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The beast reared up in front of Adrien, looming large and imposing as that unnatural darkness dripped from its fur. It certainly looked as tough as the postings at the guild had said. But that was alright. Chat Noir was one of the best, and he always did relish a challenge.
But before he could even prepare to charge, the monster let out a death groan, and toppled over sideways. It was only as it fell that Adrien saw its wounds.
He only let himself pout about it a little, before he turned on the charm. Because there was only one other in the guild who could’ve handled such a creature.
“You know, my Lady,” he said, “I’ve decided to stop thinking of this as you stealing my kills, and instead think of it as you advertising your skills to me for a future partnership.”
Ladybug swung down from where she was hidden among the treetops, and perched on a lower branch well within Adrien’s appreciative sight.
“It’s hardly ‘stealing your kills’ when I got here first, kitty-cat,” she said. “And unlike someone I know, I don’t need to show off.”
“You should, anyway,” he said. “I’d enjoy the show.”
She rolled her eyes, but he could see the corners of her lips turn upward. “I’m sure you would. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a hunt to clean up. Since I’m busy, you might even have a chance to catch something for yourself today.”
It was Adrien’s turn to roll his eyes. “Ha, ha. I have beaten you to a few before, I’ll remind you.”
Rather than go off in search of more monsters, he instead jumped up to the branches and followed her across the trees as she crossed them towards the fallen beast.
He watched with no small amount of fascination and admiration as she began to work her restoration magic. No matter how many times he had seen it, the awe never faded. His own magic was impressive, too, but he’d gotten used to it and it no longer left him giddy with amazement the way it once had.
But Ladybug’s magic – and Ladybug herself – never failed to.
“But really,” he cut in, “have you ever thought about it? You and me, the ultimate team-up of the guild’s top two!”
“I’ve thought about it,” Ladybug said, answer so prompt and unexpected that Adrien nearly fell off the tree. She gave him a sidelong look with a smirk. “But then I decided that you’d be the most insufferable partner anyone could ask for.”
A smile spread slowly across his face. She’d been thinking about it! And despite the barb, he was pretty sure what was the truth just under the surface of her words.
He dipped into a mock bow. “I aim to please,” he said, unable to keep the smile off his face.
She wasn’t agreeing to it, not yet, but… there was a chance.
And he always did relish a challenge.