Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir

Chapter 1

It all started when Chat Noir was aimlessly jumping around from rooftop to rooftop one day.

It was a Saturday, and it just happened to be one of those rare days in which Adrien had no photoshoots or modelling assignments scheduled. He had spent the morning studying and catching up on his homework, and then, having nothing else to do, he had decided to step outside for some exercise. As Chat Noir, of course.

So there he was, propelling himself with his baton, randomly wandering across the sun-scorched rooftops, and waving to a few Parisians who were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the black-clad superhero.

He breathed in the fresh air with delight, the sun feeling warm on his suit. This was one of the times when he truly appreciated being Chat Noir- the feel of adrenaline coursing through his veins as he vaulted himself towards the sky, the rush of air fanning his cheeks, and the feeling of freedom lending wings to his heart.

Stopping for a moment to try and get his bearings, he glanced around, when he heard it.

A giggle.

The afternoon was quiet and peaceful, the overhead sun in the sky drenching the city in waves of heat. Aside from the random car or person, nobody seemed to be around.

So where had that girlish giggle come from?

He looked across the road then, belatedly noticing a familiar bakery, and the unmistakable laughter that ensued from a sunlit balcony.

Oh. It's Marinette.

She was sitting in a patch of shade on her balcony, and seemed to be having an animated conversation with someone, though as far as he could tell, no one else was there.

Maybe she's on the phone with Alya or someone.

He vied within himself, debating what to do. Should he go over and say hi? But it's not like they interacted much when he was in his superhero form. And obviously she wouldn't know that it was her classmate talking to her. Would it be weird?

His curiosity got the best of him, however, and he jumped down onto the road, then across to the balcony.

"And so, Tikki," Marinette was gesturing with her hands animatedly, when she noticed the shadow in front of her and let out a small shriek.

"Talking to yourself, aren't you, little lady?" Signature smirk in place, Chat Noir perched on the railing, head tilted to the side inquisitively.

"Ch-Chat Noir?" she looked up at him, startled and surprised. She stood up rapidly, looking nervously round at her trap door. "What are you doing here? Is something wrong?"

"Why does everyone assume that something has to be wrong whenever I show up?" he fake-pouted, crossing his arms defensively across his chest.

"Well, you are a superhero. Your job is to save people when things go wrong, after all." She pointed out. She seemed to have lost her shocked expression, and was now looking at him curiously. "Soo….. what are you doing here?"

"I was just dropping in for a nice chat." He wiggled his eyebrows, grinning.

She frowned, and the expression seemed familiar to him, somehow. He couldn't quite place it, though, so he let that thought go.

Marinette's voice sounded hesitant. "Okay, I guess," she replied uncertainly.

"Oh, by the way," Chat's ears perked up, "Marinette, wasn't it?" When she nodded, he continued, leaping lightly down from the railing and facing her. "Who's Tikki?"

Marinette froze. "Uhh… what?" She squeaked.

"You were saying something when I came," he pressed her. "I just wondered who you were talking to."

Her laugh sounded a bit high-pitched and strained when she answered. "Umm….actually….."

How do I get myself into these situations? What do I tell him now? I don't even have my phone with me so I can't use that as an excuse! Ugh, why does he HAVE to have such sharp ears…..

She looked around desperately, for something, anything, to play off as a good excuse, when her eyes landed upon her plants.

"I was just talking to… my plants! Yeah!"

She grabbed a plant pot and nearly shoved it into his face.

Chat Noir looked a bit startled. He stepped back a little. "Oh," was all he said. "Do you do that often?"

"Yes, TOTALLY! I looove talking to my plants, all the time! They're like my…. friends or something! They're such good listeners, you know?" She babbled.

She tried to muster a grin, hoping she wouldn't pass off as a total weirdo in front of Chat.

Chat Noir looked at her. She was grinning weirdly and seemed to be red in the face. He decided to reassure her.

"That's so cool!" He smiled widely at her.

Marinette set the plant down carefully, looking surprised. "It…. is?"

"Yeah! I've heard that it's scientifically proven that talking to plants helps them grow better! And you give them names and all? That's so cute!" he beamed enthusiastically.

Marinette flushed guiltily. How she hated telling lies. "Ohh, yeah. Totally cute and all." She mumbled, embarrassed.

She changed the topic rather rapidly. "So, got no superhero stuff or anything to do today?" She smiled at him, and he smiled back.

"Yeah, and when I saw you, I just wanted to say hi, Princess." He winked. "Aren't you happy that the most handsome superhero of Paris decided to visit you?" He flexed his muscles, trying to appear cool and dashing.

She didn't look impressed at all. "Are you expecting me to thank you, then, for gracing me with your presence?" she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

Chat Noir let out a chuckle as Marinette glanced at him searchingly, wondering if he had seen Tikki and put two-and-two together. He gave no indication that anything was out of the ordinary, so she decided all was safe.

She joined in his laughter, and then the two of them simply stared out at the view of Paris in the afternoon, sleepy and silent.

"I guess I should get going now," Chat Noir said, after a while, removing his baton and checking the time. "It's time I get back home."

"Alright." She smiled a small smile at him.

He hesitated, then gently grabbed her hand and placed a small kiss on it.

"Bye, Marinette! See you sometime!" He called, extending his baton. Before she could react, he was gone.

Marinette sighed, absentmindedly rubbing the hand he had kissed, as Tikki peeked out from the hatch. "That was a close call!"

"I know, right? We've got to be more careful from now on, Tikki," Marinette said, descending into her room.

Chat Noir jumped through the huge windows of his room and transformed back into Adrien. Plagg materialised in front of him, cackling deviously.

"What are you so happy about?" Adrien asked suspiciously.

"So, Tikki and all huh," the kwami said, stressing the word in an unnatural manner. "Heh heh heh. I cannot believe this." His eyes were full of mirth, as if he knew some great secret that no one else did.

"Yeah!" Adrien said enthusiastically. "Marinette is so cute, isn't she? I can't believe how she names her plants and all! I wonder what names she gave to the other plants!"

Plagg sighed dramatically. "Yeah, totally adorable," he said sarcastically. " "Absolutely wonderful."

Adrien just looked at him strangely.

"Don't you worry," he said, flying up to Adrien and patting his head. "Someday you'll understand. Hopefully sooner than later. Hopefully in this lifetime." Muttering under his breath, he shook his head gravely, although his gleaming green eyes didn't look all that serious.

Adrien's features formed into the most confused and bewildered expression ever. "Huh?"

"Nothing, nothing," Plagg said mysteriously. "Nothing to worry your little golden head about."

Adrien sighed in frustration. He hated it when Plagg got into one of his moods and would answer everything cryptically. "Whatever."

"Ladybugs love plants, though." He said, carefully watching Adrien's reaction.

The blonde-haired model turned to look at him with more confusion evident on his face. "I thought ladybugs liked flowers."

"Flowers, plants," Plagg dismissed the words with a wave of his tiny paw. "The same thing."

"What's with you today, Plagg?" Adrien asked, turning on his computer and throwing a curious glance towards the kwami over his shoulder. "You're acting weird."

Plagg smacked his tiny forehead. Well, I did try my best.

"Speaking of Ladybugs and flowers….." Adrien grinned to himself. "I have an idea."