Passing Papers - Chapter 6.
A Lukadrien by InfamousAmoogle.
Adrien had the misfortune of having no opportunity to run into Luka all of Friday, and spent Saturday second-guessing all of his life choices even down to the cake topping he ordered from the Dupain-Cheng's the first time he visited, so naturally going in search of a Luka was out of the question, transformed or not.
But by the time Sunday rolls around, Adrien fills with the panic that if he has a more realistic chance of a superhero delivery, he should take advantage of the lack of school obligations. Adrien's schedule is clear for the day, and his superhero alter-ego doesn't have plans for another hour, providing Hawkmoth behaves of course. Fumbling around the desk, he swipes up the blue note, Adrien folds it with care ready to slip into his magical pockets as if the paper were more delicate and valuable than every euro the Agreste fashion line had ever made.
Even with the sky growing overcast, Adrien Agreste, or should I say now Chat Noir, isn't deterred, taking a burst of confidence in his stride. Extending his baton as far as he can while still being balanced, the cat launches himself out of his bedroom window, making a beeline for the houseboat of none other than Luka Couffaine.
Chat was quite surprised to find Luka alone, but then again, Adrien had only ever been there when there was some big event on like a band practice or a birthday party, so of course it was only natural for him to assume the Couffaine houseboat was noisy at every moment of the day. Subconsciously rubbing his hand over his pocket to confirm the note is still secure, he saunters over with a confidence soon to be short-lived.
He clears his throat to capture Luka's attention, but the instant blue eyes meet his, Chat's resolve crumples, throat out of air and legs weak. All thoughts flee the hero making his mind resemble a sieve as the Couffaine in question approaches him, concern gently written on his face with such elegance like cursive writing. Not the most obvious choice given Luka's aesthetic, but its beauty matches his personality. I wonder if his handwriting is as beautiful as his eyes Chat thinks, before shaking his head, trying to set his thoughts straight. Chat stands vacant, mouth agape, mind fuzzy, being tugged back into reality only by the feel of a hand on his shoulder, the warmth seeping through the suit.
"Hello Chat Noir. Are you here on any official business," Luka smirks "or are you sightseeing again?"
Chat's blood runs cold and he breaks into a sweat, stumbling over his words, "I- I don't know what you mean! I'm a cat of culture y'see, I like a wide range of… uh… sights!"
Chat gives an awkward grin as Luka giggles, taking a step back, forcing himself to regain composure.
"Anyways, back on topic- I am sort of here on official business."
Luka's face blanks, clearly confused, most likely because the day has been far too calm for an akuma. The taller boy stuffs his hands into jacket pockets, awaiting clarification from his superhero companion.
"I have a letter from a good friend of yours, I don't suppose you know Adrien Agreste?"
At the sight of how Luka's face falls at the sound of his name, Chat's resolve dwindles down to a dangerous little. Here he is, hiding behind a mask in front of the boy who poured his heart out to him. Guilt tugs at the superhero's heart; He certainly doesn't feel like a superhero right now. If detransforming didn't mean he'd be exposing his identity, he'd do it there and then, not feeling good enough for a Miraculous.
Luka shuffles on his feet, "yes, I know him.."
Don't overthink that, Agreste. Whatever you do, don't overthink it.
"This is from him," he pushes on, handing Luka the blue paper. He could swear he feels something in his chest ache as he watches the hesitation in Luka's movements.
"Did he say anything to you?" he asks, mumbling.
"Um, no, not particularly, just that it was important I delivered this to you as soon as possible." Then dares to add, "you must be important to him, Adrien was very persistent."
Luka only hums half-heartedly in response, giving Chat the feeling he ought to leave, and being the awkward cat he is, of course has to end it with a pun.
"It's probably time I get going, don't want to leave M'lady waiting. If you feline you need anything, just shine a light in the sky and this cat will rush over faster than you can miaow my name~"
- ~ - ~ -
As he lands on the Eiffel Tower to meet Ladybug for patrol, he's so caught up in his thoughts that the sound of his Lady's greeting sends the cat yowling, almost catapulting himself off the edge.
Chat wheezes out a greeting, still reeling from the shock of nearly falling some 300 metres.
"Something up, Kitty?"
Ladybug's gaze is soft and concerned, she holds a tentative hand to him, yet he doesn't take it, his thoughts too muddled to properly focus on anything, let alone her.
She lowers it slowly, base concern merging into a steadily growing panic.
Chat's gaze drags over Paris with apprehension leaving his chest tight. Ladybug notices he seems absent today, but even with all of the superheroine's skills taken into account, she isn't a mind-reader, and as much as she'd like to help out her Chaton, fear of failure gnaws at her, making her fall silent and instead opt to change the topic.
She straightens, forcing the solemn line of her lips for form a shape somewhat resembling a smile,
"let's begin patrol then, shall we, Kitty?"
It doesn't take too long before Chat decides to speak up, but it's less because he wants to, more because this is the third building his distracted mind has made him crash into and he doubts the suit will stop all the bruising. How would Adrien explain that to his father or to his stylists, 'ah yes, so sorry, I'm secretly a superhero who can't keep his mind straight during patrol, think you could put some makeup over this?'
"Hey LB, can we talk?"
Ladybug breathes a sigh of relief perhaps a little less subtle than intended
"Thank god, finally. I- I mean it's about time. I mean… I'm sorry this just feels serious and I don't wanna mess it up or make it worse for you." She pauses to compose herself. "I'm all ears, Chaton."
Chat purses his lips, pausing, debating if it's worth it..
"Have you ever struggled to tell if you like somebody?"
A strangled laugh escapes her lips which would make Chat's anxiety whirl even more if he weren't already so preoccupied to notice.
"What's this about, Chat? Having lady troubles?"
"You didn't answer my question." He deflects, glancing to the side.
"Oh um", Ladybug's demeanor suddenly shifts to something Chat can't quite put his paw on, "I guess you could say that. Will you tell me what this is about? Maybe I could help? My friends tell me I'm very good at giving advice."
Chat Noir sighs, his head lowering as a shadow of guilt covers his eyes, "I tried to do something today, but I'm not sure if it was right of me."
Ladybug feels her heart race as her mind lurches to worse-case scenarios. She tries to speak even through suddenly dry lips, "what did you do?"
The black-clad superhero falls silent and still, muscles almost forcibly locked into place preventing him from doing little more than breathe, and even that is strained, the leather catsuit feeling more constricting than usual.
"Chat?"
"It'sstupid,youwouldn'tunderstand."
"What?"
Chat huffs, drawing his knees up to his chest. "What if I said … I used my powers for personal reasons?"
"I'm sorry you did what?!"
Ladybug prepares to tell Chat how stupid and dangerous that could be depending on what he did when the telltale sound of an akuma rings out from the distance.
"This'll have to wait, but we're not dropping this."
