Chapter Eight
"Why did I say that?" Ladybug murmured under her breath as she bounded across the skyline. Her feelings were so muddled. She wanted to be with Adrien but she also knew she couldn't do it as Ladybug. She still couldn't believe she'd suggested he try to figure out her real identity. Tikki would be furious. Not that it was likely for Adrien to work it out. While he was in her everyday life, it wasn't all that often that he saw Ladybug.
She slowed her ascent when she felt a prickling at the back of her neck. At first, she thought it was due to her impromptu challenge to Adrien. But no, it was something else, she was being followed. Landing on a parapet, the heroine of Paris stood poised for trouble when she saw the familiar black figure of Chat Noir.
Shaking her head at her own suspicion, she rested her knuckles against her hips as she waited for her partner. "So, what brings you out tonight?"
Chat Noir threw her a roguish smile as he leant on the end of his staff. "I was looking for you."
"Really, why's that?"
The exposed skin on Chat's face turned pink. "Well, um, I just wanted to check you were okay after the akuma attack today."
"As you can see I'm fine."
A strange look passed over her partner's face as he mumbled beyond her hearing, "Yes you are fine."
Her brow crinkled. "Is something wrong, Chat?"
"No, no, nothing at all. I'm good." Oddly enough he was looking everywhere except at her.
It wasn't like her partner to be so on edge. As she continued to study him she noted the way his head was bobbing about like a nervous pigeon. "Chat, are you sure you're okay?"
His movements stilled as he stared at the end of his staff between his hands. "You told me once that there was a boy you like. I wondered how things were progressing on that front."
Of all the things he could have said, Ladybug hadn't expected that. With a sigh she answered, "In a word, complicated."
She could have sworn she saw the corner of his lips pull upward briefly. Then his head turned as he looked at her directly. "Does that mean you'd consider dating me?"
"I said it was complicated, not impossible."
Chat Noir laughed at that. "So, what's the problem?"
"I made it complicated."
"How is that?"
"I found out he was attracted to me in the mask. The problem is he doesn't see me that way out of it. Then in my current form, I stupidly suggested he should try and work out who I really am. Not one of my most brilliant moments."
Astonishment laced Chat Noir's response, "Let me get this straight, he knows both sides of you?"
Crossing her arms, she gave a nod. "Yeah, but he doesn't know it."
Chat Noir was giving her a long look. "What are you like out of the mask?"
Ladybug eyed him for a long moment before conceding. "Clumsy and inarticulate, especially around him. I bet you'd get a chuckle out of everyday me."
"I would never laugh at you, milady."
"Said like the true charmer that you are, Chat Noir."
"I know you'd be surprised by the real me," he said as he dropped down to sit, swaying a leg over the side of the building.
She followed his example and sat on the parapet opposite. "Why is that?"
"I'm not the outrageous flirt you think I am, at least not with anyone else."
Ladybug couldn't help but giggle. "Chat, please don't tell me you're about to profess your undying love."
He looked flabbergasted by her comment. "Would it be so bad if I was?"
She swung the toe of her shoe across to tap his. "I don't know, Chat. I was just trying to stir you up."
"If you say so, I don't think you realise how deeply your words affect me at times."
"I'm sorry, Chat. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."
He waved her off, "I know. Let's go back to this mystery guy of yours. Do you want him to find out who you are?"
"Yes and no. It's kind of disappointing that I've turned his head as Ladybug but not as… myself. It makes me wonder if he'll be disappointed if he discovers who is really behind the mask." She pulled her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around them.
Chat Noir stared at her as he gathered his thoughts. "I don't think you could disappoint anyone, milady. Besides, think of it from his point of view, he might never know that the girl outside the mask was right under his nose."
"I suppose that's a possibly."
"You are under his nose, right?"
A small smile tugged at her lips. "I'll say this much, we go to the same school."
Feline eyes scrutinised her face to the point that she looked away. Chat's voice was quiet as he spoke. "Do you ever wonder if you've walked by me without my mask on?"
"To be honest, I don't really think too hard about that. Our identities need to remain secret. I really shouldn't have encouraged him to snoop into mine."
"Ladybug, would it make you feel better if I told you who I am?"
She shook her head. "Let's avoid anything drastic."
Chat Noir was suddenly very quiet. His gaze was fixed on the horizon as she turned to look at him. Then his voice croaked, "Nothing drastic."
Ladybug sat back in surprise. "Sorry, Chat. What did you say?"
His eyes darted sheepishly to hers. "It doesn't matter." He quickly rose to his feet. "I suppose I should get home, being a school night and all."
"Okay, I suppose it is getting late."
"Yeah, well, good luck with your mystery guy."
"Thanks Chat, until next time."
While the akuma attack the previous day had saved Marinette from the meddling of Alya, the following day meant the lull was over. As soon as she stepped foot into the school, her best friend was barrelling towards her with a look of determination in her eyes.
"You're not going to believe it," Alya declared as she hooked her arm through Marinette's and dragged her along. "Ladybug rejected Adrien."
The girl blinked for a moment in confusion, "Huh?" How did Alya find out?
"I know right, what a shocker. I must say that Adrien seems to be taking it pretty well. Nino thought he'd be wailing but instead he just has this baffled expression on his face."
Marinette peered over Alya's shoulder as she spotted the boys deep in conversation. She'd expected a slump to Adrien's shoulders but instead there was a steely resolve in his eyes that made her shiver. It reminded her of his determination the night before. There was nothing about him that suggested he was a moping mess, instead he seemed to be surveying the female students with his gaze. The boy was on a mission and she was the only one who knew what it was.
As if sensing her appraisal, those eyes met hers and a warm smile spread across Adrien's face and he gave a friendly wave. Not a hint of suspicion flickered in his green peepers, he was oblivious as usual. As she suspected, the chances of him working out who lay behind Ladybug's mask were pretty slim. She knew she should be relieved by that, especially after the lecture she'd gotten from Tikki, but the thought had her heart feeling heavy. Would Adrien Agreste ever figure out the girl he was longing for was right under his nose?
Given that Adrien has got more clues to Ladybug's identity than Marinette is aware of, I think he has an increased chance of identifying his lady... until next chapter! Thanks for reading.
