Gosh this took forever...and I, unfortunately, broke my (unofficial) promise. The sin will have to wait until next chapter, the setup just made the chapter obnoxiously long, so I will shower you guys with some sexy-times next chapter, okie?

...on a side note, Lila is a bitch (duh) and Nino is awesome.

•

•

"Hey, Alya." Marinette waves, characteristically tripping on the first step on the school stairs.

Alya turns to her with a warm smile, taking a few steps down from the school door to meet her, "Hey, Mari!" she hugs her casually, "You wanna hear something weird?" she pulls back, crossing her arms.

Marinette purses her lips and tilts her head in curiosity, "What?"

Alya furrows her brows, "It's the strangest thing...Sammy, that kid who saw you and Chat, he came to school today." she begins.

"And?" Marinette prods.

"Well, he doesn't remember." Alya says.

"Doesn't remember?" Marinette gapes briefly, closing her own mouth before Alya can close it for her.

"Nope! Nothing at all. He said he didn't know what I was talking about when I asked if he wanted to talk to you now." Alya shrugs, "After some subtle prodding, I confirmed that he got totally wiped. He doesn't remember anything from about thirty minutes after his purification."

Marinette glances down at her bag. Did Tikki have something to do with that? Can Lucky Charm alter memory? "That's really weird." she sighs, rubbing the bridge of her nose, "But, it's one less thing to worry about. So I can't say I'm sorry he doesn't remember."

Alya nods, "Yeah, it's good news, but at the same time, a little freaky. I mean, Ladybug can erase memories! That's both awesome and scary. Still, something cool to put on the blog." she turns and continues on her way up the steps. "I wonder how she knew to erase those particular memories...or maybe they've always had their memories slightly altered-" she begins to blabber on about the scientific implications and possible catastrophes and such.

Marinette tunes out, smiling and nodding when it seems appropriate, or when Alya turns to her for acknowledgment. She has a few questions to ask Tikki. 'Cute little turd, she knew!' she chuckles in her head. That's why she acted so calm when she heard about the situation. She knew that she could fix it.

"Hey, Alya! Marinette." Nino greets, followed by Adrien, who greets them similarly.

"Nino!" Alya rushes to tell him about her discovery, (vaguely of course).

Adrien grins slyly at Marinette, "Hey." he murmurs, leaning up close as they walk behind their two friends.

"Hi." she giggles quietly, blushing from the tips of her ears to her collarbones.

"Still need help with your 'homework'?" he winks, swooping close enough for his breath to stir her hair.

Gosh, she's still gotta get used to Adrien being Chat Noir and not go all typical Marinette on him. Still, her heart is racing wildly, and she shudders almost imperceptibly, "Adrien, don't get too cuddly in public." she whispers, smiling softly at him, "But yeah." she scoffs, "And I really do mean homework. Don't get any funny ideas, Minou." she wags a finger in his face.

He grabs it and makes to kiss it, only to have to swiftly hide his actions as Alya looks over her shoulder. Alya raises a brow at his feigned innocence and glances over at Marinette, who has busied herself with her phone. She hums in consideration, too quietly to be heard even by Nino, and turns away with a shrug.

Adrien smirks and subtly reaches down with his hand.

"Ah!" Marinette gasps, covering her mouth and flinching away from him. "Adrien!" she hisses, one hand rubbing her sore buttocks. The nerve! He pinched her. "I will get you later." she warns as they head into class.

"Oh please do." Adrien whispers as she passes by, and she sends him a scolding glance.

"Silly Kitty." she mutters under her breath, sitting down.

•

She jolts out of her near-sleep in physics when Alya taps her shoulder, "I know that feeling." she chuckles.

Marinette blinks and looks around the class, taking in Adrien in front of her with a subtle smile. "Is school almost out already?" she mumbles.

"Yeah, you're lucky to be so distracted." Alya huffs, giving her homework a disgruntled glare. "A certain kitty on the brain?" she teases.

Adrien coughs and clears his throat, causing Nino to look at him in confusion.

Marinette turns red, "Alya..." she sighs, glances at Adrien, fighting a smirk of satisfaction when she sees the blush on his neck. "Yeah, there is." she says.

Alya makes to speak, but the school bell rings and the teacher dismisses them. "Well, I gotta go home." she sighs as she picks up her bag, "Maman wants to go to the grocers."

"Okay, Alya." Marinette pulls on her backpack, "Have fun."

"Hey Alya! We still on for Friday?" Nino asks, and Alya blushes when Marinette gives her a suggestive smile.

"Oh stop it, Marinette." Alya nudges her, "We both know you're no less innocent." she rolls her eyes, "Yes, Nino." she takes the giddy boy's hand and waves at Marinette over her shoulder.

Marinette chuckles and follows after them, though she stops by her locker to put a few books into her backpack. She hums lightly as she zips the pack up and close her locker. Then she turns to leave...

"Augh!"

Yet again, she's run into something, and this time it's not her compassionate boyfriend, but rather the door of the locker right next to hers. "Fuck!" she exclaims as she clutches her aching nose and stumbles backwards.

Lila peers around the locker door and smirks before she schools her face into an utterly-false expression of sympathy, "Oops, sorry." she coos, "I hope I didn't hit you too hard."

Marinette pulls her fingers back from her nose, wiping it and sighing at the tiny bit of blood, "What did I ever do to you?" she mutters.

Lila finally drops her fake smile and scowls darkly, "Well for starters-"

"Marinette!" both girls jump as Adrien slides to a stop beside them, "What happened? Are you okay?" he grasps her face and examines her gingerly.

Marinette glances at Lila, "I'm fine." she sighs, "I just ran into a locker, as usual." she looks back at her concerned Kitty with an assuring smile, "You know me." she shrugs.

Adrien's face softens and he throws his arm over her shoulder, walking her out, all the while tossing a disapproving scowl at Lila. "Did she do that on purpose?" he asks in a whisper.

Marinette stiffens, then sighs, "I suppose. And I thought Chloé was bad."

He nods, "Yeah, if Chloé can be a bitch I dont know what to call Lila." he leaves her for only a moment to run into the bathroom and get a wet tissue. He dabs and wipes, and she smiles at his endearing expression. "What?" he murmurs.

"You're so cute." she giggles, grabbing his hand so she can bring it to her mouth and kiss his knuckles.

"That's my move." he smiles, tapping her nose with his opposite hand.

"You still coming over to help me with my physics?" she asks.

"You bet." he pulls her forward to kiss her forehead.

She stands with him and they walk to the exit, "You don't have any photoshoots?"

He shrugs, "Not at the moment, hopefully it stays that way...your nose is bruising." he points out.

She blushes and covers her nose with her hand, hunching her shoulders. "Damnit..."

"Sorry, I probably shouldn't have pointed it out." he says, looking from side to side before they cross the street.

"No, I'd be two times as embarrassed if you didn't." she sighs, following him inside the bakery and making her way upstairs while he greets her parents.

"Ouch!" Tikki exclaims when she zips out from her bag, "Looks like Lila did a number on you." she hovers close to Marinette while she examines her face in the mirror.

"I get why she doesn't like me-" Marinette murmurs, hissing as she prods at her sore, slightly purplish nose, "-but even Chloé doesn't ever do anything physical to me because she doesn't like me. I can't believe she stooped so low." she grabs more tissue and wets it so she can clean out her nose.

There's a light knocking at her door, and she sniffs lightly as she answers, "Come in!" She turns and grabs a band-aid to cover the small cut along the bridge of her nose.

"I let your parents know I'll be helping with your homework." Adrien smiles, holding out a plate of croissants, "They said to bring this up." he shrugs when she raises a brow in suspicion.

"Good, I figured you might have swiped them." she teases.

He scoffs and sits down next to her on the chaise while she pulls out her homework. "I may love your parents' food, but I wouldn't steal any." he chuckles.

She takes a bite of one of the croissants and then groans dejectedly, "I hate physics..." she mutters, tapping her finger on the book.

He takes the book from her and smiles, "Lucky for you, I happen to love it. Come on, let's see if I can teach you." he motions for her to scoot closer. "First thing's first..."

•

"Did I do it right?" she asks anxiously, pointing to the final problem on her homework. She doesn't know it, but her eyes are droopy and her hair is disheveled. She's definitely laugh-worthy at the moment, but he doesn't blame her, it's pretty tough stuff. He's only so good at it because he had plenty of time as a younger boy to learn it, being homeschooled and all.

He mentally runs the present problem through his head and grins, "You did it." he chuckles when she slackens against him in relief.

"Over twenty and I only got one right on the first try." she groans, "I'm terrible at this."

He presses a kiss to her hair and hugs her, "But you got it done. And you'll get a good grade too, I'm pretty sure of that."

"Because of you." she snuggles closer to him and smiles, "Thanks for helping me, Chaton."

He scratches the back of his neck in a blush, it's still so new, knowing she's Ladybug. And now all his old feelings are allowed to stir again, he feels somewhat flustered around her now. "Anytime, M'lady." he breathes.

She squirms until she's laying across his lap and reaches up to tweak him on the nose, "Are you tired?"

He shrugs, "Tired of all this homework." he grins, leaning close to give her a brief kiss. She reaches to pull him in for something deeper, but he pulls away mischievously, eliciting a sharp whine of frustration from her. "So, what's there to eat?" he sniggers as he makes to get up.

"The fuck-? Adrien!" she tries to hold him back when he scrambles out from under her, but he gets loose and dances out of reach.

"I'm hungry." he calls as he heads downstairs.

"Son of a-" she curses, but he doesn't hear her finish that sentence. He chuckles as he opens the fridge and makes to grab another croissant.

"Are you guys going to eat dinner?" Sabine interrupts him.

He jumps and shuts the fridge, "Oh, it's dinnertime already?" he looks outside and raises his brows, it didn't seem like it was already evening. "Well, I'll go get Marinette." he shrugs, heading back upstairs.

Marinette has her arms crossed, and she looks like she has a dark cloud hanging over her head. He grits his teeth to hide his smile, "You are a jerk." she mutters, pursing her lips in a cute pout.

"No, I'm a cat." he grins.

She chucks a pillow at him.

•

"I take it you aren't staying the night?" she sighs, threading her fingers through his hair while he lays on her lap. He and Tom bonded rather well over dinner, and it cleared up her irritation to see them getting along.

He shakes his head, "I might be able to on Saturday...my dad will be out of town." he murmurs, eyes barely open due to her soothing petting.

She glances at her trapdoor when it lifts, and she makes a shooing motion when she sees her parents' prying eyes in the dim light. "I swear..." she mumbles.

"Hmm?" he turns in her lap and faces her with glassy, lethargic eyes.

"They come peek at us every ten minutes." she scoffs, pointing at the trapdoor.

He chuckles, "I wish my dad would check on me sometimes..." he shrugs, "Granted, then I wouldn't be able to do my hero work."

She leans down to kiss his forehead, "When do you have to go?" she asks, lips brushing against his skin as she speaks.

He grasps one of her hands that rests on his chest, squeezing lightly. "Soon."

She scoffs and moves to kiss his cheek, "How soon?"

"Why? Are you trying to tempt me, M'lady?" he looks up at her with a teasing grin.

"No...I just...don't want you to go." she sighs.

His grin fades and he curls to press his face against her stomach, "I don't want to go either, but I've got to." he gives a sigh of his own. "Sorry, Bugaboo."

"It's okay." she lays back, fringes venturing back into his hair.

"Hey-" he places his chin on her stomach, "-can you come to my house tomorrow?"

She looks down at him with a raised brow, "Okay...why?"

"I've got something to show you." he grins, "It's pretty cool, and since you're Ladybug there's no reason to not tell you."

She props herself up on her elbows, "What does it have to do with Ladybug?"

"It's a book. You'll see." he shrugs, "It'll be easier to show you."

She hums in agreement, her interest is most certainly peaked. What type of book would have details on her? "What kind of-"

"Your chauffeur is here, Adrien!" Sabine calls.

He groans and faceplants against her, "I gotta go." he mumbles.

She sits up with a giggle, helping him straighten his mussed hair, "Okay, text me when you get home, just so...you know...I know you got there safe." she blushes.

He stands and pulls her up with him, "Sure thing, Purrincess." he leans in and steals a quick kiss before she can reprimand him for the pun. "Come on Plagg." he calls quietly, holding his overshirt open for the kwami.

"Can we get some Camembert on the way?" Plagg asks.

"You already have three wheels at home!" Adrien hisses back as he descends the stairs.

Marinette giggles at their exchange and motions for Tikki to hide similarly so she can follow him down.

•

"Hey, Marinette...time for school."

The girl in question waves her hand to shoo her kwami away, "Mmwaiting for alarm.." she grumbles.

"Your alarm rang ten minutes ago, you just slept through it." Tikki giggles.

Marinette yelps and scrambles out of bed, feet tangling in the sheets and she ends up falling to the floor with a loud thump. Her fall has done nothing to help her sore (but slightly less swollen) nose. She sighs in annoyance, looking up from the floorboards when her mom opens her trap door. Sabine immediately starts to laugh, covering her mouth daintily with a hand, "I can see you slept very well." she teases.

"Mom..." Marinette groans, shifting to sit up.

"I was just about to wake you for school, but it seems my work is already done. I've got some breakfast waiting for you." Sabine closes the door and descends the stairs again.

Marinette kicks her foot to free it from the sheets and takes a deep breath to calm her heart rate. But she promptly shrugs it off with a smile, used to frantic mornings, and heads into the bathroom to prepare. "What do joo think Adrien wantsh to show me? What type of book would I be intershted in?" she asks Tikki as she brushes her teeth.

"Don't talk with your mouth full." her kwami admonishes with a grin.

Marinette rinses her mouth and chuckles, "I'm pretty curious." she says as she dabs her lips dry.

Tikki moves to sit on her shoulder, "I am too. I probably should have asked Plagg."

Marinette shrugs again, picking out a lighter, billowy, pink shirt to accommodate the warmer weather. She contemplates a skirt, but opts for brown capris. "How do I look?" she turns to her kwami.

Tikki giggles, "Are you trying to dress up for Adrien?" she teases.

Marinette flushes and shakes her head, "N-No! Of course not, I'm just...oh whatever! Let's go, I'm gonna be late." she slips her purse over her shoulder and motions for Tikki to hide in it. She stops by her dresser and purses her lips in consideration, "Just in case..." she murmurs, slipping that box into her purse.

"What on earth? Marinette?! " Tikki yelps.

She ignores the kwami's incredulous tone and pulls her backpack on. She heads downstairs, grabbing her plate and shoving the warm eggs and toast into her mouth.

"Don't forget your lunch, and your shoes for that matter." Sabine hands her the paper bag and points to her white flats sitting by the door.

Marinette nods and slips her shoes on, "Thanks maman!" she calls as she rushes outside to cross the street.

"There you are!" Alya exclaims, "I thought I was gonna have to come wake-" she stops and blinks, pointing hesitantly, "-what happened to your nose?"

Marinette grasps her nose and then flinches as she remembers it is still tender. "I ran into a locker." she shrugs.

"More like 'got bashed with a locker'."

Marinette gives her characteristic yelp and scrambles to keep her balance. She spins on her heel to give Adrien an admonishing glare for scaring her.

"Got bashed? Someone hit you on purpose?" Alya spins Marinette back around.

Marinette pulls away from her prying hands and chuckles nervously, "Stop it! I already had a once-over from Adrien and my parents last night. I don't need one from you, Alya." she pushes her insistent friend away playfully.

Alya pouts, turning to Adrien, "Thanks for taking care of her." she smiles warmly.

Adrien scratches the back of his neck and shrugs, "It was my pleasure." he returns her smile with one of his own, and he also glances lovingly at his blushing Lady.

Alya's eyes narrow in suspicion, noticing the not-so-subtle exchange of flirty smiles between her companions. "Come on, Mari, we'll be late for class." she tugs at Marinette's arm, looking back over her shoulder in consideration as she walks. 'Is it just me...or is there suddenly chemistry between these two?'

•

"Why not?" Alya whines.

Marinette bites her lip, Alya has been trying to get her to spend the night so they can do nails and gossip or something like that. "Because, Alya, I have-" she pauses to think of her next words, coincidentally glancing towards Adrien as she speaks, if only for a second. "-prior engagements." she blushes.

Alya gasps and dramatically slams her hand on the desk, causing students around to jump in surprise. She leans in close with a mischievous grin, "Are you going on a date with Chat?" she whispers as quietly as possible.

Marinette feels her cheeks blooming to an even deeper shade of red, "Maybe." she murmurs, just to throw Alya off her trail.

Alya squeals with delight and kicks her feet just as Ms. Bustier walks in. "Alya..." the woman calls with a smile, "...I know I've only just arrived, but do try not to disrupt my class please." she chuckles.

Alya gives a chuckle of her own and nods, "Sorry, ma'am."

For Marinette, the simple class in literature is a blur, her mind totally centered on her blonde partner sitting before her. The reasons being obvious, her overwhelming curiosity as to what he has to show her, and the fact that he's her boyfriend...and he's a hot cat boy in tight leather...and she's going to be over at his house, alone with him (she hopes), within the hour...'Okay, that's enough!' she derails her train of thought with an incredulous shake of her head.

She sighs when the school bell rings, glad Ms. Bustier's class is so short and enjoyable. She gathers her backpack and purse, making to leave, but she stops in her tracks when she sees Lila at the door. Granted, she isn't usually afraid of bullies, but in Chloé's case, she is only a verbal bully. The fact that Lila is brave enough to be physical is enough for Marinette to feel a little frightened.

She watches Alya walk out, having not noticed that her friend had stalled. So Marinette taps Adrien on the shoulder, "Chaton?" she leans close to whisper.

Adrien turns to her in surprise, but soon flashes a warm smile, "Hey, Buginette." he winks.

She pulls back and twiddles her fingers, "I...uh...could you walk me to the locker room?"

He tilts his head and purses his lips, "Sure." he shrugs, standing and grabbing her hand, "Anything for M'lady." he purrs quietly.

"Shh!" she shoves him in the chest and blushes, looking around the classroom as if the empty chairs have ears. He chuckles and tugs her along, taking note of her angry pout when they exit the room.

"What's wrong?" he asks, though he hates to make her lose her puffed cheeks and furrowed brow. It's beyond cute, and it's sad to see it replaced by a more schooled, exasperated expression.

"I swear Lila was waiting for me at the door. Now I feel silly for asking you to escort me." she leans away in embarrassment.

He pulls her back, laughing when they collide clumsily, "I don't mind."

She blushes when she catches his flirtatious eye, "Kitty..." she murmurs with a chuckle.

He opens the locker room door and ushers her inside, keeping his hand on her waist as she walks to her locker. She avoids eye contact with Lila, tucking her books in her locker and closing it securely, lest the girl get any ideas. "Okay, we're going to your place right?" she turns to him with a relieved smile.

He smiles and nods, "Indeed, M'lady." he glances over her shoulder briefly, grabbing her hand and kissing the back of it slowly, as if to prove a point.

She looks over her shoulder, never-minding how lovely his lips always feel on her skin. She gapes when she catches sight of Lila stalking off, having heard her locker slam shut barely a second before. "Did you just do that on purpose?" she asks incredulously as she turns to face him again.

He grins and shrugs, "Maybe."

She tugs her hand away and shakes her head, "You're incorrigible."

"But you like it, right?" he sidles up beside her, and she has to refrain from pulling him into a frustrated kiss, cause heaven knows who might see.

She crosses her arms and tosses her hair, "As a matter of fact..." she pauses and reaches up to touch her hair, "...I didn't put my hair up." she says, as if just realizing, "And I didn't brush it either." she groans.

He chuckles and runs his fingers through it, "I like seeing your bedhead." he grins again when she shoots him a sharp glare.

"But the whole school didn't need to see it." she pouts, leaning into his touch.

"Yo, dude, Alya is gonna flip."

Marinette gives a shriek and waves her hands as if performing karate as she spins to face Nino. Adrien reacts similarly, but he ends up tugging her hair because his fingers were still threaded through it. "Ahh!" she hisses, reaching up again to help him extricate his hand from her head.

"Sorry!" Adrien exclaims, patting her head soothingly afterwards. "Flip about what, Nino?" he turns to his friend with an innocent smile.

"You two are a couple now, yeah?" Nino smiles.

Marinette proceeds to blab a chorus of unintelligible words, turning red as a tomato. And Adrien has to suppress his smile at her reaction, "What makes you say that?"

Nino scoffs and shakes his head, "Come on, you've been eyeing her for the past month." he points to Marinette, turning to whisper loud enough for Adrien to hear, "And let me tell you, not in the innocent way, I swear he was practically making out with his eyes."

Marinette plants her hands on her hips and turns to Adrien, biting her lip and failing to hold back a smile.

"Nino..." Adrien groans, waving a finger at her teasing face, "I'll deal with you later." he winks, and she drops her smile for a startled blush. He turns to Nino with a sigh, "I guess the cat's out of the bag."

"Don't even..." Marinette mutters under her breath, and Adrien flashes a smirk at her over his shoulder.

"Have you guys told Alya yet? She's been going on about 'Marinette's mystery boy' forever." Nino makes air quotes and pulls out his phone.

Adrien grabs his hands and makes various noises of protest, "Ahh, can you let us tell her, please?"

Nino shrugs, "Okay bro. But I suggest you do it soon, Alya has a way of squeezing secrets out of me."

"We'll try for tomorrow." Marinette assures, glancing anxiously at Adrien.

Nino nods, pursing his lips, "Granted, if I've figured it out, she's either already done it or not far behind." he turns to Adrien and lifts his hand for a fist bump, "You got anything to do tonight?"

Adrien pounds it and glances at Marinette with the unspoken innuendo in his eyes, and she rolls her own, shoving him with a scoff. "Yeah, I do actually." he turns back to Nino.

Said boy smirks and nods slowly, "Ah, I see. Good luck, bro." he starts moving backwards, chuckling as he turns to leave.

"Wha-no, Nino, he didn't mean it like that!" Marinette calls, but Nino just shoots her a knowing smile over his shoulder as he closes the door behind him, "Adrien!" she smacks his arm, crossing her own with an embarrassed huff, "I'm just coming over to see this book of yours." she mutters, though in actuality she doesn't believe what she's saying in the slightest.

Adrien shrugs, "I couldn't help it." he follows her when she starts walking towards the exit. "Mari...come on!" he jogs to keep up with her.

"So are we gonna walk? Or is your driver going to take us?" she suddenly spins around to ask, nearly making him run into her.

"Err, yeah...I mean, the driver." he runs his hand through his hair with a nervous chuckle.

She nods and links her arm in his, smiling just barely, "You know, I didn't get much of a chance to study your room last time I was there."

"You didn't?" he cocks his head quizzically.

"Well, I did, but I didn't...there was an akuma and all." she shrugs.

He nods, tugging her forward when he sees his driver pull up. "Looks like it's time to go. You asked your parents, right?"

She nods, flushing a bright red, "I texted my mom over lunch." she takes his offered hand and slips into the car, thankfully familiar with it since the incident with her uncle.

"That's good." he says as he slips in beside her, shutting the door and motioning for his driver to go. "Just head home." he instructs with a kind smile. The Gorilla just nods with a gruff noise in response.

Marinette chuckles, the man is a pretty intimidating person, but he's also a little funny. She thinks Adrien's dubbing of him: 'the Gorilla' is very appropriate, due to the man's attitude.

"Hey, I just realized-" he begins, turning dramatically to her, "-Nino knows!"

She blinks, considering the reality of that statement, "I really don't feel all that bothered about it." she holds her hands up in a shrug.

He leans back against the seat and slides his arm around her shoulders, "Me neither. Maybe it's cause he only knows-" he cuts himself off with a fake cough, glancing at his driver. The man never talks, but he doesn't want to risk it. "-y'know." he finishes in a murmur.

She shifts closer to him and nods, "Yeah, that's probably it."

The car stops, and they both start when they realize just how quickly they got here. "Thank you." Adrien calls to the Gorilla as he helps Marinette out of the car.

She gently extricates her hand from his and hugs herself shyly, "Is your dad home?" she asks as she looks up at the magnificent mansion.

"I don't know." he says as he leads her up the stone stairs, "I honestly have never known his schedule." he presses a button, "Nathalie, unlock the door please." he instructs.

The doors click and he gestures for her to follow him through. "This way." he ushers her up the staircase and to his room, as quickly as possible. He doesn't want his father to see him with a girl, let alone taking her to his room. He closes the door behind him and smiles at her, "Now I gotta find that book, just a second."

•

•

A.N.

OoOOoooh, the sin is coming, can you feel it? C: