Chapter 2

Me, 1 day into writing chapter : Sorry that I take so long to write chapters. I'll try to write chapters faster.

Me, 3 weeks after starting chapter: Don't expect much, people. I've basically given up on daily updates.

Credit to Twilight Paintbrush for the idea for this chapter.

XXX

"Marinette?"

Chat Noir's shamrock eyes glowed in the blackberry-colored night sky. He pounced onto the pebble-grey railing of Marinette's balcony, landing lightly on his feet.

"Can.. can we talk?"

Marinette smiled gently.

"Of course kitty. Come on in."

She opened the hatch to her bedroom, and warm, lemony light poured out into the lowly lit balcony. She alighted the ladder then motioned for Chat Noir to follow her. Ignoring the ladder, he pounced into her room. He missed Marinette by a few inches, making a bubbly laugh erupt from her pursed baby-pink lips.

Even though Chat Noir was in love with Ladybug, he couldn't deny that Marinette could be unbelievably cute.

"One sec. Let me grab something real quick, Chaton."

Marinette held up a milk-white finger, smirking at Chat before descending the stairs that led to the rest of the house. He cocked his head in question, asking without words.

"Where are you going?"

Marinette smirked but kept her cherry-blossom mouth firmly shut.

Chat Noir waited in befuddlement for a few minutes until his nose picked up a heavenly aroma.

"I smell... cookies..and...croissants...and...chocolate"

Chat's mouth watered in anticipation of these delicious food that his princess was bringing him before she even finished ascending the stairs.

When Marinette saw Chat Noir crouched next to the stairs, nose in the air, stars in his lily-pad-green eyes, and drool dripping from the corner of his mouth, she cracked up, almost dropping the platter of goodies she had brought upstairs for her stray kitten.

Chat Noir was next to her in a flash, carefully balancing the tray of pastries, which made Marinette cackle harder, doubling over with her daisy-white arms wrapped around her tiny waist.

Chat Noir pouted comically.

"Don't laugh at me, Princess."

His expression made Marinette burst into even more pearls of giggling, and Chat Noir gave up, setting the tray on a nearby table and chortling along with the blueberry eyed girl lying on her side next to him.

After they had gotten themselves together ( which took quite some time, I assure you ), Marinette picked up the tray, setting it on a small powder-pink coffee table in front of her fuchsia chaise-lounge. She sat down, a teeny-bit fatigued from all the belly-aching laughter. She wiggled her dove-white hand, beckoning Chat to take the spot next to her. He obeyed like a puppy, and she scratched his head like he was a golden retriever before allowing him to snatch a sweet.

After Chat Noir had wolfed down (at least) 5 croissants, Marinette decided it was time to cut to the chase.

" So, Chaton, what did you want to talk about?"

Chat Noir looked up through a mouthful of cookie crumbs coating his lips. He quickly swallowed and brushed off his mouth.

" Well, you're someone who I trust, and I wanted some advice."

Marinette blushed modestly, beaming at his faith in her.

" Advice about what?"

" ... A girl?"

Marinette could only guess one girl that Chat Noir might need advice on.

"Ladybug?"

Chat nodded, slightly embarrassed.

" I...I think I'm in love with her."

Marinette blanched, only regaining her composure after a few seconds.

" B-but you barely even know her!"

Chat Noir's eyes filled with certainty.

"I know that she is a good person. Besides you, she's the only person I really trust, other than my best friend from my civilian life."

Marinette faltered. She was the only person Chat trusted? What about his mom? His dad? His siblings?

"But cagnotte , you're such a flirt. You've probably fell in love with plenty of people."

Chat Noir shook his head aggressively, butter-yellow hair flopping around in an unkempt ( and very Chat-like ) manner.

" I only flirt with her, and I've never fallen in love before. Don't be so judgy, princess. It's not like you know her."

" A-actually, I-I do. We're friends."

Chat Noir instantly perked up, which was understandable.

"Really?"

Marinette instantly scolded herself mentally.

Great. Now he's gonna start asking me about her..I mean me , she thought, almost groning. She managed to force out a few words.

"Yeah, I guess. We've talked a little."

"What does she think of me?"

Geez. That was fast. He didn't even preface it, Marinette thought, again having to resist the urge to sigh.

"Well, she thinks that you're a flirt and all, but she also admires your loyalty."

Chat Noir felt his heart swell. Ladybug admired him?

Marinette could tell that Chat Noir wasn't going to verbally answer, so she moved on.

" Do you really love her? "

Chat Noir nodded vigorously.

"Yes. I would die for her. I-I've actually risked my life for her more than once. But even when I throw myself under the bus for her, she keeps shrugging me off."

Marinette was taken aback by his statement. Her kitten had risked his life for her? How did she not notice? Why would she have shrugged him off like that?

Her train of thought didn't spiral for very long before she noticed tears pricking at the corners of Chat's eyes.

" Oh, Mao Mao..."

She reached over, cupping Chat Noir's cheeks with her small hands. He let tears stream down his tawny peach skin, leaving moist and glistening trails on his face.

" She just...never notices. And Mari, I-I love her so much! She doesn't even acknowledge it. And I make so many mistakes, and-and-and..."

Marinette didn't let him finish his thought. She pulled him into a hug, letting him press his soggy face into her velvety espresso-brown cotton jacket. His heartbroken weeping cut her to the bone, and she tried to offer as much solace as she could in the moment. Marinette rubbed his back, stoked his hair, and spoke in a voice that was more soothing than creamy chocolate.

But she knew that it wouldn't be enough.

She was kind to him as Marinette.

It was time to be that way as Ladybug.