The Black Cat (a Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction)

Marinette: Letting Go

   "A table for two." Chat smiled at the host. We were at a small Italian restaurant located by a pretty lake and a park. I never found myself in this part of Paris, but now that I was here, I didn't want to leave. It didn't beat home, but it was a new and nice change of scenery. The people here had a type of friendliness you couldn't find in too many places.
   "I know you're a superhero," the host offered to Chat, "Would you like to sit somewhere a little more... private?"
   "That would be great, actually." Chat sighed of relief, "Thank you."
   "Of course. We get a few celebrities here and there... we completely understand the need to cool down from the public. My name is Michael. Your server will be Margaret, my sister, let us know if you need anything. We're always happy to help."
   "Thank you so much." I smiled at him. He seated us. It was a school and work night, so the restaurant was quieter, something that relieved me a little. Tikki was currently in my purse, and fortunately, I was able to grab a couple cookies before we left. 
   "Well, isn't this place nice?" Chat asked me.
   "Yeah, I didn't know a hidden gem like this existed." I answered, "And to think we haven't even tried anything yet." I noticed a woman with the prettiest red hair approach us. 
   "Hello there, my name is Margaret, and I will be your server today." she smiled, handing us two menus, "Our special today is lobster served with mixed greens and a fresh fruit cocktail. Is there anything specific you'd like to drink?" she asked as she set down two glasses of water.
   "May I get a Shirley Temple?" I asked her.
   "Of course, and for the gentleman?" she asked him.
   "An Arnold Palmer, please." 
   "Sure thing, one Shirley Temple and one Arnold Palmer coming right up." she walked away, and I carefully read the menu. I was almost a little intimidated by the menu. There was a lot of stuff I wasn't familiar with. I think Chat noticed, too.
   "Having trouble with the menu?" he asked me.
   "Honestly, yes." I answered, "It's been a while since I've had to look at a menu like this."
   "Well, start with stuff that you can't eat or don't want to eat. From there, you can start eliminating stuff."
   "What else?"
   "Find something that's either in your comfort zone or something you're completely comfortable with. Is it too silly for me to stick with spaghetti?" he asked me.
   "No." I laughed, "I might do something like that if I can't completely finish going through the stuff on the menu."
   "You know, spaghetti sounds great." he closed his menu, "Mainly because I gave up reading the menu long before you did." I laughed,
   "I think I have a better meal than you do."
   "Do you?" he asked me.
   "I say fettuccine alfredo will be the ultimate meal." I set my menu down as well.
   "A very classic choice, Princess." he chuckled, "I say tonight, we put all of our stresses behind us, and enjoy what we've got right here."
   "I completely agree." I picked up my water, "To a fresh start."
   "A fresh start." we cheered, and I sipped a little of the water. Dinner with Chat was much more fun than I first anticipated, and to be honest, it really did make me forget about my worries for the couple of hours we were there. The staff were incredibly kind towards Chat and I, and we headed home, our bellies full and our spirits high. Unfortunately, we couldn't carry out the night for too long, because tomorrow I had to go back to school. We were currently in the living room, switching through several cable channels. Well, at least my Grandma had some sort of entertainment. Rapunzel was on, and it had just started, too. I couldn't find myself concentrating on the movie, though. I was more focused on what had happened between me and Chat. I was dumbfounded. He made me forget all the troubles I had for so many days now, and more importantly, he made me smile for those two hours. I had never been so happy and free for the last 3 months, until tonight. He had always been there, and he knew what to say to cheer me up, or encourage me. He helped me when I needed someone the most, and I never felt alone when I was with him. For a while, he had made me forget about Adrien... something I honestly didn't think was all too possible. I don't know what it was. Was it the fact he was the only one who was constantly there for me? Or, maybe he distracted me from the stuff that went wrong? The reality was that he saved me from possibly being taken away and being stripped of the rest of my life. He saved me from falling into a deep and dark depression. Of course, I still feel that way, but he caught me before I could fall completely over. And in return, I suppose I was giving him a home, and a friend. Summoning him was probably the best thing that could've ever happened to me. We had a connection that I had never felt with anyone or anything else. I had no idea what to do with myself. 
   "Princess?" Chat asked me quietly, "Are you okay?"
   "Huh?" I snapped out of my thoughts almost instantly, and turned to face him, "Y-Yeah, I was just thinking about how cold it was." I thought of an excuse.
   "Do you need a blanket? I can get you one, if you'd like." he insisted.
   "That'd be perfect, thank you." I answered.
   "Huh, "purr"-fect?" he chuckled. Who knew, guess the puns really were inescapable.
   "Come on, Kitty." I rolled my eyes, lightly amused by his play on words, "Well, you got me this time."
   "I knew you'd warm up to the idea of puns."
   "Maybe it's because I haven't heard them in a while."
   "This was the best opportunity for me to bring them back." he smiled, grabbing a pink knitted throw blanket. It was gigantic in comparison to me. "Here," he threw it over me, and sat back down. I took part of it, and threw it onto him.
   "Thank you, Chat." I rested my head on his shoulder. He was a little cold, but it was  nice contrast from the wave of heat coming from the blanket that I didn't actually need. I turned back to the movie, and once again, found myself paying no attention to what was on the screen. Chat had eventually stretched his arm over, and we were much closer than before. I was getting nervous, and I felt as if I were sweating bullets. Maybe it was a figment of my imagination. Oh, so many thoughts raced, but which ones were real!? I heard the sound of faint humming, and realized it was coming from Chat. I sighed lightly at the sound. Chat had always been a charmer, but this was the first time he somehow managed to charm me. I found my eyelids feeling heavier and heavier, and I fell asleep to the sounds of sweet Disney music and even sweeter humming.

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   A very sweet ending to a very sweet chapter, wouldn't you say? The start of this has been pretty mellow, and while I like the vibe, expect the next chapters to start intensifying. Enjoy these sweet moments while you can, I guess! Thanks for reading, and I will see you all very soon!