#runaway catwalker

[runawaycatwalker]

Part 32. Her Consideration (Midnight Rendezvous, Part B)

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Description below the cut

Ladybug sits on her chaise lounge cross-legged and with head in her hands.  Chat Noir moves to sit down beside her.

Ladybug: Can I think about this first?

Chat Noir: Of course.  You can take all the time you need.  But, since I'm here, I can lend an ear and give you my opinions.

Ladybug: I assume that you'd prefer that I find out your identity?

Chat Noir: I support whichever option you pick—even neither.  Just not both.

Ladybug: If I pick the Catwalker option, it'd be bad if Mayura ever decides to reveal you.  But I'm not so sure she would—she could have told me who you are when we talked, but she deliberately didn't.

Chat Noir: Maybe she's happy to keep my identity to herself if she thinks it gives her the advantage?

Ladybug: Maybe...

Ladybug lays back on the chaise lounge, raising her hands up towards the ceiling, while Chat sits beside her.

Ladybug: And if I picked you instead...?  I still wouldn't know how to deal with Catwalker.

Chat Noir: You might not have to.  Just let him have another chance and see what he does.

Ladybug: And if he does something terrible?  I couldn't forgive myself if he used his Cataclysm on someone else.

Chat Noir: What do you mean 'someone else'?

Ladybug: I'm pretty sure he killed his mom to stop her from finding out his identity.

Chat Noir holds up his hands in deeply disturbed protest, while Ladybug points a finger up at him.

Chat Noir: No.  That's... No.  That never happened.

Ladybug: He was alone with his mom, so you can't be sure he didn't lie to you about what he really did.

Chat Noir: He's not hiding things from me.  I'd definitely know if he was.  He has a... tell when he lies.  Not anything that anyone else could spot, but to me?  It’s extremely obvious.  And completely foolproof.

Ladybug: So if I pick Catwalker's 'truth', you'll tell me how to notice his 'tell' too?

Chat Noir: Not directly, but...

Ladybug sits up as Chat points towards her with a smile.

Chat Noir: You'd get on his wavelength, understand how he really thinks.  You'd know what lengths he would—and wouldn't—go to.  It'd be abundantly clear why I trust him despite his failings.  It'd almost be like it was before—it'd feel right again, but without any doubts.  And it would mean him knowing that he can open up his heart to you.

Ladybug: Just because he could let me know him, it doesn't mean he wants that.

Chat Noir: Everyone wants to be known—that includes him too.  And he'd be so forthcoming if he knew he didn't have to lie about everything anymore.

Ladybug rubs the back of her neck as she raises a contradictory finger.  Chat rubs his arm and looks evasive.

Ladybug: He'd tell me everything?  Because I know he hasn't told me the full truth about Adrien and doesn't want to...

Chat Noir: Ah.  That's... a bit of a touchy subject.  I know everything, but... I can’t talk about the Adrien situation without permission.

Ladybug: Catwalker's gagging you?

Chat Noir looks towards Ladybug, holding up a hand to halt her line of thinking.

Chat Noir: No!  I have Catwalker's consent to tell you anything I want about him.  This is something else.  A promise I made to someone.

Ladybug: And this 'someone' is...?

Chat Noir: I can't tell you right now.  But you definitely trust them.  I'm trying to get their permission to divulge the details to you, but... they have other priorities.  You shouldn't make knowing about Adrien the deciding factor for choosing Catwalker.

Ladybug squeezes her pillow in exasperation.  Chat Noir leans backwards in contemplation.

Ladybug: I hate this.  I hate that no matter what, there's still going to be secrets.

Chat Noir: I know.  I hate it too.  Whenever you kept me in the dark, I always felt the urge to break something, it was so frustrating.  But now that I'm on the other side, I think it's safe to say that keeping all the secrets feels just as horrible.  I desperately want to scream the truth from the rooftops, but I have to bite my tongue.  It's only because I know that you'd have wanted me to keep these secrets that I've been able to hold back.

Ladybug holds out her hands in front of her as Chat watches.

Ladybug: You make it sound like lying is harder than telling the truth.

Chat Noir: Isn't it?

Ladybug: No!  I've had to lie so much, I make up excuses without even thinking anymore!  To say nothing of all the things I'm too much of a coward to admit to anyone I care about!

Chat Noir: You're not a coward.  You're one of the bravest people I know.

Ladybug: You wouldn't think that if you knew what I've kept from you.

Chat Noir: Try me.  Not that you have to divulge everything.  But I'm happier when you let me in.  It's better than being left in the dark without even knowing the reason why.

Ladybug: You would know, wouldn't you...?

A closeup of Ladybug clenching her hands, with Chat Noir placing his hand on hers.

Ladybug: Chat, I never told you this, but... we have shared identities before.

Chat Noir: I’m guessing this was during Oblivio since I don’t remember?

Ladybug: No.  Well, maybe then too, but that's not what I'm talking about.  There have been at least two other times where we ended up finding out who the other person was.  Both times, it was so disastrous that time travel was necessary to fix it.

Chat Noir: What happened?

Ladybug: One I don’t really know.  The other… I wish I didn’t.

Chat Noir: Please tell me.

Flashback to “Chat Blanc,” after water covers all of Paris and the moon is destroyed.  Chat Blanc fights himself as he raises a Mega Cataclysm to the sky.  The destroyed form of Ladybug holds out her hand in front of her.

Ladybug (voiceover): You... you got akumatized after learning my identity.  And at the point in the timeline when I arrived…?  Chat...  There was no one left.

Cut back to Chat Noir, lost in the darkness of this revelation.

Ladybug: Chat?  Please say something.

Chat Noir: I can't tell you my identity.  If me being akumatized means I... I kill everyone...?  No one can ever learn who I am...

Ladybug embraces Chat Noir, holding him tight.

Ladybug: No!  You have it wrong, Chat!  I assumed that the problem was us sharing our identities.  That knowing too much made one of us get akumatized.  But there's another explanation.

Cut to the image of Chat Noir and Ladybug fist-bumping as civilians, wearing ‘I ♥ LB’ and ‘I ♥ CN’ t-shirts and splashes of their hero costumes.  Unbeknownst to them, Mayura is behind them, watching.

Ladybug (voiceover): In Chat Blanc's world, we must have become close as civilians.  But Mayura was watching.  She would have noticed when we acted too much like we do as Ladybug and Chat Noir.  That's what must have led to Hawkmoth ambushing you.  They targeted you while you were vulnerable, only for it all to backfire.  This time it's different.

Cut back to Ladybug holding Chat Noir’s face in her hands as tears continue to stream down his face.

Ladybug: Mayura did ambush you ...and you got away.  I can't imagine what you sacrificed to get away.  But me learning your identity can’t lead to total destruction.  Not anymore.  You already escaped that fate.  There's nothing stopping me from learning who you really are now, Chat.  So I know what I choose: It's you.

A closeup of Chat Noir’s apprehensively yearning face, Ladybug reflected in his eyes.

Chat Noir: But what about Catwalker?  You still don’t trust him.

Ladybug: This is more important.  You are more important.  You've already given me something about Catwalker I didn't have before: Your certainty.  That will have to be enough.  You always trusted me without knowing why.  Now it's my turn to trust you.  Because you need this more than I do.  To let your heart be fully known to the one person you've always wanted to share it with.  I've seen what happens when you have no one.  And maybe this way you'll still be able to have me.  I want you to feel safe knowing that I’ll always be looking out for you, no matter what side of the mask you’re on.  So please, Chat: Who are you?

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

[pisoprano]

How it happened:

How she remembers it:

[asukiess]

It was all he could do just to break away and run. I’m so sorry, Ladybug.

a gift for @pisoprano

this is inspired by the first chapter of their comic, runaway catwalker! I have thoroughly enjoyed it since discovering it this year, and the author just so happens to be a very sweet and kind person 🥺🫶🏻 I highly recommend it (especially to those who appreciate adrino friendship because it’s portrayed so well!!)

[flightfoot]

So in Runaway Catwalker, what are you hoping Ladybug chooses?

@pisoprano

Hm... I think I'll lean towards Ladybug wanting to know the truth about her partner. Rena Rouge and Carapace are already getting a clue on that front as well, and I'd love to see Ladybug's reaction to finding out that Cat Walker, the person she's been so suspicious of and who is so "perfect", is actually her partner. She'd be shocked that she didn't figure it out, and that Chat's that GOOD at pretending to be someone else. I'm betting she'd have a minor crisis about not knowing her partner.

But of course, finding out that Chat is Adrien would also impact things - I just don't think it'd be as dramatic. If she finds out that Chat is Adrien, then she'll probably have the "Chat Noir is Adrien" freak out that we already saw in Ephemeral. Aside from that, it'll mostly change her worries from "Adrien is missing for an unknown reason, is he alright" to "Adrien is in hiding because Mayura's after him". It would be fun to see her reaction to Adrien just hiding out with her grandpa (and also to him shaving his head bald). But I think it'd be a lot less dramatic than finding out that Cat Walker is Chat Noir.

[omg-hellgirl]

Jerry Hall at the backstage of Thierry Mugler Fall 1995.

[flordesakur4]

Alexander Mcqueen

[yourgirlvixen]

Donna Karan fall winter 1991 rtw

[aphroditespotion]

John Galliano FALL 1999 READY-TO-WEAR

[loyautevintage]

Lolita Lempicka spooky long jacket dress from angelztribe 🖤

[sophie-the-cat]

Susan Holmes for Azzedine Alaïa Fall 1990.

[airagrrrl]

Come on guys! Show your talent! 👯‍♂️✨ My favorite moment from the F1 interviews was when the drivers made the catwalk copying Checo's crossover style in Max's interviews at the Austin Sprint🏎💃✨ I hope you like it

[runawaycatwalker]

Part 31. Perfect Dichotomy (Midnight Rendezvous, Part A)

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Description below the cut

Chat Noir attempts to sit on the rolling chair by Marinette’s computer, but Ladybug pulls his tail and points at the chaise lounge instead.

Ladybug: Over here.  We can sit on the chaise lounge together.

Chat Noir: Oh?  You want me to be closer?

Chat exaggeratedly sprawls out onto Ladybug’s lap, arching his back and flinging his arms above his head.  Ladybug looks down at him with a teasing grin.

Chat Noir: How about this close?

Ladybug: A cat lying on my lap, huh?  That sounds...

Ladybug scratches the top of Chat’s head as he grins with deep pleasure.

Ladybug: Purr-fect.

Chat turns over and hugs Ladybug’s shin while she gives Chat more head scritches and rubs his back.

Ladybug: So… wanna tell me what's got you so spooked about Mayura?

Chat Noir: She and Catwalker… talked.  About me.  She mentioned some things that not many people would know.

Flashback to “Glaciator”: Marinette and Chat Noir rest on the railing of the balcony and look at each other as the moon shines over the city.

Ladybug (voiceover): But Marinette knows?  I suppose you have visited her a fair bit.  It's not all that surprising that you've shared some personal things with her...

Chat looks up at Ladybug and holds his finger and thumb an inch apart.

Chat Noir: It’s a bit more complicated than that.  Though I suppose I am missing some key details...

Ladybug puts her fist on her chin in contemplation (Her other hand continues giving Chat scritches).

Ladybug: So Catwalker’s been hiding things from you too...?

Chat Noir: More like Mayura was being extra cryptic���or lying.  All I really know for sure is that she’s looking for me.

Ladybug: I still don't understand why she cares so much...

Chat holds his hands out in a self-satisfied ‘Oh well!’ gesture.  (Ladybug stops giving him scritches).

Chat Noir: I like getting on villains' nerves, what can I say? I'll just have to keep frustrating her in our little game of 'Cat and Mouse'.

Ladybug pulls out the pillow from under her leg and ‘bonks’ Chat Noir on the head with it as he tries to placate her with a large grin.

Ladybug: Why do you make it sound like you’ve been doing something really stupid?

Chat Noir: Just because my methods are ridiculous, it doesn’t mean they don’t work!

Ladybug: That is not reassuring.

Chat leans against the chaise lounge next to Ladybug, hands clasped.

Chat Noir: Don’t worry, LB.  I’ve got it handled. I think the bigger problem is what prompted you to bring me here.  Wanna tell me what's wrong?

Chat kneels a leg next to Ladybug and places one hand on her arm and the other on her back.

Ladybug: I'm not sure how to explain...

Chat Noir: Start anywhere.  I think I can keep up.

Ladybug closes her eyes and holds her head in her hands with an expression of longing.

Ladybug: It's... Catwalker.  He's too perfect.

Chat Noir: ...You lost me.

A series of flashbacks with events shown pretty much as they occurred:

Flashback to “Kuro Neko”: Catwalker peeks around the corner at Kuro Neko, while Ladybug leans forward, catching her breath.

Ladybug (voiceover): He notices things that I'm too blind to see.

Catwalker (flashback): If that was Chat Noir, don't you think he'd talk to you?

Flashback to Part 6: View of Catwalker and Ladybug from below as they travel across the sky.

Catwalker (flashback): I can’t rule that out, but… my gut says that’s not it.

Ladybug (voiceover): His instincts about akumas are much better than mine.

Flashback to “Kuro Neko”: Ladybug looks at Catwalker as they kneel on a rooftop.

Ladybug (voiceover): It's like he already knows the answer I need.

Catwalker (flashback): Cats sometimes eat grass, it helps them spit out their hairballs.

Flashback to Part 8: A close-up of Ladybug looking right next to a close-up of Catwalker looking left.

Catwalker (flashback): You still have a multitude of people who can help you.

Ladybug (voiceover): And he's just nudging me to think of it myself.

Flashback to Part 18: Ladybug, still falling, throws her yo-yo through one of the holes in the lower conical barrier.  In the cone above, Catwalker places his hand against its barrier.  Both barriers begin to disintegrate.

Ladybug (voiceover): He always finds the right moment to use his powers.

Catwalker (flashback): Cataclysm!

Flashback to Part 26: Ladybug uses her yo-yo to flee as Oni-Chan lunges towards her.  But behind Oni-Chan, Catwalker has backflipped into the room behind her, his finger touching the amok with his Cataclysm.

Ladybug (voiceover): But I just ruin the opportunities he gives me because I never expect him to live up to you.

Flashback to Part 15: Ladybug turns back to looking down at the city below.  Catwalker holds up a hand to offer a friendly suggestion.

Catwalker (flashback): If you’d like to talk about anything, I’d be happy to stay and listen.

Ladybug (voiceover): And even when I can't do anything, he still acts so unbelievably kind...

Flashback to “Kuro Neko”: Catwalker, illuminated by the moon, reaches his hand before him for Ladybug to hold.

Ladybug (voiceover): He's just so... perfect.

Catwalker (flashback): Now I want to take care of you.

Ladybug (voiceover): But then I learned the truth:

Another series of flashbacks, with events depicted slightly off from what actually happened and Catwalker showing more malice.

Flashback to Part 12: Catwalker almost pointedly looks towards Carapace, who looks away guiltily.

Ladybug (voiceover): He lies and bends the truth with ease.

Catwalker (flashback): We only assume Adrien wants to be found.

Flashback to Part 17: Catwalker looks down towards Ladybug, the hand in front of him leaning on one of the barriers between them.

Catwalker (flashback): If he was dead, no one would know.

Ladybug (voiceover): And his lies lead to people suffering.

Flashback to Part 19: Catwalker steps forward, his hands palm upward in front of him, trying to explain himself.

Ladybug (voiceover): He'll use his heroic duty as an excuse to hold back.

Catwalker (flashback): I can't be as lax as Chat Noir was.

Flashback to Part 14: Catwalker grabs the end of Rena’s flute and pulls up the phone screen. Embedded flashback bubble from Part 20: Alya looks away and rubs the back of her neck.

Alya (flashback): He stole my phone number from my flute.

Ladybug (voiceover): But he crosses boundaries he shouldn't with no excuse.

Flashback to “Kuro Neko”: Catwalker pauses as he leaves Ladybug to finish everything on her own.

Ladybug (voiceover): He pretends to do what I want.

Catwalker (flashback): I won't make another move.

Flashback to Part 28: Astrowalker, wrapped tightly in yo-yo string (even his wings have been folded in on themselves and bound), hangs upside-down as Cosmobug points angrily at his face.

Catwalker (flashback): I followed you in case I needed to stay in your way.

Ladybug (voiceover): But he goes rogue once I'm not watching.

Flashback to Part 8: Catwalker lays on his side next to Emilie, reaching away from her.  Embedded flashback bubble from Part 20: Marinette clenches her fists in front of her, looking haunted.

Ladybug (voiceover): I can only guess at what other awful things he's hidden beneath my nose.

Marinette (flashback): What if he used his powers on his mom?

Flashback to Part 4: Catwalker grins at Ladybug with perfect posture, his hands on his lap.

Ladybug (voiceover): His perfection is an illusion.

Catwalker (flashback): I considered what I needed in order to be your 'ideal' partner.

Ladybug (voiceover): And I don't know what prices were paid to uphold his illusion.

Flashbacks end. Chat Noir kneels next to Ladybug on the chaise lounge as they embrace.

Chat Noir: I'm sorry, m'Lady. It's unfair that you've had to go through all of this.  If Catwalker is so wrong... would it be better if I was your Chat Noir again?

Ladybug: I wish I could let you. But I can't let Mayura target you.  Even if you were careful, she'd probably go after your loved ones in retaliation.  I won't let that happen.

Chat Noir: Alright.  Then what's the best way for me to support you?

Ladybug: Tell me how to fix everything?  *sob* I'm sorry, I don't think there's anything you can do.

Chat Noir: You're underestimating me.  And I think that you're underestimating him.  You're right that he's not perfect.  But I do think he's trying to be good.

Ladybug: I wish I had your ability to believe in people.  But Catwalker is too good of a liar.  I can't really know if he cares about anyone.  But I have to keep him as my partner.  I just have no idea how.

Chat Noir stands and rubs his chin in thought as Ladybug looks on.

Chat Noir: What if... What if I showed you the truth about Catwalker?

Ladybug: The... 'truth'?  You don't mean his identity, do you?

Chat Noir: No, of course not.  But this could fundamentally change how you see him—you wouldn't even need his name to trust him again.

Chat smiles down and touches his chest with both hands.

Ladybug: I can't see how that's remotely possible.

Chat Noir: You trust me even though you don't know who I am, don’t you?

Ladybug: Because I know you.

Chat Noir: Because you got to know me.  And if you knew the truth, you could know him too.

Chat scratches his head sheepishly and holds up a finger.  Ladybug turns away with hands raised, exasperated.

Chat Noir: There's just one itty-bitty catch.

Ladybug: Of course there's a catch...

Chat looks away, rubbing his arm.

Chat Noir: If I share this with you...?  My identity would make it dangerously easy to figure out who he is.  And a part of me was kinda hoping that I could show you who I am tonight.

Ladybug’s eyes widen in astonishment.

Ladybug: You wanted to share identities?

Chat Noir: Just mine.  I know his identity, so I shouldn't risk learning yours too anytime soon.

Chat leans down to touch Ladybug’s shoulder and holds up his fist encouragingly.

Chat Noir: But if you want to be absolutely certain of Catwalker's loyalties?  To understand the person who is hiding behind the mask?  I'd need to keep my identity from you a little while longer.

Chat Noir raises both hands to offer two options.  Above his right hand is the image of Catwalker.  Above his left is the image of Adrien Agreste.

Chat Noir: But it’s your choice, Ladybug: Learn the underlying truth about your new partner?  Or learn the civilian identity of your old partner?

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

[pisoprano]

Runaway Catwalker Alternate Scene 2

For my own enjoyment, I've written out two alternate versions of the scene of Runaway Catwalker that takes place on Page 32 and Page 33.

Below the cut, you'll find Alternate Scene 2, which is a non-canonical exploration of a different path. The other non-canonical exploration of an unexplored path, Alternate Scene 1, can be found here. Please see @runawaycatwalker for the canonical update.

I hope that you enjoy reading this as much as I did writing it :)

The path not considered

Ladybug bites her lip.  “I know you said I shouldn’t worry about what Catwalker did to Adrien, but it just keeps nagging at me.  Like, where did Adrien go when he disappeared?  I looked everywhere and I couldn’t find him.  If Catwalker didn’t drop him down a hole, then he’d have had to flown and—wait…”

“Ladybug?” Chat Noir asks.  “I don’t like that look on your face.”

“I know how he did it,” Ladybug breathes.

“Are you sure?  You might have missed something.”

“I did miss something.  So big that I couldn’t see him staring me right in the face.”

“’Him’?”

“Adrien Agreste.  He’s Catwalker.”

Chat crosses his arms in an attempt at nonchalance.  “Interesting guess.”

“No, it’s not a guess,” Ladybug asserts.  “Everything about him… his mannerisms, the way he speaks, his eyes?  How could I have not recognized it when he was standing right in front of me?”

Chat Noir, standing right in front of her, grimaces.  “And you think Adrien is capable of everything he’s been pulling behind your back too?”

Ladybug waves him off.  “Half of that stuff was just how he treated Adrien.  But it makes perfect sense if he was Adrien—he’s the type of guy who’d toss himself off a building if he thought it’d help someone.  He’s selfless and self-sacrificing.”

“And a liar.”

“So am I!” Ladybug snaps.

“Sorry!” Chat squeaks.  “I just meant… does the thought that Catwalker might be Adrien really change so much of what you think of him?  You’d know where his ability to act ‘perfect’ came from, but I doubt you’ve spent enough time around him to know what he’s really like when the mask comes off.”

“His friends have.  They’ve seen how much Adrien goes out of his way to comfort people who’ve been hurt, to see the best in others and believe they can become better.  The type of boy who’d hand you his umbrella without expecting anything in return.  He’s not a person who could hurt anyone.”

“You do remember that he tried to beat Mayura up with a stick the moment she showed up, right?” Chat asks.

“Oh yeah, I forgot he did that,” Ladybug says, not particularly concerned.

“You... forgot?”

Ladybug shrugs.  “I mean, it’s Mayura.  If Catwalker hadn’t rushed in first, I’d probably have tried to punch her in the face too.  She'd certainly deserve it: it is all her fault that I don’t have you anymore.”

“And if you’re right that he’s Adrien,” Chat Noir says, “that means you can’t have him either.”

“I… I know,” Ladybug chokes out as the gravity of her accidental revelation sets in.  “I know I can’t live with the risk of having Catwalker as my partner anymore.  It probably wasn’t even possible that we could have been good partners in the first place...”

“So you think he was a bad partner?”

Ladybug shakes her head.  “That’s not it.  You weren’t around for this, but Adrien spent three months with the snake miraculous, rewinding time over and over to help me.  That’s three months of proof, backed up by every battle I’ve fought with Catwalker: I physically can’t think straight around him.  Even when I didn’t know who he was, I got so distracted I couldn’t be Ladybug the way I needed to be.”

“I bet there was some way you could have gotten it to work,” Chat tries to assure her.  “Not that we can try it anymore, now that the whole cat is out of the bag.  Allegedly!”

“No, it’s definitely out of the bag, Chat,” Ladybug says, patting her partner’s cheek.  “And he can’t get put back inside.  But maybe…”

A light appears in Chat’s eyes.  “Maybe…?”

“This is a longshot but… what if I brought you back without Mayura realizing it?”

***

“Rena!” Ladybug calls from the trap door.  “Are you still out there?”

Rena Furtive pops out from behind the wall of Marinette’s balcony.  “Still out here.  No signs of Catwalker or any other potentially untrustworthy people secretly trying to spy on your meeting.”

“Good, good,” Ladybug says.  “I need you to make an illusion for me: see if you can turn Chat Noir into Catwalker.”

“Excuse me?”

“I figured out Catwalker’s identity, so—”

“Say no more,” Rena says.  “Give me a minute alone with Chat and I’ll see if we can come up with a solution that will withstand public scrutiny.”

Ladybug nods and sends Chat Noir up onto the balcony, before closing the trap door on herself.

“So…” Rena says, “did you want me to handle creating the illusion, or did you want to keep using your camouflage trick?”

Chat’s eyebrows raise.  “You know?”

“You mean did I see Astrocat fly out of a building Catwalker was in, hide behind a wall several blocks away, only for Astrowalker to emerge from behind that wall a moment later?” Rena asks.

Chat groans.  “I should have known you didn’t get frozen by Oni-Chan with everyone else…”

“All the Adrien posters became Adrien-less before I could get a good look at them,” Rena explains.  “Speaking of, do you know what’s the deal with him?”

“Yes, but I can’t talk about it much.  Just that he can’t come home, but he is alive and well.”

“Good, Nino will be happy to hear that much.”

“Wait…” Chat says as his eyes light up with an epiphany.  “You’re the ‘little birdie’ who asked Nino to look into Catwalker, aren’t you?”

“Guilty as charged,” Rena admits.  “Who did you think it was?”

Chat avoids her gaze, mumbling, “…Mayura.”

“Hah!  Definitely not!  Nino would rather smash all his records to bits than work for her!”

“I’m not saying he would have known it was her!” Chat protests.  “But at least I can be pretty sure you and Mayura are different people, since I called you while literally looking at her.”

“You should know that I’m still salty that you stole my personal phone number from my flute, even if it did come in handy,” Rena pouts.

“I didn’t steal anything.  I got it legitimately.”

Rena’s eyes widen.  “That raises so many questions.”

“And I can’t answer them right now.”

Rena puts her churning thoughts to the side.  “We do have other things to worry about right now.  Ladybug is still expecting an illusion of Catwalker.  We’ll need to make it look not just good, but perfect.”

Chat Noir grins.  “I think I can handle that.”

***

Ladybug sits on her bed, waiting.  Above her she hears three knocks.

“We’re ready for you!” Rena says.

Ladybug returns to the balcony, where one ‘Catwalker’ stands with hands behind his back and a pleasant smile.

“Good evening, Ladybug.  I’m the new Catwalker.”

Ladybug gives ‘Catwalker’ a once-over.  “Hmmmmmm… No, sorry, this isn’t going to work.”

‘Catwalker’ furrows his brow.  “You think it’ll be too hard to work with this face, even though it’s just me?”

“No, that’s not it,” Ladybug sighs.  “You’re just too obviously you.  Everyone’s going to see that you’re really Chat Noir.”

Rena laughs.  “I sincerely doubt anyone is going to notice a thing.”

“Look at his eyes!  Look at his tail!  Even the way he breathes just screams that he’s in disguise!”

“You only think that because you know who you’re looking at,” Rena says.  “I bet if we showed you the real Catwalker and Chat Noir in disguise, you wouldn’t be able to identify the fake.”

“You’d need to have the real Catwalker for that,” Ladybug points out.

“I can go get him,” ‘Catwalker’ offers.  “He’s not far.”

“We’ll have each one come over here at random, Chat wearing the illusion and Catwalker as himself,” Rena suggests.  “Let’s see if you can really tell them apart, Ladybug.”

***

A catboy with green hair lands on the roof in front of Ladybug.

“Hello, Ladybug, I’m Catwalker.”

Ladybug walks around Catwalker and ogles him thoughtfully.  “Hmm… well… I guess if…maybe…?”

“Yes?” he asks.

“I’m pretty sure I know,” Ladybug says confidently.  “But... send in the other one just to be sure.”

“As you wish,” Catwalker replies with a smile.

***

A catboy with green hair lands on the roof in front of Ladybug.

“Hello, Ladybug, I’m Catwalker.”

Ladybug laughs triumphantly. “Okay, now it’s definitely obvious which one’s which!  The last one was Chat Noir, so you’re clearly Catwalk—” Ladybug pokes his chest, only for the illusion to disappear as she touches a bell, leaving Chat Noir in his place.

“You were saying, m’lady?” Chat asks.

Ladybug’s face reddens.  “That!  You!  He’s!  I’m!”

“And what did I tell you?” Rena says, completely smug.  “He’s indistinguishable from the real thing.”

“Fine, you win!  Chat can become Catwalker!”

“I’ll let Catwalker know I’ll be keeping the ring.” Chat moves to jump back towards where Adrien is supposedly hiding.

“Wait!” Ladybug calls out, grabbing Chat Noir’s wrist.  “I just… I want to say goodbye to him.  Can you send Catwalker here again?  I think I need some closure…”

“Of course,” Chat replies, smiling.  “I’ll send him right to you.”

***

“Are you sure you don’t want to get a peek behind Catwalker’s mask?” Ladybug asks while waiting for Catwalker’s return.

“I’m sure,” Rena says.  “Trust me, it’d be a really bad idea.”

“Ladybug?” Catwalker asks, landing light on his feet.  “You needed me for something?”

“Yes, follow me,” Ladybug says as she leads him through the trap door to Marinette’s bedroom.

“Can you detransform?” Ladybug asks once they’re in private.

“Chat Noir is replacing me permanently, then?” Catwalker asks.

“He is,” she confirms.

“I’m glad.  It’s better that you’ll have someone you know and trust by your side.  Claws in.”

Catwalker’s costume falls to reveal Adrien Agreste.

“Adrien…” Ladybug says, trailing off before gathering her resolve and trying again.  “Adrien, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s alright,” he says, giving a reassuring smile.  “I always understood why you felt the way you did about me.  And I wasn’t exactly making your job any easier.”

“But I was such an awful partner to you!  It’s my responsibility to be a leader people can look up to and I only ruined everything.  I never wanted to hurt you, Adrien… but I did.  And that never would have happened if I’d just trusted my partner.”

Adrien takes Ladybug’s hand.  “One of the reasons you’re Ladybug is because you use your brain to ask questions about what’s really going on in a situation.  Chat Noir was usually above suspicion since you got to build that trust with him naturally.  I think you only trusted me as long as you did because I was a similar hero and might have subconsciously reminded you of him.  But the second it became obvious that my approach to secrets was fundamentally different from Chat Noir’s…?”

Ladybug shakes her head.  “It’s more than that.  Adrien… I can’t say how or when, but you’ve become incredibly important to me.”

Adrien’s eyes widen.  “I… really?”

“Yes.  I get tunnel vision whenever you’re involved.  More than most of the people I save.”

“Like trying to stuff me in a sarcophagus to keep me safe,” Adrien realizes.  “Or almost giving up your miraculous to save an illusion of me.”

“Or completely losing it when you vanish without a trace,” Ladybug finishes.  “But since you won’t be Catwalker anymore, you can come back home without having to worry anyone ever again!”

Adrien winces, looking down.  “Sorry, Ladybug.  But—”

Ladybug’s heart sinks.  “No…”

“I have to stay missing,” Adrien tells her.  “If it was just about having the freedom to be Catwalker, I wouldn’t have done something as drastic as going into hiding for it.  I still have secrets to keep from someone who knows that ‘Adrien Agreste’ has the answers they seek.  Someone who has gotten close to my friends with no one realizing.”

“Who…?”

“I don’t know for sure yet.  But Chat Noir will have to take the lead in trying to find out.”

“You trust him,” Ladybug realizes.

Adrien smirks.  “Almost as much as you do.”

“I’m glad you have him.  Chat’s the best friend anyone can ever ask for.”

“And he’ll still be the best partner you’ll ever have, Ladybug, even if he’s borrowing my face to do it.”

Ladybug looks down.  “I’m just scared that one of us is going to break character and everyone will find out about him.”

“Maybe I can put in a few appearances as Catwalker?” Adrien suggests.  “If you’re not still mad at me?”

“I’m not mad at you,” Ladybug says.  “Not anymore.  Just... if you do show up, don’t tell me when you’re using the miraculous or I’m going to be completely useless in a fight.”

“You’re never useless,” Adrien says, placing a hand on Ladybug’s shoulder and looking into her eyes.  “You’ve been there for Paris with every attack we’ve faced.  Even at your lowest, you’ve figured out a way to win every single time.  And I have faith that you’ll be able to do it no matter which of us is there to help you.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re really good at encouraging people?” Ladybug asks, wiping away a tear.  “Like scary good, it’s almost as helpful as when Chat Noir does it.”

“I’m honored to receive such high praise.”

“You deserve it.  You deserve the world, Adrien,” she says, hugging him.  “I wish I could give it to you.”

“You already have,” Adrien says, basking in the embrace.  “You’ve saved me so many times just by being you, Ladybug.  I could never ask for anything more.”

“If you don’t want anything…” Ladybug muses, “could I ask a favor instead?”

“Anything, Ladybug.”

She looks straight into his eyes.  “Treat Adrien Agreste better.”

Adrien blinks.  “I…”

“I know you’re too selfless to count yourself as a person worth protecting,” Ladybug says, squeezing his hand, “but you have people who love you so much.  We couldn’t bear it if you disappeared and came back broken or not at all.”

“I won’t let anything happen to me— at least, nothing that can’t be fixed with a little miraculousness,” Adrien promises.  “You won’t need to worry, Ladybug: I’ll be back before you know it.”

[asukiess]

adrien from runaway catwalker by @pisoprano !! he is absolutely going through it. he is pathetic and sleeps in the sewers and probably wants to tell his mom he loves her and probably also wants to just go back to being chat noir. i love him <3

it's also just very clever and funny!! thank you for giving him such a cute outfit too!

[flightfoot]

Hey so, I wanted to rec a Miraculous fancomic that I don't think has gotten nearly enough attention.

I've really been enjoying Runaway Catwalker by @pisoprano (Here's a link to its AO3 page as well).

Basically, Mayura sees Adrien transforming into Chat Noir, so he runs away from home and uses his Catwalker identity instead. Meanwhile, Nathalie's desperately trying to get him back, and Marinette's trying to find Adrien, worried that Chatdrien's hurt or captured somewhere, since he's in enormous danger from Mayura.

There's some delicious identity shenanigans and angst, I really think a lot of you guys would enjoy it, especially as Ladybug starts figuring out that Catwalker's hiding something big from her and wondering how trustworthy he actually is...

[classical-romance]

Yasmeen Ghauri runaway

-Credits to Pinterest