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LadyBug had accepted that was the best option.
They had just defeated Mr. Pigeon again, not that the ladybug was going to complain, after all her mind was on something else. She had made her decision but wasn't finding the courage to carry it out, let alone tell her partner about this.
— Bugbu?-Cat Noir called her, making her come back to reality, staring at her partner, her friend… her kitten.
He had his fist outstretched for she, and it took she a moment to understand and put her fist in his.
—Zero!-The two spoke together, smiling with their eyes closed.
CatNoir remained with her eyes closed with her usual smile, and LadyBug wished she could keep that image forever. She gave a sad smile. It was so ironic, she spent so much time rejecting him, but now that she had to say goodbye, she realized how much she loved him.
— Is everything okay, My Lady?- The feline asked when he opened his eyes and noticed the look of the ladybug.
— CatNoir- He decided to speak at once before he lost his nerve again, why did it have to be so difficult?
— What happened, My Lady?- He stared at her with those green eyes shining with concern.
— It's just… this whole thing_ I mean….NO! it's not that…- She tapped herself on the forehead, trying to formulate a sentence with sense.- Why can't you stop being such an idiot?- She asked herself.
Wouldn't it be easier to just do it? He'd find out anyway, wouldn't he? That way at least he wouldn't have to see her look of disappointment. He sighed giving up again, that was it, LadyBug won't te-
"Sorry, that wasn't my intention!" -CatNoir spoke quickly taking the girl's hand. He wasn't sure what he had done, the only thing that came to his mind was when they faced the Glaciator, and his My Lady confessed that she didn't like his jokes or statements.
"What?" The blue girl asked, staring at the boy.
"Is it because of the jokes?" I'll stop, swe-
"NO! You didn't do anything." She replied quickly, trying to calm him down, to help, she caressed his ears, which made the kitten purr in response, making her smile.
"So... what's the problem?" He asked, never letting go of her hand, instead starting to caress them. The blue one turned her eyes to her hands, and the boy spoke again.-You know you can count on me, My Lady. It's always been the two of us against the world and it always will be.
Did he know that this phrase made the ladybug's heart squeeze?
That for forever wasn't really forever?
That what she had to say would change everything they had?
"I don't believe it, kitty." She murmured, feeling her eyes sting.
— What? Bad-
— I can't be LadyBug anymore!- She finally exclaimed and waited for a reaction from the other, but he just stared at her, not saying anything. Taking a deep breath, she continued.- Listen... I know it can be difficult to understand, but since I became the guardian I feel suffocated…as if at any moment everything is going to explode and go wrong.
— You're doing an amazing job.- The girl gave a sad smile with the other's attempt to calm her down.
— I thank you for everything and I loved this time we spent together, but that doesn't make me feel good, Cat…- Her smile disappeared as easily as it appeared, and the heroine felt her cheek get wet.
— I will help you. We can work it out. I can spend some time with the miraculous box.-Cat Noir let go of the girl's hand, while babbling ideas of what they could do.
— Cat…-LadyBug tried to call him, but he kept talking nonsense, she approached the boy again hugging him.-Kitten, I can't keep doing this…
The blonde hugged her back, they stayed like that for a while, trying to calm down and process what was happening.
— If it's for your own good.- The kitten whispered, squeezing the other one tighter in the hug.- I'll miss you, but I hope you get better.
— I'll miss you too.- She said, also tightening the hug.- But don't worry, let's keep working together, I'll continue to be the Guardian.- She assured, and the boy turned his face away from her neck, revealing his wet face, and the girl knew that the face should look the same, if not worse.
“How am I going to get your help when I don't even know who you are behind the mask?
— Simple…- He said giving a small smile, leaving the hug.- Tikki untransform!
When he saw who the girl he spent so much time proposing to was, he couldn't help a look of surprise.
Who was in front of him was the one that in his civilian life he calls a friend, with her blue pigtails and her black denim jacket, Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Next to her floated a small red animal with black spots and antennae on its head.
— Mari…?-The nickname came out as a low murmur, but loud enough for the girl to hear.
— Yes.- She replied with a small smile, soon being hugged again by the kitten.
“I'm so glad it's you…I might as well show you my ide-
—No!-Marinette walked away from him again, holding him by his shoulders so fast that the boy's eyes widened.- You still can't reveal your identity.
—But you-
— I'm going to start working from home, using the Miraculous book, the clues we have and the help of some friends. When we discover the Monarch's identity, you will reveal your identity to me, okay? - He suggested.
— Okay…- He murmured softly.- What are you going to do with the ladybug miraculous?
— I'm going to temporarily give it to another heroine.
“Scarabella?
— Ye- -A girl was interrupted by the sound of Cat Noir's ring, who looked stunned at his finger.
— I'll have to go…-He grumbled staring back at the girl.
"Fine." She replied and hugged him quickly, feeling him reciprocate.
"I'm going to miss fighting you." He declared and Mari smiled.
"Me too, kitty." Don't worry, you know where I live.- He nodded, the two stayed hugged for a little while longer, until the ring blinked again and Cat turned and jumped across the roofs, leaving the girl with only her kwami.
— It was better that way, Mari.-Tikki said while gently rubbing her little paw on the bearer's cheek, drying one of her tears.
— I know.- He took a deep breath, not caring about the tears falling down his cheek. Tikki Transform!