Next of Kin

Chapter 3

A/N - Am I posting this a day early? Yes I am!

Chat Noir tried to hold back a yawn as he made his way across the rooftops of Paris, running late for his meet up with Ladybug. He was exhausted and hungry and he felt bad that the fact Ladybug would be waiting with croissants was the main reason he was even still coming. Well, maybe not the only reason, he hadn't seen much of her lately either and he missed her.

The photoshoot had been long and tedious and because they were behind schedule it ran right through dinner. Nathalie kept apologising about dragging him in for the shoot, but he had said he was free that night. If only Marinette had asked him to stay for dinner earlier he would have had an excuse. Still, he was looking forward to their date tomorrow. Well, not a date he reminded himself. It would be wrong of him to say that, but he was looking forward to spending time with her, just the two of them.

Chat soon found Ladybug sitting on one of their favourite rooftops with its million dollar view of the Eiffel Tower. When he landed, she stood up and gave him a warm smile, holding out the paper bag in her hands for him.

"I was starting to think you weren't coming, Chaton." She quipped as he took the bag from her gratefully.

"Sorry m'lady. Work ran late and I only just got away." He apologised, hungrily taking a bite from the flakey pastry goodness within.

"Only just now? But it's after eleven." She hadn't meant to sound so shocked. Ladybug knew Chat had a job, but she couldn't imagine what kind of job had someone working so late at night. Chat just smiled at her between bites and shrugged his shoulders.

"It happens sometimes. I wouldn't have minded so much except I have to be up early tomorrow."

"Kitty, should have just cancelled tonight. I would have understood." Ladybug sat down on the roof's edge, crossing her legs and patting the space next to her for him to sit.

"But then when would I have seen you?" Chat had said as he sat down beside her. "Besides, how could I say no to these?" He grinned, holding the half eaten croissant up.

"Didn't you eat dinner?"

He shook his head. "And I haven't had a chance to restock at home either. Don't look at me like that, grocery shopping is a long way down my list of priorities and I'm not that great of a cook anyway. The only thing in full supply is Plagg's cheese."

"Poor Chaton." Ladybug said, patting him on the knee. "You really do need someone to look after you don't you?"

Chat grinned cheekily. "Are you applying for the job m'lady?" He said, giving her a shoulder bump.

"You wish." She scoffed. "I'm not keeping your litter box clean for you."

"I'll have you know I'm a very clean cat thank you very much." Chat replied with a hand on his heart. "My apartment is spotless... it's just a bit empty that's all."

Ladybug couldn't help but notice his cat ears dropped a little when he said that. She never knew a lot about his personal life, and she had always been careful not to know too much, but she found it hard to believe that someone with such a happy personality could be so lonely. Looking at him now though, she could also see how tired he was and she worried that no one seemed to be looking out for him.

"Well, tomorrow is always another day." She said, trying to cheer him up. She was pleased to see his face lit up into a smile.

"Yeah, actually I do have some plans for tomorrow. I'm spending some time with a friend and I really hope she likes where we are going. It's kind of a surprise."