Author's Note: This is speculative fic ahead of the episode airing. The trailer alone has provided lots of food for thought, but I have my doubts for how canon will play out. I kind of wanted to have this to play with where I hope it would go.
As soon as night fell and Nathalie had assumed he was in bed for the night, Chat Noir leapt out of his bedroom window.
The chilly night air rushed past his cheeks as he ran.
He understood, far better than most of their friends, what is was like to face scrutiny of the whole of the media. But even he hadn't had to face much because his father's name - and his money - had quickly quashed any potential situation.
But for Marinette, this had played with the whole of the nation possibly watching it live. Or seen on YouTube soon after.
People had been Akumatized for far less.
He grit his teeth as he rebounded from an uneasy landing, forcing himself to focus on getting to her quickly - and in one piece.
Even Plagg hadn't even grumbled about the extra effort of the late night transformation, which meant that he had to be a little worried, too.
He wouldn't exactly be able to talk to her at school tomorrow, not with so many people watching. Not that he was even sure she would show up. Marinette was plenty strong, but everyone had their own limits.
To be perfectly honest, he still wasn't entirely sure why her walls were entirely decked out with his modelling photos in the first place.
But that didn't matter.
Keeping his friend safe did.
He wouldn't have been surprised if Ladybug hadn't circled back right after her Kwami had been fed, since she knew Marinette well enough to be contacted when Nathaniel had been Akumatized.
But the rooftop had been empty as he dropped down onto it. Perhaps his Lady had already come and gone.
Anxious, Chat crouched down, peering down through the skylight and into her room.
He couldn't see her face through the dark, translucent glass, but Marinette had clearly been busy.
She had pulled down nearly every last picture.