Marinette thought she'd never sleep but almost after she turned her back towards Adrien, and he did the same, she instantly fell asleep, feeling the fatigue of travelling for a good few hours.

The following morning, she woke up to find herself facing the other direction. She felt something over her waist and legs and her hands, which were in front on her chest, were on something smooth and hard, not as hard as the marble the night before, just as hard as the human… body.

She was afraid to open her eyes, honestly, but she had to. She slowly opened her eyes and was given the front show to the chest and abs show. She winced a bit but calmed herself, not wanting to wake Adrien in this very awkward position.

But what made it more awkward was the fact that Adrien Agreste, the blond Adonis that she was sharing the bed with, was shirtless.

What happened last night?

Marinette tried her best to recall what happened last night. The lower part of his body was under the blanket and, if what she thought happened was true, then shouldn't she be shirtless too? But what would confirm it would be the fact that he didn't wear underwear. She was a little bit scared to look honestly but she had to.

She slowly lifted the white blanket and she didn't know if she was relieved or disappointed to see him clothed. Adrien stretched then his eyes slowly opened, making the not supposed to be awkward situation actually awkward. Curse her and her curiosity. Adrien had caught her red handed that she was peeking and his lower regions.

Darn my luck!

"Morning, Mari," he greeted, seeming that he didn't mind

"Morning." Marinette grumbled then sat down, his back facing him again, "Care to uh, explain why you're," she gestured to his upper body, "shirtless?"

Adrien looked down, "Oh that, sorry. It got too hot last night. I'm used to having my aircon on."

"It's fine," Marinette replied, "Could you, um,"

"Oh!" Adrien exclaimed, knowing what Marinette was going to say

He got up and went to pick his shirt up from the table nearby. He got dressed and told Marinette that he was at least formal to look at.

They headed downstairs with to have a bit of breakfast, knowing that their other friends were there, already eating.

"Wonder what's keeping them so-, oh they're here," Alya spoke, "Morning, you two, had a good night's sleep?"

"Mhm." Marinette nodded although she knew the hidden meaning behind her friend's words

"So, these are Jason, Emil, and Kristine." Alya introduced the three people with them on the table

Marinette and Adrien sat on the seats opposite Alya and Nino and smiled at the other people at the table.

"Hi I'm Adrien and this is Marinette," Adrien introduced, "so, what sent you three here?"

"Same as all of you, dared and forced and then the next thing you know, you're here," Emil, a gray haired guy, not older than twenty spoke, hazel eyes screaming his friendliness

"I'm here to blog, but you know." Alya shrugged

The chatter continued around, asking questions about where their universities were, where they actually resided, things about themselves and last night but two girls were quiet and these two girls were Kristine and Marinette.

The beach blonde woman stared at Adrien as he spoke and ate, watching his actions and Marinette watched the girl. Kristine had, more than once, seen Marinette glaring at her but this was disregarded.

"Have I seen you somewhere?" Kristine asked, breaking the talks

Everyone turned to her and Adrien found out that she was talking to him.

"Who, me?" Adrien pointed at his face

"Yeah, you look familiar." Kristine nodded, "I'm Kristine, by the way." She offered her hand and Adrien shook it

"The nerve." Marinette whisper-growled, rolling her eyes and catching the attention of her two other friends

"I really think that I saw you somewhere I just can't place it." Kristine added

Marinette almost groaned at the tone of the other girl's voice. It was flirty and she was flirting with Marinette's Adrien.

Kristine snapped her fingers, face lighting up with recognition, "I've got it! You're in those billboards!"

"Exactly." Adrien nodded, "Most of the time, people don't recall who I am."

Marinette felt straight up offended. She didn't recognize him until Alya pointed it out for her.

"So, with a face like that, I'm pretty sure you're taken,"

Marinette was seething, Oh she did not just go there.

"No, I'm not. I'm kinda reserving myself for someone." Adrien blushed lightly

"Bummer," Kristine replied, "I would've made every girl in Orléans jealous."

That was the last straw for Marinette. She dropped her spoon, on purpose or not, turning all heads towards her.

"Oops." She deadpanned before going back upstairs to take a bath

She couldn't bear the tone, she couldn't bear the flirting, she couldn't bear Adrien flirting back. She had to cool off and she had full confidence on her best friend and her best friend's boyfriend to keep her belongings while she was gone.

"What was her problem?" Kristine muttered before going back to her breakfast

•••

The bath did wonders to her. Not only did she forget about that Kristine character, she also had a really good time relaxing. Marinette had lit up some scented candles and filled the tub with water and bubbles. It was a good way to unwind from all the university stress. After all, she had to design a project due on December once she got back from their trip.

She slipped out of her warm bath, despite her not wanting to, after a good half hour. It was enough to keep her sane. She dressed in a simple gray tank top and jean shorts then walked out to the lobby between their rooms. She was taking her time observing everything with all the light coming in the room when she heard sounds coming from Adrien's former room.

It took her attention, Marinette just staring at it as she dried her hair with her towel. She shrugged once there was no sound then followed then continued on looking around.

Then there was that sound again. The sound of angry thumps on the floor, on the table, on the door and the sound of various things falling to the floor. The hair behind her neck stood up and she took a step back with every sound.

"A-Adrien? Alya?" She called but no one was answering, "Nino is that you?"

Marinette backed up too much and bumped to something. She turned around quickly and saw that it was her door. She saw the yellow sticky note and the handwritings that could only be Alya's.

Nino and I are out to buy something. Brb immediately. -Alya

Oh so that was clear now but there was still the issue of the something that sounded so much as a person having a tantrum inside.

Okay, Marinette. You're Ladybug, you can do this!

She instructed herself to open the door on the count of three and readied herself.

"Okay, one, two," she took a deep breath, "thr-."

Then a small black figure passed through the wooden door. Marinette yelled loudly then threw her towel to the figure then found herself on the floor. She threw whatever she could grab-shoes, clothes, her phone, anything.

Then the main double doors opened and revealed a panting Adrien. He saw what was happening then stood in front of Marinette, taking the blow of three of the things she threw.

"Marinette, Mari, it's me." He knelt down and grabbed her wrists

Marinette breathed heavily as she looked at him, tears at the corner of her eyes. She went for a tight hug and buried her face on his chest, hiding her small body using his.

"It's okay, calm down." Adrien soothed her, rubbing her back

He made sure that the door was closed before he let her go, "Are you okay now?"

Her breathing was still uneven and she was more than stressed than before and Adrien could see the terrified expression on her face.

"It's, it's nothing, see?" Adrien went out of the way and showed the space and the black figure

She tightened her grasp on his shirt as she huddled closer to him.

"No, no it's fine, I'll explain," Adrien stated, "It's not a ghost and it's not out to kill you, okay? You're safe, Mari."

"Wh-What is that?" Marinette asked

"A pissed off kwami if you ask me," the figure answered

"It… talks?" Marinette furrowed her brows, slowly sitting properly and away from Adrien, "Wait, kwami?"

"I can explain everything as long as you promise that you won't tell anybody," Adrien told her before she would get the wrong idea

"Adrien you're." Marinette's mouth opened wide as she pointed at him

"What did I even tell you about going out of the room, Plagg?" Adrien sighed, "Mari, please don't freak out, please."

"I'm not," Marinette lied

"You totally are but that's not important. The important thing here is that you would understand everything that I'll say," Adrien started, "I wanted to tell you guys way before about this but it seemed that I would put you in danger. I'm," he sighed, "I live a double life as Chat Noir, Mari. I'm Chat Noir and I'm not kidding."

"You… you actually planned to tell us?" Marinette raised a brow

Adrien nodded.

Marinette sighed, Stupid chaton, we've been keeping our identities for so long and he'll just tell it to the rest and-, wait.

"You're Chat Noir," Marinette uttered

The truth sounded so foreign on her tongue. She couldn't just accept it as that but it was here. Adrien had a kwami named Plagg, and his ring must be his miraculous. Marinette groaned. This was so unfair on her part.

"I-, I wanna be fair with all of this, Adrien," she spoke

What am I saying?

"It's, you didn't mean to reveal yourself and it is really unfair if I know who you and you don't know who I-." She closed her eyes and curled up in a ball, "I need a moment. I just, it has to sink in and all, sorry, I'm not rejecting you or anything."

"Stupid kid, she doesn't need to be told who you are and what I am. She, of all people, has to know what a kwami looks like," Plagg interrupted

"Why?" Adrien raised a brow

"Sorry, Marinette, my Chat Noir's dense. Care to elaborate?" Plagg floated in front of Marinette

"Give me a sec and I will," Marinette replied

"Great! Finally, you two know. You've been dancing around each other. You're actually kind of frustrating for Tikki and I," Plagg stated, "Ladybug and Chat Noir has to have a stronger bond, not the kind you two are having. You always have secrets."

"Wait!" Adrien exclaimed, "You mean to say that you're Ladybug?"

"A little louder please, chaton, I don't think they heard you over Paris." Marinette rolled her eyes

"It really is you." Adrien sat on the floor, astounded, "Wow, all this time, Ladybug was so close to me."

"And apparently all this time." She stared back at him, looking at his eyes, searching for something that told her that she shouldn't have told him that she was Ladybug, "You're disappointed that it's me, aren't you?"

Adrien furrowed his brows, "Seriously, Mari? No I'm not. I'm surprised that I didn't guess who you were before because, you know? We spent so much time together, guess I was a little bit blind."

"Well, I should've tred," Marinette chuckled a bit, "maybe then I knew that it was you."

"Well I guess it's fine this way." He shrugged and smiled a bit

The two stared at each other, a little bit content that that didn't turn out the way they thought it'd be. Marinette was still confused and was still processing the whole thing and Adrien was still a bit insecure because this was Ladybug, the love of his life but they found that it was good. They found that they were okay with this.

"C'mere, chaton." Marinette grinned widely before enveloping him in for a tight hug

Adrien went for the hug asked by his Lady and nuzzled his face on her neck.

"I'm so glad it was you," Marinette whispered

"Me too," Adrien replied

"And so I was like, mister, you'r-."

The two jumped away from each other as the door opened and in came their two other friends.

"I saw that!" Alya exclaimed, "So what's up, lovebugs? Got any exciting news for Nino and I?"

Yes. Both wanted to say but it wasn't exactly what Alya wanted to hear from the two of them so they settled for the lie.

"Nope, I just got a bit scared," Marinette answered

"Uh huh, scared of what?" Alya raised a brow

"Scared of the sounds coming from that room." Marinette pointed at the room Plagg was formerly in

"Not buying it." Nino whispered, shaking his head

"Anyways, Kristine, Jason, and Emil wanted to ask if we all wanted to join them, you know, ghost hunting?" Alya started, "And I said yes so get up, we're going ghost hunting."

•••

Alya Césaire posted a blog update

October 23, 2021 - 10:13 am

Good morning, World! Alya Césaire here! For Halloween, a couple of friends and I went to a haunted mansion to finish a dare. We're currently at the Mansion of the Fleurys at Versailles. The place is fantastic and if I were the owner of an aesthetic blog, I'd be fangirling so much.

Anyways, we've spent about 12 hours now in the mansion and nothing scary has happened. We've tried pranking a friend last night and it, more ways than one, backfired on us. For the night, I went solo and slept in a room alone without candles. There isn't electricity here so it's kind of a bummer. My friend, Marinette, you know her, had to share with our other friend, Adrien, a room for the night because both were simply scaredy cats. If you'd seen them while they were sleeping, I'm pretty sure you'd fangirl with me. I took a picture, of course, but for privacy, I won't share. (Or would I? ;))

This morning, we met the three other teens who are also on a dare. They're Jason, Emil, and Kristine. I'd love to share the drama during breakfast this morning but you all know Marinette, she'd kill me.

For the next few hours, we're going to have a tour around the house and maybe some ghost hunting although I think ghosts wouldn't be out during the day.

The closest scary encounter we had was earlier. Marinette claimed that she heard some things falling from Adrien's former room. When we looked, Adrien's things were all around the room but he was more disappointed and tired than afraid. But you know what's more scary? Nino and I found Marinette and Adrien hugging! That's never happened before! Could this be it, Adrienette shippers? Could it be happening?

Stay tuned to my blog for more! Forecast, there's a good chance it'll happen tonight! Hang on tight, guys, we're in for a sweet ride!

xoxo Alya

Marinette rolled her eyes as she read the post from Alya's phone.

"Adrienette? Seriously?" Marinette raised a brow, "You really blog about us?"

"Hey, you two have a solid fanbase because you are just so indeniablely adorable. Not my fault if you ask me," Alya pointed out

"Chloé is so going to burst when she reads this," Marinette spoke

"Well she's got to be aware of it somehow." Alya chuckled, "You'd tell me when you and Adrien started dating, right?"

"I'd tell you if I was dating even if it's not Adrien," Marinette replied

"Good, good, anyways, you might want to stay away from Kristine. She's a bit-,"

"Flirty?" Marinette completed for her

"Relax, Mari, she's just someone Adrien just met. You're gonna win this, I promise." Alya grinned at her, "Now come on, we have to see this house."

The two friends joined the two guys downstairs at the main lobby where the other three and the old woman from last night were. They walked through the familiar kitchen and main lobby then started going through a narrow hallway. The old woman stopped walking at the end of the hallway, stopping at equally large double doors.

"This is the bedroom of the owner of this mansion. Until today it hasn't been changed or renovated. It's only kept clean," The old woman spoke, "We're going inside but I don't want any of you to touch anything that looks precious."

All seven teens nodded then the old woman opened the door, everyone entering. They all looked around the gigantic room.

"This is like three times our rooms," Nino said, amazed, "and that is combined."

"Whoa, look at this." Marinette said then walked over to the table filled with picture frames

All the photos were faded but one could still see vague figures on it. There was the face of the owner, Marinette assumed, a family picture with what seemed like eight children, portraits of different people and so many more old relics.

Alya, Nino, and Adrien were already by her side, looking at the pictures. Alya and Nino accidentally pushed her to the side and Marinette, being her clumsy self, tripped to the side Adrien was. Each of them expected that he would catch her but she almost fell, thankful for the table that she could grasp on, and Adrien was still not helping her. The couple and Marinette looked at Adrien as he raised a brow and shrugged.

"The woman said not to touch anything precious," he defended himself

"What?" Nino and Marinette asked, a blush growing on the girl's cheeks

"Oh that was awesome." Alya chuckled, "Adrien I never thought you'd be that smooth. That is so going on the next post."

"I'm sorry what?" Adrien asked, finally helping Marinette after he already made his point

"Did you seriously wait for the chance to say that?" Marinette asked in a hushed deadpaned tone

"Definitely, my Lady." He whispered back then sent a wink

The tour continued and they walked out of the room, thankfully, none of them were reckless enough to destroy something inside. They were led to the grand ballroom of the house. All jaws dropped at the sight of the polished floors, high ceilings, huge curtains draping for more than fifteen feet. Adrien felt that his mansion was a mere house.

"We should totally have a Halloween party here," Alya said

"No parties will be thrown," the old woman replied, "the master doesn't like it when his ballroom is used."

"Then why does he have one?" Jason asked

"Because it was normal for all mansions to have ballrooms," the woman answered, "don't you have mansions?"

"Uh, I actually do but we don't have ballrooms," Adrien stated, "and it wouldn't be used either if we did have one."

"Didn't I just tell you to not touch anything?" The old woman asked, seeing Kristine over at the curtains and touching the fabric

"Well sorry," she grumbled, "I thought that only applied in the room."

The old woman sighed then walked out of the room, the teens following. Then, from the far end of the ballroom, a huge vase fell and broke to pieces. All of them looked over at the wrecked decoration, even the woman.

"I told you not to touch anything," the old woman repeated

"But what does me touching the curtains have to do with that?" Kristine rolled her eyss as they all went out and the woman locked it once again

"This tour is over, you've all caused enough… stress. If you want to go around, you can't enter the rooms." The old woman said then left all of them

"What was that all about?" Nino asked

"We might have pissed her off just a tiny bit," Alya answered, "but, you three, we're not resting."

The three, Marinette, Nino, and Adrien, groaned as they followed her back to the main lobby.

"You know what's really freaky in his mansion?" Nino asked

"What?"

"Adrien's not acting himself. Are you two girl sure that this is our Adrien?" Nino raised a brow

"Haha, very funny." Adrien rolled his eyes

"Fine then, who were you talking to last night?" Nino crossed his arms

"Me? I was talking to Marinette and Alya," Adrien answered

"No, before that. You were in the room next to me and you were talking to someone. Last time I checked, we both had no signals last night," Nino said

"What? I didn't hear him talk," Marinette interrupted, "Alya and I may or may not have pranked him a bit last night and he was definitely not talking."

"You're hearing things, bro. Maybe this mansion ishaunted," Adrien pointed out

"Okay, shush you guys," Alya told them

The other three kept their mouths shut as they walked slowly through the halls.

"Did you hear that?" Alya whispered

"Hear what?" Marinette asked in the same tone as Alya's

"I heard a door open," she answered

"Maybe it's those three entering their rooms," Nino suggested

"Physically impossible. If they did enter their rooms, the creeks wouldn't be heard from this far," Alya replied, "I wanted to be a crime reporter, don't mess with my facts."

They all tiptoed through the hall that led to the main ballroom where there were plenty of wooden doors, all locked.

Adrien sighed, "This is,"

"Crazy?"

"Stupid?"

"I was gonna say stalker-ish, but whatever."

All of them exited the hallway and looked around the lobby, the same lobby they all went through last night. Adrien was walking through the doors on the left side of the room when the door behind him swung open, the force of the opening echoing through the whole rooms.

"This has just become actually scary." Adrien stated, walking away from the door

The three other teens walked over to him, pushing him tp get closer all the while. They all peered around the door and stopped when they were about to enter.

"Not to sound like a major buzzkill but I really think we shouldn't be entering that," Marinette spoke up

"Then you two stay and guard while Nino and I go check." Alya replied, pulling her phone out to record the event

"Okay, this is Alya Césaire and I'm so glad I could take a video of this moment. It's about two in the afternoon and we finished our tour a little bit early because of reasons. Now, we were at the lobby and while we were looking for open doors, a door just opened." She paused for emphasis

"The thing is, they're all locked and now one just opened. Nino and I are gonna look around the room and Mari and Adrien are gonna stay on guard because they are totally not scared." Alya chuckled a bit, "You guys ready?"

"Kinda?" Nino asked

"Okay, good luck you two out there and remember, don't leave us behind," Alya reminded

Marinette and Adrien nodded, content of the situation they were in. As Alya entered, all doors in the whole lobby swung open in the same manner that it did on the first one. They all turned around and saw the doors. Alya took a video of it.

"Okay this is so creepy but all of the doors just opened. I swear I was checking them all and they were locked." Alya spoke to her phone

All their heartbeats were erratic and sweat was running through their backs. Marinette and Adrien had never thought that they, Paris' bravest heroes, would be scared of a simple haunted house. Well this was an actual haunted house and both wanted to just run away and never come back.

"Who's staying on guard again?" Alya smirked

"No one," Marinette replied, "we're coming with you."

They all entered the room, everyone silent. The only sounds heard were their footsteps and slightly uneven breathing. Alya's phone had it's flashlight on to keep her on recording what was inside the room.

"So there's like, a tea room? Does it look like a tea room to you guys?" Alya asked

"I mean, there are fancy chairs and, oh cool look at that table. Then, you know, chandeliers," she spoke, "and that really big curtain. I'm guessing that it's covering a window."

The group walked on quietly inside the room. It looked like any other room in the house, floral patterned wallpapers, tiled floors, cloth covering other furniture, the huge painting of a green rat, faded photographs hung on the-, wait.

The four looked at the painting of a green rat. The color itself was vibrant and it looked nothing like a century old painting. It looked like it was a few weeks old. Of all the paintings in the mansion, it was the only thing that wasn't faded.

Adrien shivered a bit then rubbed his arms, "I don't know about you but I'm feeling major creepy vibes."

"See, everyone, I told you he's not scared," Alya said

"No, Alya, I'm serious. I feel like it's watching me." He furrowed his brows, "You guys don't feel that?"

"I actually do but," Marinette said, "but it's like, creepy overall and with the lack of light in the room, maybe it's just the atmosphere."

"Come on, guys, before someone sees us in here." Marinette stated, pushing them all out of the room

"And that has been our first, well, I can't really say that that was our first encounter but the opening doors, 10/10. Stay tuned for more!" Alya grinned then turned her phone off, "See, guys? This house is really haunted and we're gonna win that award."

Once all of them had gotten out, the doors were already closed with no sign of anybody outside.

"I'm starting to think that someone is messing with us," Marinette piped up, "Isn't it too much of a coincidence that we were here and then the doors opened?"

"Well who's pranking us? The rat? Come on, I have to get my powerbank." Alya replied before they all went to their rooms

•••

"So," Marinette started as soon as Adrien had closed the door to their room

"So," he replied, "I'm still, I dunno, processing it."

"Me too because I never would've thought that you, of all people, would be Chat Noir," Marinette said

Adrien sat next to her on the bed, "Is that a bad thing?"

"No it's not. I just saw you as, quiet and shy and most definitely more good looking in white," Marinette answered

"But?" Adrien raised a brow, smirking

"But you were flirty and reckless and kind," Marinette continued, "you were still a gentleman like who you were as Adrien. It, it kind of makes sense now that I know it's you."

"And what about the wearing white part?" Adrien asked

She chuckled then tapped his nose, "Don't push it, Chaton."

"I won't, my Lady." He grinned at her then, for a moment, Marinette just stared at him, "Is there something wrong?"

"Nothing it's just, it's so weird. You sound like Chat but you look like Adrien," she replied

"Well what do you purr-fer, my Lady?" He asked, leaning close to her, "The kitten or the model?"

"Right at this moment?" Marinette questioned

"Mhm."

"Probably none." Marinette replied, pushing him back just a little bit, "Lay low with the flirting, will you? Alya is desperate to see us together."

"But we're not actually together," he responded, "unless you'd want us to."

"I just said lay low, kitty," Marinette repeated, "I'm going out for a while. I kinda don't want to stay here after the incident earlier."

"Me too. I'd rather lose that bet than stay for another night," Adrien agreed, "we should just go. I'll come back for Alya and Nino when they don't want to go yet."

"Oh no, you won't. Alya's too stubborn, even if she's in dangerous situations. If we're going, they're coming with us." Marinette replied

"Then let's start packing up and go before it gets dark. I hate driving at night." Adrien said

"I'll go get them." Marinette stood up and exited their room

"There you are! We've been looking for you and Adrien!" Alya said just as soon as Marinette left her room

"I thought we told you we'd stay in the room," Marinette replied

"Yeah but you two weren't answering so we looked for you. You missed dinner and everything." Alya explained

"Wait, wait, dinner? It's three in the afternoon, Alya," Marinette pointed out

"Uh, more like ten at night," Alya said then showed Marinette her phone with the clock blaring ten twenty-six pm

"Ten? I swear it was just two when we entered the room at the lobby." Marinette furrowed her brows, "Adrien has to know this."

She went back to the room and saw Adrien fixing the rest of his things in the bag.

"Adrien, stop." Marinette said, sitting down on the bed, "There's… something wrong."

"What is it?" Adrien asked, sitting down next to her

"L-Look at the time," she instructed

He did as told and pulled out his phone. He clicked it open then saw the time.

"What? I don't understand. We couldn't have been here for, what, eight hours?" Adrien asked, "There must be some mistake."

"I don't think you finding that rat creepy is just about the ambiance," Marinette blurted out, "I felt Tikki come out of my pocket and go up here. She never leaves me, Adrien, there is something wrong with that painting."

"You think it's an akuma?" Adrien raised a brow

Marinette sighed and buried her face in her palms, "Worse. I think it's worse than an akuma."