"Ugh," Marinette stretched vocally. Her body leaned forward as the essay she had been adding to for the past hour stared back at her, seemingly mocking her.

Tikki leaned back herself as she stretched her tiny kwami legs across Marinette's essay. "You're almost done, Marinette!"

The girl nodded, grabbing the pencil once more. "I have one more paragraph left." The pencil tapped across her lips but then tumbled downwards, banging along her computer desk. Marinette rolled herself backwards before standing up. "I need a break. My brain is screaming at me to stop." A giggle escaped her lips and then was joined by a higher pitched voice.

"You deserve it, Marinette!" Tikki took flight and swirled around her chosen.

Hands were placed along her hips as Marinette stood in thought. "I think I'm going to grab a snack and then maybe a walk is required?"

Tikki nodded. "May I please have a chocolate chip cookie?" She giggled while wiggling in midair from Marinette's teasing fingers.

"Of course! Come on!" Marinette held open her purse and climbed down the stairs, making a beeline for the kitchen.

"Hi honey," Sabine greeted as her daughter hustled past. Herself and her husband were busy preparing pastries for the next day of sales. The cookie tray rested down on the counter and she removed her oven mitts. "Where are you off to in a hurry?"

Without even asking, Marinette dove for the cookies, taking care to grab an extra for her sweet toothed kwami. "I'm just going for a walk as a nice break from my essay."

"Sounds wonderful!" Sabine's smiling face shrunk as a finger pointed towards the window. "But please be careful. It's dark out now. Just go around the block."

Marinette simply nodded and placed a light kiss on her Mom's cheek. "Of course Mom! I'll be back before you know it!" Before her Mom could change her mind, Marinette took a few large steps towards the front door and without looking back, she slid through the doorway. With a click behind her, Marinette inhaled a large breath and rested her back on the door. The night air had a slightly cool feel to it that was immensely freeing. One could only be crammed inside for so long.

Tikki popped her head out of Marinette's purse and followed suit, head tilted back, sniffing the air. "It feels so nice to be outside, doesn't it?"

Marinette grinned down at her kwami. "It sure does!" She handed off one of the cookies and within seconds, a teeny bite was taken from the baked good. Marinette lightly sniffed her cookie. Her mouth watered and a larger bite was taken from it. Freshly baked cookies were the best!

The two girls walked slowly down the street. The streets were car free and the wind ceased to exist. It was the perfect night! Marinette's head peered up in relaxation but a disappointed frown appeared on her face. "Sucks there's no stars tonight."

Tikki leaned her head back too and agreed. "Look at all the clouds!"

They turned the corner of the block and Marinette jumped out of her skin. "Tikki, what was that?" Her body stiffened at the repeated cracking noise.

"Sounds like thunder," The kwami merely replied.

Marinette chewed her lip. "We better finish up this walk before we get soaked."

The two picked up speed and turned another corner. Their walk was halfway complete. A strange thumping sound emitted into the air and Marinette paused again, despite Tikki telling her to continue before it rained.

"Shh, Tikki." Her voice shook as she spun in a circle to ensure no one was coming up behind her. "There's someone following me."

Tikki's eyes widened as she ducked into the purse.

Marinette's heart thumped at the sound again. "W-Who's out there?" she cried out loud, spinning around. Her arms and legs were bent, highly resembling her Ladybug battle pose. Another gruffer sounding huff sounded like it came from behind her.

"Eeep!" she shrieked and ducked behind a wall as if to hide from her perpetrator. Her breathing was heavy now and it became harder to hide. A hand was placed over her lips to keep as quiet as possible. She stuck her head out from behind the wall, hoping to see nothing.

A familiar beep sound echoed the alley and filled her ears. Marinette's head turned upwards and to her shocked eyes, a black shadow was performing flips. Thanks to her squinting eyes, she learned that it wasn't a horrible man following her. Marinette exhaled in relief. Her eyes squinted harder in an attempt to get a better look. Just what was her partner doing?

His body spun around as his staff grew and shrunk on his command, lifting him up into the air and back down onto the rooftops. His breathing was heavy and little grunts danced in the night sky. The staff even became a temporary helicopter a few times.

A shriek escaped Marinette's lips at another thunder crackling across the sky. Chat Noir stopped his movements and searched around below him. Marinette waved to him, pretending she did not just scream due to mere thunder.

His eyes widened and with a click of his staff, he lowered himself in front of her. "Well good evening!"

"What were you doing?" Marinette placed her hands on her hips.

"Wouldn't you like to know," Chat winked. "Were you enjoying the view?"

Marinette watched his eyes travel down her body until they hit her hand. Rolling her eyes, she lifted the cookie up in front of his nose. "It's chocolate chip. Want it?"

A pout formed on his face and he gave his version of the puppydog eyes a try. "But it's bitten into."

"It's all I got," she told him. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Take it or leave it."

A small growl emitted from his stomach and he chuckled, holding out his hand. "I guess my stomach wants me to take it." It landed in his hand and he took a small bite. "Thanks Princess."

Slightly cringing from his choice of a nickname, she could only manage a small eye roll. Another crack of thunder echoed throughout the alley and to her dismay, Marinette flinched, shrinking into herself. The second she realized what she was doing, she immediately straightened her shoulders, hoping Chat Noir didn't notice. Uneasy eyes watched his expression.

"It sounds like it's going to rain soon," Chat stated. He extended his staff and stretched out his hand to her. "A girl like you shouldn't be out here in the dark."

"I'm perfectly fine, Chat Noir." Marinette didn't take his hand but instead walked out of the alley and back onto the main street.

"At least let me take you home so I know you're safe." Chat followed her, keeping his arm elongated.

Marinette waved him off. "It's okay. You continue… whatever it was you were doing." She took a few steps forward. "I've just got a few more minutes until I'm-" Her words were cut off from a wet splotch that hit her forehead. Looking upwards, a few more smacked her right in the face. She swiped them dry with her shirt's sleeve.

Chat Noir waved his hand out in front of her. "Come on, it's started raining."

Marinette stood there, considering it for a moment but found it unnecessary. The last thing she needed was his ego to be boosted from 'saving a damsel' or something equally ridiculous. "Chat Noir I'm-"

The rain's volume increased and soon the two were smothered by the drops. Marinette wiped her bangs back and they were sticking to her forehead perfectly. Before she could protest, her body was lifted in the air and she found herself being catapulted through the night sky towards her house.

Within seconds, the two landed on her balcony. Marinette instantly ran for cover under her little tarp. She waved at Chat who was still standing out in the pouring rain. "Get under here! You're getting soaked!"

Chat scoffed, swishing his soggy bangs to the side in order to see properly. "This cat is not scared of a little water."

"You're going to get sick." She shot him a dumbfounded look. "Get under here."

"Don't worry about me, Princess," he assured her. "I was heading home anyhow." He turned around and extended his staff.

"Chat Noir!"

The sound of her voice was urgent. Marinette did not want her partner to do anything stupid. For all she knew, he'd continue his gymnastics out in the pouring rain. "Please…" Her words faltered at what she was about to say. "Please... come inside. At least until the rain stops."

His ear twitched as he turned around to look at her in wonder. "You're offering me to come inside?"

"Yes" she hissed, clenching her now chilled sides in hopes he'd just cooperate before she changed her mind.

A small smile was planted on his face and his eyes softened. "I'll take you up on that offer." He approached the tarp and took up some room underneath it. "Thank you."

Marinette wiped her bangs out of her eyes again and squeezed each pigtail to remove the water weight. A small giggle escaped her mouth at the sight of the two of them. "The rain sure got us, didn't it?"

Chat chuckled and shook his hair roughly, spraying water droplets in all directions. "I'd say we were pretty furtunate we're under this tarp right meow." He played with his bangs some more and posed like a model against the wall. "I still look purrfect even with wet hair, wouldn't you agree?"

Marinette stared at him with lowered eyes and her mouth wide open in disbelief. "Did you really just use three puns at once?"

"What can I say, I'm quite the catch, wouldn't you say?" He casually crossed his legs as his back reclined along the wall.

Marinette paused for a moment, speechless. "That's it." She lifted the glass of her skylight and raised her eyebrows at him. "You're staying outside." She slid a leg through and sat down along the edge of the hole, preparing to slide down onto her bed.

"Me-ouch!"

Chat Noir followed her inside and landed on her bed… a little too close for Marinette's liking.

"Careful Chat Noir," she leaned away from him.

"Sorry." His hand reached up to fully close the skylight. "One can only handle so much water." He shook his hair again. "That was a water overload."

Marinette climbed down her ladder and observed the amount of water that was draining from her body and rolling all over her flooring. "I'm going to get some towels out of the closet." Without another word, she ran off.

The linen closet being out in the hall allowed her to be back in a flash. When she returned, Chat Noir was standing in the middle of her floor, leaking water.

"I didn't know where else to stand." His hand rubbed the back of his neck. "I figured soaking your bed was worse."

Marinette threw a towel at his face, playfully sticking her tongue out at him. "Much worse." The towel soaked up the water with little to no effort and with only a few pats and squeezes, Marinette's hair was no longer a sopping mess. Her clothes however, were a loss. She needed to change… but how was she supposed to do that with Chat Noir in her room? She shrugged. That's what the bathroom was for right?

"Hey Chat Noir," she began, digging through her closet for a fresh pair of pjs that covered more of her body. Every item in her wardrobe was modest but even short shorts were deemed inappropriate when your male partner was in the same vicinity. "I'm going to change in the bathroom okay?" She leaned her head over her shoulder to view his response.

His head was swallowed up by the towel that was violently moving back and forth. The movement stopped and his head popped out to look at her. "Sure. I'm still drying."

Marinette skipped to the bathroom and changed as quickly as she could. Not that she didn't trust Chat Noir but having him in her room alone sent shivers down her spine. Her wet clothes were tossed into the laundry room roughly but she skidded to a halt. Her Mom didn't know she was home yet! Marinette charged to the front of the bakery where her Mom and Dad were hard at work.

"Hey Mom," she called out. "I'm home!"

Sabine popped her head out from around the corner. "Hi honey! Thanks for letting me know." She peered out the window. "It began raining and I was worried you were out there."

Marinette chuckled awkwardly. "Well, I got caught in it a bit but I'm okay. I'm dry." She watched her Mom gently add some fresh cookies in the bakery display and knew this was a busy time for her parents. "I'm going to bed now."

"Okay dear."

Marinette was pulled into a hug and planted a kiss on her mom's cheek. She received a kiss back and then peeked her head into the kitchen for a quick kiss exchange with her Dad too. Her heart stalled when she remembered Chat Noir was up in her room ALONE. She bit her lip and gritted her teeth. What if he tried to read her diary or saw something embarrassing?

Her feet marched up the stairs faster than they ever had before. The trapdoor slammed on the wood and Marinette yanked her head up to see the trouble she was in.

Chat Noir was studying all of the photos of Adrien around her desk.

ANYTHING BUT THAT!

"Chat Noir!" she shouted in anger. Her cheeks sparked in flame as he turned around at her with an innocent expression on his face. She was not buying it. Some teasing comment was bound to come within seconds. She placed her hands on her hips. "Quit snooping in my room!"

He jumped away from the wall with his hands raised. "I wasn't!"

Marinette's face was crimson but she did her best to act like it didn't bother her. "L-Let's do something while we wait for the rain to stop." Distraction was always best in these types of situations.

Chat simply nodded in response and walked towards her.

Marinette braced herself but he had made no comment about it yet. She raised a suspicious eye at her nosy partner. It wasn't like him to stay quiet about things.

"Thanks for allowing me to stay over."

Marinette blinked twice. Did she hear him right?

"Uh… sorry, what?" She misheard him. She must have!

"Thanks for allowing me to stay over," Chat repeated. "You didn't have to. It's very kind of you." His ears twitched. "It sounds very nasty out there."

Marinette's guard lowered at his kind tone. "Oh… well that's no problem."

Chat grinned at her. "Do you have cards? Or we could watch a movie?" He gasped happily. "Or we could have a pillow fight!"

"A pillow fight?" Marinette chuckled at his silly idea. A hand was placed over her lips as she giggled loudly at his expression.

"Yeah!" He waved his arms in the air. "They always do that at sleepovers!"

"That's true," she agreed. Her heart stalled at what Chat had just said. Were they having a… sleepover? How could she have a sleepover with her partner!? A male no less! That was extremely inappropriate! She shook her head. No, they weren't having a sleepover. Chat Noir was just staying over until it stopped raining! Sighing, she rolled her shoulders back a bit. They were still bugging her from her hunching over her essay.

…

Her essay! She had completely forgotten about it!

It was too late now but at least she started it early so there were still a few more days before its due date appeared. "Why don't we do something more calm?"

Chat huffed, smirking at Marinette. "Okay, have it your way." His tone caused a tongue to stick out his way. He paused, hand on his chin.

She watched him intently, waiting for a response. What was that crazy cat thinking of now? Marinette almost feared to know the answer to that.

"Why not just watch a movie to calm down and warm up?" he suggested, pointing to her computer.

Marinette nodded her head and turned to face her computer. "Sure, sounds good to me." Her footsteps came to a stop when she realized she left her desktop screen on. Palms began to gather moisture and her heart rate increased the longer her eyes were glued to all the photos of her crush surrounded in unlimited pink hearts. She had never clicked on Google Chrome fast enough. "Um…" She clicked a few times to pull up Netflix, keeping her back towards her partner. It was all she could do to calm down from her mini panic attack. "Wha...what…" Her foot tapped gently on her wooden floor. "W-What types of movies do you like?"

"Romance."

She could hear his smirk forming on his face, causing her to groan.

"What types of movies do you actually like?"

Chat took a moment to respond and Marinette prepared for another joke.

"Anything I guess. Action, Adventure, Horror-"

"Please not horror!" Marinette cried out before she could stop herself. Her shoulders rose to her ears and she began shaking.

Chat Noir merely laughed. "We don't have to watch horror if you don't want to."

Marinette scoffed, a little chuckle emitting from her throat. "I mean… horror movies are… lame." She inwardly cringed. Chat Noir would never buy that. She was such a bad liar.

"Why don't you pick the movie?"

Her heartbeat lowered to a more manageable rhythm at the kindness in his words. His voice was calm and as smooth as glass.

"O-Oh." It was like a snap of her fingers and suddenly she was self conscious. What if he didn't like the movie she chose or thought it was lame? Those thoughts were drained from her mind as she squeezed her eyes tightly. Why should she care? This was Chat Noir! Not someone like Adrien!

A few scrolls down the movie selections and her body turned around to see Chat posed, sitting casually on her chaise. One leg crossed over the other and his arms were folded behind his neck. She almost lost her footing from his intense stare at her.

"Um," she began, practically forgetting what she was going to say. "How about this one?"

Chat Noir sat up, studying the movie that was highlighted. He hummed. "Back to the Future?"

Marinette's mouth opened up as she began to briefly explain the plot of the movie but Chat hushed her, smiling at her in approval. "I've never seen this one before," he admitted, folding his legs criss-crossed. "But people say it's good."

Marinette grinned. "It is good. It's about time travel so if you're into that kind of thing, you'll like it."

Fluffy blankets were thrown on top of Chat Noir. He watched Marinette gather some pillows as well before throwing another blanket on top of him. "I think we have plenty of blankets," he joked, smirking at her.

Marinette tossed a pillow that would have hit him square in the face if it weren't for his quick superhero reflexes.

The lights were turned off and Marinette swiftly pressed play. She found a comfortable seat on her chaise but took great care in keeping a nice space in between the two of them. Chat didn't seem to notice. His focus was on the screen.

Flashing lights reflected off the pair's faces as they stared in bewilderment at the computer in front of them. The movie kept Marinette's attention for a good half hour. She found herself laughing multiple times throughout. She forgot how great this movie was!

Her mind was pulled from the plot as the feeling of someone staring at her burned. She turned her head.

"What?"

Chat grinned from ear to ear. "Snack break?"

Marinette furrowed her eyebrows. "Now? But the movie just started."

The toothy grin continued as she rolled her eyes back. "Fine, what would you like?"

Chat hummed in thought. "Popcorn?"

"Popcorn?" Marinette chuckled, smirking at the boy. "Just lame old popcorn?" She gave him a playful shove in the shoulder. "That's not like you, Chat Noir."

His leg casually crossed the other and flexed his fingers. "Popcorn is the classic sleepover snack, is it not?"

There was the word again. Marinette's voice faltered as her eyes averted his gaze. He didn't think this was a… sleepover… did he?

"I… I guess!" She forced a smile through her teeth and stood up. "I'll make us some popcorn then." Her eyes did not leave Chat as she took a few steps towards her trapdoor. Her lips smushed together. "Just uh, stay there and I'll be back very soon!" she instructed, opening up the door. She'd personally kill that cat if he snooped around her room. She'd just have to be quick!

Marinette hurried as fast as she could, wiggling back and forth on the spot. The microwave was so slow! To her relief, the popcorn began popping in no time.

"Marinette?"

She whipped her head around and it hit her. She was supposed to be in bed. "Oh, uh, hi Mom!"

"I thought you were going to bed?" Sabine questioned, watching the popcorn bag inflate.

"Oh, right." Marinette let out a nervous giggle and tugged on one of her pigtails. "I just got um… hungry! So I decided to make popcorn."

Sabine smiled, placing a mixing bowl down on the kitchen counter. "Alright but make sure you brush your teeth again after."

Marinette nodded, feeling her cheeks warm up from her attempt at lying. "Got it Mom!"

The microwave beeped and ever so carefully, the popcorn bag was torn open. The smell of buttery goodness wafted into the air as the puffed pieces were poured into a large pink bowl.

Marinette kissed her Mom on the cheek and raced back upstairs before Chat Noir could do any more snooping.

Slamming the trapdoor against the wood flooring again, Marinette skipped a few steps and practically jumped into her room.

"Chat Noir!"

The sheer volume of her voice must have made him jump, because Chat flew a few feet into the air before landing back down on her chaise. "Marinette!" He hopped to his feet in alarm. "Is everything alright?"

Her heart began to settle down at the realization that the entire time, Chat hadn't even moved from his spot. A large breath flew through her lips. "Sorry yeah, everything's fine."

"Okay…" His tone indicated that he didn't really believe her but nevertheless leaned back into his original spot, eyes sparkling at Marinette's hands as she took her seat back.

Marinette watched as Chat Noir tipped his head back, sniffing the air a few times. With a chuckle, she passed the bowl to him and a large clawed hand scooped up the buttery pieces the second the bowl touched the chaise. Marinette wasn't necessarily hungry but it was clear that someone else was. Her eyes watched from the side as Chat Noir politely held the food in his hand and placed it in his mouth, piece by piece. Her mouth parted slightly in surprise by her partner's manners. She half expected him to shovel it in.

The movie resumed playing and the pair both concentrated on what was in front of them. They sat still, fully enjoying the movie. Marinette didn't hold back and openly laughed at various scenes while Chat remained quiet, simply observing.

He dug his paw into the bowl to only come in contact with the plastic of the bowl. With a slight disappointed frown on his face, he retracted his hand, bumping into something slightly warmer.

A quiet gasp shook him out of his own shock. "Sorry Marinette!" he cried out. "I hope I didn't get butter all over your hand!"

She simply leaned forward to grab a tissue to wipe the side of her hand with. "It's all good, Chat Noir." She took a seat back to his smirking face. Marinette scoffed, curious to what the cat was up to. "What?"

"I butter not get anymore on you."

A large snort came from her as she placed a hand over her lips to quiet down. "Why Chat Noir?"

"What?" he smirked. "Are you afraid I'll churn some more?" He snickered to himself as a pillow hit him softly in the face.

"You're going to kill me one day," Marinette stated, rolling her eyes but also smiling a little. Her head turned back to face the screen but Chat's voice rang in her ear.

"Do you think I need to think of some butter puns?"

"Chat Noir, I swear!" Marinette yelled out, half laughing.

He joined in with her and then the two focused back on the movie.

Marinette felt her eyes gain massive weight but she forced them open. There was no way she'd fall asleep while Chat Noir, of all people, was in her room! Keeping her eyes on the characters in the movie, Marinette swiped her hand back into the popcorn bowl, only to remove it in disappointment. She didn't realize the bowl was already empty. Someone must have been hungry!

She glanced at her partner. He was fully immersed in the movie with his mouth dangling open. The sight caused her to emit a tiny giggle. At least he was enjoying the movie she chose! Marinette recognized the scene they were on. They had at least a half an hour left to go. Then what would they do? The rain could still be heard tapping on her skylight glass. She couldn't force him out there! A small yawn emitted from her mouth. It was no secret that her body was shutting down. She hoped the rain would let up soon.

Her body shook as if she were falling. A sharp exclamation exited Marinette as her body twitched in recovery. It took three long breaths to relax and awaken enough to move. Using her hands as leverage to push herself up, Chat's smile greeted her.

"Well hello, Sleeping Beauty."

Slowly, she blinked a couple of times to clear her blurry vision. Her eyebrows scrunched in thought as she tried to remember where she was, what time it was and what was going on.

"Chat Noir…?"

"Yes?" He was looking down at her now.

Marinette remained where she was and clenched the blanket that somehow found itself on top of her. It was as if her memories slapped her in the face. She had fallen asleep… with Chat Noir in her room. A large lump formed in her throat. He was sitting next to her, in the dark, all alone.

Her stomach twisted and no matter how hard Marinette pushed for words to come, she couldn't get anything out. She merely froze in place, hair sticking out in all directions.

The movie that was playing was definitely not the one they had watched earlier. Her computer screen was shining in her eyes as she tore them away and focused on her partner.

Chat Noir let out a small laugh. "Looks like it's someone's bedtime."

Marinette shot him a teasingly dirty look and buried herself in the fluffy blanket around her. The fabric kissed her chin and she knew she had to go to bed properly.

Whatever was playing on the computer was set on pause and Chat Noir climbed to his feet. A tiny squeak was heard as he stretched his arms up to the ceiling. His arms lowered back down to his sides. His eyes landed on Marinette and he chuckled. "That's a sign that it's time for this cat to bid adieu."

Marinette closed her mouth, finishing up a yawn. Part of her felt bad for basically kicking Chat Noir out but the other part was screaming at her to get to bed. "Is it still raining?"

Chat lifted his head and leaned to look through her skylight. "Yes." He turned to her, raising his paws up. "Don't worry, you've kept me protected for long enough." A hand was held out to her and Marinette took it, not fully realizing what she was doing.

Her feet worked without her consent and before she knew it, her body landed on a soft surface. She looked up to see Chat Noir standing on her bed, hovering above her. His hand rested on her skylight.

"Thank you for having me over," he said and Marinette could hear the genuine gratitude in his voice. It didn't fail to have its effect and it warmed her heart almost instantly. It wasn't often that she got to experience Chat Noir's softer side.

"I had a lot of fun!" He grinned with his tail gently twisting back and forth.

Marinette squeaked out another yawn and nodded in agreement. "Me too, Chat Noir."

Chat Noir chuckled and shifted his weight to the very edge of the bed. "Goodnight Mari-"

A large boom echoed the room, causing Marinette to shrink down under the covers and yelp.

"You okay?"

She inwardly cringed. He had heard her. She merely nodded. "Y-Yeah, I just got a little scared is-"

Another crack of thunder pierced the sky and generated the same response from the pigtailed girl, except this time, her face was buried underneath the comforter. Her eyes were squeezed tightly as her chest raised up and lowered back down. Large puffs of breath were sent through her lips and her tightened muscles slowly loosened with each breath.

"Hey."

A gasp stuck itself in Marinette's throat the second the covers were lifted off her head. Green eyes met hers and the gentle smile on his face was nothing to be ignored.

"It's okay," he whispered, keeping himself perfectly squatted on her bed. "Thunder can't hurt you."

Marinette was not in the mood to be lectured by her egotistical partner. "I know that." Her voice was laced with more sass than she meant to express. With a flip of position, her back was now facing him. She hoped he would catch the message and find his way out. "Goodnight Chat Noir."

A whimper escaped her throat and she curled in on herself at the next blast of thunder. Her entire body broke out into mini shakes but her breath was different. It caught in her throat at the feeling of slow movement on the bed. It definitely did not feel like he was hopping through the skylight. Marinette laid still, not daring to move. Weight was placed nearest to her hip but she remained under the covers.

All movement stopped and she waited for further motion. Maybe he did leave after all?

She twitched at the feeling of a soft and warm hand as it found a home for itself on her side. It was on top of the blanket but she could feel the heat radiating off it. Her mouth opened to speak but closed itself without a sound escaping.

The storm outside was not letting up and it barely gave Marinette any time to react to her partner's actions. She dug herself deeper beneath the layers of bedding due to larger and sharper rumble. The thunder booms were occurring faster and Marinette knew that it was going to be a long night without sleep.

Her thoughts were interrupted by her pigtails being played with. Her eyes bolted open and she scooted away from the seemingly curious cat.

"C-Ch-Chat Noir…?" She silently cursed her stuttering.

"Yes," he murmured. His voice sounded as if he were above her but she wouldn't dare look. "I'm here."

"Why are-eee!" Her question turned into more of a shriek as all confusing thoughts emptied from her head. The next burst of thunder echoed her room much louder than the rest and Marinette could feel her eyes getting wet. Her heart pounded in nervousness once one warm hand smoothly held onto the sides of her arm. The girl's body stiffened once her back was cautiously pressed up against her partner. She couldn't tell what part of his body she was now touching but touching any part of his body was too inappropriate.

His grip on her tightened the minute she attempted to escape. "It's okay, Marinette." His warm breath tickled the back of her neck. "You're safe."

Goosebumps travelled up her arms and back down to her toes. She did not like this! Marinette Dupain-Cheng was being held by none other than Chat Noir. That could not happen! Not as Ladybug or as her civilian self! The warmth Marinette was feeling from her partner kept her in high alert. Chat Noir was a flirt, that much was obvious, but she had never expected him to flirt with both sides of her. She also never expected him to get this touchy either!

The thunder was not kind. It did not give herself much time to converse with her inner thoughts and figure out what on earth was going on with Chat Noir. Marinette felt her body betray her the longer she stayed there. She shivered at his touch and curled into a crescent shape. She wanted to pull away. They were in bed together… in HER bed for goodness sakes! That was not allowed in no shape or form!

"Chat Noir," she managed to let out as a whisper. "You can… go home n-"

She heard him shush her calmly.

"It's okay. You don't have to be embarrassed."

She merely scoffed in response. "I'm not embarrassed." She kept quiet, listening to his breathing in an attempt to figure out his next move.

The pair stilled and the pitter patter of the rain pelted against the glass. Marinette was far too busy focusing on trying to keep Chat Noir at a distance to listen to whether the rain had stopped or not. She gave it another go to scoot further away from him. Her head hit against something hard and her insides squirmed. It was no use. She was pinned between Chat Noir's body and the wall. Her breathing slowly began flowing with a larger intensity and Marinette was sure he could hear her.

"Chat Noir…" Her voice was dripping with concern. "I… I…" She froze and stopped what would have been nervous rambling when Chat Noir spoke.

"Do you want me to leave?"

Marinette gulped, unsure of how to respond. Her mind was saying no but her body was saying yes. She couldn't read his tone either. He didn't sound either mad or sad.

"I… well… y-yeah…"

She heard the grin on his face form into his infamous smirk as his hands firmed their grip on her arm and side. "I don't think you do."

A/N: New story! It's been a while since I've posted something so I hope you all like it! More to come! Gotta love some Marichat!