A leap of Faith

Marinette sits on her chaise, deep in thought about her relationship with Chat Noir. She has asked Tikki for some alone time and it has been three hours since her request. She heaves a sigh as she absentmindedly locks and unlocks her phone. A soft knock on her trap door is heard, causing Marinette to momentarily look up.

"Marinette?" her mother calls out. "Is everything okay? You've been up here for quite some time."

Marinette nods, not saying a word. Sabine offers a small smile before returning back down the ladder.

"Hey, Mum," Marinette says, getting her mother's attention. "...Can I talk to you about something?"

"Of course, sweetheart," Sabine replies, making her way over to her daughter and taking a seat next to her.

The room is silent for a while as Marinette keeps her gaze low, avoiding eye contact with her mother.

"Is everything okay, dear?"

"I... I wanted to tell you that I'm seeing someone. Sort of."

"You're in a sort of relationship?" Sabine asks, raising an eyebrow. "Who is the lucky boy?"

Marinette goes silent again, her heart racing. She bites her lip, thinking about how to start the conversation.

"You remember how I told you about Chat Noir saving me a few times?"

"Yes, I do. Is something wrong?"

Marinette's heart pounds in her chest as she sits next to her mother on the chaise. Her hands tremble and she struggles to find the right words. She looks into her mother's eyes, her own brimming with emotion.

"I... I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's Chat Noir, Mum," Marinette begins, her voice quivering with vulnerability. "He's the one I'm seeing. I never expected this, I never expected me and Chat Noir."

Sabine's brows furrow in surprise, concern etched on her face.

"Oh, Marinette. I didn't see that coming," Sabine admits, her voice filled with a mix of confusion and worry. "You and Chat Noir told us that you weren't an item. What changed? What about Adrien?"

Marinette takes a deep breath, mustering the strength to continue.

"Well I…um… I confessed to Adrien not so long ago and he broke my heart." she whispers, her voice filled with anguish. "The rejection... it felt like my entire world was crumbling around me. But Chat Noir has been there for me. He has become my rock, my confidant in those dark moments." Marinette pauses, her eyes welling up with tears. She struggles to find the right words to convey the complexity of her emotions. "I know it's confusing, Mum," she finally manages to say, her voice laced with internal conflict. "I still have feelings for Adrien, but with Chat Noir it is so much easier to be around him. I feel happy, he makes me laugh. It feels right, you know?"

Sabine smiles, pulling Marinette close to her. "Oh Marinette, I understand. I'm just worried that's all."

Marinette smiles a little. "I understand mum. I also want to give this relationship a real go; no more hiding behind excuses and avoiding him. I feel ready to really try."

Sabine rubs her daughter's back. "That's great honey. You've shown great maturity and responsibility in the past. Just remember to communicate openly with Chat Noir, set boundaries and prioritise your own well-being. Your father and I will be here to support you through whatever comes your way."

Marinete sits up straight and looks at her mother, her face brightening up. "Speaking of dad. Please can you tell him of this new development and please ensure that things will go better this time. I think he will enjoy making a fuss and I'm happy to embrace it."

Sabine gets to her feet. "Of course Marinette. In fact, why don't you invite him over for tea sometime this week?"

Marinette grins, her heart feeling lighter. "I promise."

Later that evening, Marinete is sitting at her sewing machine, working on some new material that she had recently purchased with Alya a few days prior. She had drawn an outline of the style she liked and was working on stitching different fabrics together, when a tap on a window drew her attention away. Getting up, Marinette walks over to her attic window, opening it.

"Good evening Chaton."

"Good evening Princess. May I come in?" Chat Noir grins, his eyes twinkling.

"Of course," Marinette replies, a smile playing on her lips. She steps back, giving him room to climb down the ladder and enter her room.

Chat Noir looks around, taking in the creative chaos of Marinette's sewing space. "I love seeing you in your element, Marinette. Your love for fashion is truly inspiring."

Marinette blushes, grateful for Chat Noir's kind words. "Thank you, Chaton. I'm glad you're here. I could use a little break from sewing."

Chat Noir walks over to where Marinette is working, his eyes glimmering with curiosity. "What are you working on?"

Marinette holds up the half-finished garment, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's a design I've been working on for my masquerade at school. I'm experimenting with different fabrics and textures. Alya and I went fabric shopping, and this is the result."

Chat Noir's eyes widen as he examines the intricate stitching and vibrant colours. "Wow Marinette! You have such a talent; this is truly amazing."

Marinette beams with pride, grateful for Chat Noir's support. "Thank you. Your encouragement means a lot to me."

Chat Noir perches himself on the end of her desk, leaning in with a playful grin. "So Marinette, if you need a model for your fashion show, I'm always here to strike a pose."

Marinette giggles, rolling her eyes at his flirtatious comment. "Oh Chaton, don't let your ego get too big. But I must admit, seeing you in one of my designs would be quite the sight."

Chat Noir winks, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, Princess, I'll gladly grace the runway for you. Just say the word and I'll bring the charm and elegance."

Marinette and Chat Noir continue their playful banter, their laughter filling the room. As the conversation takes a brief pause, a mischievous glimmer dances in Chat Noir's eyes.

Chat Noir smirks, leaning in closer. "You know, Marinette, there's something I've been dying to do since I got here."

Marinette's curiosity piques, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Oh really? And what might that be?"

With a playful wink, Chat Noir closes the distance between them, pressing his lips against hers in a playful and teasing kiss. It's a gentle exchange, filled with lightheartedness and a touch of mischief.

Marinette's eyes widen in surprise before a giggle escapes her lips. She playfully nudges Chat Noir's arm. "Well, aren't you bold, Chaton? Taking advantage of a lady like that."

Chat Noir grins, his voice full of playful charm. "Can you blame me? You're irresistible."

As they pull apart, still grinning like a pair of mischievous kittens, Marinette's cheeks flush with a mix of amusement and adoration. "You really know how to make an entrance, Chaton."

Chat Noir bows dramatically, a twinkle in his eyes. "Only for you, Princess. I love seeing you smile."

Marinette's playful smile softens into a tender expression as she takes a deep breath, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

"Speaking of bringing smiles, Chaton, there's something I need to tell you. I... I've talked to my parents about us."

Chat Noir's eyes widen with surprise, a mixture of excitement and curiosity dancing in his gaze. "You did? What did you tell them?"

Marinette takes a moment to gather her thoughts, her heart beating a little faster. "I told them about our connection, about how you've been there for me, supporting and understanding me. And, well... I would really like to invite you over for dinner."

Chat Noir smiles at her, "that sounds great. Just let me know where and I'll be there."

Marinette's cheeks flush with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Great! I'll talk to my parents and find a suitable date. I'm sure they'll be thrilled to see you again. Just be prepared for my dad's endless enthusiasm and my mum's warm hospitality."

Chat Noir's expression turns slightly hesitant, a trace of worry flickering in his eyes. "Ah, about your dad... I hope he won't mind seeing me again. Last time I was invited for lunch, things... didn't go so well."

Marinette reaches out, gently squeezing Chat Noir's hand. "Don't worry, Chaton. I've talked to my dad about that incident and he understands. He knows to dial it back a bit and promises to keep his emotions in check. I told him I didn't want him getting Akumatized again."

A mixture of relief and gratitude washes over Chat Noir's face as he exhales deeply. "Thank you, Marinette. I'm glad your dad is open-minded. I really appreciate the opportunity to make amends and show him the real me."

Marinette smiles reassuringly. "I know you'll win him over, Chaton. Just be yourself and he'll see the kind-hearted hero that I've come to know and admire."

As they continue their conversation, a sense of optimism fills the air. Marinette is confident that her father's previous reservations won't affect their upcoming dinner. With their bond growing stronger, Marinette and Chat Noir are ready to embark on this new chapter, taking a leap of faith and eagerly embracing the journey ahead.