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The sound of giggling drifted down to the streets below. Passersby would glance up occasionally, curious what was causing the two heroes of Paris to cause such a ruckus. The people had become complacent when it came to heroes, butterflies, villains, and the destruction caused by all three. Seeing the shadow of a figure leaping across overhead was a typical sight, and would only lead to speculation as to whether it was a weekly patrol or a supervillain on the prowl. Akuma alerts had become a regular occurrence, and measures were in place to help evacuate highly populated areas should an Akuma appear. However, laughter from the rooftops was less common, and it was a bit unnerving to hear it filter down unrestrained.
"Chat!!" Multimouse laughed, spilling her drink slightly as it sloshed around in her cup. "It's not so easy being a hero. Late nights! Lost homework! Boy troubles!!"
Chat Noir was certain that joining Multimouse--Marinette--for a drink had been a bad idea, but he also was glad that she was with him and not roaming the streets like a drunk little mouse--or worse... mice!! "Mari-Multimouse! Maybe you've had enough to drink. It's time to get you home."
"Oh, Kitty!" She crowed, and he was hit by the strong, overly sweet smell of alcohol, "Home is where the heart is!"
"That may be the case," Chat said as he moved to help her to her feet--a failed maneuver as the moment she took his hand, he was pulled down next to her. "Oof!! ...b-but you still need to head back."
She gazed at him longways, staring intently as if deep in thought. "Has anyone ever told you that your eyes look like a cat."
He let out a laugh of his own, "Yes. Many times. It comes with the Miraculous." He rolled aside and got back to his feet. "Speaking of Miraculous, I'm sure Ladybug wouldn't want a drunk mouse running around the city. So please let me escort you home!"
"But I'm not done!" She took another drink, "And besides, once I'm home, I'm just going to be surrounded by all the things I hate the most."
"The things... what things?" His curiosity was peaked, and he had to remind himself that he shouldn't bait her into talking more than she already had. She would be angry if she spoke too many of her own personal secrets to him--no matter how much he wanted to know what was going on inside the mind of the most (second most?--he still wasn't sure) brilliant girl he'd ever met.
"Eyes. They stare at me. Eyes everywhere!" She said as if telling a ghost story, earning a raised brow from the cat hero.
"Eyes?"
"Yes!! The eyes of Buttercup!!" She said dramatically, . "He stares at me when I sleep. When I work. When I wake up, he's the first thing I see. Plastered all'ver my bull'tin board. Onm'walls.Onmy'puter." Her words were starting to slur together, but he was certain he understand enough to get the idea.
"Let's get you home, Mari." He whispered, finally getting a good enough grip on her to gently lift her into his arms without resistance. "You need food...and sleep."
"I can't sleep with the eyes." She replied, burying her face into his neck and breathing in too deeply, "You smell nice."
"Thank you, but again--that comes with the Miraculous."
"You smell like... Adrien."
He froze, waiting for her to continue, choosing not to stick his foot in his mouth with the drunk hero in his arms.
"I us'd to buy i' all the ti'e. Radiant...Carefree..." She sighed, and he let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "...Dreamy..."
His cheeks dusted pink with a blush, but she was too distracted to notice.
"I should throw 'way the botl's." She mused. "And get ri' of the eyes..."
"Don't make any rash decisions, Princess." He tucked her in closer as he began leaping across rooftops. She was relaxed in his arms, and he wasn't even sure she was awake when they arrived. Landing gently on the balcony, he maneuvered so that he could open the trap door without disturbing her.
Once inside, he gently laid her on her bed. She snuggled deeper. "Can you get rid of the eyes..." Chat's keen ears picked up her mumbled words.
"Sure, Princess, you'll be safe here." He looked up, ready to make up some sort of story to remove this fictional monster she insisted existed in her room...
...and all he saw was green. Green eyes. Staring at him from every direction. He looked down at the girl, then back at the walls, hoping that his imagination (and the little bit he'd had to drink) were to blame, but he was not so lucky.
Adrien Agreste stared back at him.
Adrien Agreste in everyday clothes, latest fashion, and group photos of friends. Hearts decorated many of the photos. Drawings of flowers surrounded others--buttercups.
Buttercups.
Buttercups!
...
... Adrien Agreste is Buttercup ...