A/N: just wanted to say that that this fic is a slow build. i forget that ffnet doesn't have a tagging system like ao3. anyways, enjoy!

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chapter two: the i don't even want to think about it part

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Adrien resolved to patrol that night and so he did. Sacrificing more necessary hours of sleep to ensure the safety of Parisians was not only his duty but, he also wouldn't be able to sleep well knowing Hawkmoth was plotting an attack at any moment. At one point during the patrol, a couple of news cameras caught him to his surprise. Chat Noir had given them a wink before slinking back into the dark corners of building rooftops, making sure the only bit they caught of him then was the glint of his baton, shining in the night.

Overall, it had been a safe night in Paris. None of Hawkmoth's goons had come in sight.

Chat Noir got home again by six that morning, entering quietly through his window. Him being drunk of sleep had everything to do with him unceremoniously tripping over his moving boxes a moment after but, he was too tired to care.

Adrien mumbled for Plagg to detransform as he slumped on the floor, falling into a quick sleep.

::

::

"No attacks in Paris," Marin smiled almost smugly to himself, "and it's been two days since his last attack here in Marseille. Tikki, I think you owe me an apology."

Tikki paused from mid-bite at her macaron. "We have yet to see that he's not in Paris, Marin. You know something doesn't feel right as well as I do."

Marin dropped his smile as quickly as it came.

"I can see how restless you are. You're even helping your parents a lot more at the bakery just to get your mind off of it."

Marin dragged a weary look at her. "That obvious?"

"Very." Tikki smiled cutely.

Marin smiled back limply. "I just think if he's trying to move his attacks to Paris he has a poor way of showing it."

"Maybe you should try to head up there and ask Chat Noir if he's seen or heard anything during his patrols?" Tikki suggested innocently.

Marin stared morosely at her and she smiled at him.

"And if Hawkmoth attacks Marseille while I'm gone?"

"You go as early as possible. You know Hawkmoth likes attacking in the late afternoon to the evening."

Marin looked away and began nibbling at his bottom lip, wondering how to get out of this. Tikki really wanted him to meet Chat Noir as soon as possible and he had no desire for it. To spend even a second with that lying, fame hungry guy was already making his teeth gnaw.

Marin looked towards his desktop, seeing the admissions page for Asmod still open from researching earlier. Still, no matter how much he disliked Chat Noir, he would have to put his grievances aside and do what he had to to protect people from Hawkmoth. Tikki followed his trail of sight and beamed.

"You'll do it?"

Marin frowned, "I must consider any and every option."

"That's right," Tikki said, "You're in luck that they're doing instant decisions if you submit your portfolio and transcript in person. Might as well do so after talking to Chat Noir."

"It's like you have it all figured out for me," Marin got up from his comfy sofa and gave a stretch. His tank top rid up, exposing a slender waist. "Alright, Tikki. If it's what I'll have to do, I'll do it."

"I'm proud of you, Marin. You always do the right thing in the end." Tikki floated to him, kissing his cheek and Marin giggled.

"Thank you Tikki," he spread an easy smile. "Well, the easy part is booking a train ticket. The hard part? Telling mom and dad what I might be considering to do."

"Chat Noir isn't the hard part?"

"Chat Noir is the I don't want to even think about it part." He clarified with a sigh.

Tikki gave a tired smile, "It's truly going to be interesting when the two of you meet, huh?"

Marin shrugged. "Speaking of which, how will he know when I'll be in Paris?"

"If you give me permission Marin, I can teleport to Chat Noir's kwami and tell him."

Marin narrowed his eyes, worry crossing his features. "When you teleport it drains your energy for hours, Tikki. You don't even talk or anything because you're so exhausted."

"You're exaggerating. It's only for two hours where I or you can't use my powers." Tikki nuzzled his cheek and Marin did so back automatically, though his brows were still knitted. "Don't worry, Marin. I'll be back before you know it."

::

::

Adrien slid over the last of his boxes, the sun streaming an orange glaze on his figure as it entered through his ceiling tall windows. Carefully shuffling the box under his bed after making sure he sharpied it 'fragile', Adrien huffed wistful smile. In that box was the memorabilia he accumulated so far as being Chat Noir. Fangifts, pictures posed with Parisians and awards from the mayor… Paris loved him and he loved Paris right back. With sweat at his brow and upper lip, Adrien looked around his room to see all the boxes stacked neatly in number and order. All in a day's work.

"With no help from Plagg," Adrien joked to himself. Plagg simply whizzed by, opening a cabinet for cheese. "I would've finished this much earlier if you let me transform."

"You don't use your powers for your own benefit," Plagg said after an entire bite of cheese, "Guide to Miraculous Users 101."

Adrien shrugged at that. No point arguing about it if all the organizing was already done. Adrien gave himself a whiff and smelled three hours of stacking and organizing boxes. He winced...He needed a shower asap.

"Two days from now you'll be gone from your father's place," Plagg said, "My Adrien is finally growing up. How does it feel?"

Adrien peeled off his black tee then, revealing a lean muscular frame. His waist was square, holding taut and toned abs that looked supple to the touch. Plagg narrowed his eyes at him, giving him a judgemental once over.

"Okaaay. Point taken."

Adrien laughed brightly, his blond hair bouncing, "I've been grown up, Plagg! I feel free, ready to take on anything," he outstretched his arms and gave a spin, "university, new friends, maybe a girl—"

"Oh my," Tikki meeked, face to face to Adrien, "Chat Noir?"

Adrien's smile froze on his face as his eyes grew wider by the second.

"Tikki?" Plagg squeaked as she stared at Adrien in concern. He floated over, settling himself above on Adrien's head. "It's okay, casanova. It's just Ladybug's kwami."

"L...Ladybug's kwami?" Adrien was still wide-eyed. He figured as much. She was...red.

Tikki giggled at his expression and gave a sheepish look. "My name is Tikki. I'm sorry to drop in unannounced."

Realizing he was probably being rude, Adrien cleared his throat and straightened himself, offering a hand for Tikki to shake. Tikki giggled again, floating to instead kiss him on either side of his cheeks.

"You are very well-mannered Chat Noir, thank you."

Adrien could still only nod meekly. Plagg snickered above him.

"What was that, Adrien? You felt ready to take on anything?"

"Shut up, Plagg." Adrien muttered, eyes still on Tikki. She continued smiling at him, feeling amused.

"I am not my holder, Chat Noir," she said, "You can be yourself around me if you like."

Adrien gave a sheepish look to her. "Sorry, it's just...I never thought I'd actually meet you."

"And you're meeting Ladybug next so you better get used to it," Plagg said, "That's why you're here, right?"

Tikki nodded, "Right. I'm here to tell Chat Noir that tomorrow, at nine a.m., you are to meet Ladybug at the Montmartre vineyard behind the white tarps. There, you'll tell him anything peculiar you've noticed in Hawkmoth's movements here in Paris."

"But he hasn't attacked," Adrien started, "I haven't seen any of his goons around."

"Sugarcube, me and Adrien think they've gone into hiding," Plagg gave a yawn, "They haven't been making any noise, probably waiting around until the big boss orders them to."

"That may be the case, but still-" Tikki looked around Adrien's room, noticing all the boxes, "Oh? You're moving?"

"Yeah, later tomorrow." Adrien smiled, "I'm starting university this fall."

Tikki beamed, "Oh! Just like m-" before she could finish her sentence, small pink bubbles grew and emerged from her mouth, effectively cutting her off. Adrien drew close in alarm as Plagg gave another yawn.

"Are you okay?" Adrien offered to cup her in his hands. Tikki blinked bemusedly and then realization flitted across her face.

"There's a rule that forbids us to say our holder's names in the presence of another holder," Plagg deadpanned, "I can't say your name, Adrien, say if I were around Ladybug."

Adrien frowned, hearing Tikki quietly thank him as she sat in his palms. "I see."

"There's so much going on, I'd kind of forgotten about it," Tikki sighed, "But that's why I'm here, I suppose. Chat Noir, you and Ladybug have been separated for long enough."

Adrien stared at her, squinting a bit. "Not that I disagree with you, but why do I feel like you're implying that we should've been working together a long time ago, just like I always wanted us to?"

The look Tikki gave him was of such immense fondness, it made even Plagg smile a bit.

"Because that's how it should've been. You are absolutely correct, Chat Noir," Tikki said. "Because the Ladybug miraculous was found by the guardian in Marseille, he passed it on to someone there that he felt was the right choice."

"And then the guardian found Adrien on a trip here, a month later." Plagg finished. "How is the guardian, by the way?"

"I haven't seen him since he passed me to my holder," Tikki frowned, "which is really concerning. I hope him and all the other miraculouses are okay."

"I'm sure they're alright, sugarcube."

Adrien could only gape at this newfound information. "There are more miraculouses?"

"Not for you. I'm your one and only, casanova." Plagg winked.

Adrien shot an annoyed look up at his hair, "Stop calling me that, Plagg. You're giving Tikki the wrong idea."

"Well, put on a shirt then." Plagg huffed as Tikki giggled.

"It's fine. My holder being male has made me quite used to this."

Adrien gave an uneasy smile at the mention of him. "I kinda heard some things from Plagg about him."

Tikki blinked, looking up at Plagg in puzzlement. Plagg was already trying his best to hide his panicked expression.

"I only told him what I thought you'd want me to warn him of, okay? It wasn't anything untrue!"

Tikki paused and looked at Adrien. He was already looking at her a bit sadly, as if he was unsure how else to continue the conversation now that it's reached this point.

"Chat Noir," Tikki floated from his hands, "Ladybug is...It's something he has to tell you from himself. I can't possibly explain it, at least not well enough as he can." At that moment, Tikki's stomach made a rumbling sound of hunger. Adrien raised his brows and she grew embarrassed, scratching the back of her head sheepishly. "Sorry. That's a sign that I need to go now."

"Aren't you hungry?" Adrien asked.

"She teleported here and will stay if she eats food from here." Plagg quietly informed him, "She needs to go back, eat food from her holder so she stays there, otherwise she'll just poof back here."

Tikki nodded at Plagg's explanation, somewhat impressed. Adrien gave her an understanding smile, though his dejection was still in his eyes. "Got it."

"Don't worry, Chat Noir," Tikki said, seeing it, "Everything will work out fine tomorrow. Ladybug will come around."

He smiled a bit wider at her, "Coming from you that gives me hope that he will."

Plagg floated down from Adrien's hair suddenly and gave Tikki a hug. She blinked rather comically, not expecting it all and Plagg himself looked a little bewildered.

"Not that that means anything! I just haven't seen you in a while!" Plagg made a move to draw away but Tikki giggled and hugged him back before he could run away.

"I missed you too, Plagg...thank you."

Adrien, quiet, watched the scene with a soft smile.

::

::

Marin checked himself out on the mirror, flattening over his white v-neck under his black stand-collar blazer. His hair was getting long, so he put it in a simple ponytail where at first glance, one would think he had bangs and nothing else. He felt Tikki watching him from his bed and he turned, smiling at her.

"Well. How do I look?"

"The same you do everyday, Marin," she beamed, "fantastic."

He smiled wider, toeing on his canvas sneakers. "Thanks, Tikki. Though it's okay, you can say I look the same because this is what I wear everyday."

"I implied it?" Tikki offered, cheeky. Marin huffed amusedly at her sass.

"You know. I'm not nearly as nervous to walk into Asmod as I thought I would be," he said, tucking his portfolio and articles of clothing he's designed into his bookbag, "Maybe it's because meeting Chat Noir is possibly the worst and only thing."

Tikki shook her head, helpless. "I'm not going to lie to you, Marin, but I'm hoping that you'll settle your differences with him after today. I want to promise you that he's not at all how you think he is, because if he was, he wouldn't have been chosen to be a miraculous holder..But, even so, I do understand that how you perceive him alone is the start of your friendship with him, not me telling you."

Marin was silent for a moment before looking away.

"How is he though? Since you met him. Give me one word."

Tikki paused for a second. Then, "He's sweet."

Marin gave her a questioning look and she smiled, all cheesy. "Trust me, Marin. I would know a thing or two about sweet things."

Marin was still perplexed, wanting to know more, but at that moment a knock was heard at the door of his room. He turned to Tikki, unsurprised to find her already flying away to hide behind a pillow.

"Come in," he said normally.

Tom Dupain-Cheng appeared as he opened the door, a warm, tired smile on his face.

"Hey, son."

"Hi, dad. Good morning," Marin tippy-toed to give his dad a hug. "You're up early to send me off?"

Tom nodded, looking around his room. "Well, besides the bakery needing to be up and running, of course. You got everything you need?" Marin lifted his bookbag in response and Tom's eyes crinkled in fondness. "Oh son, what will me and your mother do if you really leave us?"

Marin slid into a loving smile. "Aw, dad. It's just Paris. You make it sound like I'm going to America. And hey, that's if I get accepted that is."

"Of course you'll get accepted, Marin," Tom spoke seriously but warm, "Your designs are amazing and your ability to take any idea and then craft it is only one of your many talents. But you know what? I think it's your kindness and quick thinking to help others that is what this university is going to see when they think about selecting you. You see these qualities of you through your work, son. They won't miss it and I don't think they would want to, not for the world."

Marin stared up at his father, a slow, wide grin beginning to stretch his face.

"Marin?" Tom looked confused for a moment. "Did I say anything wrong—"

"You're the absolute best, dad!" Marin said before throwing himself to give his dad one of his bone-crushing hugs. "The best!"

::

::

Adrien walked out of his room, pocketing his cellphone. Today, in just an hour, he was going to meet Ladybug. Ladybug. Adrien swallowed, adam's apple bobbing as he jogged down the steps of his home, narrowly missing Gorilla walking up. Gorilla gave him a raised brow.

"Just taking a jog. Don't worry, I'll wear my disguise." Adrien said.

Gorilla eased at that, nodding and continued his trudge. Adrien let out a breath, knowing his nerves weren't because his father was letting him to go out without supervision. Lately, his father has been more allowing of things and Adrien guessed it was because of his age. He was nineteen now, about to turn twenty in a month. His father couldn't hold bars on him forever and he probably realized that.

So no, Adrien thought as he closed the doors behind him, it wasn't because of his father that he was nervous. It was thoroughly because of Ladybug.

Meeting someone you've always wanted to meet was one thing, meeting someone who's always hated you while you've always wanted to meet them, was another.

Adrien threw his hoodie over his head, crossing the street and into an alley. He remembered the first time he heard of Ladybug.

Three years ago, he was forced to stay in his room and was watching the news when there Ladybug was, pulling people out of the way as falling debris came down from a building. There hadn't enough time for him to escape it. It had all crashed down on him in a sickening sound, and the whole of France watched, including Adrien, in stunned silence, as the rubble shook and moved a second later, with Ladybug emerging and raising himself up, blood spilling out the corners of his full lips and his forehead with a nasty gash. Still, no matter how painful it looked, everyone watched as he wiped the blood away, drew his hair back and swung his lucky charm toward the villain. It was a smoke canister, and it clouded all the television screens in France that day.

After the smoke was gone, Ladybug emerged, no longer cut up but all brand-new. Adrien remembered the wetness at the corner of his eyes, how the whole of France cheered for this masked hero that saved the day.

"Ladybug," the hero spoke rather timidly to the camera. His blue eyes were nervous as all the cameras surrounded him, "My name is Ladybug." he repeated a bit more reassuringly.

"Ladybug." Adrien said presently. He felt Plagg wiggle out of his pocket.

"What? He's here?"

Adrien shook his head, looking a little worn. "No, I'm just...a bit worried, Plagg."

"C'mon Adrien," Plagg said, "everything will turn out fine. Stop worrying so much."

Adrien gave him a concerned look before smiling hesitantly. "Yeah. Maybe I am worrying too much. If Ladybug doesn't like me, it's because he's never met me and doesn't know me that well. That'll change today, I'm sure of it. Alright, Plagg."

"That's the spir-wait!"

"Claws out!"

"I thought I couldhavemymorningcheeeese-!"

::

::

Marin watched his body transform into Ladybug's suit in quick speed. He was already at the vineyard behind the white tarps closer to the hills. The minute he sensed Chat Noir nearby, he'd call out to him. Thankfully the vineyard was closed today, even to its workers, and so it was a good spot that Tikki had chosen. Marin wondered how she even thought of it in the first place.

Marin sighed, tucking a lock of his navy hair behind his hair; his ponytail was coming undone. He looked around, making sure there wasn't a Chat Noir walking up to him in sight, before pulling on his hair tie and letting his medium length hair come loose. Tucking the tie between his lips and closing his eyes, a habit of his, he gathered his hair neatly together in concentration. Once it felt neat enough, he took the tie from his lips and tied his hair as perfectly as he could, giving it a tight pull. There. That should be good enough. Ladybug opened his eyes, his smile content.

Chat Noir was standing in front of him, agape.

Ladybug stared, too stunned to even speak, much less move.

Chat Noir did it first. "...Hey."

"Hi." Ladybug said unsurely.

Chat Noir's face immediately went up in flames. Not literally, but Ladybug was sure his face was red enough to catch fire. He raised his brows at him, hands on his hips. "Are you okay?" he tilted his head. "You look like you ran a marathon."

Chat Noir was still as still can be. "My heart feels like I ran through one."

"What?" Ladybug couldn't hear.

"Nothing," Chat Noir stammered. He extended a trembling hand and Ladybug looked down at it, bewildered at his behavior. "Chat Noir."

Ladybug took his hand and shook it slowly, his brow still raised. "Okay...I know you're Chat Noir. Why are we doing introductions like we don't know who we are?"

"I've never met you, Ladybug," Chat Noir started, "I've always wanted to. Um, thank you, by the way, for coming to Paris and for giving me this opportunity to."

Ladybug watched then as Chat Noir looked away. Where was the overconfident, suave Chat Noir he's seen on news broadcasts from his room and streets of Marseille? Because he certainly wasn't here in front of him. This Chat Noir was acting like...he was completely nervous. Ladybug squinted at him, still not trusting.

"I didn't come here for you, Chat Noir. I came here for information on Hawkmoth." he looked down pointedly then, "Also, when are you going to let go of my hand?" Chat let out his version of a squeak and let go like he'd been burned. Ladybug grew even more confused. "Can you just drop the act while you're at it?"

"What act?" Chat Noir blinked. With that question, it looked like he came to his senses. "Sorry that I'm not, uh, well...Serious. It's just that it's you. Here. In front of me. I never thought this day would come."

Ladybug gestured with his arms to say, well, I'm here, what of it.

Chat Noir smiled. "I don't think you realize how much I kind of respect you, bugaboo."

Ladybug winced at the nickname. "You? Respect me? Is that a joke?"

Chat now schooled a serious expression, as if he'd been expecting this kind of apprehension. Ladybug thought about Tikki's visit yesterday and wondered what she told him. "Have I ever disrespected you in any way, mon amour? Please tell me."

Ladybug felt a vein pop at the corner of his forehead, "First of, don't call me your love. I'm not your love," Ladybug took a step close, "second of all, I'm not your bugaboo either, so don't call me that and, third of all," Ladybug took another step closer (noticing a little angrily at their noticeable height difference), "you have disrespected me in more times than I can count. You? Telling the people of Paris, France, that you have a love for me that I won't return-?"

"Because you never wanted meet me," Chat Noir looked down at him, in earnest, "I'd proposed to meet with you in Marseille if Paris was too much-"

"I didn't want to meet you because of what you pulled, Chat Noir," Ladybug said tiredly, "You made me out to be something I'm not- a cold hearted person, like I was someone who wouldn't bother themselves to talk to you for no reason."

"That isn't true." Chat said quietly, but he was looking away this time. His suit ears were folded.

"Every single time I would save Marseille, you would get on the news and tell everyone how much I don't contact you despite me going out there and doing my job. 'why doesn't Ladybug talk to me' you would say," Ladybug felt all his anger bubbling up, coming through to release, "maybe because I'm busy saving people from akumas, something you don't have to worry about. Maybe because in my private life, I already have so much going on, maybe because in my head, the only time I can relax is actually when I'm Ladybug, where I could feel free, me- and the last thing I need while I'm Ladybug is you telling France, and the world, how much I'm supposed to be in love with you!"

He nearly yelled that last bit. He probably did. Ladybug didn't know and he didn't care. He was breathing hard, watching the object of his frustrations staring back at him with wide eyes.

"I can promise you one thing Chat Noir," Ladybug said, his voice resolute, "me and you will never be friends."

There was a moment where the only sounds you could hear was Paris beginning to wake up, the jays and magpies chirping in the tall trees, and the rustle of the vineyards around them moving at the light breeze. Ladybug could hear the sound of his own heart thudding his chest, loud and hard in his ears as he watched Chat Noir's face shift into one of pure despondence.

"I'm sorry." Chat Noir said limply.

Ladybug stared evenly at him before looking down at his feet. He didn't want to hear that. At least not so soon. All of his emotions, his anger towards Chat Noir had been an accumulation of three years worth. He didn't expect Chat Noir to apologize to him so suddenly, and to say it like he meant it too. Ladybug bit his lip and looked back up.

Chat Noir leaned close the second he did, close enough that Ladybug's nose was brushing the side of his chin.

"Wha-" he began, becoming tense.

"I don't see black butterflies often in Paris. Do you?" Chat Noir's voice was low and calm.

Ladybug locked eyes with him in confusion.

"There is a black butterfly, coming up right behind you."

Ladybug felt his stomach become weightless, cold sweat already creeping on the back of his neck. He watched Chat Noir swallow, looking a little nervous as he braced himself. He raised his right hand and with his left, pushed Ladybug's torso against his, bringing him close and away from the akuma. They were torso to torso, lips to neck. Ladybug blinked as Chat Noir trembled in gripping his lower back tightly. Ladybug realized then how nervous he was. He drew a breath, trying to meet Chat Noir's eyes.

"Wait, Chat Noir, let me-"

"Cataclysm!" Chat shouted and immediately a black orb formed into existence, floating above his left palm. He lurched forward, pushing Ladybug to the side as he widened his palm to the akuma. It fluttered right into it and into the black orb, and, in seconds, the akuma froze, turning grey in ash. Ladybug could only watch, still, as it crumpled and disintegrated into absolute nothing.

"Oh." he said simply.

Chat Noir was still for a moment before he slumped over, one knee on the ground. Ladybug moved over to him in alarm, wondering if something was wrong. "Chat?"

Chat Noir slowly looked up, green eyes looking buckets grateful. "I thought. I thought I'd lose you, Ladybug."

Ladybug realized then that this was Chat Noir's first akuma. He shook his head, putting a hand on his back. "No way. It'll take more than one akuma to knock me out. Not even two Hawkmoths could get me."

Chat Noir smiled a little at that and Ladybug smiled back instinctively. "I suppose you're right, lovebu-I mean, Ladybug."

Ladybug looked at him and Chat Noir flushed at his slip up, looking away. Ladybug sighed heavily, shaking his head before plopping down on the ground and crossing his legs. "Sit with me, Chat Noir."

"Huh?"

"I know you have only a couple of minutes before you transform back," Ladybug muttered, feeling embarrassed that he was even doing this. He never saw himself doing this. "This will only take a second. So sit."

Chat Noir obliged and mirrored his seating position, timid.

"I am sorry," Ladybug breathed out after a moment, "I lashed out on you, not realizing how pure your intentions to get my attention were and I just wanna say...I just want to say that I'm sorry for that."

"It's okay, bugabo-Ladybug," Chat Noir immediately rushed out.

"No, it's not okay." Ladybug looked at him. "I nearly got akumatized. In Paris no less."

Chat Noir looked at him realizing something Ladybug realized minutes ago. "Hawkmoth is here."

"And now he knows I'm in Paris." Ladybug said. "he felt my emotions, my rage, my anger...He saw them and tried to take advantage of it. Something he's never been able to do."

"I'm sorry," Chat Noir repeated, looking at him in seriousness, "if it weren't for my stupid actions, you wouldn't have felt this way. I wish I'd known how much it was troubling you, upsetting you. I thought you never knew about me saying all those things on the news. Plagg told me how you don't read the papers or pay attention to media much."

"I watch the news," Ladybug said rather curtly, folding his arms, "The papers are horrible because it's full of gossip, so I avoid those."

"Ah," Chat Noir decided then to keep to himself that the newspapers were his favorite thing. "Makes sense."

"Chat Noir, none of this is your fault." Ladybug said, bringing him back, "I should've checked my emotions a long time ago and, like you said, you didn't know I was uncomfortable. How could you possibly if I never came up to you and told you?"

Chat Noir could only look at him, listening. Ladybug smiled slowly.

"You saved my life just now. I don't think you realize that. Now, I owe you."

Chat shook his head at that, "No way, bugaboo. You don't owe me a thing, 'cause I'd do it again in a heartbeat. You can count on me anytime from now on to be by your side, saving you from anything here in Paris." Ladybug stilled and Chat Noir blinked at him in confusion before realizing his slip up again. He jumped in alarm, "Uh, I mean, ladybu-!"

Ladybug sputtered a laugh, nose wrinkling and blue eyes mirthful. Chat Noir stared at him, caught by the sight.

"Chat Noir, you are something else," Ladybug giggled, still in jest, "how can you say something so serious while calling me 'bugaboo'?"

"Do you hate it?" Chat asked rather softly.

"I honestly don't care about it," Ladybug subsided his laughs but a smile still danced at his lips, "you can really call me anything you like, just anything except your boyfriend."

It was now Chat Noir's turn to sputter, growing red by the second. "Boy-boyfr-?"

Buzz, buzz.

It was Chat Noir's ring, blinking that he was near due to detransform. Ladybug smiled boyishly at him, as if he knew all about running off somewhere before it was time to detransform. And he did know. Chat Noir could only smile back at Ladybug with all the adoration he could muster.

"I have to go." he said.

"You do." Ladybug nodded, getting up with him, "Chat Noir?" Chat continued to look onto him, expectant. "we'll see a lot of each other from now on."

"I hope so, mon amour." Chat couldn't help to say with a flirtatious smile.

Ladybug rolled his eyes, smiling. "I'll allow that, but only because you saved my life," Chat grinned at him, all cheshire, "Now go, before I find out who you are."

Chat Noir bowed, as if to say as you wish, and like he saw all the time in the broadcasts, Ladybug watched him pull out his baton and let it extend high, him with it. This time though, he watched Chat Noir give him an excited wave goodbye.

Ladybug smirked, crossing his arms over his chest.

Mangy cat.

[/]

A/N: i welcome comments and genuine feedback!