Chapter Text
It turned out they’d both been so caught up in their separate musings, that when a sudden gust of wind swept through the streets, it caught them off guard. The umbrella trapped in the current of air got snatched out of Ladybug’s hand. They could just look at it in wonder as the wind dragged it down the street.
They turned to look at each other in shock and it was only when he took her in, the falling rain already plastering her hair to her face, that he realised that they were under the rain with no protection and he was getting wet too.
They started laughing at the strange picture they probably made - standing on the street, looking after the disappearing umbrella, the rain soaking them through. And then their hands found each other and they were running for cover. Unfortunately, they’d long passed that awning where they’d hid when it started raining and they had to run quite a lot until they found another.
They quickly ducked under it, the small rectangle of dry pavement under their feet to confine them until the rain eased up. Which didn’t seem likely to happen soon.
Ladybug leaned against the wall, breathing heavy. Adrien propped his hand next to her, his head hanging low while he tried to catch his breath.
“Well, it was nice while it lasted,” she said when their breathing returned to normal.
He looked up at her, a small smile playing on his lips. It had been nice, yes. He was about to say something, when his eyes caught a blurry movement and then he felt the tiniest of touches to the tip of his hair. She was watching it, not him.
“Your hair is wet,” she said, as if she was only just noticing. Which was absurd, since they were both drenched. But somehow this simple fact caught her attention. He was about to reply that her hair was quite wet too, when her other hand came up too, on the other side of his face, tracing the outline of his dripping hair.
His hands on his sides now, formed tight fists as he fought to stand still. And he found that he could hardly breath. She looked so lost in what she was doing, she probably didn’t notice. But his heart started beating wildly. He barely felt the tips of her fingers touching his hair, but it was enough to make him crave more. To want to lean into her touch, to savour it. And then his heart all but stopped. Because the fingers of her left hand were no longer just tracing the tips of his hair, they were getting tangled in the locks and were soon buried in them. Then her other hand followed suit.
He gasped, taking in a much needed breath. And her eyes found his. While her hands remained buried in his hair. She seemed to realise what she was doing suddenly, her eyes widening. But then she just sighed and whispered,
“I can’t do this anymore.” She sounded so resigned, a pained expression on her face. As if something was hurting her.
He thought frantically, searching for the cause of her anguish. Had he done anything wrong, said anything wrong? What did she mean with her words? What was it that she couldn’t do anymore?
“What?” he managed to ask finally. He needed to know. He couldn’t stand it, watching her hurt like that.
“I can’t keep protecting my heart from you. Pretending I don’t feel a thing,” she said, so quietly it was barely a whisper. But he heard her loud and clear.
This was what caused her pain? If there was one thing that had never crossed his mind, it was that if she someday, somehow felt the same way about him as he felt about her, it would be anything but a source of joy for both of them. She knew he loved her. Then why would she feel sad if she loved him back?
He couldn’t understand, but before he asked her to explain, he wanted to wipe the sad look from her face. He wanted to see her brilliant smile, to see her eyes full of happiness. And he’d do whatever it took to make that happen.
He was about to say something, when she started talking again. Still lost in her own world.
“Not when you’re so good to me. When you ask me to walk with you under the rain. And even though I see how hard it is for you, you try to keep your distance. To give me space. You hesitate before you hug me to bring me closer and protect me from the rain. You always think of me. And the only thing I do is keep hurting you. Because I know it’s for the best. But it’s too much. I can’t take it anymore.”
Her words only confused him more. What was he supposed to make of them? Did she want him to give her more space? He thought he’d been careful, never forcing himself on her. Not anymore. He knew she didn’t like it. But then, why was she holding him like that now, her fingers tightening in his hair as if trying to bring him closer? It didn’t make any sense.
“What can I do to help you?” he asked. Because this was what mattered. He’d do whatever she asked him to do to make her feel better. It didn’t matter if it broke his heart. He’d do it for her.
“Oh, kitty,” she whispered, a sad smile on her lips. “Just kiss me already,” she added and the next thing he knew, she was really tugging on his hair, drawing his face closer to hers. He closed his eyes. And then warmth. That’s what his brain registered. Her lips were warm on his. Although they were both wet and water was dripping from their hair, down their faces, cooling their skin. Her lips were warm in spite of the wet drops that mingled with their breath. And he wanted to feel more of that. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, while his arms wound around her, bringing her close. Warm and sweet and wonderful. He couldn’t get enough of her.
And so they kissed, out there in the cold and rainy night. But they didn’t notice the rain anymore or their wet state. Or the cold. The rain kept falling steadily around them, forming a curtain so thick no one could see them there, under that awning. The steady drum of rain drops on the awning was the only sound but they didn't even hear it, they were so lost in each other.
They’d need to talk. He wouldn’t let her get away without an explanation. But if it was kisses she needed now, he was more than happy to oblige her.