[Q/N: I won't be using the birthday idea anymore. I won't edit the past chapter for now since I'm busy with other stuff....school]

Forget the Mask
Chapter 11

Yesterday was......not so fun. The interview made me nervous and I just told Adrien that Chat is cute! Chat is freaking cute! Ugh, I might have ruined my small chance with him.

"Marinette. Are you still stressing out about what happened yesterday?" Tikki asked and I just, groaned from my pillow.

"I'll take that as a yes. Come on Marinette nothings wrong in calling Chat cute." Tikki said trying to cheer me up which just made me groan louder.

"Yes there is Tikki! I said that in front of Adrien! He's probably thinking I have a crush on Chat or something...." I said to which Tikki just giggled.

"Come on Marinette, you think I'm cute! Do you have a crush on me? " Tikki said jokingly, obviously trying to lift up my spirits. I have to admit having her with me puts me at ease even during a really stressful day.  Alya does lift my spirits up but she doesn't understand the Chat Noir and Ladybug parts.

"Actually Tikki, yes I do!" I exclaimed joking around with her.  She made a shocked face as she tried to stifle a small laugh.

"Oh well....I'm really sorry Marinette but I- I'm already with..." Tikki said, it got me curious really if she's just joking around or she's already with someone, like Chat's kwami or something.

"With....?"

"With....Mister Cookie Chip here!" Tikki said lifting a choco chip cookie from the plate beside my bed. Yup I eat on my bed.

"Really?! Why didn't you tell me Tikki? I thought we were friends! You wound me," I exclaimed as I clutched a hand on my chest.

It was silent for a bit then we just bursted out laughing. Of course she had those small, cute laughs.

"Thank you Tikki."
"For what?"
"For being here with me-- for everything."
"Of course Marinette! What are friends for?"

We talked a bit more, joined and laughed until I heard I familiar voice from my window.

"Princess?"

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"Adrien. It's time for your photoshoot." I heard Nathalie call out from the other side of the door.  I was focused on playing video games that I didn't notice an hour has passed already.

"Yes of course! I'll be there in a minute," I yelled back as I grabbed Plagg and stuffed him in my bag and of course packed some cheese to keep him occupied.

We are currently gonna take shoots for the spring issue of Gabriel's clothes line. Granted it's just early fall, shoots are sometimes done early so it can be released once the season started.

We once had a shoot for the summer issue during winter and boy was it cold, it happens rarely though since designing clothes lines takes time.

"Adrien give me the spaghetti eyes. Yes! Hold it!" It was like on instinct for my body to do so, I don't put much thought to it, instead my mind floated towards the thought of Marinette calling me-- Chat, cute.  Normally when I visit her after my late night patrols he'd tel me I'm an annoying and stupid cat. I know she's joking around tho, Marinette doesn't judge people.

"Alright! That's it for today Adrien. You did a great job." Nathalie said as she dismissed me as a way of telling me I have the rest of the day to myself!

I could go and hang out with Nino but he's 'hanging out' with Alya. I can't stay in my room that long, it's boring. I can maybe visit Marinette? As Chat Noir. 

I gave Plagg a fair bargain so I can transform. 

"Plagg, transform me!"

I immediately vaulted towards a specific bakery and as soon as I reached the open window I heard laughter. One from Marinette and one from I don't know who but it sounded like a really small voice.

"Princess?" I called out as I entered her room.

"And what is a superhero doing in my room without permission?" She asked me with her confident voice. Something I never experience as Adrien, sure I see her stand up to Chloe all the time but she always looses confidence around me.

"A little bird told me you think I'm cute." I said with a sly smile on my face. Her eyes widened as a small blush managed to creep up her face.

"H-how'd you know the bird wasn't lying then?" She asked regaining her composure.

"Because I do."
"That isn't really an answer. Seriously though, what are you doing here?"

"Well, I have nothing else to do and it's boring at my house." I said as I plopped down on the small desk chair. I couldn't really get myself to say 'my home' because after all....it isn't.

"Hmm, why don't you call Ladybug then?"

"I don't know where she is; but princess don't you want me here?"

"I don't."

"Meowch. That hurt princess." I exclaimed clutching a hand on my chest.

"Aww is the wittle kitty hurt?" She baby talked complete with a fake sad look.

"Yes and the kitty needs someone to patch him up." I smirked as I played along.

"Well then why don't the kitty go home and ask his mommy?" She said, obviously in another playful tone.

It hit me hard....I tried not to let it show but she saw through me for some reason.

"C-chat? Is your-- oh my God I'm so so sorry Chat! I didn't know! I-"

"It's okay Princess, but your right I should go home now." I headed towards the window and right before I could vault away I felt Marinette grab my tail.

"L-listen Chat, I'm really sorry and.....if you need someone to talk to, I'm here." She set her head downcast trying to avoid eye contact.

I went back down on the floor again, cupped her cheeks and made her look at me.  Her eyes showed sadness, regret, and many other emotions.

"Marinette, it's ok really...and thank you," I said giving her a small smile.

"F-for what silly kitty? I should be the one thanking you," She said a small smile forming on her lips again.

"For what my dear princess?" I asked with a smirk on my face as the playful aura around us came back.

"Oh shut up and go home Chat." She pointed towards the window and I just let out small laughs.

"I'll be coming back tonight princess," I said as I got my baton to vault away.

"Pfft, don't even bother," she said And I gave her a two finger salute as I finally went away.

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Ah, will you look at that another crappy chapter.
Ok so my brain isn't giving me any ideas on because school. I honestly don't even know where this is going.

Anyway, I'm planning to end the story in a reveal and it's happening soon. Woop.

Also, do follow my Deal with It book, I'll be posting updates about everything there so yeah.

Thank you for 13k reads. I am very surprised people actually reads this plotless story 😹

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-MJ.