This collection of one shots is brought to you by Swap Week in Tumblr, organized by imthepunchlord (you may know her famous works that consist of Miraculous/Kwami swaps).

Summary: A red beetle gets a bit upset over some news. Thankfully a certain black cat notices. From the "Flare" promt.

A Bug's Flare

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Adrien's mouse went scrolling through the Miracu-Blog, eyes glued to the most recent story of his and Chat's battle with the new Akuma. He smiled when he looked at the picture Alya had taken of his partner helping the victim after he was forced to leave the scene.

"You really like her that much, don't you?" Tikki asked him as she took another bite of her cookie while looking at her charge.

"It's impossible not to, Tikki" Adrien declared, "Look at her, my princess is just as kind as a… well… princess" he finished a bit lamely. Tikki chuckled.

"I don't think I've ever had a chosen so lovesick like you, Adrien" she said as she flew in front of him.

"Is that good or bad?" Adrien asked, but before Tikki could answer, there was a knock on the door.

The Kwami quickly hid on his shirt as Adrien muttered a "Come in" and got up from his chair. Nathalie entered a worried look on her face.

"Hi, Nathalie, is there something wrong?" the model politely asked. The assistant let out a sigh.

"Your father called"

A feeling of dread soon formed on his stomach.

"He wanted me to inform you that a new meeting is to be held on London, so-"

"-So he won't be able to come home, again, and spend some time with me, again" Adrien finished, having grown used to hearing the same answer for a while. "I understand, Nathalie" he said, his voice almost a whisper.

The woman's face softened a little.

"I'm sorry, Adrien" she said.

"It's not your fault" he said, eyes looking over to the windows while Nathalie took this as a sign to exit the room. Walking over to the couch, Adrien sat down, his right hand going over to his left ear, rubbing the black earrings in order to bring some sense of comfort.

"I don't even know why I keep hoping he will actually show up" he muttered. Tikki flew out of her hiding spot, taking a set on his left shoulder.

"He will, Adrien. I know he will, one day" she said, attempting to lift his spirits.

A shadow passed through the window, making both human and Kwami nearly jump. Adrien quickly recognized his partner as she went patrolling the city.

The feeling of dread quickly became one of needing to get out.

"Tikki, transform me" he said. A flash of pink and he was soon out of his room, chasing the girl with wild blue hair and a cat costume in his red and polka-dotted black costume.

Both of them made a landing on a rooftop.

"Chat Sombre" he curtly bowed to the girl, surprising her.

"Coléoptère Rouge" she returned with a nod and small smile. "I thought I was going to patrol alone today" she said, tilling her head to the side.

"Well, Princess, what if I told you that I can't live without your prrresence in my life?" he asked with a sly smile as he walked over to Chat. She rolled her eyes.

"You know, my Kwami is really amused over the fact that the one who makes the cat puns is you, not me" Chat Sombre replied as she walked over to the edge of the roof and sat down, her partner soon following.

"I think you should, you have no idea how much you're missing without the puns!" Coléoptère Rouge said. Chat gave him a light glare.

"But really, Bug, what are you doing out here tonight?" she asked.

"Curiosity killed the cat" Coléoptère Rouge said.

"And satisfaction brought it back" Chat Sombre replied, a smirk on her face. However, it soon left her lips as she studied her partner. Coléoptère Rouge was known for being a bit impulsive in battle, he liked to flirt with her (she was sure he had a crush on her), gave puns and puns and never looked weak or sad.

But now… his shoulders were slumped, his green eyes were locked on the ground. It didn't take a genius to realize something was bothering him.

She suddenly felt bad for asking.

"I'm sorry, you don't have to say anything, I-"

"No, no… it's okay" Coléoptère Rouge reassured her. He forgot how observant she was.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Chat asked.

"Not really" he admitted. "But… do you mind staying here? For a little while?" he asked, voice almost wavering.

Chat Sombre placed her hand over his. "Of course"

For a moment, his bright green eyes were locked with her blue-bell ones, and he sees a protective look that's willing to fight the darkness that must be responsible for his sadness. Like a beacon of light.

Like a flare.

"Thanks, Princess"

"You're welcome, Bug"

So, yeah, I decided to start with the most obvious swap out there. There's a light swap in the nicknames Adrien/Chat Noir gives Marinette/Ladybug and the Ladyblog's name got changed to simply be Miracu-Blog.

Meaning of names:

Coléoptère Rouge = Red Beetle

Chat Sombre = Dark Cat