Chapter 10

Marinette was sat at her desk working on her latest design. It was a black dress that would come down to her knees. The skirt would flow loosely out from the waist, while the top half would be quite form fitting and tight to show off her curves (not that she had many, but still, it wouldn't hurt to accentuate what she had), there was a subtle pattern on the fabric of swirls, birds, cats and paw prints. There was a vibrant green ribbon that tied around where the skirt would start hanging loose and a matching green choker for her neck that had a little gold paw charm. Although, try as she might to deny it to anyone who asked, it was deeply inspired by a certain black alley cat that had been visiting her an awful lot after the incident of him not visiting her for a while and worrying her so much. Marinette sighed as she finished sewing the hem of the bottom of the dress, she knew she should put it away soon, she didn't want Chat noir to see it. If he knew she was designing a dress inspired by him, she would never hear the end of it as well as his ego getting even bigger. Marinette put the dress away in her special hiding place that she knew even Chat wouldn't go into... her underwear draw.

Not even 10 minutes later a familiar thud was heard from her balcony, followed by a few taps on her trapdoor above her bed. "Hi Chat!" She yelled up, letting him know he could come in. He knew that if she didn't respond with his name then she wasn't alone and he should come back another evening.

"Good evening, Purrincess." Chat greeted as he dropped down onto her bed. He looked around her room briefly and found the young designer sitting on her chaise, watching him expectantly while motioning for him to sit beside her. Chat noticed that she had her computer set up with some sort of film in front of the pink chaise and a large bowl of popcorn and a plate of baked goods set on a table in front of her.

"Come on Chat, I have a film for us to watch tonight" Marinette said with enthusiasm. Chat raised an eyebrow,

"Reeaally? And here was I thinking we were going on a picnic in Venice." He replied, sarcasm dripping off his tongue with every word. Marinette reached out and hit his arm, making him let out an exclamation of pain along with an indignant "Hey!" He just chuckled, though she had yet to stop mildly glaring at him, "So what are we watching, then?" He asked as he settled on the cushions next to her.

Marinette instantly brightened and replied enthusiastically, "Oh! It's this horror film. Alya has been trying to find a film that will scare me pretty much since we became friends. She says that this one will definitely scare me, at least a little bit and if it doesn't she said she's going to get me tested for being a psychopath. She is convinced I don't have a sense of fear since I've never so much as jumped at a horror film, ever." Marinette finished with a chuckle and looked at Chat noir, who had paled significantly. "Are you alright, Chat? You look a bit pale." She asked in concern.

The cat themed hero just chuckled with an obvious nervous edge to it and swallowed thickly, "Me? I'm fine Princess. Ha ha ha, why wouldn't I be fine?"

He was obviously not fine.

Marinette studied him intensely for a minute, trying to get answers as to what was bothering him. Chat shifted under her intense blue eyes uncomfortably. Not long later Marinette's eyes widened with understanding, "Chat, you're afraid of horror films, aren't you?" She gasped.

While Chat let out a slight choked noise as he denied her question, "What, me, the great Chat noir, afraid of a silly film? Yeah right." But despite his protests Marinette could see through his really bad lie.

"Yes you are!" Marinette exclaimed, she was starting to find this quite funny. She knew she couldn't know much about him because of identities and things, so when she learnt something about him like this it was nice for her. Plus in this situation, she could easily use the information as leverage latter on.

"No I'm not!"

"Are to!"

"Am not!"

"You so are!"

"I'm so not scared of a film. I'm completely fearless!" He proclaimed as he puffed out his chest.

"Fine," He let out a small sigh of relief, until. "Prove it then." Chat sucked in a sharp breath. He was doomed one way or another. But which should he choose? Keep his dignity and have nightmares for months. Or should he sacrifice his dignity and let Marinette have the knowledge that he is a complete scaredy cat but have peaceful, unhaunted dreams (besides the images of a super smug Marinette, of course). Chat decided that there was only one thing that he could do. One decision that would get him out with as little scaring and damage to both his mental health and his dignity...

A/N, Sorry for the short chapter. What does Chat choose though? Does he watch the film, run away with his tail between his legs, or does he 'accidentally' cataclysm that computer? Or maybe he does something else that I haven't mentioned just to throw you off the scent? Find out next time, but while you wait, why not review and tell me what you think will happen. I would like to see who comes closest to his whole plan ;)

If you die in a living room, is it still a living room?