Milady

Having tried just about everything else to convince Ladybug his love is true, Chat goes all old-fashioned and puts pen to paper so he can put words behind his feelings.

Milady -

Can you believe we've been together now as partners for five years?

Five years ago - almost to the day that I am writing this - you fell out of the sky and quite literally entangled my heart with your yo-yo. Now before you stop reading this - having (incorrectly) assumed your kitty is once more flirting with you - pawse for a moment to consider your feline partner is five years older than the stray you rescued and now has the benefit of experience behind him.

No, Milady, that last line isn't hyperbole - whether you realize it or not, my life was something of a mess when we first met. You know some of it, purrhaps, for I've told you about as much as I can about my alter-ego without fully revealing who I am under this domino mask and those two cute feline ears you just can't seem to take your eyes off of (yes, I noticed). I thought I understood things like friendship, service, self-sacrifice… and love... but meeting you told me I didn't have a clue about any of that.

I admit it took me a while to grow into my whiskers as a hero. (I can see you rolling your beautiful blue eyes.) But I've had an outstanding role model, one who figured out how to get through to this fur brain of mine - and was patiently persistent. Enough that this kitty was able to gradually mature into something of a sophisticated feline. (Stop rolling your eyes.)

Seriously, though, the girl I met has become one of the most remarkable women I've ever known. Your compassion is unlimited, and your heart is big enough to cover the entirety of Paris (including one very smitten feline); despite all of the hardships we've endured while protecting this city we both love, I've rarely seen you down. Sure, there was a time or two when Hawkmoth had backed us into a corner, but even then, you never gave up, finding a way to beat back the worst of what our nemesis was capable of throwing at us.

You've changed a bit, too, over these years - it took some doing, but once you became comfortable sharing the load with me, I've seen you blossom as our team leader. I know it was a challenge to learn to lean on me that way, which is why I'd never been prouder than that day you finally let your hair down and confided in me just how grueling it had become after the Miracle Box landed in your lap. I've long told you I would always be there for you, Milady, but until that afternoon on the roof overlooking the Seine, I'm not sure you'd ever truly believed me.

Now you do.

It means more to me than anything that I'm your partner.

Your protector.

Your friend.

The one you can turn to after whatever battle we've been through and ask if I'd mind taking a quiet moment with you in the park to knock the edge off (always, Milady) or sharing one of those amazing ice cream cones from Andre so we can laugh away yet another near-death experience with the help of a ton of sugar and a little companionship. The black cat that tells corny jokes and puns his way through every akuma attack just to get a fleeting glimpse of that smile you try to hide from me - the one that warms my feline heart every time I see it.

I've done this superhero thing long enough now to understand why we can't reveal ourselves to each other; I get it. We both have loved ones we need to protect - kwami knows how easily Hawkmoth could hurt us with that information if he ever got it! I furrvently believe, though, it doesn't prevent me from honestly telling you how I feel about you. I don't often step away from the persona that admittedly irritates you to no end on occasion - you know as well as I do the unique freedom the mask provides - but everything I've put on this paper tonight is coming directly from my feline heart.

No filters.

Just the pure, unvarnished truth.

I have loved you from that moment we were bundled as one by your yo-yo and slowly swung upside down over the avenue, and it's only grown stronger with time. And if you'll allow me to be a bit bold, I think maybe… just maybe… I've managed to curl up inside the tiniest part of your heart. It's not much - not yet - but I also know you're not ready yet to let me completely in - not until this task we've been asked to do for Paris has come to a close. I can be patient - I am a cat, after all - and I will remain by your side, ever watchful, ever vigilant, waiting until we can truly be together.

The sound of your yo-yo on the wind tells me I have about three minutes before you join me for patrol; I'd better close now so I can sneak this into your hand later tonight. I don't expect a response - well, I wouldn't pass up a kiss, if you were willing - but like I said at the beginning, I just wanted you to know how much you meant to me. And how grateful I am to be a part of your life.

- CN

P.S. I hear Andre is on the Pont des Arts tonight…