A/N

For anyone not here for the first time, this used to be Chapter 3. I swapped chapter 2 and 3 as I think it flows better.


Chapter 2: Confrontations

Mornings never used to be difficult, always ready to rise and get going. With a strict routine and a full schedule, there was little time to waste. Years of practice made getting up early in the morning easy. Especially when life became interesting.

Life no longer held the same boring routine as before. The days become exciting, with new people and new adventures. The monochrome stretch of the week become a symphony of excitement and energy, each day bringing joy and enjoyment. School is a present that most kids look for the return slip, but school was the second best thing to ever happen to Adrien Agreste.

Adrien was homeschooled until a few years ago, staying at home the whole day except for modeling jobs which he did for his father. His only friend was Chloe because their mothers were friends. Chloe was so different from him that Adrien used to wonder why she was his friend. Then he went to school and found out what real friends are. How real friends treat each other. They are your friend because they like you, not who your family is.

Going to school was amazing and making new friends has made Adrien happy. But it was not as amazing as becoming a superhero. Who would have thought? A superhero. From being stuck at home with a father who was too worried to let him out, to becoming Chat Noir, the superhero who jumps around all over Paris and fights akumas with his lovely partner, Ladybug. The freedom of being behind the mask has been revitalizing for Adrien. He was used to watching over everything he said, maintaining the image perfection, knowing well he represented his father and his father's brand, so he did not want to do anything which might hurt his father. As Chat Noir he represented only himself, he could be himself. Do what he felt and say whatever came to mind. No matter how silly it might be.

Being a superhero was also difficult. The freedom came with a heavy responsibility. He was no longer just responsible for himself and his father; he was responsible for all of Paris and to the safety of Ladybug. He was her protector, her shield, her guardian. This responsibility was behind his mornings becoming difficult.

Last night was exhausting. Night attacks usually are. Even though they are not common and there are far fewer innocent bystanders, the night seems to give the akuma extra strength. It is more sinister, an added level of corruption, of evil. Last night was difficult, he has the bags under his eyes to prove it.

Years of practice helped Adrien pull himself out of bed and get ready. He knew that if Natalie suspected he was not sleeping well it will get reported to his father. His father, who fixed all Adrien-issues with a sledgehammer, would decide school is too much for him and forbid him from going. He would also set Natalie to monitor his actions, effectively putting a stop to the two best things going on in Adrien's life.

Worse, if he cannot go out as Chat Noir, he cannot spend time with his partner, his love, his Ladybug. Spending time with Ladybug was the highlight of any day, of any week or month. Being with Ladybug was the highlight of Adrien's life. He could not lose that.

He has been a model long enough to catch the tricks of the trade; with a touch of makeup, he concealed the bags under his eyes and arrived at breakfast all freshened up and smiling. He ate breakfast by himself as usual with Natalie showing up for a few minutes to check on him and give him the day's schedule.

Photo shoot after school. Nothing special.

Adrien well knew that most people thought he was special because he was a model. Even many of the kids at school. He was almost certain that Chloe was only his friend because of that. To him, it was just a job. Nothing special. No reason he is any better than anyone else. He was thrilled that a few of the guys at school, specifically those he's known for a while, have gotten over that, and behave towards him like just another one of the guys. Girls tend to be more difficult. They often see him as the model first, even after all these years. He has gotten used to that.

Somethings just couldn't be changed.


"Hey, Nino." Nino was waiting for him as usual by the stairs at school.

"Morning dude," Nino called back with an easy smile. "You're late. We need to rush to get to class."

"Sorry, took me longer getting ready this morning. Where's your shadow?"

"Shadow?" Nino blinked. "Oh, Cheriss. I sent her to class so she won't be late. We got a few minutes to ourselves."

"Cool. How you been doing?" Adrien asked as they walked into the school.

"Exhausted. I've been up late last night fiddling with my new equipment. This new version of the soundboard software is just beyond incredible. I have come up with this awesome track you have to listen to it and tell me what you think. You coming over after school?"

"Sorry, I have a photo shoot."

"Dude! Where are the perks of having a model as your best friend? It only gets in the way."

"Sorry. I'm sure Cheriss will come and listen."

"Ya, she'll be there anyway. But she loves everything I make so I can't rely on her opinion."

"I guess we all disappoint you. You need to find new friends."

"Well, that's an idea," Nino contemplated for a few seconds, then gave a big smile. "Naa, I wouldn't swap you for anything."

"Phew," Adrien wiped his brow. "You worried me there me for a second."

They walked into class with a few seconds to spare.


"I am sure it is beautiful. I can't wait to hear it." Cheriss beamed. "I will come back with you straight after school."

Lunch with Nino and Cheriss were rather boring. Adrien would just sit there while the other two occupy each other. Generally, there was not much of a conversation going on, and when there was it rarely included Adrien. Nino did not ignore him, but Cheriss was very distracting. Not that Adrien disliked Cheriss, she was a nice enough girl. They just never really clicked, having nothing in common besides Nino.

"...and he didn't stop there. He just did not know when to stop. He just kept on claiming that's it just doesn't make sense. Mrs. Faure eventually just told him to hold his thoughts and come and speak to her after class. It was just so ridiculous, he is such an idiot I don't know why she even bothered." Chloe's aloof voice was mocking Kim at a nearby table.

Adrien was seeing red. Chloe's cruelty always surprised him. He knew it shouldn't, he's known her for forever and she was always like that, although not to him. As children, Adrien would tell her to talk nicer to the staff to which she would reply "It's their job." Once he came to school he discovered that she was nasty to everyone; other kids, teachers and even the principal. To the amazement of all his new friends, Adrien remained Chloe's friend throughout the years. She was his only friend growing up; He would not abandon her. Nevertheless, her behavior has put a real strain on their friendship. A fact that Chloe was oblivious to.

Adrien was friends with the others too, including Kim. More than that, he was Chat Noir. Protector of the innocent. Chat Noir the brave becomes wimpy Adrien who lets people get hurt? Is he nothing without his mask? Is Chloe's bullying of others any different from Stormy Weather or Antibug? If Chat Noir is dealing with super villains than Adrien should deal with regular ones.

"Chloe, that's enough." Adrien stood up and faced Chloe, whose head whipped around to look at him, surprise and shock painting her face. Clenching his jaw he stared into her eyes.

Chloe brushed aside the shock with a smile, although the effort was clearly showing.

"Adrikins," Chloe voice rose an octave, "come sit with us Adrikins."

"No Chloe, you are being cruel again and you need to stop it. We've had enough hearing you spitting venom on everyone around you." Adrien could barely constrain his anger. How can she switch from being cruel to others to being friendly to him with such ease? Do they mean nothing to her?

Chloe's smile fell, shock replacing it once more. "Adrikins?" she whispered.

Pushing down his anger, Adrien walked over and spoke softly. "You need to stop this, this queen of the school behavior. Stop thinking yourself better than everyone else. You are a student here just like everyone else."

"Huh, what you talking about. Do not put me in the same category as the rest of them."

Anger flaring again, Adrien turned his back to Chloe. "Then I guess I'm not in your category either," he threw over his shoulder and walked away.

He was fifteen steps away before Chloe recovered from her shock and ran after him. "Adrien, Adrien! I'm sorry, wait."

He was out of the school when she caught up to him.

"Adrien, I'm sorry. Don't walk away from me."

"Why not?" His anger has not subsided, "we are so different. You will not change. I can't be your friend anymore."

"What! We are best friends."

Adrien stopped and looked at Chloe searching her face and surprised to find her sincere.

"You really believe that, don't you?"

"Of course, since we were small."

Adrien sighed, his shoulders dropped as the anger left him. He looked at Chloe wondering if she could not see the pity in his eyes.

"Chloe. Look at us. I'm not your best friend and haven't been for years. I'm not even sure how much of friends we are. Since we were small I have been telling you I didn't like the way you treat others, but you just brush it away as if it is nothing. It is not nothing. By brushing that away you have been brushing me away. I care about people, you do not. How can we stay friends?"

"I care about you."

"Do you? Do you really?" Adrien put up his finger stopping Chloe with her mouth half open. "Don't answer that. Think about it. Do you care about me, or do you care about 'Chloe with Adrien'? I want friends who are kind and caring. Which care about others not just themselves. The way you behave, I cannot see you caring about anyone besides yourself. If you care about yourself so much then there is no space there to care about others, including me."

Leaving Chloe frozen with her mouth open he walked away.

"If anyone asks, tell them I went to a photo shoot."


His bodyguard was surprised when Adrien phoned him two hours later to fetch him for the photo shoot from the other side of Paris. Even though "I needed to go for a walk" was not exactly a good excuse, he promised not to tell his father. As long as Adrien was safe there was no benefit in shaking the boat.

Adrien's words to Chloe echoed in his mind. "I want friends who are kind and caring". When he said those words to Chloe the picture he had in his head was of Ladybug. His amazing, brave, kind and caring partner. Why did that bother him? He could not figure out what was wrong with that picture. For years they have been together, for years he has loved her more than anything else, a love which has only grown as he got to know her better. As much as she would let him. Plagg was surprised about the change in routine and made some minor attempts to pry out what was bothering him. A quick stop to a cheese shop put a stop to that. He spent two hours meandering around Paris lost in thought until he realized how late it was and called his bodyguard.

The photo shoot was painful as usual, nothing he wasn't used to. He was back in his room when his phone alerted him to a Ladyblog update, usually, it meant an akuma attack. He felt terrible that he was happy there was an attack. Even though he did not want anyone to get hurt, he was hoping a meeting with Ladybug will calm his restless soul.

Within five minutes Chat Noir was standing on a rooftop watching a very colorful person waving a paintbrush in the air. Wearing a black and white striped shirt and red pants covered by a multicolored apron. Long hair, in all the colors of the rainbow, was streaming down underneath the red painter's hat. Chat was taken aback as the building across the road turned into a canvas with people falling or turning into paintings. He was praying no-one was badly hurt and looked around for Ladybug. She was needed to save those poor painted people.

For now, he was alone. He needs to distract this guy to minimize damage until Ladybug gets here. There is no better way for that than to fall into his 'hero' persona.

"I'll have you know, I've seen good art." Chat called out loudly to get his attention. "This isn't it. This more reminds me of the finger painting we did as kids."

That got the expected reaction. The painted akuma turned in his direction and bellowed:

"You mock me! You mock my work!"

A jet of silver liquid shot at Chat. With a quick twist of the baton, he knocked it aside and vaulted over to attack the akuma. The guy was quick and Chat's blows could not find his target. A sudden thrust and Chat stared at the brush fibers as they were about to connect with his face, only to see the yo-yo materialize and yank the brush away.

Ladybug!

Chat breathed a sigh of relief knowing his partner was here to help and save him as usual. With a double backflip, he was standing next to his lady, giving her a warm smile. She was not looking at him, concentrating on the akuma.

"Thank you for the save, my Lady, I am happy you joined us."

"Sorry I'm late, I see I got here just in time to save your whiskers." Chat ignored Ladybug's serious tone and took her words as light banter.

"My whiskers thank you greatly. They are twitching with excitement at your arrival, no matter how late."

Ladybug did not even roll her eyes.

They were attacked a few more times when Ladybug gave him an order: "Chat, distract him."

The postbox proved a good distraction when thrown at the akuma's head, allowing Ladybug to make her move. Chat loved watching her in action, giving voice-over to her attack.

"Wonderful, we're painting by numbers. One, two, three and four, and five." sent the akuma through a fountain. Ladybug's fighting was better than ever. She showed no mercy.

"Wow, Bugaboo, that was paw-erful. Why do you even keep me around?"

"Not for your puns, that's for sure." Ladybug retorted. "It is useful having you around as distraction"

Chat was never sure if Ladybug liked his puns. She always rolled her eyes and made fun of him, but it was always done with a hint of a smile. As if she really liked them, or at least, she liked him making them. But lately, she would get more irritated with him. It was getting harder to dismiss her comments as friendly banter. They must be though, she has never really insisted on him stopping. There were enough times during the years where she made puns herself, although she would deny it completely when we would mention them.

"Nice to know you find me distracting." That was bound to get a smile out of her.

"Distracting me isn't the useful part, so stop talking so much," she shot back at him.

Ouch. That was cold and harsh. She was definitely not joking.

"Lucky Charm!" Ladybug had a ladybug themed bottle in her hand. Chat did not even bother to see what it was. He could never figure out how Ladybug came up with all these crazy plans using this odd assortment of things she would create. It was just one of those amazing things about her.

"I'll let you figure that out while I keep him busy." Chat vaulted over to the other side of the street. Chat was shocked to realize that he actually wanted to move away from her. Did her words really hurt him that much? He was definitely being over sensitive. She was probably just having a bad day.

Within a very short time, Ladybug captured the akuma, purified it and fixed up all the damage it caused.

Ladybug put out her fist to Chat. He immediately brought his own first to her's. She brought her hand up to him first. He must have imagined her coldness before.

"Pound it."

Chat leaned down gently to comfort the young man groaning on the ground. The poor guy looked tired and confused.

"I'm sorry, you took quite a beating. The damage has been miraculously repaired but your body still remembers it. You will feel the pain for some time."

"What? Ouch! Where am I? How did I get here? Chat Noir? Oh no - I was akumatized?!" The pain was clearly showing on his face. Once everything was over it was the Akuma victims which suffered the most when they realized what happened.

"What is your name?" Chat softly asked.

"Faigin."

"Faigin." he smiled, "you will be fine, I am sure." Faigin looked to be calming down.

"Just control your negative emotions next time." Chat whipped his head up to stare at Ladybug.

What was that?

Ladybug knows how difficult that is. She knows people try their best but these things happen. They have spoken about this many times. It is Hawkmoth fault; they always agreed on that. Since when do we direct the blame to the victims?

Ladybug must have read Chat's thoughts on his face as she looked away, her cheeks going slightly pink.

"Ladybug! Chat Noir! That was amazing!" Someone called at them. Chat stood up and saw Alya running toward them, with her phone out as usual. Ladybug walked towards her as Chat turned back to Faigin.

"Everything is going to be fine," he assured him. "I suggest you go home and get some rest, or go to a close friend. Good company always helps."

"Thank you for your help. I hope I wasn't too much trouble."

"Not at all," Chat smiled, "Ladybug always saves the day."

Leaving Faigin behind Chat joined Ladybug, catching the tail end of her message to the people.

"Hold on to your happy thoughts to get you through the difficulties. Remember, no negative emotions, no akumas"

I guess it's show time.

Chat walked over and stood next to Ladybug, his hand slipping into hers, looking at her with adoration.

"Listen to her guys, " he smiled directly at Alya's phone, "she knows what she is talking about. We want more love, not anger."

He looked at Ladybug. She is so beautiful. Even with their gloves, her hand in his sent electric waves through his body. And her brilliant blue eyes… her eyes… her eyes? Where they cold? Determined?

"Can we get a kiss for your fans?" Alya eagerness was slightly disturbing. Why did they want to see them kiss? How did such a private action become a public occasion?

"Show us the love we should all have." Alya continued. Adrien looked at Alya. Was she enjoying this too much? Did she really believe their kiss is important? He hoped so. She managed to convince him of it.

"For our fans, of course." Ladybug pulled Chat to her, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. Chat brought his own hand to her head as their lips met, and there it was. The warmth he has been seeking all this time. There was nothing cold about her kiss. There was passion emanating from ladybug making his toes curl. All too soon she broke the kiss leaving Chat wanting more.

The things which he expected to be real felt fake. The things which he expected to be fake felt real.

"I recognize this café" Ladybug suddenly said. "I've been here before."

"You have?" cried Alya with excitement. "It is a great place, I come here often with my friend."

"You do?" Ladybug words were a cross between a question and a statement. "Were you there before the attack? With a friend?"

"Why yes," Alya answered, "how did you know?"

"I don't know, " Ladybug seemed confused.

Chat was looking from Alya to Ladybug not sure what is going on. All three of them looked at the shop window which reflected the three of them standing outside. Ladybug's eyes suddenly went wide open.

"I have to go now," she pulled out her yo-yo and swung away.

"What was that?" Alya asked watching Ladybug disappear over a building.

Chat shrugged his shoulders looking back at the window wondering what Ladybug saw.

"See ya," he extended his baton bringing him to the top of the building. Pushing off he chased after Ladybug finding her two buildings away, pacing the length of the rooftop.

"Hey, Bugaboo, are you ok?"

Ladybug continued pacing not paying him any attention, muttering to herself. Her earing gave a beep which she completely ignored.

Chat jumped down walking to Ladybug. Just before she made to turn he put his hand on her shoulder.

She spun, lowered her shoulder and shot her arm forward, open palm meeting Chat's chest. His feet lifted off the ground as his body propelled backwards slamming against the wall.

Sliding down the wall to a sitting position his wind knocked out of him, Chat stared at Ladybug.

At first, her face registered shock which then changed to anger.

"Why did you do that for?" she accused him. "Keep your hands to yourself, there are no cameras here."

Her earrings gave a loud beep, marking the last minute left.

"I have to go. Do not follow me." With that, Ladybug jumped over to a nearby building.

Chat sat against the wall for a very long time wondering when everything went wrong.


A/N It's all about perspective.

Next Chapter: "A day in the life"