Bug Bites

Chapter | Thirteen

Lucas Valentino was one of the top people anyone in the designing world could work with, his name meant automatic attention. It was messing with Marinette's nerves even more now, and honestly she just wanted to be over this commission. After everything that happened the past few days, and yesterday making an appearance in Paris for her statement she just felt exhausted. She knew why Chloe was upset, and she understood where she was coming from. She understood the positions she put everyone in.

"Bug." Honey Bee called out, jumping down behind Ladybug with Chat Noir right besides her. 

Ladybug could see how close the two had gotten, and it was to be expected. She left, she left them to deal with Paris and Hawkmoth. She could see the toll on Chat Noir's face, how his green eyes showed how tired he was. 

"We need to talk, the three of us." Honey Bee continued, "It's time for the full truth, no half ass truths. We're a team right? We should be able to talk about these things and make a collective choice together."

Ladybug would give it to Honey Bee, she was a good leader. It was why she was such a good fit for the Bee miraculous, why Chloe was a true holder. Chloe was a leader naturally, she commanded attention and she was also a politicians daughter. She was smart, cunning and had wits. Yet she also knew that Honey Bee was right. They were a team, and she needed to start to act like she was a part of it. 

"Away from the media, they are watching from all over." Chat Noir says, his green eyes looking around them. 

"Eiffel Tower?" Ladybug suggests, her blue eyes slipping to look over at the horizon where the sun was now setting. "I haven't been up there in a while."

"Let's get going then. We have a lot to discuss." Honey Bee says, taking the lead and running along the roof tops. 

"Don't mind her." Chat says softly as he came up besides Ladybug, "She's just a little hurt."

Ladybug gave him an unsure look, "I think I messed up a little big this time."

"It's okay Princess." Chat reassured before taking off after Honey Bee, yet Ladybug stood there for a second thrown off by the nickname. He only called Marinette that nickname, and suddenly her blood ran cold. She wasn't too sure what to think of that. 

Quickly Ladybug took off after the two, using her yo-yo to swing her way across the city. It was a liberating feeling she had missed, one she itched to do in New York but for obvious reasons now she never could. She swung building to building, enjoying the breeze whipping past her until she landed on the landing of the tower. 

"Can I start?" Ladybug asks, looking more at Chloe for permission. The blonde nodded her head silently. "I owe you both an apology for how I've been too absorbed in my own problems and completely disregard your own. I didn't mean to leave for so long, I wasn't planning to start something there and keep pushing back coming back to Paris. I owe you both my life for being the best partners and friends I have, for having my back and covering for me when I wasn't able to stand on my own for a while. I am so, so sorry."

Honey Bee was about to say something, but Chat Noir had stepped closer too Ladybug and in his green eyes she saw exactly what he was about to do before she could stop him. At this point Chloe knew he needed to do what he was about to do, more for himself than anything else. Gently he took her hand into his own, gaining Ladybug's full attention and confusing her with the emotions in his own eyes. She didn't understand those green eyes suddenly. 

"I'm sorry too Mari." Chat Noir said it so softly, so timidly that he was afraid she actually heard him. He needed to apologize to her, he needed her to know that he knew. Yet he was also fearful of her reaction. His biggest fear was to be rejected by her once she knew who he was, even more now that he did wrong by her in their civilian lives.