Observation

(Edited and fixed)

BEFORE YOU READ: I've updated the previous 4 chapters to make them flow better (I hope). I also added a reason for Lila to go into Marinette's room, though her personal reason will not be given just yet. Feel free to reread or continue from where you're at.

REVIEWS! I want them! Be they helpful criticism, your wishlist for this story, or just your opinions so far, they really do help. Not to mention they push me to work on chapters rather than being the lazy butt I am.

Chapter 5: A Little Visit

The sun was almost gone by the time the hero landed on Marinette's rooftop. Like the gentleman he was, he knocked first with a small smile in place. When no response came, he frowned and pressed his face to the glass. Her lights were on, but he saw no sign of the girl.

Chat opened the window. It was a little concerning that it was unlocked. Didn't Marinette know the world was full of creepy perverts who preyed on girls like her? They'd slip right in if they knew the door was always open.

Not being a creepy pervert, Chat vaulted right in, careful not to land on her bed and dirty it with his boots. He landed on the loft railing and took a gander, going so far as to hang upside-down to see under the platform. No Marinette. And no mouse from the sounds of it. Silently he jumped down, not wanting her parents to hear him from below.

Without the need to be sneaky or rushed, the male had more time to look around. He had been here before as Adrien, but was far too shy and polite to overstep his boundaries in a girl's room. Though right now, he was a curious cat.

Her room was well designed and practical. A bit girly with all the pink, but it was a pleasant shade with bits of black and white. It suited her. Not to mention, it smelled of fresh bread and some kind of sweet perfume he often noticed from her. Chat passed by a little box he had seen once before when Sabrina got her hand stuck in it during the class election.

'Her diary,' he paused, remembering why Chloe wanted it in the first place.

Contact information, interactions, maybe even Ladybug's true identity... If anything had information about his Lady, it was in that book.

Yet Chat passed it by without a second thought.

As much as he wanted to know; had been dying to know, Chat would not do that to Marinette. He respected her far too much to read about her personal thoughts and feelings. Regardless of his outward appearance, Marinette was important to him. He would not betray her friendship like that.

The box wasn't the only thing of interest in the room. He looked around, recognizing several other items from last year. The class photo and private photo the class took for Juleka. There was the cheer banner for Alex and Kim's race which was neatly rolled up in the corner. Ah, the memory of two Ladybugs. Pure bliss!

Framed on the wall was a signed Jagged Stone CD case which she designed. He remembered asking her to autograph his own copy. Over by her sewing machine was the feather hat she had made for the contest his father had. Chat remembered modeling in it and sneezing quite a bit, much to the photographer's dismay. Even so, it was an awesome hat. He'd probably avoid going near it today. Just in case.

Marinette's collection of handmade akuma dolls had grown. The detail and quality were exquisite as expected. He still wanted to ask her for a Ladybug and Chat Noir doll.

Satisfied with his snooping, Chat laid down on the lounge at the far side of her room. He took a "french girl" pose from the Titanic movie. He had SO many jokes he could make with this! It was hard to narrow it down on what to say so he considered his options and waited for his princess. And waited. ...and wai-

This was taking too long! Where was she? It was already dark out! Was she downstairs with her family?

Chat heard a commotion downstairs followed by Marinette's voice. Again someone was thundering up the stairs. A new thought raised some concern and he suddenly stood. Chat moved in front of the trapdoor and opened his arms.

"...Three...two," he whispered, "...One."

Right on cue, Marinette burst in and tripped. He knew she would. Marinette had an unfortunate habit of tripping over things; be they objects, her own feet, or someone else's. Her luck always became worse whenever she was in a hurry. Even as Adrien, he had begun predicting these little trips of hers, pun intended. There were times he'd go out of his way to catch her.

Something from earlier popped into his head as he helped straighten her up. With a sultry smile, Chat leaned in and tilted her head up. He caught her eyes. "My, my. So you are falling for me, Purrincess."

He was close enough to kiss her. Not that he was going to, mind you. He just...wanted to tease her, especially now that he knew she fancied his eyes and thought him cute. He wanted to see the reaction she had given her friends which he had missed. ...He wanted to turn her into a blushing, stuttering mess.

And boy did he.

"T-t-too close!"

The blushing girl shoved him away, or tried to. He hadn't quite let go yet; a smart decision considering she was at the top of the stairs. He swung her around to his side before letting her go free once he gave her hand a kiss.

"Now, now, Princess, you should be thanking me for catching you."

She groaned but relented, closing the trapdoor so her parents wouldn't overhear. "Thank you for catching me, Chat. Now...why are you in my room?" she asked as if she didn't already know the answer. Marinette sat down at her computer with her arms crossed. If she was trying to look intimidating, she was failing horribly.

Chat shifted his weight onto one leg. "Well, a little Lady told me to talk to you about scheduling an interview with your friend, Alya. Assuming it's not too much trouble. I know you're probably busy with school and designing. Not to mention helping your parents."

"Mmh, it's no trouble." By now her blush was long gone as she had gone into work mode, pulling out a little planner. "Alright then, what days and times would you prefer? Obviously not during school hours. Perhaps nighttime?"

"Nights would be purrfect, especially after nine. This Saturday is my day off, so I could pawsibly do a longer interview then." He had plans to hang out with Nino in the morning and afternoon, but they could break in the evening.

"Saturday evening would be great," she scribbled down the information. "Ladybug will be available at that time, too. And it'll give Alya time to think up some good questions and to find a secluded place for you guys."

"Oh? You've already spoken to Ladybug about her times?" he probed, hoping to get lucky.

"Yes, earlier today," she wasn't paying much attention to him as she texted Alya the information. "Told her about the interview and got her times down in my head."

Earlier today? "Really?" Earlier today she was with Alya and Lila. Earlier today he had been watching her up until the akuma attack. Was it after the attack? It couldn't have been before. "Was it by e-mail?"

"Nope," she said simply still not paying attention to anything other than her phone. "E-mails can be traced or hacked."

"Phone number or text?" Chat continued, casually asking.

"Nope. Someone can listen in on those or read them."

"So...in perrson then?" Marinette looked up from her typing.

"Trying to fish for information, Kitty?"

She was on to him! Quick, plan B! Summoning his inner model, Chat gave her an innocent look, "Just curious. Didn't meow I was sharing my favorite civilian with Ladybug. Can't say I'm surpurrised. You're purrtty easy to get along with, not to mention really cute."

Marinette leaned back in her chair and draped an arm over the back. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Kitty." What a spicy look she had.

Chat held up his hands in defense. "I'm just being pawnest, Princess. Even Ladybug said you were cute. I'm actually a little surprised you don't have a boyfriend." This was more of a joke, but Marinette didn't seem to notice. Instead, she blushed, taking his joke as him teasing her.

"I-it's not like I've never been asked!" Chat narrowed his eyes a bit. "I just... I already have someone I like, so I turned down guys who've tried asking me out." The shy and happy demeanor she put on had his attention and not pleasantly so. An irritating itch in his chest made him grimace.

"So you're dating someone." Not a question.

"D-da-d-dating!?" Her face was beyond red. "O-of course we're not! I-I mean I'd love to love him-I-I mean love to date him! He's perfect and amazing and wonderful! I don't have the courage to confess yet, let alone ask to hang out with him even if we go to the same school..."

Chat glared at her and crossed his arms. He didn't like this. Not one bit! Marinette was kind and sweet. She was too innocent to be dating some nobody who would probably try to do unmentionable things to her because she was too shy to say no. As if he'd let some creep get near her. He couldn't even remember seeing her talk to guys at their school other than the boys in their class. Was it in secret? When he was at his extra lessons? After school? The black cat let out a huff and his tail began twitching to match his annoyance.

"Sound suspicious to me. How can you "love" a guy you don't even talk to? Nobody's purrfect. He probably has some dark secret to hide. You should stay away from guys like that, Marinette. You might get hurt."

She snorted in response. "Isn't Ladybug "purrfect?" I'll have you know the guy I love is every bit as amazing to me as Ladybug is to you."

Chat was quiet for a time; the serious look he had never left him as he watched her. "Ladybug isn't perfect."

This was...news to her. Well, she knew ladybug wasn't perfect because she was Ladybug and Marinette was anything but perfect. But she was sure Noir always thought of Ladybug in that way. Like some idol without flaw.

"She can be pushy, harsh, sarcastic, and a little commanding. There are times she brushes my feelings under the rug because she doesn't know how honest they are. She's protective of her image and hates liars, which has led to more than one akuma victim. When she's rushed or distracted, she's a total clutz which can be funny at times. Under that mask she is every bit as human as you or I, and I love her for that, because even with her flaws she always gets up when pushed down. When she's scared she faces her fears and tries to give courage to others. When outmatched she keeps calm and focuses on her surroundings to gain an advantage. She's not afraid to ask for help and she cares deeply for those she protects, even if they're not her favorite people. When she makes a mistake she always tries to fix it. I've worked with her for almost a year now. I can read my Lady well both in battle and as a person. She might have her own priorities and personal opinions but she always follows the path of a hero. She will always be my perfectly imperfect Ladybug."

Marinette felt a little...speechless. She never realized just how much attention Chat paid her or how much she actually meant to him. It was very sweet, his opinion of her. She couldn't exactly "aww" in front of him, so she did so internally. There was some question about his "honest feelings," but she didn't get the chance to ask. Chat was once again inches from her as he leaned over. She showed her discomfort but it was blatantly ignored by an unblinking stare. Damn his lovely eyes!

And then he ruined it.

"So...who is this creep you like?"

She pouted. "He's not a creep. He's very kind and considerate."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Sweetie. ...So who is it?"

Marinette smirked and crossed her arms, defiant. "What, you think I'd tell you? You probably wouldn't know him."

"Try me."

She didn't like the confidence in his voice. No doubt he'd recognize Adrien Agreste. The boy was almost as renown as Ladybug and Chat Noir. Even if he'd acknowledge the boy's kind heart, Marinette didn't want to chance him annoying her crush or spilling the beans about her feelings. Plus there was the chance he'd tease her for falling for a famous model. Nope! No way, no how!

"Sorry, but I'm not talking."

Oh, a challenge was it? Well, even if she didn't talk, he'd find out one way or another. "Does Alya know?" he asked with an innocent smile.

The girl stiffened. "She won't talk, either."

Chat's smile turned into a devilish smirk, "Wanna bet?"