Marinette was startled from the blood curdling screams coming from downstairs. Her eyes went wide as she dropped her pencil and quickly got off her computer seat.
"Tikki!" She hissed. "Something's wrong! Quick, get in my purse!" Tikki nodded and hid inside her chosen's purse as Marinette descended down the stairs.
Her living room was clear, no signs of anything wrong. For a moment Marinette simply thought she imagined the scream, that is until another scream was heard coming from the bakery below.
Marinette gulped and imagined the worse, because she knew that scream belonged to her mother. She slowly opened the hatch door leading to the bakery below, only to find blood pooling at the bottom of the staircase.
Marinette's body trembled as she slowly walked down the steps, her mind jumping to the impossible. Her feet stepped in blood, and that's when she noticed, at the corner of her eye next to the counter, her dead father's body.
"Papa!" she screeched, running over and falling onto her knees next his lifeless body. There was a stab wound straight through his heart. Her eyes watered at the sight, her trembling hands reached out to his body. "Papa..." she cried, just before leather gloved hands pulled her away. The hands wrapped around her neck and stomach, holding her tight.
"Let's go Ladybug, Hawkmoth is waiting for you," Chat picked her up, his strength more than enough to resist her squirming body.
"Ch-Chat? Wh-What are you doing? You...You know I'm Ladybug?"
"Thanks to Chloe, everyone in Paris knows you're Ladybug," Chat frowned. "To think the girl I fell in love with was Marinette of all people. Just plain old, clumsy Marinette. Pathetic. I would never have fallen in love with you if I knew the truth."
Chat's words struck like daggers straight into her heart. One of her worst fears had come true, Chat despising her because he realized the famous, brave hero Ladybug was just her.
"Chat..." her lips quivered as her vision was filled with tears. "Did you kill my dad?"
"No, Hawkmoth did," Chat opened the doors leading to the kitchen, where Marinette saw Hawkmoth holding her mom with a kitchen knife to her throat.
"Mama!" Marinette screamed. "Tikki! Spots On." Her transformation washed over, giving her renewed strength. But Chat was too fast, with his claws he swiped her yo-yo away and pinned her body to the ground.
"Good job, Chat Noir. Now bring me her earrings!" Hawkmoth smugly grinned, staring into Marinette's desperate eyes. "Resist Ladybug, and I will cut your mother down like I did your father."
Marinette relaxed her body in defeat, her tears creating a pool underneath her as Chat plucked her earrings, with Hawkmoth laughing diabolically in front of her.
ooo
"Marinette! Wake up! You're having a nightmare again!" her Kwami's pleading went unheard as Marinette squirmed around in her bed, whispering gibberish as she coated herself in a cold sweat.
Tikki sighed and went to her neck, biting down hard in an act to wake her Chosen. Marinette opened her eyes and quickly sat up straight. She panted for much needed air as she brought her hands to her face.
"You had another nightmare, Marinette," Tikki frowned, nuzzling against Marinette's neck. "Are you okay?"
"Yes...no," she sighed, hugging her knees. "I'm so scared Tikki. Chloe knows my secret identity. Chloe of all people! Even Chat Noir doesn't know. What if Chloe releases that video to all of Paris? Then Hawkmoth will know who I am, and he will come for me and my friends and family. What if my friends are disappointed that their superhero is just me? Or Chat...he's been in love with me forever..."
"Calm down Marinette," Tikki comforted her. "Relax, take a deep breath." Tikki patted her, "You're the smartest and bravest Ladybug I've ever met, you will figure something out, I believe in you."
Marinette slowly lit up in a smile, "Thanks Tikki." She petted the Kwami, "I guess until I come up with a plan, I just have to do whatever she wants."
"You're strong Marinette," Tikki assured her. "You will get through this."
"Thank you, Tikki," Marinette smiled, before laying back down, attempting to get a few more hours in before school.
ooo
Marinette walked into class and sat down in her seat beside Alya, immediately resting her head in her arms in an effort to get a few more minutes of sleep before class.
"Well good morning to you too," Alya giggled, before she noticed the dark bags underneath her eyes. "Marinette...you haven't been getting sleep," she frowned.
"Hmmm..." she mumbled. It was hard enough juggling her superhero responsibilities and her school life, but adding in Chloe's demands just made it all worse, and so her sleep had to suffer.
"You stayed up all night finishing Chloe's homework again, didn't you?" Alya crossed her arms.
"Maybe..." Marinette grumbled. She wasn't looking forward to this again, Alya's constant prodding and questioning was great for her future journalistic career, but when it came to her situation, she just wanted to be left alone.
"Marinette! Why are you doing this? It doesn't make any sense! Just last week you were standing up to Chloe, and now you're doing her assignments and homework for her? Something doesn't add up!" Alya hissed. Alya waited for her friend to say something, but Marinette kept quite. "What's worse is that you don't trust me enough to tell me what's going on..."
"It's not that I don't trust you Alya, I do...a lot," Marinette sat up straight to look at her friend with worried eyes. "You're my best friend, Alya..."
"Then why? I don't understand..."
"I can't tell you. It's greater than you, than us..." Marinette pursed her lips. Her identity getting out and into Hawkmoth's hands had the potential to put the whole world at risk. "I wish I could tell you, I really do...but the reality is I can't...So please just...just stop asking." Marinette frowned and guiltily turned away from her friend.
Alya sighed, "Fine...But to hell if you think I'm going to leave you like this." Alya put her arm around Marinette. "If I can't stop you from listening to Chloe...then I'll just have to help instead."
Marinette perked an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, I'll help out with the extra work, if we both do it together, then we'll finish it faster, right?" Alya flashed her friend a helpful smile.
Marinette blinked in surprise,"A-Alya...you, you don't have to..."
"Like you said Marinette, we're best friends...this is what best friends do, they help each other out girl," Alya winked.
"You're the best," Marinette smiled back and enveloped her friend in a long, comforting hug. The two pulled away as they heard familiar sounds coming from the doorway.
Adrien entered laughing along with Nino, with Chloe attached to his arms, a common sight. The girls greeted the boys as they took their seats.
Chloe, instead of taking her seat beside Sabrina, walked up the stairs to stand beside Marinette. She put one hand forward, "Did you finish the assignment due today?"
"Yes, Chloe," Marinette mumbled as she rummaged through her backpack and pulled out Chloe's papers. She could practically feel all of her classmates' eyes on her, watching the silent exchange.
Chloe flipped through the pages, "This essay better be an 80% or higher...or else." Chloe smirked.
"Or else what?" Alya fumed, clenching her fists.
"Why don't you ask your friend that," Chloe smugly grinned, walking down the steps to take her seat.
"It's okay, Alya..." Marinette whispered to Alya as she patted her back, calming her friend down.
Adrien turned to his friend, "Hey Nino, did you get anything out of Alya about what's going on with Mari'?"
"Sorry bro, but she doesn't know either," Nino shrugged. "It's seriously fucked up though."
"You don't think Chloe is blackmailing her or something do you?" Adrien questioned
"I don't know, maybe...I just know that if Marinette won't talk to Alya, then she definitely won't talk to us," Nino frowned.
Adrien sighed and turned to glance at Chloe, who had a smug grin on her face. Adrien already despised her for her consistent bullying and mean behaviour towards everyone in general, but he was forced to be friendly to her due to their family ties. Besides, he was always glad Marinette would stand up to her, in a way she reminded him of his lady. But now that Marinette had, for some reason, submitted herself to Chloe, he feared for her, and for their classmates. Who would stand up to Chloe now, if she decided to pick on someone? Adrien had to figure out a way to reach out to Marinette and help her in any way possible.
ooo
Marinette had just gotten up when Chloe approached her when the bell rang. She was holding the assignment had handed out today. With a sigh, Marinette extended her hand to accept it, but someone grabbed her wrist first.
"A-Adrien?" Marinette gasped as she felt his smooth hands tightly grasp her wrists. Just a couple of years ago, his touch would have sent her over the moon in ecstasy. But she was no longer the little girl swooning over her crush. Adrien had become a good friend over the years. Besides, someone else had slowly stolen her heart now.
"This isn't right, Chloe!" Adrien snapped at her, earning the attention of the few remaining classmates. "You can't force other people to do your work for you!"
"Force?" Chloe mocked offense. "I'm not forcing anyone Adrien! Marinette is just a good friend and wants to help me out, right Marinette?" Chloe looked over to Marinette.
"Y-Yeah," Marinette lied with a fake smile. "It's nothing Adrien. Don't worry about me."
"B-But..." Adrien scrunched his eyebrows in confusion.
"Really," Marinette yanked her hand away from Adrien's hold and grabbed the assignment instead. "I appreciate you standing up for me Adrien, but Chloe is right. I'm just helping out a friend."
Chloe grinned and walked past Adrien and out the door while Marinette packed her bag.
"Marinette..." Adrien grabbed her arm again to gain her attention. "I don't understand...this isn't you...you would never let Chloe walk all over you..."
"Adrien," Alya's cold voice cut him off. She intensively stared at him, giving him that look; the look he knew meant to back off.
Adrien gulped and released his grab on her arm. Marinette avoided eye contact out of shame and guilt; she wore her backpack and walked out with Alya.
Adrien just stared at her walking out the class as Nino came up to stand by him, "That was a good try dude...but we can't help her if she won't help herself." Nino sighed.
"Yeah...I guess," Adrien sighed, packing his own backpack. But still, he wouldn't give up. One of his friends was in trouble, and she needed him. What kind of superhero would he be if he didn't even try to help one of his closest friends?
ooo
Adrien dismissed his bodyguard, telling him he wanted to walk home with his friends instead after school. It was one of the few freedoms he was granted now that he turned 18. It was a lie of course; he just wanted to meet up with Ladybug before his piano lessons. He found a nearby alleyway and transformed, vaulting up to the rooftops and calling Ladybug.
Marinette had just entered her bakery when she felt her purse move; Tikki was trying to get her attention. She quickly greeted her parents and ran up to her room.
"What is it, Tikki?" Marinette asked.
"Chat Noir is trying to call you, it could be an Akuma."
"Knowing that needy cat, he's probably missing me already," Marinette giggled. "Alright, let's see what he wants. Tikki, Spots On!"
She pulled out her yo-yo and called him back, "What do you want, kitty?"
"There's only one thing in the world I want bugaboo, and that's you," He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
She rolled her eyes, "Where do you want to meet up?"
"Come find me," Chat winked at her and ended the call. Ladybug loved the GPS feature on her yo-yo; it allowed them to have some fun finding each other.
She followed the blip on her map, all the way to a rooftop littered with cardboard boxes. She looked at the yo-yo again, Chat's icon was right on top of hers, meaning he was somewhere on the rooftop, hiding. She smirked, "Chat? Are you here?" she feigned innocence. She brought up her yo-yo, using the reflection to look behind her, because she knew her sneaky cat would pounce on her from behind.
Just as she guessed, she saw Chat dashing a wide grin as he quietly came out from a box and slowly walked up to her. She knew she would never have heard him otherwise, if Chat was good at anything it was being quite and stealthy when needed. She saw him pounce in the reflection, and that's when she made her move.
Quickly turning around, and with a flick of her yo-yo, she wrapped Chat tight mid air. When he fell, she followed, straddling atop him. "Hi kitty," she grinned. "You seem to be in quite the bind."
Chat squirmed in her hold, but to no avail. "But how...I didn't even make a sound," Chat frowned.
"I saw you through the reflection on my yo-yo," Ladybug grinned while raking her hands up his side. "Don't lie; I know you liked to be tied up." She leaned forward and started to leave quick pecks from the base of his of neck up to his chin. Ladybug smiled as she elicited soft moans from him.
"I don't know Ladybug, I always imagined me tying you up," Chat grinned before moaning again as Ladybug bit softly into his neck.
"Naughty kitty," she brought her face up to meet his, looking into his tender green eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck as she stole a gentle kiss.
"I missed you," Chat's eyes became half lidded as he leaned his head up as far as he could to kiss her cheeks.
Ladybug giggled at his affections, "We just saw each other yesterday for that Akuma, remember?" Chat hummed and started to kiss the other half of her face. She closed her eyes and played with his hair, letting Chat show her how much he adored her.
Ladybug remembered back to when she first noticed this side of him, the caring, warm and loving side. It was on that rose petal littered rooftop all those years ago, when Chat had lit candles for Ladybug and brought her a rose. She may have declined his love then, but she couldn't ignore the slight blush and spark she received when he had kissed her cheek that night. That small spark blossomed into something fierce as she slowly fell in love with Chat over the past couple of years.
"Are you going to release me anytime soon?" Chat pouted.
"Oops," she giggled getting off of him. No sooner had she reeled her yo-yo back in, that he pounced on her, pinning her back against the rooftop. Chat grinned and attacked her lips this time, and she drank him in.
They kissed passionately for what seemed to be hours, occasionally parting to pant for much needed air, before diving back in. Chat's curious hands wandered over her body, feeling her in previously forbidden places. He sneaked a hand over her breasts, and Ladybug smiled in her kiss.
"Just what do you think you're doing?" she placed her hand over his. Chat simply grinned wide and squeezed, earning a moan from her. They've never been any farther than this, partly because she wasn't ready, and partly because she didn't want to reveal her identity due to her insecurities. It wasn't like the suits could be partially taken off; which made these little hormone-induced encounters all the more frustrating, as she felt heat pooling between her legs.
"Ch-Chat," she hummed before he silenced her with another kiss. Chat continued to feel her up as he deepened the kiss, until he heard his ring beep.
Chat sighed as he withdrew from her mouth, "That's Plagg warning me...my father will kill me if I'm late..."
"It's okay, I understand," Ladybug smiled as she sat up straight. "Will I see you at patrol tonight?"
"I'll try to finish my civilian duties early," Chat leaned in for a quick chaste kiss before hopping onto his legs. "See you later Bugaboo," he waved as he vaulted away, leaving a blush-ridden Ladybug on the roof.
Marinette had her own things to keep her busy, mostly chores, hobbies and her homework, and Chloe's homework. Thankfully Alya kept her word and came over, helping Marinette finish just in time for her patrol. Marinette was eternally grateful to have a friend like Alya; she helped without even asking another single question. Instead, relying on Marinette to tell her when the time was right. Marinette couldn't think of another person who would willingly do Chloe's work just to help their friend.
Soon it was bedtime, and Marinette transformed into Ladybug to go protect her city of Paris.
ooo
Chat landed behind Ladybug on the Eiffel tower, their favourite place to rest after patrol, especially during the night as they got to observe how the city of lights got its name.
Ladybug sat down, leaning against a steel beam, "Come here kitty." She gestured to him as Chat Noir walked over and collapsed into her. He hugged her as his head buried in the crook of her neck and she gently rubbed his back and played with his hair. "Long day?" She cooed into his ear. She felt him nod.
"The usual, do this and that...learn this language, practice this new instrument...the only useful thing my dad teaches me is fencing and martial arts...at least I could use that against Akumas," Chat huffed into her neck. He moved slightly so that he could lie comfortable in her embrace, giving in to her gentle and soothing touches.
Ladybug had gotten to know his dad over the past few months. She knew that he was strict, cold and unforgiving. She also knew that he had no mother, a fact that made her appreciate her parents even more. She knew Chat's home life wasn't exactly the best, and even though Chat never told her, she knew he received no love from his dad. It was partly why Chat was so clingy towards her. And now that she knew, she made it essential that she showed Chat her love every chance she got. He deserved it.
Ladybug hugged him tighter, warming him up with her own heat in the cold night. She leaned her face down to kiss his forehead. She could see him smile, but that smile quickly turned to a frown.
"Ladybug...I have to go away for the next three days," Chat sighed. "Something about my dad's company and him wanting me to start learning how to manage it."
"Oh, it's okay, it's only three days," Ladybug smiled. "This isn't the first time you've been out of the city."
"Yeah but no Akumas had appeared before," Chat pursed his lips, moving slightly so he could stare up at her with his concerned eyes. "What if there's an Akuma this time, and I'm not here to help you?"
"Don't worry about me Chat," she smiled, rubbing his face, "I think we both know I can handle an Akuma all on my own. Besides, I always have Carapace and Rena Rouge"
"What is that supposed to mean?" Chat pouted, getting up. "Are you saying you don't need me?" Chat feigned sadness.
Ladybug giggled, "Of course I need you silly, who else is going to make those stupid puns and keep me distracted all fight."
She laughed when Chat crossed his arms, "Fine then, I guess I'll just leave you to fight Akumas all by yourself then from now on."
"Oh don't be like that," Ladybug grabbed his arms and pulled him towards her, hugging him tightly. "You'll always be my partner Chat, forever and ever."
Chat pulled away from the hug to stare into Ladybug's raven blue eyes, "I...I love you." Chat gulped and surprised her with a sudden kiss. She deepened it as they made out. "I love you too, Chat," she told him, before returning for yet another kiss. Something she didn't feel the least be untrue.
They made out until they both were exhausted, choosing to lie next to each other. Spending as much time as possible before they had to part ways and head home.
"Hey Chat...?"
"Yeah?"
"You said your dad wanted you to take over his business," Ladybug bit her lip. "Is that what you really want?"
Chat shifted slightly in her lap so he was looking out into the city, "No...not really. I don't want to run my father's business, I want to become something, make something of myself...Not get handed down a powerful empire that has my dad's name all over it."
"I see...What do you want to become then?" Ladybug curiously asked while she intertwined her fingers with his, playing with them as Chat contemplated her answer.
"Honestly...I really like studying physics...I think I may want to become a physicist or something..." Ladybug giggled, "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," she grinned. "I just can't imagine you in a lab coat, being all sophisticated and serious..."
"Chemists wear lab coats, not physicists," Chat pouted.
"Ok ok, I'm sorry," Ladybug sighed. "In all seriousness though, Chat. You should chase your dreams, if you want to do something, then do it. Don't let your dad decide your future."
"But...But he's my father..."
"So what? He shouldn't be able to dictate what you can or can't do..."
"You don't understand Ladybug, he's the only family I have left...I want to make him happy and proud of me."
Ladybug sighed, "Chat..." She grabbed his cheek and turned his face to look at her, "You make me happy, and I'm proud of you...I can't begin to tell you how much of an amazing person you are, and I'm sure you're like that as a civilian. I'm sure your dad's already proud of you, and he'll be even more proud if he sees his son doing what he loves and what makes him happy...right?"
Chat got off her lap and hugged his knees, looking out into the city, "You don't know him like I do..."
"Chat..." Ladybug watched him stare off into the distance.
"I should get going, I have to wake up early tomorrow," Chat got onto his legs and took out his baton, extending it.
"Chat wait..." Ladybug got up after him. Chat turned around to meet her and was welcomed by a chaste kiss on his lips. "Goodnight. And stay safe okay?" She smiled warmly at him.
"You too," Chat smiled back. "See you in three days my lady," Chat saluted and vaulted off into the night.
ooo
Ladybug had to make a detour before she got any sleep tonight. She had a plan for tonight, and that plan involved sneaking into Chloe's room and deleting any leverage Chloe had over her; hopefully ending this torment once and for all. Even if Chloe did tell the world Marinette was Ladybug, without any evidence, no one would believe her. After all, there's no way that ordinarily clumsy Marinette could be Paris's most beloved superhero, right?
She sneaked into Chloe's dark room through her balcony. Past memories returned to her, memories of her being in this exact room while she fought against Sabrina, and then later Chloe herself as Anti-Bug. Now that Ladybug thought about it, Chloe deeply loved Ladybug, she wondered how Chloe must be feeling now that she knew her idol was the classmate she hated the most.
Ladybug snuck around her bed, careful to not wake her up. She located Chloe's phone charging on her nightstand, and slowly crept up to it. To her surprise, the phone didn't have a password, which meant Ladybug could outright delete the video without stealing the phone.
She quickly located the video, and briefly watched on mute it to see Chloe's point of view. Ladybug remembered that day; the Akuma had been especially rough on her and Chat. Both hardly had any time to detransform. She saw on the video as Chloe found Ladybug jumping across rooftops, with Chloe giving chase from the sidewalk. When Chloe turned the corner of an alleyway, with her camera in hand, she had caught Ladybug detransforming right in front of her. Ladybug quickly deleted the video, not wanting to watch any more, watch how Marinette practically begged Chloe afterwards to delete the video, that all of Paris would be in danger if Hawkmoth found out.
Ladybug put the phone back and headed back towards the balcony. She had just reached the doors when the entire room lit up. Startled, Ladybug turned around, to find the nightstand lamp turned on, and Chloe's arms crossed as she sat upright on her bed.
"I knew you would eventually come to delete that video," Chloe smirked. "You're so predictable, Marinette."
"It's over Chloe! You can't boss me around anymore! And no one would believe you if you told them I was Ladybug, so don't even bother!" With that Ladybug turned around, not wanting to stay any longer.
"You really think that I'm stupid enough to only have one copy of something so valuable?"
Ladybug stopped in her tracks, "What?" She stared at Chloe in dread.
"I made multiple copies of that video, Marinette. I even hired some nerdy tech guy; he made sure that if I don't put a special code into my computer every 24 hours, then the video will get sent to every news outlet...So shoo along Marinette," Chloe waved at Ladybug, "I'm sure you have plenty of my homework to finish..."
"Damnit Chloe! Don't you see how serious this is?" Ladybug grit her teeth in anger. "If Hawkmoth finds out I'm Marinette, he could come after my family and friends, he could easily defeat me and take my Miraculous...He'll be unstoppable and he'll take over Paris, maybe even the world!"
"Whatever," Chloe looked away. "Not my problem."
Ladybug started to tear up from her useless pleas, "I don't understand...why are you doing this, Chloe? I thought you loved Ladybug..."
"I did love Ladybug!" Chloe burst into a grimace. "I loved you so much, for years, I loved you," Chloe clenched her fists as tears rolled down her cheek. "I idolized you, I worshipped the ground you walked on...I wanted to be like you so much I even started dressing up as you..." Ladybug's heart warmed up at her words of adoration. But Chloe's face suddenly contorted into anger and fury, "But it had to be you...Ladybug had to be Marinette...plain, clumsy, stupid, boring old Marinette...Do you know how depressed and disappointed I was when I found out?"
Ladybug started tearing up at her harsh words, words that she had told herself time and time again whenever her self-esteem was low. But hearing Chloe tell her, it was crushing on another level, it was as if she was affirming her greatest fears.
"It just had to be Marinette Dupain-Cheng of all people, the girl who has everything..."
"What?" Ladybug scrunched her eyebrows in confusion.
Chloe continued as she wiped her tears, "Loving mom and dad, friends who care for you...you even stole Adrien away from me...And now, I find out you've been Ladybug the whole time..."
"C-Chloe...I..."
"Whatever...Just...Just get the hell out of my room!" Chloe shouted, turning away and lying back in her bed.
Ladybug stood dazed by her words for several moments, before slowly walking onto the balcony, swinging away towards her room. She hardly got any sleep that night as her encounter with Chloe replayed over and over again in her mind. If Chloe, the one person other than Chat she knew idolized Ladybug the most, had been so disappointed at her turning out to be Marinette, then how would Chat react? Or Alya? She blinked back tears as she tried to get some sleep.
ooo
"Chat...stop..." Ladybug giggled as he assaulted her with kisses to her neck. Chat grunted and worked his way up her neck to her cheeks.
Chat moved forward, taking Ladybug with him until he pinned her against the wall of a roof. "Chat, slow down...you're being too rough." Chat simply growled and began to bite her neck, leaving painful hickeys.
"Owe..." Ladybug hissed in pain. "Chat stop, you're scaring me..." Chat stopped and looked up at her, grinning wildly. He was overcome with lust, with heat pooling in between his legs. Ladybug's eyes went wide as she felt his bulge press against her. She opened her mouth to protest, but Chat silenced her with a hand over her mouth. He forcefully ripped off her suit, revealing her naked body.
"You're mine now, Ladybug," Chat growled as he watched Ladybug's face contort into despair and her eyes water with tears.
Adrien jolted awake up, all hot and sweaty. His clothes were drenched in sweat, and his heart was racing, as Adrien panted for air.
"You okay, kid?" Plagg asked, zipping in front of Adrien. "You were squirming in your bed...I think you were having another...you know," Plagg quickly eyed Adrien's bulge sticking out from the blanket covers.
"Uggh," Adrien felt his underwear, only to find it wet. "I guess I had another wet dream again."
"You've been having those a lot lately," Plagg hummed.
"Yeah but this was different, it was about Ladybug..."
"Aren't they all?" Plagg snickered.
"No...I mean...This was different...I felt different. I wasn't Chat, at least, not my normal self. I felt like some kind of animal, and I forced myself on her...I feel so terrible..."
"Hmmm...Well it was just a dream right?"
"Yeah...I guess," Adrien sighed as he scratched his arm. "I don't know why I still feel so hot though...and itchy...so itchy."
"Itchy?" Plagg looked at his Chosen quizzically.
"Yeah...I need a shower," Adrien groaned as he got up and headed towards his bathroom. "I hid some Camembert under my bed for you, it's all you get for breakfast."
"I know, I can smell that cheese from a mile away," Plagg boasted.
"Of course you can," Adrien chuckled as he closed the door.
It was the second day of his trip, and he was already missing Ladybug like crazy. He couldn't believe the effect she had on him. The more he didn't see her, the more she invaded his mind. He cursed his daily duties and activities, because all he wanted to do was spend more time with her. He could care less about learning how to play the next musical piece on his piano. He also cursed Hawkmoth, because of him, they couldn't reveal their identities to each other. But at least he could do something about that, which was capturing him and putting an end to his evil once and for all. He couldn't do anything about his father, as he didn't want to disappoint the only parent left in his life. Practising piano made his father happy; he even played with him sometimes. Adrien cherished those moments, when his father would sit beside him on the piano. It told Adrien his father still loved him, and he'll do anything for those rare moments of love.
As Adrien slipped into the warm shower, he thought back to his strange dream. He's dreamt of Ladybug many times over the years, expected of a boy in his late teens. But this was different than any dream he had before. He felt more animalistic, lusting after only one thing. The image of Ladybug crying popped up in his head as water washed over him, and he cringed. He tried to think happy thoughts, to wipe that painful face from his memory. He felt guilty, knowing that he was the one to cause that.
He sighed, telling himself it was only a dream, he would never hurt Ladybug. He would never force himself on her like that. They were taking things slow, and Adrien wouldn't want it any other way. He finally had gotten the girl of his dreams; he wanted to get to know her better. He wanted to get a glimpse of the girl underneath the mask. To love both equally, before taking things further. He repeated to himself that it was just a dream, that he would never hurt Ladybug, as he stepped out the shower.
Adrien still had an hour to spare before his father needed him, so he took to his laptop for any updates on Paris. He had gone straight to bed after the exhausting day yesterday; he hadn't gotten the chance to see how Ladybug was doing.
Fortunately, the LadyBlog told him that no new Akumas had appeared. He felt relieved, knowing Ladybug was safe. But then he saw a picture of Chloe and Ladybug side hugging, posing for the camera. He grew further confused as he saw more and more. Amateur videos and photos of Chloe and Ladybug, at the mall.
"Interesting..." Plagg zipped by and landed on Adrien's shoulder. "I didn't know Chloe was friends with Ladybug."
"She isn't! Ladybug hates Chloe...What the hell is going on!" Adrien hissed as she scrolled through more and more pictures of the two of them together, smiling, and seemingly having fun. A pang of jealousy shot through him as he scrolled through the many pictures. "Besides, we don't do this kind of stuff; we don't go hanging around with civilians!"
Adrien eventually found his way to Chloe's social media sites. Adrien swore she had at least tripled, or even quadrupled in followers since last he checked. She was already popular as the daughter of the mayor, but now she was apparently friends with the world famous superhero Ladybug, which had made her even more famous. Adrien grit his teeth in anger as he looked through every tweet, every Facebook post, every Instagram picture. Every comment idolized Chloe for being friends with Ladybug. Some even sprouting their jealousy as hate messages. Some asking Chloe questions about Ladybug, as if Chloe knew a thing about her anyways. He watched a video someone had recorded of Ladybug carrying Chloe's shopping bag as she shopped. The idea of Ladybug, his powerful, brave superhero who fights Akumas, succumbing to such a task angered him to no end.
But most importantly, he kept asking why. He knew why Chloe took Ladybug to the mall, she was showing Ladybug off. But why did Ladybug allow this to happen? How did Chloe even get in touch with Ladybug?
Adrien remembered his friend Marinette, and how Chloe was bossing her around as well. "Something isn't right Plagg...And I'm going to get to the bottom of this."