"Come on in. We'll get her set up in the bathroom."
"In the bathroom? Why can't she be out here like Plagg?" Marinette questioned as Adrien led her through his apartment, cat carrier firmly gripped in his left hand.
"Cats need to be introduced slowly. We want them to get along so we don't want to push them to meet too fast. Tikki is still young, she'll have plenty of time to explore the apartment once she and Plagg are introduced."
"How will we introduce them?" Marinette stepped into the bathroom and Adrien shut the door behind them, settling the cat carrier on the floor.
"First they'll get used to smelling each other through the door. I'll feed them both at the same time each day, on either side of the door, so that they start to associate each other with food. Then, once they're calm, I'll let them meet through a pet gate and see how they do. If they get along, then we'll let them play together supervised for a bit until we're completely sure they can be alone together."
"It sounds like a lot of work." Marinette glanced around the bathroom, taking in the tiny litter box and food and water bowls now moved into the space. "It's like her own little bedroom."
"Kinda." Adrien laughed, crouching down and opening the door to the cat carrier, watching with a grin as Tikki peeked her head out, finding a toy to play with almost immediately. "She seems pretty outgoing. I'm hoping she won't be stuck in here long." Marinette sat down next to him and together they watched Tikki roll around with the soft toy, exploring her new home.
"Do you think Plagg will like her?"
"Eventually. He can be slow to warm up sometimes, but he's a softie on the inside. He'll enjoy having a new friend." Adrien's smile brightened as he glanced at Marinette's face. "I know I am." He leaned forward and Marinette instinctively reached out and pushed him backwards by his nose.
"You're only enjoying torturing me with animals." Just as the words left her mouth, a weight landed on Marinette's shoulder and she froze instantly, eyes going wide as she felt the fur snuggling against her cheek. "Adrien." She spoke, voice soft and strained as Adrien began to cackle. "Adrien, please."
"Marinette-" Adrien laughed, arms wrapped around his middle as Marinette continued to plead.
"Adrien. So help me god. She's in my hair. Get her out of my hair."
"Okay, okay. I'm coming." Adrien leaned forward, detaching Tikki from Marinette's shoulder and setting the kitten to the side as gently as he could. The moment Tikki's paws hit the floor, Adrien returned, hands snaking back through her hair to cup the back of her head. "You're so damn cute, Marinette."
"Th-thank you." Marinette managed to stutter out as her cheeks flushed red. "I'm cute- I mean, you're cute- no! You're handsome too! I mean, you're just handsome. I mean- you're not just handsome-" The hands on the back of her head pulled her in and Marinette couldn't help but let out a content sigh as Adrien's lips pressed against hers. They pulled away moments later and Marinette opened her mouth, words lost as she felt the weight of a certain kitten on her shoulder once more. "Adrien?"
"What can I say? The heart wants what it wants and Tikki's heart has good taste."