Archive of Our Own

LB: Can we meet up? Right now?

Seen

Chat was on his way, jumping from one roof to another. His night vision helped him move around during nighttime. Although he would probably manage without it. Paris was giving enough light to see where you’re going. Chat almost reached his destination. He knew what kind of situation he was about to face, and yet wasn’t sure what to expect exactly. Was curious and scared at the same time. But he wanted to meet her, see her. ...after what happened. He was positive it would be the subject of their meeting.

Finally he landed on the ten rooftop where he was supposed to meet her. She was already there. He stood up. She was looking at the night city landscape with a melancholic expression with her hands holding her arms on cross. He walked towards her, his footsteps loud, but Ladybug didn’t turn her head. Instead she kept it down with her eyes closed.

Chat approached her. “Good evening, M’Lady.” He said, trying to sound bright, but not too enthusiastic. That probably wouldn’t be appropriate.

She didn’t respond in any way. Her head was still down, eyes closed and arms crossed on her chest. There was an awkward silence between them. Neither of them knew what to say, how to start a conversation. How to even talk about it? What is there to say? How?

Chat was the one to speak again, “How… Are you al-“

He didn’t finish the question when Ladybug finally turned her head to him. The sight made him freeze in place.

Her eyes.

Her big sad and glowy eyes. And she still didn’t say a thing. She just kept looking into his eyes, as if someone took her voice and she tried to communicate with him some other way. 

Chat was speechless at this point, although he didn’t feel like talking anyway. Not at all. He just kept staring into her eyes the way hers stared into his.

Poor eyes.

Those poor eyes saw things that could not be unseen. Hawk Moth definitely moved too far this time, creating such a powerful supervillain. The sight of all damage, harm, pain was too much to take in. All the civilians getting hurt, friends, families. People screaming in fear, children crying. All the places where she’s made memories, where people lived, homes being destroyed. Terror. Maybe magical ladybugs were able to repair everything, but Ladybug couldn’t not feel anxious. She was responsible for citizen safety and being close to failing, to not being able to keep people away from pain as she had promised was making her fall apart. what those eyes saw was remembered and it sunk too deep into the heart. Those eyes have been holding all the sorrow since yesterday when it all happened.

Ladybug could not find a place nor a moment when she could let everything out. She felt forbidden to cry about her superhero life when she was a civilian. She would have to be hiding somewhere where absolutely no one would see or hear her. But what if someone did? What kind of explanation would she give? What if her secret would get exposed?

Then again, when she’s Ladybug she’s supposed to be that perfect hero. Strong, brave, confident. She couldn’t let the world see her fragile. She was scared of it. Scared someone would judge her, doubt her, question if she should be the one wearing Ladybug Miraculous.

So she’s been building a water dam in the river, preventing from showing her vulnerable part in order no one saw her weak and broken. But more and more water was coming and she’s been strengthening the dam more. The longer she was trying to keep it stable the more and more water there was to stop. It was getting harder and harder. She was being drained.

And somehow… And somehow Chat was able to see it all in her eyes. Of course he couldn’t put it into words like that, couldn’t name it. He just somehow saw all of her emotions. Could feel her thoughts, his heart began to feel the same way as hers. Also because it all was a sort of a reflection of his own.

Ladybug furrowed, squeezed her teeth and her eyes began to water.

She was getting exhausted. Keeping the dam stable was almost impossible at this point. All of the water exerted too much pressure. She was holding the dam with all her energy that was left in her, but it was only a fraction. She just couldn’t hold it anymore. It was about to break any minute.

One tear poured on her cheek. 

Chat was feeling broken seeing her like this. He wanted to help her let it all just go. Wanted to take that pain, sorrow away from her. Make her feel safe, make her feel ok about not being strong all the time. He knew that he himself wasn’t feeling strong at the moment.

He took two steps closer and hesitantly placed his arm on her shoulder. She looked at him with her eyes almost shut. Because of her eyes already filled with tears her vision was blurry and couldn’t see him well. She blinked a few times to see maybe at least a little better. Her vision still wasn’t the best, but despite that she could see the look her partner was giving her. Those sincere, understanding eyes. They were giving her a feeling of security. They were honestly saying “I’m seeing you” .

She shut her eyes and buried her head on his shoulder, feeling a little relieved already she has something or rather someone to hold onto. Chat’s arm, which used to be on her shoulder, moved and was placed around her waist. She placed her arms all around him. He did the same in response, tangling with her. She hid her face in his neck and squeezed him and felt him holding her tight. 

She felt safe, hidden from everything and everyone. As if he was some barrier that prevented anything from outside to get to them and also anything from them to get outside. She was done! She couldn’t manage anymore.

She let go of the dam. 

It began to crack, water spurting out.

Her breath was unsteady. She began to sob. Tears were starting to fall.

Finally the dam broke and the water began to aggressively come down the riverbed.

Her cry was loud. It was even hard for her to take a breath, just to later let all that air out at one cry. Now she didn’t give a damn about anything, who would see or hear her. All of those worries faded. The dam has broken. There was no going back anyway. She didn’t bother to try to hold her tears, she was letting it all out. Let it out, let it out.

She squeezed her partner even more, as if she would crumble if she let him go. Chat in response pressed her more against himself. She kept crying, the sights never leaving her mind, tears running down her cheeks, her cries loud, although muffled a little as her face was hidden, pressed in the boy’s neck. Time seemed to not exist, as if they found themselves in a void, surrounded by nothingness; no people, no eyes, no Paris. 

Ladybug tried to calm herself, but every attempt ended in another cry instead of a steady exhale. The sights were still haunting her. Those memories were the only thing that came to mind when she tried to get over them. She kept crying. On and on. Tears falling.

She heard something.

At first she didn’t care a bit and continued crying.

But she heard it again.

And again.

The sound seemed soothing. Cozy. Somehow warm...

Something inside her longed to simply listen to it. Nothing special, just wanted to hear it more.

She tried to calm down again. she took a deep breath. Her exhale was still unsteady, mixed with sobbing. But the very following attempt seemed to bring some better results. She took a deep breath again. Breathed out heavily. She swallowed. Inhale, exhale.

After some time she was breathing heavily, sobbing, but not so loud anymore, she could listen.

The sound was indeed soothing. It was a llow, warm rumbling sound, higher and lower alternately, just like breathing. Because of the mush her mind has been, it didn't occur to her sooner that it was purring. 

Chat Noir was purring.

The sound was a little higher every time he breathed out and lower when he breathed in. All in a slow steady rhythm. She just wanted to keep listening to it. It’s funny to think it was so different from what she had thought. She knew what purring sounds like, even from the Internet. But in reality it felt so much different. It was hypnotizing, soothing, calming and warm. Listening to it brought comfort and peace. And so she did. This soft and low toned rumbling was cozy. It was like a lullaby, which was slowly putting her to comfy sleep.

Finally her breath became steady. She was finally calm. Calmed, she loosened her embrace and felt Chat doing the same. It made her laugh on the inside that her partner had such animal traits.

At this point Ladybug was becoming more aware of her surroundings. She noticed how her hand held Chat’s shoulder from the back and her other hand was put around his neck. How his arm was wrapped around her waist and his other hand was placed on her head stroking her hair slowly. How his mouth was right next to her ear and she could hear his breathing. How he was holding her tightly in his arms. How he was holding her in a hug. He was so warm. It was so nice, especially at night.

Finally her lips formed in a tiny little smile, finally feeling some inner peace. Her mind finally focused only on the present moment, which was only her, him, on this rooftop, alone, tangled in a warm comforting hug. Just now. For how long? 

Wait.

For how long have they been standing like this? How long ago was the moment when she buried her face on his shoulder? Oh no, way too long ago. Oh no no no no no!

She swiftly pushed him away and he let his arms off from all around her. ...and they both turned into a stuttering mess, not daring to look at each other.  

“Oh gosh, I’m sorry, I- I…”

“Oushhhh, sorry sorry-“

“...I didn’t realize, I was j- just- wasn’t aware...!”

“I was kinda ummm… caught up in a moment,

You know?”

“Yeah, yeah, me too exactly, hehe~” 

“Sorry, I’m sorry”

“I’m sorry”

They laughed awkwardly, still not daring to look at one another. Gosh… it was so awkward. Ladybug cast an eye on him just a little. She gasped. Chat couldn’t hide his curiosity when he finally looked at her. Her hand was near her lips, she had a scared expression and was looking at his shoulder, the one she had buried her face on earlier. Chat furrowed. He turned his head to look at it as much as he could.

It had some marks on the costume, which seemed to be reflective a lot.

It was wet.

Her tears.

Before Chat could comment on it Ladybug was already panicking “Oh shoot I’m sorry!” She tangled her fingers together. She didn’t know what to do with herself in this embarrassing situation!

“I didn’t even notice- I… I-“ she was stuttering so much! Come on Marinette, control yourself!

“No, no! N-no need to worry, Ladybug.” Chat began to assure her, “It’s just some water with salt, no big deal.” He smiled at her.

She hid her face in her hands “Oh my gosh, that’s so embarrassing!” Then she began waving her hands in front of herself “I- I just wasn’t thinking, I wasn’t aware of what was happening, like I lost track of time and… and… “

“Hey hey Bug,” he couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped his mouth. “Really, it’s all ok!”

She slapped her hands to her face again and groaned. Chat didn’t know if it was okay for him to find her so cute when she was embarrassed. She was just so adorable and he couldn’t stop chuckling as he continued,

“Hey, Bug, haha, it’s nothing really, you don’t have to worry,.” Then a smug face appeared and he placed his hand on his chin “I’ve been much worse, you know?”

“Oh shut up!” She poked his arm at his silly comment. She still kept her eyes away from him, still embarrassed, wiping away her tears.

Chat on the other hand longed to look into her eyes again. Wanted to see what they were saying now. 

 He lowered himself a little to match her height “Hey Buuuuug…?” He called her teasingly and playfully.

She still didn’t look at him but couldn’t help a smile forming on her lips.

Chat tried again, “Hey, My Ladyyyyyyy…?” He called with a melodic tone.

She still was looking away.

He stood straight. “Oh come on M’Lady, your kitty is getting impatient.”

She snorted. She finally, but still hesitant, turned her head up and looked at him. 

Something jumped inside her. That look he was giving her. He was staring at her lovingly with his eyes half closed, full with astonishment. His lips were formed in a small cute smile. And she stared into his starry eyes as he stared into hers. He noticed that this time there was no terror in them. There was no dam and the water was flowing steadily and peacefully. She was at peace. He was relieved seeing her calm and smiling.

Just when he thought that, her expression suddenly changed. She narrowed and stared at him as if she noticed something weird on his face. He had some dark strip marks on his cheeks. Her eyes widened in realization. When Chat realized she noticed the marks, he turned his head away shamefully, putting his fingers on his lips. A slight blush appeared in his cheeks.

He cleared his throat. “Yeah, ummm… I… I guess I also needed it a little...”

Ladybug hummed. It made her more confident that she wasn’t the only one who needed to let the bad emotions go in a form of tears. That he shared the same struggles and needs. She wiped her tears away one last time. 

“Hey” her voice was quiet. Chat didn’t turn his head back at her though. Ladybug saw an opportunity to joke and decided to take it, which wasn’t usual for her to do.

“So what? Now we switch roles and you’re the embarrassed one?”

Chat hadn’t planned to go this way, but decided to accept this game, being the silly cat he is. He stilled and kept his head looking away with his arms crossed on his chest, having now a stubborn face.

“Chat…” she said annoyingly. Jokes are jokes but she didn’t expect for it to lead this far. On the other hand, what else should she expect from her silly partner?

He was still in the same position.

She sighed, rolling her eyes “Hey, Chat?” She called. It didn’t bring any effects.

She took a step closer. “Heyyyyy Chaaaaaat…?” This time her voice was melodic. He looked away even more with a playful expression.

“Heyyy, Kitty Cat…?” She called teasingly again. Chat looked up as he couldn’t turn his head more to the side. He was enjoying this game too much.

“Mon Chatoooon…?” Still no effects.

“Come on, Kitty, don’t be so shy…” he held his shoulders up and closed his eyes confidently. 

She sighed heavily. She was out of ideas. But she needed to somehow bring his attention back. She had to do something that would shock or surprise him, so he would turn his head back at her without realizing. Then she got it. An evil plan forming in her head. It was maybe a little risky, but she was in too good a mood to reject the idea.

She came closer, very quiet in order for Chat not to realize what was coming. She hesitated. Oh damn it, you live once! She stood on her feet and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek. 

It was very effective, because he immediately turned his head to her with his eyes wide open. She was looking proud at him. She crossed her arms on her chest. Then Chat noticed it was her trick to bring his attention. 

“Hey! No fair!” Blush appeared on his face “You cheated!” He pointed a finger at her, blaming.

“Oh, so there are rules for this game now?” She teased.

“Well- I didn’t use such hard tricks on you!”

“Not my fault you were so stubborn!”

He looked at her with a mad grin “You… You small sneaky cunning-“

Ladybug burst laughing. Chat couldn’t help but let out a snort and join her. Their laughter was probably heard from miles away! How did it happen, they were just crying about what had happened earlier and now they were laughing hard about some stupid little game they just came up with? Their laughter didn’t stop too soon. When they were just about to calm down, one of them let out a loud snort and the other began to laugh again, which caused the snorter to continue laughing. Why was Chat laughing? Because Ladybug was. And why was Ladybug laughing? Because Chat was laughing. Basically.

At some point finally their happy screams came to an end. And then… they didn’t really know what to do. They just stood, in front of each other, eyes wandering from their faces to the area around. Once in the eyes, then some building nearby, then to the floor (in this case it was a roof actually) and then back in the eyes to be driven away again. 

Chat was the first one to break that silence “So ummm… Wanna go somewhere?”

“Huh?” Ladybug brought her gaze on him with a questioning look. She had her hands holding her arms on cross.

“Well-“ he began, gesturing with his hand “If you would like to split up and go home now, then… ok. If that’s what you were planning. If not, I thought we could go somewhere instead of standing here like some dorks.”

Who you are though. She thought, still smiling like a dork.

Oh

Leaving him was the last thing she wanted right then. She had some kind of weird feeling. She was in some kind of daze, which was making her feel… hard to find a proper word. Happy? Could be but not exactly it. Adventurous? Closer. She wanted to live the moment, go with whatever flow that wanted to carry her. She felt different. Her every nerve, muscle, limb, her head felt different in some way. Was it the atmosphere’s or her partner’s doing? Whatever caused it she didn’t want that to fade. The feeling as if an inner kid has awakened inside her, who doesn’t think of what happened earlier, what would have to do tomorrow, just lives the present moment, is doing whatever their mind tells them to.

The idea of going wherever to do whatever with the boy in front of her brightened her. She was so positive she didn’t want to go home just yet.

“Ok.” She simply said “W-where?”

“I’ll let you do the choosing.” He set his arms behind him, took a step forward and stood proudly looking at her with that smirk again. “Where would you like to go, My Lady?”

Her insides jumped a little at this question. She looked away grinning, trying to think of any place. Unfortunately with the state her head was right then, she couldn’t really think. She was too tired to think, she didn’t have any particular place in mind.

“I- I don’t really know, like… I can’t think of any… … I don’t…”

“So that means you’re giving me permission to do the choosing?”

“Pffffffff” was all he heard from her. She gave him that “You dork” face and nodded.

“Well…” he put his hand on his chin “I can think of one place.” Then he moved it away to gesture with it in the air “Nothing special, but it’d be nice to go there, I suppose. Especially at this time of the day.”

“Ok then.” She smiled brightly at him.

“Let’s go then shall we? Unless…” oh that smirk again. Though it had some loving look “You want me to carry you…?”

That flirtatious dork  

“Come on Chat, I’m not that bad!” She played annoyed. “I can go myself.”

“Oh, are you sure?”

“Yes, I am!”

He went past her “Then try to catch up with me!” He screamed playfully and jumped away using his stick.

Ladybug stood still and shocked for a few more seconds. But that shock changed quickly into playful anger “HEY! YOU LITTLE-UGH!” She screamed, took her yo-yo and swung it to run after her partner.

She hated being driven from that peaceful doze into loud playfulness. But now her priority was to reach Chat and slap him in the face for it! She jumped from roof to roof, not losing sight of her partner. ...and the sound of his, because he was laughing loud, commenting all the time.

“Hey, M’ Lady, over here!”

“Awwww, can’t catch up with me!?”

“Haha! I think I’m gonna win this one!”

“COME BACK HERE YOU-!” Ladybug couldn’t move as fast as him this time, probably because of the events earlier. She wasn’t exactly at her very best with her physical movement.

They reached the TV host building and she saw Chat starting to climb to the top of it. She followed. She swung her yo-yo string on the top of it. When it tangled around whatever it found there, she began to climb the glassy building. Once she was near the top she took a big jump and let herself swirl in the air, landing on the big plate there on the top of the building. She rolled up her yo-yo and put it around her hips. 

She looked around, searching for her partner. It was dark. There was no lamp showing the area around. It was hard to see anything. 

Still her partner was nowhere to be found.

“Hey, Chat?” She called.

She was met with dead silence. She looked around once again. Maybe he wasn’t here and jumped through one of the windows of the building? If so, she hated the idea of looking out for him, because knowing her teasing partner, he wouldn’t look out for her, instead he would want HER to find him.

She groaned annoyingly at the thought.

She heard something.

Some kind of very quiet murmur. She looked around.

She heard it again. 

This time she turned around and saw a weird dark silhouette. Then it unfolded itself 

“BOOOoooooo… …” he said quietly as his arms unwrapped from around his head, showing his bright hair, outstretching his arms towards her as his eyes were wide open.

Oh yeah, black + dark = invisible 

But…?

“What the hell was that?” She asked him with a grin, raising her eyebrow and crossing her arms on her chest.

“I don’t know!” Chat sang standing straight.

“You’re the one having just done that!”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t explain why I did this anyway.”

Dork

How many times is this thought going to cross her mind this evening?

“Uh-uhh… Oh, I nearly forgot!” And with that she slapped his face hard!

...or rather just clapped his cheek, not even causing his head to move to the side.

Chat was looking at her with both surprise and disbelief as if he was about to laugh her off

“Ok… What the hell was this then?”

“Your punishment for ruining the moment and making me run after you!” She pointed at him with an evil grin.

Chat raised his eyebrow at her with that smug face of his “Ruining… the moment?”

“Yes! Because it was a peaceful calm moment and you ruined it! So I had to slap you!”

“Oh yeah!” Chat began speaking ironically, “It was such a horrible punishment, totally learned my lesson!”

“Shut up!” She poked his shoulder playfully.

“You know it didn’t hurt at all, right? You just cupped my cheek-“

“Really, Chat! Do you actually want me to hit you!?”

“Well go on! I’m supposed to learn my lesson here!”

And with that, she prepared her arm to slap him right in the face. Full speed! No turn back!

And yet her hand just clapped his check again, causing his head to shift only a little. Her hand was still on his cheek, both just still, looking at each other.

“Ouch.”

She snorted and buried her face on his shoulder. Chat on the other hand let out a laugh. A quiet low toned and sweet laugh. It made Ladybug’s insides swirl.

She’s never slapped anyone in the face, not ever been able to literally hit someone that hard, unless it was a part of a battle, so why would she do that to her partner? She would never.

Very soon when that playfulness slipped off her, she lifted her head to look at him “Soo… Why have we come here exactly?”

He gestured with his head, turned aside and walked in the direction of the building’s edge. Ladybug followed him.

“I just thought we could get a nice view of the night city landscape from here.” He said as they walked towards the glass bent barrier.

Chat jumped onto it, landing on four limbs. He took a look at the view. He seemed astonished. He turned his head back to look at Ladybug with excitement. That’s when Ladybug jumped on the next to him, stood up and looked…

She couldn’t hide the amazement herself. It really was a beautiful view.

All of the buildings and urban areas beneath all the way to the horizon were covered in millions if not billions of tiny glimmering lights. Some dots, some other forms, some bigger, some smaller, all with different colors. A warm white, kind of orange was the most common, coming from houses, apartment windows, street lights and of course the very icon of Paris - The Eiffel Tower. Then there was also the cold white, as if blue light coming from shops, malls and corporation buildings. But there were also colors of the whole rainbow range! Red, purple, green, yellow, blue coming from lightened billboards, shopping centers, neon lights and car lights. It seemed as if someone just poured out a glowing glitter all across the city. It has never seemed that beautiful from up close on the ground.

“Wow…” was all she said.

“Yeah.” She looked at him. He was already sitting on the edge. She sat right next to him, hanging her legs on the edge. They shared a quick glare and turned their gaze away on the bustling city. Their city.

The city they’ve been protecting for about 3 years by now. The city that they’ve got to know better and better as they lived, especially since they had become superheroes.

The city they lived in. The city they lived in along with their family. The city where their friends lived. The city where they’ve made memories - good, happy, depressing, bad memories. The city that has become a part of their own.

Home.

“Could be Jerusalem, or it could be Cairo…”

Ladybug heard the following words coming from her partner. She had no idea how to take these words. She looked at him with surprise. But he himself kept looking at the view.

“Could be Berlin, or it could be Prague” yet again his low voice was heard.

Was he reciting something?

“Could be Moscow, could be New York…” this time his voice was more melodic. Wait. Was he singing?

“Could be Llanelli, and it could be Warrington

Could be Warsaw…” he said that city’s name longer into the air. His voice did hold some melody. Yes… he was singing.

“and it could be Moose Jaw

Could be Rome

Everybody got somewhere they call home.”

Pause.

She was about to speak when he began again.

“Could be your father and it could be your mother 

Could be your sister, could be your brother

Could be a saint, could be a sinner 

Could be a loser or it could be a winner

Could be a banker, could be a baker

Could be a male voice choir

Could be a lover, could be a fighter

yeah

Everybody's got someone they call home…”

…

…

“What were you singing, Kitty?” Her voice was sweet, barely above a whisper.

“A song by Roger Waters” he answered “I just thought the lyrics fit the situation” he let out a small awkward giggle. 

She hummed.

“And I skipped a lot of verses, because I don’t remember them all. And probably falsified a few times.” he said, rubbing his neck and giggled awkwardly.

“Good thing I don’t know the song, then!”

They both shared a chuckle. 

“Is he your favorite musician?” She asked continuing the topic.

“Well… can’t really even tell who’s my favorite, but he’s definitely one of.” … “You know him?”

“Can’t recall the name. Maybe some songs’  names?”

“Ok wait.” He turned his head to meet her eyes “Comfortably Numb?”

“No.”

“Welcome To The Machine”

“Nope.”

“Shine On You Crazy Diamond”

“No-uh”

“Another brick in the wall?”

“No” she chuckled as she saw a disbelief rising on his face.

…

“Wish You Were Here!?”

She just waited to give her answer to end him as he was waiting in anticipation “nnnnn-nO”

“Oh my… I NEED to show you those masterpieces!”

She raised a finger at him in warning “Don't you DARE to bring your phone, I don’t wanna see your Spotify account!”

“Ohhhhh…” he brought his hand to his chin. “Well, I’ll find some safe way, then!”

She giggled. “But anyway… How much do you like Jagged Stone, huh?”

He looked at her surprised. “How do you know I like him?”

“Silly…” she began “After we freed him from the Akuma, you asked him to sign the CD copy of yours. You seemed pretty excited about it.”

“Ohhhhhhh…” he shaked his head up and down. “Well, he also belongs to my top 10, that’s for sure!”

“Good, he’s one of my favorites, too”

Chat turned his gaze to her with wide opened eyes, “Wait… You listen to him?”

“Actually, he’s my all time favorite singer.”

Alright, here we GO

“NO WAY! YES!” Chat screamed, clenching his fist as if he had just won a bet.

Ladybug chuckled at his reaction, “Why THAT much excitement?”

“Because he’s AWESOME! And well…” Chat scratched the back of his head,”No offense, but… I thought you listened to some other type of music, like… that XY’s guy-“

“Don’t you even dare to mention him!” Ladybug interrupted pointing a finger at him and then blurred out at once, “His music is cold, lifeless and repetitive! Literally nothing special about it. Also his album covers look like perfume ads.”

Chat just stared at her, his smile widening “I couldn’t have put that any better.”

She giggled “Ok then, which songs are your favorite?”

He extended his hand beginning to count on his fingers “A Simple Mistake, The Beginning and The End, Fragile Dreams, JUDGEMENT!”

“Yes! That song has a BLAST!”

“YEAH!”

“I also like ‘The Optimist’ and ‘Anathema’.”

“YES, those are great too!” He let out a chuckle “I’m glad we share a similar taste in music!”

“Wowow, hey! Don’t cheer too early.” She warned with a grin “It only turned out we both like ONE musician.”

“...aaaaaand we both hate the same one! I think it already says a lot.” He brought his hand and placed it on his chin.

“Whatever” Ladybug waved off and rested herself on one arm. 

Ladybug had to resist the urge to tell him she was the one who designed the cover of his latest album. She could imagine his big green eyes staring at her in disbelief. How he would scream “You're kidding, NO WAY!”. Unfortunately that would immediately expose her identity. So she had to stay quiet about it, no matter how tempting it was.

Two superheroes shared a bright glare along with small giggles. Chat then looked away back at the city. Ladybug followed his gaze and let her eyes admire the view again.

She watched cars on the ground driving, illuminating flickering both white and red light. How The Eiffel Tower glimmered in the distance. How a plane was landing to the nearest airport. Listened to the hollowing wind and honks that were heard from time to time. 

An unusual need formed in Ladybug. Maybe it wasn’t unusual itself, but it was for her. Admiring the night city quietly and peacefully with her partner, still remembering the feeling she got to experience some time ago, formed the need to be closer to that boy again. To be again in that daze where she feels different and safe. 

Hesitant, she scooped a little closer to the feline hero. She looked at him to see if he noticed. He didn’t. 

Good

She shyly rested her head on his shoulder and moved even closer. She heard a quiet surprised gasp escaping his mouth. But he didn’t say anything. Good, she preferred the action to be left unspoken. She looked at the city again. She noticed a movement in the corner of her eyes. She looked down where her hands were resting on her lap. Above them there was a dark hand hanging in the air. He knew she was seeing it and she knew that he knew. He moved his hand a little closer to her tangled hands and froze again, waiting for any kind of answer. But Ladybug was still. But it wasn’t because she wanted to refuse. On the contrary, but as if there was something keeping her still. She herself didn’t know why. 

Then Chat’s hand closed and was about to retreat if it wasn’t for Ladybug’s hand that raised and moved to Chat’s side unfolding her finders. They both observed their hands communicating, as if words were forbidden.

Chat took her sign. He slowly moved his hand under her arm. His hand connecting with hers. Their finders tangled in a soft warm hold. Holding tighter… and tighter… Chat’s thumb began to gently stroke the side of the girl’s hand. She let out a relaxed sigh at the touch. She heard a short happy hum and felt a side of his head lightly resting on hers.

She relaxed and smiled being put into this state of temporary peace.  

How?

How did it happen that she was living the moment without those depressing memories in her thoughts? She’d been dealing with them the whole time since the attack. The memories kept coming back like a curse. She hadn’t been able to think about anything else and it was breaking her more and more. 

Tikki was no help despite being her best little friend. Tikki knew life, she was wise and therefore she knew what advice to give, what could be the best solution to a problem. She’s always been a great support to Marinette and Marinette was so grateful she’s with her. And despite everything above, the little kwami was no use here. She’s tried to cheer her up, to make her forget, with no effects. Maybe because there was nothing Marinette could do to help herself. There was no advice or solution. She needed something or someone to drag her out of this depressing state, make her thoughts wander in the other direction. Someone who would truly understand her, someone who not only would see, but knew what she was going through. Unfortunately, Tikki wasn’t that one. She wasn’t there when it happened. She’s not there when Marinette is Ladybug. She was the source of her power, but she wasn’t there next to her in person when her owner had her mask on.

But Chat Noir was there.

Chat has always been next to this young superhero, fighting alongside her. He was in the same situation as her. He also carried the responsibility of citizen’s safety. Maybe he didn’t carry as much pressure as her, but he KNEW exactly what she was going through. He was also a teenager, who besides his superhero life, also had his personal problems. 

He was a sort of her reflection.

If there was one person who actually KNEW Ladybug, it was him. ...and only him.

And because of that maybe sharing the sorrow with this boy, crying about what had happened along with him somehow made all of it just slip off her. Maybe it’s also because of him himself. His person, his playfulness and stupid jokes that made her thoughts choose to go the opposite way.

“I’ve been much worse you know?”

“Oh come on M’Lady, your kitty is getting impatient.”

“You small sneaky cunning-!”

“Awwwww, can’t catch up with me?”

“BOOOoooooo…”

“Well go on! I’m supposed to learn my lesson here!”

“Thank you, Chat”

Her voice came barely above a whisper. Her head was still resting on his shoulder and their hands still tangled with one another.

Chat, surprised by the sudden confession, turned his head a little towards her, waiting for her to say something more.

But she herself didn't know what to say next. She wanted to tell a lot in the shortest way possible. She wanted to find the best words, but couldn’t. In the end…

“Just… Thank you. ”

Technically, she repeated the same phrase, but in completely another way. Putting the value of it with its whole meaning. Emphasizing each sound of the sentence. 

Chat understood all.

He smiled sweetly at her and hummed happily in response. His thumb began to softly stroke the side of her hand again.

Only the present moment, them, together, sitting close, holding their hands, enjoying the night city landscape.

“You know what, Bug?” He asked softly.

“Hmm?”

Chat was quiet for a moment, searching for the right words to use.

“If the world’s gonna crush us down…”

…

…

“...then at least we’ll be crushed down together.”

She smiled and snuggled her head closer to him.

…

…

…

Everybody got someone they call home.