One thing I love about marichat is the mystery behind Chat's civilian identity. Marinette naturally has a lot of preconceived notions—but they slowly get dismantled as the two spend more time together.
Like?? Chat?? The feral furry boy from the streets?? Mangy alley cat?? What a chaotic clown.
Then one day he quotes Jane Austen off the cuff during a conversation, which takes her by surprise.
As Adrien becomes more comfortable around her, he brings up his favorite works in literature, music, and art. He makes cheeky references to his favorite poets from the romantic period. He reviews the ballets and operas he had attended in great detail.
And Marinette's like ??????
This cat boy is so well-read?? Intelligent and charming?? Recommends poetry?? Plays piano??????
Adrien isn’t trying to impress her—he’s just socially inept and spent the majority of his life with a handful of wealthy adults. Quite frankly clueless as to what constitutes a normal life experience.
Marinette is skimming a winter wear magazine one afternoon and Chat is struggling to spark conversation so he just blurts out;
“Did you know—St. Moritz is a great place for skiing this time of year.”
“Oh. Cool. Where do you usually go, then?”
“Oh. Wait—really? I’ve been doing it since I was four. My family actually has a chateau in—”
And she’s thrown for a complete loop.
Who is this boy?????? What?? He has how many houses?
During one of her projects, Marinette goes on a happy tangent about a certain fabric and shows him beautiful concept designs. Chat is blown away by them and she's adorable when she's so excited oh wow.
However, she gives up on the design because the fabric is too expensive—which saddens Adrien. The cost barrier had never occurred to him before—it shouldn't hinder someone so talented and the pretty girl deserves pretty things.
He shows up the next day with hundreds of meters’ worth of fabric.
“Chat!? What did you do!? How—did you buy out the store’s entire supply!?”
“I wasn’t sure which color you needed so—”
“No don’t tell m—LORD—I WAS BEING SARCASTIC, CHAT! HOW???”
She starts going on conspiracy theory rants to Tikki (who obviously knows Adrien’s identity, but can’t say sh*t).
“Tikki, listen—listen—I’m completely serious! I think Chat is part of the mob. I swear—oh don’t look at me like that! Yesterday he bought me another—”