~ by Amanda Pizzolatto
[Note: Characters from Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir]
“Marinette, Marinette!” called out Tiki as she flew up to the roof. Marinette was drawing again as the sun slowly began to set. “Marinette!” Tiki exclaimed for a third time.
“Hmm? What is it, Tiki?” asked Marinette, her eyes not leaving the drawing pad.
“Alya’s calling you!”
Marinette finally glanced up, surprise blending into the questioning look on her face. “Why would Alya be calling me?”
“Well, why don’t you answer and find out!” suggested Tiki.
Marinette shook her head. “I can’t, Tiki, I need to finish this, no distractions. Alya knows I’m working on this. She’ll know when she has to leave a message that I’m not done yet. She can leave me a message and I’ll call her back when I’m done.” She went back to drawing.
“You’re still not able to find any inspiration?” asked Tiki as Marinette pulled out a page, balled it up, and tossed it to the side, adding to the pile of paper balls already there.
Marinette let out a groan as she dropped her head onto her pad. “No, nothing! And I promised Mr. Agreste that I’d have this for him by tomorrow morning! Ugh!”
“What? Marinette Dupain-Cheng has no inspiration? What has the world come to?!”
Marinette glanced up and let out a screech. There, crouching on the balcony, was Chat Noir with that signature grin on his face.
“Well that worked wonders, Chat Noir,” quipped Tiki.
“Ch-Chat! What are you doing here?”
“Oh, just coming to check up on my favorite girl, what else? Do I really need to wait until my dad calls you in or Paris needs saving before I can see you?”
Marinette chuckled nervously, “I have been really busy, haven’t I?”
“Oh no doubt about it. And I think it’s time for a little break.” He jumped on the roof, picked her up, and jumped away.
“Chat! Now’s not the best time! I still have to finish my drawing!”
“Well, you clearly weren’t getting anywhere with it, and don’t worry, I’ll help you finish it before tomorrow,” Chat replied with a grin.
Marinette scoffed. “You couldn’t draw to save your life!”
“Who said I had to draw to help you?” he said with a mischievous grin as he leaned in close, causing Marinette to look away as she blushed.
“Oh whatever, you silly kitty. Where are you taking me?”
“Only the best seats in Paris.”
She glanced at him in surprise. “Say what?”
He merely grinned and replied with, “You’ll see.” It wasn’t long – only a couple of minutes in fact – before Marinette found out; it was the Eiffel Tower. Chat cleared the tower with a couple of bounds, landing on one of the highest beams.
“Why, Chat, what are we doing here?” asked Marinette as he set her down on the very top balcony.
“This is basically the place where we first defeated Hawkmoth, and… uh… really, the place where, when I looked at you, I knew you were the one for me,” Chat replied, scratching the back of his head, a nervous grin on his face.
“Oh Chat.” Marinette leaned in and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
“Yeah, well, that was before I really got to know you, and now I know for sure I was right,” stated Chat with a grin. “Oh, and there’s one more thing….”
“One more thing? Whatever for?” asked Marinette as Chat got up. He merely answered with a quick grin before walking away. A few seconds later, he came back with a little package all wrapped up and tied with a pretty bow.
“Happy birthday!”
“Oh, that’s right! It’s my birthday! That’s probably what Alya was calling about too!” blurted Marinette as she buried her head in her hands. “Oh, I’m so stupid!”
“How could you forget? Didn’t your mom and dad tell you this morning?”
“They did, but I’ve been so focused on the drawing that I promised your dad, that I totally forgot!”
“Will you forget my birthday?”
“What? Never!”
“Oh good, then you can still have this,” he said with a grin, handing her the present.
“Chat,” she mumbled as she took the present from him. “But really, thank you, for remembering.”
“Hey, how could I forget my princess’ birthday? Go ahead, open it!” Marinette giggled at his request, but the paper and the ribbon around the box were torn off quickly. She opened the box somewhat slowly – so as not to lose it over the side of the Eiffel Tower – and gasped.
“Oh Chat, it’s, it’s lovely!” she pulled out a black and red necklace with a matching bracelet.
“Hey, I figured it would go well with your earrings,” Chat said, with a shrug before giving her a big grin and a wink.
Marinette let out a chuckle. “Well it is lovely. Thank you so much!” She leaned in a gave him a kiss on his cheek.
“Here, let me put it on for you,” he said as he rose.
“Oh, thank you!” Marinette handed him the necklace and he placed it around her neck.
“There, that looks great on you!”
“Thanks Chat. You’re an amazing boyfriend,” said Marinette before kissing his cheek again.
“Oh, come on….”
“Huh?” Chat pulled Marinette in for a kiss on the lips, taking her completely off guard, but she closed her eyes and enjoyed it, the highlight of what she hoped to be one of many wonderful birthdays.