#marichat fluff

Yesterday, Ladybug had asked her partner if he had any plans for Halloween. After all, the holiday itself seemed right up his alley — all dark and playful and sweet. But when he admitted with a half-hearted shrug that he had nothing going on, she made sure to flag him down later on as Marinette and insist he come over for a movie.

Now, the two sat cross-legged, their knees just barely brushing on top of the nest of blankets and pillows scattered about Marinette’s room.

In preparation for the night, she had put out a wide variety of macarons — Marinette wasn’t sure what flavor, exactly, was his favorite, though he appeared to gravitate toward the passion fruit ones — as well as a plate of chocolate croissants.

“Well that’s all the more reason we have to watch it!” she exclaimed, shaking the remote. “It’s practically sacrilege to love anime but not know Studio Ghibli. We’ll have to watch more of these movies later on.”

She hadn’t lied, of course. Kiki’s Delivery Service was one of her favorite movies and had been since she was a small girl.

But this year she had the added motivation of dressing up as a witch, knowing that a certain black kitty would be by her side. Halloween was for dressing up, so who said she couldn’t cosplay a little… even if she was staying in?

Throughout the start of the movie, Chat Noir remained fixated on the screen, grinning when Kiki took flight and nodding in approval after she was affectionately taken in by Osono, the baker.

For Marinette, watching Chat Noir’s enjoyment was almost better than watching the movie itself.

“Wait.” Chat Noir grabbed the remote to pause the movie. “So how is she going to get the toy back?”

Kiki was in the middle of one of her first errands, but it had already gone awry. Jiji had to temporarily take the place of the small cat figurine she had been hired to deliver, and now she had to hunt it down if she was to save the job and get her beloved cat back.

“That’s what she’s trying to figure out too, Chaton.”

That adorable pout was back. Marinette grabbed a passion fruit macaron and popped it into his mouth with a gentle smile.

“We’ll just have to find out together,” she said.

Chat Noir took a bite and put the cookie down before crossing his arms in feigned annoyance.

“But you already know the ending,” he pointed out.

“Well, then I’ll pretend I don’t.”

Chat Noir paused in consideration before stealing Marinette’s hat and fixing it onto his own head with a satisfied grin. It sat slightly askew, fitting over only one pointed ear.

Marinette chuckled and suppressed the urge to reach out and right it for him.

“Okay, we can pretend,” he said. “After all, I don’t want to bring the wrong cat-itude to movie night.”

“Nope,” she agreed. “We wouldn’t want you feline left out.”

The hat started to slide sideways.

Before it could fall, Marinette quickly leaned forward to grab the brim with one hand and steady herself on his shoulder with her free hand. The hat crisis was averted, but—

Marinette froze.

Oh God, she had gotten really close.

The television provided just enough light for her to make out the faint blush pooling into Chat Noir’s cheeks as he met her eyes, mere inches away. She looked away and bit her lower lip as she felt her cheeks begin to warm, as well.

“Umm, let’s keep watching,” she suggested. She put down the hat and hastily pulled back to reach for the remote.

Before she could hit “play,” however, Chat Noir pulled her back, one hand tugging gingerly on her wrist.

“You can, um, sit closer,” he mumbled self-consciously. “If you want to, I mean.”

The warmth in Marinette’s cheeks slowly traveled down to her chest, leaving her giddy and nervous in a way that… was actually not as scary as she had expected.

Despite the initial awkwardness of the moment, neither of them pulled away from the contact.

“Okay,” she said slowly. “I… I’d like that.”

After retrieving the remote, Marinette sat back and tilted her head to rest on Chat Noir’s shoulder. Slowly, he rested one hand on her knee and leaned his cheek against her hair with a contented sigh.

The rest of the movie was infused with this hesitant warmth, the night passing with a sense of companionship that was so new yet so familiar all at once.

Eventually, Kiki would get her power of flight back. She would save Tombo and write to her parents, assuring them of her newfound joy.

And under their shared blanket — wrapped in fleece and dessert crumbs and laughter — Marinette felt just as happy. In fact, she thought she had never experienced anything quite as sweet as having Chat Noir’s infectious smile so near to her own.

————————————————————————

Chat Noir didn’t know how long he had been wandering the rooftops of Paris. Had it been just minutes? Several hours? He wasn’t sure.

Actually, he wasn’t sure of a lot of things these days.

For as long as he had been a superhero, he had believed in Ladybug. Trusted her with every fiber of his being. She had never steered him in the wrong direction. Never gave him any reason to doubt her.

But everything was different now.

She hadn’t exactly lied to him, no, but what she did was almost worse. She kept secrets from him.

Big secrets.

And not the identity kind of secrets. Or at least, not their identities. They had both agreed to keep those a secret.

And that was the problem, wasn’t it?

He didn’t know her identity, or the identities of the other superheroes. She said they must be a secret. And he understood. Even before she was the guardian he understood.

Did he like it? No.

But he understood.

That is, until Nino told him he was a superhero, and his girlfriend was also a superhero, and he knew that his girlfriend was a superhero and she knew he was as well. And that Ladybug was the reason they knew.

He didn’t understand that.

Maybe she gave them their miraculous at the same time because there was an emergency. There was no other option because she had to be quick. That would make sense. That he would understand.

Except no one is supposed to know someone’s secret identity, and if their identity is revealed they cannot be given a miraculous any more for their own safety.

But Ladybug didn’t take away their miraculouses. No. She gave them back.

Over and over again.

And she didn’t tell him.

She didn’t tell him their identities. Or even that they knew each others identities. She didn’t tell him shit.

Why is it okay for Nino and Alya to know each other’s identities, but he couldn’t?

He didn’t understand. He couldn’t. Because it didn’t make sense.

Nothing made sense anymore.

Nothing made sense because Ladybug had broken her own biggest rule. Someone else knows her identity, which would be bad enough if it was an accident and she didn’t tell him.

But it wasn’t an accident. It was completely on purpose. Ladybug told Rena Rouge, who he now knows is Alya, who she was.

Something she wouldn’t even tell him. Him. The person who is supposed to be her partner. Her other half in battle. It was them against the world.

Or at least it used to be.

It must be because she didn’t trust him. That’s the reason. Ladybug didn’t trust him and because of that she built up an army of temporary superheroes so she wouldn’t need him any more.

Now that he thinks about it, she hasn’t really needed him in akuma battles for weeks. Months? He wasn’t sure any more. Had she ever actually needed him?

He didn’t know.

And so Chat Noir was once again alone. Sitting on a Parisian rooftop he long ago had hoped Ladybug would meet him on for a date. A night that had resulted in them pretending to be in love in front of a giant ice cream snowman.

He was foolish to think she could ever love him for real.

There was a pit in his stomach.

Actually, scratch that.

There was a pit in his heart.

One he didn’t think would ever go away. He knew she didn’t love him. At least, not in the same way he loved her. She loved someone else, of course she did. And he had accepted that. Being her friend was enough for him.

But now, Chat didn’t even have that.

He didn’t have anything.

But even through all of this, he still loved her. He still fucking loved Ladybug even though every part of him was aching because of it. It wasn’t fair.

Chat Noir leaned against the railing of the rooftop, wondering just what he should do with himself now.

With thoughts swimming through his head, he looked out over Paris. It really was beautiful at night. But there’s something hollow and lonely about it as well.

Or maybe that was just him.

A soft familiar glow caught Chat’s eye. His eyes traveled a few buildings down and he noticed a girl.

A girl standing alone on her balcony.

She’s crying.

Marinette.

His friend Marinette, the girl who could seemingly do anything. Sure she was clumsy, and half the time he didn’t know what the hell she was trying to say, but she always came through when it counted. Especially for him. Well, for Adrien at least.

She was the type of person to go the extra mile for the people she cared about. Her compassion was seemingly endless. She was a pure ray of light.

And she was crying.

She didn’t deserve to cry.

Before he even had time to think about what he was doing, he ran down the rooftops and leaps, attempting to land softly on her roof so as to not frighten her.

It didn’t exactly work out that way

He landed softly enough, but then he slipped on a loose shingle and tumbled down onto the balcony, landing face first into her lounge chair. Not his best moment, but that seemed to be the theme of the evening anyway.

At the sound of the crash Marinette jumped with a small yelp. She whipped around to see the intruder but instead tripped over nothing at all and tumbled backwards towards the railing.

In a flash Chat was at her side. One hand holding her waist and the other cradling her head so it wouldn’t hit the metal railing.

They both froze for a moment, looking into each-other’s eyes for just a little too long. Not sure exactly how they got to be in that situation but not exactly mad about it either.

Chat slowly propped her back upright and took a step back, sheepishly rubbing his arm.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

There’s something in Marinette’s eyes that he couldn’t quite read. Was it hurt? Relief? Anger?Sorrow?

Whatever it was, Chat didn’t have time to figure it out was it was before Marinette all but threw herself into his embrace. Crying a little harder than before.

She must have needed some comfort tonight, too.

He didn’t know what -or who- possibly could have made her feel this way, but he didn’t like it.

He didn’t like it one bit.

Her small body was trembling in his arms as he held her. Her face was buried in his chest. Her cries growing softer but her tears flowing just as much as before.

Chat’s heart hurt for her.

It hurt so much.

He hears her voice for the first time that night. It was quiet and rough, barely a whisper. Not at all what his Marinette’s voice should sound like.

He wondered just how long she had been crying.

“Are you okay?”

What? He wasn’t sure he heard her correctly. Why would she be asking him if he’s okay? When she’s the one crying?

“Chat are you okay?” she repeated, still soft from being muffled by his chest but there was more urgency in her voice than before. “You looked sad.”

Chat Noir was confused for the millionth time that evening.

His beloved friend was too selfless for her own good.

He chuckled softly, “I should be asking you that, Princess.”

Marinette’s large bluebell eyes peered up at him. She still looked sad but there was a newfound determination in her stare.

It reminded him of—

No.

He shouldn’t have thought of his lady.

Not when Marinette was right in front of him.

He was shaken from his thoughts when he felt a small hand grip his large one.

Marinette led him over to her lounge chair.

“Sit.”

Chat Noir sat.

“Talk.”

He didn’t want to.

Not when she was so clearly upset herself just moments before. He looked away, at anywhere- anything- except for her. He didn’t want to burden her with his emotions.

“Chaton,” she says more softly this time, “please.”

That nickname. His weakness. Chat Noir looked into her eyes and they were pained and pleading. Desperate to make him feel better.

He didn’t deserve her.

“I don’t want to be a bother… I came here f-for you. You were um, crying and I, uh, I don’t…”

Marinette’s grip tightened around his fingers, her hand never having left his since they sat down.

“Chaton.”

Chat Noir looked down with a sigh, he would have to tell her something. He knew her well enough to know that she would always put others before herself. And she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“It’s Ladybug,” he spoke hesitantly. He heard Marinette’s breath catch in her throat but didn’t think much of it.

It must have been a bit unnerving to learn the protectors of Paris we’re having issues with each other.

“We.. had an argument. And I- well I just don’t know what to think anymore. About anything.”

“Do…” Marinette spoke cautiously, “do you want to talk about it? I’m here if you want me to listen. I know we don’t know each other too well, but I’ll always be here for you Chaton. Whenever you need me.”

That was all Chat needed for the floodgates to open. Everything he had been holding in for these past few weeks tumbled out onto Marinette’s more than willing ears.

He told her about problems with the identities (excluding names, of course. Nino and Ladybug might’ve been okay with revealing people’s secret identities but Chat wasn’t).

He told her about how there were too many secrets and he didn’t know what to believe anymore. The more he spoke the more he realized how upset he really was and how his world was shattering around him. Everything was wrong.

As Chat rants, Marinette rests her head on his shoulder and uses her other hand to rub slow circles into his back. Her hands were still shaking and Chat Noir was still confused about how he was suddenly being the one comforted when Marinette had been the one crying. But still, Chat continued.

He choked on his own words as he told Marinette how his lady didn’t trust him. That she didn’t need him any more and he was crying.

He was crying hard.

“I don’t know if I can keep being Chat Noir.”

He placed his cheek on top of Marinette’s dark hair and for a moment they just sat there, Chat still crying and Marinette still rubbing circles into his back.

But then he noticed she was trembling even harder than before.

Oh no. He had spoken too much, he knew he would. He shouldn’t have brought this all down on her. He must have somehow reminded her of what was making her so sad before, and now she was probably terrified for Paris on top of it.

She was crying again and he had upset her and it was all his fault.

He always messed everything up.

Chat hung his head and spoke softly, “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have come. I shouldn’t have told you all that. It’s not your problem to deal with. I just wanted to make you feel better when I came here but I made everything worse. I’ll leave you alone now, I’m sorry.”

Chat got up and took a step forward but his arm was met with resistance. Marinette still hadn’t let go of his hand and it didn’t seem like she was planning to either.

Her gaze was glued to the floor and she wouldn’t look up at him

“Mari?”

There was a moment of silence then she looked up at him, her large eyes glassy and her face flushed. Even crying she looked as beautiful as always.

Chat thought he should talk to his father about having her model with him at some of his photoshoots. She loved fashion, perhaps that would make her happy. Even if he failed miserably at cheering her up as Chat Noir, maybe he could try again as Adrien.

“Stay.”

Wait what?

“Please. I don’t really want to be alone tonight. Would you mind hanging out here a little while longer?”

After all that happened tonight, how could she still want him to stay? Not only that, but asking him with the words he said to her that first night he met her on her balcony. He couldn’t believe she remembered all of that. Just thinking about it caused a lump in his throat, but not one from sadness.

He could also tell that she was asking him to stay for his benefit more than her own.

“Chaton.”

She said his weakness yet again. He was starting to think she was catching on to that fact.

She gently pulled in his hand and he willingly followed, sitting back down on and on the lounge chair.

Marinette turned slightly to face him better and her knees touched his. He felt a strange sensation in his chest.

But he chose to ignore it for the time being. Too much to unpack there.

“I know you won’t believe me, but none of this is your fault, Chaton.”

He didn’t believe her.

But that didn’t mean he didn’t appreciate hearing it.

“I mean it. You’re brave. And you’re smart.”

Marinette paused and looked at Chat Noir, who was staring at the floor. She placed a finger under his chin and gently guided his face to meet her gaze. He felt his entire being soften as he looked at her. She made him feel warm. Wanted. Comfortable. All things he had been sorely lacking for quite a while.

“But most of all you’re incredibly kind. I’ve never met someone as wonderful as you, Chat Noir.”

He felt heat rush to his face.

Marinette sighed and looked to the sky. She spoke, but it didn’t feel like it was to Chat.

“If Ladybug doesn’t see that, she’s an idiot.”

Chat immediately felt the urge to defend Ladybug and say she’s not an idiot. But then again that’s Marinette’s point, wasn’t it?

But still. She didn’t know the situation like he did. How could she?

Chat placed his hand on Marinette’s knee, her head snapped twoards him, her eyes wide. Chat immediately went to retract his hand. He had forgotten boundaries, as far as Marinette knew, they had only really met a handful of times. People who don’t know each other don’t touch like that.

How could he be so stupid?

But then her tiny hand went to hold his. Both of their hands resting on her knee. Marinette leaned her body onto his, resting her head on his shoulder once again.

Then again, people who don’t really know each other don’t do a lot of the things they did that evening. He guesses it must just be different for them for some reason. He didn’t feel the need to think on it much more, because as soon as her hand touched his he was put at ease.

“Thank you, Princess.”

Chat felt her heart beat increase ever so slightly.

He smiled softly. He liked that he made her feel that way.

He quickly removed that notion from his head.

Totally not the time, Chat, he thought.

“You never did tell me what was wrong, Mari.”

She was quiet for a moment, “it doesn’t matter.”

This hurt Chat, it really did. The fact that she was so willing to listen to his problems but doesn’t think that her own- one’s that she was crying about on her balcony for who knows how long before he saw her- aren’t worth talking about.

“Yes it does.”

“No it doesn’t Chat, not tonight. Not now that you’re hear.”

He wasn’t quite sure what she meant by that.

“Mari, look at me.”

She looked at him.

“They do matter, okay? They matter to me. Even if you don’t want to talk about it now, I get it. But know that they do matter.”

He wanted to find out who made her feel this way and do something to fix it.

“I know. I’m okay, Chaton, really.”

He didn’t believe her, but he also didn’t want to push it.

So instead he just held her.

To be honest, in that moment he didn’t ever want to let go.

Chat felt his eyes grow heavy, it really was getting late. How long had they been up? He had lost track of time long ago.

At the same time, Marinette stifled a yawn.

Seemed like they were both getting tired.

“You need to go to sleep Mari, you’re exhausted.”

He didn’t really want to leave.

She didn’t let go of his hand.

“Just a little while longer?”

He agreed.

They decided to get a bit more comfortable on the lounge chair and lay down. At first Chat Noir tried to give her as much space as possible, but then she melted into him and he wrapped his arms around her waist and they were both at peace.

Well, somewhat at peace.

The feeling from his chest had traveled down to his stomach, but he’d unpack those feelings later. He didn’t need to think about it right then.

Not when Marinette was holding his hand and his arm was around her waist and their legs were tangled together. In that moment, all he needed to think about was her.

The Next Morning

When Marinette woke up she was cold.

The sun was out, the birds were chirping, and she could near the soft rumble of Paris waking up for the day.

All and all, an ideal morning.

Except for the fact that the space around her felt empty.

Her eyes snapped open and she looked around for Chat Noir, but he was no where to be found. She couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed, but she understood that he must have had to get home.

But she still wished he had woken her before he left.

He could have said goodbye.

Marinette sat up on the lounge chair. As she touched the ground, she felt a soft crinkle beneath her foot.

A note.

She didn’t know how he got the pen and paper to write it, but it didn’t matter to her. She just wanted to know what he said.

She picked up the note and read:

Hello, My Princess.

Her heart fluttered.

I’m sorry I’m not there to greet this morning. I woke up around dawn and had to rush back home. My father would completely freak if he knew I was gone all night. Or at all to be honest.

So Chat Noir has an over protective father?

Interesting.

She had never really thought about his home life before. It’s not that she didn’t want to, she had just never really allowed herself to go that far for the fear of possibly figuring out his identity.

I want to thank you for last night. As you could tell, I was having a really rough time. I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t there. Probably just a lot of sulking by myself lol. Maybe some mild property damage. Who knows? ;)

Just kidding.

But in all seriousness, thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. How much I appreciate you.

I only wish I could have been there for you in the same way.

That’s why it pains me to think this could be goodbye for us.

Wait what? What does he mean goodbye?

Marinette suddenly begins to panic. Her eyes blur and she tries to read what he wrote next as fast as possible.

I don’t know if I can be Chat Noir anymore. I still haven’t made a decision, but I have a lot to think about.

I know you think otherwise, but Ladybug doesn’t really need a Chat Noir, and if she doesn’t trust me, I can’t be the hero that she needs. She deserves someone she feels she can rely on.

You’re an amazing girl, Marinette. You deserve the entire world and I hope that someday you’ll see that too.

I’m sorry I couldn’t say this to you in person. I wasn’t brave enough.

I know in my heart that we will meet again one day, in or out of the mask.

Forever Your’s,

Your Chaton.

Marinette felt every emotion at once.

Then she felt numb.

She slowly set the page down next to her on the lounge chair.

In a daze, she buried her face in her hands.

Then she cried.

She cried hard.

————————————————————————

Um so yeah. There was a lot of angst and then there was a lot of fluff and then I ended it with angst again 😅