Chapter 2: The Balcony

'No, Cat Noir! We can't give him our Miraculous!' Ladybug shouted from within the metal box, which was still shrinking and pushing the pair closer together.

'We have no choice, Ladybug!' Cat Noir shouted back, the sound bouncing around the walls of the box.

'Please…' Ladybug pleaded.

'We give up! Let us out!' Cat Noir cried out.

'I can't believe we have no other choice…' Ladybug sobbed, faking emotion. But even as Cat Noir knew it was fake, hearing Ladybug so desperate pulled on his heart strings a little. But that thought vanished as a hole formed in the middle of the wall, and Metalman's hand appeared on the other side.

'No funny business!' he growled at them viciously. They both slunk back with feigned fear true to their act.

'Here,' Ladybug shuddered, releasing her yoyo to grip the villain's wrist, so Cat Noir could quickly reach out and snap the bangle that clung to his wrist.

'No!' Metalman screamed out with agony; Hawkmoths defeat official for yet another day.

After everything was reset, Ladybug and Cat Noir tore themselves away from one another, their transformations back to civilian form imminent.

LATER

It was a brisk night in Paris. A cool wind was blowing softly, relinquishing the sky of its clouds. Marinette gazed up at the stars dotting the inky sky, taking in the beauty of the city. After defeating Metalman that evening, Marinette needed some downtime. Meanwhile, Cat Noir stalked the railing on top of Marinette's building, wondering if he should interrupt. Even after being with Ladybug that evening, he was still preoccupied with thoughts of Marinette. He didn't mean to come visit Marinette, but while he was patrolling, he couldn't stop thinking about her. He took a step towards the balcony, intending on a stealthy landing right behind Marinette. But not everything goes to plan, so as his foot slipped suddenly, he came crashing down beside Marinette, his leg caught in the fence outlining the balcony.

Marinette jumped in surprise and then giggled, a slight blush forming on her cheeks. She lowered into a crouch, coming closer to Cat Noir.

'Are you ok, Cat Noir?' Marinette asked, the smile lingering on her face.

'Humph,' came the reply, muffled by the ground Cat Noir's face was currently pressed upon in defeat. This caused another adorable giggle to emerge from Marinette, causing Cat Noir to turn his face towards her and smile sweetly.

'Not my most graceful landing. It's just my pride that's hurt, Marinette,' he said with a wink. Since he was not making a move to get up, Marinette lay down on the cold cement next to him, still staring at the stars.

'Don't the stars look beautiful tonight?' she asked him, her voice filled with awe. Cat Noir turned his face to glance at Marinette, taking in the way the stars reflected in her eyes. Hastily looking away, he said, 'um, yeah. I guess.'

'Is something wrong, Cat Noir?' Marinette asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

'Me? No, nothing's wrong. I'm just lost in thought I guess,' he answered slowly, chewing on his lower lip.

'Thinking about Ladybug?' Marinette teased, unable to help herself.

'Always,' Cat Noir answered automatically, but catching himself, added quickly, 'but uh, other things too, I mean I have a life outside being Cat Noir, you know,' he finished quietly.

'Oh, I know,' Marinette said a little too enthusiastically. She turned her head to face him, holding her breath as she waited for his reaction. But he just turned to meet her eyes instead. The breath Marinette was holding stayed caught in her throat. Cat Noir's eyes glimmered in the dark, searching Marinette's. It felt like they stared into each other's eyes for an entire age, unspoken words passing between them from one to the other. But it ended all too soon when they looked away, and the moment passed. Marinette finally took a breath, welcoming the chill in the night air as it came into her lungs. Cat Noir saw this breath, and mistaking it for a feeling of cold, shuffled over so their shoulders were touching. Marinette tensed instinctively, blood rushing to her face.

'What are you doing here, Cat Noir?' Marinette finally asked.

'Hmm?' he asked in return, not paying attention.

'I mean, why are you here? You could star gaze on any roof in Paris,' Marinette asked again.

'I don't know to be honest. I just kept gravitating towards your roof while I was patrolling tonight, so I decided I may as well come and visit,' he answered honestly.

'Oh,' Marinette exhaled.

'But I should probably go,' he said, starting to fell uncomfortable in the silence. He sat up quite quickly, seeming eager to leave. 'Uh… thanks,' he muttered, before springing into the night.

Marinette watched him leave, more confused then ever. She touched her shoulder gently, remembering the secure feeling of lying next to Cat Noir. Coming to her senses, Marinette shook her head firmly and stood up to decline into her bedroom, but not before taking one last look at the space Cat Noir had occupied, or where he had disappeared into the night.