Slowly falling (but is it too late?)

Ladybug felt anxious as she sat on a roof, waiting for her partner. Ever since the last Akuma battle, he hadn't been the same. Of course, he was still the silly cat that she knew and loved, but she couldn't help but notice something was different.

He wasn't flirting with her as much or using the nicknames that she used to roll her eyes at. That wasn't supposed to make her feel hurt, right? She was supposed to be glad that her partner finally took a hint and started moving on, but she couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.

It's not like she liked his flirting! Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a familiar soft thump behind her.

"Hey, Ladybug!" No M'lady or bugaboo... Marinette then turned to look at his face. He was wearing a big smile. She knew for a fact that smile was contagious; just seeing it made almost all her problems go away. She couldn't help the small grin tugging at her lips.

"Ladybug?" She was snapped out of her thoughts once again. She probably zoned out for a few minutes. Chat's face was filled with concern. "Are you feeling alright, LB? I can patrol alone tonight if you're feeling tired. " Marinette felt her cheeks warming up. She never understood how Chat was always so kind.

"Don't worry Kitty, I'm alright. I was just… thinking about school. " She could tell by the look on his face that he wasn't convinced, but still, Chat went along with it. "Alright Bug, but the moment you feel weary or sick, we're turning back." She felt heat rise to her cheeks again. Why did he always have to be so thoughtful? At that moment, he reminded her of another certain blonde…

"So, I take the right and you take the left?" Ladybug didn't want to patrol tonight; she wasn't sure why. What she did know is that she wanted to spend some time with her kitty. She realized they rarely spent any time with each other outside of akumas and patrols. "I was thinking that maybe we could skip patrol tonight."

His face was filled with confusion which soon turned into excitement. He looked like a child, a big dorky child, and Ladybug loved it. Chat eagerly sat next to Ladybug. His shoulder quickly brushed against hers, and Marinette felt butterflies in her belly at the slight contact.

There was a small gap between the two and Marinette couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like to be held in Chat's arms. She imagined it would be a warm, protected place, and she wondered if—No! Snap out of it, Marinette! You don't like Chat, you're in love with Adrien!

"So, what do you want to talk about, Chaton? Any crazy stories you've got to share? " She always imagined Chat's civilian life as loud and full of adventures Marinette had always thought that he had a couple of siblings and lots of friends. He did strike her as the popular type. She wondered what her kitty did on a daily basis.

Did he do any sports? Was he one of those kids that desperately waits for the bell to ring, or did he actually enjoy class? What was his favorite subject? What were his friends like? What were his parents like? She always felt like Chat's parents must've been very loud and energetic. There were so many questions circling in her head.

"If you don't mind LB, I'd like it if we could just sit in silence. I've sort of had a busy week and it would be nice to clear my head. "

Marinette certainly didn't expect that answer, but she didn't mind. Her partner's presence was enough to make her feel happy. "I don't mind at all, Chaton." Chat started to relax. It was different seeing her partner in such a calm state. He was usually jumping around making puns and being his exuberant self.

She started to take in his features. She had never really paid any close attention before. She knew her partner was good-looking, which only adds to the fact that she thought he was popular, but she never really took the time to take a good look at his face.

Marinette watched her partner's face. His eyes were half-lidded and staring into the night sky. She observed how the moonlight perfectly outlined his face; it made him look like one of those male protagonists straight out of a magical movie scene.

She started to pay more attention to his sun-kissed hair. Chat Noir's hair was always wild and spikey, yet it looked so gentle and smooth. She wanted to run her fingers through his golden locks, and she wondered if his hair was as soft as it looked.

Next, her eyes fell onto his own. They were cat-like, a forest of green and mystery. They only made her want to know who the boy behind the mask was even more. She wondered if his eyes were really green. If so, what shade? She had all these questions that she wanted answers to. Hopefully, one day she will get them.

She continued to look at his cheeks. She wanted to caress them, she wanted to kiss them, she wanted to squish them, she wanted to see what they would look like without the mask. Marinette wondered if Chat's skin was smooth and well taken care of, or if it was rough and coarse. She didn't care which one it was, she just wanted to know.

His eyes were closed now, and she couldn't help the smile on her face when she took in his profile. Marinette felt peaceful, and Chat's calm demeanor made her feel... happy! She loved how gentle he looked, how the moonlight made him glow, how he looked so free. She felt her face flood with heat; thankfully, Chat's eyes were still closed.

Suddenly, her gaze fell to his lips. They weren't tugged into a wide smile like before, and they weren't pulled into a mischievous smirk. His lips were pressed into a content small smile. Then, she took in his face again. She had never seen Chat Noir like this before. It made her look beyond the act and look at the boy hiding behind the mask. She was so used to Chat Noir's bubbly, energetic, flirty persona that she never thought about the fact that he struggles just like her.

Marinette felt guilty, she never gave any thought to the idea that her kitty must have hardships too. And all it took was a small smile for her to realize it. She didn't know for sure if something was going on in his life, and she was probably making a big deal over nothing. Still, Marinette imagined comforting him and wondered what his lips would feel like if they were pressed on her own. What would it feel like to claim him as hers?

And that's when Marinette knew. She knew that she fell, and she fell hard. It was a weird feeling. She never imagined herself falling in love with Chat Noir, but maybe liking him wasn't a bad thing... It was about time she moved on from Adrien.

"Ladybug? Ladybug, are you there? " She quickly snapped back to reality. She was greeted with Chat's hand waving in front of her face. "Sorry kitty, I just zoned out again."

"If you say so... well, we should be heading back home!" Ladybug couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. She wanted to spend more time with him. She knew they both had to get a good night's sleep before school, though. "Y-Yeah, um, Chat?" She hesitated. "Yes, Bug?"

I love you! "M-Make it home safe!" He smiled. "Of course, you too, LB!" She felt her face warming up again. He extended his baton and vaulted away. Marinette soon made her way back home, and once she entered her room, she flopped down lazily on her bed.

"What's wrong, Marinette?" Tikki asked. "Tikki, I think I'm in love with Chat Noir." Tikki's mouth was agape. Marinette couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed. "Well, this isn't the first time this has happened... I support you Marinette, just please be careful. "

"Of course, Tikki! Maybe I can confess my love to him soon. " If it isn't too late, she thought.