Day 15: Comedy

Adrien was a firm believer in that joy was an important part of life; for himself and everyone around him. That was why he tried to make people laugh whenever he could. Unfortunately, he couldn't really do that as Adrien. Adrien was a perfect, sophisticated, intelligent young man raised by Gabriel Agreste. His image wouldn't allow him to act so silly.

His ads made people happy. Just not in the way that made them want to laugh. Which was still good.

That was why when he was Chat Noir, he was free to be as silly, wild, and annoying as he pleased. And nobody could silence him.

Well, Ladybug could. Occasionally.

And Marinette. Sometimes.

Which was strange, considering they were the two people he tried to make laugh the most.

However, Ladybug has never genuinely laughed at his jokes or puns. Often, he was sure she chuckled a bit just to be polite or show that she was at least listening. But most of the time, she just told him to quit it and focus. Which was understandable, if they were in the middle of a battle.

Marinette, on the other hand, always encouraged him to be himself, specially while around her. She wanted him to know that he never had to hide or pretend while they hung out—despite the fact that he still stayed transformed the whole time. Which he appreciated very much.

When they hung out, there were no akumas so there was no need to be serious and focused. He could relax and let the jokes flow. Of course, the heat of battle was where he got most of his source material, he could be funny in the calmer setting of Marinette's bedroom.

He had gotten a giggle out of her a fair few times, but he had yet to make her really laugh.

Like a full-on, busting the gut, hardy laugh.

She had already made him laugh plenty of times by just being her goofy, quirky self with her wild hand gestures and stuttered sentences. She was so weird sometimes, but that's what made her unique and funny to him.

If Ladybug wasn't going to indulge in his comedic skills, maybe Marinette would.

With his afternoon free of activities—but no permission to go anywhere outside the mansion—Adrien transformed for another midday patrol/free run.

So far, he had found no signs of trouble.

After a while, Chat decided he wanted some companionship. And there was only one place he could go for that while transformed.

Marinette's house.

But as he was on his way to the bakery, he had to cross the Seine. And as he was crossing the bridge, he spotted the Liberty docked close by.

And who was standing on the bough of the house-boat?

Marinette herself.

Chat stopped immediately right on the ledge of the bridge, close to the same side as the ship. He wasn't that far away, but just to get a better look, the feline hero pulled out his baton and selected his telescope mode.

He zoomed in on the bluenette where she stood; on the bough of the ship, talking to some girls from their class as they sat on the benches along the sides. Their backs were to him but he could see Marinette's front perfectly.

He couldn't hear what she was saying but she was doing that thing she does the best.

Wild hand gestures as she spoke. She was also making some interesting expressions on her face.

Chat laughed harder and harder as he watched her though his scope.

As curious as he was about what she was saying that went with her crazy gestures, he felt like he didn't need to to laugh this hard.

Maybe that was the key to making Marinette laugh. He always tried to make her, Ladybug, and everyone else laugh with jokes and puns. Words. Maybe the real magic was in physical comedy.

Chat kept watching her. Maybe he could learn the secrets of this better comedy style by studying her more. Marinette struck another bizarre pose and just froze like that. Until she lost her balance and almost fell over. Luckily, she managed to catch herself.

Once again, Chat burst into hysterical laughter. He held his aching stomach as tears stung his eyes. But he didn't mind. He was enjoying himself way too much to care.

…and far too much to notice that he was losing his own balance.

Disorientated from the laughter, Chat couldn't do anything as he plummeted off the bridge's ledge and into the river below.

The splash caught the attention of the teens on deck of the Liberty. Pausing their conversation, the girls all got up and looked to where they heard the sound, a bit worried.

They could see the big ripples in the water, and the splash was loud enough that it could have been a person who had fallen in.

Where they hurt? Or even drowning?

The fear was sort-lived, however, because a second later, they all saw the unmistakable head of Chat Noir pop up to the surface and gasp for air.

Finally getting his senses back, Chat looked around as he treaded water. Then his eyes fell on Marinette again, still standing on the deck of the Liberty, looking right at him.

Not sure what else to do, he waved at her.

And right away, a smile appeared on her face and she started to laugh.

And she must have been laughing pretty hard because he could faintly hear the beautiful belts of joy. Sweet music. Just like her adorable little giggles.

Chat smiled, full of pride.

Physical comedy. Comedy gold.

Sorry, tomorrow I'm skipping. So I will see u again on the 17th. =^.^=