Author's note: MINOR SPOILER ALERT If you have not yet figured out Hawk-Moth's true identity, this story may spoil it... or it may help you figure it out! I'll let you make that judgement call.
Part I
"Pound it!" Ladybug and Cat Noir recite in unison after successfully thwarting and de-evilizing Hawk-Moth's latest akuma. "I'd love to stay for another interview, but I've gotta dash, bug out!" Ladybug explains to the eager reporters, tossing her magic yoyo into the rooftops above. "Wait, Ladybug, there's something I need to tell you!" Cat Noir calls after her. He extends his baton, shooting himself into the rooftops.
Ladybug stops and groans, waiting for him on a nearby roof. "What does he want now?" Ladybug mutters to herself. Cat Noir lands next to her and Ladybug says, "You'd better make it quick, we're about to change back!" Indicating to her and Cat Noir's Miraculous.
"I know, it's just that I've been meaning to tell you…" Cat Noir begins.
"What? Cat got your tongue? C'mon, out with it!" Ladybug insists, making no effort to suppress her impatience.
Cat Noir puts his hand on her shoulder and says, "Ladybug, I've been wanting to tell you that ever since the day I first met you, I've been in love with you. I haven't had the courage to say anything before now because… I guess I've just been afraid that you don't feel the same way." Cat Noir looks away from her, and Ladybug grasps his hand on her shoulder. Cat Noir's eyes widen as Ladybug looks up into them. "I know." She states, "I've… err, I've kinda always known." Ladybug's earrings beep-leaving only two more minutes until she changes back! "But as much as you love me, it just couldn't possibly work between us." She says, removing his hand from her shoulder.
"What do you mean? Of course it could work! All I'm asking is a chance. Please, Ladybug, if you just give it a chance."
"I just don't think that I can." Ladybug explains, clasping her elbow.
"And why not? Is it because our identities have to remain secret?"
"Surely you must understand." She insists, turning to leave.
"But we can still keep it a secret. We don't have to know who each other really is without the mask. It could still work. We have to try. Can we at least give it a try?" Cat Noir's eyes are pleading.
"It's not that.." She says, turning back to him.
"Then what is it? It won't change things between us! I promise, cat's honor." He says, holding up his right hand as if to take an oath.
"It's not that either. It's just… there's someone else I love." Her earrings beep again-only one minute now! "I have to go!" Ladybug asserts, casting out her magic yoyo.
Cat Noir falls to his knees as he watches Ladybug swing away. His jaw is quivering. His heart sinks deeper and deeper into his chest with each beat. "She loves… someone else..?" Cat Noir remains motionless as he transforms back into Adrian Agreste.
"Ouch! You know what they say, 'love hurts!'" Plagg exclaims as he emerges from Adrian's ring. "Can we go home? I'm exhausted! I need some Camembert pronto!"
"At last! This is just what I've been waiting for!" Hawk-Moth states with glee, gazing out from his observatory window. "Finally, my greatest plan is set in motion, and I shall get Ladybug's Miraculous when she least expects it! Now go, my little akuma and evilize him!" Hawk-Moth releases his akuma, and his evil laugh fills the chamber, his moths swarming around him.
Adrian is still on the roof, while Plagg tries to console him. "All I'm trying to say is that there are plenty of girls out there. On one hand, you're a superhero! On the other hand, you're a fashion model! C'mon, you can have practically any girl you want! Take your pick! How many girls are going to say no to both Cat Noir and Adrian Agreste, I mean seriously!"
The Akuma flutters over to Adrian and dissolves into his ring. A glowing purple symbol resembling Hawk-Moth's mask forms in front of Adrian's face, and Hawk-Moth commands, "Cat Noir-or should I say, Adrian Agreste. You're going to help me get your and Ladybug's Miraculous, and when my plan is complete, Ladybug will be all yours!"
"Tell me what to do, Hawk-Moth," akumatized Adrian implores.
"First, you're going to get Ladybug to reveal her true identity to you, but she must not know that you've been akumatized until after it's too late!"
"Consider it done," akumatized Adrian replies.
