Chapter Seven: The Meetup
As the cool night breeze blew through her hair, Ladybug looked over the city she loved. When "Guardian'' had approached her about becoming a spy to protect Paris, she had jumped at the opportunity. She wanted to do whatever she could to protect her home. Marinette had grown up in this city and couldn't imagine living anywhere else.
Air rushed past her as she leaped across rooftops. The adrenaline kicked in, and Marinette felt a smile grow on her face. It had been some time since she had run around in the night. She couldn't do it as often now since she and Adrien were living together. It was a small price to pay, and Marinette wouldn't trade Adrien for anything in the world.
Chat Noir was back. Excitement washed over him as he landed on the rooftop. Adrien felt a sense of freedom wash over him. When he had still been living with his father, he would use patrols as an opportunity to escape. Even after his father was captured, Adrien still loved the feeling of the wind beating against his face as he raced against the night sky. He went on his nightly escapades less than usual since Marinette and he were living together. He didn't mind though. Being with the woman he loved was more important to him than anything else in the world.
After a few more minutes, the meeting spot was in sight. A feminine figure already stood on the roof. Although the night was dark, Adrien could see the red on her suit. He felt excitement grow in his chest as well as fear and doubt. He tried to focus on the positive and watched as the rooftop grew closer and closer.
When Chat Noir landed on the roof, Ladybug turned around to face him. "There you are," she said. "I was starting to worry and thought you were going to stand me up."
He grabbed her hand and kissed it while saying, "Forgive me for worrying you, Ladybug. It'll never happen again." Heat rose to her cheeks at the gesture. He was still the same sweet boy he was before. Although now he wasn't a boy. He was a man. A married man.
"Naughty, Chat. Flirting with another woman when you're already taken. Whatever will she think of you?"
"Don't worry. My loving wife knows how much of a gentleman I am. She won't mind as long as we keep it at a professional level," he said and gave her a wink. Ladybug giggled and felt herself falling back into the rhythm they had.
Back when they were still teenagers, there was always a lot of banter between the two of them. It varied from night to night, but sometimes, Ladybug had wanted it to be more than just friends joking around. Of course, that was before she met Adrien. Now, the banter was going to stay at a professional level since they were both married.
"So what's tonight's goal?" Chat asked.
Ladybug punched a code into her wristband. "Our only goal is to stake out the target. Just watch her for a few nights and see if we can pick up on a pattern in her nighttime routine. We should also try to figure out the layout of her apartment. If we do that then we can better search the premises."
"Sounds like a plan. Do we need to gather any intel on her?"
"Maybe something on friends and family. I would've liked to try to break into her apartment during the day, but I don't think I could come up with a very good excuse."
"Me neither. Nighttime it is. You ready?"
"Only if you are."
Chat chuckled. "Last one there, loses," he said as he started to bolt ahead of her.
"Hey, no fair!" Ladybug ran after a sense of deja vu washing over her. This was starting to feel like the good ol' days. Ladybug was glad to have her partner back.