3. Hot Cocoa
Mari's POV
Air rushed past my fingers as I plummeted. There was a voice telling me to just let it in. Let it in. Let it in. I was confused. I was falling. Strong arms grabbed my waist and the voice was yelling now. I closed my eyes trying to shut it out. I felt the air stop rushing and I was hovering. I faintly heard deep breathing beside me, but the voice blocked everything around me. I couldn't think or speak. Then I was rushing up and sideways, swaying in some one's arms. We halted, and they placed me back on my feet. I felt something fluttering against my skin. Listen to me. Listen to me. I couldn't will the voice away.
Chat's POV
I placed her safely back on the ground of her terrace, my heart beating out of my chest.
"Marinette!" I yelled into her face. Her eyes were squeezed shut and she didn't respond. I shook her violently to bring her out of her trance. She shook her head and opened her eyes to look at me. I placed my hand on her cheek. She looked up at me as if seeing me for the first time.
"Chat Noir? What's wrong, why are you here?" she asked looking around as if noticing for the first time she was on her terrace. I looked around at the fleeing butterflies.
"But you just…" I trailed off. She must have been akumatized. Yet, she had seemed to be herself. I was confused.
"Chat what happened?" She asked. It was her turn to shake me. I turned to stare at her. She genuinely seemed confused. She hadn't transformed like all the others. The butterflies weren't even in an object, or even touching her. They just… floated around. I looked at the hard, strong questioning stare she gave me. Marinette was strong, she must have fought it. Seeing she wouldn't succumb to his akumas, Hawkmoth must have used her emotions against her, to manipulate her into doing his will. He had amplified her emotions and had almost killed her, in hopes she would see the peril she was in. Having no choice, she would have become akumatized to save herself from that deathly fall.
"Chat?!" she asked starting to get fearful. I carefully thought about his answer.
"You were almost akumatized, but I saved you." There, that was relatively true. At least I wasn't lying. I didn't want to scare her by telling her the whole truth. Her eyes widened in horror.
"What? She asked, raising a hand to her mouth. She shivered slightly. He didn't know whether it was from the icy winter wind or from the thought of being akumatized. Either way, he had to get her inside. Come on, you could use a cup of cocoa, he said as he rested his palm on the small of her back to lead her back inside to the warmth of her home.
Mari's POV
As Chat Noir made hot cocoa for us in the kitchen, I sat on the living room couch, now in some warm fuzzy pajamas. I had fought off the akuma, that's what the voice must have been. I was being dramatic teenager when I said I just wanted to die. Hawkmoth couldn't use those feelings to make me an akuma, I was too strong. I understood it probably had something to do with me being Ladybug, but Chat Noir didn't. He must think I'm just one strong civilian. I was too strong to be akumatized so Hawkmoth decided to use what power he had over me. He turned me against myself. I turned to stare at Chat's back as he fumbled around in the kitchen, it looked like he had never been in one before. He had spent the last five minutes trying to figure out how to turn the kettle on. I giggled under my breath. I could hear him muttering under his breath.
"Well this is just purr-fect isn't it?" he muttered to himself. I walked up behind him and pressed the on button. He jumped.
"There, it's easy, see?" I said smiling at him. He grunted.
"Thanks for your chivalry princess, but I'm supposed to be the knight" He couldn't help the smile playing at his lips. I laughed.
"You keep thinking that kitty" I said turning to the cupboard to take out two mugs. I laughed noticing my black cat mug. Turing to him I held it up in front of me. "You want this one kitten?" I asked, winking at him. He broke into a smile.
"Of course my princess" he replied winking back. We both doubled over laughing just ask the kettle started to steam.
Each carrying a mug we went up to my room. Upon entering I noticed the mess that once was my winter dance dress. I looked sadly upon it. Chat came up behind me and rubbed my back with his hand.
"Oh it's alright" I said smiling at him, "I wasn't that far along anyway" It was true. I had only begun three days ago. I still had two weeks to get it done. I sat down on the chaise that was now moved back to its proper place, patting the seat next to me. Chat smiled at me and sat down. He was so close I could feel the expanding of his body as he breathed in and out. I could see his muscular chest rise up and down. I blushed looking down at my cup of cocoa. He was not here so I could ogle at his muscles. When had I started ogling at his muscles?
"Are you ok?" he asked placing his hand on mine. I turned a dark shade of red.
"Yes! I'm ok completely! I mean, that is, I'm ok…" I said, mentally hitting myself. What was wrong with me? When had I started stuttering around Chat, my pun-crazed partner?
Chat's POV
I stared at her as she cast her heavy lidded eyes to her cup. She looked ok. She looked better than ok. The colour had returned to her face and she looked nothing like the pseudo Marinette I had encountered earlier. As I stared at her, she turned her face up to look at mine. The movement was so cute, it caught me off guard. Marinette looked really pretty, had she always been this pretty?
"Are you ok kitty?" she asked giggling a little. There it was again. Kitty. She had called me kitty, for like, the fourth time today. My heart soared at the endearment. I was her kitty! Her eyes were like stars, shining as she looked up at me, he face like a pearl, precious and shining. Pink rose bud lips… I straightened having unconsciously started leaning forward. My hand rubbed my neck as I nervously laughed.
"Uh, yeah I'm paw-sitively purr-fect princess!" I couldn't help but bop her nose as I said so, she was just so adorable looking up at me like that. She turned red and looked down, taking a sip from her cup. My body itched for contact with hers. What was happening to me? I twitched in my sweat, casting nervous glances at her. Sure she was cute, but my Lady was beautiful. I loved my Lady and none other, but still something drew me to Marinette. I shook my head and stood up before I embarrassed myself further. "Well, since you seem to be just dandy, I'll take my leave. I'll check up on you tomorrow, bye!" I said in a rush as I escaped out the window. I didn't catch her reply as I was already flying through the rooftops, my face burning red and my head filled with thoughts of Marinette and my Lady.
Author's Note!
Hey guys! I'm so sorry for the really heavy previous chapter, I feel bad about dumping that on you with no explanation, but it that chapter will be necessary to the future plot of this fanfic. This is what I intended the third chapter to be, it was supposed to be for tomorrow but, I feel this better explains the previous chapter and I didn't want to scare you!
I hope you enjoy and this means that most of the heavy angst is over now and it's time for the marichattttttttttttttttttttttttt.
-ohhohochatnoir
