Bordeaux was lovely.

The weather was stunning, as was the official afternoon tea they had with the Mayor of Paris at La Cite Du Vin, a famous building dedicated to the art and culture of wine.

When they first descended the ship the two superheroes gatecrashed a passing press conference for Gabrielle Agreste.

They answered a few questions, took a joking selfie with M Agreste glaring uncomfortably between them, then a selfie with all present journalists in the background.

Finally, they up and disappeared over to the bridge they were next to, watching with glee as reporters ran after them, and more than a few dithered uncertainly, on whether to follow as well or continue interviewing M Agreste.

The superheroes performed a quick circuit around the town, before landing neatly on the balcony for the party with the Mayor.

'Ah, Ladybug and Chat Noir. How wonderful it is to see you.' The Mayor said. 'I was concerned that you were going to be late?'

'We're terribly sorry,' even though they weren't sorry, 'you might've heard that there was some issues that arose this morning aboard the ship.'

'Yes, I did hear about that, what exactly happened?' Someone asked them.

The two looked sidways at each other. 'Sorry, for the benefit of those involved, we aren't at liberty to discuss it.' Chat said easily. 'Guess you had to be there to see it.' He shrugged.

Several people looked disappointed, but the two knew they were better off not knowing.

The two waved off a large variety of different kinds of wine, and after an hour or two they snuck off again, back over the balcony, and went to explore the town disgused.

They visited La Place de la Bourse, and the water mirror pond out the front, both of which were stunning. They spent a long time wandering around the Grand Theatre, first with a tour group, then individually, taking stunning photos of the multi-leveled structure from all different angles.

They wandered the streets for hours, until the sun was just about to set over the river, then swung their way back in typical Ladybug and Chat Noir style, landing back in the main gallery of the ship.

The fellow at the base of the ship's boarding ramp noted them down as aboard with a sniff.

'Well,' Chat said, stretching a little. 'That was fun.'

Ladybug nodded, already moving towards their elevators.

'What's your rush?' He took a couple of quick steps to catch up with her.

'I need to-,' she looked about herself. 'There's some work that needs doing. I-'

'Oh wow,' came a voice from behind them, and Ladybug flinched slightly. 'Look who it is! What a coincidence running into you two!'

Chat Noir chuckled nervously. 'It's a small ship. Chloé Bougoir, right?'

'That's me, of course you remember me.' Chloé laughed.

Ladybug crossed her arms.

'Why don't you two come and relax by the pool with me?' Chloé smiled. 'I've had my own towels imported especially. And of course, the mixologist here isn't nearly good enough for my tastes, so I had my own private one brought on board.'

So she noticed, did she? Ladybug wondered if Chloé even knew how to order.

'Sure?' Chat said, less than sure. 'Why not?'

'Now now, kitty,' Chloé waved at him, 'no need to sound so excited.' She turned on her heel, leaving them to dog along after her. 'Don't you know I already have someone crazy about me who is actually worth my time?'

'Oh?' Ladybug tried to make that sound less sarcastic than what it was.

'Of course!' Chloé giggled. 'He was actually supposed to be here on this little trip with me, but apparently some mega-famous English movie director wanted him to audition in London at the last minute.' She giggled again through the back of her fingers. 'I don't blame them though, honestly. He's gorgeous, my Adri-chou, I'm just disappointed he couldn't be here for even part of the trip.'

Ladybug stared fixedly at anything but Chat Noir.

Chat Noir stared fixedly at anything but Chloé.

'That's unfortunate,' Chat managed. 'A-Are you two together?'

'I've got him on tenderhooks.' Chloé said, seating herself on a pool deckchair and stealing a magazine off of the cluttered deckchair next to her. 'You know how it is,'

'What about school?' Ladybug questioned, not particularly interested in sitting down. 'This is a school week, isn't it?'

Chloé peered over the rim of her sunglasses at her for a long moment, then burst out laughing. 'And here I wasn't sure about your sense of humour, Ladybug!'

Ladybug continued to look unimpressed.

Chloé flagged a passing waitress and gave her her order, before looking at the two superheroes expectantly.

They stood awkwardly for a moment, before Chloé's eyes lit up. 'No, wait,' she paused, 'they'll have two flutes of your finest champagne.'

The waitress nodded and hurried off before Ladybug could stop them.

'Well? Sit down, you look like a pair of pillars.' Chloé narrowed her eyes, and the pair almost reluctantly sat on the -thankfully free- deckchairs next to the girl. Chloé started talking about the party that afternoon, and the people she had mingled with, damning most of them with faint praise else handing out slights left, right and centre.

Ladybug felt a migraine coming on just being around the girl, especially since she knew what the girl was like.

So she sat back on the deck chair and tried to tune out as much of Chloé's prattling as she could. She wasn't sure why Chat was giving her the time of day, considering how fake she obviously was being.

Ladybug folded her hands behind her head and looked up at the clear sky, and let her mind wander.

Of course, Chat couldn't actually be Adrien, Adrien was away in London at the moment doing those auditions. She'd hadn't known about that.

And just like that, she felt a weight off her chest.

She'd have to call Alya and tell her.

No, wait, she couldn't, the only person who seems to have known about this was Chloé, and there's no way Chloé would talk about this to Marinette. Chloé's on a cruise ship right now.

According to her friends, she's visiting family abroad at the moment.

According to her family, she's on this boat supporting Alya.

Alya is also in on this, because Alya thinks that the family abroad don't get on with Marinette's parents at all. But Alya wants Marinette to spread her wings a bit.

It was all so complicated.

All so Ladybug could "spread her wings" on a cruise ship with Chat Noir.

She wished she could talk to someone about all of this.

Tikki was great, but she was being very quiet on the topic of Chat these days.

'Ladybug? What do you think?' Chloé suddenly asked, slicing through her thoughts like a hot knife.

Ladybug jumped. 'What?-I mean, of course! You're right about that!'

Chloé laughed. 'Of course I am! Anyway,' she continued, and Chat looked sideways at her.

'Everything alright, my lady?' He questioned quietly.

She nodded, trying to look as carefree as she could.

Maybe she would call Alya that night.

Unfortunately, it looked like they were stuck there until Chloé called herself away to "put on something glamorous" for her evening meal.

Ladybug spent most of that time away with the fairies, and Chat continued to look politely interested, while they were greeted by other such celebrities on the ship. Chloé started to look irritated that more said hello to them than her, and the vow to outshine them that evening was clear.

They eventually managed to pull themselves away, and it was only then Ladybug could let loose a sigh in relief.

They headed towards the elevators again, and only when they were inside did Chat look a little uncomfortable.

'I didn't realize just how self-centred she was.' He admitted, before fumbling slightly. 'That time we met her with the Antibug bit, and with those other akumas, she didn't seem so bad,'

Ladybug resisted the urge to roll her eyes. 'No, she's not the greatest. I mean, look at all the akuma's she's caused?'

'True, but people have been akumatised for so little sometimes,' he shifted uncomfortably. 'I didn't know.'

'There's no need to tear yourself up about it.' She shrugged. 'Some people are just like that, to more or lesser extents.'

'That's true.' Chat still didn't look entirely comfortable.

They stood in a natural silence until the elevator arrived at their floor, and they moved over to their door. Chat unlocked it with smoothness, of course he had the key pass considering his suit actually had pockets.

'Hey Chat,' Ladybug said as he pulled the door shut behind them.

'Yes, my lady?'

She hesitated, and he turned to look at her curiously. 'Does your family know you're here?'

He paused, before moving to join her on the couch. 'What makes you say that?'

'I was just thinking about it this afternoon.' She shrugged. 'Well?'

He looked a little uncomfortable, nervous even. 'No.' He looked at her. 'I don't like them not knowing, to be honest.' He admitted. 'But there's nothing that can be done.'

She nodded, looking up at the ceiling.

'What about you?'

'They have no clue.' Ladybug said. 'I agree, I don't like them not knowing.'

She had no idea it was for so differing reasons, hers because she and hers were so close, his because he was so used to being micromanaged every second that it was strange to be so cut off from them.

'What's your cover story?' She questioned eventually.

He waved a finger at her, regaining some of his bravado. 'I can't tell you,'

'Oh?' She looked up curiously.

'They think I went away. Which I did. And that's as much as I can tell you without revealing personal information, my lady.' He smiled. 'What's yours then, if you're so excited to share?'

She was a little disappointed. 'Much the same. There are people who think I'm visiting my family abroad. There are people who think I'm staying with a friend. It's messy.'

He nodded in agreement. 'I nearly just up and left and told them I'd run away to join the circus.'

'And then come back in a week?' Ladybug looked at him, raising an eyebrow.

'I'd get sent back of course, they didn't want me to steal the show.' He grinned.

'Your amazing Catwoman act, eh? Lion tamer?'

'Trapeze, of course. But I'm a cat of all trades.' He smiled, ignoring the jibe.

'I'm sure,' she ribbed him. 'Would you go for the ringleader's job then?'

'Not in my first week,' he looked at her slyly. 'But I'd always be scanning the audience for my biggest fan,'

She shoved him that time, laughing. 'Not on your life. How would I even know you were gone?'

'I could send you a VIP pass?'

'To where? From where? I don't think you've thought this plan through.' Ladybug chortled.

'I'd think of something!' He defended himself, attempting to keep a straight face. 'And then I'd wow you with all of my amazing talents at the circus!'

'I'm sure,'

'I'd invite you up on the stage, and then we could be a double act!'

'At the circus.' She pulled on the most deadpan face she could.

'Exactly!'

'For a week.'

'Right!?'

'And then we'd turn around and come home.'

'That's the plan! Do you want to try it when we get back?'

She couldn't hold it in any more, and burst out laughing, clutching at her sides.

He lost it as well, losing the wide-eyed look of innocence for one rib-aching laughter.

They laughed hard, and they laughed well, the absurdity of the idea still hanging around them like a cloud of idiocy.

Of course, it was exacerbated by comments like 'I'd look great in a top hat,' and 'you'd make a great clown,' which kept them going for a long time.

After a while, their miraculouses flashed at them, and Ladybug stood. 'I'm going to work with fabric for a bit.'

He nodded. 'Might take a shower.' He said as casually as he could. 'I still feel gross from this morning.'

'Go ahead,' she smiled at him. 'Try not to join a circus on the way.'

She headed into the bedroom, shut the door behind them, and detransformed.

Tikki left to go and hunt for cookies in the living room.

She pulled her phone out of her pocket, and dialed Alya's number.

'Hey girl, how are you? How's China?'

'China is great!' Marinette shifted a little, before settling on her bed. 'It's humid here though. What about you? How's the cruise of your life?'

'Amazing. Just, amazing. And do you want to hear some juicy, juicy goss that I managed to overhear today?'

'What's that?'

'Adrien's in London right now. Can you believe it?'

'How did you hear that?'

'I was chilling by the pool, minding my own business, when who do I see but Ladybug and Chat Noir with Chloé!' Marinette could almost hear Alya rolling her eyes. 'So I thought I'd listen in, because who wouldn't want to hear some goss straight from the horse's mouth as it were, and there it was! Adrien's in London right now, having auditions for a movie! in English! With an English director and everything!' Alya paused for dramatic effect. 'Of course I asked Nino about it, and Nino said he was supposed to keep it on the down low, but it was true! Nino said it it was very last minute, apparently this place isn't even sure there's going to be a movie, but it's all very hush-hush in case there is! Can you believe that Adrien Agreste might be in a movie?'

'No, it's amazing!' Marinette nearly squealed. 'To think we know a real moviestar!'

'He's not a movie star yet, Mari, breathe,' she reminded her, and Marinette took a breath.

'I wonder what kind of movie it is?' Marinette shook her head. 'Of course, he'd be great in any role,'

'Even Nino doesn't know that one. Apparently Adrien doesn't either. Who knows, girl?'

'I'll bet Chloé's bitterly disappointed,'

'I couldn't tell.' Alya admitted. 'What I could though was that she was trying to show off "Adri-chou" to Ladybug and Chat Noir.'

Marinette let her irritation show through that this time. 'What a cow.'

'so when you two get together, will you call him "Adri-chou"?'

'Oh my god,' Marinette snorted.

There was a noise from the other room, and Marinette looked up.

'What about trying to pamper him by way of insulting everyone else in the room?' Alya laughed, and Marinette got up at the noise continued.

'Then I'd dye my hair blonde and find the hugest set of sunglasses I could find.'

'Don't forget the "most designer brands that Daddy bought me!"'

'Of course of course, how could I forget?' She got up and pressed an ear to the wall.

Chat Noir was laughing about something.

Like, side-splitting, nearly-peeing-ones-pants laughing.

She was glad he was in the shower about that.

'And you need to immediately ditch me, your red-haired friend at the drop of a hat.' Alya continued, oblivious.

'You're not as submissive as Sabrina is,' Marinette reminded her. Her curiosity was piqued, she'd ask him about it later.

'Damn straight. If you ditch me for Adrien I'll come after you with a vengance.'

'I don't doubt that.' Marinette went back over to her bed and sat down. 'I'll admit I'm disappointed that Adrien's not there with you, but maybe he could bring back some audition tapes or something? That would be cool,'

'It would, wouldn't it? Oh, but he might have to keep it all under wraps if it's all supposed to be "hush hush".'

'What should I do, Alya?' Marinette sprawled on her bed in defeat.

'You could join in on a group skype call or something? Otherwise you're pretty much just going to have to wait until you slash he gets back.'

'I didn't bring my computer,' Marinette said. 'I figured because I was going for such a short period of time, and I wanted to pack light.'

'Right, the humidity and all. Plus you said you'd have to carry a lot if you took it all.'

'Exactly.' Marinette heaved a sigh, before focusing her attention on the ceiling. 'So tell me about your trip? How's Ladybug stalking going?'

'Great! I just realized I haven't told you yet,' Alya paused, 'So, brace yourself,'

'I'm bracing myself,' Marinette found herself nervous.

'Ladybug and Chat Noir are doing me a favour!'

'What favour's that?' Marinette looked uncertainly at her phone.

'Let me tell you, because I am literally the greatest person alive. Honestly, they should erect statues in my honour.'

'Tell me, Alya,'

'Ok but you can't tell anyone yet. Got it? Not even Adri-chou?'

'How am I supposed to tell him?' She shook her head. 'Never mind, tell me.'

'Right, so, after we got into Brest, I realized that if LadyB and Chat Noir want to have any sort of actual fun on this trip without being dogged by reporters every step of the way, they're going to have to not be Ladybug and Chat Noir.'

'Right,' Marinette knew the plan already, but wasn't sure how she was going to lead this into it.

'But they can't just not be Ladybug and Chat Noir, right? So, I gave them disguises. I mean, disguises for their disguises. Crazy, right?'

'Okay, but then you can't report on them though?'

'So I did a deal with them. I tracked them down when they were hiding in Brest, when they were trying to get away from the press. I made a deal with them; disguises so they can move about freely, as long as they take photos themselves!'

'What did they say?'

'They agreed! They were so thankful! Oh my god, Mari! They owe me a favour! Ladybug and Chat Noir! Owing a favour!'

Damn it all, the girl was right. Marinette did owe her a favour.

'So how are you going to get the photos? And when?'

'I! Uh, I hadn't thought that far yet.'

'Can you just call them? Connect the guest rooms, right?'

'Apparently you need a special code if you want to call that room. We're not even allowed on their floor.' Alya said grouchily. 'It's like they don't trust us or something.'

'How strange, not allowing the press onto their floor. Well, you probably need to figure something out?'

'Sure, but I'm not majorly stressing about it, considering I've seen them around the place in Brittany and Bordeaux, I might've even taken a couple of photos of them myself when they weren't looking, but I've seen them take selfies and stuff. I really think they're just having fun being tourist-y. I'll get the photos back before the end of the trip, I'm not planning on putting them up until after so that their disguises aren't ruined.'

'Thats, really nice of you, Alya. You've really thought this through.' Marinette smiled. She got up, and pulled out her sketchbook, adding a few more details to her favourite design. She started sketching out fabric patterns she'd need for it absentmindedly.

'Of course, I am amazing.'

There was a tap on the door, and Marinette looked up.

'I'm expecting these statues to be solid gold.'

'Yes?' Marinette questioned.

'Do yourself a favour,' Chat's voice came through the door. 'And look in a mirror.'

'What?'

'No no, just do it.'

Marinette turned her attention to her phone. 'Hey, do you mind hanging on a sec?'

'Sure girl, what's up?'

'I just need to check something. One moment.'

She put her phone down, and had a quick check through her backpack to see if she'd packed a compact, or something.

She hadn't.

'I don't have one?' She called back through the door. 'And I'm kind of on the phone?'

'Bragging about me, I assume?'

'Oh, shut up.'

'Well, hurry up and get off. It won't take long.'

Marinette picked up her phone. 'Can I call you back in a second? I'm needed.'

'Sure girl, I've got stuff I need to get on with. Ladyblog to update, etc, etc. Bye, love you!'

'Bye!' She hung up, and stood up, leaving her sketchbook on her bed. 'Now what are you mewling about?'

'Go and look in the mirror in the bathroom.'

Tikki zoomed into the room curiously, before hiding a grin behind her little hands. 'Come on.'

'What's going on?'

'Don't worry, my lady, I'm covering my eyes,' Chat sounded a little further away.

'Uh, okay?'

Marinette went to transform, but Tikki shook her head, still grinning.

'No peeking, alright?'

'Chat's honour.'

Marinette opened the door slowly, to see Chat standing a little ways back, his hands over his eyes.

She slipped through the door, and snuck almost quietly into the bathroom.

Inside a bath was freshly prepared, bubbles going everywhere, but Marinette only noticed the wide vanity mirror.

She stepped up to it, and looked in it, before letting out a wail of despair.

'Are you kidding me!?'

'Do you see it?' Chat questioned laughingly.

'Yes I see it, how could this happen?' She demanded, staring at her own face in horror.

She had tan lines.

Proper, definite tan lines.

Around where her Ladybug mask should have gone.

A paler patch of skin stretched higher than her eyebrows, almost to her temples and tracing her cheekbones over her nose, and the rest of her face had tanned.

'Through being in the sun all of yesterday and this afternoon, most likely,' Chat answered.

'What am I going to do?' Marinette buried her face in her hands.

'Keep wearing the mask, I'd imagine,' Chat didn't miss a beat.

'Well that's a given,' she snapped. 'This is going to be the biggest giveaway when I get home! People will look and go; "Oh! Look at you! Those are funny tan lines. You must be some sort of freak! Or Ladybug!"'

Looking a little closer she had similar tan lines on her neck where the costume started, but these would be a little easier to pass off.

But tan lines? On her face?

In the definite shape of a mask?

'This is terrible!'

Chat started laughing again, she head movement against the door as he leant against it.

'This isn't funny, you know?'

'Isn't it ridiculous though?' Chat answers in between chortles.

He had a point, there wasn't much else to do but laugh.

She stared at the lines despairingly, knowing full well that she wasn't going to be able to do anything about it.

She couldn't go out into the sun without her suit, that meant she would be going outside.

Where people would recognise her.

People like Alya.

People like Adrien.

She hid out of sight of the mirror, as if that would help the situation.

'You've gone quiet in there,' Chat's voice came through the door. 'Is everything alright, my lady?'

Tikki appeared through it, looking worried.

'Look at me, Tikki, I look awful.' Marinette said, sitting on the cold tiles.

'It's, not that bad?' Tikki comforted. 'No, it's really not so bad, you can only tell if you're looking for it,'

'You're just saying that to make me feel better.'

'You don't need to worry about it for a while yet, anyway,' Chat said.

'"A while yet" is four days, Chat. And what am I going to do, relax by the pool as a civilian and tan to even it up?'

'Well, I,' he paused, 'if it makes you feel any better, I have one too?'

She couldn't help it, her mind jumped to Adrien Agreste with a mask tan.

It was probably the funniest thing she hadn't even seen in her life.

'You're laughing at me, aren't you,' Chat sulked.

'Me?' Marinette laughed.

Especially with Adrien's pale skin? It would be more subtle to wave a flashing neon sign shouting "I'M CHAT NOIR".

She thought she was going to pass out from lack of oxygen.

'This is some kind of cruelty, I swear,' Chat continued to sulk against the door.

'No! No,' Marinette struggled to get her thoughts in order. 'I just,' she took deep breaths. 'I just know someone who looks a bit like you, even though I know you're completely different, and I was picturing them waving a Chat Noir sign,' she dissolved into giggles again.

There was a long pause through the door, before; 'Oh? Who's that?'

'Don't worry, just a friend of mine, certainly not someone who leaps around Paris in a cat suit,' Her humour was faltering.

'R-really?'

Marinette laughed nervously. Why did she even bring this up? Now he was going to think that she knew who he was, even though he wasn't, and, 'Don't worry about it. It was just a random thought. I can't really think of you without your mask so the tan line thing is a bit weird for me to picture. My dumb brain just decided to try to fill in the blanks with a completely different person.'

'If you're sure then,' he did not sound so sure though.

Tikki looked at her curiously, well, even more curiously, and hovered forward slightly.

Marinette nodded, and transformed quietly, before opening the door.

Chat Noir fell backwards half onto the tiles at her feet, and he grinned uncertainly, looking up at her.

She stepped around him lightly, then crouched in front of him so that she was facing him.

He hauled himself into a sitting position, an elderly joke about to fall from his lips, when she threw her arms around him, drawing him into a tight hug.

She was quiet for a long moment, while he adjusted to the new development. Awkwardly, he gripped her shoulders, before sliding into a proper embrace.

'I'm sorry, ok?' She said quietly.

'What for, my lady?' He questioned lightly, lighter than he felt.

'When we were fighting Madame Moisisure, and we caught a glimpse of each other without our masks, I suddenly noticed that similarity. So my brain went, what if?' She sighed slightly, looking at his golden hair. 'But you two are so different. And I know where my friend is right now. And he's not on a cruise ship with Ladybug.' Her gaze wandered down his shoulder, and she wondered a little what it would be like to be held by Adrien like this. 'But it threw me off my step. I didn't mean for it to get to me. But now my heads full of questions, yet I almost don't want them answered.' She shook her head. 'They shouldn't be answered. Not if I want to keep you safe. Keep us safe.' She buried her face in his shoulder and huffed frustratedly.

Chat Noir held her for a longer time, gripping the slight frame in his arms a little tighter. He buried his face in her hair, relishing in the smell of her shampoo, and how she trusted him enough to have her miraculous so close.

'Well,' he started, 'would you like to answer some of them, anyway?' He chuckled. 'I could ask a few myself, if you want.'

'I,' Ladybug was faltering, her collected, take-charge persona shaking as timid Marinette peered through. 'I don't know,'

'Can you tell me anything about my look-a-like?' He started.

'I, don't think so.' Ladybug took a slow breath. 'He's quite, well, you might've heard of him.' She looked at his collarbones up close. 'Can you tell me anything about what you told your family so that you could come here?'

He too, faltered. 'Not, really,' he took a moment to mentally rifle through his story. 'I said, I was, going abroad? To, no, um, I said, okay, it's like this; I said that there was an opportunity for me, to do something, good, I mean, I gave them more details than that, but I can't really give them to you? I'm sorry,'

She was silent, until, 'well, you like mecha strike, have you tried being competitive?' She drew back slightly, a small smile on her face. 'You're not terrible, for a cat,'

'Are you kidding? I'm one of the best around!' Chat took the moment of space to pose. 'I nearly went into an awesome tournament a while back!'

'What happened?' Ladybug questioned, sitting back on her knees.

'I was going to play, but my friend beat me.' Chat grew his own small smile, leaning back on his hands. 'She's crazy good though, she could probably beat even you.'

Ladybug laughed. 'Hah, I doubt it,'

'No for sure, she cleaned up at that competition.' Chat grinned. 'What about you, have you ever gone to a tournament?'

'I have, actually! And your friend can fight me. I actually didn't know about the tournament until the last minute, but I got to play doubles with a friend in the end! Stole first prize and everything.'

'Was this friend my look-a-like friend?' Chat smiled slyly.

'No, but I nearly competed along with him. But, I realized some stuff, and I was going to give it up, but look-a-like dropped out for a different friend who was desperate to compete.' Ladybug smiled.

Chat blinked, but covered his hesitation. 'Are you sure you can't tell me anything about him? Are you two together? Of course, he can't be nearly as handsome as me,'

'No! We're not dating. Just friends. and he's far less a mangy cat than you are.'

Chat shrugged. 'I don't disagree with the cat part, there's only one Chat Noir in all of Paris. You didn't disagree with the handsome bit though.'

Ladybug flinched. 'W-well, never mind. He's far more gentlemanly than you. Anyway, wasn't the kitty about to have a bath?'

'Do you have any other questions?' Chat asked. 'Besides the obvious? But even then, you know what I think about that one.'

'You'd trust me with it. I know.'

Chat nodded. 'But I'd rather not detransform right now.'

'Oh?' Ladybug questioned, half curious.

Chat rubbed his neck. 'You may have noticed a pile of clothes in the bathroom when you were in there. I'd just thrown on the suit to tell you about the tan thing and...'

'Ah. Right.' Ladybug did not blush. Ladybugs don't even have the capability to blush. Thus, she wasn't blushing. Obviously.

'So? Any other questions?'

'Um,' Ladybug sat back a bit further. 'Ok, do you come from a wealthy background?'

'What makes you say that?' Chat blinked.

'Well, you're really at home with this sort of luxury of the cruise. You even took the whole cruise thing in your stride. And you can deal with and mingle with the celebrities and people on the ship perfectly. And the party this afternoon, as well.'

Chat looked more and more unsettled. 'Does it make you uncomfortable?'

'No, it's just, I wouldn't expect that from someone who was poor, or even middle-class.'

'Well, I guess you could say that.' Chat still looked remorseful, like she'd discovered a dirty secret. 'It's something along those lines. I mean, I'm not super-mega-ultra-rich, but I guess I'm better off than most? I can't get into the details of it too much, you understand.'

Ladybug nodded. 'What about your travelling all around the place in larger groups?'

'Yikes, that's a tough one.' Chat smiled ruefully. 'Alright, so, I study, but I also work. And sometimes that work takes me to different places. But not so much these days, because I wanted to put more towards my studies. And then I became Chat Noir, and I haven't really travelled since.' He looked at her. 'My turn. So. Fashion, eh? Do you want to make a career out of it?'

He hadn't really given her time to react to his answer, so she was forced to file it away to process later. 'Well, I'd like to, actually. But it's a hard industry to get noticed.'

'That's true,' Chat pensively stroked an invisible goatee. 'Do you have any ideas? Do you know anyone in the industry?'

'Well, I've worked with a few different people, actually.' Ladybug shuffled around to sit next to him, and lean against the door frame. 'I've won a competition or two, and I have a friend who's actually pretty in in the industry. But I don't want to bother him, he always seems like he's got too much on his plate.'

'Are you two good friends? I'm sure he wouldn't mind mentioning him to a few friends. Also, if you're planning on making your own dress for the ball at the end of the cruise, you're sure to turn some heads then,'

'That's true,' Ladybug pondered, but then shook her head. 'But I don't want to ride on Ladybug's fame. I want to stand on my own.'

'Why don't you say that you yourself made it?' Chat pointed out.

'Because then you'll know, and it's not like I have business cards or anything,'

'Just, think about it.' Chat said. 'You know I won't tell anyone. I'll even forget you're making it. I'll see you on the night and say "where did you buy that thing?" and you'll go "oh my friend made it for me. Here's her website."'

She smiled at him. 'That means a lot.' She got up. 'Speaking of, I really need to get some work done on it. Shall we go out for dinner in an hour?'

'That sounds great.' Chat smiled back.

Adrien lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Next to the window, he could hear Ladybug's even breathing.

He knew how she felt, now.

When you notice something, it takes a lot to dismiss it sometimes.

His "look-a-like"?

A mecha-strike competition?

She'd won it, hands down. But beforehand, she nearly competed with his look-a-like, but tried to bow out, but his look-a-like had bowed out instead.

For someone who was desperate to compete.

Adrien himself remembered a competition like that, where something similar had happened.

He and Max were going to go for the championship.

He'd beaten Max's high score, but then someone else had beaten Max right out of the doubles.

Max was devastated, and became The Gamer akuma that he and Ladybug had had to take down.

But then that person realised how much Max had wanted it, and tried to give it up.

Ladybug slept soundly as Adrien processed everything, step by step.

And then he himself had bowed out instead.

Max was delighted, and the championship was won, by a long shot.

'Marinette?'

Mwahahaha, enjoy!

Also; I've finished editing that first chapter so sorry about that. Once again, enjoy!