23July 25, 2025
Chat Noir swung his legs against the edge of the rooftop where he and Ladybug often met up for their patrols. He really didn't know what to expect that night. It had been almost a full 24 hours after he had visited Marinette. As Adrien, he had hung out with Nino, Alya, and Marinette earlier in the day. This gave him a chance to see her reaction after their late-night encounter.
The group had wandered to the Dupain-Cheng bakery after a day of exploring, happily munching on the sweet treats. Adrien noticed Marinette play the part of hostess, yet clearly pondering something that weighed heavy on her. Her eyes were red and puffy while she played with his birthday charm wrapped around her wrist. Many glances were exchanged between Alya, Nino, but no one said anything.
Nino and Alya checked film times at the local cinema, noticing that a movie they had all wanted to see would be starting soon. The four finished their confections and headed toward the theater. The most direct route was through the park.
They passed a shrine people had created to commemorate and honor the Heroes of Paris. Someone had sculpted a small statue of Ladybug and Chat Noir, the details of each hero immaculate. There was talk that the sculptor had caught the eye of the mayor and a life-size replica was on the way.
Marinette paused for a moment, crouching before the statuette. Alya lingered with her, nodding to Nino and Adrien that they would catch up.
Nino and Adrien waited outside the gate for the girls.
"What was that about?" Nino mused. "We've passed that shrine, what? A thousand times on our way to school? Why'd she stop to look at it now? Did someone add something new?" Nino strained to see the collection from their position.
The afternoon sun did nothing to hide the blush beginning to creep up Adrien's neck. The boys turned their heads as the girls made their way towards them.
"Do you want me to come over and talk with you tonight?" Adrien heard Alya ask Marinette in a low voice. "You've been… off since our talk yesterday. Are you okay, girl?"
Marinette smiled, but Adrien noticed that it wasn't a full smile. "I'm fine, Alya. Really. I've got to go home after the film; there's something I've got to do tonight." Hearing that last comment made Adrien's heartbeat so loud, he was afraid Marinette would hear it.
She briefly met his eyes and his blush increased. Her eyes scrunched together in thought then she shook it away. "Isn't the film starting in a few minutes? We still need to get tickets!"
Chat Noir's mind was brought back to the present when he heard a gentle thump behind him. Ladybug stood away from him, looking down at the zinc-tiled roof. He slowly stood, staring at her.
"You came."
"Of course I came." She met his eyes now. "We're still a team, I'd have to face you sometime… better sooner than later…" Her voice trailed off at the end. "How'd you find out I was… me?" The heroes knew better than to discuss any actual names out loud, even if they appeared alone.
Chat returned to his seated position, gesturing for her to join him. Ladybug joined him on the roof's edge, but still maintained her distance.
"It was nothing you did, Bug." He reassured her. "I don't know how much your kwami's told you about the magic that hides our identities, but I dug further into what little knowledge I had because…" He swallowed, turning to meet her eyes once more. "I needed to know who you were. I saw how distraught you were after everything with Volpina. I-I didn't want you to have to go through that kind of stuff alone, or wait until we meet up for patrol for you to have to unload."
Ladybug nodded. Her gaze drifted to the Paris skyline in front of them. "Was it weird?" She whispered.
"Was what weird?"
"Finding out that I was… me."
"No! No, milady." Chat Noir spun, reaching to clasp one of her hands within his own. Her face was still turned away. "Words can not express how elated I was to find out that you were… well, you! Things started making so much sense that… it was almost like, 'how could it possibly be anyone else?'" He could see her lip quivering through a burgeoning smile.
She tightened her grip on his hand, turning to face him again. "Chat…"
"I'm in love with you."
Her smile dropped. "W-what?"
Chat Noir swallowed, determined to go through with it. She needs to know. "I am in love with you, Ladybug."
The heroine dropped their entwined hands, scooting back from the roof's edge until she could stand. "Chat…" She backed up further as he made to stand as well.
"I just… I needed you to know that." Every fiber of his being wanted to wipe away the tears now snaking their way down her face.
"I-I can't."
He nodded, biting the inside of his lip. "I was afraid of that."
"You have… no idea…" Ladybug started, her voice wavering.
Chat closed his eyes. "Bug, please don't do that,"
"... what your partnership - your friendship - means to me…" She continued.
This time, Ladybug didn't edge away as Chat risked a step closer.
"Actually, I do. You are one of the most important people in my life, bugaboo." It was Chat's turn to step back as Ladybug lunged for his hand, a desperate gleam in her eyes.
"You're important to me too! And that's why I'm doing this - to protect you!"
"Protect me? From what?" He shifted the grasp of her desperate fingers so that their hands were now intertwined. "Whatever it is, we can pull through it together!"
She sighed. "I don't know how forthcoming your kwami's been since we were chosen, but we can't know each other's secret identities. Hypothetically," She silenced his burgeoning protest with a look. "Hypothetically if something did happen between us, we'd want to see each other outside of the mask. Even if we fooled ourselves with thinking we'd be happy just having the mask, we would always be yearning for what was underneath…" Ladybug stopped herself before her hand reached the edges of Chat's mask. She cleared her throat. "But if we pursued something, knew who the other was and became compromised… Everyone that we love would be in danger and Hawkmoth would win."
Chat Noir wanted nothing more in that moment to tear across Paris, find Hawkmoth, and punch his face in. We are literal CHILDREN. Why should this be on our shoulders? He sighed, running his free hand through his hair. If Ladybug was going to keep Chat Noir at a friendly distance, maybe there was another way to help ease her burden.
"What about Adrien? Would pursuing something with him be less risky?" Chat could tell that he had confused her, asking about 'Adrien' without a hint of jealousy; asking about 'Adrien' like one would ask if it were likely to rain later.
Ladybug frowned as she thought it through. "I… I don't think it would…" She swallowed. "Nothing could happen with him either. I can't put him in danger. I can't put either of you in danger. I can't share anything with anyone ever in case they catch on then it puts them in danger!" Her breathing became labored as she continued to spiral. A sob ripped through her as she pressed both hands to her mouth. "Oh gosh… I-I'm alone…"
Chat caught her before she collapsed to the ground. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to his chest. He could feel the rapid pulse of her heartbeat as she pressed as close to him as she could.
"No! No, Bug. You're not alone." He pressed a kiss into her hair. He knew he needed to find a way to ground her. "You know, I don't think you've ever told me your kwami's name. Can you tell me their name?" Chat felt her breathing hitch.
"H-her n-name's T-t-tikki." The girl hiccupped.
"Good. Good." He murmured. "Hey, you've got me and Tikki on this side of the mask. You've got your friends and your family on the civilian side of things." Chat tilted her chin so he could wipe away her tears. "And I promise. You won't lose any of us."
"B-but-" She gulped.
"But nothing." He soothed. "LB, I am always going to love you," He gently turned her to face him again when she turned away. "But I will always be your friend first."
Ladybug pressed her face against Chat's chest, slowly wrapping her arms around his back. Chat hesitated before returning the hug.
"T-thanks, Chat." She whispered.
He could already feel her heartbeat evening out. "Anytime, Princess." He checked the time on his baton. "It's getting late."
She sniffed, pulling away and wiping away the rest of her tears. "Yeah, I better go. Sunday morning's a pretty busy time for the bakery and my parents will want my help." Ladybug accepted Chat's assistance in standing up. She noticed that he still hadn't let go of her hand.
"Can I-" Chat cleared his throat. "Can I walk you home?" He squeezed her hand.
"Uh…" Ladybug blinked. "No. No thanks."
The words seemed to be as much of a shock to her and to Chat Noir.
His face fell. "Oh. Okay."
"No! Chat," Ladybug pulled on her pigtails. "Chat, my brain's just swirling and processing so much!" She took his hand once more. "I can't thank you enough for tonight, but I just need some time to myself." The girl bit her lip, looking down at the tiled roof. "Is that… okay?"
Chat took her other hand, lifting both to kiss the backs of her hands. "My lady, it is more than okay. You take as much time as you need. Just…" He took a deep breath. "Just promise me that you'll call me or one of your friends or talk with your family if things get too hectic in your head, alright?" The boy's breath caught as she pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek.
"I promise." Ladybug smiled. Her eyes still sparkled with unshed tears, but they seemed brighter now. "I'll see you later, Chat." She pulled away, throwing her yoyo, and disappearing into the night.
Chat followed her silhouette until she was out of sight. "You'll see me sooner than you think, Bug." No matter how long it took her to work things out or even if she decided that neither Chat or Adrien would make her happy in the end, the boy vowed to be there for his best friend.
FIN
That's it for Book 1 of my Miraculous series! The "in-between" story Kwami Code: A Plagg & Tikki Story should be updated 9/1/23. It's being updated for grammar, formatting, and fitting more with the updated timeline established in Miraculous: Revelation.
Book 2 Miraculous: Moments should start updating on 9/12. I know that's an "off" day of my typical posting, but it's my birthday and I want to do something nice for you guys 😋 Keep an eye out for that then regular postings resuming every other Friday starting on 9/15.
See y'all soon and STAY CREATIVE!
"One little spark, of inspiration/ Is at the heart, of all creation/ Right at the start, of everything that's new/ One little spark, lights up for you" - Journey into Imagination, EPCOT
"Jesus looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God."" -Mark 10:27