"What do you mean?" He asked, feeling nervous and excited all at once.
"You are Ladybug's sidekick."
"This is true."
"Perhaps it would be in our best interest for you to get used to Ladybug style travel."
Everything in Nathanael screamed yes. Every fiber and every molecule. All he could do was nod his head excitedly. Tikki gave them both an unsure look, but her concerns were voided as Marinette transformed herself into Ladybug. She stood before Nathanael, her charisma boosted and she extended her hand to him. He took it anxiously before she pulled him close to her.
She pushed the entrance to her roof open, then with a fluid twist of her wrist her yo-yo shot up and attached to a flagpole at the top of her roof. She grabbed Nathanael tightly as the two shot up through the roof. Nathanael let out a small cry, and wrapped his arms around Ladybug's neck for dear life.
The moment was passed quickly and the two stood on the roof. Ladybug beamed at his as Nathanael felt all his bones return to a solid state and no longer a panicked liquid. Ladybug undid her yo-yo from around the flagpole and looked to see how her sidekick was handling himself. He was adjusting the strap of his bag tighter around his chest.
"Are you okay? We don't have to do this if you're not going to be okay," said Marinette nervously. She had gotten caught up in wanting to show off to him the way he had shown off his art skills the whole day.
"Just don't let go," said Nathanael shyly. It was a little scary, and his arms were going to be sore, but he was just too excited about Marinette holding his so closely to say no. The rain was gone, but heavy clouds and an ever fading evening also gave them a good cover should anyone spy them out on the town.
"I think I'd lose hero points if my sidekick became Pancake Boy," laughed Ladybug. "Okay, hold on."
She twirled her yo-yo powerfully before shooting it out into the night. It struck against something, and when it felt taught she gave Nathanael a tighter squeeze and jumped. He clamped tightly around her neck and shoulders, but Marinette's strength and the weightlessness of flying made all his panic melt away. The city whooshed by a million miles below, the scent of rain on pavement and flowers hitting at full force.
With a thump they landed on the roof of a new building. Nathanael began to tumble forward, but Ladbug caught him in a hug and yanked him back to his feet. His heart was racing with adrenaline. It wasn't surprising to see why Marinette did this everyday. He laughed out loud, excitement and nerves bubbling from deep within him and exploding out into a joyous laugh. Marinette smiled widely at him.
"Still having fun?" She asked.
"This is amazing!" Cried Nathanael.
"I had a feeling you'd like it," said Ladybug with a smug smile.
"Okay," said Nathanael as his laughter subsided. "I'm ready, let's keep going."
They continued on with less stops as they reached Nathanael's house. It wasn't a very long trip, but Nathanael could have sworn it lasted a lifetime. Flush against Marinette as they laughed and swung through the night, Paris embracing them with the sweet scent of rain. Before long they landed on the exposed patch of Nathanael's roof. His parents had long since gone to bed, since they always went to bed and woke up early. Nathanael landed on wobbly legs and Ladybug let him go. He sat down on the roof and beamed up at her. She took a moment and sat down next to him as well. Both of them panted and gathered their strength back.
"Thanks for taking me home," said Nathanael.
"No problem. I had a nice time today," said Marinette shyly.
"Me too. So I guess I'll see you at school on Monday?"
"Of course. Have a good night," said Ladybug as she rose to her feet. She gave him a sharp salute before launching into the night.
Nathanael smiled off into the night, watching her vanish. He felt warm all over until a thought hit him and he fell back against the roof, letting his legs dangle over the edges. He'd forgotten to ask her to the dance. Today was the perfect chance to do that too. He let out a loud groan before opening his window and crawling inside.
Across the street a figure paced the roof steaming with emotions. Chat Noir paced the roofs, his stomach in tight knots. Ladybug was spending time with Nathanael again. He couldn't understand it. What was it about Nathanael that made Ladybug keep spending time with him. Was he subtly Akumatized, without the big dramatic changes? Whatever it was, he was going to get to the bottom of it sooner than later.
On Monday Adrien Agreste was on a mission. His mind was consumed with emotions he couldn't comprehend about Nathanael and his weekend had been spent with him fuming over every possible option for Ladybug and Nathanael to be spending time together, and none of the options were in his favor.
As the day progressed Adrien watched the red head like a hawk, trying to decipher anything he could. However, Nathanael didn't do much of anything. He really kept to himself, or hung out with Rose and Juleka. The whole thing was driving Adrien crazy.
There was nothing now that was different than before he was Akumatized. As a matter of fact nothing was different about him from any time Adrien had known him. He was shy and out of the way, keeping his head down and not speaking unless spoken to first.
When the day was over Adrien was feeling confused and almost guilty about the whole situation. Ladybug wasn't truly even his to be so worked up over. Still he was burning from the inside and needed to talk to Nathanael. There had to be answers somewhere about something he could ger from the shy artist.
He spotted Nathanael by his locker, packing his bag and preparing to leave. Adrien made a dash for him and jumped him with his excited presence. Adrien smiled at him and Nathanael furrowed his brow, looking around him to determine if Adrien really meant to be smiling at him or someone else.
"Can I help you?" As Nathanael.
"I hope so," said Adrien.
"What's up?"
"Man I just have to ask you something. I know we already talked about this, but it's been driving me crazy."
"I promise I'm not Chat Noir."
"What? Oh yeah. No not that. I just... How do you spend so much time with Ladybug?"
Nathanael felt his stomach sink. He should have known Adrien would start to question him on why he was spending so much time with his lady love. He didn't really have a good explanation for it all. Bending down to pack his bag more and avoid making eye contact he searched for an answer somewhere, somehow.
"I told you before," he said trying to not sound like he was lying through his teeth, "it's just a bad case of wrong place and wrong time."
"I'm not trying to suggest anything," said Adrien. He didn't sound angry, maybe more on the line of panicked. "A friend of mine said he saw you and Ladybug last night."
"Yeah she took me home. I was in a dangerous part of town a little too late at night and, well, she's a hero you know. She offered to take me home and I just felt safer with her."
"You're not romantically involved with her, are you?" Asked Adrien in a hushed voice.
"What? No," said Nathanael. "I don't even know who she is."
Adrien felt himself deflate, his nerves beginning to replace with guilt. He kept hounding this innocent person because he felt insecure about his relationship with Ladybug. It wasn't Nathanael's fault, especially not when he really hadn't had a hand in any of his encounters with Ladybug. She was a hero and she was out on the town, often more than he could be.
"I'm sorry, Nathanael," said Adrien with a bit of shame.
"It's okay, Adrien. I know you like her. Who wouldn't?" Said Nathanael, patting his shoulder. Adrien looked at Nathanael in the eyes, and Nathanael felt himself shrink back a little.
"I'm sorry it just seems like you could be with her. Every time I, erm, someone tells me they see you two together it sounds like you're both really happy. I guess I'm just a little jealous."
Nathanael felt new emotions for Adrien in that moment. He felt sorry for him, because he knew what one sided love felt like. He almost felt bad, because if he knew who Ladybug was he could be with her in a instant. However, there were many reasons he was going to keep her identity to himself. Then he felt, just a small bit, powerful. Adrien Agreste, the most popular and handsome boy in their school, and possibly all of Paris, was jealous of Nathanael.
"I guess I just make her laugh," said Nathanael. "But we're not together. I don't have any interest in Ladybug. I'm actually... I'm actually going to the dance with Marinette," he lied.
"Hey, that's awesome, man," said Adrien sincerely. "Marinette is really nice, and I know you like her."
"Yeah," said Nathanael, red from his lie and his blush.
"Anyway, I'm sorry, man. I just... get a little worked up."
"It's okay, Adrien," said Nathanael with a small laugh.
"But next time you're with her, maybe tell her I'd like a ride home," said Adrien. They shared a laugh before the blonde departed with a friendly wave. Nathanael pressed his back against the locker, holding his book to his chest and exhaling sharply.
Now he really did have to go to the dance with Marinette at all costs. There were many inter folding lies and promises that relied on that happening. He sighed. If he told Marinette it was to protect her identity, she'd probably go along with it. If he told her it was for Juleka she still would. But if she knew that it would include her lying to Adrien, she might not want to be a part of anything. Not to mention he secretly wished she'd want to go just to be with him.
Even sidekicks can have their secrets he supposed.