The Passion of Miraculous

Chapter 5: Late Night Visit

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Marinette missed school for the next week, and only Adrien and Alya knew the truth as to why. She had told her parents that she fell while riding a moped with Alya, and she did in fact have a concussion. Adrien looked over at her empty seat everyday, just waiting for the moment she could return to school. Tikki and the other kwamis watched over her carefully but it still took days for her to fully recover. The following week, she sat on her terrace enjoying an evening drink talking with Tikki.

"I'll have to face Chatnoir sooner or later. I'm lucky that there have not been any akuma attacks lately."

Tikki sighed. "I hope much doesn't change between you two. You'll make the right decision, Marinette."

"I hope so Tikki."

Suddenly she heard a noise from behind her and without hesitating she started to say;

"Tikki! Spots-"

"It's me Princess, just me."

"Oh-" She shuttered away, almost afraid of what Chatnoir might say. She hadn't seen him since that akuma battle.

"I've been thinking about you, thought I might come by to say hello, and see if you're okay."

He hopped down, now standing a few feet away from her. They both leaned on the railing looking out into the city.

"Yea.. I'm okay."

He turned to look at her. She seemed sad, scared, even lonely. Now that he knew her identity, nothing would be the same between them, and he hated that. He felt like he couldn't flirt with her now or even joke with her. Their relationship felt so serious. Like all the joy and fun was snatched away the moment he found out Ladybug was Marinette.

Marinette knew this too. Even though Tikki wished that nothing would change, deep down, they all know that isn't possible. He started to think back to when he almost revealed himself, wondering if he did what might be different now. Marinette obviously knew him as Adrien, maybe it would be good she knew Adrien was also Chatnoir.

But perhaps not. Maybe it causes Marinette to be even more upset, what if Marinette hated Adrien? It's best if I keep my identity a secret for now, and just work on gaining her trust. He thought.

He reached out his hand to her. She looked at it, confusingly.

He sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I know who you are. It wasn't meant to be this way. It was never my intention to know or-or find out that way." He stuttered.

He drew his hand back, realizing she wouldn't take it, almost as if she didn't believe the words he was saying, but he continued.

"I'm glad it's you, Marinette. I wouldn't want it to be anyone else. All those nights I talked to you on this terrace, even if it was just a few, were magical. Your laugh is contagious. Your eyes draw my breath away and make my chest feel tight."

He stepped closer and put his hand on her cheek, slowly moving her face so that she was looking at him. He peered down back at her, imagining all the things he wanted to do to her at that moment.

He continued. "You are so much more than a partner to me. You always have been."

She bit her lip as he whispered to her, inching closer to her face.

"Marinette, you know I've waited for this for so many years. Don't let your fear come between us."

She nodded, and he smiled in return.

"Come, let me show you something."

He reached his hand back out, and this time she eagerly took it. He held her in his arms as he traveled to the top of a roof before letting her back on her feet.

A light gray blanket lay flat on the roof, with the Eiffel tower noticeably off in the distance. The moon had just started to rise, setting the mood for the evening Chat had prepared. Another smaller silk white blanket moved slowly in response to a steady wind and Chat patted the blue pillow, motioning for her to come sit. There were a few other pillows sprawled throughout, and he moved them aside to make room for the tiny chocolate cake he bought for her.

"Chat, what is all of this?" She said blushingly.

"I was so worried you were still mad at me, so I thought I would do something nice for you. I don't want you to be embarrassed about being Marinette. Seriously. You can't get much more purrrfect."

She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Ok kitty."

They sat together and enjoyed some chocolate cake before talking again about the reveal.

"You are younger than I thought."

"Is that so Chat? Am I really that much more mature than you that you thought I was older?"

He laughed but refrained from telling her they were the same age. Definitely not bring that one up right now. He thought to himself.

"No no! It's just amazing how you can be so young and still be a Guardian and an incredible hero."

She blushed, avoiding her gaze with Chat.

"It's hard. But graduating soon is nice, I'll have more time to save Paris and defeat Hawkmoth. I've been spending less and less time with friends. But that will probably never change."

He responded excitedly. "Well, now that I know who you are, maybe I can help more often. We can coordinate better. We could even spend more nights with just the two of us, because I can plan my schedule around yours instead of having to guess all the time."

She frowned at him, worried that he might get the wrong idea.

"Sometimes Chat, I feel like you flirt with me because you want something from me. Not because you want to be with me."

He immediately took offense and grabbed her hand, holding it up to his chest.

"No m'lady! If I could be with you every moment I would. Of course I want to do things with you... and do things to you... but there is nothing more that I want than just to call you mine. Marinette I have loved you as Ladybug but I love you even more knowing you are truly the smartest and most caring girl I know. There is no one more selfless than you, Marinette."

He said as he pushed her hair away from her face, then taking his fingers to point her chin up so that their eyes locked together.

He moved his other hand away from hers so that it would fall off his chest and he could move closer.

She sat there, not saying a word or giving a hint as to what she wanted him to do next.

Still locked in a gaze, he leaned in closer, their eyes now starting to close.

"Can I...kiss you?" He asked nervously. 

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