A/N: Just another very short drabble here. Not much editing was needed other than some basic spellcheck and grammar but oh well. Have fun reading this one!

"Let my voice strain like a burning flower
Lighting up the darkness
Change my vague, correct answers into a musical score
Counting the nights and painting the mornings"

残響散歌 (Zankyousanka) - Aimer

Pairing - Ladynoir

Prompt - 'Soldiers'

~(x)~

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Sometimes, due to the nature of their brutal fights against Akumas and sentimonstres and being put in life-or-death situations on a daily basis, Ladybug almost forgets that her partner too is a child just like her.

Especially when he can be quite merciless during one on one combats against the puppet villains, disintegrate anything he touches with the power of ancient destruction and even be the rock and common sense she needs in the most desperate times.

But right now? With him looking at his reflection in a window and giggling at his own silly face, his tongue bright blue from the bubblegum ice lolly he just had?

It suddenly hit the heroine just how young he too was.

And it shouldn't have been such a surprise. It actually made sense considering his behaviour and habits and the occasional, vague comments about his civilian life that wasn't too explicit identity-wise.

Yet...Ladybug just couldn't help it. A quiet, slow rage built up within herself on his behalf, her mind wondering just how much of his life was negatively impacted no thanks to the war they're fighting against the deranged butterfly wielder. How much of his childhood and youth is he missing out? How many lies is he forced to spit out to his loved ones?

How much punishment has he had to endure for the sake of keeping his identity safe?

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How many more battles will it take for that beautiful, wonderful, carefree smile of his to be wiped off without a trace?

"My Lady? Yoohoo? Still on planet Earth?" The light, playful knock on her head from her partner's knuckles snapped the heroine out of her thoughts, the girl blinking a few times before schooling her expressions and delivering a quick smile.

"Sorry about that, mon Chaton. What were you saying again?" She was met with a mock pout from him, his lips pursed and one of his cheeks puffed up adorably like a hamster rather than his namesake.

"You don't need to play it off, Bug. Something's worrying you. I guarantee you, you'll feel so much better if you tell me what's up~" He tried to flutter his lashes charmingly, his exaggeration and quirks only widening her own smile and melting her heart. He really was too sweet and pure.

And she just wanted to protect him with her everything.

"It's nothing too deep. Don't worry your silly little head about me," She flicked his bell, loving the way his pupils dilated at her gesture. "Also, I just can't take you seriously with a blue tongue and blue teeth."

"Hey! I make it work!" He poked her shoulder before leaning onto her, his face beaming from her quiet giggles. "Whenever you're ready, I'm always here to listen to your thoughts and worries, my Lady,"

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He really was too good for this world.

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~(x)~

A/N: Now, you know the gist.

Feed me le comments~