Cat Noir was used to seeing his friends being attacked by Hawkmoth's akumas. As much as it was disturbing, he knew that he had to do his job and not let his emotions take over him. This was true until he witnessed a very dangerous Akuma attack Marinette. There were instances where akumas were after her like 'The Gamer' or 'La Befana' but, he had managed to always save her, somehow, no matter how heavy his heartfelt every time her security was compromised.

That Akuma, Fleuriste, a florist with a failing business had turned the entire Paris into a dense forest. Trees and wild plants were everywhere. Buildings were covered with ivy, yet no single trace of a pretty flower. Ironical...

The branches and stems though reminded him of something he didn't want to remember, the incidents of 'Weredad', Marinette had been trapped that day he had almost failed to save her, if not for Ladybug arriving there in time.

He was focused during Akuma battles, true, he did make puns and joked around but, he was focused. Today, though, was not one of those days.

"You are going to pay, kitty cat~" Fleuriste sinisterly smiled to himself. He moved his hands in a wave-like motion. Thorny creepers made their way to him. But, alas! He wasn't paying attention.

"Cat, look out!" Someone yelled as they jumped over him, sending both of them tumbling to the ground.

"M-Marinette?" He got up and looked at her, she had taken the hit for him, the right sleeve of her jacket was torn and a little blood was smeared on it. She was clutching her wound tightly. The mere sight of her being in pain hit him like a solid brick.

He quickly scooped her in his arms and made a run for it. She tightened her arms around him as he ran over the rooftops to her balcony. They reached their destination in a blink and he carefully set her down.

He grabbed her hand and went inside her room through her trapdoor. "Sit on your chaise." He commanded. She didn't disobey.

He ran over to the cabinet near her sink, a place where she kept her first-aid kit, that girl was a clumsy fashion designer with a needle.

He wet a clean cloth with water, grabbed the box and sat down in front of her, he carefully cleaned the wound with the cloth. "Why did you do it?" His eyes welled up with tears.

Marinette was shocked. He is the one to talk? He has taken more dangerous hits than this. I-Is he really crying?

"Because I have your back." She smiled, wincing a little as he applied Neosporin on the cut. "Besides, this is just a little cut. I am completely fine."

"But I--"

"But me no buts." She covered his mouth with her left hand. "Go kick that Akuma's butt and then come back," she uncovered his mouth as she caressed his cheek with her thumb gently, "A steaming cup of hot chocolate and a movie will be waiting for you."

"I would really like that." He grinned.

She smiled warmly at him. She pressed a loving kiss to the back of his hand. If she were being honest, she had always wondered how it would be to feel his skin on hers, how holding his hands without his costume would be like.

Cat blushed, "I must take my leave, princess," he got up, "There's an Akuma to take care of."

She nodded and he left very quickly. Tikki phased out of her purse, "Marinette, we must hurry. I have a feeling that Cat Noir won't treat the Akuma very kindly after what just happened."

"You're right."

"Tikki, Spots On!" She transformed with a determined look on her face.

Let's just say that the akumatized person was lucky that the Miraculous Ladybug healed all the wounds or he would have needed a trip to the hospital.

In Cat Noir's defence: No one touches his princess!

******

Marinette gazed at bright streets of Paris in front of her, clutching the railings of her balcony. No matter how relaxing this was, she was tired and cold. She flinched a little as a soft blanket was wrapped around her figure.

"Do you want to cat-ch a cold, purr-incess?" A voice from her behind asked.

She didn't reply, just leaned into the person's touch, seeking warmth and comfort. Arms wrapped around her waist as she was pulled back slightly, into a comfortable posture. Her head tilted back in the person's chest, giving her enough room to look up at her best friend's face.

Cat Noir kissed her eyelids and nose gently. "Long day, huh?"

She didn't reply and continued to snuggle into him. He let out a chuckle as he cradled her, lulling her to sleep, her eyes felt heavy. Cat lifted her, wrapped her legs around his torso and her arms around his neck, her head buried in his shoulder, he was humming a nonsense song, which was a sweet melody to her ears. She smiled as his arms held her protectively.

Perks of being best friends: Wordless understanding.

.

.

.

And this is definitely what 'just friends' do.

******

"Who does she think she is? She can't just threaten me like that. I am going to show her that Marinette Dupain-Cheng is NOT afraid of anything."

Cat Noir gave her an amused expression. They were currently sitting in the Dupain-Cheng's living room and the bluenette was going on and on about Lila.

"Not afraid of anything?" He asked.

"Yes."

"Oh, look, a lizard." Cupping his cheek with one hand, he pointed in a random direction, he feigned a look of horror.

Marinette quickly jumped on the couch, in a full defensive mode, "Where?" She shrieked.

"Yeah, you aren't afraid of anything." His voice dripped with sarcasm.

Marinette opened her mouth and closed it without saying anything. She continued to do it for some time, like a fish. She was annoyed. "Cat, try to feel my emotions, don't take it literally."

He laughed, tears spilling out of his eyes. One look at Marinette's pout with her puffed cheeks and he was laughing harder, clutching his stomach. "Sorry, sorry, chèrie, I was just playing around."

She turned around and gave him a cold shoulder.

"Hey! How about we do something to cheer you up and take your mind off Lila?" He smiled as he saw her peeking at him from the corner of her eyes. He walked over to her and she turned her face away from him, "Princess," he held out his hand, "Trust your knight."

.

.

.

"Oh my god! Aaaaaah! Whoah!" Marinette yelled as Cat Noir gave her a piggyback ride around the rooftops of Paris.

"Hold on tight, little lady." He jumped off a tall building.

Marinette tightened her grip around him, "We are going to die!" When they were pretty close to the ground, Cat extended his staff, made it hit on the road below and gained enough momentum to send them flying to another rooftop. She smacked his head, "Are you crazy?" She panted.

Cat Noir just increased his speed in response, causing Marinette to bury her face in the back of his neck. She didn't even know why she was afraid, she did this every single day with a yo-yo, all she could say was that piggyback riding someone was different and scarier.

"You having fun, Mari?" He yelled. They were lucky that it was night and no one could see them fooling around.

"If your plan to distract me from Lila-problems was scaring the crap out of me, then you succeeded."

"Good, now hold on tight." He leapt.

"I am never doing this agaaaaainn!"

******

Adrien was looking at the pictures of him and Marinette, well her and Cat Noir.

"Admit it, kid, you like her." Plagg looked up at his chosen from the camembert he had been savouring.

"What do you mean Plagg? I do like her." Adrien gave his kwami a confused look.

"Sometimes I wonder if he really is this dumb or he is just pretending," Plagg muttered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

Adrien took a last look at him and went back to his research. He had been searching for best places to take Marinette on his birthday, occasionally taking breaks to look at his photos with his princess or the messages they had sent to each other.

"Ugh! I don't know where to take her." He let out an exhausted sigh.

"Oh, you are still working on that date of yours?" Plagg flew to Adrien's face.

"It's not a date, Plagg. I've told you this many times now, SHE IS JUST A FRIEND!"

"I know you're a blonde kid, but you aren't that dumb, are you? Is that the reason why you bought a separate phone just to communicate with her when you are de-transformed? Is that the reason why you spent the past three hours looking for a place to take her for your birthday treat? Is that the reason you are so affectionate towards her and get all protective?" Plagg snapped suddenly. His holder's obliviousness really ticked him off.

"You got it all wrong Plagg, I am doing this because she is my best friend. She was there when no one was. And no, it's not just a gratitude thing. I love her company. That's all."

Plagg's eyes twitched. "Oh really? Nino's your best friend too but you aren't taking him anywhere. Besides, you like Marinette's company more than your girlfriend's."

"Kagami is not my girlfriend... not really."

Adrien had broken up with her a few days after Marinette had told him to stop leading her on. Kagami was really hurt that day, but she had agreed. His father had different thoughts for him though. He wanted him to date her after all for publicity. Kagami did belong to the family of prestigious fencers. He couldn't decline him.

So, Adrigami was still a thing. For the public, that is. They still used to hang out as friends and sometimes went on fake dates. Adrien couldn't help but feel guilty. He had talked to Marinette the other day as Cat and she told him that he was at least honest to his 'girlfriend' and that she knew the truth. Adrien did feel better after her consolation.

"And to answer your first question, I can't be my true self around him. The only people that know the real side of me are Marinette and Ladybug."

"Then, why didn't you ask 'your lady' ?" Plagg questioned. "Why are you just inviting Marinette?"

"Because she so adorable!" Adrien blurted out.

When he realised what he had said he covered his mouth, his cheeks turned red.

"You sure about that friend thing?" Plagg smirked.

"Whaaat? Wait that's not what I meant Plagg." Adrien took a deep breath. "I meant that Marinette is more fun... no, wait... uhhh... you know Ladybug would've said no. She is so serious all the time. That's it."

"Mm-hmmm." Plagg narrowed his eyes at the blonde."Well then explain why were you blushing like crazy or your rapid heartbeat when you saw her in that outfit?"

Adrien tried to hide his blush. He knew if Plagg saw him blushing then it would just prove him right.

Why am I even blushing?

He knew his kwami was wrong.

So wrong.

"Must have been hormones." He blurted out without thinking.

"So... you think she's hot?" Plagg asked with an amused smirk. He loved doing this to Adrien.

"WHAT?! NO, I DIDN'T MEAN THAT EITHER." Adrien yelled. He took a deep breath and thought before answering.

"Look Plagg, I don't care what you think. I like her as a friend and that's just it. Nothing else. I love m'lady. Always had, always will. Besides she likes someone else. Not Adrien, Not Cat Noir but SOMEONE ELSE. End of discussion."

"I take it back kid, you're not a dumb blonde. You are an oblivious, dense dumb blonde that seriously needs a pair of contacts or an eye transplant."

Adrien's eye twitched. "Plagg, how about instead of being a pain in neck why don't you give me some real advice here, huh?"

Plagg sighed in defeat. "You know her kid, she is not a fan of materialistic things. Instead of looking for restaurants that cost a hundred bucks for a doughnut, or some too public place for you to go, take her somewhere that's important to you. Arrange everything yourself."

"That's the best thing you've ever said in all my years with you." Adrien stared at him in awe.

"A simple thank you would do kid."

******

"Miraculous Ladybug!"

"Pound it!" The superhero duo fist-bumped after defeating 'The Crusher', another Akuma caused by the one and only Chloe Bourgeois.

"I'll see you tonight at the patrol, kitty." Ladybug prepared to leave but Cat Noir stopped her by quickly grabbing her wrist.

"Sorry, bugaboo but, uh, I kind of need your help..." Cat released her wrist and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Is everything okay, Cat?" She was concerned.

"I need a favour, LB..."

"Just say it already. You know I will always help you, kitty."

Cat nodded. "...I kinda need the Horse Miraculous."