Well that was productive. Got out of a photoshoot, got to see my lady, defeated a new akuma in record time so we were able to talk to the people of Paris, got a new clue on Hawkmoth, and- Wait, is that Ladybug? I thought she was- Oh shit. She's going into that alley to detransform. That's right in my path. Is there anyone around? Nope. Ok, I'm just going to turn around and walk away totally normally. I saw nothing, I am seeing nothing, I have never once in my life used my eyeballs-
"Adrien?"
Don't listen to the voice, don't turn around, you're not supposed to know! "Hello!"
"Are you ok? You're walking kind of… interestingly?"
"New workout! You know me! Always… Working out?"
"Ah. Your father put you up to this? Are you going to model some shorts soon?"
"Yes! Exactly! Of course."
"Maybe I'll try it too."
Please don't. Please leave. You're making it really hard to not know who you are right now!
"Huh, this is a workout. I'll have to tell A-"
"Anyway! I've gotta go so seeyoulatermaybepossiblyornotokbye!"
"... Well that was weird."
"Bro, that new work out of yours that Alya showed me is wild. You've gotta have like, buns of steel."
If Alya told Nino then Alya? No… It wasn't her. So someone told Alya which means it could only be- Nope! We're not doing this Agreste! Secret identities are supposed to be secret and for good reason and if you figure it out then it's not a secret and oh my god she's going to kill me.
"Are you good?"
"So good! I'm even gooder than good! ... I'm great!"
"Uh… If you say so."
"Yo, has Adrien been acting weird or is it just me?" Nino walked up to the girls.
"He was acting a little strange when I saw him this weekend."
"You think his dad is putting too much pressure on him again?" Alya stabbed her juice box.
"Wouldn't surprise me."
"I can't believe I ever looked up to that man."
"We all make mistakes."
"Here he comes! Shhh. Act natural." Marinette ushered them.
"Hey guys. Are you playing statues without me? I've got a really good pose."
"Oh! What?! No! We're just… hanging out?" Nino relaxed his stance and the girls followed.
"... Ok?"
"Anyway I have to drag Nino off to do whatever couples do so you two have fun!"
"Alya! … Hey, Adrien. You know, if you ever need to talk about anything, we're here for you."
"I know, and thanks. Just maybe next time we can meet at the park or something?"
"I am so sorry about Papa. He just really wants to feed you. It's just… you're so thin! And starting another workout? Maybe I should bring you some pastries tomorrow. You're going to be skin and bones before you know it."
Adrien laughed. "I wouldn't say no to that. Um… Maybe there is actually something I should talk to you about."
"Oh?"
"Um… but not here. Can you meet me at the Seine after school? And don't tell Alya."
"Oh… Ok. Is everything alright?"
"Uh…" he rubbed the back of his neck. "We'll see."
"Please don't kill me."
"Um?"
"So I may or may not have had a little run in and it's supposed to be a secret, I know, I tried my hardest to keep it that way but emsomeone/em wasn't making it easy and I kind of know who you are."
"We've known each other for a while?"
"I mean the other you, that's still you, but different… you know…" he lowered his voice, "With the spots?"
"Whaa- Spots? I don't have spots. Psh. Don't be silly! Here I am, not a spot in sight!" Unless you counted freckles…
"It's ok! I won't tell! It was just driving me crazy and I tried not to figure it out but once Alya and Nino started talking there was no denying it."
"Oh."
"Cause I mean, I was really hoping I was wrong and then it wouldn't be a problem but- Are you crying?"
"Well I'm sorry it was me."
"That's not what I- ! Damn it. Marinette! Wait up!"
"Hey, Mari, have you- Are you ok?" Nino nearly dropped his ice cream.
"Marinette!" Adrien was running after her. How was she so fast?! Well, ok, but still.
"Agreste what did you do?!" Alya wasn't about o drop her ice cream, she was about to throw it, along with her fist.
"Nothing? Something? It was a misunderstanding! It's not what you think! I didn't mean it like that! Wait!"
"Is that an akuma?" Nino was preparing himself to drag all of them out of there.
"Shit! She can't be akumatized! Marinette!"
Adrien bowled over several bystanders to intercept the butterfly.
"Adrien! Ok, just breathe with me. Stay calm. You can fight it. You can fight him. He can't take control if you don't give it to him. Follow my voice. In, two, three, four. Out, two, three, four. Good, let's try it again. In, two, three, four. Out, two, three, four."
"Marinette?"
"Good, I'm right here."
And there she was rubbing calming circles on his back, just like his mother used to do.
"I'm so sorry, Marinette. I didn't think about what I was saying. I'm not upset or disappointed, I just know how important that secret is to you so I hoped I was wrong so that I wouldn't know. I'm so glad it's you. It's always been you, and I should have noticed before. You're amazing, Marinette, of course no one else could be her."
"You- you think so?"
"Yes."
"Wow… um… I need to go take care of that," she gestured to the corrupted butterfly, "but… maybe we can talk later?"
"I'd love to."