- Chapter 21 -
To say that life turned back to normal since the night of the memorable Ball would be a drastic understatement. If anything, the Kingdom was more alive than ever before. Or, perhaps, it only seemed that way to Marinette.
It had barely been a few days and her heart was still singing. She couldn't help but secretly hum to herself the beautiful music she had danced to all night with the handsome Prince. She blushed a deep hue of pink when she thought about their moonlit walk together in the royal gardens. And she was downright giddy every time she looked at the red rose; which was secretly hidden away in her bedroom, but still carried a sweet scent and its vibrant red color. Soon though, the rose would begin to wilt and dry out. And yet, the memories in her mind would certainly be forever. Tikki had given her one of the most magical nights of her life. A night she would never forget, and she thanked the little kwami on a daily basis.
However sweet the memories were or how happy they made her feel, Marinette found herself feeling like the whole Ball experience had left her more content and level-headed. Sure, she still thought that the Prince was a dream-boat, but he was also so out of her league that it humbled her to even think that they even had somewhat of a friendship. She, of course, having no idea how he thought about her or Ladybug beyond just trust and respect. Whatever romantic feeling she had felt on that blissful night, she pushed to the back of her mind. It was time to grow up and be thankful for the miracle she already possessed—being the Ladybug.
Speaking of her alter ego, Marinette found herself as the Ladybug almost every day—whether it was for crime-fighting or just to patrol the Kingdom at dusk. The Ball had been a wonderful, memorable experience but it was time to get back down to business. This Kingdom still needed her help. And she was ready to put all distractions aside and focus now. There were still bad buys to catch. That gang was still causing trouble and their thieving antics were wearing on her last nerve.
She was lady luck, after all. So, it was only a matter of time before she caught up to them.
It happened to be on a cloudy early evening, with the late sun hidden away and the air was heavy and humid with the promises of rain. Ladybug watched the scene from the safety of a large, fallen down tree. She counted the number of the gang of thieves and their weapons. This was definitely the same group she had received the false tip on just over a week or so ago. They had come out of hiding only recently.
But what they stolen tonight had left a significant impact on her civilian self. She felt herself growing more and more angry as she watched them celebrate around a burning fire.
They had hijacked a very large transport of grain from getting into the Kingdom. Precious grain so greatly need by the poor and hungry. A few bags were even intended for her parent's bakery—which made the situation all the more personal to her.
She felt movement behind her and then someone rush up kneel next to her. She didn't have to look over to know who it was.
"Is it them?" he purred in her ear.
She shivered slightly, she couldn't help it. His voice had that effect on her. The sides of their bodies were casually touching as they both crouched down together—although none of that bothered her in the slightest. In a weird way, as she had closed her mind off to the Prince, she had now come to treasure Chat Noir and their partnership. She couldn't think of a time when he wasn't at her side. And she hated to ever think of him ever not being there.
She answered him with her own calm, cool and collected voice. "Without a doubt."
Chat Noir noted her demeanor almost instantly. She was clearly upset and anxious about the situation. This gang had been causing them grief for a long time—however, his lady seemed to be taking it more personally.
Not the time to be playful now. She wouldn't appreciate it. "How many?" he asked her, his voice just above a whisper.
"Eight. Three by the fire. Two with the horses. Two by the stolen cargo. One presumably asleep in the tent. Mostly knives and swords. The big buy by the fire has a bow."
Chat Noir had to smile at how thorough she was. Daring a peek over the fallen tree they were hiding behind, he noted the stacks of cargo piled up in the wagons and littered haphazardly across the ground. His heightened sense of sight and smell made him instantly aware of what it was.
Grain. Tons of it. Almost a complete harvest's worth—it was worth its weight in gold to his Kingdom.
Chat Noir growled as he watched them laugh and rejoice at their conquest. A conquest at someone else's expense. He understood now why she was so angry. He could feel his own anger rising up in the back of his throat. There was no honor in stealing this grain and hold it for ransom to people who need it so desperately.
"Easy kitty…" She said, trying to calm him down but her sharp eyes were constantly watching for any movement by the gang of thieves.
"What's the plan, LB?" he asked.
"There is an abundance of rope on the ground just a few paces directly in front of us. Dowse the flames and wrap up the three by the fire. Same with Sleeping Beauty in the tent. I'll flank and take the two by the horses and then the ones guarding the goods. Watch your back with this bunch." She turned her gaze towards him—adding the next little sentence because she really did feel nervous about this situation.
"Be careful… okay?"
He flashed her a half smile. "My lady, I'm always cat-ful."
"That didn't even make sense." She giggled at his little joke, letting the little bit of laughter curb her anger. "You're starting to lose your touch, kitty." And with that, she disappeared to flank the gang of thieves.
Their attack strategy did not go exactly as planned. The gang was well organized, expertly trained fighters, and had also laid a silent trap for them. Something neither of them was prepared for.
The trap had been simple: The trees surrounding their little campsite had been precut. Held together and upright with makeshift splints—giving the illusion that they were still sturdy trees. Ladybug found this out the hard way as she used one of the dummy trees to hook her weapon onto. To her surprise, the tree crashed down around her—blowing their cover and alerting the whole gang to their presence.
She was now suddenly fighting hand-to-hand with several of the gang members with very little room to maneuver her weapon or use it to hook onto anything and swing away. Her fighting skills definitely came strongest from her ability to swing and ricochet around. She wasn't completely defenseless, but she was not in her element—hand-to-hand was more Chat's forte. The fight was not in her favor and she was constantly being forced to cover her blind side or in fear of being knocked prone. Chat Noir was far away on the other side of the camp, thanks to her "plan". She had come to rely on him and now, she was without him and fighting alone.
The gang had been clever and prepared for them—which infuriated her. She was beating herself up for not seeing how "too easy" the whole situation had been. People were darting around in all directions, grabbing hidden weapons, preparing to fight, or rushing for the stolen grain. She had miscounted the number of people and she was paying the price. A well-timed fist met her gut and she stumbled backwards but did not fall.
Chat Noir fought to get to her side—she was in the thick of the battle. He could barely see her through the falling trees limbs and the swarm of bodies. However, his enemies were quick and skilled with their sharp weapons. They threw themselves in his path as a distraction.
All the while, one of the other gang members was able to rush around and shattered more splints. Sending several more large trees to fall all around them. They slammed into the ground, shaking the air with their quake. Their branches and limbs ensnaring his feet, while he attempted to use his incredible dexterity to avoid being struck.
The unmistakable whishing sound of arrows clearing bowstrings filled Chat's ears. Although as he parried a sword with his staff, he took a brief moment to look up and noticed that a group of arrows had gone upwards and into the trees. Not only that, but they had been lit on fire before striking and the trunks were beginning to burn.
The tree caught fire almost instantly. They had to have been coated with something to ignite so quickly. It had all been a part of a big, elaborate, and perfectly laid trap.
Another tree fell to block his path to Ladybug—this time, flames licked their way around its trunk. If their intent was to keep them separated, it was certainly working. They were trapping his Lady inside of the burning trees. He growled slightly to himself at the thought. Digging deep, he fought back harder and with his full strength—even as the thickening smoke and cinders clogged his senses. He would not let anything happen to her. Damn a few burns and cuts, he pushed himself through the flames—shoving people out of his way.
Distracted with her thoughts and the now constant sound of burning and falling trees, Ladybug found herself fighting a very large man who was wielding a spiked metal ball attached by a thick chain. He swung the metal weapon around like it weighed absolutely. Yet another weapon that she hadn't noticed.
Coughing to clear her lungs, she dodged the gigantic ball and kicked the man in the shins to throw him off balance.
She barely noticed herself get tangled in fallen tree branches and was even more surprised when she fell backwards to slam her back against a fallen burning tree. The man bellowed unpleasant curses down at her. She watched her armor absorb the flames and protect her. Silently she wondered how much magic was being used up to protect her skin from the burns.
The smoke stung her eyes, but she saw the attack next coming. Half blind, she launched her weapon outwards. Both of their weapons struck out at one another. Hers had caught him in the jaw like the worlds strongest suckerpunch. His attack had lost most of its momentum when her weapon struck first, but it still collided with the side of her foot just above the ankle as if he had dropped it on her.
The immediate pain made her gasp for air, and when she found only smoke in the air, she coughed hard and her eyes stung with both tears of pain and smolder.
A blow like that would have shattered any normal person's leg into a thousand pieces. But, luckily, the Ladybug magic protected her bones and only her ankle throbbed with a sharp pain that dazed her.
The large man stumbled backwards, took note of the growing flames boxing them both in. He saw the weakened and injured Ladybug on the ground, and considered it a victory as he lumbered away before he was trapped along with her. He stopped to shove all of his remaining strength into one of the last remaining booby-trapped trees that was now alive with fire. It would certainly crush her if not, completely box her in.
Ladybug heard the snapping of branches and the cracking of the hot wood as it rained down upon her. She watched the tree plunge towards her, and there was little to nothing she could do to move out of its way before it struck her.
Chat Noir was suddenly there. He leaped forward and, at the very last second, called the destructive Cataclysm magic into his hand and striking out at the falling burning tree.
He couldn't calculate what would happen next. His only thought was to keep her safe from the flaming tree that would have certainly crushed her to death.
His power shattered a large section of the thick trunk instantaneously and tipped the tree in the other direction. With a thundering crash of crackling branches and limbs, the tree hit the ground and bounced slightly due to the sheer force of the impact.
The flaming trees all around them had ignited the dry grass faster than any firewood. The hungry fire gobbled up the dry grass to feed its newfound fury.
Ladybug and Chat Noir found themselves suddenly caught in the middle of a forest fire.
Ladybug watched in horror as the flames had caught and spread like wildfire over the sacks of grain. There was nothing she could do to prevent the flames from spreading and consuming everything. So much for rescuing the stolen grain. It was gone. All of it, was gone. The fire ate it up and left nothing behind but ash.
She instantly thought of all of the people who would now be without it. People who so desperately needed the food. She failed them. Her heart sank with utter despair.
She tried to rise up to her feet, but her stupid ankle betrayed her. She was certain it was just a sprain, but it still hurt like hell.
Chat Noir stood in front of her, staff drawn and defending her with his life from the flames and heavy smoke—which seemed to be raining down on them from all directions.
Gritting her teeth through the pain, she stood up enough to begin to call her magic. Just as she was about say the words of summoning, Chat Noir grabbed her hand and stopped the words dead in her throat.
There was sympathy in his fire-lit green eyes, but also an intense sense of urgency. She knew that he felt the same sadness in his heart that she did over the grain. Both of their consciences shared the guilt. The flames were too strong and they were running out of time. With a heavy heart, she nodded her head in silent agreement and let him scoop her up so that he could carry them both away from the flames. There was little that her remaining magic could do surrounded by that must fire. Mother Nature would have to do what she could with this one.
They didn't travel far, but far enough to get somewhere safe and down wind. Once he set her down, she let her knees buckle and knelt on the ground. Ladybug slammed her fists into the hard dirt out of utter frustration.
She heard Chat Noir curse softly under his breath.
The pair stayed silent for a few moments. Smoke curling off of their armor in little wisps but did not burn.
This had been their first real defeat. No victory celebration this time. There was nothing to celebrate. They failed to secure the stolen cargo. They failed to catch the bad guys. They both were nursing injuries and were covered in soot. And, least they forget, they also caused a small forest fire. The defeat weighed heavy on both of their hearts and minds.
Chat Noir snapped back to reality first. He pushed his frustration aside for the moment. She was hurt, and he needed to know how badly. He knelt next to her, his eyes impossibly wide with concern as he reached towards her. "M'lady… You're hurt…"
Ladybug waved his hands away. Her own stubbornness unwilling to accept his help. "No. No, I'm fine."
"M'lady…" he urged.
"It's just a sprain, Chat. Promise."
She glanced at him. "You're hurt too…"
"I'm at least standing." He told her, unable to keep the sarcasm from his voice—hoping adding a little humor would help ease the situation.
She tried to stand up, and failed. It was her turn to curse silently under her breath. She continued to push his offers of help away.
"Let me help." He begged her gently.
She grit her teeth, but glanced up at him. Noticing that he seemed to still be beating himself up about it. "I'm fine Chat. Don't look so upset."
"No, it was my fault. I should have… I should have paid better attention."
Ladybug shifted on the ground, trying to prepare herself to get back on her feet. And yet, she was so angry at herself that she could barely focus on much else. "Don't even talk like that. It was all my fault. All of this. It's all my fault."
"M'lady this isn't…"
"They were waiting for us, Chat! They had everything planned. Every little detail. And I let us walk right into it!" She gripped the unyielding ground with her fingers. Her nails tearing into the dirt. It was good though, it kept her from crying.
His clawed hands covered her own and pulled them out of the dirt. She fought him, but it was like trying to resist a force of nature. Her strength was gone, but he had enough for the both of them. He gripped her hands until the tension faded away and her arms went limp.
He made no other move to touch her. Only his voice soothed her now. "Yes, it was a perfect trap. And, yes, they almost succeeded. But they didn't—and they never will. We will learn from this. And we will get them next time, m'lady. I promise you that."
She gazed at him and believed every word. What scared her more than anything was just how lost she had been without him. It's like they had known what her weakness was. And she hadn't even recognized it herself.
Unconsciously, her mouth whispered. "They had us separated… Chat… I couldn't see you…"
Chat Noir's eyes softened. It was as if she knew exactly what he was thinking. It had nearly killed him how easily they had kept him from her. A few more seconds, and he would have been too late.
He gripped her wrists, realizing that he still held them. "You'll never be without me again. Never."
Her ears soaked up his honey flavored words. It was enough for her to hear him say that. Her world felt secure again. She gave him a weak smile and tried to put the battle behind them. Letting out a deep sigh she gave herself a slight shake to pull herself back.
"Now, be a good kitty, and help me up." Her voice sounded happier—she was proud of herself.
Chat Noir smiled at her and stood up. With a simple flex of his muscular arms, she was instantly up on her feet. She was suddenly staring at his armored chest. Definitely all in each other's personal space. It hadn't bothered her before. Why was it bothering her now?
She took a small step back, simply because he had this aura around him that made it a bit difficult to draw in a full and complete breath.
Trying not to think about it, she put a bit of weight on her ankle, happy that the pain was minimal, but she still perched on one leg just to be safe.
Continuing to try and defuse the emotion that had built between them, Ladybug kept talking. Or was she rambling now?
"Once I de-transform, it will be good as new. My injuries don't carry over to my civilian self. Do yours?"
Chat Noir nodded slowly. "Mine either." He confirmed. He realized suddenly that he was still holding her hands. He ran his clawed thumb over the top of her knuckles. "I still don't like seeing you in pain."
"You've been hurt worse on my account." She reminded him, enjoying the soft sensation of his thumb across her knuckles. The feeling made the tightness in her shoulders ease. His presence was so calming. "It really doesn't hurt that bad."
Chat gripped her hands tightly and with enough force that it made her jump slightly. He wanted her full attention and based on the little jump he got out of her—he had succeeded.
The words left his mouth easily, and he meant every word. "Let me take you home."
She pulled her hands out of his grasp instantly. "No, Chat."
He frowned slightly. "Why not? You can't hobble home as Ladybug, nor can I allow you to walk home alone as your civilian self—we are a quite some distance from the Kingdom."
"I don't live far… I mean, erm… Thanks, but I'll be fine to get home." Ladybug bit down on her own tongue for admitting that first part to him. She hoped he wouldn't push it.
Chat gave her a curious look. "You don't live far from here? But, we are on the outskirts of the Kingdom…"
She sighed heavily to try and calm her growing anxiety. She had just dropped a huge clue about her civilian self. And she was trying her hardest to take it back. "I didn't mean to say that. Please, just forget that I said it."
They had survived their first defeat together. They were perhaps closer now than ever before. He kept his voice strong and sincere—this was not a time for jokes. "My Lady… I promise you. I promise with everything that I am. On my life and my honor, your secret would always be safe with me."
For perhaps the first time, he actually saw her hesitate and contemplate his offer. Chat Noir watched the lines of her face shift in deep thought. She recognized the compromising position she was in—injured as Ladybug and yet when she de-transformed, she would be alone in the forest as night was quickly approaching. But her mind still echoed Tikki's warning and she was still so unsure. But there was enough trust between them to warrant the thought of telling him everything. And the thought was winning.
Swiping a piece of hair out of her face, she avoided his sentimental gaze and couldn't help the emotion still in her voice. "I believe you, Chat. Please believe me. I truly do. I know that you would never hurt me… But… I…"
He took the smallest of steps towards her and that one casual movement brought heat into her face. "How about a compromise?" He offered.
Ladybug braved a quick look at his face. He must have read something on her face because he continued talking. "You allow me to take you to the closest town square. Close enough to your home, but not so close that I will know where you live. You have my word, I will not stay or try to follow you home."
Ladybug crossed her arms over her chest and thought it over. The closest town square would still be several blocks from her home. Dozens of homes were on each street. Even more surrounding the square. Safe enough that she could walk home before full dark—not that she was really worried about that. She knew that this was a compromise for Chat—who seemed like the kind of man to always walk a lady home.
Still hesitant, she tried putting weight on her leg and, to her utter dismay, it still hurt like hell. There really wasn't much of an option. She could de-transform right here, but then Tikki would need to eat to recover and Marinette certainly didn't have any food on her.
She chewed on her bottom lip out of nervousness. Chat noticed and smiled to himself. It was her telling sign.
"My lady…?" he urged slightly.
"Fine." She muttered. She pointed a finger into his chest, giving him a quick jab to emphasize her point. "Do not follow me, got it? On your honor, Chat Noir."
He bent his head over her, suddenly looming over her petite frame. "On my honor, my Lady." His green eyes flashing and his voice was as smooth as silk.
She shivered again. Damn his deep voice.
Faster than she could blink, her feet were off the ground. She had to swallow down a small protesting noise because it would have been very girlie to let it escape her lips. Unconsciously, her arms were around his neck and she found herself blushing.
"You hate this, don't you?" he teased her.
Ladybug blushed harder and retracted her arms so that she could cross them in front of her in a humph. "I was a damsel in distress once. I'm not particularly fond of it."
Chat's eyes narrowed at her comment. He eyed her questioningly, "Just tell me their name, m'lady, and I'll happily rip them to shreds for you."
'You already did.' Ladybug thought to herself, as she tried to hide the small smile on her lips.
She played it off casually, "Nothing that can be helped now, it was a long time ago... Now, come on… giddy-up!"
Chat Noir flashed her a devious smile. "I'd be lion if I said that I wasn't enjoying this." He purred to her.
Ladybug flicked him on the nose hard enough that it made him jump. He was shocked for only a few seconds, but then it was quickly replaced with laughter that bubbled up from his chest like a deep purr. Gripping her carefully but securely, he took off running at his incredible speed. He could hear her laughing along with him.
A short time later, Chat had them back into the Kingdom. Ladybug didn't think she could ever grow tired of seeing the Kingdom from his arms.
Chat Noir found a quiet dark alley near the town square and quickly darted in. Once he was certain no one was around or within earshot, he set Ladybug down. She landed on one foot, keeping the other foot off of the ground, and leaning a hand against a nearby wall for support.
"Thank you, Chat." She told him.
"Of course, my Lady." He purred back, happy when she smiled back at him.
However, as her eyes averted away from him, he was struck with a deep desire to be open and honest with her. His Lady lived somewhere near this square—in this particular part of his Kingdom. Granted that could be anywhere. But still, being given a small piece of her puzzle had left him begging to know more.
"Who are you, really?" The words fell out of his mouth.
She played coy. "What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean."
She stared at the ground, unable to meet his bold eyes. He was seeing right through her. His tone was so heartbreakingly serious that it made her heart ache.
"Why won't you tell me who you are?" he asked again, his voice just above an agonizing whisper.
Ladybug drew herself inward. "Because. It's against the rules, you know that. No one can know our true identities. It's for our own protection." She told him.
It was the same reasoning as before. The all-to-familiar answer.
"I would protect you from anything. In or out of the mask."
She blushed at the statement. She couldn't help it. Her mysteriously handsome partner had a way with words that suddenly melted her heart. "As unbelievably sweet as that sounds, I just can't Chat. I can't."
His voice was pleading now. "Why, M'lady? Please tell me."
"Chat… no, please… just stop asking this of me." Her voice cracked with those final words. She was on the verge of tears. Actual tears. She hadn't cried after their defeat. But this… this was sending her over the edge.
Chat Noir didn't want to make her cry. He wasn't prepared for her tears. "Please just tell me why. If you tell me the real reason why. I promise… I promise that I will never ask again."
She looked up at his face with glistening blue eyes of unshed tears. She wrapped her arms around herself to feel the familiar comfort of her own touch.
Could she really bare it all in front of him? Now, of all times?
"If you knew…" she started to tell him. The first tears began to stream down her ash covered cheeks.
Chat reached out for her. But then, her next words stopped him dead. His hand hovering in the air.
"I-If you knew who I was under this mask…" Her voice was shaking and terribly soft. "If you only knew… Y-You would be so disappointed, Chat."
"Disappointed?" He echoed her words and didn't hide the shock in his voice. No. That was impossible. She could never disappoint him. Never.
She nodded her head slowly. "I'm a nobody, kitty. Nothing but a poor, lower class, commoner…"
"M'lady…"
She shook her head back and forth, stopping him from saying anything further. "Don't try to deny that things wouldn't be different between us."
"What if I am just a commoner too?"
"I know you're not."
"How can you be so sure?"
She sighed heavily. She had to tell him the truth she knew. "I know that you live in the aristocratic parts of the Kingdom." She admitted shamefully.
Chat took a step back and his heart skipped a beat. "Do you know who I am?"
"No! No, Chat, I swear. I don't. I only followed you once or twice—back before I knew that I could trust you."
Chat Noir's eyes narrowed. "If you've followed me, then you must want to know who I am too."
"No! I mean, well yes, I have wondered about it, sure. But, I always chickened out at the last moment. I didn't want to betray your trust..."
"I would not hesitate for a second to tell you my identity right here and now, m'lady." He admitted, finally, out loud and to her surprised face.
His bold words truly broke her then.
He was willing to risk it all, just to reveal his civilian self to her. She had to put on a brave face and prevent him from doing that. He could not put himself in that kind of danger.
Not for her. Not again.
She shook her head frantically from side to side once more. Trying to clear her head of his honey-sounding words.
But it was too late. The words had been said, and she could not unhear them. Her emotions flooded to the surface and threatened to boil over.
As quickly as she could manage, she turned around and began to move away from him—but all she could physically manage was a painful hobble of about two steps.
However, it was all she could do in order to keep her sanity and not lose herself to the moment he had created between them. Her glass face would betray her if she looked into his all-seeing eyes. He would certainly be able to read all the need and want in her own eyes and face.
And, if he pushed it, she would break every rule and reveal everything to him.
His strong arms were suddenly there to stop her from moving another inch away from him. They encircled her upper body and prevented her from taking another step away. His quiet strength engulfed her from behind and held her tightly against his chest. And she suddenly forgot how to breath.
His breath was hot against the side of her face. "I've upset you." He whispered against her ear.
She was melting in his arms. And yet, somehow, her voice stayed calm. "No. No, I'm alright." She said softly. Her words lingered heavy in the air. Neither of them spoke for a few seconds. Chat Noir just held her gently.
This impossibly strong and tough woman, he held her now like she was made of glass.
Chat Noir drew in a breath and exhaled like he sounded tired. But really, he was just having a hard time admitting to the truth about himself. "You're right about me though." He finally spoke up. "I have lived a life of luxury. I was born into a wealthy family. But, trust me when I say, I'm not at all disappointed in you. No matter who you are or where you come from."
She reached up and gripped his muscular forearms that encircled around her chest. Giving him her own version of a shy hug in their current backwards position.
Chat relaxed a bit. His chest faintly hummed at the sensation of her touch and her body pressed so intimately against his.
"I'm glad we are so different." She said quietly.
"Why is that?" he asked delicatly.
"Because it makes us a good team." She told him honestly.
He smiled dully, even though she couldn't see it. It was true, but not as true as it could be.
He tilted his head and leaned in, letting his lips hover just above her neck. "Is that all it makes us?" he whispered slowly against the bare flesh of her neck.
Ladybug shivered and she knew he felt it.
There was no denying that her body had reacted to him almost instantly with every smooth word that he spoke across her skin.
She leaned back against his solid chest. The feeling of the front of his unyielding body pressed so tightly against her shoulders and back. She let him hold her and relished in the sensation of it all.
His arms unraveled to allow her small movement. He was certain she could feel his pounding heartbeat as it echoed in his ears.
She let her body relax, and a breathy sigh escaped her lips. Nothing could touch her now. The world and all of its horrors were gone while she was in his arms. The battle lost was far away.
Her shoulders dropped and her head fell back against his shoulder. Her eyes cast skyward as if in a delightful trance.
Her long, delicate neck filled his vision, so memorable to him ever since the gown she wore during that blissful night not so long ago.
It seemed a shame not to trace his clawed fingers down the creamy, white flesh on display before him. So that is exactly what he did.
Ladybug audibly gasped as his claws slowly grazed the side of her neck. Breathtakingly slow and gentle like the touch of a feather. He started at her collarbone, up the side of her throat, to finally skim along her chin. She closed her eyes and arched her neck against the feeling.
Breathlessly, her senses abandoned all of their defenses. She was boneless to his sensual touch.
She had seen the power he wielded with those sharp claws. The destructive magic was devastating. And yet, the fact that he could also be so tender sent butterflies fluttering wildly in her belly. His touch sent sensations coursing through her body. Responses that she was unaccustomed to having so raw in her mind.
It drew gasps and noises from her lips that she never heard herself say before. Her body shivered uncontrollably.
Chat Noir hadn't let go of her chin. He attempted to turn her face upwards. He nearly lost his nerve when she actually let him manipulate her chin and neck at the odd angle but still upwards.
And, ever so slowly, closer to his own face.
The side of her face came into view: her masked cheek, nose and eyes, and most importantly—her half parted lips.
He leaned over her and gently pulled her mouth to his. He was ready to pour all of his love and adoration for her into that kiss. His heart was hers.
He could feel her panting breath against his lips.
However, her neck stiffened in his fingers. She resisted the last few centimeters and pulled her face out of his grasp.
He opened eyes he hadn't remembered closing, to watch her turn her head away. She took a step forward and he let his arms fall away so she could pull away.
The moment was gone.
Ladybug covered her mouth with one hand and stumbled forward. She was having a hard time registering what had just happened.
He had, in fact, without a doubt, just tried to kiss her. And nothing in her rational mind had wanted him to stop.
So, why did she stop him? Why?
Chat Noir felt his heart sink as she moved away and stood with her back to him now.
"I-I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I-I didn't…" he called to her.
She slowly turned around and looked at him. Seeing her full face now, and the wild emotion streaked across it, Chat Noir felt like he had lost her forever.
That was far from the truth.
In her mind, she had not ever considered Chat Noir as anything but her flirty partner. Had she been blind this whole time to his feelings for her?
This almost kiss had opened the door wide in her mind. Her ears were ringing like bells to the wake-up call of her own feelings.
Why not him? Who was she holding out for? The Prince? Yeah right, that was never happening. Absolutely never. In some fantasy world made up within her own mind. Besides, she had already mentally prepared herself to forget all about him.
But with Chat Noir? With him?
Yes. Him.
Oh, the sheer thought of it made her weak.
Yes, there was something there now. Definitely something that wasn't there before. Something born out of their friendship, partnership, trust and loyalty. And even shared pain.
Who was the man behind the Chat Noir mask that made her heart suddenly sing out?
She was Marinette now. Bumbling and stammering because of the way her heart was pining for him. "N-No. Chat. P-Please. I-I'm so sorry. I-I…"
Her words were lost to his mind's translation. All he heard was No. No. No and more no. She was rejecting him. He had his answer.
"It's okay. You don't have to say anything more. I understand, m'Lady." His words were brave sounding.
She was at such a loss for words. She watched him physically deflate and begin to sulk.
Her own rattled thoughts unable to form the words she needed to say. "Chat, it's just, you're my partner… And I-I… I never would have thought…"
He didn't let her finish. His brain shut down to hearing anything further. "I understand. You don't have to explain it. I'm just a fool, Ladybug. This won't change anything between us. I just… I just need a minute…"
He turned away from her and in an impossible burst of speed, leapt away. He ran from her like a coward. No wonder she had rejected him.
Ladybug called after him desperately, but he couldn't hear her over the shattering of his own heart.
Author's Note: My sincerest apologies for the delay on this chapter. A lot of personal events have kept me occupied. However, I should be posting on this more regularly. Anyways, I do hope you all enjoyed-even though it was a bit of a sad chapter. Please review if you still love me ;)