Perhaps, It's Time

"Why the long face, Mister?"

Mister Bug almost jumped out of his skin at her sudden touch. "Kitty? When did you get here?"

Her eyebrow arched as she settled beside him on the beam atop the Eiffel Tower. "What's wrong?"

He forced a stiff smile. "Just got lost in thought."

Her head tilted slightly to the side, as she watched him intently. "In all the years we've worked together, the only time you didn't sense me coming was when you unmasked Hawkmoth. What's wrong, Bug?"

He should've known better than to pretend with her. For all her mischievousness and silliness, Lady Noire was weirdly attuned to his inner world, taking his happiness way too seriously. "Nothing. Just... thinking that I need to make some changes in my life."

The glow of her eyes illuminated the space between them as she scooted closer, mischief playing on her lips. "Have you finally fallen in love with me and thinking of confessing?"

He would've chuckled if he could, but not on this subject. Not in their situation. "Kitty, we've talked about this."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." She pouted, looking away. "No relationship is viable between superheroes because we have to keep our identities a secret even from each other."

"I'm sorry."

She scoffed. "No, you're not. If you were, you would've changed the rules. Master Fu isn't the Guardian anymore. Youare. Aren't you at least a little bit curious who the magnificent creature behind the Lady Noire mask is?"

"Of course, I'm curious. But it's dangerous—"

"We haven't had a new enemy in years."

He looked away. "That's true... but Master Fu thought it'd be better this way, and he was a wise man."

She turned away with a sigh. "Sometimes I wish you cared less about my safety and more about my happiness. I can take care of myself, you know."

Perhaps Lady Noire was right, but... she was his partner, his best friend, and he cared too much to risk putting her in any more danger than she already was. Keeping their identities a secret had worked until now. He shouldn't change that. She'd understand one day, but for now, he pulled a bakery box out of the shadow on his other side. "I do care for your happiness, Kitty."

Lady Noire sniffed the air and jerked her head back to him, her eyes wide. She was practically drooling. "You're a mean one, Mister Bug."

He chuckled, passing her the box. "Enjoy."

Pulling out a macaron, she immediately popped it in her mouth. "So, life changes? Care to elaborate?"

"There isn't much to it. Just considering quitting my job."

She froze mid-chew. "Because of... her?"

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to. I know you too well."

"Kitty, it's not..."

She sent a glare his way, shoving another pastry in her mouth.

"Okay, fine," he relented. "I'm thinking of quitting my job so I can ask my boss out. Happy?"

"You shouldn't have to do that. You love your job."

"I love it only because I'm working with her. Otherwise, I would have quit already. I do have dreams beyond getting coffee and filling out paperwork, you know."