Cat Noir ran over the roofs of Paris to see Marinette, but skidded to a stop when he saw she had friends over. Its not like the two of them had planned to get together, but Cat was still a little disappointed. As he turned around he heard her call, "Cat!" Turning back around, he jumped down onto her balcony to find Zoe, Alya, and Marinette having a tea party. "Hello, girls! I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Cat told him. "No, your fine, Cat. Come have some tea and sandwiches with us."
He wasn't sure if Marinette had made the lunch, but the setup was beautiful. Little egg sandwiches and strawberries and a pot of tea, and for dessert a plate of scones. "I telling the girls how Adrien helped me study for a test the other day," Marinette explained. "Math is difficult but he seems to have it down. He's so nice," Marinette sighed and Alya and Zoe giggled. Cat blushed. So, Adrien Agreste was nice, huh?
"Kitty?" Cat suddenly looked up from the sandwiches he was eating. "Yes, Princess?" "When was the last time you got a trim?" "Um," Cat knew it had been awhile since his last haircut and he was sure he looked a little shaggy. But how had his father not even noticed it? Right, to busy to pay attention.
"Don't worry, we'll give you a makeover, Kitty. You can bring your sandwich." Cat sprang up and followed the girls into Marinette's room. "So, where do we start first?" "Oh, hair first," Zoe said. "You looked like a poofy lion. No offense." Cat laughed. "None taken, Zoe. So, which one of you gets to wash my mane?" "I'll wash it, and Alya will trim it," Marinette decided.
A chair was brought over to the little sink and Cat leaned his back. "Just remember to be careful with the water, love. Cats don't like water," and he gave her a wink. Marinette turned on the small shower head and begin to wash his hair. He meowed happily as the water was just the right temperature.
He heard Marinette squirt some shampoo into her hands, then begin to massage it into his scalp. He wonder how she would react if she knew it was Adrien under the mask. A rumbling purr escaped, and Cat felt more relaxed then he had in a long time. What was it about her gentle touch and mannerism?
He was almost sleep by the time she switched on the blow dryer. Finally, fluffy and dry, Cat sat up looking in the mirror. His hair had soft shine to it, that even his professional hairdresser couldn't get and wonder what magic Marinette had used.
"Okay, time for your trim," Alya said, wielding a small pair of scissors and a comb. "Alya, don't scare him," Zoe said. Zoe instructed Alya let her know where to clip and snip. "Did you check the fuzz in his ears, girls?" Marinette teased and the three of them started laughing. For some reason, the girls reminded Cat of three little birds twittering and cooing over him. "I give myself a good lick, daily," he joked back.
Zoe sat him down on the floor, and picked up one of his hands, nail filer at the ready. Zoe worked efficiently and finally Cat was deemed presentable. "Ladybug will wonder who this handsome Tomcat is," Alya said, snapping a picture for the Lady blog. "She doesn't need a Tom, Alya," Cat grinned, striking a model pose. "She already has a lovable fur ball," and Marinette cracked up. "Fur ball, huh? I'd love to see you in whiskers," she said, her hand brushing his cheek gently where the whiskers would grow. Cat felt his heartbeat pick up at her touch. "My Princess, do know how distracting that would be?"
Alya and Zoe had to leave soon after, but Cat stayed to hang out with Marinette. "Their nice girls, Princess. I can see why you like hanging out with them." "Well, Alya's always been my friend," Marinette said. "Zoe I haven't known as long, but she so sweet." "And of course you have Adrien," Cat told her. "What is it about him that attracts you anyway?"
If it would have been someone else, Marinette might have stammered or not even answered. "He's so and kind, and real. He will tell you like it is, but in a nice way. And he stands up for others. He's like…." Marinette searched for the right word. "Like a ray of sunshine. But your my friend too, Cat. You make me laugh, and your a good listener." "Good snuggler too, I hope?" he asked, pulling Marinette into his arms. "You do smell good," she told him, snuggling into his chest. "I'm glad I have you, Cat. I do get lonesome at times."
Cat stroked her hair. She was a ray of light to him as well, she had been his first friend that day at school, after he handed the umbrella to her. Each day he got to learn more about her. She still struggled at talking to him as Adrien, but it was getting better. Her confidence was growing a little each day at he was proud of her. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, and Marinette surprised him with a kiss on the lips, then squeaked. "What's wrong? That was a nice kiss," he told her, their foreheads touching. "You-you love Ladybug, and I'm-" "Princess, that isn't true. I love you too, you know. Would you-would you kiss me again?" Now he was the one stammering. Marinette nodded, blushing a pretty pink. Cat pulled her closer as they kissed, her hands tangling in his now dry hair. "I love you, Cat Noir," Marinette said so quietly, she wouldn't Cat would be able to hear but he did. There was a difference between loving someone and being in love. But this was enough for now. To be loved, to hear the words.
Cat stayed cuddled next to his Lady, not knowing she had in fact, fallen in love.