Author's note: Hey, guys, to those who are suffering through finals as students. Hang in there, you guys got this! I just finished mine, never expected to do my exams from home. However, it was nice, but I felt like I was in the twilight zone. Enjoy the next chapter guys, and I hope everyone is doing okay during this pandemic.
Disclaimer: Don't own Miraculous Ladybug
Shout out to reviewers, you guys rock:} giby-chan, pinksakura271, Butterfly, Guest, cheetahkit,
Chapter 4:
"My Marinette couldn't bake for shit, but you definitely can," The other Tikki proclaimed bluntly while munching on the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.
Marinette blushed at the other Tikki's admiration, but she should start thinking Tikki as Kiki.
"Thanks, Kiki!" Marinette exclaimed shyly, then humming under her breath with a song from off her phone. Well, more like the other Marinette's phone, but you get the drift.
Marinette started growing closer to the other kwami, especially when they started the day to bake cookies.
In the early Saturday morning, Marinette found out there was nothing in a replica of Martha Stewart's kitchen for her to bake cookies with. When Marinette looked in the fridge, she saw a good amount of food, but not anything to bake. Marinette found out every Sunday, Mr. Fu stocked the fridge with groceries, even though it boggled her mind by the luxury of having someone else do groceries for her.
Marinette right then decided to buy the groceries herself, even though she liked it a lot by someone else buying the more necessity for the groceries. However, sometimes buying herself groceries has made her feel calm, and something that's normal in this alternate universe.
After Marinette bought the groceries, with the platinum card that almost made her faint by the unlimited amount of money. She then found out how the other Marinette couldn't bake, but is a fantastic cook. Although this Marinette could bake, the only cooking skills she had were breakfast food and a cheesy grilled sandwich. Marinette hoped that she didn't blow her cover, since some people knew about the other Marinette being Betty Crocker of burned cakes.
Luckily, Kiki informed her how Chat Blanc could blow his cover, since he expected her to bring him burnt cookies. As for how the name Kiki came to play, which was a song they listened to for baking: 'Let's have a Kiki', by Scissor Sisters. Marinette felt like giving the other Kwami a nickname, even though they're the same, but they still have their own identity. The other Kwami liked the nickname, so she started calling Marinette… Mari.
"Alright, everything is ready!" Marinette exclaimed giddily while making chocolate milk to go with it. She got a text from the other Alya, saying about a party later tonight. Marinette wanted to decline, but Kiki told her that the other Marinette was the life of the party.
Marinette heard a tap on her balcony window, she saw that it was a quarter to seven, just like she said for the time. Well, I at least know this Chat Blanc is punctual. Marinette thought idly while heading towards the balcony. Marinette took a deep breath, then seeing Kiki gave her a thumbs up, and then disappearing to another room somewhere.
Marinette opened the balcony window, which revealed a grinning Chat Blanc holding a rose.
"A token for letting in a stray kitten into your lovely home," Chat Blanc flirted with a wink, even though Marinette tried so hard to keep in her blush.
"Thanks, Chat, this is lovely. Come in, I made some cookies like I promised," Marinette took the rose from his grasp, and then turned herself away to set the table.
Chat took in his surroundings, trying to hold himself back from exploring the hotel room like a nosy cat. He's only been in Marinette's hotel room for social gatherings and rescuing her ungrateful self at times. However, he knew when he rescued her last night, something has changed about her. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he sort of liked this new development from Marinette.
Chat tried to hold in his grimace when she handed him some cookies. He knew when Mariette used to bring the stuff she baked from the bakery, everyone was too scared to face her wrath for complaining about her tasteless sweets. Chat mentally prepared himself, then took a small bite like the champ he was. His eyes bulged comically, but not from the yucky taste. He moaned delightfully, wondering if she hired someone to bake these. Although, he had a strange gut feeling that wasn't the case. The Marinette before him has become a bigger mystery. He wondered if she did horrible making sweets on purpose, since she had a bad reputation upheld. Now more than ever, his crush for her started to become an infatuation. Chat is now a bit scared to admit that.
"You're amazing, Marinette! These are the best cookies I've ever tasted, no one's ever really made me cookies just for me before." Chat praised her joyfully, earning a lovely blush on her face.
"Anytime, Chat," Marinette replied back, feeling kind of sad for Chat that no one has made him treats before.
They settled themselves in a comfortable silence, enjoying the peacefulness between them while eating their sweets. Chat kept sneaking glances at Marinette, which she tried to ignore by looking somewhere else. Marinette recognized Chat's bewilderment towards her, which she couldn't blame him for. Marinette is letting the bad guy come into her home, so she might have thought of herself as batty too. Marinette gathered as much information from the internet and Kiki. Overall, Marinette found out that he aids Hawkmoths with his schemes, yet Chat still does as he pleases. Ladybug and Chat Blanc were always fighting, and Chat Blanc seemed to really want Ladybug miraculous. Marinette remembered from the alternate timeline, Chat Blanc kept talking about a wish for things to go back to normal, so this Chat must desperately want something badly.
"If you could wish for anything, what would it be?" Marinette asked offhandedly, getting Chat's attention instantly.
"A wish, eh? I'm already the most dangerous and handsomest feline prowling around through Paris. What about you, princess?" Chat asked, putting the questions off from him and turning it back towards her.
Marinette bit her lip in thought, thinking she might have to spill first if she wanted him to break down some of his walls. "Honestly, I'm not sure. Every wish comes with a price, you know. You could want something so badly, but it doesn't turn the way you want it to be." Marinette finished while reminiscing the different alternate realities. The other Marinette wished for something different, so she went out to other dimensions to find it. However, there is a price the other Marinette would pay, since she's stealing someone else's identity.
They're both quiet for a moment, not sure what to say to one another. Chat looks at her intensely, which she couldn't help but feel like he could see into her soul. Finally, he broke eye contact with her, and raised his eyebrows for her phone turning on with a notification.
Marinette blushed hotly with the Luka screen saver, wondering how more obsessive this other Marinette could be. Marinette is guilty as charged, but she even has her limits with her crush craziness.
"Maybe your wish has something to do with him, you seem to care about him. Anyone who has a picture of someone, can capture a thousand words." Marinette didn't detect anything from Chat making fun of her. In fact, he seemed very genuine and wanted to know more. However, Marinette failed to realize the bitter jealousy from him.
"Oh, he's my friend and has a nice girlfriend," Marinette said with a forced smile, trying not to feel too upset.
Chat straightened himself up, looking at her with pity and he seemed to look like he understood her pain. For some reason, Marinette couldn't stop this word vomit to come out. Maybe it's because she has kept everything in, since she didn't have time to process while being in another damn dimension.
"You know, it's silly, really. I'm trying to keep myself afloat, but it seems like I'm drowning every time. I need to be happy and not let everyone worry about me. I'm fine on my own, but sometimes it would be nice to lean on someone else. An equal partnership, ya know. I really care about Luka and I see him so happy with Kagami. It seems no matter what, I'll be alone in the end, and I still want everyone else to be happy." Marinette didn't realize she was pulled into a warm hug, and she stopped her long emotional tirade.
Chat hugged her tightly, playing with her hair in twin-tails, making a hushed comment that he liked her hair like that. "It's okay to be angry, Marinette. You don't think you have to mould yourself to what you think you should be to please others. I'm akumatized because that's all I know. I really don't like seeing you sad, ya know, so please no more tears." Chat pleaded quietly, making Marinette realize she was crying.
Marinette slowly untangled herself from Chat's grasp, even though she already missed Chat's warmth.
"I'm so sorry, Chat. It seems you keep meeting me when I'm bawling my eyes bulbs out. I'm such a terrible hostess, I think I cried all over your suit, I am so sorry." Marinette babbled on, which made Chat chuckle.
"It's fine, princess. Believe me, if you need a shoulder to cry on, Chat Blanc at your hanky service." Marinette laughed at that, rubbing the rest of her tears from her sleeve. She felt like a weight has been lifted off her shoulder, and it's all thanks to Chat Blanc out of all people.
Marinette knew it was getting late, and she needed to get ready for the party. However, she's tired of playing a damn martyr, and it's the other Marinette's fault for putting her in this position. Although, Marinete knew she's not doing a great job playing the other Marinette, so she would take that into consideration. As of now, she wanted to play video games and she had someone who could play with her. Screw the party, video games are so much better anyways.
"Do you want to play some video games?" Marinette asked Chat shyly while looking down.
He gave her a challenging grin, "Fair warning, I'm clawsome at video games, so prepare yourself!" Marinette grinned at his challenge.
"You're so on!" Marinette exclaimed, both deciding to play Street Fighter, not knowing how much time consuming it would be.
XOX
"I give up, you're the almighty queen of video games! All hail Princess Marinette, the girl who kicked my sorry butt." Chat exclaimed while pretending to bow at Marinette's feet. He knew as Adrien she was ruthless with video games, yet she totally creamed him with every video game.
"You meant to say, I kicked your sorry ass!" Marinette yelled with a smile, dodging the cushion he threw at her.
"Someone's sure a sore loser," She mumbled with a smile, but made sure it was loud enough for him to hear.
They ended up playing video games in the living room, enjoying soda pop and eating some more junk food. They were having so much fun, they didn't realize how late it was getting. Chat grimaced at the time, not really wanting to go home. However, he doesn't want his dad to gather cronies to find him, and Chat found himself protective over Marinette.
"I should go, every feline needs a cat nap," Chat said jokingly, but Marinette could detect the reluctance in his tone.
"Wow, I didn't even realize. You know you can come hang out and play video games anytime. Oh, let me get you a bag of cookies to go!" Marinette bolted off the couch to gather stuff, and Chat felt a growing warmness tugging at his heart strings.
They both looked at each other awkwardly, not knowing what to say as Chat lingered at the balcony door. Finally, he came to a conclusion on how he wanted to depart from her.
"Goodnight, princess, I'll see you soon!" Before Marinette could blink, Chat gave her a kiss on the cheek, which she blushed like a tomato. Chat smirked at her expression, feeling himself proud for making her blush.
Marinette stood dumbly at the window, realizing how much Chat Blanc has done for her. Marinette then decided she's going to do what she wants, but is still careful not to blow her cover. Although, Marinette couldn't help but feel guilty for deceiving Chat, even though she doesn't have a choice by compromising the time loop. Maybe Marinette being herself, might bring the other Marinette back, since she knew in her heart that she couldn't be attached to this Chat Blanc.
Thoughts and thanks for reading:}