The gray weather matches my mood, and I sigh as I wait for Ladybug so we can start patrol. Oof. It's a couple of days before Mother's Day, and my heart is hurting.
When Ladybug arrives she stares at me curiously, and I realize that I am holding my hand to my chest. "Did you hurt yourself?" she asks. I shake my head, even talking seems like to much right now. She runs her expert fingers across my face and down my body, checking for nicks and scratches.
"Its not a physical aliment, M'lady," I say. "I just miss my mother." She looks at me with surprise. Even though Ladybug is my best friend (despite Marinette) and I trust her with my secrets, I often don't talk about her.
"Well, we've got some time before patrol," Ladybug says. "I'd love to know more about her. Only," Ladybug shifts and takes out a blanket and pillow, settling it on her lap. She opens the blanket and looks at me.
To be in her arms is an irresistible temptation, even more then tuna and catnip. I lie my head on the soft pillow and feel the warmth of blanket settling around me. Oh, how good Bugaboo smells! She smells like roses and I wonder she has a flower garden somewhere. I gasp softly as she starts to run her fingers through my hair. If only she knew how touched-starved I am. I meow softly her nails scratch my scalp, and a rumbling purr rises to my chest. Ladybug doesn't push me, she knows I'll talk when I'm ready.
"Mother and I always used to have tea parties on days like today," I begin. I can almost smell the scones, fresh out of the oven and we would even have tea in our fancy teacups. I had a small semi-formal suit that I would wear, making the occasion even more special.
We would laugh and talk as if the sunshine was pouring in the windows, instead of it raining cats and dogs outside. Whenever Mother would use that expression, I would always laugh.
I don't laugh as often as I used to, but at least things are a little better, now that Bugaboo's here. She can be serious one moment, then tart and saucy then next, keeping you on your toes.
Ladybug moves her hand from my hair, to my shoulders working out the knots. "Your tight," she tells me. "I don't like being away from you. It makes me anxious." "I don't like being apart either. Its like half my heart goes missing." She leans down and presses a kiss to my head. Her lips are as soft as a peach, so sweet and pure is M'lady, taking in a lonely kitty who just wants to be loved.
I must of murmured the last part out loud, because Ladybug says, "I know, I know, love." Her hands go back to my hair.
Is this calming for her as well? The blanket is warm, and I start to feel fuzzy. Its misting and through the mist I see the lights of the Eiffel Tower click on, its buttery light glowing brightly.
I point it out to Ladybug, and she looks down at me. "You want to do something different for patrol? I don't think they'll be a akuma attack today anyway." "I'm willing and ready, M'lady."
We go down to street level and find an alleyway so the prying eyes don't follow us. "Let's just hug," Ladybug whispers as I stand against the wall. I open my arms to her, and once she's in my arms her whole body relaxes as done mine.
After awhile, we switch positions and I place my head on her chest, listening to her heart. She has a strong and steady heartbeat like her attitude. I press kisses to her forehead and cheeks, not wanting to upset her by kissing her pink-blossom lips. She strokes her hand against my cheek. "Cat," she nods and I press my lips against hers.
As soon as our lips touch, I feel like I have been bathed in sunshine and the mist that falls around us cannot touch us here. When we pull back, she traces the edge of my mask. She wears a look I cannot read and I wonder if she is tempted as much as I am some days to tell me the words "Claws In."
Her fingertips tracing across my skin are as light as a butterfly's kiss. "Bugaboo?" I ask. "Hm?" "As much as I like cuddling, I'm getting pretty wet," I grin at her.
"Well," she says, her fingers lightly touching my arm. "There's a small cafe that sells excellent hot chocolate. Should we give it a go?" My green eyes sparkle with mischief for the first time today. "what, not Starbucks, my love?"
She gives me a playful whack on the arm and I kiss her rain-wet cheek. "Still feisty, I see."
I sigh happily as she takes my hand once we get to the cafe. She's right, the hot chocolate is excellent as is a tiramisu we share.
As I look out into the rain now sheeting down, I know that you don't have to do anything big or flashy to cheer someone up, rather just be quiet and offer to listen.
What started out as a gray day, turned into a healing day. Ladybug's gentle touches and listening her, healed the hurt of a stray cat's loneliness for his mother.
Later, I ask Ladybug to take me to the Dupain-Cheng bakery, where Mama Cheng is working. Marinette's mother is as sweet as can be, and like her daughter is always their to listen.
When Ladybug turns to go, I take her hand squeezing gently. "Today might be a gray day, M'lady, but your love for me made it cozy."
Ladybug nods shyly, squeezing back and slipping out the door. Marinette walks away a few minutes later, under her umbrella. Time to spend some time with my Princess, and the family who adopted me into their loving arms.
