Chapter 4: In The Evening
He knew she didn't get rest. He could see it in her eyes, and the way she moved sluggishly. Her jumps were lower, her voice not sounding much beside the labored breathing, and the way her arm didn't snap when tossing the yoyo to jump larger distances.
It hurt him to see her like that.
Adrien, as Chat Noir, observed her and Paris in the evening light. Upon the previous nights's Akuma attack he had been more vigilant. Since his class schedule was very slim as close to graduation, between classes he would transform and prowl the city. Luckily, no Akuma attack had appeared. But when Patrol came and his Ladybug was in this state, he almost wished he could take Akuam down by himself.
"Question 4." He spoke into the night as he prepped his staff to jump from one roof to another, knowing that even in her tired state, Ladybug would answer. "Fire, Water, Air or Earth?"
"Does it have to be one of them?" She countered, after thinking about it for a moment as they moved through the streets.
Stunned, Adrien paused and shook his head, "Ah, no, it doesn't." It hadn't occurred to him she may like multiple options. He knew his answer to the question oh so quite easily.
"Then Air and Earth. I'm just drawn to them."
'And I'm drawn to you, my Lady,' he thinks, smiling at her answer. He he hears her ask him his own answer to the same question and he looks to her with a gleam in her eyes. "Air, and I wish I could be it, for it caresses your body every day."
"Chat." Her voice is slightly stern at his flirtation, but she chuckles as they find themselves at the Eiffel Tower.
He holds up his hands in mock surrender after sheathing his staff, sitting down and looking out at the city as the sun drops over the horizon. "My apologies my lady, it just had to be said." He let out a soft sigh, and looked over to see her sit beside him.
Shaking her head slightly, Marinette only leans back on her hands and lets out a slight yawn, quickly covering it with one hand.
"Have you not gotten any rest lately?" Adrien was really concerned. If her day was anything like his there would be downtime, but considering how much more energy she had to give for battles meant she did just a bit more.
"Is that one of your twenty questions?" She asked teasingly, trying to lighten the mood, seeing his sadness in how tired she was. And she was overly tired, but trying so hard not to show it in front of Chat. Tikki hadn't fully recovered from the night before and she was feeling the effects now that she had been transformed.
"No, but if you want to count it, I won't hold it against you."
She shook her head. "It's fine. You're concerned, I get that. Thank you, Kittycat." She closed her eyes and laid back, pillowing her head in her crossed arms behind her head. "I haven't got much, admittedly. Things are just.. piling up."
Marinette let out a sigh, thinking about the things she still had to do. The showcase was coming up in the week after next, and while she had the centerpiece done - Alya's dress - her own dress, while having good suggestions from her friend, was still not making her happy. She did thankfully have more of the line, but it was small number of pieces compared to some of the lists of other artists in the same showcase.
She wasn't expected to have a large amount of items, but she felt as if she needed to, to live up Gabriel's expectations of her. The man had one of the largest businesses for fashion and those he signed on made it to great status. That pressure weighed heavily on her, for she could ruin her own reputation and tarnish his.
She also wanted to impress Adrien, although she would never admit to that.
In that moment, Adrien wanted to reach out to Ladybug, comfort her, and tell her things would be alright. He could still say it, but it wouldn't have the same thing behind it if couldn't actually touch her to comfort her. But the heart wants what it wants. He knew that from experience, and he couldn't seem to break away from the current losing streak he was in. His heart currently wanted a certain red-clad spotted lady with the most delicate face that he wished to shower attention and kisses on.
But that want was far off and he would not settle for just being 'Chat Noir, Ladybug's Teammate'. He loved her more than he could say, and even though he did not know her true self, he just knew he'd love the other side of her. It was with that filling his head that he spoke next.
"You need your rest more than you need to be out here patrolling."
Ladybug sat up fast much to his surprise, and looked at him as surprised. "What?"
He reached for her hand and cradled it within his own. "Please don't take it amiss. I just hate seeing you this way. You need to rest. I can easily call you if trouble arises. It would make me feel much better if you at least just get to lay down and relax and wait for me to call of trouble."
"But Chat, I - "
"It's okay, really. I can patrol all of Paris on my own. I can handle it, I don't seem to have much on my plate as yours. That I am paw-sitive of."
HIs eyes pleaded with her to give in. She could see it, and feel the concern pulsing off him like waves. Her eyes dropped down to where her hand was within his, and had a battle of thoughts. Patrolling all of Paris alone, she was sure he could do it, but a part of her felt that he would not contact her immediately if something would come up. He would try to detain it on his own to give her more time to rest.
But on the other hand, she knew that yes, she needed more rest. Alya, Nino and Adrien during class noted her tiredness too, and she easily passed it off as working too much on her floral line which they accepted. It was tough being pressed for such a deadline and being a superhero.
"You better promise to contact me as soon as something appears. No waiting."
"I Promise. It's the purr-fect solution. Once you are rested, I'll be glad to see you at my side, my lady." He lifted her hand to kiss her knuckles gently, then released her hand.
"Any more questions?" She asked, resting her hands in her lap and turning to look over the city.
He thought for a moment. He had a slew of questions he wanted to ask, but all seemed too personal yet. He needed her to relax, to not think too much about what he was asking. He would use the information gleaned to try to find out who she was. "Hmm. Favorite snack?"
It was something random, but not overly personal. Many had various favorite snacks, but he asked for one. Anyone could have it. "Pain au chocolat," she answered with a nod, then looked at him with a grin. She had a way to deter him away from her civilian life. "I hear the ones at Boulangerie Patisserie are divine." Best form for defense: make him think of a place and connect it to her ladybug life, not her civilian. Besides, lots of people also gave the places high praise. She knew after all.
He knew what to get her then, next time they meet up, after she rested of course. Funny that he knew that his classmate's bakery shop was a great place. He loved going there when working with Marinette for her designs, for Tom and Sabine practically shoved him full of food. Plus, the aura of family there was much different than his own, he couldn't help but wish his family was the same.
"Ah, those are delicious, I've had some before myself. But I'm particularly fond of ice cream," He couldn't help but answer his own question before she asked. It wasn't like she was going to ask anything else, as so far she had asked him to answer the same questions he asked her.
"Of course, creme for the cat." She snickered, reaching up to pet him, which he happily tilted his head for her to do so. Oh did he love when she touched him.
But the mood was broken by her yawn, and the smile on his face drooped to a frown. "Times up, you need to get rest. I don't think anything will appear, but I shall be sure to beep you." He stood, not really wanting to part especially when she had her hand on his hair, but his need for her to be taken care of took precedence. He offered her a hand up, which she took gratefully.
"Thank you, Chat. I will see you then." She grasped his hands firmly, before taking her yoyo from around her waist and throwing it to leave.
He watched her go until she couldn't be seen, then left towards his place. Even though they parted, his heart was a little lighter, knowing that taking on the duty of patrolling all of Paris himself would free her up to rest.
"I can't wait to see you again, my lady.." he spoke idly
The heart wants what it wants.
Author's Note: Thanks to all my lovely readers for the kudos and notes! I do want to point out that yes I have errors in my works. I've gotten a few messages about them, and I apologize. I don't have a beta (and I don't particularly need one), but I'm human and I make mistakes. I'm pretty good at catching them, but if I miss one, I'm sorry. But otherwise, thanks for being avid readers, Miraculous Ladybug fans, and I hope you continue to enjoy my work, errors included. :)