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munofsilver · 6 years ago

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One Night Chapter 3

Still working on this. I have time since I injured my ankle and can’t walk much. You can read on my Ao3. Leave comments and kudos, please. Summary: It seems Chloe and Nathaniel won't be able to tell Chloe's parents about the baby the way they wanted too.

Eight in the morning, and Chloe is still sleeping. Her father has a meeting at ten. If she wants to talk to him before, then she needs to get up soon. If it weren’t for the promise Chloe made to Nathaniel, the not a morning person that is Chloe would still be in bed dead asleep.

“Stupid artist wannabe, making me get up this frickin early,” she grumbles getting out of bed. “I doubt mother would even care that I’m pregnant.”

Chloe gets dress, take the curlers out of her hair, and brushes it. Then she ties her hair back into a high ponytail like always. Next is makeup and then meet with daddy. Checking the time it’s now nine.

The mayor is in his office getting ready for his meeting when he hears a knock on the door. Looking at his watch. It’s five after nine. “Come in!”

Chloe opens the door, surprising her father. Chloe never knocks, but today she did. Now Mayor Beourise is confused. “Chloe, dear, what brings you here? Do you want to sit in during the meeting like you used when you were younger?”

“Do you know when mom will be back in Paris?”

Andre checks his schedule. “It seems not for another seven months.”

Chloe knows that won’t work. She’s already three months in, and seven months from now the baby would already be born. It looks like the phone is the only way to tell her. “Thank you, daddy. Let’s have dinner tomorrow night. I’m going to bring a friend,” she smiles.

“How does eight sound?” Still looking at his schedule.

“That sounds fine to me,” Chloe leaves the room and calls Nathaniel.

Nathaniel is an early riser. He likes to be up before the sun or with the sun. More time to work on projects, homework, or just plan study. Right now at 9:30 am he already had breakfast and is working on some commission. One of the ways he helps show off his talent. When the phone goes off.

Hoping it’s Chloe with some good news about her mother, the energetic artist nearly falls out of his chair as he grabs his phone. “Hello, Chloe!” You can hear the excitement in his voice.

“It looks like the only way to tell my mother is over the phone. She is not going to be in Paris until after the baby is born,” Chloe sighs.

Nathaniel himself is also feeling a little down by this. He wants to share the news with Chloe’s parents as soon as possible, in person. If by phone the only way, then that’s the way it has to be.

“We’re having dinner with daddy tomorrow night at eight. We’ll tell him then,” Chloe yawns.

“What about your mother?”

Chloe ends the call. Nathaniel starts at his phone for a minute, wondering if he should call her back. Good thing his day is clear of work tomorrow. Nathaniel calls Chloe.

“What?” Chloe yawns again.

The tired blonde was hoping she could go back to bed. “Sorry to bother you. Do you want me to meet you at the hotel for dinner?”

“We are going to have dinner at the restaurant in the hotel,” Chloe sounds mad.

Nathaniel being the way he is, always caring about others is a concern, “Is everything alright?”

“You care about me now because I’m carrying your child?” Chloe sounds mad and hurt.

“Chloe I would be worried about you right now no matter what. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine, just tired. I’m not a morning pers….”

The sound of coughing and odd gross sounds means morning sickness is saying hello to poor Chloe. Nathaniel just puts his phone down until he hears Chloe complaining, “Stupid fucking pregnancy. I’m going to kill the man that did this to me.”

Chloe sees her phone on the floor. She remembers Nathaniel was on the other line. Picking up the phone, she hears, “If that’s the case, I feel bad for the man.”

Now embarrassed, Chloe starts to blush. “You heard that. You know I didn’t mean it.”

Nathaniel laughs, “I know. Everything is fine?”

“Yeah, all is fine. Thanks for asking,” Chloe ends the call.

Chloe tosses her phone away from her. It lands safely on the carpet floor. Not that she cares, if need be daddy can buy her another phone. Now it comes to her, Chloe has to think of what to say to her father. What if he gets mad and cuts her off? How will I raise the baby? If he cuts me off, then I’ll have to get a job.

The thought of getting a job scares Chloe. She never had to work a day in her life. She never did her own homework. Not thinking about her future, she not even going to University. “What kind of an example will I be to my child?”

A crying Chloe never left her room that day. At night around seven, she gets a call. Chloe now a bit over her freak out this morning answers the call. “Hello,” her voice is raspy due to her dry throat.

“Chloe, you sound ill. Are you alright?” Nathaniel sounds worried.

“Why are you calling me again?” Chloe whines then she heads to the bathroom to get a glass of water. “First answer my question, please.”

Chloe takes a sip of water, ignoring Nathaniel. “Why are you calling me again?” Chloe repeats.

When nothing was said, Chloe finally gives in. “I’m fine. My mouth was dry cause of all the crying I’ve been doing.”

Then she slaps her hand over her mouth. ‘Why did I say that?’ Chloe is hoping Nathaniel wouldn’t freak out. What she got instead was something she wasn’t expecting. Nothing, she heard nothing from Nathaniel, she was about to say something when there was a knock on her door. Keeping her phone near her ear in case he still there, Chloe doesn’t even get up just yells, “It’s open!”

A certain redhead burst into the room, rushing right to Chloe, and kneeling beside her. “Chloe, what’s wrong? Why were you crying?” Nathaniel is out of breath and looking scared.

“Why are you here?” Chloe stands up.

Nathaniel stands up with her and moves closer. “Why don’t you like answering my questions?”

Chloe sighs, “I was crying because I was freaking about telling my father about the baby. I mean what if he won’t love me any more or kick me out?”

Chloe starts to cry again, as Nathaniel pulls her into a hug. He starts rubbing the back of her head. “Don’t worry, your father won’t stop loving you or kick you out. He might not like the thought of you being pregnant without a husband. I’m sure your father will help you out as much as he can.”

Chole was about to hug him in return but pushes him away instead. “You are your need to get close to me got us into this,” she roars.

Nathaniel only sighs. He was about to say something but decides not to. He starts to head towards the door. Chloe grabs his arm, “Why are you leaving?”

“I’m not going to stand here while you blame me for everything,” Nathaniel doesn’t look at her, but he does stop walking.

“You did get me pregnant,” Chloe defends herself and tighten her grip on Nathaniel’s arm.

“That is true. I should never have done that with you while you were drunk, and I’m sorry. You still shouldn’t blame me for everything that happened. We share responsibility,” Nathaniel turns, showing Chloe his glare.

That made her release his arm and took a few steps back. No one has ever disagreed or stood up to her. Back in college, he would hide in the corner when Chloe would yell at him. She tries to talk, but only mumbling comes out. Taking a seat on the chair, Chloe uses when she’s getting a pedicure.

“I….I’m sorry. I don’t think it’s all your fault,” Chloe whispers as she brings her legs up and wrapping her arms around them while placing her head onto her knees. “I just don’t know who to blame.”

Nathaniel releases his glare and sits down next to Chloe. He wraps his arms around her once again. “You don’t need to blame anyone. No one is at fault here. Unless you think being pregnant is a problem.”

“I never thought of having kids. Mostly because I never thought anyone would want to have kids with me. I don’t think me being pregnant is an issue. I just wish I got pregnant in a more normal way,” Chloe leans closer to Nathaniel.

“To be honest, this could count as a normal way for those that aren’t married. I do understand what you’re saying. I do agree. I always dreamed of getting married and having kids. Life is never a sure thing, always changing, always giving you surprises. Sometimes good, but not in a way you want.”

Chloe wipes away her tears. “When did you get so smart?”

Nathaniel laughs and kisses the top of her head. “I always have been smart. You just never noticed.”

Chloe also laughs then she stops and pushes him away again. “Why did you kiss me?”

Nathaniel shock by what he did stands up. “Sorry. It felt right for some reason. You seem fine, so I’m going home now,” he rushes out the door like someone trying to steal his car. Chloe goes and closes the door, Nathaniel left open when he exited. She knows Nathaniel wanted to ask her something when he called. Calling him now may not be the best thing to do; instead, she just sends him a text.

Nathaniel was running down the stairs. Forgetting there was an elevator. After running down three flights of stairs, he stops the leaves the stairway and takes the elevator the rest of the way down. While waiting the shocked man tries to clear his head. “Why did I kiss her?” He mumbled whisper.

He sighs when the elevator doors open. Stepping inside he’s glad no one is inside. “I did enjoy holding her in my arms,” Nathaniel smiles.

Then he shakes his head so hard he felt a little dizzy. “I think there is something wrong with me. No, I just want Chloe to be happy because she’s carrying my child, that’s all,” he told himself but didn’t believe it.

He never saw Chloe as anything other than a self-centered bully. Until today seeing her cry like that hugging her knees, he felt something. It wasn’t guilt, maybe sympathy. That has to be it. Again Nathaniel doesn’t believe it. He will admit Chloe did overreach it’s not like he kissed her lips. Nathaniel sighs as the elevator doors open. He reaches the lobby and leaves.

Both Chloe and Nathaniel keep thinking about the kiss. Chloe will never tell anyone that she liked it. Nathaniel also liked it, and it was driving him crazy. Why did he do it? What was that feeling? “Wait a minute I never asked her that one thing,” Nathaniel realized as he was brushing his teeth.

With quick spit and rinse, he dashes towards his phone. He noticed a texted from Chloe. Scared, he stares at his phone like it’s going to attack soon. He opens the texted.

Chloe: I know you wanted to ask me something. Since you ran off like a dog with its tail between its legs. Text or call me when you want to talk.

Nathaniel thinks for a minute. First, he changed Chloe’s info on his phone then respond to the texted.

While laying in bed trying to sleep, Chloe is staring at the ceiling with the lights on. Her phone pings and she checks the time. Ten at night. She goes back to looking at the ceiling, then she jumps up. “It might be Nathaniel,” she cheers. “It better be he’s the reason I’m unable to sleep.”

Soulless: I just wanted to know if I should wear a suit for dinner with your father.

Chloe changes Nathaniel’s name on her phone. It was stupid to have him named soulless on her phone. It’s not like he’s ginger just a redhead. Then she returned his text. Princess: Cancel all your plans tomorrow. I’ll be over at nine in the morning. Have breakfast ready. No coffee for me, bring milk.

Nathaniel sighs then he texted her back.

Tomato: I have class. Princess: Skip.

Nathaniel thinks he only has one class and it’s a writing class he took as an elective. Missing one day couldn’t hurt. Besides, he can always ask Nino what he missed. He does need to pick up his paycheck.

Tomato: There is something I have to do before five. Princess: I’ll find a way to work in it. I want pancakes for breakfast. Tomato: With syrup, I’m guessing. Princess: Maple. Tomato: Fine. Princess: Thank you.

Nathaniel blinks and rereads the message. “She did say it.” Nathaniel sends a text to Nino.

Artistdude: I won’t be able to make it to class tomorrow. Can you tell me what I missed and all that? DJD: NP dude. Are you okay? Artistdude: I’m fine just unable to make it. DJD: Kay.

Nathaniel sets a new time for his morning alarm. Then makes sure he has everything ’that’s needed for breakfast with Chloe. Since she doesn’t want coffee, it doesn’t really matter that he’s running low right now. Just adds it to the list and heads into the shower. Nathaniel wakes up at eight instead of his usual nine.

Five to eight Nathaniel wakes up. He turns off his alarm, gets dressed, makes his bed, then gets started on breakfast. First, he sets the table, that took about twenty minutes because he keeps rearranging the chairs. At first, they were next to each other. Then he moved one on the other side of the table, so they are across from each other.

Then he moved, so they are next to each other but not on the same side. One that never moved is still on the side towards the living room while the other one is slight to the left of the circle table. Then he moved the chair to the right side, back across and left it there. He still has to finish setting the table and make breakfast.

With the table finally set, he starts to make some pancakes. Not sure how much to make, he only makes about two each. If need be, he can always make more. Once the pancakes were done, he places two on a plate and a jug of maple syrup in the middle of the table where both can reach. A glass of milk for Chloe while Nathaniel makes himself some coffee.

He heard his doorbell when he was putting the milk away. Dashing towards the door, Nathaniel almost trips over some boxes. Unlocking the door, Nathaniel takes a step back as Chloe opens the door. She’s wearing sunglasses and a big hat like her mother. “Good morning, Chloe,” Nathaniel says as he closes the door.

Chloe looks around his place. She never got a good view when she was last at Nathaniel’s apartment. The smell of food leads her to the kitchen. All the way there she keeps going, “Hmmm.”

Once she sees the table all set up, she smiles as the yummy smells make her mouth water. Nathaniel pulls a chair out for her as Chloe takes her seat. Nathaniel sits across from Chloe. After one bite, Chloe notices these pancakes are nothing like the ones she used to have. For one thing, the syrup tasted cheap, the pancakes have something inside them. Something that made the pancakes tasted better. Before she knew it, she ate all on her plate.

Nathaniel was impressed by the way she ate. He sees her being too kind that would take forever to eat. Then again Nathaniel never thought princess of Paris would eat typical food like pancakes. That’s why he put some blueberries in with the batter. At first, Nathaniel thought against it, but it seems Chloe loved/liked it.

“Those were good. I never had pancakes like that before,” Chloe said after wiping off her mouth.

“You never had blueberry pancakes before?” Nathaniel was shocked by that.

He always thought Chloe ate nothing but fine fancy foods like pancakes with fruits in them. With breakfast done, Nathaniel clears the table while Chloe shows herself around his tiny apartment. Looking at it without being drunk or in a hurry to get out, Chloe is glad Nathaniel is going to move in with her. “Why are you here, Chloe?” Nathaniel finally asked.

“Do you have a suit?” Chloe asked, trying to remember which door leads to the bedroom and not the bathroom. She has no need to enter that room at the moment.

“I only have one,” Nathaniel answered.

Chloe looks over her shoulder at him before she ordered, “Show me.”

#One Night #chloenath #Chloe Bougeois #Nathaniel Kurtzberg #miraculous ladybug #ML #Fanfic #ML Fanfic

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baneismydragon · 7 years ago

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Draw me Like one of your French Girls... Part 1

This fic is dedicated to @yunyin who was a big part of bringing it about in the first place ^_^ (Warning some spoilers for ML Season 2- (Just the stuff we knew during the hiatus nothing important from the new episodes)

“Listen furball, I am ten times as sexy as you are. That is just a fact. People would pay to see pictures of me.”

“People DO pay to see pictures of me,” Chat shot back.

“What?”

“Never mind,” he grumbled, “the point is that I am obviously the sexier of the two of us.”

“Guys, I know this is a slow patrol night but you are giving me a headache,” Rena Rougue sighed, dropping down onto the platform and sprawling onto her stomach against the cool metal of the tower.

“Wait,” Chat said with a terrifying grin, “Rena. My dear, darling, friend.”

“Oh this can’t end well.”

“You are a fox of impeccable taste are you not?”

“Maybe.”

“And you are an excellent judge of both male and female attractiveness as well, are you not?”

“Ladybug is the hottest out of all of you,” she smirked, not bothering to get up.

“Yes, that is a given, but the point is-”

“The point is that I could pull off sexy far better than this mangy stray,” Bee interrupted.

“Could not.”

“Will you two please just stop fighting, it’s been too hot to deal with this level of stupid,” Rena sighed.

“It’s not stupid, my honor is at stake!” Bee huffed. “If you want us to stop then tell him that I clearly would be better suited to being a sex icon than he would.”

“Foxy lady, please tell Bee that she is clearly pollinating the wrong flower.”

Rena groaned. Clearly there would be no reasoning with the two of them until this had been hashed out.

“Fine I will judge your stupid contest. We just get a picture of each of you and then we can decide who wins.”

Both of her partners eyes light up with an unholy gleam and then turned to face each other with a terrifying intensity.

“Ground rules-” Chat said, “sketches only, no color, has to be done in 48 hours.”

“Agreed. Also no professionals, they are too easily bribed.” Bee shot back.

“Um...Guys…”

“Agreed.” Chat plowed on. “Realism only no alternate styles.”

“Like I want some anime portrait you weeb.”

“Says the girl who marathoned Mai-Hime last weekend.” “I told you that in confidence you mangy cat! You are so going down.” Bee glowered lifting off the ground in irritation, her wings fluttering.

“You wish,” Chat purred.

“GUYS!”

“We meet back here in 48 hours and Foxy and LB vote on the winner.” Chat said, pulling out his baton and twirling it for good measure.

“Deal. See you then whiskers.”

And before Rena Rouge could even get another word out, both of her partners had disappeared into the night.

“I meant we could just take a picture on my phone…” she muttered into the silence. She didn’t look forward to explaining this to Ladybug before patrol on Sunday.

~~~

Marinette stretched as she finally stood up from her sewing table. She felt bad about having ditched out on patrol, but she had really needed to get this dress done for her aunt.

Besides it wasn’t like her partners couldn’t handle a night on their own.

“Well Tikki I think I am going to head to-”

She stopped talking as she heard a soft repetitive tapping against her skylight.

Well that couldn’t be a good sign.

She nodded to Tikki who quickly darted into her hiding spot in one of Marinette’s plants, and hurried up the ladder to her loft to let Chat into the room.

“Hey, stranger,” she teased, “so what brings you to my side of town? Don’t you guys usually have patrols on Fridays?”

“Been keeping up with the Ladyblog I see,” Chat said, dropping down onto the bed and flashing his trademark grin.

“That’s not an answer to my question,” Marinette replied, climbing back down to her main room with Chat on her heels.

“Eh, it was a slow night. Also I need a favor.”

“A favor?” Marinette asked, settling down into her desk chair and leveling him with her best ‘What did you do now’ stare. She really hoped she wasn’t going to have to help him break into the Louvre again.

“Don’t worry nothing illegal this time,” Chat said as if reading her thoughts and putting a hand over his heart, “just a simple project that you are particularly well suited for.”

“Am I making you cookies again?”

“No. I mean if you WANT to I won’t say no, but that’s not why I am here. I need you to paint me.”

“What?”

“Well, not paint. Draw me. Black and White, pencil, full body. As sexy as possible if you don’t mind. Oh and I need it by Sunday night.”

Marinette glared at her intruder.

“Oh that’s all?”

“Yeah, that’s pretty much all I need.”

Marinette picked up a ball of yarn sitting on her desk and threw it at Chat’s head.

“You can’t just barge into someone’s house and order them to draw a pin-up of you.”

“I didn’t barge in, I knocked.”

“That is not the point, you still just waltzed in and expected me to draw you.”

“Well you do draw.”

“Yes fashion. Not on demand portraits.”

“I am also not demanding, I asked for a favor.”

“Yeah well my answer is no. It’s not like I sit around hoping for you to stop in so I can draw you as some sex god.”

“But you do think I am a sex god?” Chat smiled leaning in just a little too close and laughing when Marinette shoved him away with a blush. “Yes, I have so got this!”

“You haven’t got anything. You can’t just ask people for free drawings, do you know how much time and effort these things take! It’s not like I sit around drawing all day you know.”

“I can pay you.”

“Fine, I want a new serger. Top of the line.”

“Done.”

“Wait, I was kidding.”

“I wasn’t. I can have it for you tomorrow.”

“Chat those cost like 600 Euro. You can’t just waltz in with a high end serger.”

“Sure I can, we have like 8 of them lying around the East Wing,” Chat said with an off handed wave.

Marinette simply stared at him.

“So can you do it or not?” he asked with a pout. “I need an answer cause I only have 48 hours.”

“You’re serious,” Marinette said. “You are actually offering to bring me a new serger if I draw a portrait of you.”

“A sexy portrait.”

“Whatever.”

“Yes. Like I said, this is very important and I know I can trust you.”

“Wow, that’s… actually really flattering. Ok, in that case I guess I accept.”

“Great. So I figure we can meet up tomorrow for the actual sketch. You get done at school around 12 right?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“Awesome. I’ll be here by 12:15.”

Marinette nodded and watched as Chat did some sort of odd victory dance.

“So are you going to tell me what this is about?”

“Oh it’s just a small bet I have with a friend. I am totally going to win though.”

“I guess it’s nice to know you have so much faith in me,” Marinette said.

“Well... I mean I was going to ask Nathaniel, but I figured that might get awkward with the whole sexy thing.”

“Wait I was your SECOND choice?”

~~~

Nathaniel was pretty sure he must have fallen asleep, because there was no other explanation he could think of for why one of Paris’ masked Heroines was literally crawling in through his apartment window.

“Ugh,” Queen Bee huffed as she awkwardly clambered into the room, “I know you are all bohemian artsy and whatnot but would it kill you to have bigger windows?”

He said nothing, simply staring as the heroine looked around his room.

“Well you certainly have enough stuff,” she said, gesturing towards the walls and desks cluttered with various art supplies. “Yes, you will do nicely.”

“Um… I am sorry, did I miss something?” he asked, blinking a few times for good measure. Nope she was still here.

“I need you to do me.”

Nathaniel jolted backwards, tripping on a power cable and crashing back into his drafting table.

“You need me to what?”

“Draw me. You know that whole art thing you do?”

“Oh, right… that makes a lot more sense. Actually no. No it doesn’t.”

“God, I knew this was going to be difficult. Ok. I,” she pointed at herself, “need you,” she pointed back to Nathaniel, “to draw a picture of me. By Sunday. I figure if you can make little miss goody goody pigtails look attractive this should be a piece of cake.”

“Okay,” Nathaniel said rubbing his temples in an attempt to starve off his oncoming headache, “either I have gone insane or you have, because I have no idea what you are talking about. Was there an akuma? Should I be looking for cover or something?”

“No, I just need you to draw me. And make it sexy. I mean I am always sexy, but it needs to be like extra sexy. Try not to drool on my picture. You’ll do great.”

Nathaniel was fairly certain he was the source of the oddly choked wheezing noise that sounded when Queen Bee patted him approvingly on the head.

“Um, Queen Bee…”

“Just Bee is fine. We have a working relationship now.”

“Ok, Bee… why am I drawing you, exactly?” Nathanael asked, side stepping away from his uninvited guest and sitting down on his drawing stool.

She blinked as if he had asked her to explain the current state of the geopolitical climate and not a simple question. “Because I asked you too,” she said.

Nathanael opened his mouth to argue that you can’t just tell an artist to draw you because they can, but realized that the girl currently thumbing through his portfolio could probably toss him one handed out of his previously acknowledged small window, and thought better of it. She could be under the influence of an akuma. It was hardly unprecedented after all for one of the heroes to get caught in the crossfire after a fight, and without more information it was best to stay on her good side.

“These are actually really good,” Bee said with a smile, and Nathanael felt his cheeks reddened at the compliment, “I always did have an eye for quality.” She shot him a playful wink and Nathanael wondered if he could die of embarrassment. If nothing else he was pretty sure that his skin was the same shade as his hair.

“Well, um… I guess I could draw you as a commission. It would cost-” he began, but before he could finish Bee’s whole face lit up delightedly and she squealed.

“I already thought of that,” she grinned, reaching into the small weapon satchel on her hip and drawing out a pile of bills that she slammed onto the table next to him. “Oh this is going to be so great! I can’t wait to see the look on his stupid face! So, we aren’t going to do the actual drawing here right? I don’t think the lighting is going to set me off to my best advantage.”

“That’s like 500 Euro,” Nathaniel gasped, staring down at the pile of money.

“Yeah, that should be plenty for a deposit, you’re not Degas you know.”

“A deposit?” Nathanael gasped.

“Yeah, I know how this works. You get the rest when we are done, I don’t want you going crazy with artistic liberties or whatever. This has to be perfect. We can meet up tomorrow at the park next to your school at the end of classes and go from there ok?”

Nathanael looked at Queen Bee, smiling like she had just won the lottery. He felt a sinking feeling in his gut that taking this assignment on was going to end up being a lot more complicated than just doing a simple drawing. His eyes drifted to the pile of cash. He really did need to replace his drawing tablet. Not to mention the other supplies he could purchase if she was serious about this just being a deposit.

“Oh what the hell,” he sighed, “where in the park do you want to meet exactly?”

~~~

True to his word Chat Noir arrived on her balcony promptly at 12:15, the promised serger in his arms and a devilish smile on his face.

“I trust this will meet with your approval? It’s supposed to be an excellent brand but my f- my supplier favors a different company, so this one was destined to collect dust for all eternity.

“I can’t believe you actually got me a serger,” Marinette breathed, trying not to drool at the exquisite piece of equipment that apparently now belonged to her.

“Well, shall we get started?” Chat said.

Marinette nodded and they both climbed down into her room.

“So,” Marinette began sitting down in her computer chair and grabbing up her sketchbook and pencil, “how exactly do we want to do… thi… Chat what are you doing?”

She watched, fascinated, as Chat rushed around her room with a strangely determined expression, adjusting curtains and angling her chaise lounger.

“We need some up lighting. Do you have- oh never mind I see one,” he said grabbing a clip light she had attached to the window by her dress form and repositioning it.

For about 20 minutes he moved, tweaked, and adjusted every available light source in her room. Then when he was finally content with his work he grabbed the back of her chair and spun her into position with a triumphant flourish.

“What was that?” Marinette asked, finally breaking out of the stupor brought on by his uncharacteristic behavior.

“70% of great composition is good lighting,” Chat said with the parroting tone of someone who had heard that phrase a thousand times.

“Do you work for a photographer or something?”

Chat laughed delightedly, “You could say that. So what sort of pose would you like me in mademoiselle artist? Remember we need this to be sexy.”

“Oh dear,” Marinette said teasingly, “I don’t know if I know any poses that can make pun loving nerds sexy.”

He glared playfully at her and pounced onto the chaise.

“Oh I know,” she continued with a giggle, “if we want to be thematic we should try to stay with the cat aesthetic, maybe have you lay on your back with your paws in the air!”

“Very funny princess.”

“Ooo! Or how about that thing where cat’s stretch and stick their butts in the air! I am sure your admirers would love that.”

“Well I do have a fantastic butt,” Chat smirked, “but this is actually very important. So how do you want me Marinette?”

Marinette ignored the nervous little flutter in her stomach at his phrasing and tried to think. After all, she was getting paid extremely well to do this and she owed it to her friend to try her best.

“Alright well why don’t we try a sort of, lounging pose? Try laying back or something.”

“Sure,” Chat said, his brow furrowing in concentration for a moment before he swooned back onto the chaise, one arm above his head, one leg dangling lazily off the lounger, and his face angled slightly up as he gave her a knowing, come hither smirk.

Before today, Marinette would have said that she knew just about everything a person could know about Chat Noir without compromising his identity. They had been partners for almost 3 years, he had been friends with her as Marinette as well for 2 of those. She knew his favorite flavor of ice cream, his ticklish spots, how to make him purr and that fact that he would always get embarrassed when he did. She knew how he liked his tea and that he would mouth along with his favorite movies. She knew he was kind. She knew he was brave. She knew he was sometimes oblivious and prone to occasional bouts of jealousy. She knew he was easily entertained and would literally die for the people he cared about if it came down to it. She knew that he was a nerd with a terrible sense of humor. What she hadn’t known- or at least hadn’t truly understood on more than a hypothetical level before this very moment- was that Chat Noir was also very, VERY sexy.

She stared open mouthed at boy… man… ridiculously pretty cat thing in front of her, her pencil hovering uselessly over her sketchpad. He stayed perfectly still, all lithe lines and easy grace, as if sprawling on a couch looking like he was waiting to be devoured by hormone riddled females was his day job.

Where was her rambunctious, guileless partner, with his over-wide smiles and constant fidgeting? Who was this intense, restrained, gorgeous figure that had taken his place? And was there any way she could get a refund on her sanity?

She heard a soft thud and her cheeks flamed as she realized she had dropped her pencil.

“I donnow, I don’t think I am feeling this pose,” she babbled as she scrambled to retrieve her fallen pencil and calm her frazzled nerves, “Wh..why don’t you try sitting up? Maybe something more… I don’t know… uh… formal?”

“Okay,” Chat said with a shrug, completely clueless to the mental and emotional roller coaster she was experiencing as he adjusted into a new pose.

He sat forward on the edge of the chaise, one leg tucked up while the other foot rested lightly on the floor. One hand propped lightly against his knee while the other braced against the couch. This time his head was slightly tucked down, his brilliant green eyes looking up with a captivating gleam and his lips softly curved in a half sheepish, half hopeful smile that was somehow five times more devastatingly appealing than the smirk had been.

“This better?” he asked without the slightest trace of sarcasm or suspicion.

“Yeah… great,” Marinette gulped.

“Okay! Make me sexy princess,” he said, his grin widening for just a moment before falling back into his pose.

“I don’t think that will be a problem,” Marinette muttered. Ignoring the heat she could feel rising in her cheeks, she began to sketch.

___

Nathaniel wasn’t sure if he was disappointed or relieved when he saw Queen Bee trying, and failing, to hide herself behind a tree in the school courtyard.

Several of his other school mates had already caught sight of the hero and were giggling amongst their friend groups or pulling out phones to grab some pictures.

“Psst! Nathaniel! NATHA- ugh- I’m over here!” She began frantically waving him over, clearly struggling not to resort to shouting at him.

Nathaniel bit back a smile as he watched the out of place superhero, clearly oblivious to the stares and whispers she was garnering. The lack of stealth was actually rather endearing. He was almost tempted to pretend that he didn’t see her just to see what she would do, but decided it wasn’t worth it to press his luck with someone who could probably pick him up with one hand.

He hurried over and as soon as he was in grabbing distance found himself hauled into a nearby bush.

“Oh good you’re here! So Nath, can I call you Nath?”

“Um… no?”

“I’m gonna call you Nath. So anyways Nath, I have the perfect place for you to work, it will be a much better atmosphere than your cramped little bedroom. I assume you have everything you need?”

Nathaniel blinked. “I have a sketchbook and my pencils, but-”

“Perfect! OK! Let’s go!”

“Wait what do you- OH MY GOD…” and without any further warning Nathaniel found himself desperately clinging to his new patroness as she lifted them both effortlessly into the sky.

The next few minutes were a blur for Nathaniel. I was fairly sure that Queen Bee had yelled something at him, but it was drown out by his own occasional scream of terror as they zoomed horrifyingly close to chimneys, spires, and even one particularly menacing looking (at least at the time) clock tower.

By the time they landed at their destination his vision was blurry and he was trying not to throw up.

“See, here we are safe and sound,” Bee said happily. She slapped him on the back and Nathaniel staggered forward.

“Jeez, you really don’t like flying do you? Sorry. I’ll go slower next time.”

“Next time…” Nathaniel wheezed, allowing Bee to pull him forward from the balcony and through the large glass doors.

“Here, sit. Let me get you some water. That’s what you want right? Water?”

“Water would be great,” Nathaniel said, letting out a long breath as she hurried off to complete her task. Now that he was no longer in fear of being dropped to his death, Nathaniel allowed himself to relax and catch his bearings.

He looked around the large suite, noting the impressive amount of natural lighting, the lavish furnishings… the very familiar furnishing.

He stood up, rushing over to the other side of the room. Sure enough, there was a large king sized canopy bed, complete with the Ladybug plush pillow and a small, well loved yellow bear.

“Nath? Nath, where did… oh, there you are. I have your water,” Bee said, holding out the glass with a smug little grin.

“OMG You’re Chloe,” Nathaniel said.

“What,” Bee said, her voice taking on a familiar shrillness, “no I’m not, why would you say that?”

It was like a lightswitch had turned on in his brain. Now that he knew everything seemed so obvious. How could it be anyone BUT Chloe. She had her looks, her voice, her mannerisms. Nathaniel had drawn dozens, maybe hundreds of pictures of all of the five heroes, yet somehow he had never made the now obvious connection. It must have been some kind of magic. It was the only thing that made sense. Either that or he was the world’s biggest idiot.

He was going to go with magic.

“You’re Chloe,” he said again, mostly because his brain was still trying to process the fact that one of the beloved heroes of Paris was actually the school’s reigning queen of terror.

“Of course I am not Chloe! I mean… that would be stupid. Plus, Chloe is like, really busy being fabulous and probably out buying those amazing Dulci pumps I’ve been meaning to grab for forever.”

“Really?” Nathaniel said skeptically.

“Obviously,” she said with a dramatic flip of her hair, though her voice trembled nervously.

“We are in your room,” Nathaniel pointed out flatly.

“Yeah, so?”

“So I’ve been to your room before Chloe!”

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” she insisted stubbornly. “Besides everyone says that this Chloe person is really mean. And I’ve been nothing but nice to you. I’m a hero.”

Nathaniel felt his heart soften a little in spite of himself at her vulnerable tone. He stared at Chloe, so many things clicking into place now that he knew her secret. Her continued obsession with Ladybug, her complete turn around on her opinion of Chat Noir whom she had always been dismissive of back in their first year of college. Her slow but steady attempts to be nicer to everyone in the school who wasn’t named Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

“You know Chloe has actually gotten a lot better these days,” he said cautiously.

“You… you think so?” she asked breathlessly, and Nathaniel couldn’t quite hold back a soft smile.

“Yeah,” he said, and she beamed. The smile lit up her whole face and for the first time Nathaniel caught a glimpse of Chloe hiding behind all the pride and hostility. The Chloe Adrien had always insisted was buried deep down waiting for a chance to come out. It seems he had been right.

“You know,” he added “Adrien was even mentioning it the other day, how it was nice that people were getting to see you as the friend he’s known for so long and not just the class bully.”

He watched amused and Chloe puffed up with pride, her smile melting into her signature smirk.

“Well I would hope so! Given how much work I have put in to following all his stupid rules about proper behavior, including the one where I’m apparently not even allowed to brag about the effort I am putting out, the least he can do is make sure that everyone is appreciating... “ she trailed off and looked at him with a wide eyed, horrified expression.

“Appreciating what, Chloe?”

“Oh crap…”

___

Well I hope you guys have enjoyed this so far!

I was going to finish the whole thing and post it in one go, but A. Its way longer than I meant it to be and B. The middle section that I am trying to clean up is giving me burn out so I need some positive reinforcement lol. Anyways I am still working on in even as I post this so more might go up today, it will probably all but up before the week is out lol. Anyways hope you liked it so far! See you soon!

#my fanfiction #my writing #DML fic #Marichat #Chloenath #humor #zag spoilers

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