I can't believe I decided to go Mari's tonight, and its pouring rain. Luckily, I have my umbrella, but the wind is blowing and the stray droplets are cold and wet. Oh, well. I rather go to Mari's then do my homework alone in my cold bedroom. Apparently, Father shut off the heat earlier today after we had a argument. I sigh, I never have to defend myself at Mari's, unless we both want a piece of food!
Suddenly, I stop. Was something calling out for help? "It sounds like some kind of animal," I whisper to Plagg and I forget its raining. Though being one of Paris's superheroes is mostly saving people with Ladybug, animals are included too.
I search among the garbage pails. "I know I heard something," I tell Plagg, who is searching to."Adrien! I found something," Plagg calls out and I quickly walk over to him. In one of the garbage pails is a black kitten. I stare down at it, and it looks up at me meowing.
I go into Cat Noir mode. I take off my jacket, and gently scoop up the kitten. "Shh, now. Your safe," I say. "Plagg, we have a problem," I tell him. "What? That your a kitty huger? Plagg teases. I glare at him. "No, if I carry the kitten I have to leave the umbrella." "Its not that far to Marinette's. And you can get your umbrella in the morning. No one will be out tonight anyway," he says. The cat meows in agreement.
I walk quickly to Marinette's. "I hope she's home," I mutter as I climb the stairs to the apartment. I can hear noises inside, so someone's home. I knock on the door.
"Adrien! Wha-What happened? Are you alright?" Marinette asks. Her hair is in paper curlers. She notices me looking. "yeah, I'm trying something new for school tomorrow," she tells me. "Mind drying off a couple of furballs?" I ask. "Huh?" she gives me a puzzled expression, and I show her the kitten.
Her face melts just like it does when I'm Cat Noir. "ooh, sweetie. Your all wet," she says, stroking the bedraggled kitten. We start to head upstairs when Mari's dad calls out, "Mari, you coming back?" "No, I have to forfeit this one Dad," Mari says and we reach the upstairs where the bathroom is. Mari rummages in the linen closet for a hair-dryer. She starts rubbing the kitten with a towel first, to get rid of the excess water. "So, what were you doing before I showed up with your Dad?" I ask. "We were playing video games," she rolls her as if that explains everything. I start giggling. Tom can be, very enthusiastic about video games. "After we get dried off, I play with him," Mari smiles. "Good luck, Agreste."
Mari switches on the hair-dryer and starts to dry the kitten more thoroughly. Thunder booms outside, and Mari jumps just a little. She doesn't like thunder. I rub her back, "Your fine, nothing to be scared of," I murmer and for the second she leans into me. My heart does a pitter-patter just like the rain falling outside. She looks at me. "What?" "I forgot you wet too, Adrien. Do you want to use the downstairs bathroom while I finish up in here?" Now the cat is purring its coat nearly dry and fluffy. "Sounds good," and I head down.
Sabine (Mari's mom) is knitting in her chair as I walk in. "Tom told me you got wet dear," Sabine says. "Would you like me to make you some tea?" I nod and sallow. I feel right at home here. "I'm going to dry off and then I'll join you," I tell her mother. Tom is pouting on the couch. Poor guy, everyone deserted him. "I'll play a round when everything's settled," I tell him and he brightens visibly.
Quickly I shower and dry off. Then I text Natalie that I won't be home tonight. I hear a soft knock at the door and I open it a crack. "Here's some pajamas, Adrien. Whenever your ready," Sabine says. "Thank you," and I shut the door to change into my comfy sweats. I take a deep breath trying reel in my emotions like a fisherman to get the bait. All there is love here and comfort. I don't remember the last time I was called "dear."
As I walk back into the kitchen, Mari is now sporting cute pj's and we all sit down to have tea together.
"Is the cat alright?" I ask Mari. "Yep. Sleeping in a box in my room. Good thing you came Adrien," she says softly. Mari has a soft spot and I squeeze her hand.
After I round of video games with Tom, I see Mari yawning. I need to get her to bed. "We're going to bed," I tell Tom who is happy to win this round of the game. I take Mari's hand, leading her up to bed.
I read her a story about snow and owls. When I stay here she likes me to read to her lately. She said my voice is soothing and I had smile plastered on my face for a week. She's asleep in minutes and crawl into my sleeping bag down on the floor.
I sit up in bed and glance at Mari's bedside clock. Little after midnight, and the cat is sleeping peacefully. So, if it wasn't the cat then what was it?
"Cat? Cat?" there is enough light for me to see Mari tossing and dreaming. She's been so stressed lately, I need to calm down my Princess. I crawl out of my warm sleeping bag and crawled over to Plagg. "Plagg, we have to help Mari. Plagg, Claws Out!"
One flash later and I'm Cat Noir. Even if Mari woke up, it wouldn't be unusual to me to be here as Cat at this late hour.
She opens her eyes slowly. "Cat?" she mumbles, and she hugs me tightly. "I'm right here, sweetie," I whisper into her hair. "What are you doing here?" she asks, sleepily. "I couldn't sleep, so I came to see you."
She mumbles something I can't catch and she's out again. I crawl half on top of her, my arms around her waist.
"Love you, Kitty," she's sleeptalking, but it sends a warm glow to my heart. It won't be long now before I turn eighteen and then I can be with Mari all the time. I sigh happily at the thought. All I've ever wanted was a family, and I found one here. The black cat crawls up and curls up between Mari and I. "Welcome home, Buddy," I whisper. The other black cat and I have both found a place to call home.
