The Black Cat (a Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction)

Marinette: His Feelings

   "One, two, and three, four," Chat was showing me some steps for a dance... so that when slow danced, we'd know that to do. "Then, lift your arm, and walk clockwise."
   "What is this?" I asked him.
   "It's a dance I learned when I was younger." he answered, "In case my father took me on... business trips."
   "I see. You're a fantastic dancer." I complimented him.
   "Thank you." he smiled softly. The rest of the day, I learned how to dance a really pretty dance. Chat was a great teacher, but I wasn't the best dancer. The dance was in 2 weeks, and I finished all the shop requests and Chat's tux. Now, I needed to work on my dress. I headed straight to my room, and started working. I already had a sketch of what I wanted. I was doing a strapless ballgown, and making it with lace finger less gloves that reached my upper arm. The skirt would be fading from black to emerald green, and I'd be incorporating the lace on the skirt in pieces. The top would be a sparkly corset-styled top, so I could fit snugly, and would it partially work as a control top. My mask would be emerald with the black lace covering it with black and dark green jewels. I had designed it so that when placed on the top of my head, I can turn the sides to create a cat-ear shape. When it goes on my face, I can turn the sides back into a standard masquerade mask design. My shoes were simple black heels, since that was all I could take from my room, but they'd be hidden by the dress, so it was nothing to worry about. I had everything ready to go. For the first time, part of my hair would be down. The other part would be a bun. My earrings were already black when I wasn't Ladybug, so they would work. Instead of a necklace, I'd be wearing a choker with a small bell on it, to resemble Chat's. Chat on the other hand, would be wearing a dark green long sleeve button up shirt I had customized with a high collar to disguise most of his costume, a black suit, pants, and I had made some shoe covers... to cover up the gray area of his feet. His mask would be on him at all times. I made a more detailed mask to cover up the one that came with his suit. I was so excited for him to try it on. I started making my own dress. I heard a knock on the door, and Chat slightly cracked it open.
   "Princess? I gotta go. I'm going to run a quick errand. I'll be back in a couple hours."
   "You are? Okay. Just stay safe." I could hear him leave the apartment, and I turned back to my dress.
   "Where do you think he's going?" Tikki asked me.
   "I don't know." I answered, "He tends to do that a lot now. But, it gives me more time to do this dress without him looking." I shrugged. Tikki looked at me with uncertainty, "Come on, Tikki, it's not like he's going to meet a random girl or anything. If he were, he'd probably use Ladybug as an excuse to leave. Chat Noir isn't like that."
   "I know, I'm just making sure." Tikki sighed, "But do you find it weird? I mean, you're Ladybug, and you have an identity behind the mask. There's no way he's just a cat behind the mask..."
   "I know that." I fumbled with a spool of thread, "Maybe he's not comfortable with telling me, yet, just as I'm not comfortable telling Chat I'm Ladybug. I mean, I haven't told anyone who I am. The only person who knows is Master Fu, and that's because he gave me my Miraculous."
   "I suppose. As far as I can see, he hasn't told anyone his identity either. Otherwise, it'd be posted all over the News, wouldn't it?"
   "I'm not worried about Chat, Tikki." I turned to face her, "He's been nothing but kind towards me... I know how he acts... I've been his partner for just about 4 years. I can tell when he's hiding something."
   "That's a very good point. Well, good for you, Marinette. Do you need help?"
   "Yes, actually... can you glue a couple things to the mask? I already stitched the lace onto it."
   "Sure!" I worked on the dress for a long time. When I looked at the time, I nearly freaked out.
   "Oh, Tikki, I've gotta patrol with Chat!" I practically ran out of the apartment, and closed the balcony door, not locking it, and I flew as fast as I could to the Eiffel Tower. Chat was sitting on the ledge.
   "You're a little late, aren't you?" he asked me.
   "S-Sorry..." I rubbed the back of my neck, "I'm afraid I will have to leave early as well. My parents are a little suspicious of my... sudden disappearances."
   "Oh, I'm sorry M'Lady."
   "It's alright, Chat." I smiled, "There's been no akumas as of recently, and I haven't seen you in a while, how have you been?"
   "I've been doing great." he answered, "Life's been crazy, but it's starting to settle down. What about you?"
   "I've been alright myself." I answered, "I'm happy to say that I've moved on from my most recent... departure." Chat looked at me, and smiled,
   "I'm glad."
   "Yeah... are you doing anything?"
   "Actually, yeah. I was asked to attend a dance." he answered, "And this girl and I, we've been hard at work to make sure it's a night to never forget."
   "A girl, Chat Noir, has a girl in mind?" I teased him.
   "Well, you'll always be my Ladybug... b-but this girl, it's so hard to get her off my head." I blushed, not knowing how to respond.
   "Really? Tell me, what is she like?"
   "I'm afraid if I told you, you'd get jealous." he snickered.
   "No... I've had my sights set on someone." I answered, "She sounds fantastic, I'm sure the two of you will have fun."
   "Do you have any advice? To make sure I don't mess up?"
   "Mess up what?"
   "My relationship with her."
   "Are you in a relationship with her?"
   "No... but I want this night to be absolutely perfect. I just don't want to ruin the night for her."
   "I don't think you could," I faced him, "She asked you... I'm assuming?"
   "Yeah, it's a girls ask boys dance."
   "Then that means she wants you to be there. Chat, just be yourself. Be your charming, witty, and kind self. If that's how she got to know you, then it means you need to show more of that."
   "You think so?"
   "I know so. If you're this head over heels for her, I can't imagine how she feels about you."
   "R-Really?" 
   "Really. Don't overthink it. You know, girls aren't THAT complicated! We just want someone who loves us... for us."
   "Do you wish to love someone, Ladybug?"
   "Well... I do." I answered. "I've never met someone who doesn't, that's no exception for me." I answered, "But I know my time will come when fate wants it to. Besides... I'm not 100% sure how I'd want to tell them that I'm Ladybug, if I even wish to share that information to anyone."
   "I see... that's something I worry about, too." he sighed, "I met this person with the mask..."
   "Y-You did?"
   "Yeah. At first, I thought she only talked to me because I was a superhero... but it's so much more than that."
   "That'd be selfish if they did that because of the mask." I commented.
   "No kidding. But, she isn't like that, she's quite the opposite. Well... I've known her for a while now, but we never used to be this close. I'm just afraid she won't like the person behind the mask..."
   "That's your choice to make, you know." I assured him, "Don't show her if you're not comfortable... I'm sure she'd understand."
   "You think so?"
   "Yeah. If she likes you for you, then there should be no pressure."
   "You're right."
   "Let's patrol. Unfortunately, I won't be able to meet back up."
   "That's okay. Thank you, for talking to me. It means a lot." I nodded, and he flew off. I quickly patrolled my half... maybe not taking as much attention as I should have... but I ended up getting home before Chat, which was my goal ultimately. I headed back to my dress, and realized I didn't get a lot done... given the supposed time I had to work on the dress. Tikki's decor for the mask was stunning. Maybe she was able to detail more precisely because she was... smaller? I wasn't too sure. I covered the dress with a sheet, so that Chat couldn't peek. That's when I heard him come back.
   "Marinette?" he called out. I stood up, and met him in the living room.
   "You were out for a long time."
   "Yeah... apparently the "errand" was just a bunch of jobs for the Bourgeois family."
   "You mean, Chloe? Oh, well was Ladybug there?"
   "No... I know she isn't the biggest fan of Chloe... so I just decided to take over."
   "Oh, well that's nice of you."
   "I guess. How's the dress coming along?"
   "It's going great. It's a lot of fabric... but it's nice to challenge myself every once in a while. Too bad you can't see it until the dance."
   "Why not?" he pouted, "I want to see it!"
   "Because I want it to be a surprise!"
   "Well in that case, I can wait." he sat on the couch, and motioned for me to sit next to him, "Take a break, let's watch something stupid on TV." I laughed, and sat down next to him, 
   "Sounds good." I have to say, this was one of the most strangest nights ever... but it was also one of the best. It felt like my heart was going to explode.

~~~~~~
   Aw!!! This is getting cuter and cuter!!! The next chapter will be the dance, so be sure to vote and comment if you like it so far! It lets me know I'm doing a good job :) Also, I've very recently started another book. If you are an Aphmau fan and/or an Escape the Night fan, I've combined the two into one story! If you're into mystery, adventure, and a little bit of heartstring-tugging, it's the book for you!!! Thank you so much for reading!