(This fic has been cross-posted to my Ao3 account, artsy_alice.)

A/N: The Miraculous Ladybug AU that no one asked for.


.

BETWEEN YOU

02: Miraculous

.


.

"But why?" was the question that made both the cat and the ladybug look up.

"Why what?" Ladybug asked, exchanging a quick look with her first partner before eyeing the new member of their team.

They were just hanging out in the roof of one of the taller buildings in the city. They all went out that night to confront someone reported to be akumatized, but it turned out to be someone merely talented in costumes and special effects running around town and scaring people for kicks. The skirmish was solved quite quickly and they didn't even have to use their miraculous' special attacks. Without the need to hurry away, they had some free time to just enjoy a good time in each others' company.

The fox, lounging ever-so casually, chose to elaborate his question. "Why wontcha tell each other who you are without the miraculous?"

"Do you think we really have to?" Chat Noir asked back. "Our Lady thinks we should keep our personal and superhero lives separate. I understand that."

"I think that's better." Ladybug said in agreement. "Don't you?"

"I dunno, I mean… it would make things a lot easier, right?" Volpina answered. "Like, we can call for backup easily when there's trouble, we can cover for each other to our parents or friends if we gotta run, we won't hafta run away when our time's up… and hey, we can hang out! Y'know, we only meet up when Hawkmoth's tryin' to destroy the world or something. That… sucks."

The other two fell silent.

"We already risk our skins for each other, that's pretty personal." he continued. "Why don't you wanna know each other? Are you like… really different…? When you're not superheroing and stuff?"

The answer from both his companions were quick: "Yes."

At least they were honest about that, he thought. "Well, me, I'm an open book. S'just, I'm pretty new 'round here, right? I'm new to this whole city in general, and the whole superhero thing too."

He just met Happy, his kwami, roughly three days ago.

"I'm gonna start goin' around soon. It'll be nice to have some friends right away."

At this, Chat Noir sent him a small understanding smile while Ladybug gave him an apologetic one. They were sticking close to their secret identity doctrine.

"Oh well." the fox sighed. "I don't care if I don't know who you guys are without all this miraculous magic stuff… but I'm pretty much the same person in and outta costume. And you two are my buds now, I'm sure I can trust you. So if you ever wanna hang out, my real name's Natsu, I'm 17 and I just moved here with my dad and my big bro. I'm kinda slow to notice stuff happening around me, so d'you want my number to can call if you two need urgent backup?"

They stared at him as if he grew another head on the spot.

How. What.

Did he seriously just do that?

Choosing a common coping mechanism, Chat Noir laughed nervously. "Ahaha… My Lady, did the little fox say anything?"

"Nope." Ladybug followed, not missing a beat. "I heard nothing."

The so-called little fox just rolled his eyes. "You'll be glad I told you. Just you see."

.

The very next day, a 17-year old boy transferred into the local private high school and introduced himself to Lucy's and Loke's class as Natsu Dragneel.

He looked over his new classmates with a cheerful grin that made all of them think that surely they had seen him before.

And among the generally curious expressions of the rest of the class, two faces in particular caught his attention. The blonde girl in pigtails looked terrified, while the orange-haired boy in the row in front of her was pleasantly surprised.

He may have admitted to being slow in noticing things, but SERIOUSLY. WHO WERE THESE TWO EVEN KIDDING, WITH THEIR FACES LIKE THAT? Not a minute in and they give themselves away.

The teacher told him that he may take the seat behind Lucy (so that was her name) and he was happy to oblige.

.

Come lunchbreak, he had pretty much introduced himself to the rest of his classmates. Lucy was polite but kept her distance as if worried that he'll recognize her (he does). Loke played it cool and hovered along with their friendlier classmates intent on getting the transfer student to feel welcome (he does feel welcome).

But the real magic happened when he saw the two bump into each other one time. Lucy was a really clumsy girl (oh if only he could tease Ladybug about this), and when she tripped, Loke caught her arms quickly, held her steady and helped her stand back straight. She blushed and managed to say 'Thank you' wrong about five times before getting her point across. He was just smiling his quiet, friendly smile as he said 'Don't mention it'.

And with that, Natsu has them figured out. He didn't know if they were just easy picks, or if somehow his superhero power over illusions had made it easier for him to see through things.

This was why they said 'Yes', they were very different people without the masks. Lucy was clumsy and a bit shy while Ladybug was all grace and confidence. Loke was quiet and composed while Chat Noir was goofy and restless.

Also, Lucy's crush was very obvious. Well, Natsu was sure that more than half of the class has some sort of crush on Loke anyway. The guy's a famous model. Duh.

The point is, they obviously like each other, in some weird elaborate way.

'Ah, if only you knew.' Natsu thought, not hiding his mischievous grin.

This is going to be so much fun.

But first: he really should give them his number. He wasn't kidding when he said he was still getting the hang of noticing when someone's been akumatized. It's a big city. It would really be great if they just dropped a call and told him they have a job to do all the way across town.

.

fin.


A/N: Natsu sleeps in while there's an akuma wreaking havoc. He just smiled smugly when LokeNoir turned up in his window and asked him to suit up because they need backup.