Chapter 9: Belt Tail


Marinette was used to the knocking and calling she heard from the roof every night.

What she never thought she'd hear is a panicked yowl, frightened hiss, and muttered curse as she entered her room.

Sighing, she looked up to see Chat Blanc suspended about a foot off her bed by his belt tail with a calico cat in his arms.

"It's Kit Kat's fault." He reported quickly, to which the cat smacked him in the face.

Eyebrow raised and arms crossed, Marinette's silent look demanded an explanation.

"You...left your door unlocked and uh...Kit Kat jumped in...so I jumped in to grab him and...the door shut...on my tail."

All stood still, awaiting Marinette's reaction.

Of all things, Chat didn't expect her to begin laughing.

She was absolutely howling with laughter, using the desk to support her. Pointing at him, she tried to stutter something out, only to choke on her laughs. It took her a few minutes before she calmed down and simply smiled at him.

He didn't realize how much he missed her smile until he saw it.

Chat's heart absolutely melted, a dopey grin on his face before the cat flipped and slapped it off him.

"Rude, Kit Kat."

Still giggling, Marinette climbed up the steps and onto the bed, sitting right in front of him. Turning her attention to the cat, she opened her arms and gestured for it to come to her. Without hesitation, it leapt from Chat's arms and onto her lap.

"What a cute kitty!" She cooed, stroking it.

"And me, Princess?"

"Meh."

Chat Blanc huffed and crossed his arms, still dangling by his tail.

Marinette continued to fuss over the cat, showering it in her affection. All right in front of Chat's face.

"Princess…" He whined, ears flattened and lower lip out in a pout.

"Yes, Chat Blanc?"

"If you're gonna hurt me like this, at least help me with my tail."

With a sigh, she put Kit Kat on a pillow and stood up.

"Don't hurt yourself."

"Wait-"

She opened the door and Chat Blanc crashed directly on his face, smashing his nose.

Sitting up, he rubbed the throbbing area as he watched Marinette sit back down with the cat, still cooing.

He slouched as he sat criss cross in front of her, watching her with a slight look of hurt in his eyes. The girl continued to kiss and nuzzle the cat, calling it cute names...just...loving it.

That's what he'd wanted.

Chest stinging, Chat looked away from her, shutting his eyes tightly.

Was this some sort of cruel punishment?

For her to care for this cat in front of his face, still hating him?

God, I'm being stupid.

Fighting back tears, he bit his lip and stood up, opening the door to leave.

He couldn't take much more.

"Leaving so soon?" Marinette smirked, putting the cat down in her lap, still petting it.

Chat couldn't find it in him to reply with anything more than a snarl, startling her. While she was still in shock, he jumped out the hatch, landing softly. Shoving the cookie she left him into his mouth, he prepared to leave before hearing her soft call.

"Wait!"

He turned to look at her, finding that she was offering him the calico cat.

"You want Kit Kat back?"

"...Nah. I'm sure it likes you more anyway." He smiled sadly, the pain intensifying.

"I don't think so."

Ears perked, he watched as the cat hopped out of Marinette's arms and skipped over to him. Kit Kat effortlessly jumped onto the rail before climbing onto his back.

Marinette watched as Chat Blac nuzzled Kit Kat, absolutely glowing with joy.

"Kit Kat is a cute name." She whispered softly.

"Thanks. Goodnight, Princess."

"'Night, Chat Blanc."

And with that, he was off, leaving Marinette with pain in her heart, but a smile on her face.

...

You know, who would've thought a little stray could change anything?

But it did two things:

Soften Marinette's heart,

And save someone from the hurt wrath of Chat Blanc.


Meh.

I got kind of stuck.

Still stuck for tomorrow but oh well.

I swear I'll publish during the day sometime.

Please review and have a pawsome day!