Hello!

Thank you for taking the time to read this story! Forgive me if there are any glaring grammatical errors. I have a tendency to struggle in this area, and this story isn't beta read. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

*This story is inspired by the plot and characters developed by Jeremy Zag, Thomas Astruc and Nathanaël Bronn.

Enjoy!


Chat Noir felt the walls of the building beside him tremble from the akuma above as he sought to protect Ladybug while she finalized her plan.

"You all shall know what it is to desire and despair," the akuma cackled, quickly closing the distance between herself and Ladybug. Chat Noir leaped forward just as a blast of sheer light shot from the akuma's staff. In the distance, he heard Ladybug cry out in horror before he felt the impact.

A deep aching pain shot into his chest as the light blinded him. Still, Ladybug was safe. She was protected. This is all that matters.

A moment passed before the pain faded. Chat slowly opened his eyes, still seeing spots from the blinding light. To his surprise, the akuma was nowhere to be found. His pulse increased when he realized that Ladybug was also not in his sight.

With panicked breaths, Chat Noir took stock of his environment. The streets were empty and quiet, ruble from fallen structures still filling the area. The akuma could not have gone far. He could only hope that Ladybug was safe.

Chat was standing on shaking legs when he heard a cry from the building above him. Willing his face upwards, he saw colors of red and black, and he let out a relieved breath. She was safe.

"Chat! I've been so worried! Are you okay?"

Chat was about to respond when he felt the breath leave him as Ladybug bound toward him, hugging him in relief. Chat Noir felt his face heat. It had been a long time since Ladybug had hugged him like this. He allowed himself to melt into her embrace, memorizing the moment for a later date.

"I'm sorry I worried you, my lady. But, as you can see, I am purrfectly unharmed."

Ladybug looked up at him, her arms still wrapped around his neck, and frowned. "You're not invincible, Chat! You cannot be so reckless!"

Chat felt startled at the passion in her tone. Chat Noir is known for being the hero who acts as Ladybug's shield. While there have been many moments when it had gotten him into great trouble, it was a part of the job—something he and Ladybug had needed to come to terms with early on. What was different now?

"My lady, you know it is my job to be reckless. I am here to protect-"

Ladybug cut in saying, "I don't care. I'm sick of watching you get hurt." A layer of tears coated her eyes as she continued to speak with a broken tone, causing Chat's stomach to drop. "I don't want anything to happen to you. You mean so much to me."

Ladybug placed her head on his chest as silent tears streamed down her cheeks. Chat Noir felt at a loss for words. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her small frame, and Ladybug hugged him tighter.

"My lady, what's wrong? I have done this countless times. Did something happen?"

Ladybug silently shook her head, her forehead brushing against his chest with her movements, before she looked up at him with sorrowful eyes.

"Chat, you know I love you. You know that I do, right?"

Chat felt his heart constrict at her words as his breathing became uneven. Her gaze did not waver. A few moments passed without Chat having the wherewithal to say anything—only able to gape down at the girl in red.

Ladybug slowly lifted a gloved hand to his face and gently stroked where the mask met his skin. "I can't lose you, Chat. I love you too much to lose you."

Chat Noir centered his chaotic mind. He needed to clarify her meaning. His heart pounded painfully at the implications of what she was saying.

With a croaked tone, Chat said, "My lady, are you saying you love me as your partner and friend, or are you saying you love me romantically?"

Ladybug's eyes glassed over with her tears as she continued stroking his cheek. Breathlessly, she said, "Oh, Chat. You know the answer to that."

Chat Noir felt a nervous giggle escape his lips as he said, "No, LB, I don't know the answer to that. If I did, I wouldn't be asking for clarification."

Chat Noir felt dizzy from how fast his heart was beating, but he took care to memorize every detail of this moment. Her hair was matted with dirt and dust from the debris, her pigtails barely intact. A smudge of mud caked her cheeks, yet she looked all the more beautiful for it. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, making her blue orbs shine brightly at him. The view of her in the midst of the chaos left him breathless.

Chat closed his eyes as he felt both of her gloved hands cradle his face. He slowly opened his eyes when he felt his head being moved toward her face. The fire of hope within his heart seemed to ignite his entire body as he watched her eyelashes flutter closed, her body leaning toward him. A breathless second passed before she breathed, "May I kiss you?"

Chat could only stare at her for a breathless moment before he robotically nodded his head in consent.

Then, her lips met his. Several seconds passed, his mind frozen, before he remembered to react. With the gentle love he has carried in his heart for all the years of their friendship, he kissed her back. The moment was sweet and soft before it ended.

With glassy eyes, Ladybug stared up at him, a smile on her lips. "I hope that answered your question," she said with soft humor in her voice.

Chat Noir felt a bubble of joyous laughter escape him as he watched the shy blush bloom on her cheek at her own words. "Indeed, my lady, you were quite clear."

Chat's eyes sparkled as her blush deepened. With endearment, he brought his palm to her face. His gloved hands had just brushed her cheek bone when a searing pain exploded in his chest. Chat yanked himself away from Ladybug and gripped his chest.

Ladybug looked panicked as she stared at him. With worry, she said, "Chat?"

Chat Noir closed his eyes, tears streaming down his cheeks from the pain, before he felt himself collapse to the ground. From above him, Ladybug cried out, "Chat! What's wrong?!"

His mind felt confusion, his thoughts jumbled as he attempted to think through the explosion in his chest. Fighting the fog, Chat Noir willed his eyes to open, if only to see her face. He drank in Ladybug's worried expression, her face hovering above him. Then, to his shock and horror, the image of Ladybug seemed to blur. As if transforming from within, Ladybug slowly morphed into a person he hadn't imagined seeing: the akuma.

The akuma smiled down at him wickedly—her next words spoken mockingly with Ladybug's voice ringing through her mouth. "Chat, are you hurt?!"

His blood froze as his mind processed the implications. A wimped escaped him as he recalled the sweet moments he had just shared with Ladybug. Seeing the akuma before him—using Ladybug's voice—he felt his stomach churn.

The pain sharpened, forcing him to close his eyes from the agony. When he opened them again, a wave of nausea hit him. Ignoring the feeling, he did his best to assess his environment through hazy vision—the pain lingering like an open wound on his chest. The akuma still hovered above him, a knowing look on her face, but the sky had darkened behind her.

When the akuma spoke again, it was with her original voice. Chat Noir felt relief—not wishing to hear Ladybug's voice through the mouth of a villain. Sneering, the akuma said, "Look who's decided to join us."

As the nausea settled, the initial confusion he had felt wore off, and the reality of the situation hit him. The Ladybug he had just encountered had been nothing but an illusion, one of the akuma's tricks.

"Did you see what you most desired?"

A tear unrelated to the pain in his chest slid down his cheek. He glanced up at the akuma's knowing gleam and winced. How had he been so stupid? How had he been so blind? He knew Ladybug had no interest in him, yet his heart had leaped at the opportunity. It never once occurred to him that it was all the doing of an akuma. And, having had a taste of what could be, it made his reality all the more bitter.

A scream from above him made him jump. Ladybug had attacked while the akuma was taunting him. Before he knew it, she had used the charm to her advantage and broken the akumatized item. As the cure washed over him, the overwhelming pain caused by the akuma left him, yet an ache from his breaking heart remained.

He made no move to get up off the street floor even as the pedestrians began hesitantly meandering by his still form. A few paused and looked at him, some even took pictures, but most of the citizens had places to be so they passed by quickly.

He listened as Ladybug gently spoke with the victim, a woman who had met despair when she believed she was receiving what she most desired: a wedding proposal. He closed his eyes, doing his best to relive the moments the akuma had created in his mind. Ladybug's eyes filled with worry; her arms wrapped tightly around his neck; her soft lips…

A rustle on the street's pavement broke him from his thoughts, making him aware of Ladybug's presence. A part of him wanted to look at her and smile—so proud of how well she had done in defeating the akuma without his assistance. Another part of him wanted to hide in his pain and grief, not wishing to see the face of the woman who might not love him in the way he desired.

"Chat, are you okay?"

Knowing there was no getting around it, Chat slowly opened his eyes and squinted from the setting sunlight. Ladybug crouched down to him, her earrings beeping their first warning. As his eyes adjusted to the light, Chat studied her face as she peered down at him. Her hair was disheveled but not matted like the illusion. Her face was filled with concern, but not longing. She was still as beautiful as ever, and still just as unattainable.

To his shame, another tear slid down his cheek and he quickly wiped it away, sitting upright so she would not be looking down at him. Ladybug's face grew distraught as she said, "What's wrong?"

He almost couldn't take the gentle compassion in her tone, his heart too raw and vulnerable in the moment. With a breaking voice, he said, "Nothing, LB. You should be going. I don't want you to run out of time."

Ladybug made no move to leave even as her second warning rang in the air. "Chat, what happened? What's wrong? Please, tell me," she said with urgency, her voice strong, but pleading.

"Ladybug, you are running out of time. I am fine, you don't need to worry."

Ladybug didn't look convinced, but knew her time was up. With the last of her warning chimes and seconds to spare, she quickly said, "This conversation isn't over," With that, she swung into the air and toward a place of safety.

As soon as she was out of sight, Chat Noir leaped to the nearest secluded building's rooftop and allowed his body to crumble—his forehead meeting his knee as he curled into a ball. The sun was setting, casting shadows over the building. Chat drank in the darkness, feeling free to express his sorrow in the hidden corner of the abandoned roof. Interestingly, Chat felt as if he had lost something—someone. Because of the akuma's illusion, Chat experienced, just for a moment, what it would be like to have Ladybug's love and affection. And, the Ladybug who romantically loves him is the Ladybug he shall not meet again.

Deep down, Chat Noir accepted this wholly—not wanting anyone but the real Ladybug to love him—yet his heart was shattering. This moment acted as the catalyst toward his desire to love and be loved by Ladybug. From this moment, he must decide if he should continue in his hope, or give into the reality of the situation.

Chat Noir had been contemplating such thoughts when he heard the wind shift with the swing of a yo-yo. As expected, moments later, the light landing of feet beside him echoed in his ears. Chat didn't know if he should be happy or horrified at Ladybug's insistence.

Chat Noir kept his face tucked into his knees, not wanting Ladybug to see the face of a man who had been sobbing uncontrollably just moments before. Chat's breath caught when he felt her light hand on his back as she sat beside him.

"Chat…?"

Her tone of concern made him want to placate her worries. Still, he did not move. A few moments passed before—to his shock—Ladybug slid her hands up his neck and under his chin, gripping his jawbone. With gentle force, she lifted his face upward and toward her. Chat couldn't grasp how she had managed to do it, yet there was no escaping it now. With blurred vision, Chat took in her face of worry before he tried to bring his face back down toward his knees.

"Oh no you don't." With her quick words of warning, Chat felt Ladybug grasp both his cheeks with her hands, keeping his head in place. The moment brought his mind back to the illusion, and there was little he could do to prevent a stray tear from escaping at the memory.

The worry in her eyes morphed into fear as she wiped the falling tear with the back of her thumb. "Chat, please, talk to me. What happened? What did the akuma do?"

A whimper escaped him at her kindness, and he felt his face crumple from the effort of not crying. Without pause, Ladybug pulled him into a hug, placing his face on her shoulder as she gently stroked his hair. To his shame, Chat Noir drank it in. She so rarely hugged him with affection. He selfishly wanted it all. He held her tightly as his mind and heart struggled for control.

After the tears had dried, Chat Noir felt drained, barely able to lift his head. Ladybug must have sensed the shift in his demeanor because she quickly shifted her body so she could face him once more. Ladybug let him continue resting his head on her shoulder while she looked down at him.

"Tell me what happened," she whispered.

Considering the worry in her tone, Chat Noir managed to think beyond himself and on all that Ladybug must be experiencing right now. Not wanting her to carry such a burden, Chat Noir made an effort to lift his head and look into her eyes. It was time he took responsibility for his emotions and thoughts, and how they might be affecting other people.

With a breath, he said, "I'm sorry for worrying you, my lady. I am feeling sad and discouraged by the illusion the akuma had me experience. Thank you for being here while I was experiencing this. I know this has been hard for you—not knowing what was happening."

A frown marked Ladybug's features as she said, "Of course, Chat. I will always make an effort to be here for you when you need me." Rubbing his cheek with her thumb, she continued, "You mean so much to me."

Chat could only nod at her words, his mind once more replaying the illusion. Her face looked concerned as she asked, "Would you mind sharing what you saw?"

Chat felt his throat close as he casted his eyes downward, not able to look her in the eye. After a moment, he said carefully, "I saw what I desired, and then felt the despair of knowing that it was not true."

Ladybug's eyebrows furrowed in curiosity as she considered his words. "Um, would you mind sharing what it is you desire?"

Chat Noir felt himself give her a shaking smile as he said, "Would you be hurt if I kept it a secret."

Ladybugs lips pursed in her displeasure before she said with a huff, "No, I wouldn't be hurt, you silly cat. I'm only worried, and a bit curious. I don't believe I've seen you react this way before to an akuma's mind game. It made me wonder what you saw that made you so upset."

Chat Noir could only nod and smile as he said, "Thank you, Ladybug. Thank you for being understanding."

Ladybug smiled as she ruffled his hair. "Of course, Kitty. You're my partner, and I care about you."

Chat Noir nodded, allowing himself to close his eyes and memorize the feel of her thumb on his cheek.

With a breathy laugh, Ladybug said, "You know I love you, right?"

Chat Noir's eyes shot open at her words, his mouth parting in his startelement. Ladybug looked taken aback by his reaction as she said, "What? What's with that face?"

Chat swallowed before he said in a breath, "You love me?"

Ladybug looked confused as she said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Um, yes. You're my best friend."

Chat felt his heart sink and his body sage at her words. "Right, as your friend," he said in a monotone voice.

From the look on Ladybug's face, something seemed to have clicked. Clearing her throat, Ladybug said, "What… Um, what would you like me to say?"

Chat pulled away from her and stood on shaky legs, not wishing to react poorly in his emotional state. "You don't need to say anything, LB. Forget about it."

Ladybug looked ready to speak before Chat Noir rushed in and said, "I think I should be off, my lady. I'm sure Plagg will be hungry soon."

"Wait, Chat. I… It seems as if I have hurt you just now."

Chat Noir let out a breath before he turned to her. Looking directly into her eyes, he said in a quiet, gentle voice, "I am not in a good state of mind right now, LB. I don't think I will get the illusion out of my head anytime soon, and I am struggling with it. Please don't feel as if you have done anything wrong. You have been kind and compassionate toward me. Thank you for caring."

Chat made a move to leap from the building, but was paused when Ladybug grabbed his arm. Her eyes were desperate as she said with trembling words, "Please, Chat. My heart cannot rest knowing you are hurting like this. Do you need space? Is there anything I can do to help you?"

A whispered voice in the back of his mind said, 'love me.' Chat quickly shoved away such thoughts and smiled at the beautiful girl before him. "There really isn't anything you can do at this point, LB. You've already been a huge help in just being here with me."

Ladybug quickly pulled him into a gentle hug and said, "I hate it when I can't fix it."

Chat Noir couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him. Ladybug looked up at him as he smiled down at her. With a clawed glove, Chat poked her nose as he said, "You can't fix everything, Bug."

Ladybug's nose crinkled at his touch, and even more so at his words. With a huff she said, "Well, I can try."

Chat smiled affectionately at her before saying, "Just remember that you are one person. You cannot do everything, and that is okay."

Ladybug sighed and hugged him tightly. Chat cringed but held her gently.

"Chat," Ladybug's voice was muffled in his chest as she spoke.

With a rumble he said, "Yes?"

Ladybug looked up at him and said quietly, "I want you to be candid with me, if you can." Ladybug paused, her eyes skirting away as if embarrassed before she gathered her courage and looked at him dead on. "Was the illusion at all related to me?"

Chat Noir felt a blush bloom on his cheeks as he nodded a yes to her question. Breathing in again, Ladybug said with determination, "If I can give you what you desire-?"

Immediately, Chat cut off her train of thought. "No."

Ladybug looked startled as she said, "No!?"

"No."

In exacerbation, Ladybug said, "But, why not?"

"Because the illusion wasn't real. And, if you were to do something in order to make me feel better, it would all be for not because it too would not be real. Your actions would only be done to help me feel better, and not by your own desires. Does this make sense?"

Ladybug slowly nodded before she said hesitantly, "And, what if it is what I desire?"

Chat Noir felt a flare of frustration at the stubbornness of the girl before him. Before he could speak, she continued. "I want to help you. If I can do anything to help ease your pain, then I would gladly do it. It would be my choice."

Chat let out a frustrated sigh as he pulled away from her. "No, LB. Even if you were making the choice, it would be a choice made out of sympathy, and not out something you truly wanted."

"You don't know that."

"Ladybug, I do."

"Tell me your desire, and I'll make it true."

"No."

"Chat-"

"I said no," Chat Noir said firmly, his body filled with anxiety and panic at her suggestion. His heart wanted to follow her suggestion, but his mind would taunt him should he allow it.

Ladybug remained silent as she stared up at him, her eyes determined with her hands on her hips.

Any other time, Chat Noir would have backed down immediately having seen the fire in her eyes. But for this matter, he could not.

Chat Noir was just considering if he should bolt home when Ladybug grabbed his bell and dragged him close to her. Chat tripped over his feet trying to right himself, leading him to grip her shoulders for balance. In shock, Chat stared down at Ladybug as she gripped the bell of his suit tightly.

"What-" Chats words were cut off by the feel of Ladybugs gloved fingers on his lips. With the pad of her thumb brushing against his bottom lip, she said in a breath, "Chat, may I kiss you?"

Chat felt his lungs constrict at her words. His body trembled as he let in a ragged breath, carefully studying Ladybugs gentle and wanting expression. His mind was in chaos. The echoing remnants from the illusion rang through her words, but Chat was uncertain—her good intentions being both cruel and sweet.

As the seconds passed, Ladybug's thumb moved from his lips to gently caressed his cheek, her eyes glassy and pleading. Chat closed his eyes, unable to handle the look on her face.

"Chat?"

Chat Noir slowly opened his eyes and took in her soft features. His voice cracked when he asked, "Why?"

A small smile edged on the corner of Ladybug's mouth as she said, "Because I want to."

Chat couldn't help the feeling of doubt that overcame him, his past experiences of rejection overshadowing his heart and mind. His heart ached—the realization of the illusion's falsehood having reopened the wound of unrequited love. Now, he could feel his hurt bleeding through him—an endless ache of fatigue extinguishing any hope he might have felt at Ladybug's words.

Letting out a weary sigh, Chat Noir said, "My lady, please don't feel obligated to say such things for my sake. I know you have no feelings for me."

Ladybug's eyes flashed with hurt before her mouth turned downwards in anger. "How can you claim to know my feelings? How can you say I have no feelings for you when my actions are saying the opposite?"

Chat Noir made an effort not to flinch at her passionate words. With her hand still holding his cheek, he brought his hand to lay over hers. Ladybug's eyes widened slightly at this before she sighed, removing her other hand from his bell to cradle his other cheek.

"Chat, please believe me."

Chat Noir didn't know what to think. Her hands on his cheek were warm and comforting, her eyes pleading for him to believe her. Then, a thought occurred to him, and it made his blood freeze.

Is this real?

Sucking in a breath, Chat ripped himself from Ladybug, feeling his body tremble from his thoughts.

Ladybug looked shocked, her mouth gaping open as her hands hovered where his face had been. With exacerbation, Ladybug said, "Chat, what's wrong?!"

Her words echoed in his mind—the illusion plaguing his thought—and he squeezed his eyes shut, pain from the uncertainty overwhelming him.

"Chat," said Ladybug with a pleading voice.

Chat Noir felt the beginning of a panic attack assault him, and he attempted to breathe evenly through the chaos in his head.

"Chat?!"

Chat's eyes shot open at Ladybug's panicked tone. Her face was pale as tears fell down her cheeks. The sight of her centered him. He breathed raggedly before he asked, "Are you real?"

Ladybug's eyes widened, and realization caused a shift in her demeanor. Now with cautious determination, Ladybug slowly approached him. Chat watched her hesitantly step toward him, as if encountering a spooked horse.

"Yes," Ladybug breathed.

Chat Noir—despite the lingering doubt and fear coursing through him—felt his heart calm and his head clear. "How do I know," he asked, his voice shaking.

Another tear fell down Ladybug's cheek as she said, "Two weeks ago, you and I established a new place to meet so that we could have assurance of our conversations being private. Three roofs above the new bakery is an abandoned-"

Chat Noir cut off her words with a crushing hug. Ladybug breathed out, "-green roof that we like."

Chat buried his face into her neck and let his tears flow, the feeling of relief overwhelming him. Ladybug brushed the back of his head with her hand while hugging him just as tightly.

They remained this way—holding each other in the silence—until Ladybug spoke. "Chat, I'm real, and I'm here."

Chat Noir pulled away from her then, wiping his face with the back of his palm. Her eyes glistened up at him, her earnest presence a balm to his fear.

"I'm sorry I doubted you."

Ladybug gave him a shaky smile as she said, "I don't blame you. And, I'm glad you did." Her expression shifted to one of righteous anger as she said, "How dare that akuma assume my identity, playing with your mind! How dare Papillion make such an akuma!"

Chat Noir felt a small smile grace his lips as he placed his hands on Ladybug's shoulders. "My lady, to be fair, the akuma was not deliberately impersonating you. Rather, the desire I have happened to involve you." Chat felt his voice trail off as a blush burned on his cheeks, his words catching up with his brain.

Ladybug's expression softened as she took his face in her hands once more. "And, what was your desire, Kitty?"

"It's not important."

Ladybug seemed to analyze him intently at his words. Chat felt his eyes skirting from hers, the squirming feeling of embarrassment made him want to run home and hide under the covers.

Ladybug stepped closer to him then, her eyes focused on his as she whispered, "Chat, may I kiss you?"

Chat felt himself freeze at her words, his eyes widening as he took in her earnest expression. Every part of him wanted to doubt her—wanted to claim her to be an illusion set on hurting him. Yet, in the deep recesses of his heart, he wanted to believe her.

Hesitantly, he said, "You don't have feelings for me. Why would you want to kiss me?"

Ladybug's eyes hardened again, though her voice was gentle as she said, "You are assuming I don't have feelings for you."

Chat Noir sucked in a breath, preparing himself for an emotional battle that he had no energy fighting. He felt his heart ache as he relived all her rejections of his pursuit. "My lady, you have consistently told me that you have no interest in me romantically."

Ladybug huffed out a laugh as she looked at him incredulously. "Chat, it has been a year since I've seriously turned you down."

Chat Noir felt himself pause in uncertainty, attempting to remember every encounter over the last year. The confusion must have been plain on his face because Ladybug's face grew soft.

Slowly, Ladybug leaned close to him, and rested her forehead against his. With humor in her voice, she whispered, "Do you seriously not know that I have been allowing you to flirt with me without resistance, and have even flirted back on multiple occasions?"

Chat Noir's gaping mouth and lingering silence must have been enough to answer her question because, after a time, Ladybug giggled as she looked at him with endearment. Chat felt his tongue weight heavy in his mouth as his heart rate increased. Could he have been so blind?

"But… You always pull away?! You… You made it really clear you have no feelings for me," said Chat with rushed panic.

Ladybug pulled away from him to look at him more fully. She sighed as she said, "Chat, the moment I realized I had feelings for you, I stopped resisting." Ladybug's face morphed into one of frustration as she said with annoyance, "I have been waiting for you to notice—a mistake on my part since you're as dense as ever."

Chat Noir couldn't help the guffaw of laughter that escaped his lips at her words. "My lady, you must have been really subtle for me not to have noticed. I have a hard time imagining that I wouldn't notice the person I like suddenly having feelings for me."

Ladybug's eyes sparkled as she smirked. "Oh, Kitty, you better believe it. There was even a time when I took your hand-" Ladybug grabbed his hand to illustrate "-like this, and I looked you dead in the eye-" Ladybug looked intently at Chat as she spoke "-and then I said, 'I like you a lot, Chat.' Do you know what you said to me?" Ladybug's voice raised an octave as she spoke her last sentence, her eyes not leaving his. With sarcasm, she continued after a weighted pause. "You said. 'I like you too, LB.' Honestly, Chat, I wanted to kick you off the Eiffel Tower."

Chat Noir gapped at her for several moments before he felt a nervous, breathy giggle escape his lips as he stared at her with wild eyes.

Ladybug smirked at him before her face softened again. Slowly reaching toward him, she ran her fingers through his hair. Chat felt his body relax as he closed his eyes.

"Oh my dear boy, what am I going to do with you?"

Chat Noir opened his eyes to take in the expression on Ladybug's face. Her face held the expression of gentle affection built on years of earnest friendship. Suddenly, any doubt Chat Noir had collapsed under the weight of his love for her.

Sucking in a deep breath, Chat placed a hand to her cheek, softly brushing the skin under her mask. Her eyes seemed to sparkle as the moon's light began to shine beyond the setting sun. A gentle smile formed on her lips as her eyes closed from his touch.

"My lady," Chat's voice was a breath in the wind. Ladybug slowly opened her eyes, and he saw the question within them.

"Would you still like too…," Chat Noir's sentence trailed off as he felt the sudden burn of embarrassment at what he wanted to ask.

Ladybug must have noticed his struggle because she smiled knowingly at him before saying, "Would I still like to kiss you?"

Chat Noir could only nod, his cheeks burning.

Ladybug suddenly became shy—as if just realizing her boldness—and she glanced down at her feet. Seeing her reaction helped temper him, his hope surging.

Not looking at him, she said quietly, "Only if you would like me too."

From the deep red on her cheeks, Chat could tell she was unlikely to make the first move. Slowly, Chat placed his gloved finger under her chin and gently guided her face to look at him.

He took in her features, soft and beautiful, as she waited for him to act. With great care, he slowly allowed his lips to meet hers. At that moment, Chat questioned how he had ever believed the illusion. While the Ladybug in his illusion had been nice, the Ladybug before him was so much more. She was soft, sweet, and lovely. She was hesitant, gentle, and clumsy. She was real.

After a time had passed, Chat pulled away from her and leaned his forehead against her own. With a sparkle in her eyes as she looked at him, she said with breathy humor, "In case the kiss wasn't clear enough, I like you in a very non-platonic way."

Ladybug gave him a cheeky smile, and Chat snorted at her teasing words.

"Thank you for the enlightenment, my lady."

With a wink, Ladybug said, "Anytime."

For a moment, Chat Noir felt himself startle, his breath hitching on a laugh as he stared at her expression—one he had seen on many occasions in recent months. With a humorous amount of shock, Chat's eyes widened before he pulled away from her, exclaiming, "You really have been flirting with me!"

Ladybug snorted at his revelation before she gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Don't worry. I'll make it really obvious from now on."

Chat Noir gawked at her before he huffed, saying with humor, "I won't need the help, my lady."

"Your dense nature begs to differ."

Chat Noir felt himself smile at their banter, feeling elated as he watched her eyes gleam with flirtatious mischief. Feeling clever, Chat said with an annoying level of glee, "My lady, I shall endeavor to see your desire towards me in your art of flirtation, do not despair." Chat ended his dramatic monologue with a toothy grin.

Ladybug looked torn between laughter and disgust. Settling on the latter, her face became deadpan as she said, "I can handle a bit of despair."

"But, my lady, how could I knowingly put you in such a state without being pawsitively wrecked! It would be a cat-astrophe to our partnership!"

Ladybug groaned. "I take it back. Hearing you speak is the essence of my despair."

"My lady, you wound me."

With a hand on his chest for emphasis, Chat smiled at Ladybug with a degree of joy he hadn't felt in some time. Sensing the shift in his mood, Ladybug's body language softened, and she smiled at him knowingly.

With laughter in her tone, Ladybug said, "Hardly."

Chat slowly lowered his forehead onto hers, speaking after a few moments of gentle silence passed between them "I am so thankful this is real—that you are real."

Ladybug grew serious, placing her arms around his neck before she said, "If you ever doubt it, ask me a question that an akuma could not know." After a moment, a small smile graced her features before she said teasingly, "Ask how long it took for you to notice my feelings for you. I'm sure no akuma would guess a year."

Chat rolled his eyes with exacerbation before saying dramatically, "Will I ever live this down?"

Ladybug's face lit up as she giggled. "Nope! I can't wait to tell this to the grandchildren." Impersonating an elderly woman, Ladybug said, "When your granddaddy was just a wee boy, he was as dense as brick! Took him a whole year to figure out I was flirting with him."

Chat Noir let out a generous laugh at her impersonation, and his heart warmed at her vision of their future—the prospect of them passing stories of their adventures to their grandchildren beyond what he'd ever dreamed of.

Kissing her forehead, Chat Noir said, "I look forward to it, my lady."

Ladybug smiled sweetly at him. Then, an odd expression entered her face. Chat Noir immediately became hesitant.

"Chat," the question in Ladybug's voice was clear.

"Yes, my lady?"

"If the illusion was about me, what exactly was it about? Did I do anything specific?"

Chat Noir cleared his throat, taking a step backward. Ladybug's eyes brow shot up at his movements. "Well, the Ladybug in my illusion… you—she was very similar to you. We…there was a moment when she…"

Chat Noir felt himself trail off nervously as he watched Ladybugs stance shift. With a tone of suspicion, Ladybug asked, "What happened."

In a rushed tone, Chat Noir said, "She basically said she loved me and then she kissed me. Then, I felt pain and the akuma appeared, and-"

"She kissed you," Ladybug cut in with a voice of surprise.

"Yes." Chat Noir felt himself squirm under her inspection.

Ladybug seemed taken aback by this information. With a level of vulnerability, Ladybug said with timidity, "Did you like it?"

Chat Noir felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. Clearing his throat awkwardly, Chat said, "Well, yes, but that's only because I thought she was you!"

Ladybug seemed to be digesting this information, her face torn between insecurity and acceptance. Chat Noir quickly pulled her into a hug, and was thankful when he felt her relax into it.

"I'm not sure what you're thinking, my lady, but I just want to reassure you that the real deal is always better than a fake." For emphasis, Chat placed a gentle kiss on her lips before leaning his forehead against hers once more.

Ladybug seemed to sigh in relief before she smiled at him playfully, "Don't you forget it, Kitty."

A rumble of laughter escaped him as he smiled down at her. When he spoke, his tone was serious, "Never."


Miraculous Ladybug Season Four is not yet streaming in my region. Should you choose to comment, please no spoilers :)

Fun fact: Originally, I wrote Ladybug as being slightly more aggressive in a protective sense. Ultimately, I ended up rewriting it because it bothered me. She wasn't respecting Chats boundaries, and she didn't ask permission before kissing him. I have learned that I am a huge advocate for consent, even on a small scale, after writing this short piece.