Adrian was wet. Well, that was an understatement, he was soaked. It was his turn on patrol and just as he started a downpour came, clouding up the sky and freezing the wind. His nose had gone slightly numb, bitter rain dripping off his face as he jumped from balcony to balcony, watching for anyone who might be in trouble. Not that anyone was out of course, who would want to be caught in this weather? But of course, he could not abandon his responsibilities, so he trekked on, making the most of his lonely night. As he walked the empty streets lighting would flash from above, illuminating the slowly darkening path and thunder would echo around his ears. Sitting on the railing of a high up balcony Chat looked out into the streets, wishing to find something to do.
That's when Chat saw her. Pink shoes dampened as cold water seeped into her socks. Wind gently blew at her hair, silky strands coming loose from her tight pigtails. She would sniffle occasionally as the wind bit at her face, cold hands taking turns holding her umbrella.
"My umbrella" Chat thought. It shined in the rain, wet drops slowly slipping off the edges into the large puddles flowing across the sidewalk. She held it close to her, its handle gently propped up on her shoulder, as if she knew how much he cared for it. Of course, he gave it to her, the umbrella may mean a lot, but he couldn't let Marinette walk home in the rain. He remembered that day fondly, smiling wide as he remembered her wave, bright smile and happy eyes wishing to see him tomorrow. He felt something so gentle that day, something that warmed him up and keeps him warm whenever he sees his kind classmates.
Deciding to say hi he loudly jumped from his perch, not wanting to scare the notoriously clumsy girl.
"Hey Marinette '' He waved awkwardly, not really sure on where he planned to go with this. Her eyes widened as she turned around, mouth agape before turning into a small smile, eyes resting on the drenched superhero.
"Hey Chat" she said, body relaxing. They looked at each other for a moment, rain pelting down hard as thunder loudly banged in the distance.
"Walking in the rain? You'll catch a cold" He repeated the ideas his mother drilled into his head when he was a child. While she did have an umbrella, he didn't want her to get sick, it was a school night after all.
"Could say the same thing about you" She playfully snapped back, suppressing a small giggle.
"Ahhh" He started, standing taller and flexing his arms. " Superheroes never take the day off, especially over some rain. Who would protect the city then?" Marinette giggled at him again, this time not caring to hide her amusement.
"Ladybug," she answered.
"I could never let my lady out in this weather!" Chat threw his hands up in the air "I'm a gentleman" He placed his hand on his heart, voice going soft at the last part.
"Mmmm" Marinette hummed, lips pressed together, and eyebrows slightly raised, her tone dripping with sarcasm. After giving a small laugh, Chat fell silent, eyes watching Marinette as she searched for something to say but the pair fell into an awkward silence. Tapping his foot, Chat's mind wandered to the rain, the cold droplets sticking his hair to his forehead, causing him to shiver. What was he even doing outside for so long anyways?
"What are you doing this late out anyways?" Chat questioned his friend, curious as to why she'd be walking in the cold.
"Oh, you know" her voice trailed, eyes darting between Chat and the ground. "Just thinking" she seemed embarrassed, sadness filling her once loving voice.
"About what" Chat pressed on, his full attention given. A few cars passed by as Marinette thought of an answer, wheels throwing water up on the sidewalk. It lightly splashed at their ankles, wetting the ends of their pants.
"I don't know? Life. Stuff, I guess." Marinette almost whispered; voice quiet yet torn. Watching Marinette internally struggle, Chat gave out a small sigh. He couldn't bear to see the usually bubbly girl so depressed, as if she were alone.
"Well can't leave you to walk around alone now, can I?" He questioned the usual playfulness in his voice. He didn't want to leave Marinette to walk alone in the rain, never mind leave her in such a saddened state.
Giving a small smile at his antics Marinette replied "ohh don't you have a city to protect" her past sadness ever so slightly slipping away.
"Walking around the city is protecting it, never mind what if you need protection?" He argued, refusing to let her walk by herself.
"Well..." she considered, not wanting to finish her walk alone and knowing how stubborn the superhero could be. "I guess' ' She caved in, grateful for the company.
Smiling Chat gave a "great" getting a head start and took a few steps, rain bouncing off his costume. However, before he could get a few feet in front of the girl she grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop. Taking a look behind him rain fell into his eyes, causing him to whip at them with his free hand. Quickly Marinette came to stand beside him, holding the umbrella above the both of them, stopping the downfall from soaking him any further. Giving a cheery smile, Marinette intertwined her arm with his, gently pulling him along. Marinette looked at him as she started to walk, rosy cheeks holding up a gentle smile. Her nose was a deep red, the occasional sound of sniffling escaping due to the cold. Neither wanted to break eye contact as they slowly walked. The duo seemed to know the wet path, dark light illuminating the way. However, after Chat stepped into a puddle, soaking his already drenched foot the pair went back to looking at the sidewalk, both looking for any hazards on their way.
Rain pattered down hard, long gusts of wind chilling their faces and fingers. Marinette gripped the umbrella, red fingers holding on tightly as she shoved her other hand in her coat pocket, wanting to warm up the cold digits. Chat pulled her in closer, wanting to warm up his shivering friend, yet his wet composure gave her no comfort, slightly dampening the thin fabric of Marinette's jacket and pants. Lights dimmed as they walked, people turning in for the night, windows going dark and porch lights being distinguished. Moonlight softly lit up their way, their only guidance being one another. Occasionally the pair would hear soft chatter and loud thunder, bright streaks of lighting illuminating the dark sky. But otherwise, their walk was quiet, a comfortable silence settling in.
Chat thought of Marinette, how the sound of her kind voice never failed to make him smile. He always enjoyed talking to her, especially when she was passionate, her voice radiating a confidence he only wished he could have. Yet their shared silence was a peace, something he could never forget. An experience, emotion, that he wasn't sure he had felt before, but a feeling he never wanted to lose. Marinette filled a hole in him that he didn't notice was there before, and he never would want it to empty.
Feeling soft movements, he watched as Marinette adjusted her hand, curling her fingers tighter around the umbrella and bringing them closer together. Chat was never one to believe in fate, having so much sorrow in his life led him to disregard that idea. But he felt as if fate brought him his companion, only fate could have given him such a perfect person.
"Do you believe some people are meant for each other? Like fate will bring them together or something?" He asked, voice nearly drowned out by the rain. Marinette hummed gently at his question, slightly taken aback by the question, and not really knowing how to answer.
"I don't know, '' she said truthfully as lightning cracked above them. "I mean it's nice to think there's someone out there, made for you." She smiled, voice sad yet hopeful. She seemed to want to say more but didn't have the words. Opening his mouth Cyst considered pressing on, wanting to know what she thought, but once the silence fell over them again, he decided against disrupting their peace.
What seemed like a lifetime passed. Worms crawled up onto the sidewalk and lightning danced against the sky. The strong scent of rain and cool wind occupied their senses. The pitter patter of rain and strong thunder is the only sound to be heard. They walked with no purpose, no destination in mind, letting their feet guide their way on Paris' intertwining streets. As the rain poured and the dusk turned to night the pair walked along the familiar walk to the bakery, their final destination being Marinette's home.
"I guess it's time for you to go home then?" Chat asked, standing under the small lap left on Marinette. It casted a bright circle around them, being one of the only sources of light in sight.
"I guess so" Marinette spoke softly, words so quiet he could barely hear her. She was looking at her feet, slightly biting her lip and twirling the umbrella. Wind blew at them again, the strong chill throwing their hair around.
Chat turned to leave, feeling confident that he got the girl home safe yet sad he had to go.
"Chat?" He turned around suddenly, soaked hand reaching out to grab him. "Thank you for walking me home" Marinette's face softened, a gentle smile shining at him.
"My pleasure" he smiled back, picking up her cold hand and giving it a small kiss before jumping away, heading back home.
"Perhaps," Chat thought the rain wasn't so bad after all.