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Marinette's P.O.V
Thunder roared through the late night of Paris. Rain clattered against her window as it poured, sounding like a bunch of marbles being dumped and hitting everything in its way. Lighting flashed revealing the buildings outside the window for a split second before returning back into darkness.
Yet, none of that stopped me from designing. It had been a long time since the last time I've drawn anything or picked up a needle. My mind was chock-full of ideas that I just had to draw before they were wiped from my memories.
I had a hard time finding any inspiration or motivation to do fashion designing. Now, I couldn't stop drawing. I straightened my poster to get a good look at the outfit I had just drawn and found it quite cute.
"What do you think of this one, Tikk-" I paused after looking up and realizing that my Kwami was with Sabrina temporarily. It would get pretty lonely every now and again without Tikki around.
I miss her a lot.
But, it was okay.
I was okay.
I know that someday, she will return to me. Besides, Sabrina was nice enough to stop by sometimes after patrol so I can talk with Tikki for a little bit. Then, I would give Sabrina a bunch of cookies as a thank you for everything before she headed back home.
Three hurried knocks snapped me out of my thoughts. I was a little surprised to hear them coming from the skylight and quickly scurried over to open it up for Chat. Chat leaped through the window and quickly shut it before any rain could enter the room.
Yet, that didn't stop the drenched cat from soaking my bed's comforter. The hero jumped off of the loft and stood in the middle of the room. I glared at the hero of bad luck. I grabbed my bedsheet then climbed down from my bed.
"You crazy feline!" I scolded, walking over until I stood in front of him with my free hand on my hip.
"It's raining cats and dogs out there! Did you not learn from my experience in the rain? I got sick afterward! Now, you're going to probably get sick and now, my blanket needs washed!"
Chat Noir merely let a lazy smile spread across his face, which made my boil.
"You know? You're absolutely adorable when you're mad," Chat flirted before saying, "Besides, a little water or fear of getting sick could never keep me away from you, Purrr-incess." I tried to keep a stone-cold glare on this reckless teenage boy but couldn't, for the life of me, stay mad for too long. I sighed, rolling my eyes and smiling.
"Whatever, it's not my fault if you get sick," I shrugged, heading towards the trap door, "I'll be right back. I'm going to get you a towel and put these sheets in the washer. Don't mess anything else up while I'm gone. Do I make myself clear?"
"As clear as Paris's daytime skies that always reminds me of your pretty blue eyes," he poetically spoke. I felt heat burning through my entire face and something in my stomach do flips. I paused at the trap door. I calmed my racing heart and waited for my face to cool down before looking back at Chat Noir. I smiled sweetly at him.
"And I thought my parent's baked goods were going to be the thing that gave me diabetes," I joked, leaving a laughing cat in my room to carry on with my tasks. Papa was in the kitchen cooking up some supper when he looked back at me and raised an eyebrow. Then, he mischievously smiled, knowingly.
"Why don't you invite your guest down for tonight and join us for supper?" Papa offered. I immediately stopped my trek to the laundry room and stared wide-eyed in disbelief at my dad. I almost forgot that he knew Chat Noir visits me.
"R-Really?" I questioned, still a little surprised and suspicious, "Why?"
"Well, I would like to know the boy that is dating my daughter," Papa answered, making my squeak and almost drop the blanket.
"W-We aren't dating—n-not that I wouldn't mind d-d-dating him—I mean, Papa!" I complained. My dad wholeheartedly laughed as he stirred whatever was cooking in the pot.
"I'm only teasing, Marinette," Papa said, calming his laughter before continuing, "but I was serious when I said he can join us for dinner. I promise not to tease you two."
I pursed my lips in thought, glancing between my dad and the trapdoor to my room which held the cat hero. I know at some point I wanted the two to meet but wasn't sure if it were ever going to be possible. Now that papa knows of Chat's nightly visits, maybe it wouldn't hurt if they met.
Even if Chat is well-known in Paris, he was still practically a stranger to everyone.
"I'll ask him after I get this in the wash and get him a towel," I said before continuing towards the laundry room. I placed the blanket inside the dryer and started the machine. Then, I grabbed a towel from the bathroom before heading back to my bedroom.
"Here," I said, handing the towel over Chat Noir. The cat hero gratefully smiled and took the towel to dry off.
"So, my dad sort of…" I paused for a moment, "…wanted to know if you'd like to—um, join us for dinner?"
Chat froze, looking at me as if I had two heads. He blinked his wide eyes once then twice.
"Really?" He asked, voice cracking. I laughed a little when his face began to turn a slight shade of pink from embarrassment.
"Yes, really," I answered then smirked, "Is that going to be a problem?"
"W-What? No, of course not! I would love to join you and your father for dinner, Milady," Chat said a little too quickly. I could tell by his body language that he was nervous which made me laugh a little harder. Once I calmed down, before I replied, "I was only kidding, Kitty. You don't have to join us for dinner if you-"
"Marinette," Chat cut me off, tone more steady and earnest, "I'm serious when I say I would love to join you guys."
I was slightly surprised but it soon melted away into a warm smile spread on my face. He handed the towel over to me before looking into a nearby mirror.
"Do I look okay? Presentable? Does my breath stink? Did the rain make me smell bad?" Chat questioned, messing with his bird nest-like hair.
"Chaton," I said, moving him away from the mirror and pulling his hands out of his hair to grasp my own, "You look very handsome. My dad isn't going to disown you when he trusts my judgment on people who are special to me."
Chat's smile is small but reassured. He nods, taking in a deep breath and gently squeezes my hand.
"Alright," he exhaled.
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"I'm really glad you could join us, Chat Noir," Papa exclaimed, joyfully. Chat and I was sat at the table while my dad brought over the pot. Whatever food was inside filled the air with a delectable aroma. I could feel my mouth watering, not realizing how hungry I was before smelling the food.
"It is my pleasure," Chat replied, brightly, "I'm happy to join you guys."
Papa set the pot carefully on the table as to not spill anything.
"You two can dig in while I grab one more thing," he said before walking back into the kitchen.
"It wouldn't be very knightly of me if I didn't let my fair Princess go first," Chat said, gesturing for me to go first.
"It would be very rude of me if I didn't let my guest go first though," I replied, arms crossed and gave a playful glare.
"Touché, Princess. Touché," the cat hero said, smirking. He grabbed the label from the pot and began to fill his bowl with soup. Once he finished, I filled my bowl. Papa soon returned with a cake for dessert and got himself situated at the table.
"If you don't mind me asking, do you do any curricular activities besides being a superhero?" Papa asked then reassured, "If you don't want to answer the question then that is alright."
"Yes, I do. I just can't tell you what it is. Sorry," the blonde apologized, scratching the back of his neck nervously. I smiled at this little habit I've noticed Chat does when he is uncertain. It kind of reminds me of Adrien.
My eyes widened before shaking the thought away and continued eating, quietly listening to the two talk.
"That is alright. I completely understand," Papa reassured before continuing, "How about video games, any favorites?"
"I really like Ultimate Mecha Strike," Chat answered, eating some of the food. My eyes zeroed in on a slight spill close to his lips that bothered me for some reason.
"I just might have to play a few rounds with you sometime. I am a champion at that game," my dad joked. This caught my attention and I used it as a distraction from the small mess on Chat's face.
"Champion? Last I checked, I've been beating you since I was like five," I said, smirking. Papa only rolled his eyes while my partner tried to hold back a knowing smile. After supper was finished and dishes were cleaned, Papa and Chat decided to play a couple of rounds of Ultimate Mega Strike. The winner faced me (but Chat lost in the end after I pulverized him).
"How are you so good at this game? I don't understand how I haven't beaten you yet!" Chat groaned. I snorted and leaned back into the couch.
"I guess, I'm just that lucky," I answered, earning a glare from the cat hero. Papa chortled, amusement laced within in face.
"This game is ridged," the blonde said under his breath and crossed his arms, "or you're cheating somehow." I shook my head before a yawn escaped my mouth.
Papa noticed me rubbing my eyes and said, "Alright, I think it's time to call it a night."
"Why? I'm not sleepy," I protested, eyelids feeling heavy and holding back another yawn. My mind was slowly going hazy as I forced myself to stay awake.
"Whether you are sleepy or not, you still have school tomorrow. I assume Chat Noir does too so he needs to get home as well," my dad argued. I sighed, knowing he was right.
"Okay," I relented, attempting to stand up and almost fell over if it weren't for Chat catching me.
"I'll take her up if that's alright, sir," my partner offered. Papa must have agreed when Chat began to move in the direction of my room. I snuggled into his warmth, trying to stay awake so I would be able to say my farewell for the night. I felt safe and secure, knowing that he will always have my back.
The warmth went away and a softness embraced me. I whined a little, missing the security until feeling a soft peck on my cheek. My eyes fluttered open to meet with glowing green. I could faintly see a small smile on his face with how close he was.
"I had a lot of fun. It was nice meeting your father and hope we can do this again some other time," Chat whispered.
"Yeah," I replied, "that would great."
With the remaining strength I had, I sat up and unknowingly kissing the edge of his mouth. I laid back down just as my mind went to dreamland.
Chat's P.O.V
My whole face felt as if it were engulfed in flames. I mentally cursed, wishing she would've gone over a little more but also wanted her to realize what she did. Yet, Marinette had already fallen asleep.
I couldn't help but smile still at how cute she looked when sleeping.
"Sweet dreams, Princess," I whispered before leaving out the skylight and heading back home.
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Sorry if this chapter was boring. It's more or less a filler chapter but I hope you all still enjoyed it!
Also, the next chapter is going to be the last of this book but there is going to be a sequel!
HAPPY EASTER!
That's all I have to say! Until next time!
