How I am supposed to get anything done with what happened last night, I have no idea.
My mind runs through every moment, every one of Adrien's smiles, each side glance we shared, on replay. The way I had fit so perfectly against him. Nothing had ever felt so right. It's as if we were two pieces of a puzzle that have been finally put together, if only for a moment.
I laugh to myself, just a friend, huh, Adrien?
I'm so lost in my own mind, I don't hear him approach.
"Well aren't you rather productive today?" Adrien teases, as he leans against the wall.
I jump, nearly falling out of my chair. I turn to see him staring at me with that smile of his.
"I don't see you doing anything productive either," I say, regaining my composure. I open my sketchbook, and grab a pencil.
"Ah, so you do pay attention to me," His smile turns into a smirk and I feel heat flood my cheeks.
"I-no-I mean-" I stammer, my mind struggling to put words together.
He just gives a soft laugh, "I'm just teasing, Marinette."
I give a nervous laugh, and let out a breath. More and more lately I've seen a different side to Adrien. One that is light, and teasing, one that reminds me all too much of my Kitty.
Adrien's eyes go soft and he seems to hesitate before he opens his mouth, "Marinette-"
"Adrien! We need you for the photoshoot!" An emotion I can't place flashes across Adrien's eyes before he turns and walks away. Disappointment settles in my stomach, and curiosity as to what he was about to say. Sighing, I turn back to my desk, and try to get some work done.
I have never been so glad to see an akuma victim. I walk as casually as I can to the nearest bathroom and transform once it's clear. Seconds later, I am jumping out the window, the fresh air a relief to my still burning cheeks.
I follow the victim, observing, and wait crouched on a building's edge. As I watch, things pop out at me, like how the akuma is most likely in her bracelet, which is where the fire she wields spews from.
Chat Noir comes up beside me, a minute or so later.
"Who do we get the pleasure of defeating today, M'lady?" He says, a smug smile on his face.
I explain the situation to him and he laughs, "He really expects to defeat us with fire? Hawk Moth has once again underestimated the power of Chat Noir and Lad- I mean Ladybug and Chat Noir, how could I forget M'lady?"
I glance to him besides me, "Wow, look who's finally learning," I say, flicking his bell.
He leans closer, "I try my best."
The corners of my lips lift, and I stare into his green eyes only a moment more before I pounce from the roof.
Adrien/Chat Noir POV:
The fight was rather disappointing if you ask me. I mean, to be given such a power as fire, you would think she would have lasted a little longer, but then again, you are going up against Ladybug's wits and quick thinking. Honestly though, no one can compete with her.
"Bye-bye little butterfly," Ladybug says as she waves to it as it flies away. How she can be so cute saying the same phrase over and over again, I'll never understand. I could never get tired of hearing her voice.
"So M'lady," I say, striding over to her and grabbing her hand before she can pull it away. I spin her around, like in a dance, "What would you say to a candlelight dinner?" I pull her back in towards me and wrap an arm around her waist, before letting her fall deeper into my arms as she nears the floor of the roof, "I'll make it purrfect."
For a moment she looks at me with those blue eyes, the dimming sunlight reflects back at me. Her mouth opens, but no words come out, as if she's still searching for them. Then that confidence that I love comes back, "Still trying that, aren't you, Kitty," she gives me a look, but I catch the smile she's fighting to keep off her lips. To my delight, she doesn't fight to get out of my arms.
"I'd try anything for you." I wink at her, and she rolls her eyes. My heart pounds in my chest, all reason escapes me.
Ladybug's earring beeps and the moment breaks, I pull her back up to stand, before she can tell me to herself. I don't let go of her just yet though. I can't even remember the last time she let me be so close.
Finally, she steps away, and no matter my growing feelings for Marinette, I can't stop that familiar ache sets in at Ladybug's distance.
"My feelings haven't changed Chat Noir, you know that," she says, but this time, she doesn't sound as certain. Foolish hope flares in my chest.
My ring beeps; only a few minutes left. I know I should leave, but…she's still here, she hasn't run just yet.
Her earrings beep once again, and she puts a hand to them. She looks at me, with an expression I've never seen her direct at me before. Her shoulders are drooped, she looks troubled. Then her eyes go wide as they land on something behind me.
"Chat, lookout!" She yells, shoving me and we fall to the ground, one over the other.
When we stop tumbling, I look up, and confusion narrows my brow, "Another akumatized victim? Already?" We quickly get to our feet.
"It might be a way to catch us off guard," Ladybug says, dodging another shot from the akuma victim, who appears to be a cross between Stonebreaker, and Gorizilla, with the addition of a gigantic slingshot, and a sling full of boulders ready to be fired.
People scream from below on the streets, and buildings have started to crumble from the impact of the boulders crashing into them, "We have to lead it away from the streets!" Ladybug yells across to me.
My ring beeps, we only have two minutes-if that.
Another boulder comes flying in our direction and we take off running, leaping from building to building. Stoneshot comes barreling after us, faster than any other victim before.
"There!" Ladybug yells, pointing to an empty warehouse. She flies through the window, me hot on her tail. She scans the room, before sprinting to the only closet in the warehouse. My ring beeps frantically as I reach the closet and slam the door shut behind us.
"Close your eyes!" Her voice is panicked and breathless. I do as she says. My transformation falls away, and I reach into my pocket to take out some cheese and offer it to Plagg.
My back presses against the wall, and I struggle to regain my breath, the tight space not helping. Ladybug's figure presses against me, and I feel too hot, my skin too tight.
"You okay?" She manages to get out, her breath is warm against my skin. I will myself to keep my eyes shut.
"I don't do well in tight spaces," I say, trying to keep my voice light, but I feel as though the walls are caving in. She reaches up and gently runs her hands through my hair. I take a deep breath, falling into her embrace.
"Everything's going t-," A loud thud shakes the whole building, and Ladybug shudders. I feel something gently bounce off my head from above.
"Tikki, Plagg, you ready?" She asks, her voice anxious. Below us, even the floor seems to tremble.
"Hang on, we're eating as fast as we can," comes Plagg's voice.
Something bounces off my shoulder and I tilt my head up and open my eyes, keeping Ladybug out of my sight. There's a crack in the celing. My chest constricts.
"Ladybug, the ceiling is going to come down any second now," I say, fear entering my voice.
"Tikki?!" Ladybug asks again, I've never heard her voice sound so nervous. I hate the sound of fear shaking her voice.
Another loud shudder, and then the ceiling is crumbling, "Ladybug!" I scream, twisting my body around hers, shielding her from the debris. We go crashing to the floor, the walls and ceiling falling with us. Debris breaking against my skin. Pain explodes in my head, my skin tears open in several different places. I grit my teeth, wincing.
"Chat Noir!" Ladybug's voice sounds distant. My head pounds. I catch a glimpse of blue hair...but no red and black. I suddenly remember I'm supposed to have my eyes shut, but I can't look away. For the girl I hold to my chest, the girl I have sacrificed myself for countless times, the girl I am head over heels in love with, is Marinette.