Chapter Text
May I cut in?
For a party of this stature, it is awfully dull. Marinette adjusted her mask, readjusting the clips holding it down. She had been there for close to 2 and a half hours and her feet were starting to get sore. She had stolen a moment for herself, her gaze wandering through the room. Her eyes landed on her partner, who had invited her tonight. She had no idea how Chat had managed to get an invitation for this event, and she certainly had doubts when he had shown up to patrol asking her to be his date.
Marinette, at the time having been disguised at Ladybug, tried to decline his invitation. Yet she found herself here, wearing a dress she had designed herself along with a mask to keep her identity a secret. People had been ecstatic when Ladybug and Chat Noir had been announced when they walked into the ballroom together, none of them expecting the heroes to be here tonight.
Marinette had wandered over to the dessert table, sneaking a few tasty-looking treats to Tikki. She was hiding in her purse, just in case an akuma attack were to occur. Nothing had happened yet, and Marinette hoped it stayed that way.
She absentmindedly rubbed her neck, wincing at a sore spot she found there. ‘Probably just a cramp.’ She reasoned with herself. She turned back to the room and started making her way over to Chat. He had been chatting with some aristocrat-looking individuals. She left the talking to him, for he was way better at improvising in conversations than she had ever been. Chat grinned widely as he saw her approaching.
“So M’lady, are you enjoying yourself?” He almost purred out, ignoring the comments of the man he had just been chatting with. Marinette rolled her eyes. ‘Of course, Chat manages to offend someone when they are at a party.’
“Let’s just say Kitty that you should be grateful that you don’t have to wear heels. These things are absolutely killing my feet.” She complained. She always wore her flats, so wearing heels was not a pleasant change in her opinion. Especially when she was wearing high heels because they looked better with her dress.
Chat rolled his eyes dramatically, before throwing his arm around her shoulders. He pulled her into his side, which earned him a glare. He just grinned back.
“Come on M’lady, it’s not like I am enjoying wearing this suit. You have to say though, I look amazing in it.” Chat boasted, and while she found him annoying, Marinette had to agree with him. Only because she actually designed it though.
Chat had ended up on her balcony one night, in a panic because he didn’t have a suit to wear. Yes, you heard me right. Chat Noir had panicked in front of a civilian, who he considered his friend because he didn’t have the right outfit . Marinette immediately offered to make a suit for him, an offer he accepted right away. It was actually quite a clever plan because this way she could make sure their outfits matched without making it obvious to Chat or anyone else around them. To say she was proud of what she had managed would be an understatement.
Chat’s suit is black with neon green stitching. She tried to incorporate his colours (aka black and green) throughout the entire suit. A grey dress shirt, with a black tie, green waistcoat, and black suit jacket. His slacks were black as well, and his shoes completed the outfit perfectly. His mask was a replica of his miraculous mask.
As for Marinette herself, she admits she might have gone a little overboard. Her dress resembled a ballgown without the huge poofy skirt. While she had dreamed of a huge skirt, she reminded herself of the fact that she is tiny (even though she hates to refer to herself as that), so a huge skirt would drown her. She opted for an a-line skirt with a corset bodice. The colours were a mixture of black and red, with her signature polka dots laced through the dress. Her hair was down, curls falling just passed her shoulders. Her mask was also a replica of her miraculous outfit. The purse Tikki was hiding in was a reimagined version of her normal coin purse, just in different colours. Black heels completed her look to give herself a few inches extra. Not that anybody noticed that though.
Marinette brushed off his arm and pressed into his side, causing him to take a step back.
“Yeah yeah, Kitty. Keep telling yourself that you are not enjoying all the attention you have been getting this evening. Is your kwami even around? He needs to stay close to you in case an akuma attack happens?” She grumbled, crossing her arms. Sometimes Chat was way too relaxed in situations where he needs to keep his guard up.
“Relax Bugaboo, he’s just over by the cheese table. I couldn’t keep Plagg from there even if I wanted to. Don’t worry, I can transform at a moment’s notice if need be.” Chat teased, trying to get her to relax more. This was a party after all so they should try to enjoy it. He knows Ladybug gets uncomfortable in large crowds when they weren’t focused on an akuma, so had hoped this would be a great way for her to practice social interactions. Though it was more of a challenge than he anticipated. Nevertheless, he persisted and so far the night had been trotting along smoothly.
Chat bowed before his lady before extending a hand to her.
“Would you honour your Chat with a dance, M’lady?” He winked at her. Marinette tried to think of an excuse, but all ideas left her brain immediately. Having no good excuse to give, she placed her hand in his. Together they made their way to the middle of the ballroom, other invited guests making room for them to pass together.
Chat bowed before her and she curtsied, before joining their hands together. One of her hands rested on his shoulder, while his rested on her waist. They start moving along with the music, easily falling into the rhythm of the waltz.
‘Okay, I have to admit. Dancing with Chat isn’t as bad as I thought it would have been.’ Marinette reasoned with herself. She even managed to laugh when Chat suddenly twirled her around.
Couples ‘oh’-ed and ‘ah’-ed around them. Almost like they were the most magical scene they had ever seen. They had made one thing very clear when they had entered the ballroom though. They were absolutely not here as a couple, nor were they a couple in general. They had tried dating each other but found out that they were better off as friends and partners.
Marinette had been happy Chat had taken it well. He had tried to win over her affection ever since they started fighting against Hawkmoth and she had been scared her rejection would have had major consequences. But Chat has certainly grown up these last few years and accepted that their feelings for each other were more platonic than romantic. That doesn’t mean he would stop teasing her and quit being a shameless flirt.
They danced together for a while longer before Marinette felt a tap on her shoulder. Chat stopped their dance, glancing at the person behind her. His eyes widened and instantly met hers, causing Marinette to tense. She slowly turned her head, she stifled her gasp as she met the familiar purple eyes staring down into hers. Chat growled behind her, almost moving in front of her. All the other guests had stopped dancing, watching with fear-filled eyes. There was no mistaking who was standing in front of them.
“Argos… what are you doing here?” Chat snarled at him, making sure to keep his lady behind him. Argos almost laughed, holding up an envelope.
“Well, I got invited obviously. I just had some other… business to take care of before I was able to join you here.” He explained, casually stuffing the envelope back into his pocket.
“Now if you don’t mind,
Kitty Cat
, I asked this lovely lady if she wanted to dance. I’m sure she can use her own words, doesn’t she lead your little group of ‘heroes’? She certainly seems to have the brains between the two of you.” Argos teased, causing Chat to raise his hackles even more. Marinette laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, which in turn made him look at her.
“Very well Argos, I shall honour you with a dance. As long as you promise you are not up to anything which may hurt any of the attending guests or the people of Paris.” She offered, knowing damn well that she needed to be careful. While Argos had never actually fought against them, he was the reason all of the miraculous’ were in Hawkmoth’s hands.
Argos gave her a dramatic bow, before promising that he meant no harm and just wanted to enjoy a lovely evening dancing with the beauty in front of him. Marinette rolled her eyes. ‘He’s almost as bad as Chat when it comes to the flirting.’ She still wondered how Argos, aka Felix, was related to Adrien. Polar opposites of each other.
The music started up again, though a bit shakily at the start. The couples previously dancing immediately stepped away, not wanting to be close to the man who had just stolen the show. Even though he was in his regular miraculous suit, it suited him fine for the occasion. That must be how he had blended in with the other guests. The only addition to his normal suit was the mask sitting on his face, the same blue shade as his coat. The hood remained though, concealing most of his face and hair to those around them.
Argos pulled her close causing her to cringe. Marinette glanced to Chat, giving him a reassuring smile as she saw the look of concern on his face. Argos started off their dance, immediately taking the lead. While they might be enemies, Marinette had to admit that he knew how to dance. Slowly other couples started to join them on the dancefloor again.
“What are you doing here?” She hissed at him, her narrowed eyes glaring into hers. She got a charming smile in return.
“What, can’t I enjoy a lovely evening at an event I had no interest in going to until news reached me that you were attending? Oh, how awful of me. You should punish me for my behaviour.” He shot back, leaning closer to whisper in her ear, “like I punished you last night.”
Marinette instantly flushed, not wanting to recall the night before. It had been an in-the-heat-of-the-moment decision which led to them getting a bit too much action after an akuma battle. Chat had to leave right away, due to his miraculous beeping. Marinette had more time left over, but as soon as Chat had disappeared Argos had cornered her on the roof. Things got heated, in more ways than one.
Argos kissed a particular spot on her neck.
“I see the mark I left there is still there, even if you tried to hide it with the makeup. Don’t you want them to know that their hero, their inspiration, had a bit of fun last night? These are human needs you know, I am sure no one would blame you for it.” He crooned, his lips lingering a bit too long on her neck.
Marinette suddenly realized that the pain she had felt earlier hadn’t been a cramp. It had been the bruise he had left on her the night before, which she hid under copious amounts of makeup. ‘Oh, how embarrassing.’ She thought to herself, having completely forgotten it had been there. Her eyes met Chat’s, his fury not well contained as he watched the scene in front of him play out.
“Do you think he’s jealous, princess? Does he even know what you…
we
did last night? Maybe we should tell him and see how that plays out. It would certainly bring some more life to this party. Don’t you agree?” Argos prodded at her. She leaned back and stared into his eyes, her lips pulled back in a snarl.
“Don’t you dare!” She hissed, low enough so no one around them was able to hear their conversation. “Last night was a mistake. An impulsive reaction that never should have happened. I don’t know what game you are playing Argos, but it ain’t working on me.” Argos only chuckled.
“Are you sure about that? I heard you last night. You were enjoying yourself and
begging
for more. In case you forgot, I stopped at a certain point but you dragged me down and kept going.” Marinette flushed at his statement.
“Maybe so, but as you said yourself, humans have needs.” She shot back at him, watching him raise an eyebrow.
He pulled her flush against his chest, once again leaning over to whisper in her ear.
“I know how you moan for me in your bedroom,
Marinette
.” She froze.
“How did you-?!”
“Find out?” He cut her off and finished her sentence for her. “It wasn’t that difficult. I had seen you disappearing when akuma attacks happen. I just put two and two together. I had doubts before, but then I heard you moaning my name as you touched yourself in your bed. I am quite sure I heard my name fall off of your lips, not Chat’s. Don’t worry, I don’t know his identity, but it wouldn’t be very difficult to find out.” His lips started trailing down from her ear to her neck, his tongue licking a sensitive spot on her neck.
Marinette tensed. It was one thing that he found out her identity, but she couldn’t let him find out Chat’s. He could sell both of them out to Hawkmoth if he were to do so.
“Argos…
Felix
, please don’t. Don’t try to find out who Chat is behind the mask. If Hawkmoth were to know all of Paris… the world would be in danger.” She pleaded. She had to make sure that he wouldn’t do what he said.
Argos hummed at that.
“Hm… I could certainly do what you wish. For a price though.” He said, his nose touching hers as he leaned in. Marinette held his gaze, not backing down from his challenge.
“Name your price.” She hissed, wanting to protect Chat with everything she had.
“You are mine. And you might not realize you are, nor that you want it. But heed my words, you will. Let me show you that I am more than what I have shown you up to this point.” He said, which caused Marinette to blink at him before she narrowed her eyes.
“I am not an object you get to claim.” She snarled at him. He only gave her a smirk.
“This is the price for me not going to Hawkmoth with your identity and keeping Chat’s identity a secret from both of us. Your choice,
Marinette
.”