Disclaimer: I own nothing.

v.
le contact humain

Ils s'entendent bien.

Chat Noir was kind of precious, Marinette decided. When he wasn't constantly flirting—which she admitted, was sometimes endearing in its own right—the cat had an admirable sense of humor in the face of adversity, embarrassment, and especially pain.

She wondered why it took her so long to realize this.

Maybe without the presence of her mask, he acted more like himself. And naturally, so did she.

"When do you have to leave?"

"I have to be home by morning. I'm supposed to be at school. It'll be red flags if I don't show up for my ride." He appeared a bit flustered, "Though, I suppose we're both going to be tired for school tomorrow. I am sorry about that, Princess."

"I have about…" A glance at the clock in her room, and she wrinkled her nose, "Six more hours before I need to be up." Not too bad. Some nightly patrols as Ladybug had the girl arriving home so late that she'd be shamelessly asleep in class the next day.

With a dismissive wave of the hand, she crawled up onto the covers on the opposite end, crossing her legs and slouching her shoulders lazily. Fingers shifted to tame her ruffled fringe as she sincerely assured him, "But, it's not a big deal."

Marinette had completely disregarded the implications of a boy in her bed. This was Chat Noir, after all, and she was comfortable in his company.

And Chat Noir was also finding it nice to talk to Marinette. It was always easier to relax, to be himself like this. Adrien had to be perfect. Adrien couldn't make mistakes. Chat Noir could. Chat Noir could make bad jokes, be the fool, look bad. It was freeing, but there were still some masks over his mask.

He had to be a reassurance for Ladybug and that meant acting consistent and not burdening her.

Chat Noir shifted over to give her room. He was too injured to care about being in the same bed as a girl. It's not as if anyone would know. "If you're sure," he said quietly. She seemed tired a lot. He didn't want to make it any harder for her.

A pause and her voice dropped. "You, on the other hand… Will you even be able to go to school? Maybe—maybe you should skip? Until you're healed and feeling better, non—?"

The question was inevitable. He frowned and shook his head. "I don't let myself miss school unless it's absolutely necessary. It would be out of character for me unless I could convince them I was really down for the count." He shrugged. "I can manage. I just have to be careful."

Marinette seemed unconvinced, concern etched clearly across her features. "Doesn't this count as necessary?"

"Can't walk straight is necessary," Chat Noir responded. Usually of his own choice. He had to be that bad to skip work, but he knows he could get off school for less. Except, he never wanted to—school was noise and life and people.

Nino knew he liked school better than home. Even his father knew he loved public school. Being late or skipping would get the type of attention he really didn't want. He had no excuse for it.

She wasn't trying to dissuade him from his responsibilities, but she wanted the other to be alright... and while Marinette knew nothing about his family life or even what school he attended, she couldn't help but add, "What if someone notices that you're hurting?"

"I still take those training classes. I get a lot of one on one time with the teacher, so I can usually brush off my bruises from that. As long as I just act like it's a bad bruise, I should be able to avoid any problems. The only one who'd be tricky is my best friend; he'll catch me by surprise sometimes with physical affection." He could usually see Chloé coming more often than Nino, anyway.

At this, the girl grew silent for a long moment. She drew her legs to her chest again, propping her chin on her knees and brooding a little. "I… can't speak for Ladybug, but—" She was cutting it pretty close here but she didn't care, "—I think she'd want you to take it easy, too."

Chat Noir took a deep breath, letting it out.

"I know," he muttered. "My Lady is extremely kind and I know she worries about me." He could still remember how intense she had been about stopping Chrono Girl—how his life depended on it had terrible implications with time travel. "But, I only have so much freedom under the mask. If I'm perfect with everything else, then transgressions caused by the mask are ignored. I don't… like risking other things. I can deal with an injury."

He was frowning at the ceiling. His father was always looking for an excuse to take him out of public school. He didn't want to push his luck.

Little by little, she was given more clues about Chat Noir's real life. She wouldn't keep at it if this freedom was something important to him. "…I understand."

Really, she did. Marinette wasn't perfect with everything else, like him. The mask was an extension of her personality, another form in which she was more confident, bold. She could be of help, aid those in need, keep her loved ones safe… But she didn't favor her superhero life over her civilian one.

The frown that was settled on Chat Noir's lips nearly mirrored her own and Marinette was moved by the tense atmosphere, so used to seeing the playful and energetic side of her partner.

Without thinking, the girl had reached over to gently and brush her fingers through his hair, petting him much like the kitty cat he resembled.

"If you ever need something, euh. Feel free to stop by anytime."

It was kind of a lame offer, but she knew he wouldn't be telling anyone else about the stitches—probably not even Ladybug. She had to step up as Marinette and assure him that he wasn't as alone as his words made her feel he was.

He started as he felt the fingers in his hair, blinking at her. However, as the petting continued, he closed his eyes and leaned into the touch. Listened to the offer.

He had been talking too much.

Part of him felt guilty, felt like he took advantage. But it had been so long since someone had taken care of him and it was so nice and that coupled with his exhaustion… it was difficult to keep his guard up. He wanted to let all the things slip which he usually kept wrapped up tight. For all that Plagg was dear to him, emotions were far from his strong suit. It was nice to have this tenderness.

He knew he couldn't tell Ladybug what happened. She'd feel guilty and he didn't dare risk her thinking he couldn't handle himself.

"It's a very sweet offer, Princess. I feel I should apologize. I suppose the stress has caught up tonight."

Neither a rejection nor an acceptance. It was a good middle ground.

She shook her head, denying the apology. There was no reason for him to feel bad for this. Marinette had made it obvious enough that she was more worried for his safety than losing a couple hours of sleep before school. "Like I said. It's not a problem, chaton."

Slim fingers continued to gently stroke through the soft strands and Chat Noir leaned further for her hand. It felt nice. It felt really nice. He couldn't help but purr softly, relaxing under her touch, compelled to speak some more, "This isn't… something I find easy to talk about. It was bound to happen at some point. My Lady prefers to keep things professional and, honestly, her presence makes it easy to forget anything unpleasant."

It was so easy to be happy around her. The moments of heartache were mere blips compared to the light she brought to his life.

"And I wouldn't want to burden her. She has the more difficult job, I'm just the support. With other options limited, I shouldn't be surprised it boiled over."

"E—eeh?" It upset her, the admissions Chat Noir was making. While she was aware of the other's adoration of Ladybug, she had no idea that he felt… like that, like something of a sidekick, inadequate at handling disturbances in the city alone. She awkwardly raised her free hand to rub her cheek, gaze flickering to the side.

"You shouldn't think like that."

Once the suffocating sensation in her chest had scattered into something much calmer, she released a deep sigh. "She wouldn't be burdened. I'm sure she thinks just as highly of you and your wellbeing, so you can be more honest..."

He opened an eye, studying Marinette. She really was distressed. Because he thought like that? Did it sound so bad? He'd… never had a problem with it, he was happy to just be beside her. "I know she thinks highly of me. For all she thinks I'm a silly kitten, she wouldn't trust me so if she didn't think I was capable. And, of course, she cares," he chuckled. He wanted to make sure she always did and that her trust wasn't unwarranted.

"Hm," the bluenette lowered her gaze. Still, putting it that way… "I get it, but even if she's the one purifying the Akuma, both of you work hard to get that far. Um, from what everyone can tell! Say, Chat Noir, how many times have you saved her life? And vice versa?" A sheepish smile was offered to the superhero. "You're not the support. You're a team."

"Ah, I'm not talking down about myself!" he quickly assured her, amused, and the girl blushed again. "But, it's a matter of perspective. Have you ever noticed how much more popular Ladybug is? It's for good reason. Between the two of us, Paris needs her. If I was lost, Paris could still be saved because she's there."

There were days he did wonder if she would be better on her own. If he was just in the way.

His hand draped over his middle. He could still feel the wound's ache.

He closed his eyes as Marinette released a frustrated sigh.

"The difference is that Paris needs her. But, she needs me." Right? Because if there was one thing this wound reminded him of, is the fact they were still human. That was something he couldn't afford to forget. Not for his sake, but hers.

Ladybug could do the job alone if she had to, but she was human, and she would just have to make one mistake. Just one and it'd be over. He needed to think of that. He needed to see that she needed protection, too. "She saves the victims and the city. I make sure she can do that."

"But, you…" Maybe it was true, but Ladybug had never taken the time to think about the fame, the popularity that came with being a superheroine. She was so used to Chat Noir's presence that to fight without him just felt strange and out of the ordinary.

Not that she was unable to handle the situation herself, but, working together was easier and his protection, his help was always welcomed.

She supposed Chat Noir had a point. He called her caring, and yet she had done nothing to compare. "You're... so selfless." He was more than just a catalyst, he was someone she needed even if she hadn't thought to admit it before. "Ladybug is really lucky to have you as her partner."

"Well, I love this city." Chat Noir smiled at her as she spoke, voice soft, fond. It was a beautiful city. Full of life, and when he was allowed to experience it without schedules and timetables, he enjoyed seeing how people live their lives.

"And I love her. It's only natural to want to protect what I love."

Oh, right

Love.

Before she could respond, a voice snapped them both out of the conversation.

"Marinette?"