"I now declare Marinette Dupain-Cheng queen of the leaf pile," Cat Noir said, placing a crown of leaves on Mari's head. Mari glanced up from her sketchbook. "Must have taken awhile for you to make it, Kitty."
Cat kicked some leaves standing by Mari's rock bashfully. "What you don't know, Princess, is that I have hidden talents." Cat glanced at her, a smug look on his face. Beat that, he seemed to say.
Mari started laughing so hard, she dropped her sketch pencil in the leaves. "Like what?" she giggled. She started ticking things off her fingers. "Meowing for food, likes popping bubbles...rubber ducks?"
"Those are things to be proud of Marinette. Ladybug knows me talents," he said, looking away but keeping one green eye open.
"Oh? So, have you told Ladybug you "accidentally" meowed when Mom set down the piece of salmon in front of you? Or when you hissed at the vacuum cleaner?"
Cat turned away, crossing his arms. "That vacuum cleaner is evil, Princess. You should stay away from it."
Mari hopped off the rock, setting in sketchbook down in the leaves beside her, soaking up the warm sunshine. Cat flopped down to join her, the leaves rustling slightly.
The sun was a golden-orange as its rays slanted its light through the leaves. Cat rolled over and looked at Marinette. "What do you like about fall, Princess?" he asked.
Marinette had to think about that. "Definitely pumpkin spice. Leaves and the warm clothes we get to wear. The change of seasons," Mari smiled. "You?"
"Mother and I would go on leaf walks. When we saw a extraordinary leaf we would bring it home and a press it. Father always liked to see the leaves and flowers that we found," Cat said.
"If he had time to have fun back then, why doesn't he do things with you anymore? Is it just because of your Mother?"
Cat's mother wasn't around, having disappeared a few years ago. "When Mother left, Father's love went with him," he explained to her. Mari was quiet, looking into Cat's green eyes. He was thinking about his Mother, she was sure of it. Cat would get a faraway look in his eyes, but it wasn't the same dreamy look he gave her as Ladybug. No, this was different. Suddenly, she had a idea.
"Would you want to go on a leaf walk with me, Kitty?" she asked. It sounded like fun, and there was plenty of time before patrol and it got dark.
Cat's face softened into a look Mari's eyes. "That's one of the nicest things someone's ever asked me, Princess. Let's go," he said.
He helped Marinette from the leaves. "I think this can be the first one," Cat said, gently taking the leaf crown from her head. His gentle touch made Mari blush softly. Even though she had feeling for Adrien Agreste, she liked Cat Noir very much.
Cat could be flirty, but he was gentle and kind and that confident way about them, which Marinette admired. She felt Cat gently interlace their fingers. "I can hold your hand, right?" she nodded. "I like it when you hold my hand," she said, a gentle voice.
"Look at this red one! Should we put it in the book?" Cat nodded, sticking the leaf into his leather tail-belt. A sudden breeze picked up, and Marinette shivered. Cat looked at the sun, which was going down then back at Marinette.
"I should have told you to bring a sweater, Princess." He hugged her so her back was facing his front, trying to warm her up a little. She could feel his soft breath like a caress on her cheek. Being this close made Cat purr softly. In that moment, time stood still.
"We should get back," Cat whispered. Mari nodded. They walked home carefully, so Cat wouldn't lose any leaves.
When they got home to Marinette's and walked in the door, Cat's stomach rumbled. He didn't want to go home where no one was around and eat a cold meal. But he didn't want to be rude, so he walked over to the table and pulled the leaves out, placing them on the table.
Marinette's mom, Sabine, turning around to see Cat and Marinette talking about the leaves. She smiled to herself, her daughter had such a good friend or something more in Cat Noir. She noticed how tenderly Cat looked at her, and rubbed her back gently as she spoke.
"After dinner, we can get started. Oh, this will be so much fun!" Marinette's blue-bell eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands together. It was nice to relax and have fun. "Cat can stay for dinner, right Mom?"
"Of course. We love having you here, Cat. How about you two go wash your hands and then supper will be ready," Sabine said in a gentle voice.
Marinette washed her hands under the warm water. "I'm so glad your staying for supper, Kitty." "Me too." I wish I could stay forever, he thought.
Sabine had a made a tuna casserole and Cat thought it was one of the nicest meals he had ever had. It wasn't just the food though. Tom (Marinette's father) asked questions about what was like working alongside Ladybug.
Marinette chewed her food quietly, surprised at Cat's answer. He admitted he might be a little to flirty and not concentrating enough during the fights. He wouldn't be Cat though, without being silly and his puns. But she was Marinette right now, not Ladybug.
"Can I help with the dishes?" Cat asked. "Your such a sweetie, Cat. Mari, you should be more like him," her mother told her. Mari bit her lip, but Cat couldn't tell if she was annoyed or trying to hold back laughter.
"Aww, you look cute, Kitty," she said from the table. He was wearing on of her mother's aprons, with hearts and polka dots on it. He blushed and smiled at her.
Mari worked quietly on the leaf book as Cat washed and dried the dishes. When was the last time he had such a fun day?
"I'll see you later, Princess." Mari nodded, knowing in a hour she'd meet him for patrol as Ladybug. "I really enjoyed today," Mari said, kissing him softly. Cat pulled her into a hug.
Maybe one day soon, Mari and Adrien and his mother, Emile could on a leaf walk together. For now, he would spend as much as could with his Princess, Adrien's everyday Ladybug.
