She should not get used to seeing Chat Noir on her balcony. She should mind that he was here, sitting in her lounge like he owned it (he didn't). She should really stress that he just can't hang here whenever he wants under the risk that Alya may find him and then she would never hear the end of it because Mari, there is a villain in your lounge chair what is going on...
Heaven forbid if he's ever discovered.
"Cookie for your thought?" the bane of her existence called, eyes locked on the plate of cookies she had, and the tired grimace on her face.
Cookies she was going to share with Tikki.
Evidently not tonight.
She made a dark face at him. "Why are you here?" she groaned out, setting the cookies on her table and leaning against the railing.
He shrugged, uncaring. "I'm a cat," he said simply. "I come and go as I please." Eyes locked on the cookies, Chat made a grabbing motion, then looked to her expectantly.
Marinette narrowed er eyes at him.
"Cookie," he demanded.
"I'm not getting you a cookie," she huffs.
His pupils grew big as he looked at her, slumping in his seat. She raised a brow at him, skeptical. "Are you... are you using the kitten eyes on me?"
"I cannot conform or deny."
"They are right there."
"I'm comfy."
"Spoiled cat," she grumbles.
He grinned, looking very amused by the claim before shrugging. "I suppose I can't argue there," he confesses, getting up to grab a cookie. Marinette took the chance to reclaim her chair, earning a dark pout from the cat.
"It is my lounge chair," she reasons.
He scoffs and grumbles at that, but doesn't pressure her out. Instead he settles on the railing, inhaling the cookie he grabbed. Sparing her a slight glance, he asks, "What's up?"
"Hm?"
"You seem a bit miffed."
"There is a cat that keeps coming back... and for some reason I'm feeding him."
"Aw Princess, you know you like me."
Evidently. She liked him enough to let him hang here. Pursing her lips, she skimmed over his form. She kinda wanted to make him... Instead of replying, she retorts, "And you like me, for some strange reason."
He snatches another cookie. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," he quotes, "you are very enjoyable to be around. It's not often I come across a citizen who can flip an akuma... and me."
Her lips twitched up.
Chat beamed.
Smile dropping, she turned to eye the skyline of Paris, take in the soft glow of the lights, the sounds of a busy night. "Chat."
He hummed in response, licking his fingers.
"Why... why do you..."
He paused, blinking at her.
She met his gaze, leery. "You don't have-"
"I'm trying to bring someone back home," he told her, pushing off the railing and grabbing another cookie. Instead of going back, he came by the lounge chair. Marinette made room as he sat down beside her, taking an impatient bite of his cookie. "Someone important to me had... disappeared. With the ladybug and black cat miraculous, there's a chance she can come back home."
She fiddles with the hem of her shirt, very aware of her earrings. "There's no other way?"
"I'm sure there probably is," he murmurs, "but those two items, they would be the most secure. That, that's the power of a god Marientte. Creation and destruction," he held up his hand, eyeing the black ring, the glow of the green paw print on it. "Not even the sky would be the limit."
She eyed the ring. "All you want to do is bring this person back?"
"It's all I want to do."
She reaches for his cookie, breaks off a piece, and chews on it.
Chat took bite, eyeing the ring on his finger. Licking his lips, he quietly asks, "What would you do?"
Marinette stills.
"What do you want? What would you use the earrings and ring for?"
"I..." Marinette stuttered, frowning, "I don't know?"
"You could probably have and do anything you want!" Chat points out.
"I know," Marientte said, "but what I want... I don't want to reach what I want with the powers of a god. I, there's nothing that I really want. I, I don't even know what I'd do..." Probably take one or both to somewhere safe. Turn to Tikki for advice.
She glanced at the ring on Chat's finger.
She wondered what his kwami would think and say.
She confesses, "I, I really don't want power." Meeting his curious green eyes, she adds, "That, it sounds like a lot of responsibility. A scary lot."
"It would be," he agreed, twisting the ring on his gloved finger. "I can get that. I really don't want the power either, I, I just want to see her come back home."
Watching as he drooped and frowned, his eyes dimming with his exhaustion and sorrow; Marinette's heart went out to the cat. Sighing softly and moving against her better judgement, she reached for him slowly. Chat tensed at her movement, green eyes flickering to her coming wrist before moving to her face, skeptical. Slowly, her hand settled in his hair, leaving the two to stiffen slightly at the contact.
Neither moved, as if afraid that the tiniest twitch would startle the other.
Marinette was surprised at how soft Chat's hair was, easily curling around her fingers and lovely to the touch. Glancing at his blown wide pupils, she slowly, but bravely, sunk her fingers into the sun golden fluff on his head.
The instant her nails lightly scraped his scalp, Chat reacted. He slumped against her, purring loudly as he leaned down, giving her better access.
This was so weird, Marinette notes, unable to stop herself as she skimmed her fingers through his hair, absently scratching certain spots. Chat just seemed encouraging, purring deeply as he pressed and rolled his head about, helping her find the best spots for her to pet.
By the time midnight rolled the moon high into the air, Marinette's fingers were lazy in their caress, and near still in her dozing state; not at all minding the weight of the cat blanketing her, purring continuously in his sleeping bliss.
While the two dozed away, Tikki contently nibbled on the left over cookies, eyes gleaming happily at the sight of the two chosens.
Things were really starting to look up for them.
Marinette wasn't paying attention as she drew. Her eyes didn't see and her mind drifted, mulling over nothing. She just let the pencil glide and skim over the once blank sheet and stained it in charcoal. She let it shape and grow, darkening for definition, going light when she wasn't sure on certain lines. Slowly the image bloomed over the page, firm, defined, and confident.
With a slight narrow of her eyes, Marinette guided the pencil to the head, skimming light lines on the bush of hair, shading certain parts for shadows and highlights. Dropping down, she started to retrace the curves, darkening the areas for shadows, adding small details now that she had the basic down.
"...Why are you drawing Chat Noir?" Alya's curious and sharp tone cut in, startling Marinette.
"Wha?" she croaked, jerking up in her seat and blinking down at her paper.
She stiffened when she saw the truth of Alya's words.
She drew Chat Noir.
She did an amazingly detailed drawing of the cat, his eyes gleaming mischievously, a coy toothy grin on his face, he was crouched in a ready fight pose, his fingers spread and ready to go.
She could not believe she drew him.
"U-uh..." was all Marinette could emit, staring down at the paper in flustered bafflement. "I, I uh..."
Alya raised a brow, eyeing her oddly. "Why did you draw Chat Noir?"
"I... I appreciate his style?" she offered sheepishly, grinning awkwardly at her best friend. Alya narrowed her eyes. Marinette defended, "His suit is cool! I, I like it..."
Alya rolled her eyes, and smiled tiredly. "I guess I can't argue. He does have a cool design, and as a fashion designer, you really can't help yourself huh?"
Marinette chuckled weakly, nodding.
"Chat Noir?"
Marinette jerked, looking up to see Lila squinting down at her drawing, raising a brow. Marinette bit her lips, not offering a response. Alya offered instead, "He's got style, for a villain."
Lila just frowned, humming absently before walking by and heading for her seat in the back.
"I still can't understand why you don't like Lila," Alya murmurs softly, "she's pretty nice, and does want to be friends with you."
"Yeah," Marinette sighed, tucking the drawing away before anyone else saw it. Chloe would be a nightmare.
"Girl," Alya pressed.
Marinette gave her a helpless glance, before looking away. "She just... rubs me wrong."
She's a liar.
Alya frowned, sparing a fast glance towards Lila. "Has she done anything to you?"
She lied to everyone.
"Well, no," Marinette confessed. "She just..." She sighed aloud.
"You should give her a chance," Alya gently coaxes. "I'm sure it's just a silly feeling."
Marinette had a tight smile. "You might be right."
"Sp-speaking of a si-silly." Both girls looked forward, eyeing the sheepish Nino as he slid into is seat before them, rubbing the back of his neck. "I uh, I got a project I, I need to do in biology... would you, you mind coming with me to the z-zoo, Marinette?"
Marinette shrugged. "Sure. For M. Howsworth, right?"
"Ye-yeah!"
She flashed the flustered boy a smile. "I need to go anyway. So yeah! It'll be fun!" As Marinette turned to fully hide that drawing away, she missed the big thumbs up Alya gave the blushing Nino. The dark haired girl hoped Chat would never see the drawing.
She didn't think she'd hear the end of it.
This was just supposed to be an easy visit to the zoo. Do a report on the new panther.
And yet...
It was very awkward?
Marinette stood before the panther, staring into the light green eyes of the large black cat that stared back at her, nose twitching slightly. Beside her, Nino shuffled on his feet, barely observing the big cat or reading up on her. It seemed like doing the project was the last thing on his mind. He seemed more interested in muttering to himself and giving her tight smiles.
Eyeing him oddly as he leaned away with a finger pressed to his ear, she asks, "You ok?"
Nino practically jumps, whipping around to her, red faced and stuttering. "Ye-yeah! Ok! You're gre-I mean! I'm great!"
Marinette raises a high brow. "You sure you can do this today Nino?"
"Y-yes!" he said eagerly.
Frowning, Marinette turned back to the panther, eyeing the blue sheen gleaming off the dark coat. "Did I do something?" she asked.
"What?"
"Lately you seem kinda nervous..." she trailed.
"Oh! Uh, nononononono! It's, it's not, uhhhhow about that panther?!"
Blinking oddly at the change of subject, she offered a tight smile as she agreed. "She is a beautiful cat."
"Yeah, she's gorgeous."
Both turned to see a familiar blond boy walk up, eyes locked on Marinette, and sparing only a fast, curious glance to Nino. His green eyes narrowed slightly before turning back to her, charming smile in place. Marinette pursed her lips at him, asking, "What are you doing here?"
"Work," the blond answered, his gaze sliding over to Nino. "What are you doing here?"
Before Marinette could explain that she was on a school project, Nino interjects hastily, "A date."
The blond raised a high brow shoulders hunching up. It reminded her of a startled cat. "A date?" he repeats stiffly.
Marinette whips to Nino, raising her own dark brow. "We're on a what?!"
"Study date!" Nino quickly corrects.
Marinette stared at Nino oddly while the blond narrowed his eyes. Nino blushed and walked off, muttering under his breath, hand flying to his ear. "So," the blond started, turning to her, "just a study... date?" He seemed to force out the word.
Meeting is curious eyes, she said, "To my knowledge." Waving to the big cat, "Just here to cover her for school." Marinette frowns as she notices the big cat having her slanted eyes locked on the boy. It seemed like she was a little... leery? Why would a panther be nervous of him? Turning to the blond, she asks, "So... you work here?"
The blond chuckled. "Photoshoot."
"Photoshoot?"
"You really don't know who I am, do you?" He looked and sounded a bit offended.
Marinette shrugged.
"I'm Adrien Agreste..." he rolled his hand, like that could jog up the memory.
She considers him, rolling the name around. Agreste she knew. "The Papillon Fashion line?" she asked.
"Yes! I'm the top model!"
"Cool!" Marinette proclaimed, "It'a one of my favorite lines."
"Yet you don't know me," he sighed, dramatic and drooping.
Blinking at him in surprise, she snorts, lips curling up. "Sorry, but I don't pay attention to models, I look at the clothes." Leaning forward and overlooking him, earning a slight flustered blush from Adrien, she comments, "You do look familiar. And that does look like Gabriel's work, a coming spring fashion?"
"I, I," he stutters, leaning back a little. He jumped a little when she reached for the light jacket he wore. She froze, realizing that she was leaning into his space and making him uncomfortable. She quickly withdrew, uttering an apology.
Before Adrien could reassure that it was ok, a voice called out, "Marinette!"
They turned, seeing Nino come back with a determined frown. He jerks his thumb over his shoulder. "Lets go see the giraffe!"
Marinette droops. "Not the panther?" She was looking forward to working on the panther...
And it totally had nothing to do with a certain cat.
She was just a beautiful big cat.
Nino shrugged sheepishly. "Well, we need go consider all our options, right?" He spared a nervous glance at Adrien. "We can come back to the panther if nothing else catches our eye."
"Ok," she sighs. Giving Adrien a departing wave, she hurried to Nino's side, letting him pull her along as they left to explore.
Behind them, Adrien pursed his lips in agitation.
At the distant call of Nathalie, he turned and went back to work.
It didn't get better.
She and Nino just slowly walked around, eyeing every animal they saw, scrambling for some sort of topic to share between them. It was getting to a point where Marinette just wanted to go back to the panther and do her report on the beauty and head home. But anytime she tried to suggest going back and just wrap this trip up, Nino jumped to another animal, or changed the subject.
She was getting a bit miffed.
"How about that new Jagged Stone album, huh?" Nino voiced.
"It's great," she said with a small shrug, sparing a glance at one angry man sitting on a near bench.
She tensed. "Nino."
"Didn't he write one song for Ladybug?"
"Nino."
"That's pretty wicked since he was able to put that together in such a short tim-"
"Nino we need to go."
There it was.
The black butterfly.
Before Nino could speak, Marinette hurried to his side, grabbed is wrist and pulled him away, just as the butterfly landed on the man's bracelet, encasing him in black bubbles. A roar filled the air as a black panther stepped out of the black mass, purple eyes turning to them.
"Shit," Marinette muttered.
Screaming in alarm, Nino tore away, leaving Marinette to stumble after him as he scrambled off. The clicks of claws tickled her ears and Marinette hurried after him, daring to glance back at the akuma. The panther was on her heels, purple eyes locked on her.
Tensing, she was just about to jump over it and let the big cat dash away from under her; only to be tackled by a familiar black figure. The panther spared them a glare before racing off. Marinette grimaced after him, making no fuss as Chat held her close, claws wrapped around her waist.
"Thanks Chat," she sighed. Hopefully she could wrap this up soon...
Only Chat didn't let her go.
His grip tightened slightly. He released a mocking hiss, "You're boyfriend abandoned you."
"He is not my boyfriend," she grumbled, shoving him back and shooting him a sharp look. "And that's not your business." Chat's tail gave an agitated twitch as he lightly scowled down at her.
How did he even know she came here with Nino?
Before either could speak, twin familiar screams reached her ears. Marinette stiffened.
Alya and Nino.
"I gotta go," she rushed out, speeding away for a hiding spot.
She had to save her friends.
Adrien laid out on is bed, fuming.
What was up with the girls in his life just... constantly riling him up?
Marinette with that boy that was obviously interested in her.
And Ladybug giving him a heart attack by jumping into a dinosaur's mouth. Of course she made it out ok and fine and not a scratch on her and that stupid cocky grin on her face and...
But the image of her jumping into those wide, opening jaws still flashed before his eyes.
He still had yet to get past that.
And then Marinette had walked off with her friends, laughing and blushing and teasing as they shuffled and snickered with her. It left him wishful and lonely.
"Girls are exhausting," he muttered to his pillow.
There was a snort on his desk from where Plagg was inhaling the camembert he got him. Turning to the kwami, he asked, "You're old right?"
Plagg shoots him a dark look.
"You have any... girl advice?"
The kwami eyes him for a minute, considering. "Stick to cheese," the kwami declared.
"Cheese," Adrien repeats.
"Can't go wrong with cheese."
Huffing, Adrien got up and sulked to his window. Staring out absently, he thought about slipping out, and going for a run on the rooftops. Only to snap to attention when he saw a flash of blue on the street.
There was the boy that was with Marinette.
Holding hand with another girl, a redhead that he's seen quite a few times hanging around akuma battles.
Adrien blinked at the couple, watching them walk along, watching the conversation flow far better. "He sure lost interest fast," Adrien murmured aloud.
"That's a good thing, right?" Plagg comments, bored.
"Yeah," Adrien confirmed.
He jumped at a loud rattle behind him, twisting to see that Plagg had shoved his pens to the floor. "Plagg!"
Marinette kinda notes that, if it wasn't some issue with Chloe, akumas related to love seemed pretty... common. There was always some love issue going on in Paris, and some days, Hawk Moth wasn't picky about what issue to focus on.
Though, she does wonder if he ever gets tired of focusing on love problems.
This had to be her third love related akuma case.
And maybe the most annoying.
Aphrodeedee, from what Marinette could understand, was born from a woman's frustration that her partner wasn't giving her as much romantic attention as she desired. With powers blessed upon her through Hawk Moth she... she made sure no one was going to feel unloved.
Bearing a seashell that was her likely possessed item, whenever she blew into it, pink bubbles flew out and if they hit anyone, the victim rushed to the closest person they were attracted too and locked them up in a kiss.
And, Marinette has grimly discovered, those kisses could go far...
The only ones that were safe, were couples that were already bestowing the desired attention onto their partner.
There weren't too many though since no one relaxed enough to kiss during an akuma attack.
Trying to ignore the growth of couples, Marinette trailed after Aphrodeedee, grimacing at the blonde woman's back. "Feel the love," the akuma sung out, "for you deserve to be loved!"
Never mind the awkward issues to work through after this.
"Careful," Tikki pipes from her purse.
"Just got to get a little closer," she murmurs, crouching low and creeping closer to Aphrodeedee. Chat wasn't here yet, if she could catch the akuma by surprise, she could could break that shell and snag the butterf-
"No!" one guy cried, dashing past Aphrodeede and racing right past Marinette.
And the akuma turned after him, her eyes locking on the crouched dark haired girl sneaking behind her.
"Oh great," Marinette mutters.
Bringing the shell to her lips, Aphrodeedee blew, sending out the pink bubbles to drift towards her.
Thinking fast, Marinette raced back, scrambling and dancing down the street as she dodged the bubbles, able to duck low enough to miss them all.
There was a rushing pound of feet coming at her.
Marinette looked back to see the boy from before, coming straight for her, pink glowing eyes locked on her lips.
"Nope!" Marinette declared, turning tail and fleeing before the guy could get a hold of her.
"Be loved!" Aphrodeedee called after her.
Ducking into a narrow street, Marinette worked on loosing the guy. She parkoured over fences, dodged around him and tripped him, and was even desperate enough to try and jump for the fire escape that was six feet over her head.
Only for the guy to have caught her with a great leap.
Gritting her teeth when her back roughly hit the ground, Marinette instantly started to kick and struggle against his weight, trying to push the boy away as he struggled to get above her, pink rimmed eyes still locked on her lips. "Love..." he whispered.
"Flattered," Marinette grits out, "but no!" With a mighty kick, she dislodged him, only for him to dive back to her.
Before he could reach, black claws dug into the man's shoulder and ripped him off her, a growl spiking the air. Marinette scrambled back as Chat pushed the victim away, baring his teeth, pupils narrowed thin.
"She said no," Chat grits out.
"Love," was all the guy could utter, reaching for her.
Chat growled. With a great leap, he grabbed the guy and dumped him on the other side of a fence. There the boy locked gaze with a girl who had also been hit, her eyes a matching pink. With an eager cry, they ran for each other, eager to get lost in one another.
Wrinkling his nose, Chat dropped down, offering a hand to Marinette. "You alright?" he asked.
"I'll be better," she said, letting him pull her up, trying not to react as she felt Tikki twitch and rustle in her purse. The akuma must be coming. There wasn't enough time for her to hide... Se looked to Chat, an idea sparking in her head. "Actually you came at a good time. I need your help."
"Help?" he repeated, raising a brow down at the princess. His ear twitched, hearing the akuma draw near, still singing her song. Grinning cheekily, he asked, "Does Purrincess want me to hide her away?"
"No," she said, "she wants you to go with the flow. Can you?"
"Cats are very flexible Prin-"
She grabbed his bell, cutting him off as she pulled him close. "Good," she said with a confident grin that had him stiffening. Before Chat could move, Marinette captured his lips. A squeaking mew popped out of his throat and Chat flailed before his claws awkwardly grabbed her forearms, still mindful of the points and the damage they could do. For a few minutes they stood stiff and still, awkward from the rush of contact.
Hearing the akuma's contemplative hum, Marinette pushed against the cat, rolling her lips and lightly nipping the edge of his bottom lip. A groan bubbled out of the cat and he reacted. His eyes fell closed in pleasure, a deep purr bubbling out of him as he pushed back, head tilting for better access. Marinette didn't plan for the tingling sensation to course through her, feel the heat of his near body, the heavy sigh brushing her cheek.
Getting lost in the sensation, her other hand slowly came up, cupping his jaw and lightly running her thumb over the curve of his chin, earning an even louder purr from the cat.
When he pushed, she followed Chat's silent instruction, walking back till her back found the wall, leaning against it as his claws slid up to cup her cheeks and angle her head better, nipping and sucking on her lip, jumping slightly when she nipped back.
He licked her lips, huskily murmuring, "Marinette." She met his eyes, hazy with desire. It made her knees weak and a warmth flared in her stomach and her cheeks flashed red.
She sucked in a groaning breath when he lightly nips her bottom lip, before his tongue came to soothe the bite.
He jolted when her tongue skimmed his when she tried to lick her lips.
There was a jab at her side, her purse bouncing slightly and trying to draw the girl's attention away.
With a soft hum, Marinette pushed against the bell, meeting the half lidded gaze of Chat, breathing a little hard from the intimacy. When he moved down to catch her lips again, she pressed a finger against his lips, fluttering at the damp warmth coated over them. She managed out, "Thanks Chaton." And hurried away before he could grab her.
Or before she could grab him and pull him down again.
Ignoring the slightly teasing, slightly chiding look from the kwami, Marinette called for the transformation, ready to dive at Aphrodeedee again.
She was unable to help but lick her lips when she caught sight of the dazed Chat Noir hopping in to help, remembering the soft warmth and tingle of his touch.
She was starting to wonder if she really should have just hidden away.
She wouldn't be dealing with this fluttering sensation then.
"-rien... Drien... Adrien!"
He jerked up with a start, blinking wildly as he met Nathalie's concerned and baffled gaze. "Ye-yeah?" he rushed out, cheeks pink.
She gave him an odd look. "You alright?" she asked him slowly.
"Y-yeah..."
"...You don't sound too sure. Is there something you need to talk abou-"
"No!" Adrien said sharply. Then winced at her odd stare. He hurried out, "No. Just, uh, tired?"
She raised a high, skeptical brow. "But your schedule has been so light..."
Adrien shrugged, looking away from her skepticism. Before she could comment, Adrien simply hurried away. Rushing to his room, he closed the door behind him, heart pounding. Turning to his room, he tensed when he saw the Jagged Stone album cover, with her name scrawled over it. The remembrance of soft, warm lips ghosted over his, and he could remember the smell of sweets and vanilla and flowers drifting into his nose. Making a squeaking sound, he flopped to his bed, burying himself into it and trying to muffle the memory of the kiss.
He couldn't believe she kissed him.
Well, he could, he was devilishly handsome but...
He was Chat Noir.
A feared villain of Paris.
Yet she kissed him.
Mindful, it was to evade an akuma but...
Wouldn't a quick kiss have been enough?
How did it wind up dragged out to... to...
The remembrance was almost too much for him. The softness pf her lips, the little sound she made when he caught her off guard. The slight taste of cookies tickling the tip of his tongue, and how he almost willed the transformation away just to feel her warm cheeks beneath his palm and...
Giving off a sound that was between a groan and meow, Adrien rolled off his bed, dragging his pillow with him and trying to muffle the sound against the plushness. Plagg stared at him from the desk, far from impressed.
"You want to talk about it?"
Adrien jerked up, meeting the grinning Nooroo, purple eyes bright as he stared down at the flustered teen.
"W-what?" Adrien croaked, entirely red faced.
"Do yo want to talk about it?" Nooroo repeated, wiggling from where he sat on the bed and looking far too excited.
"Talk about what?" Adrien rushed out.
Plagg scoffed from where he sat on the desk.
Nooroo blinked at the child, then rolled his eyes. "Your feelings!" the kwami declared, waving his little arms. "I could feel you being so flustered and jumpy from the other side of the manor!" Leaning forward, the little purple god asked, "Did something happen?"
"N-no!" Adrien sharply rushed out.
Plagg unhelpfully voices, "He got kissed by a girl."
Nooroo released a happy gasp.
"Plagg!" Adrien exploded, rounding on the kwami, aghast.
"Oh how wonderful!" Nooroo proclaims, wings beating rapidly as he floated up into the air and squirmed.
Adrien stuttered and blushed, watching the butterfly kwami flutter and spin.
Plagg just rolls his eyes and dives for the waste bin.
"It's ok child," Nooroo coos, dropping down and resting on Adrien's knee. With an encouraging smile, he said, "You humans typically always make things more complicated than they really are."
"But I, that kiss, I, I don't think it was supposed t-to be-"
"Talk it out," Nooroo said simply.
"T-talk?!" Adrien chokes.
"Adrien," Nooroo bids, "as the butterfly miraculous, my power resolves around change. And change is often tied to someone emotional state. Change starts with you, with your feelings on the matter, and what you do with it. I can confirm that the most successful changes done to an unsteady relationship have communication. You need to talk to her, figure this situation out."
Adrien stared down at the kwami, then looked away, blushing as he recalled the gleam of light sky blue eyes, the freckles dotted over her nose, and the boldness of her smile as she grabbed the bell on his neck and pulled him down...
Adrien hunched up, face going tomato red.
Nooroo just smiled, looking amused and pleased.
Despite Nooroo's suggestion, Adrien did not go back to Marinette.
He downright avoided her. If he was out and about and saw her, his face would go a shame less red and he would flee the scene. Partly from embarrassment, partly to resist the temptation to go down, scoop her up, and slip away to a more private area to enjoy those soft lips and the sweet honey smell of her scent and the easing heat of her body and...
Adrien quickly decided that it would just be entirely unieal if he met up with her again.
At least, not till he sorted out his emotions on this matter, and got better control over himself.
It wasn't very... gentlemanly to want to kidnap someone and kiss them silly. No matter how pleasing and addicting the sensation was. Nooroo was right that they did need to talk first.
And there was the detail that his father would be proven right.
That Marinette was a distraction as he feared. That his son has wound up more focused on the dark haired girl than their mission. What's worse was that Adrien... he didn't feel any shame for it. He wanted to be near her, he wanted to kiss her, press at her side, bury his nose in his hair and just... purr away and soak in the mirth that came with her presence.
...It left him wondering if his miraculous was even still trying to manipulate him to Ladybug's side.
It didn't seem so, at least, not as bad as before. When they got close in a fight, her scent didn't brush his mind for him to remember and contemplate. He wasn't as consciously aware of the heat of her touch.
Adrien just wasn't sure what to think on the matter.
He knew one thing, and he told Plagg so, "We need to get those earrings." The sooner they got them, the sooner she would be back home, and the sooner he could come to her side, with no objections from his father, no mission to hold over his head.
He wondered why he thought Plagg would be supportive.
It was probably because he started talking to him more.
It was quite the rude awakening when the little black god angrily through a wad of paper at Adrien's face and then dove for his waste bin. Moodily, Adrien returned the favor by dumping a pile of wadded paper on the kwami, earning a dark rumble in response.
Intent on leaving the kwami buried under light paper, Adrien opened the door to his room and jerked in surprise when he saw his father on the other side, Nooroo seated on his shoulder. "P-Père?" he greeted nervously.
"Adrien," his father greeted back.
Nooroo offered him an encouraging smile.
"C-can I help you?" Adrien asked, running his nail along the rim of the door, trying to manage the jittery energy coursing through him.
"Yes," Père stated, nodding for his room. Adrien quickly let him in. "Nooroo has brought to my attention an... opportunity. One that would help us both."
"Yeah?"
"He has proposed how ideal it would be for you to go to school."
Adrien sucked in a sharp breath, eyes wide as he stared up at his father.
"You'll have your chance to socialize, and it would be opportunistic for your future." Meeting his wide gaze, Père clarified, "But you will have a job there."
"Ladybug," Adrien breathed.
"We know she goes to school, and which school she goes to." Nodding to his son, Père states, "I want you to search the student body for her. Get close, steal away her earrings." He walked towards the window. "If brute force won't work, cleverness will." He met Adrien's green eyes. "Can you do it?"
Meeting his father frosty gaze, Adrien nodded. "I can."
It'll all get better after they get the earrings.