CHAPTER ONE
This wasn't the way Chat envisioned Patrol night with Ladybug.
In fact, every time he planned something special, it immediately backfired or went completely unnoticed by his partner (and that's only counting the times he had the courage to go through with it). Unfortunately, tonight wasn't the exception.
Apparently, his opinion didn't matter when it came to last-minute photo shoots after school(who cared if he was tired, right?). To top it off, his Chinese Teacher decided to add ten more minutes of exercises, having to translate entire paragraphs to English and French. When he finally transformed, Ladybug was too busy fighting an Akuma. Out the window went his purr-parations for a romantic dinner.
"It's nice of you to show up." At last, she definitely left out.
"A hero always knows when his damsel is in distress." He managed to duck just in the nick of time as a pillow was thrown at him from above. What the?
"Careful, kitty. You don't want to end up like them."
He looked to where Ladybug pointed, a hot wave of embarrassment invaded his neck and cheeks. A young couple was ravishing each other while trying to take off their—ack!
Chat shook his head. "Alright, foreplay is over." Ladybug groaned loudly and even he had to admit it didn't sound as good as it did in his head. Damn it!
One lucky charm and cataclysm later, a man no older than thirty years old laid limp on the street. If it wasn't for the fact that his eyes were wide open Chat would've bet the man passed out from exertion.
The day's events settled on his shoulders, leaving him empty and hollow. Nothing seemed to be going right lately. Nothing he did ever worked out the way it should. Ladybug was about to throw the blindfold into the air when he touched her forearm.
Her eyebrows furrowed at the contact. "Chat?"
"I'll be on our usual."
"Oh...alright then, I'll catch up in a minute." The bewilderment and confusion in her features never left. And later realized why as he waited patiently leaning on a nearby chimney while she talked with the victim. This is the first time he willingly walked away from her. Gulping down the taste of guilt, he watched the brunette shake his head and cling to Ladybug. Her body language screamed that she felt awkward and uncomfortable, still, she let him hug her for a little bit longer.
Chat's left eye twitched.
"Think happy thoughts, Chat. Think of all the cookies and cakes Marinatte's parents sell. Yeah, sweet and mouth watering just like her." Wait, what the f—
His train of thought broke as the sound of feminine footsteps came from behind.
"Next time, you're dealing with the victim," Ladybug said while flipping him off.
"Had a rough night, m'lady?"
His partner groaned tiredly, choosing to settle down on the edge of the rooftop, legs dangling dangerously. "Not funny, Chat."
"Huh," he placed a finger on his chin as if in deep thought, "guess I'll just have to get you in the mood." In his defense, he bit down on his lower lip, hard enough to leave a bruise. But Ladybug's wide eyes and grimace were far too comical to repress his snickers.
"I mean it, Chat! One more pun and I'm pulling out—"
He lost all self-control and somehow ended beside Ladybug, rolling with laughter. "You said... .pulling... .out!"
She sighed. "Oh, shut up you mangy alley cat."
A warning beep sobered his joyful mood. Their time was running out. Again. When Ladybug made no move to leave, he continued with their small talk. "Do you thing Hawkmoth knows our age?"
"I suppose he might have his suspicions after all these years, but at the same time, I don't think he really cares. Why?"
"He's always kept his attacks rated PG and now, oh so suddenly he starts sending adult themed akumas. Smells kinda fishy to this cat."
"Well, he might be trying to get us uncomfortable, find out what makes each other tick so when he does strike, he strikes hard."
As always, his lady had a point. They worked twice as hard so no child had to witness such scarring scenes. Besides, they weren't sure if Miraculous Ladybug erased memories. Another beep cut right through the calm atmosphere.
"It's good to know that won't work out. After all, it'll take more than a few pillow talks to split us up." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively just for show.
Ladybug rolled her eyes but it was evident she tried to stifle a laugh. "Pillow talks? Us? I think you're confusing me with someone else, chaton."
He let out a loud gasp. "M'lady, I would never dream of doing such a thing! Besides, I'm not desperate enough to make you jealous by snuggling up to someone else."
"Good to know."
"Good as in good-that-I-won't-ever-cheat-on-you or good-that-you-don't-have-to-be-jealous." God, that was tongue twisting.
A third beep interrupted them.
"Good as in goodbye."
Ladybug stood up and he followed suit, their shoulders brushed and a jolt of electricity surged through his body. It's now or never, his heart whispered. Go for it!
"Aren't you forgetting something, M'lady?" Chat asked with the last remaining playfulness in his exhausted limbs. He thanked the heavens she wasn't the once gifted with night vision because the smirk on his lips felt strained and far too wide.
She didn't need to know of the extensive list of failed plans and ruined romantic gestures. His partner wouldn't quite grasp why he kept hoping for a chance.
Chat turned around and stopped short, his lungs demanded air but it had somehow gotten stuck in his throat.
The moon's soft glow bathed her from the wisps of her high ponytail all the way down to her feet. In that moment he now understood why mortal man worshipped goddesses.
His heart skipped a beat when Ladybug raised an eyebrow, hand resting on her hip. And what would that be? Her bluebell eyes answered with a question of their own.
He loved reading his Lady like an open book, but what tickled his fancy the most was having her consent to do so. The barriers between them fell because she allowed them to. It made their connection deepen, it felt intimate.
"Well," he croaked, "I can't sleep without my goodnight kiss."
And just like that, she shoved her thoughts behind the red mask, back to the shadows. He stayed quiet, the sparkle of hope diminish in his chest with every second that went by. Would she shrug him off with a laugh and leave? Was she fed up with him? Had he overstep an unknown boundary?
Ladybug approached him with slow steps, hips swaying in a sensual manner and a glint of something in the depths of those eyes.
Oh.
The black suit seemed to tighten over certain parts of his body the closer she walked. His heart throbbed loud and clear for the whole city to hear. Anyone watching them would know that the woman in front of him was the cause and she was the mess.
Chat gulped and watched powerlessly as Ladybug leaned in until their noses brushed. "In that case, I'm afraid you won't be getting any sleep tonight, mon minou." She flicked his bell while her stubborn gaze stayed locked with his.
"Such pity, M'lady. I sincerely wished to see you in my dreams tonight." He denied himself the pleasure of looking down at her pink lips. Especially with that glint in her eyes calling out for him. Was she yearning for him?
Ladybug's gentle giggle sounded like music to his ears. "Silly kitty."
Whatever spell bestowed upon them vanished in a blink of an eye, his beauty clad in red long gone and leaping from one roof to the next.
His shoulders dropped and knuckles unclenched, god, that woman would be the death of him.
A fourth beep brought him back to reality.
Wait, fourth!? "If Ladybug doesn't kill me, I'll definitely get Plagg for this."
Between his haste to leave and the blur of colors as he ran toward the Agreste Mansion, Chat Noir didn't notice the figure lingering behind on a nearby roof.
Bonus Quote: "Oh, he did look like a deity - the perfect balance of danger and charm, he was at the same time fascinating and innacessible, distant because of his demostrated flawlessness, and possesing such strength of character that he was dismaying and at the same time utterly attractive in an enticing and forbidden way."
-Simona Panova, Nightmarish Sacrifice
Author's Note: Hi, guys! Glad I could get this chapter out (freaking finally). Hope you enjoyed it. So, who do you think this quote fits the most for LB, Chat or Adrien? I'd love to know your thoughts!