Chapter Text
“Apparently,” Chat Noir grumbled, his claws arching before him in exaggerated air quotes, “I’m ‘bad at dating.’”
Ladybug blinked over at her partner, who was letting his hands fall uselessly down into his lap. Of all the things she had expected to come from his mouth during this brief little reprieve while on patrol… this was particularly low on the list.
“One of my friends keeps telling me so…” He rolled his eyes, clearly disheartened. “He would know of course, he’s been dating someone for almost as long as we’ve been friends.”
She arched a brow, turning herself slightly to puzzle this mystery out. Amusement curved her lips as she nestled her head atop her knees. “You mean… despite all of those lines you’ve been practicing on me for years, you’re not as smooth as you seem?”
Chat pouted. “I mean… It isn't like I have any choice. I’ve barely even had much chance to use them. Not when I have to keep bailing on plans because Hawkmoth doesn’t exactly take a break for my social life. Or homework…”
Ladybug sighed, cuddling her knees to her chest. That was definitely a mood. She felt like she barely had enough time and energy for homework most nights, let alone all the extra factors she needed to consider as the guardian.
And dating? That just couldn’t even be fair for anyone else. Let alone someone like Luka who had been super sweet. She hated to do anything halfway… or anything less than her absolute best.
She’d only ended up exhausted… and had ended up being “unavailable” at the times they’d planned to meet up.
It really hadn’t been fair to either of them…
“I’ve tried to do as you asked—tried to move on.” He grumbled, flumping back against the roof. “Honestly, I keep making plans, but then I have to keep skipping out on them. I can’t exactly be there… not all the time.”
“Maybe you could practice… with a friend?” Ladybug shrugged. “Someone who understands how busy your life can sometimes be… and could give you an unbiased opinion? You know, while all the extra pressure is off...”
Chat Noir grinned, tilting his head as he leered over at her. “Is that you offering?”
Ladybug’s smile fell, a dash of regret slipping from behind the mask as she stood to lead them back off of break and into the night.
She reached out, ruffling his hair just behind his ears. “That wouldn’t exactly be fair to you, now would it, Kitty?”
After another two nights filled with Akuma and homework—and plans with friends that inevitably went awry—Marinette had almost entirely forgotten all about that little chat with her partner.
That is, until the third day struck…
Bringing a surprisingly clean cut kitty to come knocking at her skylight door.
Gaping up at him, she lifted open the door as he stepped back to give her space.
He smiled softly, offering his open palm to gently help her up. “Hey, Marinette.”
His presence? That wasn’t entirely surprising, because she knew he trusted her. Even Ladybug had a few people—like Alya and Nino—who she’d trusted in the past. Of course, it had helped that she knew them as Marinette, and could trust their judgement and potential for wielding powers as Superheroes.
But Chat Noir didn’t have the same opportunities to entrust powers to anyone else. She had never considered that she would be the closest civilian he could trust.
Blinking, Marinette wasn’t entirely sure just what to make of him. He was wearing the most absurd green bow tie, his bell dangling just overtop of the cloth—which rather impossibly seemed to match the exact toxic green shade of his eyes.
She bit her lip, not quite trusting herself to say something at that moment that wouldn’t give herself away, or not chuckle at the flashy green bow tie he’d so intentionally picked out. “What’s all this?”
“I… kind of need to ask for your help.”
Marinette’s grin widened. “Dare I ask with what?”
Sheepishly, his eyes darted away, his boot scuffing softly against the stone of the rooftop terrace. “I need a friend’s unbiased opinion.”
Her smile fell as realization actually struck her. She was so used to seeking out friends to help her when she was behind the mask that it hadn’t occurred to her that Chat Noir might not have the same advantage.
“Plagg kept insisting that I bring you some cheese… but I figured this would at least smell a little better as a peace offering.”
He held out a small bouquet of roses; soft pink buds were tucked away between the yellows and whites. The flowers were just beginning to blossom.
“Plagg?” Marinette smiled fondly, dipping her head to smell the roses.
Chat nodded, automatically. “Well, since you know about the Kwami and all…”
She hummed in reply, letting the flowers droop against her chest. “What kind of opinion are you looking for?”
She knew—of course she knew—but he didn’t know that...
“Maybe something about the tie?” She murmured, narrowing her eyes as she puzzled out just what he’d tried to do with his hair...
Offended, Chat’s claws dipped to the tie. “What’s wrong with my tie?”
Smiling softly, she soothed his ruffled feathers. “I’m impressed that you found a color to match your eyes. Really, I am. But it takes the focus away from your eyes.”
“Oh…”
When his cheeks darkened beneath the mask, her smile widened. “A nice black tie would do nicely. Especially since I figure you’d have to wear it outside of the suit…?”
Chat Noir’s shoulders slumped. “I actually do know how to dress up. Honestly.”
She chuckled. “I”m just not sure what else you could need my opinion on…”
“Well, Ladybug asked for a bit of space.” Those lovelorn eyes were a bit dizzying, even when not directed straight at her.
Marinette shook her head, turning away strategically to remind herself that—at least for now—that gaze wasn’t supposed to be for her. She leaned back against the rail, forcing herself to focus on his words. “And I’ve been trying to honor that request. It hasn’t exactly been easy, not with as often as I get pulled away into battle.”
His gloved fingers kept awkwardly slipping into his hair, as he fidgeted at her side.
It kept drawing her gaze as his story slowly stumbled out. There was something about it that she just couldn’t place.
“There’s this girl… a really nice one, a friend really.” His smile grew a little sad. “And she’s actually interested in me, which is a nice change of pace.”
Marinette snorted. “I’m not sure whether or not I should be offended by that.”
He beamed down at her, fondly, before he started to pace the tiny balcony. “I mean on the other side of the mask. Real affection… real friendship… that’s all pretty new to me…”
For a sudden breathless moment of clarity, she’d experienced that fleeting intuition. Where all the puzzle pieces suddenly snapped into place.
Where she knew exactly why that hair seemed oddly familiar.
Why those words felt startling familiar.
"Oh, no..." slipped past her lips on a sharp exhale.
But Chat Noir hadn’t noticed her ever-sharpening panic. He hadn’t noticed anything more than her now, very wide eyes.
“It’s why I need to ask a favor—as a friend.” He chuckled, peering back at her across the divide, before he turned his hopeful gaze up to the stars. “Apparently, I’m in desperate need of unbiased dating advice. My best friend assures me I’m a hopeless case.”