Chapter 5: Bridal Style - Favoritism Part 2 Chapter by beccalovesyuge
Summary:
"It's not a good idea to carry me bridal-style across Paris every time there is an akuma attack. Paris ships us."
Takes place before Chapter 3. Currently, first part of the Favoritism AU
The akuma was gaining on them. Marinette held tighter to Chat Noir's neck as she leaned up enough to peak over his shoulder. "Princess," he warned before tightening his hold on her to jump across to the next roof. "It's not a good idea to wiggle while I'm trying to save you."
The girl scoffed at him as she settled more firmly into his hold. "It's not a good idea to carry me bridal-style across Paris every time there is an akuma attack. Paris ships us."
He grunted as he dropped down into an alleyway; his bent knees and steel boots taking the brunt of their weight before he darted out of the alley and backtracked. "It's been, like, three times." He countered.
Marinette rolled her eyes. "Nope," she popped her lips on the last syllable. "Have you happened to check the Marichat tag on the Ladyblog? It's been like twenty times since we were kids."
Chat's eyes flicked backwards as he heard screams erupt in their opposite direction. Pur-fect. He'd gotten Marinette away. He slowed to a stop as he glanced down at the girl—young woman, really—in his arms. As he rolled her last sentence around in his mind, he wasn't too sure which part to focus on. The fact she kept count or the fact she seemed to regularly check their tag on the blog. He'd squeal later over the fact they had a ship name. "Ok, you win." She smirked in triumph. "But, answer one question for me. How often do you check our tag, Princess?"
The woman shoved herself out of his arms at his Cheshire grin. "You stupid cat! I'm trying to be serious!" He reached out a hand to steady her as she wobbled, but she slapped it away. "This needs to stop. The public can't see us together like this anymore."
He frowned. "Mari, are you saying you don't want to…" He struggled for the right word. His claws ruffled in hair in frustration. "Look, I don't know what you are to me, but I don't want to end this." He chewed his bottom lip and met her gaze; their cheeks equally pink.
"I don't either, kitty. But we've gotta be smarter about this. Hawkmoth-"
She was cut off as he pulled her back into his arms in a fierce hug. "I swear, Marinette, I will never let him hurt you." She embraced him just as tightly before the screams reached them again.
Gently, Marinette pushed him away. "Go. Paris needs you."
His eyes flicked between the distant screams and Marinette. "I'll see you tonight?" His voice wavered on uncertainty.
Marinette smiled. "I'll have your snacks ready."
Before he flung away with his baton, he promised her, "I meant what I said. He'll never hurt you, Marinette. I won't let him."
She watched him swing over the next building and waited a few more seconds to put some distance between them. Unfortunately, Marinette didn't notice the fluttering purple butterfly hovering above her before she darted away to call upon her transformation.