𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙇𝙞𝙚𝙨 ♡ 𝙇𝙞𝙡𝙖 𝙍𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞?

Chapter Two: Akuma's Prey

Adrien's gaze followed Lila's path, a mix of confusion and concern etched on his face.

"Interesting, usually girls are chasing you, not running away," a voice quipped from within Adrien's shirt. Plagg's head emerged, wearing a smirk. Adrien rolled his eyes, shooting his kwami with a look of annoyance.

"That's not funny, Plagg. She seemed frightened." Adrien's gaze returned to the direction Lila had disappeared. He quickly made his way to a deserted stairwell leading to the subway. Plagg flew out from Adrien's shirt, crossing his arms and smirking playfully.

"So, you're going after her? Didn't peg you as the type," Plagg teased. Adrien managed a small smile before his expression turned serious again.

"Hawkmoth can likely sense her fear. If I reach her before he does, we might avoid an akumatization today." With a look of determination, he transformed into his alter ego and used his staff to propel himself into the sky. Landing on a building, he sprinted across the rooftops in the direction Lila had gone.

Despite her recent departure, Chat Noir underestimated Lila's speed. He couldn't spot her anywhere. Perched on a chimney, Chat Noir squinted, scanning the crowd below.

"Where could she have disappeared to?" He muttered to himself. Suddenly, something fluttered past his field of vision.

"An Akuma!" The butterfly darted over the rooftops before diving into a narrow alley. Without a moment's hesitation, Chat Noir pursued the Akuma, determined not to lose sight of it. He leaped from rooftop to rooftop, his eyes never leaving the Akuma before he found himself looking down into an alleyway.

He could see how the girl, huddled in on herself, head in her hand just like how he first saw her. She seemed to be trying to calm her breath but was having difficulty. Chat eyes soften slightly at the display before they widen at the sight of the Akume hovering over the distracted girl, ready to strike.

Chat Noir swooped down without wasting a moment, extending his staff to its full length. He managed to swat the Akuma away just in time, sending it fluttering into the air.

— — — — —

Lila's breath hitched as a figure landed before her, her back pressing against the wall as if seeking refuge within it. The sight of the model's alter ego did nothing to alleviate her current turmoil.

What was he doing here?

Had he followed her?

The soft fluttering sound reached her ears as she dared to glance over Chat's shoulder, her eyes widening at the sight of the Akuma that seemed to be biding its time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Clutching at her pant legs, Lila could only sit and watch with wide eyes, her hand instinctively moving to her chest in an attempt to slow her racing heartbeat.

She couldn't believe it.

She was on the verge of being akumatized!

She was about to be fucking akumatized!

"Hey, what's your name?" The question took her by surprise, causing her to flicker her eyes towards the feline hero. Lila drew in a breath before responding in a whisper.

"Lila..."

She observed as Chat gave a small nod, his gaze unwavering from the Akuma, his staff held firmly in his grip.

"Lila, you need to stay calm," Chat instructed, his voice steady despite the unfolding situation.

"Hawkmoth thrives on negative emotions. Don't give him what he wants."

No shit. Of course, she knew that!

But instead of voicing that out loud, Lila closed her eyes and took a deep breath through her nose, holding it before exhaling. She repeated this process for what felt like an eternity, but soon felt a gentle touch on her shoulder, just like the last time. Opening her eyes, she directed her attention to Chat as he knelt in front of her, offering what appeared to be a comforting smile.

Though his smile did little to comfort her, not while she now knew that she was in an entire world that shouldn't even be real. Chat's smile slowly faded away when he started to notice how Lila's gaze just seemed to look through him and not at him. Not sure what to do, Chat gently takes her hands and raises her to her feet.

"Let's get you home," Not waiting for a response, Chat sweeps Lila up into his arms and takes off into the skies with the help of his staff. Landing on the roof of a building not far from the alley they were just at.

As crazy as this situation was, Lila couldn't lie. The view was wonderful, the Eiffel Tower in her view along with the busy streets of Paris. She always wondered what it would have been like to move to Paris and see all the attractions.

The Arc De Triomphe.

The Louvre.

If the situation were any different than what she was in right now, maybe Lila wouldn't be in such distress. She would be just like any other tourist, awed at the structures she would be seeing. Taking pictures, having fun, trying out every food that she could get her hands on...

But no...

It's not always that easy, is it...