Marinette was surprised when she walked home and Ayla was silent. Ayla was never silent. Ever.

"Ayla, are you okay?" She asked, looking down at the pavement as they walked through the streets of Paris.

"Huh?" She met Marinette's gaze with a nervous smile.

"Ayla, is there something you're not telling me?" Her voice sounded pleading and worried now.

"Obviously you don't know me very well if you think I'm lying to you. I would never lie to you, and I know apparently you would never lie to me."

They were silent for a few more moments, the only sounds the cars trailing along the streets and the tapping of their shoes on the ground. "That isn't what I meant. What's going on?"

Ayla's lips pursed. "I think I'm gonna go straight home today. Not feeling up to hang out."

And Marinette's grief-stricken eyes followed her best friend run across the street to her own home, brown curls flopping behind her. Marinette had no idea what was going on, but she just made her way home and curled up on her bed with her sketch pad, sketching away her problems with every pencil stroke.

He tapped his feet on the doorstep of Chloe's house, nervous tension flooding his veins. The sun sunk below the tall buildings in a cascade of orange mixed with purple, but even still at the beautiful night it would be, his stomach churned.

Chloe opened the door with a fake sheepish smile, a blue dress spilling over her hips down to her knees.

"Hey, Adrien. Shall we go, love?"

He cringed but hid it with a nod, taking her small hand and leading her down her own massive driveway. There was nothing to be astounded of- the mayor's house was the same size as his own. If anything the place gave him anxiety, as if the Mayor would find him transform into Chat Noir at any time.

Walking to the Cinema dragged on, with Chloe ranting on and on about the new clothes she bought and how stupid the homework for English and how their teacher should be fired.

His mind blanked out, even if he nodded once in awhile to feign a show of attention.

They stepped through the glossy doors of the theater, taking in the massive grand ceiling and the sickly sweet smell. People were gathered around- it made sense on a busy Friday night, and soon they had paid for tickets to see a romance movie. Not that Adrien minded exactly- he just minded Chloe standing creepily close constantly.

They got into the theater and a tense Adrien sat for only the first few minutes before he excused himself to go to the restroom and calm down.

But screams erupted from the theater and with panicked eyes Adrien ran out of the bathroom into the hall.

Another akuma victim, perfect timing.

He raced back into the bathroom again with Plagg peeking out from his jacket.

"This is nice, isn't it! Now you won't have to go with Chloe!" Plagg remarked happily. Adrien simply shook his head. "Plagg, transform me."

Black swept down his body until he was encased in leather, cat ears peeking from the top of his blond hair.

He swept out of the theater and leaped over the buildings surrounding, finding his way to the akuma victim.

Ladybug soon joined him. This time, it was strange though, knowing it was probably Marinette under the mask. But they continued on.

The akuma victim was fought within an hour, and Adrien watched as her soft voice gave a goodbye to the butterfly, entranced by her voice.

This time, after they fought, Ladybug walked over and held a hand in his. Her eyes gazed into his and she gave a small smile.

"Thanks for always saving Paris with me Chat. You really may be awful sometimes, but I'm glad you're here to fight with me."

Maybe he should just go home.

He felt guilt growing in his chest about leaving Chloe, but he was tired and didn't want to deal with her anymore.

"No problem, my lady. Any time." Even if he tried to sound confident, it was still evident that he was worried, Chloe still in the back of his mind.

Ladybug could obviously see this. But she still nodded.

Marinette watched Chat as he ran back to his home.

What was he worried about? What was going on?

What if she followed him? She felt guilty about exposing his identity, but curiosity took over and she held her breath and followed him.

She watched as he leaped back towards the Agreste house. She stopped, licking her lips.

Chat Noir was not Adrien..

Her heart thumped in her chest, but she held her breath, watching as Chat Noir turned into Adrien.

It was out of impulse, but she reached down and opened the window just slightly, breathless.

She paused before opening the window the rest of the way, crawling through. "Adrien?"

He whipped around, shocked.

"Ladybug? But- how do you know me?"

She paused. "I guess we didn't know we were so close all these years."

"Mari-"

She walked over and wrapped her arms around him, feeling the transformation overtake her.

"Marinette."

There was a pause in the air but they just wrapped their arms tighter.

"Wow, I mean- wow, you are so amazing in both ways, I am so lucky." Adrien sighed.

"And I didn't know that a dork like Chat Noir could be you," Marinette laughed.

"I would love to stay for longer, but I don't want to worry my parents. I should go, but um- see you at school tomorrow, Chat- Adrien." She muttered.

He stopped before smiling. "You can call me love, my lady."

Marinette blushed, but smiled confidently. "See you tomorrow then, love."