Chapter Text
Paris was always beautiful, even when it had been raining for days. Although it made things slick and her footing was precarious, Ladybug was glad that she had ended up coming out to gaze across the lights of the city. It had been a quiet week. The only reason she was out at all was because of the lull in action. She needed to stretch, to work her muscles and keep sharp.
She needed to see her Chat.
She'd never admit it to herself, but now that they'd finished giving their city a once over they'd stopped to catch their breath on the most convenient building they could find. She leaned against the roof railing, looking out over the smears of reflected light the rain had left behind. She could feel Chat perched on the bar beside her, for once silent. Neither of them had spoken much through the past few hours and the fact made her feel a little uneasy. A Chat Noir who wasn't bent on pestering her must not have been a happy one.
She sighed and pushed her hair away from her face, preparing herself for all the prying she was sure she would have to do. The breeze pushed the dark strands back into her face again but she chose to ignore it. "Okay, what is it?"
"What?" He turned to look at her and her voice died in her throat. Any worry she had for him promptly evaporated at the smile he was beaming back at her. It was wider than any smirk she had seen on him before. His face was slightly flushed and his pale hair had been blown into disarray by the night air. He looked positively joyous, although over what she had no idea. His happiness was infectious and instantly she felt herself grinning back at him.
"What's got you so happy? Catch a canary?"
"Close~" He laughed and ran a hand through his hair. "I feel really good! It's wet and cold and I need a long shower, but I couldn't have better company." She rolled her eyes at the comment, but was still pleased. It lacked the flirtatious tone he normally teased her with. It was nice. She hummed softly and turned to lean against the rail. The breeze picked up slightly, sweeping his tail toward her in a lazy wave. As it came within reach she reached out and caught it in her fingers.
"What, you're not hitting on me? I was looking forward to jerking a knot in your tail.. " She twisted it around her fingers, watching him eye the movements with a smile.
"Why would I need to do that when you obviously can't keep your hands off me?"
"Chat!" There it was. He snickered as she tossed the tail back at him and pushed off the railing. "You silly thing." She strode off toward the other side of the roof, keenly aware of him moving to follow her. She could hear the soft tap of his boots hitting the pavement and he slid his way into her peripheral vision. Was he so graceful in his civilian life? Or was the fluidity of the way his body moved Chat Noir, not.. whoever he might be.
Ask him.
The thought comes suddenly and Ladybug feels herself flush beneath her mask. She sometimes forgot that Tikki was privvy to her thoughts when she was transformed. There was no way she'd consider pressing him for that kind of information. Not that she wasn't curious sometimes, and sure that he'd be willing to confide in her. No, it was safer not to.
Okay, but really, Marinette, it wouldn't be the first time. She shook her head and frowned. It wasn't until she felt Chat pause that she realized she had gone silent, a deep frown settling on her face. He was looking at her with a raised eyebrow. "Huh?"
"Sorry, was it too much?"
His gaze slid away from her and her stomach clenched a little when she realized she had no idea what he'd said. She shook her head slowly, offering him an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Chat. I was just thinking. What did you say?"
He faltered and the expression was so foreign to him that she felt guilt prickling at her conscience. "I was just saying, it's good that there haven't been any akuma this week, but I've missed you. Uh, that is, I've missed working with you." Her smile grew warmer as she reached up to flick his ear.
"No worries. I haven't been annoyed once this week. It's been strange." A warm chuckle rewarded her as he leaned against her hand, the uncertainty gone as if it had never been there.
Marinette.
No.
It'll happen eventually. She pushed the thought away, begging Tikki to drop the subject. Normally the kwami wouldn't be so pushy, but then it was rare to spend time with Chat and not have more pressing matters to attend to. She was making a face again, she could feel it pinching at her eyebrows. Fortunately this time Chat didn't notice, he was too absorbed with nuzzling her palm. It felt a little strange to receive outright, genuine affection from him. He really must have been happy. She let him enjoy it for a moment before pulling her hand back. He tried to follow it, grunting in disappointment when she used a finger to push him back by the nose.
"Pet me, Lady~"
"No."
"You know you want to."
"You've been fantasizing too much." She turned away, not allowing him to draw her in with his pleading eyes. Raising her arms over her head she stretched and sighed, the night was catching up with her and she was definitely ready for bed. Chat made a little humming noise behind her and she fought the urge to blush. Ladybug didn't blush. Especially not for Chat Noir. At least, that's what she was telling herself. Trying to ignore his presence, she hopped up onto the railing and pulled out her yo-yo. "If I don't see you again this week, how about Wednesday?"
"You're leaving me already?" The disappointment in his voice was hard to miss. She smiled to herself.
"We've been out for hours. And anyway I've got something I have to do in the morning."
"Not a date, I hope. I don't have anything to wear."
"I'm not telling you what it is, silly cat, don't even bother." Tikki started pushing at her again and she ignored her. Questioningly, she glanced back at him. "Wednesday? Just to check on things?"
"Definitely." There it was, that blinding smile he'd been wearing a few moments ago. Patrolling shouldn't make anyone that happy. Ladybug felt Tikki point out that it wasn't the patrol that he was happy about. He looked like he wanted to say something else, but he only looked at her. The wind played at his hair again as his eyes clung to her, the green lenses of his mask lending them a shine that she doubted was natural.
What color were they?
Find out. Ask him.
She opened her mouth before her brain could catch up. The movement caused him to perk up hopefully. It was a terrible idea, one that she didn't like almost giving in to. Instead, she told him good night, willing herself not to see the way his face deflated a little. With a snap of her wrist she sent the yo-yo whizzing through the air to catch on a street light and let it tug her off into the night air.
x x x
Marinette couldn't help being annoyed with herself. Chat was charming and witty and off-limits. SO off-limits. She'd decided that right off the bat, but he had an annoying way of pawing his way under her skin. Tikki was no help.
At least being Ladybug felt good. As soon as she'd gotten home Marinette had flopped onto her bed and sighed, enjoying the tingle running through her muscles. Tomorrow was Saturday, she had a whole day to waste in the best way. Maybe she could hang out with Alya..
"He gave you so many openings." Tikki floated into her line of vision and bobbed there, looking down at her in exasperation. "Marinette.. "
"What's with you? You know why that's such a horrible idea."
"It was. You've been working together for a long time now. You can trust him."
"That's not the problem, Tikki!"
"Then what is?" Marinette bit her lips, eyes drifting across the room toward her pictures of Adrien. If she knew Chat in his civilian life and he still had such an effect on her.. It made her feel guilty. Tikki followed her gaze and shook her head slowly.
"Marinette."
"I've got reasons."
"Adrien isn't a reason. You're not-"
"I'm not what?" The little kwami hesitated and Marinette felt her temper flare. Tikki was always supportive, always understanding. If she was implying that Marinette would never get up the nerve to tell him how she felt.. Didn't they know each other better than that? She stared at her, brow furrowed expectantly. Tikki felt their conversation heading south and tried to wave it off with a tiny paw.
"What I'm trying to say is just that.. well, you aren't the smoothest talker."
"Tell me something I don't know."
"You've been doing better, though." She dropped down to land beside Marinette's head and pat her cheek apologetically. "Maybe it'll happen, but Chat Noir is different."
"I don't know what you mean." Frowning, she turned her head away. "Chat is just Chat."
"He's your partner."
"Yes."
"I know what's going on when you're Ladybug. I know how much you trust him."
"Tikki, I don't.. "
"Why won't you trust him with this?" Her shoulders hunched and she drew her knees up, curling herself up in defense. It wasn't that she didn't trust him with it, it's that she knew. She saw the way he snuck glances at her and there was such an admiration in his gaze that she knew how much he admired Ladybug.
Ladybug. Not Marinette.
If he met her without the mask, saw what a bumbling, embarrassing mess she was it would change. She'd disappoint him and she knew it. Tikki would disagree, her endless positivity could be annoyingly blind sometimes. It felt selfish to keep it from him, but really it was for the best. She blew out a heavy sigh. It had been a long night.
"Tikki, I have my reasons, but I don't feel like talking about it right now." The little kwami huffed and didn't answer her. "Don't be mad."
"I'm not. I just wish you'd tell me what these reasons are." Marinette shook her head. "We don't keep things from each other, Marinette."
"Not right now."
"Mari-"
"No, Tikki!" It was too much. She was tired and irritated and Tikki's pushing was starting to make her feel guilty. She was done. Sitting up, she scowled softly and brushed Tikki away. "I'm done talking about this! I'm sorry, I'll see you in the morning." Tikki protested and shot into the air, but Marinette ignored her, instead pushing her hair aside and pulling off her Miraculous. The kwami disappeared with a sputter, pulling a heavy silence over the room.
Marinette sat for a long moment and stared at the earrings sitting on her palm. They were warm, although whether it was due to her body heat or Tikki's energy she didn't know. Had it been necessary? No. She shouldn't have taken them off, but she wanted to be alone, really alone, for just a little while. Tikki would forgive her in the morning, surely.
Carefully, Marinette set the miraculous on her bedside table, making sure they were in no danger of rolling off. She'd put them on first thing in the morning, after they'd both had a little space. It was fine. She slipped under her covers and hugged her pillow, staring at them as she felt her eyes grow heavy. Her last thoughts before slipping into sleep were of soft, yellow hair and warm smiles. Chat wouldn't have taken his ring off. It was another thing to add to the list.