Spots [UPDATED COVER]

Chapter Sixteen

A/N

The drawing above is my art. I worked really hard on it, so please do not copy or reuse it without my direct permission. Thank you. 

MARINETTE POV

"Marinette, we need to talk."

Tikki's big, round eyes gaze into mine. I feel surprised by the seriousness of my usually light and peppy kwamii. "What's up?" I ask, twirling in my wheelie-chair. 

"Marinette, you know what we need to discuss," the red creature of a friend says gently.

"Chat, right." I sigh, giving up underneath her stern yet kind stare. "Chat," she agrees. "Listen: you can't leap from boy to boy. Adrien dumped you after a few seconds, and now your falling for Chat Noir? I don't know how you feel, but it's definitely giving off some pretty desperate...vibes."

Tikki flinches when she says the word, which makes me laugh, but I know she's right. "I do have feelings for Chat," I admit, "but I know what you mean."

Tikki looks mildly surprised. "Wait, you really like him?" she asks. "Yes." I nod. "Still, give yourself some time, Marinette, you owe yourself some-" she's interrupted by a thump from outside. 

I glance at the clock. "Who's gonna be here at twelve? Oh yeah..." Tikki dashes beneath my bed as Chat jumps in my room. "Hey, Marinette. I forgot to come by," he says, giving me a charming smile. I feel my cheeks warm. 

"Marinette?!? Is that a blush?" Chat smirks, eyes glittering wickedly. "Nope, just surprised you're here," I say, giving him the widest smile I can. He laughs warmly, but then goes serious. "Are you okay?" 

I shrug. For some reason, the sting of Adrien has slowly left me, and my heart feels calmer. Chat drops down on the floor, standing up and stretching. He stares at the pictures and collages of Adrien on the walls, covered with hearts and poems. "That's him, isn't it?" he asks quietly. I nod, my sadness resurfacing. 

"You know..." he pauses, thinking. "He's not as adorable as me. It's rather obvious, if I'm being truthful." 

I throw a pillow at his face. 

                                                          ><><><>< 

About an hour later, I toss my cards down, giving Chat a triumphant smile.

"Ha! I've won again." I smirk, feeling light-hearted and silly. "In your face, Chat! I told you I'm not kitten around." Chat Noir's jaw drops, and he mocks horror. "I- I never thought that you would do a cat pun...this is pawsitively clawful!" 

I laugh, flinging the cards in the air. He drops down in my lap, giving me a wicked smile as cards flutter all around us. 

"You're beautiful, you know that?" he says, eyes glittering. I tap Chat on the nose. "I thought you loved Ladybug," I say casually.

Chat blinks, tilting his head. He sits up, moving away from me, his mouth pointed down. "I mean, I do...but...Marinette, can we go outside?" 

I shrug, nodding. Chat leads me up to the porch, and the two of us lean over the railing. "So," I say, looking over at him. "I- I need to know who you love. I mean, I care about you, Chat. But...I've been suffering a pretty harsh break-up..."

"Yeah, I know." 

I blink, looking over at Chat Noir. "How?" I ask. He looks surprised, then guilty. "I uh...I actually have been speaking to Adrien." he says guiltily. Instead of being mad (which he probably thought I'd be), I'm curious. "What'd he say?" I question, peering over at the black-suited hero. 

Chat shrugs. "It's not really my information to share...but Marinette, he cares for you very much." he studies my face, waiting for my reaction. 

But honestly, I feel nothing. Not even the slightest flutter. I stare at the moon as I think. "Do you like me?" I finally say. "I'm getting a lot of mixed signals." 

"It's kind of weird, but when I turn into my alter ego, my love is for Ladybug, but when I'm Chat, I love...you." his words drip with honesty. I feel like crying and laughing at the same time. How I wish I could tell Chat who I am...

I lean my head against his shoulder. After a hesitant pause, he rests his head on mine, and we stand in silence.