Simplicity: Chapter Five
The stars danced silently across the darkened skies of Paris while the people of the City of Love slept soundly knowing they were protected by the Miraculous Ladybug and Chat Noir. However, the people of Paris never would have thought their favorite black cat would be on the prowl this late at night. The wind whipped through Chat's golden hair as he dashed silently across the room tops of the homes and businesses of Paris. Sleep had been an all too elusive goal with the prospect of knowing who his Lady was under her mysterious mask. Chat smiled into the night as he zipped across Paris as only a black cat could, with stealth and lightning speed.
Chat's smile turned into a smirk as he would almost mentally hear Plagg complaining about this unexpected and wholly unplanned late night excursion from the mansion that housed the soft pillows, blankets, and mattress that now sat abandoned. Chat made a mental promise to get Plagg the big wheel of Camembert next time in order to repent for his need to be out and moving. The night air and exercise had the desired effect of taking the edge away from Chat's excitement, anxiety, and nerves. The feeling was nowhere near gone, but rather it had be curbed as one would have a small snack to take the edge off of ones hunger several hours before dinner without ruining the coming meal.
Chat landed on a familiar room where he and his Lady had temporarily hid the previous day from "The Detective". Chat smiled fondly at the memory of her before his eyes widened as he realized that one light in the upstairs of the bakery was one even though he knew Marinette's mother and father did not get up to start their daily routine for another thirty minutes. 'Maybe she was so worked up she forgot to turn off her light' Chat mused as he scanned the room and found no Marinette. 'Maybe a trip to the restroom, or purhaps a glass of water' Chat mused to himself further before his enhanced vision noticed movement on the roof top across from him. Chat silently watched as Marinette went about watering her plants, seemingly on edge.
Chat smiled slyly as an idea formed in his mind as he watched his purrincess water her plant. Chat jumped and used his staff to finish the vault over the road separating the school from Marinette's bakery home. Marinette did not react when Chat lightly touched down on the balcony. Chat smirked and congratulated himself on such silent stealthy prowess, until he noticed the headphones in Marinette's ears that had kept her from hearing his landing despite the close proximity they now shared. Chat allowed himself to smile fondly at his purrincess, at his Lady. 'What an amazing girl', Chat thought silently as he admired the way Marinette's midnight hair shined even in the relatively low lighting of the balcony. Chat grinned sheepishly as Marinette turned, dropped her nearly empty water bucket, and slapped her hands over her mouth to suppress the scream that threatened to rip from her lungs.
Marinette's eyes betrayed many emotions as she visibly struggled to calm her racing heart. "Chat" Marinette hissed, "What on earth are you doing out right now? On my balcony" Marinette demanded. Chat rubbed the back of his neck guiltily. "Well Purrincess, I couldn't sleep tonight. So I thought the best way to use that extra energy was to patrol Paris. I was just going through the neighborhood when I saw your light on. Usually it's your parents who are up earlier than you. I think this is the first time I've seen your light on while it was this early in the morning" Chat joked playfully in an attempt to lighten Marinette's glare. Chat could have sworn his heart leapt when she smiled. "I can understand that Chat. I couldn't sleep much either. You make this patrol often" Marinette asked that last part worriedly. Chat grinned, "But of course Purrincess. Your safety is always my top concern" Chat chuckled whilst taking her hand and dusting her knuckles with a soft kiss.
Marinette pulled her hand away "Oh, you and your attempts to charm all the girls in Paris" Marinette sighed in playful exasperation. "Purrincess, you wound me. You know I do know such things. My heart belongs to my dear Ladybug. I am simply a gentle knight in shining leather" Chat said with a wide grin. Marinette giggled in amusement "Sure thing Mister kitty cat". Chat's smile grew, if at all possible, wider. "It is true my Purrincess! I have been hunting down my ladies identity, with her blessing, and I know who she is! I am going to tell her later today, if I am so fortunate as to see her" Chat said with a wink that betrayed his mischievous intent. Marinette stiffened "Oh, you think you know who she is eh? Well, so many people have thought they knew too. Just don't go getting akumatized when she isn't who you wanted her to be" Marinette whispered. Chat's heart was about to break when Marinette suddenly perked up. "I would hate to have to watch Ladybug kick your butt over and over again on the Ladyblog. You know my computer sometimes puts those videos on repeat" Marinette joked, although Chat could see she was trying to hide her…Disappointment? "Marinette, I promise you I am not disappointed with who I found her to be. I am even more in love with her now. She is more than just her mask. She is kind, caring, gentle, and loyal to a fault. I assure you I wouldn't have her any other way. She is the epitome of human perfection" Chat breathed. "Well Purrincess, I should leave you to get ready for school, seeing as the sun is coming up. I love and hate how time seems to fly when I am with you. I'll see you later" Chat said giving his signature two finger salute before vaulting across to the school and dropping down on the other side.
Chat landed in the alley on the other side of the school and calmly walked over to where he had stashed his backpack earlier that evening, given he was certain he would not be returning home. "Plagg, Claws Out" Chat whispered and a green flash of light revealed Adrien, backpack in hand. "Plagg, I think I might have over done it with teasing her. I think I really hurt her because now she thinks I think she is someone else. I'm a royal idiot" Adrien lamented. "It's not too late to just go the cheese route Adrien" Plagg called as he zipped into Adrien's bag where he had numerous bags of pre-sliced Camembert waiting for him as a gift for the late night run. Adrien rolled his eyes "Plagg, I think you have a problem" Adrien muttered as he walked up and sat on the school steps to watch the sun rise over the buildings of Paris and reflect bright dazzlingly across the waters of the river that ran across the street in front of the school.
Adrien was not sure when he had dozed off on the steps of the school, but he was nudged awake by a nervous Marinette. Adrien's eyes widened in shock as he noticed the lighting difference, the relative absence of people in the streets, and Marinette's presence, "Oh gosh! We are late aren't we? Come on! Let's go" Adrien said panicked while grabbing Marinette by the hand and dragging her to class all while desperately trying to rub the sleep from his eyes. Adrien stopped abruptly as he and Marinette charged into an empty classroom, "Wh-what" Adrien stammered in confusion. "A-Adrien…I'm early. I s-saw you on the steps and came to you on check…I mean check on you" Marinette babbled hopelessly. Adrien's panic subsided as he smiled at Marinette, "Wow, you must care about me a lot if you actually got to school early to check on me". Adrien smirked as Marinette's blush was like a shot of adrenalin straight to his veins.
Adrien loved the way Marinette blushed and desperately sought for some way to refute and or blow off her how much she cared as if it were no big deal. Watching the poor girl switch between the two several times was almost too adorable for his heart to take as his heart ached to reach out hold her tightly and never let go. "So, ya" Marinette finished weakly. Adrien bushed as he now realized he never caught how Marinette decided to end her dilemma. "You are just too sweet Mari, it must be from living in a bakery. You could certainly say you were…raised right" Adrien replied with a wink that make Marinette stiffen as well as blush even harder, if that were even possible.
'Oh dear…maybe throwing that baking pun in was too much? Maybe she knows' Adrien thought worriedly, but his fears subsided when Marinette giggled and said that "you are so funny". Adrien smiled, 'Yep, she likes me. She laughed at my bad pun and he hates it while I'm Chat. Which means, there is more hope for her yet' Adrien beamed as he thought of the implications. 'Mari isn't as opposed to puns as she is in showing interest in someone else, so… therefore she must really like me! My Lady really likes me so much that she will not allow herself to be swayed by the irresistible charm when I'm Chat' Adrien thought excitedly. Marinette still had a blush on her face as she took her seat while clutching her bag close while whispering "he called me Mari, does that mean he likes me Tikki". Adrien smirked. 'Normally, I would think it's rude to eavesdrop, but…' Adrien thought as he took his seat and pretended to lay his head down to sleep until class started.
It took several minutes, but finally Marinette must have felt as though I had fallen asleep as she again whispered to her hidden kwami. "Tikki! He called me Mari! Did you hear that? I…I almost lost it right there Tikki. I almost passed out right there" Marinette whispered urgently. A new voice piped up, a voice that must have been her kwami's as the voice responded to Marinette's whispers. "Marinette" the voice said worriedly. "He is right there, should we really be talking? What if he wakes up" Tikki asked while casting a warry eye towards the "sleeping" Adrien. Adrien remained still and kept his breathing as calm and even as possible so as to sell his charade and get a "glimpse" into his Ladies life. "Maybe, but I honestly think he's out. I mean, he fell asleep on the school steps earlier…" Marinette's voice trailed off. "Besides, I'm sure he would have reacted to your voice by now if he were awake. So, what does it mean? You are the wise one" Marinette whispered excitedly while casting Adrien's still form happy glances. "I'm sure he likes you Marinette. I told you that already. A lot. Like every single time you ask. Trust me this time when I say that he does like you" the kwami said almost exasperatedly. However, before the conversation could continue any farther, the sound of footsteps sent Tikki flashing back into Marinette's handbag and Adrien to mentally groan as he had been enjoying listening to Marinette and her kwami talk as it seemed they had a special relationship just like he had with Plagg.
Adrien peeked through a slit in between his arms and saw Alya walking through the door. Alya stopped two and a half steps into the room before dropping her back in shock at seeing Marinette there in her seat before her. "Girl…you must be sick or the world is ending. You beat me! And Adrien is here? I need all the details! Spill" Alya blurted as she scooped up her back and slid easily into her seat. Marinette sounded nervous as she answered Alya even though there really wasn't anything to be nervous about. "W-well. I woke up and was getting ready when I looked out my window and saw…Adrien. He was sleeping on the steps of the school! I had to go check on him! He just got here too early I guess and fell asleep waiting for Nino or something…" Marinette said as her voice again trailed off. Adrien smiled to himself as he could hear Alya's happy hum "Oooo, girl. You must have it bad if YOU are willing to get out of bed and to school on time for him" Alya giggled lightly as she must have been trying to keep from waking Adrien.
Adrien smiled as he was about to "wake up" from his nap when a loud crash was literally rocked the school building. Adrien shot up and to his feet in shock as Alya was already out of the classroom door, camera in hand. Adrien shot Marinette the same look she was already giving him. The only words that came from their mouths was "Akuma" before Adrien grabbed Marinette's hand and dragged her to the supply closet. "Here, hide in here. I'll…go hide somewhere else…stay safe m'l…Mari" Adrien choked out, barely keeping from calling her "m'lady". Adrien rushed to the boys restroom. Adrien smiled to himself as he found that the room was vacant this early in the morning. "Plagg" Adrien called as Plagg flew out of his jacket pocket. "It's about that time. Plagg….Claws out" Adrien said confidently as a familiar green light enveloped him.