My eyes feel puffy as I walk to school, and I skip on the coffee and go for a hot chocolate. School is relatively quiet, but I'm really early. What would it take me to tell Adrien that I'm Ladybug? That the shy schoolgirl he met when he was younger, is a confident superhero. My heart starts to thud and my mouth grows dry just even thinking about it.
"Good morning," A voice says in my ear. "I was worried when I didn't see you at the coffee shop this morning." I turn to see Adrien smiling at me. "I didn't get coffee this morning. I got a hot chocolate, see?" I hold up my cup, and the smile disappears when he sees my puffy eyes. "Did you sleep okay?" His hand cups my cheek, and I lean into the softness and the warmth. "I'm just trying to figure out how to tell you certain things. Like I said, I'm not that great with words." If he comes over later, the beanie I made him is all ready.
"I think," he says, leaning close, "at this moment, no words are needed." Its just us in this little hall, and Adrien begins to kiss me, but its like he's kissing me if I had a mask on. Around my cheeks and eyes, little butterfly kisses. I'm warm as I lean against the wall, Adrien's body heat so close. "What can I do to make it easier to tell me your secrets?" I wipe a tear away. "Its silly," I tell him. "Marinette." More butterfly kisses, oh, does it feel nice, to be loved. "It would be easier…." I take a deep breath. "If you wore a mask." Adrien's forehead touches mine. "I think I can make that happen. Follow me."
We head down the steps to the basement, and I wonder what Adrien has in mind. We don't often use the basement, the only rooms down here are for costumes when the theater department puts on plays.
"Let's go in here," Adrien says, opening a door that says, "Wardrobe Department." He flicks on a light as he shuts the door behind us, and the light is to bright for my emotions. "Could we leave this off for now?" "Of course."
We're plunged back into darkness, but after my eyes adjust, I can see rows and rows of costumes, just waiting to be used. "Wait here a moment and close your eyes," Adrien tells me, and though I am confused, I do as I'm told.
"Okay, you can open your eyes now," a voice says, and I when I open them, I gasp, covering my mouth with my hand. "Cat Noir? But how? And where's Adrien?" "Shh, I'm right here." I don't question it, though how does he look so much like my beloved Kitty? That's one good costume.
"Now that I'm wearing a mask, is it easier tell me what's on your mind?" Yes, I tell myself. I can smell the black leather, the most calming scent in the world, and those green eyes glowing, looking into my soul.
"What if I were a superhero, Adrien? What if I were Ladybug? Would you still love me?" Gloved hands take mine. "Marinette, I think I've made my feelings clear. I love you, whether you wear a mask or not. Not that I wouldn't believe you, but I'd like to see you transform." My hearts thuds against my rib cage, and I'm finding it hard to breathe. "Adrien," I whisper, my hands trembling. "Cat." My hands fumble in the darkness, reaching for his hands. "Yes, hand?" I quickly grasp his question, last time he wanted to hold my hand I wasn't ready. "Yes, hand."
Black leather envelopes my hands, and my breathing eases. "I'm not ready." "There's no rush. Take all the time you need." I flick the gold bell softly, listening to the tone. "There is one thing, I hope you would have time for." "Oh? And what is that?" "A kiss."
Adrien chuckles softly in the darkness. "Close your eyes again." A rush of cool air flows over me, but its instantly replaced with heat as I feel his tongue licking me. Licking away my salty tears, licking away the hurt.
I giggle. "That tickles," I tell him, finding his soft, fluffy hair. He lifts his head from my stomach. "Feeling better, my love?" I nod.
Adrien and I don't have morning classes together, but I'm glad for it gives me time to think. Was that Adrien? Or was it Cat Noir? Or maybe Adrien is Cat Noir? Maybe that's another reason why I feel so safe with him, and there's that magnetic pull between us.
After school is done, I go to the bakery to see Teacup. "Here to pack for New York?" she asks, as we head upstairs. "No, I have boy things to discuss." "Uh-oh. You two didn't get in a fight did you?" Ever since I showed Teacup my recipe for hot chocolate its become one of her favorites with cookies.
"Just the opposite, really," I say, as I watch her pour our drinks. "I nearly told him I'm Ladybug." I tell her how Adrien wore a Cat Noir costume, or maybe it was Cat Noir. "All I know is, I found it so much easier to tell him things when he wore a mask." "That was nice of him, finding the way to make you the most comfortable." "He wants to see me transform, and I told him I wasn't ready. He said to take all the time I need."
"Maybe it will happen in New York. After all, it will be your first trip alone together." Though I know we'll be super busy, I nod to please her. "And if Adrien is Cat Noir, he'll probably be more protective of you there."
My phone vibrates and Teacup takes a drink while I look.
Adrien: Hey, you at home? I'm at your place, but no one's answering.
Marinette: At my parents place. You okay?
Adrien: The apartment just feels small tonight. Can I spend some time with you?
Marinette: Of course. See you soon.
Teacup heads upstairs when the doorbell rings, and I'm surprised that Adrien doesn't look like his cheerful self. "You okay?" I ask, when I let him in. He reaches for my hand, the same time I reach for his, but strangely there seems to be something blocking us. "Sorry, no hand."
He wraps me in a hug. "Marinette, I don't want to be in front of the cameras. All those people watching my every move." "I'm trying to understand, Adrien. You know what we signed up for when we won the contest."
"Marinette, when I was younger and my father got suspicious about how I was sneaking out, he set up a camera in my room. I was always being watched, and I felt like I couldn't breathe." "No privacy?" I can tell this is hard for Adrien to talk about.
But why would Gabriel be so suspicious of Adrien? Unless he thought he was Cat Noir…. "I'll protect you, and we can talk to Anya. She'll be able to work out something, I know it." "Can we cuddle, Marinette? I don't think I can be alone right now."
We cuddle on the couch, the window open to the fresh spring breeze. Adrien falls asleep quickly, his head resting against my heart.
He comforted me this morning, now its my turn to comfort him. I hope Paris will be safe while Ladybug's away. Even though there's no current villain, one could be waiting in the wings.
I am excited about going though, this is a whole new adventure for me, the little ladybug in the big city.
Teacup comes downstairs, and she smiles warmly at us. She whispers she's headed back downstairs but if we need anything, she's here.
"Was someone here?" Adrien lifts his head from my chest, eyes full of sleep. "Just a friend," I say. "Are you hungry? I could order a pizza." Adrien shifts slightly, finding a more comfortable position. "Pizza sounds good."
After I order it, I shift him off me. "Where are you going?" he asks, catching my hand his head on the pillow. "Do you want fresh cookies or not? And I need to make a salad."
Adrien makes a face at the word "salad" and I laugh. My family has dinner together, and I'm glad Adrien can stay. Mama and Papa have a list of bakeries they want me to look at in New York, and I say I'll try.
"No one could have a better bakery then Tom and Sabine's," Adrien tells my parents loyally. A sudden lump grows in my throat, for I will be leaving my parents alone, their daughter off to the big city, ready to explore the world of fashion.
"You make sure to take good care of her while your gone, okay, son?" Papa asks, and Adrien nods seriously.
Its hard to leave, but there's school in the morning, before our whirlwind of leaving takes place. "If you need anything during the night, don't hesitate to text or call. My phone is always on for you," I reassure
Adrien.
He nods, holding out his hands to me, and I cling on tightly. "Yes, hand, no hand," I joke. Adrien holds out his fist. "Pound it?" Cat Noir flashes before my eyes in Adrien's spot, and the mask and suit suit him perfectly. "Pound it!"
I put on a cup of tea when I get home, and lay in bed, knitting. What a day I've had. I fall asleep, thinking and wake up in another world.
Cool blue water laps at my feet, and the ocean stretches before me as far as the eye can see. "Daydreaming again, M'lady?" Cat smiles at me, a teasing glint in his eye. "Yeah. How did fishing go?" "Wonderful." "You know, Adrien, its just us here. No need to hide behind a mask."
Cat smile vanishes. "Why are you wearing now then?" I wake suddenly, and groan. Arrgh, the secrets I have to keep, this is getting so hard.