Chat Noir stood with his mouth open at all the tins and packets of food that were piled up in boxes. How things had come to this he wasn't entirely sure, but somehow he felt it had been his own fault. Turning to look at Ladybug, his heart melted to see how happy and proud she was to present the contents of the storage shed to him, even if the reasoning behind it had been misguided.

"It's all for you Kitty." She said happily. "All of Paris loves you and no one wants to see you go hungry over the winter."

"For me?" He asked, perplexed.

"Of course Kitty." She said, patting him on the back.

"Wow." Was about all he could muster to say. He was touched and overwhelmed but Chat's stomach practically groaned at the thought of more food. This had clearly been a misunderstanding, and he was feeling embarrassed from the top of his cat ears down to his toe beans.

Ladybug threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. "Don't be embarrassed, Chaton. I only want the best things for you and the idea of you being alone and hungry over the holidays would make me sadder than you know."

Well he never wanted to see his Lady sad, but the fact was he was going to be far from lonely or hungry over the holidays, and he had no idea how to fix this.

~~~~~

As far as Adrien could tell, It all started a few weeks earlier when he was visiting the Dupain-Cheng bakery. He thought he was in seventh heaven as he ate another spoonful of Sabine Chang's signature chicken and sweet corn soup. The weather might be cooler outside as autumn dragged on and winter was approaching, but he was feeling toasty warm inside and out. It was definitely a great suggestion by Alya that they come and study at Marinette's place over the lunch break.

"I like seeing a young man with a healthy appetite." Sabine said, topping up Adrien's bowl with more of the hot soup and another slice of crusty bread.

"I'll have some more too Mrs Cheng." Nino piped up, holding out his bowl.

"I knew you'd want a second helping." Sabine beamed. There was nothing more satisfying for a cook than to see their hard work being enjoyed.

"I don't normally eat so much." Adrien said, sounding a little apologetic. "But the photoshoot this morning ran overtime and I missed breakfast."

"You missed breakfast!" Marinette said, surprised. Her cheek then started turning pink when Adrien looked at her. "D-does that happen often?"

Adrien shrugged. "Sometimes." He said, shovelling more of the soup into his mouth. "Everything has been a little chaotic at the company recently, father has been busier than ever, plus our main chef quit unexpectedly last week. I think my father and Nathalie are primarily running on caffeine and adrenaline at the moment since I hardly see either of them, so the usual meal times have gone a little by the wayside."

Everyone looked at him sympathetically, but really, Adrien didn't mind so much. Akuma's had ramped up recently, and not being watched constantly had its advantages when he needed to transform and disappear himself for a while.

Sabine shook her head. "Well that's fine for them, but that's no good for a growing boy. Growing boys need good food and nutrition in order to thrive and grow. I want you to come home here with Marinette for lunch on as many days as you can."

Marinette's face turned so red Alya was afraid she might self combust. "But, don't you usually go home for lunch?" Alya asked, trying to give her girl some breathing room from this sudden suggestion.

Adrien rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Usually, but not not at the moment. My father and Nathalie have been really busy so my bodyguard can't always get back in time."

"Why didn't you tell us Dude?" Nino joined in. "You weren't just sitting around at school on your own were you?"

Adrien looked away from them. "No. Well not exactly. I went to the library and did homework." And fought the odd akuma, his mind added. They're frowns looking back at him made him panic a bit. "I need to do my homework then." He added quickly. "Because…because I have fencing and Chinese, and photoshoots and stuff after school. It's good to get some of the homework out of the way."

Marinette, Alya and Nino all looked at each other feeling a little guilty that none of them had noticed this had been happening and that they hadn't been looking out for him more.

"Well that settles it." Sabine said with a determined air. "You are coming here for lunch. Marinette, you make sure he comes with you."

"Oh no Mrs Cheng, I really couldn't impose like that."

"Nonsense." Sabine insisted, placing a hand on Adrien's shoulder. "You're Marinette's friend, and Marinette's friends are always welcome here at any time."

And so that was how it came to be that Adrien spent most of his weekdays eating lunch with Marinette at her house. The first week he worried that he had perhaps overstepped his welcome as Marinette would fidget, stutter and struggle to maintain a conversation. She almost seemed grateful when there was an akuma alert and he said he had to leave. Marinette had always been a little skittish around him, and the last thing he wanted to do was make her feel uncomfortable.

He was about to stop coming when one day she seemed to have dug deep and began to open up more to him, chatting about a design project she was working on. It was a breakthrough. After that day, lunch times with Marinette became the highlights of Adrien's week. It wasn't everyday, because sometimes there were akumas and Marinette would disappear, or they had other things they were doing for school, but it was most days. Not only was Sabine's cooking amazing, but he felt like he and Marinette were becoming much closer friends, and that made him very happy.

Adrien was also very grateful that being Chat Noir gave him the chance to burn off some of the excess energy he was consuming. While Sabine always cooked healthy and nutritious meals, the fact they lived in a bakery was more than just a small temptation. Between Marinette and her father Tom giving him "a little something for later", and Marinette bringing him pastries on days he didn't come to lunch with her, Adrien did worry that the excess carbs could start to become more visible. He could have declined the extra pastries of course, but Adrien and self control didn't always go together when it came to Dupain-Cheng delicacies. Besides, it seemed to have made Marinette happy to see him eating the foods that she baked, and he liked seeing Marinette happy.

~~~~~

"Adrien, Nathalie told me your outfit had to be let out and adjusted for this photoshoot…care to explain yourself?"

Adrien suddenly found the ground very interesting as his father glared down at him. Whenever he was summoned to his father's office like this, it's never for anything good. He knew that cold glare all too well, that look of disappointment, and he felt it right in the gut. On second thoughts, maybe that was his overeating from that day coming back at him.

"I guess maybe it's the food at the school canteen." Adrien fibbed. He hadn't told his father he had been spending most of his lunch breaks with Marinette at her house. One, it wasn't his business as far as Adrien was concerned, he was sixteen after all and could make some choices for himself. Two, and more importantly, he really didn't want his father telling him he couldn't go if he found out.

Gabriel gave him a sceptical look. "I would have hoped you would make appropriate meal choices under the circumstances. As it is, you're going to have to restrict your diet for the next week or so until we get through this next shoot. I have a new chef now, and I will see to it that he sends a packed, portioned salad for you to eat at lunch while you study. I'm counting on you Adrien. Don't let me down."

"Yes father."

During the week his father had the chef pack Adrien a salad for lunch at school, but he wasn't eating them. Instead, Adrien stashed the salad and kept going to Marinette's house for lunch. He knew it was wrong of him to do it, but the thought of not spending lunch with Marinette…well he just wasn't ready for that thought yet.

Dinner times were a bit harder to deal with. Mostly it consisted of nothing more than a vegetable based soup or more salad. No meat, no desert, and a glass of water to wash it down.

Adrien didn't complain though. He didn't want to let his father down, so he ate up the low calorie meal, and went out to join Ladybug on patrol. It was always nice to spend some time with her under the moonlight, even if it was a bit chilly out.

Taking a break on their favourite rooftop, Chat laid back with his arms folded under his head while Ladybug sat beside him. He lived for moments like this, the two of them together just looking at the stars. It was funny though, with all the time he had been spending with Marinette, he hadn't thought about Ladybug as much as he used to.

Looking up to Ladybug just now as she gazed over the lit up city, he still felt that familiar flutter in his chest, but he realised he had also started having that same feeling every time he was on his way to the bakery, everytime he thought about Marinette, and he wondered what that could mean.

Chat's musings were abruptly disrupted when his stomach decided to let out a loud and embarrassing growl.

"Excuse me." He said, sitting up on his elbows. "I guess that salad is coming back to haunt me."

"Salad?" Ladybug queried with a raised eyebrow. "You didn't just eat salad for dinner did you?"

Chat was a little taken aback by her level of concern. "We'll, yeah, but it's okay it's just part of my diet."

That information didn't seem to make Ladybug feel much better. "Chat, why on Earth would you need to be on a diet? That's no good for a growing boy. Growing boys need good food and nutrition in order to thrive and grow." Ladybug said, folding her arms and giving a little head nod.

Chat had to make a double take. Ladybug sounded almost exactly like Marinette's mother. Although that cross little pout on her face was all her.

"No, it's fine, really." He tried to insist. "I just need to ration out my food intake this week, that's all. I'm perfectly fine m'lady, trust me." Ladybug furrowed her eyebrows at him and he gave her a nervous smile. He knew that what he was saying probably didn't make much sense, but what else could he do?

Ladybug was worried enough about him that she told him to stay there and wait for her to come back. Racing home she put some leftover pastries into a Tupperware container and took them back to him. He was hesitant to take them, knowing it would blow the diet he was on, but her eagerness to see him eat them made it difficult for him to say no. Besides, he couldn't very well tell her he was on a diet because he was a model. That would put their identities at risk.

So Chat ate the pastries she had brought. They were amazingly good, and somewhat familiar, especially that passionfruit macaron. "Where did you get these from at this time of night? There aren't any bakeries open around here at this hour."

"Don't worry, Chaton, I made these." She said, encouraging him to eat more. "So you have as much as you like and I'll bring you more next patrol."

"Oh, you don't have to…"

"Yes I do Chaton," She insisted. "You are always looking out for me with akumas, so let me look out for you for a change." She was giving him the softest look he could hardly say no.

By the end of the week, Marinette was paving her bedroom floor. She had been taking food with her on patrol for Chat, but she was still worried about him. Ringing Alya, her best friend rushed straight over to see what was wrong. Marinette told her what Chat had said and Alya listened intently with a grave look on her face.

"And he's been taking the food?" Alya questioned.

"Yes." Marinette affirmed.

"I'm not sure about it…" Alya began, pushing her glasses back up the bridge of her nose. "But maybe Chat comes from a poor family and they are struggling."

Marinette's face dropped. "I didn't think of that." She said, shaking her head. "It makes so much sense though. I know Chat works a job on top of school and…" she gasped, holding both sides of her head. "He must be having to ration his food for the week until he gets paid again. Oh my poor Chaton! He should have told me."

"Maybe he was too embarrassed. People don't tend to announce that they are in need of food and money."

Marinette buried her head in her hands as she sat on her chaise. How could she not have noticed? "We have to do something, Alya. Chat can't just rely on me bringing him treats on patrols, he needs something more substantial to get through the day, especially through the rest of winter."

Alya tapped her chin as she thought. "Maybe we could take up a collection and you can give him a cheque or something."

Marinette shook her head. "No, he'd never accept that from me. It would hurt his pride."

"What if we do it care of the Ladyblog?"

"Maybe…" Then she shook her head again. "No, you're right about being embarrassed. Chat would be too proud to accept money, period."

The two girls sat on Marinette's chaise deep in thought before Marinette had an idea. "What if instead of money we took up a food collection. I'm sure all our friends at school would contribute."

"I…guess so." Alya said a little unsure. "But if Chat Noir won't accept money, what makes you think he'll accept food?"

"Oh he'll accept food." Marinette said confidently. "He can't say no to food."

~~~~~

Adrien was surprised when he found everyone in his class abuzz. He was running late from a morning photoshoot and had expected to find the class hard at work, not in animated conversation. Sliding into his usual seat, he leaned across to Nino and asked what was going on.

"The girls are organising a food drive." He said, straightening his cap.

"A food drive?" Adrien questioned. Nino nodded solemnly.

"Yep, it was Marinette's idea and Alya's helping her. She even advertised it on the Ladyblog and got the TV station to help out. Parisians can drop food stuff off at TVi for the collection. Didn't you see it?"

Adrien shook his head. "I haven't had time to look at my socials this morning, plus I forgot to charge my phone last night and it's almost dead."

Adrien smiled to himself as he watched Marinette talking with Alix and Mylène, making a list of non-perishable items. That would be like Marinette wanting to have a food drive to help the poor. She was such a kind hearted person. He would have to go and get something during the lunch break to contribute.

"Why don't you just get him some tins of cat food." Chloé said snarkly, flipping her high ponytail behind her. "He's just a good for nothing alley cat anyway."

"How can you say that Chloé!" Marinette bit back, stomping over to the blonde. "He's saved your sorry butt enough times, and you can afford to help other people for a change rather than just looking down your nose at them."

"Ugh, you are being ridiculous Dupain-Cheng, utterly ridiculous. If I'd know Chat Noir was nothing more than a poor gutter stray, I would never have let him put his filthy paws on me. Come Sabrina." She said, snapping her fingers.

"Miss Bourgeois." Ms Bustier called out to her. "Class is not finished yet."

"But Ms Bustier, we aren't learning anything useful here anyway." The blonde rebutted, but Ms Bustier shook her head.

"Today we are learning a valuable lesson in helping others, one that I think you could very well learn Chloé. Please take your seat and wait until the bell."

Chloé grumbled under her breath, but sat back down. Adrien on the other hand was even more confused. What did any of this have to do with Chat Noir?

"Nino, can I borrow your portable charger? I left mine at home." Adrien asked. Nino looked through his bag and handed the device over. Adrien plugged it in and searched up the Ladyblog.

"The Great Chat Noir Food Drive?" He gasped out loud. The post was already filled with pledges and the hashtag #feedchatnoir was trending all over social media. The room suddenly went quiet form his outburst and everyone looked at him. He flinched a little under their gaze. "Sorry, um, why exactly are we feeding Chat Noir?"

"Because he needs our help." Marinette snapped at him. Adrien was surprised at how passionate she seemed about it. "He gives so much to the city that it's our duty to give in return. When one of Paris' heroes is in need, we want to show him we are there for him." There was the sounds of agreement echoing behind her.

There was a part of Adrien that wanted to purr at the fact Marinette seemed to have cared so much about his superhero self, but the other part was still looking at her very confused. Surely people wouldn't donate food just for Chat Noir. "But why do you think he needs food?"

This time Alya put her hands on her hips. "Because Ladybug told me he has been restricting his diet and she is very concerned for his welfare and wanted the help of the Ladyblog to get the word out."

"Maybe he has his reasons." Adrien replied innocently. Clearly this was not the right answer. Marinette matched over to him, pointing a finger in front of his face.

"Not everyone is a model, Adrien Agreste. Rationing food isn't normal for other people and it's no good for a growing boy. Growing boys need good food and nutrition in order to thrive and grow." Marinette said, folding her arms and giving a little head nod.

Turning back to Alya, Marinette didn't see the way Adrien's mouth fell open. It wasn't so much what she had said that had him curious, but the way she had said it. The folded arms, the nod of the head, the cute little angry pout…everything in the way Marinette had moved screamed Ladybug and Adrien was sure his brain had gone into short circuit.

Nino meanwhile started chuckling at Adrien's reaction. "Dude, you just got served and you're not even her boyfriend." He said, giving Adrien a jab in the ribs.

Maybe he wasn't her boyfriend, but he had a strong feeling that he might very well be something else to her.

~~~~~

That brought Chat Noir back to the storage shed filled almost to the brim with non-perishable food stuff, from tins of tomatoes and corn, to tuna and beans and everything in between. He seriously doubted he could eat that amount of food in a whole year, not to mention there is no way possible he could explain any of this to his father.

"Ah, m'lady? I think there has been a bit of a misunderstanding." Chat began, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

"Now Kitty, don't go making up excuses. I know you're proud, but don't think of this as charity, think of it as a gift from the people of Paris for all that you do for them."

Chat rubbed his temple with his hand. "It's not that Bug. I appreciate it, really I do, it's just that…I'm not poor or in need of food. I'm not sure what I said that made you think that was the case, but I'm sorry if I made you worry."

Ladybug furrowed her eyebrows at him. "I don't understand." She said, looking at him worriedly. "You said you had to ration your food intake. Why on Earth would anyone do that?"

Chat tilted his head to the side and gave her a lopsided smile. "Well, it all started when I went to a friend's house for lunch a few weeks ago. I'd missed breakfast you see, and one thing led to another and I've been having lunch there most days since."

He watched her for any kind of recognition, but she still was looking at him confused, so he continued on.

"The thing is, it wasn't just lunch, it was the extra treats as well. With all the food I've been getting from her and her family, I was putting on some weight so I needed to ration my intake so I could do my job properly."

"Your job? Chat, what kind of a job requires someone to be on a diet?"

"Are you sure you can't think of one?" Chat leaned in closer with a teasing look. Ladybug looked at him for a moment, her mind ticking over. There was one person she knew who was often on a strict diet, but what could the odds of that be?

"Yes." She said slowly, still unsure. "Yes, I can think of one person with a job like that."

"You know." He continued, a soft smile playing on his lips. "The truth is the reason that led to me going to her place for lunch doesn't exist now, but I didn't tell her that. I kept going, not because of the food, but because I really just loved spending time with her."

He picked up Ladybug's hand and delicately kissed the back of it. He could feel her hand tremble ever so slightly and he tightened his grip around it.

"Thank you." He said, with genuine sincerity. "Thank you for everything, Marinette."

This time her eyes widened and her lips parted. There was no mistaking him now. "Adrien." She gasped before wrapping her arms around him. "I've been so worried about you." Chat buried his face into the crook of her neck. She smelled like fresh bread and cookies. He was really enjoying the hug when she suddenly stepped back and wacked him on the arm.

"Ouch, what was that for?"

"That's for making me worried for no reason." She pouted. "I thought my poor Chaton was starving while Adrien was eating lunch with me." She then furrowed her eyebrows. "And what was that you said about not having to?"

Chat scratched the back of his head. "Father had hired a new chef and he was sending packed salad for me to have for lunch, but I didn't want to tell you." He took a step closer to her and took her hand in his. "I enjoy our lunches together too much to give them up Marinette, I'm sorry."

Chat was sure he could see a faint blush under Ladybug's mask. She then looked back at all the food in the storage cupboard. "But, what will we do with all this food? We can't give it back."

"You know, when Nino told me you girls were doing a food drive, I thought you were making food hampers for the poor. I'd say there would be enough food in here for quite a few hampers, don't you?"

"I guess so." Ladybug agreed, then she looked a little shy and embarrassed. "I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions Kitty. I guess I should have talked to you first"

"Hey." He said, gently touching her face. "It was the thought that mattered. Thank you, for caring so much." He leaned in and kissed her softly on the cheek causing a much deeper blush. "Perhaps I could thank you by taking you out to dinner."

"I, me, dinner?" Ladybug flubbed. Chat grinned at her babbling. There was the Marinette behind Ladybug's mask.

"Yes, you." He laughed. "If you want to, that is."

"I'd love to."

A few days later, with the help of Alya and the Ladyblog, Ladybug and Chat set up a charity food bank. Despite the apparent misunderstanding, Parisians were generous in their continued donations and with the assistance of the mayor many food hampers were distributed to those in need.

Adrien still spent most of his lunch times with Marinette, but now he could say no to those extra pastries because he had soon found something much sweeter - his Lady's kisses. Well, he could say no until after the next photoshoot at least.