CHAPTER 14:

Chat Noir, the little fellow known as Paris' young hero who works alongside Ladybug, who is now spending his time almost leisurely on the Eiffel Tower, hidden and camoflagged almost perfectly with the dark sky, along with the gloomy surroundings he's dwelled himself into. Although his hair was a bit damp from the light drizzle that was brought upon the city, he was completely fine. His suit was glossed with raindrops that trickled down his body, but that didn't bother him the slightest bit, for he was engulfed within his own thoughts. His aura became dangeriously menacing the longer he thought, a scowl donned his face and his emerald green eyes bore an icy glare. Chat clicked his tongue in annoyance and whipped his head to face the floor of the platform he was sitting on, the irritation was lessening and his breath was starting to breathe steadily.

He ran his fingers through his golden locks, then shaking his head as he attempted to dry his hair.

Chat swallows dryly, and dunks his head, shuts his eyes and breathes steadily before looking up to the sky dotted with stars. As the stars glimmered and showered him with their twinkling light, the blonde's lips tugged upward, then forming a charming smile that would flutter anyone's stomach.

The stars represent admiration that displayed in Ladybug's eyes, something he loved about her dearly and found it endearing. It captivated him; always made himself inspired, and for always having his hopes up. But then, it reminded him of Marinette too, of how her eyes would flawlessly sparkle whenever he compliments her or whenever he performed a friendly gesture. Speaking of Marinette, his eyes scanned the city and came across a small house that he found significant than the other houses; Marinette's house. Chat Noir wondered what she could be doing at this hour, the hour when he decided to escape and to plan an apology he's been wanting to plan about for a while.

Speaking on planning, that was what he's been doing for the past few minutes, but Nathanael would always come across his mind eventually, and the red-headed artist good-for-nothing boy made his blood boil more than ever. He would occasionally find himself unconsciously frowning, or sulking somewhere, or even frightening Plagg due to his out-of-character attitude.

Chat Noir blinked in excitement, realizing that tonight was the night when Marinette's parents will come home from their 3 day business trip or some sort. How did Chat even remember that?

Well nowadays, he notices every little detail about Marinette, big or small, he'll always be the first one to spot it. Is that creepy? Who knows. In any circumstance, Chat will memorize the slightest things that has to do with Marinette. Like how her hair would bounce when she runs, or the way she chews; she'll always chew in her right cheek when the food was a little hard to devour.

"Chat?" a familiar voice blurted out from the darkness, blurring him out from his little trance.

Chat Noir's heart fluttered; the voice sounded exactly like Marinette, and he excitedly turned around. Soon the unknown figure was recognized by Chat, and he looked somewhat disappointed. Crossing his legs, he clicked his tongue, continuing to relax and observe the sublime scenery before him. Honestly, he would've been more logical. Why did he suspect it to be Marinette when the little fragile girl can't even climb a ladder without wobbling. Is she can't do that, how will she successfully clime the Eiffel Tower?

Ladybug furrowed her eyebrows at his reaction and sat next to him, getting no reaction from him whatsoever. She was so used to being tackled and getting called "Bugaboo" as soon as she appeared. He would at least make a dumb joke, smile, wave if he's in a bad mood, or as far as Chat attempting to smash his lips against hers (which she always dodges). Oddly, he did none of that, and it made Ladybug confused more than ever. Chat Noir acting 'normally' in front of her is really something to worry about. Ladybug then decides to make a move and fixes her gaze unto the black cat, clearing her throat to speak.

"What... are you doing here?" the heroine asked cautiously, trying to not cause any tension or awkward silences. With her presence, the atmosphere was blanket by a warm feeling that Chat Noir embraced, and it was very comfortable being with his best friend.

That's right; he now acknowledges her as a best friend, nothing more, nothing less.

"I think I should ask you that question," he fired back, looking cocky as he faced her and smirked devilishly. He stuck his tongue out and focused on the scenery once again, stretching out his legs as he awaited for Ladybug's remark.

'Weird,' she thought to herself, 'no puns? Or flirts of some sort?' Ladybug mentally slapped herself and restrained her desperation. It's like she wanted him to make a move? Why?

"Well, I... this is my to-go place, you know? When I feel down or anything, I come here," she retorted back.

His expression fell. "Oh, you're feeling down now, Ladybug?"

Ladybug's breath hitched and was in awe of how amazing he looked tonight (the thought just strucked her) and in awe of how much she missed her nickname 'Bugaboo'. The way he said it, the way he looked at her when he said it; it was heaven for Ladybug. The way the word 'Ladybug' fell out from his mouth seemed so perfect; it just seems so right. These days she started to notice the little details upon Chat Noir's figure, and all the funny retorts he makes even more. She even knows how his body reacts whenever he lies about something, and the way he let his hair down nervously whenever he gets a little anxious. The more these little things stand out, the more she gets attatched to them, and surprisingly, she finds it adorable. This just makes her head-over-heels for him even more.

"Well, y-yes..." Ladybug sheepishly admitted, still gluing her eyes on his figure. Her face turned slightly red; but that was unnoticeable, due to her mask. She felt her cheeks heating up as he moved closer and started to strike up another conversation. Her eyes trailed down to his abdomen, and the way his suit perfectly fit his body crossed her mind. She could see how the leather suit wraps around his body so phenomenally, revealing his toned abs. Ladybug felt his gaze from above and looked up again, shocked at how close he was. Just him sitting down can seem like he's towering over Ladybug, then what about standing up? Now that she's very sure she has develop feelings for him, she starts to act all jumpy, like how Marinette would do with Adrien.

"What happened?"

The worried tone that laced his voice reached her ears, and it sounded like heaven for Ladybug.

"Ladybug?"

He scooted over, closing the gap between them even more. Ladybug's eyes widened, and her eyes were glossed with hope and innocence as her eyes were locked with his. Chat Noir was taken back; on the second thought, she looked like Marinette more than ever, even how many times he tried to deny the fact, they look oddly similar. But he can't just compare Marinette and Ladybug. Whenever Ladybug was on his mind, it will always be replaced with Marinette. He just loved her even more, and this time, he seriously moved on from Ladybug.

"Aha, sorry!" she fixed herself and quickly regained her composure. "I have this really complicated relationship with a boy, and I don't like him anymore. Even if he doesn't want to apologize, because he started it first, I'll plan to apologize. I don't want our friendship to ruin."

Her voice was very sincere, and Chat listened closely, getting ever word clear in his ears. The scenario was oddly familiar, because the boy sort of represent himself as Adrien. He didn't want to question her, he would if he could, but right now the situation to do it isn't the brightest nor a good timing. Ladybug continued the story, justifying some parts, but carefully 'censoring' names and obvious scenes so she still could prevent from revealing her disguise, just in case Chat was in her school or anything.

"I'm sorry to hear that," was all he could reply. The scenario was merely similar, but he stubbornly refused to believe that he had something to do with Ladybug. The boy she was talking about seemed so much like Adrien, which is himself, but who knows why.

Ladybug smiled and forced a smile, but it was clearly a fake smile, and Chat Noir noticed it almost right now. She lowered her head, ashamed, and said with a quivering voice, "I-It's alright. I'm an idiot... I shouldn't be so hard on him..."

For a second, as he saw Ladybug shedding some tears, it reminded him of Marinette, when he chased after Marinette and trapped her in the corner. Her face when she spoke to him, it sent him shivers, and he widened his eyes. His delusional mind thought Ladybug was Marinette for nearly 2 seconds, lowering her head as she tried to stop her tears that threatened to spill out. But it glitched back to Ladybug soon after.

Chat Noir blinked repeatedly and shook his head, thinking he was in a trance. Alas, his mind was functioning normally after being in that short trance. Without warning, he wrapped Ladybug with his arms. He was on knees as he held her tight, and Ladybug calmed down for a bit. Even if she looked like she calmed down, he could feel her heartbeat jumping out of her chest, and it was beating strongly.

"There there, it's alright, Ladybug," he cooed for her, and as soon as Ladybug looked up, Chat Noir's smirk widened into his signature toothy grin that always made her laugh. Her giggle told him she was recovering from her short break-down, and that was a good sign. "But really, please don't cry. That boy isn't worth your love," Chat Noir hushed at her, cupping her cheeks. With his thumbs, he wiped away her tears and streamed down her face. Ladybug smiled, feeling grateful to fall in love with someone like him.

"Hey Chat?" her voice suddenly spoke after a few minutes of silence took over. Chat blinked with a confused look on his face, telling her to go on. Ladybug held his wrists as he slowly lets go of her face, and told him, "I have to tell you something."

Chat Noir froze upon her words. Panic flushed over the boy and his stomach churned in anxiety. What was it that she found that? That he was Adrien? Did she finally realize who was the boy hiding underneath this leather suit? Chat Noir swallowed nervously, and being wary, he said, "...Go ahead, Ladybug."

Ladybug took notice and bit her lip, and spoke once more, "But, please don't leave me after you hear this..."

Chat clenched his fists as Ladybug lets go of his wrist. He definitely sense that whatever she's about to say, she isn't kidding and for once, he needs to take this seriously. "I won't leave you, I promise," he solemnly swore.

Ladybug dipped her head thankfully and proceeded with her words.

"Chat Noir, I-"