Marinette woke up to a shrill ringing besides her, she begrudgingly lifted her head, to her alarm flashing 6 o'clock. With a grunt she smacked the offending noise maker into silence and sat herself up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She managed to crawl out of bed and down her ladders pausing to pull on her dressing gown and slid her feet into her slippers. She went straight down to her bakery, noticing the lights were already switched on, she raised a brow and crept towards the kichen. Hearing Tikki's laughter she paused curiously to peered round the door and nearly yelped in surprise. Chat Noir was stood leaning on the counters chatting away to her kwami, they hadn't seemed noticed her arrival just yet.
"Marinette got lucky having you for a kwami, cookies are far better to deal with than cheese, I have to lie my way out of why I stock up on camembert weekly." Chat sighed "And he's not to easiest kwami to live with either but you seem sweet." Chat grinned as Tikki positively beamed.
"Plagg's always been a hand full, our last holders swapped miraculous' for a while because Eric needed a break from Plagg." Tikki snickered.
"Not a bad idea i think i would look good in leather" Marinette smirked her arms crossed leaning on the door frame, she laughed at the startled pair.
"Morning princess, i agree you would look beautiful in anything." Chat smiled at her sleepy appearance. Marinette snorted as comment.
"So." Chat started with a look of displeasure.
"So?" She prompted, making her way into the kitchen, slippers shuffling along the tiled floor.
"Tikki's told me about your little adventures." He raised one eyebrow questioningly.
Marinette sighed and rolled her eyes, yanking the fridge doors open and pulling out ingredients. "Its too early and I'm too busy to listen to you attempt to tell me off kitty." She yawned.
Chat huffed handing her a cup of coffee, she paused confused before shrugging her shoulders and accepting it with a thanks.
"Your not gonna worm your way out of this you know princess, you refuse to listen to Tikki so maybe you'll see sense from me." Chat said sternly.
Loosing her patience Marinette slammed down her coffee, spilling some of its contents on the steel counter. She turned to glare at Chat "I don't need to worm my way out of anything, it's none of your business anyway."
Chat chuckled at her mad expression, finding it more amusing and cute than intimidating "Marinette you're my partner and I care about you. I cant just let you do stupid reckless shit, baiting yourself without even transforming, what are you thinking you could get yourself killed." Concern laced his voice but Marinette didn't have time for this right now, she had a bakery to run.
"You can't stop me." Marinette shrugged grinning smugly as annoyance flickered over Chats face. Tikki hovered quietly from a distance looking from Chat Noir to Marrinette worriedly.
Chat stared at her, scowling for a moment before slowly closing the distance between them, completely towering over her. His body almost against Marinette's, taking a firm go hold of her waist, he dropped his head, his lips to her ear; he whispered "Watch me." He lifted his head, to look back at her startled red face, his eyes lingering on her lips for longer than necessary, then to her wide shocked eyes. A satisfied smirk pulled at the corner of his lips as her cheeks grew darker and her breath laboured. He lifted her hand to press a small kiss on her knuckles and with a wink he dropped her hand and left, leaving a very flustered Marinette staring after him.
It took a good few minutes before Tikki managed to snap Marinette out of her trance, staring where Chat had left. The Bluenette had given her kwami the cold shoulder, while busying herself with baking and filling the display cases. Luckily she had already prepped what she could the morning before so she could get them baked and displayed quicker just in time to open. Thoughts of Chat Noir plagued her all morning, only Adrien had ever made a flustered mess out of Marinette in the first year she had met him, but now with Chat doing the same, she didn't know what to make of it. That flirty kitty had never made her so much as blush before now. She thought about how enraged he was last night before leaving and what exactly he had done, was the man she fought still unconscious in the alley by the time Chat Noir got there? Most of the customers had to repeat their orders to Marinette whilst her mind wandered elsewhere. Did Chat really think he could stop her 'adventures' as he called them. His parting words lingered on repeat in her mind 'watch me', she was curious to see if he would actually intervene or whether he was bluffing to scare her to stop.
Noon approached before she knew it, thankful that it was Sunday meaning she was closing the bakery soon. The bell of the bakery door chimed and Marinette retreated out of the kitchen to greet them.
"Morning Mari" Alya sat at a table by the window, in the otherwise vacant bakery and grinned at her tired looking friend.
"Hey Alya." She yawned, "I'm making some coffee, want one?" When Alya nodded she quickly poured two mugs, wiping the counters free of flour and sugar at the same time. She joined Alya at the table bringing a plate of left over pastries to pick at.
"So last night was fun and strange, huh?" Alya asked her suddenly, making jump slightly.
Marinette recovered quickly "It was fun I just wish Nathaniel hadn't ruined it, he's a real creep when he's drunk." Marinette shuddered at the memory of him planting himself between her and Alya on the dance floor. "I wonder why Adrien had to leave so quickly, did Nino mention anything?"
Alya shook her head "Nino left early this morning, hes got a meeting with a club owner or something" She wavered her hand dismissively "I didn't see him before I woke, I'll ask later though and let you know." She smiled before her eyes widened "Oh I almost forgot the strangest thing happened last night when me and nino were waiting for a taxi, we heard like a man screeching." Marinette paled instantly, Alya misreading her expression continued "I know it was pretty scary I wanted to go investigate, but Nino dragged me into the car before I even got my phone out my pocket." She rolled her eyes "Iv been watching for any news on it but the only iv seen that would possibly make sense, is that a man was left in front of the hospital around 4am, with most of his bones broken. I'm not too sure if there related but it's certainly strange." Alya pondered.
Marinette was stuck for words, chat hadn't mentioned anything this morning about whether he found the man she's fought. Was chat capable of breaking his bones and making him scream, or was it a crazy coincidence.
The door bell chimes again, the girls spun in their seats to see Nathaniel awkwardly edging his way towards them "Uh hey" He blushed furiously eyes darting from Marinette's face and back to the floor.
"Hey Nathaniel" Marinette offered a weak grin, feeling awkward but extremely grateful he was back to himself.
"I uh- I just wanted to apologise for my behaviour last night, I-i don't drink often and I'm so sorry if I was inappropriate." He stammered with a look of sincerity and pure embarrassment.
"its okay Nath don't worry about, I don't think any different of you." Marinette patted his arm and smiled reassuringly.
"T-thank you Marinette i appreciate it, w-well I have to get to work now so I'll see you girls later" He waved to the both of them and left almost walking into the closed door, going an even brighter shade of red.
After a shared dumbfounded stare off, the girls sat in silence for a moment sipping there coffee. Alya checked the time on her phone and bolted up from her seat "Oh crap I'm gonna be late" She peck Marinette's cheek "Ill text you later." She pegged it out the door pulling her jacket on as she ran. Slightly amused Marinette slunk into the chair deciding against drinking the rest of her coffee, she would much rather have a nap.
"Marinette you should go and sleep, especially if you planning on testing Chats word tonight." Tikki said zooming out from behind the counter, she knew her charge too well.
The young woman smiled kindly at her, grabbed some cookies and rushed upstairs, half expecting and half hoping Chat would be there waiting for her. Her empty room left her disappointed and confused at her own disappointment, putting it down to lack of sleep she wasted no time stripping her clothes and launched herself into her bed.
Waking up feeling refreshed and determined, she jumped into her shower. Enjoying the warm water she planned her night, wondering if chat would think to watch out for her, the thought thrilled her, she welcomed the challenge. She got dressed at a slow pace humming and swaying to the music of Jagged Stone. She'd opted for just blow drying her hair, allowing her long hair to fall straight. Her make up similar to night before except she went with a cream brown lipstick that complimented her pale completion. Satisfied with her work she danced over to her wardrobe and started searching, she decided on dark denim skinny jeans that hugged her hips, dark blue kitten heels. She was picking out a shirt when a soft chuckle behind her made her squeal and turn around. Chat stood behind her eyebrows raised, she hadn't even heard him enter.
"Chat, what the hell." Pink flushed her cheeks, once again realising just how tall and muscular he had become. The fact her brain kept repeating this, was really starting to piss her off.
"Where you off to Princess, didn't you think I was serious this morning." He narrowed his eyes, glancing down to her half-attire and back to her face again, before you could notice his eyes on her mostly exposed body.
"And how do you know I'm not just meeting Alya tonight?" She questioned fighting her blush away
"Because I checked" He added bluntly
That caught her off guard "What? how did you check, did you ask Alya?" She blinked in surprise. Does he know Ayla?
"Unless you want to know who I am too, I'm leave that unanswered." Hoping for an invitation to reveal himself. She had revealed herself,but likely regretted it. Would she want to know who he was? The urge to ask her lingered in his mind, but fear of her rejection kept his lips firmly closed.
Marinette thought for a moment, did she want to know who Chat was? She's denied his request to know each others identities for so long and then she foolishly transformed back to herself in front of him, although she couldn't bring herself to regret it.
"Anyway I know what your up to and your not going." He stated crossing his arms of his chest.
"Just when did you become so controlling kitty." She glared. That seemed to hit a nerve for Chat as he took a step back and frowned, he opened and closed his mouth a few times before sighing. He turned around and jumped through her trapdoor without a word. Marinette stared after him in shock, guilt seeped in her stomach. She knew he was just worried and now she had pushed him away, when for the first time in her life she wanted him to follow.
After a few minutes of staring blankly at her trapdoor she shook her head, she wasn't sure whether to carry out her nights plans anymore. She decided being half dressed and already spending time on her appearance she might as well go out for a little while. She picked up a peach colour crop top and pulled it over her black lace bra, followed by a dark blue leather jacket. Tikki observed her charge silently, before zooming over the safety of her purse. Marinette decided to just have one drink and return home the sting of regret still fresh. She hadn't had time to ask what happened last night either. She tried to push away the thoughts plaguing her mind as she picked up her earphones, sketchpad and pencils cramming them into her pink and black backpack before rushing out the door.
She started the walk towards the usual pub, Jagged Stone playlist doing little to stop her Chat Noir related thoughts.
She reached the pub within ten minutes of leaving her house, noting it was unusually quiet inside even for a Sunday. She order a glass of wine and sat herself at a table by the window, pulling her sketch pad and pencils out of her bag. She tapped her pencil against the pad waiting for an idea to come to her, with no such luck, she downed her wine and began putting her things back into her bag. The sun was still visible outside so with sad smile she set towards the Effile Tower, the 5 minute walk was peaceful as she watched the trees dance slowly from the light breeze. She peered up at the tower feeling nostalgic and guilty all over again. An idea for a skirt pattern came to mind so she sat on the ground and started sketching, bringing her visions to life on the page. She put her earphone in as inspiration took hold of her. Before she knew it her hand was cramped, her neck was stick from leaning over and she had filled seven pages with rough sketches. Looking at the time she realised she'd sat there for nearly two hours, it was considerably dark compared to when she had arrived. Deciding the night was somewhat eventful enough, all things considered, she scurried up to start walking home dusting her hands over the back of her jeans. She kept one earphone in and held herself as the night grew colder, she wondered if she should just find a hidden corner to transform, so she could swing home in mere minutes.
Before she could find a place however a wolf whistle pushed her thoughts aside, she turned her head towards the source to see a group of 8 men walking towards her. Six of the men seemed to talk amongst themselves, whereas the two at the front of the group had their eyes fixated on her. She sped up her walk ignoring the protests of her sore feet. Stupid heels! She thought as she round a corner only a few blocks away from the bakery. Turning her head back around to see she wasn't being followed. The bluenette let out a relieved deep breath. She carried on home at a calmer pace and reached the bakery, fumbling through her bag for her keys.
A screech of wheels behind her made her jump as a white van bounced up on the curb inches beside her, before she could compose herself and open the door a figure burst out the back door of the van and grabbed a shock Marinette. Her blood ran cold as a large gloved hand covered her mouth, as its owner attempted to drag her into the back of the van. Putting up as much of a fight as she could manage, Marinette kicked and thrashed her body. She nearly broke out of his grasp until till another figure jumped out of the vehicle, the new arrival grabbed her legs and together they both tossed her harshly inside. The men jumped in after her, slamming the doors behind them. The van started instantly and begins to race through the streets of Paris. Marinette rolled her body trying to get up, the two men had pulled off their balaclavas and reached for rope. Before Marinette could get to her feet, one of the men straddled her pinning down her arms. Before she could react another man tied her feet together, before rolling her over and tying her arms behind her back. Despite the fact that she had made no attempt to scream or even muttered more than a shocked gasp or pained grunt, she felt a cloth being forced into her mouth.
It was too dark in the confines of the van for Marinette to make out the faces of the men. She heard rustling as they rummaged threw her backpack before one of them threw it behind himself, deeming its contents of no value. One of the men noticed the purse still latched at her bound arm, he unclasped the latch and tipped it upside, her phone and money clattered noisily to the floor. Marinette's eye darted about the van for Tikki, panic overwhelmed her, with no kwami in her sight it seemed her luck had ran out. She was doomed.