In step

For @everythingelsegoesherethen <3

Context: Volpina is in town and a certain black cat is feeling left out.

The moment Volpina bows out of patrol to turn in for the night, Chat Noir stops Ladybug with a hand to her shoulder.  “Maybe we should lay low for awhile,” he says quietly, as if anyone was awake at this hour to overhear them.  “We don’t want to get in her way.”

Ladybug is unimpressed, shrugging out of his grip as she continues.  “Chat, we have work to do.  Besides, she’s here to help us.”

Chat pouts, even as he falls into step beside Ladybug, and it’s the fact that he drops it so fast that keys her into the problem in the first place.

“What’s wrong, minou?” she asks, pulling them to a stop.

Chat huffs and doesn’t want to meet her eyes.

“Chat,” Ladybug says quickly, “if she’s making you uncomfortable, if you don’t think we can trust her, then we’ll stop.”  Then she goes a little pink and rushes on, “I was just so excited to meet someone like us, someone who’s been doing this longer than we have, and it was so nice to not have to make the plans for once, but you’re my partner, chaton, you come first, and—”

“Woah there, Buginette.  I never said I don’t trust her, I just—” He sighs, shoulder drooping.  He scuffs his boot on the roof tile and can’t meet her eyes.  “It’s stupid.”

“If it’s bothering you it’s not stupid.”

He grimaces and finally looks up at her.  “I got jealous.  I’ve never seen you get that excited before and I thought, I mean I wasn’t sure if you, you know, wanted to work with her instead.  I wouldn’t blame you, she’s amazing and clever and she’d better than—”

“I’m gonna stop you right there, Chat Noir.”

Chat blinks down at the hand Ladybug has pressed to his mouth, his green eyes going cross-eyed.  But when he looks at his Lady, she’s smiling at him, gentle and soft.  “Like I said, you are my partner, not Volpina.  Sure it’s nice to have her around, but she’s got a city to get back to eventually.  Paris is ours to protect, and she has Rome.  But even if she could stay here forever, she’s nothing compared to you.  You are the alley cat I know will always have my back, who always finds me when I need him.  You are the one who’s fought with me for months, not her.  I couldn’t do this without you, Chat.  Besides,” and she goes a little pink, stepping in closer and ducking her head, “a Ladybug must always have her Chat Noir.”

Chat’s sure his face is as red as Ladybug’s suit now.  Carefully, he pulls her hand away from his lips, cradling it to his chest instead.  “And you always will, My Lady.”

When she looks up at him, it’s like the sun crested over the horizon, the way her eyes light up.  “Good,” she murmurs, before popping up on her toes and brushing a kiss against his cheek, right next to the corner of his mouth.

Chat is so thunderstruck that he doesn’t react the first time Ladybug says his name.  It’s her giggle and the insistent tug on his hands that finally brings him back.  “C’mon, minou, time to get home.”

With a grin just as fierce as hers, he takes her hand and and then they’re off, running across their city side by side.

KinDLY FUCK OFF FOR THIS LEA