Chat batoned across Paris excitedly, almost falling off his stick for the third time since he'd left the rooftop where he'd been setting up. The stars twinkled down, seeming as happy as he was.
It was his and Marinette's first real date. They'd had movie dates and cuddle sessions and game nights and even walks around Paris before, but this was the first real date, the first one he'd invited her on after their mutual confession last week. He'd been planning it even before then, back when he was first realizing he had a crush on her, and tonight was going to be perfect.
There. Marinette's balcony was lit up with fairy lights, making it easy to spot in the dark of Paris. Butterflies - the good kind - fluttered in his stomach as he got closer, spotting the figure pacing back and forth.
With one last nerve-wracking drop, he was on her balcony. She turned, smiling warmly. "Hey, kitty," she said happily. "What do you think?"
Chat's jaw dropped. She was wearing a short pink sundress, a white lace shawl draped over her shoulders. It was simple but tactful and one hundred percent Marinette. "You look beautiful," he answered honestly. "I guess I should've dressed up!"
Marinette giggled, flicking his bell. "Silly kitty. So where are we going?"
"You'll see," Chat teased. He gently picked her up bridal style, fighting back a goofy smile as she nuzzled into his chest. "Ready?"
When she nodded, smiling happily up at him, he pressed the button on his baton, shooting them up into the sky. He'd made sure to pick a roof close to her balcony for the date, so it only took them a minute to reach it by stick.
As they neared his chosen rooftop, he heard a small gasp from Marinette and finally let his goofy smile show. "Oh, Chat," she said softly, looking up at him with wonder in her eyes. "It's beautiful!"
The rooftop was covered in candles, tiny pinpricks of light in the darkness. He'd laid out a simple white blanket that was currently decked out in trays of food covered in clear lids. A pair of roses stood in a glass vase in the middle of the blanket.
Chat set Marinette down, quickly running over to double check on the food. Everything was still there and bug-free, so he took the lids off and piled them in a corner, shooting Marinette a look when she reached for the lid closest to her. "Uh-uh," he said admonishingly, shaking a finger. "My date: my rules. Rule one is you don't get to help. Sit over there and do your pretty Marinette thing while I get ready."
Marinette giggled, kneeling on the blanket with her pink dress sprawled over her legs. Chat swore he could hear her repeat 'pretty Marinette thing' under her breath. He shook his head, pushing the pile of lids to the side and plopping down next to her. "So what's on the menu?" she asked lightly, gesturing to the food.
Chat pointed to the tray nearest him. "Tartlets and chicken sandwiches from the Grand Paris Hotel. Over here we have ice cream from Andre, and next to that is a garlic bread that your dad may or may not have given me for free."
Marinette raised her eyebrows, smiling fondly at Chat as he dished her up a plate. "Papa gave you garlic bread?" she asked incredulously.
"Well…" Chat rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "He might possibly maybe think that I was getting it for patrol with Ladybug?"
Marinette let out a huge guffaw, almost bending over double as she laughed. "You… for Ladybug… from Papa," she wheezed.
Chat frowned. "I don't get it," he said, tilting his head.
She waved, shaking her head. "It's funny, that's all," she said with one last giggle, taking the plate he offered her. "So if no helping is rule one, what are the other rules?"
"Uh…" Chat thought quickly. "Rule two: we don't mention Buttercup."
Marinette looked up from her chicken sandwich. "All right, if we don't mention Buttercup we also don't mention Ladybug anymore."
Chat shrugged, popping a piece of garlic bread in his mouth. "Fine with me. Rule three: ... actually I can't think of another rule."
Marinette giggled again. "I can. Rule three: I get to help you blow out all the candles when we're done."
"Oh, I don't know about that," Chat said mock-seriously. "Blowing out the candles is the best part." He snorted as Marinette stuck her tongue out at him. "Seriously, though, why didn't we do this sooner?" he asked, taking another bite of bread.
Marinette shrugged, her knitted shawl rippling in the wind. "You didn't ask me sooner," she teased.
Chat rolled his eyes. "I didn't think you would've said yes sooner."
"I probably wouldn't have," she admitted with a smile. "But I'm glad I did now."
"Yeah." Chat reached across the blanket, taking her hand in his. Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him, intertwining her fingers with his. "Me too."
They spent the rest of the date curled up with each other, laughing and teasing one another as they slowly ate their way through the food. When the night was over, they blew out the candles together like he'd promised.
Finally he batoned her home, dropping her off at her balcony.
"Thanks for tonight, kitty," Marinette said fondly as he set her down. "I loved every bit of it."
"And I love every bit of you." The words slipped out before he could stop them, heat rising in Chat's cheeks.
Marinette's eyes widened. Way to ruin it, Romeo, Chat thought grumpily.
"I love you too," she finally whispered, reaching up and pressing a kiss to his lips.
Chat stood in stunned silence as she pulled away, giggling at the wide smile on his face. "Night, kitty," she murmured, ducking down her trapdoor with a wave.
"Night," Chat finally managed.
Kwamis, he loved that girl.
