Chat Noir ran and vaulted over the roofs of Paris. It was quite dark and quite late now, but even without all the streetlights, he was able to see just fine with his night vision. He paused on a particular rooftop, scoping out the city. Everything was quiet and peaceful. No akuma in sight. Which was great, since he was on patrol alone, and would be for a while more.

'Only a couple of months left now.' he thought, his tail twitching with anticipation as he thought about it.

He looked up at the skies, a few stars peeking out, even amidst the artificial streetlight. He couldn't wait for those few months to pass by. And not just for obvious reasons, but also because he honestly felt lonely, patrolling by himself. It just wasn't the same without his lady.

Nothing was. He felt her absence like a physical thing whenever she was away. The lack of her, of her warmth, of her sweet, sweet smiles, resonated with the feline hero. He'd had to endure that lack for so many nights now. Marinette was in no condition to assume her responsibilities as Ladybug, so Chat was alone during every patrol, especially since things were so quiet on Hawkmoth's end. Not even the criminals made a peep. Yes, this was good news, but Chat wished for some distraction from missing his love on nights spent checking on the welfare of the city.

Speaking of which, he should get back now. Things were quiet enough that he could end his nightly watch early. Dashing back home as fast as his cat-like speed could grant him, Chat grinned as he got closer and closer to his lady, his princess, his dear, darling wife Marinette.

After a few more buildings, he reached their shared home, a cozy place not too far from her parents' bakery. He landed on the rooftop and, too eager to see her, neglected transforming in favour of opening the trapdoor and dropping inside. It closed just as he touched down, on all fours, on the floor.

The light was on, he noticed, and his lady wasn't asleep. Marinette sat the edge of their bed. She looked up when she heard him.

"Adrien!" she said as he walked over to her. "I didn't think you'd be back so soon!"

Her tone was surprised, but certainly happy. Chat smiled, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. He'd missed her lips, so sweet and soft, a little chapped, but perfect.

"Well, things were quiet." he murmured, punctuating with a second kiss, eyes open. "And I missed you."

He kissed her again, letting his eyes slip closed.

"I missed you too." she whispered.

They hugged.

"I went to see the doctor today."

Chat's ear twitched.

"And?" he asked, sounding both nervous and excited.

Mari bit her lip, smiling.

"It's a boy. We're having a boy."

She heard Chat draw in a sharp breath, then let it out in a joyful laugh.

"That's wonderful." he chocked out.

He let his hands run down her sides and crouched down as they settled on her rounded belly. He looked almost shyly up at her.

"Can I?"

Mari giggled and nodded. He smiled and put his ears, both his regular human ear and his black cat one, to her stomach. The tiny thump of a heartbeat pulsed gently under his gloved fingertips and the child in Marinette's womb rested. His child, his son, his baby.

"Hey. Hey there little guy. Daddy's home. Daddy's come home now, and mommy and I can't wait to see you."

Marinette smiled as her husband whispered softly to their unborn son. She gently scratched his head as he talked and occasionally paused to listen again for the tiny heartbeat. The look on his face, the love in his glowing green eyes, the fatherly pride and care, was so precious. It made her heart melt. Her husband kissed her stomach, then stood and finally released his transformation.

"What should we name him?" he asked as they both climbed under the covers while Plagg flew up to the tiny bed next to Tikki's.

"I was thinking either Hugo or Louis."

Adrien smirked, bearing a striking resemblance to his alter-ego.

"Are those the two boy names you picked out when we were teens?"

His princess blushed.

"Maybe."

He kissed her forehead and they snuggled closer together.

"I like Louis."

"Yeah, I do too. But the next one is Hugo."

"Deal. Goodnight, milady."

"Goodnight kitty."

She fell asleep almost immediately, but Adrien stayed up, relishing her presence and her closeness. Being Chat Noir certainly had its perks, but nothing felt so good as whenever he came home.