Second Chance

Chapter 5

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. Marinette felt constantly alert and on edge, waiting for the city to rumble with a new Sentimonster, or the news to light up with word of another akumatized villain, but nothing happened. For the first time in weeks, Marinette was just a normal student, and it was glorious.

At the end of the day, she hadn't had to transform into Ladybug even once. She made it home with plans to go get ice cream with Alya and Nino after supper.

"Papa, Maman!" She called, walking into the bakery. "I'm home!"

There was no answer, and a moment later she found the note on the counter at the cash register.

Marinette, we've gone out to eat tonight! We closed the bakery early. Text me when you read this :) Love, Maman

Marinette immediately texted Maman, knowing she'd forget if she didn't do it right away.

I'm going out for ice cream with Alya and Nino tonight! I won't be out late.

Tikki fluttered about the room as Marinette changed into some clean clothes, fresh out of the hamper Maman had left in her room. "You seem to be feeling better!" Tikki observed happily.

Marinette smiled at her. "So do you. Do you suppose we'll get back all the miraculous soon?"

"You've already retrieved four of them! You're a great Guardian, Marinette. Master Fu knew exactly what he was doing when he chose you!" Tikki swooped in and hugged Marinette's cheek. Marinette giggled, gently holding the kwami close. "Thank you, Tikki," she said, sighing. "I guess I should get going now." She held open her satchel, and Tikki zipped safely inside.

Marinette left the bakery, making sure to lock it again behind her, and walked down the street. Andre the ice cream man was near the east side of the Eiffel Tower, so Alya had told her to meet her and Nino at Luka and Juleka's river barge. Marinette started off toward the Seine, and her phone buzzed with a text. Zoe was planning on meeting them there as well, wanting to get ice cream with Luka.

Marinette bit back a too-wide grin at that. Luka deserved someone sweet and kind like Zoe.

As she walked, Marinette's thoughts drifted back to Adrien. Alya hadn't mentioned if he was coming or not, and Marinette found she was fine either way. Her understanding of everything regarding Adrien had been shaken, and, well... maybe taking a break from him would be good for her. Still, he'd chosen to come after her today when she'd fled the classroom.

And believe me, milady, he will answer for what he's done.

Marinette's feet skidded to a halt, her eyes widening. Wait...

Was she remembering that right?

"Tikki?" She whispered, opening her satchel. The red kwami's big blue eyes peered up at her.

"Earlier, in the rain, when I left class... did Adrien call me...milady?"

Tikki didn't say anything for a moment, then she squeaked out, "That's what I heard him say."

Marinette stumbled back, suddenly realizing—understanding—

"Is Adrien Cat Noir? M-My Cat Noir?"

This time, Tikki didn't say anything at all. That was all the answer Marinette needed.

"I have to talk to him. Now." Marinette ducked into a side alley without another thought. "Tikki, spots on!"

Marinette, now as Ladybug, called Cat Noir and left a message asking him to meet her. Thinking quickly, she also sent a text to Alya saying to go ahead without her, that she was running late.

Then she swung across the rooftops of Paris, and back to their place. Hers and Cat Noir's. Even if Shadowmoth knew about it, she didn't know where else to go. She sat down and waited, her hands clenched tightly and trembling.

But almost an hour later, he still hadn't come. Marinette was ready to give up and just go meet up with her friends. Just as she stood up, though, she saw her black-suited partner leaping across the city toward her. She watched him growing closer, her heart hammering, until he landed next to her.
"Good evening, my lady," he bowed formally, lifting her hand to kiss the back of it. She didn't protest.

"Hello, kitty," she managed.

His grin faded a little. "What's wrong, Marinette? You said you needed to talk to me. What's going on?"

"I... It's... it's just..." now that he was here, all words and courage failed her. "I wanted to make sure you were okay. That you were safe. And also to ask... have you found out anything about Shadowmoth?"

Cat Noir leaned against his baton. "I have a lead, but I'm not sure if it'll pan out. I won't say anything now because I still could be wrong, but once I know for sure, you'll be the first to hear all." He leaned closer, dipping his head to look her in the eyes, but she glanced away.

"That's great, kitty. Thank you for doing that."

"Ladybug? Will you look at me, please?"

At the pleading in his voice Marinette did, but it took every ounce of courage she had. She looked at him and it seemed that she finally, truly knew him.

"I love you, milady."

Marinette had heard him say this before. He'd confessed his undying affection and devotion for her multiple times, to the point of sounding like a broken record; every time, Marinette had been quick to shut down that particular conversation—she couldn't risk Cat Blanc, never again—but now he said it, knowing who she really was.

"How can you know that?" She whispered. The sun was setting, and the colorful sky glowing golden on Cat Noir's profile.

"Because I know you. The real you. Both Ladybug and—and Marinette." He smiled crookedly.

Marinette's heart throbbed a steady rhythm.

Adrien. Adrien. Adrien.

"Let me show you?"

Marinette squeezed her eyes shut, but she nodded. "Show me, kitty," she whispered. "I trust you."

She felt him release her and step back, and then heard him say softly, "Plaggs, claws in."

Her hands were folded into tight fists at her side, and then Cat Noir took one of them in his, his bare skin brushing hers. "Open your eyes," he said quietly. "Please."

Marinette did, lifting her gaze to his, and a tremor jolted through her. His kind, green eyes, his playful winks, his blond hair, his gentle heart and protective strength.

"Adrien."