A/N: If anyone knows why episode 9 wasn't aired, please let me know! I have mentally prepared myself for the promised Marichat balcony scene, but alas.
Anyhow, please enjoy!
"Didn't you see his face? He was so lost but then quickly gathered himself up!"
"No, I didn't, Alya," Marinette sighed, massaging her temples with her free hand.
She and Alya had been talking on the phone as usual. Topics were different, from fashion to Ladyblog, to Adrien then suddenly to classes, after which the girls were stuck talking about Agreste. As funny as it was, Marinette wanted to dodge her curious friend's questions about the blond boy. She felt as though Alya was exaggerating things a bit too much.
"You will scare him with your teasing!" Dupain-Cheng voiced, as she paced around the room, her kwami flying near in attempt to catch all the information. She didn't even need to watch a TV her holder's school life was way more interesting!
Marinette heard her friend click her tongue.
"Oh, you'll thank me later. Plus, I have an important thing to say about your crush." The brunette could have sworn, if Alya was near her right now, she would be wiggling her eyebrows.
"What is it?" Marinette sighed. It's not like the new piece of information is going to be mind-blowing or reassuring.
"Should I really tell you though?" The blogger laughed, hesitating. "Alright, listen up, girl. Nino said that he noticed Adrien acting a bit weird."
The baker's daughter stopped walking, as she raised her eyebrow skeptically. "Weird? I haven't noticed anything out of ordinary…"
"Well, besides him asking me to watch a movie together." Marinette thought. But she then digressed, thinking he was about to ask their mutual friends as well. And yet she was reminded of her awkward rejection of her love's invitation. When will she pull herself together? Adrien makes an attempt to get closer, yet she still cowardly steps away from him. What gives?
"Fair enough," Cessaire's voice was heard. "But to me it felt like he was acting happy, well, happier than usual."
"I won't be surprised if it was none other than Kagami." Marinette put such an emphasis on the girl's name, she almost felt sick. It won't be too surprising, who knows if Adrien and she are texting each other. No-no, stop it. Don't let that thought cross your mind.
Alya, however, laughed.
"I have a tiny feeling you might be the reason." She mused, while Marinette rolled her eyes.
"Yeah right, he probably asked me out for movies because he felt like he needed to thank me or something." Marinette shrugged, running a hand through her hair, as a sigh escaped her lips. She was getting tired of talking about it all day. She preferred to let it go and see what happens tomorrow.
"Think whatever you want to, girl. But don't be surprised, when that will be the truth." Her best friend whispered.
"Got it." She replied with a small smile, before ending the call.
Exhausted, she laid on her bed with Tikki hovering above her.
"Why don't you want to believe her, Marinette?" The red kwami asked, tilting her head sideways.
"I do want to," the bluenette confessed. "But I don't want to get my hopes up, you know? If he ends up with Kagami and- I just don't want to be delusional." The teenager glanced at the little creature. It was cute, how Tikki was so concerned about Marinette and Adrien's relation-friendship. What they have now is a simple friendship.
They could probably talk about it for hours more, if it wasn't for the startling knock on her window. Marinette hesitated, before standing up. She already knew who it was, although that cat has got to earn some manners! Her mind traced back to Adrien, who would never visit a girl so late in the evening. She wouldn't have minded though, if only it was him and not Chat Noir. Oh, the irony!
Opening up her window, Marinette stepped back a little bit. Chat Noir in all his grace jumped into her room without making a sound.
"Good evening, princess." He purred, his grin looking more silly than suave. His gaze seemed warmer as usual.
"Hey, kitty," Marinette smiled slightly, closing the window. "Sorry, but I haven't seen Ladybug." She assumed it was the case, since the face expression the hero of Paris was giving her was one she always seen as Ladybug.
To her surprise, he shook his head 'no'. Why must Marinette always search for a reason? And what does Ladybug has to do with his visits? Couldn't he just come and visit her, because he wanted to?
Adrien gulped. Maybe Chat didn't, but Agreste did. And seeing his crush after school, in the comfort of her own home felt much different.
"I came to see you, Marinette." Chat almost let a purr escape his throat, but, thankfully, he managed to keep himself together.
She looked confused for a moment, but then decided to play along, never knowing for sure where will the conversation lead.
"Oh, I am so thrilled!" Dupain-Chenng said jokingly. "Look, I am busy."
"Oh? You have some unfinished design you are working on?" Noir eagerly asked, attempting to look at her desk. He saw her sketchbook opened, and he wanted to know what was drawn there. Was that why his classmate rejected his invitation? Maybe she was participating in a designing contest of some sort?
However, Marinette extended her hands, placing them on Chat's strong shoulders in attempt to keep him in the same place. The kwami holder wanted to stop him, because what she had sketched out earlier that day was Adrien's face. It was the one she couldn't get out of her head the face expression Adrien showed her when he gave her umbrella; that very same moment when she fell head over heels. Marinette was embarrassed, as she thought the boy in cat costume would tease her, just like Alya or Nino. She didn't want to deal with another curious cat!
The pleasing look and the blush on her cheeks made Chat Noir's heart skip a beat as he stopped in his tracks. What could there be? Marinette usually showed her new designs with no problem.
"I know curiosity killed the cat and all, but..." The boy initiated an intense eye contact. "Can I see it?" She must have had a good reason to say no to him that afternoon! He was still a bit salty about it, transforming into Chat made things even worse.
"Well…" Marinette looked over her shoulder at the sketchbook. "Please don't laugh." She added with full seriousness. "And don't tell."
"I won't." He put a hand to his heart, wagging his tail like a kitten from excitement. "Although I don't understand the second part."
Marinette sighed, taking the notebook in her shaking hands. After giving it a look of approval, she simply extended her hands, avoiding Chat's bright green eyes.
He gently took the sketchbook, staying a bit too silent at first. He took the drawing in, his eyes widening and a deep blush creeping onto his cheeks.
A portrait of him?! Well, Adrien, to be fair. He stood there dumbfounded. Her drawing was amazing it looked like a black and white photography. Even the smallest details of his face and every single strand of hair were represented with 100% accuracy. He unwillingly covered his cheeks with his right hand to hide his embarrassment. Chat wanted that picture printed and put on his wall. He wanted to embrace the author of the drawing, pull her closer and thank her. Adrien never knew he was such an inspiration to her, let alone thinking about Marinette drawing him. He felt tears forming in the brim of his eyes.
"It's beautiful." He felt his throat dry, hence why Chat whispered. He looked up at her, as she smiled, letting a feeling of relief wash over her. "You should show it to him." Noir replied, before handing the drawing back to 'princess'. "I mean it."
She giggled, sighing. "I would love to, but he would think I'm weird or a stalker. I doubt he'd accept it." Marinette brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, feeling Chat's attentive gaze almost burning her.
"Nonsense!" Chat Noir exclaimed, bringing a hand to close his mouth.
"What makes you think that?" He couldn't bear how conscious Marinette acted when talking about Adrien. Did she really think he was spoiled or something?
"W-well…" She stepped back, not sure of what to say. What are you supposed to say in situations like this?
"It's not that much and besides, isn't it weird?"
Chat Noir huffed, unable to contain his frustration. "Wouldn't you feel flattered if he showed you an amazing drawing of you?"
"But it would be different," Marinette defended herself. "You see, I would have loved that but Adrien…How do I put it…I don't know what he will think." What if he would really find it strange and too forward?
"Oh, so you want to know what he will think, huh?" Chat asked, his voice growing louder with each second.
She didn't panick. If he can talk loud, so can she! Who does he think he is anyways? That girl was ready to have a full debate.
"Yes, yes I do!" Marinette fired back.
Chat Noir unexpectedly pulled her into a strong hug, earning a surprised squeak from Marinette. He pulled her too close, in fact. She stayed just still.
"He will pull you close just like that," the hero whispered gently, almost soothingly. "But what he will do next is unclear. You know, manners are manners, but he can't stay unselfish forever, in these situations especially." Noir breathed out, closing his eyes. He could be too forward, however, what needed to be said, had to be said. Adrien had to get that out of his system and maybe get his hint. Plagg would say he was too impatient. Chat would admit it himself, he was. He needed Marinette. Too bad he didn't know how tired she was of waiting for Adrien Agreste to come around.
He felt her small hands grasp his back. Thus resulted in a very smug grin.
"My, if you'd like me, just ask." The feline hero gently pulled away, winking at the flustered girl beside him. She looked at him with her eyes wide and mouth a gape.
Chat Noir closed her mouth, as he slowly closed her opened mouth with his hand.
"Well, it's time for me to head meowt. Sweet dreams, princess." With that, the cat disappeared into the night.
Sweet dreams, indeed.