Many questions ran through her mind as she swung through the rooftops of Paris. It hadn't started snowing yet which was strange but considering the cold, it was still winter.
It always felt good to clear her mind feeling the winter breeze slapping gently against her cheeks, enjoying the view of the city and most especially, the warmth from the Christmas season.
Her yoyo beeped interrupting her momentarily.
She gracefully came to a stop on a random roof to check her bug phone.
A call from Catnoir. She rolled her eyes in annoyance. Of course it had to be him. Who else?
"And what exactly do you want?" She sighed in exasperation as she answered. No matter how much she hated talking to him, she knew he would only call her if it was something urgent.
"Get your ass over here fast, there's an akuma." Before she could respond, he already hung up and she could see he was already stuck fighting alone.
Paris' safety was more important else there was nothing she hated more than akuma attacks. From her annoying arguments with Catnoir to his pointless mammering during battles. They'd never gotten along, right from the first day they got their miraculous. It was always arguments on who was better, who was more annoying, exchanging words. She groaned knowing she's have to face more of that.
To say the least, an akuma was the last thing she wanted on Christmas Eve. But duty calls so she swung into action.
Easily tracking the paw print on her bug phone, she arrived at the Arc de Truimphe where Catnoir was already battling the villain.
From the amount of humans who'd been petrified to stones around was enough to know the villain's powers. She dropped next to Catnoir.
"About time!" Catnoir hissed as he dodged another beam coming from Sculptor's glasses giving Ladybug the hint of where the akuma was hiding.
"What took you so long?" He landed on the ground next to her after a violent hit from Sculptor. "I thought you were better off without me." She made air quotes returning the sass.
She offered her hand to help him up but he ignored her hand and stood on his own. "And I still am, but it's your duty to save Paris with me so we're doing it together." He scowled at her.
Her mouth hung open in surprise. If it were under normal circumstances, that would've seemed like a compliment but considering their rocky relationship, she didn't know how to react. "Now get your ass to work." He continued.
She shook it off as they both launched at the villain.
What was always surprising was how synced they were. One would imagine that due to their rough teamwork and constant argument, it would be hard to work together. But on the contrary, they were always in sync. Like they could read the movements out of each other's mind. Sometimes the thought of it scared her to pieces.
The fight was going well. No words needed except when she called on her lucky charm getting a tube of glue.
"Ladybug, look out!" She heard him yell out to her but before she could act, she was too late. She saw stone.
Her mind went into frenzy, shutting down. He had stood in front of her taking Sculptor's beam for her.
Never in the whole year they'd been saving Paris together, he had never done that. He had never taken an attack for her and it threw her mind into a state of panic.
Needless to say, she hadn't battled a villain alone and she hadn't had his life depending on her. She couldn't explain it, but she felt weak to the knees. Tears glossed her eyes.
Her mind raced.
What if she failed? What would she do without him? And most importantly why did he do this?
Sculptor's maniacal laughter brought her down to earth and suddenly all she felt was anger. Surging through every vein in her body.
She lunged forward into the villain. The feeling was inexplicable but she felt the need to pummel the villain and that she did.
She instantly snapped the glasses in two releasing the black butterfly. She purified it and threw her lucky charm I'm the air.
"Miraculous Ladybug!"
But this time, she was waiting for her magical ladybugs to surround a certain cat. The moment it did, he turned back into himself and she ran into him. Throwing her arms around him pulling him for a tight hug.
To say the least, he was surprised but the warm tug in his chest didn't let him pull away. He hesitantly wrapped his a around the small of her back. It was the first hug they'd ever shared and it made both of their hearts flutter.
"How dare you?" He heard her quiet sob. She was crying? He was beyond surprised.
"How dare you‽" She sobbed louder and pushed him hard on the chest. "Why did you do that? Do you know how it feels?" She yelled at him.
Silence..
He didn't respond but only stated at her. Observing her every squirm. Never had he seen this side of Ladybug and all he could do was stare.
"It feels like having the weight of everyone on your shoulders." She wiped her eyes and stare him dead in the eye. "And it's annoying." She deadpanned.
He sighed.
"You're the only one who can purify akumas and repair damages. I did the only logical thing else Paris would be doomed."
"I could've protected myself."
"That's what this is about, the fact that I saved you?" He became angry. For a moment he thought she cared. "Forgive me for deflating your ego but Paris comes first." He scowled.
"My ego? You think that's what this is about?" She raised her voice.
"Then what is it about?"
"You!" She screamed at him and he stared in shock. "You know what? Just forget it, you wouldn't get it." She retracted her yoyo and turned away from him. "Patrol's by 9. Don't be late. It's Christmas Eve, emotions are high, Hawkmoth could take advantage of that." She kept her voice monotone and swing away before he could stop her.
To say he was confused was an understatement.
She sobbed into her hands. Her knees pulled up to her chest. She knew her parents might have been looking for her but she didn't feel like going back home.
She'd sat on a random roof, her back resting on the chimney, her knees pulled up to her chest. Her face buried in her hands.
She didn't know why she felt so sad but she couldn't help it. She felt as though something had shifted in their relationship just within that time.
Her thoughts were cut short as she felt a pair of warm arms around her from the side. She could've screamed if it weren't for the signature cologne, blended with a sweet scent of leather. The all too familiar scent of her partner.
She didn't raise her face, letting him see her tears was out of the question.
"Am sorry." He whispered softly and placed a kiss on her hair. She could feel blood rush to her cheeks in an instant and her chest tug at their closeness.
He slowly pulled her hands away from her face and lifted her chin to meet his gaze.
She couldn't tell how long they stayed that way. His green orbs boring deeply into her blue. And for the first time, she felt something new. Lightheaded. Like she could feel tingles in her body.
"I didn't know I needed to do that for us to finally get along." She murmured, nor breaking their gaze.
"You know now." He smiled and she could've sworn it was the first one he'd ever given her. "Even if I said I was sorry, I still think you were overreacting."
"If you're smart as you think, you'd understand. People overreact when things happen to people they care about." She said more to herself. She realized that she overreacted for one reason only.
She cared. She cared for him. After a year of saving Paris together, it was bound to be. And she internally wishes he took the attack for her because he did care too.
"And if you aren't such a block head, you'd know I took the attack, not just for Paris but because I care too." He joked and she broke into a fit of giggles.
"I'm not a blockhead!" She pushed his chest lightly as both laughed.
He stopped but she was still laughing. He realized just how close their faces were. And he could help but stare, studying the outline of her face and registering the sound of her laughter.
"What are you staring at?" She jerked him out of his head.
"Can I ask you something really stupid?" He suddenly asked, leaving her confused.
"O...Kay? I guess."
"Can I kiss you?" He kept his eyes trained on her lips and she felt a strange chill run through her whole body.
A single snowflake fell onto his nose and they both looked up to see that it had begun snowing. She beamed. She loved snow and he seemed to as well because his pupils contracted as he watched it in awe.
She cupped his cheeks and made him face her again.
"Kiss me."
Not a split second was spared as his lips found hers in a sweet and gentle kiss. His hands slid down to her waist pressing her closer to him than she already was while her hands found his hair, tugging at his blonde locks as their lips moved in perfect sync.
It was everything like in the cliche novels, the romantic movies. Fireworks lit in her head and she could feel her skin flush in excitement. His lips moving against hers was doing things to her, sparking inexplicable feelings in her.
The need to breathe caused them to separate. They rested their foreheads on each other, breathing heavily. She could only wonder if his heart raced as much hers.
"That was amazing." She breathed.
"If I knew you'd taste this sweet, I would have kissed you sooner Bugaboo." Her cheeks flushed and she turned red.
"B..b.. bugaboo?" She tried to distract herself by questioning his new nickname for her.
"Is it too soon to say I really like you a lot?" He seemed a little nervous.
"We literally went from hating each other to kissing in the skylight. I don't think anything can be too soon." She blushed slightly. "I like you too." She admitted lowering her gaze.
"I can kiss you again, right?" He looked like an excited child given a toy as his eyes lit up in the night skylight.
"Do you even need my permission?"
He seemed extremely excited as he connected their lips once more.
Christmas Eve had never been better as they spent the rest of the night with kisses, cuddles and jokes.
"I love you, m'lady." He pecked her forehead as she fell asleep on his shoulder.
"I always have."