Behind the Mask
Marinette arrived safely home, after such a wild and crazy experience she was looking forward to a nice home cooked meal with her parents. After closing the lid of her roof window the very last black dot on her earrings blinked before disappearing. Her body was submerged in pink light, making her close her eyes. Once she opened them she felt as if she had never left her room. Her cloths were back and she felt like nothing had changed. She blinked and shook her head in disbelief.
"Whoa. Was…was that all a dream?" she asked herself.
"No, it wasn't" Tikki said, appearing before the young girl and nuzzling against her cheek. "You were fantastic, Marinette! I knew you could do it."
"I did, didn't I? I never knew I had it in me!"
"You're a lot braver than you know, Marinette."
"Oh my gosh, did you see me out there? With my yo-yo and lucky charm powers! And the way I jumped over the rooftops? It was incredible! Me and Chat we-" she briefly stopped herself, recalling the events that happened between her and the masked superhero. His beautiful kind eyes appeared in her mind, almost as if he were still gazing into her own. She touched the top of the hand he had kissed, remembering the sensation of his lips upon it. She may had managed to stop Stoneheart, but she never would have found the courage had it not been for him. He helped remind her what she was supposed to be fighting for, and that was what gave her the courage to stop Stoneheart and save Ivan.
"Chat Noir…he's amazing." she said, holding her hands close to her heart.
"You two make a great team." Tikki commented, while Marinette sat on the side of her bed, gazing at the hand he had kissed.
No boy had ever kissed her hand before. In some occasions, it would be a pathetic attempt at flirting by pretending to be a gentlemen. But the way Chat did it, it was so sweet and genuinely kind. There were no pretenses with him. Everything about him, from his heroic deeds, his kind voice, his warm eyes, even to his dorky puns and funny little dance, it all seemed so…real. He stayed by her side throughout her breakdown. She would never forget it, and she didn't want to either. Just the thought of him made Marinette feel warm and secure.
"Until we meet again, My Lady." his words rang in her ears, making her cheeks turn red She really hoped they would meet again. Very soon.
"Marinette! Time for dinner!"
The sound of her father's voice was enough to wake Marinette from her thoughts of the dashing superhero. "Coming, Dad!" she called out then turned her attention back to Tikki. "You stay up here, okay?"
"Sure, but could you get me something to eat, please? You're going to have to bring food along when your powers run out. We kwamis need to eat to re energize ourselves."
"Sure, what would you like?"
"Something light. Maybe a small fruit like a berry, or slice of apple or-Oh! Do you have chocolate chip cookies?"
"We own a bakery, there are plenty of those lying around."
Tikki giggled and did an adorable little backflip in midair. "Thank you, Marinette!"
(~)
Marinette walked down to the kitchen to sit with her family. Her mother made them a delicious vegetarian meal, which was good for Marinette since she was a vegetarian. "So, how are you feeling dear?" her mother asked.
"I'm feeling a lot better now, thanks." her daughter replied with a bright smile. She really did feel good. After the fight with Stoneheart she felt refreshed, like there was nothing she couldn't do now. She had never felt this amazing in all of her life.
"Oh hey, you got the pizza stain out."
"Huh?" Marinette looked at her white shirt, her eyes widening in surprise to see her pizza stain was now completely gone. It must have happened when after she reverted back to normal. Guess this magic stuff really did come in handy. "Oh, yeah. I guess I did."
The family turned their attention to the television in the living room, where the news anchorwoman showcased a photograph taken by a student's cell phone. Marinette let out a silent gasp to see it was her jumping over the rooftops. There were two images actually, one of Chat Noir leaping over rooftops and herself.
"Earlier today, a local high school student who was witness to the monster attack had this to say." Said the news anchor woman.
Alya appeared on the screen, speaking into the news reporter's microphone. "It was unbelievable! They just came out of nowhere, a guy in a cat outfit and a girl dressed as a ladybug. I recorded the whole thing on my phone!" she said, showcasing her phone which replayed the battle entirely. Marinette caught a glimpse of herself fighting the monster.
Was that really her? Was she that girl fearlessly leaping over rooftops and defeating that monster with just a compact mirror? Even she could barely tell, her red mask with black spots and red outline covered most of her face, and her hair looked more manageable, flawless even, it never got messed up, not to mention it was a few subtle inches longer and completely cobalt blue with no traces of her raven locks anywhere. Even her thicker and elegant eyelashes hid her identity, even if her eyes remained exactly the same. Her bangs, which were normally styled to the left side of her head, were now on the right, perfectly combed unlike her casually messy ones, and were also slightly longer. She was grateful her parents didn't notice the similarities. Her attention reverted back to Chat Noir, bravely fighting at her side like the loyal partner he was.
The scene changed to show the mayor holding yet another press conference, publicly thanking their newest saviors.
(~)
"It is with immense joy that I announce to you that we will be organizing a grand celebration party in honor of the city's newest protectors; Ladybug and Chat Noir!"
Adrien was at a loss for words. He was a real superhero. He had powers, he saved lives, he even had a partner with which to share this experience with. This was so incredibly unreal, yet it was. He actually had a life away from his predictable one. For one moment, he was free to be somebody else. And not just anybody else…himself!
When the mayor mentioned Ladybug his thoughts drifted back to that moment on the rooftop. The petrified fear in her eyes was something he would never forget. Before that, he was more excited to play hero that he almost didn't fully realize it came with a big responsibility. All his life, his focus was on his modeling career and his dad's approval. But this time, he had a chance to do something for others. Helping Ladybug with her insecurities made him realize what a true hero really was. Just like his mother always told him, a true friend places another's needs before their own. He was so disappointed at his early selfishness, but now he knew exactly what it was he needed to do. He risked a lot by taking Ladybug away from the battle scene in order to comfort her, and he would do it again.
That girl was a lot more than meets the eye. Regardless of her own insecurities, she carried a lot of bravery and kindness in her heart. She put on the outfit to help a friend, that was her motivation which became his own. He was so happy he could help her, it really broke his heart to see that poor girl so frightened. He wondered what could have happened to cause her so much grief and pain but he won't push her into telling him what that was. He knew he couldn't? tell people of his mother upon first meeting. It was still hard for him to talk about to anyone, even to his own dad.
A smile grew on his face as he remembered her laugh. Her laugh was so pure and beautiful like the sound of jingling bells that brought him so much joy to hear. He would give anything to hear her laugh once more, even if it means doing that dorky dance he did. When he became Chat Noir, he felt free to be his truest self, to the point he might have gotten a bit carried away there. But he was glad he did. It was worth it to make that girl laugh. She really needed it.
Not only was she sweet and adorable, but clever as a whip. She came up with such a fast idea faster than he could count. When she really wanted to, she thought on her feet. She was so much stronger than she looked.
It was then he realized, he couldn't stop thinking about her. Their first meeting as partners wasn't what neither of them had expected, Adrien certainly knew Ladybug wasn't…and he was happy for that. Underneath that mask, she was still human. A human with her own situations, feelings and complexity just like him. Normally, masks were made to hide a person's true self, but in this case…the mask was revealing more than either of them thought. Adrien had a strong feeling they would see each other again, and he couldn't wait.
"Ladybug and Chat Noir." he said, smiling to himself as he repeated the mayor's words. "I like the sound of that."
"Yuck! You really expect me to eat this?!" Plagg complained, holding a little ice cream sunday in his little paws before tossing it aside. Adrien had a line of silver trays with silver lids on them, each one containing a variety of delicious gourmet food. None of which satisfied the kwami's hunger.
"What are you talking about? My personal chef made all this."
"Look, if you expect me to regenerate after a battle I'm gonna need something more delicate."
Adrien sighed in exasperation. This kwami was not going to be an easy little pixie to deal with. "Okay, fine. What do you want then?"
(~)
The now weakened Akuma butterfly flew into its master's window, black ooze dripping from its wings as it landed on HawkMoth's staff. The man growled in frustration and gently stroked his creation's broken wing.
"Fear not, little one. Soon, your strength shall return and you will have your meal once more."
(~)
Marinette couldn't stop replaying the footage that was on the news. She kept on watching both herself and Chat Noir face off against Stoneheart. "Is that really me?" she asked out loud.
"It sure is." Tikki said, smiling proudly. "You really were amazing."
"I still have a hard time believe it. I'm so…powerful and graceful just like…"
"Your sister?"
Marinette paused the video for a moment and closed the screen, clicking on another document on her laptop. She clicked on the folder that read "home videos" and clicked on. An image filled the screen, showing a recording from one of their earliest Christmas mornings. Marinette was twelve-years-old while Bridget was twenty two. A smile appeared on Mari's face as she watched her big sister giving her younger self the beautifully wrapped box. Little Marinette's eyes sparkled with glee when she open her present: a brand new designer's kit. She hugged her big sis tightly around her waist and Bridget kissed her little sister's forehead softly. She repetitively said thanks, making her family laugh. A tear escaped her eyes when her younger self handed her sister her present. Bridgett's blue eyes sparkled at seeing her little sister designed her her own police hat, with Bridgett's name cleverly adorned on the side to make it look like a decorative pattern. The older sister cried tears of joy as she hugged her talented little sister, playfully messing up her hair in the process.
A tear rolled down from Marinette's eye as she watched the happy scene unfurled before her. She would give anything to feel her sister's arms wrapped around her once more. To feel her kisses upon her head, to hear her voice right beside her. Tikki kindly wiped away her tears, looking at her master with sympathy.
"I'm so sorry, Marinette." the little kwami said.
Mari wiped away her tears, not saying another word as they both watched the video together. Tikki rested on Marinette's head, silently keeping her company as the young teenager relived the good old days.
(~)
Adrien laid on his bed, also replaying the video from the news on his phone. As amazing as it was to see himself in action, his eyes kept drifting back to Ladybug. She really was amazing. The boy was interrupted from his thoughts when a knock on the door was heard. Plagg quickly hid behind the game consoles just as the door opened up. Adrian hid his phone after putting the video on pause and stood up as his father walked in.
"Hey, dad."
"Good evening, son." Gabriel said. His voice sounded dead serious, which wasn't really anything new, but tonight he sounded almost…concerned. "Listen, I wanted to talk to you about you disobeying me today."
"I'm sorry I did, but-" Adrien was quickly silenced when his father raised his hand up.
"I should have expected you to be curious about school life, and I don't blame you. Your mother was always the curious type as well." for a moment, Adrien could have sworn he saw a hint of softness in his father's eyes, but it quickly faded. "So tell me, how was it?"
"You're…actually asking me about my day?"
"Yes, I am."
Adrien was at a loss for words. His father had never asked him about his day before, at least not when it didn't involve his modeling job or stuff like that. This all seemed way too good to be true. Was this even real? Was he dreaming? There had to be a catch, this wasn't anything like his father.
"Well? Go ahead." Gabriel insisted, keeping his hands behind his back, looking dignified.
"Uh, well…okay. It was…great!" Adrien said, though the tone of his voice said otherwise. He really wanted his father to believe it was the time of his life but in reality…it wasn't. "The classes were great, everybody there is really nice and friendly and-"
"And what about that girl?" Gabriel interrupted.
"Girl? What are you talking about?"
"Nathalie told me she saw you talking to a young girl when she found you. She appeared to be yelling at you, is that right?"
Adrien knew his father was talking about Marinette after she had fallen and the pizza sauce got all over her shirt after Chloe's little stunt. Adrian tried his best to hide his disappointment. "Oh, that? No! It was just a little misunderstanding is all." he said with a slight nervous chuckle. Gabriel's gaze made the young boy quiver. Facing a stone monster was no problem, but his father…that was a whole other story.
"Did she disrespect you?" his father asked.
"No, of course not. It was just an accident. Chloe, she-"
"I've heard enough." Gabriel interrupted once again. "Don't you see, Adrien? This is exactly why I didn't want you going to school." Gabriel walked pass Adrien and towards the window, gazing at his reflection and the nighttime city before him. "You're the face every Parisian sees on the streets. People love you, and with great adoration can come great envy. I should know. I only do this to keep you safe." Gabriel turned around to face his son, who looked up at his father rather fearfully. "As much as you wish to be like other kids, you just can't."
"But what if I want to?" the boy replied, "What if I want to be like others kids? What if-"
"Enough!" Gabriel shouted, causing his son to back away. Adrien never liked negotiating with his father, no matter how difficult he could get. He knew the man had gone through a lot of pain ever since his mother disappeared. His overprotectiveness was no doubt to make sure the same thing that happened to her didn't happen to him. But even if he understood this, it still wasn't fair that he had to be so unhappy. Especially with the fact that his father was always so distant and barely showed him any love and affection.
Gabriel recollected himself and sighed. "You are not allowed to go back to that school, do you understand me?"
Adrien couldn't even look at his father in the eye, but he still replied. "Yes sir."
Gabriel nodded his head and walked towards the door until Adrien spoke again, "But you can't keep me here forever." he said, not turning around to face him while clenching his fists tightly. Gabriel did not say a word as he closed the door behind him, leaving his son alone to sulk.
Plagg came out of his hiding spot and hovered beside the saddened boy. His little cat ears lowering in sympathy. "You okay?"
"Yeah. Whatever." Adrien replied, speaking in a monotone voice.
"No offense, but your dad's a real killjoy." Plagg said.
Adrien clenched his fists and walked over towards the window, gazing out at the city filled with nights, illuminating the night sky. It wasn't rare that he would speak up to his father, but after facing that rock monster, he found some bit of courage within him to speak up, even if it didn't change much. Over the years, he had learned to hold his tongue in the presence of his father. But while he still loved him he hated being a bird in a cage. On a night such as this, all he could do was watch the outside world from the safety of his home, but now…now he had a choice.
Plagg could sense there was something running through this boy's mind. "Uh, Adrien? What are you thinking?"
"Plagg…Claws out!"
(~)
Tikki has seen a lot of things in her lifetime. One of them was the love between family. Especially sisters. She's seen them go the extra mile, risking their lives even just to keep each other safe. Even if some of them fought and argued, even some ended their bonds either because of a man or anything else, but those who did not commit such mistakes, their bonds were strong and powerful. The kwami knew the love Marinette felt for her sister was true and strong, even long after her death. The young girl had spent most of the night watching home videos of her sister, but the kwami knew they were not helping her right now. As important as it was for her to never forget her past, it was also just as important to look forwards. The kwami hovered before the girl, her back to the computer scene.
"You know, you're a lot like your sister." she said to the surprised teen. The kwami closed the home video window and reopened the video of Marinette and Chat Noir fighting Stoneheart. "You have her same courage, selflessness and cleverness. You're more like her than you realize, Marinette. No matter where you go, and no matter what you do, she's always with you. Her spirit resides in you. If there is anything I've learned over the centuries, is that love can bring out the best in people. Your sister's love always brought out the best in you, and you can carry on her legacy. I know that's what you really want."
"I do." Marinette said, hugging her legs, "I'm just not sure how."
"Well, you can. As Ladybug, you have the chance to make a difference and help a lot of people just like she did. If she saw you now, she'd be so proud of you."
"Thanks, Tikki."
"Besides, you don't have to do it alone. You've got me and Chat Noir."
The mention of his name caused something to stir within Marinette. She watched the video replay and pressed paused at the very moment where Chat was wielding his staff. She zoomed in on the screen, getting a better look of the superhero. His eyes were focused, strong and fearless. Yet, they were the same eyes that eased her anxieties when she was scared. On the outside, he looked like a mysterious dark superhero, but Mari knew there was more to him. She didn't feel intimidated in his presence at all. She rested her elbow on her desk and her chin on her palm, still looking at the image of the superhero before her. A smile formed on her face, a smile Tikki noticed. She felt so drawn to the cat themed superhero.
The little kwami smirked, "He was quite remarkable, wasn't he?"
"Yeah, he was." Marinette agreed, still looking at the image as the kwami continued listing the boy's qualities.
"And brave."
"Really brave."
"Strong."
"Super strong." Marinette said, she was practically swooning.
"Not to mention, pretty cute."
"More like gorgeous-Gah!" once she realized what she was saying, Marinette quickly closed the window, reverting the screen back to her screensaver. The girl leaned against her chair, one arm over it, trying her best to act casual. "W-What? No, why would I think that? I mean, I barely even know him, why would I think he's gorgeous? That's-that's just ridiculous!"
Tikki let out a cute giggle, "Marinette, I did say I've seen a lot in my time, and one of them is when someone likes someone."
"Whaaaaaaaaaaat? Pst! No." the teenager replied, waving her hand in her pathetic attempt to act casual.
"You just said he was gorgeous."
"Because you tricked me!" Marinette exclaimed in annoyance.
"You wouldn't have said it if you didn't think so." Tikki said, giving a cheeky smirk, which made Marinette roll her eyes.
"Please, how can I possibly think he's gorgeous? I mean. he was wearing a mask."
"True, but was it the mask that caught your attention?"
"No, of course not." Marinette stood up from her chair and walked out to the balcony, resting against the railings, feeling the cool night breeze in her hair while Tikki rested on her shoulder. "He's just so…I mean, when I was scared he was right there. When I froze he carried me to safety. He…believed in me. He treated me like his partner. He trusted me and…I trusted him."
"See, you do like him."
"But I don't even know who he is."
"That's the thing about the Miraculous, Marinette." the kwami said, getting the girl's attention. "When you're in hero form, sometimes the most repressed parts of your truest self come up to the surface bit by bit. Even if you don't know who he is behind the mask, Chat Noir told you more about his true self than he ever could if he wasn't wearing the mask. The Miraculous chooses those based on what is in their hearts, and it manifests itself when in your hero forms. Most masks hide the person inside, but these masks…they tell a story that's waiting to be told."
Before Marinette could comment on this new information, she could have sworn she spotted something from the rooftops. Even though it was dark she could see a silhouette leaping like an acrobat from building to building. She recognized the long tail, bright golden locks and long silvery staff. Marinette let out a soft gasp, leaning in further against the railings as she watched her partner flip over to the other side.
"Tikki, it's him!"
"Strange, what's he doing out so late?" Tikki wondered out loud, only to be surprised when Marinette tapped her tiny stomach with her index finger.
"Come on, we've got to catch up to him!"
"Wait, Marinette! Do you really think it's wise to-"
"Just for a few minutes, please?" the teenager pleaded with the kwami to allow her to transform just once more. If Marinette's pleading wasn't enough, she also gave the kwami the puppy dog eyes. And with those blue eyes, it was nearly impossible for even a cute little kwami to resist. Tikki sighed in defeat.
"Okay, fine. Just be careful."
"I will, thank you. Tikki, Spots On!"
(~)
Ladybug leaped from building to building, going in the same direction she saw Chat go. When she reached the last building she saw him on, she couldn't find a trace of him anywhere. "Where did he go?" she whispered to herself. She hoped she hadn't lost him.
"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes." a familiar voice coming from behind her caught Ladybug by surprise. She quickly spun around to see Chat Noir resting on a chimney, squatting down like a cat, smiling her way. Ladybug was so startled that she lost her footing against the edge of the roof.
Chat acted quickly and jumped down just in time to catch her. "Whoa, easy! I got you." he pulled his partner back, his arms wrapped around her waist and her hand against his chest. She blinked in surprise feeling her cheeks burn. She looked up and was now gazing into the eyes of her partner. Even in the moonlight his eyes seemed to sparkle. But she wasn't the only one who was entranced by a glance.
Chat Noir had noticed Ladybug's eyes before, but now he could really study them up close. They were as blue as the sky itself and sparkled like the ocean on a midsummer's day. They reflected the beauty of the full moon.
He even noticed a hint of freckles underneath her mask.
The two stood there for a few moments, lost in each other's eyes until Chat realized he was still holding her waist. His heart speed up and his face turned red under his dark colored mask. Last thing he wanted was for her to think he was making a move on her. He would never do that to a lady, especially one who would be his new partner in crime. He politely removed his hands and stepped back. "You okay?" he asked, snapping Ladybug out of her trance.
"Y-Yeah, I was just-balance, and…never mind." Marinette really wanted to slap herself right now. Why was she stuttering all of a sudden? She didn't stutter around him before.
Chat tried his best to keep his cool, clearing his throat and placing his hands on his hips. "So, what's up? Another monster attack?"
"What? Oh, no not at all. It was just a beautiful night and I just thought about taking an moonlight jump through the rooftops." Ladybug said, giving a slight nervous chuckle. If there were a prize for most ungraceful superhero it would no doubt go to her.
"Breaking in your new powers, too?" Chat said with a smile. He was hoping that was the case. While jumping around rooftops was fun, it did get pretty lonely afterwards. He couldn't talk to Plagg because he was currently inside his ring, and even he wasn't that great of a conversationalist.
"You could say that."
"Great. I sure could use the company. Race ya!" Chat didn't waste a second and jumped over the next building, leaving Ladybug in the dust.
"Hey!" she called out in annoyance. This was just like when they first met. Seeing Chat act like such a child was enough to make her lose her nerves. A smile appeared on her face and she threw her yo-yo ahead, using it to jump over the buildings after her partner. The race was on.
Just like before, Ladybug was astonished at how fast and agile she had now become. She could keep up with Chat Noir with ease, even while he was running on all fours. She ran over one rooftop while Chat ran on the second one beside her, running on all fours like a cat, both neck and neck while laughing together.
"Gotta keep up, Ladybug!" Chat taunted before picking up speed and leaping to another building. This only motivated the bug-themed hero to pick up the pace. She landed on the very roof she saw Chat heading towards but saw no sign of him. Finding a guy wearing a black leather cat suit in the middle of the night was a challenge all on its own.
"Peekaboo!"
"AH!" Ladybug screamed when she saw Chat hanging upside down from his staff, which was balanced on top of another chimney. He laughed before running off again. Ladybug laughed along as she ran after him again.
"You're gonna pay for that you sly cat!"
"Gotta catch me first! Whoa!" Chat was caught off guard when he felt something wrap around his legs, causing him to fall on his face. "Ow." he heard a familiar laugh and the yo-yo reel back, releasing his legs. His partner now took the lead.
"Got ya! Now it's your turn!" Ladybug laughed as she leaped over the buildings ahead.
Chat couldn't help but smirk as he stood up, watching her jump gracefully across the buildings. "Sly little bug." he said to himself and chased after her.
The rest of the night was filled with laughter, jumping and overall endless thrills. The two heroes practically danced across the sky, feeling the wind against their faces as they leaped from roof to roof like a couple of ninjas, one trying to outrun the other. Eventually, their game of chase diminished and instead the two just had fun embracing their new powers. Adrien had never felt more alive than he did right now. For the first time ever he had no restrictions, no schedules, no bodyguards and most certainly no overbearing father. Tonight, he could be as wild as he wanted to be with no one holding him back. Best of all, he wasn't alone. Every time he heard Ladybug laugh it brought a smile to his face. He liked seeing her happy, and she was definitely feistier than she looked. With each passing moment, Adrien felt more and more drawn to this girl. Little did he know, Ladybug was thinking the same thing.
Marinette never felt anything like this before. For once, she wasn't scared. She was wild and crazy, and confident. With each jump she made she felt more and more empowered. It was so overwhelming, she never wanted it to end. For the first time, she didn't feel like the clumsy girl everyone laughed at, she was just…free. Free from name calling, free from humiliation, free from the world in general. Tonight, it was just her and Chat, running around the city like a couple of playful children, laughing the whole time. Chat had the most amazing laugh, it made her smile every time she heard it. He was just such a little dork, cracking up cat-related puns whenever he could, even a few playful taunts here and there. To others this might seem annoying, but she somehow could tell he was mostly just having fun. It was even contagious, even she shot a few playful remarks his way. Normally, she would never be this sassy towards anyone, but tonight she had no restraints. Tikki was right, the Miraculous had a way of bringing out sides to herself she never knew she had. It was incredible.
After a while, the two slowly grew exhausted, which was evident by their loss of breath. The two stopped over one last rooftop, placing their hands on their knees, taking a breather. They didn't even know how long they had been doing this, for it felt as if time had disappeared for the two of them. Despite their exhaustion, their smiles did not falter.
Ladybug straightened herself, "Woo! That was fun! I never knew I could jump that high!"
"Yeah." Chat said, straightening himself and taking a breather himself. "Neither did I! You're a natural, you sure you've never done this before?"
"Pretty sure." Ladybug giggled. She took notice of her surroundings and her smile then shifted into a concerned frown. The streets didn't look familiar to her, there were buildings she had not seen yet, and she could practically smell the salt water of the ocean. She had no idea they had traveled this far, or how late it must be. She couldn't tell.
Chat stretched his arms, placing them behind his head, gazing at the scenery before him. "I love this part of the city, don't you?" he asked his companion, only to notice her concerned expression. He lowered his arms. "You okay?"
"It's just…I have no idea where we are." she confessed, and Chat looked at her in confusion. "My family recently moved here from New York. I've visited before since my dad was born here, but…I can't say I know it all that well." she felt so embarrassed to even say this, but she found no other reasons why she shouldn't. She would need his help to get back home. She knew she should have paid better attention to her surroundings before. She was just having so much fun.
Chat Noir placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Well, lucky for you, this alley cat knows the city like the back of his paw." he said, placing his hands in the form of cat paws for emphasis. There was that dorky sense of humor again. As bad as the joke was, it still got a giggle out of her. "Just name the place you'd like to go and Chat Noir will take you." he said with a princely bow.
Ladybug tapped her chin in thought. It may have sounded cliche but, there was one place she had not been to since she was very little and had not had the chance to go to since her family moved here.
"Well…"
(~)
As promised, Chat led Ladybug to the very place she wanted to see. It was her favorite place to go to every time her family visited her grandparents, but it was always during the day. She had never seen it at night. Or, at least been up there at night. They landed on a rooftop not too far from their destination, but the moment Ladybug saw the thing, she froze for a moment.
Chat noticed this. It wasn't the same kind of frozen from when they faced Stoneheart, but he could definitely tell she was a bit nervous. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it's going to be okay." he said. Just like before, his voice was warm and comforting.
"Actually, I changed my mind." she said nervously, her gaze still on the incredibly tall object before her. "Jumping over rooftops is one thing, but that?" Ladybug felt a jolt of electricity when Chat touched her shoulder. Once again, his pupils became human-like, reflecting his emotions.
"You'll be fine. If you slip, I'll be right there to catch you. Cat's honor." he said, placing a hand over his heart and raising another one to emphasis his promise.
Ladybug felt more at ease knowing Chat Noir would be there. Her heart leaped once more when he gripped her hand, gently leading her towards the edge of the building, readying his staff. He winked in Ladybug's direction, letting her know she would be alright.
Taking in a deep breath, the two leaped forward, Ladybug threw her yo-yo, allowing it to wrap itself around the metal rails of the tall object. She screamed a bit as she closed in, but managed to land safely onto the side of it. She sighed in relief and Chat landed beside her, gripping tight.
"See? I told you you'd be-Whoa!" before he could finish his sentence, Chat lost his footing and began plummeting to the ground.
"Chat!" Thinking fast, Ladybug threw her yo-yo, wrapping it around his waist and pulling him back towards her. She adjusted her position and stood on the metallic surface of the building, pulling her partner back up. "Are you okay?"
"Never better." he said with a smile, "Looks like I'm the one who needed catching."
Ladybug giggled at his lightheartedness and the two continued their way, climbing up the building, higher and higher, leaping from railing to railing towards the top. "We're almost there!" Chat said as they continued their climbing. At last, they reached the top. Chat ended up being first and extended his hand, helping Ladybug step upwards safely like a gentleman. Once they had arrived, Ladybug was left speechless.
Here she was, standing at the very top of the Eiffel Tower, at night! The city looked just as it always did from up here, but with the full moon hovering overhead, and the bright golden lights that illuminated the city and the tower itself, it was far more beautiful than anything Marinette had ever seen.
"It's…it's incredible! I've never seen the city like this."
"And you can see everything." Chat said, stepping a few feet closer to her. He gazed at his partner, admiring the way her eyes lit up as she gazed at the city below them.
"Thanks for bringing me here." Ladybug said, smiling shyly at her partner. The way she smiled made Chat Noir feel warm inside. "No one has ever done anything like this for me." she confessed.
"Well, if you ever want to know your way around, don't hesitate to ask."
"I appreciate it."
The two heroes returned their gazes at the beautiful city before them, just as both Chat and Ladybug reached out their hands to touch the railing. They immediately reeled back the moment their hands touched, with Chat's just over Ladybug's. The two immediately blushed and started laughing nervously. Ladybug turned her head away, practically shielding her blushing face with her black gloved hand, while Chat had his hand behind his head, scratching it nervously.
"Sorry." Ladybug apologized.
"No, after you." Chat insisted, allowing her to go first.
Ladybug placed her hand on the railing first and Chat placed his. The side of his hand making contact with Ladybug's in the process, causing them once again reel back in embarrassment.
"Sorry!" they both said in unison before turning away shyly from each other. Ladybug just placed her arms on the railing at the same time Chat Noir did. Her eyes darting at him, only return back to the city at the same time Chat's eyes darted at Ladybug. The two were silent for a moment, wondering on what to say next.
Here they were, standing on one of the most famous landscapes in the world, in the most beautiful city in the world, and they didn't know what to say to each other. The one thing going through both of their minds was that they wanted to get to know their partner better, but should they reveal their true identities to one another? Chat Noir was very hesitant, and with good reason.
If Ladybug knew he was just this famous rich model what would she think of him? Would she seem him as daddy's little rich boy like everyone else did? He really wanted to believe she was above that, but if he had learned anything from his time as a model, it was that if people knew what he was before knowing who he was, then the "what" was all they would ever see.
Marinette was having a similar dilemma. She wanted to trust Chat Noir, she wanted to get to know him better. She wanted them to be more than just crime fighting partners, she wanted them to be friends. But, what would he think if he knew who she really was? Just a scrawny little nobody who tripped and fell all over the place? She really didn't want to think he would laugh, he most certainly didn't seem like the shallow type. If he was, he would have just left her to cry all alone but he didn't he stayed beside her through it all. But, if she had learned anything from her time in American school, it was that if people knew what she was before knowing who she was, then the "what" was all they would ever see.
Not wanting things to be anymore awkward than they already where, Chat Noir spoke first. "So, you said you moved here from New York, right? What's it like to live there?" he asked. He had been to New York before, but due to work he couldn't see much of the sights or many of the places, so it was basically a lost opportunity.
"It's pretty awesome, actually." Ladybug said, remembering the city she grew up in. "It's big and loud. Mostly loud. And a bit crazy. But it's got the best stores, my mom and I used to go shopping there all the time."
"What about Time Square? Is it cool?"
"Really cool! All the lights and billboards, oh and on New Year's Eve it's like madness, but the good kind." Ladybug giggled.
"Wow, sounds epic!"
"It is."
"Do you miss it?"
"Sometimes. Though, not all that much." it was then, she realized she was one step closer from getting too personal. She couldn't say anything that could reveal her identity.
Chat Noir knew this would be a problem. If they continued on like this, something was bound to slip out and possibly reveal who they were. "Ladybug?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you…do you want to tell me who you are?" he asked. It was an honest question, he asking her if she wanted to tell him.
"I…I don't know." she replied, "Do you want to tell me who you are?"
"I don't know. All I do know is that, if we're going to be partners, we should at least know a bit about each other and…I really want to talk to you."
Ladybug felt flustered. Chat Noir wanted to talk to her? To get to know her? In all honesty, she wanted to talk to him too. She didn't want to feel like he was a stranger, she wanted to trust him.
"I really want to talk to you too." she said, a smile growing on her face, which made Chat feel flustered. "But, I'm not sure if I want to reveal my real name just yet."
"I completely understand." He snapped his fingers when he came up with an idea. "I got it! Why don't you ask me a question and then after I answer I'll ask you one and we go back and forth? Something simple like…what's your favorite color? I'd say red but I don't want to be stereotyping."
Ladybug giggled, "Well, it's forest green, actually. What's yours?"
"Navy blue. Favorite book?" Chat replied.
"Chronicles of Narnia." Ladybug said.
Chat's eyes widened in surprise, "No way, mine too!"
"Really?" Ladybug asked in surprise.
"Really! Which book?"
"Voyage of the Dawn Treader. You?"
"Oh, I can't pick just one. How about…favorite type of movie?"
"Mostly comedy, romance and or action, but nothing with merciless violence in it."
Chat shuddered at the idea, "Urgh! I hear you. I'll never understand how folks can watch that."
"Favorite type of music?"
"Classic rock and classic pop, favorite singer is Jagged Stone."
"You listen to Jagged Stone?!"
"Duh! He's only the best singer ever!"
"I know, right? I have all of his CDs and been to five of his concerts!" Ladybug said excitedly, showcasing the number of fingers for emphasis. Her smile faded when she noticed Chat's growing frown. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No, of course not. I just…" Chat briefly turned away, looking down sadly, "I've never been to a concert before." he confessed. This was the first time Ladybug had ever seen Chat so upset. "Let's just say, my dad is very…overbearing."
"I'm sorry to hear that." she said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Sorry, that was a bit too personal." he apologized.
"No, it's okay." it was then, she remembered what Tikki had told her about the Miraculouses. That they could help bring out the truest part of its wielder. "You know, whatever you decide to tell me, I promise to keep it secret." she said.
Chat smiled softly. He had a feeling he could trust her with this, even if he just danced around a few minor details, like who his father was and such. Since his father was famous, but still kept much of his personal life secret, he could easily admit certain things without giving too much away.
"I know." he said before continuing. "There's really not much to say about my dad, except that he's very overprotective of me. Ever since my mom disappeared he hasn't been the same. Sometimes, it feels like I'm living with a stranger."
Ladybug felt her heart would break for Chat. He looked so hurt. "I'm so sorry. Can I ask…what happened to your mother?"
"That's just it, we don't know. She just vanished one night and never came home. I knew she couldn't have just got up and left, but whatever other reason, I just don't know." his cat ears became droopy, reflecting his mood. "I miss her every day."
"I know how you feel." Ladybug said, keeping her hand on his arm for comfort. He had been there for her, now it was her turn to be there for him. "I lost my sister." she admitted, "She was a police officer, the best on the force actually. She was my hero, I looked up to her for practically everything. She always believed in me, even when I didn't." she stopped briefly before continuing. "One night, she had a late shift. It was midnight and I was already asleep. I woke to the sound of something breaking. The apartment next door to ours was being robbed. My sister grabbed her gun and went to investigate. My parents ordered me to stay in my room….I didn't listen."
Chat heard her voice crack and instinctively wrapped an arm around her, shaking his head, telling her not to continue, seeing it was too painful for her. But she continued anyway.
"Next thing I remember was hearing the sound of a gunshot. My sister and the robber pulled their triggers at the exact same time…one right through his heart, the other right through her head. I never saw it because my dad shielded me. I only saw it when it was all over. All I remember seeing was her body laying there, her eyes wide and lifeless, blood spilling out of her skull…" her breath became wheezy and her eyes turned red as tears started to shed. Chat Noir wrapped his arms around her, stroking her back as she let it all out on his shoulder. She hugged him tightly, burying her face on his shoulder, letting all of her emotions out right then and there. It had been so long since she spoke of the tragic event, and being able to confide in someone about it was like a huge weight has been lifted right off of her shoulders.
Chat Noir didn't say a word, but just allowed her to relinquish everything she was feeling. After a while, she finally calmed down. The tears slowly stopped but she remained in his arms.
"I'm sorry." she said.
"Don't be. You have every right to feel upset."
Ladybug managed to fully calm down, wiping the tears from her eyes as they slowly parted from the embrace. "Thanks. It's been a long time since I've talked to anyone about this."
"You can always trust me, Ladybug." he said, wiping away a few more tears with his thumb. "And you don't have to feel ashamed about talking about your feelings."
"How did you get so kind?" she asked.
"I guess I get it from my mom. And, now I know where you get your bravery from."
Ladybug scoffed, "I'm not brave."
"Of course you are. You think you would have rushed to save your friend from Stoneheart if you weren't?"
"But I still panicked! I mean, you, I've yet to see you be scared of something."
Chat's ears lowered in regret. "Actually, there is one thing I'm scared of."
"What's that?"
"Being myself."
Ladybug arched an eyebrow in confusion, "Why would that scare you? I know we've only met today but, from what I've seen, you're pretty incredible."
"As Chat Noir, maybe, but behind the mask…that's a whole other story." he turned to look at the city, placing his arms on the railing. "Let's just say, if people find out what I am without knowing who I am…the "what" is all they will ever see. I'm sorry, did that make any sense?"
"Actually, it makes perfect sense." Ladybug said, resting her arms against the railing. She had already confided in him about her sister, and she still felt she could trust him with her other secret. "Before my sister died, I was the most unpopular kid in my class. I was known as the artistic klutz. Always tripping and falling flat on my face. My only real companion was my notebook. One day, a new girl came to class. Her family was rich so, naturally, I didn't think she'd give me the time of day. But, during lunch, she sat beside me. We talked and talked and before I knew it we were exchanging phone numbers. She was so nice to me that, for the first time, I felt I had finally made a friend." her voice dropped as she continued. "Turns out it was too good to be true. About two weeks later, during lunch, she asked me to go get some napkins. A couple of the popular girls were waiting for me. They caused me to trip and land face first into the potato salad. I was so humiliated, I thought my friend would tell them off…but she didn't. She laughed and took pictures. I didn't understand, I kept on asking what did I do to make her do this. All she said was that there was no way she would be friends with someone as clumsy and pathetic as me."
Chat felt even worse than ever. This poor girl had been through so much. Public humiliation, losing a friend, and losing her sister. He noticed her gestures. Her fists clenched, her brows furrowed and anger and regret flashed in her eyes while gazing at the ground. Her eyes said everything for him and he instinctively placed his hand over hers. This time, she did not back away.
"It's like you said. Sometime the "what" is all folks see." Ladybug said, her gaze still on the ground.
Chat Noir gently gripped her hand tightly. "That girl was a jerk. Anybody would be lucky to be friends with you. I know I am."
Ladybug smiled at his words. "Thanks. Guess we have more in common than we thought."
"I guess so." Chat felt relieved to be able to confide in Ladybug. He really felt like they were becoming friends. Real friends.
The wind blew against their hair and a white piece of paper flew into Ladybug's face, catching her by surprise. Chat Noir gently lifted the piece of paper from her face, seeing her bashful smile. He laughed a bit and removed the paper from her face. Ladybug also laughed. She watched curiously as Chat began folding the paper into a shape. He closed his palms and once he opened them, instead of a crumbled piece of paper there rested a beautiful origami white rose. Ladybug blinked in surprise.
"Well, aren't you full of surprises." she said.
"I could say the same thing about you." said Chat Noir, "Just because something looks one way to most people, doesn't mean it can't be anything else." he said…as he extended his hand forward, inviting Ladybug to take the paper rose, catching her by surprise.
Ladybug looked down at the paper rose and then back at Chat Noir. She placed the pieces together in a matter of moments. He was comparing her to the piece of paper: blank and unappealing at first, but doesn't mean it can't become something beautiful. It was a lovely metaphor, and it was very creative of him to show it to her visually instead of just with words.
She wasn't sure if it was the Miraculous jewels talking or not, but it really felt like, in this very moment, she and this boy weren't just Ladybug and Chat Noir. These masks allowed them to break away from the real world and the roles they were supposed to play, or at least thought they did, and for a moment, even if it wouldn't last, be given the chance to see they could both be more than just the "what".
Chat Noir smiled as he gazed into Ladybug's eyes. He meant what he was showcasing with this paper rose. To him, she was so much more than she left herself to believe. He believed she could be more than she gave herself credit for. He…he believed in her. He just hoped she would believe him to be telling her the truth.
After a long moment of silence, Ladybug reached for the rose, her hand trembling. Seeing her struggle, Chat kindly took her hand and gently placed the rose on her palm. His touch ceased her trembling. She held the paper rose in one hand while boldly placing her free one in Chat's. The two stood there, getting lost in each other's eyes with Lady's hand in Chat's. Both hands became pressed together as they both took one step closer to each other. The entire world seemed to have disappeared, leaving only the two of them. As if by an invisible force, both heroes felt their faces drawing closer, their eyes slowly closing and their lips only inches apart.
The sound of explosions and the bright colors that appeared in the night sky surprised the two heroes. From above, they saw fireworks adorning the sky. The sound was so loud it interrupted their…moment.
"Right, I forgot the mayor was hosting a party." Ladybug said, brushing pieces of hair behind her ear.
"Y-Yeah. For the city's new heroes." Chat said, laughing nervously as he scratched the back of his neck.
Marinette quickly realized she had to take a step back. She was so close to kissing Chat Noir, and as much as she wanted to, they had only just started their partnership. It probably wouldn't be so wise to start dating right off the bat. As much as she really, really, really wanted to kiss him, she knew this was the smart thing to do.
"I'm sorry." Ladybug said first, "It's just, we only now started being a team and, well if we…you know…"
"Oh, right. Right, of course. I get it."
There was no denying Chat Noir really, really, really wanted to kiss Ladybug, but he knew it probably wasn't wise to start something after knowing each other for just one day. This kind of thing might work in movies and stories, but this was real life. Even his parents took a while before they started dating. But, given what had just happened, he hoped they would get the chance again one day, and hopefully by then it would be a better time. He had a gut feeling they were going to be seeing each other a lot from now on. Ladybug felt the same way.
"You…want to go check it out, maybe?" he asked, "It is for us, after all."
"Um…I think we can see just fine from here." Ladybug said with a smile as she tapped on Chat's little cat bell, causing it to jingle, and rested her head on his strong shoulder. Chat Noir smiled as he wrapped his arm around her, watching the fireworks together.
(~)
After the show, the two heroes leaped over the rooftops once more. "You sure you know the way from here?" Chat asked.
"Yeah, I'm good. Thanks again. I had a lot of fun."
"Me too. Maybe we could do it again sometime?" he asked, scratching the back of his neck nervously…only to completely freeze in place once he felt Ladybug's lips against his cheek.
"I'd like that." she said before throwing her yo-yo at a nearby gargoyle. She turned to her partner once more time, saluting and winking. "Au Revoir, little kitty." she said, in a surprisingly flirty tone before zipping away, leaving Chat Noir to stare wide-eyed and weak-kneed.
"Yeah, see you to…see you soonday, well no, see you when-I mean…Wait, why am I stuttering?" he looked ahead, still seeing Ladybug leaping over the rooftops like a pro. He smiled, sighing dreamily before making his way back home as well.
At the exact same time, both heroes arrived home, only five minutes to midnight, but neither of them really cared about the time. Both returned back to normal, finally freeing their exhausted kwami's. Both Tikki and Plagg were panting like crazy while their masters only leaned against the walls of their respected bedrooms, gazing up with dreamy expressions, sighing with big happy smiles on their faces while their respected kwami's angrily glared at them.
"I thought we agreed a few minutes!" The two exclaimed simultaneously.
But, both teens simply shoved the pixies aside, ignoring them, and slid down onto the floor, both simultaneously swooning as they replayed the moment over and over again in their heads, all while Marinette held the origami rose close to her heart.
Even if it may have been only for one night, but it was a night they would never forget.
(~)