A/N I'm still waiting for comments on ideas for questions they would ask each other. So for this chapter - no questions :)

Chapter 5: No more dating

Marinette ran into class, almost tripping as she came in through the door. Late as usual, she ran to her seat with a quick apology to Ms Bustier. She mumbled an "I'm fine" to ease Adrien's concern and tucked herself into her seat next to Alya. Basically, her normal morning routine. Even the swarm of kwamis in her room could not wake her up on time.

She was up late into the night, trying to decipher the grimoire. It was Chat's fault. If he didn't keep her on that rooftop for hours, she would have started much earlier. And then he has the nerve to make her lose concentration because she kept thinking about questions to ask him. And now she's late for class because of him.

Boys!

Well, she thinks he's a boy, not a man. He doesn't seem much older than her. Should that be one of her questions? Would knowing his age be revealing too much? She won't ask for his birthday, just his age. That should be fine. Maybe his Zodiac sign, he must be a Leo.

"Have you seen the new highest rated post on the Ladyblog?" Alya asked.

Marinette looked around in surprise. She almost forgot where she was. Up front, Ms Bustier had her back to them while writing on the board.

"No. What about it?"

"Ladybug and Chat Noir were spotted at the movies a few days ago. Again," Alya said with excitement.

"What?" Marinette asked a little too loud. When Alya got excited about the Ladyblog, it usually meant trouble for Marinette's secret identity.

"Something you don't understand, Marinette?" Ms Bustier asked.

"Em, no. I think I got it. Thanks."

Marinette waited for Ms Bustier to turn back to the board, then leaned in close to Alya and repeated, "What?"

Alya handed over her phone, where a muted video showed Ladybug and Chat leaning close to each other, whispering into each other's ears.

"They went to a movie together. It's the second time that I know of. They look so cute together. Look how they're in each other's personal space. At last, my ship is sailing." Alya was very excited.

"What? No, that can't be. They're just at a movie. We go to a movie together all the time. It doesn't mean anything." Marinette struggled to keep her voice to a whisper.

"Come on, Marinette. Why are you so adamant? Look how cosy they are with each other, whispering sweet nothings in each other's ear. They're more than friends."

Marinette kept her mouth shut before she would reveal too much, but she couldn't look away from the video.

They were not cosy. They were leaning close so as not to disturb the other moviegoers. They whispered comments about the movie, not 'sweet nothings'. Alya was taking it all out of context.

The video went around the school, and everyone who saw it made the same comments as Alya. Marinette watched the movie again. When she ignored her inside knowledge of what was being said, she could not deny that it looked exactly as Alya thought. This was bad. She'll have to cancel this dating idea.

She felt the disappointment deep in her gut.

As usual, Chat Noir waited for her at their usual place. She suspected he had nothing to do but come here and wait for her. If only she had that much spare time.

Ladybug was nervous about meeting Chat today. She hated to disappoint him again by cancelling their dating.

"Welcome, m'lady," Chat met her with his usual bow and kiss to her hand. She pulled it away before his lips touched them. He stayed bowed over for a few seconds before rising with a grin.

"Thank you, Chat Noir. You're here early as usual. Lots of time on your hands?"

"For you, I make time."

Does he have to make this so difficult?

"Chat," Ladybug said.

Chat's grin disappeared. He recognized her tone. He knows she's going to reject him again.

Oooh, I'm hating this already.

"Chat, we have a problem. Have you seen the Ladyblog?"

"All the time. What specifically is bothering you?"

"They filmed us at the movie. They think we're dating."

"Well," Chat said, "we are."

"Not like they think," Ladybug said. Chat flinched at her words. Only a slight tightening of his eyes, but enough for her to notice. As much as he claimed to be on board for this non-romantic dating, he wasn't able to put his feelings aside. Maybe it is better they stop dating. "It would be an even problem if it was true. Hawkmoth shouldn't think we're dating. I don't want to give him any benefit over us. I'm sorry Chat, it's over. We have to stop dating."

Chat closed his eyes. He must work through the pain of another rejection. Ladybug never felt this bad at rejecting Chat. She's never enjoyed it, but this time she felt actual pain, like she's lost something inside her. Somewhat reminiscent of her breakup with Luka.

Chat's eyes opened and a smile blossomed on his lips.

"Let's dress up, so they won't realize it is us. Like I dressed in a tux on our first date." Chat's eyes opened wide. "I didn't mean I'll wear a tux. Nothing like that. Just some regular clothes, something long to cover our suits."

"Dress up?" Ladybug asked herself. "What about the mask? And your ears?"

"I'll wear a hat or something with a hood," Chat had a quick response. "And the mask will have to stay. I'm sure there are other people who wear masks around town." Chat shrugged.

"I doubt it," Ladybug said. Chat's shoulders slumped. "But it could work. We'll need to go places where they won't demand we take the mask off."

"Or we could reveal ourselves just to the manager to get special permission."

"The suit is skin tight, so my clothes can fit over them." His idea felt really good, like he lifted some weight off her heart. She couldn't understand why she liked it so much. It's not that good. "We can't get dressed at home. We don't want to be seen hopping over rooftops with anything but our suits - people will see us and catch on."

"Bring a bag. We can get dressed over here," Chat said. "We don't need a change room."

"We could do that."

"You don't sound excited about the idea," Chat asked carefully.

Ladybug debated how honest she could be. He might get insulted that she didn't take their dates seriously. Then again, if they were going to carry on this dating, he needed a reminder this was not romantic.

"One benefit of going on dates with you is that I don't need to worry about getting dressed up for these dates. I transform and I'm ready to go. If I had to get ready for these dates I'd be very late every time."

"I see the problem," Chat said. "It would cut our dates shorter if you came late. It would be simpler if you could just create clothes."

"Yes, it would! Tikki is the kwami of creation. Let me think."

Ladybug looked into herself, imagining the clothes she would want to wear. She reached for her power, the same power she feels when creating the Magic Charm. She felt the power spread over her body, from her head to her toes, similar to the feeling of transforming.

"Wow!" Chat said. He was looking at her with awe.

Ladybug looked down at herself. She wore a pair of black ballet flats with red trimming, red jeans with the bottom rolled up. A black shirt with red ladybugs stitched at the top right. She had a black blazer with rolled up sleeves, showing the light red lining with black polka dots. A red polka dots purse hang by a black thread over her shoulder.

Neither said a word as she admired her new outfit. In sudden panic, she brought a hand to her face, but relaxed when she felt her mask in its place.

"This is amazing," Chat said. "If not for the mask, you look like one of my friends. You'll blend right in. Now they'll think I'm dating a civilian."

"Maybe you can do the same thing. Imagine clothes you wish to wear and, you know, transform into them."

Chat closed his eyes and concentrated. He crunched is eyes and made a face. No transformation took place.

"I think Plagg does not take requests."

Ladybug wished she could change Chat's suit. Maybe if she spoke to Plagg and described how he should change the suit. He should hear her when she speaks to Chat like Tikki hears everything. Better yet, she needs to show him a picture. Would he see with Chat's eyes?

How do I get the image directly to Plagg?

"Hold on a sec," Ladybug said. Once again she concentrated on her inner power, picturing an outfit for Chat. She lifted her yoyo, opened it up, reached inside and pulled up a black ring.

"This is for you," Ladybug handed the ring to an awestruck Chat. "Put this on and allow it to transform your suit."

Chat took the ring and held it up for a close examination. "Wow, you created this. You're amazing!" He placed the ring on his finger. A pink light ran down his body, replacing his usual suit with a new ensemble. Chat wore a black button-down shirt with an upturned collar and sleeves rolled up above his elbow. He had a green shirt with 3 horizontal black stripes, black jeans and golden sneakers with green laces. A black baseball cap with a green paw print topped up his new look.

Ladybug liked how he looked; more than she expected.

"You look like a model," she said. "Although you might need to swap the cap for a derby hat."

Chat studied his outfit, making a few facial expressions Ladybug could not interpret.

"Impressive. This feels," Chat searched for the right word, "comfortable. I feel at home in these clothes." He looked up with a searching look. "Where did you get the inspiration for these?"

"I'm not sure," Ladybug said. "I imagined us going on a date as civilians, and these are the clothes which I imagined you wearing. Why do you ask?"

"They..." Chat hesitated, "look familiar. Now that we're dressed appropriately," he changed topics, "may we go on our planned date?"

"We'll have to walk. Swinging from the rooftops will make our super disguise super pointless."

"What about these?" Chat twirled his baton in his hand. "Most people I know don't have a baton stuck onto their back or a yoyo hanging on their hip."

"We can put them in my purse. After we get down from here."

Down in the alley, while Ladybug put away their weapon, Chat held out his elbow and asked, "Shall we?"

Ladybug hesitated for a second, shrugged and put her arm through his. Together, they took their first hesitant steps into the street. During the first five minutes, they glanced at every passing person, watching for recognition, expecting to be called out as Paris's superheroes. Instead, the Parisiens walked up and down the street, ignoring the red and black dressed teenagers. They received only a few curious glances until a teenage girl came to a stop right in front of them, forcing them to stop. She stood there, arms on her hips, inspecting them top to bottom. Ladybug tightened her grip on Chat's arm, pulling him closer.

"The masks first caught my attention and then I studied your outfits," the girl said, frowning at Ladybug's hip. "Ladybug and Chat Noir themed clothes, I love it! Where did you buy them? I also want. Didn't they come with a Yoyo to strap on?"

Ladybug sighed in relief, but did not release her grip on his arm.

"I'm sorry," Chat said to the teenager. "These outfits were designed and created by, well," he pointed to Ladybug, "em, Ladybug I guess."

"Oh, wow. You even use their names as pet names or each other. You are such a cute couple. I thought I was a big fan but you guys outdid anything I've ever done. This is so amazing."

"Thank you," Ladybug said, "but we're late." She pulled on Chat's arm and got them moving, walking around the girl.

"If you decide to sell the outfits," the girl called out from behind them, "I'll buy them."