Adrien learns it from his mother.

"My mother sang it to me when I was a little girl" she says, holding a 6-year old Adrien on her lap. "Who learned it from her mother, who learned it from her father..." And though Adrien is too young to fully appreciate how long it's been passed down through generations, he still listens attentively, even as he drifts off to sleep.

I'll love you forever

I'll like you for always

As long as I'm living

My baby you'll be

Adrien's mother is gone.

The song leaves with her.

It's many years before it returns.

It's autumn. It's a routine patrol, just a quick run through the heart of Paris and then skirting along where the city becomes the suburbs. They come to a rest on a flat-roofed apartment, almost out of place due to how it towers over the surrounding buildings. They have a beautiful view of the Parisian skyline. The sky has begun to darken, and there's a sharp bite to the air, a promise of the coming winter. As they watch, the Eiffel Tower's lights blink to life, while a brilliant sunset casts long shadows across the rooftops.

"That was a fast one" Ladybug comments, moving to sit on an AC unit. "It usually takes us at least a good half-hour longer"

"Must be a mew record" Chat agrees, flopping down beside her and slinging an arm around her shoulders, drawing her into his side. He casts her a grin. "Mind you, our parkour skills nowadays are almost purrfect"

Ladybug rolls her eyes, removing Chat's arm. "Seriously though, Chat. How long have we been patrolling?"

"A little over two and a half years now, my Lady"

"I can't tell if that seems too long or too short"

He glances at her questioningly.

"I mean" Ladybug purses her lips "It feels like we've been doing this forever, but at the same time it seems like only yesterday when I ran into you, trying to dig yourself out of the dumpster you had just fallen into" She grins, shooting him a sideway look.

"Me-ouch. You wound me" Chat pouts, before smirking "And I distinctly remember you tripping and falling when you got yourself tangled with your bandalore"

"Oh shut up"

"How long did it take to untangle you again?"

"Chat!"

Chat laughs, holding his hands up in surrender. "Alright, alright. We've both come a long way from where we started." The grin on his face fades, slowly, as he takes in the look on Ladybug's face. "My lady? He asks, tentatively "Is everything alright?"

Ladybug smiles, slightly "Yeah, everything's fine, but..." She sighs, crosses her arms, rubbing them, though for warmth or comfort, he's not sure "Chat, do you ever think about the future?"

"No, I'm usually busy trying not to mess up the present. Do you?"

She laughs "Yeah, I do. And I can't help but wonder what'll happen when this is all done."

"What's all done?"

"This. This whole akuma thing. I mean, after we defeat Hawkmoth, what then? What use will we be? It may sound terrible, but I almost don't want the akumas to stop. They... "She waves her arms about, trying to find the words to explain herself. "They kind of, I don't know, reassure me? Like they give people a reason to need me. I can't help but feel like when we finally defeat Hawkmoth, I'll end up being useless."

Chat Noir is silent, processing what his Lady has just confessed to him. Ladybug draws her knees up to her chest and hugs them, and they sit in silence for awhile.

Suddenly Chat stands, and turns to offer his hand to her. She looks up at him questioningly, but places her hand in his. He pulls her to her feet, drawing her body close to his, while his other hand comes to rest on her waist. Her eyes still ask silent questions, but she reaches up to grip his shoulder with his free hand. Walking backwards, he begins to hum, a soft, quiet, sweet tune that she doesn't recognize but is comforting nonetheless. He leads them, slowly, through slow turns and spins, and she leans forward, closing her eyes and turning her head to rest on his chest, tucking her face into the crook of his neck.

If this was the younger Ladybug and Chat Noir, she would have smacked him and told him to get lost. Younger Ladybug was far too infatuated with Adrien, and too fearful of revealing her identity to allow him this close. But they've been partners for years, and loath as she is to admit it, he's proven, time and time again to be reliable, her anchor when she's drifting, and her compass when she's lost. He's never once challenged the boundaries she's set out for them, outside of tentatively testing them from time to time, and she appreciates his gentle nature.

They stay like that for awhile, dancing, before Chat speaks, or rather, softly sings.

"I'll love you forever

I'll like you for always

As long as I'm living

My Lady you'll be"

Ladybug feels tears prick at her eyes, and she lets go of him to wrap both arms around his neck. He, in turn, wraps his arms around her middle, hands coming to rest on the small of her back. She tightens her hold, silently, almost desperately trying to convey everything she wants to say into that hug.

His own arms tighten, and she knows her understands.

Pulling away, she surreptitiously wipes at her eyes, offering him a watery smile before saying "I should head home. It's getting late"

Chat smiles back, softly not one of his signature smirks, but one of his genuine smiles that she so rarely sees and so often wishes she could see more often. He reaches up, takes her face in his hands, and presses a kiss to her forehead, ignoring the light blush that dusts her cheeks. "Alright, my Coccinelle. I hope to see you soon"

Smiling, Ladybug unhooks her bandalore from around her waist, and walks to the edge of the roof before pausing. Turning back, she sees chat balancing on an adjacent edge, fiddling with his baton as he maps out his route back home.

She walks over.

Sensing her presence, Chat looks over at her questioningly. She quickly presses a kiss to his cheek, blushing. Pulling back, she whispers "Thanks, kitty" Before running and throwing her bandalore, swinging out into the street and landing neatly on an adjacent buildings roof.

Chat watches, hand on his cheek, as if he could hold on to the sensation. Smiling, he shakes his head before launching himself out with his baton.

"Anytime"