Chapter 12 – Thinking Too Much

They couldn't be right, could they? The thought continued to tumble around Chat Noir's head as he sat high on the Eiffel Tower considering the advice Nathaniel and Marc had given him earlier in the day as Adrien. Marinette was his friend and only his friend. He couldn't be attracted to her, could he?

Fisting his wild locks below his feline ear with one gloved hand, Chat Noir was torn. He wanted to rip the very idea of attraction to Marinette from his head. He was in love with Ladybug. Yet that thought in itself brought a touch of guilt as his conscience reminded him of his continued crush on Kagami. But he'd always justified that predicament with his initial assumption that she could have been Ladybug. It was a flimsy excuse but one he'd vindicated his thoughts upon. Plus, he had no real intention of doing anything about that crush either.

Letting out a sigh which had his whole frame sagging, Chat wished that Ladybug would just change her mind and accept him. It would untangle his currently confused and jumbled thoughts. Part of him wondered if he was clawing at the hope of romantic love in any form, where both crushes were substitutes to what he really wanted. Yet he'd be lying to himself if he ignored how well he connected with Marinette. But she was meant to be just a friend. He'd confirmed that status as Adrien when he'd rejected her confession of love.

The muscles in his jaw tensed as his molars ground hard. Agitation had his belted tail whipping against the metal beam on which he sat. Being so caught up in his thoughts, Chat Noir missed the flicker of scarlet movement on his left. Instead his gaze remained fixed on the city lights below, his mind far away.

"You're looking awfully serious, kitty."

Chat Noir's head snapped up and his brows knitted beneath his black mask. "Was I? Sorry, I wasn't expecting company."

Ladybug swooped down to sit in one graceful move, lacing her fingers on her lap as she observed him. "Is something wrong?"

Green eyes drank in the beautiful features of Ladybug's face. As always, his gaze got stuck on her thoughtful blue eyes. Her emotions were so often painted right there for him to see, now being no exception as he took in her concern. Damn he wished she would reach out and touch him, taking his hand in hers. He supposed that was one of the reasons why he was drawn to Marinette. She didn't hesitate in touching him.

Reaching up, he gently ran one of her pigtail ribbons between his thumb and forefinger. "I'm confused about something in my private life. I'm not sure what to do or if I should do anything at all."

Ladybug studied him for a moment, leaving him to toy with her ribbon. "Without context I can't really help you but I'm sure you'll do the right thing, Chat. You always do."

A choked laugh of disdain almost left his lips. Nothing he ever did when it came to romance went right. Heck, he'd tried to woo Ladybug countless times in what he'd considered tender expressions of his feelings only to be shut down time and time again. He wanted to ask if she'd ever learn to love him, instead Chat Noir uttered, "I'm not very good at love."

Blue eyes darted to his with the sharpness of a dagger but then something softened in them as she continued to look at him. "Nor am I."

Chat Noir released his hold on her ribbon, dropping his hand to cradle the side of Ladybug's face. "We could learn together."

Ladybug's stare became unreadable. Her gloved hand lifted, her fingers interlocked through his and gently tugged his hand away from her face. "That's not wise, Chat. You know my feelings on this."

Bitter disappointment curdled in his belly. Yet Chat Noir couldn't help but notice that Ladybug still held his hand.

Lookie, another chapter up quick. Not sure if I'll keep up this pace but wanted to share this one.

Thanks for reading and for the reviews! :)