Start Over

Chapter 5

Marinette stood at the edge of the balcony, her hands gripping the cold wrought iron fence. Looking down, she could see the night was alive with people. Couples walked with linked elbows down the dimly lit roads. Starlight sparkling in their eyes. She watched as a close pair passed by on the street below her, a cone of ice cream held between them. She sighed, her shoulders slumping forward.

"I'm an idiot." She muttered quietly to herself, remembering how she had snapped. 

"Marinette?"Tikki asked as she watched Marinette stare in silence.

"I don't understand how they can be the same person. Chat Noir is everything Adrien is not," Marinette stated.

"Marinette, how you ever thought about how Adrien isn't allowed too much?" Tikki asked.

"Of course I have. Adrien's dad never lets him leave and have fun," Marinette responded then realizes what she said, "And maybe being Chat Noir is his outlet to have fun."

"Adrien doesn't get to be himself," Tikki stated.

Marinette sighed, "Your right Tikki. But to be two different people? Then who is he then, I don't understand." She looks to see Tikki gone. There were a whoosh and a clatter behind her. Her muscles tensed as she turned around, eyes wide with surprise. That is until she saw the black cat ears peaking up above ahead of messy blonde locks.

"Hey," He flashed a sheepish grin.

"Chat Noir?" She spoke, her brow raised in question. He was perched on her balcony, an unusually sad look in his eyes. His usual cockeyed smile was turned down and his shoulders sagged.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." He came closer, sitting on the fence, his legs dangling over the side.

"What are you doing here?" She took in his seemingly sad expression, feeling a twang in her heart, "Don't you have superhero things to do?" She asked the question, trying to sound like a random citizen who interacted with him before and not like his crime-fighting partner or friend.

He sighed, his bright green eyes looking off into the distance, "I don't really feel like being a superhero tonight." He turned back to look at her. His eyes flashing down to her mouth for just a second before meeting her gaze. "And... I kind of need a friend right now. "

"What's going on?" Marinette asked.

"Can I hang here with you, or if it awkward I can leave,."

"No! No it's okay."

"Really," He smiled as he had scooted closer as he spoke. His knee just now brushing her hand as she held onto the side of the fence.

"You always have a friend with me here. It wouldn't be the first time you come here," She smiled sweetly, grateful for the company. There was another silence as they stood together. It was strange, seeing chat so...subdued. He was quiet, as his voice was lower than usual. None of his normal quips was there. It was interesting seeing him like this.

"Sorry if I'm making it a habit, but you do have one of the best views in the city to just think," He turned away from the street, now fully facing her.

"It's no problem its good to see you again. So what's on your mind Chat Noir?" Marinette asked trying to move on the conversation.