The one and only

3 - Marichat kiss

He knew the way by heart. He had passed it so many times, that he would probably find the way even with his eyes closed. But the closer he got to Marinette's house, the more uncertainty he became. What if Plagg just had faked him out? Kwami had already hinted that his advice shouldn't be taken literally. Besides, considering Plagg's quite an original sense of humour, Adrien could rather bet that it was one of the jokes of that small kitten.

When Cat Noir came to the rooftop in Marinette's neighbourhood, he almost decided to retreat. Then he saw her. She stood on the balcony with her head lowered, leaning against the railing. He felt so strong emotions that even though he thought about going back home, he just changed his mind. He just wanted to be with her now. Even if she was to trample on his feelings.

And maybe Plagg overestimated the influence of Cat Noir's charm on women, but in the superhero's mask Adrien forgot about the embarrassment he usually felt in the presence of Marinette.

"Good evening, Princess..." he greeted her with a smile.

"Oh, good evening, Cat!" she replied in astonishment. "What brings you here?"

"I've been just patrolling the city. And I've thought that maybe I'll visit someone nice."

"I'm so sorry, Cat..."

"Why?" he was surprised. "Because I wanted to see you?"

She blushed when she heard these words but didn't comment them at all. She only whispered:

"You must be very lonely, Cat..."

"Lonely?" he approached her and stood next to her against the railing.

"You know, as a superhero you don't have too many friends."

"I have Ladybug." He replied automatically, and she giggled.

"Oh, right... Ladybug..." she murmured.

"You don't like her?" he asked suspiciously and glanced at her sideways.

"How can I dislike her? Everyone likes her."

"Well... Hawkmoth doesn't..." he muttered, and she began laughing. "What?" he asked in a defensive tone.

"You know... It seems to me that he doesn't dislike her either."

"Wh-What?!" he exclaimed in astonishment.

"Well, I think that everything he's been doing isn't caused because of lack of sympathy, but his desire to take over ou... your miraculous."

"This is the first time I've heard someone saying: 'lack of sympathy' to describe a hate." He summed up, ignoring her blunder. "You're too kind for Hawkmoth, Princess..."

"I've always wanted to ask you why you call me that." Marinette said suddenly.

Cat Noir lost his breath for a moment.

"Uhm..." he murmured.

Of course, there was the reason he called her "Princess"! But how should he tell her that? Ladybug had said that it would be romantic if he confessed his feelings, embracing her and looking her deeply in the eye. But that would work on Ladybug. It didn't have to work on Marinette. On the other hand, Plagg had claimed that Cat Noir's charm was enough to win the girl. Adrien, however, hadn't noticed that Marinette ever fainted at the sight of Cat Noir. In that case he preferred to trust Ladybug's advice. At least she was the girl, indeed.

He glanced at Marinette. She watched him with interest. Well, he had fallen silent a moment ago. However, she didn't insist for an answer. She waited.