More than a Marichat tale

~the dance: part 2~

'Marinette wait! I know you didn't mean anything' Adrien called, rushing after her.

'I'll speak to you tomorrow!' she shouted.

Adrien bent over to catch his breath.

'I've messed up. i've messed up. i've messed up' Marinette repeated, mumbling to herself as she ran through the dark streets.
'What am I supposed to do Tikki? I've gotten myself in such a mess. I don't know what I'm feeling. I only leaned in because he was reminding me of Catnoir. I got ahead of myself. Catnoir thinks I still love Adrien, but I don't think I do— I mean- I'm just so confused.

💙Meanwhile with Adrien💙

Adrien lost direction of Marinette and assumed she ran home. That wasn't the evening he expected. He prayed she was safe.

He continued to walk, deciding he'd head home but try to ring her.
He pressed on her contact, put his phone to his ear and listened to it ring.

💙Marinette💙

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ

'NO' she shrieked before declining the number.
'Did you even check who called? It could of been CatNoir.'

'Then he'll call again'
BUZZ BUZZ
Tikki snatched the phone from the table, 'It could be Alya!', she looked at the contact and sighed.
'It's Adrien' Tikki mumbled.

'Do NOT answer', Marinette snatched the phone and turned it off.
'Mari, I think you need some sleep'

💙Adrien/Catnoir💙

He reached home after calling her 3 times. He went up to his room and saw piles of homework sitting on his desk.
I've got to go comfort her..
but how did I leave all that to the last day. Let's see, on Thursday I called a Marinette all night, Wednesday I was so tired from fighting that Akuma all day at school, Tuesday afternoon to night I was comforting Marinette, and Monday I was throwing her off the eiffel tower.
I'm not just living a double life here... I'm living a triple one. The Catsuit isn't for my personal gain, I've used it in the wrong way. It'll fire back and be used against me, Marinette can't get hurt as well. I- I have to put and end to this.

she'll answer if it's CatNoir
'Plagg claws out!'

He leaped out his window and jumped over rooftops, while ringing Marinette's number.

💙Marinette💙

Buzz Buzz
'OH MY GOD!' Marinette screamed.
Marinette declined the call aggressively and turned her phone to airplane mode. This was stressing her out.

'Urgh! I cannot think!!' she grabbed her pillow and smashed it against her face.
'I HATE BOYS, I WANT TO BE ALONE FOREVER' she yelled into the pillow.

'Goodness, it's been centuries yet this phrase is still said at least once with every master I've had' Tikki said and went over to comfort her.

'Um hi Princess' CatNoir had hopped onto her bed.
'How did you get in?' Marinette groaned
'Marinette, what's going on? Tikki, is she okay?'
'Not really. It's Adrien. And well feelings.'
'Ahh' He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her onto his lap, her head resting against his chest.

He wasn't going to bother asking why, he needed to get straight to the point but this seemed like an awful way of doing it.

'It's going to be okay,' he stroked her hair.
'You don't understand,' Marinette spluttered into his chest, 'I don't know who I am anymore. I don't know who I'm in love with. Adrien is my best friend and I almost kissed him tonight. I almost kissed him! But I couldn't. Do you know why?'

Catnoir said nothing.

'Because for a second I thought he might have been you. I wanted him to be you.'

Marinette feels him go really still.

'I don't think I feel the same way about Adrien anymore. Since the other night when we were watching that horror movie, I realised I was feeling something for you. Something very strong. And then I didn't see you for two days and my heart physically hurt in my chest. I missed you so much, I considered just staying here, skipping the dance altogether and hoping you would show up.'

Catnoir rubbed her arm and rested his cheek on her head, 'Really? You like... me? For real?'

'I'm so confused, Catnoir. I was almost in Adrien's arms yet I came running back to you. Like you're my home. I had felt so so homesick.'

Catnoir wiped away a tear that rolled down his face, 'Marinette, if it's me you want, I'm yours. If you don't know what you want, there's time. Adrien would understand. I don't think he's thinking that you've led him on or everything.'

'Are you sure?' Marinette tilted her head up to look up at him.
'I am so sure,' he tucks a strand of her behind her ear and holds her face in his hands, 'you look wonderful tonight by the way.'

Marinette felt a jolt in her stomach. This had a greater effect on her nerves than Adrien's compliment did earlier. Was she mad to have the urge that she did to just push herself up a little more? He had just said if it's him she wants then he's hers, so he wouldn't object.

She did it. She closed the gaps between them on impulse, closing her eyes as she did so.

Catnoir's eyes widened and then he squeezed them shut and asked himself is he dreaming? Is this a love kiss? After a second, he kisses her back and pulls her more against him. She tasted so sweet, like cherries and donuts.

After several moments they broke apart, their noses brushing.
'Catnoir?' Marinette spoke softly.
'Yes?' He breathed.
'I love you', she whispered.

Catnoir slowly removed himself off her bed and walks over to her CD player. He puts on a slow song and walks back over to the bed, reaching out his hand for Marinette's, 'May I have this dance, M'Lady?'

Marinette's cheeks go pink; she takes his hand. He pulls her against his chest and puts his hands on her waist, she puts hers around his neck. The step around Marinette's room in rhythm, in sync. Catnoir looks at the most beautiful girl he's ever seen. Marinette's heart kept skipping beats.

'I love you too, Marinette.' Catnoir smiled.
Marinette's cheeks glowed.

When the song came to an end, they stepped apart.

'See you tomorrow Catnoir.'

'See you tomorrow,' he pulled her into one more hug, planting a kiss upon her forehead.

1020 words - edited 14/10/25.