Thank you for your kind reviews for the previous chapter. I hope you continue to enjoy my story!
It was the day before the first annual reunion of the graduating class of Collège Françoise Dupont. They had planned to gather at the park nearby Marinette's house. As former class president, it had been up to Marinette to plan the reunion. With the help of Alya of course.
While they had decided to do a potluck, Marinette had wanted to bring along with her enough sugar cookies, that she had baked herself, to feed an army. It looked like she would have to stay up all night to decorate each cookie by hand.
Felix had stayed over to lend her a helping hand, but he wasn't particularly good at decorating or art in general. So Marinette had tasked him with the very important job of keeping her entertained.
The pair had spent the entire night exchanging childhood stories. Felix had even been willing to divulge a couple of embarrassing ones of Adrien. Marinette had been doubled over trying to contain her laughter. Muffling them with flour-covered hands, leaving little handprints on her cheeks without her realizing.
Felix sat across her, watching Marinette do her work. Her deft fingers expertly piped out beautiful decorations on each of the cookies. Felix would help out by taking out the cookies from the oven when they were done. Placing them on a wire cooling rack so that Marinette could continue her artistic process.
While Marinette was decorating, Felix had started to carefully pack the completed cookies into the box. Marinette was excitedly telling Felix about her ex-classmates. Some of them had gone to different Lycées in the area.
Nathaniel had entered an art school, his portfolio had been amazing, including the comic he had drawn of Super Nathan and Marinette. He had shyly asked her if she had been comfortable if he had continued to use her as his love interest, after the Evillustrator incident. Marinette had only hugged him and told him that she would be honored.
Max had entered an elite school on a full scholarship, a school that specialized in robotics and other technological courses. His work with his little buddy certainly was revolutionary. She heard that Max was working on programming emotions into his bot. The very idea was fascinating and Marinette knew that Max deserved every bit of recognition he received.
Kim wasn't in a different school but he had entered a swim club that would eventually allow him to participate in the Olympics if his skills improved in the next few years. It meant that he was away from classes more often than not, especially for swim meets with rival schools.
Marinette really couldn't be more proud of her former classmates.
The other members of Mme Bustier's class had entered the same Lycée as Marinette and Adrien. Most of them had separated into different classes. Thankfully, the four friends had shared most of their classes together without Chloe.
Small blessings were truly appreciated, Marinette hummed to herself as she worked..
Felix watched as she bustled around the kitchen, hair in a messy bun at the top of her head, face smudged with flour. She had on a yellow checkered apron with pale blue flowers over her pajamas.
Felix was sure that he could spend the rest of his life watching Marinette as she worked.
While Marinette was decorating the last batch of cookies, Felix started on making enough hot cocoa for the both of them. He smiled at the domesticity of the situation, wishing it would last forever.
That is until they heard the sudden heavy thump coming from above their heads, followed by a loud crash and muffled shouts. Checking the time, seeing that it was almost three in the morning, Marinette frowned in the direction of her room.
Tikki had been left upstairs so that the Kwami could sleep without being disturbed (Also so that the little sneak wouldn't be tempted to steal some cookies for herself). Felix motioned for Marinette to stay behind him. She had grabbed the closest thing in her reach and held onto a flour splattered rolling pin in front of her in defense.
Slowly Felix climbed the stairs to her room, lifting the hatch silently. Marinette stood behind him, heart pounding and breathing shallow as she tried to calm herself. Was she being robbed? Why would a burglar try to break in through the bakery through her roof?
Wait… Roof?
There was literally no physical way for a robber to climb up to her balcony unless they either had a magic yo-yo or an ever-expanding baton. Since she owned the only magic yo-yo in existence (that she knew of) it had drastically narrowed the possibilities of possible suspects.
She narrowed her eyes, why would Chat come and visit her at this time of night?
Marinette tapped Felix on his shoulder and motioned for him to come back down to the floor. Felix only frowned and gestured slightly to her room, raising an eyebrow in confusion. Marinette shook her head and pointed back towards the kitchen. Furrowing his brows, Felix had only frowned at Marinette.
After a moment locked in a staring contest, Felix had relented and slipped off the stairs with a scowl, Marinette passed him the rolling pin, sure that she wouldn't need it, now that she knew who it was on her roof. Realising that Felix held such absolute trust in her, made her heart flutter as she fought to keep herself from blushing.
She could hear the distinct and familiar pacing of heavy metal boots above her head.
Step, step, step, turn, swish, step, step, step, turn, swish. Repeat.
Marinette let out the breath that she had been holding and climbed the ladder up to her loft bed. Carefully pushing up the skylight, the cool night air made her shiver as she climbed up to the balcony.
"Chat?" She called out in a whisper so as to not startle the guy, sure enough, the black-clad hero was pacing on her balcony. Expression anxious, his mouth set in a grim line. His head swiveled almost comically when he heard her voice. He broke out of his pace to make his way to her and engulfed her in a hug.
Marinette didn't say anything as she returned his embrace. He must have had a bad dream. It had happened often enough that Chat Noir would have nightmares and wouldn't be able to sleep until he had been reassured that she was safe and sound.
"Princess." He breathed taking in her comforting scent (vanilla and something floral), sounding relieved now that he had his arms around her, into her ear and it made Marinette's skin tingle at the contact of his warm breath against her.
She ran her hands across his broad back, feeling the muscles twitching under her touch. Nuzzling against Chat's neck in an attempt to assure him that she was alive and that she was fine.
"When you weren't in your bed, I panicked. I'm sorry." Chat murmured gesturing to a broken flower pot that he had knocked over. So that's what the noise was. "I'll be sure to replace it." Chat Noir added, his ears drooping against his hair.
Marinette forced the impulse to pat Chat's head and merely shrugged before hugging her arms tighter around the blond boy. Letting him know without using her words that she wasn't mad at him.
Marinette took a half step away from Chat so that she could look into his bright green eyes, giving him a gentle smile. She gestured towards the lounge chair, with a nod of her head and Chat placed an arm under her thighs and lifted her off her feet. Marinette giggled at the over the top act of sweeping her off her feet. He sat on the chair and made himself comfortable before positioning Marinette on his lap, cradling her smaller body in his arms.
Marinette was used enough of this behavior to know that Chat only needed to be physically reassured that she was alright. She leaned her head against his broad shoulder and reached her hand up to play with a stray strand of golden hair. He never seemed to want to talk about these night terrors.
She didn't ask about his nightmares, the haunted look in his eye kept her from prying. It didn't feel like something Chat would disclose to her, even if it would make him feel better. So she snuggled up to him, sharing his warmth in the cool summer night (or early morning). Her hand traveled upwards and started rubbing at the nape of his neck in an attempt to help him to calm down.
Soon enough Chat started to purr, a strange rumbling from deep in his chest, with her ear, pressed to it she could hear it clearly. Letting a smile spread across her lips, she continued to massage Chat's scalp, ignoring the soreness in her arm. A knock was heard from the hatch to her room and Felix's head appeared. Eyes tense and body posture wary.
He raised an eyebrow at the sight of Marinette cuddled up to her superhero partner. Not that Chat Noir knew that he was cuddling with Ladybug. Marinette merely shrugged, which made Felix roll his eyes at the pair. He left a thermos behind and gave a pointed stare at Marinette before flicking his head towards the blond who was cradling her in his arms.
Chat Noir watched the exchange with interest. He had only been able to communicate using gestures only with Ladybug. Always when in the heat of battle. It was nice that they had an understanding. Chat had always felt proud over his unspoken connection with his Lady.
Sometimes, he wanted to try it with Marinette but he had never had the opportunity or need to communicate silently with the young designer. However, the two managed to work well within the confines of Marinette's room, both having found a certain rhythm to avoid bumping into each other.
Now watching it happen in front of him, a conversation which he would not be a part of. Especially one that involved Marinette, it made his heart clench. Chat tightened his embrace to match the uncomfortable weight in his chest.
"Goodnight Felix," Marinette whispered, getting a soft 'goodnight' in reply as the older blond returned to the warmth of her room. Crawling off of Chat's lap, Marinette stretched as far as she could to grab the thermos from its resting spot on the ground.
Honestly, Felix must have placed it so far away on purpose. That little sneak.
When she had finally settled back in Chat Noir's arms, glad to be wrapped in his warmth, she nudged him in the chest with it. The unspoken demand obvious. Chat chuckled and took a deep swig of the delicious chocolatey goodness.
To say that he was shocked to see his brother over at Marinette's house so late at night was an understatement, and Chat Noir couldn't help the growl of jealousy he let out in the back of his mind. He placed the thermos back into Marinette's lap, and brought her closer in to his embrace, practically covering her with his own body.
It was to make sure she didn't feel cold, he had convinced himself. Ignoring how right it felt to have the smaller girl in his embrace.
Chat started nuzzling her neck, Marinette could only giggle as she felt Chat's hair tickle. This felt right, having Marinette in his arms felt right. The way Marinette's blue eyes would look at him with that same gentle gaze as his Lady's felt so right.
At this point, he was 60% sure that Marinette and his Lady were the same people. He just needed some solid evidence to back his claim. Well, 70% sure now that he heard Marinette giggle the exact same way that Ladybug would whenever Chat managed to catch her unaware, stealing a quick hug and nuzzle.
How wonderful would it be if his Lady and his Princess were the same people?
He sighed, he was the very embodiment of bad luck. He was never that lucky. He wanted to mope and stew in his admittedly depressing thoughts for a little bit longer, but Marinette was working magic with her fingers and he couldn't resist the way they scratched across his scalp.
It was hard to stay mopey when every head scratch left him breathless. He nuzzled Marinette's hand affectionately. He was rewarded with Marinette snuggling closer, probably for warmth, but he could appreciate the close contact regardless.
Not wanting to sit in silence, Chat began to make small talk. Asking her why she was up so late, 'baking cookies for a class get together', she had said.
It had completely escaped his mind, and he perked up slightly at the chance to spend some time with Marinette without his brother around. He smirked at the thought of being able to spend some real quality time with Marinette.
Chat had even made sure to double check with his dark-haired friend. She had laughed and said 'it's a reunion, Chat. He wasn't invited and neither are you.' Chat could hardly stop his own chuckle.
Oh, he would be there, Marinette just wouldn't be aware that she would be spending the entire afternoon with his civilian self.
He knew it was a dangerous game that he was playing now. There was no denying the obvious attraction that Marinette and Felix shared. Yet he couldn't help but want to keep Marinette to himself. Like a selfish hoarder, he didn't want anybody to know how absolutely amazing Marinette was.
He wanted to keep Marinette locked up in his room, preferably on his bed. He internally winced at the possessive thoughts invading his head. Shaking the image away before it could do create an uncomfortable situation while he was in the suit.
He just wanted Marinette all to himself. Was that too much to ask for? Marinette didn't really need to grace her beautiful smile to every male in this side of the hemisphere, did she?
How many times had Adrien stared at his phone in the middle of the night, with nothing but cold solitude and Plagg's soft snores for company? How he yearned for Marinette's strong, steady presence by his side. Marinette's warmth. Her smile, her laughter. Her strong will and dedication to all that she loved.
He loved watching Marinette at work, god knows how often he would leap over to her side of the town in the middle of the night. Only to find his princess hard at work at something or other.
He was intrigued when she was hunched over whatever project she had in her hands at the time. Watching diligent, talented fingers do their work. He was content to keep out of her way, occasionally lying on her bed watching her work from above. Enjoying the vantage point her loft bed provided.
He didn't necessarily need her to make conversation with him, he was content to simply be in her presence. The ever-present scent of vanilla permeated the air in her room. On more than one occasion he had been lulled to sleep from the steady hum of the sewing machine, wrapped in Marinette's warm and comfortable blankets.
It only got better when Marinette would push him aside, finally realizing that she needed her own sleep. She would crawl into the bed, snatch the blankets from the burrito he had wrapped himself into before she would cover the both of them with the blanket and whisper a sleepy 'goodnight, Chaton' before drifting away to sleep.
Usually, he would allow himself another 10 minutes of shared bed space before reluctantly pushing himself out of bed. With a whispered 'goodnight, Princess' he leaped away into the night. Back to his cold bed. His empty room and equally cold and empty house. It didn't matter that his Father was home, not like the man bothered to check on him.
Looking down, he was interrupted from his thoughts by a weight that landed on his chest. Marinette had been lulled to sleep by his purring and the hand that had been scratching his scalp now rested against his chest.
Chat sat transfixed as he watched, Marinette's chest rising and falling as she slumbered. The idea that she trusted him enough to fall asleep in his presence was heartwarming. Marinette was stubborn enough to stay awake for as long as she could.
He had heard stories from Nino, how back in the days Marinette had been forced to share a tent with Chloe.
Marinette had stayed awake throughout the entire 3 days 2-night camping trip. The younger girl finally crashing the moment she felt it safe enough to lower her guard, in Nino's presence where he had sat next to her on the bus back to school.
Marinette trusted him to keep her safe.
Chat Noir didn't know if Marinette gave the same level of trust towards his civilian self.
The very idea where Marinette might not feel the same level of friendship towards his civilian self-made the smile on Chat Noir's face drop. As if sensing the dive in his mood, Marinette stirred in her sleep, curling up in Chat's lap. A soft murmur passed her lips that made Chat's ears perk up again.
"Adrien..."
He hadn't been hearing things right?
"... You..." Chat's stared intently at his sleeping friend. Her words unintelligible in her sleep.
What had she said? What was she dreaming about? Was she dreaming about him? About Adrien?
Shaking the thoughts away, Chat slowly stood up and tried not to shake the sleeping girl. He dropped to one knee and balanced Marinette into one hand, the girl was petite but asleep, she was deadweight. Chat didn't want to risk waking her up. His scuffling must have alerted his brother because soon enough the hatch opened and a familiar blond head appeared.
Chat noted the concern in his brother's face and the following relief at the sight of a sleeping Marinette. Chat continued to watch as his brother's attention was taken entirely by Marinette's sleeping face. Never had Chat Noir seen such a gentle expression on his brother's face.
His heart clenched painfully.
"I'll take her," Felix said, he had stepped away from the hatch, allowing Chat Noir more room. He held his arms out, ready to support Marinette's weight. To his surprise, he saw Chat's grip tighten before eerie green eyes settled on Felix's blue-grey ones.
"I can bring her in, no problem." Chat tried to give a winning smile. He didn't know why but the idea of Felix tucking Marinette in bed, something that Chat had regarded as special between Chat and Marinette, made his brows furrow.
You're jealous. A voice, which sounded a lot like Alya, echoed. Chat winced.
For the second time that night, Felix found himself in another staring competition. Except, he now faced against bright emerald eyes, such a familiar color, belonging to one-half of Paris' resident heroes. It was getting late, Marinette's parents would be rising out of bed soon to start the daily baking. Felix didn't want to imagine a scenario where the parents find a superhero holding their unconscious daughter.
Felix wordlessly stepped aside to allow Chat Noir easier access into the bedroom. He made a mental note to discuss Chat Noir's penchant of visiting Marinette in the dead of night when both of them were well rested. Felix had already finished packing the cookies into their respective boxes and cleaned up the kitchen.
He had spent the entire time contemplating Chat Noir's relationship with Ladybug as well as with Marinette. If Chat Noir wasn't suspicious of his partner's true identity, Felix would have called him nothing but a fool.
But when he had come up to check on Marinette, he had seen Chat Noir look at his dark-haired friend with such a gentle look, filled with content and dare he say it, love. It was hard to believe that Chat Noir hadn't at least connect a couple of dots.
Felix had to stifle a sigh as Chat Noir gently placed Marinette in her bed, pulling the blanket up to the girl's chin. He continued to watch as Chat Noir ran gloved fingers through Marinette's bangs, pushing them away from where they had fallen over her eyes. Her hair still in her messy bun she had haphazardly tied up while baking.
"Get home safe, Chat Noir." Felix whispered. He watched as the ears on the hero's head twitched. It was clear to the hero that Chat had outstayed his welcome.
Chat glanced between his brother and the sleeping Marinette, allowing a sigh to escape his lips. He really did need to leave his friend, didn't he?
"Goodnight Felix." Chat greeted as he readied himself to leap out of the bedroom. He didn't bother to see his brother's reaction. He leaped across rooftops and chimneys, taking in the cold night air. Filling his lungs with the freedom he felt before he returned to his dreary, lonely room back in Agreste Mansion.
Felix frowned, watching the dark figure leap away through one of Marinette's windows. There was something so achingly familiar with the way Chat Noir had bid his goodbye.
Why did it sound like something he had heard before? This was certainly the first time he had seen Chat Noir since the Akuma attack outside the library and on Marinette's roof. Why was it so achingly familiar?
Glancing at the clock, Felix groaned. It was already four in the morning. He slowly climbed down the ladder from Marinette's loft bed and headed down towards the house. Entering the guest room, he gently shut the door behind him.
The thought that Chat Noir was somebody he knew was nagging at the back of his head. Yet he couldn't place a finger on who it could have possibly been.
Thank you for reading! The next chapter should be more interesting. Leave me puns in the reviews!