An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Miraculous Ladybug Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug Characters: Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir, Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Loveywalker | Adrien Agreste as Cat Walker/Marinette Dupain-Cheng as Loveybug, Loveybug Zine (Miraculous Ladybug) Summary:
She valued Cat Walker’s partnership. She didn’t want him to feel unloved or unappreciated because of her lingering attachment to Chat.
It was complicated—she cared for Cat Walker, truly—but Chat Noir...
Leaning in closer, her hands tucked behind her back, a smile plastered on her face. “So, Cat Walker,” she began, her voice carrying a hint of playful intrigue, “any news on when Chat Noir will be back?”
His confusion was evident, written plainly across his features. His brow furrowed in a silent question.
Here is my piece for the @loveybugzine .....pssssst please go check out all the other amazing work that was made for it!
“You did really well today, Cat Walker. We’ve gotten a lot better at this!” Loveybug exclaimed as she landed on the rooftop. Cat Walker followed suit, landing gracefully beside her.
Everything had returned to normal like there hadn’t just been another akuma battle that had almost leveled the city. The streets were alive with the usual evening hustle. It was almost surreal how quickly the city healed.
The sun hung low against the painted horizon, hues of orange and pink casting a soft glow over the sprawling city below. The gentle hum of the city streets rose up to meet them. A distant melody drifted into their ears, punctuated by the occasional honk of a horn or the laughter of a passerby.
Cat Walker stretched, rolling his shoulders to release the tension from the recent battle. Loveybug nervously brushed off her skirt, even though it was already spotless.
She wanted to ask Cat Walker about Chat Noir, wondering when her old partner would return. The question burned in her mind, a mix of longing and uncertainty. She missed Chat Noir deeply, his playful banter and reassuring presence, but she didn’t want to seem weird or make Cat Walker uncomfortable.
She valued Cat Walker’s partnership. She didn’t want him to feel unloved or unappreciated because of her lingering attachment to Chat.
It was complicated—she cared for Cat Walker, truly—but Chat Noir...
Leaning in closer, her hands tucked behind her back, a smile plastered on her face. “So, Cat Walker,” she began, her voice carrying a hint of playful intrigue, “any news on when Chat Noir will be back?”
His confusion was evident, written plainly across his features. His brow furrowed in a silent question.
Loveybug’s smile wavered, and she bit her lip, pausing as if searching for the right words. “Not that I don’t enjoy working with you. You’re fabulous and amazing, and I’m so proud of everything we have done together. Well, the ten fights we have been in went flawlessly… mostly…”
She thought about a battle that hadn’t gone so well. Images of that chaotic day flooded her mind. It had been their first time fighting together since she became Loveybug, and the akuma had been particularly formidable. The monster, an embodiment of anger and strength, had caused significant disruption in the city.
Loveybug remembered evading a barrage of energy blasts, the ground shaking beneath her as she shouted commands to Cat Walker.
“Cat, to your left! No, your other left!” she had called out, her voice filled with urgency as Cat Walker narrowly avoided falling debris.
They were out of sync, their movements uncoordinated. Loveybug had tried to align their attacks, but miscommunication nearly led to disaster. She recalled the moment when the akuma’s claws had come dangerously close to her. Just as she braced herself, Cat Walker had sprung into action, his body a blur as he pulled her out of harm’s way. They tumbled together, landing hard on the ground, dust and debris swirling around them.
“You okay?” His voice was breathless, eyes wide with concern.
“Yeah,” she had replied, trying to steady her racing heart, hoping he didn’t notice the rosy hue creeping into her cheeks.
Still, the damage to the city had been extensive, and their morale had taken a significant hit.
Loveybug had felt the weight of failure pressing on her shoulders. And even with the Lucky Charm cure, she was haunted by the sights of injured civilians and damaged buildings.
She shook off the memory, focusing on the present.
“Minus that one, anyways. And then our patrols are great.” Loveybug found herself enthusiastically praising her teamwork with Cat Walker. But the question about Chat Noir lingered in her mind. She hesitated, stopping herself mid-sentence. “Ugh, sorry, I’m rambling. I do enjoy your company, really. But when will, um… when will Chat be back?”
Cat Walker seemed to be trying to keep up with her mixed messages. “Uh, thanks. I enjoy our time together too.” He paused. “I didn’t realize you were close with Chat.”
“Ha ha, close… I wouldn’t say we’re close, just acquaintances. Pals. Teammates. Definitely not lovers, but we could be if he wanted. Not that he wants that.” Her voice dropped to a whisper, her gaze flicking to the ground. A blush tinted her cheeks as she mumbled the last words.
As Loveybug’s words hung between them, charged with a mix of hope and hesitation, Cat Walker watched her closely. Her fingers nervously twisted the ends of her hair, a habit she fell back on whenever she was anxious or upset. Despite her playful demeanor earlier, her unease was palpable now, creating a small ache in his chest.
He hesitated, trying to find the right words. “You know, it’s okay to miss him. I can see how much he meant to you.”
“It’s just... he was my first partner, you know? We had this rhythm, this connection. And now, with him gone... it feels like something’s missing.”
“Lovey,” Cat Walker began, his voice softer this time, “you know I’ve always admired how you handle everything with so much heart. It’s what makes you an incredible hero, not just to the city, but to me too.”
Loveybug gave him a tentative smile.
He paused.
And she felt the air shift between them. With a bated breath, she braced herself for the harsh truth that she didn't want to hear.
“But Chat Noir isn’t coming back.”
Loveybug’s eyes flickered with a mix of emotions—shock, disbelief, and an ache she couldn’t quite name. Her shoulders slumped slightly as if a weight had been added to them. Cat Walker gave her a moment, watching her carefully. When she spoke, she seemed to have accepted it—but her voice was sad. “Thanks, Cat Walker. That means a lot, especially coming from you. I... I guess I just miss the team we used to have. Chat Noir was a big part of that.”
Her voice tapered off into a wistful sigh, and looked out over the city, watching as the last light of day gave way to the twinkling of street lamps and the glow of office buildings.
Cat Walker placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, drawing her gaze back to his. “I’m sorry, Lovey. I thought you knew he wasn’t going to return. I should have been more straightforward when I joined.”
She took a deep breath, seeming to gather herself. “It's fine. I think I knew that deep down, but I wasn't ready to accept it.
The truth was painful, but there was also a strange sense of relief too. Finally, the uncertainty was gone and all that was left was the bittersweet reality of moving forward without him. She swallowed hard, trying to keep the whirlpool of emotions inside.
She could have her breakdown later. For now, she just wanted to be in the presence of Cat Walker.
She needed him to know she truly appreciated him. Despite the confusion and the lingering feelings for Chat Noir, Cat Walker had been a steadfast partner, always there when she needed him the most. His support had become a lifeline she didn’t realize she needed until now.
“Can I ask for something?”
“Anything,” Cat Walker replied, his voice soft.
“Would it be okay if we sat here for a while?”
Cat Walker normally left almost immediately after akuma attacks, and patrols had been strictly patrols. And even though they flirted—well, she flirted and Cat Walker blushed—it wasn’t the same.
And Loveybug had missed those moments. When it was just her and her partner.
It reminded her she wasn’t completely alone and someone shared the same weight on their shoulders.
“Sure,” Cat Walker said, taking a seat on the edge of the rooftop.
Loveybug hesitated a moment before sitting down next to him. “Thank you.”
“Always… my love.”
My love…
My lady…
Loveybug felt her heartstrings pull. Oh, how she missed Chat Noir.
Every corner of the city echoed with memories of their time together—the jokes, the fights, the camaraderie. It was a loss that left a persistent ache in her heart, a void that no one else could fill.
She turned her head away, hoping Cat Walker wouldn’t notice the tears beginning to fall. Her shoulders trembled slightly, and she clenched her fists, trying to hold herself together. The soft glow of the city lights blurred through her watery gaze, amplifying her sense of loneliness and heartache.
Cat Walker heard her sniffle, a soft sound that broke through the evening air. Concern etched across his face as he gently placed a hand on her shoulder, turning her to face him. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Reluctantly, she turned, hastily wiping away her tears with the back of her hand and plastering on a strained smile.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be? It’s not like Chat and I were that close anyways. I just figured he would have at least said goodbye. But it’s fine. I’ll be fine.” Tears pricked the corner of her eyes.
The truth was painful, but there was also a strange sense of relief too. Finally, the uncertainty was gone and all that was left was the bittersweet reality of moving forward without him. She swallowed hard, trying to keep the whirlpool of emotions inside.
No. Get it together, Loveybug. The last thing she wanted to do was break down in front of Cat Walker.
But she saw his green eyes, so similar to Chat’s, and she broke.
“It’s… it’s just, I love… loved him. And now I won’t ever get the chance to tell him.”
The words were heavy. Cat Walker let his hand fall and looked down at the ground below, avoiding her gaze. His attention focused on the movement of his foot.
“I didn’t… know you felt that way about him.”
“He didn’t either.”
Cat Walker considered his words carefully. “I know it’s hard. Losing someone you care about, not getting the chance to say what you feel... it’s a heavy burden.”
Loveybug nodded, tears threatening to spill again. “It just feels so... unfinished. Like there’s this huge part of my life that’s been ripped away, and I can’t ever get it back.”
Cat Walker hesitated before speaking, his voice gentle. “I can’t replace Chat Noir, and I don’t want to. But I’m here for you, Lovey. We can create new memories, build our own connection. It’s okay to miss him and still let yourself find comfort with someone else.”
Loveybug looked at him, searching his face for sincerity. She found it in his eyes, the earnest concern and warmth that had been a constant since he became her partner.
“You’re right,” she said softly. “I do miss him, but I also appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I... I’m grateful for you, Cat Walker.”
They sat together, the cool evening air brushing against their skin. Loveybug leaned into Cat Walker, her head finding a natural resting place on his shoulder. He instinctively pulled her closer, his arm wrapped securely around her, his hand softly rubbing her back in soothing circles.
She couldn’t deny the comfort she found in his presence. His warmth, his reassuring touch, the way he looked at her with genuine concernᅳit was different but not unwelcome. In fact, she found herself leaning into him, savoring the moment.
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the city, adding a touch of magic to their quiet moment.
Cat Walker glanced up at the view and then back at Loveybug. “We should probably head home,” he said softly.
Loveybug nodded in agreement. “Yeah, it’s getting late.”
They stood up to say goodbye, the night air cool against their skin. Loveybug wrapped her arms around Cat Walker, pulling him into a large hug. The closeness made her heart race, and she felt a rush of emotions she knew she shouldn’t act on, but she couldn’t help herself. He placed a tender kiss on the top of her head, his lips lingering against her hair.
Loveybug felt her eyes well up with tears again. She really did love him too, and the thought of losing him was unbearable. “I’m sorry for crying so much,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“It’s fine,” Cat Walker replied, his hand gently lifting her chin so she could see the sincerity in his eyes. “You’re pretty even when you cry.”
Loveybug gave a small, teary smile. “Really?”
He brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, his fingers lingering on her cheek.
“Yes,” he whispered. He couldn’t stop himself from pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head, his lips lingering against her hair.
Cat Walker’s heart raced as he gazed down at her, her face illuminated by the soft city glow. The air between them was charged with an electric current of unspoken feelings.
Gently, he lifted her chin with his finger, tilting her face up towards his. Loveybug’s breath caught, her eyes wide with a mix of anticipation and surprise.
Slowly, he lowered his head, his lips meeting hers in a tender, yet profound kiss. Loveybug responded instinctively, her arms tightening around his neck.
As their lips parted, Loveybug felt a rush of warmth and vulnerability. Her heart fluttered, caught between the ache of lost love and the burgeoning hope of something new. She gazed up at Cat Walker, her eyes reflecting the myriad of emotions swirling within her.
They stared into each other’s eyes, the world around them fading away.
