Marinette Pov

It was two days after I turned seventeen. I went into the classroom, surprisingly in a good mood. I didn't know why though. I sat in my seat, Alya wasn't there yet. I had no one to talk to, so I brought out my sketch pad.

I drew dresses, shirts, shorts, and many more, all Chat Noir themed. Ever since he kissed me goodnight, I couldn't get him off my mind. I caressed the ring he gave me.

I love him...

I smiled to myself. Adrien? I didn't know...I still liked him. But If I did, I would have scrolled through my pictures of him on my phone by now. I would have been thinking of how perfect he was.

I would have stuttered or messed up my words when I talk to him. But I wasn't, did I really like Adrien Agreste...?

"Heh...I could get used to that..."

Chat Noir's words replayed in my mind, causing me to blush. I brushed my lips, remembering what the kiss felt like. What I was scared of, is he probably visited random girls in Paris, kissing them goodnight.

No Marinette, Chat wouldn't do that...right?

Also, it's not like he likes you or anything.

He likes Ladybug...

I almost didn't notice Adrien and Nino walking in. They sat in front of me and I put the finishing touches on the shirt I was drawing. I felt like someone was staring at me.

I looked around, seeing Adrien immediately look away and blush. I had no idea why he was acting that way. I shrugged it off and continued.

I felt a light tap on my shoulder, and I looked behind me. "Nathaniel...?" I asked. "H-hey Marinette, I want to show you something." Nathaniel said, suddenly. "What is that exactly?"

Nathaniel held out his sketchpad. I looked at him questionably, while he nodded excitedly. I smiled and looked at it. It was a sketch of me, he made me look so beautiful in the drawing. "Oh wow! This is really good Nathaniel." I complimented him. "I look so good in the drawing..." I told him. "That's because you are in real life...!" He exclaimed.

I imagined Chat saying that to me. I flinched and blushed. "Thanks Cha- I mean, thanks, Nathaniel." I thanked him. "You're welcome, also can I talk to you after class?" He asked me. "Huh? Okay." I agreed. "You can have that Marinette." He added, pointing to the piece of paper.

"Really...? Thank you!" I said, beaming. He nodded and went back in his seat, while Alya put her bag under her desk, sitting beside me. "Good morning Mari...!" Alya greeted. "Hey, check this out." I showed her the drawing. "Woah, who drew that?" Alya asked, amazed. "Nathaniel did." I answered. 

"Dang girl...you think he still likes you?" Alya grinned, nudging me teasingly. I rolled my eyes playfully. "I don't know, maybe, maybe not." I shrugged. Alya then turned serious. "Mari, I wanted to ask you...you've been really confident around Adrien lately, you haven't been stuttering either, what happened?" She asked.

"I honestly don't know...I think I got over him-" Alya gaped. "A-are you joking?!?" She asked, shocked. "...no, I'm not," I replied. Alya shook her head in disbelief.

"Okay. Who do you like now then...?" She asked, not quite believing that I got over the blonde. I blushed, and shook my head, gesturing that I didn't like anyone anymore. "Stop denying Mari, I know you. You wouldn't get over Adrien so easily, so you clearly like someone else." She crossed her arms. 

I sighed in defeat. She's my best friend, she deserves to know. But I won't be telling her about his nightly visits. "Promise not to tell...?" She nodded hurriedly. "It's..." I trailed off, hesitant.

"Chat Noir..."

I whispered. Alya's mouth became wide open, her hazel eyes, wide of bewilderment and utter shock. "I knew it! Marichat for life...!" She smiled. I blushed, she knew it? What and who exactly was this...Marichat?

"M-Marica- what...?" I stammered. "Marichat, it's spelled as C-h-a-t on the Chat part, and can be pronounced as cat or shat. Mari, is you, as in Marinette, and the Chat is Chat Noir. Mari plus Chat equals Marichat, it's my new ship name for the two of you!" Alya explained while I turned a bit pink.

"Oh, makes sense..." I nodded, understanding the sudden ship name for me and Chat. "And how did you know I like him?" "You remember when we were at the cafeteria? The way you defended him sounded as if you liked him, but I kinda doubted since I thought you liked Adrien." Alya answered. 

"By the way, have you two even met...?" Alya asked me. "Yeah...I helped him capture an Akuma once, we bumped into each other a few more times, we talk, and I kinda started liking him I guess." I lied, though it was part-truth.

"Awwe, I totally ship you guys." She said, and I flushed. "Thanks...but I don't think he likes me like I do, Alya." I saddened, and she pouted. "Nah, I'm sure he does, who wouldn't like anyone as adorable as you?" She replied. 

I looked at her appreciatively. "Thanks, Alya..." I said to the blogger. She smiled in return, we hugged, and the bell rang. Ms. Bustier came in. "Good morning class." She greeted all of us.

_________________________ 

"Don't forget to read pages 176-189. You are dismissed." Ms. Bustier informed the class. We all took our bags and headed to the door. Me and Alya went out, while Alya was talking about how many the Ladyblog's views were. Someone stopped me, I felt a hand on my back.

I turned around, seeing the redhead. 

I honestly forgot about him...

"Nathaniel...! Sorry, I forgot-" Alya interrupted me, fake coughing. "Cough, I'll leave you two alone, bye girl, I'll be on my way." She waved goodbye, as I waved back. "It's alright Marinette. No harm done." He told me. I sighed in relief. "Thank you, so what was the thing you wanted to tell me?" I asked him. 

"W-would you go with me to the art museum...?" He asked nervously. I wanted to go back to my house to wait for Chat, but I didn't want to hurt his feelings, so I smiled, nodding. He grinned ear to ear. "Thanks! Let's go." He said. "Oh- uhm, now...?" I questioned. "Yeah...c-can I hold your hand...?" He asked me.

"Uhh, sorry, but no..." I disagreed as nicely as possible, I was honestly uncomfortable with the idea of him holding my hand. "Oh...okay." He smiled sadly. We walked towards the art museum, talking on the way there about our art-styles and other things. I admit, he was fun to talk to. Also, he could relate to my problems when it came to drawing.

Third-Person

Adrien overheard their conversation, and fumed with jealousy. "Hey Nino, I have to practice my Chinese lessons early, you mind if I go...?" Adrien lied, intending to go see what that redhead and Marinette were going to do. Nino nodded understandingly. "Sure dude, no problem, we can play video games another time." Nino replied. 

"Even though it's rare that my father even lets me hang out with you?" Adrien questioned, he felt a little bad for not spending time with his best buddy. Nino nodded again, putting on his headphones. "Thanks man." Adrien said. They fist-bumped and they waved goodbye to each other.

Adrien ran behind the school when Nino wasn't looking. "Plagg, I need your permission, are you sure you're okay with me transforming...?" The blonde asked. "Give me cheese, two wheels, and I'll let you." Plagg said. 

Adrien opened his bag and tossed the kwami his favorite cheese. Plagg finished it within seconds, Adrien didn't wait any further and transformed hurridly.

"Can you show me...?" Nathaniel asked her. The two were walking towards the art museum. "Sure." Marinette showed him her new drawings of Chat Noir and Ladybug, herself, so Nathaniel won't be suspicious of her drawing her kitty. 

"It's amazing Marinette, you're not only good at drawing dresses, but you're good at drawing people too." Nathaniel complemented, causing Marinette to blush a bit. 

"Thank you, but I'm nowhere as good as you, the way you shade hair is so neat." Marinette pointed at one of his drawings. "Don't say that. We're both good." Nathaniel said. Marinette thanked him. She remembered Chat Noir, and she grabbed the opportunity to ask for advice.

"I have a question..." Marinette shared. "You do...? What is it? You can tell me anything Marinette." Nathaniel put his hand on her shoulder. Marinette clutched her sketchpad, nervous. "Have you ever liked anyone before?" Marinette asked. Nathaniel blushed, did she figure him out?

"M-me? Uhm...k-kind of I guess." Nathaniel stammered. "Can I ask for your advice?" Marinette looked down. "Of course..." Nathaniel replied. "How can you tell someone you love them...?" Nathaniel blushed a dark red, almost matching the color of his hair. He calmed down. 

"I'm not that good at giving advice, but I think you should tell them as soon as possible, you never know, he might like you too. You should tell him why you like him before you confess. Also, they might end up liking someone else, so you should do it, fast." Nathaniel said.

He was looking forward to telling Marinette in a few days, but he had to be patient, he has to spend more time with her first, you never know, she might just like him back, and the person she might be talking about was him all along. The thought made him blush a deeper shade of red. 

"R-really?" Marinette questioned. "I'm a little nervous to tell him..." She admitted. "T-that's perfectly normal, you don't have to do it right away, just do it when you're ready. Like I said, as soon as possible." Nathaniel said reassuringly. 

"Thanks, Nath..." They almost didn't notice they were already at the front door. Nathaniel nodded and opened the door. They both came inside. They started looking around, admiring many paintings for about half an hour while talking.

They came out of the art museum, and it was getting dark. "Thanks for agreeing to go with me there Marinette." Nathaniel said. "No problem, you're fun to be with...!" Marinette said cheerfully. "It's getting a bit dark...mind if I walk you home?" Nathaniel asked. 

Marinette checked the time, in a few minutes Chat Noir would be in her room, knocking at her trapdoor. So she had to go now, she can't keep her cat waiting. No time to say no. "Sure, why not." Marinette responded. Nathaniel lit up. "Great, let's go." Nathaniel put his hand on her back as they headed to the Dupain-Cheng bakery. 

They walked to Marinette's bakery showing each other's work, giving advice about drawing and other stuff. 

Little did Marinette know,

That there was a certain kitty staring from afar...

Chat Noir Pov

I scrunched my eyebrows in anger, seeing Marinette and that redhead, laughing and having a great time. They hung out all afternoon, making me throw up just thinking about it. I swear, I would cataclysm that redhead if I could. 

"Cataclysm..." I said accidentally. Dark bubbles of destruction appeared on my right hand. "Shoot..." I said under my breath. I took a fallen leaf on the roof and my cataclysm destroyed it, turning it into nothing but ash. I smirked imagining it was Nathaniel, then I would have Marinette all to myself...

What am I saying?!?

Am I jealous? 

Of course not! 

I'm just a bit worried Nathaniel will hurt my princess, that's all.

No other reason...

My mouth widened and I frowned as I saw Marinette kiss Nathaniel on the cheek. Marinette was about to go, when he stopped her. I heard him ask if they could hang out like that a lot. I wanted to destroy him. Marinette nodded. What he did next made me furious. 

He. asked. Marinette. out. 

She said 'yes', and my heart sank. 

Marinette went inside the bakery, and the both of them waved goodbye at each other. Nathaniel walked away, smiling to himself. I fought the urge to strangle him right there. 

I jumped and landed on Mari's balcony, I hesitated for a while, but soon took the courage to face her. I knocked at her trapdoor angrily. "Wait a minute!" I heard her say. 

We are going to have a little chat.

Marinette Pov

I went into my room and Tikki went out of my purse. "So...? How was it?" Tikki questioned. I giggled and shook my head. "It was alright Tikki, the drawing he made is lovely but..." I trailed off.

"But...? Oh...you love Chat Noir don't you? Eeekk!" Tikki fangirled. I giggled again and nodded, blushing. 

"I support, and ship you two...!" Tikki said. "Thank you Tikki." Tikki flew to my cheeks and nuzzled into them. I hugged the kwami of creation back. "Nathaniel also asked me if I wanted to go on a date with him on the park in three days." I told her.

"What did you say?" She asked me, flying towards her jar of cookies. "I said yes, it's just a friendly date, so why not?" I answered. "Okay then." Tikki replied.

"You can continue eating your cookies now Tikki" I told her. She nodded and started eating. I looked around my room seeing countless pictures of Adrien. I felt like I was obsessing on him a little too much before, seeing all the hearts around them.

I took each picture off, one by one, including the one beside my computer. 

I changed the wallpaper of my computer to our class photo and I smiled. I deleted all the pictures of Adrien on my phone and changed the wallpaper to a selfie of me and Alya. Tikki saw me. "Marinette? What are you doing...? Have you really gotten over Adrien?" Tikki asked me. 

"I don't love him anymore Tikki, I love Chat Noir. Adrien considers me as just a friend, I can't keep on chasing someone I can't catch, I can't force anyone to love me back. The past three months I spent with that alley cat were magical. I want to move on, and start loving someone I may have a chance with. And I can start by removing all these photos and deleting them." I answered, putting all Adrien's photos on an empty drawer. Tikki smiled at me sadly.

"I understand Marinette, I'm happy for you." Tikki said. A smile encased our lips, and she went back to eating. I looked at the drawing Nathaniel gave me. If things don't work out with Chat...I might just have a chance with the redhead.  

I heard an angry knock from my trapdoor and Tikki immediately hid. I smiled, happy that Chat was already here. "Wait a minute!" I said, making my way to the trap door. I opened the loft and I saw something quite unexpected. I saw an angry Cat.

I gave him space, letting him come in. We came down my bed and I hugged him. "I missed you...!" I told him. Chat Noir hadn't visited in two days. He pushed me away lightly and crossed his arms. I tilted my head a bit, confused of his actions.  

Then I darted my eyes to the left seeing Nathaniel's drawing of me. Chat noticed and took it. "What is this?" He asked suddenly. "Chat, calm down. Nathaniel gave it to me. A-are you mad?" I asked. He put the drawing back on my desk. "Mad? Of course I am! I heard him asking you to go on a date with him, and you said yes!" Chat shouted. I flinched, why was he like this? 

"Is there anything wrong with me saying yes? I'll be hanging out with him the next day and the day after, we'll just be hanging out. As friends." I said to him. I lowered my voice a bit. "And why do you care, it's not like we're dating or anything." I said sadly.

Even though I wish we did...

His eyes widened, and he became a bit calm. "Why would you want to hang out with him anyway? What about-" Chat pointed to my empty wall. And his ears drooped.

I didn't understand anything. Is it possible that he was...jealous...? 

"Where are all the photos of Adrien...?" Chat asked me. "I took it all off, I realized I was a bit obsessed." I shrugged and chuckled sheepishly. "D-do you not like him anymore...?" He asked. I was puzzled, why did he care about Adrien?

I answered his question anyway. "N-no...I like someone else." I looked at him, hinting it was Chat Noir I was in love with. "It's that redhead isn't it?" Chat guessed sadly. 

Well, he guessed wrong... 

I shook my head, looking at him, but he didn't understand, so I sighed. "Then who...?" I went closer to him. "You'll have to figure that out minou." I whispered in his ear, and I booped his nose. He blushed a bit and nodded.

He sighed. "I'm sorry I shouted at you Mari, I was just a bit...scared that he might uhm...hurt you." He apologized. I became a little sad, so he wasn't jealous.

"It's okay, but why would he hurt me...?" I asked curiously. I could tell he was becoming anxious because he was sweating. "Uhh...you remember Adrien saying you were an admirer? When he broke your heart, I couldn't stand seeing you so unhappy, I was just a bit scared that Nathaniel you speak of might break your heart again." 

What he said made a lot of sense, but the way he said it was as if he was lying. But I chose to believe him anyway.

I looked at his mesmerizing eyes. "Thank you Chat...for caring for my feelings, but you don't have to worry, he's a nice guy...!" I reassured him. "He better be a nice guy, or I'll be cooking some tomato soup-" He teased.

I hit him on the head playfully, cutting him off and giggling. He laughed along with me and we looked at each other.

"Marinette, I'm still a bit mad you kissed him on the cheek, you never kiss me on the cheek...!" Chat complained, pouting at me adorably. I giggled at his silliness and obliged. I cupped his masked face and gave him a tender kiss on the cheek. 

"Happy now...?" I said, trying not to blush. He turned red, smiled, and held my face. 

What is he doing...? 

I asked myself. We closed our eyes as our faces became closer. Our faces were only inches away. 

His ring beeped.

I opened my eyes, and so did he. He let go of my face and I backed away.

Was he gonna kiss me?

My question was left unanswered. I glanced at my clock, it was pretty late. We went to my balcony so he could go. He lifted my chin and kissed the edge of my lips, which made me blush. "Goodnight princess." He said to me. 

"G-goodnight..." I stuttered unintentionally, still pink. He saluted and leaped off my balcony, jumping building to building.

I stared at his silhouette as he left until I couldn't see him anymore.

Third-Person 

Adrien jumped in his room, blushing. "Plagg, claws in." He said, satisfied. Plagg flew in front of Adrien, smirking. "What...?" Adrien asked. "I can read your mind remember?" Plagg grinned at his holder. "Plagg, I don't understand, plus the cheese over there is waiting to be eaten by yo-" 

"You're jealous~" Plagg teased. Adrien blushed.

Well shoot-

"Remember when you said you maybe loved Marinette, you were wrong. Cause you got it bad~ I mean, you wanted to kill that Nathaniel guy, and you were about to kiss her. Sorry for interrupting it though, I was kinda hungry..." Adrien rolled his eyes and flushed. 

"But I wasn't about to kiss her, I like Marinette, but I love Ladybug, nothing can change tha-" "Stop lying, you love her, period. You even kiss her goodnight every time you leave her room, you've done it like countless times. The way you two have acted the past three months, it's as if you're dating. You cuddle, flirt, hug, and kiss. Are you even sure you still love Ladybug...? Also, You haven't been calling her those nicknames when you guys patrol together." Plagg pointed out. 

Plagg was right...He hadn't been calling Ladybug her nicknames anymore, he hadn't complimented her as much as he used to before. And he hadn't been admiring her photos on his phone anymore. Is it possible he'd gotten over his Lady? And he fell for the baker's daughter? He looked at his flower ring, stroking it.

Right there and then, his heart decided...

Adrien realized, and thought...

I love Marinette...

Three days later

"Okay, that's a good pose, don't move." Nathaniel instructed. Marinette did as told. Nathaniel started sketching and erasing. The two artists were at the park, Marinette was sitting by the water fountain, wearing a dress, the design, similar to her usual clothes. And Nathaniel was trying to draw her.

Minutes later, Nathaniel was done. "You can stop now. So? What do you think...?" He asked, showing her the drawing of herself.

"It looks amazing Nath." Marinette said, impressed. He blushed. "Thanks Marinette." He said. Marinette nodded. She wanted to ask him something.

"You mind If I ask you a...personal question...?"  "No, I won't mind. What is it?" Nathaniel asked. "What was it like to be akumatized? As Evillustrator?" Nathaniel almost choked on air hearing his villain name.

"Oh- I'm sorry, you don't have to answe-" Marinette felt bad. "It's fine Mari. I'll tell you." Nathaniel shook his head. Marinette paid close attention.

"Well, obviously, I was sad and angry when Chloe teased me about my crush on you. In short, I felt negative emotions. At first, the Akuma flew into my pencil. Then all I could feel then was anger and desire for revenge. I remember agreeing to Hawkmoth giving me superpowers and for me to get Chat Noir's and Ladybug's miraculous so I could have my revenge on Chloe. Then, next thing I knew, I was at Chloe's room, not remembering almost anything."

Marinette nodded. "Thanks for telling me." She said, but then remembered Chat whisper something to her last night.

"You stole something from me, but I'll be back, to see if I was successful on stealing from you too, at exactly nine sharp, here, on your balcony..." 

Marinette really wanted to know what she stole from him, and what he meant by, 'To see if I was successful on stealing from you too'. She looked at her phone and saw it was almost nine. "Nathaniel, today was great, but I have to go back home, my parents might be looking for me." She lied, standing up.

"Let me walk you home." He stood up, took their things, and gave Marinette's things to her. "Nath, you don't have to really-" 

"I insist." 

Nathaniel put his hand on her shoulder. Marinette sighed. "Fine..." Marinette said. They walked to the bakery and arrived in a few minutes. "Thank you for accompanying me Nathaniel, but I'll go in now, bye-" 

"Can I go in your room? I want to know more about you." Nathaniel just made it harder for her. Marinette wanted to say no, but she didn't want him to be sad or anything, he might get akumatized. "Okay, but you better be quick, when I say you go, you go, kay?" Marinette crossed her arms.

Nathaniel nodded happily. They went in, greeted Marinette's parents, and went up to her room. "Wow, it's so...pink." Nathaniel said. "What's wrong with pink...?" Marinette questioned. "Nothing, it's really like you to have a pink bedroom, it kinda resembles your personality actually." Nathaniel stated.

Marinette smiled. "So how exactly do you intend to know me better by coming into my room?" She asked. "That was a lie..." Nathaniel admitted. "Wait what?" Marinette asked, getting angry. "Yeah...I actually want to confess something to you..." He told her, walking closer. Marinette looked at the clock, it was nine sharp. "Nathaniel, you have to leave, right now." Marinette said, worried.

"Marinette, you are talented, kind, wonderful, and beautiful, which made me love you...I love you Marinette, and I hope you feel the same..." 

Nathaniel kissed her.

Marinette tried to pull away, but her imagination took over. She imagined, that it was Chat Noir kissing her. Telling her he loved him too. Marinette kissed him back, closing her eyes, forgetting that the boy in her room was not Chat Noir. 

She suddenly remembered that this was Nathaniel, she pushed him away and wiped her lips. "Why did you do that?!?" She questioned, shouting. "I-I thought you liked me too!" Nathaniel said, confused.

"Well, I don't! I like someone else!" "But you kissed me back...!" Nathaniel shouted. "I-I...I accidentally thought you were someone else...I'm sorry for shouting, but I'm sorry to say, I don't like you in that way. And I hope we can still be friends." Marinette hugged him.

Nathaniel's heart broke, but he couldn't get akumatized all over again, so all he can do, is be happy for her. He hugged her back, and Marinette broke from the hug. "I understand, thanks for being honest with me...I'm happy we're still friends."  Nathaniel said, trying to be positive. 

"I'll go now." Nathaniel opened the hatch, about to leave. "Wait!" Marinette stopped him. "Thanks for understanding." Nathaniel nodded and left, closing the hatch.

Marinette looked at the clock, it was 9:04. Marinette ran up to her balcony, and to her surprise, the trap door was already open. She saw something on the floor and picked it up.

"A bouquet?"

Those were her favorite roses, a smile graced her lips and she saw a tag on the side.

To: Marinette

From: Chat Noir

A/N: This chapter is inspired from the book "Stray" by lilymagix <33

Remember to Vote, Comment, and Share :)

Have a nice Day/Afternoon/Night...!

~4367 words~