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One of Chat Noir’s favorite things to do as a superhero was to run across the rooftops. The exhilaration and thrill was matched by nothing else. Even the fear of falling or slamming face first into a wall had nothing on the heart pounding sensation that raced through Chat as he ran.
That was, until he fell for his lady.
Ladybug was quick, she was smart, she was brave, she was kind. She was everything Chat could dream up in a partner, working or romantic. She made him see the world so differently and in ways he’d never thought of.
He loved her so much and he truly wanted her to be his in every meaning of the word, but…
“Fu says we can’t know each other’s identities. It would be too easy for Hawk Moth to get both of our miraculous if he manages to get the other.”
And that was that.
But Chat was a hopeless romantic who would always follow his heart no matter where it took him. Even if it led to a broken heart with no one there to pick up the pieces.
It quickly became even better than running across rooftops so he continued to chase after her.
In missions, he followed her lead. He played his part- maybe not in the exact way she wanted but she still smiled at him- and he did his job well.
When work was done, they would race across the city and even though he was a cat and cats were much faster than bugs, he always found himself trailing her, chasing after her.
Some days he would catch up to her, beating her to the top of the tower and flirting with her when she finally made it. She would roll her eyes and challenge him again.
Most days she left him in her dust, admiring her beauty in strength as she gloated and did childish dances in her victory. Those were the moments he really wanted to kiss her: when her face was glowing in happiness and she was living in the moment not worrying about when the next akuma would strike. When there was nothing but the stars reflecting in her blue eyes as the Parisian lights shone around her like an afterglow and the wind rustled her hair.
She was truly beautiful and everything he wanted.
He chased her emotionally.
Chat was always there when she needed a shoulder to cry on or a board to bounce ideas off of. Always there when she was feeling overwhelmed or just worn out. He was there to cheer her up and encourage her.
It amazed him how uncertain she was when it came to her plans or her ability to lead when she was absolutely amazing. The only reason they ever succeeded in any of their plans was because she was there to orchestrate and assemble their team. She was literally the glue that held them together.
He was adamant on making her realize it.
“You’re amazing, Milady.”
“That plan was absolutely spectacular!”
“Bugaboo, you’re the best leader we could have gotten. How lucky are we?”
“Purrrfect timing, Milady. That akuam didn’t stand a chance!”
With each compliment and reassurance, her smile grew. She tried to play it off by brushing him off and waving him away. However, their teamwork improved and he started to feel even closer to her than before. Ladybug actually laughed at a few of his jokes every now and then. She smiled at his puns. When he flirted, she blushed. When he kissed her knuckles, she let her hand linger in his before pulling away. She was even the one to initiate hugs!
Their relationship was changing and Chat was so excited for that change. He was no longer just chasing her, he was running alongside her: neither of them winning or losing. He was no longer focused on catching her either: he was truly happy with just being by her side.
It all accumulated in one night.
After an akuma, they were relaxing in the rafters and looking over Paris and talking about nothing.
These were Chat’s favorite moments. When he had nothing better to do but to sit with his lady and shoot the breeze.
Sighing, Ladybug dropped her head onto his shoulder. “I know we’re relaxing, but I wanna ask you a question.”
Settling his head on top of hers, he nodded. “Okay.”
“Do you think we’ll ever win?” She whispered.
Chat froze for a moment. The normal reassurance that was quick on his lips wasn’t there at her somber tone. She wanted the truth and he wanted to give it to her so he thought about it seriously.
It has been about two years since the attacks started. They’d battled dozens if not hundreds of akumas and they were no closer to unmasking the Moth and he was no closer to gaining their miraculous. Even with Hawk Moth’s increasingly dangerous ploys and Ladybug’s convoluted and brilliant plans, there was no real change. As their team grew, Hawk Moth seemed to grow more powerful. When they fumbled, Hawk Moth seemed to go full smooth brain mood. They were still in the middle ground and there was truly no real end in sight.
Taking a deep breath, he looked up at the nearly full moon that hovered above them. “I don’t know, Milady. It could be years.”
She didn’t speak for a long time after that so they sat in silence, staring at the twinkling stars.
Chat wondered what that day would be like. How would it feel to truly beat their nemesis and finally be able to know who this amazing girl or woman his partner was? How would it feel to truly know who was behind the mask?
He honestly couldn’t wait.
Ladybug sighed and wrapped her arms around his, snuggling into his side. “You know what?”
Gulping at her closeness, Chat Noir felt a purr building in his chest. “What?”
“I’m not even worried about when it’ll happen.” She turned and smiled at him, making his heart thump even harder in his chest. “It doesn’t matter as long as I have you as a partner.”
The purr rumbled deeply in his chest and he felt his cheeks warm. “I feel exactly the same way.”
When her lips grazed his cheek, Chat knew that fighting his heart was no use.
He would continue to chase her until he caught her heart.
Even if he didn’t get to keep it.