Contradiction || Marichat AU

Chapter 17: Flurries of Feelings

12-25-21, 3:07 pm

Marinette appeared to notice his dread. Stress was written all over his face.

"You okay? You look distracted," said Marinette, entertained by how jumpy he was, but somehow concerned at the same time.

"Just...erm," he began, mentally begging himself to not break anything out of nervousness again. As if on cue, he saw a couple nearby, holding hands in the park with the woman holding chocolates. "Love...problems?"

Marinette raised an eyebrow, speculating that he might be talking about Ladybug. Only, maybe not. Every other second he would spit insults at her blatantly. So it was a possibility she could rule out.

"I'm conflicted, and I need to know your thoughts on er...romantic gestures?" His request came out more like a question.

Marinette grimaced immediately. "The beginning of the end," said the girl. "You gift each other things and sing each other's praises. You just break up though so it's kind of a waste of money.

"Then there's cowardice, from which unfaithfulness stems from. The other likely becomes a cheater to boost their ego. Somehow one lover isn't enough." She began pantomiming a gag.

His face broke into a smile, receiving a questioning look from the girl. "I'm sorry. It's adorable. You sound like one of those bitter, heartbroken people."

"This is why I hesitate to talk to you. All you do is either flirt with me or insult me," said Marinette crossly. "That person you're having 'love problems' must be ill-fated."

"Maybe so. We're not together, so it's more of a me problem. She doesn't like me at the moment, but I like her," said Chat Noir. "We've only known each other for a month, more or less. Yet I want to know more about her and spend more time with her. I just feel so comfortable around her."

"How so?" she questioned plainly. The very next moment she could swear there were smitten hearts in both his eyes.

"I can't describe it." Barely able to form words, he pushed himself to vaguely explain. "At first, I thought of her as just some girl I wanted to tease. I couldn't deny that there was some sort of connection, although. She was very beautiful. 

"But over time I knew that she was someone who wanted to constantly put out good into the world. She's kind, she's fun, and being with her is like having solace. It reminded me of my mother, who was just as admirable. Mom used to be a humanitarian."

"Is that so..." Her eyes twinkled in interest. Oh, there's a high chance he's talking about me.  

"Which is why...I just know that I want to devote myself to this person," said Chat Noir honestly.

"You?" Marinette scoffed, adding in a laugh of disbelief. Her face fell when she saw his loving smile. "I mean...that's, brave of you."

"Yes. I'm worried she might consider my confession as one of my silly antics, or misunderstand my intentions," replied Chat, voice as still and steady as a lake. He had calmed down already; he was sure of this decision.

"Like make fun of you, maybe?" asked Marinette, recalling her firm and rather hostile rejection.

"Not like that. She's not that type of person. She just doesn't have a good impression of me, and she doesn't really consider me a friend. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to earn her respect and trust, even if it takes time."

"And you're the type of person who's patient enough to continue liking someone who dislikes you? You're that willing to let go of your pride?" Marinette shook her head.