Chapter Seven
As far as Adrien was aware, computer screens were meant to keep you awake not lull you into a sense of boredom so great that eyelids are unable to remain open. It probably didn't help that he'd gotten so little sleep the night prior. His restless mind had him tossing and turning. He still didn't know what to do in regards to Chat Noir.
Forcing his gaze back to the screen, his attempt to stay focussed continued to fail as his eyes seemed intent on rolling in on themselves. Scrolling through the vast array of his father's fashion design concepts wasn't his idea of fun but it needed to be done. Since Gabriel Agreste's mental state had been formally deemed unfit his business empire had permanently landed in the hands of his son at the ripe old age of 21.
For once Adrien was thankful that he'd been pushed into doing a business degree, although real life experience would have been far more advantageous. While Nathalie's assistance had been invaluable, Adrien simply didn't have the design flair his father had. Modelling clothes was one thing but designing them, that was completely out of Adrien's league.
Drumming his fingers on the desk, the blonde's gaze wandered to his phone. There was one person he trusted impeccably when it came to fashion but he'd already leaned on her enough over the last few weeks. Yet his fingers somehow walked themselves to his phone. Drawing in a deep breath he pressed dial.
By the third ring he was considering hanging up but she answered. Adrien found his free hand drifting to the back of his neck in a habitual sheepish rub. "Hi Marinette. Is there any chance I could borrow you again?"
There was a warm chuckle on the other end of the line and he found himself smiling in response. "Sure Adrien. When do you need me?"
"Are you free now?"
"It's that bad, huh?"
"The threat of permanently being cross-eyed is very real."
"Aren't you lucky that I don't have to work today."
Adrien sunk back into his chair with relief. "Absolutely. I could totally kiss you."
There was silence from the other end of the phone and an audible clunk.
"Marinette?"
"Uh, yeah, I'm here. Sorry, the phone somehow slipped out of my hand."
He couldn't help laughing at that, she still hadn't completely shaken her clumsiness. "Did it manage to survive?"
"I bought a super tough cover, it's virtually indestructible. Still, there's always the possibility that it'll meet a sticky end."
"Should I send a car to pick you up? You know, to make sure you get here in one piece."
"Ha, ha. Very funny."
He could just imagine her indignant expression. "I know, I'm told I'm hilarious."
"Let me guess, it's someone on your payroll."
"I'm starting to wonder if I should have called you." Adrien deadpanned.
Marinette began to splutter. "Uh, um…"
"I'm just teasing. I'll see you soon."
Marinette pulled at the hem of her jacket, wanting to make sure she looked immaculate as she made her way towards Adrien's office. Under her arm she carried her leather-bound portfolio, inside was a mix of hand drawn imagines as well as her tablet. Nathalie had given the all clear for her to proceed through the monstrously large doors that resembled the ones from the Agreste manor. A cold shiver ran up her spine as she looked at those doors. Black with highlights of white in sharp angles that resembled the active butterfly miraculous.
An image of Chat Noir with a slashed cheek while covered in plaster dust popped into her head. His eyes had been filled with agony, as if someone had just ripped out his heart and pummelled it with a mace. Her mouth became dry at the memory and a now familiar ache wrenched within her chest. She longed to see him again, to know he was alright.
As much as she yearned for answers, now was not the time to think about her missing partner. She needed to focus on why she was here. She'd come for Adrien. As always, she'd do anything for him. The man lived with constant reminders of his father, the décor alone had to affect him on some level. Mentally shaking herself of the thought, she lifted a hand and gave a brief knock before opening one of the double doors.
"Come in," Adrien called. Hearing his velvet voice was as potent to her as a physical caress.
When she walked in she noticed he'd risen from behind his desk to meet her. His white business shirt sleeves were rolled to his elbows and his collar was fashionably flicked up at the back with the top button undone. It was matched with a pair of navy trousers and understated black shoes. As usual he looked like he'd just stepped off the catwalk. His beauty stole her breath away. How could a man be so utterly delicious yet unaware of the depth of his sex appeal? He flashed her a genuine smile and her heart upped its tempo. Good lord, had the bones in her legs turned to jelly because she was in dire need of a seat.
"Thank goodness you're here," he said, taking her elbow and guiding her around the desk. He held out his executive chair to her and she happily flopped into it while he pulled a second chair into place beside her. "So, I've been going through the unused designs from Father's collection. I really don't know what to pick or if we need to ignore them and go for something new. Could you take a look and see what you think?"
Marinette was having trouble concentrating on anything but the young man who was suddenly leaning across her to access the mouse. The scent of his aftershave tickled her nose as if concocted purely to draw her in. Deciding to compromise, she forced her eyes to the screen but sat forward, closer to him. "I can see some of the designs are looking a bit dated or are a little irrelevant to the theme. But maybe we can modify them so they're still a Gabriel design, just tweaked to be more suitable."
Adrien's head turned as he threw her a grateful smile. Her eyes were immediately drawn to his mouth, their faces were so close it was on the verge of being intimate. A faint blush touched his cheeks as he moved away. "That sounds great." He lifted his hand from the mouse, creating professional distance. "Let's go through them together and you can tell me your ideas."
Over the next couple of hours, the pair worked through the designs, picking through the options that seemed the most viable. Somehow Marinette was able to focus on the task at hand, wanting to give her best to Adrien. He was resting his chin on his hand as he watched her sketch when he quietly asked. "Would you consider working for me, Marinette?"
The stylus froze in her hand. "B-but I already have a job."
"I know, it just doesn't seem fair for you to help me out like this without giving something back."
"You offered a kiss earlier." Her eyes widened as she realised she'd verbalised that thought.
Adrien chuckled, "I think you deserve better remuneration than kisses. Besides, what kind of a guy do you think I am?"
Marinette's spine went ramrod straight. She knew exactly what kind of guy Adrien was, the kind you wanted to grow old with, the kind you loved forever. He had no clue how precious she considered his kisses. Her eyes searched his face, trying to see beyond the humour, was something more there? Nope, nothing sensual in that gaze. Dammit. "You're a nice guy Adrien. What did you have in mind?"
"I could pay you a commission for your work. Or you could become an employee. Does that interest you?" Adrien rubbed his eyelids. "To be honest I'm absolutely swamped. Between modelling and trying to keep this business going I've got no time for anything else." A wistful expression settled on his face as he looked to the ceiling. "I never realised how much I'd miss the days prior to… well all this."
Adrien looked so crestfallen. The guy had been through so much. The media had been relentless for the first few months. There'd been so many conspiracy theories about whether or not the son of Hawkmoth had been involved in his sinister deeds. The model had withdrawn into himself and for a while there she'd been terrified that he'd never be the same again.
Only now did the blonde seem more like his old self. But he was much warier than he used to be. He was suspicious of people's motives and his trust was hard earned. Adrien Agreste was coming out of the ordeal as a harder and less tolerant person. She couldn't really blame him. Even so she rested her hand over his. "It's going to get better, Adrien."
A deep sigh escaped him and he placed his free hand over hers. "Yeah, you're right. Just sometimes, it's so difficult to imagine."
This time when their eyes met there was such yearning in Adrien's gaze it stunned her. What was it he wanted? Dipping his gaze, he studied their hands and suddenly she realised what he needed. Without hesitation she embraced him and felt him sag against her. "If you needed a hug all you had to do was ask," she whispered and gently stroked his back.
Again, he sighed but this time it seemed less troubled. She felt him relax into her hold, the model had always craved physical contact. Now with his father out of his life she was certain that desire for touch would have only intensified. In conversation it was not uncommon for Adrien to place a hand on the person he was speaking to, be it on the shoulder or arm. Marinette had always been hyperaware of his touch. But he had been more restrained since Gabriel's arrest.
Adrien seemed loathed to let go. His face burrowed into the crook of her shoulder and Marinette had to consciously steady her breathing. She prayed he didn't feel how rapid her pulse was as the side of his face rested against her neck. If he did, he said nothing.
Her fingers lifted to sink into his hair, smoothing it out with each stroke before plunging in again. Part of her felt honoured that he trusted her enough to show his more vulnerable side and she relished the fact that he found her safe. Marinette felt special. While there was nothing romantic about their current embrace, she couldn't stop the increasing affection she felt for him. Adrien needed to be loved in some way, be it platonic or not, and she was happy to supply it.
Despite this they were in his office and it wasn't professional to continue their embrace. Adrien seemed to come to this conclusion too as he slowly moved away. His hands slid down her arms until he covered her hands and gave them a squeeze. "Thanks Marinette, I really needed that."
"Anytime."
That irresistible smile was back. "I might just take you up on that. But in all seriousness, I want you to think about my offer. I really value your opinion. I can't express how much I appreciate your help."
"You're seriously turning on the charm there Agreste." She said with a nudge against his shoulder.
This time there was no question about his blush. "What can I say, when my mind is set on something, I go after what I want."
With the working day drawing to an end, Adrien found himself standing in the open air at the top of the Gabriel branded building. The final hues of orange were rapidly fading from the sky and for the millionth time he considered transforming into Chat Noir.
"Plagg?"
"Yeah." Came the muffled voice from his jacket pocket.
"Should I do it?"
"Jump? Hell no."
The model shook his head incredulously. "Stop acting daft. I meant transform."
The kwami poked his head up. "Do you want to?"
Adrien ground the toe of his shoe against the concrete. "Yes and no. I don't know if this will make things better or worse."
"I'll ask again, do you want to?"
"It's been so long." His bottom lip quivered as he looked to the horizon. "What if I see her? What do I say?"
"The truth. It's not like you need to hide your identity anymore."
"I don't know if I want to tell her who am I."
"You're not your father, Adrien."
He ran an unsteady hand through his hair. "I know that Plagg. But I was living under the same roof as Hawkmoth the entire time we were fighting him. Stupid doesn't even begin to explain how I feel."
"If it's any consolation, Hawkmoth still doesn't know his son is Chat Noir."
"That was obvious." Adrien replied, unconsciously lifting his hand to his right cheek and tracing a finger along the phantom scar.
"In order to move on from the past you need to focus on the future."
Adrien curled his fingers and looked at his miraculous. The only cameras on the rooftop were pointing towards the ground. Nothing was stopping him from proceeding. Yet he still hesitated. His world had been turned upside down, kicked sideways and then smashed with a shovel for good measure. It's not that he didn't want to transform, it was all the ramifications and responsibilities that made him hesitate.
He'd been fighting negative emotions for most of his life, be it before or after he received his miraculous. It was now that he realised he was letting them consume him. He needed to make this right. Sucking in a deep breath, Adrien said the words he'd been dying to say for five months. "Plagg, claws out."
The familiar magic wrapped around him like a warm blanket and a sense of calm he'd been missing for so long sank all the way to the marrow of his bones. Like every time before, the shackles of his constraining life fell away like heavy rusted chains. The freedom that was Chat Noir washed over him anew and he revelled in it.
His senses were sharper and his cat ears pivoted as he stood silently listening. Feline eyes were able to discern far finer details than his human eyes were in the fading light. A sense of much needed peace settled over him, unfortunately it was disturbed by the buzz of his baton.
Chat Noir froze. The sound of his own erratic pulse thundered in his ears. His fingers impulsively reached for his baton and flicked it open. The small screen indicated that he had 84 voicemail messages. He knew immediately who they were from but he wasn't sure if he wanted to hear them.
The tips of his claws delicately settled around the screen in his hand. He owed it to Ladybug to at least listen. With a gulp he checked the oldest one first. Ladybug's face appeared and his pulse leapt. Chat, are you okay? Why'd you run off yesterday? Were you about to transform back? Please call me when you get this.
The next message followed a few days later, with Ladybug looking increasingly concerned. Chat, I still haven't heard from you. Can you let me know if you're alright?
He continued opening the messages, watching as Ladybug's concern escalated. Her masked brow grew more crinkled and her voice was on the verge of breaking as the messages became newer. Eventually he got to yesterday's message. Chat. She let out a heavy sigh as she gnawed on her lip. I hope you get this. I have no way of knowing if I've filled your message inbox. I'm sorry if I have. Please, tell me. What upset you so much that night? Why won't you talk to me? I really miss you.
Chat Noir flicked his baton closed as his jaw clenched. What could he say? Sorry LB, my guilt has been eating me alive because I'm ashamed of what I did. I've also been bogged down with all the crap Hawkmoth left behind because P.S. he's my dad, that's why I went more psycho in that last fight than I meant to. Ugh, not a conversation to be had via video voicemail.
Yet he owed her some response. If she'd been the one to vanish it would have been driving him insane not knowing anything. Ladybug had to know it wasn't her fault that he'd disappeared. But then another thought chilled him, what if she answered her phone? Was he ready to talk to her face to face? Was he ready to delve headlong into the angst and humiliation he'd been trying to shake on a daily basis?
With a groan, Chat slid open his baton and checked the tracker. No Ladybug. Good, it meant she wasn't transformed. Taking a deep breath, he dialled her and waited for voicemail to kick in. "Hi Ladybug. I'm sorry I haven't contacted you. This is the first time I've transformed since… well you know. I can't really explain to you why I've been absent but I've heard that you need my statement for the trial. I've let you down enough, so I won't let you down in this. And I-I… miss you too." He snapped the baton shut and closed his eyes.
Sucking in a shuddering breath, Chat Noir opened his masked eyes and studied the horizon. The sun was gone, its disappearing rays fading fast. It would be night soon. The perfect time for a black cat to slink his way through the city unseen.
The cat in black is finally back, but is he here to stay? Find out more next chapter! Thanks for reading :)