Claws In 🐾 (SEQUEL to Spots Off) ( A Miraculous Ladybug Fanfic)

18- The Peacock's Hostage (Birthday- Part One)

Marinette's POV

My cheek is cold, pressed against what feels like... leather? Wait, where am I? Eyes shooting up, I sit up fast and look around. I don't recognize this place. I stand up as my eyes adjust to the bright light and when I turn around, I freeze.

Monsieur Paon stands on the other side of the couch. I remember now. He kidnapped me!

"Oh, you really messed up now."

"Mari—"

"Tikki—"

"That won't be necessary, Ladybug."

My eyes widen. "L-Ladybug?" I repeat slowly. "You know who I am?"

"I have for a while now, actually," He admits.

"So, all those times we've talked, all our visits, every time you followed me, you've known who I really was?"

Monsieur Paon nods. "Yes."

It doesn't make sense. If he knew the entire time, why was he always so nice to me? Why did he decide to save me that day? That day... when it all began. He's seen me at my most vulnerable, why not take advantage of that?

"But... but you never did anything! If you knew, why didn't you try to take my miraculous? Why didn't you ever fight me?"

He rolls his eyes. "If I wanted to hurt you, Marinette, I would have done so a long time ago."

I take a deep, steady breath. Could I trust him? Am I really safe with him? Wait, if he knows my identity, what about Adrien's? "Do you know Cat Noir's identity?"

"I do, yes. You hit the jackpot, huh? Your little feline turns out to be a famous model?"

"How long?"

"Almost a year now, but I learned his identity a few weeks after I discovered yours."

"What?!" Monsieur Paon has known that long? "But... how?"

"The truth will surprise you, Marinette."

I notice he said 'will' and not 'would'. So, does this mean he plans on telling me—the truth, that is?

With him at a safe distance, I start looking around the house. It's big and empty, very clean. I look past Monsieur Paon and see a patio with a balcony outside. It's a beautiful home. "Where am I?" Am I even still in Paris?

"We'll get to that soon."

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Almost nineteen hours," he says casually.

"What?!" I shout, eyes widening. Then a fear hits me. "Did... did you give me—"

"Of course not, Marinette."

I look around for a clock, something to tell me what time it is. "What time did you bring me here?"

"Around 1 p.m. yesterday."

"And what time is it now?"

Monsieur Paon looks at his wrist. Of course he wears a watch. "Almost seven-thirty."

"A.M.?"

"Yes."

"But my birthday party starts at eleven—"

"I know." He takes careful steps around the couch as he approaches me. He gestures to the kitchen and asks, "Would you like some breakfast?"

I follow him slowly, not sure if this is a trap or not. At the kitchen table, there's a mix of foods—waffles, bacon, sausage, eggs, toast—and a pitcher of orange juice.