Ladybug & Cat Noir Identity Reveal

9 - Adrien / Chat Noir

Chat Noir had liked the idea of having other heroes to help them out, but when Ladybug had taken him to Alya and Nino, he'd only felt guilty. He didn't want to be putting all the pressure and sleepless nights and stress onto them too. Part of him knew that he didn't really have a choice – he and ladybug were burnt out. But the other part of him didn't want that for his friends either. 

Ladybug was leading him to the other person she wanted to give a miraculous too, and stopped on a building overlooking the Seine. Chat Noir recognised the boat as Luka and Juleka's home. Luka was the wearer of the snake miraculous, but he was also Marinette's... well, they were together. Chat Noir wasn't about to let Marinette's love life become even more stressful and complicated by endangering her boyfriend. 

"I thought Luka would be a good option too, his ability to go back in time can make all the difference in a fight," Ladybug said, about to pull her yo-yo up to contact him.

"No." Chat Noir turned to her, "I don't think it's a good idea."

Ladybug started, "Well why not?"

"He's..." But what could he say that wouldn't give away his identity? He was beginning to suspect more and more that Ladybug was someone very close in age to him, and from her choice of Nino and Alya...perhaps even from the same school. He'd suspected before, but there was no denying it now.

Ladybug waited, and he realised he was yet to give an answer. "He's really close with one of my friends. I don't want to put him in any more danger, or stress her out anymore."

Ladybug's eyes narrowed, "Your...friend?"

"Yes." Chat Noir was getting nervous with the way she was looking at him, as though she'd begun to suspect something too.

She sighed, "Chat, we're in danger too, and with the miraculous, we become almost invulnerable, he'd be safer with it than without it."

But all Chat Noir could think about was how torn Marinette had looked while talking about him. It was clear she cared about him greatly, and he didn't want things to be made more complicated or difficult. 

"What if we just asked him?" Ladybug said. She seemed bent on giving Luka the miraculous, and Chat Noir was beginning to wonder why.

"Why do you want him to have it so bad? Nino and Alya are already great additions to our team. Don't you think they'll be enough?" Chat hoped he didn't sound as angry as he felt.

She pulled back, "I guess... I trust him. I understand your concerns for your friend... but Chat, the sooner we defeat Hawkmoth, the sooner everything can go back to normal. Your friend and Luka...they can be happy...together. If that's what they want."

Ladybug was right, Luka had made a great addition to their team in the past, and defeating Hawkmoth was the best way to help Marinette. 

"All right, let's ask him."

Moments later, Luka appeared out on the boat, and Ladybug scooped him up, bringing him up to their rooftop. 

Chat Noir didn't miss the way she seemed to hold onto him a little longer, or the dazzling smile she gave him as she stepped away. For so long he'd wanted her to look at him that way, but now he was just annoyed, she had to know he was taken right? He'd just said...

"You want me to help you guys? Yeah, I'm in." Luka had always seemed pretty chill, but something about him just...annoyed Adrien. 

Ladybug gave him an 'I told you so' look, and Chat rolled his eyes. "What about your loved ones? Don't you think this is super dangerous? You wouldn't want them to get hurt or upset if you got hurt. You know."

Luka laughed good-naturedly, "I guess so, but everyone I love is already strong on their own. I know they'd trust me. Besides, isn't this the best way to protect them? Getting close to Hawkmoth and defeating him?"

Chat Noir tried not to groan. He couldn't stop this from happening, but he could make sure Luka was safe, and not causing Marinette anymore trouble.

"So that settles it then, Luka, here is the Miraculous of the snake, I'm trusting you to use it for good. Don't let it fall into the hands of Hawkmoth, and know that if you can no longer do your duties, you can hand it back at any time. We're counting on you." Ladybug grinned as she handed it over.

He smiled back, "I won't let you down Ladybug, Chat Noir." He nodded before Ladybug held onto him and lowered him back to the boat. He waved goodbye as they headed back to the Eiffel tower. 

Ladybug began packing up her things, while Chat Noir tried to calm himself. He trusted her, he did, but he was hurt that she hadn't listened to him about Luka. They could have given out the horse miraculous to Max or the dragon miraculous to Kagami, or even the monkey miraculous to Kim. 

But then again...he would have felt guilty about that too. Ugh, why was this all so hard. 

Ladybug finished packing up her things, and turned back to him, only to frown. "What's the matter kitty?"

He clenched and unclenched his fist, a habit he'd developed, to remind himself of the dangers of becoming too angry as Chat Noir. Cataclysms were no joke, and he'd learned his lesson over the years.

"Why did it have to be Luka? I know I'm not supposed to tell you muh about my life, but my friend...she's kind of having a hard time at the moment, and she cares about him. I don't want things to be any worse for her. You know?"

Ladybug looked down, "I really do trust Luka. I... if it gets to be too much, he can stop, or we can take it back. But Chat, we need him. We need all of them. I thought you were on board with the idea."

"I was, I am! it's just..." He took a deep breath, looking out over the city, "I don't want to fight with you Milady. We'll just...have to see how it goes."

With that he nodded goodnight, and used his staff to propel himself to home.

Why is it so hard with her now? Everything used to be so simple, save the day, have a witty sparring match, and then go home happy. But now...

He landed inside his room and detransformed, Plagg plopping gently onto his hands. Adrien tucked him into bed, hoping that things didn't get too messy.

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