Criminal

Chapter 3: Check up

Marinette stayed up late that night, watching the moonlight poke through her slightly left open French doors that were framed with silk curtains. She currently sat on her bed, watching the moon. The dim light from her lamp gave a warm tone to her bedroom, and she was fresh out of a nice relaxing bubble bath.

It was midnight and yet... she was significantly restless, all she could do was think about what happened the other day.

All she could do was think about how he made her feel the next morning. It was ironic, he was a criminal yet his presence made her feel incredibly safe. She touched the side of her face, the bruise wasn't swollen anymore and it didn't look so bad. It made her look tough at least.

Alya and her parents were of course concerned when they saw her, but she came up with an excuse that she fell of her bike. She didn't know why... she just couldn't tell them what happened. Alya would freak out, and her parents would probably bug her about moving back in.

It had been a week since she saw him last. The morning she woke up and was covered in bruises...

She was still partially covered in bruises, but they had faded since. The one on her stomach was still the worst, and her elbow began to scab. Alya didn't seem fully convinced with her bike accident excuse, but seemed content with it for the time being.

Marinette effortlessly twisted her hair into a claw clip, and began to study for the test tomorrow. She was doing well in school, but it was harder to focus lately... she wasn't exactly sure why.

Maybe she had gotten hit in the head too?

Her heart dropped and she froze when she heard a thump on her bedroom porch, she didn't move. Her eyes slowly shifted from her laptop and notebook towards her French doors that lead to the porch. The curtains gently blew with the breeze, and Marinette felt shivers go down her spine when she felt the cool wind against her skin.

She carefully got up, and slowly walked over to the French doors that were now fully open. Did the wind do that?

"Miss me?"

She gasped a little, as Chat Noir swung down from the rooftop and stood in front of her. She felt, oddly relieved... it was just him.

Wait... it was him!

Her heart hammered in her chest as he stepped closer to her and she stammered back, slipping. He immediately caught her, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her body against his, like a reflex. "Careful, princess." He whispered softly, a soft blush painting her skin.

She only looked up at him through her blue bell eyes and long black eyelashes. Her lips were slightly parted and she looked beautiful. His thumb swiped against her cheekbone, he delicately looked down at her. "It doesn't look so bad..." he spoke, his voice was soft and calming, like he was trying to soothe her.

"H-hey..." she said, grabbing his wrist and ripping his hand away from her face. He caught her arm, pressing his body closer to hers as a result. He was so warm...

His eyebrows were narrowed, and she could see a slight blush on his cheeks that was mostly covered by his mask. His lips looked smooth and his eyes had that glint in them... he made sure not to break eye contact with her. "Why are you doing this?" Marinette spoke, looking away.

"I'm not doing anything..." Chat said, a low tone to his voice. "Do I make you nervous, marinette?" He asked, a smirk forming across his lips.

Marinette blushed and then rolled her eyes, "Why are you here?" She demanded.

There was a moment of silence, and Marinette was beginning to regret asking. He had saved her, so why was she complaining? She wanted to mumble several apologies, before he interrupted her thoughts. "I wanted to see you again." He answered simply, his eyes darkening as he spoke softly.