A Snap in Time

Chapter 23 (Marinette)

Marinette placed her balcony, chewing on her thumb nail. He agreed to meet her, but they never said where or when. There was a sneaky suspicion in the back of her head that he knew who she was, that he knew her secret identity.

"Marinette, it's going to be okay, but you need to stop with the pacing." Tikki was resting on a sunlounger, watching as her chosen marched to and fro, up and down the balcony, her nervous energy spiralling up and out of control.

"What if it's not okay? What if he's working for the opposition? What if he's just coming to get my Miraculous?"

"Do I look like I want earrings? Because I'm quite certain I don't have any holes for them to sit in."

Marinette jumped and turned, grabbing whatever was nearest to her in defence. Chat Noir laughed as he saw Marinette block her face with a pretty pink watering can.

"Marinette, seriously, I'm not here to hurt you or take your earrings. You can put the watering can down, because as crazy as it may sound, this cat isn't afraid of a little water."

She knew he was moving towards her. Something in her body could feel the magnetised pull and she took a step backwards.

"Don't come any closer, not yet." She said, taking another step backwards.

"I promise I'm not going to -" he progressed forward again, shifting her backwards another step and ultimately into the plant pot behind her. She began to lose balance, throwing the watering can in the air as her arms flailed to keep herself up right. She closed her eyes ready for the impact to hit her sharply in the backside, for it to never come. Instead, she felt two warm hands cupping her hips and steadying her, bringing her forward and back onto her feet.

"You okay?"

She opened her eyes only to peer directly into the bright green of the feline hero. Her breath hitched in her throat from being so close, her hand unconsciously placing her index finger on his nose and pushing him back out of her personal space.

He let go and moved away, a bright laugh leaving his throat. "Now there's the Marinette I know." He flicked his own bell before moving over to the sunlounger and sliding next to Tikki. "Hey Tikki, Plagg wanted me to say hi for him, and to let you know he will come and visit you when he gets the chance."

The small red kwami was as dumbfounded as she was. Both just staring at the guy in black, nodding along like a cheap bobble head. He was making himself at home, stretching his legs out and placing his arms behind his head.

Marinette looked at him quizzically. How could he be so calm when she was freaking out?

"Do you want to talk up here, or shall we go to your room?"

"Let's ..." She looked down at her skylight before bringing her eyes back to him. He nodded in understanding. He always seemed to know what she was trying to say.

She led the way, climbing down onto her bed, shuffling over so he could drop down too. Watching, she noticed how he was taking her room in. Looking long and hard from her bed, over the railings and onto the floor. A sigh left his mouth, seemingly deflating his body and dropping his shoulders. What was she missing with her feline counterpart?

"So," she said, drawing his attention back to her. His green gaze burned her insides, the intensity sending a shiver down her spine.

"Where's all the photographs?" He pointed over to her corkboard which held her most recent designs.

"Photographs? That's my design mood board."

He looked back at it again, before turning back to her and sighed. She had an overwhelming desire to reach out and take him into a hug, or hold his hand, or anything as long as they were connected. That's when it struck her. She felt connected to him, the connection clear and strong. One she had never felt before.