A/N: So, "Dinner for Two" is up now and I plan on releasing "Fangs Bared, Claws Out" as soon as it's convenient for me ^^ I know I wrote I would publish it still somewhere in February, but I hadn't expected the (seriously surprising) onslaught of requests from readers over my other stories too, so I have my hands full even updating them (cries happily). Haha Well, anyhow I'm happy I'm kept busy, it's a nice chance to back away from RL just a bit :3

Right so, this is actually my own idea and I promise to write up the requests from readers as soon as I can, but this just begged to be written and I couldn't ignore my Marichat voice in my head any longer lol ^^

ANSWERS TO REVIEWS:

Marine Wilson: Thank you! I'm really glad you liked it! :)

Prompt: Inspiration from a "Random Headcanon", in which we explore the lives of the past incarnations of Chat Noir and Ladybug and why Chat Noir calls Marinette 'Princess'.

Random Headcanon Source: Posted by adrienetteislife (originally by: ladyandprincess on Tumblr)

Her Feline Knight

Turmoil plagued the lands, the country split by war and internal strife. Among the king's army stood a knight clad in black, leading his first real victory since the end of the war with the neighboring country. Upon his return to the kingdom he served, there waited his princess, the one he had pledged his life and servitude to.

His battle-weary face softened when he saw her, traditionally clad in her robes, but the speed and numbness of het feet betrayed her, displaying more than just the frail damsel of a princess she was portrayed to be.

The strong desire to embrace her burned brightly just beneath his skin, but the eyes of the kind's guards and duty bound him and so he moved to one knee, head hanging low, "Princess,"

The word was so much more than just her title and even surrounded by her parents, the guards and his own men behind him, they both knew he never uttered it as her title, but as an endearment, a private joy they allowed to share between themselves, within the privacy of their own knowledge.

She composed herself, standing before his kneeling form, her eyes were the only thing that betrayed her true affections for the man clad in armor before her, "I have awaited your safe return," she smiled up at him when she gave him permission to stand.

He smiled, for he knew her words to be true, "We have successfully defeated Hawkmoth's army," his relieved gaze suddenly hardened and his face darkened with the images of war, "Unfortunately, we suspect he is readying a far more imposing force," his gaze locked onto the king's and his fellow guards, "Perhaps even greater than our own," his sweat and blood matted blonde hair partly covered his face and eyes and when he turned his gaze back to his princess, her eyes didn't shine with tears like he expected, but with a burning ferocity to end this war.

"We will not let him conquer our lands," her gaze softened then and he knew she was speaking from the heart, like she always did, "And I won't let him harm my people,"

His heart beat against his bruised ribcage like a ferocious beast willing to be released, that was but a small portion of the depth of his love and adoration for her, his princess.

It was only when the sky bathed their land in darkness that they dared to venture out of castle grounds.

True to his namesake, he clung to the shadows as if he belonged there, moving with the grace of the beast his enemies called him by, with his princess following none too unimpressively behind.

Only within the protective cocoon of the stone walls away from guard's sight did they dare embrace each-other.

"Oh, Chat," his princess sobbed into his shoulder and he hugged her tighter, fearing he would crush her but she only tightened her own embrace around him in response.

His voice was low, partly due to their dangerous situation, partly to his own strong emotions, "Princess…" he took a whiff of her hair, burying his nose against the silky midnight tresses and he could feel how his wounds were healing and her mere presence granted him a peace of mind and a body ready to withstand anything.

They stayed like that for a long time, until he finally dared to reluctantly part, in order to gaze at her worried face. He lowered his head and affectionately nuzzled the tip of her nose with his own and she returned the gesture immediately, the familiar action causing warmth to bloom within her chest.

"My poor knight," her hands found his cheeks, fingers tracing a small cut on his jaw, "Chat, this…I can't allow you to return to battle," her gaze hardened and he knew this fight would be one he wasn't so sure he would win, "Every time you engage in combat, I pray that Ladybug's luck is protecting you but I-" she trembled, "I can't rely on luck to accomplish that. I have to fight too, chaton,"

She knew what his answer was even before the words left his lips, "Nonsense Ladybug," the name of her alter ego made her feel a bit securer, a bit safer, a bit stronger, "I can't allow you to endanger yourself, as do these people. You have to stay here, protected," his expression softened, green eyes baring his very soul to her, "You're our only hope if I fail,"

He watched with a pained smile how the fire erupted within her, eyes a blazing blue flame, "Ladybug and Chat Noir were always a team, Chat. Perhaps this is the reason why Hawkmoth may gain in power, we should unite forces again and fight him together," her eyes pleaded, so desperately pleaded, and his heart tightened, "You know I can fight, you know I can help,"

He shook his head, taking off the thick leather gloves tipped with reinforced claws and throwing them to the ground before cupping her face in his hands, calloused fingers rubbing away the stray tears sliding down her cheeks, "Of course, I know, m'lady. But I can't risk it, it's too dangerous," his pupils morphed briefly into slits, the eyes of a feline, until they returned to their original rounder shape, "You have the power to heal, to repair the damage done in the end of the final battle. I am here to use my power to end it, once and for all,"

His hands fell away from her face and he averted his gaze, jaw locked tight, "Even if I were to lose my life in the upcoming battle-"

Thunk

He froze, head slowly turning to look down at his princess, who had a furious gaze about her.

"…Did you just throw a-"

Thunk!

The small pebble bounced harmlessly off the reinforced steel of his armor, landing at his feet.

"Prin-"

Pound

The breath was knocked from him when she launched herself at him, fists colliding against his chest plate, not to inflict damage but to convey her feelings.

And convey her feelings she did.

"You stupid cat! You can't expect me to sit idly by while you risk your life fighting for this country! This is my country as well and I will do anything in my own and Ladybug's power to protect it!" when her eyes met his they were a striking blue and despite their current predicament he found himself trapped by them.

Her hands landed on her hips, "You listen carefully to me! Your kwami must have told you of our predecessors! You must know of Chat Noir's bad luck and the way some of Plagg's charges have ended!" her words were thick with emotion and he found his heart clenching painfully at the memory, "I'm not about to become a Ladybug living her life in sorrow because her kitty died protecting her,"

It was a long time where they just stared at each-other, but Chat finally found the words that had been clogged up in his throat from her outburst, his expression softening as his fingers lovingly touched her face, "And why princess, do you think it better for me to live a life bereft of meaning if something were to happen to you?"

He smiled at her stunned expression, the anger slowly trickling like sand through her fingers, "Despite the past Chat Noirs suffering a not so purrfect ending, there will always be new holders to take their place," he grabbed her hand and held it tightly, voice thick with emotion, "Have you ever questioned their decisions? Why all those previous Chat Noirs decided to sacrifice themselves?"

Ladybug slowly shook her head.

Chat smiled warmly, "It's because a knight needs his princess to protect, but a princess doesn't need a knight where she has other servants," he purred as he placed a longing kiss on the back of her palm, "Because you see princess, no matter in what life my sacrifice be made, I would spend all my nine lives with you if you would have me." He grinned boyishly, strands of his messy hair falling into his green eyes.

Not even a second later, Chat Noir felt a twinge of pain on his head, making him yelp in pain, until he felt his lady envelope him in a tight hug.

He froze, relaxing against her hold and wrapping one arm around her waist while the other gingerly cradled her head close to him. He sighed, angling his face to nuzzle the side of her cheek, "Purrhaps fearing death at your hands is the wiser choice, bug,"

He chuckled when she playfully swatted at his chest, but he caught her hand within his larger one and kissed her knuckles lovingly.

She broke away from him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears and his heart bled.

"Chat…" she sobbed, rubbing away the tears with the sleeve of her gown, "You reckless cat, you stupid, reckless, adorable, lovable kitten," his teasing grin melted into a genuine smile and he rested a hand atop her head.

She looked up at him and he offered her a shaky smile, "Ladybug…" he took a deep breath, "Whatever tomorrow may bring, allow me to…make a promise," his gaze was serious and Ladybug felt warm.

She nodded, "Of course, chaton,"

He smiled, falling down to one knee and taking her hand within his own, keeping his head bowed, "If Chat Noir were to fall in this battle or the next, not even death shall be powerful enough to separate him from his Ladybug, his princess for long," he lifted his head and smiled, "For even if this life shall be taken, I promise you to search for you in my next one, until I found you again,"

She fell to her knees in front of her knight, the soft glow from the moonlight bathing her in an etherial light and he wasn't sure it was possible for her to look more breathtaking than she already did.

Her smile was strong, filled with emotion and her words clear, "Promise me, my knight, to look for me in the next life," she laced her fingers with his and tightened her hold, "For Ladybug is nothing without Chat Noir and their fates shall never be separated again,"

She lifted their joined hands to tenderly kiss his knuckles, rubbing her cheek against it.

Chat brought his free hand behind her head to gently guide her forward, resting his forehead against her own and basking in her presence.

"Princess…" his eyes opened to look at her and he smiled, "I promise to return to you," he lifted his head and lovingly kissed her forehead, closing his eyes to savor the moment.

She clutched at his arms and allowed herself to feel weakness, for Ladybug to feel protected by her partner, to feel…loved.

"Why must fate always be so cruel to us?" her question was met with a dry chuckle from her partner and he shook his head.

"Why indeed…" he nuzzled her cheek with a low purr, "A knight and a princess, never meant to be,"

She smiled and laughed, "You're wrong there chaton," she watched his eyebrow lift in surprise, "Ladybug and Chat Noir, are always meant to be, no matter what lives they live,"

Chat smiled in understanding and they held each-other close.

They weren't sure what the future entailed.

If they would make it before dawn.

But even if they didn't, they knew their kingdom had to.

The battle commenced the following day and their army was victorious.

His feet dragged through the barren dirt, leaving behind blood and grime and he allowed a small portion of his weight to lean on her as they made their way back to their kingdom, beaten and bruised, but alive.

The smile on her face made him forget of his wounds and the way his eyes lighted up made her briefly forget the lives that were lost.

She wasn't sure if the red on her armor was her blood or Tikki's magic, but she knew they had made it out alive.

Together.

"And you said I should stay behind,"

Chat Noir's laughter rang richly in her ears and she relished in the sound, "Apawlagies my lady, you manage to purrprise me every time ameow," he grinned when she gently bumped her hip against his.

"If this battle hadn't, you shall be the death of me chaton," she smiled and he chuckled, hope blossoming in his chest.

"Perhaps I was wrong," not detecting a pun, Ladybug turned to look at her knight.

He looked at her and smiled, extending his hand to brush away the blood from her cheek, "Maybe there is a chance for the knight and princess to be together,"

She laughed and adjusted her grip on him as they slowly trekked forward, the soldiers behind their princess and superior oblivious to their shared feelings, "I told you Chat," her eyes shone with promise, "Ladybug and Chat Noir will always find a way to be together,"

And he smiled.

Marinette smiled as she heard the telltale sound of his boots softly hitting the ground behind her, leaning on her balcony railing and staring out at Paris.

Chat Noir walked to stand beside her, mimicking her stance and resting his forearms against the railing to stare at the city lights, illuminating the buildings and the Eiffel Tower beautifully.

"How comes a princess spends her time alone on her balcony?" Chat's voice reached her ears and Marinette smirked, shaking her head.

"Just thinking really…but how comes you always call me princess, kitty?" she turned to look at him, genuinely curious.

The boy felt himself at a loss for words, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly, "Uh, w-well I, I don't really know…" he shrugged, looking at her from the corner of his eyes with a small smile, "I guess it just felt…natural,"

Marinette and Chat Noir stared at each-other for a few minutes and when Marinette looked away first, Chat allowed a knowing smile to stretch his lips when she wasn't looking.

"Oh," was her simple reply and this time he found curiosity gnawing at him.

"Shall I stop prin-Marinette?" he tilted his head to the side, hoping he wouldn't have to stop using the endearment.

The silence that followed his words only lasted for a short time and Marinette's gaze met his, "No, it's okay kitty," she smiled down at her feet, "I…like it,"

His heart abruptly plummeted to the depths of his stomach and he weakly held his hand to his heart, Marinette giggled, thinking he was making his theatrics again, oblivious to the elated feeling he suddenly felt in his chest.

He didn't understand, and he told her the truth, he had no idea why it felt so natural to call her princess.

It just did.

With that feeling of contentment in mind, they both relaxed, staring out at the city again, Chat Noir's head leaning to the side to gently rest atop Marinette's.

She smiled and scooted closer, nestling her head on his shoulder comfortably.

She blamed the sudden desire for closeness on Tikki, for the fact that in her kwami's words, Ladybug and Chat Noir were always drawn to each-other, suit or not.

But she couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity as she thought the words.

Ladybug and Chat Noir will always find a way to be together.

"Tell me, princess, how was your day?"

Marinette smiled.

The end for this one shot! Thank you all for reading! :) If anyone has any requests feel free to leave a review or PM me! :3