Chapter 23: Crescendo (Part 1 of 2)

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*** PLEASE READ : ***

I thought about delaying the release of this chapter because I didn't want people to draw comparisons between it and the new ML episode ("Ephemeral") but I decided to just go ahead and post it anyway. Any similarities to canon events are not intentional, as this chapter was fully written before its release. So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, don't be like "YoU CoPiEd ThE sHoW". 


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Music glossary:

Crescendo- a gradual increase in the volume and intensity of music; derived from the Italian word crescere, which means "to grow".


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(Mood Music: "The Gravel Road" - James Newton Howard)


Chat Noir landed on Marinette's balcony as light on his feet as ever, despite his body feeling like it was made of lead. He set her down gingerly, ever so delicately, as if she were a porcelain statue. If he could, he would've held onto her forever just to guarantee that she'd never be put in such danger again.

He noticed she was still frowning. She had every right to be angry, he recognized that much. Not only had she been rudely stolen away mid-conversation with the legendary fashion icon she'd admired since childhood, but the beautiful cake they'd lovingly crafted together was ruined. If only he hadn't lost track of today's date, he would've known that it had been meant for him.

She searched his face despite him pointedly avoiding her gaze, his brain desperately trying to make up some explanation. There was really nothing he could say that wouldn't make him sound like he'd completely lost his sanity. In Marinette's mind, what outcome could she have possibly encountered in the home of her idol, other than being invited to stay for dinner with the family, or maybe even offered an internship?

He suppressed a sigh. What lie could he possibly construct that would be convincing enough? If he had more time to think about it, maybe he could come up with something. But time was not on his side; at this moment, she was standing right in front of him awaiting an explanation.

A few droplets of rain landed on his head, prompting him to look up. He finally met Marinette's eyes, but shockingly, she didn't look angry. He knew she wasn't the type to kick him out when he had no place to go; but still, he was relieved that she wasn't reacting with rage, like many people might.

"So... are we gonna talk about what just happened?" she finally spoke.

Chat swallowed hard. Where to even begin?

"Mari... I know it seems crazy. All I can tell you is that I know Gabriel Agreste personally and that you need to stay away from him. There's more to him than you know. Please, believe me." He groaned hopelessly, running a hand through his hair as he paced. "I know that's not much to go on, but after all we've been through together, I hope that's enough of a reason."

She crossed her arms in puzzlement and frustration at his reply, clearly unsatisfied, but respecting the boundary that had been set forth.

Chat looked at her helplessly, wishing more than anything for there to be no more secrets between them. But he couldn't tell her.

...Or could he?

Fu had said that Chat Noir and Ladybug couldn't know each other's identities because of potential negative consequences. But what about Chat Noir and Marinette?

He'd yearned to be able to confide in someone for so long, and next to Ladybug, there was no one else he trusted more. So why not?

On the other hand, would it be fair to burden her with this knowledge? Would it put her in even more danger if she were to know? The last thing he wanted to do was to paint an even bigger target on her back, especially with what had just happened at the mansion. And yet, this secret knowledge could also help her to stay safe. She'd be able to actively avoid Gabriel, and any danger revolving around his family. There were so many unknown factors to account for.

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