Picnic Revelations:
Cheese, macaroons and Matters of the Heart
The sun shines brightly through the skylight of Marinette's attic bedroom. She had woken up extra early that morning and was determined to be ready and on time. Marinette had already agreed to a friendly picnic with Chat Noir earlier that week, to try and cheer herself up after getting her heart broken.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she scolds her reflection. "Okay Marinette, you can do this! It's just a picnic with a friend. A very handsome, charming and heroic friend, who just so happens to be your crime fighting partner against Shadow Moth." She wears a simple red dress, accentuated by a black bow tied around her waist. She feels nervous and excited, but also a bit guilty for lying to her friends and family about where she is going.
Tikki flies over to Marinette, concern etched on her tiny face. "Are you sure this is a good idea? Lying to your friends and family about your plans? Going out with Chat Noir in broad daylight without the mask? It's risky."
Marinette sighs, taking a seat on her chair. "I know it sounds crazy Tikki, but I need this. I need a break from everything; from school, from being Ladybug, from Shadow Moth and his constant Akumas. And especially from Adrien! He has made it very clear that he only sees me as a friend, nothing more." She feels a pang in her chest as she remembers Adrien's rejection. "I want to be able to live a little, you know? I want the freedom to be me for a while."
Tikki nods with understanding. "I get it Marinette; if anyone deserves a break it's you. Just be careful and remember to keep your identity a secret"
"Thanks Tikki." Marinette hugs her Kwami tightly. "You're the best."
A gentle tapping on the window interrupts their connection. Marinette takes a deep breath, her heart racing. "That's him! Let's go."
Marinette opens the window and smiles at Chat Noir, who is waiting on the roof with a picnic basket in his hand. He grins back at her and jumps through her window. He sets the basket down and gives her a hug.
"Hey, Princess. You look beautiful today." He says, causing her cheeks to flush with a rosy hue.
"Thank you, Chat. You don't look half bad yourself." She teases, giving him a once-over.
"Oh, this old thing." He says, referencing his super suit. "I picked it out myself."
Marinette giggles at his lightheartedness.
"Are you ready for our picnic?" He asks, holding out his hand. "I found a nice spot by the river. It's quiet and peaceful. Just what you need after a rough week."
"I can't wait," Marinette replies, picking up the picnic basket. Chat Noir leads the way, climbing up the ladder and offering his hand to help Marinette up. She gratefully accepts, feeling a rush of warmth at his touch.
Thanks to Chat Noir's meticulous planning a few days ago, it doesn't take long to reach the river. Spotting the trees that he found the day before, Chat Noir touches the grass with a gentle landing. Setting Marinette down gently, he puts his batton away.
"Well, what do you think?" He asks, his eyes fixed on Marinette as she takes in the breathtaking scenery.
The river flows gently through the green valley, reflecting the blue sky and fluffy white clouds. The water is clear and cool, inviting the birds and fish to play. The trees line the banks of the river, forming a natural canopy that shades the ground. The leaves rustle in the breeze, creating a soothing melody.
"It's beautiful! I had no idea that this place even existed."
"Yeah, not many people do. It's secluded, which makes it even more special, and it's particularly beautiful in the springtime." Chat Noir walks up to a beautiful tall tree and lays a blanket at its foot for them to sit on. They start to lay out the food and drinks onto the blanket. There are an assortment of sandwiches, pies and fruit. Chat Noir then pulls some bite size cheeses and crackers from the basket.
"Cheese and crackers for a picnic?" Marinette questions curiously.
"Y-eah." Chat Noir answers looking sheepish. "My Kwami, Plagg insists; no picnic is complete without good cheese."
Marinette laughs, followed by Chat Noir. They both sit there laughing.
"Did Plagg help with planning the food too?" Marinette asks, grabbing a bottle of water.
"Not really. He was more invested in giving me the history of each type of cheese."
Marinette gives a side eye as she sips on her water.
"Well, if Plagg approves of the cheese, then I must sample it myself." She says grabbing a piece. "I am a baker's daughter after all."
Letting her teeth sink into the orange coloured cheese, she feels her taste buds dance. She had to admit, it was delicious. As she looks at him, she notices that he is watching her with a fond expression.
"Is it good?" he asks, his eyes hopeful.
"It's very good, Plagg certainly knows his cheeses."
He grins and leans closer to her. "I'm glad you like it, Princess."
Marinette feels a blush rise to her cheeks, but turns away, averting her gaze and looks to her small bag. Tikki smiles at her warmly. Deciding to return the favour, Marinette reaches into her bag for a macaroon that she had baked earlier that day. She holds it up to Chat Noir's mouth. As he opens his mouth and takes a bite of the macaroon, he savours the flavour. His eyes widen in recognition, and he moans in appreciation. "Mmm, passionfruit! I love passionfruit-flavoured macaroons. You're a talented baker."
Marinette giggles, feeling a pleasant surprise. "You like passionfruit? Not many people do."
Chat Noir grins, taking another bite. "Well, it's one of my secret indulgences."
She giggles, "Thank you, I'm glad you like it."
He swallows it and looks at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. He leans closer and whispers, "You know what else I like?"
She feels her heart skip a beat. She leans closer and whispers back in anticipation, "What?"
He closes the gap between them and kisses her softly on the cheek. He pulls back and winks; "You."
Marinette splutters, her face turning a deep crimson.
Chat Noir chuckles, his eyes sparkle mischievously. "You know Marinette, I have something to ask of you. If you're feeling up for it?"
Marinette raises an eyebrow, curiously. "Depends? What is it?"
Chat Noir stands up and offers his hand to her. "Will you dance with me?"
Marinette's eyes grow wide in surprise, yet a smile slowly creeps across her face, "A dance? Here?"
Chat Noir nods affirmatively, his hand still extended. "Why not? There's no one around and I happen to know a thing or two about dancing."
Marinette hesitates for a moment, but then takes his hand. "Alright, let's dance."
He pulls her up gently and they move to a small clearing beside the river. Chat Noir takes the lead, guiding Marinette with grace and confidence. However as they begin to dance, Marinette occasionally steps on his feet, causing her to giggle and blush.
Chat Noir smiles, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Don't worry, dancing takes practice. Just follow my lead and don't be afraid to make mistakes."
Marinette nods, a mixture of embarrassment and determination on her face. "I'll try my best, Chat."
Patiently, Chat Noir continues to guide Marinette through the dance, his steps fluid and elegant. With each misstep, he reassures her, offering encouragement and gentle corrections. They laugh together, their bond growing stronger with each shared moment.
As the dance progresses, Marinette's confidence builds. She starts to move with more grace, mirroring Chat Noir's steps. The occasional missteps become fewer, and the dance transforms into a beautiful, synchronised rhythm.
As they sway and twirl, Marinette finds herself opening up to Chat Noir, her heart heavy with the weight of her unrequited love. She takes a deep breath, gathering her courage to share her feelings.
"Chat Noir," she begins, her voice soft but determined. "I want to talk to you about something... something that's been on my mind for a while."
Chat Noir looks at her intently, his eyes filled with warmth and understanding. "Of course Marinette, you can tell me anything."
Marinette's grip tightens slightly as she continues, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "It's about Adrien... I'm finding it hard to be around him, knowing that he's in love with someone else. It hurts, Chat, and it's affecting our friendship."
Chat Noir's expression softens, and he squeezes her hand reassuringly. "I understand, Marinette. I went through something similar with Ladybug. I was crushed when she told me she was in love with another boy. It broke my heart."
Marinette nods solemnly, remembering Chat's voice messages on her Ladybug communicator and hearing just how devastated he sounded. She hadn't paid too much attention to it at the time, consumed with her own struggles.
A tear rolls down Marinette's soft cheek. "I'm sorry. I... I wasn't there for you when you needed someone."
"Shhh," Chat Noir soothes, his voice calm and understanding. "It's okay, you didn't know. It's not something I typically talk about."
Marinette leans into Chat's shoulder, finding comfort in his embrace. Their movements become slower and more gentle, the dance transforming into a heartfelt conversation.
They share their stories of heartbreak, their voices carrying the weight of their unrequited love. With each step and each turn, they find solace in the rhythm of the dance, using it as a language to express the depth of their emotions.
Chat Noir wraps his arm around Marinette, offering her comfort and support. They stand there, swaying softly to the music of their hearts; the sound of the river becoming a soothing backdrop to their thoughts and emotions.
After a while, Marinette lifts her head from Chat's shoulder and wipes away her tears. She looks into his eyes, appreciating the understanding and empathy she sees reflected in them.
"Thank you, Chat. It means a lot to me that you're here for me, even when you're going through your own struggles," she says, her voice filled with gratitude.
Chat Noir smiles softly. "You're important to me, Marinette. I know an Akuma originally caused our paths to cross, but I'm glad it did. I got to meet you, and over time, you've become someone special in my life. I care about you deeply, and I want to be there for you in any way I can."
Marinette's heart skips a beat at his words, feeling a mixture of warmth and confusion. She had always admired his dedication and kindness, but she hadn't expected him to open up about his own vulnerabilities and feelings for Ladybug. It made her realise how much they had in common.
"I care about you too, Chat," Marinette says, her voice filled with sincerity. "You've been my rock during some of the toughest moments, and I'm grateful for your support. We may not be able to change our current situations with Adrien and Ladybug, but at least we have each other."
They continue to dance, their steps becoming more synchronised as they find strength in each other's company. With each movement, they build a deeper connection, transcending the boundaries of their secret identities.
As the sun begins to set, casting a warm golden glow over the landscape, Marinette and Chat Noir find themselves closer than ever before. The dance has not only brought them together but has also allowed them to share their pain, heal their hearts, and embrace the possibility of a different kind of love.
They savour the remaining moments of their dance, cherishing their unique bond and the memories they've created. And as they stand there, locked in each other's arms, Marinette knows that with Chat Noir by her side, she can navigate the complexities of love and friendship with strength and grace.