[Marinette's POV]

I'm just crossing the road to get home when all of a sudden Cat Noir drops down out of nowhere and strolls out in front of me.

"Hello, purrincess." He says. "Fancy seeing you here."

"W-What did you call me?" I respond.

How does Cat Noir know that Adrien calls me Princess? Is it just a weird coincidence or does he think we're close enough that he can call me by that nickname too? He does call me bugaboo when I'm Ladybug, one of his closest companions.

Cat Noir startles. "Oh! I, uh, heard someone call you Princess and I assumed that's what everyone called you."

As I thought, but why does he think we are chummy enough for him to call me that? I mean, of course I'm close with Cat Noir but that's as Ladybug. It feels weird for another guy to be calling me Princess...like I'm cheating on Adrien or something. I always felt special just having that inside nickname for him and me.

I look at the ground and scuff my feet bashfully. "Actually, only one boy calls me Princess. It's like his special nickname for me."

"Right." Cat Noir says awkwardly. "So...since we've run into each other, do you wonna hang out for a bit?"

I look up at Cat Noir and tilt my head. "Us? Now? Um..."

I can't find a reason not to. But for some reason I feel nervous being around Cat Noir as Marinette. What if he finds out I'm Ladybug? What if he already knows I'm Ladybug? Why else would Cat Noir want to spend time with Marinette?

"Er, what about Ladybug?" I ask.

"Oh. Well...I can only contact Ladybug when she's in uniform and she's only like that when there is work to be done." Cat Noir answers.

"So, why are you out if you're not with Ladybug?" I ask further. "And...why run into me? I'm just, well...me."

Cat Noir smiles weakly. "Even superheros get lonely." His eyes drop to the ground. "I just thought I could spend some time with you...I dunno, I guess we've run into each other in the past and we had that moment after the whole business with the Seeker of Truth...I—I thought we were...sorta like friends?" Cat Noir looks up at me and smiles again, only this time it is more genuine. "Would you like to be friends? And hang out?"

My heart is racing. Right now, my true self is exposed. All of weaknesses and all of my flaws. All of the reasons I won't tell Cat Noir my secret identity will be thrown out the window if I expose myself to him now. I can't hide behind a mask. But at the same time...I'm happy. I'm happy that he wants to get to know Marinette, that he wants to spend time with me without the mask.

"Of course I would like to be friends." I answer immediately. "I-I mean, sure. But it's getting pretty late. How about you meet me up on my balcony."

Cat Noir's face lights up. "Yeah, okay!"

Cat Noir leaps up and I hurry inside. I say a quick greeting to my parents before excusing myself and rushing up to my room. I climb up through the hatchet onto the balcony where Cat Noir is waiting.

"Hey." He says. "So, why're you all dressed up anyway?"

I look down at my black dress. I had almost forgotten that I'm currently dressed as a witch.

"Oh, I had a school Halloween festival." I say.

"Really? Sound's fun!" Cat Noir replies.

And before I know it, I'm telling Cat Noir all about the Halloween event which leads to me talking about my school and all my friends and all the fun memories I have. Having known him so long, I trust him and I'm comfortable around him. Conversation just flows. I suppose it's a relief finally being able to talk to Cat Noir so casually without fear of revealing my secret identity. When I'm Marinette, I can tell him whatever I like without risk because he already knows I'm Marinette.

Cat Noir smiles and nods, listening patiently. I tell him about the hat designing competition we had for school which gets me talking about fashion design and how much I love it. I show Cat Noir my sketch pad and talk about my ambitions, including my admiration for Gabriel Agreste. Then I tell him that Mr Agreste's son is in my class and I start talking all about Adrien. Of course, I realise this and instantly shut my mouth. It might be nice to talk about my life with Cat Noir but that doesn't mean I want him to know all about my love life.

"Ahaha, sorry. I'm rambling aren't I?" I say.

"Not at all. I love hearing about you." Cat Noir replies.

Damn that was smooth. It caught me off guard; I can feel myself blushing. I quickly look away to hide my red cheeks.

"But I've been talking about myself all night." I say.

"Well, we can't exactly talk about my life." Cat Noir sighs.

"I guess you're right." I reply. "Though I'd love to hear about you too."

Cat Noir seems taken back. I guess I caught him off guard too. I swear I see a tinge of pink underneath his mask before he turns his head away.

"Ah, well anyway...it's getting late." Says Cat Noir. "But, um...would you mind if I came back some time. Maybe over the weekend?"

"S-Sure." I reply. "Just as long as you stay out here and don't go snooping around in my room or something."

"I-I would not!" Cat Noir says defensively. "What do you take me for? I'm far too gentlemanly to waltz into a lady's room uninvited."

I laugh and start heading back inside. "See you, Cat Noir."

I climb down into my room and flop onto my bed. Tiki immediately comes flying out of my purse.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Marinette?"

"What do you mean?" I ask, even though I know fully well of the answer.

"Getting close to Cat Noir, especially as Marinette." Tiki says. "You said it would be irresponsible getting involved with him."

"I—I'm not getting involved with him..." I reply, turning over in my bed. "I just thought it would be nice to be friends."

.

The next day I find myself waking up unusually early for a weekend. It's like when you go to sleep anticipating something the next day, your brain freaks out and says wake up already! And I'm guessing my brain didn't want me to be asleep when Cat Noir got here. How embarrassing if he looked through my window and spied on me like a weirdo.

I make my way down from by bunkbed sluggishly. I let out a squeal as I pass my mirror. My eyes are circled with thick black smudges and my lips are smeared red like the joker or a drunk clown or something! For a second I freaked out and thought there was a zombie in my room, but I really just fell asleep with my makeup on.

"You look terrible." Tiki giggles.

"Yeah." I laugh for only a split second before stopping abruptly. I stare at my reflection in horror. "I look terrible! I can't have Cat Noir see me like this! He could show up any second!"

I panic and rush into the bathroom to take what would be the shortest, coldest and most stressful shower of my lifetime.

Once I'm out and dressed, I collapse into my desk chair. I tap my fingers on my desk as I eye my window. I'm startled all of a sudden by my phone ringing, but t's just Alya.

"Hey Alya, wussup?"

"Marinette! I organised an outing with Nino and Aaddriieeeennn. Am I the best wing-woman or what? You're in, right?"

"Uhh..." My eyes flicker to my window. "Sorry, I can't. My parents are out today so I have to watch the bakery."

"Fine, you're loss. I still expect brownie points for trying to organise it though."

"Okay, bye Alya."

I press down on the hang up button.

"Marinette, your parents won't be leaving until this evening. Why don't you hang out with your friends?" Asks Tiki.

"Well, I don't know when Cat Noir is coming so I figured I should just hang around for a bit." I answer.

"You realise you just ditched Adrien for Cat Noir." Tiki points out. "The only other person you have ever ditched Adrien for was Louis and that was because you thought he was Cat Noir."

I cross my arms stubbornly. "I don't like what you're insinuating."

Tiki sighs.

I would never choose anyone over Adrien, I just don't like the idea of Cat Noir coming over while I'm not here is all. What if he sees my photos of Adrien—or worse, the photo of him up on my wall.

[Adrien's POV]

I open the fridge and, to my horror, find my container gone.

"Nathalie!" I call. "Have you seen the container of food I put in here last night?"

Nathalie comes calmly striding into the kitchen. "Yes. I cleaned it for you."

I look over to see an empty container on the counter. "Where's my food?"

"You're father wouldn't like you eating that junk, Adrien." Nathalie says strictly.

"It wasn't junk, the best cook in Paris made it for me!" I argue.

"If you would like some real food from the best chef in Paris we can have lunch in Marlena Césaire's restaurant at Mayer Bourgeois' hotel." Nathalie responds.

I frown. I don't want to visit that fancy-shmancy place. I was looking forward to eating Marinette's heavenly leftovers since I got them.

My phone dings and I check to see a message from Alya:

Hey guys, Marinette can't come today she has to watch the bakery while her parents are out.

I stare at the message for a bit. First Marinette's food disappears, then Marinette herself. It's just one disappointment after another.

I frown and snatch up the empty container. "I'm taking this back to the Dupain-Cheng's."

"I'll arrange a ride for you—"

"No. I'm walking." I say before storming out.

This way I can kill three birds with one stone. I can return this container, buy something delicious from the bakery while I'm there and maybe even hang out with Marinette.

I type away on my phone as I leave the house and send a message to both Nino and Alya:

I'm not gonna be a third wheel. Catch you guys next time!

"Hmm?" Plagg says, looking over my shoulder. "Not interested in hanging out with your friends because Marinette won't be there?"

"Don't be stupid. I just don't want to third wheel Alya and Nino." I reply.

"But you are ditching them right now to hang out with Marinette instead." Plagg continues.

"I'm returning her container." I say stubbornly. "Besides it's not ditching if they don't want me there. Alya and Nino will be happy to go on a nice outing together."

I cross the road and walk into the Dupain-Cheng bakery, a wave of toasty warmth and bakery smells washing over me. I love it in here.

"Hello Adrien." Sabine Cheng greets kindly.

"Good morning Mrs Cheng." I reply. "I thought you and your husband would be out today?"

Sabine tilts her head slightly. "No, we aren't going out until later this evening. We're going to dinner, you see."

"Oh..." I say. "Well I came to return this container that Marinette left with me."

"Thank you dear." Sabine replies as she takes the container. "Have you had anything to eat this morning? Feel free to grab a treat."

"That's very kind of you, ma'am. I was wondering, does Marinette help you make all this stuff? Because she is a fantastic cook." I say happily.

"Yes she loves to bake with her father. Although she can only help out every now and then because of her schoolwork and...other activities? Well I'm not really sure what that girl's doing but she always seems busy. That's our Marinette for you. She's a hard worker but she's a bit disoriented." Sabine says affectionately. "I'm not sure what she's made out of this morning's stock but I can tell you that the macaroons are her favourite to eat."

"In that case, I'll take a mint macaroon if that's okay with you." I request politely.

"Of course darling." Sabine slips a mint macaroon into a small paper bag and hands it to me.

I wave goodbye and leave the bakery, happily munching on my little treat. Marinette's parents are the best. No wonder she is so nice, it runs in the family.

"Do you think they sell camembert here?" Plagg asks.

"No." I answer flatly.

"You should suggest a menu change. It would be big business." Plagg says.

"Yeah because you would make me buy it for you all the time." I retort. I shove the rest of my macaroon in my mouth and look back at Marinette's window in the bakery building. "I wonder why Marinette isn't coming out if her parents aren't leaving until later this evening."

"Probably because she doesn't want to see your ugly face." Plagg jokes. "Must be why she gets along so well with Cat Noir, cuz at least then you wear a mask."

"Cat Noir!" I say, slapping my hand on my forehead. "I assumed I would see her today at the group thing so I totally forgot that I told her that I would visit this weekend. I just wanted to hang out some more, I wasn't thinking about whether it was as Adrien or Cat Noir. Maybe that's why she's staying at home. I guess since she's not coming out today, Cat Noir's gotta come to her."

"And remind me again why you can't visit her as Adrien?" Plagg replies.

At first I don't know how to answer. I keep searching for a reason, but that's the thing—Cat Noir doesn't need a reason. When I'm Cat Noir I can do whatever I want.

"I can visit her as Adrien, but she's expecting Cat Noir. It's as simple as that." I say. "But if I'm going to sneak out as Cat Noir, I'll have to wait until later today when father and Nathalie won't suspect anything."

.

[Marinette's POV]

"Finally closed." I flick off the bakery lights and trudge up the stairs.

Guess Cat Noir didn't come today. But I suppose I can't expect him to show up whenever, especially on a weekend. He has a life too.

I get up into my room and barely sit down before I hear a knocking on my rooftop hatchet. My heart skips a beat. I jump up and hurry out onto the balcony.

Cat Noir is perched on the railing. "Evening lil' lady."

My spirits lift just at the sight of him. His bright emerald eyes, his devilish smile...

Ah! What am I saying?

"Were you waiting long?" Cat Noir asks as he hops down and strolls towards me.

"Nah," I lie. "I had to watch the bakery today so I was super busy and didn't even notice the time go by."

"You must be a good cook, living in a bakery and all." Cat Noir says. "Got any treats for me?"

"I thought only dogs begged for treats." I reply slyly.

"I'm not begging, I was asking politely like the gentlecat I am. But if you want me to beg..."

Cat Noir creeps closer. My heart pounds with every step he takes towards me. He takes my hand in his and gazes at me with large, yearning eyes.

"Paw-lease, purrecious fur-end of mine."

Any swooning I was about to undergo disappears in a second.

I immediately take my hand away from him. "That was the worst set of puns I've ever experienced."

Cat Noir chuckles.

"But actually, my parents aren't here tonight so you can come inside." I say.

Cat Noir flinches a bit, his eyes wide and his cheeks red. He looks stolen for words, as if his brain has gone into panic mode. Seeing his reaction makes me realise what I've just said and I instantly become flustered.

"Not like that you perv!" I say shrilly.

"Ah—no! I-I wasn't thinking—I mean, I was...But—But I'm not going to—" Cat Noir stammers in embarrassment.

It's kind of funny actually. He acts like such a playboy and then as soon as a girl invites him inside he freaks out.

"Pfft—ahaHAHA!" I clasp my hand over my mouth to muffle my laughter.

"W-What?" Cat Noir takes a step towards me.

"Na-uh. I'm not letting you into my room." I say, putting my hand on his chest to hold him back. "Just for that, you're going to meet me downstairs."

"What? Why?" Cat Noir replies defensively.

"Because you're a purrrvert." I tease.

I turn on my heel and head back inside. As soon as I'm out of sight I drop the cool act and run downstairs, eager to meet Cat Noir. I compose myself as I reach the bakery, calmly strolling across the room and opening the door. Cat Noir gives a nervous wave before stepping inside.

I make sure to close all of the curtains before flicking the bakery light on so that we can't be seen.

Cat Noir rubs his hands together and licks his lips as he gazes over the room full of goodies.

"No, we're not eating any of that stuff." I tell him.

Cat Noir tilts his head, looking a little disappointed. It's kind of cute; if he had used that face when he begged me I definitely would have cracked.

I stack a bunch of ingredients in a large metal mixing bowl and bring it out. "We're making our own."

Cat Noir looks positively frightened by the idea. He shakes his head and waves his hands frantically. "Oh, no no no."

"You don't like cooking?" I ask sadly.

"No, it's not that." Cat Noir scratches his head and looks down at the ground. "I...can't cook. I've never cooked."

"You've never cooked before?!" I repeat in astonishment.

"It's not like I wouldn't want to, I just never get the chance. I never have time to since I'm always so busy." Cat Noir explains. "Plus we have chefs and maids who cook and serve for me and my father says it's too risky. You know, in case I got burned."

I stare at Cat Noir. He looks heavy-hearted. This is the first time he has told me anything about his life and I get the feeling he doesn't want to talk about it.

I smile brightly at him. "That's okay, I'll teach you!"

Cat Noir lifts his head and smiles. "Yeah, okay. I'll do my best!"

"Now that Halloween is over, Christmas is coming up. So how about I teach you the Dupain-Cheng Christmas Cupcake special." I say enthusiastically.

"That sounds awesome!" Cat Noir replies happily.

Cat Noir and I pile out all the ingredients and start making a batch of cupcakes. I walk him through step by step. It is actually really fun.

"Your family has the best job." Cat Noir says as he eagerly watches the cupcakes in the oven. "I think I've found my calling!"

"Haha, want to be a baker do you?" I reply. "Well maybe one day when I take over the family business, I'll consider hiring you."

"Really?" Cat Noir looks up at me with bright eyes and a broad grin.

He looks so excited, like a little kid. It's adorable. He's got flour all over his black suit and batter on his cheek. I giggle and reach out to wipe it away. I clasp my hand on the side of his face, gently caressing his cheek with my thumb. But I find my hand lingering there even after I have wiped away the batter. My breathing slows as I look into his deep, green eyes. Cat Noir's grin fades, his excitement settling. All is still as we gaze at each other...

Until the oven suddenly dings, making us both jump in fright. I quickly retract my hand and distract myself with taking out the cupcakes.

"Can we decorate them? That has to be the best part!" Cat Noir says.

"Of course, but they have to cool off first." I reply.

I rest the muffin tray on the table and collect all the ingredients to make icing. Cat Noir happily takes on the job of making the icing. He says mixing the ingredients is therapeutic, but I think he just wants to lick the bowl.

"This is way more fun than being a supermodel—Superhero! I meant... You know, a model citizen. Idol for the people...very stressful." Cat Noir says.

"I get it, you're a hotshot." I tease.

It's funny. When he's not trying to act cool, Cat Noir is just as much a scatterbrain as me. He's fun and cute when he acts natural. Of course he still makes just as many stupid puns but secretly I don't mind. That's what makes Cat Noir, Cat Noir. And despite how much I complain about him, I wouldn't change him for the world.

After we finish decorating the cupcakes Cat Noir stops to lick the bowl, just as I expected.

"You're no cat, you're a little piggy." I say playfully.

"Hey." Cat Noir snaps.

I laugh.

Cat Noir smiles and wraps his arm around my neck. "I'll show you, little kitty."

He dips his finger into the chocolate sauce and bops my nose with it before drawing three lines on both my cheeks. I struggle free of his grip but it is too late. I look at my reflection in the oven to see a nose and whiskers made of chocolate on my face. I growl and turn to Cat Noir with a frown.

Cat Noir points and laughs. "Awhawhaw, you look so cute!"

My face burns with embarrassment as he pinches my cheek.

"You look like grumpy cat." He laughs.

I reach behind my back and pat my hands in the bowl of flour. I then slap both my hands onto either side of Cat Noir's face. He coughs as the flour clouds around him. This time it is my turn to laugh, because now he has two white handprints on his cheeks.

Before we know it, Cat Noir and I have broken out in a food war. We both throw flour at each other, the kitchen clouded in a white mist. My ribs hurt from laughing so much. I wasn't even thinking about the state of the kitchen, I was having too much fun.

I smear flour all over Cat Noir's chest and he returns the favour by grabbing a handful of flour and ruffling my hair with it. I squeal and giggle. I try to retaliate by putting flour in Cat Noir's hair. I scoop up some flour and reach for his head, but he grabs my wrist to stop me before I can get there.

"Nope." He chuckles. "You can't win."

I laugh and try prying his grip from my wrist with my other hand, but he has another hand too. He grabs my other wrist, restricting both my arms. We push and pull playfully. Our strength is pretty evenly matched. I try pulling away but he pulls his arms back towards him with equal force, so I give up. But I stop yanking so abruptly that Cat Noir is still pulling his arms back, causing me to fly into him. I bump into his chest and we both stop play fighting to laugh.

"Told you you couldn't win." Cat Noir teases. "I'm stronger than you."

"As if." I retort.

As soon as I look up at him, I realise we are closer than I thought. We both stop to stare at each other. My heartbeat quickens. I feel hot and flustered under his body heat.

Cat Noir's hands slip down from my wrists and gently grip my hands.

"Thanks Marinette." He says softly. "For teaching me how to cook, it was really fun. And...for keeping me company. I'm glad I have a friend like you."

That single word. It seems to yank me back to reality.

Friend...

I quickly step away from Cat Noir, my hands slipping from his grip.

My own voice echoes in my head, "I'm not getting involved with him... I just thought it would be nice to be friends."

Tiki warned me about getting close with him and this is what I told her but really I was trying to reassure myself, not her. I need to stop letting him move my heart because Cat Noir and I are just friends. And I want it to be that way. I want to be with Adrien, not Cat Noir, but I don't want to lose Cat Noir either. I want this friendship to work. I want to be close to him... But maybe not this physically close.

I laugh nervously. "Ahaha, sorry I just remembered that my parents could come home any minute. We should really clean this mess up."

Cat Noir looks around at the kitchen. "Oh dang, you're right."

I gather all of the cleaning supplies and we get started. Even cleaning up with Cat Noir was fun. After mopping the floor we slide around with wet rags and sponges on our feet. With the both of us cleaning together, it didn't take long. Afterwards we stopped to eat some of the cupcakes we made.

"These are delicious!" Cat Noir says. "Then again, everything you make is delicious."

"How would you know?" I question. "Are you a secret costumer of the Dupain-Cheng bakery?"

Cat Noir chuckles. Of course, I already know that he has been here at least once because that's how I met Plagg. I'm just messing around with him.

I pack up the rest of the cupcakes in a container and hand it to Cat Noir. "Here, you can have them."

"Thanks." Cat Noir takes the container and smirks. "I guess now I'll have to come back again to return this container to you. But that was your plan all along wasn't it? I see right through your supposed acts of kindness. You just want to see me again, don't you little lady?"

Cat Noir bops my nose and gives me a wink. My cheeks flush pink but I turn away stubbornly.

"W-Whatever then." I say. "Come back whenever you like, I don't care. I mean if you don't have the opportunity to cook at home then you might as well come cook with me."

Cat Noir smiles fondly at me. His locked gaze on me causes me to blush even more, so I turn my head away further.

Cat Noir and I both jump at the sound of jingling keys from the front door.

"Looks like the folks are back. Gotta split." Cat Noir puts two fingers to his head and salutes me before running out the back door.

Mum and Dad step inside and freeze in the doorway.

"Welcome home!" I say with an anxious grin.

"Marinette..." My mum starts.

I flinch in fear. Did they see Cat Noir? Have I forgotten something? But everything is clean...

"What on earth did you do to your clothes?" She finishes.

I look down at my flour-stained jacket. Woops. I cleaned everything except myself.

"I, uh...I..."

"We told you to watch the bakery not roll around in it." My dad laughs.

I chuckle nervously. "Oops?"

Through the open doorway behind my parents I see the faint, black figure of Cat Noir leaping away across the rooftops.

"What are you all smiley for? Did something happen?" Asks my dad.

"What?" I reach up and touch my face.

I am smiling. I hadn't even noticed. Warmth rises in my chest. I hope Cat Noir and I hang out again soon.