"I think it will help, Bugaboo," Cat said, as he stroked Ladybug's hair after another nightmare. Cat hated seeing her like this, her confidence shaken. "Right now, I'll try anything," Ladybug said. She sat up, pulling the almost empty Miraculous box towards her, taking out the Rabbit Miraculous. Cat knew they would have to be careful as time travel was always dangerous, but he wanted to see his lady smile again, and the shadows under her eyes to disappear. "I'm ready whenever you are, Kitty," Ladybug said.
"All right, love. Plagg, Fluff, unify!" A flash of light and a transformation later, Cat found himself looking in the mirror at his long ears. Ladybug giggled. "Remind me to use this for Easter," she grinned. "Why, of course, My Lady. I even have a fluffy bunny tail." Taking Ladybug's hand, he led her into the burrow. "What are you going to show me anyway?" Ladybug said, as she looked around. "Our memories," Cat said, simply and walked over to one of the small screens. Finding that day of the first day of school, he gestured to Ladybug. "Ladies first," he said, giving her a little bow.
"Did you put chewing gum on my seat?" Ladybug watched herself as Marinette as she talked to Adrien. She winced and leaned over to Cat. "Why am I reliving this? I don't like it when we fight." "Its all part of the memories, love." "I didn't put chewing gum on your seat," Adrien said. Marinette stomped to her seat, and Adrien sat down at his, disappointed. There was something special about this girl, but the opppurinty had been missed at least for now.
They jumped out of the burrow, and Cat moved time to later in the day as the school day finished. Jumping back in, Ladybug tipped her head up to the cool rain, knowing that watching this sence play out would heat her cheeks.
Cat watched as Marinette and Adrien stood on the school steps, and Adrien turned to her. "I've never been to school before, never had any friends. Its all very new to me," he said. The rain picked up and Ladybug felt a wet tear trickle down her face as Adrien held the umbrella over her. Even though they had argued, he still was looking out for her. The thunder rumbled above them, and Cat gently touched Ladybug's arm. "Time to go, love."
Ladybug was quiet as Cat sifted through more memories. There was action in this next one, where she had just saved Chole from falling the Effiel Tower. But her confidence had wavered then, and she told herself she couldn't do it. Then Cat placed his arms on her shoulders. "She wouldn't be here if it weren't for us. You got this, okay?" Even back then, it was Cat who restored her confidence when it was shaky. He was always there to guide her and be by her side.
Cat pulled out different memories, and Ladybug watched quietly. Finally, Cat said they had to leave the burrow and they were soon back in their small aparment.
It was the middle of the night, and the two crawled back in bed. Cat pulled her close, and she leaned against his chest, listening to his gentle heartbeat. "What did those memories have in common, Ladybug?" he asked, in his soft perfect voice. "Well, we were together for all of them," she begin, chewing on her lip.
"Even if your confidence wavered, you always came through with a plan. Even if your confidence level isn't at a hundred percent at the moment, you still come up with a plan." Ladybug nodded, slowly. Cat was right. She was creative and clever. "I've defeated villans from A-Z and used the most common household obejects." "You even defeated me as Cat Blanc," he whispered. "I like to think of that as saving you," she told him. She played with Cat's fingers as she spoke. "Even when your were Cat Blanc, I never stopped loving you and I was determined to find a way to save you."
"Did you?" Ladybug looked up at her partner. "Were you falling for me before the events of Cat Blanc?" he looked into her eyes. "I-I don't know. Some of the memories are slightly fuzzy and are as sharp and clear as if they happened yesterday. But it doesn't matter now, since were together."
"Why did you show me when I saw you out in the rain?" Ladybug asked. It was one of her favorite memories, but they hadn't known each other identies yet, and there had been no danger there.
"Because," Cat told her. "It was the first moment I felt like I had a friend. You were special to me the moment I met you, Marinette." "Yeah, but I was so rude to you at first, and I wouldn't even talk to you!" She groaned, burying her face in Cat's chest, and he laughed softly. "But you forgave me in the end didn't you?" "Yeah, your really good looking you know!" they giggled togetehr. Cat touched his lips to hers. "You'll get through this, and we all have these moments."
"Thank you for showing me, Cat Noir. Thanks for being my loyal partner, always by my side." He had always been her best friend, and they always had fun together.
"Now, its late and we should get some sleep," Cat told her, kissing her forehead. They dropped their transformations and Adrien clicked off the light. Ladybug giggled in the darkness, and Cat's heart sang to hear it again. "Do you remember when Alya called the Dark Owl and was Cardboard Girl?" Cat laughed out loud, thinking of the memory. "The most fun is when I'm with you, My Lady." With his night vision it was easy for Cat to find her lips in the darkness.
Ladybug snuggled down, thinking. She was starting to feel better, just a bit lighter. Sure, things weren't perfect yet, but building up confidence takes time. She listening to her partner softly purring in sleep by her side.
"Thank you, Cat. You always know how to make me feel better. I love you." she didn't know if he heard her whispering into the darkness, but the words were true.