"You are so goddamn addictive"

Word count: 2022

I slowly opened my eyes. My gloved fingers gripped the gilded invitation for an anchor to reality. My nails dug slightly into my palm, centering me. I centered my matching white mask, making sure to secure my identity.

All good.

I took a deep breath, smoothed the skirt of my dress, and walked down the stairs.

The hotel was beautiful. Lavish red carpeting covered the floor, giving way to checkered tile. Marble columns held the domed ceiling up, which was painted with rosy-cheeked cherubs.

The chandelier cast a warm light on my dress, catching the warm orange undertones beneath the lighter yellow layer. It gave the appearance of a dress glowing with flame. A sheer white covering framed my shoulders, hanging on the crooks of my elbows. A simple gold necklace hung from my neck, accompanied by pearls dangling from my ears.

"You outdid yourself, Trixx," I whispered to the fox kwami embedded in my transformed costume. I felt the dress caress me gently, her way of expressing gratitude.

I gave a trained smile as I walked across the ballroom, earning a few discrete awed whispers. I looked for a familiar face and recognized the mayor.

"Thank you for inviting me," I said gratefully, curtsying.

"Of course, Rena. This ball is in the honor of our heroes." He gestured at the full ballroom proudly and shook my hand. "Thank you for your service."

I thanked him again, nodded, and searched for a familiar face in the sea of strangers.

Glowing green eyes staring back at me.

His black suit is opaque and seems to repel light; a stark comparison to his golden hair glowing in the light. His cufflinks are emeralds to match the tie and pocket square. His harsh claws are hidden by gloves. His mask is similar yet more classy by its lace features.

"Chat," I greeted him after walking over to meet him in the middle of the room.

"Rena." Chat nodded, offering his hand. "May I have your hand, my lady?" He bent to kiss it delicately, keeping steady eye contact as he did.
"Such a distinguished gentleman," I joked, allowing a small smile.

"As always," Chat countered, smirking. He cocked his head, still holding my hand. "May I have this dance?"

"Yes, you may." He guided me around the room in a waltz. I looked him up and down before settling on his eyes. Chat blinked slowly, his face softening. I leaned in slightly...

And saw we had an audience.

"They're watching," I whispered in his ear, his hair tickling my mouth.

"Let them watch," He murmured, completely at ease.

I leaned back, my eyebrows furrowing slightly. "They're staring at us."

He smiled slightly, mesmerized as he spun me. "They're staring at you."

I grinned, tilting my head playfully. "Really."

"Look at this dress." His fingers trailed along the skirt near my hips before settling on the sash at my waist. "It's beautiful. You are beautiful."

His fingers tightened slightly on my waist, and he led me through the dance faster. I twirled, my head spinning as I became a blur of a soft dusty orange.

"Aw—" I steadied myself by gripping onto his shoulders tighter. My finger traces small circles on the starchy fabric of his blazer. "Are you jealous? Of all those eyes on us?"

"No, I know you're mine. I just want them to know that too."

"Stop." I hid a sneaky giggle behind my gloved hand. He pulled my hand from my lips, holding it slightly. "You'll cause a scandal if you keep talking like that."

He looked at me pointedly, slowing down. "You know, I could kiss you. Right now. Really give them something to talk about."

I thought about it, considering the idea. "Mm... no."

"You know they'll talk either way. May as well get our money's worth."

My smile deepened, his words emboldening me. "You're lucky I hold back, kitty. You couldn't handle me." His eyes widened and he blushed as I moved in. "All the dirty little things I'd whisper in your ear to make you just fucking c—"

He cleared his throat, his voice shaky. "I really want you to finish that sentence but the dance is ending."

"Aw, can't take it, kitty?" I asked coyly.

"You can." The words glide off his silver tongue easily. To him, flirting is second nature.

"When?" I asked slyly, sauntering off towards Ladybug while he followed me like a stray kitty. I could almost hear his sputtering.

Ladybug turned around expectantly. Her red ball gown was accentuated by black gloves and a matching choker. Her hair was pulled back by a single red ribbon.

"Having fun?" Her blue eyes shone knowingly behind her red and black mask.

"I couldn't turn down a good dance." I shrugged.

She leaned in conspiringly, frowning. "We have to be alert for any akumas. Remember, we're still working."

"No rest for the wicked." Chat rubbed his eyes. "With all this work, I'm purr-ty tired."

We rolled our eyes, much to his delight.

Ding.

A large table set with name cards and flowing bouquets awaited the guests. I gathered my skirts to sit and scanned the long table again. A sea of expectant faces, shining with questions to bombard us with.

Oh, boy. This is going to be a long night.

Under the table, a familiar clawed foot nudges mine. I smile slightly, nudging his foot back. He steps on my foot childishly.

"You're asking for a fight," I whisper in his ear. "Don't start something you can't finish, Chaton."

"Bring it on," Chat murmurs under his breath, spearing a piece of steak with his fork.

"You asked for it," I warn, shooting him a look.

I make a show of dropping my napkin and reach down to retrieve it. I rake my fingers up his pants, feeling the muscles running up his leg tense. My fingers edge dangerously close to a sensitive area by lowering on the inside of his thigh. He masks his shock in a cough behind his napkin, glaring at me. I end by tugging lightly on his belt, bringing my napkin with a flourish on my lap.

"Screw you," Chat hissed.

"Beg and I'll consider," I replied quickly, cutting my steak into smaller pieces.

"Do you get off by torturing me?"

I bite back a grin, shooting him a quick glance. "I can't help it. It's so much fun to make you squirm."

Chat narrows his eyes then acts. His fingers caress the voluminous skirt in my lap, toying with the fabric. I shrug until he starts applying pressure. Right where I need him. Not enough to touch me but enough for me to feel the weight. And in a minute, his fingers are gone.

His eyes say enough.

This means war.

Giggle.

I glanced up to see a group of wide-eyed guests waiting impatiently.

Shit.

I gathered my dress, stood up, and faced my fans while Chat slipped away into the mingling crowd. "Ok, who wants to go first?"

A familiar blue-eyed blonde shoved her way to the front. I discreetly grit my teeth.

Chloe.

"Ooh, ooh, me! Chloe!" She announced, her arm raised in the air. "I'm your biggest fan!"

I tilted my head playfully. "Didn't you just say that to Ladybug?"

"Can't I change my mind?" She waved my sarcasm off, shrugging nonchalantly. "Besides, everyone knows your costume is cuter." I opened my mouth but she barreled on: "—and I love your dress. Where did you get it?"

"Sorry, I can't disclose my secrets. It's... custom-made—" I lowered my voice to a whisper, speaking mostly to myself. "—in a way."

After a short bout of her pouting, I took pictures with her and the others. While they were distracted with Ladybug, I snuck an hors d'oeuvre off a platter and snuck out for a breath of air.

I walked onto the balcony, taking a deep breath of the night. Rain fell in an arc around the shelter of the thatched roof. Underlying the overwhelming scent of rain on pavement was the gentle aroma of baked goods. I settle into the railing and toss the last canape in my mouth.

Although a slight fatigue settles into my bones, the night is still young.

Under the sound of rain, I hear the familiar patter of footsteps light enough to fit a cat. A familiar presence crept closer behind me. Clean and fresh like rain over a forest with subtle hints of mint and herbs. A slight fruity undertone? Strawberries.

Familiar. Just like...

Adrien.

"Sneaking out already?"

"I needed to get away. A moment to catch my breath," I sighed, taking a deep breath.

He made a small noise of agreement. "Need company?" I gestured openly. After a minute, he spoke again. "I've always liked the rain. It helps me clear my head."

I nodded, sharing his love of the rain silently.

Chat sighed, looking wistfully into the rain. "Let's get back to the party." He turns to me, his expression conflicted as if he doesn't believe in his own words.

I stare back at him, my eyes straying to his lips. I lick the leftover butter off of my fingers. "Yeah, I agree. We should go."

"Mm." He's distracted now, his head tilting down as my hands draw attention to my lips. "W-we can't stay here."

"All those people–" I nod and step closer, watching his face soften as he starts giving in. "And prying eyes."

Chat murmurs a weak response, protesting softly. His hand rests on my hip at the delicate sash. My hand cups his cheek, holding us in place. Holding us together. His eyes are pools of longing asking—no begging—me to kiss him. To stay out here with him.

I indulge.

"This is a terrible idea," I whisper into the space between our lips, angling my head upwards.

"I know," He answered, closing the space between us.

His lips held no mercy for mine. We crashed together, like two raindrops in a storm, exchanging pieces until fully one. His tongue slips between my lips, dancing with mine. Lipstick smears on his lips and around the edges of mine. Our hands are gentle at first. A little caress at my back, acknowledging the fabric of my dress is fragile. A little touch at the base of his neck, feeling the darker and softer hair there through my gloves.

Then our desire overtakes us.

I practically ripped his shirt in my haste to unbutton it, kissing the sensitive skin there. Hickeys, signed by my lipstick, pepper his collarbone. His hands grip the bodice of my dress, pulling me in to nip at my neck. He slams me against the rail as the passion of the kiss overtakes us. Small drops of water dapple the sections of my skirt that spill out from between the bars of the railing. I gasped, my hands slipping under his blazer to claw wildly at his back.

"Fuck. We can't do this here." Chat rips himself from me, panting as he temporarily comes to his senses. He runs a hand through his now unkempt hair.

"What?" I look up at him through my eyelashes with a false air of innocence, my hands gingerly resting on his chest.

His smile is lazy yet hungry. "You are so goddamn addictive."

"...and? What else?" I cocked my head, biting my lip gently as if to remind him I know my worth.

"You deserve better than this. Wanna get a room?" His hands rest gently on mine.

I smirked with a light chuckle, hearing the parallel between his words and those of another similar blonde boy. "You know me so well."

I grab his hand, stifling a giggle that threatens to bubble up from my throat as we run down an empty corridor. Although I'm with him, I can't shake the thoughts of Adrien. How similar they are.

Fuck.

I can't think of another while I'm so close to him. Unless—

He is Adrien.

I let the thought linger in the back of my mind as I led him into an empty room.

We're kissing before the door closes.