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"Where is that person that writes our story? I want to murder them!" Ladybug bit out through gritted teeth, careful to keep her voice low to avoid eavesdropping.
Chat Noir laughed, a light sound which only caused her anger and frustration to grow. "That would be the Fates, M'Lady. They wrote our story in the stars long ago." He spoke with a flourish, twirling around her in a way that further infuriated her.
"Ha ha, Kitty. Fate wouldn't be so cruel." She grumbled at him as she glared, pushing him back slightly with one finger.
"Well, then you can blame Gabriel Agreste. He funded this entire thing." Chat chuckled softly, gesturing to the entire room. He enjoyed the rise he was getting out of his partner. “His money makes all of this possible.” Even through the laughter, there was a bitter note to Chat’s voice, and Ladybug couldn’t quite place where it was coming from.
Before she could respond, a voice called from the side, "Ladybug! Chat Noir! It's time to try this again. And Ladybug, this time you need to actually look like you are falling in love with him! Chat. Keep up the good work!"
Ladybug gave Chat a sour look, and he shrugged in return. "Chat, I don’t know how you did it, but I should never have let you convince me to do this. A movie starring Ladybug and Chat Noir…played by Ladybug and Chat Noir. Ridiculous."
"Utter ridiculous?" He responded, offering her a playful smirk.
She rolled her eyes and walked across the set, taking her place back on top of the 'rooftops of Paris'. "Don't bring Chloe into this. You know she's the entire reason we are here right now."
Chat walked up and took his place in front of her. "You just didn't like the idea of me Chloe Bourgeois being Ladybug – I admit I don't like the idea either." He added, talking more to himself than to her.
"And I don’t understand how all of this comes naturally for you!" She hissed out as she watched the director give instructions to other cast and crew. "You act like the camera doesn't even matter. What are you? Some type of actor in your civilian life?"
Chat was grateful that she had turned away before his expression could give too much information away. "You know better than to ask those types of questions.” He chuckled to himself, “For all you know, I could be Adrien Agreste."
Ladybug laughed at that, earning strange looks from the film crew as they began to hand them props and guide them to their places. "Seriously, Kitty. That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think?"
"I'll have you know that I almost beat the young Agreste as Paris's Most Eligible Bachelor." He pretended to scoff at her.
"Ladybug! Chat Noir! It's time. Let's start with 'You are my lucky charm.' and try that kiss again." The director called to them, momentarily breaking their concentration.
Chat gave her a devilish grin and winked. "And to think that most of Paris is going to envy you right now."
Ladybug crossed her arms, fighting back the red that was beginning to tint her cheeks. "Let's just get this over with!"
He leaned forward and whispered, "You know, if you would just give in and actually kiss me for real, then they could finish the scene and move on to the next. You are making it more difficult for yourself. The director will keep making us kiss until we get it right."
"Chat. This is easier for you than me. I'm sure you've had plenty of experience kissing girls." Ladybug said offhandedly, waving her hand as if to dismiss the conversation. "Let's get this over with."
Chat Noir blinked at her, confused. "What do you mean, kissing girls all the time? I don't… I mean... Is that what you think I do?"
He looked offended, and guilt began to well up within her. "I just. You are such a flirt. All the time. With me… with…" Ladybug trailed off, self-conscious as he stared at her intently.
"With who?"
"Well… with… with Marin–"
"Quiet on set!!"
Ladybug stopped talking, grateful for the distraction. She'd almost said too much.
"Marin-? …Marinette?" He whispered, eyes widening. "Marinette Dupain-Cheng?"
"Well you flirt with her all the time. I just assumed you flirt with all the girls–"
"Take nine in … 3… 2…"
Chat stared at her, clearly processing everything she had said. Then, as filming began, she watched in awe as a switch flipped inside him, and his expression transformed from confused and hurt to suddenly sweet and flirtatious. Maybe he really is a model. She thought to herself, attempting to find the strength to ignore her own feelings and focus on the job.
Kissing Chat Noir.
That shouldn't be too hard, right?
….
….right?
—-
It took them another hour to finally get the scene right. Even Chat Noir was not feeling up to the task, and Ladybug was remorseful for the trouble she caused. The director was clearly not pleased with the results, and he called off the rest of the day's production. They would pick back up with filming at the end of the week.
"Don't feel bad." Chat Noir said, and she jumped slightly when he put his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure they are used to it. They know that we aren't trained actors."
Ladybug gave a long, low sigh, momentarily closing her eyes as she attempted to focus on putting her thoughts into words. "I didn't mean to hold up production."
"Just remember this next time and try to make it up to them. You could always show how sorry you are."
She didn't look at him, but gave a small nod of affirmation. "I suppose I could bring pastries to set. Treat the crew. And I'll be ready for the next scene."
"And unless the director decides not to use any of today's shots, you won't have to worry about having to kiss me ever again." Chat's voice turned cold, and Ladybug cringed.
"Chat… I'm sor–"
"--No. I am." He interrupted, and she froze at his hostile tone. "I'm sorry that I gave you the impression that I was going around Paris flirting with everyone."
"I just see how you act with Marinette and–"
"--Marinette's my friend. I'm allowed to have friends." Chat Noir felt defensive, especially as she mentioned his secret crush.
Ladybug took a step back. "That's not what I meant!"
"Then what did you mean?" He didn't let her answer him. "You are starting to act like you're jealous, M'Lady." It was an accusation.
She felt her chest tighten with sudden fear. A wave of denial crashed into her. "That not what–"
"--For the record, I have never kissed a girl. Just you…and until today, I didn't even remember it." He let out an exasperated sigh, struggling to maintain composure. "I need to go."
"Can we talk about this later?" She asked, voice small.
"No."
Ladybug hesitated, not expecting his abrupt dismissal. "What do you mean 'No'?"
"You heard me." He took out his baton, preparing to leap away.
"But… what about–"
"--No." He glared at her, frustrated that she wouldn't drop the subject.
"So…it's over?"
"I think we can both agree it never started…" He closed his eyes for a moment, "We never started."
Ladybug felt the twisting inside her chest tighten further, suffocating her. She wasn't sure when the topic had turned, but somehow she knew they were no longer talking about the conversation…but something much more important. "But–"
"--Ladybug." And the sound of her name shattered something inside her. "I tried. I'm done."
"W-what…y-you're done? W-what do you mean?"
There was a breath of silence. When Chat opened his mouth to answer her, he hesitated, closing his mouth before words could be formed.
The pair stood facing each other, the air thick between them with unspoken fears. Chat's eyes softened as he stared at her. "I… I'm done with…." And then he shook his head. "...with this conversation."
Then he was gone.