Pairing: MariChat
Rating: K+
**If Tom didn't interrupt Marinette and Chat Noir at the end of Glaciator 2.0**
//**\\
"Since I've met you, I've had three suns in my heart. They shine so brightly that whenever I see you..." Marinette sighed. This didn't feel right. Cat Noir's words from earlier stuck with her: "You put too much pressure on yourself."
Chat Noir frowned. "That was a good start. What's wrong?"
"What's wrong is that this is not really me." Marinette crumpled up her sappy poem and took a deep breath. The words that came next poured out of the deepest depths of her heart. "The first time I saw you, I misjudged you. I thought you were conceited and superficial. But then, I got to know you. I saw who you really were deep down—someone sweet, sincere, and generous." Chat Noir's mouth hung open, and he felt a fluttering in his chest.
"Since then," Marinette continued, "there's something I've been wanting to tell you. But every time I try, it's like my brain suddenly freezes. But now, I think I'm ready. I love you."
Chat's breath caught in his throat. He had never heard anything like this before. With a warm smile, he stood up. "Your declaration was beautiful, Marinette. The boy you're in love with is a lucky guy." Too lucky, he thought.
"Thanks," Marinette replied. "The girl who falls in love with you will be lucky, too."
The pair stared at each other for a moment, identical smiles on their faces. "Thank you for being patient with me earlier," Marinette cringed. "I don't know what'd gotten into me. I just wanted everything to be perfect, and—"
"Don't worry about it," Chat Noir shook his head. "That confession right there...that was perfect."
Marinette bit her lip. "You really think so?"
"Absolutely."
The silence in the air pulled between them like a rubber band. Tension built up in both of their chests.
"Marinette," Chat spoke. "Promise me you'll tell this boy you love him?"
"I—I want to, but I'm still so afraid," she looked down.
Chat Noir took a step forward. "What do you have to be afraid of? He needs to hear your confession. All of it. A heart like yours can't go to waste."
Marinette gazed up at him. His striking green eyes pierced through her in the softest way.
Chat found himself focusing on a loose strand of hair hanging in front of her bluebell eyes. He ever so gently pushed the strand away, his "claws" grazing her forehead.
Eyes wide, Marinette took a step back—not out of discomfort, but out of fear. This feeling she had around him wasn't new, but that is what scared her.
Chat Noir terrified Marinette. She had always been confused about her feelings for him. They were so intense and much deeper than a crush. Marinette couldn't ever bring herself to truly think about being with him. She knew him. She was comfortable around him. She could trust him with her innermost thoughts.
"I'm sorry," Chat stepped back as well. "Did I make you uncomfortable?"
Marinette shook her head. "No! No, not at all!" She swallowed. I just...that was..." she became flushed as her voice grew breathier.
Chat Noir glanced at her lips. He felt the urge to cross the invisible line between them. "You're so beautiful," he whispered.
"Oh, uh, thanks," Marinette blushed.
Under the mask, Adrien could hardly control himself. Yes, he knew that he just listened to her declare her love for another boy, but he wasn't thinking straight. Her big, blue eyes had him in a chokehold. Who could blame him for leaning in slowly with his hand ready to cup her face?
Marinette's mouth formed into an "o" shape as more blood pooled into her cheeks. Deep down, she always wanted to know what it would be like to kiss her crime-fighting partner. Would she be totally crazy for this after spending an entire day practicing confessing her love for Adrien?
Chat's hand touching her cheek made her lose all rational thought. Closing her eyes, Marinette pressed her lips against his. The kiss lasted a good few seconds before they both pulled out, breaths labored.
"Shoot," Marinette quietly scolded herself. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what I was—"
"No, Marinette," Chat cut her off. "I'm sorry. I started it when I knew you were in love with someone else, and I am too."
Marinette quirked her lips. "I thought you said you weren't in love with anyone earlier?"
"Ah, well," he scratched the back of his neck, "You've opened my eyes. Love is such a beautiful thing, and you made it beautiful for me again."
Marinette should've been annoyed. No matter what she told Chat, he wouldn't stop pursuing her as Ladybug. So why did her heart skip a beat at the thought of him pining after her? This wasn't right. He didn't deserve this.
"I wish I could love someone else," Chat's comment— from earlier in the rain—plagued her mind. What Marinette had failed to realize was that was the same way she felt about Adrien. She couldn't stop even if she tried. And Chat had tried God knows how many times.
The torture that was eating both of their hearts alive connected them. Maybe that's why Marinette kissed him tonight. She needed that connection with someone who understood her pain, and Chat did, too.
But this was beyond wrong. Marinette knew very well who he was in love with, and she had said that she never wanted to play with his feelings. So why the hell was she doing it now? It's not like it was on purpose. She wanted to kiss him. Something in her heart was aching for it.
"Chat Noir," Marinette began. "I hope you find someone who will love you in every way you deserve."
The superhero grinned. "And I wish the same for you, Marinette. That guy has no idea how lucky he is."
After Chat jumped off the balcony railing, Marinette frowned. Her partner would find an amazing woman someday, but for now, his heart belonged to the spotted heroine. She found herself staring out into the night longer than she would ever admit to.
I'm so lucky.
