LadyBugOut AU (Snippets)

Don't Kiss But Tell

Chat shifted out of his position. Placing his hands on the rooftop, he leaned in Ladybug’s direction. His face was inches away from hers, his gaze firm. His anger faded just slightly to something fonder.

“I remember seeing that kiss with Dark Cupid,” he said softly. “You enjoyed it. With the Oblivio kiss too, you enjoyed that too.”

Ladybug said nothing, just staring at him with her mouth hanging open.

Chat continued as if he was saying something romantic, “Show me that you don’t love me. Kiss me and tell me that you didn’t like it. Then I’ll believe you.”

When Ladybug remained speechless, Chat began to lean forward, his expression not changing. It was like he was testing her.

Finally, Ladybug snapped into action. “No!”

Putting a hand on Chat’s face, she pushed him away, hard enough that he had to catch himself back into a sitting position.

Ladybug scrambled, recoiling and moving backward with her hands and feet. Firmly, she insisted, “No, I’m not kissing you!”

Chat sat there, staring at Ladybug with a neutral gaze. He rubbed his face–where Ladybug had shoved–then raised his brows like someone who’d just proven their point. “See?”

Ladybug could hardly form a response. Their entire conversation had felt like they were talking in different languages. She knew her partner could be a little uncooperative, but she couldn’t fathom his leaps in logic. She had no clue where he got this idea that they were made for each other and that he just had to keep trying to get what he wanted; that she just needed to see him for “who he was.”

Steadying her breathing and trying to ignore the pounding in her ears, she stood, hovering over Chat her fists to her sides.

“That is not–” She paused, realizing that there was a hiss in her tone. She swallowed, trying to stay calm, then continued.

“I don’t have to prove anything to you,” she said in a low tone. “Just because I kissed you then doesn’t mean I have to kiss you now.”

Placing a hand to her chest, she added, “You can’t tell me that you know what I’m thinking. I keep things inside so they don’t interfere with our work, but none of that–”

Chat went to speak up, but Ladybug stepped forward, the sheer weight of her stance forcing him into silence.

“–I repeat, none of that has anything to do with feelings for you. I don’t know where you got your ideas, Chat, or what makes you think you can keep twisting everything I’m saying. You’re a good partner, and love should be earned. I won’t deny that. But you’re not perfect, I’m not perfect, and we’re not a perfect team.”

She shook, but remained firm in her tone. “I don’t owe you love, Chat. We’re a team and we’re doing a job for the sake of Paris. Maybe you deserve someone who loves you, but no one deserves anyone’s love if they’re not offered it first.”

With a breath, she reached for her yoyo. It had opened somehow during their conversation, but nothing seemed particularly off about it otherwise, so Ladybug closed it and presented it to Chat.

“You said you’d support me. We were chosen to protect Paris together. I’m doing everything I can to keep things focused on that.”

She turned, taking a few steps away, then turned her head to Chat. Her gaze was neutral, but her eyes were tense.

“I hope you’ll do the same the next time we see each other, but for now, I suggest you go home. I can handle patrol myself.”

She sent her yoyo off into the distance, then let it pull her away into the night.