Whiskers on Kittens -- (ML)

[4]

Ladybug was late.

A week ago, Chat Noir would have been worried about this. He would've freaked out, scared that he didn't know about a new Akuma victim. She could've been in trouble without him.

But after today, he had a pretty good idea of why this was the case.

A zipping noise sounded from the other side of the Eiffel Tower, and Chat jumped to his feet.

'... Hey?' Ladybug started uncertainly as soon as she returned her yo-yo to her hip. She stared at the ground, shifting her weight from foot to foot.

'Hey,' he replied. He held himself back awkwardly, waiting for her to make the first move.

'So... you-' Ladybug started, before closing her mouth again.

'And you--'

'Yes.' She nodded, the movement seeming stiff. Her eyes were still trained to the floor, causing Chat to sigh ever-so-slightly.

'At least it was us who found out first, right?' Chat Noir said. He sat down at the edge of the tower, letting his feet hang off the side. Ladybug hesitated for a moment before coming to sit by his side. 'It could've been an Akuma, or Hawk Moth, but...' he motioned to the two of them, letting that finish his sentence.

'I-I guess...?' she pulled a leg to her chest, letting her chin rest on top of her knee as she watched the city lights. The golden glow reflected in her bright blue eyes, and Chat felt a smile gracing his features.

She caught it out of the corner of her eye. '...what?'

'Nothing.' Chat said. It really was nothing- a tiny detail most would miss.

Her eyes were the exact same shade.

'I'm sorry, this is awkward I just--'

'It's fine,' he said simply, giving a small shrug. 'It's understandable after today.'

'Well, yeah, but I don't know how I didn't see it or why it doesn't- you- and- an-and me! Ladybug!'

Chat Noir gave her a cattish smile. 'Did I shatter your--'

'Volpina!' she yelped suddenly, and Chat blinked. 'That entire day was you running around back and forth! That's how you knew that Ad-- you.' her cheeks flushed red under her mask.

'That's how you knew it was an illusion.' she muttered, pulling her knee in tighter. Chat nodded.

'To be honest--'

'Pun.' Ladybug interrupted.

'Wha?'

'Start your sentence again, but do the pun.'

'Ooookayy... tabby honest,' Chat restarted, and Ladybug smiled in response. 'Simon Says was a whole other level. I transformed what... three times that day? Plagg said I owed him so much camembert for that.'

'I think the worst I had to deal with was the Evillustrator incident,' Ladybug said, her eyes brightening the more they spoke. 'It was so hard not to transform and help you out!'

Chat chuckled. 'You did well as yourself, though.'

Ladybug fell silent, staring out at the city again. Chat's ears drooped. '... did I say something wrong?'

'You don't deserve me as a partner,' she said 'there are people that could do my job much better.'

'My Lady, no.'

'What? It's true!'

Chat swished his tail grumpily. 'Ladybug, there's nobody in Paris who could take your place.'