Contains minor spoilers for "Peeping Tomcat"

Creating a Gremlin: a Peeping Tomcat companion story

Summary:

Ladybug was only trying to do something nice for her partner. It's a shame that the callousness and grandiose nature of Mayor Bourgeois made Chat Noir Appreciation Day more stressful than it needed to be. Especially for mayoral aid Enzo Dubois: the man in charge of organizing it all. Hawk Moth is keeping an eye on this poor young man.

**Set between chapters 15 and 16**

Notes:

Again, I know this isn't the update you were expecting. Once more, I had to come at this last chapter from a different POV. Now that I have this sorted out, I just need a couple more ducklings to line up and I should be good to go. Thank you for being patient on the final chapter of "Peeping Tomcat."

NOTE: Minor spoiler for "Peeping Tomcat" chapter 14.

Enzo Dubois walked onto the stage and looked out over Paris. The city was draped in green and black. Cat masks and paw prints were splattered everywhere. Vendors were already selling their wares even though the event technically hadn't started yet. The place was abuzz, and it was only going to get more electric. He made sure of that.

It was an exhausting forty-five hours since Ladybug called for Mayor Bourgeois to declare the upcoming Sunday "Chat Noir Appreciation Day," and only forty hours since the mayor complied to his daughter's plea to listen. Forty hours. That's it. Enzo had managed to pull a miracle together. As he stood on the stage outside city hall he wanted to cry out to the heavens. He wanted to scream to Ladybug that he should be the one revered as a hero and getting a day dedicated to him. He was the miraculous one that weekend.

"Right this way, Mr. Mayor. You'll give the commencement speech right on this stage."

Enzo turned to see Mayor Bourgeois escorted onto the stage by another staffer. He rushed over and extended his hand for the mayor to shake.

"Mayor Bourgeois. Welcome. I have the itinerary here, and the podium should be all set for your speech. I have these cue cards for your speech, and-"

"Yes, yes." The mayor brushed Enzo's hand away. "I know what I need to do, Ernest."

"It's Enzo." He tried to keep his cool while puffing up his chest in an attempt to showcase his Mayoral Aid nametag hanging off the lanyard draped around his neck.

"Go on now, off the stage so I can get this event started. Oh, and Ernest?"

"Enzo."

"Were you able to organize the speeches from Ladybug and Chat Noir?"

"Well, no. I have no way of getting a hold of them. I did put out the request for them, though, and Ladybug herself requested this day, so I'm sure she'll show up. Plus, I do have the day completely filled with-"

Mayor Bourgeois waved him off and shook his head. "The speeches from the superheroes themselves, especially Ladybug, were the crux of this day. Nevermind, we'll make it work. Go see if there's something else you can assist with, Ernest."

"Enzo!" Enzo threw his clipboard holding the itinerary of the day onto the stage as he stormed off of it.

This is ridiculous, he thought as he stormed back to his office inside city hall. I gave up my whole weekend to cater to the selfish whim of a superhero and the bratty demands of an entitled teenager. I slept probably four whole hours in the past forty-eight. And not only do I not get any thanks, but the mayor can't even be troubled to know my name?

He slammed his office door behind him and leaned on it. The office wasn't large, maybe only a few meters wide and across. It was barely larger than a cubicle, and there wasn't even a window anywhere. Enzo was pretty positive it was a storage closet at one point, but it was his office now. He had earned it.