He was an idiot. A complete lovelorn fool. His identity was revealed, and he gave Marinette all the clues because he was careless. How could he explain to Ladybug that he was no longer a secret? Adrien stood in complete silence. He felt sick, but joyful. Terrified, but relieved. It was an impossible feeling that he never truly thought he'd have. Someone knew he was Chat Noir. He was no longer just Adrien Agrest or just Chat Noir. He was being seen as himself for the first time in his life. He gripped the hand in his, wanting to hug her and say: "finally". But the words just wouldn't come out, stuck in his throat like glue.

Her heart raced ahead now knowing that she was right. She took a risk assuming, and would have potentially ruined things with Adrien if she wasn't. Just how did she talk to him now. Like normal? But what was normal? Ladybug talks to him with confidence and leadership. Marinette talks to him like she's never spoken until today. Ladybug turns him down, but Marinette tries to lift him up. It was so confusing.

'A-Adrien, are you okay?' Alya called from across the entrance hall. Marinette caught Alya's gaze and instantly felt dread fall into her stomach. A sick feeling that way too much information may have been leaked across all of Paris with the press of a button. With Adrien's hand still in hers, Marinette decided to do the only thing she could. Run.

Dragging Adrien behind, the two ran with all their might. Like fugitives fearing for their lives, he made a brash decision after ducking into an alleyway. Still running he called: 'Plagg, claws out!'. Filling the air with a flash of neon green, Chat Noir appeared before Marinette's eye's. Pulling his baton from his back, he quickly lifted his princess onto his hip and leapt onto a roof. Hiding behind a chimney stack, they waited to see if Alya had followed them.

Sitting in silence, they decided that it was all clear. Alya was nowhere in sight.

Pulling his baton from its place once more, Chat Noir climbed roof after roof to the Boulangerie. He placed her down at the side entrance and asked to step inside. Marinette nodded quietly and opened the door.

With Tom and Sabine in the bakery, Adrien had a safe place to drop his guise. 'Plagg, claws in.' The kwami appeared from the air and fell into Adrien's hand. Pulling some camembert from his shirt pocket, the cat kwami spoke out.

'About time, kid.'

'I'm glad to see you find this so amusing.' Adrien scoffed back.

'I'm so sorry, Chat- Adrien-, ahh! I made a huge mess of things, and I may have given the Ladyblog it's biggest scoop, and I don't know what to call you and-'

'It's okay. Really. I'm glad the one to figure me out was you.' He smiled with genuine sincerity. A warmth that only Chat Noir ever seemed to give in the most special of moments. 'It looks bad right now, but Alya is your best friend, right? We can try and keep her from posting the video. Let's just take a breath and think.'

'How am I supposed to think when I'm literally standing before the man of my dreams after learning he's Ladybug's best friend!'

'I know it's a lot to take, but just act naturally for now. Go to lunch, I'll do the same and then let's corner Alya on the way back. Deal?' Looking up into his cat green eyes, she nodded.

'Deal!' She backed into the room a little and watched Chat Noir reappear once again. It was surreal. He turned to Marinette before pushing the door open, reassuring himself that all would be well. It had to be.

'I'll see you back in class. See you, princess.'

•••••••••••

'How was first period?'

'It was interesting, Mum. I learnt a lot.' Sabine beamed while putting out the lunch spread.

'Is that so? And who was with you, Sweetheart? I heard a boy.' Her prying couldn't have come at a worse time.

'Ah, yes. Adrien walked me home.' Sabine stopped her preparations.

'Adrien? Huh, I swear I heard Chat Noir. Well, that was nice of him. Any reason why?'

'Mum, he's just a friend who wanted to walk with company to lunch. Is that so strange?'

'Not at all. I think it's great. Have you asked him on a date yet? I know you've been trying for a while now.' Marinette seemed a bit taken aback. This was like playing 20 questions.

'N-no. You know I struggle to talk to him.' Reaching for a bread roll and ham, her mother gave an incredulous look. 'What?'

'You know, mothers are more understanding than you think. We also know when things aren't as they seem. You are hiding something from me and I am here to help if you need me. Okay?' It was hard. This was what she needed to hear, but not what she could respond to. Her eyes couldn't lift to meet Sabine's. It was obvious that the conversation wouldn't be continuing.

'Well, I'm here. Whenever you need me. I've noticed you getting tired and more clumsy. You've even become a concern at school with your unexplained absences. But, I can overlook all that as long as you find help when you need it.' They sat together in silence. The two passed food between each other and smiled while gazing out over Paris. Neither one had the words right now, but both felt a sense of understanding.

Things were changing. Marinette's world was shifting, and no one could possibly turn back.

•••••••••••

Adrien stood behind the brick wall dividing his home from all of the city. Dropping the Chat Noir disguise, he rounded the corner and proceeded through the large iron gates.

Once inside, Nathalie burst through the doors into the hallway.

'Adrien! There you are! We've been trying to call and find you. You didn't catch your ride from school! What were you doing?' That's right. The gorilla was supposed to pick him up and bring him home. Instead, he fled with Marinette. This was not going to end well.

'I'm sorry, Nathalie. A friend needed me to help with an urgent request and I forgot to let anyone know.'

'You know that your father is going to be furious once he finds out.' His face twisted into fear.

'Don't tell father, please! I can't go back to living alone again.' The assistant stepped aside and guided Adrien into the dining hall. Not a word spoken, not an expression on her face. He hung his head and followed her lead.

He sat with a thud before his well-balanced meal and began to pick in silence.

'I will not mention today's fiasco to your father. He has too much stress on his shoulders as it is. But, do not do this again! Then you'll leave me with no choice. Understood?' The blond agreed with a nod and resumed eating. He was safe, for now. But what to do with Alya. How could this situation be fixed if she knew his secret? Even it's she didn't post the video, she would still know. And this meant that his exposure to everyone could be imminent. What if she slipped up and called him Chat? What if she said something to Nino or her sisters? The possibilities were terrifying. With each mouthful, his stomach turned, and he became queasy.

'I think I'm done for today. Do you mind if I return to school now?' Nathalie nodded and Adrien bolted out the doors, down the steps and into the car. Her couldn't get out of that stifling atmosphere soon enough. Now, he just needed to save his identity.