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After a quick patrol around the city, Ladybug made her way back to meet up with Chat Noir on their special spot. At this point, it's almost like a little tradition for them to spend more time with each other post patrol.
The sun had just begun to go down when she landed on the roof, where Chay was already waiting for her, and sat down.
If people would be able to see them now, they would assume everything seems to be normal between them. They would see just two heroes sitting side by side watching over their city.
In reality, it isn't true.
Far from it.
Weeks before this particular night, something had changed. Or more her Partner's behavior made a complete 180.
She didn't know what had gotten into Chat then. He had just walked up to her, given her a funny look and without saying anything, he sat further away from her than normal.
Of course, she knew immediately something was up with him. Chat was usually not afraid of being close to her. Just like his namesake, her personal space became theirs as soon as they sat down.
But she didn't feel the need to address it back then. There were 100 different explanations for his odd behavior. So she wasn't really worried about it, it was just one patrol, right?
Well, looking at how things have turned out so far, it wasn't just this one patrol, but every shared patrol since.
She knows his new behavior towards her shouldn't even bother her as much as it did. Or, to be completely honest, hurt her as much as it did.
They are only friends
Partner's
He didn't own her anything and she knows the way he is acting around her now, is more the way things should have been between them all along.
And yet, she can't help, but miss the way Chat used to treat her.
She misses how he would wrap her in his arms to keep her warm on a chilly night like tonight. Whispering jokes about her turning into a Bug- sicle without him by her side. To which she would roll her eyes and giggle because they both knew he was right. She misses having him so close that he occasionally would start to purr and turn red out of embarrassment when she start to call him a big kitty.
She just misses her old partner's behavior a lot .
As a cold wind blows over them, Ladybug shivers. The late spring air was starting to get chilly, now that the sun was almost gone. Without thinking she tries to get closer to her Partner. Closer to the promising warmth she knew was within her reach and she misses… Only for him to flinch back as if stung and bringing once more distance between them.
Ladybug pulls her knees up to her chest and wraps her arms around them while glancing over at him with a small sigh. Their eyes met for a brief moment, him looking as sad as she feels before he turns his head away.
What happened on that night, he changed so drastically?
She had asked herself this question over and over again, without finding an answer to it. If she only knew. She would do everything to fix things between them. Everything to have her old caring kitty back.
"Ask him" whispers a voice in her head, which surprisingly sounded like Tikki's "Just talk to him and you will know."
Talking to him is the easiest solution in this case. She knows this. It's the only logical way to approach the subject. So why is she feeling so nervous about it?
It's ridiculous to feel this way.
It's Chat!
She can talk to him about everything. She knows this and yet, her heart starts to beat faster and faster as she takes a deep breath.
"Chat?" Her voice is only a small whisper, but his faux ears pick up. A clever sign he heard her, but he stays quiet.
Her heart sinks deep in her stomach at his reaction. Taking another deep breath she tries again.
"Chat" her voice is louder this time and he flinches, but at least he responded this time.
"Yes?"
"What's wrong?"
Chat turns his head in her direction and without making any eye contact he just shrugs.
"Nothing, everything is perfect"
Her heart drops even further into her stomach.
Does he think she is stupid?
Whatever is up with him, things are clearly not perfect!
She has to press her lips together to not yell at him. Because, how dare he even lie about it! To her of all people?!
Something snaps in her at the realization. For the first time in, she doesn't know how long, she has enough.
Enough of this crappie situation.
Enough of being shunned by her partner and not knowing why.
Most of all she has enough of being cold all the damn time!
"Don't lie to me!" Her harsh tone made Chat look up at her with wide eyes. "Something is up with you and if you don't tell me right now, I'm going to… do…Something!" She yells the last word and throws her hands up in frustration at herself.
She was going to do something?!
That didn't come close to even sounding… Well, she didn't want to threaten him. She just wanted to know what was wrong with him. So she could fix it and things can go back to how they used to be.
Was this so much to ask for?
"You stink!"
Appalled by his outburst, Chat covered his mouth with his hand. His eyes wide and faux ears so flat against his head, they disappeared completely in his wild blond mane.
She stared back at him in horror. That was the reason why he didn't want to be close to her anymore?
She smells bad?
That hurt even worse than him keeping her at arm's length.
"I'm so sorry, that came out completely wrong," he says with an apologetic look. "What I meant to say is, there is a smell on you, which isn't nice at all. I didn't say anything about it before because I don't want to hurt your feelings, but you well…" he trailed off and looked down shamefully.
Suppressing the urgent need to sniff herself, she looks down as well. They both sat in silence for a moment before she couldn't keep it anymore.
"You never minded how I smelled before" she whispers. Or maybe he always had and just put on a brave face until he couldn't stand it anymore. Either way, it hurts a lot.
"That's because you used to smell so good" answered him with a dreamy sigh "Like lavender with a little hint of Vanilla and sugar. Then a few weeks ago your smell completely changed to.." She looks up at him just in time to see him wrinkle his nose and grimace.
Well now that she knows what is up with him, she is even more clueless about how to fix it. And to be frank very confused, because nothing he said made any sense to her.
"I took a shower before I came here, Chat"
Reluctantly, he raises his head to look at her. Slowly he comes close and sniffs in her direction. Only to lean back immediately as he pulls a disgusting face.
"Are you maybe using a new shampoo?" He asks hopefully.
She lets out a deep sigh "No"
He whined softly before asking: "Are you by chance taking a different route while Patrolling? Like past an ally full of rotting dumpsters" he had whispered the last part under his breath, but she had heard him.
She was about to smack him on the arm and yell No when it clicked. She was indeed doing something different than before!
Now she wants to smack herself at how obviously it is.
Of course, would her Cat-themed partner, who often behaves like one himself, pick up the scent of other cats!
"The answer was right in front of my nose all along!"
She slaps her hand over her mouth to not laugh out loud.
"Ladybug?"
Chat looks worried at her and she just laughs.
"I got it," She says between giggles. Chat blinks, completely confused at her sudden mood change.
"You do?"
Nodding, she gets up and signals him to follow her. "Come, It's easier when I show you"
Still confused, Chat gets up and follows her as she makes her way back to a shelter roof she had left before starting her patrol.
=^.^=~=^.^= ~=^.^=~=^.^=~=^.^=~=^.^=
As soon as Ladybug's feet touched the ground of the small roof, two cats swarmed around her legs. She walks a bit further, followed closely by one of them before sitting down. Eager for attention and pats, the long-haired red tabby Maine Coon climbed into her lap and meowed loudly.
She looks back at her Partner. The weak shine of the outdoor lighting is enough for her to see him. He was still standing at the spot where he had landed, blinking surprised at her.
"Chat, this is Behemoth," she says as she softly pets the cat's head making it purr in her lap, "and Gizmo."
Chat looks down at the short-haired beige cat, she just introduces him and blinks again. Gizmo sat down in front of him and started to munch loudly.
"Is everything alright with Gizmo?" Chat asks as he looks between her and the Cat.
She laughs softly as she sees how Gizmo keeps following Chat over to her and Behemoth, still munching. Meanwhile, her partner looks utterly confused.
"Yeah, he just wants a snack" she explains "Even though he already had some, he won't ever stop begging for more. That's why I named him after a Gremlin"
"Wait, these are your Cats?" He asks as he comes closer to her.
"No." She answers and keeps patting the red cat
"I don't know if they belong to someone or if they are strays."
Chat raised his eyebrows at her and she could see the silent question burning in his eyes.
"I had a really bad day a few weeks ago and went out for an early run. I stopped here to catch my breath and they came up to me to say Hello"
Chat tilted his head to the side and with a thoughtful look echoed her words "A few weeks ago.."
She sees the moment when it clicked in Chat's head. His eyes went wide and he stared at her.
"The Cats!" He says hastily "I smell the cats on you!"
"I hope so" she murmurs as she scratches Behemoth's chin and adds in a cooing voice:
"I don't do anything different than to come here and give all of you pats, isn't that right my girl"
The Maine Coon let out a loud, agreeing meow.
"How many cats do you keep around?"
"With you? Six"
Chat lets out a mocking gasp "My lady! Are you telling me you are meeting 5 other cats behind my back and giving them my pats ?!" he says while placing a hand over his chest dramatically.
Ladybug smiles softly as she sees how he collapses near her on the roof. Gizmo crept carefully closer to him to sniff around her partner.
Chat sat up with a fake pound and keeps going:
"Oh, the betrayal! I used to be the only one for her and now? Just one of many"
Alright, there he was again.
Kwami, she even missed his bad jokes. Not that she would tell him that, but it's nice to have her dork of a partner back.
They should have talked about it way sooner.
Why didn't she think of bringing him to meet the cats sooner!
Wait there was a reason for this, but she couldn't quite remember what it was...It wont be that important then.
"Although I can't fully blame you, we are the Chat's meow" he looks down at Gizmo, with a smirk "Right, buddy?"
Before she can warn him about Gizmo's tendencies, Chat tries to pat his head. The cat reacts immediately and snatches his hand between his tiny paws and bites.
"Hey!" Hisses Chat surprised by the sudden attack.
"Sorry, I should have warned you. Gizmo doesn't like pats"
Shaking his bitten hand, Chat raises his eyebrows at the cat.
"What kind of cat doesn't like to be patted?"
Gizmo blinks at him, before falling slack on the roof with a loud thump, licking his paws, completely unimpressed.
"Gizmo isn't the only one" she answers, distracted by Behemoth's need for more attention.
"Catsablanca is the same. Unless she is in the mood to be touched. Catticus Finch and C…" she snaps her mouth shut.
Oh, now she remembered why she hadn't brought Chat over sooner. Or told him where she goes before meeting up with him!
How high are the chances her partner has been too distracted by Gizmo to even notice the cat's names?
She glances over to her partner and this time it's her grimacing.
According to the wide smirk and joyful glowing eyes of her partner, Zero.
He had paid attention. On cue, she feels how her face heats up under his gaze.
Oh, Kwami
"Say, my Lady," begins Chat in a teasing tone. Yep, she was never going to hear the end of it."Catticus Finch sounds awful like a pun. Is he purr-haps named after Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird?"
She tries her best to simply ignore him and keep her attention on patting the now sleeping Behemoth in her lap. Maybe, If she doesn't react, he would get bored and just drop it all together?… Who is she kidding, he won't drop it.
This whole situation must be like Catnip for him.
At this point, all she can do is give in to her fate.
Hopefully, Chat won't make a big deal out of it…again who was she kidding he totally will.
"Yes," She answers quietly, to her Partner's visible amusement.
"What about the other one?"
She glares at him while Chat's grin only grows wider. "Which one of the other cats likes to be patted besides Catticus Finch"
Looking away from him once more, she feels how her face turns even redder as she sighs deeply.
"Catsper"
What? The cat was white and friendly. Catsper seemed like the perfect name!
Chat lets out a burst of small laughter. "Those are some furry paw-sitively a-meow-zing names you have come up with. I'm so proud of you"
She rolls her eyes at the bad puns, she knew he could do better, but Chat shakes his head promptly.
"Nope, people who pun name cats, don't get to roll their eyes at my Claw -some puns" she gave him another look, which made him chuckle again.
"That's how it is, I'm not making these rules."
"Sure" she answers dryly.
Chat starts to pat Behemoth as well and the cat looks startled up.
"Apologies, Madame, didn't mean to disturb your Catnap" he whispers as he keeps petting her.
The ginger lets out a soft purr and closes her eyes in bliss.
Chat wraps his free arm around her waist, pulling her carefully closer to him, to not disturb the cat's sleep again. Ladybug rests her head comfortably on Chat's chest, with a small sigh.
"I missed being so close to you" she whispers as Chat lays his head on top of hers. Her partner stays silent and she didn't know if should be happy he didn't seem to hear her, or not.
She hasn't much time to think about these newly developed feelings for her Partner as she feels a soft rumble behind her.
"Chat are you.."
"Nope, that's Behemoth you hear purring!"
"Sure" she answers giggling. As good as she can with their current position, she reaches back to scratch Chat's faux ears. Her partner lets out a soft whine as his purring got louder.
Ladybug closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth around her. If she wasn't careful, she surely would end up falling asleep just like Behemoth…
Honestly, she didn't even care. She feels like she is in heaven right now. Everything is perfect- or how Chat would say: purr-fect - until .
"Hey! hey! Ouch!"
Like possessed, Chat jumps up yelping in pain.
Frightened by the sudden noise, Behemoth and Gizmo run off to hide somewhere on the roof.
She was about to scold him when her partner turned his back to her and hisses: "help!" pointing over his shoulder.
She blinks once, twice, and starts to giggle uncontrollably. Hanging from the collar of his suit is a small long-haired black cat.
"Catticus! What are you doing?"
Laughing she gets up and takes the black cat in her arms, to cuddle him. "That was very dangerous. You could have gotten hurt, you silly kitty"
Ignoring her words completely, Catticus rubbed his head under her chin, over her shoulder, and started to purr. She couldn't help but giggle again.
Black cats and their love for cuddles.
"Yeah, he is the one who got hurt" snorted her partner while rubbing his neck. She sits back down to her old spot before signaling Chat to do the same.
"Come here you big kitty and let me see"
With a playful meow, Chat sat down next to her, and as soon as he tilted his head for her to see his neck, he froze.
"Chat?"
Her partner didn't respond, he kept staring down at Catticus Finch in her lap, slowly narrowing his eyes.
"Don't tell me you are mad at Catticus now!"
"No" came his short response without looking away from the black cat.
If he isn't angry then…Oh, for Kwamis sake, seriously?
"Don't tell me you're jealous!"
That got Chat's attention. He sits upright while looking at her.
"Of course, not.." he says trailing off, as his eyes slowly drift lower until they land once more on Catticus. With a snort, Chat shakes his head. As if he is amused by something?
Sometimes she really can't understand what goes on in Chat's head and before she has the chance to ask him, Catticus looks up.
His blue eyes are fixed on Chat Noir and when her partner moves his hand to touch him, the black cat slaps his hand away with a growl, followed by a long hiss.
Oh my. What was going on with Catticus?
He usually never hisses. He's the most smitten little cat in the world!
"I knew it!" Exclaimed her partner loudly. With another growl, the cat jumps down from her lap and narrows his eyes at Chat Noir… and her partner returns the favor.
"Oh, You little.." He didn't finish his sentence, he just hisses.
What the…
Ladybug raises her eyebrows. "Did you just hiss at Catticus?!"
Her partner, very much human and only cat-themed , looks at her and points his fingers at Catticus accusing "The wannabe black cat started it!"
"Chat, he is a sweet little cat. Stop acting like an idiot!"
Catticus used exactly this moment to take a leap toward Chat and hisses at him with a raised paw, showing his claws.
Her partner gave her a look as if he wanted to ask; Seriously?
"He's usually not like that." She says defensively, "He is nice and a real cuddle kitty, just.." She taps softly on the ground to get the cat's attention, with no success. Instead, Catticus lets out another deep growl in Chat's direction which her partner returns.
"Chat!"
"He started it!" Hisses her partner while avoiding one of Catticus's swings. Annoyed, she rolled her eyes, this excuse was getting old, pretty fast "He marked you as his and stank you up!"
"That's what cats do!" She yells over Catticus' long low throaty growl
"Not like that!" Reply he. "He…"
The black cat lets out another growl to which Chat rolls his eyes.
"Oh, please" growled her human partner, just dressed up as a cat , back to the actual cat . "Go find yourself a female of your own species, this one is already spoken for!"
She lets out a small squeak at his words. First, they were going to have a serious talk about her belonging to…anyone. Secondly and most important, he has to be kidding about Catticus' intentions! There was no way…
Before she can even blink, Chat is back by her side. She froze completely shocked, as he leans down and starts rubbing his head under her chin, neck, and shoulder. She raises her hand to push him away, but instead, he grabs it. Their eyes met and the intense glow in his eyes, made her heart skip a beat. He kisses her palm softly before getting up again, turning around to face Catticus once more.
"See, mine! Everything is mine!" Chat's voice is nothing more than a deep growl. "What are you going to do about it, you fur boot!"
What the…has her partner gone insane?!
No matter what Chat was thinking he had definitely come to the wrong conclusion.
She was about to tell him to stop and calm down when Catticus Finch let out a throaty howling at her partner and she flinched back.
Okay
Fine
Maybe her partner was onto something with his theory, but there was no need for him…Oh, Kwami he wasn't going to fight a real cat over this, right?
The answer to that is apparently; Hell, yes!
Her eyes widen as she sees how both human and cat start to circle each other. She needs to interfere, right now!
"Chat, stop it!"
Never leaving the black cat out of his sight, her partner shakes his head.
"No, this is a question of defending your honor, My Lady!" He answered as the black cat got ready to attack him again.
"Come here, I'm the bigger cat!"
Shaking her head in disbelief at her partner's threats and she pinches her cheek hard.
There is no way, this is real.
Of course, she probably fell asleep while watching funny cat videos and was now dreaming about this crazy fight between, again, a human in a catsuit, and an actual real cat!
Oh, please let it all be a weird dream!
The harsh sting in her cheek said otherwise. Sadly, she is very much awake as she watches Chat crouch down on all four and howls back at Catticus.
Oh, for Kwamis sake
"I'm not going to patch you up afterward!" She calls over to Chat. Her partner smirks at her over his shoulder.
"I won't have any scratch for you to kiss…" Catticus has used his opponents' brief distraction to jump on Chat's back " Hey! That's cheating, get down!"
The last thing she sees before covering her face with her hands is Chat trying to shake Catticus up.
Something pushes her arm softly and as Ladybug looks to the side, Behemoth looks up to her. Gizmo follows her closely, munching.
"You won't get any snacks," she says to him.
With a sad meowing, he lays down next to her, while Behemoth rubs her head underneath Ladybug's chin with a purr, before curling up in her lap.
The three of them watch how both black cats chase each other over the rooftop, growling and hissing loudly.
"Males" sighs Ladybug deeply. "No matter the species, they are all crazy"
Behemoth looks up to her and meows, agreeing.