Growl Like a Tiger

Juleka never expected that becoming a Miraculous holder would give her such a burst of confidence. Although maybe it was always there, somewhere beneath the surface and being Purple Tigress just helped bring it to the surface. She hoped that someday she could be as confident without the mask.

Tonight her mission was to be on patrol. Hawkmoth has been quiet lately so the heroes took turns patrolling, that way if Hawkmoth decided to send one of his akumas Paris has a hero already there until Ladybug and Cat Noir show up. Tonight was Juleka's turn.

However the tigress found her mind wondering to a certain cheerful, unicorn-loving girl. Before she knew it she was running in the direction of Rose's house.

As she neared, the rooftop now in view, she saw the light was still on in Rose's room. Approaching it she could see the window was slightly opened and the pink clad girl was sitting on the floor, writing something down on a sheet of paper. She had a gentle, relaxed smile on her face as she often did and that smile did so many wonderful things to Juleka's heart. Things that she was normally to shy to vocalize. But maybe this was her chance!

She climbed up to the roof top and called Ladybug. It only took a few rings for her to pick up.

"Purple Tigress? What is it? Is there an akuma?" Ladybug's voice sounded alarmed.

"No." Juleka answered in a flat voice, "But something came up. Personal stuff. Can you get someone to cover for me?" Some of her usual awkwardness seeped into her words, she knew what she was asking might be selfish but who knows when she would feel like she could confess again.

Ladybug seemed to pick up on her tone as a few moments went by in silence before she answered, "If its personal business I guess it can't really be helped. I'll get someone to cover for you tonight, I think Rena Rouge is free tonight. Since its pretty late you can keep the Miraculous for the night."

That's what she was hoping for, "Alright. See you tomorrow." Juleka kept the goodbye short, ending the call.

With that sorted out Juleka made her way across several rooftops before finding what she was looking for and then going back to Rose's place. When she got back Rose was still in the same spot as a bit closer she could hear the gentle singing coming from the room, it wasn't a song she heard before. Maybe that's what Rose was writing.

Juleka took a deep breath, she will do this before she lost her nerve. She jumped down and knocked on the window, seemingly startling the singing girl. Rose jumped a bit before she realized who knocked on her window. She smiled widely motioning the superheroine inside.

Juleka opened the window and eased herself in, closing the window behind her, one hand behind her back.

"What brings you here Purple Tigress?" Rose put away her paper and practically ran up to Juleka.

"Just Tigress is fine. I noticed the light was still on in your room so I wanted to visit. Its pretty late, I was curious." Just like a cat.

Rose seemed to find it funny judging by her little laugh, "Everything's fine. I'm writing some new lyrics for my band." Rose glanced at the sheet of paper on her bed, "Was that all? You were just worried about me?" The way Rose batted her eyelashes at her made Juleka blush, she was really glad for her mask right now.

Juleka coughed into her hand, "Actually..." She had to do this now, while she still had the courage, "I brought you something."

Rose's eyes lit up, she was almost bounding on the spot with excitement.

Juleka revealed what she was holding behind her back, "A beautiful rose for the beautiful Rose." Juleka smirked.

"Oh!" A flush spread across Rose's face, the kind that Juleka hadn't seen before, "Thank you very much." She picked up the rose, "Its lovely."

"Just like you." Juleka winked.

"I... I think you're lovely too Juleka." Rose replied avoiding Juleka's eyes.

Juleka's eyes widened, "What? I'm not..." Juleka put her hands in front of her as if to shield herself from Rose's observations.

Rose laughed, "As if I wouldn't recognize my best friend."

"I suppose you would. And I just embarrassed myself." Juleka groaned, hiding her face behind her hand.

"Why? I told you I like the gift."

"Yeah um... look... I like you Rose." Juleka could feel that she was losing her nerve. She didn't think Rose would actually recognize her. She was moments from jumping out the window and into the night, she just used up the last of her courage.

Suddenly Rose wrapped Juleka in a tight hug, "I like you too."

Juleka was frozen, did she hear that right? Was this a dream? No, no. She couldn't dream up something like that. Slowly she hugged Rose back letting out a sigh of relief. Rose hummed into Juleka's chest, completely relaxing into the hug. She could hear and feel a rumble from Juleka's chest.

"Did you just... purr?" There was excitement in Rose's voice that matched that of the excitement in her eyes as she looked up at Juleka.

"No!" Juleka pushed herself away from Rose, her face now burning red, "That was uh... a growl."

"A growl?" Rose wasn't buying it. She was naive but not stupid.

"Yes! See?" Juleka pulled Rose into her again, leaned down and growled into her ear. Rose let out a little yelp. Juleka's eyes widened as she realized what she just did.

Both she and Rose pulled apart, deep blushes on both of their faces and Juleka was sure that her mask did nothing to help this time.

"Ok, well... this was... I... see ya at school!" Juleka hurried out of the room. She jumped heistedly from rooftop to rooftop, losing sight of Rose's room completely.

Juleka arrived at her bedroom on her family's boat. She de-transformed and slumped against a wall, her face behind her hands, "I can't believe I did that." Juleka groaned.

Roaar just shrugged, "I don't see what the big deal is. You got your feelings out right? That's what you wanted right?"

"I growled at her Roaar! How am I supposed to face her at school?!" Juleka didn't normally raise her voice so hearing herself like this, embarrassed and flustered was a new experience for her.

"Just talk to her. After this it shouldn't be that difficult should it?"

Juleka opened her mouth to argue but she didn't know what to say to the little Kwami. Roaar was right. She gave Rose a rose, called her lovely, told her that she liked her, flirted with her. She took those big steps. Now all Juleka needed to do was talk to her, or at least let Rose know she was serious. She could do that even without Roaar right?

Juleka went to bed, a million thoughts in her head as she feel asleep.

The next morning she hurried to the spot she promised Ladybug she would be. Ladybug was just on time.

"Did you take care of what you needed?" Ladybug asked as she took the Tiger Miraculous back.

"Yeah." Juleka answered simply.

Ladybug raised an eyebrow but didn't pry, "Alright. I'll see you later... later when I give you the Miraculous again that is!" Ladybug ran off quickly, clearly in a hurry. Juleka needed to hurry up herself if she didn't want to be late for class.

When she arrived in the class she greeted her friends, giving little waves and smiles their way. As she got to her seat Rose wasn't there, it wasn't like her to be late. A few minutes went by, she still wasn't there. Juleka was about to text her when Rose ran into the classroom, greeting everyone quickly before talking a seat next to Juleka.

The two didn't look at each other and if anyone payed attention to them they could make out shades of pink across both girl's cheeks. Rose reached into her backpack, "Sorry I'm late. I was up all night."

Juleka gulped, she really did mess up. "Rose listen..." Before Juleka could apologize Rose handed her something, it was a couple of pieces of paper. Juleka peaked over to Rose who had her hands in her lap, glancing over to Juleka every now and then. Juleka's eyes returned to the papers. In the centre it read "Tiger Eyes" in the same colors of Juleka's Purple Tigress costume.

Juleka's eyes widened, her head snapping over to Rose.

"I write it for you. I thought maybe we could preform it together. Just you and me." Rose's voice sounded smaller than ever, she was shifting in her seat, not meeting Juleka's eyes.

"I... I would love to Rose."

"Really?!" Rose all but yelled causing everyone to turn and look at them. The two only blushed further and if anyone noticed they didn't comment, not even Chloe. They went back to what ever they were doing. Rose pulled back into her seat. Her eyes shining, looking at Juleka expectedly.

"Yes." Juleka simply confirmed. She gave Rose her best smirk, hoping that it was half as charming as her Purple Tigress one. Judging by the smile and the flush that now covered Rose's ears, she was successful.

Rose packed the lyrics she wrote as class started and everyone fell silent. As everyone was taking notes Juleka slid her hand over to Rose's under the desk. Rose's eyes widened, she looked over to Juleka who was still focused on the lesson, nevertheless she intertwined her fingers with Rose's. Rose returned the gesture.

They held hands thought the day, the sensation familiar yet so wonderfully different.