I'm glad you all liked the last chapter! Especially the last part ;D
Chapter 7
The next day everyone was abuzz for two different reasons. Tomorrow would be Halloween, a night for bad pranks, mischief, and partying. The second reason was because of the painting theft at the Louvre, caused by Paris's longtime criminal.
"I guess he wasn't too pleased at being called a fake," Alya snickered.
"Guess not," Nino agreed, laughing along. Marinette didn't contribute much to the conversation, last night's events still on replay in her mind.
Her cheeks developed a red hue as she remembered the way he trailed his nose up her neck. The tickle of his breath on her skin giving her shivers.
"Do I feel real to you?"
"Hey, guys!"
Marinette blinked, the memory of Chat Noir vanishing at the sight of Adrien's handsome face.
The corners of his mouth pulled down as he looked at Marinette with concern. "You okay, Marinette? You look a little flushed."
This only made her blush darker. "Uh-I-um-No! No, I-I'm fine! Perfectly fine, peachy fine!" She gave a wide, toothy smile to further try to illustrate her point.
"Okay." He grinned. "If you say so."
She wanted to bang her head off the desk. Would it kill her brain to allow her to speak to her crush without making herself look like a fool?
"Hey, dude!" Nino greeted, holding out his fist. Adrien met it with his own and sat in his seat. "Did you hear about Chat Noir yesterday? We finally know what he looks like!"
"Yeah, it was pretty scary. I hope the cops catch him soon."
"That might be hard since he wears a mask," Nino mused. "He could be anywhere at any time. He could be sitting in this room right now."
Adrien gasped in fright. "You don't think?"
Alya laughed. "I think I'd know if a criminal was right in front of me. Come on, Nino, give us a little credit. Besides, all the police have to do is look for a guy with blond hair and green eyes."
"Lots of guys have blond hair and green eyes." Adrien smirked. "How will you be able to tell if it's him?"
"Easy. I'm a journalist, I have special senses." Alya winked. "It won't take long to figure out who he is."
"Alya, please don't get involved with this," her boyfriend begged. Alya always dragged him to areas with a possible juicy scoop, most of the time these areas were crime scenes. Nino knew that one day she'd take him there and they'd be face to face with a criminal, and now she might possibly want to get on the Chat Noir case? He wasn't lying when he said he wouldn't want to meet the feline thief in a dark alley.
"Relax," his girlfriend said, rolling her eyes. "This is the first time we've seen him. We have no leads on him at all. I'll wait until more details come along."
"Thank God," Nino moaned, eliciting an amused chuckle from Adrien and a grin from Marinette.
...
At lunchtime the four decided to go to a nearby cafe. Alya and Nino walked ahead, holding hands, leaving Adrien and Marinette trailing behind them.
"So, Halloween's tomorrow," Adrien stated, trying to make a conversation.
"Uh, y-yeah, it is!" She stuttered and nodded.
"Got any plans?" He asked casually.
"No." Marinette shook her head. "I think I'm just going to stay home and watch horror movies."
"Really? You're not going out? At all?" The blond inquired, eyes widened a bit.
She blushed under his disbelieving gaze and shrunk back. Great, now he thinks she has no life.
"Nah. I'm too old to trick or treat and...well," she paused, giving a shaky grin. "I don't feel like going to any parties anytime soon, or feel like walking home late at night."
Adrien smirked at her reply.
And now he thinks she's a baby. Perfect.
"Nino was telling me about this one party, I think I might go to that." He rubbed a hand on the back of his neck. "Not sure though."
"Oh. Well, if you do go, I hope you have fun!" Marinette tried to give her best smile. Adrien returned it with a smaller one and a 'thank you', and then they were back to awkward silence.
Adrien looked away, and seemed to be mumbling to himself. Probably about how lame the girl walking next to him is, Marinette assumed with a frown.
"I overheard some girls talking about Chat Noir earlier," Adrien suddenly spoke. He closed his eyes and shook his head. "They thought he was hot. Could you believe that?"
Marinette's eyes bulged and her cheeks had a soft pink dusting over them. "Really?"
"Yeah, ridiculous, isn't it?" Adrien continued. He looked surprised at the mere prospect of a thief being considered attractive. "What do you think?"
"Y-yeah, ridiculous. I-I mean, he can't be that hot, I mean, not as hot as you-!"
Marinette squeaked in a panic.
"I-I-I mean, he-he's not that bad looking and neither are you? No! Uh-"
Meanwhile Adrien's lips didn't stop twitching, as if he wanted to grin at her flustered state.
Finally, they arrived at the cafe. Marinette hurried inside, wanting a hole to just swallow her. Alya and Nino gave puzzled looks to Adrien, but the blond simply shrugged his shoulders in innocence.
Marinette pulled Alya close to her. "Please sit next to me," she whispered in her ear. "Please!"
Alya rose an eyebrow at the blackette's panic-filled voice. But, they were best friends, and as much as Alya wanted to sit next to her boyfriend, friends came first.
"Alright. But I expect to hear why later."
Marinette could've kissed her. "Thank you!"
They were seated at a regular, four-person table. Alya and Marinette sat on one side, with Adrien across from Marinette and Nino across from Alya.
"Welcome!" A waiter walked over, pen and pad in hand. "My name is Remy and I'll be your waiter this afternoon. Can I start you off with something to drink?"
After they ordered their drinks the waiter scurried off, leaving them to figure out what they wanted.
"I think I'll get an omelet," Alya spoke after a minute. Marinette wanted the same while Nino opted for the quiche and Adrien the classic jambon beurre. When the waiter came back and they informed him of their choices and got their drinks, he left again. Nino took his departure as the sign to talk.
"I can't believe it's almost Halloween, soon it'll be Christmas, then New Years, then summer, then we'll be graduating-"
"Woah, woah!" Alya cut off Nino, laughing. "Slow down! Let's just get through this weekend, yeah?"
The four started to laugh, and Marinette found her gaze travelling to Adrien. His eyes were closed and his mouth was wide open, dazzling teeth on full display as he laughed. She can't help but think back to the day they first met, back when Marinette didn't like Adrien because of a certain gum incident. When he offered her his umbrella, and the umbrella ultimately closed in on her, he gave a laugh similar to this one.
Adrien's eyes slowly opened to see Marinette looking at him. He flashed her a quick wink before turning to Nino and talking about something else.
Dear God. Did he really...?
Marinette whipped her head to the side to look for Alya's reaction. Judging by her grin, she definitely saw it.
The young designer took in a deep breath. She can do this. It's just lunch with her friends...and Adrien. And even though she stuttered like an idiot earlier and he winked at her just now, she can get through this.
When they got their food Marinette took extra care to take small bites, chew with her mouth closed at all times (sometimes she slipped up, it happens to everyone) and make sure no food got on her face. She was the perfect little lady who Adrien would be impressed with.
She mentally scoffed. She wished it was that easy, to have good table manners and have Adrien fall instantly in love with her.
While she was focused on her food, her head rose when she heard a clatter. Adrien smiled sheepishly at his friends.
"Sorry! Accidentally knocked over my spoon."
His blond locks disappeared as he dove under the table to get the spoon back. Marinette continued eating her omelet, only stiffening when she felt fingertips brush her ankle.
"Mari? You okay?" Alya questioned, concern swimming in her hazel eyes.
"I-I'm fine!" She squeaked.
Adrien popped back up a second later, spoon in hand and wearing a victory grin. "Got it!"
...
The next day was a half day due to it being Halloween. Marinette chose to wear the Dorothy dress she designed, after the famous American movie character. Alya was a witch, Nino a DJ ("I already have the outfits and equipment, so why not?") and Adrien had on a near-perfect Paris Police outfit.
Marinette thought he looked good before, but with a uniform that fit him just perfectly...
She released a dreamy sigh from her seat.
Chloe dressed as a nurse, with too much leg showing along with cleavage to be deemed appropriate for a school setting. But she was the Mayor's daughter, so the school staff couldn't do anything about it.
"Do you like my costume, Adrien?" Chloe asked, smiling and giving him a twirl even though the skirt clung to her thighs.
"Yeah, it's nice," he replied absently.
"I'm going to wear it at Aurore's party tonight. I hope you'll be wearing your costume." Chloe leaned over the desk, giving the blond model a good view of her assets. She licked her lips as she eyed him up and down.
Despite her physical taunts, Adrien's eyes remained hard and glued to her eyes. "I told you, Chloe, I might not be going."
"But, Adrikins, you have to go!" She clung to his arm in desperation. "You're the most popular boy here, you simply must go!"
"I don't have to do anything." Adrien took her hand to remove it from his arm. "If I'm not there, then too bad."
Chloe frowned. She knew riling him up wouldn't get her anywhere, so she settled with an air kiss and retreated to her seat. Adrien closed his eyes for a few seconds, took a calming breath, then opened them again.
Marinette drew her attention away from him to look back at the new design she was sketching. Her tongue poked out of her mouth as she drew the detailed swirls on the inside of the pants.
"Hey, Mari!"
She looked up at the sound of her name. Alya called her from her place beside Nino.
"Could you sharpen my pencil please?"
Marinette's eyebrows drew down. She was already up, why couldn't she do it? But, friends do favors for each other, so with a smile she picked up Alya's pencil and went to sharpen it.
She didn't notice how a blond's green eyes trailed after her, or the knowing smirks from a boyfriend-girlfriend duo.
...
"Are you sure you don't want to go to Aurore's party?"
Marinette held her phone with one hand while using the other to change the tv channel.
"I'm sure. I'd rather just stay at home this year," she replied.
"Alright, if you say so. If I see Adrien I'll send you some pics, since I know you liked his officer costume." Marinette could practically hear her best friend's smirk. She felt her own face heating up at the memory, and before she knew it, an audible sigh left her lips.
Alya laughed while Marinette winced. "You're too much, girl. If I don't see Adrien, I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Talk to you then," Marinette agreed. The line went dead so the blackette placed her phone next to her on the chaise lounge. She picked up her bowl of popcorn and waited for the five minutes of the previous horror movie to be over and for the new one to start.
"Hope I'm not too late."
Marinette shrieked and nearly dropped the popcorn in her terror. Chat Noir was lounging on his stomach on her bed, boots crossed in the air and hands placed on his cheeks as his elbows dipped into the bed.
"What are you doing here?" She hissed angrily. She fought against the mental images from their last meeting.
"Just wanted to spend Halloween with my princess." He smirked and started walking down the stairs. He plopped himself next to her, forcing her to move over so there was enough space for the two of them.
"So, what are we watching?" He asked as he casually dipped a hand into her popcorn bowl, then bringing the buttery treats to his mouth. Marinette scowled and moved the bowl away from him.
"Who said anything about 'we'?" She teased. "Isn't Chat Noir always supposed be active on Halloween?"
Since there was a Chat Noir, every Halloween you would be able to find paw prints spray painted on various walls and buildings. Multiple business were stolen from, leaving many owners angry and forced to replace the glass windows that would also be scratched by the black cat.
Chat stretched, placing his hands behind his head in relaxation. "Normally, yes, but I decided to take a break this year."
Marinette mockingly gasped. "The year without a Chat Noir?" She found herself giggling at her reference. "The horror!"
"Ha. Ha," he deadpanned, but the hint of a grin was on his features. "You didn't answer my question, by the way."
"Halloween, a classic," she answered, before eating a few more pieces of popcorn. Chat Noir tried to take some too but she stubbornly moved the bowl further from his reach.
"Hey, give me some," he pouted.
"Or what?" Her sky blue eyes twinkled with glee. "You'll steal it?"
Chat leaned back and placed a hand on his chest. "Me-owch! Low blow, Princess."
She giggled and turned her attention back to the tv. "Ooh, it's starting!"
Turns out, Chat Noir had more fear then he let people believe. Plenty of times he jumped, and more times he visibly squirmed at the sight of blood.
Marinette, barely holding back a laugh, turned to her stiff companion. "Are you scared, Chaton?"
He pivoted his head to glare at her, not at all amused at the name she called him. "I'm a full-grown Chat, not a Chaton, who isn't afraid of a stupid movie."
Just then the music blared as a character discovered yet another body. Chat jumped and a squeak left his mouth, leaving the designer howling with laughter. She had to hold her sides as she gasped for air. Thank God her parents went out tonight, or else she would have a hard time explaining why exactly Paris's top criminal was in her room and why she was laughing at a horror movie.
She switched the tv off, the movie was almost over, anyway. She didn't want the cat to dart under the chaise in fear. Oh, boy. Now that's a thought. She started laughing all over again at the picture her mind painted.
"It's not that funny," he grumbled, turning away from her.
"But, Chat," she breathed. She paused to wipe stray tears from her eyes. "You're this bad-boy criminal yet you're scared by some jumpscares and fake blood. It's hysterical!"
"I should be more concerned about you," he retorted, looking back at her. "You didn't scream, or jump, or try to cuddle with me once! It makes me wonder if you're not as innocent as I thought."
"Well, I'm friends with you, aren't I? So obviously not." Marinette winked at the still-annoyed thief. "Any innocent person would've called the police if Chat Noir came in their room."
A slow, sly smirk made it's way across his features. His green eyes flickered with mischievous intent. His face leaned closer to hers.
"Maybe I'm a bad influence, then."
Marinette quickly sobered as she leaned away. "M-Maybe."
"Wouldn't want to corrupt you," he murmered, slowly getting closer.
"That wouldn't be good," she agreed.
"Too bad I never listen to my own advice."
Chat's hand moved to make it's way around her waist. Marinette was still shrinking away. Adrien's face appeared in her mind.
All too quickly she found the wind knocked out of her as she fell to the floor. Chat Noir blinked in surprise and looked over the chaise lounge. "Are you okay?"
"Fine," came her answer. She made her way up, cheeks flushed and panting. "Just fine!"
Chat Noir nodded before slightly frowning, no doubt about the mood being killed. Marinette took a look at the clock on her wall, which read 12:15. It was officially November 1st.
"Happy late Halloween." Marinette shrugged, wearing a small smile.
Chat snorted and shook his head. "Happy late Halloween."
They stayed quiet for a few more moments, she standing and he sitting, until Chat Noir stretched.
"Well, it's getting pretty late, and princesses need their beauty sleep. I'll be heading out now."
"A-Alright."
Marinette followed him up the stairs leading to her bed. Wordlessly he opened the hatch and climbed out, stopping to peer down at her.
"Thank you for the movie date, Princess." He smiled. "I hope we can do this again sometime soon, though maybe without the horror."
Marinette giggled while Chat Noir took her hand and pressed it to his lips in a quick kiss.
"Good night." He grinned before dashing away. Marinette smiled fondly as she shut the hatch.