Chapter 10

Marinette was on cloud nine. And if there were anything higher than Cloud 9 she would've been floating on that cloud. Did 7th heaven count as being higher than cloud 9? She had to look into that later. Either way, Marinette was pretty sure her feet didn't touch the ground at all that day as she and her friends went sightseeing around Lyon. Was that even possible? Maybe it was her Ladybug powers taking over her body more and more each day. Or…maybe it was that Adrien had finally kissed her? And she had kissed him back! And, wow, what a kiss it was! It was so much better than she thought, so much better than all of her dreams and fantasies.

Okay, maybe not that great. She had been surprised when Adrien suddenly kissed her. For the first few seconds she stood pressed against the wall behind her, eyes wide in surprise, then going cross as she took in Adrien's face so close to hers. Then she focused in on the way his lips felt against hers, gently pressed against them and everything came into focus. Stunningly clear focus and she was suddenly hyper aware of everything.

What was she supposed to do with her hands? Was she supposed to run them through his hair, put them on his cheeks, his shoulders, his arms, on top of his hands? And her breathing? Was she supposed to kiss him back? Yes, idiot! Kiss him back! Marinette reminded herself. She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath through her nose. She felt Adrien pull back slightly, so that he could catch his breath then took a step forward, cupping her face in his hands, kissing her again and this time Marinette kissed him back and butterflies exploded in her stomach, her face felt flush, her knees felt weak, and an overwhelming sense of happiness hit her at once.

Marinette kissed him back, shyly at first, clumsy at figuring out how her lips were supposed to move against his. Then it was like they were on the same page, the same wavelength…the same understanding and her hands were in his hair and his hands were on her hips, pulling her closer to him. Marinette was lost in the kiss, her heart hammering against her ribs, which made the rest of her body quake—or maybe that was her nerves or her excitement over her dreams finally coming true. There was a loud burst of laughter from downstairs that caused the two to jerk apart in surprise. Marinette peered up at Adrien through her bangs as he turned around, leaning over the railing of the stairwell, checking if anyone was coming to find them.

Not for the first time Marinette was glad Alya hadn't come to find her, her snooping trait wielding its ugly head. For once she was going to be able to talk with Adrien and lay it all on the line how she felt about him. And it seemed like he felt the same way. She watched as Adrien turned away from the railing and looked back at her. His hand instinctively went to the mouth and their eyes met, an awkward chuckle slipping between the two of them.

"I, uh," Adrien said. He reached up a hand and ran it through his hair, leaving his hair tousled in a way that Marinette loved. He didn't typically leave his hair up or uncoifed in some way, typically keeping himself as put together as possible. "I don't know what to say," he said honestly then blurted out, "I'm sorry I jumped you."

"What?" Marinette's head jerked back in confusion. Jumped her? He didn't jump her. Okay, now she was thinking about it. And thinking of how she would respond and how…okay, Marinette didn't need those thoughts at the moment. She needed to focus on the topic at hand. "No. It's okay. I mean!" She started to wave her hands. "It's not that I didn't like…okay, what I mean is…" Marinette tilted her head back. "I don't think I'm being very clear," she said.

"No, it's okay," Adrien said. "I think I should be the one apologizing."

What? Now Marinette tilted her head to the side, eyebrows lowering. Is he apologizing for the kiss? Did I not do it well? Does he think I'm a bad kisser? Or maybe my breath stinks? Oh god, my breath stinks doesn't it? Marinette resisted the urge to lift her hand so she could check her breath as she looked at Adrien. He realized the connotation of what he had just said and brought his hands up.

"No. I don't want to apologize I just—"He slapped his hands over his face. "I guess I'm not being very clear, either." He sat down on the steps and Marinette sat down next to him, wrapping her arms around her knees. "What I want to apologize about is if I caught you off guard by kissing you," he said. "I don't want to apologize for the kiss. That was…kind of nice."

"Oh." Now Marinette started to smile a little. "Well, that's good. I liked…I thought it was nice too." She cleared her threat, hugging her legs tighter, twisting her fingers together. "But, uh, I mean…I didn't think you thought that much of me," she said. "I mean, you never really seemed that interested in dating anyone."

A light chuckle escaped Adrien's lips as he tilted his head to the side. "Yes, well, there are some things in my life that I like to keep private. And in that case there aren't many people that would be…comfortable with the way I live. So I needed to find someone that could handle it."

Oh. "So you like me because I can deal with your family life?" She asked. Though she had to admit that it was a bit off putting at first. She had never seen so many maids and butlers that rushed to help someone take off their backpack as soon as they moved through the front door. Nor had she seen someone as stoic as his father's assistant, Nathalie, as she asked what they were planning on doing that day. But then things had calmed down around them and Nathalie had gone back to wherever she came from and she got used to it.

"Well, that's part of it," Adrien admitted. "But you're also smart, nice, and fun to be around, you listen to people, you're always trying to help others, and you always see the good in people." He paused for a minute. "Okay, maybe not everyone but for the most part you can." Marinette giggled lightly, knowing that he was referring to the girl in school that managed to like Adrien as much as she disliked Marinette. "I know I never said much before, Marinette but—"

"—Adrien?"

Startled, Adrien and Marinette looked up to find Gabriel standing on the stairs, trying to make his way up. He looked back and forth between his son and Marinette, gray eyes narrowing after a moment. Adrien seemed to shrink in on himself before he shakily stood up. "Y-yes, father?" He asked.

Marinette looked over at him, noticing his sudden change in demeanor. He had been doing it a lot since Gabriel had decided to travel with them. Marinette then noticed Gabriel's glare turned her way and knew she had to make her escape down to eat with everyone else, but not before she heard the rumblings of the harsh, low tone that Gabriel sent his son's way.

And that had been hours ago.

As it was, she and Alya were currently laden down with shopping bags with Cassie at their side, directing them where to go. "Oh and then you have to go into this store!" Cassie grabbed their arms and dragged them into a small boutique. "They have the best smelling perfumes. Mon Dieu, I swear!"

The shopkeeper smiled as she stood behind the cash register. "Welcome. I hope you find everything to your liking. Please let me know if there's anything I can help you with." The shop keeper lifted her hand and smiled at the butterfly that landed on her fingers.

"Merci," Cassie said to the shop keeper. She turned to the closest perfume bottle to her; a translucent bottle with fairy wings and bright pink liquid inside. She picked it up and sprayed the air with it. "Like this one?" She held it out to the two girls. "It's China Jade."

Alya leaned forward and sniffed the perfume. "Mmm, that smells great." Smirking over at Marinette, she elbowed her in the side. "Maybe Adrien will buy that for Marinette."

"Why would he do that?" Cassie asked with a snort. "If anyone knows Ade, they know he can be really stingy with his money."

"He's not stingy," Marinette said dreamily, her voice coming out as light as a feather. "He's just saving his money. Besides," she practically spun through the boutique. "His father only lets him spend so much money a month."

"Okayyy," Cassie said slowly, tilting her head to the side. "What's up with her?"

"Oh, didn't you know?" Alya raised an eyebrow. "Adrien and Marinette kissed."

Cassie's green eyes widened with surprise and then grinned. "Really? He finally did it?" She placed her hands on her hips. "I was wondering when he would get the balls to do it! I mean, just looking at you two together was like sucking on a mouthful of candy, too sweet."

Alya rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Tell me about it; I've been trying to get the two of them together for ages and now they decide to do it? Talk about good timing. If I knew it would've happened once they got away from school and everything I would've asked you to come to Paris sooner."

Cassie smiled and shrugged, walking to the other side of the boutique. "Blame my Dad. If he were a good person at all then we wouldn't be here." Her eyes widened and she turned to the other two with a nervous laugh. "You know how it is, sometimes parents need time apart, right?"

Alya nodded and turned back to Marinette, who was now looking through her phone. They said they were going to meet up with the boys later, after Adrien showed Nino around some of the stores that didn't have any overly feminine products they became uncomfortable around. She thought he would have texted her, but he had been a little quiet after his conversation with his father. Lately he seemed even more sullen than usual when after dealing with Gabriel but usually bounced back. This time around when they were on the way into the city he kept his head turned to look out the window, muttering a 'yes' or 'no' whenever he was asked a question when not giving a noncommittal shrug. He had even snapped at Cassie for asking him questions about the city and the memories they had created while there.

And he didn't put up a big fight when they split up to check out the city. She was really starting to get worried about him. What was it that could have gotten him so upset lately? It wasn't his birthday and it wasn't the anniversary that his mother disappeared. So what was it? Whatever it was, his father definitely had something to do with it.

"Marinette, c'mon, we have to get going," Alya said, tugging her arm. She took one look at her face and shook her head. "What is it now? A second ago you were smiling like a lunatic?"

"You mean like how you and Nino always smile at each other?" Marinette teased in reply. Alya's dark cheeks reddened as she lifted her finger, shaking it back and forth. "I know, I know, we're talking about me. Anyway, have you noticed anything going on with Adrien lately?"

"What do you mean?" Cassie placed her hands on her hips, watching her intently.

"Nothing, just that his father…your uncle…" Marinette trailed off, unsure of how to explain it. "It's just that ever since we started to figure out our project and everything he's acted weird once his Dad came around. Didn't you notice he was quiet during lunch?"

"Yeah, my Mom was asking about it, too," Cassie agreed. "She and Adrien were as close as he and I were and he wasn't really answering any of her questions." She rubbed her chin an odd expression coming to her face. Then she shook her head and dropped her hand once more. "I can talk to him if you want."

"There's no talking to that guy when he gets angry," Alya pointed out. "Didn't you notice the way he was snapping at us all afternoon? It was like he wanted to get away from his Dad but didn't want to be around us, either."

"I'll get to the bottom of it," Marinette said. She put her phone back into her pocket. "I'm sure everything's fine." She looked at the perfume bottle once more, trying to decide whether or not she wanted to buy it. It rally was a beautiful smell and the bottle it came in was beautiful as well. She picked it up in her hand and started to turn it back and forth in her hands.

"Are you going to buy that or what?" Startled, Marinette turned around to find Adrien standing behind her, his hands shoved into the pockets of his sweatshirt. When he caught her gaze his eyes shifted away from her. "Dad called. We have to get back to the house."

"No problem." Marinette replaced the bottle and turned to Adrien as they started to leave the store. "So, uh, Adrien, we never got to finish the conversation that we were having earlier today," she said slowly. Adrien looked at her out of the corner of her eye. "You know, when your father came and, uh, interrupted us?" Thinking back to it, she could feel herself starting to blush. How much of that conversation had he heard anyway? The only thing that would've been worse would have been if he had seen them kissing and as it was, no one else seemed to have seen it.

Though Alya had wanted to get all of the information as soon as she told her. But that was what girls did when they finally managed to kiss their crushes. Besides, Marinette had to stop herself from yelling it from the rooftops somehow.

"Oh, right." Adrien reached up and pulled his hood over his heat. "That." But he didn't elaborate any further.

Marinette felt her stomach drop a little bit. "Okay, we don't need to talk about that," she said quickly, not sure if she was ready to have that conversation herself. She could barely wrap her head around that herself. "But, uh, is everything okay with you and your father?"

Now Adrien's head whipped upwards, blowing his hair form his face, giving Marinette a perfect view of a new bruise forming on his face. "Adrien…" Marinette reached out to touch the bruise and Adrien roughly pushed her hand away, as if scalded by the mere idea of being touched. "Adrien, what's going on? Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine, Marinette," Adrien snapped back. He looked up; checking to make sure that his friends weren't in hearing distance. "God, can't you just leave things alone every now and then? You always have to butt into other people's business!"

Marinette stopped walking, her lower jaw dropping open in surprise and hurt. "Adrien…"

"Can't you just leave things alone?" Adrien continued as if she didn't say anything. "The world doesn't freaking revolve around you, you know?"

"Adrien," Marinette said slowly. "I don't know what's going on, but you're acting really weird. You weren't like this earlier today. If something's going on, you can tell me." Finally she stepped forward and grabbed onto his wrist. "I won't tell anyone. I promise. You can trust me."

"Really?" Adrien's eyebrows rose. "I can trust you? You? "A light snort escaped his lips. "Why would I want to do that? I don't even know why I agreed to come out here to work on that stupid project. Especially knowing I was going to have to spend the time with you."

Marinette took in a deep breath and when she let it out, it trembled along with her lower jaw. She could feel her eyes start to well up with tears, her stomach forming into knots. Her hands shook and a feeling like she had just been doused with cold water. Why was he doing this?

"Look, just forget it, alright?!" Adrien snapped, throwing her hand off him. Marinette gasped in surprise, stung. She looked up at him as he turned to her, glaring as hard as he could, looking at her with such utter disgust that she had to take a step back. What was going on? "If you know what's good for you, you'll leave me alone."

With that, he turned on his heel and walked away from Marinette.

She stared after him, crushed, lower jaw dropping. "What just happened?" She whispered. They were the only words she managed to get out of her mouth. Tikki suddenly appeared at her side, appearing as crushed as Marinette was before. "Tikki…"

"I'm sorry, Marinette," Tikki said to her. "I don't get it. Adrien is usually so nice to you."

"I know," Marinette agreed. She ran a shaky hand through her hair. "I just…I don't…" then she realized Tikki was at her side and her eyes widened. "Tikki, you can't be here!" She cried. "What if someone sees you?"

"That's not important, Marinette," Tikki pointed out. "You're hurting and I need to be here for you." Marinette looked around to be sure no one was watching them. It didn't look like her friends had noticed she was gone, and Tikki was hiding close to her, close enough so no one would notice if she was talking to herself. "But I agree with you, Marinette. It looks like there's something really wrong with him."

"I know," Marinette agreed. "Maybe." She was cut off as there was a sudden explosion, knocking her off her feet. She fell onto the ground, arms out stretched in front of her and rolled over to find the shopkeeper had been turned into an akuma. She thought she had seen a butterfly in the shop, but what would Hawk Moth be doing all the way out there. "Looks like we don't have a lot of time to figure out," she muttered to herself. She glanced down the street at her friends and saw they were already moving to find shelter. "Looks like we're on, Tikki," she said to her kwami, ducking beside the storefront. "Tikki, spots on!"

Marinette transformed into Ladybug and shot out into the street. The shopkeeper turned to her and glared, throwing a perfume bottle towards her. Instead of the bottle erupting into a wonderful scent, it blew up, a crater in the ground when the smoke cleared. Ladybug jumped backwards as another bomb came her way and she leapt forward, immediately breaking into combat with the shopkeeper. She blocked every punch and kick that came her way until she miscalculated and was kicked in the chest, stumbling backwards.

All of a sudden she stopped falling and looked up to find Cat Noir holding onto her arms, keeping her up. "I always knew you would fall for me one day, My Lady," he said to her.

"Cat Noir!" Ladybug looked at him in surprise. "What are you doing here?" She pulled herself up to her feet. "Why aren't you back in Paris?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing," Cat Noir replied, stretching out his hands and cracking his knuckles. "But it seems to me that you can't stay away from me for too long. Our fates as intertwined."

"Right," Ladybug agreed. She turned back just as another perfume bottle came their way. "Look out!" She shoved Cat Noir hard in the chest and the two fell out of the way of the bottle. It crashed to the ground and created another crater. "Let's get back to the topic at hand."

'Right," Cat Noir agreed, getting to his feet. "What does Hawk Moth want this with akumatized monster? Apart from taking away our Miraculouses. But why would he want to come out to Lyon to do that?"

Marinette thought for a moment, rubbing her chin. She had no idea. Not unless Hawk Moth somehow knew where she and Cat Noir were at all times. But how was that possible? He had never shown his face to them before nor had he proven that he had a way to know every place they were going to be. He didn't know their identities just as they didn't know his. So what was going on? There didn't appear to be any other attacks going on.

Ladybug and Cat Noir looked over and jumped backwards at the same time, blocking out the other attack that came their way. "Looks like we don't have a lot of time to figure it out, My Lady," Cat Noir reminded her. "Do you have any idea where the akuma might be?"

Ladybug looked over her outfit and noticed the satchel that sat around her waist, probably to hold loose coins and receipts. Her mind was jumbled with so many things to pay too close attention; Adrien, Hawk Moth, being found in Lyon…there was too much to think about let alone to deal with in terms of fighting akumatized monsters.

"Who knows," she said with a hostile edge to her tone. "Let's get this over with, alright?"

Cat Noir pulled his staff out from behind his back and clicked it to extension. "As you wish." He charged towards the shopkeeper and Ladybug brought up the rear. The fight against the akuma wasn't difficult at all, the shopkeeper had been defeated and the akuma released with relative ease, even by Ladybug's and Cat Noir's standards.

Why would he be here?" Ladybug thought as she crouched down on the rooftop, watching the city streets below. She had used her Lucky Charm power to restore everything and was now waiting to see if there was any sign of Hawk Moth or anything else that would give them a clue as to what he wanted. How did he know we were going to be? How did he know that we would be out here? More importantly, why was Cat Noir out here? He couldn't have been following me. He should've been back in Paris, dealing with the akumas there.

"You know, I thought things were going to be a bit harder," Cat Noir stated, twirling his metal pole in his hand. "Hawk Moth must really be losing his touch. Either that or he's realized he can't beat the two of us." His canines glistened as he motioned towards himself. "Good news," he added when Ladybug didn't respond. "Looks like Wolfsbane didn't show up, either."

"Yeah, well, it looks like Hawk Moth decided to follow us all the way out here," Ladybug commented, placing her hands on her hips. Though she still wasn't entirely sure he knew how they would be there. "So much for that vacation."

"Oh, you're here on vacation, too?" Cat Noir asked. He looked at her with a warm smile, putting his arm around her. "So what do you say we do some sight-seeing for ourselves?" He asked suggestively. "We can see what Lyon really has to offer to a couple of superheroes." He winked at her. "Emphasis on the couple."

Couple. Just what she thought she and Adrien were going to be that day, after he kissed her. But then he had suddenly turned around and was so…so mean to her. So cruel. So embarrassing. Tears came to Marinette's eyes once more and she turned away from Cat Noir, pushing his arm off her shoulder. "Whatever," she said to him.

Tilting his head to the side, Cat Noir crossed his arms over his chest. "Is everything okay, My Lady?"

My Lady…

He said it with such sincerity; just the same way that Adrien had spoken to her that morning.

I don't want to apologize for the kiss. That was…kind of nice

No. No. She had to stop thinking about it.

It was hurting her more and more.

Ladybug took a step back away from Cat Noir, slowly shaking her head. His head tilted to the side even further, eyebrows coming together as he watched her. "I…I have to go," She said, taking another step back. "I can't…I…" She turned her back to him.

"Wait, Ladybug," Cat Noir stretched his hand out towards her. "Did someone hurt you?"

That was it. She couldn't stand it anymore. Marinette looked up and saw Adrien staring at her with such concern, a stark contrast from the way Adrien had looked at her earlier that day, with so much contempt. "Leave me alone!" She slapped Cat Noir's hand away and turned, spinning her yo-yo over her head. Throwing it, it caught on a nearby tree and she flung herself away from Cat Noir as quickly as she could.

Tears streamed down Marinette's cheeks as she raced back to the house. She landed on the ground behind the house and transformed back. Her sadness combined with the sudden loss of power made her crumple to her knees. Marinette brought her hands up to cover her face and sobbed. Tikki flew by Marinette's head, trying to get a good look at her face.

"Don't worry, Marinette," Tikki said, gently rubbing her head. Her hand was light as a feather, comforting in all situations but this one. "It's not that bad."

"I don't know what I did wrong, Tikki," Marinette whispered. "I don't know what I did to make him hate me so much. I don't get it." She removed her hands and wiped her tears away from her cheeks but they kept coming. "Is there something wrong with me?"

"There's nothing wrong with you, Marinette," Tikki said in a quiet voice, her face screwed up in consolidation for her friend. Tikki really did look as sad as Marinette felt. "I promise."

"Then why did he tell me to stay away from him?"

"I don't know."

Marinette sniffed and started to cry again.

"Well, well, well," Gabriel murmured, bringing his head back in through the window as Marinette continued to cry in the backyard. "It seems that I have a bit of an insect infestation on my hands. If only I knew Ladybug was so close to me this entire time." He ran a hand over his goatee. The akuma monster he had sent out that day had just been to get an idea of how far Cat Noir and Ladybug would go to stop him. He hadn't realized they actually would travel all the way to Lyon to do so. And here was Ladybug right under his nose. "No matter, I can still use this to my advantage."

A/N: Try not to hate me too much?

Cheers,

-Riles