Cat Noir comforts Ladybug as they stare out across the beautiful skyline of Paris and share a quiet moment together.

Casual

It came naturally. A touch here, a look there. It wasn't as though it made any sense yet. Cat Noir was just happy to have Ladybug at his side. For months, since the start of their crime fighting escapades together, he had subtly been trying to breach the gap between them. He wasn't sure if she had noticed. Perhaps he had been sly enough about it.

Tonight, however, the casual distance was difficult to cross. She was crying, not sobbing, but a single tear had slid down her cheek. He couldn't just leave it though, his natural curiosity and care for her took precedent.

"Alright M'lady?"

"I'm fine."

"You sure? Cats can keep secrets you know."

"I… don't really want to talk about it."

Disappointed, Cat Noir let the matter drop. He recognized when he could push and when her guard was impenetrable. Despite himself, he still slid his hand over hers and gave it an affirmative squeeze, before getting up and making his way to the edge of the rooftop they'd been sharing.

"Well, if that's all for tonight. Paris seems safe enough. No akumas here and it's getting late."

Ladybug sat watching the moon rise slowly over the horizon, the skyline of Paris lovely, but it's beauty could not pierce through her sadness and her thoughts would not be still. She dreaded the prospect of being alone, but also worried how Cat Noir would interpret her seeking comfort from him.

"You need an escort M'lady?"

She looked at him quizzically.

"It wouldn't be gentlemanly to leave you here all by yourself."

Ladybug rose from her perch as well, "you're really nice, you know?"

"I do," he gave her a confident grin.

Ladybug rolled her eyes, but to his delight still gave half a smile.

"You know I'm only this nice to you."

"Lucky me."

"I'd say I'm the lucky one, M'lady. I get to be by your side every day."

Filled with a tinge of inspiration. Cat Noir decided he would at least try to cheer her up, even if she didn't want to share what was on her mind. It could be that it was related to her private life and due to the superhero identity thing, she couldn't share it regardless of whether she wanted to.

"M'lady, would you please follow me on one more pass over the city? I'm not one hundred percent convinced yet that all is well."

She cocked her head and looked at him sideways. Eyebrow raised suspiciously. She relented however and followed him as he jumped over roof tops and shimmied up buildings. The exhilaration of traveling so freely was still exciting to him. It was akin to having wings and he swore he was flying.

He finally led them to the destination he had had in mind and sat down on a patch of soft grass. He patted the space next to him and invited her to sit down with him.

"Cat Noir..."

"I want to show you something."

"Okay?"

She plopped down next to him and he spun them both around.

Paris. Beautiful, glittering amazing Paris. They were sitting in the perfect spot to view what was perhaps the most beautiful outlook of the city she had ever seen. The moon was still rising ever higher and reflected on the river below. The stars twinkled and the evening flower's sweet scents permeated the air with refreshing aromas.

Cat Noir picked a beautiful white lily, small with pointed petals and tucked it in between her mask and ear.

"There, now your even more beautiful than the view."

It was sweet. Cat Noir was truly sweet. She knew that he was putting effort into keeping his distance. He was always incredibly considerate and she usually gave him a hard time for it.

Sighing deeply, she leaned back and rested against his chest. It was a casual move. She simply enjoyed the cat doting on her and being in the care of someone. She could appreciate this at least. Her troubles were soothed by the beautiful vista and the calming scents. Cat Noir was warm against her back and life seemed a little easier. She envied Cat Noir for making things seem so simple.

He played with her twin pony tails. Fluffing the black hair, wishing to feel the silky strands with his uncovered hands. It would be a goal for the future. He was pleased with himself that Ladybug could relax and that he had been able to give her this moment.

They were always so busy fighting and rushing into danger, worrying about friends, dealing with the double life and never taking time for themselves. They were partners after all, they deserved to be in each other's company when the world wasn't going haywire.

The side view of her mask was close to his face and he wondered yet again who it was keeping secret from him. He longed to know. He wished they could stay here, fall asleep and have their powers run out, then wake up next to each other as their true selves. Wishful thinking kept him sane and a little fidgety.

Before he knew it however, Ladybug was soft asleep in his arms. She had gently slid down his chest, her head currently cradled in his lap. He blinked at the realization. Checking her breathing confirmed the rhythmic fall and rise of her chest. At least she was relaxed. His wishful thinking became all that much closer to being reality, but he knew he wouldn't be forgiven if he left them like this.

He didn't need to wake her just yet though. He took the rare opportunity to get lost in her features. Her long dark lashes, her small button nose and the curve of her adorably defined lips. She was so lovely, so adorably cute. His frustration was tangible as was the hesitant hope that maybe she could feel that way about him as well.

He longed to touch her lips with his own. It would be so easy, it could be casual. He just needed to lean down and eliminate the few inches of remaining space. Even upside down as she was, resting her head in his lap, she was beautiful.

Her lips were warm, soft and mesmerizing. The kiss was brief, light as a feather.

Ladybug stirred and Cat Noir raised himself upright. Pretending to look nonchalantly out over the scenic view. His heart a stark contrast to the tranquility before him.

"Mmm, sorry," she mumbled as she came drowsily out of her nap.

"It's okay Purrincess. It was nice seeing you relax."

"I think I need to go home now. Or I might spend all night up here with you."

Cat Noir gave her a knowing grin.

Her blue eyes went round and she blushed. "Oh, no. That's not what I... "

"I'm just teasing," he winked.

She got up gracefully and stretched her arms above her head. "Thank you though, this was nice."

Cat Noir only managed to nod.

He watched her disappear into the darkness, waving after her. Out of view, the red finally crept into his cheeks. He felt a bit guilty at having stolen the kiss, but assured himself as it was meant with a true heart. His happiness far outweighed any other emotion and he fell back into the soft patch of grass in a state of bliss. His smile stretched from ear to ear.

...

Ladybug raced home into the night, trying to make sense of the dream she had just had. In her dream she had been dozing in a field of flowers, sunlight streamed from above and she had felt warm. Adrien had been there, he had leaned over her and kissed her. Softly and kindly. She had awoken shortly after. Her finger went to stroke across her lips. The pressure felt as real as the kiss had been. Her cheeks grew hot but somehow she was calm. It had been such a lovely kiss, with it all her fears and worries had melted away.

...

Later that night Marinette and Adrien were both sound asleep, warm in their beds, hearts reaching out casually across the distance and finding comfort on a soft patch of grass, overlooking the vast vista of Paris in the glowing moonlight.