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It was a common fact of life that Chat Noir was a cat magnet no matter where he went. On their evening patrols, cats would join them on the streets below. It happened to Adrien, too. Whenever they went out, there was always at least one stray cat that would join them. Adrien loved it.
He had always wanted a cat as a kid, but his father wouldn’t allow for any animals in the house. However, his father was long gone now, and Adrien was a grown adult who could do whatever he pleased.
There was just one tiny roadblock. His apartment was pet-friendly, so luckily that wasn’t an issue, but it wasn't just his apartment. He loved his fiancée, he really did, but she would probably kill him if he brought home an animal without her knowing. So that led him to practice an entire speech on why they should adopt a cat right here, right now for the past week. Marinette had nearly caught him at one point, but he tried his best to avoid her questioning glances.
Finally, it was time to put Adrien’s plan into action.
“Good evening, My Lady,” Chat greeted her, giving her his signature hand kiss.
“Good evening, mon minou,” Ladybug said, squeezing his hand. “Shall we patrol?”
“We shall.”
Patrol was spent running around the rooftops of Paris, laughing and chatting the entire way. Ladybug filled him in on the recent designs she had just created, meanwhile Chat Noir told her about the latest project he was teaching to his students. Like always, they had a friend join them on the street below. This time, it was a small tabby cat, meowing up at them. The cat tried to keep up for as long as he could, but the superheroes quickly sped off. Chat tried not to be too discouraged, there would be more cats. Patrol was uneventful, they didn’t even spot any muggings, so they ended up on their favorite rooftop, side by side.
“You know, I’m not really sure why we even patrol anymore,” Ladybug said, laughing a little bit. “It’s been quiet for like, three months.”
“The new Hawkmoth is much more clever than the old guy,” Chat said, his voice carefully even. Ladybug didn’t say anything, she just scooted a bit closer to him and squeezed his hand.
It had been several years since he figured out the truth about his father, about Nathalie, about what had happened. It had hurt, and the idea he was created using the peacock miraculous was a heady one, but he got through it. He had Marinette by his side. Felix and Kagami were key parts in his life, too. He saw how happy they were, despite being sentibeings, and it made him realize he deserved that life of happiness, too.
“May he rot in agony,” Ladybug sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder. Chat Noir snorted.
“Cheers to that. Long day?” He realized Ladybug was cuddling into him, a smile on her face.
“I just missed you. I’m always at the shop, I need some quality time with my favorite groom,” she murmured. Her words lit up Chat Noir’s heart and made it melt all at once. Ladybug was magical like that.
“Well, that’s why we patrol, right? To have a designated time in our schedule where we can see each other. It’s not date night or anything, but you know how much I love seeing you.” Taking a quick glance around to make sure nobody was there, Chat Noir kissed the top of Ladybug’s head.
Even if Marinette and Adrien dating had been old news, Ladybug and Chat Noir were still keeping things under wraps. It was just safer that way. Besides, Chat Noir kind of liked having it be a secret. Their identity reveal had been more out of necessity than out of want, but Adrien couldn’t have been happier. The way Marinette kissed him that night implied she felt the same way.
They had just started university then. Oh how time flew.
“And I love seeing you too. I need my time with Chat Noir, I kissed him first after all,” Ladybug said, shooting him a wink. Adrien laughed.
“You know, if I wasn’t Chat Noir, maybe I’d be worried about how quickly you started dating Adrien Agreste after kissing Chat, my lady,” he teased.
“Oh you be quiet, Ladybug and Chat Noir kissed not a week before,” Ladybug shoved him.
“I guess we both know what it’s like to be in love with two people at the same time, don’t we?” Chat hummed, throwing an arm around Ladybug.
“I guess so.” She pecked his cheek and Chat glanced over at her in surprise. She just gave him a flirtatious time.
“Careful bugaboo, you keep this up I will have no choice but to kiss you,” he warned her.
“Oh no, the love of my life just said he wants to kiss me, whatever shall I do?” Ladybug deadpanned. Chat Noir took that as a sign to meet her lips with his own. He melted into her, as always. One would think that after years and years of dating, he’d be used to it, but nope!
“What if someone just saw that?” Chat asked, pulling away.
“Honestly? I think it’s worth the risk, we’re going to be married in just a few months. We’re stronger now. If the new Hawkmoth has a problem with that, she can take it up with my foot.” Ladybug stuck her tongue out and Adrien bit down the urge to laugh. He loved her so much.
“Well I-,” Adrien started to say something, but he never got the chance to finish his sentence. A cat had somehow made its way to the rooftop, and began to meow.
They both glanced over to see the stray. They looked to be a bit older, and their fur was matted. Chat called for the cat to walk over, and they happily obliged. One quick check, Chat established the cat was a girl.
“Why hello there you little angel, what are you doing all the way up here?” Chat asked, petting the cat’s multicolored coat.
“What did I say? You’re an absolute cat magnet.” Ladybug laughed, reaching out to pet the cat herself.
“I take great pride in that title, I’ll have you know,” Chat Noir said, looking absolutely serious. “There is something I wanted to talk to you about, though,” he began, trying to calm his worries. Even after all this time, he was still scared of the word ‘no.’
“Is this about the thing I walked in on last week? You were rehearsing something using the mirror,” Ladybug teased, her eyes sparkling.
“Yes, and don’t make fun of my mirror-talking ways. I know for a fact you do the exact same thing.” Chat stuck his tongue out at her. Ladybug lifted her hands up in surrender.
“Alright, go ahead. What is it you wanted to talk about?” she asked, scratching the cat behind her ear.
“I want to get a cat,” Chat said. There it was out in the open. “I’ve wanted to get one since I was a kid, but never did. Now that I’m older, I really want a cat, but I know that our apartment is for both of us. I wanted to see how you felt about the idea of us adopting a cat? I’d like to do it from a shelter, take in a cat like this one here.” The cat they had found had now curled up on Chat Noir’s lap, purring softly.
He glanced over at Ladybug, noticing how her face was deep in thought.
“I’d like a cat,” she said finally. “Our apartment is pet friendly, so that’s helpful. If we adopt an older one we won’t have to worry about taking care of it while we’re at work. However, my office needs to be cat proof. I can’t have cat hair getting on my fabric,” she said, but the glint in her eyes told Chat she was only being half-serious.
“You mean it? I didn’t even need to bring out my 25 points on why we should adopt a cat!” Chat Noir was flabbergasted. He thought this would take a lot more convincing than it did.
“Getting a cat will make you happy, right?” Ladybug asked, her voice soft. Chat Noir nodded. “Then let’s do it.”
Not for the first time, Chat was blown away by how different she was to his father. He had grown up believing everyone was cruel, that everyone needed proof on why Adrien wanted to do something. Everything Adrien did had to be beneficial, he couldn’t do or buy something just because he wanted it.
“Thank you My Lady, you truly do make my dreams come true,” he whispered, picking up her hand in his.
“I imagine you’ve already looked up how to care for cats? What supplies do we need and whatnot?”
“The list is sitting in a drawer at the house. Both of us are off tomorrow, right?” Ladybug nodded. “Then we’ll start then.”
“I could think of no better way to spend a Sunday than to spend it making you happy,” she said softly.
“As long as you’re with me, I’m the happiest cat around.” He kissed the crown of her head.
“I think once we adopt our kitty, you’ll be the second happiest cat around. I know you, Adrien, you’re going to pamper that cat like crazy,” Ladybug teased.
“You’re damn right I will.” Chat Noir nodded, grinning right back at her.
“That’s one of my favorite things about you, actually. How you love with your entire heart. Whether they deserve it or not,” Ladybug said, placing her hand on his chest.
“You deserve it,” Chat said sincerely. “You deserve the absolute world.”
Ladybug gave him a small smile, a large blush on her face.
“And so do you, Adrien. Don’t you forget that. You deserve all of the love I can possibly give you and more.” She interlocked their hands together, squeezing his.
Adrien felt himself melting again. He had gotten so incredibly lucky with this girl, he wasn’t quite sure what he would do without her. She meant the world to him, and he wanted nothing more than to marry her. In a few short months, they would be.
“You sure we can adopt a cat now when the wedding is so soon? Will it be just another stressor?” Chat Noir asked, suddenly worried.
“We have almost everything figured out. There’s not much left to do besides organizing what times people should be there. The venue is booked, flowers and cake have been picked out, we've hired our photographer and caterer, I think our outfits and then party favors are some of the few things we have left. Besides, you’ve been looking forward to having a cat for the longest time, you shouldn’t have to wait any longer,” she said, gazing up into his eyes with so much love Chat felt like he couldn’t breathe.
Ladybug got like that whenever they discussed the wedding. Chat could understand the feeling. He had been crushing hard on this girl since he was fifteen years old, and now they were going to get married. Only in his wildest dreams could he have imagined a reality like this. He was happy and loved and was going to spend the rest of his life with the woman he loved. How could he possibly ask for anything more?
“If you’re sure, lovebug, then so am I,” he whispered, brushing his nose against hers.
“I’m sure.” She kissed him again, soft and slow. A declaration of how much she loved him. They broke apart when they heard a small meow.
The cat had woken up again, stretching on Chat Noir.
“Why hello there! Did you have a good nap?” Chat asked him, brushing out her fur. The cat nuzzled into Chat Noir’s hands, purring as she did so. Chat could feel himself melt. He loved cats so much.
“I’m a little jealous,” Ladybug mused, taking in the giddy look on Chat Noir’s face.
“Aw bug, you know no person or cat could ever compete with you.” He pecked her cheek.
“She is a cutie-pie. You’ve got some tough competition for my favorite cat,” Ladybug said, beginning to pet him herself. The cat climbed over to be on her lap, making herself cozy.
Chat Noir suddenly didn’t find the cat so cute anymore. Ladybug laughed when she realized Chat Noir was now glaring at the poor thing.
“No one, or cat, could ever compare to you,” she said, giving him a quick peck.
“Thank you, My Lady,” he said, smiling. He didn’t feel quite as angry at the cat anymore.
“You think she has a home?” Ladybug asked, gazing down at the cat.
“I highly doubt it, there’s a lot of strays around here.” Chat could tell what she was thinking, years of partnership allowed them to read each other like books.
“We don’t have anything at home, yet, though,” Ladybug sighed, giving up the idea.
“If we go out first thing tomorrow, and then come back to this part of town maybe we’ll find her,” he said, scratching behind the cat’s ears.
“And then if we find her, then we’ll take her to the vet and adopt her. Deal?” Ladybug looked up at him, pleading. As if Chat Noir could ever possibly say no to her.
“Deal.” The two of them sealed it with a kiss. “Would you like to come home with us?” Chat asked the cat, surprised when he got a meow in response.
He and Ladybug exchanged looks, their minds made up. They were going to find this cat even if it killed them.
“What should we name her?” she asked.
“I have no idea, I didn’t think I would get this far,” Chat said, suddenly deep in thought. The cat had a beautiful orange, black, and white coat. Green eyes blinked up at them. “She deserves a perfect name,” he breathed out.
“Why don’t you decide?” Ladybug asked, giving him a reassuring smile. Chat Noir glanced back down at the cat, names running in and out of his mind.
“What if I name her a pun, are you sure you want to give me that power?” Chat teased.
“If it’s a cat pun, I think it’s more fitting than anything. She is a cat after all,” Ladybug relented. Chat Noir could feel his eyes shape into hearts.
“I love you so much, you know that?” he whispered. Ladybug looked over at him, blushing as he smiled at her.
“I love you too,” she said, giving him another quick peck. Chat looked back down at the cat, looking at the bright orange. All at once, a name came to him.
“We should call her Tangerine,” he said, only half joking. Ladybug glanced over at him, seeing if he was serious or not. When she noticed his smile, she smiled right back.
“Because of her fur, right?” she said. “I think Tangerine is a great name. What do you think?” she asked the cat.
Chat Noir was overjoyed when the cat meowed and rubbed her head against Ladybug’s hand.
“I think that’s our confirmation,” she said, laughing.
“Alrighty then, Tangerine. First thing tomorrow we will be back for you. Don’t run away now, okay?” Chat asked, as if the cat could actually understand him. The way the cat meowed made Chat believe maybe she could. “Are you absolutely sure that there aren’t any pet stores open now?” Chat asked Ladybug, giving her his best kitty eyes.
“I’m sure, it’s nearly midnight, Chat.” She gave him a look, always the one needing to be practical. “And we don’t have any cat food at the house. I’m not letting our cat starve the first night she’s with us.”
“You’re right, as always,” he sighed, glancing back down at the cat. “I just wish that we could take her home with us tonight. What if we can’t find her tomorrow?”
“We’ll be able to, I promise. Tangerine knows that we’re looking for her now, she’ll stay. Won’t you, Tangerine?” Ladybug cooed. The cat meowed an answer that Chat desperately hoped was yes.
“Alright, then it’s decided. As soon as the pet stores open we’re getting stuff for Tangerine and then we’re finding her,” Chat said, reaching over to pet Tangerine.
“Absolutely. I’ll wake up all early for it and everything,” Ladybug said, laughing to herself.
“Aw, you must really love me if you’re willing to wake up early for me, bug,” Chat cooed.
“Just don’t make me regret it, kitty-cat.” She turned to him and flicked his bell, a teasing smile on her face.
“I purromise I won’t. We won’t stay up until two in the morning watching Netflix tonight. We are on a mission and I intend on completing it,” Chat vowed into the night. Ladybug leaned up against him, laughing as she did so.
“You know you can do anything you put your mind to,” she hummed, scratching underneath his chin.
“With you at my side? I know it. I will search all of Paris to find this cat.”
“And I’ll be right there with you.”
The two beamed at each other. It was weird how Tangerine had only been in their lives for one night, but parting ways with her seemed devastating. Chat always knew he got attached quickly, but this was on another level. He would do anything to try and find this cat and he knew Marinette would help him every step of the way.
So when they woke up at five in the morning the next day to go buy stuff for Tangerine, Marinette was armed with coffee to help her stay awake. When they finally finished around noon, hungry but excited, they went to a cafe in the area where Tangerine had been. When they walked over to the building where Tangerine had been, Marinette took his hand in hers, reassuring him that things would work out perfectly. And when they heard a small meow and saw a cat with orange, black, and white fur with green eyes, neither of them hesitated to scoop her up in their arms and bombard her with pets. Tangerine, for her part, looked perfectly happy to be with her new owners.
It was a common fact of life that Chat Noir was a cat magnet, and now he finally had one of his own.