To Chat Noir, the fight against Desperada was easy. Viperion led him down a few tunnels and around some corners, back up to the surface through a hidden manhole behind some corpses, and then guided him along a convoluted path as they climbed the Eiffel Tower. Desperada never even saw them coming, always looking in another direction and then got distracted by the approaching police. Using his Cataclysm to destroy her guitar case with the Akuma was practically child's play. But he knew that was only possible because of Viperion's powers.
"How many tries did it take?" he asked quietly as he knelt down by Viperion's side. He'd slumped to the ground the moment Desperada turned back into Vivica, and he looked way more exhausted than only a few minutes ago. Chat Noir figured there was nothing left for him to do anyway now that Ladybug was free and only had to capture the Akuma.
"I'm not sure," Viperion said. He leaned his head against Chat Noir's shoulder, grateful for the support. "I stopped counting somewhere after the 500th try."
Chat Noir flinched. So many? That meant that for Viperion, more than two days had passed; no wonder he was so tired. Chat took Viperion's hand firmly in his, their fingers interlacing. "I'm sorry you had to go through such an ordeal. But thank you! Without your help, we couldn't have freed her."
Viperion gave him a tired smile. "It was worth it. All of it."
They shared a warm smile, and even though he'd basically screwed up, had left his lady hanging and put his maybe-boyfriend through such an ordeal, Chat Noir couldn't bring himself to truly regret how this day had turned out, either. Because Viperion was right. They were on to something good here, and it was worth all the trouble.
"Okay, everything should be back to normal," Ladybug announced as she landed a few feet away from them. "I see you found my letter, kitty cat. Good. I knew I could count on you."
Her words made something deep within Chat Noir's chest glow. But even though she was right when it came to the end result, he also had to set a few things right.
"Yeah, I found your letter. You placed it perfectly, as always. But I've got to admit I couldn't give it to the person you'd suggested and had to choose someone else instead. So… meet Viperion, or as you might know him—"
Ladybug had eyed Viperion with interest, her eyes lingering on their intertwined hands. But as Chat spoke, she suddenly held up her arms, interrupting him. "No, don't tell me," she blurted out. "The fewer people know about our identities, the safer we are. It's enough when you know who he is. This just means that whenever we might need your powers again, Viperion, Chat will be the one to get you. I… just need the Miraculous back for safe-keeping."
Chat nodded, he knew how this worked by now. "I'll bring him back home, then join you here again in a few minutes. That is…" He turned back to Viperion, a little worried. "If you're strong enough? You can also rest for a little while longer if you have to."
But Viperion shook his head and accepted Chat Noir's help as he stood up. "I'm good, thanks. But before we head back… Even though I wasn't the one you meant to pick, Ladybug, I feel honoured I could help you today. And to fight at your side, Chat Noir. Should you ever need me again, I'll be ready."
"Thank you, Viperion," Ladybug said, beaming. "You two did a great job today, you can be proud of yourselves."
Chat Noir felt strange doing their usual Pound it! as three, with the two people he was harbouring severe feelings for. As if doing this together meant something… more.
Then he and Viperion left, stopping just out of sight and earshot of the Liberty and right before Viperion transformed back into Luka. He staggered, and Chat Noir moved quickly to stabilise him.
"Wow, that was… quite an experience," Luka said, his eyes closed in clear exhaustion. Sass fared little better, sinking into Luka's hand to rest.
"Here, Sass, this is for you. I hope you like Camembert because that's all I have." Surely Plagg could spare one bite for a friend. Then he turned his attention to Luka. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Luka smiled at his evident concern. "Yeah, I'm fine. It feels strange; physically, I feel barely any different, and even during the fight I never felt the least bit tired. But mentally... it's been so long. I… I'm not even sure anymore what really happened in the end and what didn't." With a sigh, he again leaned against Chat Noir. "But I stand by what I said, I don't regret accepting your offer."
Chat Noir knew he wasn't entirely talking about the Miraculous anymore, and for once, he wasn't sure what to reply.
"It's her, isn't it?" Luka eventually said, his lips twitching at Chat's puzzled look. "You said you know how it feels to like someone who doesn't like you back but likes someone else instead. You were talking about Ladybug, am I right?"
"Erm…" Chat Noir blushed and rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "Yeah, you're right. Was it that obvious?"
Luka chuckled. "Yep, pretty much." He took Chat's hand, holding his gaze. "And I'm not expecting you to forget about her. Just like I won't be able to ignore my feelings for Marinette just like that, either. And that's okay. Even if something should change and she eventually returns your feelings, I won't be angry. I just ask that you're always honest with me and we can figure out the rest when the time comes."
Chat Noir felt his heart swelling at Luka's words. But before he could reply, his ring started beeping. Grimacing, he stepped back. "I need to go. I still have to get your Miraculous back to Ladybug before I transform back. Just one thing before I leave. I promise to not keep secrets from you." He smiled, a little sheepishly. "After all, there's no reason to do so anymore."
Luka's smile at his words made his heart race. How could anyone be so stunningly beautiful? Even as he reached the Eiffel Tower again, his mind and heart still hadn't fully calmed down.
Glancing at his quickly beeping ring, he made a choice he hadn't ever made before. "Claws in," he murmured, transforming back as he hid behind a wall. He only would have had time to drop off the Miraculous and get away directly again, but that idea didn't sit right with him. Ladybug deserved better than that. So he gave Plagg an especially big chunk of his Camembert and promised him even more later to make up for what he'd given to Sass. Then he transformed back into Chat Noir and strolled over to where Ladybug sat on a metal beam overlooking the city below.
"What an interesting fight today," she said without a greeting.
Chat Noir sat down next to her, his lips twitching as he noticed her earrings weren't beeping, either. "I won't contradict you there, bugaboo." He paused, then said, "I'm sorry. If I'd been there in time, Desperada wouldn't have captured you. I'm sorry for letting you down."
Ladybug shrugged. "I'm sure you had a good reason. And Desperada got to me while I was searching for the one I'd wanted to give the Miraculous. If you'd been there, she would only have gotten both of us. Anyway, it all worked out in the end, didn't it? I knew I could count on you." She turned her head a little, just enough to throw him a glance and a smile from the corner of her eyes.
Chat Noir suppressed a grimace. He wasn't so sure she'd still call his reason for being late good if she knew the truth, and if he'd been there in time, she wouldn't have needed to look for Adrien, either. But in the end, she was right. It had all worked out, no need to linger on the What if's. He only had to make sure to do better in the future.
"So… you and Viperion, eh?" she asked after a minute of weird silence.
Chat duck his head. "You noticed that, didn't you?" It seemed as if he was an open book when it came to his feelings today. Still, he couldn't help but smile as he thought of Luka.
Ladybug hummed in affirmation. "You two looked pretty comfortable together. I'm happy for you."
"Thank you." Chat Noir felt… weird. He'd thought that her lack of jealousy should hurt, but somehow, it didn't. On the contrary, her support of who made him happy was like a balm to his soul. He was sure his father wouldn't be as welcoming to this news.
"For how long has this been going?"
"It only started today," he admitted. "That's part of why I was late."
Again, she hummed, her head cocked in thought and a frown on her face. "I see," she eventually murmured.
She gave him an unreadable look, one that made him think there was more that she wasn't saying. Had she figured it out? That in order to be with Viperion, the person behind that mask also had to know who Chat Noir was? That his identity had been revealed?
But if she knew, she didn't let it on.
"Okay, time to head back. I have people waiting for me," she said lightly. She held out her hand for the Miraculous box, but paused, her eyes not quite meeting his.
"I'm truly happy for you, Chat," she said, her voice heavy with sincerity now. "But… I hope this doesn't change too much between us. I still need you as my partner."
Then she jumped away, leaving him standing. Chat Noir ran his fingers through his hair. So much meaning in those words. Of course, he would still be her partner. As guardians of Paris, they had a duty and he wouldn't allow himself to neglect those.
But there was more to her words, more even than she might have meant. He would make sure not to leave her hanging again, not even for Luka. He had to be her reliable partner in battle.
And also…
He let out a heavy sigh. No matter how happy he was about how things with Luka had turned out today… his feelings for Ladybug really hadn't changed.
He still loved her.
. o O o .
That's it with my buffer. From here on, I'm writing as I go again. The next chapter is about 70% written though, so that shouldn't take long. 😊
