"Mari?" Cat shook Mari gently. "Mm?" Marinette opened one sleepy eye and looked at Cat. "Its still dark out, Kitty. Is something wrong?" "No. Its the day we see if the Marmot sees his shadow. We need to get up or will miss the bus."
Mari got up slowly, this was one of her favorite days of the year, not only because she would maybe see a Marmot but she loved the countryside. It was good to get away from the hustle and bustle of Paris, even for just a few hours. She touched her Ladybug earrings gently. Hopefully, everything would be quiet and safe until her return.
Soon, they were out the door with Mari's mom calling good luck as Sabine started the stove for breakfast. "Its so quiet out," Mari said, as she took Cat's hand, the only sound besides her voice was their footsteps.
The bus was there when they arrived and Mari was delighted to see all the people coming along for the adventure. "I got this one, Cat," she said as she dropped a few tokens into the coin box. "Thanks, love. I meow you one," he said, with a wink. "Even this early you can pun?" "My dear, it is never to early for puns," Cat said, giving her a little bow. "Where should we sit?" Mari asked, knowing that they should sit down. "In the back. Then you can get a bit more sleep," Cat said.
Cat put his arm around Mari's shoulder as she dozed against him. She hasn't even mentioned coffee, so she must be excited, he thought. Cat looked out the window, deep in thought. It was good to take a break like this, away from the daily grind. He was looking forward to the peacefulness of the meadow, but what he looked forward to most was the banter between them. His Princess was sweet, but she could be spicy. Just like M'lady, he thought with a soft chuckle.
Within a hour, the bus was pulling into a small parking lot leading into a meadow. Cat spoke gently to Marinette. "we're here, honey." Mari yawned and sat up. "I need coffee," she said, staggering a little as she stood up. "There it is. I was wondering if you were sick or something," Cat said, his bright green eyes alight with mischief.
As the group starting walking, a hush fell over. Birdsong filled Cat's ears and he wanted to stop and listen. Little by little as they reached the meadow, they spread around the Marmot's burrow. A curious bird hopped close to them, and Cat being curious stared back at him. From the corner of his eye, he saw Mari's shoulders shaking with laughter and turned to her.
"Do you want that bird for breakfast?" she whispered. "Princess, you know I'm allergic to feathers. No, I like a warm pancake in the morning." "Oh, I thought you preferred tuna," she said. "That's after Zoomies," Cat told her.
Mari crossed her arms and stared at him. "So, you can run all around Paris meowing, but you can't "Zoomie" something for me from Starbucks?" she asked. "Hey," Cat said, holding up his hands, "I can't control it. A Cat's got to zoom, where I Cat's got to Zoom." Marinette narrowed her eyes. "So, if Ladybug saw you zooming, would you zoom right past her?" Mari asked, stressing the part about Ladybug. "She'd just have to catch up with me, Princess." "Your really something, you know that?" Mari told him, flicking his little gold bell attached to his collar. "I'm the one and only," he grinned at her. "Maybe I should start calling you Tigger," Mari grumbled as Cat tried to control his laughter. "Princess, that's fantastic! Maybe I should do that for my Halloween costume this year." "Yeah, but guess who be making it. Me. The wanna-be fashion designer." Cat kissed her cheek. "That will happen one day, you'll see." Marinette gave him a small smile. "Thanks, Kitty." "That's what I've here for."
It was true in a way. Marinette could usually count on him to cheer up when she was having a bad day. He cheers me up when I am down, he's playful and a sweetheart.
The sun hadn't risen but Mari knew it would soon, for the faint glow on the horizon. She heard her stomach growl. "Princess, were you just trying to meow?" "No! That was my stomach growling!" "Good, because one Cat is quite a enough!" Mari giggled, but blushed at the same time. When she had first met Cat Walker, she had meowed at him. It had been cute, but, oh! So embarrassing! And what if one day she found Adrien Agreste turned out to be him?
Cat nudged Mari slightly, bringing her back to the present as he handed her a granola bar. She looked again at the hole, when would the rodent appear?
"Do you think the Marmot will sleep late?" Mari asked Cat. By now, the sun was peaking the horizon. Cat snorted. "No, he's like you, Princess. He wakes early to get his morning coffee! Oof!" Marinette tackled him in the soft grass. "You be good or no food for you. You got that, Pussy?" "Pussy? I think I liked it better when you called me Buttercup," he grinned at her. "That's Adrien's nickname, you goof! Oops!" That was one secret that wasn't supposed to be out.
Cat sat up, grinning widely at Marinette. "Don't you dare mention this to, Agreste, or the rubber ducks at home get it." To late, Adrien secretly thought. But okay, your the boss.
A movement caught Mari's eye, and she sat up in Cat's lap. "Look, Cat! The Marmot!" The Marmot looked out of his burrow staring at all the people. "He looks like me in the morning," Cat whispered in her ear. "Tousled hair and slow to start."
They were happy when the Marmot didn't see his shadow, for it meant spring was on its way. Marinette looked at Cat. "This is one of the best days, ever." she told him, giving him a hug. "Why? Because you got to see a Marmot?" he asked.
Mari shook her head. "Well, there's that. But its nice when we can do things together and share a laugh." She reached up on tiptoe and kissed Cat. Cat gently wrapped his arms around Marinette, pulling her closer. He agreed with his Princess, things were always better together. "Cat?" "yes?" "There's one more thing," Marinette said, holding his had. "What's that, Princess?" "Happy Marmot Day!" she grinned. They had a pound it, and the Marmot waddled right in front of him, hoping to bask in the sun, causing the Cat and his Princess to burst into giggles.
