Author's Note: Hi, I'm back? I'm still busy trying to write the other stories but life is shitty and I wasn't so confident with what I had. I am still not confident but I made a deal with a friend to publish this, at least the first chapter, and I try to keep my promises so here you go. My first Miraculous fanfic.

To be clear, Miraculous isn't... something I'm happy about most of the time. I find myself screaming in frustration at Marinette or the general way the story goes, the official writers are kinda petty and biased, honestly. Sigh. The temptation is a painful thing. Right, so this is kinda episodic... for now, hopefully, cause I will definitely run out of akuma ideas sooner or later. Heck, the Lucky Charm gives me a headache. Why do I torture myself so?

Alright, enough ranting. On to the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous

Chapter 1: The Usual

"Chat Noir!"

"On it, Milady!" The feline superhero jumped skyward. Soaring over the landscape of Paris, he twisted in the air, retracting his baton as his feet slammed onto the latest akuma's shoulder. "Hey, there. Wonderful aerial service, don't you think?"

He used his momentum to drive the villian down, trapping the bird-like akuma's neck with his feet, forcing the flight path to angle towards where Ladybug had set up her sticky trap. "Come on, see the landing strip over there? Follow the green and- actually, it's more like red and black."

The akuma let out a torrent of undignified squawking.

He leapt off as the akuma careened straight into the Lucky Charm, tearing the akumatised object from the akuma's wrist at the same time. "Good birdie!"

"Gum. The bane of our existence." Chat Noir joked as he presented the small pin to the spotted hero beside him. "Your present, Milady."

"Why. thank you." Ladybug smiled teasingly, breaking the small pin in half with ease and the glistening purple butterfly peeled itself free, only to be quickly snatched and purified by her yoyo, "Bye bye little butterfly."

"How are you going to throw that up?" Chat asked, eyeing the pile of gum as the akumatised victim returned to normal.

Ladybug only flashed him a grin before bending over and plucking a part of the gum, throwing it into the air with her signature phrase. "Miraculous Ladybug!"

"Who knew that could work?" Chat Noir commented, mirthfully watching the sparkling ladybugs cleaned up the mess of the attack.

"I didn't know either."

"And yet you were so confident!" The excited boy bounced to her side, sweeping Ladybug's hand up to plant a kiss on her knuckles, "Just one of the many parts I love about you!"

"Tone it down!" The flustered girl reprimanded, trying to hide her smile. She headed towards the disorientated victim, peering down at him with a reassuring expression, "Are you alright?"

"I- Did I-?"

"It's alright. Hawkmoth was just using you, you were a victim, remember that." Ladybug consoled the former akuma and her earrings beeped, she tensed, "Can you head back on your own? I'm sorry but I gotta go."

"Y-Yeah. I think so. Thank you, Ladybug."

"Always." Ladybug gave a wave as she hooked her yoyo to something, "Bug out!"

"Man, I love that girl," Chat mumbled, only to shake himself out of it when the citizen stared at him. Coughing, Chat gave a two-fingered salute, "Well, the cat's out too!"

And he quickly leapt away from the scene and out of sight with feline grace.

"Adrien, dude! Another photoshoot?" A hand slung across his shoulder as soon as he sat down, causing the blonde to look up and smile.

"Kinda, yeah." He answered. Photoshoots, they were the ultimate excuse.

"You up for lunch today?"

"Can't." His eyes tightened, "You know I have to eat at home."

Nino sighed, patting Adrien's shoulder. "Yeah, but just sometimes would be fun."

"Look, I will call Natalie and ask and if she said okay then-"

"Now that's proactive, Adrien!" Nino grinned brightly, leaving Adrien to laugh awkwardly. He turned around, "What about your girl, Alya?"

"My girl is late, again." Alya muttered, "Really, what is she doing all the time?"

"I'm here!" At that moment, Marinette crashed in so loudly that the chatter in the class petered down for a moment before starting up again. "Am I late? No? Thank goodness!"

"Hey. Marinette." Adrien greeted, keeping up a pleasant smile as the predictable reaction met him immediately, nearly causing his smile to falter. The girl had instantly avoided eye contact, stammering incoherently and very definitively stomping to her seat behind him.

"I swear…" Adrien whispered to Nino, "Does Marinette hate me?"

"No! I mean-!" Nino glanced at Alya, "It's complicated. I can't say."

"Oh." Adrien swallowed the sigh, turning to face the board now that the teacher had arrived. Maybe he needed to try harder. He liked Marinette and really really wanted to be her friend without all the awkwardness but the girl never seemed to want the same. She was calm around anyone but him, for some forsaken reason he could not come up.

"Dense." A small voice whispered with a mischievous chuckle.

Adrien smacked his hand on his chest, internally growling at the little god sitting comfortably in his pocket, who only smugly chuckled again quietly.

(line break)

In an office building in the city, a man breathed deeply, letting the smoke burn in his chest before releasing it in a puff.

"Could you stop smoking in here please?" The smoker's colleague turned to the man, pinching his nose and flapping the document in his hands to blow away the smoke. "At least do it outdoors."

"Does it matter?" The smoker pressed his cigarette in his ashtray, clicking his lighter open and shut in habit.

"Yes!" His colleague frowned darkly at him, "Not everyone likes that disgusting-smelling smoke of yours."

"Hmph, I don't see the boss saying anything."

"Well, she is now." The two of them nearly jumped out of their skin at the voice, turning around to see their boss standing with her hands planted firmly on her hips, glaring at them, a look of clear irritation present in her expression. "Keith, I already told you to quit smoking. I even gave you 'smoking breaks' and yet here you are. You are being irresponsible and detrimental to our working space." She closed her eyes and sighed, "I'm sorry to say this but you are fired. I have all the documents ready. Pack up and leave in the next hour."

"Keith…?" His colleague gave a meek sound as the boss walked away. "You alright…?"

Keith tightened his grip on his lighter. "Fire me? She dared-!"

"Wait, where are you going?" His colleague yelled when Keith stood up, angrily walking away, his footsteps pounding heavily against the ground.

"Smokebreather, I am Hawkmoth. I will give you the power to right the injustice done to you. All I require is Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous."

"Gladly, Hawkmoth."

Minutes later, smoke filled up the building.

He's at lunch. He'satlunch, atlunch, atlunch! WITH us! Oh my god, please don't show him anything embarrassing-!

"You okay, Marinette?" Adrien had a hold of her elbow, looking down at her in concern because obviously, she tripped when she was thinking of it.

She let out an exclamation in surprise, jumping backwards, "No. I mean, yes! You're fine- I MEAN, I'm fine! Yeah! You're clumsy- no, clumsy me, sorry!"

"That's good to hear." Adrien watched her for another few seconds, green eyes searching and- please stop staring! I might die of embarrassment!

"Adrien, over here!"

Thank you, Alya!

He waved then glanced at Marinette, "Ladies first?"

Marinette giggled madly at his bowing stance, "U-uh! Thanks!" She left the scene at a rapid pace, nearly running away at full speed.

"Girl, you need to stop that."

"I can't help it! He's just so…" Marinette sighed helplessly in utter bliss. Alya shook her head in resignation as Nino greeted Adrien.

"Your dad allowed it?"

"Yeah, he's busy so I think he didn't really care." There was a small hint of bitterness in his tone that Nino immediately dropped the topic, quickly veering to what their homework is about.

"Adrien always seems sad about his family. I wonder if I can do more to help?" Marinette whispered to Tikki, while Alya was distracted by Nino's silliness.

"I think what he needs are people who care and stay beside him." Tikki whispered back, smiling, "The boy is stronger than you think."

"Marinette? Who are you speaking to?"

"EEP!" Marinette choked and tried to backtrack, "No one! Myself! You!"

"Alright." Adrien's green eyes seemed to glow, "Let's talk then."

Oh no, what have you done, Marinette!?

"Uh… Um… Howareyoulately!?"

"Smooth…" Alya hissed, face-palming.

"Good. You?"

"I'm good too!"

Silence.

"Well, that went well," Nino commented, trying to hide his amusement.

"Shut up, Nino! It's hard!" Marinette snapped, crossing her arms and glaring at her bemused classmate.

"Do I make you uncomfortable?" Adrien asked, tentatively, glancing between Marinette, Alya and Nino. He made to get up, "If I do, I should leave."

"NO!" Marinette yelped, "I mean… I'm sorry. It's just that…"

Adrien cocked his head curiously, but Alya butted in before Marinette could explode. "Mari just feels self-conscious around you. You are the son of her favourite designer."

"But it's been months?" Adrien puzzled, phrasing it like a question. "And she can talk to me just fine sometimes?"

The trio of friends exchanged a glance and Adrien's head shifted a bit more. If he had cat ears, Marinette was sure it would be tilting with the head, equally curious to hear the answer. She could almost see Chat Noir- Nope! Not going there.

"It's complicated," Alya replied in defeat, and Nino nodded sagely.

Adrien stared harder, "Yeah, but what is-?"

The sharp shrill of the bell cut off his words and Marinette jumped to her feet at the chance.

"Oh, look at that! The bell rang! Let's go, guys!"

Marinette sprinted off, only managing to catch Alya saying, "Well, you heard the girl. Off!"

Oh, why am I so useless?

As they were filing back into class, Nino tried constantly to stir the conversation away from Marinette every time Adrien pushed. He didn't know why he tried, he was never good at keeping his composure.

"Nino." Adrien dragged out the name, frustration tingeing his words. Argh, why did Nino have to babysit those two idiots?

"I'm sorry, bro! It's the Boyfriend Code! And I was not supposed to know!" Nino repeated again, looking equally as annoyed. "If you want to know, you have to ask Marinette."

"Or I could try asking the rest of the class."

Instead of panicking, Nino only gave Adrien a flat stare. "Good luck with that. Everyone is in on the unofficial pact."

"You can't be serious!"

"Alya can be very convincing." Was the only explanation Nino offered, smiling faintly.

"Even Chloe?"

"Even Chloe. Though I think her reason is less cause of Alya and more of her own personal endeavours."

"You guys are all evil." Adrien accused, grumbling as he slid into his seat beside Nino.

"We are known as the Akuma Class, why so surprised?" Nino gave a quick smirk at him. "But really, it's not our place to say. Sorry, man."

Adrien stared thoughtfully at his notebook long enough for Nino to turn around and chat with Alya, then he said out loud, "What if I turn my charm on?"

Nino blinked, his jaw-dropping in the middle of saying something to Alya, which only made Alya give an interested hum at Adrien.

"Charm?"

"Say what, dude?"

The two of them asked at once, loud and incredulous enough to make Marinette look up from what she was drawing, though she quickly lost interest.

"My charm, duh." Adrien winked at them, "Maybe some flowers, some pickup lines, acting overdramatic."

"Yeah, can't see it, dude." Nino hissed, shock and annoyance riddling his features as Alya burst out laughing.

"Oh man, if you do, Marinette will be either so mortified or so thrilled that she will die from both!"

"Why thrilled?" Marinette suddenly spoke, finally deciding not to hide by drawing, "What's going on?"

"Adrien wants to turn his charm on you, Mari!" Alya squealed, throwing an arm over Marinette's shoulder as she let out a shocked 'eep'.

"WHAT?!"

"Um… Yeah. You are always so uncomfortable around me and I thought…" Adrien rubbed the back of his neck and the rest became a mumble that only Nino could catch.

What does Adrien mean by 'like Chat'? Is he trying to copy that flirty superhero? Nino made a mental note to ask Adrien later and to hopefully avert the potentialities of that.

"I-I'm not uncomfortable around you." Marinette smiled softly, tugging one of her pigtails, "It's because of something else entirely!"

Alya gave that look to Nino. The one that said 'She said a complete sentence!'. Nino nodded back, Marinette still blabbered but she had been getting better. Now if only the two dorks would just get together already!

Just as Adrien was about to ask for elaboration again. The bell for an akuma alert suddenly disrupted their conversation.

"Oh damn! Where's my info, peeps?!" Alya had whipped out her phone and was already scrolling down her webpage. "It's coming up near our school."

Adrien and Marinette tensed and in perfect synchrony, jumped to their feet and hurried to the window, gaping below. Followed by the rest of the class.

"Woah, what the hell?" Nino gasped, gazing downwards where a mass of people was trailing after what looked to be a grey cloud. Looking closer, the cloud slowly drifted apart to reveal a humanoid shape, what type of akuma was this?

"It looks worse from up here." Alya mumbled, standing beside Nino, "The akuma is called Smokebreather, apparently anyone who breathes his smoke gets turned into addict zombies."

"Cigarette smoke?" Marinette muttered, distaste coating her voice as she witnessed a walking bystander grabbed their throat, collapse and then join the ranks of thralls. "That's bad for his health." She paused, then asked Adrien a question. "Gas masks?"

"Definitely gas masks," Adrien responded, frowning, sharply, green eyes flicking left and right. "Do you know if there are any in school?"

"Maybe in the emergency cabinets," Marinette replied, focus taking over her mind so much that it didn't even register that she was talking to Adrien.

She snapped her head up, "Alya, how big is his range?"

Alya startled then quickly swiped her screen, "I'm not entirely sure. It seems like the range increases with every new addition."

"That's not good." Adrien commented thoughtfully, staring at the path of the akuma, then he stepped back and with his classic 'I gotta go!' Adrien quickly vanished out of the door.

Marinette only took a second before she also spouted some stupid excuse and ran off.

"What do you think those two are planning?" Alya asked, staring after them, too used to their 'disappearances' to really question it.

Nino shrugged, "How would I know?" Then he turned to his girlfriend, "Instead of that, we should probably evacuate."

Alya turned her attention from her phone to her boyfriend, "But I need to record the action for the Ladyblog!"

Nino promptly dragged her away.

As it turned out, the school didn't have emergency gas masks. So Ladybug made do with a damp napkin and kept herself above the akuma just in case. She wasn't entirely sure if the napkin would even be good enough.

"Need a new accessory, Milady?" A familiar voice asked, and a hand belonging to the voice shoved a gas mask in front of her, clenched in Chat Noir's dark clawed glove.

Ladybug blinked, looking up to where her partner stood, already wearing a gas mask-like hers . She took it with a grateful smile, "Thanks, chaton."

"I fur-gured we need it." Chat Noir seemed to be grinning playfully behind the mask and Ladybug gave him her customary eye roll as she ditched the napkin for the mask. "How much do we know about the akuma?"

"He's made out of smoke, not sure if he is even holding an object. His range grows with every addition to his smoky army." Ladybug informed him, though most of it was what she heard from Alya and her own deductions when she followed the train of people. "Best to note, the akuma can probably control the smoke, but how accurately, I'm not entirely sure yet. That's what the gas masks are for."

"Hm." Chat crouched on the rooftop, leaning carefully to the edge to trace the parade of people, "Addiction is never good. How do you propose we even capture him? With a vacuum?" The feline hero's eyes twinkled; slightly mirthful as he prodded, "Can your Lucky Charm conjure one?"

Ladybug sighed, leaping to the next rooftop, listening closely to make sure Chat Noir was keeping up with her. "You know it doesn't work like that!"

"It couldn't help but try!" Chat loudly called back to his partner, launching his staff to gain more aerial ground. "I'm going to attack!"

Ladybug nearly faltered in her swing as she turned back, "Wait, we don't know if-!" But the cat had already hit the ground, squaring himself in front of the crowd. "Why is he always so stupidly reckless?" Ladybug asked herself as she ran.

The red and black heroine watched as Smokebreather seemed to motion and his enthralled army charged at Chat Noir, who let out a cry of shock and engaged in dodging. She figured that the akuma had control over his pawns. Always lackeys to deter them.

Chat used his momentum to vault over the people, easily hopping from head to head by switching from bipedal to quadrupedal running in a catlike manner, leaving them all tangled in a heap as they surged for him. He was trying to head towards Smokebreather while attempting not to hurt the people.

Ladybug paralleled his running on the roof, yelling, "Chat, blow the smoke away! It might clear their heads!"

Chat's eyes flicked up to her, the only indication that he heard. He ran over a few more heads before he jumped, backflipping in the air, extending his baton and spinning it quickly to act as a giant fan.

Ladybug observed the mass of people, hoping that it worked. Unfortunately, the people stumbled for a second before moving towards Chat Noir again. Cigarette, addiction. Damn it.

"Milady?! A lift, please!" Chat shouted as he free fell towards the mob of chained smokers, having changed the position of his spinning baton to above his head to slow his descent. then the cat-themed hero's eyes widened at the surge of smoke heading his way.

Ladybug saw Smokebreather expanding his body and hurtling towards Chat Noir, she quickly sent her yo-yo to wrap around Chat Noir and tugged him towards safety, letting him hit the roof in an unflattering manner. "Okay, smoke manipulation confirmed. We will have to corner the akuma then."

Chat got to his feet, dusting off his rear in slight annoyance, "And how do you puurr-pose we do that?"

"I purr-pose you scratch out punning for today." Ladybug started to go after the slow-progressing parade of chain smokers that grabbed up anyone still foolhardy enough to be in the vicinity of the akuma infected mob.

"Are you stressed? Did something happen?" Her partner asked, a flicker of concern in his green eyes.

Ladybug paused to think about her disastrous attempts to even talk to the guy she likes and said, "It's complicated."

"I have been hearing that a lot today," Chat muttered, unhappiness creeping into the corners of his expression.

"Stop!" Ladybug suddenly warned her partner and skidded to a halt, pointing, "Look there, in the midst of the smoke!"

Chat's eyes narrowed, zooming in on the noxious cloud of smoke and tracking the movement, "Is that… a lighter?"

"I bet that's where the akuma is!" Ladybug frowned, there were more and more people inhaling the smoke and they needed everyone to move out of the way, both the affected and unaffected ones, to even have a proper shot at the akuma. And looking closer, was the smoke-human akuma throwing cigarettes into the fire? Well, she supposed that could be one way to fan out his smoke.

"Well, looks like we are not the only one trying to smoke out the situation." Chat Noir punned.

"What?!" Ladybug quickly snapped her attention to where Chat Noir was pointing his finger and he was right, Nadia was filming live just a few blocks away and… Ladybug facepalmed, "Al- The Ladyblogger."

"You're kidding, does she not have any self-preservation?"

Ladybug gave her partner an incredulous look, unslinging her yoyo. "Lucky Charm!"

"A jar? You know, Milady, just because-" Chat questioned, only to be hushed by Ladybug's finger, her eyes scanning the surroundings quietly as she searched for an advantage to turn the battle in their favour.

Nadia, Alya, smoke, fans, jar. Her lips curled into a smile.

Chat whistled, "An idea, Milady?"

"Let's get to our persistent reporters, shall we?" Ladybug replyed slyly with a wink, once again dashing off through the rooftops.

Two thumps landing near the reporters later and three shrieks of surprise as well as one slammed door. Ladybug and Chat Noir stood before their kidnapped victims.

"Hi!" Alya immediately latched on, "What do you think of this supervillain?"

"Not now." Ladybug shot her friend's curiosity down, "I need your help. Especially your camera."

Nadia exchanged a look with her cameraman and nodded. "What do you need?"

Ladybug's smile almost turned devious.

Outside, on every television or electronic board, Ladybug's image was seen and her voice was projected to the remaining sane of Paris.

"Everyone! I apologise for our slow progress with a certain smoky situation, but I need your help! No matter where you get it from, I need all of you to grab anything to fan the smoke away. Fans, vacuums, anything! I need all of you to distract the mob of addicts, contain them in the stadium if possible. Make sure to stay away from inhaling any of the cigarette smoke as it is not only going to turn you into a zombie, but it is also detrimental to your health so gas masks would be advised! Thank you!"

The people looked at each other in slight confusion, but their hero had spoken, and so they should move. In a minute, the entire populace rushed into stores and homes, grabbing whatever they could and headed out to the streets to defend Paris.

"Charge!" The ones with masks on led the frontlines, pushing the affected ones towards the stadium. "Contain them!"

"Alright." Ladybug let out a breath, but kept her gaze serious and trusting on the two reporters, "It's not over. You two need to help me with another plan."

"Of course." Nadia agreed, her cameraman nodding his own agreement while Alya let out an enthusiastic 'Gladly!'.

"Thank you." Chat watched his Lady's smile grow even more devious. "Then this is what you need to do." The red and black heroine started to explain her plan but paused to address her partner

"Chat, will you be fine?"

"I will hold my breath as long as I can, just for you." Chat grinned, his fingers quickly unlocking the gas mask off his face. "But I do need those back. My f- People would be upset if I don't return them."

"Of course, Chat Noir. We would not inconvenience you in any way." Nadia took the mask offered by Chat. Out of the corner of their eyes, they could see Alya trying to contain her squeal as Ladybug handed hers over.

"Then get ready. We would be waiting for a chance on the roof." Ladybug said calmly, "Don't do anything too dangerous!"

Chat Noir gave a salute as he followed his Lady up and above to land on the roof. They were still incredibly fortunate the smoke doesn't go higher, for reasons they were too busy at the moment to bother to figure out why.

"I can hold my breath for at least a minute and a half." Chat informed at Ladybug's look of uncertainty.

Ladybug's eyebrows jumped upwards, "That's surprising."

Well, it wouldn't be so surprising Ladybug knew about the things he had to learn and even that record didn't fit his father's lofty expectations.

"Yeah, smoke-prising!" Chat joked, putting a smile on.

Ladybug glared at him, annoyed at the corny pun, "That was really bad."

Oh, I know.

He didn't bother to fix his screw up, so he tuned his senses and found what he was looking for when his feline ears perked up, picking up the distinct shuffle of the reporters. "They're in position, Milady."

"Good luck, Chat."

"I wouldn't want to inhale that anyway." Chat flinched at the possibility of smelling that heavy scent. He had never liked it and was relieved his father and even Natalie didn't choose to indulge in such things.

Chat Noir sucked in one last breath of fresh air and plugged his airways, jumping soundlessly into the smoke central.

Ladybug's signal rang in his ears as he engaged… smoke. I'm gonna kick your ash at least!

Chat found that the akuma was not completely made of smoke. The smoke would bind together to be solid enough to hit back and it took every nerve in his body to not gasp at the pain, dulled by the suit or not.

Rather than see, he could sense the reporters doing their best to fan away the smoke surrounding the lighter while Chat distracted the akuma enough for it not to create more.

A minute had passed from the burning in his chest. The feline superhero knew he was gonna hit his limit soon, how much longer?

"Chat! Back up!" Ladybug called to her partner and Chat Noir's body moved before his mind registered the order, leaping backwards as red shot in front of him, the jar upside down and slamming it over the lighter, trapping it.

He held his breath for a bit longer, just as Ladybug was until Alya and Nadia nodded. Chat Noir hissed, gulping down breaths of air to cool the heat in his chest.

Yeah, he was never doing that again.

"Milady?" Chat Questioned, quickly regaining his senses a little more at the welcome presence of oxygen in his lungs.

"Anyone have some duct tape?" She asked instead, keeping both hands on the jar even as it shook, probably from the force of smoke trying to escape. Good thing it was condensable.

"Here." Nadia pulled some out of her pockets and Chat almost wanted to ask why she even carried around duct tape, however a job was a job so he took it.

Slicing a sizable amount from the roll, he quickly and surely sealed the jar to the ground then helped to hold it down.

"The fire should be out by now." Chat calculated in his head, the size of the jar and how much oxygen is in it and how much the fire would burn after about a minute had passed. The low beeping of Ladybug's earrings indicating that time was quickly running out before she transformed back didn't help the tension.

"There will still be smoke." Ladybug warned, carefully wrapping her hands around the jar.

Chat nodded, "Anytime you are ready."

"One, two… Three!" And Ladybug lifted the jar, tearing it off the ground. Chat Noir quickly stomped on the lighter quickly, breaking it into prices and releasing an akuma corrupted with Hawkmoth's dark energy.

Ladybug held her breath even as she whipped the yo-yo to catch the akuma. She then stepped away from the smoke and threw the jar upwards with the quietest shout of 'Miraculous Ladybug' she had ever done.

The sparkling swarm of magic ladybugs quickly cleared up the mess and the two heroes let out their breaths again. Alya and Nadia had their cameras back online even when they passed the masks back to Chat Noir.

"Milady, you should leave." Chat whispered, pointing at the second last dot slowly vanishing.

"Help me stop the protesters and get the victim back home?" Ladybug whispered back, covering her earrings in worry.

"No problem. But I think the protest had gone from 'no smoke' to 'no smoking'. A smoking good protest, I would say."

Ladybug slapped his arm playfully, "Bug out."

Alya had already started interviewing the victim when Chat turned around.

"Are you alright?"

"No, I'm not alright! My stupid boss was not giving me a smoke break! Now I have no job and I had to become one of those stupid butterflies' playtoys! I will sue the Butterfly bastard!"

"Okay, okay. Calm down. I'm glad you're feisty…" Chat looked towards Nadia's camera, with an innocent, sharp smile. "Mr Boss? Just give him his job back… or I could run into your company and destroy whatever important documents you have."

Like those in my dear father's office.

"And you." Chat turned to the victim. "Maybe you should quit smoking. It doesn't do wonders to your health and getting fired over it is kinda silly." Chat Noir shrugged. "Everyone who helped today, thank you. I appreciate the campaign for asking everyone to take better care of yourself but could we stop it before it turned into a riot?"

Someone nearby, part of the protest, yelled, "But it's fun!"

Another added, "You're terrible at this!"

"Well, it's my partner's compawment, not mine!" Chat sighed, turning to Nadia, "Could you help him back? Thank you."

"Chat Noir! At least stay for an interview!" Alya shouted, waving her phone.

"Can't. Have a delivery to make!" Chat gave a two-fingered salute and left the scene, towards his house. Well, he sure hopes no one noticed that they used it… Maybe he should wipe them down before paw-ing it back to school.

"You could have seen it! I was fanning with all my might! It was crazy!" Alya gushed loudly, I tried recording but I needed both my arms and Ladybug trusted me! It was sooooo awesome!"

Marinette gave a polite laugh, "That's great for you, Alya!"

Alya paused, "So where did you run off to?"

"To get gas masks?" Marinette excused weakly.

"Oh girl, you just have to-"

"Marinette!" The cry cutting off what Alya was about to say and she turned back to see the blonde running over.

"See? You already have him- where are you going?"

Marinette had taken off in a sprint, yelling, "Away!"

Well, that's new.

Adrien panted slightly as he stopped beside Alya, "Why did she run away?"

Alya wasn't sure what she could tell the poor, naive boy so she opted for the phrase that would undoubtedly frustrate him. "Complicated!"

Oh, Adrien actually looked more irritated than she had ever seen him! It was so adorable, Alya almost felt sad she couldn't snap a picture.

"Well then… See ya! I have a little negative problem to take care of!" With that, Alya ran towards the same way Marinette did, leaving Adrien behind.

"What were you doing with my girl?" Nino asked, slinging an arm over Adrien's shoulder.

"Nino…" And there was the faintest trace of desperation.

"No can do. I told you, Boyfriend confidential agreement."

That poor, naïve boy.

"...Nino."

"No, Adrien. You are not getting this out of me no matter how hard you try!" Nino slipped his hand free and slowly backed away.

Adrien's green eyes almost glowed, "Nino, come on, man!"

Nino stepped back as he shot back, "When she's not 'just a friend', maybe I will tell you!"

Adrien started to chase him, shouting, "Nino, for the love of Camembert, just tell me already!"

"I told you, it's complicated!" Then he almost stumbled as he turned an incredulous look to his friend, "Camembert?"

"Nino!"