Part II. Mamihlapinatapei

a wordless, yet meaningful look shared by two people who both desire to initiate something but are both reluctant to start

Marinette was not having a good evening. It wasn't anything particular, to tell the truth. And it most certainly wasn't because Chat Noir had yet to contact her for the nightly patrol. And sure, there really wasn't anything going on that they knew of, and sure, Marinette had yet to transform today; but still. He could have called her to tell her he wasn't going out.

Not that she cared. Because she didn't. At all.

A flash of red flitted before her and Tikki landed on top of her desk, eyeing her charge with a sad look in her eyes "You could call him, you know" the kwami helped, nudging the phone towards Marinette. "Maybe he does have a reason not to go" The small kwami pointed to the girl's school books "Maybe he has homework too"

"Hmm" Marinette said, "Maybe. Probably found a new girl to flirt with" she said, ignoring the weird feeling that sentence put in her stomach. Marinette did the best to put the best blank face she could, knowing Tikki was looking at her intently. "I don't care Tikki. It's better, actually. That way he won't be distracted during patrol. Besides, that way I don't have to worry about letting him down easy."

Tikki's face betrayed just how little she believed that. The kwami had noticed too, how Chat Noir had pulled slightly away from her these past few days. Sure, the banter kept on going, but the flirting had turned down a couple notches. There was clearly something on the other hero's mind.

Of course, Tikki possessed more knowledge about the situation, but she wasn't allowed to share it with Marinette just yet. She still wasn't completely sure who Chat Noir was in real life, but she could feel him, and she just knew that he was close to Marinette's everyday life. She was almost sure that the boy Marinette was hopelessly crushing on was the same superhero who worked alongside her. Granted, this was not something she was allowed to tell. There were things that Marinette had to discover on her own, or else the bond between the superheroes wouldn't be as strong as it needed to be to defeat the Akumas that tormented Paris from time to time, as well as the evil supervillian who kept on sending them.

Marinette stood up and stretched "WELL. At least one of us needs to get to work" Tikki nodded, knowing that maybe patrolling would take Marinette's mind off her current dilemma.

"We should go!" the Kwami agreed, finishing the cookie she was munching on, "check if your parents are asleep and let's go!"

Tikki watched as Marinette began peeking through the house, checking for any signs of her parents and sighed. The truth was that Marinette had begun to warm up to her flirty companion; she could feel the warmth radiating from her whenever the two superheroes patrolled together, the playful banter going back and forward between them. Granted, Marinette would only admit to warming up as friends of course. She still only had eyes for Adrien.

So the moment Chat began to pull back on his flirty advances, it was very worrying, and Tikki could definitely feel just how much that unsettled the teenager. But of course, her own stubbornness seemed to win out. Marinette was clearly feeling new things for Chat Noir. She just refused to acknowledge them.

Marinette returned, quietly stepping back into the room. Ah, her parents were deeply asleep. Tikki readied herself for the transformation, surprised when instead of that, Marinette spoke "Have the other Ladybugs and Chat Noirs dated?" the dark haired girl was quick to correct "other people of course. Dating each other would be weird, right?"

'Oh Marinette' Tikki gave her charge a small look, "It has all happened before" she said "Dating each other, dating other people" Tikki kept to herself the fact that the greatest love stories she'd seen, had been between the superheroes through the time. Even if one sided, that same love was enough to push them beyond the call of duty to make sure they succeeded. But again, that was something Marinette would need to work out on her own.

Marinette couldn't decide whether that answer satisfied her or confused her even more. She knew she wanted to date Adrien, which was never under question, but the concept of Chat dating another girl made her uncomfortable for reasons that had nothing to do with falling for his advances.

It wasn't jealousy. She was just… worried for him. Yes. Just worried. Who knew what kind of girl he could find, right? Maybe she was evil and very wrong for him. So much that he wouldn't be able to patrol with her. Paris would suffer.

See? Not jealousy.

Besides, there was no way one could fall for two people, right? That would be insane… The teenager shook her head, willing that thought right out of her brain. There was no way that was happening. It felt almost… unfaithful. Adrien was perfect for her, and there was no need to look elsewhere.

Sure, Chat had proven time and time again, just how loyal he was. Funny too, even if he could be a little silly from time to time. She had missed the exact moment when those silly advances and eyebrow waggles had stopped annoying her and had started to make her laugh.

And dear God. Just how devoted her kitty could be. The last time he had thrown himself in harm's way for her sake… she really thought she'd lost him.

That time, Chat had fallen to the ground with less grace than usual, his body bouncing off of the ground. She felt the scream she wanted to let out caught in her throat, and she hurried towards her partner, feeling the beginning of tears burning in her eyes as she cradled his face in her hands, calling his name for him to wake up. In the end, Chat's eyes had opened, and he'd flashed her a smile despite the pain he must have been feeling, and repeated to her just how many more lives he had to spare, and just how he wouldn't mind chancing them to keep her safe. And the thing was that he believed him, completely.

The memory made her heart feel tight again, and that wasn't something she needed right now. 'Stop it Marinette. You're being crazy' she thought, before taking a deep breath and shaking her arms, to get rid of her tension that somehow had settled on her shoulders. "Tikki, Transform!"

The night had gone without a hitch, even if she had been alone so far. The superhero landed with a soft thud on top of the Hotel Duquesne in Paris, giving her the postcard view of the lit up Eiffel Tower and Paris skyline. It had been a very uneventful evening. It seemed that even the knowledge of the two superheroes in Paris was somewhat enough to keep crime at bay. Marinette sat on the ledge, admiring the view she'd seen so many times before "I think we should be heading home soon, right Tikki?" She said to her Kwami, "I think I'm done for the night"

"So soon My Lady?" Ladybug turned around, to find the familiar yet masked face of one Chat Noir walking towards her… looking like the cat that got to the cream. There was a small pang of annoyance that flashed through her, at the idea of just who the cream could have been, (date! date! he was on a date!) but it was quickly pushed down. "Chat!" she said, doing her best to look normal "I didn't think I'd see you tonight"

"And leave my lady on her own? Never!" Chat said, grinning brightly at her. "I just had some things to finish before I could go out tonight" He turned playful green eyes towards the scenery "Although If I'd known that my Lady was all alone in such a romantic setting, I would have definitely have hurried up"

"Ah" Ladybug said, standing up, turning her attention back to the Eiffel tower, hoping that the night hid the small blush that tinged her cheeks. "You didn't have to leave what you were doing, you know. I have it handled" She was the worst and she knew it. She was jealous at whatever or whoever it was that stole his time from her. And the fact that he was flirting again, actually annoyed her even more. 'Maybe whatever or whoever he was spending time with, didn't work. So he's back…' she was distracted from her rather irrational thoughts by Chat's voice right beside her.

"I was trying to get this ready" he said, standing right by her side; his voice soft by her ears as he presented a small black box "did you know that two years ago, today was the first time we teamed up?" The blond paused, before adding "Well, not today, actually yesterday, since it's after midnight. But I couldn't really get to you before" he rambled before adding "There was that Akuma by the…."

"Cannal Saint Martin" she finished for him. There had been an artist that had been turned into an Akuma and had begun freezing people so that they became part of his scenery.

Also, how hadn't she heard him move? He had been at least ten feet away from her when she had turned around. And why had she shuddered when she heard his voice so close to her? This whole thing was getting out of control "I… I didn't get you anything" she said, her blue eyes turning towards him in an apologetic glance, still not touching the box offered.

Chat kept on holding the box for her to take "Open it" he urged "If my lady is happy, it's enough for this cat" he added a mock bow to highlight his point.

Slightly trembling hands took the box from his hands, why was she so nervous right now? Marinette pulled the bow carefully and opened the box "Oh Chat…" she said, breathlessly taking the contents out the box. How could she had ever doubted her silly cat?

It was a small necklace, a delicate silver chain with a small charm of a ladybug. It was pretty similar to one she'd seen before, in one of those jewelries in the center of Paris, where the price isn't listed next to the items, so she knew this had cost a pretty amount. The craftmanship was amazing, since the charm was so small and delicate, yet you could easily realize what it was. The ladybug's black dots were small crystals, which gave a small shine under the city lights. "I can't, this is too much!" she began, wordlessly turning around to try and refuse the present.

Her partner held a hand up in the air, shaking his head. He was not taking that present back home. "Did you not like it?" he asked

"It's not that" She said "It's just…"

"Then it's yours" he said, interrupting her before she could say anything more "My lady deserves something as beautiful as she is" Marinette couldn't help but blush at that. Stupid and stubborn Cat. "Can I help you put it on?" he asked, motioning for her to turn around.

She did as asked, wordlessly turning around and holding her hair out of the way, pulling on her ponytails so that they didn't get tangled with the chain. She was also feeling terribly guilty at the fit she'd had earlier today. She had been jealous, as much as she hated to admit it, and knowing that Chat had been MIA lately because he was doing something for her made her heart feel lighter than it had in all this week.

She was also pretty aware of his fingers, brushing against the nape of her neck as they worked the clasp on the necklace. Marinette was probably going insane, but it just felt so… intimate. And she was thankful that his suit covered so much skin, or else he'd realize just how her skin broke into goosebumps at his touch.

"There" Chat said, "all done". Marinette grasped the small ladybug in her fingers, before turning around to face her grinning partner. "It looks better on you than on the box" he quipped "and it's on now, no take backs". The blond grabbed the leather belt that built up the tail of the suit, swinging it around a little as he playfully added "But should the lady want to thank me in another way" he added, wagging his eyebrows playfully at Ladybug.

Marinette didn't think much about it, and just wrapped her arms around his waist. "Thank you" she said, to a very surprised Chat Noir. He had no idea, just how much she had needed this today. Even if this did nothing to clarify the conflicting feelings in her heart, she felt so much lighter right now. She had needed this reasurance. Maybe it was time to admit she might have been falling for the silly cat, in spite of everything she kept on telling herself.

How he'd managed to do so? No idea. It was definitely his fault. He'd managed to put a crack on the walls she kept putting between them.

Chat had not foreseen this turn of events. Jokes, he had expected; a refusal? Also among the possibilities; a playful thank you? Completely. Having his Lady hugging him, her arms wrapping around his waist and her head resting on him? Nope. Not at all. In fact, it took him a couple of seconds to react to her, and finally wrap his arms around her as well "All the thanks I need my lady" he said, a small goofy smile appearing on his face.

Marinette pulled back from the embrace, letting her arms slide slowly from their position as she stepped back. "Was this why you were acting all weird this week?" She asked him, tilting her head up at him.

"I wasn't sure it'd get here in time" he said, flashing a bashful grin in her direction, "So I started annoying the post office to make sure it was here on time."

She snorted. Stupid, stupid kitty. She could picture him hounding the workers to make sure that his delivery got there on time. "You didn't have to, you know"

"I know. I wanted to" he said, his fingers playing with the ends of his hair absentmindedly as his other hand reached to hold on to her hand, which had just let him go. He held to her hand, the two of them falling into a silence, as they looked at each other, wondering if the other was going to say anything.

This was it. The chance that Chat had waited. She was there, and she wasn't pushing him away. Maybe it was the time to talk about everything, he should confess, and tell her that he was (80%) sure of who she was. But the words failed him. Her eyes were burning into him, expectantly, as if waiting for something.

The air between them was electric, heavy with expectations and hope. The hand that was playing with her hair slid softly, hesitantly to touch the side of her face. He could kiss her right now. He just needed to move forward the inches that separated him from her and he could kiss her. She wasn't moving away and her eyes were following each movement he made.

Blue eyes flickered between green eyes and his lips, then to their joined hands. Marinette's heart was beating so fast and loud she wouldn't have been surprised that he could hear it as well. She was under a spell tonight, and she wasn't sure that she wanted to break it just yet. What if she took a chance tonight? Maybe… just maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing. It would be so easy to close the distance…

But then, since black cats have terrible luck, a loud beeping coming from his hand, broke the spell, the moment shattering as if made of crystal.

"Your ring" Marinette said, letting go of his hand and taking a small step back. His transformation was about to wear off, and hers wasn't going to be far behind. "I… I need to go back" she said, her hand reaching to her yo-yo and "I'll see you tomorrow!" she said, sprinting away in a hurry.

Her mind was racing as she swung over Paris, just now feeling the beep announcing that her transformation was about to wear off. But she was close to home, so that wasn't the main issue right now. She would have let him kiss her. She wanted him to. Her only experience with kissing had happened after the black cupid arrows had hit Chat Noir and she had to kiss him to lift the spell. But now, she wanted him to kiss her, just because. "Oh God Tikki, what am I doing here?" she said, once in the safety of her own room, transformation off and with her Kwami doing her best to calm the flailing teenager.

She was out of control. Really.

Chat watched as Ladybug swung away from building to building, and dejectedly walked towards a good hiding place to turn back. Soon enough, he was Adrien Agreste again, eyeing as Plagg tumbled right out of his ring. The blond sighed, "Couldn't hold it for another minute?" He asked Plagg, giving the Kwami a resigned look.

"I was just really hungry" The tiny cat offered, having the grace to look apologetic, before diving for the piece of cheese that Adrien held for him. "At least she didn't reject you" he offered.

Plagg had a point, Adrien realized; all in all, today was a victory. He was almost sure that she wanted him to kiss her today. But… despite how much he wanted to kiss her; he was aware of who he'd be kissing. He wanted her to kiss the full person he was, both Chat and Adrien.

He was hopeless.

Adrien was fidgeting. He had barely slept last night, but he didn't really feel tired. He was anxious. He had already decided that he was 80% sure that Marinette was Ladybug, and he'd almost kissed her last night. It was a development for sure.

So when Marinette entered the classroom, Adrien couldn't help but risk a glance to her neck, trying to see if he could find the glinting signs of the present he'd offered ladybug. Much to his disappointment, her neck was bare. Well. Maybe she didn't want to wear it as Marinette, after all, it had been a present for ladybug.

Still. He was a bit disappointed. She seemed to like it so much, that he had expected to see it today.

Then, as Adrien left the library, holding a bunch of books he needed for homework, he saw it. Marinette was sitting with Alya in the table in front of them, chatting quietly among themselves, as they worked on a report. Suddenly, the girl stretched her arms above her head, causing the sleeves of her jacket to ride back a little bit, exposing a small black bracelet on her wrist. The bracelet was made of braided cloth, which wasn't out of the ordinary, but Adrien was able to catch the glint of silver between the braids, and the small crystals that made up the black dots on the ladybug caught the light pleasantly.

She'd braided the necklace into another accessory to wear more inconspicuously! The surprise made him trip onto Nino, who was walking slightly ahead of him, and drop his books on the ground. "Duuude" his friend said, rubbing the back of his arms, where one of the books had hit him.

"Sorry, I tripped" Adrien said, quickly crouching to begin gathering his books.

His friend gave him a 'look' and helped him pick up his things, before realizing that both Alya and Marinette were in the near vicinity. Of course. "Dude. We're really going to need to talk about this" he said, brown eyes flashing quickly to where the girls were curiously looking at them now. "Or…"

"SHH" the librarian saved Adrien from whatever it was Nino was going to say, and the pair of friends left the library in a hurry to avoid being scolded.