A/N: A somewhat incomplete story. This is more like a story setup, but unfortunately, an actual plot has yet to come to mind.

Part 1

~o~

"Hey! What are you doing!"

Adrien looked up from the gum on the bench, ready to defend himself from whoever spoke. Honestly, he didn't think that this was the way he was going to spend the first ten minutes of his real school life. Chloe was right that he did need to learn a thing or two about school culture (but probably not in the way that she meant).

A pig-tailed girl with raven-blue hair stood over him, her sharp bluebell Eurasian eyes narrowed into a glare, set in an incredibly cute face. There was a fire in her like nothing he'd ever seen. (Except in one 'super' special case, who as far as he was concerned was still in the wind.) This girl, though, was right in front of him, glaring at him, hands on her hips as she waited expectantly for an answer.

Something rather... peculiar happened.

It was as though his heart had caught in his throat, making it impossible to speak. His cheeks burned as though he had a fever. His stomach erupted into butterflies, as though a swarm of akuma had been unleashed inside him. He teetered from his crouched position, the perfect strike from cupid's bow strong enough to throw him off balance. "Uhhhhh..." he said stupidly.

Before anyone could get a word in, cackling laughter erupted from behind them and he looked up to see Chloe and her friend pointing and laughing. The blood drained from his face. Oh no.

The Eurasian girl huffed, pushing him aside to assess the damage. "Okay, I get it. Very funny. Good job, you three."

"N-n-no, I wasn't-" Adrien stammered. Wait. What? He never stammered. Why was he stammering?

Her bluebell eyes snapped to him. "You're friends with Chloe, right?"

"W-well, y-yes, but-" However, she already turned her back to him, as if that single fact was the whole measure of him. Defeated, but mostly confused, Adrien returned to his seat next to his new classmate.

"Now do you see what I mean about respect?" Chloe whispered behind him, sounding a little too much like a devil on his shoulder. An unpleasant feeling settled in his stomach and he did his best to ignore it and her. He could only hope, as always, that she would see the error of her ways.

His classmate with the headphones raised an eyebrow as he regarded Adrien. "Why didn't you tell her that Chloe did it?"

"I, um," Adrien flushed. He hadn't exactly been planning on throwing Chloe under the bus anyway, but that wasn't really why the cat caught his tongue. ...And for some reason, some bus throwing was sounding really appealing at the moment. "I don't know," he confessed, "my mouth wasn't working."

His classmate looked him up and down, before his mouth curled into a sly grin. "Sounds like someone may have a crush~"

"A... crush?" Adrien echoed, blinking. Sure, he knew intellectually what a crush was. He'd seen it in enough anime to get the basic mechanics. ...He just never knew what it felt like. It was giddy and terrifying and wonderful. "A-are you sure?" he asked uncertainly.

"Sure am. I've seen enough people crush over Marinette to know what it looks like. What, you never had a crush before?" Headphones teased.

"W-well, no," Adrien replied, his eyes drawing towards the pig-tailed girl on his right of their own accord. Marinette was her name, was it? How cute. It fit her perfectly. "To be honest, I don't deal with people my age much. I've never been to a real school before. In fact, Chloe's my only friend. Not a perfect one, but my only one."

Humming, his classmate seemed to reach a decision. With a smile and an outstretched hand, he said, "I'm Nino. And it's time that you made some new friends, dude."

Eyes wide, Adrien grinned and took the hand as another, very different, rush of pleasure went through him. A friend. His first school friend!

~o~

Unfortunately, Adrien got to enjoy school life for all of about ten minutes before Ladybug's unfinished business came to bite him in the ass. Stoneheart invaded class, capturing two of his classmates, leaving Adrien no choice but to tear off after him. Adrien didn't resent Ladybug for it. Not really.

Only Ladybug can capture the akumas.

I can't do anything without Ladybug.

However, it did make her lose just a little bit of her luster.

He wasn't perfect, but neither was she.

Even so, Chat Noir was ecstatic when Ladybug finally arrived at the scene, coming to his rescue to save him from the clutches of the Stoneheart horde. "Sorry I was late!" she called to him, after yanking him away from an untimely hulk smash.

"Clumsy Girl!" he declared happily, his lips splitting into a genuine smile. "I think we goofed on our first try." Well, technically her, but he wasn't going to be an ass by pointing that out.

"You don't need to tell me that," Clumsy Girl - Ladybug huffed. "It's time to fix it!"

"Roger that!" Chat replied, grinning as they tore off for the Tour Eiffel.

Ladybug, he learned, was also crazy. Crazy awesome, of course. ...But seriously crazy. Trying to keep up with her was an adrenaline frenzied, wild ride, with plans that were at best reckless and spur of the moment and kinda half-assed to be honest. To think, he had to give her a pep talk about how only the pair of them could take on the akuma. It was a terrifying rush, one that he knew he could get used to. In short spurts, of course.

"I think I need to upgrade your nickname to CrazyBug, Clumsy Girl," Chat teased as they watched Miraculous Ladybug repair Paris from the foot of Tour Eiffel. "Or maybe I should be Crazy Cat for following you around." Ladybug responded by socking him on the arm. Laughing, Chat held out a fist. "C'mon, I'm kidding~ Mostly. Good job, Klutz."

"You're awful!" Ladybug pouted but returned the grin and the fist bump. "Thanks for having my back Kit-Kat. ...And for the pep talk," she added shyly.

"Anytime, Bugaboo," Chat winked, giving her a two-finger salute. His ring began to beep, threatening to power out. "Ah, gotta dash! Later!" he called, making a run for his house.

Behind him, Ladybug blushed as he departed. Then she shook her head. No way, she wasn't going to go gaga over her partner. That was totally unprofessional. With that in mind, she waved to Mylene and Ivan, before taking off for her own home.

~o~

So, Chat Noir and Ladybug managed to save Paris (for real this time). He was a legit superhero! Nothing could take him down now, especially nothing as commonplace as school. Adrien's head still reeled with the knowledge, as he officially started his first day of class. He waved to Nino as he entered the classroom, but then froze when he saw Marinette sitting behind his seat.

Marinette.

Smiling a little too wide, he waved rapidly at her. However, she hmphed and turned her head away. At once, the crush crushed him. The plummet from high to low was so brutal, it made him stagger and sway as he took his seat.

Nino smirked as he looked at him. "Yup, that's a Mari-crush alright," he teased.

"She hates me," Adrien groaned, sinking his face into his hands.

"Just tell her the truth, dude," Nino assured him, patting him on the back. "She doesn't bite... mostly."

Slowly, Adrien looked back over his shoulder. All it took was another scathing look from those bluebell eyes to whip him straight. I can't do it, he thought, breaking out into a sweat. How was it possible that this tiny girl was ten times more intimidating than a horde of Stonehearts? "Nino, help me," he whispered, looking at his new friend in desperation.

Nino laughed. "Okay, sure, dude. I'll be your moral support." He cocked an eyebrow. "Never figured a cover boy model would be smitten by a normal classmate though."

"She's not-" Adrien started indignantly before he restrained himself. The butterflies were back in full force, making him heat up at the thought of his cutest classmate and ready to defend her honor. More quietly, he said, "It's not just about a pretty face. I know that better than anyone. But she's got this sparkle in her eyes that makes me feel alive." He sighed happily.

"Oh? You mean when she's glaring at you? So, you're a masochist," Nino said with a teasing grin.

Adrien responded by punching him in the arm.

~o~

That afternoon after school, Adrien stared at Marinette's back waiting in the rain at the arched gateway in front of school. His hands clasped tightly around his umbrella. It was like something straight out of a shoujo manga. He'd seen this so many times. There was a formula. He could do this. He had a speech prepared and everything.

He took a step forward. Then before he realized it, he took three steps back. His whole body was turning clammy and he felt his courage failing him. Nino put a hand on his shoulder, gripping him tightly before he could backtrack anymore. "Oh no you don't. Forward march, soldier! Hup-to!"

"I didn't sign up for this!" Adrien wisecracked, before he was summarily shoved up next to her.

Marinette looked to the sudden movement, spying the both of them. "Nino! ...Adrien," she added, the name dripping with distaste.

The speech. The speech! Adrien told himself, but somehow all the words had completely evaporated from his mind. Worse, that bluebell glare was only getting worse the longer he fought for something to say.

Nino put a hand on Adrien's shoulder. "Mari, give my guy a break here. He's not like that." He elbowed Adrien in the side. Say something! his expression said.

I'm trying! Adrien shot back. At Marinette's expectant look, he held the closed umbrella out handle first. "Uh- M-Mari, d-do you need this? Since it's raining and everything. Y-you look like you need it."

"Only my friends call me Mari," Marinette growled. "And I don't need a handout, no matter what Chloe might tell you."

"No! That's not-!" Adrien stammered. "I'm sorry! I wasn't trying to- T-take the chewing gum off and then- You know Chloe was my old friend and then- I've never been to a school before and before I knew it- You snuck up on me- and-!"

Marinette narrowed her eyes.

"Dude, you just made it sound like you did do it," Nino hissed at him. Coming to his rescue, he put a hand on Adrien's shoulder. "Mari, I was a witness. Adrien was trying to take the gum off. He's just awkward and homeschooled. And needs better friends than Chloe. Think we can help him out with that?"

Marinette's glare softened just a touch, changing from menacing to somewhat dubious. "...Well, I suppose if it's an act of charity," she said, her lips curling into a sly smile. If the sight of her glare sent Adrien's heart pounding, her smile was enough to give him a stroke. Marinette held out a hand. "Okay, fine. We can be probational friends, okay?"

Adrien's mouth split into a wide smile, feeling his heart soar. "O-okay, Mari," he said, taking her delicate hand (she had a surprisingly firm grip) in his.

"Ah-ah, you get Mari after probation," Marinette replied with a wave of her finger and a smile that made Adrien melt. Glancing down at the umbrella, she said, "Don't worry about me. I live just across the street. I'll see you tomorrow, Nino, Pretty Boy." With a wave, she dashed off into the rain. Adrien's gaze followed her, letting out a longing sigh.

Wow...

Wait.

"D-did she just call me Pretty Boy?!" he asked, with a sudden start as his face erupted into a heady blush.

"Doesn't everybody?" Nino asked with a laugh. A town car pulled up in the street ahead and the Gorilla clambered out to open the door for his charge.

"Well, there's my ride," the model sighed, handing his umbrella off to Nino. "Here, you can have this. Thanks for your help. Really."

"No problem," Nino replied with a wave, "I won't be offended if you don't come back."

"Just try and stop me," Adrien laughed. On the ride back, he got lost in thoughts of new days spent with new friends and one spitfire Marinette.

~o~

Part 2

~o~

Ladybug had come to love her time as Paris' savior. Although it was a crazy juggle that sometimes was a little too much for her, nothing brightened her day more than kicking ass and taking names. All the while knowing that she was saving an innocent that needed a cry for help.

A guilty part of her knew that it had a lot to do with her partner. Funny, wisecracking, showboating, loyal, reliable Chat Noir. More often than not, she just liked spending time with him, even though he continued to tease her mercilessly, as he had since the first day they met. She didn't dare call it a crush. That would be a little pathetic. No, they were just best friends, partners. Chat Noir was her person. Even if she had no idea who that person was behind the mask. Nothing could get between them. Nothing.

"Hey Klutz!" she heard a familiar call behind her. She was anything but nowadays, but Chat refused to let the silly nicknames slide. His way of keeping her humble, she supposed. Spinning around, she found Chat Noir land in a crouch on a roof motif.

"Good evening, Chaton," she waved, sliding off the of the roof edge. The whole of Paris spread out before them, twinkling in the night. Their Paname. "You ready for patrol?"

"Always," Chat Noir replied, punching her shoulder. Their touches were always like that. Like sibling rivals. Friendly. "Although..." he hesitated, then shook his head, "Nah. It can wait. Race you to Montparnasse!" Without any warning, he catapulted off the roof towards the finish line.

"Hey, no fair!" Ladybug cried. With a grin, she launched herself from the roof and swung after him as fast as she could. Technically, a race like this wasn't really productive towards patrol. Honestly, they didn't need to patrol, but it was a good excuse to stretch their legs, keep their skills sharp in between Akuma. It was more like... training. Yes, training. The pair of them now knew the rooftops of Paris like the back of their hand. A skill that was pretty useful in your back pocket, all truth be told.

Chat won the race by a hair, which Ladybug attributed to his sneaky start. They sat on top of one of the roofs, panting sharply as they tried to catch their breath. "You totally cheated, Chat," Ladybug accused good-naturedly as they sat shoulder to shoulder.

"Well, I am a Black Cat," Chat grinned wickedly at her, "I have to make my own luck." His teasing manner fell away, as he grew more pensive. Ladybug noticed. She was very observant of her kitty. Sometimes a little too much.

"Something on your mind, Chaton?" she asked, bumping shoulders with him.

Chat looked away with those luminous green eyes, worrying his lower lip. "Hey, CrazyBug?" he asked softly, uncharacteristically quiet. "You know girls, right?"

Ladybug went cold, as if ice had just dropped into her stomach. Recovering quickly, she let out a snort. "Well, I am one, last I checked. Why do you ask?"

"There's this girl in my school..." Chat said, a wistful smile stretching across his lips. The pit of dread in Ladybug's stomach only grew, beginning to sprout. "She's amazing. She's so confident, and creative, and great at gaming, and always stands up for the underdog. She's got this fight in her that makes her eyes just light up like fireworks."

"Oh? Anyone I know?" she jested. Mostly. ...Actually, no, she wasn't joking. Part of her was seriously tempted to go drop in on this girl and give her a what-for. Some random nobody didn't deserve Chat's heart.

"Ah-ah-ah, that's cheating, Clumsy Girl," Chat grinned.

"Fine," Ladybug sighed, trying to unclench her fists. "So what's the problem, Chaton? Sounds like a great girl."

"Ah, well..." Chat hesitated before giving his partner a sheepish grin. "Would you believe that I'm not this articulate around her?"

What? "No..." Ladybug declared, genuinely incredulous. "Seriously?"

"Seriously. For some reason, as soon as I get anywhere near her, my tongue ties itself up into knots. I'm pretty sure she must think I have some kind of speech impediment." Chat sighed, falling back on the roof to stare up into the dark sky. "I'm just this awkward loser to her."

Ladybug scoffed. "Chat, you're a superhero! You're the furthest thing from a loser there is!" she cried. Okay, now she was definitely going to have a word with this girl, if she had any hand in making Chat feel like anything less than the hero he was. "Chat, you're amazing," she said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Not this girl. She doesn't know what she's missing, if she can't see you." Her hand tightened. "Do you want me to beat her up for you?"

At that, Chat Noir let out a belly-laugh. "What! No!" He grinned, "Okay maybe. Or at least a stern talking to."

"Tell me where she lives," Ladybug said ferociously.

However, Chat shook his head, not at all sensing how serious his partner was in that second. "No, I can handle it. I don't need anyone to talk for me. That's part of the problem." He pushed himself up, clasping Ladybug's hands in his. "Tell me how to talk to this girl, Ladybug. I need your advice. Please."

At once, the jealous anger fizzled, subverted by the open vulnerability that her partner showed her. He was genuinely asking for her help. No matter what she was feeling, she owed it to him to point him down the right path. Uncomfortably, she shrugged, unable to meet his eyes. "Meet her as Chat Noir. Y'know, with that mindset. I mean, you're such a wisecracker. That's bound to translate over."

Chat's eyes widened. "You're right," he whispered. Then his lips split into that grin that she so adored. "I knew you'd have the best advice, Bugaboo!" he squealed, gathering his crime-fighting partner up into a hug.

"Yeah, great..." Ladybug replied, trying not to grimace as she returned the hug. Gently, she pressed him away, trying not to choke on the heartbreak that was making it hard to breathe. Smiling through it, she patted him lightly on the shoulder. "Well, I have some homework to get to for tomorrow. I better call it a night. You take care, Kit-Kat."

"Night~" Chat called, already looking away and lost in his own thoughts.

It was a good thing that they did spend so many nights on patrol. It was only muscle-memory that helped Ladybug find her way home through the tears that blurred her vision.

~o~

Marinette was a mess when she arrived at school the next morning. Her hair was disheveled and her eyes were bloodshot. It might be attributed to an all-nighter, but it was really because she had cried herself to sleep last night. Honestly, it was her own fault. She'd spent so long in denial about her own feelings and now Chat was slipping through her grasp. She didn't even have a leg in the race, he was already gone.

With these morose thoughts in mind, she trudged into school a mess. All it took was one look from Alya, for her girl to gasp and fuss over her as she pleased. "Girl! What's wrong!" she demanded, cupping Marinette's cheeks in her hands. "You look like shit!"

"Aw, thanks," Marinette snarked. She wasn't wrong though. "I just..." She released a sigh. There were only so many ways to explain what was wrong. "A penpal of mine, who I've been talking to for months... I thought I liked him - No, I really did like him - Well... He's in love with someone else. Completely head over heels, actually..." she mumbled, looking at the floor.

Alya's jaw dropped momentarily as she took this in. Then she let out a soft sympathetic noise. "Oh, Mari. I'm so sorry, sweetie," she hushed, as she gathered her best friend up in a hug.

"I really liked him," Marinette sobbed, fresh tears welling up in her bloodshot eyes. "I really, really liked him."

"I know, I know," Alya hushed, even though she knew for all of about two minutes. She was the perfect emotional totem, ignoring the school bell as she continued to comfort her dearest friend. After a while, Marinette pulled away, wiping away her tears with her wrists.

"Sorry. I just... It's still kinda raw," Marinette sniffled.

"Hey, it's okay, girl. You know I'm always here for you. Even if that smelly boy isn't," Alya smiled, squeezing her girlfriend's hands. "Now, you think you're okay for class?"

"Y-yeah," Marinette nodded. She sucked in another breath, trying to pull in the Ladybug confidence that had kept her buoyant for these many months. "Okay. I'm ready. Thanks, Alya."

"Anytime," Alya grinned. "Besides, I didn't even know you were netting, Nette. There's plenty of other fish in the sea."

"Oh stop," Marinette replied with a huff and a laugh.

"I'm serious!" Alya grinned. "You've got Nathaniel, the artist. Max, the gamer. Ivan's taken. Kim's all over Chloe, so his taste is awful. Nino-ish. Oh! And of course, Adrien Agreste," she teased, bumping shoulders with her girl.

"...Pretty Boy?" Marinette asked incredulously. "No. No, flippin' way."

"But he likes you! It's so obvious!" Alya cried, letting out a laugh. "He's liked you since the very first day of school! C'mon, anyone would be dying to be in your place with a cover boy drooling all over you."

"He is not drooling. That is gross!" Marinette scoffed. No way. Alya couldn't possibly be more off base with this. Adrien was simply the most awkward individual that she'd ever met in her entire life. Considering his background - model from a young age, homeschooled all his life, control-freak for a father, Chloe for his only friend - it was a wonder that Adrien didn't turn out even more socially-awkward than he was. The kid had issues, that was for sure.

"I'm just saying~" Alya singsonged as the pair of them came to their classroom door. Since class had already started, the pair of them had to sneak in as inconspicuously as possible. As the door creaked open behind Mme. Bustier's back, they drew the attention of the rest of their class.

Adrien had a prime spot in his seat in the front row. Pretty Boy's face lit up at the sight of the pair of them and he waved. Marinette made frantic motion for him to not draw attention, but it was too late. Mme Bustier turned around and glared at the girls. "Do either of you have a pass?" she asked with justifiable skepticism.

"Um, we had some lady problems," Alya said quickly, ushering her and Marinette to their seats while the rest of the class sniggered.

Mme. Bustier's nose crinkled, but she decided to let it slide. "Next time girls, please get a pass from the nurse." With that she turned back to the lesson.

Adrien, that sweet, naive, innocent, stupid boy, turned a concerned face up to the pair of them. "L-lady problems?" he asked, stammering like he always did. "Is there anything th-that I could do to help, Marinette?" Only to have his three closest pounce at once.

"Do you not know what 'lady problems' means?!" Marinette hissed, while Alya groaned into her palm and Nino viciously jabbed his boy in the ribs. Adrien's entire face went as bright as a tomato. He likely still didn't know what the term meant, but he figured out quickly enough it was something that he wasn't supposed to be asking about. He stiffly turned towards the board, radiating mortification out of his ears.

Marinette shook her head, looking skyward to pray to the gods to bless this dear idiotic classmate of hers. She ignored Alya's blatant 'I told you so' look, because she was still off base. Instead, she tried to do what she could to take her mind off of Chat Noir.

Feeling a little better after class, with plenty to preoccupy her mind, Marinette tried to focus instead on her next fashion project. She stretched out on one of the benches in the courtyard, chewing the eraser of her pencil as she considered her sketch.

"Wow, that's a r-really nice design!"

Marinette looked up from her sketchbook. Adrien stood over her, his hands clasped behind his back and Nino conspicuously absent. It was odd because Nino always seemed to hang around Adrien wherever they went. Those two were inseparable.

Looking down at the derby hat, she turned a faint smile up at awkward Adrien. "Thanks. I suppose coming from you, that's high praise."

"Wh-what? N-n-no," Adrien stammered, waving his hands. Damn, and he was doing so well too. "I mean, I'm not- My dad's the one- I'm kind of an idiot when it comes to these things. You shouldn't- I'm not special. Sorry!"

Marinette's heart broke for him. Oh, he tried so hard, her poor Pretty Boy. Sighing, she closed up her book. "Pretty Boy, have a seat," she said, patting the bench next to her.

Flushed and awkward, he mutely obeyed. The cheesy smell that seemed to follow him around seemed much more pungent in close proximity.

"So," she coughed, opening up to the design. "What do you like about it?"

"U-uhm," Adrien peered at the sketch. "It... has f-feathers?"

"Oh? So, you like birds?" Marinette asked with a smile.

"Ah. Actually. I'm kind of a-allergic..."

At once the smile dropped. Marinette looked to her sketch. Then she pulled it out, crumpled it up into a ball and tossed it into the trash.

"What, no! I didn't mean for you to do that!" Adrien cried.

"Pretty Boy, you just told me you're allergic to the hat I'm making. For you. What am I supposed to do?" Marinette asked in exasperation.

Adrien flushed, snapping his mouth shut with a sharp click. Yeah, this was how most of their interactions went. "Sorry, I'll just go," the model mumbled under his breath, as he clutched his bag to him and for lack of a better word, fled.

Just a little exhausted by the encounter, Marinette rubbed her temple, before she began to brainstorm a newer, better design.

~o~

Marinette sighed as she cast aside her fifteenth idea in the safety of her room. Unfortunately, her little pow-wow with Adrien had thrown her completely for a loop and she was designing in circles since then. She'd thought for sure she had a clear winner with her feather hat, but now the model had completely blown that out the water.

Damn it, Pretty Boy, she sighed, irritated from frustration and lack of sleep.

Then, something knocked at the hatch above her bed. Marinette froze. Her bluebell eyes cast upwards to the hatch. That was a very deliberate knock. Like someone was right outside kind of knock.

Then it sounded again.

Warily, Marinette looked to Tikki, who zipped underneath her jacket as a precaution. Then she cautiously tapped back on the hatch door. "Who is it?" she called up to her ceiling.

"It's Chat Noir," a very familiar voice called back.

Marinette froze, her eyes growing wide. What? WHAT? Why on earth- How? Did Chat Noir somehow figure out who she was?! What was he doing here?!

Another knock. "Marinette? Are you there?"

How did he know her name?!

Nonetheless, she slowly unlatched her lock and swung the hatch door wide open. Above her, her dearest partner, her best friend, her person, Chat Noir squatted on her roof top. Grinning at her. "Good evening, Prrincess," he purred, taking her hand to kiss it. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Chat Noir. Purr-haps you've heard of me?"

Yes, I've heard of you, my silly Kit-Kat, Marinette thought, wondering what kind of game he was playing. Well, she could play that game too. Just a little vindictive from her heartbreak, she asked casually, "Oh? You're Ladybug's sidekick, aren't you? Of course, I've heard of you!"

Chat faltered at that, causing a prickle (maybe a stab) of guilt. However, he recovered quickly and gave her one of his heart-stopping smiles, "Ah, that is exactly right, Prrincess. At your service."

Despite herself, Marinette blushed. "No, at yours, Chato- Chat Noir. Whatever are you doing on my balcony so late at night? Is there some kind of emergency where you need a civilian's help?"

"Not at all, milady," Chat Noir purred looking at her with sultry green eyes, his demeanor so at odds with the silly goofball that she'd grown so accustomed to. She wasn't prepared for this slick cat at all. "I was just passing by and noticed a lonely princess up in her tower. I thought I'd introduce myself and see if you needed any rescuing." He smiled fondly at her. "A little birdie told me that you weren't feeling that great today."

Who? Who on earth would-? Marinette let out a breath. Alya. She did have very interesting connections, to say the least. Alya couldn't possibly have known who had caused her distress though. "That little birdie might be right," Marinette admitted.

"Is there any way I can be of service, milady?" Chat asked, his voice achingly soft. It made her heart break and soar all at once.

You going to forget about that crush of yours?

Marinette shook her head. "No, but thank you," she replied just as softly. "I'll be alright, Chat Noir. Don't worry about me."

"Alas, I make for a very poor knight for his prrincess," Chat said with a helpless shrug and a sigh. "There's no way I can ask for her favor in that case."

"And what kind of favor would you be looking for?" Marinette asked with a grin. "We do have the best macarons in Paris, in my opinion."

"Actually," Chat leaned in very suddenly, making the schoolgirl flush. "I was looking for something a little less... tangible."

"Like what?" Marinette asked quietly.

"A kiss," the black cat replied, tapping a clawed finger to his cheek.

Marinette's face broke into a bright blush. "That's awfully forward of you, tomcat. Do you demand kisses from every girl you visit at night?"

"Yes~" Chat grinned, "but seeing as you're the only one, I hope you won't be offended."

You sly- Marinette thought, her blush growing even worse. "...I suppose I can pay you for your service in advance," she muttered, pushing herself up to sit on the edge of her hatch door. Her heart threatened to pound out of her chest, her head screaming at her that this was a terrible idea. But she didn't care. Neither breathed as she gingerly brushed her fingers along his jaw, touching the edges of his blond hair. She leaned in, ready to give him a chaste peck on the cheek.

Suddenly, he turned and she found herself pressing a kiss instead to two warm lips.

The girl squeaked in startlement, but then a clawed hand cupped the back of her neck and deepened the kiss. It was hot, desperate, breathless. They came away, panting softly, staring into each other's eyes.

"Ch-Chat?" Marinette asked, dizzy and more than a little confused.

Licking his lips, the black cat gave her a smile that was nothing less than wicked. "See you later, milady," he purred in promise, giving her a wink. With that he was gone, nothing more than a dark shadow speeding away into the night.

Marinette fell back into her bed, staring up at the open hatch and into the night sky above. From her jacket pocket, Tikki peered out, her eyes wide. "M-Marinette? Are you alright?" the little red kwami asked as the schoolgirl trembled.

"W-w-w-WHAAAT?!" Marinette shrieked, fisting her hands in her hair.

~o~

Part 3

~o~

"H-hi, Marinette!"

Marinette glanced distractedly up at her schoolmate, sort-of friend. "Oh. Hi, Pretty Boy," she said distractedly, tapping her stylus against her desk as she waited for class to start. She had ample reason for her head to be in the clouds, considering that her platonic partner had suddenly shown up at her balcony last night and kissed her senseless.

Awkward Adrien stood by her a pause too long. She glanced up at him. He was holding himself a little... differently this morning. Arms at his sides instead of clutching something like a security blanket, which showed off his height and broad shoulders. His expression smooth instead of tense with anxiety, which seemed to unlock the full effect of his perfect bone structure. Odd. "Um... did you need something?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Mmm, no. Just enjoying the view," Adrien replied with a smirk that just about felled her flat.

"Toldja~" Alya cackled next to her, as Marinette's jaw dropped to the floor.

"Um... I-I'm sorry, what?" Marinette demanded, ignoring her bestie. However, Adrien didn't answer with anything but a wicked smile and a wink, before he took his seat in the front row. A wicked smile that seemed... awfully familiar. Familiar enough that her face erupted into a bright blush. Marinette stared at the back of his head as if he'd grown a second. Had he always had such good posture? Was his hair always so perfect?

"Fish in the sea~" Alya singsonged, earning her a smack on the arm.

Marinette had absolutely no idea where this bolder (and God help her, sort of sexy) Adrien came from all of the sudden. Coupled that with the bizarre encounter she had with Chat Noir last night, her love life had suddenly gone from zilch, nada, to a full-blown love triangle.

Alya wasn't helping, giving her the most devious and wicked grins that she could manage. Then her phone buzzed and she pulled up the alert on her screen. She gasped, "Mari! There was akuma spotted at Notre-Dame! He's calling himself the Dog Catcher!"

"Oh, uh- I need to head to the restroom!" Adrien said loudly, rushing out of class just as Mme. Bustier walked in. Poor boy. His chronic intestinal issues were probably caused by his modeling occupation.

"Me too!" Marinette cried, hurrying right after the model, but with an entirely different agenda. Once again, the memory of last night made itself very prominent in her mind as she hurried into a broom closet to transform into Ladybug. Even now, it made her face heat up to the point it was steaming.

Hoo-boy. Working with Chat Noir was sure going to be interesting from now on.