Lies: Miraculous Ladybug

Pompeii

"So do you think Lila's working for the new Hawkmoth?" Ladybug scanned the rooftops, wincing as the wind stung her eyes and tried to shove her away from the roof's edge. Her partner shifted behind her.

"I... don't know. The more I think about it the more I wonder if she was just looking for trouble with Marinette, but... she knows I was at your house. I don't know what she'll do with that information. I just know it can't be anything good."

She sighed, stepping back and rubbing her eyes wearily. "I agree. I think I should follow her, or confront her as Marinette. I have to do something about this. I have to do something now, but I can't find the right answer."

Cat Noir was silent for a minute, then he paced over, reaching for one of her hands and squeezing it. Her gaze flickered up to meet his.

"Don't push yourself too hard. I don't think there's any right thing to do yet. We should head home. If we go barging around, we could fall into a trap-- besides, there's no guarantee that Lila has anything to do with Hawkmoth. I think we should wait and keep an eye on her, but nothing more."

Several emotions spiked in her chest, all resembling frustration. Ladybug pulled back slightly and scowled. "So we sit around and wait for her to tear everything apart? Or for Hawkmoth to decide Master Fu isn't valuable enough to keep alive?"

"No, we keep searching, but stay low." He reached out to her, but she shook him off. The frustration was growing. She had to make him understand. "What good has that done us?! We've been patrolling for days with nothing to show. Nothing. Now we might have a lead, and you want me to just... ignore it?!"

"No!" Her partner gave her a look that reflected her own turbulent exasperation. "I'm just saying we shouldn't throw ourselves into this headfirst. We need to think, or we're vulnerable to manipulation!"

"You think I'd charge into something without thinking it through?" She snapped.

He hesitated, eyes flickering between hers for a long moment. He gave a controlled, whooshing sigh, deflating. "Of course not. You're the smartest person I know."

Her anger melted, guilt settling like a tiny boulder in her chest. "I-- I'm sorry I yelled. I didn't mean to-- you're right, following Lila around probably isn't the best idea. I just know we have to take action."

Cat Noir bit his lip, avoiding her gaze. Her guilt twisted a little higher and brighter. She'd done that. Ladybug had pushed him away.

Blinking, she reached for him. "I-I'm sorry..."

He took her hand and squeezed it again without looking up. "It's not your fault, I got as worked up as you did, it's just... I..."

He finally made eye contact, looking apologetic. "...Can we... never do that again? I don't like arguing. Especially with you."

Ladybug hugged him. "Okay. Let's not argue." The boy hugged back and she relaxed a little, sighing. "I don't like it either."

He laughed weakly. "At least we agree on that. Do you wanna head back now?"

"Sure."

Ladybug let him take the lead, drifting off into her thoughts. The argument played on a loop in her mind. She stood by much of what she'd said. Still, she shouldn't have raised her voice.