Chapter 3: Alternate view

Adrien's own words to Chloe echoed in his mind. 'I want friends who are kind and caring'. The words formed into a mental image of his amazing, brave, kind and caring partner. Two arrondissements later, the image was cracking. Something was wrong with that picture. For years they have been together. For years he has loved her more than anything else, a love that grew as he got to know her better. As much as she let him. Why was it difficult to picture Ladybug as kind and caring?

The change in routine surprised Plagg enough to pry out what was bothering Adrien. A quick stop to a cheese shop put a stop to that. Adrien spent two hours meandering around town, then surprised his bodyguard with a call to fetch him from the other side of Paris. Even though 'I needed to go for a walk' was not a good excuse, the "Gorilla" agreed not to tell his father. He only cared that Adrien was safe.

The photo shoot was painful as usual, nothing he wasn't used to. He was back in his room when his phone alerted him to a Ladyblog update. Usually it meant an akuma attack. He felt terrible that he was happy there was an attack. He did not want anyone to get hurt, but a meeting with Ladybug should calm his restless soul.

Within minutes, Chat Noir was standing on a rooftop watching a very colorful person waving a paintbrush in the air. Wearing a black and white striped shirt, red pants and covered by a multicolored apron. Long hair, in all the colors of the rainbow, streaming down underneath the red painter's hat. Chat was taken aback as the building across the road turned into a canvas with people falling or turning into paintings of themselves. He prayed no-one was badly hurt and looked around for Ladybug. He needed her to save those poor, painted people.

For now, he was alone. He needs to distract this guy to minimize damage until Ladybug gets here. There is no better way for that than to fall into his 'hero' persona.

"I'll have you know, I've seen good art." Chat called out loudly to get his attention. "This isn't it. This more reminds me of the finger painting we did as kids."

That got the expected reaction. The painted akuma turned in his direction and bellowed:

"You mock me! You mock my work!"

A jet of silver liquid shot at Chat. With a quick twist of the baton, he knocked it aside and vaulted over to attack the akuma. The guy was quick and Chat's blows could not find his target. A sudden thrust and Chat stared at the brush fibers as they were about to connect with his face, only to see a Yo-Yo materialize and yank the brush away.

Ladybug!

Chat breathed a sigh of relief, knowing his partner was here to help and save him as usual. With a double backflip, he was standing next to his lady, giving her a warm smile. She was not looking at him, concentrating on the akuma.

"Thank you for the save, my Lady, I am happy you joined us."

"I see I got here just in time to save your whiskers," Chat ignored Ladybug's serious tone and took her words as light banter.

"My whiskers thank you greatly. They are twitching with excitement at your arrival."

"I'd rather you concentrate on the job at hand," Ladybug did not even roll her eyes. "We need to get that brush away from him."

After a few attacks, Ladybug gave him an order: "Chat, distract him."

The postbox proved an excellent distraction when thrown at the akuma's head, allowing Ladybug to make her move. Chat loved watching her in action, giving voice-over to her attack.

"Wonderful, we're painting by numbers. One, two, three and four, and five," sent the akuma through a fountain. Ladybug's fighting was better than ever. She showed no mercy.

"Wow, Bugaboo, that was paw-erful. Why do you even keep me around?"

"Not for your puns, that's for sure." Ladybug retorted. "It is useful having you around as distraction."

Chat was never sure if Ladybug liked his puns. She always rolled her eyes and made fun of him, but always with a hint of a smile. As if she really liked them, or at least, she liked him making them. But lately, she would get more irritated with him. It was getting harder to dismiss her comments as friendly banter. They must be though, she's never really insisted on him stopping. There were enough times during the years where she made puns herself, although she would deny it.

"Nice to know you find me distracting," that was bound to get a smile out of her.

"Distracting me isn't the useful part, so stop talking so much," she shot back.

Ouch. That was cold and harsh. She was definitely not joking.

"Lucky Charm!" Ladybug had a ladybug themed bottle in her hand. Chat did not even bother to see what it was. He could never figure out how Ladybug came up with all these crazy plans using this odd assortment of things she would create. It was just one of those amazing things about her.

"I'll let you figure it out while I keep him busy." Chat vaulted over to the other side of the street. It shocked Chat to realize he actually wanted to move away from her. Did her words hurt him that much? He was being oversensitive. She must have had a bad day.

Within moments, Ladybug captured the akuma, purified it and fixed up all the damage it caused.

Ladybug put out her fist to Chat. He immediately brought his own first to her's.

"Pound it."

She brought her fist up first. He must have imagined her coldness.

Chat leaned down to comfort the young man groaning on the ground. The poor guy looked tired and confused.

"I'm sorry, you took quite a beating. Ladybug miraculously repaired the damage, but your body still remembers it. You will feel the pain for some time."

"What? Ouch! Where am I? How did I get here? Chat Noir? Oh no - I was akumatized?!" The pain was showing on his face. Once everything was over, it was the Akuma victims which suffered the most when they realized what happened.

"What's your name?" Chat asked.

"Faigin."

"Faigin." he smiled, "you will be fine, I am sure." Faigin slowly calmed down.

"Next time control your negative emotions." Chat whipped his head up to stare at Ladybug.

What was that?

Ladybug knows how difficult that is. She knows people try their best, but these things happen. They've discussed this often and always agreed it was Hawkmoth fault. We don't blame the victims.

Ladybug must have read Chat's thoughts since she looked away, her cheeks slightly pink.

"Ladybug! Chat Noir! That was amazing!" Someone called at them. Chat stood up and saw Alya running toward them, with her phone out as usual. Ladybug walked towards her as Chat turned back to Faigin.

"Everything is going to be fine," he assured him. "I suggest you go home and get some rest, or go to a close friend. Good company always helps."

"Thank you for your help. I hope I wasn't too much trouble."

"Not at all," Chat smiled, "Ladybug always saves the day."

Leaving Faigin behind, Chat joined Ladybug, catching the tail end of her message to the people.

"Hold on to your happy thoughts to get you through the difficulties. Remember, no negative emotions, no akumas."

I guess it's show time.

Chat walked over and stood next to Ladybug, his hand slipping into hers, looking at her with adoration.

"Listen to her guys," he smiled directly at Alya's phone, "she knows what she is talking about. We want more love, not anger."

He gazed at Ladybug, dazed by her beauty. Even with their gloves, holding her hand sent electric waves through his body. And her brilliant blue eyes… her eyes… her eyes? Were they cold?

"Can we get a kiss for your fans?" Alya's eagerness was rather disturbing. Why did they want to see them kiss? How did such a private action become a public occasion?

"Show us the love we should all have," Alya continued. Adrien looked at Alya. Was she enjoying this too much? Did she honestly believe their kiss is important? He hoped so. She convinced him of it.

"For our fans, of course," Ladybug pulled Chat to her, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. Chat brought his own hand to her head as their lips met, and there it was. The warmth he has been seeking all along. Her kiss was anything but cold. The passion emanating from Ladybug made his toes curl. All too soon she broke the kiss, leaving Chat wanting more.

The things he expected to be real felt fake, and the fake felt real.

"I recognize this café," Ladybug suddenly said. "I've been here before."

"You have?" cried Alya with excitement. "It is a great place, I come here often with my friend."

"You do?" Ladybug's words were a cross between a question and a statement. "Were you there before the attack? With a friend?"

"Why yes," Alya answered, "how did you know?"

"I don't know," Ladybug seemed confused.

Chat was looking from Alya to Ladybug, not sure what was going on. All three of them looked at the shop window. It was dark in the shop, making the window almost a mirror, reflecting the three of them standing outside.

"I have to go now," Ladybug pulled out her Yo-Yo and swung away.

"What was that?" Alya asked, watching Ladybug disappear over a building.

Chat shrugged his shoulders, looking back at the window wondering what Ladybug saw.

"See ya," he extended his baton, bringing him to the top of the building. Chat pushed off the wall and chased after Ladybug. He found her two buildings away, pacing the length of the rooftop.

"Hey, Bugaboo, are you ok?"

Ladybug continued pacing, not paying him any attention, muttering to herself. Her earrings gave a beep, which she ignored.

Chat jumped down, going to Ladybug. Just before she turned, he put his hand on her shoulder.

She spun, lowered her shoulders and shot her arms forward, open palms meeting Chat's chest. His feet lifted off the ground as his body propelled backwards, slamming against the wall, knocking the wind out of him. He slid to a sitting position and stared, dumbfounded, at Ladybug.

At first, her face registered shock, which changed to anger.

"Why'd you do that?" she accused him. "Keep your hands to yourself, there are no cameras here."

Her earrings gave a loud beep, marking the last minute left.

"I have to go. Do not follow me." With that, Ladybug jumped over to a nearby building.

Chat sat against the wall for a very long time, wondering when everything went wrong.

A/N Next chapter: "Heart lesson "