Chapter One: Unrequited Love
They sat upon a rooftop after another long battle against an akumazitation. Chat twirled his stick over his claws as they watched the sunset. The way the sky turned pink put him in a romantic mood. He purposefully placed his hand near Ladybug's hoping she'd reach for it. He waited, but she never moved. She had one leg dangling off the rooftop, and she was resting her chin on the leg she kept raised. Chat gazed at her. The orange starting to appear reflected beautifully in her bright, blue eyes. She looked content, pleased with herself. Chat's heart swelled and he couldn't help himself. He moved until his hand lay gently on hers. She gasped softly, then immediately pulled away. His heart sank.
"Chat, you need to stop," Ladybug said, looking down at the street.
"I know," he sighed. "You're in love with someone else." He pulled his knees into his chest. Ladybug stayed silent.
"Does he love you back?" he whispered.
"No… he doesn't," she answered. Chat looked over at her.
"So, why are you still hung up on him? He obviously doesn't care about you the way that I do."
Ladybug finally looked at him, her eyes full of sadness. It hurt his heart. Why was he saying such cruel words?
"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I just… I just love you." Ladybug's eyes opened wide. The soft breeze pushed the hair out of her face, revealing such beauty.
"What?" she asked, dumbfounded. This was the first time the words had left his mouth. He had finally said them and she wasn't sure how to feel. He was always making jokes and acting like a fool. She had caught glimpses of his so-called love, but hearing the words was completely different than speculating.
"I do," he said. "You're amazing. I'm sure you're the same in your normal life and who wouldn't fall in love with that?"
"You can't possibly mean that," Ladybug said, in denial. He couldn't possibly love her when he didn't even know who she was.
"Would I ever lie to you, Bugaboo?" he said with a soft smile. Ladybug felt a familiar, but completely unexpected feeling in her chest. No. She wouldn't give up on Adrien.
"No," she whispered, afraid to witness the sadness she knew would creep into Chat Noir's eyes. "I just… I just don't feel the same, Chat. You've never lied to me, so I'm not going to lie to you."
Every word felt like an arrow to his heart.
"I need to go," Chat said, standing up. Ladybug caught his hand.
"Chat please don't go like this," she pleaded. Chat pulled his hand from her grip despite wanting to hold it all evening if she'd let him.
"It's best if I leave for now," he said. "Have a good night, M'lady." And like that, he disappeared across the rooftops. Ladybug looked down, crestfallen. She hated constantly hurting his feelings. He always smiled and played it off, but for how long? How long can he continue the charade? How long could she?