"Do the shoes fit okay?" Lila asked Felix, a cheerful smile plastered on her face. For the past two hours Felix had been unsatisfied with one thing or another. Eventually Marinette had gotten a text from her boyfriend and had left, leaving Lila and Felix alone.

Felix snorted, leaning back in his chair. "You can drop the act princess," he said, "that Marinette chick is gone now."

Lila dropped her tensed cheerfulness, expression turning blank. "The pretense wasn't for her," Lila said, plopping in a free chair across from Felix, "but if you're going to call me out so blatantly I might as well drop the act."

Felix smirked, kicking the shoes off. "The shoes fit fine," He said, "but that's not the issue here."

Lila rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Stop beating about the bush Felix. I've seen you poking around Mr. Agreste's house. What do you want?"

He narrowed his eyes, frowning. "Dirt on my uncle. Something tells me you have it."

Lila gave a tittering laugh, sitting forward and crossing her legs. "Even if I did have something on him, why would I tell you? Seems like a dumb idea to give up a potential card in my hand, not that I have one."

"True," Felix said, "but I have a feeling our interests are crossed. It might make things easier if we work together."

"You're a worse liar than me," Lila said getting up, "you have nothing to offer so I think we're done here."

Felix smiled menacingly as she started out the door. "If the shoe fits."

She rolled her eyes, keeping the door open just long enough to say, "You're as unfunny as that loser Chat Noir."

"Hey, hey, I'm here!" Marinette said running up to Luka, breathless, "sorry I'm a bit late."

"You're getting better," Luka chuckled, taking her hand, "only five minutes late this time."

"I wanted to make an effort," she panted, "I know I've been a little standoffish lately."

Luka bent down, giving her a quick peck on the lips. "Thank you."

She gave a small smile, blushing. They linked fingers, enjoying each other's warmth, and started walking down the avenue.

"So what's on the agenda?" Marinette asked, leaning into him.

Luka stiffened for a moment, blushing lightly, before relaxing into her touch.

"I wanted to thank you for making our costumes for the party," Luka said, pulling out two tickets, "so I bought a couple tickets to go see The Magic Flute. I figured you should see the inspiration for our costumes live."

"There aren't any mosh pits at the opera are there," Marinette joked, nudging him playfully, "I mean, considering the last concert you took me to…"

"Hey," Luka laughed, "it was a great line up! Totally worth it."

Marinette bounced on her tip-toes, pecking him lightly on the cheek. "I'm glad we agree on something." She sighed, "I feel like we've both been on edge for the past couple months. This is nice."

"Mmhm," Luka nodded, "It's a much need breath of fresh air I think. With everything that's going on with you lately-"

Marinette stopped walking. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing," Luka said quickly, not wanting to get in another argument, "you've just been so stressed and all, it's nice to see you relax for once. To have you spend some time with me again."

"You know I'm not spending time away from you on purpose." She raised an eyebrow.

"I know, okay," he took a breath, "I know. And I'm happy you're fulfilling your dream. I just, I wish you would lean on me a bit more." He looked her in the eye. "I love you Marinette, but I feel like you're not letting me express that."

She blushed and they started walking again. "I love you too Luka," she said softly, "but there are some things I just can't share with you. For your own sake."

He pressed his lips together but didn't say anything, a strange void stretching between the two though they were physically touching.

After a minuet Marinette spoke again. "I thought about what you said," he looked at her from the corner of his eye, listening as she spoke, "you know, yesterday. About Chloe."

"Yah?"

"I think you're right. I should give her a second chance. It's just, even now she's so, grr, frustrating!"

Luka chuckled. "Oh, come on, she's not that bad. You'll be able to get along with her just fine."

"Why are you so nice about her anyway?" Marinette asked, squeezing his hand a little.

Luka shrugged. "I think she just deserves a little more credit than you all give her. She's actually a pretty decent person once you get passed her pompous act."

Marinette raised her eyebrows. "Pompous act?"

"Okay, maybe not act per-se," Luka said, "but you know, at first glance her words sound harsh but if you actually listen to what she's saying you realize that she's actually being nice."

"You seem to have listened to her pretty closely…"

Luka shrugged. "I think everyone else just doesn't hear her in the first place."

They walked up to the Palais Garnier Opera House and Marinette paled. Luka noticed and led her to lean against one of the grand marble pillars for a moment so they could catch their breath.

"Now I see why you told me to dress up," Marinette said, looking down at her black polka dotted dress peeking out from under her jacket, "I kind of still feel underdressed."

Luka smiled, planting another light kiss on her lips. "You look perfect."

Marinette flashed him a nervous smile, unable to fully concentrate with golden angels on the roof staring back down at them. They got ready to head in, the streets dimming, when Marinette's phone buzzed.

"Wait a second," she said, stopping just before the doors.

Luka pulled her to the side so other opera attendees could go in and out unencumbered.

It was a news alert, a new villain was attacking the city. Marinette bit her lip. Could Chat do it on his own? Would he understand? The trouble was on the other side of the city, no one was troubled by anything where she and Luka stood. A fire broke out on the screen. Marinette stiffened, narrowing her eyes. Something was wrong with this villain, Hawkmoth had never made one quite like it before. It was attached to senti-monster as well, breathing fire aimlessly around it. There was no announcement for what the villain wanted either.

Luka watched Marinette's expression, heart falling as a shadow passed over her face. She was going to leave him again. Suddenly he felt sick to his stomach, he couldn't keep this up. An unfamiliar wave of longing washed over him and he started to shake with the effort not to look over his girlfriends shoulder and see what was on her phone that was controlling her so. His chest became tight and his breath short.

"Luka," Marinette started, looking up from her phone. His expression stopped her.

His eyes were glossy and rimmed red, his face paler than normal. His eyebrows were drawn as he helplessly grasped at what he could possibly do to stop feeling the way he did. He pressed his lips together tightly, hands balled into fists.

The words caught in Marinette's throat. She swallowed and said them anyway. "Luka, I have to go."

"Now? It can't wait?"

She blinked, brows drawn. He had never tried to stop her before. "I'm sorry, it, it's urgent."

"Then could you tell me what it is?"

"I-I can't."

"Please," Luka begged, loosening his hands so they fell to his side, palms open, "I need to know Marinette, I can't keep on going on like this."

"I just, I need a little more time."

"How much more time do I need to give you!" Luka shouted. Immediately he blushed, lowering his voice as people turned to look at them. "We've been together for six years Marinette. Six years. If you don't trust me at this point then I don't know what I've done wrong."

"I do trust you Luka," Marinette pleaded, "I do. I just- I can't tell you. Look, I'll make it fast. I'll be right back."

Luka stepped back, a shadow crossing his face. "Go do what you need to do," he said, voice hoarse, "I'll meet you here when everything's done."

"I'll be back before then," Marinette promised, rushing away.