October Nights

October 23

It had not been a particularly good night. In fact, Adrien would put a lot of money on "worst night of the year" as a category for his civilian life right now. Was he being melodramatic? Maybe. But he couldn't stop himself, the day just seemed to hit every obstacle imaginable.

It had started as any other October morning. Natalie woke him with his schedule, he showered and got Plagg a wheel of cheese, and dressed for school. That was until it all went down hill. Some of his fans had found his house raiding his car on his way to school. He had smiled and waved but all he wanted was to get to school on time. Which did not happen.

He ran into class late getting a stern lecture from the teacher. At lunch Chloe tripped a freshman having their food tray land on him in an attempt to catch them from their fall staining his shirt. Which in turn made his photo shoot after school awful, and then ended on the highest note of his father belittling him in a way that was so unique to him, doubling his mandarin lessons. Again.

Adrien's only escape was when he was finally able to transform into his alter ego Chat Noir. Chat allowed him to be free, to feel strong and above all others leave his worries behind. Unfortunately tonight it was not working.

Chat sat on top the Eiffel Tower letting the crip breeze and misted rain set on his hair. He closed his eyes leaning into the lights the city offered up as sparks of hope in his dark bleak lonely world. He was on patrol, hoping to see his lady before heading back home, but she stayed away most likely staying out of the cold. He didn't blame her, although he wished he had someone to talk too.

He sighed standing up and stretching from running over rooftops all night extending his staff to hit the floor so he could let it swing him home. Letting gravity take over he toppled forward gripping his staff tight trusting his instincts to guide him away from danger. The smell of bread, cookies and pastries wafting passed him as the air swooshed through his hair staining his cheeks with the first drops of rain.

He bounded over buildings, windows and cafes, the people along the street unaware that their hero Cat was keeping them safe. The same hero Cat that was now landing on a familiar balcony that he had only visited twice before.

He wasn't sure why he came here, in fact it wasn't where he thought he was going at all. His mind was going home but it seemed his feet had another idea. He landed lightly on the railing letting the light from the trap door illuminate the rain.

He knew the balcony to belong to his good friend Marinette. Although they had been in class together now for years, she never was able to do more than blush and stutter by him in his civilian form. Although it improved with time, he found his own self daunted with the task of speaking with her. Not that he didn't want to, in fact he had tried many times to become closer to her, all failing.

But as Chat, she had been sassy with him. More than that, she had been confidant, and bold and he admired her for treating him with respect and kindness. He had visited after the Evilistrator one evening, and one other time a week after that to check on her after a fairly nasty Akuma attack, but otherwise did his best to avoid this spot. Even if the smell of cookies and her vanilla scent did make him feel like home.

His heart was to his Lady, and he never wanted to compromise that, even if she turned him down. He just couldn't imagine moving forward with anyone else while he wasted away for her. She made his life have purpose.

Which is exactly what he was thinking as he knocked on Marianettes window, cursing himself for even coming this far.

He heard a small yelp and watched as the bluenette's face flushed after recognizing him coming to unlock the door. He chuckled to himself pleased with this reaction.