Chapter Text
Marinette liked her partner just fine. Chat was dependable, kind, and even occasionally funny. She would never tell him that, but she had no problem admitting it to herself.
When her partner, however, decided the best way to spend his time was pleading on her balcony to be let in, she was less inclined to acknowledge his positive qualities.
“Please Marinette, just let me in! I'm trying to protect you!”
Cue eye roll. “I'd consider it if I was actively in danger. But I'm not, so please, I have work to do.” Marinette understood where he was coming from, she really did; ever since Adam's outburst at school, she had been on edge about a possible akuma attack. How her partner knew, she had no idea, but if Adam was akumatized she needed to make sure Chat wasn't around so she could transform.
“What's more important than your safety, Princess?” Chat’s eyes were wide, or it could just be the close proximity to the glass. His face was practically smashed against the door, and she was definitely going to have to clean smudge marks off that later. Sigh.
“Working in the bakery, apparently.” Marinette cocked out a hip, her arms crossed. Really, it was flattering Chat Noir would go to such lengths to protect her even out of costume. To him, he was just trying to be proactive in protecting a civilian. It was one of the reasons she adored him as a partner, but that didn't mean she was going to give in.
“You're not going to let me in, are you,” his voice was strangely flat, and Marinette narrowed her eyes. He was up to something, but Marinette didn’t know what. Yet.
“Sorry kitty, but no. If I'm actually in danger, you're welcome to save me.” Or at least try. “Until then, though, I'm sure there's someone else who could use your superb bodyguard skills.”
Chat’s eyes narrowed in contemplation before going suspiciously blank, a grin suddenly plastered on his face. “Well, I tried. See you around Princess!” Before Marinette could even open her mouth he was gone, leaving her blinking at the smudged and foggy splotch on her glass door where he just stood.
Oh well. She really did have work to do. She promised her parents she would help with the register today since they had a large order to bake for, and she- ding. The bell chimed from the door downstairs and Marinette's heart nearly stopped.
He wouldn't. He was a crazy cat, but not that crazy. He-
He totally would. He really totally would, and Marinette took off in a run downstairs with a feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach.
And on that day, Marinette learned the lengths Chat would go to protect someone. She wanted to bang her head against the wall as she watched from the doorway as Chat sheepishly greeted her parents, an apologetic smile on his face as he met her eyes. Damn cat.
“Marinette, you didn't tell us you’re friends with a superhero!” Her mother's voice twinkled through the air between them, a smile on her face that clearly showed her excitement at having one half of Paris’ famous duo in her bakery. Marinette's eye twitched. He knew she wouldn't be able to deny him if her parents thought she was in trouble, he just knew it.
“Well, we're not really- I mean, I'm really just here to protect Marinette.” Chat’s voice broke through to her and she looked toward him; he was looking at her with a pleading look in his eye, almost begging her to accept his protection. She sighed, closing her eyes and tried to gather her patience. He was just trying to do his best at what he thought was his duty to protect a “helpless” civilian. It was almost sweet, if it wasn't happening to her.
“Protect? Marinette, sweetheart, what's going on?” Now it was her father's booming voice filled with worry, and she couldn't just stand in the doorway any longer.
“Mama, Papa, there's really nothing to worry about. Someone was angry at me today in class and he left. That's really all that happened.”
“But I have it on good authority that boy looked angry enough to be infested with an akuma, and I wouldn't be able to rest tonight thinking I let an innocent girl be in danger.” It sounded like Chat was trying to sound inexplicably valiant, but she could hear the tilt of honesty in his voice.
“How thoughtful of you, son. Although I think this ol’ man could put up a good fight in the name of his daughter,” Her father sniffed, puffing up his chest.
“Papa, you’re not even old.”
“Still!”
Chat’s laugh interrupted them, “I’m paw-sitive that you could, sir, but I’d still like to be around to lend a hand.”
“Oh, I like him.” Marinette and her mother shared an exasperated look as her father laughed heartily at an admittedly awful pun while it looked like Marinette would just have to accept that this was how her day was going to go.
“You’re enjoying this way too much.” Marinette had been standing behind the counter for a good five minutes, trying to make sense of what she was seeing; never in her life did she expect she would see Chat Noir, crime fighter of Paris, in an apron in the middle of her parents’ bakery, serving guests with a giddy smile.
Chat tossed the rag he was wiping a table down with across his shoulder, sending her a wink, “You’re just upset I look so good in an apron.”
Marinette snorted. “Sure, that’s it. I have a feeling you were more in on this for the cookies my parents have been giving you than protecting me.”
“You wound me, Princess. Your safety is of the utmost importance to me.” He leaned over the counter, arms crossed and elbows pressing into the glass confection case. “Though, the cookies have been great. Your parents are amazing bakers. Do you take after them?” There was a mischievous glint in his eye, but there was always a mischievous glint in his eye.
“A little, yeah. It’s hard for something like that to not rub off on you; I’ve been raised in this bakery, practically.” Marinette nabbed the cloth off his shoulder, wiping the glass around him to avoid looking in his eyes. This was uncomfortably close to home, even if Chat didn’t know he was secretly learning more about Ladybug. She had wanted to keep their superhero and civilian lives separate, but it was hard to stay less than personal when he was standing in front of her like that. Especially when he wouldn’t know why Marinette the Civilian was being so secretive about her life.
“It doesn’t sound like it’s your passion, though,” Chat commented, head tilted to the side, watching as she cleaned the invisible smudges off the counter.
Marinette was quiet for a moment, listening to the sound of the bell chiming as the last customer left, still giggling and looking over her shoulder while whispering to her companion presumably about why a superhero was hanging out in a bakery. “No, not really. Baking is an art in itself, but I prefer design.”
There was a satisfied smile on his face, probably from managing to get something like that out of Marinette. So long as it wasn’t anything that could relate her back to Ladybug, she supposed it wouldn’t hurt to talk to him, like this. Just a little bit. “What kind of design?”
“Fashion, mostly. I…” Well, if she was going to be honest, she might as well go all out. “I love clothes. Not in a… A snobbish way, I guess, but because it’s one of the easiest forms of expression. You can be who you want in clothes. I like being able to design based on that.”
His smile had turned a little softer, and Marinette had to look away. She was used to being the center of his attention as Ladybug, but it was… Different without the mask. Overwhelming. She wasn’t used to being overwhelmed by Chat Noir of all people. “Yeah? I would love to see some of your designs! I bet they’re purr-fect.”
She rolled her eyes and looked up at him, causing that grin to get wider, before tossing the cloth at his head. He caught it easily, leaning his chin into the fist that caught it. “I’m serious!”
“I don’t think you can be serious, kitty.”
“What? I so can. I’m the most serious of serious peo-” CRASH.
There was a loud commotion coming from outside, the ground trembling slightly under their feet. Marinette and Chat stared at each other, confused, for only a second before Chat was whipping around, tearing off his apron, and running outside. “Stay here! Don’t come outside!” Well, it looks like he was right. She wasn’t going to live that one down.
As soon as he was out the door, Marinette started running toward the stairs, but was caught by her parents rushing out of the kitchen to the front at the sound. “Marinette! What was that?” Her mother looked up at her with worried eyes, catching her daughter in a hug and sent a concerned glance outside. “Is Chat Noir out there? Did that boy come?”
“Yes he ran straight out there. I guess he must have,” Marinette’s mind was racing, trying to figure out a way to convince her parents to leave her alone so she could transform. Chat didn’t need to be facing anything alone, and time was ticking.
“Marinette, I want you to go to your room and lock the door. Your father and I will make sure nothing comes up there.” Her mom took her by the shoulders, and Marinette was torn; this was technically perfect, but she didn’t feel right leaving her parents between her and an akuma.
Mistaking her hesitation for fear, her dad placed a comforting hand on her head, one arm wrapped around her mother’s shoulders. “Do what your mother says, sweetheart. We won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Marinette steeled herself, nodding quickly and giving both her parents a hug before taking off up the stairs. She would just have to defeat this akuma before it even came near her parents. Shutting and locking her door behind her, Tikki finally burst out of her purse, “Wow, Marinette, your parents sure are brave. They love you so much.”
“I know, Tikki. But now it’s our turn to be brave. Tikki, spots on!”
There was a trail of wreckage leading away from the bakery, pieces of buildings missing as if they had been dissolved. Marinette swung as fast as she could following the destruction, straining her ears for the sound of a fight in hopes her partner was okay. She had faith in his capacity to hold his own, but they were always better together. By each other’s side, they were nearly impossible to take down. And that way she could watch her partner’s back, just like she could depend on him to watch hers. They had to protect each other, because they were the only ones who really could.
She was finally within sight of the fight, spotting Chat using his staff to fend off what looked like a wrestler on steroids. His muscles seemed impossibly exaggerated for his frame, straining against black and white latex lab coat. There was an atomic symbol on the front of the outfit, and Marinette knew it was Adam from class earlier. Her heart dropped; it was so hard to grasp she had hurt someone enough to make them susceptible to an akuma. First Max, now Adam…
Marinette shook her head, clearing her thoughts. She couldn’t afford to be distracted now. She had to focus, or someone else could end up hurt. Dropping in a few feet behind Chat Noir, she swung her yo-yo in enough time to deter a fist coming down towards her partner. “Looks like a party! Mind if I join?”
“Ladybug! Wouldn’t be a party without you, My Lady.” Chat grinned at her over his shoulder, jumping back towards her as the akumatized villain realized there was two of them now. “Careful, don’t let him grab you. From what I can tell, he’s absorbing the atoms of whatever he holds onto for long enough to make himself more dense. Really packs a punch, too.” Chat rubbed his jaw for emphasis, and Marinette winced in sympathy.
“Don’t let him grab you, got it. Watch out!” Marinette moved suddenly, grabbing her partner’s hand and swinging them out of the way of an incoming car the villain had tossed their way.
Adam let out a frustrated yell, “Stay still so I can get this over with! I have someone I need to see about a test.” He swung his head around, searching for where they went.
“You don’t have to do this Adam! You need to calm down,” Chat shouted towards the villain from their vantage point on top of one of the buildings surrounding Adam.
“I’m The Atom now! And I do have to do this! I have to get revenge!”
“It’s no use, Chat. We have to find what he’s getting his power from and stop this before anyone gets hurt.”
“I think it’s the paper in his pocket; I think it’s a test he must have failed.” Marinette scanned the villain with her eyes, finding the breast pocket on the lab coat like Chat mentioned. She tried to think of a way to combat someone who wouldn't easily be knocked off his feet, but he was only surrounded by buildings; there wasn't anything to use as leverage to pull him up.
“Uh, My Lady, not to rush genius, but if you have a plan you might want to share it because our new friend is about to get up close and personal.” Marinette's eyes followed to where Chat was pointing, widening when she spotted The Atom at the bottom of the building absorbing the atoms of the bricks. The building began rumbling, becoming increasingly unstable, and they had to move. Now.
“We can't let him absorb this whole building or we'll never stop him! Chat, distract him! I'll get the test!” Chat nodded and catapulted off the building with his staff.
“Gotta get down there quick! But how can I overpower him…” Marinette swung down to the ground skidding to stop before her heart skipped a beat. Not even twenty feet in front of her, Chat Noir was teasing The Atom by swiftly dodging all of his punches but Marinette could see the feint to the right before The Atom lunged forward, grabbing Chat by the shoulders.
“Chat, no!” Panic struck her almost immobile, fear nearly closing up her throat. Marinette began rushing forward at The Atom’s laugh, overpowering Chat’s shout of pain.
“Ladybug, don’t! I've got this,” Chat looked back at her with a wink that ended in a wince of pain. She could see his edges blurring, as if he was being erased.
“It looks like I'm the one who has you, you stupid cat! You won't be around much longer. I can feel you disappearing and boy does it feel good! I can’t wait to come for you next Ladybug and then that little witch fro-”
“Hey! Your speech is absolutely paw-ful especially since you forgot one thing! Cataclysm!” Marinette saw the glowing hand shoot out, slightly dimmer than usual but hopefully it'll work please please work, grabbing the lab coat and causing the fabric to dissolve. She saw the paper floating toward the ground, freed from the pocket.
Marinette saw her chance, rushing forward as The Atom let out a shrieking, “NO!” and let go of Chat who fell in an exhausted heap on the ground. Marinette flung out her yo-yo, wrapping around The Atom's wrist. Too heavy, can't budge him. Marinette thought quickly before he could use her momentum against her and used his weight as a way to pull herself forward faster. She slid past him at the very last second, grabbing the paper out of the air right as his hand clamped down on her hair. Ignoring the sudden yank of pain, she ripped the paper in two, freeing the akuma from its tool and cleansing it faster than she ever had.
Marinette let out a sigh of relief, looking over to where Chat was stretching into a stand. He strolled over to her, and she soaked up the image of him being okay, alive, he's fine now.
“Ladybug? Are you okay?” Chat was looking at her, his fist hanging limp in the air.
“Oh, yeah, sorry.” She lifted her fist to meet his, lamely finishing their end of battle tradition. “You better get going, Chat. Your time is about to run out.”
“Oh, shoot! I still had something I needed to do…” She barely caught what he said before he was saluting her with a brief goodbye and taking off for the rooftops.
Marinette had rushed back to her house to sneak in through her bedroom right before her parents had come knocking on her door, announcing the news had reported the akumatized villain was safely taken care of and she was safe now. She had hugged them and thanked them for their protection, before they insisted she take the rest of the night off to rest after such excitement; they were going to have to push the order to the next day anyway since they lost so much time with the attack. She didn't even try to argue, physically but mostly emotionally exhausted. Having Chat so close to her identity and watching as he fade before her eyes was just too much, especially after her devastating realization of bringing about two akuma within a week of each other. She was supposed to be a leader to her peers, not be the person who brought them down. Especially so down they get turned into supervillains. Talk about a reality check. She couldn’t believe this happened not once, but twice. She really needed to start thinking more about the consequences of her actions or she could hurt even more of her peers. She should know better than anyone the dangers of being mean to others, even if it was unintentional; the truth was, you never know what your peers might be going through.
Marinette groaned, hiding her face into the pillow she had been hugging against her chest. “I’m the worst.”
“Don't get yourself down, Marinette! Everyone makes mistakes.” Tikki said, patting Marinette's knee from where she was curled up on her bed.
“I know, but I just seem to make an awful lot of them lately.” Every time she turned around it was as if she was messing up somehow.
“You're still learning! The way you grow is to learn from every day! The more mistakes you make, the more opportunity to have to learn!” Marinette looked up beneath her bangs, begrudgingly smiling at Tikki’s beaming little face. She was about to lift her hand to cup Tikki for a small hug but the kwami heard a thump from the balcony and immediately zipped under the bed to hide. Marinette was momentarily stunned, before looking up toward the glass trap door and understanding.
Because for the second time that day, she saw her partner standing on her balcony, ready to be let in.