#djnoir

Start | Family: 11/1

Week 1 | AUs: 11/2 - 11/8

11/2: florist/tattoo artist au

11/3: coffee shop au

11/4: soulmate au

11/5: fantasy au

11/6: moviestar au

11/7: shooting star/stardust au

11/8: youtuber au

Week 2 | Hobbies: 11/9 - 11/15

11/9: karaoke

11/10: modeling

11/11: mixtape

11/12: dance

11/13: comic

11/14: anime

11/15: blanket fort

Week 3 | Superhero: 11/16 - 11/22

11/16: miraculous swap

11/17: balcony scene

11/18: reveal

11/19: injury

11/20: paparazzi

11/21: good deed

11/22: animal tendencies

Week 4 | Firsts: 11/23 - 11/29

11/23: first impression

11/24: first date

11/25: first kiss

11/26: first "i love you"

11/27: first time apart

11/28: first fight

11/29: first anniversary

Finish | Celebration: 11/30 

They were such simple words, but they changed everything for Nino.

"Don't even have to think! I'm gonna choose two buds, who'll never let me down, that's for sure! Ladybug and Chat Noir!"

He'd meant what he said - he genuinely trusted the two superheroes and knew they'd come through - but the swiftness of their response was somehow unprecedented. As soon as they appeared, he couldn't keep the grin from his face. He'd cinched this. He had it. The Challenge was won.

Chat Noir had appeared in a matter of moments, and Ladybug followed soon after, skidding into the room with an almost embarrassed look on her face. "The party can't start till we walk in," Chat Noir smirked, and with a - somehow intimate and dazzling - wink over his shoulder had told Nino, "Hit it, Mr DJ."

And so the DJ had obliged him, spinning the deck so that the sound whipped and the music began. Nino was totally improvising, but he knew what he was doing. He let the music carry him. To him, it was a friend and ally more trusted even than the city's superhero duo. To him, music was an everything, an absolute.

Ladybug did not appear to share his closeness of connection with the music, because her movements were somewhat self-conscious. Her hips did not quite follow through the balls of her feet, meaning that the sway of her body rippled without real reason. She didn't know what to do with her arms, and she looked down for the most of his set, face as red as the mask that graced it. But she was dancing. One down.

Chat Noir had no such reservations, for he danced with abandon, in his motion a perfect marriage of elegance and impropriety. He didn't seem to dance with a plan, but each line that he drew through his limbs was exquisitely formed, and each sway of his hips was lascivious and languid, each move executed for the best display of the athletic arc of his abs, his pecs, his... other muscles that Nino had not been aware of before, and now saw with new marvel.

Nino was suddenly made aware of certain muscles of his own. His fingers reflexively twitched over the deck, slackening for a moment as he stared. His heart was beating time with the bass that Chat followed like a beacon. His hips, or something within them, strained towards this empyrean vision.

Everyone in the studio was staring - how could they not? - and Nino's eyes were pulled in with the rest of them. But Nino probably had a better view than the rest, because Chat was facing away, and it was as though that ass was gyrating for him alone.

This show was supposed to be PG, right?

That rating surely was going to change after tonight, because the way Chat danced was simply sinful. In all that leather, and with that feline prowl...

It was the leather. It had to be the leather. Leather was sexy by default, and so his awe had nothing to do with the boy beneath it. Nothing to do with that flawless body, or the way he made love to the music with his entire being, or the smirk that flirted across the edges of his face. Nothing to do with the admiration that surged through Nino every time Chat saved the day, every time Chat simply showed up. Nothing to do with anything except the flatteries of leather.

He nevertheless, along with likely the entire audience watching at home, could not look away as Chat continued to groove to his steady rhythms. He simply begged for attention. So often overshadowed by his partner in her popularity, it was in dancing that he excelled her, but it seemed he was more comfortable for the two of them to share the limelight. The superhero grinned over at his partner, took her by the hand, and whirled her around - Ladybug was shocked and dizzied, and Nino too, head spinning and vertiginous with something akin to jealousy. To have Chat's hand in his, and to embrace the music by his side, was the only thing he wanted in that brief moment. The truth was simple and crystalline.

Then, shaking these thoughts from his head, he tried to concentrate on his music, he really did try. But this damned boy, this cat-like thief, stole his attention time and time again. What did pitch and timbre compare to motion? They paled, became of lesser importance. Damn, was the superhero stunning when he was like this.

Nino didn't even notice that the studio was calling for a wrap, so captivated was he, until Chat Noir himself turned to repeat the producer's request. Blushing, Nino squeaked his deck to a halt. Despite the unceremonious, slightly awkward finish, his music was met with enthusiastic applause.

The applause meant very little to him now; he already had what he wanted, and it came gift-wrapped with a bell on its collar.

The thought was sharp and traitorous. Nino did his best to push it down, even as the superheroes caught him in a group hug - "That was so good! You've got some serious talent!" - and the cuplrit came up close to him, the leathery smell of his costume bold and biting. Just ignore it, Nino told himself, it was obvious that he had been somewhat carried away - music often did that to him. Besides, it was obscene to think of the protector of Paris like that, totally ridiculous.

And yet, he couldn't deny he wanted more. Just to see that again. Just to...

He decided he was going crazy; he needed to talk to someone who would make him see sense again, and he knew just the person for the job.

He tried to broach the subject with subtlety the next morning, "So... what do you think of Chat Noir?"

Adrien stretched back in his seat, his hands behind his head and tongue prodding through his lips as he pondered, "I'd say he's pretty amazing. He's such a good guy, and he's always so cool - it's more than enough that he does the right thing, and that he protects us, but he's always so stylish on top of all that."

Stylish? That was a word for it... He tried to conjure some of his inner calm, a little light humour, in order to project his own feelings onto his friend, "You into that leather, bro?"

"I didn't mean stylish that literally. But I suppose so, yeah, he's definitely hot, right?"

"R-right!"

God, if only Adrien knew the whole of it. If only he'd seen that body up close, that question would surely have been posed as a statement - Adrien had apologised after the show for running out on his set (not that Nino had noticed at first), having been hit with a sudden nausea due to the intensity of the studio lights. Luckily, the Ladyblog had uploaded the clip and provided him with the opportunity to catch up, "By the way, I don't know if you're aware but there's a comment war on the blog at the moment. They couldn't decide what was better; your music or Chat's dancing."

"Oh, definitely Chat's dancing! There's no question about it, dude!"

Adrien stared at him, unable to keep the smile off his lips. So much for subtlety, Nino thought, the amazement had practically dripped from his tongue... So he rapidly backtracked, rushed out a gruff and hopefully ambivalent, "Or, at least that's what the majority seem to think."

"Sounds like you're right there with them. At the front of the pack of fans, perhaps."

"Could you blame me?" it was difficult now to keep an even tone, but he soldiered on "Chat has that effect on people. It's probably got something to do with being a superhero, or... something."

Gently, Adrien laughed, "I believe you. Besides, I'm sure you probably just want to sound modest. You know you smashed it. And if Chat danced well, it's because your beat was so good."

"I'll accept that one, but... I don't know, he's definitely a natural dancer."

He raised an eyebrow, quirked a grin, "Should I take back the modesty point? You know, I'm starting to think you might like Chat more than you're willing to admit."

Nino laughed, protested, garbled something out.

Adrien persisted, "I mean, come on, who wouldn't like Chat?"

There was something strange in his voice there. Did that mean Adrien liked Chat as well? He was sure Adrien had expressed a preference for Ladybug, bordering on something like infatuation, but now he had called Chat amazing, cool, even hot. Nino could've sworn that Adrien hadn't ever called anyone hot before, not even Ladybug herself. Could it be... did Adrien... was 'like' even the appropriate word here?

Of course not. Adrien was straight, and that meant that Nino shouldn't be thinking about his non-existent thing for that Chat  as hard as he was. Besides, it made no difference if Adrien was straight, because Nino was straight. As a ruler. As an arrow. As the plane of Chat's toned stomach...

Well, perhaps not exactly.

"I guess Chat is very... uh... likeable."

A flash of something quite like victory swept across Adrien's face. Seeing this, Nino looked instantly sheepish, although he didn't quite understand the cause of his friend's expression; it seemed this was a new thing, not understanding boys, and not understanding himself.

Adrien ran over to his computer, rapidly typing for a minute before answering him, “You know, there’s a shop down the road that’s still open. I’m pretty sure they sell costumes.”

“Wait.” There was a soft creak and Nino’s voice lowered to a whisper. “Are you serious?”

“I could be.” Adrien’s heart raced in the silence that followed, waiting for an answer.

Nino swallowed. “I can meet you there.”

“No need.” Adrien grinned and tugged on his shoes. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

Only, Adrien hadn’t counted on the shop being sold out of Chat Noir costumes. He’d managed to grab the last adult-size Ladybug costume, but now he was faced with a dilemma. He couldn’t just ask Nino to put on a Ladybug costume without reciprocating, and now that he’d imagined Nino in the suit, he couldn’t stop imagining it.

“Do you know if anywhere else might have one?” he asked the shopkeeper, trying to keep the desperation out of his voice.

“Maybe, but we’re the only place open at this hour.” She rang up the costume. “We’re getting more in tomorrow, though.”

“That’s okay.” Adrien deflated and paid for the costume he did find, racking his brain for another solution.

The second he stepped out of the shop, a positively dangerous idea occurred to him. He immediately vetoed the reckless suggestion, but as he walked towards Nino’s apartment, the thought wouldn’t leave. In fact, with each step, Adrien found that it sounded more and more reasonable.

He ducked into a side alley and looked down at Plagg. “So, how much Camembert will it take to convince you to transform me for a few hours?”

Plagg frowned up at him. “Are you serious?”

“I will buy you an entire cheese shop.”

“Some people could say this is an abuse of your power, you know.”

Adrien rolled his eyes. “Nino’s going to think it’s just a costume.”

“What are you gonna do if he figures you out?”

“He won’t.”

Plagg flew out to meet him at eye level. “And what if there’s an akuma attack?”

“Then I’ll figure it out!” Adrien glanced at his phone. “I’ve got three minutes to get there. Are you in or not?”

Plagg’s eyes narrowed. “How big is this cheese shop?”

“Plagg!”

Plagg sighed. “Fine.”

Adrien dropped the bag with the costume to the ground. “Claws out!” A brief green flash lit up the alley, and Chat Noir scooped up the bag with a grin.

Exactly fourteen minutes after ending his call with Nino, Chat Noir was at Nino’s front door, knocking and hoping none of his neighbors were looking.

Nino opened it in an instant. “Wow, a minute early. I’m impre…” His voice trailed off when he saw exactly who was standing in front of him. “Chat Noir?”

Chat Noir grinned. “Wow, this costume’s better than I thought if you really thought it was him.” He held up the bag. “I brought yours.”

“Adrien?” Nino’s eyes widened. “You look…” He swallowed as a blush rose to his cheeks. “Wow.”

Chat Noir stepped inside. “Glad you approve.”

Nino closed the door behind him. “Where did you change?”

“The shop.” Chat Noir tossed him the costume. “I wanted to surprise you.”

“Well, mission accomplished,” Nino murmured, looking him over. He met Chat Noir’s eyes and frowned. “Okay, is that part of the costume?”

“Special contacts.”

“Really?”

Chat Noir nodded.

“Wow. You went all out.” Nino chuckled and headed to his room. “I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time.” Chat Noir paused and added on, “I mean... not too much time.”

Nino laughed from his room. “Hey, not all of us have perfected the ten-second outfit change, Mr. Model.”

“It’s all about practice, you know.”

After a few moments and a couple curses from behind Nino’s door, he finally stepped out. “Okay, well, yours fits way better.” Nevertheless, he struck a pose and grinned. “How does it look?”

Chat Noir stared. “Wow. It’s...” He stepped closer, eyes wide and voice soft with awe. “You look fantastic.”

“Thanks.” Nino blushed and fidgeted with the mask over his eyes. “Mine didn’t come with contacts, too, did it?”

“The glasses wouldn’t fit under the mask, huh?”

“Not really.” Nino placed a hand on Adrien’s shoulder. “Good thing I already know what you look like.”

Chat Noir grinned and slipped an arm around Nino’s waist. “Well, if it helps, you look purrfect in spots.”

“Are you sure you’re not actually Chat Noir?” Nino teased.

“Purrhaps. You’ll just have to find out, won’t y-” Chat Noir was cut off, a breath away from kissing Nino when his baton started ringing.

Nino took a step back. “Is that...your baton?”

“I…” He had no idea how to answer. Honestly, of all the potential scenarios he’d imagined, a call from his partner had never even made the list. They never called each other unless… He winced. “Um… Give me a second?”

Nino watched as Chat Noir ran to a spare room.

“Hey, Ladybug, what’s-”

“We’ve got an akuma.” Ladybug stared up at him from the small screen. “It’s bad. I need your help.”

His stomach twisted as he nodded. There wasn’t any possible way to talk himself out of this situation, and he couldn’t even stay to discuss it with Nino. Ladybug was more than capable of taking down an akuma on her own now, so if she was calling him, that meant he needed to go to her immediately. He suppressed a groan, taking a second to wallow in self-pity at just how much this plan had backfired, then he stepped out and looked for Nino.

Nino had tugged off the mask and jammed his glasses on so he could study Chat Noir more closely. “You’re actually Chat Noir, aren’t you?”

Chat Noir looked down. “Yeah.”

“And, let me guess, that was Ladybug?”

“There’s an akuma.” Chat Noir rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m so sorry. I really have to go.”

Nino grimaced. “So, you’re just leaving after telling me this?”

“I’m sorry,” Chat Noir repeated softly.

Nino shook his head. “No, I get it. You have a supervillain to fight. I just…” He ran a hand through his hair. “This timing is awful.”

“I promise we’ll talk when I get back.”

Nino managed a small smile. “I’ll hold you to that.”

Describing the situation as “bad” had been the understatement of the century. Ladybug and Chat Noir barely managed to defeat the villain together, and after seeing the massive destruction left behind, Chat Noir was even more grateful for Ladybug’s restorative magic than he ordinarily was.

After a quick fist bump and a wave, he bounded off back to Nino’s apartment, landing on the balcony seconds later. The door was open, which was simultaneously touching and awkward. Chat Noir paused, wondering if he should knock or just step inside, given that he was clearly expected.

“You can come in, you know,” Nino called from the living room, mercifully ending Chat Noir’s dilemma. Nino had changed back into his pajamas while Chat Noir had been gone, leaving the Ladybug costume draped over the couch.

“Thanks.” Chat Noir stepped inside, wincing when his ring beeped. “Sorry to run out like that.”

Nino turned to look at him. “It looked like a tough fight.” The feed from Alya’s blog was still pulled up on Nino’s phone, though he shut it off when Chat Noir walked over. “Are you okay?”

Chat Noir nodded and sat beside him. “Yeah, the suits protect us from being hurt.”

“No, I mean, are you okay?”

“I…” Chat Noir slumped forward, resting his forehead on Nino’s shoulder. “I’ve been better.”

Nino gently patted his back. “Yeah?”

“It’s getting worse. Hawkmoth just keeps getting harder to beat. There’s only two of us, and he can just keep making villains. It’s exhausting.”

Nino hummed in agreement. “Sounds like it.”

“I hated hiding it from you, you know,” Chat Noir admitted, soft enough that Nino nearly missed it. “It was just safer this way.”

“I get it. It’s a secret identity for a reason.” Nino chuckled. “What I don’t get is why you thought coming over here as Chat Noir was a good idea.”

Chat Noir smiled and peeked up at him. “The shop was out of Chat Noir costumes. And… I guess I thought I could get away with it.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“Maybe part of me wanted you to know.”

Nino shrugged. “It makes a lot of sense now that I do.”

“So, you’re not mad?” Chat Noir asked, hesitant to suggest it.

“About what?” Nino raised a brow. “The fact that you let me think I was dream-cheating on you? Or the fact that you flirted with me as Chat Noir?”

Chat Noir bit back a chuckle. “Both?”

“Well, lucky for you, I’m pretty forgiving when a guy saves my life.” He glanced down at Chat Noir’s ring. “Three pads left. That’s three minutes, right?”

Chat Noir nodded. “Yeah.”