The Team Verse - Side Story: URK!

xXx

Her new yoyo had turned out nicely. Sure, it was different and she'd had to get used to it, but it had worked. She learned rather quickly that she needed to use spells on her home-made suit to reinforce her legs and arms (especially in the joint areas) so she didn't strain them or risk damaging her legs when she landed, but it had worked.

So she'd asked Jake for some more help, this time with a baton that extended or contracted as needed. It would also need to be unbreakable but bendable. Apparently, there were several similar weapons out there and the preparation and spells for it wouldn't be nearly as difficult as her own weapon. So she also began working on a suit. Because if she could, then Chat Noir should be able to as well. Oh, she appreciated and cared for her new teammates, but none of them were her kitty – a kitty she missed a lot more than she was willing to admit aloud.

She'd almost finished with the magic reinforcements when the Fright Knight happened. The next day, she found herself on a plane to Paris, where they would spend a couple of hours before getting back to the airport and catching a return flight to America. And most likely, Marinette wouldn't be spending time with her parents at all. Actually, so as to make people think that Marinette wasn't Ladybug, she was planning on being very publicly there while Marinette wasn't. That, and she wanted to give the new suit to Chat.

It took help from Tikki to get the magic finished in time, and they had to do it on the (thankfully private) plane as they flew over the Atlantic Ocean, but she was very happy that she had both the staff and the suit finished by the time they landed in Paris. She had her oversized hoodie on to hide her identity from Agent Kim, mainly due to Tikki's insistence.

Once they got outside of the Airport, they caught a cab to downtown where Marinette got out, double checked her plans to meet up with Agent Kim soon, and then ducked into a public restroom with windows. Then she transformed and just had to wait for the restroom to empty before she slipped out of said window.

As she sped across the rooftops, the bag holding Chat's gift strapped to her back, she couldn't help but grin. There was just something about Paris that really set it apart from the rest of the world. The fact that it was the City of Lights probably had something to do with that, but she figured it was more that she was home, and the familiarity of it all...

She missed this.

And she couldn't wait to see Chat.

xXx

Tikki didn't want her to spill her identity still. Marinette didn't see a reason not to anymore, and honestly, she was ready. So she thanked Tikki for her advice but told her, rather firmly, that she was going to at least tell him her first name, because he deserved it. She felt kind of bad that he wasn't the first person she'd told her first name to, actually.

She was waiting on top of the Eiffel Tower when she spotted him darting across the rooftops. A grin came across her face. It hadn't taken very long for it all to get back to him, apparently. She hadn't contacted him, first knowing that Chat would most likely not be transformed and second, she'd wanted it to be a surprise.

"My Lady!" Chat said happily as he landed and rushed over to her. He paused before throwing his arms around her and backed away awkwardly. "It's... it's good to see you."

She rolled her eyes good naturedly. "Oh, shut up and give me a hug, you silly cat," she said, taking the step between them and wrapping him in a warm embrace.

"My Lady," he responded as he hugged her back. When she stepped away he went right back to being awkward though.

"Are... are you back permanently?"

She sighed. "No. I'm just here for a short break. I'll actually be leaving today."

"Oh," he said, his ears sagging.

"But," she grinned, "I do have a present for you."

She slung the bag off of her shoulder as he watched her with mild surprise and no small amount of curiosity.

"So, while I was away, I met people who actually deal with magic, and they were able to help me make a suit and a yoyo similar to my own that I can wear outside the transformation."

His mouth dropped open. "Seriously?"

She nodded and grinned before holding out the suit of black psudo-leather. "This is yours. It's not real leather so it's not as good at it could be, but it should allow you to land and support yourself while you're using your new baton out of costume. I made it so it's a shirt and pants, so you can wear either one under your clothes on a cool day, or you can change into it in a hurry. "

He looked up from the pile of clothes in his hands. "New baton?"

Somehow, her grin widened as she held out a metal cylinder. "It doesn't have internet access or phone capabilities or even a map, but with some practice, it should expand as long as you need it. It doesn't break in two either, but it should be nearly indestructible. For use when you're not transformed."

Slowly, carefully, as if he couldn't believe this was happening, he reached out and took the baton too.

"And this is a pretty generic mask, but it's the best I could do on short notice. You may want to get a better one that actually fits your face instead of this cheap, elastic number."

He just stared at the items resting in his arms now, feeling in awe.

"Y-you did this for me?"

"Of course, kitty!" she responded, mildly worried, but mostly amused.

His hug was sudden and warm this time as he threw his arms around her, even with the baton in one hand and a suit in the other.

"I missed you."

She chuckled. "I'm sure it can't be because of the gift, Kitty. This is the first time I've given you anything like this."

"True," he said, refusing to let go. "But you don't have to do things like this, and you still do. You're so generous and giving and wonderful and inspiring—"

Normally when he gave her compliments like that, she just pushed him away with a 'silly kitty', but she must have sensed how sincere he was because she just whispered one word.

"Chat..."

He realized what he was doing and backed away sheepishly. "Heh, sorry about that. Like I said, I missed you."

She just smiled softly at him. "I missed you too, Chaton."

Then, to his surprise, she turned and sat on the edge of the platform, looking out over Paris with a smile. He glanced at the gifts in his hands before setting them aside carefully. Then he joined her.

"So, how long are you back for?"

She sighed. "Only a few hours. My team leader... well, we had a rough fight and she came to see her husband."

"He lives here?"

"Temporarily."

Chat blinked. "Oh, you mean Ron?"

Ladybug seemed surprised. "So you know him?"

"Yeah, he's filling in for you. Not well, mind you. No one could ever take your place, My Lady."

She rolled her eyes, but that didn't stop the grin that spread across her lips. "Oh, please, kitty."

His own grin just widened. "So, I guess you're going to visit your family for a bit before you head out."

Her smile dimmed. "Something like that."

He frowned. "My Lady, what's wrong?

She didn't answer for several seconds, but when she finally did she spoke softer than he'd been expecting. "Chat, I'm... I'm ready to tell you my name."

He felt as if the entire Eiffel Tower had suddenly vanished, leaving him to free fall. "What?!"

"Just my first name," she assured quickly, "but it's something I've been doing with my new team, and it's not fair that I do that for them and not you. You're my first partner, and I trust you more than I trust anyone. So if I can tell them my name, I can tell you too."

Chat wasn't quite sure what to think about that. He was elated that his Lady was finally sharing something so personal with him, but he felt a stab of disappointment that he wasn't the first person she told. He didn't say anything for several seconds but eventually he forced himself to a point where he would be able to speak.

"Very well, I would love to hear your name," he said, trying and failing to keep the emotion out of his voice as he continued staring out at Paris.

She turned and frowned at him for a few moments before sighing. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you first, Chat. I... Well, your opinion means more to me than theirs, so it was a harder decision. I didn't want our relationship to change... but I've come to see now how cowardly that is."

Part of him agreed, but part of him didn't want his Lady to feel badly either.

"You could never be a coward, My Lady."

She sighed and shook her head. "You set me on too high of a pedestal, Chat. I'm just an average girl outside the mask."

He couldn't help but scoff at that one. "I highly doubt that."

Silence fell between them for several seconds and he wondered if he'd come on too strong... again.

Then she shook her head. "I really am, Chat. Just an ordinary girl named Marinette."

Chat froze with an 'urk'.

"M-marinette?"

"Y-yeah," she stuttered a little. That only added weight to his most recent realization.

"I... know a girl named Marinette."

Ladybug froze.

"She wears her hair in pigtails, and she's very brave, and she's currently gone away to study..." He turned to stare at her, green eyes wide. "Marinette Dupain-Chang?"

"How did you know that?" she asked heatedly, cheeks a flame... and in that instant he knew. Oh. How could he not have seen that?! How?!

"Those glamors on the Miraculous are stronger than I thought," he muttered.

"Chat..." she warned, looking half-way between panicking and ready to murder him.

"I know because my name is Adrien."

Silence again. He didn't dare look at her, couldn't bare to see the rejection in her eyes.

Then she 'urked' herself.

And there's the realization, Adrien thought nervously.

"A-A-Adrien A-A-Agreste?"

And there was the stutter.

"The one and only," he said with a forced smile. "I hope you're not too disappointed."

He finally glanced at her to see her staring at him in horror. His heart began to sink but then she spoke quickly.

"What? No, no! How could you think that?! I mean I... I just... You're... You're Chat... and Adrien! This... I... This is going to take s-s-some getting used to."

"But you're not... you know, upset?" he asked.

The blush was still there, but she shook her head vigorously. It was just so... Marinette.

"W-why w-would I be up-upset?"

Chat couldn't help his ears droop a little bit. He and Marinette had gotten to where they could converse just fine, although it had taken a while. Seeing the stuttering return didn't exactly fill him with hope.

"Well, you know, it's me. Spoiled rich boy who also happens to be the son of Hawk Moth."

Silence. He didn't dare look over at her. He wasn't sure what he'd find, but he was pretty sure it wouldn't be good. How could it be? He was the son of the man who had terrorized Paris.

"Oh, Chat," her soft voice whispered as he felt her arms come around him and her forehead on his shoulder. "I could never be disappointed because of something like that. You had no control over his actions or choices."

"We lived in the same house. I didn't... I couldn't see it."

She shook her head on his shoulder. "Oh, no, Kitty. The Miraculous have glamors on them. You know that."

Chat snorted. "Ron Stoppable can see through them."

Ladybug looked up at him, surprised. "You met him too?"

Adrien blinked his own surprise at her. "He works at your parent's bakery. He saw through me almost the moment he laid eyes on me."

She snickered. "Me too."

Chat's smile faltered. "So why couldn't I see past that?"

Again, Ladybug shook her head. "You aren't Ron Stoppable."

Adrien snorted. "Obviously. I have my pants on."

Marinette looked confused. "Huh?"

"Nothing," Chat shook his head and waved a hand dismissively. "But in regards to Hawk Moth... I still feel like I should have seen it. He'd been acting so differently but I couldn't work up the backbone to confront him about it."

She regarded him for several seconds, eyes troubled. That didn't stop him from realizing just how close they were right now or the blush that slowly crept up his neck and face.

"Adrien, before we faced off with Hawk Moth, what happened when you and your father discussed anything? How did you act?"

He winced and looked away.

"I'd usually just give in to keep the peace."

"Exactly. You like peace, you want peace, you work for peace, you sacrifice for peace... you always have. It's one of the many traits I love about you, Kitty."

And the blush was back. "L-love?!"

He could have sworn Ladybug's cheeks darkened a little, but she went on, just as determined as ever.

"Your desire for peace isn't a bad thing, Chat."

Adrien felt himself deflate a little. "It is when you let a Super Hero continue to terrorize Paris because you happen to be oblivious and don't like confrontations."

A sigh from Ladybug and she shook her head again, sadly. "Please don't blame yourself for this, Kitty. I certainly don't blame you. If anything, I'm so sorry we had to fight your father. I'm sorry he chose what he did."

He turned his head to stare at her again, their noses almost touching. "Has anyone ever told you you're amazing?"

She blushed. "A-a couple of people," she said as she sat up quickly. He felt cold without her there. But if he said what had just come to mind, he doubted she'd come back... and yet, he had to... he just had to.

"Simply meow-velous."

She groaned. "Don't tell me you're suddenly going to start spouting cat puns at me even as Adrien."

"Aw, Bugaboo, you know you love them." He leaned his head on her shoulder.

She shot him a dry look, put a finger on his nose and pushed him away. "You wish, Chaton."

There was the spit-fire he loved so much. Although, now that he thought about it, her civilian self being Marinette just made her about a hundred times cuter. And a hundred times more confusing... and about a billion times more attractive...

He decided to cut that thought off right there.

They sat there in comfortable quiet for a while, watching their city contentedly.

"Hey, Chat... if I knew someone who you could talk to about all of this, with your father... would you?"

The world suddenly seemed colder and darker.

"Talk to?" he asked, hating how defensive he sounded.

"If not, that's okay," she said hurriedly, "I just... thought it could help, is all."

He felt the proverbial walls he erected so quickly melting a bit. Of course his Lady was just looking out for him.

"I... don't know," he finally said softly.

"It's just, I know this couldn't have been easy on you, and I want you to be happy, Chat... Adrien."

They stared at each other for several seconds before he grinned. "Then would you go out with me?"

She jumped, startled and that was definitely a blush on her cheeks. "W-what?"

"Well, if you want this cat to be happy, then give him one date."

Her mouth opened and closed for a few seconds before she cleared her throat. "If you promise me you'll think about talking to someone about your situation... then yes."

His mouth dropped open. She said yes. She said yes! Oh...Oh wow...

"I will, I promise!" he said happily, leaning forward and hugging her. She squeaked and stiffened, and he backed off.

"Sorry, I... I won't do that again, I promise. I just... I... um..."

"N-n-no, it... it's okay," she stuttered back. "I.. S-surprised me you... um... You just surprised me. All that. That's all."

Suddenly her stuttering didn't seem quite so disheartening. He'd always thought Marinette was adorable, but seeing Ladybug do that was heart-stopping.

"I like that I can make you look like that," he said softly, leaning in a bit.

She squeaked but didn't lean away.

"S-so wh-when I come b-back time next... next time! We c-c-can g-g-go o-on a d-d-d..." she couldn't seem to finish the sentence and her cheeks almost matched her mask.

"Date?" he asked.

Another squeak, but she nodded.

"Anyway, enjoy the suit, Igottagobye!" she said suddenly, standing up and leaping off of the tower. "See you later, Chat!"

"Forever and always, My Lady!" he called after her.

He swore he heard her squeak again and couldn't help but laugh. For the first time in a long time, as he gathered his things and started to head back towards his large, empty, cold home, his smile never dimmed.

xXx