* Hello fellow fans! I love this show, and in spite of the gap in time we have until the rest of the season airs, I have written a story, that begins at the end of Season 2, Ep. 10. So SPOILERS. If you have been waiting for Netflix to release season 2, like a good person, read on with caution if you don't want to be spoiled. If I get enough likes/reviews after the first couple chapters, I'll continue. So without further chit chat, here's the first chapter. *And no, of course I don't own these characters.*

It was about half past seven, and Chat was running late.

Ladybug sat patiently for her partner. She thought about yesterday's events. After she got home from Alya's house, she thought about her best friend and her new transformation. She was incredible. And it was so much fun to have her be a part of the team. Too bad the fox kwami had to be returned. Marinette could appreciate the extra help around Paris, to shoulder some of the burden. But why did something not sit right with her for some reason? Oh, right. She remembered. Chat's dumb, flirty behavior.

Yes, that didn't take long for her to recall. He was flirty with every girl he encountered. But this was different. Alya is her best friend, and it just looks weird, especially since she and Nino are getting pretty serious now. That aside, Ladybug now knew of Chat's true feelings for her. She could always sense it, but she waved any and all of the notions away, chalking them up to just being light-hearted and fun-loving, which is what she deemed her partner to be. Not serious, especially in the love department. But now that she knew where his affection's truly belonged, why did the behavior yesterday grate her? She had no feelings for that silly cat. Right? Ladybug made a cross, disgusted sound. No, he was Chat, her partner, one of her best friends. Her heart belonged to Adrien, and this situation was distracting, and misplaced. Let him flirt with whomever he wanted to, she didn't care to take him seriously before, why start now?

"Hey Bugaboo. Sorry for the tardiness. Thorn stuck in my paw…?"

Ladybug shrugged away her shadowed thoughts and gave Chat a smirk.

"I'm sure there was, you look so hurt, and without a limp to be seen I might add."

Chat came to attention and feigned his injury dramatically. "Ladybug, nothing wounds me more than your words! Maybe a touching gesture will heal me, a kiss perhaps?"

This had Ladybug stopping in her tracks. She leaned into him closely. "A kiss where, exactly? The paw? The cheek maybe? Could be on the lips…."
Chat stood next to her, sensing the joking mood was apparently snuffed out. "Whoa, take 5 my lady, I sense I have offended you?"

Shoot. Just when she had been telling herself to drop and ignore it, her emotions had her swept out again. She sighed.

"You just, I mean, ugh." Her feelings sat on her tongue, squirming and shifting as uncomfortable as her feet. She didn't like when patrolling became well, more conversation than action. Any glimpse into the personal files of her life, and she was almost a cold case. It was safer that way.

"Ladybug, please. I've been around you long enough to know what bugs you. That pun was unintentional I swear. Just, you know how I feel about you. But it's important that you understand it shouldn't affect my character, knowing you don't feel the same. I respect you, and I just want you to know your feelings are always safe with me."

"Why were you so flirty with Rena yesterday?" That thought came out of her mouth too fast for her to catch it. Woops. What was she, a jealous and immature girlfriend? Awesome.

Chat shifted his weight to his staff, taking this comment in stride. He was ready to round on her.

"Lady, you're looking a little green, my guess is it isn't bad tuna."

Of course he's ready for this, he's the one who seemed so sure about his feelings.

"I just, was wondering if it had anything to do with…me?" Even she felt that she was being ridiculous now.

"Lady, I think you're a little too hyper-aware of my actions…I always act like that, and you know it. No need to point it out…unless-"

"Chat don't pry-"

"Why not? You called me out."

Ladybug finally got a grip and took a deep breath. "Adrien Agreste."

Whoa.

What? How did she know his civilian name? That took Chat for a complete loop around, in fact he was so startled that he almost dropped his staff, quickly hoping that his surprise wouldn't be a dead giveaway in itself.

"Sorry, come again? What relevance is that name?" At least he could attempt a recovery, or a last-ditch attempt at denial.

"That boy? The one I'm… i-in love with? I'm telling you who it is. Not that it matters, you probably aren't familiar with him anyway."

Chat was inwardly kicking himself all over the roof on which they currently stood. She likes me, but not me. Oh my god, she's in love with me. But not the masked me. The real me. She has to know, but she can't. His mind was reeling.

"Hello? Earth to kitty-"

"So you mean the model? That's my competition?" Chat quickly established his questioning statements. Forget her jab about Rena Rouge-that admission was groundbreaking. This was personal, and now he needed to be serious.

"Why do you like him? What do you even know about him? He's a simple civilian, and the only difference he makes is in the fashion industry. Big deal. What's so special about him?"

Ladybug stood very still and quiet, only it didn't feel that way.

"Adrien Agreste is probably one of the sweetest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Of course he's gorgeous. He's a model. But I've found more in him. So much more. He's smart and incredibly talented. He's quiet about it, but he is neglected at home, it's actually appalling. I can tell he quietly craves love, but never receives it and it breaks my heart every day that I see him. His mom is out of the picture, his dad can't even be bothered to get him a gift for his birthday." Ladybug took a pause, collecting her thoughts. Chat was trying to not betray himself, like he wasn't hanging onto every word from her mouth, committing each sentence to memory.

"He craves love, and he gets it from his friends, but he needs so much more than that. And I secretly wish to be that for him. But I can't even say five words to the guy without going wonky. He probably thinks I'm dumb sometimes. But I still feel like I know him. I want to know more, but…..wow. This is really open, and you aren't saying anything…are you crying?"

Chat, Adrien, was for once in his suit…speechless. He had no idea what to say to this. Nowhere to begin. Ladybug held him close.

"Chat I don't know why this has stirred up so much emotion in you…..maybe because now you know who truly holds my heart. I'm sorry. But I'm still here for you. "

Chat tested his next words out on his tongue, numb to its implications. "H-how do you know all this? Are you…are you… you have to be someone I know. There's not anyone else in my life that close. Maybe only about three friends."

She froze. In a split second motion, she turned and fled.