"A stranger sees us the way we are, not as he wishes to think we are."

- Carlos Ruiz Zafón

He chews his lip when he's bored, she notices. Well, actually she noticed that 5 minutes ago but she is still studying his features, trying to work him out. As much as she knows him, she also knows that she knows nothing at all. Chat Noir has his own life after all, just like she has hers.

Maybe he's a bumbling airhead in real life, she thinks. Humour sparks through her as she imagines a red-faced, frighteningly shy Chat Noir, tripping over himself like she does on a regular basis. The idea is amusing but she doesn't think it's quite accurate. Maybe he's not exactly like her but still quiet, reserved. She struggles to keep a straight face. No, Chat Noir is definitely nothing except completely himself at all times. His personality is too big for anything otherwise. In fact, it's so gargantuan she truly thinks she would recognise him if they ever crossed paths as civilians. It would be impossible to miss all that swagger, not to mention the puns.

"Just take a picture bugaboo," His lips curl into a smirk, his eyes still looking straight ahead. "You've been staring for the last 10 minutes."

Her heart skips several beats and she fights the blush rising to her cheeks. "No I haven't." She snatches her head forward, hoping the indignation hides her embarrassment. Silly cat, he is supposed to be paying attention to Paris, not to her (she dismisses the hypocrisy quickly).

"Alright, your eyeballs have been focused on my face for the last 10 minutes." He focuses his gaze on her, his eyes sparkling with delight.

"I wasn't staring. I was thinking."

"About?"

"You,"

"So nothing out of the ordinary then." He says before she can elaborate. His grin is wide and she does her best not to roll her eyes. His ego really does not need the boost she has inadvertently given.

"Silly cat. I was thinking about your civilian form, what you're really like."

"This is what I'm really like." She struggles yet again to keep a straight face, his confusion is nothing short of laughable. Surely he's got more than a few brain cells rattling up in that pretty head of his.

"I know but-"

"My civilian life is nothing special, trust me. Being Chat Noir is the best thing I could ever ask for. If I could be him full-time, I wouldn't hesitate." He fiddles with his fingers, his black ring gleaning in the fading light. Despite the general lull of the city, a silence has developed between them, thick and heavy. "I wouldn't give it up for anything or anyone in the world," he shrugs, the rare glint of vulnerability in his eyes almost catching her off guard.

But not quite. She's been getting used to these moments, which have frequented as their friendship has grown deeper. It is jarring to see her kitty so forlorn: the slopes of his shoulders dropping, his eyes darkening with memories she does not share. It makes her feel weird inside and she has a sudden need to take all his sadness away, she needs his laughter.

Shaking off the sudden sombre mood, she throws a grin over her shoulder to where he sits, legs dangling over the rooftop. "Not even if i asked really nicely?" she teases. Sometimes she can't help but flirt with him. It isn't fair, she knows that, especially after he's made it very clear about his feelings. And she isn't the type of girl to lead a guy on.

But as he shoots his grin right back at her, there are butterflies in her stomach. There's probably some joke about moths and akumas to be made there but that's his job, not hers. She smiles and for a moment, in the dusk of her city, she loses herself in his laughter. That's her favourite thing about him, she thinks. It is pure magic, his happiness, and ridiculously contagious. He is Midas with a gold touch; everyone around him glows.

It is so easy to tease him, laugh with him, flirt with him. Too easy sometimes. She is in love with Adrien, she doesn't think that will ever change.

But in another universe, maybe. Maybe things would be different.

"Anything for you, m'lady," It's a joke, the humour in his voice is clear. Another one of his silly lines that she rolls her eyes at. But she knows there is some truth to his words. She knows he will do anything for her.

If anyone else had said that, it would scare her. The thought of another person going to extreme lengths to keep her safe and happy… it's frightening. But with him - she knows that she wouldn't hesitate to do the same. He is her bestfriend, her partner. The words don't seem to do them justice. He is everything to her, even if not in the exact way he would like.

They are a team. It is them against the world, the universe. And she doesn't think she'd give that up for anything either.

He is in love with Ladybug. So so in love. He is young, yes, and anyone else will tell him that it is nothing more than a childish crush. But he knows. He knows. He knows it in the lurch of his stomach whenever she laughs, the powerful urge to protect when she is in danger. He will give up anything for her happiness, even if that means she will forever love another boy. As much as it would break him, he would grin and bear it.

He loves her. Very much. So much it is almost embarrassing.

So why, he questions himself, is he on Marinette's terrace? Marinette, his friend, one of his best friends actually. She is kind and loyal and true and always helps him out when he needs it.

"Oh look, a stray cat." Her voice pierces through his befuddled mind as she climbs to where he perches on her railing.

He smirks and tilts his head. "Wanna adopt me?"

It is the roll of her eyes that answers his earlier question. He is here because when he is Chat Noir, she is magnified. All her sweet innocence is quadrupled and there's also this fierceness that he never witnesses as Adrien. She is still kind and loyal and true - but she is also funny and sassy and bold.

She wears confidence well.

"No thank you, I have enough to deal with."

"What do you have to deal with?" He gasps in mock-shock. "Is there another contender for my sweet maiden's hand? Who dares to steal my princess away from me?"

She laughs and nudges him playfully on the shoulder. "You're ridiculous."

"And you're beautiful." He takes her hand and kisses it lightly.

Sometimes it is too easy to flirt with her. It makes him feel guilty, although who knows why. It isn't like he owes Ladybug anything. In fact, it's probably good for him to look elsewhere. But he can't. He loves her too much.

Except, apparently, when it comes to Marinette. It is so easy to talk to her, to tease, to flirt. He adores her laugh, loves it even more when he is the cause.

It probably isn't fair of him. But, in his defence, she never takes him seriously.

"Try that line on another girl because it doesn't work on me." She snatches her hand back but he can see she's trying not to smile. A shame really because her smile is honey and he is craving a little sugar. "But seriously, why are you here Chat?"

"Can't a cat visit his princess every now and then?" His smile is hidden as he lowers himself down from the railing, bringing himself to stand next to her.

"Don't you have a life?" She questions back, laughter bright in her eyes.

"Me-owwch." Clutching his heart, he dutifully plays the role of wounded lover but when she throws him that look - he has to avert his gaze before his heart skips too many beats. She has his insides all twisted in knots and he's pretty impressed with himself for being able to maintain a conversation.

It's not as if he likes her, not like that. But he's addicted to her in a way he can't explain, to her sharp wit and intelligence and those eyes - he can't quite pinpoint their shade of blue; he swears he can see her very soul shining like light through a kaleidoscope.

Later, long after he has left Marinette to sleep and long after he gave up trying to, he stands by his window. Her eyes are probably his favourite thing about her, he thinks. It is a dangerous thought, one he pushes down quickly. Because he knows that as much as tries to excuse it, the line between friendship and, well, more is starting to blur.

He loves Ladybug. He finds peace in facts and he cradles that one every day. He loves Ladybug, he knows that. Knows it with every fibre of his being.

But he can't sleep tonight. Marinette is on his mind and suddenly, he can't even breathe. There are oceans in her gaze and oh god, is he drowning.

A/N : random drabbles, nothing of value tbh but hope you enjoyed! Might continue, might not. Stay tuned (& safe) 3