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The night was warm and the wind was stagnant. Adrian stood in his room looking out the wall of windows at the starry sky. He'd been thinking about his father, his death was recent. He should have been mourning. He was. Of course he was.
But there was still something in him that told him that his father was not worth the trouble. He hadn't let him go out of the house practically his whole life, which was fine when his mom was around.She'd take him out whenever she could, let him have friends, even though his only friend was Chloe, because she was approved by Gabriel, she talked to him for hours, she loved him, he knew that she definitely loved him. She wanted him to live a good life, be happy.. He liked being with her, but after she died, the house felt like a prison.
His father hardly spoke to him, Natalie and the gorilla were there but because of Gabriel once again, they kept their distance. He'd hate to say it, this was someone he was supposed to love after all, but he hated his father. Every impact he'd had on his life was negative.
He tried, definitely, he tried. Especially towards the end. But adrien couldn't bring himself to forgive him. He wanted to keep being angry, it was justified. But he also wanted to love him, like a son should.
“Plagg, claws out,” he said. And the next second cat snort was jumping out the window. He didn't quite know where he was going. He didn't want to stay.
He figured he could leap throughout the city until he let out all of his pent out feelings. Go check on the one person he could always rely on, someone he was sure he loved. Marrinette dupan chang.
Of course he wouldn't actually talk to her as chat noir, that would be a bridge too far, but he would be able to see her. Make sure she is ok. It'd help him calm down. But he was always a bad liar.
As soon as he got to Dupan-Chang bakery, he landed on her balcony. He took a seat. Lay there and release a breath. Took a few seconds to calm himself, looked through her window. He knew it was creepy, he wanted to see her sleeping, to see her alive.
He hated to say it but his fathers death made him paranoid, he was now worried about everyone else in his life sharing that fate , and Marionette would be the most likely to. Out of everyone he knew she was the clumsiest, she always found herself at the scene of an akumatization as well. She was incredible.
Despite her anxieties and her clumsyness, she was the most social person, she could befriend anyone. She was incredibly kind, she always knew what to say. She was creative, reliable despite her lack of time management. He knew he was lucky to have her.
He didn't see her. A pang of panic shot through his heart, he jumped to the side of the building, looking through another window. And thankfully she was in there, so was Alya. Marionette was talking to Alya who was on the sofa, practically falling asleep, with her usual amount of enthusiasm.
Oh thank god the thought. That should have been it, he should have been able to leave now, but he didn't . He stayed and he waited. After a few minutes she stopped with a sigh,alya was asleep now. And she was climbing up her stairs, probably going to sleep.
He could go now, he climbed back up to the balcony. When he saw her there, she didn't go to sleep. She had a journal in her lap and was biting her pen. She had a deer in headlights look when she saw him and instantly shut her journal. “Hello?’” she asked panicked
“Hello… sorry if i scared you,” he said.
“Oh it's fine, what uh are you doing here? She asked, her voice returning to her normal sweet voice
“Im just out, I couldn't sleep” he said timidly
“Oh, is everything ok? Sorry! Im overspeeping arnt i?”
He releases a soft smile “no its ok, its just–im trying to figure out how i feel about someone” he says, leaning against her balcony, looking back up to the sky
“ oh, that's ok, there's a lot of people I don't know how to feel about,” she admits casually. Adrien knew he shouldn't be surprised, it was normal after all but marionette seemed so– nice. She seemed to like most everyone she ever met, except a few people, like Chloe. He knew she hated chloe
“Really? Sorry– but you seem to like everyone, i know we don't know each other that well, but I don't think I've ever met someone as sweet as you” he says
Marrinatee gives him an odd look “you remember me? From when we took down Evilistater?”
“Yea,kinda. It's not everyday the only thing an akumatized villain wants is a date, I also remember how smart you were and badass,” he said. “ And there was also when we helped each other get over people, and got hunted by Glaceater, and our grandma got akumatized. And there was also that other villain that looked for you. I forget his name. Anyways, ive seen you more than i see other civilians” he stopped realizing he probably said too much
“I guess you do, don't you? “ she paused “ can I tell you something? I feel like if I tell the person I want to hell get akumatized, and i dont want that…but i don't know who else to tell”, she asked, looking more nervous than he'd ever seen her, not her normal nervous a sad kind
“Sure, what is it” he tried his best to sound neutral, he didn't want to make her change her mind about telling him
“Well, you know my boyfriend Adrian? His dad died and– i, everyone thinks hes such a nice guy, he gave his life to save paris and all, but he was such an asshole when he was alive. I know I should get over it, but I don't think him–doing that should negate everything bad he did. Sorry it's random I know but. I can't get over it. You know he tried to give me money,an opportunity to break up with Adrien– he wanted him to be with Kagami. He thought I wasn't good enough for him.” she said he voice getting progressively quieter
“He did?!” he asked a bit too angrily for a random third party “sorry, i just cant believe someone could be so–cruel. Your an incredible girl Marinette, anyone would be lucky to have you” he smiles
“Thanks cat, and I know but– I can't stand people talking so kindly about him. I mean, I get Adrien– that's his dad,but it still feels weird to hear people praise him when all he was— well to me , was cruel and cold.”
“No no I get it.i—The person I'm thinking of is the same, everyone seems to love him but he was horrible to me. For a long time. He changed but i dont— I can't forgive him. Its stupid but i dont want to like him but i know i shouldn't hate him either ” he confesses
“You should feel how you want.” she says blankly “ i tried to see the best in chloe for years, even when she was bullying me relentlessly but it didn't do any good. I guess it's not the same, she's not changed, she's still—just Chloe. But no one gets to tell you what you feel is wrong” she comforts with her signature smile
“ thank you Marrinatte, I can see why everyone loves you”
She chuckles “thats not true, but thank you”
“No, they do” he insists
“Mhm, what about chloe, or lila, or gabriel Agreste, or–”
“Well, like you said, chloe is a bully, and gabriel – is just a dick, lila is a prolific lier, i dont think her opinions should concern you” he says confidently
“ What about you, everyone loves catnoir,” she says like its the most obvious thing in the world
“Yeah, I guess they do, but they love Ladybug more”
“ i dont, i think i like you more than i like ladybug right now” she says, something sad in her voice
“Thank you martinette i appreciate it” he says eagerly "especially from you, youre— one of my favorite civilians" he says trying not to sound suspicious. Cat noir shouldn't know her, he reminded himself.
She snorted a laugh"You keep a list of your favorite civilians?"
“Well no, but you're my favorite. She gave him an odd look " I'm just saying, you're a great designer, your friends adore you, you're brave, and smart. Just a great person, one of the best I've met"
“Thank you Chatnoir, your pretty incredible too," she smiles
" –I should get going, it'll be mourning soon. I'm supposed to go out with friends tomorrow– or I guess today.Bye Marinette”
" Bye bye, have fun cat noir” she waves him away
He was right, seeing her did help. It solidified that Gabriel was horrible. How could he make her think she wasn't good enough?
He understands why she didn't want to tell him– him as in Adrien. It was upsetting, he wouldn't let himself get akumatized over this. But he'd never forgive Gabriel .