Cheering up a Cat

Part 1

Beta: Mystic_Raven20, WritingDaydreams, Silver Wolf

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created by Thomas Astruc. "Miraculous - Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir" © TS1 Bouygues, Disney Channel, Zagtoon, Toei Animation. This story is not written for profit and is not intended for copyright infringement.

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He so didn't want to be there.

As he stared at the distinguishable silhouette of the Iron Lady glimmering in the light of the setting sun, Chat Noir sighed and started swinging his legs underneath the gutter of the rooftop he sat on.

"See you on Thursday," Ladybug had said after the latest akuma attack. "Same place, around four pm." He'd been too tired to remember what day Thursday was.

The 10th of July.

His mother's birthday.

Darn it. All the boy wanted to do was sit in the garden, legs crossed, in front of her statue and sulk. He wanted to get the photo albums from the library in his bedroom and go through the pages to remember all the happy moments he'd had with his maman. Listen to the music they listened to together and cry. Maybe ring Marinette and talk to her. Or perhaps just have her there, on the other side of the phone—he knew she would do it because she was Marinette; she was just amazing like that. And he loved her even because of that. For once, patrol just felt...an unwanted distraction. Yes, he did like the idea of seeing Ladybug; he still loved her as a friend, after all, and he treasured the time he spent with all his friends.

But he wanted Marinette more.

He shot a treacherous lovesick glance towards the Tom & Sabine Patisserie, feeling very guilty when he saw the lone figure of Ladybug zipping her yoyo around the buildings and landing on the rooftop behind him to join him, then, sitting next to him.

"Hey, Chaton." She shot him a smile and looked at him. "Sorry if I'm late."

He stamped a fake smile on his lips. "That's not a problem, m'lady," he said without looking at her. He stood on the rooftop and grabbed his baton from the small of his back, getting ready to start patrol. "Let's get started." But he hadn't even managed to extend his baton and propel himself away when he felt something pulling at his tail and ended up on the rooftop again. He turned around to look at Ladybug with his eyes wide.

"Not so fast," Ladybug deadpanned. She folded her arms over her chest and shot him a worried glance. "What's wrong, minou?"

He flashed his eyebrows. "I'm okay."

"No, you're not. You haven't cracked any jokes or even looked at me. You're too eager to start patrol. What's the matter with you?"

Chat Noir sighed and lowered his head—his Lady knew him too well. "Nothing, I just... want to get patrol done and out of the way."

"Again, another uncharacteristic thing for you. Who are you? Tell the aliens to give me mon chaton back, please."

He sighed and put his hands up. Yes, she did know him very well. It was pointless to pretend. "Sorry, LB. I didn't want to worry you; just... today's not a very good day for me, that's all. It's about my personal life, my family more precisely."

Ladybug raised an eyebrow. "Family problems, Chat?"

His shoulders slumped at her doubtful tone. "You don't know many things about me, Buguinette."