Sorry this is late. I was busy yesterday and couldn't work on it at all and it was so hot today I could barely focus. But I'm done now and I'm very happy with it.

Set during the Netflick movie. This is an alternative take to the aftermath of 'Stronger Together.' Great song. Great scene. But ends with love and not rejection.

There's just so much more chemistry with Ladynoir in the movie than even Adrinette. And none with the other two main ships. Ergo, this isn't the only story here that will be set/inspired by the movie. With the past 3 months/ships, I tried to write at least 1 per month based on either the movie or the Miraculous World: Paris special. But this month, I'm trying to include both.

Ladynoir July 2024

Day #9: Totally Not a Date

Chat's gift—his sweet serenade to her while he played the piano—lead them to chase each other across the rooftops. Then jump into the sky together until they were practically on the clouds.

"You save the world every day with your mask. But the girl behind it, saved my heart," he had said. Then they were dancing.

Both had love-struck grins on their faces, stepping across the clouds together with intimate grace.

In her head, Ladybug knew that this was a bad idea, having let her partner's little gesture go this far, but caught in the moment, all she could do was smile and dance along with him.

Chat wanted this night to be perfect. He was finally brave enough to officially open his heart out to his lady. Their partnership had started a bit rocky with the teasing and attitude, but they had definitely moved passed that and into a solid friendship. She sang with him, pranced with him across the rooftops in a flirty game of chase, and now they were dancing together under a starry Parisian sky.

She felt the same. He was sure of it.

However…

When their feet finally stopped moving, Chat seized the moment and leaned in, his eyes fluttering shut. But instead of feeling the lips of his dream girl, he felt nothing. Chat opened his eyes to see that Ladybug had leaned away and then stepped back, out of his arms.

"Chat…no," she lightly shook her head.

Chat's face fell. And just like that, the clouds once beneath their feet where once again the roof of a city building. "No?" he uttered, completely baffled. "But-"

"I can't. We can't."

"Why not?"

Ladybug took a breath. "Chat, weren't superheroes. We were chosen to fight and defeat Hawkmoth," she said, sounding so sure of her words.

Chat frowned. "And that's it?"

"It's important."

"So is our happiness," he insisted. "Milady, we were chosen together. We came together for a reason."

"Yes. To defeat Hawkmoth. It's the only reason we came together in the first place," she told him. Chat's frown deepened. It didn't feel good but Ladybug knew she had to say it. "We can't get distracted. We need to be professional and stay focused on defeating him. That's what's really important."

Chat understood the importance of their arch-nemesis's defeat just at well as his partner did, but that didn't mean he also agreed with her about putting that above their hearts. "I know it is. And I will devote myself to defeating Hawkmoth to keep Paris and everyone I care about safe from him. And so we don't have to put ourselves in harm's way fighting him eventually," he promised her. He stepped closer to her and placed a strong hand on her shoulder. "I will protect you with everything I have because I want to see a world where we don't have to fight anymore. Where we can just be together."

"But we can't just be together!" Ladybug snapped, removing his hand from her shoulder. "After we defeat Hawkmoth, that's it. Our miraculouses will no longer be needed so we'll just lose each other anyway."

And that's when it fully became clear to him. "So that's it? You won't kiss me because you're afraid of losing me anyway," he said. Ladybug glanced away, unable to answer him. Which was all the answer he needed. "That's the whole reason I never wanted to get close to anyone after my mom died. And yet…I've fallen for you," he confessed, tenderly. Ladybug's lips pinched together tight, as well as her eyes. "All I can think about is being able to go on dates with you, no akumas, no danger. Just you and me in the world, not a couple of superheroes, but just a couple."

"How?" she snapped again, but more emotional than angry. "How could we be just a couple? You don't even know who I really am, and I don't know who you are," she said, her voice on the brink of a sob.

"Yes I do," Chat insisted. "I see you." Carefully, Chat took one of her hands in his. "I see an amazing girl who was filled with so much uncertainty transform into a confident, sassy, strong lady. And she never hesitates to help those in need," he said, offering her a reassuring smile. "And me…" he frowned, thinking about himself. "I was closed off, shielded myself from anyone who could hurt me. I wanted to protect my heart. But you…unlocked me." He took her other hand, now holding them both. "From the first night I met you, the night I became Chat Noir, I've transformed as well, into a guy who's curious and wild, and can freely be himself without fear," he said, his smile returning.

Ladybug looked down at their joined hands. This was wrong, but everything Chat was saying felt so right.

"Chat, you're annoying and insane but you're also amazing and I care about you a lot…but-"

"I love you," Chat said suddenly cutting her off. Ladybug finally looked back up at him with a start. "If that wasn't obvious already," he added with a light chuckle. "And I get the feeling that you love me too."

That was the whole reason why he thought it was time to tell her. But she was choosing to hide it.

"Chat…"

"If you can look me in the eye and tell me that you don't love me, I'll go. And the next time we need to fight an akuma, I will be totally professional. No small talk, no jokes, no friendly banter. And then, after we defeat Hawkmoth, we never have to see each other again because like you said, 'it's the only reason we came together in the first place.' So when we're done, we're done," he said and he hated every word. But he still meant it. Ladybug pulled her hands back and turned around. Chat stayed where he was, staring at her back, giving her the bit of space she needed to think. "If that's what you really want," he added.

If she still refused to admit that she loved him back and insist he hide his own feelings from that night on, then he would. For her. But she had to tell him to his face.

Seconds felt like hours as Ladybug just stood there, Chat patient, right behind her.

Ladybug had been hiding who she really was for so long. But after she became Ladybug, she was able to unlock the best in herself. Marinette became her best self and Ladybug became the hero that Paris needed.

And the partner Chat Noir needed.

Chat was a complete dork but he was always there for her. As confident as she had become, half of that came from having him beside her every step of the way.

She might harbor some feelings for Adrien too but he hadn't been showing any interest in her beyond being good friends. Chat on the other hand…loved her.

And did she love him back?

Her heart hurt too much to take hiding anything else anymore.

Finally, Ladybug turned around, stepped forward, and without a word, grasped the sides of Chat's head and pulled him in, kissing him.

Chat was shocked for a moment but quickly and happily kissed her back, reaching up and caressing her waist.

When she pulled away, she whispered, "I do love you." Chat grinned, over the moon that she actually said it herself. "I didn't want to fall for you but I did."

Chat continued to hold her. "We're still going to defeat Hawkmoth, together," he said, reassuring and determined. Since that had been her whole reason for having doubts of them beings together, he thought she'd appreciate it.

Ladybug nodded. "Stronger together."

"And then after we do, we can still see each other."

Ladybug frowned. "But if there's no need for Ladybug and Chat Noir anymore…"

Would the mysterious man who gave them their jewels take them back? How where they supposed to see each other if that happened?

Chat frowned too. He didn't like that idea either. "I want to defeat Hawkmoth as badly as you do, but I don't want to lose you afterwards," he said to her, caressing her cheek.

Ladybug leaned into his touch then covered his hand with her own. "I don't either," she replied. Which left only one simple solution. "Then, we'll reveal ourselves," she said.

Chat's eyes widened. "What?" he asked, not believing his ears.

"How else are we supposed to continue to see each other after our miraculouses are no longer needed? Plus, it's too dangerous for us to know each other's identities while Hawkmoth is still a threat. But after he's gone, so is the threat," she explained.

"So, after we defeat Hawkmoth, I can show you who I am?" he asked, anxious excitement building in his stomach.

Ladybug grinned and nodded. "And I'll show you who I am."

Chat laughed with joy before lunging in for another kiss. Ladybug kissed him back, wrapping her arms around the back of his neck. Then, while not breaking the kiss, Chat gripped her body tighter to himself, then picked her up and spun them around in a circle or two.

When he finally put her back down, they pulled apart, just enough to look at each other.

"I'm sure your even more beautiful without your mask on," he said, gazing lovingly at her eyes and the mask surrounding it.

"Silly kitty," she giggled before kissing him again.

U guys can expect a sort of sequel to this here for the Day #18 prompt.

But before that, u can expect another (stand alone) tomorrow! =^.^=