Alrighty then kids, get ready for a wild ride ;)
It had been an early start for the duo, enjoying fruity smoothies for breakfast on Lisbon's Tajo river, then starting what seemed to be their usual loop around the new city, admiring and taking photos of stunning, occasionally neolithic monuments and structures on the way past.
The sheer amount of history to the city was truly stunning, dating back to ancient celtic settlements then changing hands near constantly during the crusades.
Nowadays it was cultural hub for food, music and culture for Portugal, as well as its capital.
Lisbon was also just as welcoming for the superheros as Porto had been, and the two were eventually forced to retreat to the ship for their disguises before they could move about freely.
Chat, when they were free, almost immediately dragged Ladybug to the Oceánario de Lisbon, and within they had a great time wandering around and examining the fish and other aquatic creatures there.
They compared the Oceanário to the Oceanapolis from Brest some four days beforehand, deciding both to be amazing and colourful.
Chloé had captured the two for a bit, and she flaunted their fame for a good portion of the morning, dragging them through the shopping districts of the city and shoving Ladybug into a few dressing rooms before giving up.
'You just can't wear anything while you're in the suit!' Chloé exclaimed, throwing her hands up in frustration, as Chat snapped a surreptitious photo, grinning.
Ladybug stood there in a strapless dress in varying shades of green, looking thoroughly unimpressed.
But then Chloé fluttered her eyelashes. 'Couldn't you take it off?'
Ladybug started, shooting a look at her partner. 'Take what off?'
'The suit, of course.' She smiled benignly. 'I won't tell anyone, I swear,'
'I don't think that's such a good idea,' Ladybug raised her hands defensively as Chloé approached her.
Chat Noir raised a hand as if to stop the blonde, until a voice spoke up behind him.
'It doesn't work at all, actually.' Came the tall, sneer voice of one Gabriel Agreste.
Chat leapt back, then stepped out of the way to stand next to his lady.
'What do you mean?' Cloé snapped, glaring up at him.
Agreste looked down his nose at the girl for a long moment, before looking at Ladybug. 'What could have possessed you to put that monstrosity on?'
'Well, if you must know, green goes with red in nearly every instance,' Chloé examined her fingernails critically.
'Are your eyes empty holes?' Agreste countered, before landing his piercing gaze upon Ladybug. 'No. Go and take that off. That terrible scrap of so-called green fabric.' He amended when she looked like she was going to turn her protective glare towards him, and Chat had opened his mouth to speak.
Ladybug watched him for a long moment, before disappearing back being the curtain of the change room.
Chat shifted so that he was standing protectively in front of the curtain, and crossed his arms.
'Well then what would you recommend? This shop is boring beyond all standards anyway.' Chloé demanded, not to be outdone.
'Hm,' Agreste touched his chin pensively, turning slightly to scan the rest of the store.
After a moment he strode off, and Chloé watched him go with a sniff.
'Pfft. I'll bet he can't do anything. A fashion designer can only go so far with terrible materials.' She sneered into the back of her hand. 'He's not that great anyway.'
Chat stood a little straighter, frowning. 'Don't you think that's a little harsh?' It came out a little harsher than he meant.
Chloé side-eyed him. 'So what? He's a stuffy old man, and everyone knows it. Devil Wears Prada indeed.'
Ladybug appeared, and looked like she was steaming.
'Ah, there you are,' Chloé smiled, cutting off Chat Noir's angered reply. 'Are you sure you can't let me in on your little secret?' She smiled.
'Chloé Bougeois,' Chat started coolly. 'I think that Ladybug and I should move on to our next booking.'
'Oh, I'm sure it can wait.' Chloé grinned. 'I'm having too much fun hanging out with my best friends!'
Ladybug stifled the urge to roll her eyes.
'Anyway, I want to know more about Chat Noir here.' She moved a little closer to the superhero, who surruptitiously tried to sidle away.
'Why would you want to know something like that?' Ladybug gave her a long look.
'Oh, but there's this sort of fire about you that I hadn't noticed before.' Chloé inched a little closer.
Chat inched a little further away.
'What do you mean, fire?' Ladybug questioned, eyeing the two.
'I don't know,' Chloé admitted, but perked. 'But I want to find out.'
'Well why don't you, so that I can take on this challenge in peace?' Said Gabriel Agreste from behind them again, and all three jumped.
Chat, with a moment of clarity, shoveled the satchel at his feet using his heel into the dressing room behind them.
Agreste had a few cream coloured things in his possession, and the bodyguard behind him had other things draped over both arms. The overriding colours were black and red.
'Sounds fair. See you soon, Ladybug! I hope you don't mind me taking your beau away for a bit!' Chloé fluttered her fingers at the group in general, and dragged Chat Noir off and out of the shop.
Ladybug could only helplessly watch him go, and see the equally helpless looks he was shooting her back.
When Ladybug threw open the door for their room, the bedroom door banged shut.
Plagg rose up to greet her from a newly-strewn platter of cheeses, but before he had gotten a word out Ladybug snatched him up and stuffed him into one of the bags that she was laboured with with a muttered oath.
Only then did she clear the way for Gabriel Agreste's two bodyguards, who were also laden with bags to the point of struggling to fit through the door.
'Where do you want us to put these, miss?' The one that Ladybug had heard Adrien refer to affectionately as the Gorilla questioned.
'Anywhere's fine. Right there by the door, maybe. Thank you, boys.' She dumped her own stuff onto the couch, pointedly ignoring a sqeak of complaint.
Obediantly they did as she requested, and not-Gorilla approached her. 'I know this might be a bit forward, but,' he produced a paper and pen. 'Could I get your autograph? My daughter is a massive fan,'
Ladybug smiled, and took the proffered objects. 'Of course. Who shall I make it out to?'
He grinned appreciatively. 'Claire. Thank you so much.'
She obligingly scribbled out a few words, and finished with Ladybug's dotted signature. 'You're welcome.'
With a brief nod they disappeared out of the door again, pulling it shut behind them.
It wasn't until the door was shut did Ladybug relax, sagging slightly.
Plagg reappeared again. 'What's with all the bags?'
Ladybug clumped the ones on the couch a little tidier, then sat down heavily onto the cushions, resting her feet on the coffee table.
She released Tikki, who landed easily on her open palm.
'Well, that was interesting.'
'Tell me about it, my lady.' Came through the bedroom door. 'Plagg?' He questioned lightly, and the kwami rolled his eyes.
'Fine.' Plagg agreed, before getting sucked through the door, to the tune of 'Transforme-moi!'.
'Gabriel Agreste dragged me through most of Lisbon's high-end shops. He said I was an "interesting challenge".' Marinette sighed. 'It was like a dream, but I wish I could've been me and not Ladybug for it.' She let her head tip back against the cushions.
'Being Ladybug and unable to take of the suit was probably the challenge though.' Tikki commented. 'Did you learn anything?'
'That I've never seen Gabriel Agreste so interested in something before?'
Tikki nodded. 'You're not wrong.'
'He seemed to be having a great time of it though?' Chat said, opening the door and lightly stepping through it.
'Did he? I wasn't sure.' Marinette admitted.
'Well, I didn't see him that much, but-' it was like the old days. Chat wanted to say. Like when Père would stay up all night sewing. When he still had the passion in his eyes.
Marinette watched him through the moment of quiet carefully. 'But what?' She said eventually.
'But,' Chat hesitated, before shrugging, 'he seemed pretty into the idea of dressing up Ladybug? I mean, I doubt he'd've taken you through so many stores if he wasn't interested.'
'That's true,' Marinette said uncertainly, before glancing up at Chat Noir. 'So how was your date? When did you get to be so friendly with Chloé?'
Chat visibly flinched. 'I have no idea. She tried to drag me on a romantic cruise until I put my foot down. We ended up going to a restaurant overlooking the city instead. She seemed to like that.' He shuddered.
Marinette raised her eyebrows. 'What, the restaurant? I'm surprised she was happy to switch, considering it wasn't what she wanted.'
'No, I think maybe she liked me putting my foot down. It's hard to tell, with that girl.'
'What?' Marinette stared at him.
'She kept trying to goad me into losing my temper, I think. I had no idea she could be so unpleasant?'
'That's so, unexpected?' She shifted some of the bags on the couch onto the floor, before patting the now-free cushion next to her. 'I wonder why that is?'
'She said that it was "refreshing" that she couldn't figure out what my weaknesses were. Outside of one.' He clenched his hands into fists.
'What's that?' Marinette questioned quietly.
'My Lady.' He answered, smiling at her, but it was slightly pained, his pointed ears flat. 'And now a Princess, not that Chloé Bougeois has any idea.'
'Oh,' she smiled shyly back, patting his shoulder. 'Well I'm flattered.' But then she connected the dots. 'What did that girl say about Ladybug?' She said dangerously.
He shook his head. 'She asked if we were together.'
'Well, that's alright,' Marinette started.
'Then she asked, other personal things about you. And me. I didn't like it, especially the way she asks things so flippantly and almost without care, even though you know she's really listening. She wouldn't shut up about-, other things.' He ran his fingers through his hair but paused frustratedly when his thumb caught. The gesture obviously more familiar to him when he didn't have pointed black ears.
She stroked his arm soothingly. 'It's alright. You don't have to talk to her again, if you don't want to.'
He shook his head but said nothing.
'I can't believe I'm saying this, but I don't think she realizes just how hurtful and spiteful she can be.' She deposited Tikki on her opposing shoulder. 'I'm guessing you've eaten then?'
'Yes.' He said slightly shortly, but then looked up at her apologetically.
'Good, because I have as well. Why don't you come and talk to me while I get some sewing done?'
He smiled. 'That sounds wonderful.'
It had been another long day of predominately sewing after their return to the ship, with Chat wandering in and out of the room like the cat that he was.
Marinette had stitched once again until she was cross-eyed, and then continued stitching even further.
However, the front designs on the front and back of the dress had been completed, and now Marinette was concentrating on pulling the whole thing together.
When it was finished, it was going to look stunning.
It was going to be strapless, and in a mermaid-style cut, with a short train behind her. Overall it was going to be a vibrant red, reflecting on her superhero persona, with -instead of spots- narrow, well shaped black stripes down her chest and back that ended at the smallest point of the dress below her waist, about halfway down her thighs.
From there it was going to flare out, purest red and flowing outwards, and all she could do was hope that she wouldn't have to fight in it.
Anyway, she had decided not to wear the suit underneath, instead was also in the process of creating an exact replica mask of her Ladybug mask that, failing any other ideas, she was going to have to somehow superglue to her face.
'Ladybug, you need to take a break.' Chat reappeared back in the doorway, looking at a watch that wasn't there.
'But, I've nearly finished this-'
'Do you need me to bring up room service?' He threatened half-jokingly, and she whitened slightly.
'Alright, alright,' she stood stiffly, only struggling slightly. 'I'm coming.'
Tikki rose up to meet her, and they transformed easily. 'Ah, that feels better.' She smiled.
'I hope you're not straining yourself,' Chat said as she passed him.
'Well, this is no mean feat right here. I'm literally hand-sewing a dress in four days.' She shrugged. 'I mean, I've done it in faster, but this is an intricate dress, that's going to be under a lot of scrutiny.'
Chat locked the front door behind them carefully, and stuffed the key back into his suit. 'What sort of food would you like?'
'Hmm,' she touched her face pensively as they strolled along the corridor towards the elevator. 'I'm not sure.'
Chat shrugged. 'Well, it's not like you have to make a decision,' he pushed the lift button and eyed the screen showing what floor the elevator was currently on.
'You know, I think it's a little unfair that we don't use the room service anymore,' Ladybug commented.
'Well like I said, you're free to use it if you want?'
She shook her head. 'I just can't get those images out of my head. Do you remember the benches?'
He shuddered slightly. 'I try not to, my lady.'
'Do you think that's a bit biased?'
'No,' he shook his head, 'I think it's a case of "what has been seen cannot be unseen". And it's no disrespect meant, either. We haven't told even anyone outside of who was already present.'
'That's true,' she nodded.
The elevator doors slid open and they stepped lightly inside.
Thomas was having a horrible, horrible day.
He was supposed to be having fun, this was supposed to be a wonderful time away from home.
A clean break, as it were.
But he wasn't.
And it wasn't.
He was miserable.
And he knew for a fact that it wasn't going to get any better.
He had accepted that.
But what he could not accept was how goddamn happy everyone else was.
They were all, "here, have another mojito!" and "We're going to lounge by the pool!" and "We don't have a care in the world!"
The idiots.
They should all take a dose of what he was suffering.
Sally had left him less than a week ago, his wife of four years.
They were supposed to have taken that trip together.
But no, she up and left out of the blue with stupid Tony with his stupid face and his stupid accent like it was nothing.
She hadn't even left a note.
Thomas slouched with his feet in the water of the main pool, astutely ignoring the joyful splashing and playfulness around him.
No, he thought, they should suffer worse, for being so damn happy.
'And I'm happy to oblige that.'
As soon as the elevator doors opened, they immediately noticed the problem.
It was completely pitch black, like thick clouds of darkness clung to the main gallery.
Even the setting sun had been winked out, shoving everyone into a suffocating darkness.
'Chat?' Ladybug questioned as soon as she had lost her sight.
A hand seized hers, and pulled her forwards out of the lifts. 'I'm right here, my lady.'
His voice sounded much further away than what it was, and it unsettled her. 'This must be an akuma.'
'It certainly seems so.' He agreed, pulling her back in a slightly different direction.
'We should contact the captain; get everyone to evacuate the main galley.' She pulled out her yoyo, and flipped it open.
For a split second, it shifted, like a tiny, tiny glitch in a system where it shouldn't be.
But then it was fine, and everything was as normal.
She watched it for a long moment, before using her nose to pull up the captain's deck atop the ship.
She relayed to them a few lines of instruction, and as soon as she had finished, Chat released her hand.
'Chat!?' she exclaimed into the blackness, attempting to use the light from the screen of her yoyo as a torch into the blackness.
'I'm not going far, my lady,' even though it sounded as if he did, 'I'm helping some passengers evacuate back into the lifts.'
'Don't wander off.' She instructed, fumbling through the blackness, hyperaware of any sounds around her.
'Don't worry, Ladybug. I can still see. I'll find you in a second.' It was barely a whisper, and it did not comfort her.
Ladybug carefully continued her path forward, testing each step before she put her foot down, and testing the air in front of her for obstacles.
This was a different kind of Invisible One, one that forced blindness on all that was around them.
She knew for a fact that she was at a complete disadvantage.
And there wasn't anything she could do.
The air was heavy and dense, it felt like a fight to simply breathe.
She couldn't even see her hand in front of her own face.
It was like a nightmare.
A hand traced up her shoulder, and she kneed the attacker straight into the side.
A gasp, and the person crumpled.
'Bugaboo, it's me,' Chat wheezed, 'Chat Noir.'
'Chat? I'm so sorry,' Ladybug crouched beside him. 'I can't see a thing!'
'It's alright, just give me a second.' Indeed, a moment later, he hauled himself to his feet.
'How well can you see?' She questioned curiously.
'Not as great as usual,' he admitted, 'but significantly better than nothing. This just screams akuma.'
For a long moment they stood, and Ladybug peered into the blackness as best she could.
An uneasy feeling had settled over her, like someone was watching them.
'Stay close to m-'
Suddenly Chat had tackled her, pressing her head against his chest and wrapping a bracing arm around her.
They fell to the ground in a tangle, but she had noticed it; a disappointed hiss above them.
'What was that?' She questioned quietly, muffled into Chat's chest.
'Someone making a direct attack on your miraculous,' he muttered back. 'Stay on your toes.'
She expected him to release her, but he did not, instead still scoping the area.
'I can't stay on my toes if you're on top of me, Chat Noir.' She said, pushing at him a little.
'Right,' he realised, sitting up carefully.
All of a sudden his body tensed, crouching over her protectively.
'What's the matter?' She questioned up at him, surprised when she bumped her head against his chin.
'Shhh!'
Obligingly, she remained quiet, listening as carefully as she could for any kind of sound.
Yet she could hear nothing but the sound of his slightly ragged breath above her, and her own heartbeat in her ears.
Ladybug struggled to calm herself, to concentrate on the task at hand, but her lack of sight was seriously scaring her.
'I'll be right back.' Chat said above her, and without another word he was gone.
'Wait!' Ladybug said to the darkness, and she carefully pulled herself into a crouching position. 'Chat Noir?'
But there was only muffled silence around her.
She started to pick up sounds that weren't there, and after a moment of uncertainty, she clapped her hands over her ears as well.
Even though this akuma would be able to sneak up on her, he wasn't going to take her miraculous that easily.
She blundered along, desperate for a sound, a sight, anything.
She even struggled to remember what light even looked like, or had she imagined it all?
'Chat Noir?' She called out, not expecting an answer.
And yet nothing still replied, endless and suffocating.
She felt like her nerves were stretching like violin strings.
Beneath her protective fingers she noticed it, her miraculous were shaking.
'Tikki?' Ladybug questioned quietly, listening to the silence absorb her voice. 'It's going to be ok.' She said with more confidence than she felt.
They steadied slightly, but did not stop.
'But is it though?' A voice filtered through the darkness like a nightmare.
Ladybug leapt back instinctively, but then realized she couldn't pinpoint where the sound was coming from.
'Who's there!?'
An endless moment of silence, until,
'Only your Nightmares. Everyone deserves to suffer.' The voice was less than a breath, like it was half-imagined.
Far, far off, there was a sound like a yell.
Ladybug straightened. 'Chat!?' She span, peering through the blackness. 'Chat, answer me!'
'You'll never find him,' the voice smiled, and it seemed to be fading. 'And it's only a matter of time...'
Ladybug swore.
She pressed forward, checking each step.
If only she'd examined the main gallery layout better, she'd have more of an idea where she was.
She just felt so useless, and she knew Chat was in danger.
Suddenly there was a light touch on her shoulder, and Ladybug leapt away from it.
'Hey, kid, it's me,' came a little voice, and Ladybug straightened.
'Plagg?' She questioned, before the implications washed over her. 'Where's Chat?'
'This way.' He landed on her head this way, and lead her along by a few strands of hair.
'Do you know where you're going?' She questioned uncertainly, but following his direction nonetheless.
'I can see just as well as Chat Noir could.' Plagg hurrumphed. 'Mind your feet, there's a step there.'
Ladybug adjusted accordingly. 'Is Chat alright?'
'Should be. He's tougher than he looks, thank god.'
They seemed to be skirting around something, and at Ladybug's hazard guess it was one of the pools.
'What happened? Why did he detransform?' Ladybug moved as fast as she dared whilst adjusting to this strange mode of movement.
'That creepy Nightmare dude has Chat's miraculous.'
Ladybug felt the floor of her stomach drop out.
'What!?'
She picked up her pace.
'Yeah he got the jump on him.' Plagg shook his head, before pulling Ladybug up short. 'Now he should be,'
As Plagg peered around into the blackness, Ladybug felt her hair stand on end.
This was a truly dangerous akuma.
'HEY KID!' Plagg shouted.
'Chat Noir!' Ladybug joined in, and the two listened carefully.
There was a noise next to them, and Plagg screeched at her to duck.
Ladybug obeyed, clapping her hands over her ears.
'Ok, kick straight ahead!'
She did so, and was met with resistance, and a pained groan.
'Great! Now shove him, hard as you can!'
Ladybug found the hunched frame and pushed with all her might, and was rewarded with staggered steps backwards until a faraway splash.
'Nice work, girlie.' Plagg approved, and Ladybug grinned. 'Now, head left.'
'Right.' She followed his direction. 'I think Tikki is shaking,' she eventually admitted.
'She's never been one for the dark.' Plagg nodded. 'And this kind of dark? I don't blame her.'
Ladybug nodded slightly, then followed Plagg's instructions to avoid a bench of some description.
'Is that you, Plagg?' Came a familiar voice, and Ladybug span on her heel.
'Kid? What're you doing over here?'
'Getting out of the way.' Chat admitted. It seemed like he had been taking cover behind the bench.
Ladybug crouched. 'Chat Noir?'
'Are you alright, my lady?' Was his immediate question. 'I'm so sorry for leaving you,'
'It's alright, Chat.' She reached out until she felt fabric; a shoulder, or knee, and patted it lightly. 'Are you alright?'
'I'm fine.' But it sounded like he was putting on a brave face.
'Kid, don't lie.' Plagg zoomed over to him.
'Fine. But it's so lame.' Chat sighed. 'I tried fighting him to get my miraculous back. I tripped over something, and twisted my ankle. You can laugh now.'
Ladybug wasn't laughing.
Instead she pulled him into a tight hug, and surprised herself by pressing a kiss to his forehead. 'Everything's going to be alright. You leave this to me.'
'R-right.'
'Will you be ok if I take Plagg with me?' She questioned hesitantly.
'I'll be fine. Go, Ladybug.' And the way that he had so softly said those words sent tingles up her spine.
'O-ok. Stay here, and stay safe.' She stood, and felt Plagg land once again atop her head.
For a while they moved on, until Plagg reported that they had reached the edge of the pool again.
'Lucky Charm!' She exclaimed, releasing the spell, and after a moment something long and cylindrical fell into her hands.
'What on earth is this?' She questioned aloud, running her hands along it.
Tikki was twitching again, and Ladybug was hyper-aware of how exposed her miraculous were.
It felt taller than she was, and slightly thicker than her thumb.
One end was slightly weighted, and her first thought was; 'A broom, maybe?'
She felt her way down to the heavier end, to discover not bristles, but instead a large hoop, with a large amount of mesh attached. 'No, a butterfly net?'
'Well that's an obvious one,' Plagg noted. 'Sometimes that charm is mega random.'
'Tell me about it.' Ladybug agreed wholeheartedly.
She straightened, looking about herself. 'Nightmare!' She called. 'If you want my miraculous, you're going to have to come and get it!'
A pause, before, 'No, yep, he heard that. Mind your right, he's trying to slug you.'
Ladybug leapt back, whipping the butt of the net to where she guessed he was, and was met with another hiss.
'Nice one.' Plagg grinned evilly. 'Straight ahead now, get ready for a melee.'
She slipped into a defensive stance, readying her net like an oak staff.
And he rushed her, easily landing blows that she knew was going to at least bruise.
Nightmare not only had the advantage of sight, but his strength was accentuated as well, and now Ladybug found that all she could do was defend, and hope for the best.
And then, the worst happened.
A hand struck out before she could stop it, and clasped tightly around her throat.
Immediately she could feel the blood pressure in her head start to rise, and she snarled at her attacker, the net clattering to her feet.
'Hand over your miraculous,' the hand tightened slightly, lifting her so that her toes were only just scraping the ground, 'or else.'
'Ladybug!' Plagg exclaimed.
Ladybug fought for breath, scrabbling against the back of that hand uselessly. 'Why don't you hand over Chat's ring, and your cursed item, or else.'
Nightmare laughed, before squeezing a little tighter. 'Do you really think you're in a position to make demands?'
Ladybug let out a tiny sigh, as much as she was able. 'You hurt Chat Noir. You could have done serious damage to this ship.' She managed half a breath, the blood pounding angrily in her ears while her head felt like it was going to explode. 'Whoever you are underneath, I apologise in advance.'
And without any further warning, she grabbed the wrist of the hand about her throat with a vice-like grip, and swung her legs up with a perfect knee to the side of his elbow. With a sickening crunch the limb snapped in a direction perpendicular to the way that it should, and Nightmare let out a horrified screech, dropping Ladybug to the ground.
She landed awkwardly on the butterfly net, which she hastened to throw over the man.
All of a sudden the darkness snuffed out, and lights flickered back on around the ship.
Ladybug stared down at a man in a long trench coat, black as night over every inch of him. Even his skin was the colour of boot varnish.
She stared down over him as the man sobbed, clutching his broken elbow. 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry,'
Not even the insignia over his face could convince him to get up and continue fighting.
'No, I'm sorry.' Ladybug tried to comfort him. 'Just, where is the akuma butterfly?'
He reached into an inner pocket of the coat and handed her a photo, which she peered at for a minute.
It was of a bride and groom, both cheerily grinning at the camera.
She tore it in half. 'You've caused enough trouble, me petit akuma.' She said, preparing her yoyo as the purple butterfly broke free. 'I'm freeing you from evil.' With an easy catch she purified the butterfly, then untangled Nightmare from the net carefully and hurled it into the sky.
'Miraculous Ladybug!'
Nightmare detransformed back into a bespectacled man in a Hawaiian shirt, still clutching his (now thankfully straightened) elbow.
'Can we get a doctor over here!?' Ladybug called to the empty galley.
She opened her yoyo and dialled the emergency number, but security was already moving onto the scene.
'Everything's alright now,' she reported to them as they approached. 'But he has a broken arm. We should move quickly.'
Glancing down she realised that Chat's ring, now white, was in front of the man.
She snatched it up, as Plagg reappeared over her shoulder. 'He should be over at that bench over there,' the little kwami indicated.
'We should get this back to him before anyone notices.' Ladybug confirmed, already moving.
She covered the area in a few long strides, and luckily no security followed her.
Even more luckily, no security was in that area yet.
She hopped easily over the bench, and landed lightly, whereupon she froze.
Adrien Agreste was sitting there, looking up at her sheepishly. 'Hey there, Ladybug.'
'But,' Ladybug pointed dumbly. 'You're supposed to be in London?'
He shrugged. 'Well,'
'No, wait,' she laughed, shaking her head. 'You just look like him. I nearly forgot.'
He tilted his head in confusion. 'What?'
'It's nothing. Like I said, you just look like someone I know.' She continued to laugh, crouching down in front of him. 'You don't look half like him though,'
Adrien frowned. 'Marinette, I really am-'
There was a noise nearby, and he stared at her intently. 'We can talk about this later. Give me my ring.'
Still chuckling, she obliged him, and he quickly transformed.
They passed by Nightmare, who was giving security his details. Apparently his name was Thomas, and his elbow had been fixed by the Miraculous, but he was still pale and shaking.
They headed straight for the elevator, and what felt like no time at all they were back in their room.
As soon as he had securely shut the door behind them, Chat spoke up.
'Ladybug, what do you want me to say?'
'Nothing. It's fine.' Ladybug crossed the room, without even looking back at him. 'I'm going to keep sewing-' her miraculous flashed at her angrily.
'MARINETTE DUPAIN-CHENG.' Chat said, loudly and firmly, releasing his transformation and halfway crossing the room to her.
She paused, and looked back at him blankly. 'Yes, Chat?'
'You can stand there believing whatever you've convinced yourself, but that does not change the fact of who I am.' He stood strong, stronger than Adrien Agreste had ever stood.
He shook his head to clear it. 'I've decided I don't care if you hate me. But, just, open your eyes my lady.'
She blinked at him. 'But-'
'No buts!' He planted his hands on his hips. 'My name is Adrien Agreste. Son of Gabriel Agreste. My best friend's name is Nino Lahiffe. I'm also friends with Alya Césaire. I sit directly in front of you in class nearly every day. I don't know how I never saw that it was you, Marinette.'
Ladybug's legs let out from under her and she landed heavily on her butt. 'London?' She questioned weakly.
In that moment Tikki forced her detransformation, and Marinette was sitting on the floor.
'I made it up.' He dismissed. 'I had to get Père off my back about coming here as Adrien so that I could come as Chat. There is no movie. My English is terrible anyway.'
She buried her face in her hands. 'Is this some kind of joke?' She could feel herself start to hyperventilate.
'It's really not, Princess.' He crouched before her, and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. 'It's really not.'
She shook her head. 'But I spent all that time convincing myself it wasn't you,'
'But it is me.' He smiled at her, that quiet Adrien smile that could be no one but him.
She once again hid behind her fingers. 'I'm so sorry,' she nearly whispered.
'And frankly,' Plagg said from atop Adrien's head. 'The sooner you figure that out the better. It's exhausting being Chat Noir all day.' He zoomed into the other room, where he knew that cheese would be waiting.
'Hello, Adrien,' Tikki said tiredly from Marinette's shoulder.
'Can I get you anything?' He questioned the little kwami.
'Cookies, please.'
Adrien stood and went to grab the box from the coffee table.
Yes, he was hurt that she had convinced herself so thoroughly, but there was no way he could be mad at her when she looked so pitiful.
'But, you've always,' Marinette had curled herself into a ball, shaking slightly. 'And I've always,'
'Always what?' He questioned, returning.
She burst out at him. 'But you've always been in love with Ladybug, and I've always been in love with Adrien,' she trailed off, flushing a furious red and hiding back in her hands.
'Y-you, what?' Adrien himself blushed red, any thoughts of anything else scrambling for the emergency exit.
'I-I-I- can't believe I just said that,' she mumbled.
'Do you mean it?' He nearly demanded excitedly.
'Oh, just kiss already.' Plagg reappeared again, and rolled his eyes.
Adrien swatted him away, blushing deeper.
Marinette simply up and fled into the bedroom.
Adrien made to go after her, but Tikki hovered in front of him. 'Why don't you let her take a breather.'
He hestitated, then nodded, realizing the wisdom of her words.
Instead he got up, and sprawled over the couch.
Tikki watched all of this, then disappeared into the room after Marinette.
'Well, that was exaggerated.' Plagg hurrumphed, reappearing again and sitting on the coffee table. 'Nice one with that Akuma though,' he chided, 'way to let them just steal your miraculous like that.'
'Did you hear that?' He stared up at the ceiling. 'She loves me.'
Funnily enough, neither superhero slept a wink that night.
Marinette had feigned sleep when he had checked on her uncertainly.
He had hesitated by the door for a long moment, looking between the room and the living room, but only when he had deemed she was asleep did he encroach the room.
She could now hear Adrien tossing and turning restlessly, and resolved to remain as still as humanly possible.
But she was hyperaware of Adrien Agreste who was right next to her while she slept.
Aforementioned Adrien Agreste on the other hand could not calm himself to sleep.
Ladybug is in love with me.
let's all ignore how when a holder removes their miraculous the kwami disappears sssshhhhhhhh (I'd forgotten about that fact when writing but let's face it most authors do on this site and now I can't take it out bc Lb couldn't take Nm down without Plagg)
Also HOW THE HECK IS THIS SO SHORT i re-read it for editing for uploading and I remembered Day 6 being about 3x longer than this wtf me me so I might edit it later will keep you all in the loop though