It was quite and peaceful night in Paris. Cool wind was running through Ladybug's hair, messing them up a bit. The famous red-spotted superhero stood on the top of the Eiffel Tower watching the stars. Her thoughts, drifted away by the wind, returned to her town, her home. Her Paris. She loved it with all her heart and soul, also enjoying the chance of doing something to it. True, the job of a superhero was complicated, hardly leaving time for her normal life. To make it even harder she was a teenager who had to go to school and do a lot of homework. However, she didn't regret it, not even once since the day the first akuma appeared. It didn't go well at first, she was hesitating and hardly believing herself. But she was thankful that she had a second chance. She was thankful that she had her partner, who helped her to gain faith in herself. Chat Noir wasn't a gift, sometimes she barely could stand his flirting and amount of puns. Yet he was always there by her side no matter what. He was always there to listen and to give an advice. He was annoying and cocky, still she couldn't help but appreciate his selflessness and heroism, even though she always gets so mad at him every time he sacrifices himself for her.

At quite nights like this she usually quickly finishes her part of the city to patrol and goes home. Not today. She had a funny feeling that she should stay a little bit longer. Ladybug get used to listen to this little voice of intuition in her head. It has never failed her.

Young girl grew impatient. 'Where is that cat?' she thought angrily. Sure he does has private life too, but Chat usually never comes late, not even for a few minutes.

"Well, hello, M'Lady" a cat-themed superhero causally stood by her side. His cat-like green eyes glowing mischievously in the dark. There he was. All derisive and cheeky with his signature smirk across his face and his tail in his hand, which he was twirling. Ladybug smiled lightly at his attitude.

"What took you so long?"

"Oh, y'know, some family issues, nothing big" he shrugged his shoulders looking away. But young super heroine knew better, after all they were fighting crime together for a few months now.

"Kitty, what's wrong?"

Said blonde smiled a little, touched by genuine concern in his partner's voice. He then thought back to the that day's events.

~ Flashback ~

Adrien didn't know. For the matter of fact he never knows anything. Nor understands anything. He was homeschooled for way too long to understand and see people's feelings even if they were clear for anyone else. But he learned fast to read people's facial expressions and emotions. It's just his father was different. Yet Adrien didn't know.

It all started when Nathalie – Gabriel Agreste's assistant – told Adrien that all his plans for day were canceled and he had to get home immediately after school, his father wanted to talk to him.

Adrien couldn't find himself a place the whole school day. He was very nervous. Talks between him and Gabriel were such a rare thing, that Adrien sometimes wondered if they even happened or it was just his imagination. But even they were mainly about his schedule or his 'abusive behavior' or 'bad influence' his friends have on him.

He still couldn't figure out why his father wanted him to do all of this. Sure, he enjoyed fencing it was freeing and it was even helpful for his masked side. He also liked piano, it just so much reminded him of his mother. He even grew to like Chinese even though it was quite difficult language. He got used to photo shoots and amount of fan girls just to make him proud.

It hardly changed anything. Gabriel Agreste still remained cold and distant, barely showing any other way feelings beside disapproving or anger.

So of course Adrien was nervous. Even teachers noticed and tried not to push on him. He was surprised how his classmates were trying to cheer him up during the school. Even usually shy and not talkative Marinette wished him something like 'good luck' in her own cute stuttering way. As if they knew.

Naturally he was having lunch all alone as always in a big dining room. Adrien was trying hard not to eat too fast, that Nathalie wouldn't notice how impatient he is to talk to Gabriel.

"Adrien, your father is waiting in his office, please, hurry" she said with barely noticeable sympathy in her voice.

He immediately stood up, not carrying to finish eating and run straight to the black door. He couldn't brought himself to knock. He was waiting the whole day and now he couldn't even make himself to move. He wasn't ready. His heart was beating very fast and every beat was echoing in his ears. He was scared. He was afraid that this would be the time something bad would happen. Maybe he would forbid him from seeing his friends, forbid him from joking with Nino and talking with him about his crazy fun girls or his DJ's things. Forbid him from hanging up with Alya and discussing new Ladybug's video with her. Forbid him from seeing his sweet and careful Marinette who, despite her shy nature, was always happy to see him and usually invites him to come play video games or just to have some great time in her parent's bakery. Or maybe Gabriel would forbid him from going to school at all.

"Come on, kid, knock! You standing there and overthinking the situation wouldn't change his mind!" small cat-like black creature popped out of his shirt's pocket. Plagg may be a bit lazy and ungrateful but he did care for his chosen one and sometimes he could even give nice advice.

"Right" Adrien muttered. He lightly knocked.

"You may come in" his father's cold voice reached out through the door.

~~~ End of Flashback ~~~

"Uh, Chat?" Ladybug called out to him as she snapped her fingers in front of his face.

"Sorry, got carried away with thoughts"

"You sure everything's okay? You know you can talk to me about everything, right?"

He nodded. He knew, he just couldn't find confidence to tell her. He looked at her worried face. Her bluebell eyes were filled with concern, and her lips were slightly open. Wind were playing with her ribbons and her dark blue hair. God, she was so beautiful he almost forgot about the talk. Almost.

"You see..." he started off carefully "In my civilian life I'm quite... quiet known person and 'the face' of my father's company".

She nodded, letting him know that she's listening. He munched on his words trying to find the right ones not to give away a lot of personal information.

"And me, uh, he was talking to me today about, um, things and... the thing is that... I'mgoingtoanothercountry" he blurted out the last part.

Ladybug blinked few times trying to catch what he said. Luckily, she was the same sometimes so she easily figured it out.

"Oh... And for how long you'll be absent?"

"A-a month"

He immediately felt guilty. The only thought of leaving her alone made him wanted to howl. He couldn't do this to her, couldn't left her all alone with akumas and Hawkmoth. He feels guilty every time he skips patrols because of the photo shoots or every time he's late to the fight. But this is gonna be the whole month. And he wouldn't even know– he wouldn't even know if there's an akuma attack or is she gonna be okay... Who will protect her in battles? Who will take the hit for her? He just couldn't stand the thought of her getting hurt. He won't be able to forgive himself.

"I see" she noticed worried and slightly guilty expression on his face "Don't worry, I can take care of it".

He kept silent. A sudden idea crossed her mind as she places a hand on his shoulder smiling reassuringly.

"Have fun there for both of us. The world needs a little bit more of Chat Noir. And when you return, Paris will be here, waiting for you."

"I'll miss you, My Lady".

"I'll miss you too".

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