Archive of Our Own

The air was a tiny bit chill but it was refreshing, she decided, a smile on the girl’s face as she made her way through the city. Marinette’s parents were a bit surprised but understanding when Alya asked for simultaneous help with both homework and babysitting. “It’s so nice out,” she told Tikki, taking in the way the lights filled the city as the sun managed to hang on just enough for the horizon to retain a cerulean hue. She adjusted the pastry box in her arms; they would need snacks to get through the physics worksheet.

“It is a very lovely city,” Tikki agreed quietly, peeking out from the purse for a bit before settling back inside.

“I wonder, what were some of your favorite cities with previous Ladybugs?” she asked of the kwami. Whatever Tikki was saying, though, was lost as Marinette strained her ears. There was some pretty music box playing somewhere. All of her focus turned to it, trying so hard to catch the notes so faint in the air. The girl turned her head and froze, blue eyes going wide as she realized too late that there was a strange woman behind her, the distinctive markings of an akuma about her eyes.

“Sleep, child,” the woman told her, one hand rotating a lever to make a music box play. “Now is the time for sleep.”

“Yo, dude, thanks for the help. You’re a total life saver. This frequency stuff is hard to wrap my head around,” Nino’s voice came through the phone.

“Glad to help,” Adrien answered easily, giving his best friend time to finish writing out the current physics problem. “Let me know when you’re ready for the next one…Nino?” he asked when the silence was a bit too long.

“Sorry, Adrien. Just, Alya’s texting me,” and something about the way he said it suggested an issue.

“Does she need help with the homework, too?” Adrien sat back in his chair, idly watching as Plagg snoozed in an empty cheese container, his whiskers curling and unfurling in time with his breathing. “I don’t mind if she joins the call, or she can text me the specific problem she’s stuck on.”

“No, it’s not that. She said Marinette was supposed to be by already to work on stuff together, but she hasn’t shown up. Alya called the bakery but the Dupains said Marinette left after dinner. She’s apparently not picking up her phone, either, so Alya is starting to worry. Unsure if she’s asking me to come over or just talk her down.”

The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, a chill working its way down his spine. A quick news search didn’t suggest a new akuma attack, but the stations might not know yet, especially with the quieter akumas. “Give Marinette a bit?” he suggested though he was already getting up from his chair.

“I dunno, from the way Alya was sounding, seems like it’s been way long. I mean, that’s how I read her texts, at least.”

“If Alya insists to go out to look, go with her?” Adrien fished for some way to buy himself time. He cringed a bit at the idea of all of his friends out there with a potential akuma but at least Nino was more logical about avoiding danger than Alya was.

“Yeah…Sec,” and there was a stretch as Nino was likely texting his girlfriend. “Sorry, yeah, gonna head over to Alya’s. If I know her – and I know her – she’s gonna go look for Marinette herself.”

“Keep me posted,” and Adrien poked the kwami awake. “Be safe, Nino.” The connection closed as Plagg blearily opened green eyes. “Plagg, we might have an akuma. Claws out!”

It wasn’t terribly late or dark out and there hadn’t been any signs of trouble so far, but his adrenaline was still up as Chat Noir scanned the streets of Paris. He should theoretically be faster getting to Marinette’s place than Alya and Nino; from there he could try to figure what path his friend would have taken.

Green slatted eyes caught on a slumped figure on a sidewalk, the hero wasting no time in jumping to street level. “Sir?” he reached out to touch a shoulder to shake the man but he didn’t wake. He was well dressed, no smell of alcohol or any indication that he had accidentally passed out. “Heave ho,” and Chat moved the gentleman to a shop’s alcove out of the wind. It was odd but didn’t raise the alarm of an akuma just yet. “Where are you, Marinette?” he asked, leaping to the rooftops again. A whole street riddled with sleeping pedestrians is what convinced him, the baton sliding open with a snap. The call failed to connect to Ladybug, Chat offering a noise of discontent. His Lady would hopefully catch on soon, but he could make sure that the city knew. The answer by the police department was immediate. “Your friendly neighborhood Chat here. There’s probably an akuma about. Looks like several people are taking cat naps outside. Think you can help them out and put something on the mews?”

“Understood, Chat Noir. We’ll get people safely inside,” Lieutenant Raincomprix responded before Chat hung up.

“With that done,” he announced to himself before he was searching again. The visage of two crouched figures caught his attention and Chat found it was Alya and Nino kneeling over Marinette, a box of pastries lying nearby and forgotten, the worrisome scene relatively close to Alya’s residence.

“Chat Noir!” the two teens practically said in unison. “I think there’s an akuma about,” Alya informed him, tears pushing at the corner of her eyes as she tried to pick up her best friend. “She won’t wake up and there was someone else-“

“Already alerted the police,” he smiled softly at her as he mirrored their postures. “I can take your friend home, but you two should get home yourselves.”

“Told you, Alya, Ladybug and Chat Noir will fix this,” Nino spoke gently as he squeezed the brunette’s shoulder.

“I know,” and she forced a toothy smile as she tried to joke away the tension. “I just…she was late. Later than her usual style.”

Carefully, clawed hands slipped around the raven haired girl, picking her up easily from Alya’s arms. “You’re a good friend. I’ll see to it she gets home to her parents safely. You two live close by, right?” which he knew Alya did, but best to play the stranger.

“Yeah. I’ll make sure we get home,” Nino answered with conviction. "And stay home," the last part directed to his girlfriend.

“She lives above the bakery, by the park,” Alya informed him needlessly, but he still smiled and thanked them before leaping away.

It wasn’t long before he was landing at the bakery’s entrance, Marinette sleeping peacefully in his arms. He managed to open the front door without dropping her, the bell chiming his arrival and summoning a black haired woman.

“Tom!” Sabine called to her husband before rushing over to them. “Oh, Tom, she’s here! Chat Noir brought her home!” The broad shoulders of Tom Dupain came through the back door, the man surprisingly agile for his size. “Thank you, Chat Noir!”

“I promised,” Chat recounted softly as he carefully passed the sleeping girl to her father. “I will always save Marinette.” He could see the emotions playing over Tom’s face, the love and relief there pulling at Adrien’s own heart. Would Gabriel ever feel the same if Ladybug brought him home like this? A mild shake of his head; now was not the time to wonder after such things. “I hate to leave so soon but Ladybug and I have an akuma to catch,” Chat bowing politely before he took his leave. As he darted away, he thought once again how lucky Marinette was to have such loving parents.

Several hours, though, yielded nothing more than true night time in Paris. A quarter moon had risen, its pale face casting a soft glow over the rooftops. Ladybug had yet to show up or even answer his call. He spied the akuma and tailed it for a while, but it seemed intent simply to put people to sleep, winding the handle on a small instrument. The melody was faint but alluring, Chat barely covering his ears in time as he watched another civilian fall asleep. A quiet but dangerous akuma, if it gave no warning. No screaming its name, no destroying the city, just a soft tune to force people to bed. At least he had a pretty solid guess for where the akuma was hidden. Now he just needed Ladybug to show up…but even after trailing the wandering Sleeper, his lady in red never came.

There was only so long he could wait, Chat forcing himself away to a safer place. Funny how his feet took him back to the bakery again though the lights were off in the storefront and the bedrooms up top. It was with the twisted comfort of knowing that Marinette would not step out onto the balcony that he sat vigilant by the potted roses, baton in hand waiting for a call. The moon traveled partway overhead as he waited, tail twitching as agitation turned to anxiety, green eyes glowing in the night. They caught the movement of the Sleeper again a block away. The balcony was a quiet place away from street level but it was too open for an akuma that could float, Chat Noir quickly opening the hatch and dropping down to avoid being caught. Unfortunately…he forgot that the door led directly to the bed, the bed which currently held a sleep-spelled classmate and friend.

An awkward laugh left him as he seized up, arms and legs carefully NOT touching her as he could just imagine the horribly rude things Plagg might say in this instance. With the innate grace the transformation granted him, Chat swung off the bed and peered out the window. No sign of the Sleeper, but it was a limited field of vision. Waiting in the safety of Marinette’s room didn’t help, clawed hands constantly toying with the baton when it repeatedly failed to reach Ladybug as he fought against the feeling of trespassing. She was his classmate and friend, he’d been here before as both Adrien and Chat Noir, but the combination of night and that she lay unaware had him feeling very much the opposite of a gentleman.

“Hopefully, our akuma friend has moved on,” he spoke quietly, taking care that his boots made little sound as he climbed the ladder to reach the door. It was natural that he would glance at Marinette again, and he was mildly amused by the giant cat pillow. Funny, she’d never mentioned being a cat person… but his thoughts trailed off as he noticed her hair had been smoothed away by one of her parents. The tufts of black locks that she normally styled to frame her face were pushed back behind her ears, her very pierced ears. Had he known they were pierced? Most girls and even some boys wore earrings, it shouldn’t be a surprise, and yet green eyes fixated on the unassuming stud on her lobe.

It was silly, he told himself as he realized he was still on the ladder. The cat neatly tucked himself at the foot of the bed. And yet it bothered him. Why? Maybe because they aren’t pink, he tried to reason. Her room was a testament to the color, Marinette showing it off with her belongings and fashion choices. Even her jacket had a touch of pink. Everything she owned had a little flair, too, but the earrings, now that he looked at them, were a plain black. No, that wasn’t true, and he carefully inched closer, painfully aware of how criminal it felt on the bed. He could see, though, that the earrings had a very faint sheen of red.

It’s a trick of the light, he tried to reason, telling himself he’s seeing what he wants to see. Chat made it a point to redirect his attention to the door, to get away from this situation. My Lady? the question formed somewhere in his mouth, but Adrien quashed it before his Chat side could seriously put forth the possibility, as if speaking aloud would betray Ladybug’s trust. The seed of curiosity was already planted and he knew it would ruin him if it grew.

The rooftops were almost flying the other way with how Chat Noir was racing to another part of Paris. Several times he wondered about trying to call Ladybug again but he was anxious it would continue to fail, that his mind would keep circling back to questions in a pink bedroom when he was trying so hard not to go down that path. His boots thudded heavily down on the pavement with his latest landing and Chat wondered why his instincts took him here instead of home.

“Claws in,” and the familiar wash of magic trickled its way over him as Plagg disconnected from the ring. “Sorry I don’t have any cheese right now,” Adrien apologized with a little smile.

Two green eyes peered at him as if the little god of destruction knew the boy’s inner turmoil before he carefully put on his airs, nose up and tiny arms crossing indignantly. “Well, you’ll just have to give me extra when we get home. We can talk cheese later, after we talk with Master Fu.”

“You got it,” the boy smiled at his friend before he slipped out of the alley and into the apartment complex’s main entry. The lights inside were warm even though the halls were vacant. He hadn’t been here before, but the kwami gave him little directions as they went until Adrien found himself standing in front of a oriental styled door.

Carefully, he knocked twice before the door opened to reveal the old master. “Come in, come in,” Fu both stepping back and motioning for the boy to enter.

“I’m sorry for coming so late, Master Fu,” the apology slipping readily to the front of the conversation. “I didn’t know how to contact you…”

The door was shut softly before they made their way further inside. “You are right on time, Chat Noir,” and the old man smiled at him.

Adrien scanned the room, taking in the distinct Chinese décor; even the gramophone on the far side seemed to have oriental decorations on it. He recognized little things about the apartment like the tea kettle, though the version he had seen was a red and spotted Lucky Charm. He couldn’t help but feel out of place, one hand holding his other elbow. “You were expecting me?”

Once again the master smiled at him. “Wayzz, my kwami, can sense the others.” To complete the introduction, a little green kwami appeared with a polite, “Hello.”

“Please, take a seat,” Fu continued.

“With all due respect, sir, I don’t think I should stay long.”

“The question on your mind, Chat Noir, does not have a quick answer.” It was said gently, warm brown eyes watching as Adrien quietly accepted this and took to one of the mats. “I just made some tea. I find that it helps me to relax, even at the most difficult of times.” The tea kettle was carefully lifted and two cups filled and, as if to show his foresight even further, there was a little plate set out with cheese.

“At least someone remembers me!” Plagg shooting out and displaying his gluttony even as the turtle kwami sat politely next to him with a tiny cup of tea for himself.

“You’d think I neglect him,” Adrien offered low under his breath before politely accepting a cup. “Thank you, Master Fu.”

“You are most welcome. Wayzz, Plagg, when you two are done, if you would go visit with Tikki.”

“Tikki?” Adrien questioned.

“Ladybug’s kwami.”

“About Ladybug...I can’t reach her.” He stared at the steam coming off of the tea if only for something to look at, afraid of what he might see by looking at any of the other three.

There was a noise of affirmation. “You did well to listen to your kwami. Plagg guided you here,” the answer given to the questioning look when green eyes left the teacup. “While there are many reasons a Miraculous user may not be able to transform, it is unusual for Ladybug not to have appeared by now. Even without Wayzz, I would know something is not right, and I am afraid that Hawk Moth may know the same.”

“Is she hurt?” the question popped out of his mouth without a second thought. Adrien realized it may have been rude or too forward, pushing himself back a bit.

“I do not think she is hurt, no, but she is compromised,” Master Fu answered simply. “Wayzz, Plagg, do be careful. We do not want to give Hawk Moth anything more than he already knows.” The two kwami nodded, finishing their treats before phasing out the window. Plagg lingered slightly, giving his Chosen a soft glance before he was out of sight.

“Tea is best while it is hot,” and the old man waited until Adrien actually tried it. “Now, then, we have some time to answer your questions while we wait for the kwami to return.”

“Master, sir…what am I supposed to do without Ladybug?” concern laced through the words. “How are we to defeat the akuma when I can’t purify it?”

“That answer will depend on Tikki, though I have my guess what she will choose.”

“Was it the akuma? Is that why she isn’t answering?” He toyed with the cup in his hands before a look from the old man reminded him to drink.

“Most likely. Just because you wear a Miraculous does not mean you are immune to the effects of others.” A shudder passed through Adrien, the knowledge of that twisting in his gut. While he had no memory of being turned by Dark Cupid, he had read the news on it when looking for images of Ladybug kissing him. It sickened him to know he had tried to use Cataclysm on her.

“But! She’s Ladybug,” his mind grasped for some kind of traction. “She wouldn’t lose so easily. Maybe if I had been faster-” Guilt began to build up; the tea no longer appealed to him that he set it aside.

Fu interrupted his line of thought. “There is no reason to blame yourself, Adrien. I do not believe she tried to fight without you. She is strong, and smart, and many other things that make her a fine Ladybug, but she is still human, as are you. Wearing a Miraculous may grant you abilities, but it does not exempt you from the laws of the universe.”

“I know that. It’s just, she’s Ladybug. She’s lucky.”

At that, Fu gave him a contemplative expression before he answered, his tea finally set aside. “Ladybug and Chat Noir are entities that exist in tandem. What you should understand is that the universe seeks balance. I am sure you are familiar with the concept of yin and yang,” the old man offering both of his hands separately before pressing them gently together. “Ladybug has good luck. She is often in the right time and place to handle an akuma, and if she is not, then you as her Chat Noir have been there. But, there is still chance. Luck and chance may sound similar, but they are not. You may flip a coin one hundred times. For Ladybug, it may land face up ninety-nine times in a row, but that does not mean it will do so on the hundredth. Even if it is face down, we would still say, she is incredibly lucky.” Brown eyes focused on Adrien again. “This is perhaps more of an answer than you were expecting. What you should know, Chat Noir, is that while the girl who is Ladybug may have been unlucky by chance, you are still able to be there for her. That she can rely on you balances with her bad luck.”

 “How can I be there for her when I don’t know who she is?” How any of this was supposed to help him, Adrien wasn’t sure. He was the black cat, the more unlucky half of the two. If anything, it was just making him more frustrated that Hawk Moth may finally have turned the tide in his favor.

“Do you recall, Adrien, when you were compromised by Style Queen?”

“Yeah. Plagg made sure to tell me. He said he used Cataclysm to help Ladybug. Is…can Tikki help me?”

“That is one possibility,” Fu answered him, checking what was left of his cup and pouring himself some fresh tea. “There are other options she may choose, so I will wait to hear what the kwami decide.”

Seeing that, Adrien’s fingers found his cup again. The tea was lukewarm at best but it was still good, he found. “Guess we’ll wait, then.”

Carefully, two figures moved through Paris, mindful to keep under cover of awnings or parked vehicles as they went. The bakery wasn’t terribly far for a kwami, the pair arriving in short order to phase through the portly window.

“It is as we feared,” Wayzz lamented as he noticed Marinette, oblivious to the world as she slept peacefully.

“Tikki!” Plagg whisper-shouted for his other half.

The red figure peered out from the pillows, her antennae quirking up briefly. “She was caught by the akuma,” the bug moving to join them at the foot of the bed. “It was all very fast, we didn’t have a chance to react,” her antennae drooping as large blue eyes brimmed with tears.

“We figured as much.” Plagg moved to be beside her. “Ad-“ bubbles popped out of his mouth before the cat shook his head. “My Chosen worried that happened when Ladybug failed to show up.”

“Does he know she’s Ladybug?” concern laced through the words. Tikki’s iridescent eyes shone with her worry that Marinette’s identity was revealed without her consent.

“I don’t think so,” and he folded his arms as he hovered there. “I may have guided Chat Noir’s subconscious here because I kept thinking about her. He could have picked up something from me but he’s trying very hard not to think about it since Ladybug doesn’t want to share identities.”

“Tikki,” Wayzz politely cut in, “the boy is with Master Fu for now. There is an important choice to be made, but Master and I agreed to leave the decision up to you.”

Her whole posture dropped, Tikki looking forlornly at the spelled girl. “I don’t really like any of the choices. Let’s head back to Master Fu… best if we are all together.” The others nodded in agreement, watching as Tikki went to cuddle Marinette’s cheek as a good bye.

As much as he liked tea, Adrien was pretty sure he’d had enough. He didn’t care for the plate of cookies, leaves, or cheese that was set out, either – a curious mix until he realized it wasn’t for him. There was only so much his anxious state could manage as they waited for the kwami to return. The phone screen lit up as he unlocked it again. “At least my father hasn’t noticed I’ve been gone a long time,” he said by way of explanation to Master Fu as to why he kept touching phone. “Probably too busy to notice me, as usual,” and it was hard to keep the disappointment out of his voice.

“Does this happen often?”

“If by often you mean all the time, then yes,” the bitterness slipping out before Adrien sighed. “I’m used to it. Nathalie hasn’t tried to reach me, though, which is more unusual. She’s the one responsible for making my schedule and ensures that I’m where I need to be at every point of my day.” He knew it was just her job, and Gabriel Agreste had high expectations and a temper to avoid, but it stung a bit that Nathalie wasn’t concerned about his whereabouts on her own.

“Master!” and both of their heads turned to the window as three kwami phased through it.

“Welcome back Wayzz, Plagg, Tikki,” Master Fu smiling at them that his eyes crinkled with genuine warmth.

The little red kwami moved to hug the old master briefly before she turned to address Adrien. There was sadness in large blue eyes but her smile was honest. “I’m Tikki, Ladybug’s kwami,” and she floated over to him.

“Ah, Adrien, though you know me better as Chat Noir.” His hand came up to scratch the back of his head before he remembered his manners and offered a finger for her to shake.

The smile grew more endearing as Tikki zipped forward to lightly touch his finger. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Likewise! Though…is Ladybug okay?”

“She’s safe, I promise.” Tikki gave him a tiny squeeze on his finger before she moved to sit on the table facing everyone; Wayzz moved to be near his master and Plagg sat on Adrien’s shoulder.

“Given the circumstances, it is clear we need a different plan to defeat this akuma. As Ladybug’s kwami, I thought it best to let you decide what we should do,” Master Fu cut to the chase.

“I thought it best to speak with Adrien,” Tikki began, looking first at Master Fu and then addressing the boy directly. “You have always been with Ladybug, so not having her can change your role in the fight.”

“My role?”

“Mhm. Usually, you support Ladybug and help her capture the akuma, even sacrificing yourself in some way to give her more time. You will have to be more careful now, no matter what we decide.” There was a little intake of breath before she began again. “One option is to pick a temporary Ladybug, just like when Ladybug would pick an ally for another Miraculous.”

Green eyes blinked rapidly, the boy clearly taken aback. “Woah, hold on a second. I can’t just… pick another Ladybug. She’s Ladybug!”

“Yes, but she’s not able right now. I’m not saying you have to, but it is one option if there is anyone you could trust to borrow the earrings.” Tikki knew Alya would be a likely choice but Adrien could have others in mind like Kagami.

“Master Fu could, potentially, use her miraculous, if he renounces me,” Wayzz offered around a leaf he procured. “Not ideal as he is older – no offense, Master – but someone you could trust.”

“None taken. That is a risk if I were to help you. That was why Ladybug had asked to borrow the turtle miraculous on occasion, instead of asking me to go.”

“I see,” Adrien thumbed his chin. Master Fu wore the jade bracelet but someone else had been Carapace, so lending was not unheard of. “Picking someone else would mean I’d have an ally, but I don’t know. I’d have to explain all of this, and I would be trusting them with the Ladybug miraculous and the knowledge that Ladybug is missing in action.” He glanced at the kwami and guardian. “If I had to pick, I’d want whoever Rena Rouge is, but Ladybug kept her identity a secret, too.”

“She would be a good choice,” the red bug nodded.

The old man hummed and nodded. “That she would. I am also unaware of her identity, but Tikki should know.”

“I do, and I will reveal it if that ends up being your choice,” Tikki nodded resolutely. “The second option is to renounce Plagg and become Ladybug yourself. We would have to retrieve the earrings for either of those choices.” She paused in case he wanted to say something, but saw the way Adrien frowned instead. “I take it you would not want to be Ladybug?” She wouldn’t pressure the boy into it; it would be a big switch in tactics for him, from sacrifice and destruction to preservation and purification. “The third is that you go as Chat Noir, and that I help you as myself.”

“I…” he clenched his right hand as if to keep the ring where it was. “Don’t want to be Ladybug. I’m happy as Chat Noir. Besides, having a boy show up as Ladybug would tell Hawk Moth that he got to the real one.”

“I am afraid Hawk Moth will have that figured out on his own,” Wayzz offered gently. “We can only confirm it.”

“No two Ladybugs are the same,” Tikki informed him, and despite her being a small red creature, he could sense immeasurable wisdom there. It was so strange to know she was Plagg’s counter. “Even if you pick Rena, she will appear different. Every Chosen manifests their armor in a different way, though she may have our Ladybug’s image ingrained enough she would take a similar look.”

“Huh. I didn’t know that.” Guess the bell really was his own doing, then. “And the third option? How would that work?” Adrien asked, back on topic.

Tikki used her arms to indicate the steps in turn. “You would fight the akuma by yourself, and I provide you with a Lucky Charm. Then you have to break the object and I capture the akuma so I can purify it. You mustn’t touch it.”

“And you can also do the Miraculous Cure, so everyone wakes up?”

”I can, but I need the energy from the akuma to do that. There are some things even a kwami cannot do by themselves. If I could, I would have used Miraculous Cure already and woken Ladybug up.”

“Ah, I suppose so,” Adrien realizing that that would have simplified everything. Unthinking, he plucked up a piece of cheese and passed it to Plagg. “So, my options are to make Rena Rouge a temporary Ladybug, split from Plagg and become Ladybug, or risk you fighting as a kwami? Wait, how would I become Ladybug? My ears aren’t pierced.”

“Yeah, and your fingers aren’t the same size as every other Chat Noir’s, either,” Plagg snarked once he finished inhaling the wedge.

“What Plagg means to say,” Wayzz offered, “is that the miraculous adjusts to the Chosen. The Ladybug miraculous are earrings but they have changed forms many times throughout history, same as the Black Cat ring.”

“I guess I never thought about that.” Green eyes took in the silver ring in detail now; it really didn’t look out of place for the modern era, but what would it have looked like a hundred years ago?

“I know this is a lot to ask, Adrien. That’s why I wanted to make the decision, together,” Tikki gently guided his thoughts back.

“I think… I can do it as Chat Noir. With your help,” and he smiled at Tikki. “If the akuma proves to be too difficult, we can withdraw and see about Rena Rouge, but I prefer to stay with Plagg.” The little cat tried hard to keep the emotion from showing on his face; everyone gathered pretended polite ignorance as Plagg moved closer to his Chosen.

“I suppose you three best be going, then,” Master Fu smiled at them even as he stood up.

“Right. Plagg!” Adrien grinned and got the same conviction back from his kwami. “Claws out!” A flash of green light filled the room as the two merged, Chat Noir standing up from the table as he pocketed a cookie. “Thank you, Master.” For all his anxieties this evening, he left feeling in high spirits as the god of luck followed him into the night air.

“Where is she?” he couldn’t help but ask as he came to a rest above an office building.

“The city probably alerted people over the news, and it is night time so most people will be at home.”

He glanced at some nearby café and shops; places that were normally open later were with their doors locked and lights off. The streets were fairly empty, too, though he’d found an officer and civilian asleep. “You don’t think the akuma would go into peoples’ homes, do you?”

Tikki shook her head. “It’s hard to say when it comes to akumas.”

“The city is too quiet. Guess I’ll do what cats do.” He vaulted to the next building with a whoop, missing the kwami’s sidelong look. Every jump and hop was accompanied by sounds of excitement, Chat intent to both enjoy himself and draw the akuma’s attention. It was when he paused to check in with Tikki that he heard the faint clicking of a device. Reflexively, Chat jumped and whipped the staff in a wide arc, forcing the akuma to move.

“You will wake the children,” it said, the visage of a young woman marred by the butterfly’s mark. Her hair fell in soft curls much like clouds and her outfit seemed a simple, full length dress but for glittering stars, crescent moon, and music notes. She floated gently back to standing on the roof, one hand smoothing her skirt while the other held an ornate music box with a ratchet lever on the side. “It is past your curfew, young man.”

“I consider myself more a cat,” he quipped, tilting his head that the ears would sway lightly.

“Then enjoy a little cat nap,” and the Sleeper’s free hand moved to the music box she carried. “Once you are dreaming, I will take your Miraculous.”

“Don’t you know?” The staff extended to strike again, forcing her to use her right hand to move her skirt as she jumped. “Cats are nocturnal.”

She was silent for a moment before she seemed to focus on him. “You are but a boy beneath the mask. Come, child, it is time for sleep,” and again her hand moved to the box. His cat ears flattened and his hands came up to cover his actual ears when the tune began to play. Concern threw his eyes wide, looking for Tikki; could the music box affect a kwami? A little blur of red told him that she was both safe from the akuma’s notice as well as the music.

“Lullaby, child, lullaby~,” the woman began to sing with a hypnotic voice, “the child will soon be asleep.” Chat tightened his hands over his ears and focused on the noise of his own heart. “A white hen is there in the barn~.” An enormous white chicken shimmered into existence before going after the hero. The Sleeper continued to sing with her right hand gently resting on her throat.

He dodged the beak and claws, forced to uncover his ears. “What if I don’t like this song?” he tried to joke as the next line brought about a giant egg crashing in the space he’d just been.

“As you wish. Lend me your pen so I can write a note~,” she sang anew in that haunting voice, the dominant hand sending an arsenal of pens and papers whipping through the air.

He ran along the pathway, noting with trepidation that the pens firmly lodged into stone and the papers were good and slicing clean edges on the plants. “Sorry I asked!” It was in a moment of desperation that he double-backed, a volley of pens striking the hen and causing it to burst in a shimmering cloud.

Think like Ladybug, think like Ladybug, he told himself as he jumped beneath an awning. He saw the akuma float gently down, her hand holding the skirt to one side until her boots touched pavement. Once again the hand went to her throat and she began a third song, “Riding my horsey, when he trots, he is perfect~,” and a raging horse came to life.

“Oh no,” and Chat bolted for cover. In the few moments he garnered, he wracked his brain and began talking aloud as if his Lady were there for input. “Both hands must be there to play the music box, but she uses one hand to sing.” He began to doubt the akuma in the music box; what if he had missed a ring or necklace? He chanced a glance but saw no obvious jewelry.

“Gallop, gallop, gallop~,” and the summoned steed began to destroy the area in its pursuit of him. Chat dove out from his cover as it was trampled, the horse spewing hot air from flared nostrils. With a smirk, he jumped over the beast, smashing it with the staff even as it reared to kick him with its front hooves.

Your role, Tikki’s words came back to him. He was too used to mitigation, to buying Ladybug time by drawing attention – he would have to take the offensive soon and carefully since he was solo. “Sorry but I don’t have time to be horsing around,” he bit out, artfully getting onto the horse’s back and using its bucking to propel him towards the Sleeper. “Cataclysm!” his fist charging with malevolent force as he aimed for the box. Green eyes watched as her hand moved from throat to box and his body ran cold as he realized his vulnerability. If he could just touch it…! The akuma dodged, a gentle laugh parting from blackened lips as she began to play the music box. It was with practiced care that Chat landed without wasting his Cataclysm, and he ran to distance himself from the sound. The thundering of hooves followed him before the Sleeper picked a new song, and he shuddered as he saw several figures shimmer into existence.

“On horsey, policemen, on foot, men-at-arms~,” and now there were multiple red-eyed steeds set with violent looking riders, flanked by equally aggravated foot soldiers.

“Uh, Tikki?” his voice cracking as he took in the opposition. The leather of his tail snapped on itself with how quickly he turned and ran for a hiding spot. “How’s that Lucky Charm looking?”

A flash of red zipped close to him. “You just have to ask,” she smiled at him before he saw her perform a little spin upwards, her tail fanning as her small voice filled the air that a strange pressure pushed on his eardrums. “Lucky charm~!” The kwami’s body shone brightly as little red, white, and black motes of light spiraling before coalescing into a pair of red and black headphones. It fell into his free palm and he just… stared at it.

“Not that I’m complaining, but this feels really straight forward compared to what Ladybug gets.”

Tikki just giggled. “You’re welcome.”

He could ask her about the object later; right now, he had an akuma to defeat and a Lady to save. The headphones fit neatly onto his head even with the cat ears. With a blink, he realized even ambient noise was gone – his world was totally silent. The cat grinned.

Chat Noir bolted from his hiding spot, the akuma and her summons spying him at the same time he leapt down to street level. Her hand was at her throat but he heard nothing, noting only the additional shapes of more mounted police and soldiers as they came at him. He only heard himself in a muffled fashion as he shouted, running at them. Bullets whizzed by and weapons were brandished but countless fights made dodging them akin to a dance, the hero deftly finding his way to the center of the horde. A horse’s kick went over his head as Chat Noir smirked, his right palm touching down to the pavement. The road cracked and buckled and the Sleeper’s army stumbled with a few closest to him bursting in glittering clouds. Attempts were made to attack or stop him even then but Chat was on a mission.

So many times Ladybug had saved him. Now it was his turn. He could practically see the purple of her eyes as the akuma’s hand moved from throat to box. She winced sharply as clawed gloves touched it, ripping the instrument from her grasp even as he was sure the tune played. Her face twisted in anguish, dark lips forming a muted cry as he forcefully whipped the box at the ground. Relief was immediate when a little black butterfly pulled itself free of the metal cylinder inside. His gloves shoved the headphones down as he made to chase it.

“Don’t touch it!” Tikki warned him as she flew past. He watched as the kwami gently embraced the butterfly, green eyes widening as he saw her shine. Even the black spots on her body seemed to glow intensely as the color of the akuma was drained away until it was a pure white. Tikki’s normal coloring returned and she smiled at him before releasing the butterfly.

“Bye, bye, little butterfly,” Chat said softly in Ladybug’s stead as he watched it flit away.

A young woman groaned, Tikki flitting behind Chat’s back as he moved to console the victim. “Huh? Oh, oh no,” and she began to cry. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay, it’s over. We know you had no control.”

“I just wanted my boys to go to bed,” she tried to explain before Chat gently touched her shoulder.

“Being a mother is difficult, but they are lucky to have you,” the smile he offered bright until she looked away.

“I should get back to them. Thank you, Chat Noir. Thank Ladybug for me,” the mother seemingly unaware there had been no Ladybug at all. She seemed a bit lost exactly where in Paris she was, but hurried once she found something familiar.

“Would you like to do the honors?” Tikki reappeared, nodding to the Lucky Charm.

Her little voice pulled his gaze back to her. The headphones came off from about his neck as he smiled at them. “Just this once,” and slitted green met wizened blue as they called together, “Miraculous Ladybug!” Chat tossed the item as high as he could, watching as Tikki flew towards it in a blinding light. Squinting, he could almost make out strange shapes, though perhaps he imagined the lace-like wings extending beneath glossy coverlets. The magical loveliness of ladybugs radiated out from the kwami with only Chat to appreciate the sight. When he blinked the light spots from his eyes, the little red creature was smiling at him, looking like how she normally did if visibly more tired. “Pound it,” he grinned at her, one tiny red fist coming to boop gently against his gloved one.

He was surprised when she flew to hug his cheek. “I’m so happy you’re our Chat Noir,” the adoration eliciting a blush to cross the boy’s face. “I should get back to Ladybug. She’ll worry when I’m not there.”

“Of course,” the hero smiling brightly before he heard his ring beeping; the final warning based on the singular paw pad. “And Tikki? I’m glad to finally meet you. Ladybug is lucky to have you. Oh,” and he remembered to withdraw a crumbling cookie from his pocket. “Figured you might need a snack.” He stood there sheepishly until she took it, after which he picked up the forgotten music box.

She giggled as she held the sweet, the sound like the tinkling of a wind chime. “She is lucky to have you, too. Be sure to feed Plagg soon as you can; I’m sure Ladybug will want to see you.”

As if the cat kwami would ever let him forget about cheese, but the resulting grin was ear to ear as they parted ways.

Whatever tune she was enjoying ended, her awareness of the notes gradually being replaced with the warmth of her covers and the softness of her pillow. Blue eyes flashed open and Marinette sat up in a panic. “Tikki? Tikki!?” she shouted, glancing all over for her kwami as she made to get out from the bed.

“Marinette, are you awake?” her mom’s voice floated from downstairs followed quickly by the sounds of the steps and the opening of the door. Her dad was close behind and sighed with a heartfelt, “Thank you, Ladybug and Chat Noir. We can always count on them.”

“Who’s Tikki?” Sabine asked simply, curiosity in grey eyes as she climbed the bedside ladder to confirm her daughter was safe.

“Oh, uh, in my dream! A friend, Yes, a friend in my dream!” Marinette laughed awkwardly as she tried to suppress her panic. Shaking fingers brushed by her lobes to confirm that the earrings were still there. She acted like she was just fixing her hair to hide her nerves; it had been a melody filling her dreams, a haunting tune so soft and gentle even now in her memory of it.

“Can we get you anything? Do you want to come down for a bite to eat?” Tom asked her. His frame was so tall they were practically at eye level.

“What time is it? How did I get home?” The last thing Marinette remembered was walking to Alya’s and an akuma getting behind her.

“You left for Alya’s,” Sabine answered. “Chat Noir brought you home after an akuma spelled you asleep.”

“He’s a good guy, Chat Noir,” Tom nodded. “Shame you two didn’t work out.”

There was no stifling the groan as that memory came back. “It was only the most awkward date ever, Papa.”

“Still, he kept his promise! He brought you back safe and sound,” and both of her parents nodded in appreciation for Paris’ favorite cat.

“Are you sure you don’t need anything, sweetie?” Sabine set a gentle hand onto Marinette’s leg.

“I’m okay, Mama. I think a bath will help, and I still have to do my homework.” As if she’d be able to focus on physics… Maybe Madam Mendeleyev would understand getting dragged into an akuma incident.

“Go ahead and relax. And don’t forget to call Alya and let her know you’re okay.”

Sweet kisses were exchanged before the adults saw themselves out. It was only when the door was shut flush to the floor that Marinette was clutching her ear lobes again. The studs were there so where was Tikki!? She flew down the ladder to her mirror to see that they looked the same, a deep black with silver rim. I probably can’t go see Master Fu this late without my parents asking questions because I’d have to use the front door since I don’t have Tikki so I can’t transform into Ladybug which is the whole problem because how did I wake up if I’m Ladybug but I was asleep but Ladybug is the only one who can purify the akuma unless Chat destroyed it but that wouldn’t reverse everything-

Her rambling thoughts came to a discombobulated stop as a glimpse of red pulled her attention to the window and Marinette could have cried with relief as Tikki zipped towards her. “Marinette!”

“Oh, Tikki!” and her hands were quick to catch the kwami and cuddle her fiercely. “I was so worried, where were you?”

“I’m sorry to have worried you Marinette,” and the kwami nuzzled her cheek with just as much affection.

“I was so scared I’d lost you.” The sudden relief mixed with the anxiety at losing one of her dearest friends. Tears sprang hot and unceasing from normally bright eyes, Marinette fighting against them with the heel of her hands but doing little more than smearing them over her face.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to leave,” Tikki moved to wipe at the tears herself. “I knew I had to, though, to protect you.”

“What happened?” the girl asked again, but to someone who could actually give the answer she wanted.

“The latest akuma was really quiet, so we didn’t hear her until it was too late. I managed to cover my ears but you fell under her spell.” Tikki’s antennae drooped as guilt passed over her cute face. “Alya and Nino found you just before Chat Noir did. He brought you home before rushing off to find the akuma. He went to Master Fu for help, Wayzz and Plagg came here to find me, and in the end I helped Chat Noir defeat the akuma so we could save you.”

Black eyebrows pinched inwards as Marinette processed that answer. “Does Chat Noir know who I am?”

“I don’t think so,” the kwami replied carefully. It was mostly true; Plagg hadn’t intentionally turned Chat’s attention to Marinette and from what he’d said, Adrien himself was trying not to wonder after their visit here. “He knows you were attacked in your civilian form but he never pressed to know. Chat Noir respects keeping your identities secret. We defeated the akuma together and I raced back here because I knew you would worry.” She hugged her Chosen once again.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Tikki,” Marinette pet the kwami’s head affectionately. Blue eyes blinked away what tears remained as her emotions settled down.

“Hopefully, we’ll never have to answer that.” The two exchanged heartfelt smiles before Tikki made to fix a lock of raven hair. “You should go visit with Chat. He’s very worried about you.”

“But you defeated the akuma,” the act just now fully dawning on Marinette. That was how Chat did it alone – he’d had Tikki, just like she’d had Plagg against Style Queen. “He should know I’m okay now.”

“Even when you know something, it still not as strong as seeing or hearing it for yourself. Your parents know you love them, but their faces light up whenever you remind them.”

“You’re right, Tikki,” the girl giving her friend a soft smile. “Will you be okay? You just got back.”

“I’m okay. Chat thought to save me a cookie before we left Master Fu’s.”

And Marinette felt her heart warm, that Chat had still thought to care for her kwami even when faced with the task of going it alone.

The moon hung low in the sky and the stars winked back as Chat stared at them, one leg dangling off the roof top. The quiet of the city was much more natural now, calming him in a way home could not. He’d gotten to his room in time to say good night to Nathalie, which was fine by him if a sad acceptance of how things were that he’d been gone for hours without notice. That wasn’t Adrien’s way, though, the boy choosing to focus on other things instead. Now he knew where to find Master Fu should he need to again, and he had finally met Ladybug’s kwami. It would be nice to meet her again, with an unmasked Lady present, too. One cat ear turned to a zip sound before he gave up a pleasant fantasy for a much better reality.

“Hey, Chat,” Ladybug greeted him with a shy smile as she put the yoyo away.

“Ladybug!” the boy shot to his feet. Unthinking, he closed the distance between them to hug her. “You’re safe, M’Lady!” and if there was a purr coming from him, Chat did nothing to stop it. “Oh, uh,” and he meant to withdraw his touch for fear he’d overstepped his bounds.

“Thank you, Kitty,” and instead of pushing him away like usual, the girl hugged him back. “I’m sorry you had to fight alone.”

“I’m just glad you’re safe. And besides, I wasn’t alone.” He didn’t want it to end but he was still a gentleman at heart, Chat giving her a gentle squeeze before breaking from their hug that she could have some space. “I really like your kwami.”

The smile that lit up her face put the night sky to shame. “Tikki is pretty amazing.” No words were needed as Ladybug sat down on the ledge of the building, feet kicking lightly as Chat resumed his spot beside her. “Thank you for taking care of her, too.”

“My pleasure,” the words coupled with the flare of a seated bow. “I know you’d do the same for Plagg. You did, when we fought Dark Owl.” Plagg had told him of the shared macaroon.

“It was Tikki’s to share. And besides, that was an emergency,” Ladybug said. She hadn’t planned to feed two kwami.

“This was an emergency, too. I didn’t know what to do without you,” his words becoming much softer. Cat ears fell a bit and the belt tail gave a little twitch as concern resurfaced.

Blue eyes fixed on Chat. “You did just fine without me.” Green eyes flicked up to meet hers. “You’re every bit as much a hero as I am. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.” That got him to grin. “I am curious how the fight went. What kind of akuma was it? What was your Lucky Charm?”

“Tikki didn’t tell you?”

“I wanted to ask her, but I also wanted to see you.”

The teens exchanged smiles before he went on to answer. “The akuma was a young mother. I guess she was frustrated her kids wouldn’t go to bed. She only asked for my Miraculous once, never wondered where you were, just seemed to really want me to sleep. She sang children songs to summon things like horses and a chicken.”

“A chicken?”

“A giant chicken,” he amended with a clawed finger raised.

“And you weren’t allergic?”

That made him pause with surprise. “I guess because it wasn’t a real chicken. You remembered I’m allergic?” That fight had been so long ago!

“Of course. You spent an entire fight sneezing,” Ladybug giggled.

“I guess that’s true.” He couldn’t help but love her laugh.

“What was the object?”

“A music box. She left before it was fixed so I dropped the box off with the police and let them know the akuma had been cleansed.”

Ladybug grinned at him again, clearly proud of how thorough he’d been. “And the Lucky Charm?”

“Headphones.”

“…Headphones?” The grin fell into a more perturbed look. “That’s it?”

“I thought it was really straight forward, too, but that’s what Tikki gave me.” Leather clad shoulders rose up in a shrug.

“No… not just that. You know what happened when Plagg used Cataclysm without you, right? When you lost your Miraculous?” Except he didn’t know, and he wasn’t going to correct her that he’d been turned into a statue instead.

“Remind me,” Chat baited, a smirk slanting across his lips.

“He destroyed most of Paris.” He was grateful she cast those bluebell eyes to the city skyline because Chat was pretty sure he blanched. Plagg may have left out that detail… “I was expecting something…more, if Tikki made a Lucky Charm without me.”

“They were noise cancelling, if that makes you feel better. Really good ones, I could barely hear myself.”

Her lips pulled into a smirk. “I’m sure you still found a way to make a pun.”

“Just one.”

“Oh, the self restraint!” she teased with one hand coming up to touch her collar in a theatrical display.

“Didn’t have a good audience.”

“I suppose it wouldn’t be an akuma fight without at least one Chat Noir pun.” The humor was clear as day, her eyes bright with mirth as they sat there, and not for the first time he felt himself getting lost in her presence.

“I’ll be sure to make up for it next time,” he half promised, half joked, his grin growing when Ladybug groaned playfully in return. He liked seeing this side of her – how rare it was to actually relax and talk, to see how she was when the ravenette didn’t have to stand up for Paris. Chat forced his eyes away to look at the city. “It was pretty cool to do the Miraculous Cure with Tikki. There was a lot of light so it was hard to see, but it looked like she had wings.”

“Wings?” His gaze was drawn back by the wonder in her voice and saw it reflected in her face.

“Yeah. Wings of light, so fine they were like lace,” he tried to create an image for her.

The wonder morphed into the look she got when an idea was forming. “I’ll have to ask her about that. I wonder if I can draw it.”

“You draw?”

“I do. Maybe I’ll draw you something, as a thank you,” Ladybug teased him.

“Only if you sign it.”

The smirk was mirrored between them before Ladybug got to her feet. “I’ll think about it. I do need to head home.”

Chat got neatly to his feet before offering his flashy bow. “Thank you for the lovely evening, M’Lady.”

Surprise rendered him still and speechless as he opened his eyes to see Ladybug was close to him, the reality slow to register even as she planted a chaste kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, Chaton.” He was still standing dumbly as the yoyo was cast out and she zipped away home.

Another successful fight, one more white butterfly, their classic fist bump for the cameras, everything was perfect and yet he couldn’t think about that. “Before I forget,” she’d said during the fight, “you should check out the Arc de Triomphe. There may be a present waiting for you.” He’d stumbled from her grin. Chat had wanted to go together, for her to gift it in person, but the beep of their Miraculous forced them to part ways shortly after the victory. Metal struck stone as he vaulted about the city, wind whipping blonde locks about. Finally, steel-toed boots touched down atop the monument and night-eyes spied a little package, and it was all he could do not to open it then and there.

Excitement ran through his entire system as Chat Noir ran home, jumping easily into his bedroom and releasing Plagg.

“Ugh, this work load is killing me,” the kwami wailed dramatically. “I can’t go on like this.”

“Stop complaining,” the response offhand as Adrien carefully opened the gift. “From Ladybug,” the boy felt his heart swell as he pulled out a whole wheel of camembert. “She must have wanted to thank you, too.”

“She does care!” Plagg exclaimed, whisking the cheese away and hugging it with purring trills.

Adrien could only partially focus on Plagg’s happiness as his fingers withdrew a piece of paper, the piece neatly wrapped in plastic and with a stiff backing that it shouldn’t be damaged. Smiling up at him was a pencil sketch of himself from the chest up as Chat Noir with Tikki on one shoulder. True to her word, there in the corner was the trademark ladybug signature, and Adrien fell in love all over again.