Once

"The test on Monday is too important to miss any chances in learning, Adrien. All I want is your very best… it's for your own future."

With that, the conversation was over. At least for his father. Like always. It was nerve-wracking, as it was annoying - and Adrien should have known, that his father would dismiss him like that once again.

"It's Friday…", Adrien said carefully, still not done and still so very ready to try one more time to sway his father - and convince him to let him go - so he can go out with his friends. It won't be late anyway - they just wanted to go to the cinema - to the one movie he was yearning to see ever since the production of it had started. But it also meant for him to spend some time with his friends.

… and above all, it meant for him, that he was able to spend some time with Marinette - his lady…

Perhaps he was even allowed to sit next to her. Ever since their reveal, it just felt so much easier to be around the other - both with and without the suits and magical masks. And - who was he kidding - he enjoyed spending time with her. Like a lot.

…perhaps he also enjoyed it, far more, than he should.

The boy should have known, that Marinette was still so very much against meeting and seeing each other, more, than they usually did. Especially when they were supposed to be alone. She was okay with spending time with him and their friends on a regular basis. Or seeing him for a few minutes more after a fight. During patrols. But… them meeting. Just the two of them - to get some ice-cream, just to go on a walk, or being together just somewhere was still something she tried to avoid.

He couldn't understand it entirely - why she was so against seeing him. But… it was a fair trade, given the fact, that he now knew, who had been hiding underneath that wonderful dotted mask for these few - and thankfully past -years. And this very gift - their trust they shared for the other- was definitely something he would not want to give away - ever - again.

"I know, that it's Friday, Adrien. Don't be ridiculous…"

The blond boy cringed at his father's last words - remembering that utterly ridiculous fight they had on Monday afternoon with Chloé.

Again…

He tried to push that very nasty thought back into some dark corner of his mind, before he took a step forward, his father above him, as he stood on top of the stairs. The older man was like a looming, dark shadow, that cast everything into doubts and blackness with his sheer presence and for many years Adrien had stepped away and just agreed with his father, that it was very best, if he kept at home.

But Gabriel has denied his past three wishes to go out and see his friends, as well. And Adrien had always stayed patient. Always stayed quiet. And obedient. Just like he had been for years - always believing, that his father was grieving and healing from the loss of his mother. Then he was just worried about these damned Akuma attacks - so very unaware, that his own son went out almost daily to fight them. Then he excused his father behavior with the worry and sorrow he felt for Nathalie, when she has gotten sick. Or…, later, that he was still cranky, when his son quit his modeling job - but that has happened over three months ago.

Therefore, the boy took a deep breath, before he spoke out loud:

"I want to go, father. I promise, that I will be back before it has gotten dark outside. And I won't fail the test on Monday - I will even start to learn, once I am back home. I just want to see my friends-"

"I said no…"

"And I don't understand, why you won't let me go! Just give me a reason!"

He took another step up the stairs, his left hand reaching out for the balustrade to steady himself. Gabriel stood there unmoving, unfazed by his son's outburst. He merely kept on watching him through those far too expensive glasses, his lips pressed together tightly into a thin line, his arms crossed behind his back.

"Your friends-"

"This is not about my friends!" Adrien knew it - knew it deep down in his heart, that something else was so deeply bothering to his father. And those reasons were not just his friends. There was something else on Gabriel's mind - he seemed to be so utterly busy for some time now - even busier, than his usual self. And that was definitely not just about his next collection. It was… something else, that kept his father away, distracted and - yes - busy for far too long. And this something was it, that kept the older man from being open with his son. But… What could it be? "Maman surely would have-"

Genuine shock and surprise reached Gabriel's eyes in that very moment and even Adrien - realizing what exactly had burst from his lips - took a step back, again.

…for he knew, that he had overstepped a boundary, that he shouldn't have even considered in the first place.

"I am sorry…", he therefore quietly murmured, as his emerald green eyes wandered down to the floor - unable to look up towards father, again. Unable to bear the pain, that grazed the old man's features. Unable to see him - a husband - in grief about the loss of his late wife. "I shouldn't assume- I… I am-"

"Quiet!"

One impatient, cruel word echoed through the halls and shook them down to the core, as something dark and forbidden laid in them, that Adrien was not able to decipher. His hand - strong and steady only a moment before, slipped from the cold, white wood of the balustrade and fell limply to his side.

The boy - it felt like he was shrinking with every passing second under his father's calculating stare - would have loved nothing more, but to hide somewhere and crawl back out, when his father has forgotten about this fauxpa, again.

But he could merely stand there.

"Your mother…", Gabriel finally spoke and Adrien could hear, that the man made one step in his direction, one step down, as he seized his son up and down. "Would and should have done many things differently. Your mother was a woman full of joy and love and laughter. Of course, she would have granted you this wish to go out with your silly friends. Because she would have assumed, that it makes you happy.

I on the other hand see things a little differently, Adrien. I believe, that you shouldn't go outside, when the world is such a vastly dangerous place. Especially now, when Ladybug's powers seemed so pale in comparison to those of her… foe. I am here to protect you - just like your mother wanted it."

His tone was cold, spoken from a heart, that knew so much loss and pain. Spoken by a man, who was withdrawn, perhaps stuck in the past and consumed by the madness of grief.

Adrien could only image, how his father felt - losing the love of his life and living in this Akuma-poluted city, that could harm him in so many ways. A world full of monsters, that could take away his son as well. And still - still there were people out there, that tried to live, that were happy, tried to act, as if this was the safest place in the world. People, that did not give in to all these bad emotions and continued to be - and tried not to hold onto all the badness in the world, seeing pain and dangers everywhere they went. Gabriel did that - seeing only bad, only cruel things, that could take his son away, just like the world has stolen Emilie from him.

But… when would he move on? When was Adrien allowed to grow up on his own?

The blond boy gulped, before he barely tilted his head up, again, trying so hard to face his father once more. Gosh - he has faced far more dangerous - so much more scary - things, than his own father! Villains and monsters, that his father had only seen on the news. And still…

…and still it was so much easier to face them all together and once again.

Perhaps he saw it as his job to be this powerful hero and protector. The sole reason of his existence - when being a son was so much harder and an obligation that was forced onto him by birth.

Or… It was because of her - his lady, his Ladybug and Lucky Charm. Because she had always given him strength and hope through it all. Now she wasn't here, to stand beside him to face his father - but at least there was this mental image of the most beautiful girl underneath the mask, as she would gently smile up towards him, when he stepped too suddenly into the foyer of the cinema, exclaiming, that he had bravely stood his ground, when he said:

"Let me go to the cinema. Please. You know, that it won't affect my grades. Or the public image of your brand. I will be back before 9 and learn until midnight and for the remainder of the weekend. I will give - like always - 100 percent on Monday and-"

"You can't change my mind." Adrien felt like deflating again - his shoulders slumping once more, when he had felt like growing an inch with strength and pride only a moment ago. "I said no, and I will stand with my word. Perhaps I have recently given you too much freedom and free time. Therefore, it's wise, if you stay in your room until Monday."

"You are grounding me?"

"I am doing it for your own good, Adrien."

They stared each other down. The older man remained stiff-backed and like a menacing force on top of the stairs - merely brushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, before he crossed his arms behind his back, again. Adrien was shaking, instead. Too many emotions bubbled within his chest, and it felt impossible to sort through them all in this very moment.

But apparently he had enough time now to do so - with him being stuck in this gilded cage for far too many hours.

"I will tell the chef to prepare your dinner. You will dine in about an hour - until then I already want to see progress in your-"

"Don't worry…", Adrien merely mumbled, feeling now more defeated, than when Ladybug has told him, that Shadow Moth - now Monarch - has stolen every Miraculous in existence. For back than he knew, that they were able to sort through it - side by side - in the end. But now - here with his father - he was stuck and unable to escape the older man's grip.

…at least without breaking their bond and relationship even further…

"…you don't need to call the chef. I am not hungry - and I definitely don't want to eat alone. Neither in the dining room, nor in my room." In his prison…

"Don't act so stubborn, Adrien! You are just like-"

Now it was Gabriel, who bit his lip, before he continued to say something, they would have regretted. But Adrien knew already what his father had almost said.

Yet, he kept on walking, up the stairs and past the man, that still stood there. But he did not stop to walk, felt merely the corners of his lips twitched at the thought, that he was glad, that he grew up, to be just like his mother.

And Emilie - so Adrien thought - would have been proud of her son as well.

… that certainly was a thought, that made him smile, again, by the time he reached his room and opened the door, and it gave him enough strenght to slam it closed. The loud bang's echo was definitely heard throughout the whole, far too quiet mansion - and it hopefully let Gabriel know what his son thought about being grounded for the whole weekend.

"May I say something?"

It was Plagg, who lounged in one of the pillows on Adrien's bed - the pages of one of his cheese magazines laying wide opened in front of him, and the black Kwami looked like he was so very aware of every word the boy and his father has spoken. Though… no… Plagg was aware of everything, that went down between father and son in the foyer.

"Plagg-"

"Your father is a dick!"

Adrien gaped at the small God, opening and closing his mouth, as he tried to say something. To chide his tiny friend - but he just couldn't find any words to do so.

Not anymore.

He just couldn't bring himself to defend his father's actions. Excuse his behavior. Didn't want to argue with the kwami as well.

He just… wanted to go so badly and wished deep down in his heart, that Gabriel would just change his mind, come to this room, knock on the door and allow him to go out and see his friends, instead.

But his father was not coming. No steps echoed down the halls that laid behind his closed door. He had probably stepped the stairs by now and went to his office, instead.

Perhaps… If Nathalie had been still there, she might have swayed his father. But her good influence on him was gone as well.

"What? No objections? You actually agree with me?" Plagg flew towards his Chosen and in a straight line, planting his small paws on the human's forehead. "Mhm… No fever…" He then hovered just before Adrien's eyes, checking them as well. "Now stick out your tongue and say-"

"I am not sick, Plagg!" Adrien uttered with frustration, slapping the black entity away from his face, before he could have checked on his ears, nose, or anything else as well. "I am just… tired with arguing with him! Why can't he just see, that I need more than this!"

He pointed around in his room, and Plagg understood.

"Closed doors thankfully won't hold you back and keep you locked away…", Plagg said wisely with a grin, as the boy walked past him to slump down on his chair. "You can still go and see Marinette!"

He would have loved to do that - just transform into Chat Noir, climb through the window and make his way across the rooftops of Paris and straight to the cinema, where they wanted to meet in about an hour. He could be there way before everyone else - he could already buy the tickets, drinks and a huge bag of popcorn he had yearned to share with her - and his other friends as well.

But… If somehow a word got back to his father of him being away from home, then he would be officially and incredibly screwed.

"I can't do that, Plagg…", Adrien mumbled, letting his chair slide closer to his desk to grab his Biology book, so he could start to learn. After all - there was nothing else he wanted to do right now - and he couldn't just lay miserably on his bed for the rest of the day and let it pull him down. "We have talked about it. Somebody will take a photograph of me, post it online and father will know about it. Then he wouldn't allow me to ever see my friends, again!"

"I wasn't referring to seeing her like that, Kiddo…"

Adrien huffed, as he opened his book on page 192 and shook his head.

"She wouldn't want to see me anywhere else…"

The kwami mumbled something under his breath, that Adrien couldn't understand, but for now he tried to ignore him.

…until Plagg phased right through the book in his hand, startling the poor human.

Adrien yelped in shock and surprise, throwing the book back on the desk.

"Are you crazy? You can't just phase through something and scare-"

"You are crazy! Crazy for this girl! And for once it would be nice, if you acted on your feelings!"

"You know-"

"I know, that you love her! With mask. Without the mask. Definitely more than a friend~ And yet, instead of seeing her, you just obey your father, again!"

Still, he kept his face straight, as if he was not annoyed by Plagg's behavior and kept on looking straight into the display in his hands.

"Yeah - I am sorry, my ladies, but said knight won't be able to come with you. But I suppose, that Nino will keep you two safe and sound, even without me being around!"

He bowed his head lightly, as if he - indeed - wanted to mimic said knight. At least Alya giggled and Marinette…

"Could you just stop interrupting me?"

"Not unless you finally come to your senses! Tikki and I were watching you two dance around the other, for more than two years! And now you have revealed your identity to the other and neither of you is ready to just act on your feelings! You two could be so happy - but you two resist from taking the next step - and I need to watch you brood over stinky and boring books, while you keep yourself chained to this room - instead of taking the risk, going out there to sweep her off her feet and take her out on a date. Or… just watch a movie at her place, or whatever kids your age do these days!"

Adrien leaned back in his chair and rubbed his hands over his face in utter irritation with this small entity, that continued to soar all around him.

True - he had always believed their relationship was going to be easier, once they knew about the other's identity. It definitely wasn't this stupid hide-and-seek game like before. And his feelings for the heroine and Marinette haven't changed one bit - he would even say, that his affection for her has grown more and more ever since.

…also - if he was truly honest with himself - then he truly wanted to go out with her. Just the two of them. He was yearning to do so for many, many months now, and perhaps he had fallen for her for far longer, than he had known it himself. He wanted to be the one, to make her laugh and spoil her with his affection and little gifts. Furthermore, he wanted to hold her hand and tell her, how much she meant to him - more than just a friend and… and he wanted to learn from her, what it really meant to be in a relationship. Sure - having Kagami as a girlfriend had been nice, and he had really liked her. Perhaps they could have made it work and she would always hold some special place in his heart.

But… with Marinette it had been different…

… he wanted it to be different…

If she ever wanted that as well.

Probably not. She merely saw him as her friend. Merely recognizing him as her partner.

'I trust you so much…' - she had told him back then, just moments before their reveal. He had gained said trust, won it in every fight and battle and in all those moments in between, and he definitely didn't want to jeopardize it, just because he stupidly acted on some one-sided feelings. And… for now, it was enough, and definitely more, than he could have hoped for.

"We are friends…", Adrien finally said, eyes downcast to the hands, that landed in his lap, as a faint smile played on his face. "And that's good and… Plagg… what are you doing there?"

Plagg has heard enough. He hovered beside Adrien's bed, the boy's phone in his paws, as he tried to navigate through something on the small device. Humming - very done waiting.

Finally, his shining green eyes lid up, when he found, whatever he was looking for.

"Ha! You even saved her name with that small heart emoji behind it! You are helplessly in love with her!"

Adrien paled, cautiously started to stand, hands twitching by his side, as he fixed solely on the floating being in front of him - and his phone in Plagg's hand.

"Plagg…", he said as a warning, dragging out his little friend's name as a warning. "Put my phone back down…"

But the kwami just grinned slyly at his Chosen, as he raised his left paw, wiggling his eyebrows at the human in a challenging way. "Make me!"

And he pressed the green symbol at the button of the screen - and just like that his phone started to call Marinette. Apparently it was a video call as well.

"Plagg!", Adrien groaned, dashing forward, the Kwami flying high and out of reach, while the nerve-wracking dialing sound echoed through the air. "You little-"

The frustrated boy had his eyes set on his goal, stepping on his bed, to jump from it - missing Plagg with only a very few, but crucial millimeters. Following, jumping - praying, that Marinette would not see the incoming call, so he could come up with a silly excuse in the end.

"Get back down!"

"Just when you ask her out on a date!"

"I can't! I am grounded anyway!"

Another jump, but Plagg flurried away again.

"I don't care, when you two go out! As long as I am finally - Oh hello Marinette ~"

Adrien was panting by the time Plagg's mocking mood changed - but felt a paralyzing punch in the guts, when he watched his kwami speak towards the screen, instead.

"Adrien?"

Marinette's sweet voice reached his ear - utterly confused and cautious, and still so much sweeter than any other sound he knew.

Of course - right now she could only see this room's ceiling - was so very unaware of the magic entity she should be facing. She couldn't even hear Plagg babbling, as he talked about a date, the cinema, roses and cheese for himself, since he set them up on a date in the first place.

"Give it back!", Adrien uttered, standing just below his kwami, who grinned yet again - before he dropped the device down and into his human's hands,

Thankfully, he could catch his phone - even when his fingers felt sweaty from his exhausting hunt after the black entity.

But there she was - that gorgeous girl, that captured his heart in more, than one way - still being so very perplexed at this sudden call.

"Is everything all right?", she yet was able to ask, her head slightly shaking at the strange behavior of her friend and partner.

"Yeah… yeah… everything is good. Alright - even though somebody dared to go on my nerves, again!" His eyes darted towards the black being, who merely stuck out his tongue in his Chosen's direction.

"Somebody?", Marinette gasped and he heard her gulp, so he hurriedly turned his full attention back to the display. "And this somebody surely is your father, yes?"

Adrien's eyebrows rose on his forehead - of course Marinette was very aware, that he was talking about the busybody, that was his kwami. But why was she mentioning his father, instead? Of what Adrien could tell - with the pink walls just behind her - she must be in her room, probably to get ready for the cinema and-

"Your father does not allow you to come!" And there was Alya, leaning over Marinette's shoulder to look at Adrien as well, frowning deeply at the fact, that he wouldn't be at the cinema to watch the movie with them - even though he had been the one to set them up to do so in the first place. And the other girl might be - of what he had gathered in those few talks with his lady - aware of Marinette's secret identity, but she had sworn to not tell Alya - or anybody else - about his. So, Alya couldn't know, that this said 'somebody' actually wasn't his father, but his trusted kwami, instead. "What is his excuse to keep you at home this time around?"

Marinette stayed quiet. Let Alya talk. And yet she watched him most closely, as the corners of her lips were dragged down with the deep sorrow, that reached her eyes as well. There was something in the way she mustered him through the screen, that made him want to reach out for her, to carefully cup her cheek, so he could be the one to tell her, that everything was alright and there was nothing she should worry about.

"Adrien?", Alya's call brought him back from his trance, and he shook his head to clear his mind - while Plagg snickered behind him.

"Ah - yes! Father said, that I should rather learn, than to spend time away from home to see you guys. You know him - he just likes to be a little overprotective from time to time. I think it has started to become worse, now that Monarch has all the other Miraculous and… yeah- I can't blame him from keeping me safe."

A little 'Urgh' was groaned behind him and he knew, that Plagg must be rolling his eyes by now.

Even Alya didn't look entirely convinced by it - seemed to be ready to complain, but Marinette's hand on her shoulder kept her from speaking out loud. Harsh words were swallowed down and Alya sighed, shook her head. Instead, it was Marinette again, who dared to raise her voice towards him:

"Is there no other way for you to come? Or… convince him to let you go, instead? The movie will be only two hours! You could be home before the sun starts to set…"

"I tried to convince him…" And that had gone horribly wrong. "And I don't think, that I should get out secretly. My face is too well known in Paris - my father would catch wind from it, and then I wouldn't be allowed to leave my room - ever - again…"

"Then we won't go, either!", Marinette immediately said, shortly turned towards Alya, before she continued: "Or only you and Nino will go. It isn't fair, if Adrien is the only one, who can't watch the movie, when he is the one, who wants to see it most. And-"

"No! You will go with them as well! You need some time off-" He quickly bit his tongue, before something inexcusable could have slipped past his lips, letting Alya know, that he - too - knew, that Marinette was Ladybug. The black-haired girl's eyes started to widen with each word already, paling, just before he had stopped himself. But quickly he reformed the sentences in his head, before he spoke once more: "School was very stressful these past weeks and we all need some time off. Go with them, Marinette. And then you guys will tell me, if waiting to see it for another week, is worth it, or not. If you guys liked it, then the four of us can see it - perhaps next Friday, or the week after that."

"What a knight in shiny armor~", Alya sweetly sighed and nudged Marinette's side - a tiny gesture she yet ignored. "Don't you think so as well?"

"Yeah! What a knight~", Plagg groaned and his words distracted him and the blond boy was not able to hear Marinette's answer to that. Urgh - he should definitely cut Plagg's cheese rations, when he kept on being on doing that in the future!

…she kept on pleading for him to come. Not with words. But he could tell - feel - what her gaze was trying to tell him.

Or… it was just his mind, who wanted to see it this way. Perhaps he was just interpreting far too much in this desperate time. Though - honestly - that's what he wanted to see. Longing. The wish to be together, alone and unbothered. Just talking - just like they had done way before the drift in their relationship.

Adrien ended the call, before he could have said something stupid and unforgiving.

"You are a coward!", Plagg immediately chided his human. "Marinette - your Ladybug - wanted you to come with her. Or rather - she had suggested herself, that you and her could go to the cinema alone. Together! Just the two of you! But no - you had to act all heroic, again, and decline her offer once again." The black kwami exhaled dramatically, as he landed on Adrien's head with a little thump. Adrien chuckled, as he felt the light weight in his hair, laying there on his back, all defeated by his Chosen's chivalry. "You could have tried to hold her hand. You two could have shared a huge pack of popcorn. I could have found something with cheese. And I could have seen Tikki for two hours and we could have talked, while you two humans smooched around. But noooo~ I need to stay here in this stinky room with you! And it's so boooring~ Why did you agree to this identity reveal in the first place, when nothing was changing for us anyway?"

Adrien huffed, throwing his phone onto the soft sheets of his bed, before he reached up and towards the small being there, to gently grasp him. He brought Plagg up towards his eyes, holding him with care, yet tightly, before he could have slipped from his fingers.

"Knowing, that Marinette and Ladybug are the same incredible girl, is the greatest gift imaginable, Plagg…", he gently whispered, his eyes warily wandering towards the door, to be absolutely sure, that his father would not suddenly burst through it, to see Plagg and hear, whatever his son wanted to say. "And since she now knows, that I am Chat Noir, she understands of the fine line I have to walk with both identies as well. She understands me more, than anybody else. And knowing, that there is just one person out there, who can understand, how I feel - how the real me feels - is a gift, I hadn't known, I have needed in the first place. For she is hiding that side of herself from her parents and our friends as well… And she… she is the one with all these burdens - I am just happy, that I can lend her a hand. At least a little bit…"

A rare glimpse of the truth, that they both hid underneath their masks, that's what they have granted the other with this reveal. Sharing parts of their lives, their hearts. The real humans, that laid underneath it all.

"Then she should know about your feelings for her as well, don't you think?"

Adrien smiled sadly at his Kwami's words and shook his head, before he finally let him go. Tiredly, he walked towards his chair, again, slumping down on it. Eventually, he shrugged.

"She made it clear to Chat Noir, that she did not want to date him. I asked Marinette out as myself a few times and she declined every time. Perhaps… I am just not what she wants as a boyfriend. The real me. All of me. But… that's okay. As long as we are friends and as long as she trusts me - as Adrien and as Chat… After … everything that has happened between us in the past, it will be enough. Perhaps… once we have defeated Monarch, we might try as a little bit more, again…"

Plagg looked at him with raised eyebrows and tiny arms crossed in front of his chest. Green eyes narrowed.

"And…", he spoke, head tilting to the side, "…you really think, that she wouldn't return your feelings?"

Adrien blinked.

"Well… Yes! She wouldn't want to-"

Plagg flew away, hiding just somewhere from this nonsense, and he left his Chosen alone.

Good - or so Adrien thought - as he now finally found the time to read through the two chapters in his book, like he had wanted to do in the first place.

So opened the book from his desk once more, turning to page 192, and he started to read.

But - sadly - he soon found, that no word dared to reach his mind, nothing was able to get anchored in his brain. He couldn't remember, what he read two pages ago, let alone the 60 pages he had read until the sun started to set. Dinner was delivered straight to his door two hours ago - he hadn't even touched it, felt no hunger after the argument with his father anyway. His begging eyes merely wandered to the clock on his desk and he groaned, when he saw, how much time he had wasted.

With nothing…

No…

Nothing was definitely not the right word - for it was everything, but not nothing. Everything, that was dear to him and everything that was able to grasp his heart and mind. With small, gentle hands, holding both with careful and lovely strength. Her blue eyes and black hair haunted him, making him smile and blush, once or twice even sigh.

Marinette was this everything. His everything, and Plagg was so very right to assume, that he wanted to have a closer relationship with her. He wanted to be more than just her friend - much more, than her most trusted ally and leather-wearing partner. And she…

Had she really implied for them - just the two of them - to go to the cinema? Without Nino and Alya, or any of their other friends? Or had it been just a friendly, little offer, like she would have given anybody else, too? Would she have seen it as a date? Or was he just wishing for feelings from her side, that surely weren't there?

A Bing echoed through his far too silent room and it startled him. With stiff shoulders he looked around, trying to find anything in the darkened room behind him - anything, that the sheen of his desk lamp could give away. But Plagg was nowhere to be seen - surely still pouting and munching on some stinky piece of cheese, hidden somewhere in the depths of his room.

And his phone laid - still - on his bed, display down and hidden in the sheets.

Adrien merely shook his head, turning back around, turning back to page 192 - this time hoping to actually learn someth-

Another Bing.

A third followed.

Somebody was messaging him. Perhaps his three friends, who just wanted to check in on him, to tell him they were him, or give him reviews about the movie.

…or…

An attack…

Ugly thoughts crossed his mind too suddenly, and Adrien stood immediately, walking across the dark room and towards his bed. He found his phone, unlocked it and - really- he found messages from Marinette.

But thankfully those were not about an attack as it seemed.

In the first message she told him, that she was home now, Alya and Nino as well - which made him sigh in relief.

Then she had sent him a picture - a bag full of deliciously, sugary, sweet popcorn, that rested on her desk and-

'It's for you…'

Her third message. A small invitation for him to come to her place. To eat popcorn - popcorn she had bought with her money as a gift for him. It still looked so perfectly untouched, just as if she had not dared to take one tiny bit from it herself.

'It's still fresh, I brought it after the movie. It's still slightly warm. Either you eat it, or a certain someone will eat it in 10 minutes. You should hurry…'

Tikki…

Adrien immediately knew, that he would be racing against the sweet cravings of Marinette's similarly sweet kwami. And that thought certainly made him grin from one ear to the other again, while his heart skipped a lovely beat at this sweet gesture.

"Please tell me, that you intend to go!"

Of course- Plagg was there, again. Too curious to stay hidden for only a few seconds longer.

And this time - with such a lovely invitation - he wouldn't stay caged in his room. He had enough time to learn on Saturday and Sunday, anyway.

"I am already on my way! Plagg - Claws Out!"

There it was - that marvelous power, that surged through him and into every vein. He felt, how every pore filled with magical strength, how his hearing and eyesight highrened. He enjoyed this - this transformation into his hero alter-ego and little did he wonder, if Marinette always felt the same.

Chat briefly flexed his now clawed fingers, straightened his back, as if he still felt the lingering exhaustion from sitting for far too long in his chair.

Then he swiftly and without any noise made it across the room and towards the door, leaning his ear against it, waiting for two heartbeats, to make sure, that nobody was outside and everybody fast asleep.

But there was no sound - his father went to bed early, so he had enough time to see his lady for now.

Therefore, he slipped out of his room through the window, inhaling the brisk air outside, smiling at the sight of a resting city in front of him.

…only for a short moment - for he was running out of time and he wondered, how hard Marinette had to fight from keeping Tikki from devouring the contents of his popcorn bag.

…at least they were both bound to ravenous beings - though Tikki surely was the gentler and kinder of the pair.

And thankfully, he didn't need the full ten minutes to arrive at his destination.

Light still shone through the windows of her room, greeting him with a warm glow, that immediately eased his heart and set it into a gentle pace.

Chat - and the boy underneath the mask - have always enjoyed being here. In a place full of kindness and love. A place full of creation - that was such unlike the strict, harsh lines he found at the mansion. He has always liked the Dupain-Cheng's, the way they treated everybody with a warm smile. The way they treated everybody equally. Yes - in their eyes, everybody was a perfectly normal human being - everybody was a possible friend. And he enjoyed that - and loved the thought, that their daughter was raised with the same kindness in her lion heart.

Soundless he landed on Marinette's balcony, his dark leathers blending into the surrounding darkness, that has started to set, perfectly. He deeply inhaled the sweet scent of the flowers she had planted here herself and the delicious aroma, that came from her room - a mixture of freshly baked goods and the sugary sweetness of the popcorn, that beckoned for him to come inside.

"Mhm… you were faster, than I thought you would be…"

The sound of her voice startled him and he turned around, seeing her there, by the trapdoor. The elbow of her right arm rested on the door's frame, her head leaning on her hand for support, as she watched him, still standing on the latter, that lead down below and inside. She smiled, as she watched him take in his surroundings and he blushed at the thought, that she had seen him inhale the mixed flavors, that still tried to invade his senses. If she had seen it, then she wouldn't let him know, that is for sure…

"At the promise of popcorn I just flew all the way here to your threshold, dear princess…", he replied with a deep bow in her direction. He smiled, when he heard her laugh gently at his silly behavior.

"Silly kitty…", she whispered and shook her head, before she invited him with a small movement of her head inside. "Now come. Or there won't be any popcorn left for you!"

She disappeared, climbing down and he heard the rustling of her bedsheets. He followed a moment later - didn't want to wait any moment longer.

"…but you shouldn't have done that. Buying popcorn just for me…", he yet mumbled, bouncing down her bed, landing as quietly as the cat he was on the floor. Facing her, as she still climbed down from her bed. His words made her frown and once she had sat her foot on the ground, she crossed her arms in front of her chest with a tiny huff.

"You looked so sad, because your father forbade you to go with us! You tried to pretend, as if you were not bothered by it, but I could tell, that he had hurt you deeply…"

Chat averted his eyes from her. Letting them wander to the floor, his feet, hands, her chaise. Just away and not back towards her. Deep down, he was amazed, that she had understood his turmoil so perfectly. That she played her part perfectly as well and stayed silent about it in front of Alya. But then again… she shouldn't feel responsible for him in that way…

"He is meaning well…", he yet pressed between his lips, his hands nervously fidgeting by his sides. "…he is afraid… of the Akumas and everything else, that Monarch might throw our way. My way…"

"You will turn 16 in a few months, Chat…"

"So?"

"You will grow older. He can't keep you chained up forever like a-"

She sighed, her eyes widened. Then she stepped past him, and towards her desk. He dared to watch her again, by the time she had her back to him and he gulped heavily, trying to enjoy the way her oversized, black - his color - hoodie suited her so perfectly. Her hair was down as well - and it certainly was such a lovely sight. But the pain in her words still held tightly onto his heart.

"Like a what, Marinette?", he therefore asked. Carefully, and yet he needed to know, whatever was on her mind. For he trusted her - even when she spoke a truth he would deem as ugly, scary, or disgusting. But just like he had earned her trust, she had earned his as well - and that wouldn't falter and turn to dust, again.

And she should know that.

She did - he quickly reminded himself, patiently waited, until she turned around, now with the popcorn bag in her arms, and Tikki perching on her shoulder. Shyly she looked at him, before she shakingly spoke:

"… l-like a pet. A- a dog. He can't keep you on a leash for all your life. And he should know that - should know it above all people. And yet…", her soft voice trailed off, and Tikki reached up for her cheek to gentle brush her paw across it.

…and he yearned to do it as well - just step out, reach across the space between them, to caress her skin.

But Chat stayed right on the spot, just watched the girl and her kwami most carefully.

"…and yet he does not treat you with the love you deserve…", she finally finished, a mere whisper and little did he wonder, if she had intended to say these exact words at all.

"Marinette…", he breathed, finally stepping forward, ready to say, that it was okay, that she spoke that way. That there definitely was a reason for his father's behavior and so much more, that he wasn't even able to think about at the moment. But he merely startled her with his call. She blinked, torn away from all those thoughts, that have run miles per hour in her brain. Shaking her head, she finally stepped forward, pushing the bag with popcorn in his hands with a little smile, that she was able to muster, once more.

"I know, that I am not in the position to say something like that about your father. You know him best - and I am sure, that he - indeed - has his reasons for keeping you at home. Perhaps he is just overprotective. But he - truly - should eventually learn, that he can't keep you chained to your room until you are an old, grumpy man. But… we should forget about that now and let's just hope, that he was in bad mood today - next time around he surely lets you come with us, again. And now - transform and eat up, before Tikki takes off with this bag!"

He watched her for a few moments more, swallowed hard.

This conversation was not over. He wanted to tell her so badly, that he had mentioned his mother and that it had gone downhill for him after that. He wanted to tell her, that he is tired of doing, that his father wishes from him - that he just - sometimes - wanted to break out of this mold, he had been pressed into.

Being Chat Noir made it easy. Chat Noir was his true, punny, silly self. The one is mother would have loved, his father loathed.

But… he just couldn't bring himself to speak about it, again. For he knew, that this gorgeous, wonderful girl in front of him was already worrying too much about him - and this brave heroine and Guardian of the Miraculous had already so much on her own shoulders to carry.

…his life shouldn't be one of them.

A careful look in Tikki's direction let him know, that the Kwami was very aware of the turmoil in his heart and mind. She gazed between her Chosen and him with big, watchful eyes, but stayed silent - and he was thankful for that.

Though… He wondered what Marinette would truly say, if he dared to be honest about the whole situation.

…if he dared to be honest with her and himself.

"Don't you…", she mumbled, finally her lips twitched upwards again, as she crossed the arms in front of her chest. "…want to transform? Not that I mind - but you shouldn't feel the need to keep the mask on. My parents are very much asleep - they won't notice you anyway!"

Slowly a slight smirk spread on his lips as well - trying so hard to push all these dark thoughts away, as he wiggled his eyebrows at he - pretending, that for him this conversation was over as well.

"I was just wondering, if they would rather faint at the sight of a hero, or your classmate in your room on a Friday night, princess~"

She cringed, as a very faint blush made it across her cheeks.

"…let's just hope, that neither of these scenarios will lead to an Akumasation. I neither want to fight my father, nor my mother - ever - again!"

"Of course!", Chat shook his head - remembering every fight with them as well. Family feuds - the Akuma-version - were never pretty. "I will remain as quiet as a cat!"

And still he de-transformed. She had given him the choice - and gladly took it. For it still felt so wonderfully exciting to do it - transforming, whenever they could. Without hiding, or silly excuses.

Marinette had watched him shyly, averted her eyes from him, when he now stood in front of her, just as casually dressed as her. Without a mask separating them.

"Thank you - once again!", was yet all, that Adrien could say, to which she merely nodded.

"Do you have some Cheese as well?"

"Plagg!", both Tikki and Adrien chided the black kwami - and it was the dotted entry, who flew to her other half. She took a hold on one of his ears, dragging him away - with him protesting, or course. "You shouldn't always behave around our humans, like that! Remember, what I told you three hundred years ago-"

She pulled him up towards the skylight and both were gone, as was Plagg's response to that. He could only watch them and stayed quiet.

"Tikki likes to be outside. On the balcony - when it's dark and… When I learn, or have other things to do", Marinette explained with a somber voice, her eyes sticking to her trapdoor as well. "Don't worry - she knows, that she should hide. And she will let Plagg know that as well. But… she… does not talk about it, but I suppose, that she just wants to keep an eye out on the city. Not only to make sure, that there isn't an attack going on, that I am not aware off. But… to look out for them…"

The other kwamis… Tikki's and Plagg's brothers and sisters. They were still gone, still in Monarch's grasp - and it was just a matter of time, until he will use one of their powers against them.

"We will get them back, Marinette… Each and every Kwami - and the Miraculous, they are bound to…"

"And… if we don't?", her voice was a mere whisper and when he looked back towards the girl in front of her, he found her so small and vulnerable, that it almost broke his heart. Marinette held her head in both hands, and there were unmistakably tears in her eyes. She was panting heavily.

He had seen her before. Just like that - mere moments after she had realized, that she had lost all the Miraculous. And back then it had already been the most heart-wrenching thing, he had ever witnessed.

"We will…", Adrien hummed, setting the bag with popcorn down on her chaise, stepping closer and laid both hands on her upper arms. Applying just a bare hint of pressure - so she was aware, that he was there. Here. With her. "You. And Me. And everybody else, who you trust. We will win and beat Monarch's ass. But most importantly - you will have the kwamis back. All off them. Even Nooroo and Duusu. And then I will protect them as well - with everything I have."

Slowl, Marinette lowered her hands from her face, again. Her breathing eased and her eyes found his once more. He heard her swallow, before she meekly breathed: "How can you be so sure, Adrien?"

"I have faith in you~", he simply said and shrugged. "Master Fu chose you for a reason. To be Ladybug and the Guardian."

She gazed at him. He let her. Waiting, until she spoke, or acted, or turned away. He let his words sink in - and he dearly hopped, that they found their way into her heart.

"You… Are…", she breathed at the loss of words. Trying to phrase her thoughts. Eyes very briefly landing on his lips, hands touching his chest for a millisecond, before she made one step back and out of his reach. But at least she smiled - warmly and lovely and he would dream of this smile for years. "Thank you!"

"Always…"

And most quietly he added.

"…milady…"

This time she didn't correct him.

A/N: Just a little bit off fluff. And in this story I will definitely depict Gabriel as the prick, that he has become in the last few seasons. Oh boy, that will get ugly...

And since I enjoyed them in my story 'Happiness', I bring back the chapter teasers :D

Next chapter: Something about the beauty of art...