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Ladybug rested her head on Chat Noir’s shoulder and blew out a breath of air. She watched as the soft wisps, turned so by the cool late-time weather, spread out against the night sky before dissipating completely. Keeping her eyes focused on the bright, twinkly stars, she burrowed herself further into his side. It was a nice reminder that he was still there. (Still her partner, still dressed in black, still had friendly green eyes.)
She braved a quick glance at the moon and felt her body relax as she was reassured that it was intact. Today wasn’t the day that that broken timeline would become theirs and for that she was thankful. Every moment not spent in a hellish future was one that she would cherish.
Her thumb mindlessly traced circles on the palm of his hand.
Continuing to look straight ahead, Ladybug whispered, “I’m scared.” Chat Noir stiffened and turned to face her.
“What’s wrong, bug?” he said. She averted her gaze in favor of stealing another glimpse at the moon.
“I feel like something bad’s gonna happen,” she said after a brief pause. Chat Noir stared at her.
“What makes you think that?” he responded as gently brushed her bangs away from her eyes.
“He’s been quiet, don’t you think?”
“Bug, it’s only been a day since the last akuma.”
“I know, but we both know that when it comes to him even a few hours could be the calm before the storm.”
“True,” he said, “But what about today stands out to you?”
“I just… I haven’t felt this way since Miracle Queen,” Ladybug confessed.
“Oh… well whatever it is, the next Miracle Queen or something else entirely, we’ll get through it together, right?” he asked. And oh she could feel the moon mocking her and she could hear the stars laughing but what did they know? This wasn’t love. The way that their hands were clasped together wasn’t love. Neither was the way her heart melted when he smiles and vice versa. And definitely not the way the soft look on his face made her heart flutter. Because it wasn’t love. Because if it was, everything would be in ruins, everything would be destroyed, everything would be gone except him all alone in white. Because it wasn’t love… right? Right?
“Right,” she said confidently. He beamed at her and she took that as an invitation to throw her arms around his neck and settle onto his lap.
“Is this okay?” she said quietly. He nodded and rested his chin on top of her head.
And for now we leave them, on this crisp night, having a peaceful moment in time. Because little did they know that in less than twelve hours Chat Noir would not leave Paris, Ladybug would beg for his cousin to stay, and they would face their biggest threat yet: a small akuma named Risk. But more on that later.