Chapter 25 – Distracted, Not Forgotten

After finding the perfect song, Adrien had been busy searching the internet for sheet music. Once he'd found it, he began to practice on his piano for real. Caught up in the music, he lost all track of time until Nathalie knocked on his door and told him it was time to get ready for bed.

The shocked model swivelled on his piano stool and looked out his expanse of windows, silently cursing when he saw it was dark. He'd been so absorbed in his secret quest that he'd totally lost track of time. Snatching up his phone he inwardly berated himself. Green eyes cut to Plagg, but the kwami was fast asleep. He couldn't take out his frustrations there.

With a swipe of his finger, he unlocked his phone and quickly shot off a message to Marinette while really hoping he hadn't screwed things up again.

Adrien: Are you still awake? I got caught up with piano practice.

Marinette: I thought you'd forgotten about me :(

Adrien: You were certainly on my mind ;) Unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to call you. Just got orders to go to bed.

Marinette: Okay.

One word from her, one which practically radiated disappointment as he stared at the phone screen. A frown set upon his lips, he needed to find a way to lift her mood and ease the strained tension between them. Rubbing his nape, Adrien glanced at his open window and then to his bathroom.

Adrien: I've got to take a shower but I need to let the cat out after ;)

Marinette: Oh, he doesn't like staying in?

Adrien: Not when his favourite person is sounding dejected (plus he's also very partial to snuggles).

Marinette: I'll bet he likes to hog the blankets too.

Adrien: Only when it's cold and he's got no one to cuddle up with.

Marinette: Sounds like a typical cat, always in need of affection.

Adrien: Only from those he really likes. Any chance you'll leave a window open for him?

Marinette: Hmm, as long as he doesn't take too long.

Adrien: Be ten minutes tops.

A warm smile spread across the model's lips. He was making progress. From across the room, Plagg cleared his throat and raised a sleepy eyelid. "You've got it bad, kid."

With a shrug that didn't even attempt to deny that truth, Adrien walked to his bathroom and had the quickest shower in his life. He barely paid attention to the clothes he threw on, knowing he'd be in his Chat Noir costume anyway. So, a pair of faded jeans and a loose long-sleeved knitted burnt orange top was good enough (his father would have cringed). Picking up his comb, he passed it through his damp hair with a few swift flicks, making it neater while brushing it away from his eyes.

Perusing himself quickly in the mirror, Adrien decided he looked okay given his hurry and then called upon his transformation. He couldn't help but grin as he stared back at his reflection. Chat Noir didn't require any sort of fussing to look like his usual self – a little scruffy around the edges but a whole lot of cheeky.

But he didn't linger. Turning out the lights in his room, Chat Noir leapt out of the window and into the night. He didn't take a direct route to Marinette's place but he didn't exactly take the long way either. Eagerness had him padding along her rooftop in minutes and he smiled with relief when he saw that his partner's skylight was open, awaiting his arrival.

Using his extended staff, Chat spiralled his way down and landed with the faintest of thuds. As his shadow blocked the moonlight from creeping into her bedroom, feline pupils adjusted to the lack of illumination and spied Marinette gazing up at him in return. His heartbeat ratcheted up a notch in both excitement and nervousness. Dropping to a crouch, he leaned his elbows on the opposite windowsills and smiled as he cradled his chin with both hands. "Hey there."

"I hear you're looking for a warm blanket."

Chat Noir arched a single masked eyebrow. "Really?" he leaned closer cupping one gloved hand close to his mouth as he loudly whispered, "I was actually hoping for snuggles."

The warmth of Marinette's chuckle had him grinning, flashing his white teeth in the dark.

"Well then, I suppose I'll have to let you in."

"And I'll have to accept your invitation," he stated as he slipped inside and purposefully dropped to his hands and knees, circling in one spot beside her as he kneaded the bed with his claws. Marinette continued to giggle and burst into full on laughter when he began to purr loudly.

She quickly covered her mouth, not wanting to attract the attention of her parents. Yet there was a slight quaver of apprehension in her voice as she asked, "Should I scratch behind your ears?"

It was clear that Marinette was as uncertain where she stood with him as he was with her. Sitting on his knees, Chat Noir cocked his head to the side and shuffled closer to her. Hoping his body language conveyed his willingness and invitation to be familiar. "What a silly question, of course you should." His black kitty ears even twitched in encouragement.

Grinning at his playful tone, Marinette lifted her hand and sunk her fingers into his blonde locks, gently scratching his scalp. "Better?"

"Mm," he affirmed leaning into her touch as his masked eyelids drooped in contentment. All the anxiety he'd been feeling ebbed away at her touch. Things were slipping back into the easy camaraderie they'd had before.

"I thought you were coming over to give me some attention."

Raising one lazy eyelid, Chat Noir draped his arms across her thighs and laid his head down on top of them, clearly settling in. "In true cat fashion, I'm willing to soak up all the affection you're offering and grant you the privilege of my body heat in return."

"Oh, you're so generous."

"Aren't I just? Did I mention you can touch me however you want?" Suddenly Chat Noir's eyes snapped open. "Wait, that sounded way dirtier than I meant…"

Marinette merely shook her head as she snorted back a laugh. "And here I was thinking you'd just given me permission to pull your tail."

"Ha, ha," he replied as he glared at her half-heartedly from the corner of his eyes. Rolling to his side, Chat Noir stretched out to his full length and laid his head on the pillow beside hers. He watched as the mirth faded from her eyes while her gaze raked over his masked features.

Clearing her throat, Marinette looked at him seriously. "Thanks for today. For rescuing me."

One side of his mouth curled upward, "All part of the job, milady."

And, of course, she swatted his chest with the back of her hand in a move which screamed of her alter ego. Yet that typical Ladybug reaction was curbed by Marinette's sudden shyness as she turned her face away from him, gnawing at her bottom lip. "You know what I mean. It's not like it's Adrien's job to do that."

"I would have done it regardless. You should know that." Lifting his hand, Chat gently tucked a stray tendril of her dark hair behind her ear. "I've always cared about you, Marinette. I thought that was obvious."

Those blue eyes returned to his. Uncertainty lingered there, but so too did hope. "How do you feel about everything now? Knowing about everything, about all sides of…us?"

Chat Noir's fingers curled into the loose locks at her nape as his smile grew tender. "I'm glad it was you. The only thing I regret is my own stupidity."

Marinette grinned back at him. "I hear it's going around."

"Luckily, I hear there's a cure."

"And what's that?"

"Snuggles."

And for the majority of the night, Chat Noir and Marinette lay cuddled up together in each other's arms.

Chat may or may not have stolen most of the blankets.

Sorry for the delay on this one (the chapter is aptly named for me too) - I figure the almost triple 500 word count of this chapter should help. While a lot of other writers have said that having to stay home due to COVID19 has meant they have more time to write it's actually been the opposite for me. I normally write when I'm alone on my days off work when the kids are at school and the hubby is at his work. Guess what? I'm never alone now XD

I hope you're all staying safe regardless of where in the world you are. Though it's really got to suck for those people in the USA, with the largest count of cases by over a million compared to any other country in the world is just plain scary. Take care, participate in social distancing and wash your hands properly - it's certainly working here in Australia.

Next chapter is going to be fluffy people, I think we need it. Stay tuned :)