Silence.

He looked over at her. Her blue eyes searched the night sky. Then she turned to him and smiled.

"The Scorpio constellation is really bright tonight," she commented.

"It is?" He blushed as she laughed.

"One day, I'm going to go on a whole astronomy lesson with you." Her voice was gentle, amused. She twirled a lock of her dark hair idly.

His chuckle was low. "You're so talented, Princess. You can sew, design, bake, and you're good with the stars, too? This is why I love you." He regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth as he saw her expression.

Her smile had faded at that, replaced by guilt and sadness. "Please don't, Chaton. You know I like someone else."

Chat hung his head, his hands gripping the railing of Marinette's porch. He sighed. How did it get to this point? almost two weeks ago, he'd been head-over-heels in love with Ladybug, but something in his heart had burst when he saw Marinette. He couldn't help it. And now, the only two girls he could ever imagine loving were both chasing after someone else. He felt an ache in his chest at the thought.

"I'm sorry, m'lady," whispered Chat, only loud enough for the night to hear.

"Did you say something?" asked Marinette softly.

"N-no. Just nostalgia, I suppose." Chat cracked a half-hearted smile at her.

Marinate couldn't stop the floor of color rushing through her cheeks. She felt remorseful just thinking of the nights she'd spent with Chat, then she'd believed Adrien was the one for her. Sorrow struck her heart, and a shadow fell over her face.

"Purr-incess? Is everything alright?" asked Chat, concerned, as he placed a gloved hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah. It-it's getting late. You probably need to leave soon," murmured Marinette, checking her watch. 10:49 p.m.

Chat nodded. "You're right." He jumped onto the railing and turned to Marinette.

"Tomorrow night, same time," said Mari, answering his unspoken question. He smiled, nodded, and sprang off into the darkness. Mari watched for a second longer, then she climbed back down through the trapdoor.

"Oh, Marinette," giggled Tikki as she flitted around the teen.

"Hush," said Marinette with a smile. She pulled out her pigtails, brushed her teeth, changed into her Ladybug pajamas, and tucked herself into bed. "Goodnight, Tikki," she mumbled sleepily.

"Goodnight, Marinette," responded Tikki.

The next morning, Marinette rushed into class, clutching a gift wrapped in purple wrapping paper. She stopped, panting, in front of Alya.

"Here," she gasped. "Happy birthday."

Alya laughed. "Thanks, girl. Did you hear? Last night, a figure in black was seen leaping around the rooftops at around eleven at night. The source swears it was Chat Noir!" Alya's eyes shone with excitement.

"O-oh. They did?" stuttered Marinette.

"Yes! Oh my God, we should totally do a stakeout!" Alya grabbed Marinette by the shoulders and shook her violently.

"Ah, um, I'm busy tonight," lied Marinette, wincing.

"Well, whatever you have, drop it immediately!" commanded Alya.

"Hey, girls," came a familiar voice behind the pair.

"AHHH!" squeaked Marinette, jumping, waving her hands wildly as she tried to regain her balance. "A-Adrien!"

"Hi," said Adrien, with a dazzling smile. Inside, flames were raging around his heart as he looked at his princess. He took a deep breath. Calm yourself, man. "Happy birthday, Alya."

"Thanks," said Alya. She nodded at Marinette. "Hey, you should totally go on the stakeout with us!"

"Stakeout?" Adrien frowned.

"Yes! Didn't you hear about the figure in black seen leaping around Paris late last night?" Alya chattered on. "We were going to have a stakeout. I'll be filming, and Mari..."

Adrien zoned out as tension and anxiety created a knot in his stomach. Oh, crap.

"Anyways, will you come?" finished Alya.

"What?" He frowned. "Oh, right. Sorry. I have to... um... get my beauty rest? I'm a busy guy, you know." Adrien's face flushed.

"Seriously? Both of you? Busy?" Alya groaned. "I'll get Nino to watch it with me, then." She hurried off.

"Well," said Adrien.

The bell rang.

"Got to get to class." Adrien winked, then left.

Marinette frowned.

Something's not right.