Marinette rolled over in her bed. She could hear someone knocking, was she dreaming? She started to hear someone talking just outside her room, it was kind of annoying. What were they saying? It was getting clearer, and she was starting to feel like this might not be a dream.

Marinette opened her eyes suddenly to see someone looking directly at her as they stood on the ladder of her loft. She jumped in surprise and quickly sat up to back away, but stumbled on the blanket and fell back onto her pillow.

"Mari it's okay! It's just me!"

Marinette shut her eyes tightly, then slowly reopened them, realizing her migraine was still present and the light in her room was on. She saw Adrien's fluffy blonde hair and bright green eyes greet her with an awkward smile following his apology for scaring her. "Adrien?" She asked confused, "What are you doing here?"

Adrien leaned over her bed, half his body still on the ladder. "I wanted to make sure you were okay." He explained in a hushed voice. "I brought you some juice too." He pulled a bottle from the plastic bag hanging from his arm. "I hope you like apple."

"Thanks, but can you turn the light off please?" Marinette asked, her hand blocking the light from her eyes.

Adrien zipped down the ladder. "Of course!" He flipped the switch by her bed and the room went dark except for the light from the city coming through her window. "Mind if I turn the lamp on?" Adrien waited for her okay before he turned the lamp on under her bed, giving the room a warm glow.

Marinette got down from her bed and the pair sat side-by-side on her chaise lounge.

"Were you able to do what you needed to today?" Adrien asked her, continuing to speak in a low voice so not to irritate her migraine.

Marinette nodded. It was simply by luck that she was able to finish her mission today and wasn't stuck in limbo for eternity. It was all thanks to Bunnix that she didn't spend a figurative night in the burrow.

"Are you sure?"

Marinette could tell he was worried, but she couldn't tell him what she was doing and the truth as to why she'd gotten this migraine.

"Do you need help? Maybe I can help you next time."

Marinette smiled, but shook her head. "Thanks Adrien, but I need to do this myself."

Adrien sighed. He wanted to help, why did she keep this from him? Was she keeping other secrets from him too? He ignored the thought. She was a good person and a great girlfriend, she wouldn't keep any secrets from him. It was probably just something else for Alya's birthday. He checked the time on his phone.

"I should get going, my bodyguard is waiting for me. I don't want Nathalie to tell my father I'm late." Adrien gave her a quick hug, then left as suddenly as he had arrived.

Tikki came out from her hiding place and sat on Marinette's knee after turning off the lamp. "I think you should tell him soon."

Marinette bit her lip, she could feel his hesitations and she noticed his faith in her was being questioned, but she could still see that he trusted her. She felt bad, but it was for the best. Everything would be over soon anyway.

"It's okay Tikki, there's only two days until Alya's birthday and the party, then a week until I confront Hawk Moth."

Marinette was determined to carry out her plan, even if it meant having to lie to Adrien and keep this whole thing a secret as both Ladybug and Marinette.

"I brought the ca– Woah!" Marinette tripped over herself struggled to keep her balance and the cake she was holding safe. Adrien stepped in at the perfect time, steadying her and protecting the cake.

"You okay Mari?" He asked as he took the cake to put on the table Rose and Juleka had decorated.

"Yeah, thanks Adrien."

"I can't believe you two are dating, it's about time Marinette!" Alix exclaimed while she finished stringing streamers from the trees.

Marinette ignored her blushing face and started helping Mylène blow up the remaining balloons.

Adrien laughed at Alix's comment and joined Nino who was preparing his equipment at the DJ table.

"So how are things going dude? You guys finally told everyone."

Adrien smiled shyly. "Yeah…" He trailed off, his mind going back to their interaction two days ago. "I feel like she's keeping something from me though."

Nino raised an eyebrow. Marinette keeping a secret from Adrien? She didn't seem like the type to do that. "Are you sure dude? I'm not so certain Marinette's capable of that." Nino told him with a laugh.

Adrien looked over at Marinette who was struggling to tie the balloon she'd blown up. Could such a sweet, trusting girl like her do something like this? His heart was screaming no, but his brain was telling him otherwise. Once again, he ignored the thought and helped the others prepare.

There were only a few hours until Alya would arrive here and the party would start. Though Alya knew that the party was happening, she didn't know where or when. To make up for her mistake, Marinette had been taking Alya on random crazy adventures for the last few days so she'd be less likely to know when the party was. Today's excuse was a Chat Noir and Ladybug sighting, featuring a selfie of herself as Ladybug for evidence.


New parts are likely going to be weekly again until school's done or the fic ends, whichever comes first. Life threw me one hell of a curve ball and it's exam time so I'm a little more busy.