit laughter. He glanced back up at Kim who catching his eye wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and shot Adrien a very saucy wink.
Marinette collapsed onto one of the bar stools still chuckling "I think he likes you."
Adrien sighed the tense feeling in his shoulders easing as he placed himself on a stool next to her. "I have a feeling I was setup and you are telling me in a not so subtle way that I need to relax."
Marinette smiled serenely at him her bright blue eyes glittering with mischief. "Maybe just a little. This place isn't really my scene either but as a detective you need to be able to blend in all kinds of places. You're wound so tight I'm surprised you didn't break the bottle when I first handed it to you."
Adrien looked down to find his knuckles were in fact white from gripping the bottle so hard and for a moment he too was surprised the bottle hadn't broken on him yet. With a sigh he placed the drink down next to hers. "For some reason I feel as if I've received a scolding." He muttered and Marinette patted his shoulder.
"You should have seen the way I was the first time Tiki brought me here. It's her fault that Alya even discovered this place." Marinette said and Adrien perked up slightly.
"Tell me?" he asked and Marinette stood
"Sure shall we play some pool and swap stories?" she asked jerking her thumb at a pool table that had opened up on the opposite side of the room.
"Sure princess. Let's see how good your aim is when the ball isn't attached to a chain." Adrien answered loving the wild predator like grin that lit up her face.
"Oh it's on." Marinette said cheerfully and grabbed her drink as she moved over to the empty table.
They played several games and by the end they tied in the amount of wins they each had. Their beverages had long since run dry and they decided to end it on a tie before their competitive streaks really showed themselves. Marinette walked back over to the bar to refill her root beer as Adrien excused himself to go to the restroom. It had been a few hours since they had arrived and Marinette knew that at this point Alya wouldn't mind if she snuck off to bed. In fact Alya had found them just a while back and had squealed excitedly when she saw them playing pool while gossiping with several other pool playing patrons. Both Marinette and Adrien had been challenged to an impromptu pool tournament and as a team they had swamped all comers. Because of that there drinks other than their first root beers had been on the tabs of the other players. Both of them though were actually having a nice time which was probably why it was fate that something came along and ruined it.
Adrien had to go into the other room to find a bathroom, the other room that was filled with painfully loud music, annoyingly stupid drunk people, and worst of all no Marinette. He tried to make it quick, weaving his way between patrons with one hand pressed to the ear that faced the speakers where the god awful music was pounding from. He went to the bathroom after finding the surprisingly crowded place and as he exited he was nearly tackled to the floor.
"Adrikins!" an awful, totally unexpected voice squealed somehow pitched to be heard over the noise.
Adrien twisted catching his footing and pulled Chloe off of himself nearly gagging at the aroma of perfume and alcohol she wore. She was drunk, very drunk and wearing some kind of glittery gold tube top with a pair of skimpy gold shorts. A sheer white open jacket hung about her shoulders covering absolutely nothing.
Adrien didn't even try to speak as he pushed her back looking around for Sabrina or another one of her cronies. He didn't see anyone nearby and he contemplated how easy it would be to ditch her. She probably wouldn't even remember running into him come tomorrow… hopefully.
"Adrikins where is your drink! You are at a bar you should always have a drink!" She slurred giggling but Adrien got the gist.
"I don't have one. Could you find me one?" He yelled wondering how her voice pierced through the din so easily when his could barely make a dent.
She frowned at him "I can't hear you but its ok. I'll find one for you!" she squealed and as she stumbled towards the bar he made his escape as fast as he could.
Part of him felt guilty leaving her alone when she was clearly incapacitated, but dear lord and all things holy he could not stand her when she was drunk. Dealing with her sober was becoming enough of a chore and he knew that what little social ques she did accept sober, they would be nonexistent while drunk. Basically asking her to back off nicely would not be in the cards with her under the influence. The best thing he could hope for was a quick escape and maybe ask Marinette for a place to hide. Or maybe they could leave together. That thought brightened Adrien's worried annoyed mood right up and he swiftly scanned the best route to where he wanted to go.
He made it to the other room far quicker than he thought and froze as he made it inside the door. A man stood near Marinette practically towering over her and from the tense way she held herself on the stool he could tell she did not want his attention. Anger seared through him as she pushed the man back and he refused to move. The bar tender Kim was moving towards them a worried look in his eyes but Adrien was already on the move ready to take out the fool who was encroaching on his territory. It would be so easy to lift him up and throw the man across the room but Adrien realized he couldn't do that as he came to a halt just behind Marinette. The man didn't notice his presence but he sensed that Marinette had even though she didn't acknowledge him just yet.
"I don't think she wants your attention." Adrien growled his voice razor sharp.
This time Marinettes head turned to look at him and a kind of relief shined in her eyes bolstering Adriens confidence. Without another thought he stepped even closer to her making the man uncomfortable enough to step back. As he did Adrien finally got a good look at him and dam near snarled. It was Roger and from the smell of him he, like Chloe was a few beers past tipsy.
"What is it that you want stranger?" Roger asked his eyes narrowing
It was clear Roger didn't recognize Adrien without his suit on, plus the alcohol probably wasn't helping the man either. Adrien didn't care because in all honesty he just wanted to pick Roger up and throw him across the room.
"I want you to learn how to read body language. You seem to enjoy bothering Marinette and I don't think I like it." Adrien replied and Marinette could hear the dangerous undertones in his voice.
Roger snorted "She likes it boy you just don't know how to handle women."
Adriens fist balled and suddenly Marinette stood up placing herself between the two of them.
"I said no Roger. Take a hint and take a hike you're drunk." Marinette snapped forcing Roger to take another step back as she shoved a hand into his chest.
The room had gone quiet, the beating pulsing thump of the music next door seeming eerie at the sudden spike of animosity in the room. Kim flipped the bar top up ready to come around and break them up before it came to a fight but Marinette caught his eye, her gaze warning him to not interfere.
Roger snorted again. "The way you're dressed and the way you move you're just asking for someone to come along and mess with you."
Marinette felt her fist clench but before she could throw a punch Adrien wrapped a hand around her wrist preventing her from hitting him. Tossing a glare over her shoulder at him she could see from the way his eyes seemed to burn that he wanted to punch him out as badly as she did. Then a flash of gold charging at them caught her eye and Marinette grinned.
"Whats the matter partner? Got nothing to say cuz I'm right huh? What are you thinkin you should come back to my side?" Roger asked a leer stretching across his face as he swayed unsteadily.
Adrien tensed at her back releasing her wrist and Marinette knew she needed to act before he did something more stupid than what she was planning.
Marinette grimaced "I think you need a mint to be quite honest, also I'm not your partner." In the next second she moved fast enough that most people who had been watching were left wondering what in the heck happened. Twisting Marinette knocked Adrien back onto a stool moving him out of the incoming warpath of Chloe.
"Adriekins I'm back!" Chloe managed to squeal before tripping over Marinettes still outstretched leg smashing full force into Roger. The two of them hit the floor in a shower of alcohol from the two drinks in her hands and both of them were too stunned and probably too drunk to figure out exactly what happened.
In the next instant Marinette had her jacket in one hand and Adrien by the other pulling him out the door with a cheery "Bye Kim till next time!"
Kim could only shake his head one hand pressed against his temple as he watched her make her escape. Out in the main room Marinette threaded her way through several patrons then they were out a door Adrien hadn't even noticed. The door closed on the pounding music and Marinette sighed letting go of his hand before pulling her phone from her purse. She typed out something as she turned to face him a look of apprehension on her face.
"Welp that was fun." Marinette said sarcastically slipping into her leather jacket.
Adrien still didn't say anything and Marinette frowned "Are you upset with me?" she asked her voice carefully neutral. Adrien didn't seem to like Chloe very much if his body language was anything to go by. However what she had done was a bit mean and sort of petty but Marinette hadn't been able to resist hitting two birds with one stone so to speak.
Adrien blinked seeming to come out of whatever trance he was in at her question. "I am upset at how Roger has treated you both times I've seen him interact with you. So no I am not mad at you besides what you did back there was genius. Thanks for getting me out of Chloes warpath."
Marinette released the breath she didn't even realize she had been holding and gave a small smile. "You're welcome. I'm probably going to head home from here. Where are you staying?"
Adrien shrugged "I'm on the other side of town but I will be happy to walk you home."
Marinette shook her head. "Thank you that's sweet of you but I can actually walk from here. I know a good shortcut and it's late. If you live on the other side of town it will take you far longer to get home and you need sleep."
Adrien chuckled "You know you're supposed to go all damsel in distress, 'please save me from the scary shadows'. Not say 'nope I've got it.'"
Marinette grinned at him starting to walk backwards away from him. "Sorry but I don't do the whole damsel in distress thing very well. Maybe next time?"
"Will there be a next time?" Adrien asked curiously following her as she turned to walk normally once more.
Marinette shrugged "With the way our friends are? Yes there will be a next time. However we can always go do some Parkour to avoid them."
"Sounds like a date." Adrien replied flippantly, before he had to grab Marinette by the elbow as she tripped over air and nearly face planted.
"Ah yes… um date right…. um I'm g-going this way so see you tomorrow bye!" Marinette cried her voice rising in octave as she finished her sentence.
Before he could utter another word she slipped from his grasp, and was out of the alley turning the corner to disappear from sight.
"Dang she is fast. Too bad she didn't say yes to you walking her home she is kind of cute when she is tripping over her own two feet and not throwing things at us." Plagg said floating up out of his shirt pocket.
"Oh we are walking her home Plagg she just won't see us is all." Adrien answered with a grin.
Plagg whirled to face him. "Ooooh no, no way, you are not using me to stalk your wanna be girlfriend."
"Claws out Plagg!" Adrien cried ignoring the kwamis words entirely. One flash of green light later Chat Noir leaped to the rooftops sniffing the air as he ignored Plaggs hissing in the back of his mind and got to work looking for his wayward princess.
