Adrien was going to get Marinette to talk to him today; he wanted to help with whatever was bothering his friend. Though Marinette wasn't necessarily one to talk out her problems, so Adrien knew this would be somewhat difficult. Especially if work was stressing her out. For whatever reason Adrien was sure that Marinette would be reluctant to share the stresses of the company his father owned. Regardless of them being friends. It was no secret Marinette had great anxieties.

Sitting through his Chinese lessons and other daily tasks Adrien waits for a fitting. It was the perfect time to try to talk to Marinette. He would have to be careful. If he came across as knowing something was already bothering her it would seem odd. Technically there was no way Adrien should know something was off, she acted perfectly normal while at her internship and while talking to her among their friends. So somehow he would have to find his way to the subject without being totally direct. But one thing was for sure: he was going to get it out of her no matter what it took. From all of the years he (as Chat Noir) vented to Marinette he felt it was time to return the favor.

When it was time for the fitting Adrien was jittery and nervous, trying to plot out in his head how to talk to his friend. He didn't have much of an opportunity to think: before he knew it Marinette was in front of him. Adrien was half listening as stylists told the girl what to do. He examined his friend as well as he could, and she seemed alright. No trace of her crying the previous night, which Adrien supposed was a good thing.

It didn't take long for Marinette to get to work, taking feedback form her mentors to do the best she could. It was admirable to Adrien, that even though Marinette was clearly having problems in her personal life she was still doing her best here at the internship. She was so strong. But it made Adrien wonder how many times Marinette had put on a happy face for him and others. How many times had his friend been hurting without him noticing?

"Hey, Marinette, what are you doing after this?" Adrien whispers to Marinette as she moved to measure his forearms. She jumps back a little, probably caught off guard.

"U-erm, well I'm meeting Alya somewhere in about two hours, why?" she whispers back as she is trying to continue her work, still wanting to appear professional.

"We just haven't hung out in a while is all," the boy chuckles softly, trying to mask his concern for Marinette. "This won't take long, I can wait for Alya with you if you'd like. We could maybe go to a café?" It was quick thinking, maybe not the best solution since they would only have approximately an hour or so to talk, but it would be better than nothing. And if she accepted they would be talking one on one, like when they were back in school together.

"Y-yeah I think that could work," Marinette fumbled, trying to speak quietly as not to upset the stylists in the room. They weren't paying too much attention, though.

"Great! You pick out the place, since it should be close to wherever you're meeting Alya," Adrien stated. He had to admit, he was suspicious about whatever Marinette was meeting Alya for. She was the one comforting Marinette the previous night, was this related? Or was it just a coincidence? Either way, he wanted to get to the bottom of whatever was bothering his friend.

After Marinette had finished getting measurements she zoomed off to put some finishing touches on a piece, assuring Adrien she would be back soon and they could leave when she came back. Adrien sits by the entrance to the Agreste Mansion, patiently waiting on the girl's return. Though restless and unable to shake the feeling something big was bothering Marinette he gets out his phone to text Alya.

Adrien: Hey, Alya, has everything been okay with Marinette lately?

Tapping his feet on the ground Adrien waits for a reply from Alya. He didn't know where she was or what she was doing around this time, but he hoped she had her phone on her. Well, it was rare that she would be without her cellphone, but he hoped she would be somewhere she could respond to him, and quickly he didn't have much time before Marinette would be back. And he did not want to be texting Alya in front of her. Finally he hears his phone go off and his head snaps back down.

Alya: Yeah why?

Okay, now he was going to have to think this through. Alya was smart she wasn't about to tell him everything. She was Marinette's best friend, keeper of all her secrets.

Adrien: Idk she has been odd at the internship today. Did something happen?

Alya: What do you mean?

Now Adrien felt bad about this, he really did, but he was going to have to lie to Alya to get her to talk. A little white lie to help a friend couldn't be too bad, could it?

Adrien: She just seemed kind of down. Not herself.

Alya: Don't tell Mari I told you.

Great, this is what he wanted. He hated betraying Marinette's trust, and Alya's as well, but anything in order to help Marinette.

Alya: But something in her personal life has been stressin her out.

Alya: I'm not gonna say since it's her business. She really doesn't want you to know tho.

Alya: So do NOT tell her I told you anything, Agreste.

The texts came in rapid succession, proving Alya's urgency in keeping this secret of Mainette's. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing he guessed.

Adrien: No worries. Thanks.

With practically perfect timing Marinette came back as Adrien put his phone away. Marinette gave Adrien a smile as they headed out of the mansion. Something about Marinette's expression seemed far away, she was practically staring off into space as they walked. The boy took a deep breath before turning to his friend.

"So where are we going?" he asks.

"W-what?" just like that Marinette was brought back to reality. Her cheeks turn a deep red, embarrassed for zoning out so easily.

"Which café should we go to? Your choice, whichever one is convenient for you since you have to meet Alya soon," Adrien says, offering his friend a bright and warming smile.

"Oh- right, um- this way," Marinette starts walking alongside Adrien leading him to a café. It was small but sweet, perfect to have this potentially awkward conversation. Adrien follows Marinette inside, taking in the sweet décor as they walked up to the counter. Glancing over the menu the café had posted on the wall Adrien smiled. This place had all kinds of sweets and different sorts of coffees, Adrien didn't expect anything less from Marinette. Refusing to let Marinette pay for herself Adrien argues it was him who invited her out in the first place.

Receiving their orders the two sit down. Adrien watches as Marinette holds her cup of hot chocolate in her hands, staring down at it, almost in another world. She was silent, didn't know what to say or do. It had been so long since the two had hung out together, just the two of them. Well, in Marinette's perspective anyways.

Adrien takes a sip from his decorated latte, trying to figure out how he was going to get Marinette to open up. Even though he considered Marinette a very close friend she seemed quite nervous right now. Adrien couldn't help but wonder if it was something he did, if asking her out was over stepping?

"This place is lovely," Adrien says softly, watching as Marinette's eyes dart up to meet his own. She was back from whatever thought she was lost in. She gives a small awkward chuckle before finally starting to drink her hot chocolate.

"Yeah," the girl says, still appearing to feel too awkward to initiate a proper conversation with Adrien. He decides trying to poke around at what could be upsetting her to try to get to whatever it was. He didn't have much time until Alya showed up.

"So, how has the internship been?" Adrien asked, "It's been around three months now, right? Or something close to it anyways."

"It's been amazing," Marinette says with more of a smile. "A lot, but amazing. I'm learning so much and your father thinks I should start producing some designs. A-as long as they're approved by him of course." Well that was a dead end, while he was glad his friend was so enthusiastic about her work it wasn't what was bothering her; well it appeared that way. He wouldn't be surprised if she put on a happy face for him because his father was head of the company. But this seemed genuine.

"What kinds of things is he having you do?" Adrien decides to ride out this conversation, maybe finding a way to dive into a different subject depending on how things went. One thing was for sure, he was going to get to the bottom of this.

"Well I am coming up with designs for him by next week and just a lot of sewing for now. It's monotonous but important so I don't mind it too much," Marinette hums.

"Is it too much?" Adrien asked.

"No not at all!" Marinette exclaimed, thinking she exaggerated in explaining her work load to Adrien. "It is a lot, but it is always fascinating to get a finished piece and have your father's fashion label attached to it. Even if they aren't my designs for now, I really am enthusiastic about what I've been doing."

"That's great to hear," chuckled Adrien, "Father can put a lot on me at once, so I know what it is like to feel overloaded by him."

Marinette nods, not sure how to respond exactly. Instead of saying anything the girl just takes another sip of her drink, eyes avoiding contact with Adrien's. Even when Adrien thought they were in the perfect setting to talk and help Marinette feel better she still seemed off. And why wouldn't she talk to him? He wasn't mad at Marinette for not telling him, more like he wondered how big of an issue this was for her to avoid telling him. Sure Alya was Marinette's best friend, but he figured if something terrible was going on he would know as well. Maybe he was just unobservant, or just plain stupid, but the way Alya said "She really doesn't want you to know…" had him wondering how many other people knew, or if it truly was just Alya.

"Is everything okay, Marinette?" Adrien asks softly, not wanting to catch her totally off guard. He failed though, as Marinette's eyes dart up to meet his own, now flustered.

"A-Ah- E-er, everything is f-fine!" Marinette stammers, "W-why do you ask?"

"You've just seemed off lately," says Adrien, trying to figure out how to word this. It wasn't as if he could outright say "I saw you crying as Chat Noir so what's up?" No somehow he was going to have to get to that without outing himself.

"You've noticed?" Marinette sighed, practically sinking in her chair.

"Well, just that you've been getting lost in thought a lot more frequently and more down I guess?" Adrien couldn't figure out how to say it, while both of those things were true, he didn't know if this would lead to whatever secret she was hiding.

Marinette takes a moment, looking into her hot chocolate as the whipped cream slowly sunk and dissolved, the beverage turning a lighter shade of brown at the top. With a deep breath she straightens herself into her chair, "I've gotten some- uh- news about my family and it's just overwhelming…"

"Are you alright?" Adrien asks, she didn't exactly give him any specific details. Was it about her mother or father? Perhaps some of her extended family? And overwhelming, in a good way or a bad way? He assumed in a bad way given the state Marinette was in the other night.

"Yeah it's going to be okay," Marinette confirmed, offering him a weak smile: but Adrien didn't buy it, not even for a minute. He didn't want to pry, but he couldn't help but feel like he was perhaps being lied to, not about the family issue exactly, but on how well she was taking it.

"You know if you need to talk to someone you can always talk to me, right, Marinette?" Adrien asked, watching as the blush on Marinette's face slowly faded away. "We are friends after all."

"I know," she mutters, "Thanks, Adrien." She didn't seem very keen on sharing anything else, but Adrien figured it was better than nothing. Given time he assumed he would know what is going on. The fact that she was keeping things from him, Alya confirming this, hurt but it was her business after all.

Then again, maybe he could visit her as Chat Noir. She always seemed to be more open with Chat for whatever reason.

Before Adrien knew it he sees Marinette waving to Alya who was outside the café looking in for the two of them. The brunette comes in, giving Marinette a big smile.

"Thanks for waiting with me, Adrien," Marinette says politely, standing from the table. "I had fun."

"Maybe we could do it again sometime?" Adrien asked, it was often his and Marinette's schedules lined up because of the internship, as long as his father didn't have anything extra planned for him.

"Are you asking her out, Agreste?" Alya teased, making both Marinette's and Adrien's faces a bright shade of crimson. Quickly Adrien shakes his hands.

"N-No! I meant as friends!" Adrien exclaimed awkwardly, watching as Marinette's face only continued to grow redder.

Marinette groans Alya's name as she continues to tease her. "Well we have places to be," Alya says grabbing onto her best friend's hand. "See you later, Adrien!" Just like that Alya drags Marinette out of the café.

Adrien sighs, not getting much out of Marinette as he had hoped, but he supposed something was better than nothing. So he went home, debating on rather or not he should go see Marinette as Chat Noir tonight. He didn't know what Marinette and Alya were up to exactly, as far as he knew whatever they were up to could take all night.

It looked like another lonely night for the blonde. He walks through the mansion, his dinner on the table. He just picks it up and goes into his room, walking past a cold faced Nathalie. He slumps onto his desk chair, out of habit going to the Ladyblog. Still nothing new, it was full of articles both Alya wrote and outsourced material on the Pregnant Ladybug rumors. Much to Adrien's surprise Alya appeared to have asked Chloe a few questions as to what she thought of this situation. It made sense, given Chloe was the only super hero the public knew the identity of. He bet if she knew who Carapace or Rena Rouge were she'd have their opinions on the matter as well.

"Going after Marinette after all, huh?" the small kwami hums, flying out of Adrien's shirt.

"No, Plagg," Adrien huffs, "I already told you I'm in love with Ladybug. Even if she keeps turning me down-"

"I don't see the problem with dating two girls," Plagg chuckled, making Adrien wince.

"You're disgusting." Plagg just shrugged, going to his dedicated cupboard just for his cheese. He truly spoiled his Kwami.

"Your loss," Plagg stated, eating an entire cheese slice in one bite.

At least tomorrow he would be able to see Ladybug. Last patrol she didn't show up, but she said she would be there for the next one. He wondered if it was appropriate to ask what was going on, why she couldn't show up. She sounded so distraught, he wanted to help. Both Marinette and Ladybug were going through hard times and he felt as though he couldn't do anything to help either of them. And that felt awful.

As the night of the patrol came Adrien was nervous, what caused Ladybug to skip a patrol? Was she okay? He wanted to ask her everything the minute he saw her, hell he'd be open to skipping their patrol and having a heart to heart with his partner. He knew Ladybug would never go for that, but the heart to heart definitely needed to happen. As selfish as it sounded he didn't want Ladybug to hide things from him, besides her identity of course, but he wasn't very happy about that either.

If Chat Noir knew who Ladybug was as a civilian he could help her so much more, he could be there for her. It always made him angry to think about how she had to go through everything herself mostly. All Chat could do was watch as a hero, and hope people in her personal life were enough. Nevertheless Adrien transforms and makes his way to meet Ladybug.

Once again he was the first one to arrive at their meeting spot. This had become normal, and Chat didn't like it one bit. Ladybug was always waiting for him, always early. Things had switched, the anxiety was causing him to arrive early and whatever was going on with Ladybug was causing her to show up around directly on time, but as of lately she'd been a little late as long as he didn't count last patrol where she straight up skipped and didn't let him know she wasn't coming until very late.

The nights were starting to get colder, and the super suits weren't the warmest things in the world. The magic definitely helped, but a warmer costume would definitely be appreciated. Running his hands through his hair the superhero sighs, waiting for his partner to show up. She did say she was going to show up tonight, he prayed that was still the case. He hated being the first one to be at their meeting place. Was this how Ladybug used to feel? Anxious and impatient? Though Ladybug was much more patient than Chat Noir was, regardless he was driving himself mad just sitting on the rooftop by himself.

Finally the superhero hears his partner land behind him. Excitement ran through his body, practically bursting at the seems until he turns around to see Ladybug's expression. Her face was full of dread, eyes red as if she had been crying. Hands behind her back as she kept her gaze focused on the ground.

"M-My Lady?" Chat Noir quakes, going up to his partner. He takes her chin in his palm, carefully pointing her face up to meet his own. What he saw was heartbreaking. "Is-?"

"Chat, I didn't lie to you I promise," Ladybug choked, tears escaping her eyes and running down her mask. Chat Noir was confused, lying about what?

"What are you talking-?" Though Ladybug didn't give the blonde any chances to speak, she just kept talking over him. He wanted to question what had her so upset, but he assumed her talking over him meant she was doing just that.

"I took one of those stupid tests just so you could feel better and to crush any doubts," Ladybug cries, revealing exactly what she was hiding behind her back. "I was going to come to our patrol, a-a-and show you a negative test and we could laugh off this whole shit show… but…" Through he sobs she holds up a pregnancy test. Chat Noir couldn't get a very good look at it as Ladybug's hands were shaking. He didn't have to get a look at it to know it was positive.

"Bug-"

"But when I looked at it… Kitty I-I'm sorry," the girl is finally broken and couldn't get anymore words out. From the look of her Chat Noir was proud she was able to get that alone out. Without hesitation Chat Noir brings Ladybug into a tight embrace. This was a mess, what were the two going to do? What was Ladybug going to do? Could she even continue being Ladybug? What was the public going to say? Should they even tell the public? They were going to be suspicious when Ladybug vanishes for some time. And Hawkmoth, what were they going to do about him? Ladybug was needed to cleanse akumas. Without her nothing would get fixed.

Even though a million things were going through Chat Noir's mind at once a part of him felt as though he already knew this, even if he didn't want to face it himself. No matter what he felt right now he knew he had to be strong for Ladybug. She had been dealing with this by herself. Suddenly it made sense to Chat Noir why she didn't come to her last patrol, she needed time to come to terms with this herself, but it didn't appear she had accepted it just yet.

"It's okay, Bugaboo, we'll figure this out," Chat Noir says softly, keeping Ladybug in his embrace. A part of him felt angry that she discovered this and kept it from him. It wasn't long and she clearly needed time to process everything, but he couldn't help but feel betrayed. Selfishly he would admit, but that didn't change that she kept this from him, even if it only was a few days.

"I'm sorry, Chat," Ladybug mummers, still crying as her arms stayed firmly around Chat.

"Why are you sorry?" asks Chat Noir, "It's okay. It will be okay. I'll help you. Whatever it is, whatever happens, I'll-"

"That's why I'm sorry," sobbed Ladybug, once again interrupting her partner. She retreats from the embrace, wiping her tears from her face. "But you can't."

"What do you mean?" Chat Noir inquires.

"We're heroes, Chat," Ladybug started. "I- you're sweet, and I bet you'd be a great help and all… but our identities-"

"No, you cannot be serious," sneered the blonde. "This is bigger than our identities!"

"When we accepted our roles as superheroes we knew we had to keep our identities a secret!" argued Ladybug. Now Chat Noir was just getting furious. Ladybug was stating, if Chat Noir was reading this right, that he couldn't be of any help. He couldn't be there for Ladybug, the baby, nothing. Ladybug was rejecting him as a part of this family, which was much much worse than being rejected romantically. This was downright torture.

"This is surely cause for an exception!" Chat Noir exclaimed. "Rena and-"

"Their miraculous' are protected by the guardian. We have ours all the time, it just isn't safe," Ladybug retorts, "Look, Chat Noir, I'm sorry."

"Then talk to the guardian!" Chat Noir bellows, starting to cry himself, but for now he kept himself together, not that he knew how he was achieving that.

"Chat I've made up my mind," Ladybug sighed.

"T-t-that's so- so selfish!" stammered Chat Noir, his face red with anger. "You're saying I can't see them? Be a part of their life?"

"I would love you to," the superheroine says softly, taking Chat Noir's hands into her own. "You would be amazing, but it isn't because I don't want you do. It isn't because I'm being selfish, please don't think I'm cutting you out because I simply want to." Of course deep down Chat knew this, but he was still furious thinking about how he wasn't going to be apart of his son's or daughter's life. As a child with their mother gone and their father practically absent his whole life he would never wish that onto another human being.

"Then why?" Chat Noir asked.

"It's too dangerous," Ladybug informed, "If Hawk Moth finds out who we are? Or any other villain for that matter, it… Chat it isn't safe."

"Hawk Moth can still discover who you are! He hasn't found out after years of us being heroes! My Lady, please be reasonable!"

"We're heroes," Ladybug again stated, her tone going from defensive to now depressed. "We don't have the luxury of being able to be a family…" That stung, that hurt. It made Chat Noir want to detransform right now, unprompted. To show Ladybug his dedication, his want, no his need, to be apart of Ladybug's and this baby's life. But the current level of eyes and cameras on the two held him back, along with idea that Ladybug would be furious.

"You know, I used to love being Chat Noir," the boy mutters, "but right now? Right now I hate it." Ladybug is the one to embrace Chat Noir this time. They stay like that for what felt like forever.

"I really am sorry," whispered Ladybug.

"Can I at least see them? Help you out- e-even if it's only as Chat Noir? Can you give me updates? Pictures? Anything!" Chat Noir was desperate. He was going to find a way around this, even if it killed him.

"W-we'll see but we can't exactly have t-this baby realizing you're their father when they gets older," Ladybug quaked. "Or that Ladybug is their mom. What would happen if they pointed at a poster of us and called out that we're their parents? B-but we'll figure out something. I want you to see them, but… It will be difficult." As much as Chat Noir hated it, Ladybug was right. That was something he truly didn't think about.

"How long are you going to continue to be Ladybug?" asked Chat Noir. He hated even the thought of her stepping down as Ladybug, but since this was their reality she was going to have to at some point. Temporarily of course, but it definitely was going to happen.

"I was thinking about that too," Ladybug sighed, "A month? Maybe less? I mean I can't stop being Ladybug! Paris needs me for Akumas, but I can't fight like this either. And I have no intention of giving up my miraculous." That relived the blonde at least. He didn't know if he could handle anyone else being Ladybug, she was everything to him. "I was thinking we give Rena Rouge her miraculous so she can help you fight akumas, and I could be on standby ready to cleanse them. It's outrageous and risky but-"

"No that sounds perfect," Chat agrees, "Rena will do great." He pauses, thinking for a moment. "What are you going to tell the public?"

"I-if you're okay with it," Ladybug started, sounding a little unsure of the solution herself, "I was thinking about doing an interview with Alya for the Ladyblog. She will be very professional and cooperative, I just know it. Honestly she's the only one I'd trust to help us officially tell the public about this. W-what do you think?"

"Sounds good to me, it's up to you anyways," Chat Noir agreed. In all reality this effected Ladybug the most, she had already been the one to get the most backlash over everything. And that was when it was just an internet rumor. Now that it was about to be confirmed media attention was about to intensify. Knowing Alya he too agreed she would be professional, and it was a much more comfortable environment than live television for both of the superheroes.

Awkwardly, the subject still not being fully covered Ladybug suggested they start their patrol. He was reluctant but Chat Noir agreed. Every time Ladybug moved he felt as though his heart stopped beating. He knew she was more than capable that performing something as simple as a patrol, but a part of him couldn't believe the situation they were in. They were never going to be the same, for better or for worse. Still Ladybug refused to share her identity, and that didn't sit well with the blonde. No, he was going to get her to share her identity even if it killed him. There was no way he was going to sit by while she raised their child by herself.

Why did Chat Noir have to fall in love with his partner? Everything would be so much easier if he hadn't fallen for her. In no way did he regret this, he loved Ladybug with all of his heart, but this was too much for his heart to handle. Even while he had partially accepted the possibility of Ladybug being pregnant the confirmation and the idea of him being unable to help made him want to scream. He knew Ladybug's intentions were good, her heart was in the right place. What would the guardian say? Should he try to find him? Plagg would know where to find him, if he could get the kwami to talk of course.

At the end of their rounds neither superhero knew how to say goodbye, and a part of them wanted to continue talk things out. Chat Noir especially. Even if Ladybug was keen on doing this herself he wasn't about to let that happen. No matter how many times Ladybug rejected him or his help he was going to keep trying. The two decided sitting down for one final chat wouldn't hurt anything.

"H-how's everything been?" Chat asked awkwardly. "Is everything okay? L-like have you seen a doctor or?"

"Today actually," Ladybug sighed, "One of my friends know and she insisted. I've been too afraid to go alone. It's stupid but seeing it made it feel real."

"Y-you saw them?" He wished he could have been there. Whatever friend Ladybug was talking about was so lucky. He would give anything to be there with her.

A small chuckle escaped the girl's lips as she saw the smallest bit of excitement in Chat Noir's eyes. While the excitement came with anxiety this was still amazing to the blonde, "Yeah, yeah I did. It's weird, they actually kind of look like a baby. Not fully obviously, but like, they're not in that weird seahorse stage." That just makes Chat Noir laugh.

"Seahorse stage?" the boy bursts, continuing to laugh at his partner's statement.

"H-hey!" Ladybug huffs, giving Chat Noir a small push. "Have you seen a super early ultrasound? They don't look like people that early!"

"I guess you're right," Chat Noir says, winding down.

"But they're okay thankfully," Ladybug continued, looking down at her abdomen. "I can't believe I didn't see this sooner. The media knew before either of us. That's really sad, Chaton."

"I mean it is a little funny in retrospect," the boy says trying to lighten the mood.

"No it is not."

"Alright alright it isn't funny," shrugged Chat Noir, "And don't beat yourself up, you aren't the first one this has happened to. Well, minus the media." A small smile crept onto his face, still trying to keep everything nice and relaxed.

"Again, not funny," Ladybug huffed, despite a small giggle coming from her. It made Chat Noir happy to see Ladybug seemingly calm down, talking about the situation seemed to help. A different time Chat Noir would try to fight Ladybug about being involved, but tonight was not the right time. Right now he was just glad he was being at least some help to his partner.

"Is that why you didn't come last time?" Chat asks softly.

"Yep," Ladybug sighed, "I took the test, ready to show off that it was negative and basically laugh in your face-"

"Rude!" Chat laughed.

"Buuuuuuuuut," Ladybug continued, not appreciating the interruption. "When I saw it was positive I just broke down. I couldn't bring myself to face you after I was so mean to you about being worried about me."

"My Lady I would, never hold that against you," Chat says, putting his hand on top of hers. "You were scared, but you do know I would've been there for you, right? In a heartbeat."

"I know, Chaton," sighed the superheroine. "But I barely had the strength to call you."

Chat Noir's heart sank deep into his stomach which turned violently. Sure he had gotten that impression when he heard Ladybug's voice over the phone, but something about hearing her say it made him feel so much worse. "Never be afraid to tell me anything," the boy says firmly, looking into his partner's eyes. "I know the feelings aren't mutual, but… well I love you, Ladybug."

"I know…" a tiny smile was visible on Ladybug's face. "I know" hurt a little, but truth be told he didn't expect anything from her. She stated that she may love him, but the whole hero situation stood in their way. For now.

Ladybug stands, putting her hands to her back and stretching. "I have to get going. T-thanks for being so understanding… mostly…"

"Of course, My Lady," Chat Noir stands himself. He takes Ladybug's hand and gives it a small gentle kiss. "We'll figure this out. We still have time."

"I'll let you know about the Ladyblog interview next time we meet. I'll try to track Alya down and talk to her," Ladybug says. Chat Noir nodded, waving goodbye as the love of his life left.

Chat Noir took a moment to take a deep breath, looking over the rooftops of Paris. This was his life, what he was burdened with. In truth he wouldn't change a thing. Usually, besides this exact instance, he loved being Chat Noir and the freedom that came with being a superhero. Nothing brightened the boy's day more than being alongside Ladybug. But this? This was infuriating. Ladybug stating they didn't have the luxury to be a family made him want to give up the responsibility, almost. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right. He was going to change Ladybug's mind, no matter how long it took.

After taking a moment to take everything in himself Chat Noir goes home. Detransforming Adrien sees the look of concern on Plagg's face. Now he was getting pity from this small sassy Kwami.

"Adrien-"

"What? What, Plagg?" Adrien snaps, but he immediately regretted it. "S-sorry. What did you have to say?"

Without saying anything the Kwami goes up to Adrien, and hugs his cheek. It was such a small but needed form of affection. Any time the Kwami gave this much care to him he felt weird, in a good way of course. Usually Plagg would make fun of Adrien, picking on him trying to make them both laugh. Not now, though, he could see the kid just needed to be comforted after spending all night doing the same for Ladybug.

Even though he thought he had taken the time to come to terms with this back as Chat Noir he couldn't shake the thoughts from his mind as Adrien. He was going to be a father. But he couldn't tell anyone. He had to suffer in silence, he couldn't be excited about any news from Ladybug and tell his friends. His father didn't know he was going to be a grandfather, not that he deserved to know, but not being able to tell anyone made him want to tell anyone who would listen.

No, this was a bigger secret than his identity, at least for Adrien. He was hiding that he was going to be a father, regardless of how little involvement he would have, he was excited. Or he thought it was excitement? He was terrified at the same time, things were officially real. He couldn't blame himself for jumping to conclusions anymore, for getting too worked up. No, this was happening. Adrien Agreste was going to be a father, and no one could ever know.