Next of Kin

Chapter 19

"Do you really think this is going to work?"

Ladybug rested her head on her fiancé's shoulder while Rena Rouge and Carapace went over some basics with Félix, who was now impersonating Chat Noir, out on the nearby roofs. It had taken three transformations and half a wheel of camembert to get Félix to look like an exact copy of his cousin when transformed, although Ladybug wasn't entirely sure if that was as much to do with their difference in personality or whether it was just Plagg trying to be difficult. The mischievous little Kwami had warmed up somewhat to Félix, but it was clear he was trying to push Adrien to go himself, something Adrien was determined wasn't happening any time soon.

"I think Félix will be fine but I admit I feel a lot better knowing that Rena and Carapace will be watching from a distance. We really don't know what Lila might be capable of." Adrien turned his head and kissed her on the forehead. "I'll be here waiting for you Bug."

Rena, Carapace and Félix returned back to the lounge room and Ladybug noted it was almost time to meet Lila - or Farfalla as she wanted to be known. Ladybug wouldn't normally be nervous facing a new foe, but this wasn't a new enemy was it? And she would be doing it with an inexperienced hero at her side.

"Well, at least he didn't fall off the roof." Carapace laughed, slapping Félix on the back. "You did good Chat Noir 2.0."

"No thanks to you." Félix shot back, but in a good natured way. "You could have warned me about those sloping gable roofs over the ridge."

"Where would the fun be in that?" Carapace retorted, dodging a slap aimed towards the back of the head from his bride to be.

"Because we need Félix in one piece for tonight, that's why. Speaking of which, we should really get a move on."

"Go ahead, I'll catch up to you on Notre Dame." Ladybug said and the three heroes left out through the balcony. Adrien stood up, offering her his hand and walking with her towards the door. She seemed quiet and subdued.

"What's going on, Sweetheart?" He asked when she leaned into him again. He kissed her on top of her head. "I can tell something is bothering you."

"I thought you would have said bugging me." She looked up at him with a small smirk on her face.

"I might leave the puns to Félix for now." He said with a half smile. "I know it's necessary, but I can't help feeling a prang at him being the one out there with you. A cousin rivalry I guess. Or maybe it's a sibling one?" He chuckled humourlessly. Félix was right, how on earth did they end up like this. "By the way, Félix wanted me to tell you that Lila knows about his amok. I think she might have drugged him in London because even Félix doesn't get that loose lipped when drunk."

Ladybug let out a long sigh. "I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, but that does compromise him somewhat. I really need to give him a Miraculous. He does have that history with Lila. She will come after him, I have no doubts about it."

Adrien gripped his hand tighter on the handle of his crutch before releasing it again. "Give him mine." He said calmly. "I can't use it right now and you need to be Ladybug again."

"But Adrien..."

"No buts." He said with a sad smile. "Ladybug has to have a Chat Noir. You did that for Scarabella and if he handles things tonight, then I'll trust him with it to protect you."

Ladybug reached up and gently touched his cheek before reaching up on her toes and giving him a soft kiss. "You will always be my Kitty, you just remember that." Ladybug then lowered her head, avoiding his eyes.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Adrien... if anything ever happens to me..."

"Whoa, where did this come from?" He questioned her, letting go of her hand to cradle her cheek. "Nothing is happening to you tonight."