Miraculous Startline

Marichat

The following Sunday was spent tidying up the house, finishing last minute assignments, and preparing Adrien for his return to school and fencing. Adrien had decided to continue the sport since it was one of the activities he actually enjoyed before the accident, and hoped that it would help his reflexes return-or at least help redefine his muscles after his bed rest. During the day, Adrien hadn't seen Marinette, which felt strange to him. For the past two weeks, they had spent almost everyday after school together- so he decided to give her a late night visit.

"Are you sure you want to do this kid?" Plagg asked cautiously as Adrien prepared to transform.

Since the night he fell, Adrien hadn't transformed- partly because he was recovering, but mostly because he was afraid. He was scared to make such a stupid mistake again- and if he did, would Ladybug be there to save him again?

"I have to at some point. Dr Harding said it's better for me to face my fears than to run away from them, so that's what I'm doing." Adrien said, trying to convince Plagg, and himself.

"Didn't he say that about feathers?" Plagg chuckled to himself.

"WHAT? No, I'm not afraid of feathers- I'm just allergic to them." Adrien sulked.

"That's not what you told Dr Hardinggg..." Plagg teased as he shoved a whole slice of camembert into his mouth.

"Hey! You're supposed to stay in my bag during my sessions." Adrien said, glaring at Plagg.

"Whatever they're boring anyways, I just go because he keeps cheese strings in his mini-fridge." The Kwami huffed as he sat himself down on Adrien's head.

"Really? I wouldn't take him as a cheese string guy? More of a mature cheddar?" Adrien considered as Plagg played with his blonde locks.

"I know right! Don't worry though, that artificial cheese is no good. I'll be staying snuggled up with my one true love in your bag from now on." stated Plagg.

"Tikki? She has to stay with Marinette." Adrien said as he headed over towards the sofa. He proceeded to write a note while his Kwami fidgeted and protested in his hair.

"Sugarcube? She may smell but she's nowhere near as stinky as camembert." Plagg finished.

"What're you doing?" He asked when he noticed Adrien was writing on a post-it note.

"Just incase Amelie or Felix come looking for me, so they'll know where I am." Adrien replied, standing and looking out of the window. "Ready?" he asked Plagg, but really- he was asking himself. Could he do it? Was he still Chat Noir- or just the idiot who fell off the Eiffel tower...

"Do I have a choice?" Plagg groaned, flying out of Adrien's hair and coming into Adrien's view.

With a wavering smile, Adrien simply replied "No" before transforming and extending his baton out of the window.

As he scaled building after building, Chat Noir grew more confident relishing the feeling of freedom. Pouncing from rooftop to rooftop, fans began shouting his name. It had been two weeks since Chat Noir's last appearance, and since the accident he hadn't faced the press. Waving the fans away, he lost them in the rooftops and soon arrived at Marinette's.

Landing softly onto her balcony, Chat let out a quiet "Hello" before making himself comfortable on Marinette's deck chair. Spinning around quickly, Marinette frowned, quickly putting down her fists, having been ready for a fight. . As she stood there, annoyance written across her face, Chat Noir couldn't help but admire her. The way her bangs framed her bluebell eyes perfectly, and how her skin was tinged a rosey pink seemed to mesmerise him.

"You scared me Kitty." Marinette pouted at the teen.

"I'm sorry Bubba." Chat ginned back at her, opening his arms and patting his lap.

"No you're not." Marinette said as she walked over and snuggled up into Chat Noir's warm body. He wrapped his arms around her and placed a comforting kiss on her forehead.

"I know." He replied.

"Wait... you're transformed!" Marinette said happily as she wriggled in excitement. Chat Noir chuckled and nodded back at the ecstatic girl.

"I'm so proud of you! How was it?" She asked.

"It was amazing! I missed it so much, I'm so happy I built up the courage to transform again. I was so afraid" Chat Noir admitted, locking eyes with Marinette.

"I'm glad to have you back, Chaton." Marinette said softly.

"I know right, I'm claw-some." Chat Noir beamed proudly down at Marinette.

"Don't make me take that back." Marinette replied flatly, the smile leaving her expressions.

"You know you love my puns Purr-incess." Chat Noir winked at Marinette and scooped her up in his arms. Jumping up and swinging her around Marinette burst out in a fit of laughter before Chat
Noir lowered her back to the ground.

Marinette stood in Chat's arms. She looked up at him and watched as his smile fell to a frown. She tightened her grip around him and waited for him to say what was on his mind.

"Gabriel's trial is on Friday." Chat Noir finally stated.

"Oh Kitty..." Marinette sighed sympathetically, a hand reaching up to brush his unruly hair out of his face.

Chat Noir's grip on Marinette's waist tightened as he contemplated telling her about his doubts. How, despite everything his father put him through, he didn't want Gabriel to suffer in prison for the rest of his life.

"I don't-" He began before stopping, his eyes a storm of uncertainty

"You don't?" Marinette asked innocently, bluebell eyes locked to Chat Noir's.

He couldn't do it. Marinette thought the world of him, she admired him. What would she think if he had doubts about locking away a supervillain. Looking into her eyes he couldn't bring himself to disappoint her.

"I don't want to go in civilian form. Can we attend as heros?" Chat Noir asked.

"I'm not sure, don't worry though. I'll give them a call tomorrow after school for you okay?" Marinette replied, happy to help.

"Sure thing, thanks." Chat smiled back at her. "Shit! School! What's the time?" Chat panicked, jumping up and grabbing Marinette's phone off her wooden table. He turned the phone on which read '23:37'.

"I better get going, cute lock screen m'lady." He smirked ,planting a kiss on Marinette's lips and extending his baton to a nearby rooftop.

Remembering she had a photo of Adrien from one of his photoshoots as her lock screen, Marinette burned a deep red and squealed in embarrassment.

"Shut up!" She yelled after the cat.

"You're so in love." A squeaky voice teased from the hatch.

"Shut up!!" Marinette said again, her words mixed in with giggles as she chased her Kwami back inside.

~hello besties! how're you finding the book so far? any predictions of what might happen?~