Chapter Seven – Strong Enough

Over the following weeks, Marinette put on a brave face and silently chanted her own mantra in her head. 'She could do this. She could go on without Adrien as the highlight of her day. She was more than her crush.'Such thoughts were on continuous loop in her mind. All the girls in her class had been aware of Marinette's crush and were amazingly supportive, well most of them. Chloe and Lila continued to taunt her when the opportunity arose but her lack of biting back had quickly quelled their interest.

Adrien himself persisted in being sweet and understanding. Giving her room to breathe when he thought she needed it, while being there for her when he assumed she wanted him. At times Marinette wished he wasn't so nice. It was his kindness that had drawn her to him in the first place.

But the most surprising element during this period was the fact that Chat Noir became a regular visitor to her home. Most Friday evenings he would stop by to see how she was doing and they'd take some time to talk. At first it was meetings on her balcony as she went through the motions of watering her plants.

The initial encounter had been something of a shock. Marinette had been contemplating the possibility of a designing some personalised jewellery at Rose's request when the black cat of Paris had graced her balcony. She had been so stunned by his unexpected arrival that she'd watered her own feet by accident.

"Hoping to grow taller?" Chat Noir had teased as he flopped back in her foldout chair.

"Are you saying I'm short?" Marinette snapped half-heartedly as she put down her watering can and placed her hands on her hips.

Chat Noir folded his arms beneath his head while his eyes appraised her stature. "Hmm, you're taller than when we first met but only just."

"Only just? I've grown at least another 5cm thank you very much."

"True, your head at least tops at my armpits now."

At that Marinette stomped her foot, particularly when she saw the teasing smirk on his face. "I'm only half a head shorter than you."

"In high heels maybe."

"Gah, you're impossible."

"Impossibly good looking, why yes I am."

Marinette couldn't help but snort. Chat Noir had never lacked for self-assurance. "Arrogant be thy name."

"Hmm, no. But it might start with an 'A'. Not that I can either confirm or deny that." Those masked green eyes twinkled with mischief and she found herself wondering if he had dropped a hint at his actual name.

"Ladybug would kick your ass if she were here."

Chat Noir crossed his ankles, clearly settling in. "Then aren't I lucky that she's not."

If only he knew.

And from there the banter between them had continued over the weeks. The two of them bonded over their teasing which eventually shifted to becoming movie nights when the pair discovered that they both enjoyed the Asterix and Obelix films. It became something of a habit where they would pick one of the many movies on offer and sit down to watch it together of a Friday night. Of course, that being as long as there were no akuma attacks or any existing plans with friends or family. It was surprising how Chat Noir was so comfortable with her.

Yet what was even more surprising was the fact that Marinette found his company more agreeable than she ever would have contemplated in the past. There was something about Chat Noir that made her feel at ease, that she could be herself and he wouldn't judge her. When it came down to it, she was content to just be with him, even if he was an adorable dork.

And we've got the slow build-up happening. Next chapter, the beginnings of attraction ;)

Thanks for reading :)