-4-

At Chat Noir's insistence, Ladybug had to meet him for patrol that night. She doubted it had much to do with the need to protect the civilians of Paris and more to do with his curiosity in how her latest date had gone. He'd asked her to meet him at the Eiffel Tower and she'd obliged him because she wasn't in the mood to argue.

She found him there, leaning back against one of the support beams with his hands behind his back, tapping his foot in a quick beat. "Milady, how was your day?"

"Fine," she muttered as she strolled towards him.

"Only fine?" he said with a hint of a smirk. "Does that mean your date didn't go so well?"

"It was nice." She made sure she turned her face away so he couldn't read her expression.

"Nice," he said and she heard him ambling in her direction, "Not earth shattering or fireworks inducing?"

"If you're subtly asking if there was kissing involved, then the answer is no."

He rocked on his feet as she looked at him and his tail twitched slightly. "I'd say that's a pity but I'd be lying if I did." This time his smirk was wide.

Rolling her eyes, Ladybug turned away from him and paused to study the horizon. The bright lights of Paris were twinkling with the gentle breeze and the heroine closed her eyes briefly to simply drink it in. She didn't want to acknowledge that her confession hadn't gone the way she had planned. If anything, Adrien was still oblivious, believing she was simply stating how much she liked him as a friend. She had to be clearer next time.

Chat Noir came to stand beside her, his taller frame overshadowing hers while his voice lowered and was gentle. "I brought you something."

Ladybug turned to look at him quizzically. It was then that Chat Noir drew his hands from behind his back to reveal a single red rose and box of chocolates. As much as she hated to admit it to herself, the gesture was very sweet. "Thank you, Chat. That's very thoughtful."

She didn't move to take either item from him so he stepped closer, lifting the rose so the petals sat below her nose. Ladybug breathed in the light fragrance and reached for the stem, as her gloved hand skimmed over Chat's he inhaled sharply. His hand trembled slightly as she took the rose from his fingers and his green eyes darkened. Even his cat ears turned to face her directly, showing how his attention was completely focussed on her. It dawned on Ladybug that her partner was just as affected by her as she was by Adrien.

The morning's events tumbled through her mind and she decided it best to avoid any sort of proclamation of feelings from her partner. Shutting him down would only cause Chat Noir harm and Ladybug didn't want to hurt her partner. By avoiding the subject entirely things could remain as normal. She eyed the chocolates in the hope of evading the topic of love. "Do you want to share?"

A roguish grin spread across Chat Noir's face. "Most definitely."

With the tip of his claw, he opened the box and offered her first choice. "What do you recommend?" she asked.

"Caramel kisses." There was no missing the heat in his eyes as he emphasised the second word. He lifted one between his fingertips and presented it to her lips.

Not wanting to encourage him, Ladybug plucked the chocolate from him with a deft hand and placed the chocolate in her mouth. The smooth flavours were heaven on her tongue and soon the pair were seated on a high up beam, sharing the rest of the box.

Chat Noir tried his luck a few times, attempting to feed her directly but each time Ladybug mirrored her earlier response. But it didn't seem to deter Chat. He merely shuffled closer and laid a hand behind them, leaning back so he sat level with his partner. The quiet between them was broken by his question. "So, what's this guy have that I don't?"

Ladybug was broken out of her tranquil musings and shrugged. "You're not missing anything, Chat Noir. There's just something about him that I can't ignore. A kindness and thoughtfulness that speaks volumes." She smirked as she added, "It doesn't hurt that he's gorgeous too."

A snort sounded from the cat themed hero. "This mask doesn't do me any favours, you'd be surprised how dazzling I am without it." He lifted his nose to smile down at her proudly, "I've had girls go positively wild when they see me. Sometimes they even scream."

"Is that before or after they smell your breath," she teased.

With a huff, Chat Noir crossed his arms and looked away from her with a jutting bottom lip. "My breath is minty fresh, thank you very much."

She elbowed him playfully. "I'm stirring you up."

His crossed arms loosened as he turned to face her. "I know but you have deadly aim when it comes to damaging a guy's ego."

"Given the size and health of your ego, I think you will not only survive but flourish."

"Now you're just trying to make up with me." He edged closer and pointed to his lips. "Here's were really hurts. How about you give me a kiss to make me and my ego feel better."

"I don't want to be responsible for Chat Noir fainting and falling to his death from the Eiffel Tower."

"Then hold me when you kiss me." The arm he was leaning on snaked back further so his chest was resting against her shoulder. His voice was a whisper, "Relieve my agony."

"Now you're just being melodramatic."

Chat Noir sighed and leaned away. "Maybe."

Ladybug presented him with the last chocolate. "This stuff fixes everything."

"A nice idea but not entirely correct." As he said it, Chat Noir inclined towards her fingers and ate the chocolate directly from her hand. The heat of his mouth touched her fingers as he slowly devoured the treat.

"You really need to stop watching late night movies."

"Nah," he said shaking his head. "You just need to stop resisting me."

Ladybug gave him a droll look. "I thought you'd asked me out here to patrol, are we going or what?"

Chat Noir threw his head back to stare at the sky. "Yes, we'll patrol because let's face it, I'll do anything to spend time with you."

Inwardly, Ladybug wished Adrien thought the same way about her alter ego.

Up next date number four, what could possibly go wrong this time? Wait and see...