Guest Reviews

Guest: She really does have a lot to learn. But I really do believe that she is a quick learner and will succeed in whatever she tries to do.

(:)

I don't know if I already have, and if I haven't, I apologize again, but I realize I was extremely rude in a few past author notes, and to a lot of my readers in PMs. I'm very sorry; I was going through a hard time then and was getting stressed way to easily. I know that doesn't really excuse my behavior, and I feel ashamed for how I acted. I'm sorry.

(:)

ATP will be going on a Hiatus in two weeks! Next time I update will be the last time for a while! Sorry for the trouble! I will be updating info on this progress on my profile!

(:)

Love Someone

-Lukas Graham

"How ya doing?" Aspik inquired, snuggling his face into his girlfriend's soft, soft hair.

"Mmm…" Was all Ladybug said, adjusting her position so that her shoulder wasn't squeezed against his chest.

"Never a good answer." Aspik joked, fingers brushing through her locks, in a calm, comforting manner like he used to occasionally do as Chat Noir.

"Mhmm…?" Ladybug hummed, arching an eyebrow skeptically. "Is it?"

"For you it is." He smiled faintly, allowing himself to come as close to a purr as he could without revealing his identity. "I may or may not know my girlfriend more then I let on."

"Creepy stalker boyfriend?" She guessed.

"Creepy stalker boyfriend." He confirmed, even though he had never spent even a second in his life stalking her. Hoarding picture of her, maybe, but most of them he had taken himself as Chat Noir with permission. (He could never allow her to see them, because she'd no doubt recognize some of them as her former partner's handiwork.) And rereading articles on the Ladyblog several times, but that usually was used to fill up the loneliness in his soul when he was alone; it was as close as he got to his Lady during those quiet moments.

In his lap, Ladybug laughed, not taking him seriously, which was a relief. "Suuure. You're too much of a sunshine child to be a stalker."

Aspik snorted with mirth, shaking his head. "Sounds like my girlfriend knows more about her boyfriend then she lets on."

Ladybug hysterically giggled, hiding her blushing face. "Maybe I do~! But you can't prove anything!"

There's the Bugaboo I know and love. He thought happily, closing his eyes as he exhaled, shoulders losing any and all tension. "I'm teasing. I'm teasing."

She made a noise of acceptance, curling herself into a small ball so that she could be completely contained in his arms with little effort. He wrapped himself protectively around her, rubbing his cheek against the top of her head.

A comfortable silence drifted between them, the surrounding air peaceful and relaxing.

Aspik figured this was as good as a time to ask her. "So…" he hesitantly began, untangling one arm. "How've you been lately? After…your 'can't-talk-about-it problem'?"

Ladybug froze, shoulders regaining their tension. "Oh." She seemed to recall their last encounter, sinking into herself even more than before. "I-I don't know."

"I'm sorry." Aspik apologized, shoulders sinking. "I…uh…probably ruined the mood, didn't I?"

"O-oh! No, no!" Ladybug protested loudly, shaking her head. "No, no, you just….that's not what I meant at all, I swear!"

"I know, but I just feel like-"

"'Pix, calm down." She said quietly, pulling her arms out of the tight circled she had made around herself, reaching over to hug him tightly. "A relationship has to have honesty, and I'm…glad you asked or else I would have avoided it."

He paused, not certain of her logic. He hesitated for half a second, then nodded. "I'm here for you, if you want to talk. Or if you want me to do anything for you at all. That's what I'm here for."

The smallest smile ever graced Ladybug's lips, and she looked up at him thankfully. "I'm not sure if there's anything you can do. I…" she hesitated, shaking her head slowly. "I really miss Chat Noir; I think he's the only one I can really talk to about this without…I don't know. I think I might be…technically 'betraying' him because it took me so long to talk to him about things like this, and even though we're together, you and I…"

"It's okay. I understand." He comforted, finding that his heart beat a little faster as he realized that she wanted her reactions to the two of them to be fair. That she did not wish to favor Aspik just because they were together; if this was something it took months for her to talk Chat Noir about, then she would wait months until she spoke to Aspik about the same thing. It was so different form when she first enlisted Aspik, back during Desperada. Back when she ensured him that Chat Noir was not needed for anything, not needed to complete the mission.

"I want to talk to him. To Chat Noir." Ladybug whimpered, shaking her head. "But I have no idea where he is, and I don't know how to get him to come back, much less talk to him-"

"Hey." Aspik crooned, fingers curling around her protectively. " I think I have a solution. What if you use your yo-yo to text his baton? He might never see it until he transforms again, but it can serve as a kind of diary. You can 'talk' to him about anything, and just let it all out."

Ladybug paused, head tilting thoughtfully. "…well. Maybe. It sounds…"

"Weird? Edgy? Creepy?" He jokingly inquired, leaning against her. "Or just plain strange?"

She rewarded his weird adjectives with a small laugh. "The last one. I'm…I'm not sure if I should. Or can. I'm not exactly certain if-"

"It could also be a way to show that you're thinking of him and keeping him updated on how you're doing." Apsik interrupted, leaning forward eagerly. "If he's half the person he seemed like, I'm sure he's worried about you."

Wow. This was extremely weird, referring to himself in third person. He could only hope that Ladybug didn't notice if he accidentally let slip something only Chat Noir was supposed to know, especially if she began to text his other alter ego. Then, he was in serious trouble. (She could never know. She'd hate him for it.)

"I'm sure he would be. That he is." She shook her head, sighing quietly. "That's the problem. I don't…if I told him I was upset or something, he'd just feel guilty and I don't want that from him. As much as I want him back, it was his choice to leave, so it should be his decision to come back, and I shouldn't be the one to alter him."

"That's true." Aspik admitted, thankful for her thoughtfulness. "But you can certainly talk to him if you feel like it'd made you feel better. He'd probably agree with me."

"Oh, I know he would." Ladybug conceded, sighing. "But that's the problem. I just…" an odd expression crossed her face, and she shook her head. "I don't know anymore. And that's the problem."

"Need more time to yourself?"

She paused. "If you don't mind. I'm…I'm not going to go home, but I think I need to be by myself for a few minutes."

"I'll start patrol." Aspik decided, allowing her out of his lap. "And you catch up later?"

"That sounds good." Ladybug agreed, pushing herself to her feet as she scrambled away. "I'm sorry for ditching you. And not allowing you to help." She added, frowning uncertainly at her.

"I knew you wouldn't be able to tell me everything before I ever agreed to join." He assured her, smiling. "I know what I signed up for. I'm fine with it."

"Okay." She faintly smiled, watching him give her a quick little bow then leap away.

Ladybug watched him leap off in the direction of the Trocadero, disappearing into the distance. The last she saw of him was a dark outline rimmed by the light of the moon, shining brightly, before disappearing into the rest of night sky.

"Tikki. Spots off." Ladybug whispered, letting the familiar magic wash over her and leave clumsy Marinette in her place.

Tikki bolted from the twin earrings, her two halves joining together rapidly and forming the complete Kwami. She landed in her Chosen's outstretched hand, stretching. "Marinette, why here?" She inquired, referring to Marinette's choice of a detransformation area.

"I didn't want to go home right now, but I wanted to talk to you." Marinette admitted, with a small sigh, shaking her head gently as she handed Tikki a pastry. "I want a…third opinion, I guess. Aspik and I-"

"I heard." Tikki interrupted quietly, nodding, taking a large bit of her macaroon. "I'm…not sure, Marinette."

"I feel like I'd be betraying Aspik if I did. Like I'm talking to someone behind his back which should just be between us."

"He's the one who suggested it; I highly doubt he'd feel betrayed." Tikki pointed out, smiling. "It sounded like he really wanted you to."

"I know, but…" Marinette shook her head.

"If you really feel like it's wrong and betraying him, don't do it." The female Kwami shrugged. "If you want to, do it."

Marinette paused. "I…I want to talk to Chat Noir in any way I possibly can. I just didn't want to offend Aspik or hurt him."

"You won't." Tikki promised, a secret smile tugging at her lips. "You should go talk to – or text – Chat Noir, since it'll make you so happy."

"I will." Marinette agreed, nodding at Tikki quietly. "But…first, I think I promised Aspik a patrol."

"Say the words!" Tikki smiled, gobbling up the last of the cookie.

"Spots on!" The magic washed over Marinette again, this time in reverse, pulling Tikki into both earrings. She waited until the pink flash stopped, then leaped after her boyfriend into the night.