"Just when you think you know everything, Annabelle Billard manages to surprise us once again," Margot said, flipping her hair away from her face.

"Honestly, Margot, I am still shook with what she has for this crowd," Dorian responded. "Should we have her show the latest on the exploits of Chat Noir and the girl who saved him?"

The crowd cheered loudly. Taking it as an affirmative response, Margot welcomed the red-headed journalist to the stage. Annabelle carefully sat on one of the purple couches, making a point to adjust her glasses.

"I must admit, I did not expect to be talking about this again so soon," she said, with an almost airy tone. "I thought they would at least last a week before their next screw up."

"Oh, they really are in a pickle now, aren't they, Annabelle?" Margot said.

"Indeed."

"Why don't you show us what you have?"

"Certainly," Annabelle said, her lip twitching. "Before I do, I must express my deep gratitude to our photojournalist Adam Garçon, who was able to get these astonishing images. You may put up the pictures now."

The image of the large screen behind them changed from the logo to side by side pictures of Marinette Dupain-Cheng, one of them kissing Adrien Agreste and the other kissing Chat Noir. There was a collective gasp and several 'oooh's.

"Oh my," Margot feigned shock.

"Always knew that girl was bad news," Dorian tutted.

"As did I," Annabelle agreed. "As you remember, last Saturday Dupain-Cheng and Chat Noir were here to deny their relationship. However, I couldn't help but notice the way Dupain-Cheng looked at Chat Noir when he claimed that he would never be with her. You would have thought someone slapped her across the face.

"So, Adam and I decided to do some digging yesterday. We… studied their behavior and realized they were lying to our faces. You, of course, know I really don't like it when people lie to me. And after studying further, Adam was able to capture proof that Dupain-Cheng is, in fact, cheating on both Adrien Agreste and Chat Noir.

"Wait," Margot raised a hand, "are you saying these two pictures were taken on the same day?"

"Yes," Annabelle nodded. "Merely two hours apart. Adam sacrificed so much to get these images. For the second one, Chat Noir caught on to our coworker and dared to destroy a camera worth over a thousand euros. Clearly, he's possibly aware of Dupain-Cheng's infidelities."

"Poor Adam," Margot lamented.

"Adam is one damn good camera man," Dorian praised.

"And so, it begs the question." Annabelle adjusted her red trimmed glasses, a sadistic smile barely curling her lips. "What else are Chat Noir and Dupain-Cheng hiding from the public? How do we even know if we can trust one of our own superheroes, when he approves of such an unethical practice? How will Ladybug respond for her partner's actions? And, how will Adrien Agreste and his mogul father respond to Dupain-Cheng's transgressions?"

"All very important questions, Annabelle," Dorian said. "One thing is for sure, though: Marinette sure has it in for the famous and the rich."

"Clearly someone wants a little attention for herself," Margot huffed.

"Perhaps," Annabelle said quietly.

"We sure hope to see a continuation of this story," Dorian said, clasping his hands together. "Thank you for being with us today, Annabelle."

The video stopped. There was silence in the locker room. Even though Marinette's mouth was fully open, she couldn't breathe. The phone slid through her fingers and clattered on the floor. She could feel her eyes water.

This was… humiliating.

Her knees gave out and she landed on them. There were about three pairs of hands immediately on her, and several people calling her name. Some said that it was going to be okay. Others kept asking how it had happened. But the voice of the person whose hand was on her cheek seemed less worried about any of that.

"Don't let him win," he said, low enough for no one else to hear him, but loud enough for her to do so. "You're strong, Marinette. The last thing you need right now is to get akumatized. Don't let him in."

Marinette raised her gaze, her eyes meeting Adrien's determined ones. A look she had mostly seen in his alter ego. The second he noticed she heard him, he smiled at her and said: "I am so sorry."

"You're sorry?!" Chloé screeched, silencing most of their classmates. "She kisses another guy the same day as you and you're apologizing?!"

"Why do I have to repeat myself!" Adrien snapped. "I kissed her without her consent. Nobody gets to judge her when I was the one who messed up! And it's not her fault her privacy got invaded."

"You mean it's not her fault she got caught red-handed!"

"Oh, shut up," Félix cut in. Everyone turned to him. "In case you haven't noticed, Marinette didn't want this so-called fame. If you wanted people to pay more attention to you, maybe you should help resolve this instead of complaining that she has more attention than you."

Chloé crossed her arms and huffed, pointing her nose away.

"I'm just amazed that Marinette managed to woo the two most desired boys in all of Paris," Lila commented.

"Not helping!" Alya shouted. "Marinette, I need to know that you're at least conscious."

There was a pause. The whole room quieted down, waiting for Marinette to say something. Most with genuine concern for her well-being. Many dying to know her side of the story. Some, wondering how she had been capable of doing something so out of character, as far as they knew.

Marinette swallowed. She could barely look at anyone, especially when she didn't have answers she could voice to her friends. Because the truth was not meant for them. Or anyone, for that matter. Because it was a secret between her and Adrien.

"When was this?" she resolved to ask instead.

There was a collective sigh of relief.

"About twenty minutes ago," Alya responded. "Right about the time Adrien got to school."

"Your father?"

Adrien cringed. "I have about seven missed calls and thirteen messages from Nathalie."

"Even I got a few calls," Nino added. "You know it's bad when they call the 'bad influence'." He made air quotes as he said the last two words.

Marinette covered her mouth with both her hands, trying to steady her breaths.

"I'm not exaggerating anymore," she whispered. "This is a disaster. I made this disaster."

"No, it's my fault."

"Hey, no, don't say that."

Adrien and Alya spoke at the same time. They exchanged looks and then turned to the rest of the room, looking for support. Unfortunately, it seemed that that would be harder to get this time around.

"I mean," Kim started, unsure, "she did kiss two boys…"

"Guys! I told you—"

"It's Adrien's fault," Nathaniel interrupted said boy.

"I second that." Alix raised her hand. "Let Adrien take the fall."

"But didn't we just get proof that Marinette lied about being involved with Chat Noir?" Sabrina pointed out.

"That is conjecture at this moment," Max stepped in. "We don't have all the facts to make a fair, unbiased opinion on the matter. We would need to know all sides of this incident."

"If there's one thing I know," Chloé spoke again, staring at her nails, "it's that we've been here for ten minutes already, and not once has Dupain-Cheng even tried to defend herself. That's pretty damning evidence to me."

The classmates looked at each other, as if reading each other's minds. Even Marinette could tell what they were thinking: Chloé had a point. And worse, she was right, and Marinette knew it. But how was she supposed to defend herself from this without outing Adrien's secret identity?

"Marinette," Juleka said, "what did happen?"

"I-I…" the girl in question stammered. She could feel tears threatening to escape her eyelids. Marinette had endured many embarrassing moments in her life. Some even traumatizing. But this… she couldn't even chalk it up to her clumsiness. No matter what she said, there was no saving her from this one.

"You don't have to protect me," Adrien said, as if knowing what she was thinking. "I can handle the backlash."

"We want to hear it from her!" Rose cut in. Marinette swallowed again.

"I'm sorry about yesterday, Rose," she blurted out. "It's my fault you had one of your worst days of your life. I gave you the worst advice possible. I was selfish, and—"

"We're not talking about that," the blonde said. Marinette's brows furrowed. "Tell us how Adrien and Chat Noir kissed you without your consent."

Marinette looked closely at Rose. Her eyes were almost encouraging. Was this her way of saying that she forgave her?

"You don't have to answer that," Alya intervened. "In fact, you don't have to answer anything from anyone. Your privacy got invaded, and that is unacceptable. This isn't your fault."

"No…"

"You didn't ask to be followed everywhere by paparazzi."

"I didn't…"

"And it's not your fault that Chat Noir told your biggest secrets in an interview."

"It wasn't."

"Exactly. It's not your fault that you became famous."

"No, it's yours." Marinette finalized.

Alya opened her mouth as if to agree, but instantly frowned.

"Wait, what?"

"This is your fault," Marinette repeated, at last finding the strength to get on her feet. "If you hadn't posted my rescues of Chat Noir and written that article on the Ladyblog, none of this would have happened."

There was a murmur in the room.

"Marinette—" Nino tried.

"NO!" she yelled. "I did not ask to have pictures taken in my own home. I did not ask to be recorded after an interview was over. I did not ask to be put on the spot for rescuing a superhero. I did not ask to be recorded saving Chat Noir. I did not want to be interviewed by the Ladyblog. And I certainly did not ask to be a freaking celebrity.

"You did this!" Marinette pointed at Alya.

"You're blaming me?!" said girl gasped.

"Tsk, typical," Chloé huffed. "Why don't you take responsibility, instead of blaming—"

"I didn't push you to save Chat Noir!" Alya continued, ignoring the mayor's daughter.

"And I didn't ask you to record it!" Marinette retorted.

"Well excuse me for running back to look for my friend, who disappeared in the middle of a freaking akuma attack. Like you always do!"

"I don't see the reason to keep recording to look for a friend."

"It's called multitasking. How was I supposed to know you would end up rescuing a superhero for the second time?"

The door suddenly burst open, interrupting the unexpected row between the two friends. In came Ms. Bustier and Principal Damocles. The man gave them a stern look, while the teacher gave them one of disappointment.

"Why aren't any of you in Ms. Bustier's class?" he confronted.

The students exchanged gazes. It seemed that in their heated debate, they missed the ring of the bell. By then, they were already twelve minutes late to class.

"Unless all of you want to be doing chores in the school for a week, I suggest you all follow your teacher to her classroom."

Several students looked at the ground as they walked out, while others gave Marinette worried looks. Before they had all left, Principal Damocles spoke again.

"Félix! Take this note to Mrs. Mendeleiev. You will come to my office after lunch time." Félix bowed his head in understanding, as he took the note. "And you two!" He pointed at Marinette and Adrien, who instantly halted. "Your parents are in my office. Come along with me."

The teens gulped simultaneously, exchanging worried glances. Resigned to their fate, they quietly made their way towards the principal's office. Softly, a hand wrapped around Marinette's, squeezing it in an attempt to comfort her. Her heartbeat quickened, thinking of what might happen now. Of how much trouble they were in. Of how Mr. Agreste was capable of destroying every one of her dreams.

Principal Damocles opened the door to his office and inside Sabine and Mr. Agreste stood from their chairs. Both had hands placed on their shoulders, by Tom and Nathalie, respectively. Marinette gulped again: This was the first time she had ever seen Gabriel Agreste in their school.

"Because there are reporters surrounding the school as we speak," Principal Damocles started, "I have created what I hope is a safe space for all of you to resolve this situation and decide on what your next steps will be. Marinette, Adrien, please take a seat."

The two teenagers obliged, taking the chairs in the middle, while Sabine and Gabriel sat back down next to their children. Meanwhile, the principal sat behind his desk, chin resting on the tip of his fingers.

"I encourage all of you to say your piece," Principal Damocles insisted.

"I told you not to see her again," Gabriel started, without hesitation. "Look at the mess she has placed you in."

"Who's to say your son is not to blame here?!" Tom immediately defended his daughter.

"It wasn't my son caught making out with two different people in one day."

"Father—"

"It wasn't my daughter who kissed someone without their consent," Sabine intervened.

"Maman—"

"How dare you insinuate my son would do such a thing?"

"Well, actually—"

"Did you not look at that picture?" Sabine interrupted Adrien again. "Marinette clearly looked taken by surprise."

"I mean, maybe—"

"My son is far more educated than that," Gabriel spat.

"Parents, please—"

"Do we get a say in this?!" Marinette said loudly, standing from her chair, letting go of Adrien's hand. The outburst made the adults shut up. "None of you were there, yet you're assuming you know everything."

"All right then," Gabriel said coldly, piercing his eyes through her. "What did happen, Ms. Marinette?"

She opened her mouth to respond but was immediately taken over by fear. Fear that he would think she's simply badmouthing his son. Fear that he may dislike her even more if she told him what happened. Fear that he wouldn't let her be with Adrien.

"This is my fault," said boy intervened, even though he looked nauseous. "I-I made this mess."

"Adrien, there's no need to protect a girl who's clearly a bad influence," Gabriel spoke.

"How dare you—" Tom had to make sure Sabine didn't stand from her chair.

"I'm not protecting her!" Adrien said with new determination, despite the color of his face rapidly turning a light shade of green. "I'm trying to tell you what happened."

"You don't have to do this," Marinette found herself insisting. "You could be taken out of school."

The blond's eyes focused on hers, as he gave her a reassuring smile.

"You know that I can't sit by when I see an injustice happening," he said to her. "Let me be brave. As brave as you."

Marinette could feel her heart drum faster. She couldn't help but be reminded of all the times Chat Noir had sacrificed himself for Ladybug. And now, he was doing the same for her civilian identity. Was this his way of showing love?

"Okay," she whispered, sitting back down.

Adrien took a deep breath. "I…disobeyed you, Father." His voice came out shakier than expected. "You told me that I couldn't be seen with her, but I kept looking for her because I…I developed feelings for her. And so, I asked her to meet me yesterday for lunch, because I was planning to confess, but before I did, I…kissed her.

"She didn't ask me to do it, she didn't know what I was gonna talk about with her, nor did she express any romantic interest in me. I-I just…" Adrien shrunk down in his seat. "I just went for it."

"Is that true?" Tom immediately asked his daughter.

"Yes," Marinette sighed. "I had no idea he had feelings for me, and much less that he was gonna confess yesterday. I was so surprised, I froze. Then the akuma came and trapped us. That's when he finished confessing."

"You kissed a girl without her consent?" Gabriel said quietly. Marinette didn't think Adrien could make himself look any smaller, yet, somehow, he managed to do it.

"I got caught up in the moment," he muttered.

"Caught up in the moment," Gabriel parroted. "I thought I taught you better than this. Nevertheless, that is better than being cheated on. I'm assuming Chat Noir is your real boyfriend, Ms. Marinette?"

Marinette squeaked, as her face started burning. Several 'uh's and 'um's escaped her. She sought Adrien's face for some form of answer, but instead, the boy had covered his mouth and was looking at her wide eyed. As if wanting to hear the answer, too. She internally groaned.

"I-I don't have an answer to that." The adults in the room watched her questioningly. She flailed her arms. "I mean, because I-I don't know! I mean, we didn't really confirm anything? We don't know what we are right now." She paused. "But we did decide that it was best we don't hang out anymore, after he confronted the paparazzi."

"I see." Gabriel turned away from her, stroking his chin. "He must really care about you, if he's willing to make such a sacrifice."

"He does," Marinette responded absentmindedly. But was quickly reminded of who she was talking to. "But that doesn't matter, because a relationship with a superhero isn't viable, and… other stuff. Mr. Agreste, I am so sorry Adrien has been mixed up in all this. I never meant for any of this to happen."

"No, don't apologize," Adrien intervened. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have kissed you without your permission. I should've been more mindful of paparazzies. I should've—"

"You should've nothing," Sabine interrupted. The group turned to her. "You're kids! You shouldn't have to deal with any of this. Marinette didn't even want to be a public figure. All of this is—" Her eyes widened as an idea occurred to her. "I want to sue!"

Gabriel blinked, while Tom gave his wife a concerned look.

"Dear—"

"No, I have had it," she continued. "These people, these grown, adult people have dragged my daughter's name through the mud for the sake of ratings and their own benefit. They invaded not just her privacy, but that of my home when they took pictures where we're supposed to be safe. We have rights. This is in complete violation of the law and I want to see them suffer the consequences for messing with my family. And you, Gabriel Agreste, are going to help me."

Gabriel squared his shoulders when Sabine pointed at him. Yet his eyes immediately relaxed.

"And why should I do that?"

"Because it is also your responsibility."

"I don't see how that's—"

"Father," Adrien warned. "This last one would've never happened if it hadn't been for me. We—I owe it to Marinette."

The man stared at his son, as if mulling over his words. He lifted his chin, adjusting his tie.

"Nathalie, set up a meeting with my lawyer today, and give Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng my office phone number."

"Yes, sir," Nathalie nodded, immediately giving Marinette's parents business cards.

"Give Nathalie a way to contact you, and we will let you know what my lawyer says."

"What's your phone number?" Nathalie asked Marinette's parents. Without hesitation, they both gave their cellphone numbers and bakery landline, in case they didn't have their phones with them.

"Good, good, I'm glad you've come to an agreement," Principal Damocles said. "Now, would you like to take your children home? I've noticed the paparazzi leave when they're in class, but come back around lunch and after the day is over. If Marinette and Adrien leave now, there's a higher chance they'll get by unnoticed."

"That's an excellent idea." Gabriel rose to his feet. "Come, Adrien. We're leaving."

"Wait, Father—"

"The longer we wait, the more likely those obnoxious reporters will be out there. Now move along."

Without even checking that his son was following, Gabriel walked out the door. Nathalie followed, but stopped outside, waiting for Adrien. The boy sighed.

"I'm sorry," he said again, looking back at Marinette.

"Stop." She took one of his hands. "We'll get through this. We can get through anything."

"How are you so positive about that?"

"I—"

"Adrien," Nathalie called. Marinette pressed her lips together.

"I'll tell you later," she resolved to say. "I'll send you my new number, so we can talk."

"Okay," Adrien grinned.

With a last forlorn look, he let go. Shortly after, Marinette and her parents followed. From what the girl could sense, she was about to have an unpleasant day with her parents.

"I can't believe her!" Alya ranted, as she and Nino sat down in a café during lunch. "I really thought Marinette was the kind of person to take responsibility for her own actions. And yet, here we are, with her blaming me! Ugh, she's such a… Bah!"

There was a pause.

"Is that how you really feel?" Nino asked with a deadpan stare.

"NO!" Alya exclaimed, right as she slammed her face against the table. When she spoke again, her voice came out muffled. "This is so stupid. And it's all my stupid fault."

"Alya—"

"She's right," the redhead lamented, raising her face, chin resting on the table. "I was so caught up in having an exclusive, I didn't think about how Marinette felt about the whole thing. I can't believe I actually thought I was doing her a favor."

"You couldn't have known Marinette was gonna save Chat Noir a second time," Nino tried to reason.

"No, but I could've deleted the video. Especially when reporters started harassing her."

"They would've harassed her anyway," Nino pointed out. "There was already a copy of your video up on several websites about twenty minutes after you finished recording. And only five minutes after you finished recording, there was already a cut-up version online of the video, from when Marinette rescued him. You know how fast fans can be. And your blog has many."

"That makes me even angrier!" Alya screeched, rising from her chair, hands tensed in the shape of claws. "The amount of people stealing my videos is insane! I can take gifs or stills, but whole videos?! Grr! People have no respect for my work!"

"Honey," Nino muttered, giving her a sympathetic look. With a sigh, Alya sat back down.

"I feel awful," she admitted. "I want to fix it, but I haven't got the slightest clue on how."

"Hey." He placed a hand over hers. "You'll figure it out. You're the smartest girl I know, and I know you'll find something that can help Marinette in this mess."

"You're sweet," Alya complimented, giving him a fond smile. "But, no matter how smart I am, I honestly don't see how I can—"

There was a clatter in a nearby table.

"Watch where you're walking, old man!" a woman yelled at a short man on his knees and hands, next to their table.

"I am terribly sorry—"

"You should be sorry!" the woman interrupted the man. "You've spilled my tea all over the table!"

Alya stood up on instinct.

"Hey, he said he's sorry," she intervened, crouching to help the victim. "I'm sure one of the waiters can replace your tea."

"Ugh. Why are you people always so gross," the woman sneered, flipping away her greying blonde hair.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Alya said in a low voice, narrowing her eyes at the woman. Meanwhile, behind Alya there was a sound of a moving chair.

"This isn't even worth it. Come along, Jean."

Without another look at Alya and the short man, the woman stood from her chair and left, her date immediately following. Alya took a deep breath to calm her rage, before turning back to the old man.

"I'm so sorry you had to deal with that. Are you okay?" she asked.

"I could ask the same thing, young lady. That woman was quite rude to you."

"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're okay."

"Yes. Thank you for your kindness."

"Is there anything you need?"

"Hmm." The old man stroked his goatee. "That is a generous offer, but I must get going. Have a good afternoon, young lady."

Without another word, he turned and left the café. Alya sighed turning back to her table, to find Nino standing, as if ready to jump on someone.

"It's over," she said, when she returned to her chair.

"Are you okay?" Nino asked, finally sitting back down.

"Barely," Alya muttered. "I'm not hungry anymore."

"Me neither."

They sat silently for a minute.

"I'm going home," she sighed. "I'm gonna try to figure something out about the mess I made."

"Okay. I'll see if I can get a hold of Adrien then. See if he's okay."

"Sounds good…"

"I'll see you later."

With a quick peck on the lips, Alya bid goodbye to her boyfriend before making her way home. She used the time it took from the café to her apartment to think of possible solutions. Yet nothing sounded likely to work. It was either pointless, or impossible.

As she finally reached her room, Alya threw herself on the desk chair, bookbag in her lap. She groaned. There just had to be a way to fix this mess. Something, anything. She opened her bag to take out her tablet, except…

"Huh?" Alya said, as she took out something that wasn't hers.

"Marinette, please talk to us," Tom begged for the seventh time since the family had gotten home.

Yet the girl remained quiet on the living room couch. Now that she was away from people's prying eyes, she was starting to realize how embarrassed she was. Mortified. Not to mention, her reputation was forever ruined. She had always known dating a superhero would mean endangering her family. It never occurred to her the impact it would have on her own personal life.

Sabine sat next to her. Lightly, she placed a hand over her daughter's.

"It's okay to not be okay," she said quietly. "You have every right to not be okay."

Marinette pressed her lips together. There was so much she wanted to say but couldn't. Yet, at the same time, she needed to vent.

"I hate this," she admitted. "I feel like I can't do anything without being watched or judged. And worse, I feel like I keep endangering my loved ones. Only for doing what I thought was right. I am so tired of having to look over my shoulder whenever I wanna do… anything."

"Hopefully, soon you won't have to," Sabine comforted. "I will do everything in my power to make all this better. Even if I have to make a deal with the devil."

Marinette snorted. "Mr. Agreste isn't so bad. He's just scary."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Tom muttered. "Anyone who calls a kid a bad influence is twisted in my book."

"Papa…"

"Marinette?" Sabine caught the girl's attention. "Is there something else you need to talk about?"

There it is, Marinette thought. Her gaze turned down to her knees, wondering if her parents were partly judging her, even if they wouldn't say it out loud. Maybe not about kissing two boys. But definitely about feeling like they had been lied to.

"I didn't realize I had feelings for Chat Noir until last Saturday," she said, hoping to answer some of their questions. "When he said that thing about never being with me on TV, it hurt me. And then… He visited that night and told me he didn't mean it. One thing led to another, and…"

Marinette looked up to see both her parents exchanging wide-eyed looks.

"What did you do?" Sabine asked, looking almost scared.

"Well," Marinette frowned, "we kissed."

"Oh, thank goodness."

"Praise be."

Both parents responded in unison, Tom going as far as placing a hand on Sabine in relief. When they noticed Marinette's confused stare they cleared up.

"We thought you were gonna say something else," Tom admitted.

"Something else?"

"Yes," Sabine said. "That you did something more."

"Oh? OH!" Marinette yelped the second she realized what they meant. "Papa, Maman, no! We just kissed, nothing more! Oh my gosh!"

She proceeded to cover her face with a different kind of embarrassment from the one she had been experiencing during the day.

"Sorry, just needed to make sure," Sabine chuckled. "But you do know that with all this happening, he can't visit anymore, right?"

"And if he does, he has to use the front door," Tom added.

"I know, I know," Marinette assured them. "Trust me, after yesterday, I don't think he'll dare come near here anyway. We agreed it's not safe anymore."

"Okay, good," Tom nodded.

"If you guys don't mind, I need some time for myself."

"Oh yeah, of course," Sabine said. "Just do me one favor—"

"I won't go out into the balcony," Marinette assured them.

With several more reassuring remarks, she climbed up the stairs to her room. She opened the trapdoor that led to her room, hoping to finally get some guidance from her wisest friend. Only to shriek and quickly close the door.

"Marinette, everything okay?" Sabine called from the living room.

"Yeap!" Marinette squeaked. "Everything's great! Fine! Just, pinched my finger on the door. Yeap, that's what happened!"

She let out a nervous laugh, until receiving an 'okay' in response. When she was sure her parents wouldn't be coming, she peeked inside her room, to confirm that she did not, in fact, imagine Chat Noir nervously sitting on her chaise. He then proceeded to bashfully wave.

Marinette climbed to her room as fast as she could and locked the door underneath her.

"What are you doing here?!" she whispered-yelled. "I told you I'd call you later. Won't your father notice you're gone?"

"He's too busy talking to lawyers," he reasoned. "Also, I may have been freaking out home alone."

Marinette's eyes softened. Chat Noir scooted on the chaise and patted the space next to him. The girl did as suggested and sat next to him.

"I don't understand," he said quietly. "I destroyed the camera. That picture should not exist."

"He probably removed the memory card when you were chasing him," Marinette reasoned. "We couldn't have known we were being taken pictures of. Twice."

"This is all my fault," Chat Noir covered his face.

"Hey, no, don't. If Alya had never recorded me, we wouldn't be in this mess."

"Marinette, she didn't know."

"She knew I was uncomfortable being interviewed," she growled. "And yet, she still wrote about me after Entangler."

"May I remind you that you made the conscious choice to go to Nadja's interview?"

Marinette bit her lip, right before covering her face. "Ugh, what have I done?"

"I'm sure you and Alya will make up," he reassured her. "I know reporting is important to her, but she would never purposefully try to ruin your life."

"I know. And I know I can't blame her for everything, I've also made bad decisions—"

"And me," he added.

"I'm just so tired of all this."

"Me too."

They sat in sad silence for several seconds.

"In case you were wondering, no one saw me," Chat Noir suddenly said. "I was very careful about how I got here. But I did notice that there's a bunch of reporters and paparazzies standing outside our school. I don't think they know we're not there."

"So, no chance any of them are looking through my window right now?"

"Not that I could see."

Marinette sighed.

"This is so unfair. I shouldn't be feeling like this in my own room."

"Hmm."

Chat Noir stood up and offered a hand towards Marinette. She looked at it questioningly.

"They have no idea we're not in school. No one is looking this way. And I know a great rooftop Ladybug and I use where no one can see us."

"What if someone sees you carrying me?"

The boy placed the hand on his chin, looking around the room. He ran towards her dresser to pull out a pink beanie and a scarf. From her desk, he took a prototype of Jagged Stone's Eiffel Tower glasses. All items were offered to her.

"So no one knows it's you," he said with a grin.

Marinette couldn't help but chuckle at how quickly he found a solution.

"I guess it would be nice to get away from it all. But I can't be gone for long."

"Deal," Chat Noir chirped.

Soon enough, they were sitting on Ladybug and Chat Noir's usual spot for meetings. A tall rooftop that oversaw most of Paris. And high enough for no other buildings to see what was on top.

"I like to come here a lot, even when Ladybug's not around," Chat Noir said, overlooking the city. "It's a nice spot to relax and not be bothered."

"It really is." Marinette smiled, freeing herself from the disguise the boy had given her.

"So," he turned to look at her, "since we're alone, now you can tell me the thing you needed to tell me?"

Marinette almost choked on her own saliva.

"Oh!" she squeaked. "The thing! Right."

"Sooo," Chat Noir said in a sing-song tone, leaning towards her. "What is this secret of yours that's keeping us apart?"

"A very important secret, that only you can know," she said slightly more relaxed. She then turned to him. "Before I do, I want you to know that it's okay if you freak out or have a mental breakdown. I mean, I did."

"Are you a secret murderer or something?"

"Ha! I promise it's not bad. In fact, you might laugh, instead. I mean, I think it's hilarious."

"I know there's a chance you genuinely think that, but I'm starting to get nervous—"

CRASH

Marinette and Chat Noir stood up on instinct at the sound of exploding windows, followed by screams.

"You're kidding me," Marinette breathed.

"Another one?" Chat Noir said, standing on his feet and taking his baton. "Talk about a busy week."

"Wait!" she called, rising to her feet. "Let me finish first."

"You know you can just say it, right?"

"I know I can say it, I'm worried about how you're gonna react."

"You said it's not something bad!"

"It's not, but—"

"THERE YOU ARE!" A voice bellowed behind Chat Noir. The two teens turned to see a large man, looking like an inflated birthday party clown, floating from a balloon. As he got high enough, the balloons popped, and he landed with a loud thud on the rooftop. "Hawkmoth was right. You two lovebirds are so predictable."

"Wait, I thought this place was secret!" Marinette said out loud. Chat Noir looked back at her, with fear.

"MARINETTE, RUN!" he yelled.

Marinette didn't need to be told twice. Her feet had started to take steps back before she turned to run in the other direction of the akuma, towards the fire escape. She even did her best to not look back when she heard the sound of Chat Noir grunting. Like he had just gotten hit.

He can take it, she thought, forcing herself to continue. He can take anything. He's Chat Noir, he can take it.

It wasn't enough. She stopped to look back. Her head had barely turned when she had to duck from an incoming giant pie. Marinette glanced at the where the dessert landed, melting the rooftop concrete, before she had to dodge again from another.

"Hold still!" the akuma yelled, with two more pies on his hands. The second one of those was flying, an arm crashed into her. Next thing she knew, she was being swept away from that rooftop, carried by her partner.

"I need to get you somewhere safe!"

"I just need somewhere to hide!" Marinette insisted. "We don't have to go too far."

"I'm not letting anything happen to you."

"Chat Noir, I'm serious! Just go to any nearby alley. You'll see why!"

"I'm not letting you stay in an—"

Both teens yelped as one of the pies hit a chimney Chat Noir was about to land on. They were sent rolling down a slopped rooftop, and would've fallen on the street below, if the superhero hadn't encrusted his baton into a wall.

"That was close," Chat Noir panted. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine," Marinette assured him from his other arm. "How are we gonna get out of this one?"

"Uuuh…" The boy was staring away into the distance. Marinette was about to look, when she heard a 'boo,' and something hit the side of her head.

"Ow! Was that a Styrofoam cup?" she said, looking at the crowd that was forming beneath them, the one Chat Noir had been staring at.

"I don't think this public is very fond of you."

"And neither am I!" the akuma shouted.

Another pie hit the building right above where Chat Noir's baton was holding for dear life. The crowd on the sidewalk screamed and ran away, as the wall melted enough to loosen the superhero's weapon. The couple landed hard on the concrete, with Chat Noir taking most of the hit, while he protected Marinette's head.

"Right where I want you!" the villain yelled. "Now tell me where Ladybug is, or your girlfriend here will be at front row seat of my next trick."

"Nobody hurts Marinette on my watch!" Chat Noir yelled, stepping in front of her, making a battle pose.

"Could you please stop saying things like that in public!" Marinette scolded, still seeing some civilians hiding behind cars.

"Come on, I know you secretly like it when I act as your knight in catsuit armor."

Chat Noir grinned at her, wiggling his eyebrows. Marinette could feel her whole face burning when she smacked a hand to her face.

"Oh gosh, you're such a dork," she said under her breath.

"Enough flirting!" the villain shouted, right as a yellow light shot towards Marinette from a wand he pointed at her.

Chat Noir was too late. The light hit her. Though, she seemed… fine.

"Marinette, are you okay?!"

"I…I feel fine…"

As if on cue, a small red balloon they hadn't noticed hanging off her started rapidly filling up. When it was floating above her, it started pulling her up from her abdomen, where a thick string was newly wrapped around.

"Chat Noir!" she called as her feet left the ground. The boy immediately jumped just in time to grab her hand.

"Gotcha!" Chat Noir said triumphantly. However, his victory was short-lived, for he was immediately lifted off his feet. As if he weighed less than a feather.

"Let go!"

"I can't!" He started to look around him.

"We can't both be in trouble!"

The balloon sped up, rising by three stories in three seconds.

"No!" Chat Noir's baton extended towards a drain pipe from a nearby rooftop, but it was too late. "Crap! I can't drop now!"

Marinette watched her surroundings, hoping to find something Chat Noir could use. Instead, all she could see were perfect places to wrap her yoyo around. Something she didn't have in the moment.

But she desperately needed.

"Chat Noir, I need to tell you the thing right now!" she yelled over the wind far above the city.

"We can talk about whatever it is when we're back on the ground. Right now, I need to think!"

"But it's really important!" she desperately said, seeing how people were starting to look like ants. "I promise we'll get out of this as soon as I say it!"

"Marinette, I really need to think. Could you please let me think!"

The girl took a deep breath.

"Chat, I really, really, really need to tell you the thing," she insisted.

"What could possibly be so important that it can't wait 'til after we're out of this?" he retorted, irritated.

"Too important!" she yelled. Chat's brows furrowed, debating whether to keep arguing or not. But before he could decide, Marinette was speaking again. "Chat, I'm—"

POP

The two teens were suddenly screaming, falling. Chat Noir pressed Marinette to his chest, making sure his back was facing down.

"What are you doing?!" Marinette yelled, a sliver of panic bubbling up inside her.

"I can take the hit," Chat Noir said.

"Not from this height you can't!"

He smiled. "You're worth every sacrifice."

Marinette could have sworn the world had gotten silent. She could tell he knew full well what would happen to him if they weren't suddenly rescued. He hoped for one of two things: that Ladybug would save them, or that he would take the full force of the fall and she would at least survive.

You stupid self-sacrificing cat.

"No," she affirmed. With the agility of Ladybug, Marinette pushed herself away from him enough to position them face down to slow their fall. She then pulled him as close to her as possible.

"Marinette, what are you doing?!"

"I've been trying to do this right, but there's no right way to do this," she yelled against the wind. "So screw doing it right. It didn't work for you anyway."

"What are you—"

"Tikki, transform me!" Marinette said at last.

A/N: Hiya! Thank you for reading! For more reading content, follow me on Tumblr at their-destinys-writer, Twitter at TDestinysWriter and Instagram at deswordsandart.