A/N: Fun Fact: Chat Noir's suit is the same as it is in the show, except here he's missing his golden bell. Anyone want to guess why? ;)
Chapter 3
Marinette read further and saw a picture of the note Chat Noir left at the scene of the crime.
Purrleasure doing business with you!
-le Chat Noir
Next to his name was a sloppily drawn paw print. Swiping her finger down the screen she saw another picture, this time it was of three claw marks on the door where you walk in.
She put her phone on sleep mode with an annoyed huff. How dare he save her, have a normal conversation with her, then go steal money from a bank! Then again, what would he have said to her? 'Hey Princess, after I walk you home I'm going to rob the bank. So, what did you have for dinner?'
Not exactly a good thing to bring up. But the fact that he robbed the bank right after she suggested he become a hero. Did he do this just to spite her? To prove that no matter what she could possibly say he's still going to be a criminal?
She sighed as she slipped on her top. Maybe she's blowing this out of proportion. She most likely won't see him anymore. Third time thinking it will be the charm, right?
Something deep inside her told her she couldn't be more wrong.
...
Reading that article delayed her in getting ready for school, so her friends were already sitting at their desks by the time Marinette walked in. Thankfully, the teacher still wasn't there.
"Hey, Marinette!" Alya smiled when her friend slid in next to her. "Did you hear about Chat Noir?"
"I read all about it," she replied sourly. That bitterness still hadn't faded away.
"Something wrong, Marinette?" Nino asked with concern. Adrien only looked at her with the same worried face but...she could swear his green orbs were twinkling with amusement. Nino and Adrien probably joked about something before she came in and it was still fresh on his mind.
Marinette closed her eyes and released a calming breath. She opened them again before answering.
"No, nothing's wrong. Just had a rough morning."
"Ugh, last morning I had to deal with my sisters screaming about who stole whose shirt." Alya rolled her eyes. "I think that was the only time I actually wanted to go to school."
The four friends laughed but were cut off by an all-too familiar squeal.
"Adri-kins!"
Adrien groaned but put on a half smile when Chloe faced him. Nino covered his mouth with his hand to avoid laughing out loud. Alya followed his example while Marinette settled on trying to burn Chloe alive with her eyes.
"Good morning," Chloe greeted with too much sweetness. She tried giving him a peck on the lips but the model was successful in keeping her at arms length.
"Chloe," he said at last, forcing a smile. "How was your morning?"
Chloe frowned. "It was scary! I wake up and on my tv is a news report about that horrible Chat Noir! What if he breaks in my room one night and steals all my shoes? Or my dresses? He has to be caught!"
"I doubt he wants your clothes," Adrien snickered.
"But it's still so scary! You'll protect me if I ever see him, right?" Chloe leaned closer to the object of her affection. Her eyelashes fluttered and her glossed lips were formed in a small pout.
Other boys might've been affected, but to Chloe's irritation Adrien was immune.
He gently pushed her back. "Uh, if I'm around, then sure," he agreed awkwardly.
"It's a date, then." Chloe said flirtatiously, acting as if Adrien didn't just rebuff her advances. She blew him an air kiss before joining Sabrina on their bench.
"For your sake, I hope Chat Noir doesn't go within thirty meters of Chloe," Nino chuckled.
A corner of Adrien's mouth lifted into a smirk.
Alya turned to Marinette. "So, you want to work on the project after school?"
"Sure!" She agreed. "My house?"
"It's a date," Alya mocked, fluttering her eyelashes and screwing her lips into a pout. Marinette erupted into laugher but quieted down when Mme. Bustier walked in the room.
...
"Sweet baby Jesus! Finally!"
Marinette laughed at Alya's exclamation. It was around 4:30 and they had finally finished their literature project.
"We better get an A on this," Alya growled. "For all the time we spent on this."
Marinette agreed with a nod. "If we don't then there's no justice in this world."
"Exactly," Alya said whilst packing her stuff.
"Hey, do you want to stay for dinner? My parents love you," Marinette offered.
But Alya shook her head and smiled. "Sorry, can't. My mom is experimenting with this new recipe for the hotel and she wants me and my sisters to taste it first. But I'll take a rain check?" She winked.
The ravenette smiled and agreed.
Alya frowned and rolled her eyes. "I just hope she doesn't put too much cayenne in it again."
Marinette burst out laughing as the memory struck her. Poor Alya was stuck in the bathroom constantly for two days. Good thing it happened during the weekend or else Chloe would've never let her hear the end of it.
Marinette walked Alya downstairs and out the door.
"See you, girl!" The auburn-haired girl grinned.
"Bye!" Marinette waved.
She shut the door after her and was about to go back to her room when her mother called her.
"Marinette, a friend of yours is here!"
Her eyebrows pulled down. Who could be here to see her, and now? Well, she might as well go see who it is and know what they wanted.
"Coming, Maman!"
On her way to the front of the store she passed by her mother, who gave her a teasing wink and smirk. She rose an eyebrow in confusion but understood once she saw who, or rather, what, was out there waiting for her.
A boy. She should've guessed.
"Oh, hey, Nathanael!"
The red-haired artist clutched his sketchpad to his chest, not meeting her eyes. "U-uh, h-hi, Mar-Marinette!" His cheeks developed a red hue over them.
She honestly felt bad for him, he was so shy. So she tried being extremely nice to him, maybe coax him out of his shell.
"Hi! So, evening bakery run, huh?" Keep it light, keep it casual.
"Y-yeah," he mumbled. "My mother was in the mood for a few cookies."
"Coming right up!" She proclaimed, giggling as she got out the tongs. "What flavor?"
"Ch-Chocolate chip. Six, please."
"Sure!"
Marinette got out the desired cookies and placed them in the box. Finally, she placed a flower sticker on the top and handed it to the flustered boy.
"That'll be 2.70 euros."
Nathanael reached into his pocket and gave her the correct amount of money. In turn she gave him the box of cookies with a smile.
"I hope your mother likes them. But here..." Marinette trailed off as she got another chocolate chip cookie out of the display case and handed it to the surprised artist.
"This is on the house. One of the perks of being my classmate." She winked conspiratively.
Nathanael's mouth dropped and his blush worsened. "I-uh-th-thank you, Marinette."
"No problem! Have a good night." Marinette smiled.
"You too," he muttered and hurried out the door.
She giggled at his retreating form. He was kind of cute.
...
That night Marinette sat on her chaise lounge, drawing out a new design. This time it was of a winter jacket. It would be red, with black faux-fur lining the hood and sleeves. Should she have some trimming along the bottom too? She drew it on but quickly decided against it and erased it.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The designer jumped. Her breath caught in her throat. That didn't sound like the wind.
Tap. Tap.
She rose her head to her ceiling in confusion. It sounded like it was coming from above, from her balcony. But how would anyone have gotten up there?
Her stomach dropped. What if it was a burglar?
Marinette shakily climbed the small staircase leading to her bed, but stopped on the top one.
"Who is it?" She asked. Afterwards she wanted to smack herself. As if the burglar would tell her that he was indeed one.
She heard a masculine snicker. Then, "your favorite thief, Princess."
She breathed a sigh of relief. It was a burgler, but one that wouldn't steal from her. Well, hopefully he wouldn't. He didn't seem to want to.
Marinette grinned and opened the trapdoor and climbed out into the night air. Chat Noir was leaning against her railing in a flirtatious pose, his baton fully extended and draping across his shoulders.
"Evening, Princess." He winked.
"Good evening, Chat Noir," she returned the greeting, minus the wink. "What brings you here on my balcony?" She asked smoothly. After two meetings with the infamous rogue she found herself getting comfortable with him.
But was that a good thing or a bad thing?
"I was around the neighborhood." He retracted his weapon and attached it to his back. "When I remembered the possibility of pastries?" He trailed off suggestively with a grin.
Marinette arched a coy eyebrow. "I thought I told you I don't bake for thieves?"
All of a sudden she frowned, this morning's news coming back to her. "How dare you rob the bank after saving me!" She declared angrily, her attitude doing a complete 180.
Chat Noir looked taken aback and blinked at the sudden change in demeanor, but recovered with an easy grin. "Do you forget who I am, Princess? I may have saved you a couple times, but I'm still a criminal."
"It's the fact that you did it right after I suggested you become a hero instead of a villain. Did you do it just to spite me?" Marinette's eyes were narrowed and her fists were clenched in anger
Chat Noir's eyebrows lowered in annoyance. "I was actually on my way to rid that bank of it's money when I saw you being followed. Saving you only delayed me, it wouldn't sway my decision."
Marinette released a grumble of frustration. "This would be so much easier if you were the good guy."
"Yeah, well, I'm not, Princess." This time the nickname was practically spat. "You're going to have to get used to it."
"Get used to it? Like I would want to spend my time with a criminal."
Marinette's eyes slowly widened when she realized what she said. Chat Noir 's normally bright and playful eyes now looked dulled and wounded.
She instantly wished she could take it back. "Chat-"
"'No, no." He waved off her attempt at an apology, eyes hardening. "No, I get it. You don't want to be with a lowlife like me. I understand. Nothing I can do will change your opinion of me, it's alright, I get it."
He dipped into a stiff bow. "Goodbye, Marinette. You'll never have to see me again."
"Wait!"
To Marinette's dismay he completely ignored her plea, instead choosing to jump off into the night.
Marinette walked to the spot he previously occupied, leaning an elbow on the railing.
Well, Marinette, it looks like you got what you wanted.