Chapter Text
Marinette let out a heavy sigh as she leaned on her balcony railing overlooking her gorgeous view of Paris. It was the day before Valentine’s Day and another failed day of confessing her feelings to Adrien. She had a whole plan to ask him to the Valentine’s Day dance Chloe was hosting that she actually got invited to this year by some dumb luck. She had been so excited that she spent every spare minute creating her dress over the last couple of weeks. Everything would have been perfect if she could have just plucked up the courage to ask Adrien to go with her. As Marinette was stewing over her most recent embarrassing attempt to confess to Adrien there was a thudding sound behind her. She didn’t need to turn to know who had landed on her balcony.
“Hi Chat,” Marinette let out with another small sigh.
Chat Noir had been regularly visiting her the past few months. He usually came every Thursday night, Marinette would have found this weird if it wasn’t for the fact that he was surprisingly comforting to be around. They had an easy relationship and neither brought up the fact that it might be strange he was hanging out with a random civilian most of his Thursday nights. Marinette figured he was lonely or that he just enjoyed the snacks she gave him.
“Evening princess. What’s with all the sighing?”
That just made Marinette groan and slump her body forward over the railing.
“Don’t feel like talking about it,” she said in a voice that was muffled by her arms.
“Oh come on, it can't be that bad,” Chat laughed and poked her shoulder.
Marinette stood, leveling a glare at him that had Chat putting his hands up in surrender.
“It was very bad. There’s only so much embarrassment I can take before I implode.”
“What could have been so embarrassing?”
Marinette hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should continue this conversation. She knew Chat liked her, well, the Ladybug version of her. It felt almost wrong to talk about her boy problems with a guy who likes her, there was also the added factor he might laugh at her. However, when Marinette looked at him and saw nothing but concern in his gaze. He really was one of her best friends, and could likely help her. After some thought she finally relented.
“Confessing to the guy I like,” she shyly replied feeling a little stupid.
Understanding dawned on his face, the concern in his eyes was replaced with a genuine excitement almost causing Marinette to laugh.
“Ah yes I remember you mentioning this crush once, I’ve been very curious to know who the lucky fellow is. Are you finally going to tell me?” Chat said much too excitedly.
Marinette let out a laugh and seriously considered telling Chat who he was. Basically everyone in her class knew but Adrien and it wasn’t like Chat would go running to tell him and she knew she could trust her partner.
“Fine,” she said gesturing to the seats around her little table that was set up with the tea and cookies.
Chat looked absolutely giddy as he sat down on the edge of his usual seat. Marinette eyed him curiously, she didn’t think he would be this happy or interested.
“Do you really want to know that badly?”
“Yes!” Chat practically screamed. “I’ve been curious for months, you know how us cats are,” Chat let out an indigent huff with a cute pout on his lips.
He’d been curious for months? Marinette couldn’t help but wonder why it mattered so much to him. She was a little nervous talking about this even if it was a well known secret. Her crush was so obvious people usually didn’t even need to be told to know who it was.
“Okay, fine, but let me explain before you say anything.”
Chat nodded.
Marinette felt like she needed to explain herself so he wouldn’t get the wrong idea. In a rushed breath she continued, “It’s Adrien Agreste, but, before you judge it’s not some celebrity crush, I actually know him, we’re in the same class.”
Marinette looked up at Chat to find him frozen still with his mouth hung slightly open. When their eyes made contact he snapped out of whatever shock he was in and stuttered out a reply.
“R-really?”
“Yes! I thought it was kinda obvious. Honestly I thought you would have figured it out by now considering the pictures in my room.”
“I thought that was just because you were into fashion and needed inspiration!” Chat yelled.
“Ugh. I am so glad he fell for that lame excuse,” Marinette said, shaking her head, “But you're right in a way he does inspire me.”
“How?”
Chat seemed to be truly baffled by her interest in Adrien. She thought of her answer for a moment, there were so many things she loved about him.
“Well for starters he’s kind, patient, and generous. He’s always helping other people and I can see how deeply he cares about his friends. But what I truly admire about him is that he always tries to see the best in people. Even when I unfairly judged him when we first met he never held it against me and even apologized to me . I was so shocked I couldn’t even say anything when he handed me his umbrella so I wouldn’t walk home in the rain. I fell for him then and there that day and since then he inspires me to be a better person.”
When Marinette looked up from the table she realized how much she had been talking, very embarrassed she was about to apologize to Chat for her rant, but when she looked at him Chat was practically a tomato and at a complete loss for words. Confused by his reaction, Marinette was about to ask if he was okay when he finally replied.
“Wow princess, you really do like him,” he mumbled
“Yea, but I can barely even speak to him without stuttering and failed yet again at trying to ask him to Chloe’s dance today.” She grimaced as the awkward interaction from earlier flashed through her mind. “He must think I'm some kind of freak,” she said defeated and held her head in her hands.
She jumped when she felt leather hands gently grab her wrist and pulled her hands away from her face. Her breath caught in her throat when she looked up and saw Chat’s face was just inches from hers.
“He most certainly does not think you’re a freak,” he breathed emotion shining in his eyes. “Even a blind person can see how amazing you are, Marinette. If anything you're the inspiration people should look to,” Chat said softly and held her hands in his.
A blush found its way across Marinette’s face making her drop her gaze from his only to turn redder as she looked at his hands holding hers.
“I think you should try to ask him again tomorrow. I have no doubt he’ll say yes,” he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “After all you’re the cat's meow,” he finished with a wink.
And just like that the moment was ruined. Marinette pulled her hands away rolling her eyes and let out a small laugh. “That was seriously terrible Chat. I expect better,” she teased.
“Just promise that you’ll try again tomorrow,” he said while holding out his pinky finger.
“Fine I promise,” she smiled as she wrapped her pinky around his.
Chat leaned back in his chair looking satisfied as he finished the cookies on his plate. They talked some more before Marinette shivered as the cold started seeping in without her warm tea.
Chat noticed and stood helping her up by her hand.
“Until tomorrow princess, get inside so you don’t catch a cold,” he kissed her knuckles and turned to leap off her balcony.
Wait tomorrow?
Marinette shrugged it off ignoring what he said along with the tingling feeling left behind from where he kissed her hand.