11: Exclusively Chat Noir

It's deep into the night and Paris looks dazzling from the Eiffel tower. The streets are glistening and the lights are sparkling. The water reflected the glow of every luminance of the night. This was Ladybug's favorite spot just gazing upon the city's beauty. That's why despite how she's completely exhausted by morning at school, she wouldn't trade this view for anything. It didn't matter. Watching over Paris was her heart's desire.

"Is this spot taken?"

Ladybug quickly turns upon hearing a voice. She sees Chat Noir standing before her unimpressed of what she's done. She couldn't believe her eyes. Her mouth was opening but no words could come out.

"He's not supposed to be here." she thought.

"I know what you're thinking, I'm not supposed to be here." he posed, crossing his arms with a smug face.

"Yuh-huh!" she exclaimed, "I thought I told Plagg not to tell you!"

Chat's face turned grim, "You see, you've been patrolling Paris with my kwami for weeks, but you won't let me?" he steps forward trying to close their gap, "Why is that?"

Ladybug sighs, "Because it's too dangerous, Chat."

Chat scoffs, "And YOU," he gestures with two hands emphasizing her being, "watching over Paris alone at night makes it less dangerous."

"You don't understand, Chat!"

"Then make me understand!"

"YOU'RE TOO PRECIOUS TO ME!"

The two of them fell silent. Chat stared at Ladybug who was touching her forehead feeling frustrated of herself.

"Do you think it's easy for me to be the new master knowing what happened to Master Fu?" she added as her voice shaked.

"Because of you Master Fu is now living happily away from the dangers of hiding from Hawkmoth." Chat tried to relieve her.

Ladybug shook her head, "No, because of me Master Fu had to make a sacrifice to save the miracle box. And because of that he forgot everything about us."

"But we haven't forgotten him!" Chat added.

"How thick could you get? I don't want to forget you!" Ladybug exclaimed.

Chat falls back to his shoulders leaning against a pillar. It wasn't a love confession, but he knew it was bigger. It's about cherishing the existence of a person. Now he finally understood what has been pressuring Ladybug. When push comes to shove for the both of them, she doesn't want to risk her memories with Chat Noir. Her best friend. Her one and only partner.

Realizing all that made Chat happy. It just showed how much impact he had on Ladybug's life. She made extra measures just to make sure he'd not find out she's been patrolling at night so when an akuma comes up, she'll handle it alone. That last thought did not make Chat happy.

"Okay, I get you. But can you atleast let me stay with you when you patrol?" he said softly peeking into her eyes.

Ladybug stared at the black kitty who was convincing her. She weighed the facts and got stuck with the idea that maybe if she kept Chat Noir beside her, he's more likely to be safe than be out there being his civilian self and be exposed to a possible akuma attack. That would be much complicated.

"Alright," she said.

Chat made a fist pump.

"But you have to promise me to keep your wits up. We don't want to give Hawkmoth any ideas of striking a big fish on us." she said.

"And you also have to promise me, no more secrets." he added.

Ladybug stared at him and pouted, "Fine. Except for our identities."

"Except for our identities." Chat repeated.

Problem solved.

The two fell silent for a while staring off to Paris. The silence just seemed to have made more connection between them than with words combined. They would often sneak up glances between them without the other's awareness. Their presence was enough to erase their worries for a night.

"So, I heard you got a girlfriend." Ladybug initiated.

Chat glanced at her, "Where'd you hear that from?"

"Plagg."

Chat nodded, "Great." he said sarcastically.

"Well, is it true?" she pried.

"Yea."

Ladybug inhaled sharply and stretched her arms up twisting her body left to right to loosen up her tension, "Well," she faced him, "She's a lucky girl."

"Wow. Really? How come?" he faced her too as he started to feel interested of what Ladybug has to say about him.

"First of all, you're sweet. She'll be smothered in surprises. And you're thoughtful. And very kind. And I guess you're a whole package. But really overloaded with puns. I hope she likes puns."

Chat bursted into laughter, "Well you never liked my puns."

"Not really." she promptly replied staring off to the distance.

"What?"

"I mean, I really did not mean it whenever I said your puns are annoying. Your puns are what makes you, YOU.." she smiled avoiding eye contact.

Chat was shocked. This is the first time Ladybug spoke sweetly of him.

"I still haven't spent more time with her though. Quite busy lately." he said also staring at the distance.

"Well I'm sorry for taking your time." she replied sarcastically.

"Are you atleast a little bit jealous that I have a real girlfriend now?"

Ladybug did not reply which surprised Chat. Normally Ladybug would have replied immediately with her signature I can't be with you that way Chat.

"That's new. It's rare for you not to respond to that." he jokingly said.

"Maybe. Maybe not."

Her response made Chat look her way.

"What did you just say?"

Ladybug glanced back at him and sheepishly smiled, "Maybe I was jealous because my best friend finally has a girlfriend and I can't be number one in his heart anymore."

Chat's heart sunk. Why on earth would she say that now? Why now when he's finally with Kagami? Well Adrien is...but the point here is, he's feeling the butterflies again.

Chat was speechless.

"Hey don't get me wrong kitty cat. It's just sad how I won't be hearing 'My lady' or 'Bugaboo' from you from now on." she stares into the streets of Paris feeling the breeze touch her cheek.

"Guess we'll just have to be exclusively Ladybug and Chat Noir." he said smiling at her glancing back to the city.

.

.

.

.

"I guess we do." she softly replied.