Early morning photo shoots were not Adrien's favorite thing. Early morning photo shoots when Adrien spent most of the night tossing and turning were even lower on his list. The theme of this photo shoot was "Fun at Daybreak", and Adrien couldn't think of a place he wanted to be less.

"Adrien, you look distracted! Honestly, this is not your best work!" The photographer set the camera down. "I'm giving you one minute to compose yourself, or I am going to cancel the shoot and leave you to explain to Gabriel why we could not proceed!"

Adrien was dressed in a polo shirt and swim trunks, standing next to a luxurious swimming pool. He took a deep breath and let it out, drawing upon his fencing training to center himself. "Sorry, sir. I'm good now." The last thing I need right now is to have Father mad at me. I'll focus now, but I've gotta talk this out with… somebody. And soon. He plastered a smile on his face and readied himself to follow the photographer's instructions.

Sunlight bore down on Marinette's bed from the skylight. The one disadvantage of having a loft bed, Marinette grumbled to herself, turning onto her side and pulling the covers over her head. Dinner with Mr. Chou had ended around ten o'clock, with Sabine and Mr. Chou exchanging stories in Chinese while Tom and Marinette sat there awkwardly.

While the night had gone later than expected, it was the events of the previous afternoon that flooded Marinette's mind. Did I really expect to kiss Luka when I invited him over here for a guitar lesson? Did *he* expect me to kiss him? Well, whatever we expected, that's what we got, and I'm not complaining at all!

This was the first time a boy's actually been interested in me - Marinette me - and made the effort to show it! Nathaniel and Chat Noir crush on Ladybug. I heard a rumor that Nino was planning on asking me out when Alya and him got locked in the animal exhibit at the zoo. But Luka… Luka SHOWED ME. He was so sweet at the ice rink, when I asked him to go on the date and we wound up getting in that mess over Adrien. So understanding. And he was willing to give me a second chance after I botched it!

Oh… Adrien. I'll always carry a torch for him, but will he ever be more than just a friend? I feel like I could tell him anything and share everything with him… if I could just talk to him the way I talk to Luka - or even Chat Noir! Chat is like my best friend and I can talk to him with or without my mask... as long as I don't reveal all of my secrets.

With *Luka* though - I can be myself and get as personal as I want… as long as I pretend Ladybug doesn't exist. Romance comes easy with him, which is a huge plus. I've wanted that for a long time. He knows that he wants to date me, and I don't have some stupid crush getting in the way every time I open my mouth.

Luka's even sincere about teaching me guitar, too. We could have spent the rest of the afternoon making out - and we almost did! - but he still took the time to write down what he taught me so we could remember it next time. Although at this pace, I'm going to be a very slow learner! Still, he wants to teach me about himself… he wants to show me things in his life that I can be a part of… and he actually *does* it. I'm sharing fashion with him, and he's sharing music with me. He's amazingly creative, and I'm glad I have that in common with him.

She closed her eyes and smiled, remembering the previous day's events dancing in her mind. After half an hour, she yawned and stretched. I should get up and get moving… Kitty wants me to call him at ten, and I have no idea what time it is now. Why I committed to get up early on a Sunday is beyond me...

The rest of Adrien's photo shoot went well. Despite no fewer than ten outfit changes and a tight deadline, they were able to get enough shots that the photographer was satisfied. After Adrien's bodyguard drove him home, he went up to his room to shower and change his clothes.

As the hot water bore down upon him, he closed his eyes. Kagami isn't the first girl who said that she was interested in me… but she *is* the first girl to tell me that without throwing herself at me and screaming her undying devotion. It was… different.

She's a nice girl, and she seems to care about me. I feel like she was expecting more from me last night, but I'm not sure exactly what more I could have given her. Father made sure to teach me courtship etiquette. "Not that you'll need it for a few more years", he said. We slowly get to know each other in formal settings. Somehow… I don't think that's the right way to go with Kagami. She is patient, but she definitely goes to get what she wants, when she wants it. She doesn't wait for the right time, she *makes* the right time.

So what am I supposed to do? If I move forward with Kagami - and she told me that I should be - then I'll have to drop what I have for Ladybug. And that will be a shame… because I really feel like we're starting to connect as partners in a way that we haven't in the past. She makes puns now, for goodness' sake! If I squint, it actually looks like she flirts back. I don't want anything to come between the two of us. I care about her, and she cares about me.

Maybe I can play this two ways - if Kagami and Adrien become an item, then Adrien loses his feelings for Ladybug. But Chat Noir…

The buzz of his flip phone interrupted his train of thought. He turned off the water, dried himself off, and read the message:

[LB] Hey, Kitty. You available to get together?

[CN] I'd love to, Bug. Meet at the Tower in 30?

[LB] See you there. /(%)\

[CN] =^.^=

I hope I figure this out soon… I don't want to hurt anybody. Kagami is probably pretty resilient and has targets B, C, and D planned out if I turn her down. But I'd never forgive myself if I hurt Ladybug in any way.

I'll never get tired of this view, Ladybug thought. She was gazing out on Paris from her perch on top of the Eiffel Tower. My city. I've been the guardian of Paris for over a year now, along with Chat Noir. I've been the Guardian of the Miraculous for about a week, and that's a burden I'll have to face by myself. Master Fu seemed happy, even though he was most likely lonely. And that woman he loved… she seemed devoted to him, even though they couldn't be together for a while.

A noise below her alerted Ladybug to her partner's arrival. Scrambling up the side of the Tower, Chat Noir greeted her. "Hello, My Lady! Such a beautiful view," he commented.

"Silly Kitty," she laughed. "I'm glad you could make it. I've got some… important things I need to share with you."

"Share away, My Lady."

"I met with the Guardian on Friday night. We already know that Serket is a new Miraculous holder. What I was worried about was if her magic could affect us. You and I both know we could jump to the ground from where we are right now and land without as much as getting the wind knocked out of us. But akuma magic… Miraculous magic… that's a whole different story. Both of us are vulnerable to it, and I wanted to make sure you understood that before you got in between me and Serket's Sting." She lowered her eyes and looked away. "I don't want you to go through what Alya went through when she was Stung. You've taken a lot of hits for me, but this is one I don't want you to take."

"It's my job," Chat Noir said simply. "I'm your protector. I look out for you so the akuma can get purified."

"You're my partner, Chat Noir… we look out for each other so Paris can be safe," she corrected him. "I don't care what people say or how many other heroes we might need to recruit to beat Hawk Moth… you are my equal. We need each other, Kitty. Please… just stay away from Serket's Sting."

The flirty comeback died on Chat Noir's lips. She really means this… I wonder why I'm getting The Talk all of a sudden. "My Lady? What's the matter?"

Tears welled up in Ladybug's eyes as she considered everything that had happened in the past week. I have to tell him. He deserves to know. "Kitty… something happened the other day that turned my whole life upside down. I haven't really had a chance to talk about it with someone other than my kwami. I can't talk about this with my parents, my friends, my…" She stopped before she said the word boyfriend. "I'm hoping my partner will understand. Can I borrow your ears?"

"Anytime, Bugaboo." He hopped down to a girder, sat down, and patted the beam next to him.

Ladybug sat down beside him and sighed. Gathering her thoughts, she started slowly: "I… um… something happened that you need to know about. It's something important to me. I'm still processing it, and to be honest part of me is thrilled, and part of me is honored, and part of me is terrified… oooh, I'm a MESS!" she blurted out.

"Take your time," soothed Chat.

"I just… I don't want this to change our relationship or come between us in any way, Chat. You're important. You're important to me. I need you, more than I've probably ever realized or said in the past. You're my partner, and you're the only person I can talk to about this sort of thing. Do you understand?"

A whirlwind of thoughts invaded Chat Noir's mind. She needs me! She said it. But the tone of this conversation… if we were dating, I would think this was the Breakup Speech. The "it's-not-you-it's-me". But we're not dating. Is *she* dating someone else? Her civilian life is getting romantic, so it's back to business only between us? She's my best friend on this side of the mask… but she hasn't used that word yet. Only "partner". Here I am, thinking we made some progress beyond that…

"Kitty?" Ladybug waved her hand in front of his face. "You still there?"

"Yeah… sorry about that."

"I get it. So… do you understand?"

"I… think? But I'm going to miss how close we've gotten, Ladybug."

"What?! Where did that come from?"

"You're giving me the Breakup Speech. Which is amazing, since last I checked, we weren't even dating… unless you count beating up giant monsters a date…"

"CHAT NOIR! Were you not even listening?" She smacked him on the shoulder, then laughed. "You sweet, sweet dork. Didn't I say that I don't want anything to change between us?"

He thought back. "Oh. You're right. Sorry."

"Don't apologize, Kitty. I'm taking too long to get to the point." She took a deep breath. "Master Fu has named me as the new Guardian. And it's going to happen soon. Like, days or weeks soon. Neither of us know exactly when. And I have to learn everything he knows and find out about Serket and fight akumas in the meantime and also try to have a normal civilian life, and…"

Chat Noir pulled her into a tight hug. "It's OK, Bug. That's got to be a lot of pressure for you. Want to talk it out? When did he tell you?"

"Just Monday night," she mumbled into his shoulder. "He chose me as the new Guardian right before Backwarder. He didn't mean to, it was just something he said while he was sick and in pain. But it accidentally transferred responsibility from him to me."

"Wait, he was hurt?"

"Nothing serious, just some gas pain, but it was enough for him to think he was dying. He told me to take care of the Miracle Box - that's where the Miraculous are stored - and gave me a prescription to fill for him. I botched that and gave it to the wrong person, though… anyway. If it was an accident, then does that mean that I'm not worthy to be the Guardian? What if he meant for someone else to be the Guardian, and I stole the opportunity? What if I fail?"

"Ladybug, stop." Chat Noir commanded. "I don't want you to get down on yourself like that. I've seen you in action. You chose three new Miraculous holders in the past year. They've all done an amazing job. You're taking me under your wing and making sure I'm included with the whole Serket investigation. You care about people. You care about Paris. You care about the Miraculous. I can't think of anyone more qualified." He stopped as he realized that Ladybug was crying into his shoulder.

After a few minutes, Ladybug hiccupped and wiped her eyes. She sat up and looked Chat Noir in the eye. "Sorry about that, Kitty. I didn't mean to fall to pieces on you."

"My Lady… anybody would be overwhelmed by that. You're allowed to fall to pieces occasionally."

"You're so sweet, Kitty. Thank you for listening to me."

"Do you feel better? Is there… anything else?"

She shook her head. "Nothing for now." She gave him a hug. "I should get going, though. I normally sleep late on Sunday, but if I don't make an appearance at home soon my parents are going to start to get worried. How was your thing this morning?"

"It was good, but I'm ready for a cat nap. Text me if you need anything, Bug."

"I will, Kitty. Thanks again."

Chat Noir swung through his window and de-transformed. I've had a busy last day… hopefully I get some time to sort through things. "Plagg? How about some cheese?"

"You don't have to ask me twice, kid! I looov… hey, wait a minute! You're setting me up for something, aren't you?"

"I just have a lot on my mind. Can you help me out?"

"Sure, kid. Talk to me," Plagg said around a mouthful of Camembert.

"OK, here goes… so last night, Kagami and I went out to dinner, and she basically told me that she's been after me for a while. That's nice… and I appreciate it! I really do! She's just so matter-of-fact about it and straightforward… I don't think I've seen anything like that in any of the movies I've watched."

"Which was part of her point last night - you've learned a lot socially from movies. That's not exactly real life."

"I know! What if something like what I see in the movies doesn't exist in real life? I mean, Kagami is into me, and she's just… blunt about it. Father loves me, but he's cold and distant. Should I try that? Love and relationships aren't just… just… business transactions, are they?"

"You've seen other relationships, right? Those aren't the only two people you have to go on, you know."

"But those are the only people I have to go on for me. Sure, Nino and Alya have their thing, but that's because of who they are. Marinette and Luka… I don't know enough about them to know what love looks like. I know what love looks like for you and Camembert… but the cheese always seems to get the short end of the stick," Adrien grinned. "Besides… one other thing bugs me. It seems like Kagami likes her vision of me… not me who I am. She barely knows me! It's like Father… he wants me to be somebody I'm not, too. Plagg… I'm so confused."

Plagg watched Adrien flop backwards onto his bed, balled-up fists pressed to his eyes. "Look… kid. Adrien. If you think Kagami doesn't know you, then you should let her get to know you. You've spent, what, a couple hours together total? That's not enough time to get to know people. I know you're used to love at first sight and things like that, but love grows over time. See what Kagami has in store for you. Maybe you'll surprise each other."

"That makes sense, Plagg."

"Great, so we're done here?"

"Not yet… something else came up, too. What can you tell me about the process of choosing a new Guardian?"

Plagg hummed. "Not much. There used to be a big formal ceremony, where all of the candidate Guardians were lined up. Then the current Guardian would signal which one would be the next. Pretty simple, actually."

"Candidate Guardians…? So there was an election, or something?"

"No, nothing like that. I just meant the students who had completed the studies necessary to become a Guardian. The current Guardian and the Masters of the Temple knew which students were the best. It wasn't acceptable for the students to bribe the Guardian, or campaign to be the next Guardian."

"Oh… so when Master Fu chose Ladybug to be the next Guardian, what happened?"

"There was some magic transfer of responsibility between Master Fu and Ladybug. I think that's it. The magic just means that she's bound to the Miracle Box now, and will feel more of a natural desire to protect the Miraculous… but honestly, the best candidates already had that desire. I don't think that will be anything new for her."

"Guardian Ladybug… given what I've seen since we got our Miraculous, I think I understand a bit as to how this is a big responsibility. How can I support her?"

"Just keep doing what you're doing, kid. It's what she needs right now."

Far below Adrien and Plagg, an observatory window opened onto Paris, and a purple butterfly made its way across the city.