An evening of trying to figure out how needles and threads, seams and stitches, the whole sewing thing worked was exactly what Adrien needed—a distraction in the face of the horrible job he'd done of helping Marinette. It helped him to forget his current reality, if only for a few hours. The praise he'd gotten from Marinette for his attempts, however undeserved he thought it to be, felt like a blanket of love and happiness, swaddling him away from all his troubles.

Marinette was the highlight of the evening. She was everything he could ever wish for at that moment and more. Her attempts to comfort him without any context, her heartfelt laughter at his jokes, her kindness… it all nagged at the bud of their hibernating friendship, making Adrien want to help her even more, to get her out of the pit she'd been thrust into and apologize along the way for everything he'd done.

He didn't really want to leave, but he had to. One fleeting remark Marinette had made, however, had stuck in his head all the way home and refused to leave even as he was climbing into the window of his apartment.

Sometimes I wish I could be Hawkmoth. I'd akumatize myself an army of seamstresses and would be done with this line in no time.

Chat Noir had changed the subject as fast as he could despite realizing full well that it was a joke, something Marinette would most likely forget the next moment. Yet for him, that prospect was a real possibility, and his mind grabbed onto the idea, not only refusing to let go but deliberating on the details all the way home. He found Nooroo as soon as he'd gotten to his bedroom.

"Can you make an akuma that can sew?"

The kwami, awoken from his sleep, blinked in confusion. "Sew?"

"Yes. I need an akuma that can make clothes, to be exact. And be really good at it. Can you make something like that?" Adrien asked.

Nooroo nodded. "Yes. My wielder can make any akuma with any abilities they wish."

Adrien sat down on his bed, his mind running in overdrive. It was a crazy idea. He knew that, but he also realized by now that finding a qualified, skilled professional for Marinette on such short notice and in their particular situation with Gabriel steadily going under required no less than a miracle. And, if he couldn't find her an assistant quick, would it be so bad if he made her one? He'd continue looking for a real person of course, but until the right one came along, would it be so horrible if he akumatized someone to help Marinette?

Eager to follow your father's footsteps?

The thought alone made him cringe and, pushing it aside, Adrien stood up to get ready for bed. He was not his father, and he would never akumatize people against their will to meet his own agenda.

But if it's for a good cause?

Adrien stalled, then shook his head and proceeded with getting ready for bed. However he looked at it, the things his father had done were wrong. Even thinking about it these last few days after finding out the whole situation, Adrien couldn't find in himself to excuse the man. Yes, Gabriel's goal was somewhat good: saving his wife. Healing his loved one. What was so bad about that? Nothing. His seemingly noble goal, however, didn't justify his actions. The temptation of an easy fix had blinded Gabriel, slowly ripping him away from reality, stripping him of compassion and reason and little by little, turning him into a monster. Should Adrien repeat his father's mistake and succumb to the same temptation of an easy fix, disregarding how that may affect others?

Never.

He finished brushing his teeth and put his toothbrush away, catching his own reflection in a mirror.

What about you?

Adrien tilted his head to the side, his eyebrows knitted into a frown. What about him, indeed. Self-akumatazation was possible. He didn't have to manipulate someone else. He could give those skills to himself and help Marinette on his own. Akumatazation would change his appearance so she wouldn't know it was him.

Appearance?

Adrien puffed. Who was he kidding? The moment anyone saw him, they'd know he was an akuma since all akumas looked… No. Not all of them. There were somewhat normal-ish looking akumas like Copy Cat or that time Lila was Chameleon. She took on completely normal appearances even if stolen. Luka's mom didn't look too crazy as well.

"Nooroo?" he called, going back to his bedroom. "Do akumas always have to look so ridiculous? Can't they look like a normal person?"

"It depends," the kwami responded. "Usually there is always something unnatural about akumas because human biology and magic mixed together can't produce what you consider 'normal'. However, if someone is a shape-shifter then they can take on as normal of an appearance as they'd like."

Adrien smirked. Shape-shifting akuma it was then. "Okay. Now, tell me more about how this whole self-akumatization thing works."

"What are you getting at, Adrien?" Plagg grumbled from his bed. "Go to sleep. You get crazy ideas when you're tired."

Adrien ignored him. "Nooroo?"

"Yes, Master," Nooroo replied, flying closer. "It basically works the same way as akumatizing someone: you pinpoint an object, send an akuma, and give yourself powers. Only with self-akumatazation, there is no one but you in control."

"And what about de-akumatazation?"

"You can retract the butterfly at will."

"So, kind of like taking down the transformation?"

"Yes, in a way. Only it is done in stages. First, you recall akuma by will alone, no catchphrase needed. Then, you release the butterfly transformation. However, you should be aware—"

"Adrien, what's this all about?" Plagg flew closer.

"I think I found the perfect way to help Marinette."

"And what do Nooroo and self-akumatazation have to do with it?"

"I'll akumatize myself into a clothes-making extraordinaire and will help her to finish her line."

Plagg stared at him in shock for a full half-minute before yelping. "You can't do that!"

"Why not?"

"You've got responsibilities, for one! You're a physics teacher and you're trying to run that fashion-disaster company. Who's going to do that if you're parading around as an akuma?"

Adrien hesitated. Plagg had a point. He completely forgot about his school job. But there was only a week or so left until school was out for summer. They didn't even do much in class these days, so he could easily find a replacement for himself. Or he could claim his saved-up sick days and let the school find someone to substitute for him. He'd have to call a few people tomorrow and see what his options were. As for Gabriel, he'd still like to be involved. Helping Marinette and the rest of Gabriel's employees couldn't be done if he were to skip his work at the main office.

"I can find a substitute for my class," Adrien voiced his thoughts. "That'll free me up to split my day between the main office and Marinette's studio."

"You can't be serious." Plagg stared at him in shock. "Adrien, self-akumatization isn't as straight-forward and easy as it sounds. Why do you think butterfly miraculous wielders always go through the trouble of finding someone else to akumatize instead of giving the powers to themselves? There is a reason, and it's a good one. Nooroo, tell him."

"The main reason we avoid self-akumatization is a complete lack of rationality and self-control," Nooroo explained. "As an akuma, you'll become obsessed with a broader idea of your goal. For example, akuma searching for justice for a specific person usually starts to judge everyone around them, even completely innocent people. From what I can feel in your heart, Master Adrien, you most likely will be obsessed not just with sewing, but helping Marinette in general."

"I fail to see the problem." Adrien frowned. "Helping Marinette is exactly what I'm aiming for."

Nooroo nervously replied. "You might go a little overboard with that."

"That's fine," Adrien shrugged. "What could be bad in being overly helpful?"

"You don't get it, do you?" Plagg grumbled from his spot. "Akumas have no restraint or social conduct notions despite their good or bad intentions. In other words, you'll see no boundaries in what you can and cannot do. That's why there are always two people involved: an akumatized one and the one who akumatizes. One needs the other to keep them in line because they're incapable of being rational as akumas. You'll be alone in this so no one would be able to stop you if you go overboard."

Adrien sighed. "Humour me but I just don't understand why me being helpful, even if overly, is such an issue."

"Geez, kid," Plagg groaned. "You're too extra as your regular self. I'm afraid to even imagine what you'll do as an akuma. You'll cause millions of problems."

Adrien quirked an eyebrow. "Like?"

"I don't know, but you'll surely cause plenty," Plagg grumbled. "Nooroo, tell him."

"Well, for one," Nooroo responded. "You may disregard everything else in your life and keep helping Marinette 24/7. You might not want to leave her side. You might try helping her in everything she does, not just her work. And I mean everything. Everywhere she goes."

"See, kid?" Plagg scoffed. "Without anyone to control or cleanse you, it may easily turn into a disaster. So, stop being delusional and go to bed."

Adrien paused. As unlikely as it seemed to him, maybe the kwamis had a point. He didn't think of that but looking back at all the akumas they'd fought, the "no restraint" and "obsessive goal-reaching" points made sense. Mix in the complication of him being both the akumatized and akumatizing parties… Adrien had to admit the kwamis had a right to be concerned. He wouldn't want to follow Marinette everywhere and help her with everything. She'd get a restraining order against him that same day, and what would that accomplish? He'd rather not imagine it, meaning Adrien needed someone to control him if he were to go through with this. But how could he find someone for that role without giving away the butterfly miraculous? Because giving Nooroo to anyone except Ladybug was out of the question. Giving him to her before Adrien had a chance to execute his plan was also something he couldn't do. Ladybug would never allow him to use a miraculous for personal interests.

"Give up on this insanity while you can," Plagg grumbled, settling back into his bed. "Go to bed instead. Sleep the crazies off."

"So, I just have to find a way to control myself?" Adrien murmured.

"No, you don't!" Plagg sprung up from his spot. "Nothing needs to be found except that cursed assistant. You have plenty of applications. Why can't you just choose one and be done with it?"

"Because none of those who are still willing to come onboard have the qualifications Marinette needs right now."

"Then transfer her an assistant from a different department."

"You think I haven't thought of that?" Adrien plopped on his bed. "But Gabriel lost a lot of people in a short period of time. The ones that are left are all tied up and replacement isn't coming in for a while. If I transfer one—sure, it'll help Marinette, but I'll be putting another department in jeopardy, and I can't afford that because for Gabriel to survive this Fashion Week, we need at least one competent line. So, as bad as it sounds…" Adrien sighed. "The truth is, my father planned Marinette's line as experimental, and it was supposed to debut only if she'd manage to finish it on time. At least that's what his notes say."

"So basically"—Plagg crossed his arms over his chest—"her line matters only to her and it has no effect on the company's overall image?"

"Exactly." Adrien nodded. "And no matter how much I want her to succeed, I can't jeopardize the whole company for an experimental line. So, if I want to help her, I'll have to do that myself."

Plagg frowned. "Sometimes I'm astonished at how you can still care this much."

Deep sigh escaping his lips, Adrien let memories flood his mind. "Until I screwed up our friendship, Marinette had always been nothing but kind to me, and despite everything, there is still so much good in her. She's much stronger than I ever thought her to be, so yes, despite everything, I still care and I want to help. I owe her for my past mistakes, and it's because of my father that she's in the situation she's in right now. I can't just walk away and leave her to fail. Especially not when I can help. Don't you think there's a reason we found Nooroo when we did? It can't be just a coincidence."

Plagg pressed his lips together and stared at Adrien for a short while. "It'll backfire. Mark my words, kid. It won't end well. And that's coming from the god of destruction himself."

"I'm willing to risk it," Adrien replied, getting under the comforter. "Tomorrow, though. I need some rest and time to come up with a way to stop myself in case it's needed. And it's the middle of the night, so goodnight guys. We'll continue tomorrow."

Plagg grumbled and flew back to his basket; Nooroo headed to his own sleeping spot.

Adrien closed his eyes and passed out, his night flying by so fast it felt like his alarm went off just a couple of minutes later. Getting out of bed, he yawned his good mornings to the kwamis and got to his morning routine. Afterwards, Adrien called the school he was working at to inform them he wouldn't be able to finish the last week of teaching. The principal promised him it wasn't a big deal and that with him running back and forth between Gabriel and his classroom, they anticipated this course of action and already had a replacement in mind. Adrien was free to take all the time off he needed. That matter settled, Adrien called for Nooroo.

"Change your mind, kid?" Plagg zoomed out of his basket.

"No," Adrien said, staring at a picture frame on his night table that had caught his attention while he was on the phone. "And I think I have an idea for how you can stop me if there ever was a need."

"Me?" Plagg yelped.

"Don't tell me you wouldn't enjoy having control over me?" Adrien smirked at the kwami.

Plagg pouted and turned away. "Not in the slightest." A moment later, he looked back at Adrien. "But do tell me what you have in mind."

Gesturing for him and the newly-appeared Nooroo to follow, Adrien headed for his home office and found an old picture of Marinette on his computer. Printing a few copies on a single sheet of paper, he cut them apart.

"Since I'm helping Marinette," he explained to the kwamis. "I think it's only reasonable that I use her picture as my akumatizing object. And it will be very easy for Plagg to tear if I refuse to release the butterfly. What do you think?"

"That will work," Nooroo nodded.

"Bad idea," Plagg grumbled. "But at least it's something."

Adrien looked through his schedule. "I'm free to help Marinette until around five. Then, I need to go to the main office and work there, so if I won't cooperate, you have my permission to do anything needed to lure me somewhere private and rip the picture."

Plagg's tiny smirk disappeared just as fast as it'd surfaced. "Fine, but you owe me big for this."

"I'm glad you're finally on board," Adrien said, standing up. "Well, if there's nothing else to discuss, I guess we'll start?"

"Excuse me, Master?" Nooroo asked, flying closer. "Have you chosen who you're shifting to once akumatized?"

"Yes. My cousin Felix."

Plagg groaned. "Couldn't you find someone other than that pain in the ass with that attitude of his?"

"He isn't that bad," Adrien chuckled. "Felix is just a bit peculiar, but he means well."

"Sure he does," Plagg grumbled. "Don't blame me when your Princess runs away from the Felix-you in terror."

"Don't worry," Adrien smirked. "Marinette isn't one to be pushed around. If anything, I should be concerned for myself and my rear."

"Why Felix then?"

"I need a proven professional." Adrien shrugged. "And for all his faults, Felix is great with making clothing. I know he has the skills for me to borrow. And"—Adrien raised his finger before Plagg could comment—"I need someone who doesn't live in Paris. We can't risk Marinette running into the person whose image I'm taking on and discovering anything we don't want her to discover."

Plagg puffed. "What if your dear Felix suddenly decides to visit? He does visit you pretty often."

"I'll know," Adrien said. "Felix always tells me when he's coming for a visit, so in case he does decide to show up, we'll make sure he and Marinette don't see each other."

Plagg didn't look convinced. "Sure, like anyone would ever believe that their boss' nephew who lives in London would suddenly appear to play an assistant to a struggling designer. Marinette won't suspect a thing."

"I'm actually counting on that," Adrien shrugged with a chuckle. "Now, are there any more questions or we are ready for a test run?"

"You aren't listening to me anyway," Plagg mumbled.

"I'm ready," Nooroo bowed his head.

"Ready for what?" Duusu flew out of Adrien's closet where he'd built a nest out of Adrien's clothes for himself to sleep in. "Are we doing something exciting?"

It took a few minutes for the kwamis to get Duusu, who'd slept all through the night's conversation, up to date. Adrien took that time to get food for the kwamis and papers that he needed for work in his bag. Once all explanations were done, the peacock kwami excitedly flipped in the air, 'ready for an adventure', as he'd described it. Prompted, Adrien stood up in the middle of the room and, once everyone got ready, called out, "Nooroo, Wings Rise."

A pleasant tremor of electricity flowed over his body, transforming Adrien into a superhero he'd never imagined himself to become. A completely new suit wrapped around his body: deep purple dress pants, a matching vest, and a dress shirt of a similar hue but a lighter, almost white colour, a butterfly miraculous pinned at its mandarin-style collar. The matching purple mask covered his face as a cane appeared in front of Adrien, enticing him to reach forward and take it. He obliged, feeling a rush of power coursing through his veins as soon as his fingers wrapped around the cane. Not like Plagg's, something different. More tender, fragile even. Inspiring.

He looked himself over. "Classy. I like it. If not for the mask and my lack of sewing abilities, I'd go to work like this."

"Since when do you care about your looks?" Plagg remarked. "I thought you hated fashion?"

"Nothing's wrong with appreciating a good outfit when I see one," Adrien shrugged, trying to remember Nooroo's instructions. With no pre-existing butterflies, Adrien had to conjure one himself. He closed his eyes and concentrated, lifting his hand to the miraculous on his chest. It slightly glowed and out of nowhere, a white butterfly appeared in Adrien's palm. Adrien covered it with his other hand and focused on his desire to help Marinette. The butterfly glowed brighter as light energy enveloped it.

"Don't fly too far away, my little akuma," Adrien said, releasing the butterfly as he picked up Marinette's picture. "I need your powers for my mission."

The butterfly fluttered its wings and landed on the picture in Adrien's hands. Light smog engulfed him, leaving a faceless shape of a human in his place. Adrien sucked in the air as an overwhelming desire suffocated him.

Help Marinette.

His breathing laboured, heart sprinting, Adrien smirked to himself, walking to his table. He picked up the photo of Felix he'd prepared ahead of time, immediately assuming the form of the man in it. Sleek hairstyle brushed to the side, a light grey dress shirt, black vest, black tie, a pair of matching dress pants and a serious expression on his face. There was no way Marinette would recognize Adrien despite the family resemblance being rather incredible.

Marinette.

The thought coursed through his mind, overtaking his every sense and pushing everything else aside.

Help Marinette.

He had to go and help her now.

He had to hurry.

She needed him.

Forgetting breakfast and his jacket, Adrien sprinted out of the door and headed towards Gabriel's office as fast as he could. In record time, he'd reached the building, obsessed with one idea only.

Help Marinette.

Help Marinette.

Help Marinette whatever it took.

"Can I help you?" the object of his obsession stared at him as he froze at the door to her office.

There she was. He had to help her. She would accept his help. He'd do whatever it took and he'd do it with style just because Marinette was amazing and deserved the best helper around.

'Felix' straightened up. "Quite the opposite, Mademoiselle. It is I who would be helping you." He stepped into the room and bowed low. "Your knight in shining armour has arrived."

Marinette puffed, pressing her lips into a thin line, as she lowered her eyes back to the garments she was working on. "I don't have time for your jokes, Adrien. Some of us need to work."

'Felix' stilled. He knew that he and his cousin looked incredibly alike, but Marinette had met Felix. She should've seen the difference. First, their characters were polar opposites. Second, being raised and still living in London, Felix had always preferred a much classier way of dressing and styling his hair than the more liberal approach Adrien favoured. That set them apart quite distinctly. Or at least he thought so.

"My apologies…" 'Felix' started, his eyes catching his own reflection in a mirror behind Marinette. He froze, feeling like banging his head on a table because it wasn't 'Felix' who looked at him back from the mirror. It was a man with a crooked tie, a few undone buttons at the top of his shirt, and dishevelled hair that resembled Chat Noir more than his cousin. He should have fixed those after running most of the way here if he wanted Marinette to take him for his cousin.

"Yes?" Marinette frowned.

'Felix' cleared his throat. "Accept my apologies for my appearance. It seems I was in so much of a rush to be by your side that I neglected the basics of grooming." Walking up to the mirror, he fixed his clothes in place and used the comb in his pocket to brush his hair to the side, making him look more like Felix and less like Adrien with every stroke.

"Quit it, Adrien," Marinette scoffed, not giving him another glance. "I'm busy."

"I'm afraid you're mistaken, Mademoiselle." he turned her way "I do understand your confusion, though. My cousin and I look much too alike for my taste, but I'm no Adrien. My name is Felix. Felix Graham de Vanily."

The confusion on Marinette's face was fascinating to watch. "As in Gabriel Agreste's nephew?"

"In the flesh." 'Felix' nodded. "You've heard of me?"

She set down the garment in her hands. "We met back in the day, once or twice. And M Agreste mentioned you a few times. Mostly regretting that his son didn't have a shred of your talent."

'Felix' quirked an eyebrow, wanting to get angry, but the thought of helping Marinette pushed everything aside. She needed to accept his help. For that, he needed her to like him. He had to do whatever it took. Play along if he must. Don't waste his energy on pointless anger at a person that was no more.

"Ah, my unfortunate, talentless cousin," 'Felix' shrugged dramatically. "Such a blemish on our family name. Such a failure."

Marinette frowned. "I'm not Adrien's biggest fan, but aren't you being a little harsh here? He is your family."

Coming closer, 'Felix' leaned on Marinette's desk. "I guess he does deserve a bit of my recognition if only for calling me to work with a beauty such as yourself, Mademoiselle."

"Adrien called you? To work with me?"

He nodded. "Begged me on his knees. Said it was some kind of an emergency, and without me, my uncle's whole legacy would vanish up in smoke. I couldn't refuse him when he put it like that."

"I wouldn't say the whole company's fate is at stake," Marinette mumbled. "It's more like just my career."

"The same thing," 'Felix' shrugged. "You are my uncle's most promising protégé. We can't afford for your career to die before it flowers, now can we? So, let's skip the chit-chat and get to work. What do you want me to do?"

Marinette hesitated. "With all due respect, from what I've heard from M Agreste, I should be your assistant, not the other way around. Are you sure you want to help me instead of working on your own projects?"

'Felix' straightened up and walked to stand right in front of Marinette. Taking her hand, he pulled her up to stand before him. "How can I simply stay on the sidelines when such an incredible woman and a rare beauty like yourself needs a knight to save her?" A satisfied smirk on his lips, he brought her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on her knuckles. "There is nothing I desire more in this world right now than to help you, Mademoiselle, in whatever form or shape you need it."

Marinette squeaked, her cheeks turning pink as she slowly pulled her hand away. "Let's keep it professional, M Agr—"

"Felix," he corrected. "Please, call me Felix. And absolutely. I'm pure professionalism, but pardon my English manners if they are too unfamiliar and make you uncomfortable. Cherishing a gorgeous woman is customary where I'm from."

"Ah… alright…" Marinette looked around the studio. "Well, I do need help, so if you're sure, I'd really appreciate it."

"I'm positively certain."

"What do you want to do then?"

'Felix' looked around, all the things in the room unexpectedly making sense, all the processes he saw in progress looking familiar, ideas already forming in his head as he glanced over the unfinished outfits hanging on mannequins. "I can do anything, so put me where you need me the most."

She hummed, rummaging through her papers. "Then, let's do this: I'll give you one of the projects I haven't started on yet, so you can make it from scratch. This way we won't hinder each other."

"Sounds good to me." 'Felix' bowed his head, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. He did it! He got her to accept him. Why were her cheeks covered with a pretty pink, though? 'Felix' had done nothing that warranted Marinette blushing over him. True, he paid her a few well-deserved compliments but that was common courtesy, wasn't it? Or was she that unaccustomed to receiving a little attention?

A glint of mischief sparked in 'Felix's' eyes. He had just found another aspect Marinette needed his help with—a boost of confidence. From now on, he'd make sure to shower her with compliments and attention whenever he could. Helping Marinette couldn't be restricted to sewing only. He could do so much more. He would do so much more. He should start straight away. So, he leaned closer and purred into her ear.

"Your wish is my command, Mademoiselle. Just say the word and it shall be done."