Miraculously Unrequited

I hopped from the mansion that night thinking of better ways to console Adrien, but as Plagg said, I really can't do anything for him now.

Maybe if I told Master Fu about all of this he'll give it back to him. I understand that Ladybug knows his identity, but I can't stand seeing him tear himself apart like this. He deserves this redemption more than I need it.

"Oh, Sir Noir! Fancy seeing you here!" I heard a soft giggle flowing in the wind as I turned toward it to see Ladybug leaning up against a chimney smiling towards me. She waved, then jumped over and hugged me happily, "you were pretty great this afternoon with Queen Bee! Should I be getting jealous that my partner is getting along with other holders?" She pokes me in the side making me flinch and laugh with her.

I don't think there's anything I'd give up this feeling for except—

I stopped in my tracks and didn't notice I left my guard down triggering her to ask, "what's wrong cat?"

"W-what? Nothing!" Why am I stuttering?!

I looked deep into her eyes trying to figure out what was wrong with me when I noticed a scar tracing down her cheek to her chin, "what happened...?" I cupped her cheek making her blush, but I was more preoccupied with the scar that I'm only noticing now.

She backed away nervously and stumbled, "oh! Uhm, during one of my older fights, one of the muggers had a knife and scratched me..." She trailed off looking to the side thinking of something clearly not having to do with my question.

"Why haven't I noticed it before? We've been partners for quite some time now."

She looked up and laughed nervously, "I've been putting makeup over it so if anyone saw me during the fight they wouldn't be able t recognize me in the real world!" She looked out into the vast sea of lights then back to me with a worried expression, "but back to you. Are you alright? You looked a little dejected before..."

I just looked at her, not wanting to answer knowing it'd be hard to explain without revealing who I am.

She gave me one of those looks, then sighed, "fine! I won't press you, but only because I'm feeling nice today after how proud I am of Chloe." She laughed to herself while looking at the ground then circled her foot on the floor muttering, "can I uhm... Can I ask you a question Noir?" She looked away awkwardly.

God...How is she so confident during a battle but can't even ask me a simple question during patrol?

I suppressed my annoyed nature and answered steadily, "of course. Anything for a Lady such as yourself." I kissed the back of her hand trying to be a gentleman but it looks like she just got fl.u.s.tered and began clearing her throat.

"W-well...I was just wondering if you knew why Master Fu chose you for the job? I-I'm not saying it was a bad decision, no! I'm just wondering if you know what he saw in you? Is it the same thing he saw in Adr- I-I mean Chat Noir?" She twiddled her thumbs nervously making me sigh in defeat.

I guess there's really no way for me to not explain why all of this is happening. She clearly doesn't fully trust me yet if she still has questions about what really happened with the Cat Miraculous.

"Let's y'all at the tower," I sighed as I hopped away without waiting for her.

It'll be fine, no one at school knows my story anyways. Even if I told her real names she wouldn't be able to identify who I am.

Landing flat-footed on the platform, I sat down and watched as Ladybug swung up and landed behind me with all the grace she could muster. "You're fast!" She huffed with a cute pout then sat beside me poking my side again, "what's so serious about how you got your miraculous that you needed it to be so secluded?" She teased me until I faced her head-on with my signature serious expression.

Taking a deep breath I began from the beginning of it all...

~~~

London 3 years earlier...

The daylight was dwindling as Felix trudged home after being scolded by his professor after finding out he failed for the year and needs to stay back. Looking up at the sky, he saw a flash of red swing across the sky past Big Ben. He chuckled then ran home with his spirits high, forgetting the horrible news he just received in mere moments.

Running up the stair and into his room, he throws his book bag on his bed and cheerfully calls out, "Plagg! Did you see her? She looked brilliant, we should go join her on patrol!" He hugged the small cat kwami then ran around his room picking up his clothes and papers.

Plagg sighed and asked, "kid, shouldn't you be focusing more on school? This is the second year you've flunked! You're a smart kid, you shouldn't be throwing away your grades and school life just to be with some girl at night!" He yanked himself out of Felix's grasp and worriedly said, "there haven't been any akumas for a while, there's no reason for you to be this paranoid every night...You need to keep it together, you're already 13 in classes with 11 year olds..."

Felix continued to shove his school papers into his desk as he nonchalantly spoke, "I know there hasn't been an attack, I just want to see her! I always wait for Ladybug to go on patrol and hope we run into each other. Now's my chance, excuse me for cutting our conversation short but, claws out!" Jumping out of his window, Felix wasn't even fully transformed yet when he landed on the lower roof below.

Looking around, he spotter his partner and the love of his life perched atop of a chimney scanning the area, "Milady!" He yelled for her to turn around, and that's exactly what she did.

Standing up from her perch she waved happily, "Sir Noir! I haven't seen you in ages, how are you patrols?"

He jumped up to her and pulled her close, "they've been lonely without you." He pulled her closer but she put her index finger to his lips.

"Did you hear that?" She whipped her head around and pointed towards the bell tower, "I hear someone screaming, let's go!" She hopped out of his arms leaving him speechless.

He felt the distance between them becoming wider and wider as he spaced out.

"...so?"

Snapping out of my story, I looked at the ladybug I was with now in the city of love. "So?"

She shifted in her seat and muttered, "so why'd you lose it?"

"Excuse me?" I looked back at her baffled by her curious question, "lose what?"

She laughed awkwardly and pointed down at my hand, "the miraculous? Why did Master Fu bring it to Paris?"

Staring back at her, I realized I said way too much than I should've. Standing up I walked over to the railing to jump done but I felt something latch onto my arm. Turning around, I saw the little pest clinging onto me, "I'm sorry if I over stepped but you don't need to lea—"

Slashing my arm out of her light grasp, I turned away and coldly spit, "I've said too much. I need to leave before this situation gets anymore out of hand." I jumped away without a second thought, back to the Agreste mansion.

Jumping through the guest bathroom window, I collapse on the floor and whisper almost incoherently, "claws off." Burying my head in my knees, I ignored Plagg's taps on my head and dug my nails into the palms of my hands.

How could I be that stupid to get lost in my past with her! She has no idea about anything that's happened and I should try to keep it that way...

I tried my hardest not to cry, but the corners of my eyes stinging made the fight even more useless.

Sniffling and tearing myself up inside, I head Plagg from atop my head, "it wasn't your fault kid, don't forget that..." I could feel him curl up in a ball as I tried to calm myself down.

I could've stopped her. I was there, beside her when she did it...I could've done something more!