My Stalker

Movie Night

Marinette sat on her chaise and sighed. She had everything ready for a peaceful movie night with her boyfriend, but there was one thing missing. Him.

They had been texting about their favorite movies earlier and she had mentioned Leap. Apparently, he had never seen it. She had invited him over to watch it after he was released from his evening duties and he had accepted.

There were pastries and tea on a little side table she had set up and the disc was in her computer. Now if only he would show up.

There was a tap on the window. Speak of the devil.

She opened the window and stepped aside so he could climb in. "Finally."

"Sorry, Purrincess. My father wanted me to practice piano longer than usual tonight," he replied.

"It's okay, but couldn't you have texted me that you would be late?"

"No, my father was there and if he saw, I'd get my phone taken away."

She sighed. "Fine, but if you ever stand me up, please, just tell me. I don't want to just sit and wonder what's going on."

"Why would I stand you up?" he asked as she retrieved the computer.

"I don't know, I guess what I'm saying is if you stop loving me, please tell me right away. Don't string it out. It'll just hurt more in the end."

He sat on the chaise and held his arms out as an invitation. She sat in his lap, letting him wrap his arms around her and bury his face in her hair. "I will never leave you, Purrincess," he whispered.

"Don't make promises you may not be able to keep," she warned.

"Oh, but I can keep it."

"Whatever, let's just watch the movie."

They settled down and she turned it on.

------

The credits were rolling when Marinette noticed how strangely quiet Chat had been through the whole movie. Usually, he couldn't stop talking, commenting on this character's hair or that character's persona, but this time, he hadn't said anything after the first few minutes.

She turned to face him. "What did you think?" He had that face he always wore when he retreated into his thoughts and it was almost impossible to call him back to reality. She sighed and settled back. Only one thing to do. Wait it out.

This time, it only took a few minutes for him to resurface. She knew because he picked up another macaron from beside them.

"Here, want a bite?" He held it in front of her. She accepted the offered sweet but left him half as it was the last of that flavor and chocolate was his favorite.

She turned and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Kitty."

"You're welcome," he replied through a mouth full of macaron.

"What did you think of the movie?" she asked again.

"It . . . gave me a lot to think about."

"Like what?"

"Well . . . it seems a little like a metaphor. A parallel to my life. The orphanage is like my house and the abbess is like my father, always trying to keep me locked in and suppress me. Odette is Nathalie, strict, but also motherly. And the man that helped Felicie at the end reminds me of my bodyguard."

"I can see that, but who does that make me?"

"You aren't shown because only Alya and your parents know about us and they would never tell. Besides, no one on there is as wonderful as you. He started tickling her and she tried to squirm away, but he held her still and tickled her until they couldn't breathe.

When he had caught his breath, he whispered, "I love you."

Marinette was shocked. She turned and stared at him. Had he just . . . ?

"It's okay, you don't have to respond." He pressed a light kiss to the tip of her nose. "I don't expect you to, I just couldn't keep it in any longer."

"Thank you for not pressuring me, but now's probably a good time to tell you." She looked down. "I haven't been entirely truthful to you. I-" She squeezed her eyes shut and sucked in a breath. "I love you too. I realized it a while ago. It's completely different than with Luka. That was just infatuation with the idea of him. You- this is real. The bond between us keeps getting stronger." She looked up just in time to see him lean in to kiss her.

"I know I just said this, but I love you, M'lady, and I will never leave you," he mumbled against her lips.

"Thank you, Kitty, that means the world to me," she mumbled back.

"Anytime, Purrincess."

This would be a night to remember for both of them and Marinette couldn't imagine a better reason why.

Thank you to my wonderful beta Moonlight of the moon!