Yes, it's taking long for the reveal.

There's 31 prompts covering LadyNoir July. I'm not going to do the reveal on the 5 first chapters... It's a slow burn. I'm a writer.. I like to keep building up the tension. This isn't satisfying for me to mess 31 prompts just to have an early reveal. You'll have to wait a little bit more. (not a lot though). Besides, the story is updated everyday...


CHAPTER 18: Istanbul by night

[PROMPT: Midnight rendezvous]

Chat Noir followed his partner through the restless night. He had thought Paris was pretty alive at night, but it was nothing compared to Istanbul. Well, rather to Eminönü, the heart of the walled city of Constantinople, the center of an incredibly rich historical site. Indeed, Eminönü was located at the place where the Byzantine capital was once built.

The place was something really exotic even though it was the city center. Plus, the hustle and bustle of tourists feasting in the streets and the typical Turkish music coming from the small night markets added a truly festive atmosphere. Although, there was a noise around them which was even more thrilling and overpowered the others, completely captivating the feline in a mesmerizing way; the persistent back and forth of the waves crashing against the breakwater.

Chat Noir's run came to a stop behind his Lady just atop of the famous Blue Mosque. His eyes fell shut as he took a sharp inhale of the peculiar smell of iodine before he looked below again. From up there, he had a breathtaking view of the Marmara Sea generously bathing the port of the Golden Horn. Several fishing boats were moored there, all illuminated by shimmering, multicolored lights. Yellow, blue, green, pink and orange hues were reflected in the water, dancing to the rhythm of the waves like fireworks would do in the sky.

"C'mon," Ladybug spurred him, tugging on his tail as she motioned toward his coveted lust. "Let's get closer; we're here for that."

"Can we?"

"Do you really think I brought you here to take you to the evening prayer, Minou?" She raised a brow.

Well she was just atop of the Mosque… but if it was not… this meant…

"You actually planned to come to the seaside tonight?" A gasp punctuated his question as his eyes widened.

"Maybe." Ladybug shrugged. "Do you like fish 'n' dips?"

He was torn between a genuine, but perhaps too straightforward 'Is that a date, M'Lady?' and a random, sarcastic 'Of course, I'm a cat after all.' Ponderinghis choice, he finally went for the second one.

Twenty minutes later, he found himself sneaking onto a fishing boat with his Lady, both hands full of cones of fried fish and dipping sauces.

"I haven't eaten these in a while, and I haven't seen the sea in a decade," said Chat Noir whilst absent-mindedly running his clawed fingers through the water. "I used to often go to the sea with my parents when I was a kid and my mother was still… here. She liked the French Riviera a lot. She always took me out to eat fish 'n' chips or fried mussels in secret." He chuckled, although the noise was throaty and faltered a bit. "I wish I could touch the sea just like when I was with her."

"Do it." The words fell from Ladybug's lips before he could even bat an eyelash after laying down what he thought was simple wishful thinking.

His gaze shot up to her, his disbelief definitely not matching the confidence in her eyes.

"What?"

"Do it," she repeated, the impetus palpable in her voice. "I won't peek."

Chat blinked, and blinked… and blinked again. Did she suggest what he thought she had just suggested?

"Are you sure you're okay with this, M'Lady?"

"As long as you don't get your hand eaten by a shark, I'm all good with that," she confirmed, closing her eyes and turning her back to him.

How was she supposed to say no to him when she could distinctly hear the childlike hope filling his voice? This place brought back fond memories to him; memories of a lost and beloved mother, and she could never forgive herself for depriving him of that just because she was stubborn about the rules. She knew she had to eventually let go. Just like he did tonight when opening up to her about his childhood memories with his mother.

But until she finally did, he was the one in charge of the 'take a chill pill' department.

"There's no shark here, Bug. I'll be fine," he chuckled before she heard him whispering the words of his detransformation.

Straight after that, she heard a big 'splash' and felt water fall on her face. She didn't think twice before abruptly spinning around and opening her eyes to look at the spot next to her. An empty spot, except for the unexpected glimpse of a pair of jeans and a white cloth she caught, before quickly bringing her hands in front of her face.

"Chat Noir! What the hell did you do!"

"It was too tempting! The water is so nice."

She could perfectly make out the sound of him swimming and stirring the water around his gorgeous body. The most authentic version of Chat Noir was just there, untransformed, vulnerable, half clothed, and she could swear the urge to open her eyes was very hard to ignore. Not to tempt the devil, she turned her back to him again as she let him enjoy some well-deserved freedom.

"Does it feel good?"

"So good…" Chat cooed. "Actually, you should come and see it for yourself."

"You know I can't do that."

"Is that the little trust you've got in me? I won't peek either, M'Lady."

"Of course I trust you, Chaton! I just meant that I'll end up drifting away from the shore or drowning if I can't look." She did some weird gestures with her hands, waving approximately in his direction. "Out of the suit, I'm just madly clumsy."

"I won't let that happen," he whispered, his tone soft. "Here, I'm close to the boat. I can help you get into the water," he suggested, his voice sounding closer, indeed.

She felt his hands wrap around her ankles, holding her gently, and at that very moment, she just wanted to send all the alarms ringing in her head to hell.

She did send them to hell.

"Close your eyes too."

"It's done," he whispered, his voice abnormally subdued. His hold on her ankles tightened.

Ladybug took a deep breath, her heart pounding so madly that it made the task difficult. Before chickening out, she breathed out and whispered in a shaking voice, "spots off."

Bare hands skimmed bare flesh and she shuddered, shivers running straight along her spine. She heard Chat's breath hitching, and she knew he was equally surprised by the touch. The sensation was new, yet it wasn't the first time she had skin-to-skin contact with him. She had once touched Chat Noir's bare hand. She'd even kissed him on the lips in the heat of an akuma battle. Still, this time, it felt completely insane. So insane that she couldn't even describe the feeling and what it deep down did to her.

Her fingers fisted the hem of her dress while her partner's hands moved a little, slowly, cautiously. They found her bare calves, stopping there as he gulped.

"Hm, sorry. I… uh… Can I help you…uh… get down?"

"Uh… Y-yes… just… wait a minute," she stuttered, her hands pulling on her dress, passing it over her head to get rid of it. She then leaned in slowly, grabbing ahold of his shoulders—broad, large shoulders. "I'm r-ready."

Gosh, this was a complete lie. She was not ready at all, and was still dealing with a whirlwind of sensations and emotions.