The story below is based on the characters from Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir. I own nothing of the show. This is purely fictitious and written for the enjoyment of my readers and myself. All rights go to the proper parties. This is my first ever fanfiction. Enjoy!
Ladybug and Cat Noir are sitting at the top of the Eiffel towel. They just finished their patrol of the city making sure that every Parisian was safe and sound after the fight with Malediktator and Mega Leech effected nearly the entire city. Ladybug watches the city of lights as day turns to night while Cat Noir stares at his boots lost in thought. Their silence ends as Cat Noir looks to Ladybug and says, "M'Lady, can I ask you something?"
Ladybug turns to Cat Noir, catching the serious look on his face, and responds, "What is it, Cat?"
"Well, I noticed that you chose a new mouse miraculous holder." Cat Noir begins before looking down at his hands in his lap.
"I did. Polymouse was excellent, wasn't she?" Ladybug responds, wondering where this conversation could be going. She eyes Cat Noir suspiciously. Noticing the nervousness in the way he's sitting, slouched ever so slightly with his hands fidgeting in his lap.
"Yes, of course she was. I just… I was wondering…." Cat Noir trails off, moving to rub the back of his neck as he so often does when nervous before catching himself and placing his hand back in his lap.
"Out with it, Cat." Ladybug probes.
Cat Noir pauses for a moment. Biting his bottom lip and picking at his claws within his gloved hands before continuing, "Well, why didn't you ask Marinette to be Multimouse again?"
Ladybug startles momentarily, confused at why Cat Noir was asking about her civilian self. She pauses a moment to decide what to say before responding, "Cat, she revealed her identity. It's not safe to have her be Multimouse again."
Cat Noir narrows his eyes, unhappy with this response, and declares, "Most of the other heroes have had their identities revealed to Hawkmoth too. Don't you remember Miracle Queen? Besides, she only revealed her identity to me. No one else saw."
Ladybug sighs, lowering her shoulders and looking at Cat Noir with sad eyes, "Cat, it's not safe. Please drop it. Polymouse was great today. Marinette is a liability. She revealed her identity once, what if she does it again? What if she messes up even worse than an accidental reveal?"
"She wouldn't. I know Marinette, she'd be careful and she wouldn't make the same mistake twice." Cat exclaims confidently, no longer slouching or fidgeting with his hands.
"How would you know that?" Ladybug mutters. She lowers her shoulders and looks to the city below. Nighttime has arrived and Paris is quiet as most Parisians are home with their families. Ladybug idly wonders what her friends are doing tonight. How Alya is probably at home helping her parents get Ella and Etta ready for bed. How Nino is probably listening to music or watching a movie. How Mylène and Ivan are probably video chatting each other about their success at stopping the Mayors plans to create a tower filtering out artificial oxygen in the name of environmental protection.
"What do you have against Marinette, Ladybug?" Cat Noir softly asks, interrupting Ladybugs thoughts.
"Nothing, Cat. I have nothing against Marinette." Ladybug explains exasperated.
"Then why won't you let her be Multimouse? Master Fu trusted her during Kwamibuster when you and I both lost our Kwamis. She handled it like a pro and was able to defeat Kwamibuster entirely on her own. So why won't you give her another chance? Her only mistake is revealing herself to me." Cat pleads. He runs his hands through his hair messing up the already mussed up mane before standing with frustration. He paces back and forth before stopping in front of Ladybug and waiting for her answer.
Ladybug stands to join Cat Noir. She softly places her hand on his arm before quietly asking, "Why is this so important to you, Cat?"
"Because…" Cat sighs looking into Ladybug's eyes, "Marinette is important to me. She's special and she would be a great addition to our team. She's loyal, brave, and caring. If anybody deserves a miraculous, it's her." He finishes.
"Can you just trust that it's better that Marinette doesn't become Multimouse again?" Ladybug solemnly asks.
"I trust you with my life, Bugaboo. If she can't be Multimouse, then…" cat pauses, "can she be a different hero? I'm sure there's another miraculous that would fit her perfectly." He looks into Ladybug's eyes, silently pleading with her.
"No Cat. She can't have a miraculous. It was a one time thing." Ladybug declares, letting go of Cat's arm.
"Why Ladybug? I just want to know why." Cat begs, placing his hands on her shoulders and looking into her eyes.
Ladybug shrugs him off and looks away. She begins to pace the tower, much slower than how Cat Noir was pacing before. "I can't tell you why, Cat. Just trust me." She responds.
"If you won't tell me, then maybe she will." Cat declares as he uses his baton to jump away, heading in the direction of the all too familiar bakery. Ladybug sighs before using her yo-yo to swing home. Hopefully she can get there before Cat Noir finds Marinette missing.
