Chasing Ladybug 📸 (A Miraculous Ladybug Fanfic)

2 • Then | A Favor

THEN

"Pound it."

Ladybug raised her hand and saluted her partner. "I'll see you at the next battle, Kitty."

"Wait, please." Cat Noir reached out and grabbed her hand, tugging her back.

She turned around and faced him. "Yes?"

The leather-covered hero took in a deep breath. "You and I... we've been partners for a few years now and have gotten close. We know each other better—aside from our secret identities, of course—and I feel I've proved myself to be a reliable partner."

Ladybug smiled. "Of course, Kitty. You are the best partner. I trust you more than anyone," She assured him.

Cat Noir raised his free hand and nervously scratched the back of his neck. "Then can I ask you something—a favor, I guess—without you shutting me down right away?"

She tilted her head, confused, but nodded anyway. "Alright..."

He let go of her hand. "There's this girl..."

Ladybug's eyes widened as a deep knot formed in her gut. A girl?

"There's this girl I trust a lot, almost as much as I trust you, and I've—" Cat Noir cut himself off.

"You've what?"

"I've fallen in love with her."

His confession sent a sharp dagger through her sad heart. Cat Noir's in love with... someone else? "Oh... I see," Ladybug whispered with an obvious pout.

"I don't mean to be insensitive of your feelings, Milady—" The sweet nickname tasted bitter now. "—especially since of what you told me before."

Ladybug shook her head fast. "You don't have to worry about my feelings, Cat Noir. Yes, I told you I have feelings for you, but I don't hold it against you that you don't feel the same way... anymore. So, if you want to talk about this new girl, I'll listen." Don't cry. Don't you dare cry in front of him.

Cat Noir smiled. "Thanks, Ladybug."

She forced a tight smile. "So, what were you saying?"

"Like I said, I trust her as much as I trust you, and I realized that I love her. But... it isn't safe for us to date. At least, me as a hero and her as a civilian."

"Why don't you date her in your civilian form?" Ladybug suggested, except her own advice had dug the dapper deeper in her heart.

"Uh..." Cat Noir looked away. "I learned that she has feelings for me, but as me—my superhero persona. And..." He frowned.

Ladybug rested a hand on his shoulder. "And you're afraid she won't love you for who you are? Trust me, Kitty. I'm sure she'd love the boy under the mask just as much as the hero."

"You think so?"

"I do."

He frowned again. "I'd like to believe you, but I'm still afraid she won't accept me."

"That's ridiculous—"

"Now, for my favor," Cat Noir suddenly said fast. "I'd like to trust her with a miraculous."

Ladybug's eyes widened. "W-What?! Cat Noir—"

"Please, hear me out."

She took in a deep breath, then sighed. "Continue."

"You've trusted her with a miraculous before and her secret identity wasn't revealed to Hawkmoth—or now Shadowmoth—so her real name is safe. Only we know who she is."

I wonder who he's talking about. "I've given her a miraculous before?"

Cat Noir nodded. "Yeah, the mouse miraculous, specifically."

Mylene? Cat Noir's in love with Mylene? The bug wondered to herself, soon lost in her thoughts. But she's with Ivan. Cat Noir's met them before, he has to know they're dating. Unless he doesn't care and he's trying to break up their perfect relationship! No, my Kitty isn't like that. Uh, well, he's not mine, yet. No! Not yet. Not at all. Cat Noir's in love with someone else. Did I miss my only chance with him? Was I too late? Ugh, I'm so lame!

"Milady?"

Ladybug blinked and stared at her partner. "Yes, kitten?"

"I asked if you remember her... Marinette Dupain-Cheng?"