Eaves Of Comfort

by sctwilightvampwolfgal

Marinette is swamped with responsibilities left and right, and yet, something about Cat Noir's embrace is so comforting to her. *Written for Day Five of Love Square Fluff Week 2020.*

There was something about the hollow of his shoulder, that pillowed her, and let the hint of strength begin to seep through her bones. There was something about the creek of his elbow, and the clawed hands that rested against her back. Marinette wasn't sure why the stress just melted away in his embrace.

Being Ladybug, being the Guardian, being a student, and trying to get better and better at her designs, all while not slipping out of her friends' lives, was a little stifling, a little much sometimes. She curls against an embrace that always makes her feel safe, a friend that's always there for her, and someone that she can't deny puts the beginnings of a jingle into her heart.

Marinette relishes this comfort, even as she steps back and gazes up at him, seeing green cat eyes and knowing that she's safe, that he'll listen to both her silences, when she can't tell him a word, and the words that she does voice to his listening ear.

"Thank you." The genuineness gushes out of her, eager and sincere.

"It's no problem." He backs up, and she can see the self-consciousness creep in as if suddenly he is nervous about how much he throws himself into comforting, as if her sincerity stunned him or as if he isn't worthy of it.

"Thank you." She repeats; the emphasis on the 'you.' She just wants him to know that this means more to her than anything else, and that in some way she depends on this hidden pool of strength, this comfort after a long week, this friendship that blooms at the beginnings of something more.

"You're welcome." It's like he's still stunned by her, like he doesn't expect that always being there for her is enough to receive this kind of gratitude, the kind that just bubbles out of you, before you could think about tampering with it, before you could think that sincerity might feel like a bit much.

Marinette's still smiling when she gives him a gratitude filled hug a moment later, feeling those claws hold her in place as if those were her needed supports, and knowing that Cat Noir's warmth seems to light something up within her and provide her with this comforting, safety net that she desperately needs when the days grow longer than they should.