A Miraculous Agreement

The innocent agreement that bound the two heroic partners of Paris shouldn’t have lasted longer than a year-- or that was what she thought initially.

At fourteen years of age, the raven-haired teen clambered through her ladder, reaching the second highest level of her small complex, her kwami following in her wake, giddy. She swept her jet black locks of hair aside, her loose ponytails gradually becoming more slippery as her hair ties threatened to fall out. But how was she supposed to control such annoying habits of her hair when she, the main heroic mascot of the city, was fighting crime almost every single day? She still didn’t know how she managed to juggle her school-work and hero-work without being caught.

“We still have an hour left to do your homework, Marinette,” Tikki squeaked as she zoomed through the heroine’s room. Marinette sighed, rubbing her temples in distress as she collapsed onto the bright pink study chair, ignoring the fact that it screeched under her merciless fall.

“I know, it’s not the homework that’s bugging me though,” she eyed her kwami’s sceptical look, quickly adding, “not as a pun… but honestly! Today was just… how do I put it? ...Odd!”

“How so?” Tikki asked, halting her zooming to watch her friend intently as she awaited an answer.

“When we were fighting the baddies,” Marinette started, leaning back against her frail study chair, “Chat mentioned something… something along the lines of an agreement, and twenty-five years old… something like that.”

Tikki’s eyes widened, as she finished for Marinette, “the part when Chat made an agreement with you, where if you two didn’t find someone in your lives by the time your twenty-five, he’ll find you again and take you?”

“How do you even know that?” Marinette said. She giggled at the kwami’s quirkiness, saying, “well yes, you’ve explained it perfectly. But I had already said I liked someone else! Why is he so… so…”

“So obsessed?” Tikki cut off Marinette. “Oh, I don’t know?” She glanced over at the corkboard hung up behind Marinette’s computer. Several photos of a handsome young blonde were sprawled across it, with sticky-notes mainly gushing about the boy’s appearance, sightings, and even his own personal events. “Maybe he realised who you like, thinking that he’s got competition?”

“But he knows I don’t like him!” Marinette grumbled, taking the pillow off of her bed and shoving her face into it, screaming ever so softly. “It’s like he’s making me panic and hurry up making Adrien love me!”

“If you don’t like Chat, then why are you screaming into your pillow?” Tikki smiled. But she knew she wasn’t going to get an answer, she was right after all. Perhaps… in one small corner of Marinette’s heart laid a space for Chat Noir, her partner in finding justice to crimes.

At eighteen years old, Marinette found herself going crazy over Adrien Agreste, though they still remained in the same relationship: just friends. She had been friend zoned many times over this period of time leading to now, but now… she was used to it. Used to the obsession, just like Chat Noir had over her, Ladybug. Used to the love consuming her, and suddenly, the new teeny-weeny spot for Chat Noir to vacate in her heart.

“When are you going to properly tell him?” Tikki asked when Marinette was leaving school to go home, “you still go to the same senior high school, you both are in the same class, again, and you sit just a table away! Come on, it’s not that hard, you know.”

“Maybe for you, but not for me!” Marinette whispered to her kwami friend, tucking the little creature into her bag as she saw people walk past her, oblivious to the fact that the heroine, Ladybug, was within the same crowd walking beside them, behind them, in front of them, around them. “I just want to take it slowly… build our relationship up!”

“But you’ve been stuck on this same relationship for four years now, Mari!” Tikki’s whisper-yell was muffled from inside the self-stitched bag. “Maybe your definition of slow is a little different to mine.”

“Maybe,” Marinette hummed, twirling into the bakery and greeting her hard-working parents, before proceeding up to her room. As she entered her room via the ladder once again like always, she recalled the events that had occurred not too long ago. Chat Noir and Ladybug had rescued Paris from its demise once again. They were sitting on the ledge of the building in the centre of the city, listening to the soft tune of the breeze nipping past them when Chat turned to his partner.

“Have you confessed to him yet?” Chat had asked her previously. Ladybug turned to look at him, her face turning beet red.

“N-no,” she muttered, playing with her spotted earring. She swayed her legs that her hanging off the building in opposite directions every so often. “I’m getting there… slowly.”

“Mind if you tell me who it is?”

“I-I can’t, Chaton,” she murmured, her legs halting from its swinging. “Like I said countless times, we mustn’t reveal our identities in any way.”

“But it’s been so long, Bugaboo,” Chat whined, leaning in toward Ladybug, pouting, his ears folding downwards sadly. “If I remain in the darkness… I’ll feel depressed, Bugaboo…” he added, chuckling a bit. “Might even get akumatized if it stays like this.”

And suddenly, the next moment, there was a stinging throbbing on Chat’s left cheek. He clutched onto it, laughing, but his chuckling stopped at the sight of the love of his life, tears swelling in the corner of her eyes.

“That’s not… that’s not something to joke about, Chat,” she said coldly, getting up and wiping her tears. “If you think that way, then we might as well not be partners-- it’ll be better for us, and you won’t have to get closer to me.”

Then… the memory disappeared, and Marinette found herself… her face in her head, crying, wailing.. She felt terrible, sorry, so bad.

“What have I done, Tikki?” She whimpered through her sloppy tears. “At this rate, I won’t even be surprised if he is depressed… akumatized… heartbroken, oh I have to say sorry!” She stood up abruptly, making the kwami jump herself.

But when she waited in her alter-ego at the same building they were last seen at, he was nowhere to be seen. Sighing in defeat, she went back home, staring out at the skies at her balcony, once again in the form of Marinette. The sun was about to set in almost a minute, when a silhouette consumed her into the darkness and a figure sat promptly beside her, their face in hands. Marinette was immediately reminded of the painful crying session she had moments before.

“Chat?” She said softly, holding and squeezing his shoulder. But for the first time, the cat-hero was not in the mood for soothing touches or words, for he pushed Marinette’s hands off of him, gritting his teeth and closing his eyes tightly, shaking. Shaking so hard that it was though the world was to collapse. Marinette’s world was collapsing at the sight of her partner, anyways. She felt a wave of guilt and sadness wash over her, as she stood silently next to the boy sitting on the balcony railing, pouring his heart out in front of her, unashamed of his actions.

No words were spoken, but their hearts silently spoke to each other. Rejected was he, guilty was she, though he did not know it was her. Yet, Marinette apologised. Apologised so much, so hard, that she was sure that Chat’s obliviousness would disappear. Unable to control herself any longer, her arms wrapped around the boy’s torso, and she leant against his back, her face placed firmly on his neck as she released a shaky breath. She allowed the scent of her partner in fighting crimes to enter her nose, savouring it, for she was afraid it may have been the last time she was able to do so.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Chaton,” she whispered continuously. “I didn’t mean it, I don’t want you to be akumatized… that’s what I meant to say. I do… I do like you… but first… the first person I love doesn’t appreciate me… just friends we are… just friends.”

“He must be dumb if he doesn’t notice you,” Chat said glumly, turning around. “And why are you apologising?”

“I…” Marinette pulled away, clenching her fists, breathing in deeply and then continuing, “I’m breaking the promise… the trust, maybe, by about what I’m going to say, Chaton.”

His ears were no longer drooped, but they had shot up in curiosity.

She smiled weakly at him, “spots on?” Tikki was plunged into her ears, and ever so slowly, her clothes had vanished to be replaced by the familiar spotted red bodysuit Chat loved so much. He did not react. He did not speak, smile, frown, or even cry. He was frozen, staring at the love of his life in front of him, who was shaking now. She was shaking because she was scared. How ridiculous the thought seemed, but Ladybug, the constant saviour of Paris was scared of Chat’s reaction. But what scared her more was that he did not show any reaction at all, so she shook more.

“Chaton?” She called to him. “It’s me… your Bugaboo.”

“No…” the boy held onto the railing for support, his eyes widening. “No you’re not. You can’t be… my only other true friend… that’s not right. You hate me, Ladybug… but Marinette… if you’re Ladybug… no, no, no!” He shook his head vigorously as thought to wake up from a nightmare, his eyes darting around… to the raven coloured hair, her bluebell eyes, her quivering lips, her body, her suit, her earrings. “You were my only friend! My support! The only one who understood my feelings! Unless….” he gasped. “You were faking that as well?”

“I’m not faking anything, Chat!” Ladybug tried to reason with him, putting her hands up to cup his face, but he smacked her hand away, growling. She added more softly, “I’m Marinette and Ladybug… and I want to say sorry… I didn’t mean what I said before... Please, understand, Chaton.”

“You said that before, and before, and before…” he hissed at her. “You put me in the darkness… made me second to everything… rejected me, then decide to show yourself after you say such… such…”

And then, the next moment, her lips were on his. They brushed against each other, the kiss sloppy due to the tears running down both their faces, their shaking bodies, the pain shooting through Ladybug as she tried to ignore Chat’s hand digging into her arm to push her away. But she didn’t budge but continued to deepen the kiss. Their eyes were open, but it wasn’t awkward, but terrifying for Ladybug to see Chat’s darting eyes wide, bloodshot and crazy. Crazy. Was he going to go mad? Mad from the loneliness of betrayal which Ladybug seemed to be incurable?

They released for air, panting, his sharp and dangerous emerald eyes sending daggers into her blue gaze. Chat pushed her away, getting up and turning his back on her, no longer shaking. The sun had been blocked by his figure, his body shining like a god now. She felt a sudden craving for his body, her arms wrapped around him once again, feeling his presence and what was underneath his suit. But then, the coldness of her fingertips made her realise she was in no position to do so, and she looked down sadly.

“As you said,” he said in a scaringly quiet voice, meek and powerless. “We’re no longer partners. Goodbye, Ladybug.”

Ladybug felt the hope drain away from her, as her guilt, sorrow and grief drowned her as she was left alone on the balcony, the stars shining down on her, and the moon glowering down at her, her hair shiny like her watery eyes spilling hot tears. If he could not forgive her, then how could she forgive herself? The burden’s weight became heavier on her shoulders, and she felt herself fall low, low, so very goddamn low every single wretched day, no word or eye contact from Chat Noir, her former partner in fighting crimes.

At twenty-five years of age, they became more independent. Adrien Agreste was nowhere to be seen, most likely imprisoned by his father. But what made Marinette worry was what if he had let his father do so. To give up on all hope, to allow the weight pushing you down to bury your own grave, she knew what it felt like. After all, she too had been suffering for those two years without Chat Noir’s presence.

She suddenly realised the cravings she had of her ex-partner might have had for her, their presence to soothe and calm them, make them feel loved. She didn’t feel loved. Yes, there were her friends, and Alya and Nino… but to not be loved by the one you deeply love? She realised how painful it was, and she had no idea how Chat Noir dealt with it. He was in his own league, far, far ahead from her. Not that she thought about it, after their separation as a two-man team, Chat Noir seemed absolutely fine on his own, gaining more popularity than she, whereas Ladybug began to tumble down.

She couldn’t survive without him. She would die. She had to make things right.

She had opened the door to her bakery once again, climbing the same ladder she did for the past eleven years. Tikki was buzzing about but had stopped when she saw crimson covering her whole room. Crimson petals, laid on her bed, her desk, the floor, blowing into the balcony above her. There laid a small note on her desk, neatly written, but surprisingly cold, bitter, dangerous.

I love you, Bugaboo. Come back to me, or I’ll come to you.

Your Chaton.

She blanched, turning to look at Tikki, who had the same aghast look on her tiny face. After many years, she had prayed every night to God to make sure nothing happened to the boy… her old partner she betrayed, her wishes were jinxed.

“Might even get akumatized if it stays like this.”

He did. He let the evil subdue him. He allowed the evil drown him, consume him, kill him off. The roses that were spread across her room was like a poisoned reminder of the curse she brought upon herself.

“I must make things right,” she said. “Tikki… spots on.”

She decided that she’d go to him to make things right before he could chase after her. It was her turn now, to confess, to not play with his feelings but be genuine from the heart, to apologise and say how much she loved him. Many years ago… she realised: Chat Noir and Adrien Agreste… they were one and the same. It was a shock to her first, but then as she took the news in, she realised how much of a fool she was.

“When we turn twenty-five, Bugaboo, and you don’t have your man with you,” Chat Noir handed her a rose, smiling slightly. Ladybug took the rose, listening intently. “Then I’ll find you and make sure you’re mine.”

“In your dreams, cat.”

“But dreams can come true!”

His dream was about to come true.

It truly was.

There he stood, in all his glory, at the same aging tower’s rooftop they had sat on the same day of their biggest argument, where she slapped him, and hurt him, and practically crushed him.

She felt her heart clench so tightly that she thought she was going to burst.

“Chat Noir,” she croaked.

He turned around, and Ladybug was sure her heart skipped a beat. He was charming, definitely, maybe because of their maturity at this age… but she definitely couldn’t say no to the fact that he was a teeny-weeny sexy. A teeny-weeny part of her heart was empty just for Chat Noir, once again, just like their innocent teenagehood years. But now as a fully grown woman, Ladybug felt her heart swoon even more.

“We meet again face to face, My Lady,” he bowed down to her, still looking up at her.

But his suit was different. The opposite of his darkening soul… as if he were trying to disguise his guiltiness behind the pureness of snow-white. He was like a fox in sheep’s clothing, cunning in the white tight suit, his eyes shaded a deep violet. So deep that Ladybug was sure she was about to drown into the depths of his eyes. Entranced by his charm, she was. Falling for him, she was. But some sort of force stopped her from walking up to him, into his arms that were now wide open, a smile on his face, his violet eyes gleaming… a small… a small glint of evil within them, reflecting the painful past he had, locked away and imprisoned with no trustworthy friends.

“You’re not Chat,” Ladybug inspected the man further. His bell that once hung at his neck was now at his chest, exposing his slightly tanned skin. It was the same colour as his eyes, the deep magenta. His eyes. “Who are you?”

“Chat Blanc,” he answered, still smiling. “Come over here Ladybug, let us be together again. It’s still me, your Chaton.”

“If you’re not Chat Noir, then why should I trust you?” She frowned at him. “You’re… you’re akumatized, Chat. Wake up!”

The smile on his face threatened to fade, and it soon did.

“Again? Rejected?” He laughed this time. “How lovely. If you’re not going to love me, Bugaboo, then I’ll have to make you love me by force!”

“Don’t call me Bugaboo. You have no right to call me that, only Chat Noir does!”

“But My Lady, I am the Chat you love!”

“But not the betrayed Chat Noir I hurt those years ago,” Ladybug began to run up to him, readying her weapon. “Where is the green-eyed Chat? Where is Adrien Agreste I loved?”

He stopped laughing. “Don’t say that name.”

“What?”

“Don’t say it… don’t say Agreste. Just don’t say it ever!” Chat bellowed, his baton extended and held in his hand. His hands trembled as his whole body did many years ago. “Cursed Agrestes… terrible… disgusting, stealing away My Lady for she loved him and not me!” He spat.

“You are an Agreste, Chat. You are Adrien Agreste!” Ladybug said.

“I am Chat! Chat Blanc, the only man you’ll ever love!” He swung his baton at Ladybug fiercely, scowling. Ladybug grabbed a hold of the baton with her yoyo, pulling him close to her and throwing away the baton. Chat frowned at what she did, but readied himself again, pushing her away from him.

“Stop being such a stubborn cat!” Ladybug hissed at him, swinging her yoyo at him again, but he had caught up to her, dodging her yoyo and sweeping her off her legs with a kick at her ankles. She stumbled background, gasping as she fell on the ground with an impact.

“The only stubborn person here is you, My Lady,” he smiled down grimly at her, closing their distance, squatting down to meet her level. “Now if you could just hand me your miraculous, then we’d be happy ever after.” He reached for her spotted earrings, his gloved fingers brushing against her skin, and she shuddered underneath his touch. Sensitive, she was.

“No,” she shook her head, grabbing onto his arm before he could take off her earring. “This isn’t right.”

“It is, My Lady,” he purred. He reached for it with the other hand this time. “I told you… we can be happy together when you give me your miraculous.”

Ladybug had a strong urge building up inside her. “Chat Noir, eleven years ago we parted our ways but I want that to be solved because I need you! I only realised a few years ago you were Adrien Agreste and I couldn’t let this be! I needed to see you Chat Noir… where is the real you? The Adrien you, my… my Chaton?” She blurted out, her face reddening to the colour of her bodysuit.

He blinked dumbly at her. For a moment, Ladybug saw a flash of emerald in his eyes, but it was soon replaced by the cold violet once again. He clambered on top of her and threw his hands toward her earrings. Ladybug struggled against his stronger grasp, knowing that she wouldn’t win this fight. But she continued on. She wanted to be strong for the Chat Noir that had given up… to empower him, so that he could be strong again. Happy, free, liberated. Loved. By her.

So instead of fighting against him, she pulled on his bell and brought him to her, closer than ever before. His evilised eyes stared into her familiar bluebell ones. And then… the same kiss she had given to Chat Noir those eleven years ago she gave to Chat Blanc. His fighting against her to retrieve her earrings had stopped, and he fell limp under the fierce meeting of their lips crashing together. Their tongues battled for dominance, dancing to an unknown song, but to the beat of their rapid heartbeat. But something felt different. Their eyes were no longer open but closed. And he did not resist but did quite the opposite. He continued for what seemed like forever.

She wished it was like this with Chat Noir. But that wouldn’t happen, would it? He’d hate on her once turned back to normal, not ever forgetting how she rejected him. It pained her more when she realised she rejected the one she loved blindly, not realising the two were one and the same. She fell for the same man twice, but couldn’t accept one side which he valued the most. The side of him which could make him roam free and be himself without his father’s piercing gaze on him all the time.

With her hands placed gently on his chest, she tugged at his bell, trying to free it. Finally it was free and the clutched onto it, still deeply involved with their kiss. But she felt his hand suddenly move up her neck to her ear again, and her eyes shot open to find him staring at her spotted earrings. With the hand she used to hold onto the bell for dear life, she finally threw that hand as hard as she could onto the floor, smashing his bell. Just as his hand brushed against her earlobe, it fell limp and landed on her shoulder, and Chat Blanc’s eyes closed, his suit transforming from the snow-white to the deep black. His eyes fluttered open to reveal the emerald haze she missed so much, and she wrapped her arms around his torso, finally granting that craving she had for so long.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured into his neck as she held him close to her, still in the awkward position of his body over hers on the roof of the tower. “I had to betray you again… but that will be the last time, I promise.”

Chat Noir did not respond. So Ladybug went on.

“I love you,” she said. “I want to love you so much so that you never feel lonely ever again. I wanted to say to you those eleven years ago that the Marinette me actually fell in love with the Adrien Agreste you. But I never got to. If I wasn’t so foolish to realise the two people I fell in love with were the same person… none of this would have happened. Please… will you forgive me?”

And Chat Noir’s look gave it all. He smiled weakly at her.

“Oh how I’ve been waiting for you to say that for so long, my Bugaboo,” he nuzzled into her neck planting kisses on her neck. Ladybug laughed as she felt his lips tickle her skin, but she placed her hand on his head and allowed him to continue, caressing his back.

“The agreement?” She finally breathed. Chat Noir looked back up at her, his eyes searching hers.

“Of course, My Lady,” he said, smiling his toothy grin she missed so much. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

“Yes!” She choked out, holding her wails. She hugged him again, as hard as she could, happy.

Forgiven they were. Free they were. Loved by each other they were.

Their agreement signed with their hearts, in love they were, Chat Noir and Ladybug-- Adrien Agreste and Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

“You forgot to de-evilize the akuma, My Lady,” Chat Noir muttered after some moments, pulling away from their embrace.

“Crap, crap,” Ladybug shuffled backwards, scanning the sky for any raven coloured roaming butterfly. “Akuma hunting it is, then!”

And then off they were, ready to seal away the akuma, laughing as the sun set on the horizon just like those years ago. But this time they felt something different.