It was a fairly typical day in Paris.

An explosion rocked the busy street. Interspersed with screams and cries of "Chat- its head!" and "Watch out for that beam!" Followed by cars sent flying up into the air. "Alright, take this! CATACLYSM!"

Yup. Fairly typical.

"MIRACULOUS LADYBUG!"

The warm healing wave passed over the city, repairing the damage that the latest akumatized victim had sundered over the streets. Chat Noir hopped down to the street beside his partner, grinning wide as they fist bumped.

"Bien joué!"

Ladybug's earrings beeped, tugging her attention away. "Ah, that's my cue. Later Chat," she said, trying to dash away as she always did.

"Milady, I know you have a minute to spare," the black-clad boy said, catching her attention. He dashed in front of the beautiful girl, the girl that he was in love with, no matter who was behind the mask. "Could I convince you to join me for a midnight patrol over the Tour Eiffel?" he asked, taking her hand to press a kiss to her knuckles.

"I don't think so," Ladybug replied, snatching her hand away.

This wasn't the first time he asked. Nor would it be the last. "And how will you ever fall for me if we only meet when we're fighting?" Chat asked. Then he grinned wide, "Or is that what you're afraid of?"

Ladybug rolled her eyes. "Oh yes, Chat. You're absolutely irresistible. If we ever end up alone, I won't be able to keep my hands off you."

Despite her dry flat tone, her partner leaned in, waggling his eyebrows. "You promise?"

"Ugh! Chat-!" she cried, shoving him away as her earrings beeped again. "Okay, I'm really going now. Later!"

Chat let out a resigned sigh as he watched Ladybug swing away. One day, he was going to wear her down. He simply had to be patient.

His ring beeped reminding him that not only did he have a couple minutes left, but... "Shoot, school!" he cried, making a dash for the collège. As he ran, he thought up what excuse he was going to use this time. Fashion emergency? He supposed that would have to do. His transformation gave way right when he dropped into the empty bathroom with only seconds to spare.

"Oh! I'm so weak!" his lazy kwami cried as he materialized, swooning oh so dramatically. "Why do you always insist on staying longer to flirt with Ladybug? I should charge you a cheese tax!"

Adrien rolled his eyes at the familiar complaint. He cupped Plagg into his palm and hid him in his shirt pocket, "Yeah, yeah, I have cheese in my bag. Now let's go." Jogging back to class, he snuck ever so stealthily into class when Mme Bustier's back was turned to the board. His eyes caught onto Nino and Alya in the first row, both giving him raised eyebrows and sly looks as he entered. He put a finger to his lips, before he snuck back to his seat. He'd gotten a little bit too good at sneaking in and out of class, with his teacher being none the wiser.

...Unlike the next student that tumbled in.

The door slammed open, jolting everyone to attention.

Adrien looked over, somehow not in the least bit surprised to see said student fallen flat on their face. Probably after having tripped over their own shoelaces. The head of silky black hair looked up, revealing two bright blue eyes and a face reddened with humiliation and from seeing the wrong side of the classroom floor.

Martin Dupain-Cheng: classroom klutz, aspiring fashion designer, dark-haired heart-throb.

And, somehow, Adrien's best friend.