This chapter is a continuation of Cat's birthday.

{I don't know how many of you are rereading the edited edition of this book but, if someone is then all I can say is that thanks a lot and you rock!}
•°•°•°•°•°•°•

Marinette giggled at her Kitty's pout.
"Hey Chaton, wait here, I have to show you something." Marinette left him on her balcony and went downstairs.

.

.

.

"Is everything done, Mom?"

Sabine looked at her daughter and smiled. "Oh! You're back. Yes, everything's done, all we have to do now is wait."

"What you did for him is really appreciable, Marinette." Tom ruffled her hair from behind.

She smiled thankfully at her parents.

******

Cat Noir was getting more impatient with every passing second.

What's taking her so long?

He went inside her room and lifted her trapdoor. "Marinette, Is everything okay?"

No answer? Weird...
Did something happen to her?
No, it can't. She's been gone for only fifteen minutes, besides, it's her own house. Nothing can happen to her in her own house, right. Right? Maybe I should check on her. It's too quiet downstairs.

He entered the Dupain-Cheng's living room. It was pitch black and if it wasn't for his night vision then he wouldn't have been able to walk around so easily. The quietness did nothing to help his anxiety either.

Where is everybody?

"Mari?" He called out.

No answer.

"Mr and Mrs Dupain-Cheng?"

No answer again.

"Mari, Princess?" He called out, panicking.

Suddenly he came across a projector.
He switched it on, not knowing what he was doing. A video started playing on the screen in front of the project.

[Video]
Ladybug: Cat Noir, you are the best partner a superhero can ever get. You might annoy me sometimes with your annoying jokes but, they always cheer me up. I love being friends with someone so kind and caring. You sacrifice your own safety from me. You are very brave and confident and if it wasn't for you then, I won't be able to be 'the great Ladybug'. Happy Birthday! I am proud of you, mon chaton.

Alya: Hey Cat Noir! I just want to say that what you do for Paris is really great. You stay up at night so we can all have a good night's sleep. You keep Paris safe and always help anyone in need. Happy Birthday, Cat Noir! I am proud of you.

Nino: Hey dude! 'sup? Look, I just wanna thank you for everything you've done. You've saved many innocent people from Hawkmoth. You are a role model for people. You are my role model. You are so cool with your baton. Thank you, Cat Noir and I wish you a very Happy Birthday. I am proud of you.

Chloe: Cat Noir isn't as awesome as Ladybug, but he's not that bad, I guess. He has saved me a couple of times, whatever. Anyway, Happy Birthday and I-I a-am proud o-of y-you, that is... Ugh! This sweet-talking is grossing me out.

Cat chuckled.

Citizen 1: Thank you, Cat Noir, for what you do for us every day...

Citizen 2: ...It's really great, knowing that the city is in great hands and that we are in great hands...

Citizen 3: ...Even though you don't figure out what a lucky charm is for, you make it work...

Citizen 4: ...You put aside your needs for Paris'...

Many other citizens: ...We love you Cat Noir! Paris couldn't ask for more. We all are proud of you!

Cat's eyes started watering.

Sabine: Cat Noir, for what you do for all of us, we couldn't be more grateful. I know what people expect from you is way too much for a kid to handle, but you still make it work. You come here almost every day and cheer us up. So, as a thank you, you can consider me as your mother if I never mentioned it before. Happy Birthday and I am proud of you!

Tom: Son, what you do every day isn't hidden from anyone. It's great to know that after everything that's happened, you still have a tender heart. Your baking skills aren't that bad either. *(chuckles)* You do so much and never ask for anything in return. I have told you many times to consider me as your own father if that's okay with you. All I want to say as a thank you is that we will be there for you, always. Consider us- me, Sabine and Marinette as your family. Happy Birthday and I am proud of you!

Cat covered his mouth with his hand, holding back a sob.

Marinette: Cat Noir, when I met you the first time, I thought you were a big flirt and a show-off, true, I considered you as a great hero, but still...

Then I got a chance to know you and honestly, I couldn't be more thankful for getting to know such a paw-some person. *(laughs)* You are so fun and silly one time and so serious the very next second. You are so sweet and considerate. Although you annoy me with your pathetic puns, ruin my yarn by playing with it, chase a laser light as if you're a real cat, no offence on that one, you're still my favourite kitty. Thank you for being there for me every time I needed support. Thank you for cheering me up whenever I felt down. You are the bestest best friend I could've asked for. I will always be your side, chaton. For a black cat, you really are lucky for me. Happy Birthday!
[Video ends]

Cat Noir's tears made their presence felt as they fell down his cheeks.

Suddenly, the lights were switched on.
Marinette came running to him and enveloped him into a bear hug.

"I am proud of you, mon cher chaton." She mumbled as she snuggled her face in his chest. He couldn't help but bury his head in her shoulder and cry. He was so happy.

They slowly pulled away, Cat smiled as Marinette wiped his tears. He then held her hands in his own and kissed both of them. "Thank you, Princess."

Marinette smiled warmly at him.

"You know, we could use a hug too." Tom suddenly made his and his wife's presence known, startling the two teens.

Marinette grinned and went up to them. She gestured Cat to come too. They all hugged like family.

Cat couldn't help but feel thankful to have them in his life. He loved how warm and welcoming his princess' parents were.

"Okay everyone, it's time to give Cat Noir his presents." Sabine broke the embrace.

Cat's face lit up even more. "You guys got me gifts?"

"Of course dear, what are birthdays without birthday presents?" Tom chuckled.

"After seeing that video, I couldn't ask for more."

Marinette rolled her eyes. So modest.

She grabbed Cat's hand and sat him down on the couch. She handed him her gift. She watched in anticipation as he opened it.

Cat opened the box and smiled even widely. In there was a onesie, a Cat Noir themed onesie. "Is this--" His voice trailed off.

"Yep, the very first product of my Cat Noir line."

Cat Noir pulled her in for another hug.

She chuckled.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much Marinette!"

He received a scrapbook from Sabine that was half-filled with pictures of mostly him and Marinette. There were a few of all of them. His favourite one was him tickling Marinette. Her face was red from laughing so hard and she had a few years flowing down. He wasn't surprised that Sabine had pictures of him and Marinette together. She somehow had an uncanny knowledge of when they were having cute moments. She had never failed to capture one on her camera. Half of it was empty and that had to be filled by him.

Tom gave him some coupons for free bakery food. He could use it in his civilian form as he could easily hide his face. He trusted them with his identity. Tom also gave him some croissants and cookies all packed up nicely to eat them at his house.

Cat Noir didn't stop smiling when he was beaten by Marinette at Ultimate Mecha Strike V. He didn't celebrate when he won against Tom. He was in his own world. People cared for him because he was a human and that they were proud of him. That alone made his day.

Best birthday ever!

******

Cat Noir was about to take his leave. Marinette had come to the roof to see him off.

"We love you kitty, remember that."

"I will, princess." He smiled at her.
Just when he was about to leave, Marinette kissed his cheek. He stumbled forwards but managed to catch himself.

Marinette giggled. "Wow! You're a cat and you can't handle a little act of affection."

"T-that one caught me o-off guard, princess. I w-wasn't prepared." With that he extended his baton and left, trying his best not to blush, leaving a very confused Marinette behind.

******

Adrien arrived at his house and immediately flopped down on his bed. He was exhausted. But, no exhaustion could stop him from being so happy. He touched the spot where Marinette had kissed him on his cheek. His heart was thumping loudly.

Okay, maybe he was just overreacting a bit, 'just best friends' totally share cookies like they did, right? But, her lips felt so great against his, even if it was just for a second.

In a daze, he traced his lips and then somehow came back to his senses. He shook his head. He was just surprised by her boldness, that was all, right?

Great! One more thing for Plagg to tease me. Why am I reacting like this? She kissed my cheek on heroes' day too, why did I blush today? And can we continue to share cookies like we did today--

Stop it, Agreste! She's your best friend and Ladybug's the love of your life. Remember that.

He took out his phone that he used to text Marinette as Cat Noir in his civilian form.

[Me]: Sorry, for leaving so abruptly...
I was gone for the whole day and even though I asked a friend to cover up for me the entire day, I couldn't have escaped my father's wrath if I didn't show up at night.

[Princess]: It's okay, kitty.

[Me]: You're not mad at me?

[Princess]: Why would I be?

[Me]: Phew! That's a relief. Did you have fun today? At the picnic and the amusement park?

[Princess]: Do I really need to answer that one? Of course, I did, silly. Although, next time do a safer thing and not take me to some random country without a passport. I don't wanna get locked up with you.

Adrien laughed.

[Me]: Meow-ch, my princess doesn't enjoy my company. That's paw-ful. I am hurt.

[Princess]: Seriously, now?

[Me]:😁😁

[Princess]: Anyway, bon nuit mon chaton. I have to get to school early tomorrow.

[Me]: Like that's gonna happen.

[Princess]:😡😡

[Me]: Sorry. Goodnight princess!

[Princess]: Night!

******

The next day Adrien was as surprised to see Marinette already present there.

So, she really did come early.

He greeted her and she smiled at him shyly.

"Happy Birthday, dude!" Nino said as he handed him his gift.

Huh? Oh! Right, today is my real birthday.

He opened the gift box and realised he had given him some really cool headphones. "Thanks, bro."

Nino nodded and adjusted his cap, smiling.

"Okay, my turn," Alya said. "Here, cinnamon roll. Open it."

He took the box from Alya. Inside he found Ladybug and Cat Noir action-figures and a real Ladybug yoyo. His cheeks turned pink in embarrassment.

"Alya!" He whisper-yelled.

"Sorry, can't help it." She said between laughs. "But, you do like it, don't deny."

"I do but, I already have this." He mumbled.

"What was that?" Nino shot up an eyebrow.

"Nothing." Adrien quickly responded.

"Guys! Stop doing this to him. It's his birthday. Show some mercy." Marinette suddenly stepped in. She turned to face him and smiled. "Here's m-my gift, Adrien. I-I mean it's y-yours but i-it's from me and y-you know that because I am giving it y-you..."

Adrien couldn't help but chuckle at her cute rambling. Why she would ramble and stutter around him was still a mystery to him, she was so confident around everyone else, even Cat Noir. Even though she had made him clear that she didn't hate him he wasn't sure what made him so intimidating.

He took the gift from her and unwrapped it excitingly. His heart stuttered it was a Ladybug themed hoodie.

"It's the first product from my Ladybug clothing line. I hope you like it." Her voice was nervous.

"Good work, Agreste. You got a prototype." Alya said.

"It isn't the only thing I got you," Marinette said and Adrien looked at her questioningly. "Look further into the box." And so he did. It was a photo frame with a photo of all four of them together. They were laughing in it. On the top, there was written, 'So that you know that we're always there for you.'

His heart swelled with affection, maybe she did like his this form, she made him a hoodie and got him a picture of all of them together.

Three gifts! I need to do something out of this world for her birthday.

"Thank you so much, pri- Marinette." He bit his tongue at the name slip. It took him every fibre in his body to not hug her and kiss her forehead.

She smiled at him. The bell rang shortly after and they all turned their attention to the teacher.

Adrien enjoyed himself a lot the whole day, basically joking around with his friends.

Second best birthday ever!

******

Marinette loved her tomcat, no matter how annoying he might get sometimes. His playfulness, loyalty, gentleness was enough to warm her heart.

She absolutely loved his cat-like habits. She knew that he was often embarrassed due to them but, they were absolutely cute.

The way her kitten rubbed his head against her leg whenever he visited her or the way he grinned and leaned into her touch while she was patting his head or when she petted him was so adorable to watch. It made her feel special, she could make him feel at home. That boy was so love and affection deprived that it was her goal to make it up for all the coldness he received at his house. She knew that he didn't live in a violent household but his father wasn't the kindest people, she figured.

And that's why she gave him all the attention while she could. And when the times she couldn't, she would just multitask. Like she was doing right now...

Cat Noir and Marinette sat cuddled up on her chair in her balcony. She was placed between his legs, her back lying comfortably on his chest. She was studying for her chemistry test the next day and Cat being a cat wanted her undivided attention but, knowing better he let her scratch his chin gently, something he loved though he'd never admit it, while he played with her hair that was out of the hair ties she used. He was combing his clawed fingers carefully through her hair, wondering how they'd feel between his bare fingers.

Nights like these were easy, they had so much that others didn't. Marinette was thankful for her parents that they trusted their almost seventeen-year-old daughter with another seventeen-year-old boy. And Cat Noir, no matter how much show he put on that made him look like a playboy, was a kid at heart. It felt so right to be with him, cuddling together in comfortable silence, not caring about the world.

"So para-hydrogen can be converted into ortho-hydrogen by heating it at 1073.15 K or by passing an electric discharge through para-hydrogen." She read out aloud.

"Forget hydrogen, you are my number one element."

She froze. What?

"Was that a chemistry pick-up line?" She turned her head to meet his eyes, which surprisingly were wide due to shock. He himself didn't expect those words to slip from his mouth.

"Mew-be..."

Marinette snorted, NOT at the pun, he was terrible. "Chemistry pick-up lines, seriously chaton?"

"Are you made of Copper and Tellurium? Because you are CuTe."

"My favourite attraction force is the Van der Waal forces. Can you feel it? I can move closer if you can't."

"You must be a good benzene ring because you are pleasantly aromatic."

"You must be alkali metal. One touch and I can tell you're highly reactive." He fired more such lines at her.

Marinette had trouble breathing due to laughing so hard. She clutched her stomach while she had tears in her eyes.
"Did you Google those?" She asked him.

"Nope?"

"Oh boy!" She wiped a stray tear from her eye, "You need help." She looked at him and he had his usual shit-eating grin on his face, clearly proud of himself. His arms wrapped around her waist and he nuzzled her neck, she leaned back, ruffling his hair.

"Princess, close your eyes. I want to try something."

If it had been any other person, she would have inquired further, she wouldn't have closed her eyes. But, this was Cat Noir, a person she trusted blindly with her life. She complied.

If it had been any other person, he wouldn't have thought of doing this. But, this was Marinette, a person he knew he could count on, they shared a deep bond. He trusted her just like he trusted Ladybug. He didn't even care if she had her eyes open though he knew that she didn't. Sharing his identity with her wouldn't be a problem, it was just it could be dangerous for her and he could get into serious trouble with Ladybug for doing so.

"Claws in." The green light would have blinded Adrien if he hadn't closed his eyes. He tossed a piece of Camembert to his kwami so he wouldn't talk.

He turned his attention back to Marinette. He lifted her hands with his ungloved ones, treasuring the moment, he kissed her knuckles. He ran his fingers through her hair, greatly pleased at the sensation of feeling her silky hair. He cupped her cheek, making her face him by turning her face gently and he kissed her eyelids.

To say she wasn't tempted to look would be an understatement. But, being Ladybug she had learnt to control her curiosity about his civilian life. She took his hands in hers and kissed his palms.

"Your hands are so soft, minou."

Adrien was thankful that she had her eyes closed, not because she couldn't figure his identity but because she couldn't see the blush on his face.

"I trust you."
"I trust you too, mon minou." She felt for his face.

******

"What's your favourite season, purr-incess?"

Marinette who was rolling out a pastry dough answered without looking up, "Summer! 'cause it's nice and hot."
Then she tapped her chin, "or spring because that's when nature awakens."
She rolled the dough from the centre to outside, Cat was watching her intently as she was teaching him. "Or maybe the fall, the colours are so gorgeous at that time of the year but then again, winter inspires me so much."

He chuckled. "Always looking at the bright side, huh princess?"

"You have a very different point of view. Kagami asked me the same question on friendship day during the treasure hunt and she told me that I am indecisive, scattered brain, irresponsible, I have a split personality and that I am a typical AB blood type." She snorted.

"Well, that's kinda rude."

"Don't hate her," she defended, "Kagami never had friends before and she was just trying to know me better with the help of an app. She has a soft side beneath that tough front and she is a very good friend."

"You can never hate anybody, can you?" He smiled gently.

"I do hate Lila Rossi."

"Can't argue with that." They laughed.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•
A/N: I had so much fun writing this chapter. Chemistry pick-up lines are so funny. I snorted at them, my cheeks hurt from smiling. (Although some of them are highly inappropriate for 'just friends', seriously second law of thermodynamics, ahem sharing hotness... I laughed so much).

To people who didn't get the pick-up lines:

1st line: Hydrogen is the first element in the periodic table.

2nd line: Copper's and Tellurium's periodic symbol is Cu and Te.

3rd line: The Van der Waal forces of attraction are those which act between two non-bonded atoms/ molecules and are weak and longest in distance and therefore Cat asks to move closer.

4th line: In chemistry, there's a lot of smell going on. Olfactory indicators are commonly used to identify compounds in a lab. Not all of the smell is pleasant but, the cyclic carbon compounds like the benzene ring is an aromatic compound, pleasantly aromatic compound.

5th line: Alkali metals or the group 1 elements of the Longform of the periodic table are very reactive because of one valence shell electron. Elements like sodium are so reactive that if you hold them in your palm then they can burn a hole through your hand and that's why it's kept coated in a layer of kerosene for safety purposes in the lab.

To all the re-readers, I don't really expect any of you to read the entire thing all over again but, just the added sections and that would be enough for me.

XOXO,
Molly

{Edited: February 25, 2020}