Chapter Twelve

Marinette didn't pay a lot of attention in class as she was mulling over Alya's suggestion. Waiting around for Adrien after class did sound like the best option, although that didn't really help with the whole Chat Noir situation. But it wasn't like she could talk to the two boys at once. Besides it was pretty obvious that Adrien intended to catch her regardless of her plans.

Alya shot her a cheeky grin and subtly gave two thumbs up from beneath the desk, hiding them from the view of the boys sitting in front of them. As the bell rang Marinette hurried to pack up and was surprised to see that Adrien had in fact left. Disappointment sat heavily in her stomach as she departed but she found him waiting at the top of the steps.

"Marinette," he gushed as he rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks turning pink as his eyes darted between her face and his shoes.

"Adrien," she smiled in return, enjoying his awkwardness.

"I, um, have fencing lessons now but I'd really like to talk to you after. Would you like to stay and watch?"

The lump in her stomach turned to butterflies. "Uh, sure, yes. That sounds great."

He beamed at her and reached for her hand. "Come on, I'll show you where you can sit. Then I need to change." Adrien eagerly led her down the stairs and showed her to a bench before dashing into the locker room to change into his gear.

Marinette placed a hand over the lower half of her face in attempt to hide the wide grin she could no longer hold back. Adrien was into her, finally! She cracked open her handbag and met the eyes of her kwami. "He figured it out," she whispered.

Tikki's expression wasn't the one Marinette was expecting. There was no stern glare, if anything her kwami's eyes were sparkling. "That happened a lot quicker than expected."

"Yep," Marinette replied, puzzled by Tikki's mood. She didn't get the opportunity to speak further to her kwami as fencing students started rolling in for the lesson. Mr D'Argencourt strode in with his usual confidence and began setting up.

Adrien emerged from the locker room with his fencing mask open as he smiled at her. His attention was so firmly fixed on her that he didn't notice a fellow student bent down tying up his shoelace. Marinette opened her mouth and shot out a hand to point but it was too late, Adrien's knee connected with the student's side and over he went.

A deep blush stained her crush's face from hairline to chin as he picked himself up off the ground. He apologised profusely to the student he tripped over and gave her an awkward shrug. Marinette bit her bottom lip to stop herself from giggling. Adrien was acting just as clumsy around her as she usually was around him. Her own face grew warm as that thought sank in.

The students quickly got into position and at Mr D'Argencourt's instruction they began practising. Marinette watched as Adrien flipped down his mask and began sparring with another student. He was very quick but his opponent was pretty good too. As they continued to dance back and forth with their foils Marinette noticed that Adrien was adding some extra flair to his moves. Was he showing off for her?

Mr D'Argencourt noticed too. "Intimidating your opponent with your superior moves, Agreste?"

Marinette missed Adrien's response as her phone began to ring. Answering it quickly she realised she hadn't told her parents that she'd be late. Her mother's worried voice asked, "Where are you, Marinette?"

"Sorry Mum, Adrien invited me to watch him at fencing lessons this afternoon. I forgot to let you know."

An amused tone entered her mother's voice. "Ah, you do tend to be a bit absent minded when that boy is involved."

"Mum!" she growled into the phone, forgetting that no one else could hear.

"Calm down, sweetheart. You know I'm just teasing. But I'm guessing you forgot that we need you home because your father and I have some deliveries to make for a party tonight."

"I completely forgot." Marinette looked up and realised that she could no longer discern Adrien from the group of identically clad fencers. "When do you need me home?"

"Within the next half an hour. I'm sorry to tear you away from Adrien."

Marinette frowned, she really needed to talk to him. "It's alright. I'm not sure how long the lesson goes for but I'm assuming they'll have a break before then."

"Okay, see you when you get home."

"Thanks Mum." Marinette said her goodbyes and hung up.

It was another twenty minutes before the fencing students stopped for a break. Adrien flipped open his mask and jogged over. Marinette stood and adjusted her bag strap on her shoulder. Her crush was panting as he stopped before her, his cheeks pink with exertion. "I've got a five-minute break before we get back into it," he told as he pushed his sweaty fringe from his eyes.

"I can't stay, I got a call from my parents. They've got a delivery to do this afternoon and need me to hang around the bakery until closing."

Disappointment lit his face. "Oh."

"I'm sorry. I wish I could stay."

"No, no. It's alright." He dropped his gaze to the handle of his foil while his gloved fingers circled the guard. "Will you be home later tonight?"

"I should be, why?"

His green eyes locked with hers. "I might be able to stop by. If you want me to?"

Marinette considered telling him that was a stupid question but decided to be polite. "I would," she grinned and almost turned into a puddle of blissful goo when Adrien smiled back with as much eagerness.


It was after 9pm and Marinette sat in her room, colouring in a sketch as she waited for Adrien. As she finished shading with pink she reached for her phone and sighed. No messages from Adrien. Outside the wind picked up and a light splattering of rain began to ting against her window. "Great, just great," she muttered to herself.

She was picking up a lavender coloured pencil when she heard a thud. Marinette's nose crinkled in bewilderment as she looked towards her skylight and she almost fell out of her chair when she caught sight of a pair of feline eyes looking back at her. Then he was lifting his fist to knock on the glass.

Marinette climbed up to her bed with growing irritation. Adrien was supposed to be visiting her not Chat Noir. To be honest she was rather baffled as to why the superhero was stopping by. It wasn't something he'd normally do.

Nerves began to set in as she unlocked her skylight window to let him in. While she wasn't currently in the mask, the memory of their last encounter was busy flashing through her mind. She decided to give him some sass. "Chat Noir, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

The black clad hero dropped from the skylight to land softly on her bed. His eyes shone with playfulness and a touch of something she didn't want to acknowledge. How was it that he oozed flirtation without even saying a word? Then he spoke in a velvety tone, "Marinette, I need to tell you something."


Oh the intrigue, is there a reveal coming? I could tell you, but where's the fun in that? Stay tuned for the next chapter ;)

Thanks for reading!