Chat Noir relaxed against the railing on Marinette's balcony, a cup of tea in his hands. Marinette was next to him, chatting away idly about fashion or something like that. Her sunny, quiet sentences faded out to a silvery drone as he watched the sunset.
Chat Noir liked Marinette. She was helpful and talented and a good listener. She was a friend, someone he could talk to whenever he felt down. When Chat had insecurities, he always sought Marinette for comfort.
Was he beginning to see her differently? He never quite knew what Marinette was to him. Sometimes, it felt like she was just a friend. At other times, he felt like she was more.
But there was still Ladybug. Maybe there'd always be Ladybug. They were so close, yet she always felt out of reach. In his love for Ladybug, he felt a sharp sense of longing, as if he were chasing after something he could never grasp and hold.
His heart was a puzzle that was still incomplete.
They had so many secrets. So many things they were longing to tell each other, but they always had to wait. Was their partnership built on waiting, if not trust?
They were waiting for the clues to fall into their hands, for the evidence that would lead them to Hawk Moth. They were waiting for it all to be over so that they could finally share things without fear.
Part of Chat never wanted it to end. It was fun, battling dangerous villains, the playful banter, being amazed by Ladybug day after day. He had almost forgotten it wouldn't always stay like this; it was easy to get lost in the moment.
"Chat Noir?" He blinked. Marinette was gazing at him quizzically. Her eyes were curious but also a little annoyed. "You weren't listening."
Chat Noir lowered his head apologetically, not meeting her gaze. "Sorry," he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was just… thinking. About things, you know." His hands tightened on his teacup.
Marinette, who was holding a mug of hot cocoa, placed it down and moved towards it. Chat felt her hand touch his shoulder, her expression now soft and compassionate.
"You know, I'm here to listen?" she offered kindly. Chat Noir looked up, and seeing the honesty in her gaze, decided to let her in on what was going on in his head.
"I was thinking about Ladybug," he admitted. "Part of me wants to speed up time and beat Hawk Moth, so we can finally know each other. But the other part of me never wants things to change. And I know if things never change, I'll still be chasing after a girl I can never catch and hold. Not like I'll ever stop loving Ladybug. I'll always love her, even though it hurts to know she doesn't feel the same. I wish…" he trailed off.
Was that guilt in Marinette's gaze, or was it pity? He studied her expression for a moment before it quickly switched into something kind yet unreadable.
"I'm sure, as time goes on, Ladybug will see you differently." She had hesitated before speaking, but the certainty in her words was clear. "You've been her partner for so long; it's so obvious she trusts you with every breath in her body. You've always been there for her from the beginning, even when she felt insecure. She…" Chat Noir saw the tears welling up in her eyes.
"Marinette! Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have—" he began blubbering, but Marinette cut him off, a smile wide on her face.
"She'd be a fool not to fall for you," she said finally. Chat Noir smiled too. Her words gave him hope. But there was still something else he hadn't shared.
"I also thought about you," he added, as coolly as he could muster. Marinette blinked, looking a little off her guard.
"M-me?" she stammered, her cheeks turning a little pink. She withdrew her hand from where it was resting on his shoulder awkwardly, focusing intently on him.
"Yeah." Chat found himself blushing a bit, too. "You're… something." He managed out awkwardly, smiling sheepishly.
A smile graced her lips. "Something," she repeated, chuckling. "You know what's also something? The kettle. Your tea's gone cold; let me fetch you some more."
Chat allowed her to take his cup from his hands. "Thanks, Marinette," he replied, smiling at her. Marinette flashed him a fond look over her shoulder before retreating down the stairs to get him some more tea.
Once she was out of sight, Chat Noir loosened awkwardly. "Something," he echoed, cringing at his own words. He was a thinker. Couldn't he have thought of something better and more clever to say? "Why do I always mess up these types of things?"
It gave him a little clarity, knowing Marinette would never judge him if he messed up. She'd help him find his footing and try again. She was amazing like that, always helping other people.
He knew she often had responsibilities herself and things she wasn't willing to share. And despite that, she always made room in her life to encourage others.
Her words were her own lucky charm. Marinette wasn't their everyday Ladybug; she was more than that. Marinette was a superheroine all on her own, an extraordinary person who always put others first.
Yes, there would always be Ladybug, and though half of him would always be in love with her, he found himself accepting the feelings he had for Marinette too.
Chat could no longer say that Marinette wasn't anything more than a friend. Marinette made him feel safe and warm, like being found after getting lost. When he was with Marinette, he felt secure.
He heard Marinette clambering back up the stairs, wobbly balancing Chat's cup of tea on a plate. Chat Noir flew at her, wrapping her in his arms. Marinette let out a noise of surprise and dropped the cup of tea to the ground, blushfully returning the embrace.
"Chat?" she whispered tautly, sounding flustered.
Chat Noir hugged her tighter. "Thank you," he whispered back. Marinette pulled back, gazing into his green eyes. A misty, puzzled look slid across her face.
"For what?" she asked, her arms still wrapped around him.
"Everything."