Chasing Ladybug 📸 (A Miraculous Ladybug Fanfic)

A Retelling: 1 | A Favor

"Pound it."

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

"Wait, please." Cat Noir reaches out and grabs her hand, tugging her back. "Milady..."

She turns around and faces him. "Yes?"

The leather-covered hero takes 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 smiles. "Of course, Kitty. You are the best partner. I trust you more than anyone," She assures him.

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

She tilts her head, confused, but nods anyway. "Alright.."

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

Ladybug's eyes widen as a deep knot forms in her stomach. 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 sends a sharp dagger through her sad heart. Cat Noir's in love with... someone else? "Oh... I see," Ladybug whispers with an obvious pout.

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

Ladybug shakes 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 cry in front of him.

Cat Noir smiles. "Thanks, Ladybug."

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

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

"So, why don't you date her in your civilian form?" Ladybug suggests, except her own advice digs the dagger deeper in her heart.

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

Ladybug rests 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 frowns 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 cuts in fast. "I'd like to trust her with a miraculous."

Ladybug's eyes widen. "What?! Cat Noir—"

"Please, hear me out."

She takes in a deep breath, then sighs. "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 Noid nods. "Yeah, the mouse miraculous, specifically."

Mylene? Cat Noir's in love with Mylene? Ladybug wonders 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 relationship. No, my Kitty isn't like that. Uh, well, he's not mine, yet. Well, maybe not yet. It seems Cat Noir's in love with another girl. Did I miss my chance with him? Was I too late? Ugh, I'm so lame!

"Milady?"

Ladybug blinks and looks back at her partner. "Yes, kitten?"

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