Ch6

Nathaniel sighed as he looked at the bills in front of him. I swear for everyone we pay another two come. He frowned as he organized in importance of payment. His next payment check for his commissioned artwork was barely covering it, freelance work wasn't exactly brining in a lot of money at the moment.

"Hey Nathaniel what you looking at?" Marc asked from across their kitchen table.

He set the bills down. "When are you getting your next paycheck? We need these bills off."

"Don't worry I'll get it at the end of the week," Marc shrugged. "Want to go out for dinner tonight?"

"Sorry I have another project I have to work on." He didn't really but he didn't want to spend more money that he didn't have much of.

Marc frowned. "Come on we should do more things together."

"Maybe another day. I have to get ready for class," he muttered. Marc frowned his brow furrowing as he left the kitchen.

It took all his will to not get upset at his carefree attitude, it seemed all Marc wanted to do was just hangout and go out when they were barely making enough to live by.

He quickly gathered his school bag and left ignoring Marc's watchful eye as he exited their apartment. I swear he is being more clingy by the day. It was small things at first, Marc getting upset over him being out without him to bigger things like not going out together every other night.

As he walked through the streets he held his things close to him as he felt the eyes of people on him. We had to get the cheapest apartment in a dangerous part of the city. Marc didn't want to leave Paris yet neither of them could afford to live alone on the salary of two college students.

Why can't you see reason, we should've just stayed with our parents not live together. He gripped his bag as he quickly got onto a bus. After he paid he sat down on a seat by the window and watched as the scenery became nicer.

As he sat his mind drifted to Cat Noir. He definitely has changed since I was in school. Seeing up close made him realize just how much he had changed. Unlike the Cat Noir of his childhood the one that saved him and currently defended Paris was a hero who wouldn't hesitate to dish out punishment.

If the Cat Noir of his childhood were a kitten this one was a panther.

Taking out his notebook he looked through the various drawings he had made. I still remember when I was young and would draw him. He definitely grew up and has the physique most men would die for. Plenty of men at the clubs he and Marc went to would die to be saved by Cat Noir, not that he could blame them Cat Noir was pretty attractive.

He began to sketch his artwork as he reminisced about his younger days. He and Ladybug were inseparable. He paused and looked out the window. The falling out between Cat Noir and Ladybug was long the biggest topic of gossip in the Ladyblog.

As he passed a sign advertising Adrien Agreste's clothing shiver went down his spine. I haven't seen him since his father's death but poor guy. He only heard rumors of the struggles he had to do to maintain his company along with the open secret that Cat Noir was always around to protect him in case Ladybug went after him. I guess even the rich have troubles.

Every time I see him on TV he looks as cold as his father was. The debate over Gabriel Agreste's murder was still a topic of discussion with those saying Ladybug must have had a reason to take him out and those that say she should be held accountable. However, no one dared bring Ladybug before a court of law and as a result the incident of Gabriel Agreste's death was almost taboo in France.

Must not have been easy with the country thinking your father is a murderer. He got off his bus stop and headed towards his university. It was the same routine everyday go to class and go home hoping he didn't get mugged, occasionally Marc accompanied him but their schedules weren't in sync.

At his university he went through the same routine as always. Lectures, lunch, another lecture, and studying for a bit at the library before heading home. He rubbed his neck his mind tired as he headed towards the bus stop.

"Hey Nathaniel?" He looked up and Nino and Alya.

"Uh hey long time no see," he said. "You guys taking this bus too?" He had them on various social medias but he was still surprised by how similar and different they were. Nino had grown but still retained his calm jovial smile while Alya looked as if she had been working out.

"Yeah we are heading towards the Dupain Chang Bakery. Want to join us?" Alya asked as they all got on the bus.

"Uh sure why not." It wasn't that late and he didn't mind some old company.

He sat on the seat next to them, Alya and Nino were holdings it seemed as some things would never change. "So Nathaniel you still drawing?" Nino asked.

"Y-Yeah I've been working on a few free lance stuff," He said. Though it doesn't really pay that well at the moment. "Are you still doing music?"

Nino grinned. "Yeah dude. I've been doing a few gigs here and there."

Alya smiled. "I'm interning at a newspaper while running the Ladyblog on my spare time."

"Sounds interesting. Is there a lot to report on?"

For a moment he noticed Alya avoid his gaze as if he asked something delicate. "Um without the akumas I mostly report on petty crime, not the same but it still brings in the reviews."

"Yeah babe you're the best," Nino said as he kissed Alya on the cheek.

A twinge of jealousy hit them. Seeing the love between them going on as strong as he remembered. I guess not all love is meant to last forever.

He made light conversation with them both until they reached their stop. The Dupain Chang Bakery was just as he remembered it when he was younger. Its nice exterior and a new paint job and as they entered the bakery the smell of fresh pastries his nose like a welcome sign.

"Hey guys!" His widened as he looked at Marinette. His former classmate and crush looked as if she had put on weight and eyes still had a sadness to them that lowered his spirits.

"Hey Marinette we found Nathaniel," Alya said.

"L-Long time no see," he said.

"Nice to see you again," Marinette said. "Come on lets catch up. Coffee is on me guys."

"Does she study too?" he asked as they sat down at a table.

Alya and Nino exchanged a look between them. "Not at the moment. She mainly helps her parents here," Alya said carefully.

"I see." The look in Alya's gaze was almost a warning to not poke too far. She still hasn't recovered from Adrien leaving.

He didn't know all the details but he remembered Adrien Agreste was immediately taken out of school once his father died and at the funeral Marinette did something that made him not want to speak to her again.

"Alright guys here you go," Marinette said as she brough a tray of croissants and coffee for them.

"Thanks Marinette are you sure you don't want me to pay?" he asked. Despite being in a tricky economic situation he didn't want to put a burden on her.

"No worries these extra anyway," Marinette said as she sat down next to Alya. "How have things been with you? You and Marc still together?"

He laughed awkwardly. "Yeah we are. We still do projects together but right now we are focusing school and work." His phone buzzed in his pocket but he ignored it. "How is the family business coming along?"

Marinette gave him a smile small. "It's alright can't complain. We've had a few big catering events but nothing serious. Have you made a career out of your comics yet?"

"No not yet," he sighed. "But that's the dream one day." Even if it isn't easy to get to.

"Don't worry I'm sure you'll get there," Nino said. "Maybe you could find some connection somewhere?"

"Well I would need a lucky charm for that," he said. For a second, he swore Marinette froze.

Alya laughed awkwardly. "Yeah we all could use luck. The Ladyblog wants more content that is harder to find."

He raised an eyebrow. "What could be hard to find?"

"Well most people want Cat Noir and Ladybug to fight akumas together, sadly there haven't been any in a long time," Alya said.

Marinette nodded as she looked at the table. "Yeah they both fought well together now they want nothing to do with each other."

There was another awkward silence that was only stopped by the sound of his phone ringing. "Sorry must be Marc." He looked at and decided to turn it off, he didn't want to deal with it right now.

"Was it serious?" Nino asked.

"Oh not really," he said with an awkward smile. I'll deal with it later. Frankly whenever he didn't come at a certain Marc always like to call him repeatedly and it was suffocating at times even if he meant well.

"Well what else is new with you Marinette?" He asked. Frankly it was a shock seeing Marinette seem so depressed, back in their school days she was always kind an energetic."

"Oh just dealing with my mental health," Marinette said avoiding his gaze "I still have depression."

How close was she to Adrien to be depressed over all these years? Unless it is something else she has an issue with. Marinette took Adrien leaving really hard, he remembered her breaking down repeatedly at the mere mention of Adrien. "Well I hope you can manage, you were a great friend and classmate," he said.

"Thanks that means a lot," Marinette said. "I been going through a lot but I hope to be able to manage it."

"Of course you can," Alya said grabbing Marinette's hand. "Everyone looks up to you and cares about you."

The two girls exchanged a look that made him raise an eyebrow. Of course, he knew they were inseparable but still he couldn't help but feel as if there were something else to their relationship. It was as if they both held some deep secret between them. He remembered Alya was always there for Marinette when she went into her depression back in the day and was Marinette's link to the school for a while.

"Anyway did you guys sees the videos of Cat Noir taking down those criminals?" Nino asked. "That guy full vigilante now."

He could've sworn Marinette and Alya looked at each other nervously. "Y-Yeah the Ladyblog still has some stories about him," Alya said quickly.

"He actually saved me from some muggers," he said looking down at his coffee. "We had a pleasant talk."

"R-Really?" Marinette asked. "What did you two talk about?"

He shifted in his seat as they looked at him. "Um just how I was doing, he remembered me from way back then. It's so weird how he has changed. Now he's all serious and stronger."

Alya nodded her face darkening. "Yeah. Have you heard the rumors of him working outside Paris?"

Nino shrugged. "There are so many rumors of him I don't know what to believe?"

"What does he do?" he asked.

The mood dimmed as Alya leaned over. "Well nothing is confirmed but there were reports of a terror cell in Marseille and by the time the police got there most of them were dead. There were reported sightings of Cat Noir in that vicinity before the police arrived. I've heard of other stories all around France."

"Wow." He didn't know how to respond to that. "He must really want to defend our country."

Alya nodded. "There are rumors of him everywhere even Africa."

"You think he still guards Adrien?" Nino asked.

He shifted in his seat not knowing if he should share that bit of information. Marinette's eyes sunk as if reliving some horrible memory yet Alya spoke up. "It wouldn't surprise me, there were always reports of him near the Agreste building and wherever Adrien went."

"Well Cat Noir likes to help people," He muttered. "Back when we were young he and Ladybug always helped the city."

"True," Marinette muttered looking down at the table with a vacant stare. "But all good things come to an end." There was an awkward silence as Alya patted her back gingerly.

Just what is her deal with Adrien? It baffled him that a school girl crush ended with her still having depression even after all these years.

After a nice friendly chat he excused himself since he didn't want to miss his bus. Turning on his phone he sighed from the number of missed calls and texts from Marc. Great more trouble. He quickly texted that he'll be home soon and tried to take his mind off of it.

As he exited the bus he noticed a figure leap from the nearby roof tops. Cat Noir stared out into the night carefully watching for any trouble.

Man he does look cool. He gripped his book bag and headed towards his apartment when said superhero leaped near him.

"Oh sorry didn't mean to scare you," Cat Noir said apologetically.

"I-It's fine," he said his face reddening. The superhero's suit left nothing to the imagination and he was already good looking as it was.

"Everything ok?" Cat Noir asked. "I'll walk you home."

"S-Sure but I don't live far from here," he said as they headed to his apartment. He awkwardly looked at the superhero wondering what to say or do.

"Do you still draw?" Cat Noir asked.

He was taken aback by the question. "Y-Yeah I do. You remember?"

The superhero gave him a small smile. "Yeah of course I do. Your old classmate Adrien also complimented your work."

"Good to know," he said awkwardly. Why was did he feel so tongue tied now? Frankly he was flattered Adrien still remembered him.

"Working on any comics at the moment?" Cat Noir asked.

"Yeah but I've been busy with other things," he said as they reached his apartment. "The inspiration has also been slow."

"I get that," Cat Noir sighed. "Well if you need anything let me know. If you want I can model for you?"

He did a double take. Cat Noir wanted to model for him? The famous rather attractive superhero wanted him to draw sketches of him? "R-Really?"

Cat Noir looked him in the eyes and nodded. "Yeah really. You seem like a nice guy, and hey I have a few stories to tell for some inspiration."

"Um thanks," he said. "If you want you can come tomorrow, I live up there." He pointed to the window on the third floor.

"Good see you then," Cat Noir said before taking his baton out and leaping into the night.

He sighed. Well I don't know why he would want to hang out with me but hey he's a cool guy.

Cat Noir blocked the bullets with his staff. A smile spread across his face as he saw the fear in the eyes of the criminals.

He charged at them, their bullets bouncing off his chest like small balls. The robbers let out a scream as he fell upon them.

He bashed one's skull with his fist sending him flying against the wall before kicking another one across the room.

"HRRAAH!" A piece of wood hit his head. Turning around he saw a man of African descent stare at him with fear in his eyes holding a piece of wood.

He sighed and shook his head. "That won't work against me." The man stepped back fear in his eyes as he began to mutter something in another language. Unfortunately for him he never let criminals get away. "You criminals never learn do you?"

He activated his baton and knocked the man down effortlessly. The man flew against the wall and fell unconscious.

"All in a day's work," he muttered as he put his baton away. The criminals stayed on the ground their bodies shaking as his gaze fell upon them.

I'll make sure filthy criminals stay off the streets. As soon as he heard the police cars arrive he exited the building with a calm expression on his face. "They're all in incapacitated officers."

The policemen nodded, their faces guarded. "Thank you Cat Noir."

He nodded. "No problem." Taking out his baton he twirled it in his hands before extending it and leaping off into the night.

The less filth off our streets the better. He landed on a roof over looking the city as he sat down he let out a sigh. "I swear the more I beat up and send to prison more come back to replace them."

As the wind passed through the area he looked up at the Eiffel Tower. I've come a long ways but I won't let anyone harm the city. He fought many battles and worked hard to reduce crime Paris and other places in France.

Closing his eyes the images of his youth passed through his mind. He flinched as the memories of his younger self and Ladybug passed through his head. Wherever she is she can remain hiding. I'll keep the city safe from harm.