-LB-

Chat, with Marinette in his arms and her arms wrapped tightly around his neck for dear life, was running through the movie theater as fast as he could. Pink shots were fired as the Wrapper cackled. "I just need to get you out of here, ASAP." Chat mumbled into her as he continued to dodge. Chat tried to focus on what was in front of him but Marinette was practically cuddled into him. Just like when he carried her the time they were both heartbroken.

It was a simpler time. Before Luka came, before he realized he cared so much for Marinette. It seemed like so long ago but so much had changed since then. Speaking of, Marinette had never told him who had hurt her. Chat couldn't help but wonder as he kicked down the entrance of the theater and jumped onto the nearest building, clutching Marinette's lithe body as he did so.

The two hid behind the chimney of the building as the Wrapper cursed loudly, vowing to turn Paris into gum. When the coast was clear Chat whispered to her. "Princess, are you okay?"

Marinette nodded, her face turning red as she flustered at how close he was. "Thanks to you."

"All in a day's work." He smiled, gazing and falling into her blue pools, burying any feelings he had of kissing her. No, Chat was not romantically attracted to Marinette- Adrien was. And if he wasn't careful she would figure out who he was and his Lady would skin him alive. Sure he trusted Mari to keep it but with a best friend like Alya he'd always be nervous. Chat reached for his baton then realized it had been turned into a piece of gum. He groaned. "Where's Ladybug? I don't think she's ever been this late to an akuma." He sighed to himself, eyebrows furrowing and mask crinkling.

Marinette's eyes widened and she quickly thought about whether or not to reveal herself right then and there. No she'd need him to focus on the akuma. "S-she's probably like, I-I don't know, in the shopping- in the shower?" She cringed as she tripped over her words, but Chat didn't seem to notice. "Plus! With Style Queen she had to-

"Okay, okay, you're right." He chuckled, turning red as he remembered that. "I'm going to hold off the akuma the best I can without my baton. You stay here Princess." He gave her a joke salute and a playful smirk and was off.

Almost as soon as he jumped off Tikki flew out. "You have to join, Marinette- quickly."

Marinette nodded, moving her hair aside as she spoke, getting ready to transform. "You're right, Tikki. I'm late enough as it is- spots on!"

-LB-

The akuma didn't take long after Ladybug showed up. She apologized to Chat for showing up so late, saying she hadn't gotten the akuma alert till she had gotten out of the shower, and used her Lucky charm to save the day as per usual.

The two superheroes reassured the distressed civilian that she could start a petition to keep her gum in production and they were now saying their goodbyes.

"I'm going to have to get around to trying that gum." Chat began with a grin. "If it's good enough to make someone that upset, it's gotta be good gum."

Ladybug let out a giggle, one that would've melted Chat's heart if he hadn't been already thinking about checking if Marinette was okay. "Hey, I actually need to tell you something before I change back." She seemed serious about this- so serious that he nodded, already plastering a curious look on his face. "I wanted to tell you I know who you are."

Chat's jaw dropped and if he hadn't been sitting he definitely would've fallen off the roof of the building. Marinette gulped as he looked at her with questioning eyes.

"How'd you find out?" Chat had always dreamed about his Lady finding out his identity and looking past it to be with him but now he wasn't head over heels for her he didn't know what to think.

"I kinda just put two and two together." She rubbed the back of her neck and inserted an oddly placed chuckle. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to-"

"No, no, don't apologize... It's okay. It's just a little- I dunno." He trailed off awkwardly, a half grin on his face. "I'm just surprised because-"

Before Ladybug could answer her earrings beeped cautiously. Chat looked away instinctively. "You could look at me... if you want, I mean. It'd be fair. We'd be even.." She knew Luka wanted to turn around but it was almost as if he didn't want to know who she was- not like he used to at least. Ever since Frozer he had changed.

"It's okay," He paused, looking away. "I always imagined our reveal more dramatic anyway. Maybe when I find out who you are, it'll be more interesting than I kinda just put it together." He joked with a shy smile. "Goodbye, m'lady." With the same smile he jumped away and left a surprised Marinette.

She got out of her daze and swung her yoyo away, towards the movie theater before Luka got there and that was a reveal in itself. That didn't seem to be a problem because he was headed in a completely different direction. She landed in an alleyway outside of the movie theater, and detransformed all in the same second. "Just in time, Marinette." Tikki chirped, already looking through Marinette's purse for a cookie.

"Where do you think Luka was headed?" Marinette asked immediately, that being the only thing on her mind. "Do you think he's mad at Ladybug?"

Tikki swallowed her cookie whole and frowned at her chosen. "I need you to stop calling Chat Luka!" This was the first time the red kwami had snapped in awhile, but this was getting out of hand. Soon crap would hit the fan-and Tikki would give Marinette a big, warm plate of freshly baked I told you so.

"You're right, someone could hear me." Tikki groaned and decided to sulk silently in her chosen's purse. "Okay, time to finish that movie."

She slunk around the corner of the movie theater, nonchalantly joining the crowd of movie goers and looking through it for Luka or Adrien, either one she could find really.

At the same time Chat's mind and heart seemed to be racing each other, both struggling to be the first one to explode. At least that's what it felt like to him. His blonde hair whipped around him as he used his staff to travel as fast as he could to where he left Marinette. He was so distracted by what LB had just said, he didn't notice Marinette wasn't there where he left her.

"Sorry it took so long. Akuma was a little..." He trailed off, looking for his blue eyed gal,"... gumpersome?" The first thing he did was panic. No one was here to hear his amazing pun on gum and cumbersome! Then he realized it was Marinette! All of his anxieties about LB knowing his identity and no one hearing his Grade A pun were pushed away as a new anxiety took over front and center. Did she fall? Where'd she go? How'd she get down? Did aliens take her?

He blinked a couple times then looked around the rooftop. "Marinette?" He called her name a few times, thinking maybe she'd... He didn't even know! She was just gone. There was no fire escape or balcony for her to go, the only way was down. And he had no idea how she got down because the only way you could get down from that height was falling and dying, something that could've happened after LB's miraculous cure.

He held his hands around his mouth to be louder as he groaned loudly. "Marinette!" He said, this time louder. He looked over the sides of the building, not caring that people freaked out when they saw Chat still transformed. He had never used his cataclysm so he was ok for the time being. Chat was beginning to panic. Did she fall? Why wasn't she here? Did she fall before or after the cure? Was she dead? If she wasn't dead she was probably pissed he left her there to fall and break her leg or something. Oh God, she hated him! She would never love him!

His heart and stomach lurched, seemingly switching spots in his body as he suddenly felt nauseous. He was being silly. Marinette was fine. Maybe someone got a ladder and helped her down, thinking that Chat forgot about her. He should probably go to her house and check if she's okay, apologize too.

So after his panic, he pulled out his baton and went to Marinette's house.

At the same time Marinette was walking around the crowd of people who had come back to the theater. A blonde theater worker was at the center of it, trying to calm down the angry crowd while Marinette looked for either Adrien or Luka. There were neither.

"... am really sorry for the inconvenience," Marinette just started listening," but the theater has a schedule so if you were watching a movie before the akuma, bring your ticket stub as proof for tomorrow's showing."

Her reasonable explanation fell on a few deaf ears, and some people began to complain. I have work tomorrow! or The movie I like isn't playing tomorrow! Things like that. Marinette sighed miserably as she realized she wasn't going to see Luka or Adrien anytime soon. She pulled out her phone and texted her parents that she would be home soon to eat the dinner they saved for her, finally responding to frantic texts her Dad sent, and apologizing for being late.

She began walking back alone, putting her arms around herself because it was now 7:30 and getting chillier by the second. Marinette hadn't planned to be out so late so she'd definitely be up doing homework for a long while, and most likely exhausted in the morning

A buzz from her phone interrupted her thoughts, including a surprised squeak from the red kwami who was also in her purse, which was why she was laughing when she picked up the phone to talk to the obviously sick redhead.

"Marinette! Please tell me you at least got some awesome footage of Ladybug." She heard the sickness in her friends voice, a stuffy nose at least.

"I got nothing I'm sorry." She couldn't help but smile when she heard Alya curse. "Ladybug fans will understand. Don't worry, you're sick. Nothing to blame but that nasty cold."

Marinette trying to cheer her up actually made things worse. "I blame Nino!" She said it so fast that it made Marinette laugh, gaining a look from someone that passed her as she walked. "He wouldn't let me go and film anything. What kind of- cough, sniffle- boyfriend does that?" The type who really cares, Marinette hummed in her head, knowing well that Alya just called to vent about not getting to see the akuma first hand. "I know absolutely nothing about the akuma, Marinette; what am I going to do? What am I going to post? Weren't you at the- sniffle- theater. You at least saw the akuma!"

That's when Marinette got an idea. She stopped dead in her tracks, about 5 minutes away from her house, and turned around on the way Alya's house.

"I'll be right there."

-LB-

That night Adrien didn't sleep. He was too worried. He had gone to her house and waited on the balcony until 8, but nothing. The lights in her room never turned on. It was about 11 and he finished all his homework, including a quick class in Chinese, but nothing distracted him from his black haired friend who was no where to be found. Adrien had even thought of searching hospitals or alleyways.

After he had come back from her house he tried calling her since he had just come home so he had his phone. There was no answer when he called. Finally he went to sleep, thinking he'd go to her house during Lunch if she didn't come to school.

The next morning that was exactly what happened. Marinette didn't come to school, everyone else did. He was terrified at this point. He knew he said he was going to wait until Lunch but he needed to see her and make sure she was okay.

He asked to go to the nurse, went to the bathroom, transformed into Chat, and made his way across the street onto Marinette's balcony. Chat even thought about picking up some flowers but he quickly trashed the idea. Chat didn't like Marinette like that- Chat was simply checking on a civilian he left somewhere.

He knocked on the little balcony door of Marinette's and waited a few seconds. Nothing happened. He knocked again, this time a little louder. The third time he knocked he did it as frantically as possible and when Marinette peeked out with an irritated glare all of a sudden he let out a scream.

She giggled at his reaction, quickly losing her glare. Chat turned red and flustered at the infectious sound, quickly forgetting why he was there. Chat did not like Marinette like that. "Is there something you need mon chaton?" She said it teasingly, a smile playing on her lips. Oh God, did they play. And oh God did Chat want to hear them play their sweet symphony. That sounded weird. God, he just wanted to kiss her!

Marinette climbed out onto the balcony to join him, he held out a hand to help her, which she took. There she stood in front of him, still in her jammies, her hair messy from her night of sleep, still holding his hand. He stared at her, green eyes looking intensely at blue ones. He came closer to her, without even thinking.

Her eyes widened as she looked up at him, him being a whole head taller. "C-Chat?"

"I was really worried, Princess." He whispered huskily, his hot breath on her face as he looked down into her eyes, his fingers instinctively intertwining hers.

"My apologies, chaton." She trailed off, after that, voice hitching in her throat. The way he looked at her made her knees week.

They stared at each other for awhile, until finally Chat did what he'd wanted to do for weeks. He looked at those beautiful pink lips and kissed her. The first thing he thought was Oh my God, croissants. The second thing he thought was Oh my God, I'm Chat Noir! I shouldn't be kissing a civilian! The third thing he thought was I-is she kissing back?

She had put her arms around his neck, practically burying her fingers in his hair as she kissed him back. In response he put his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. The two didn't even leave space for light between them.

The way Marinette thought was that she sort of liked Luka, and she really liked Chat, so that meant she really liked Luka. She knew she'd have to tell him she was Ladybug, and she wouldn't want to trick him into kissing her. She would tell him she was Ladybug.

It was only fair to Luka.

-LB-

Across the street Luka stood staring up at Marinette's balcony, at the two figures kissing. He didn't have to look too closely to see that it was Marinette and Chat Noir. What other blonde guy dressed as a black cat? And what other black haired girl would be on Marinette's balcony? They were either kissing or becoming one being- and both sounded crappy

Luka blinked a couple times, long and hard at the two before turning away harshly. In front of him stood Juleka, hurrying him up as she herself tried to walk faster.

"C'mon, we're already late." She scolded.

She hadn't seen the two on the balcony, but Luka certainly had. Juleka walked ahead of him, and Luka gulped dryly before giving his sister a fake smile. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom or something, you go ahead."

"Suit yourself," She responded with a shrug, walking to class as Luka turned to go to the bathroom, his fist clenched angrily.

Miles away, in a dark room, a window opened up, shedding light on everything inside of it. Hundreds of butterflies seemingly awoke, hovering slightly as their master stood tall.

"Feelings of jealousy and betrayal. High school is the perfect place for my akumas to flourish." A butterfly flew into the man's open palm and with his other hand he let out some type of dark energy that polluted the pure butterfly. "Go, my akuma, and evillise his broken heart!"

Back in the school Luka held his head in his hands in the school boys' locker room, his mind going many miles an hour.

Marinette would never be his. He should've realized from when she defended Chat so blatantly. How could Luka not realize she was in love with him? It was only right that the only person that deserved someone as amazing as Marinette was a superhero. Why had she led him on if she was in love with someone else though? Ice skating... the movies... even filming the music video. Why couldn't she realize they were perfect for each other? He would be there for her, whenever she needed it, and she for him.

All of a sudden a darkness overtook him and he felt chills run up his back. All he saw was the outline of a purple butterfly, and all he heard was a middle-aged man's voice echo in his head.

"Loverboy. You've been overlooked for the last time. I give you the power to shapeshift into whatever you please, to make yourself perfect for the one who refuses to return your unconditional love. I give you the ability to change yourself and others however you please, all you need to do is give me Ladybug and Chat Noir's miraculous."

Meanwhile Chat and Marinette were still in each other's arms. Chat couldn't help smiling widely, and Marinette felt it in their kisses. She giggled as she gently pulled away, smiling ecstatically.

"I can't believe this is happening, Mari." He pushed some hair out of her face, holding her cheek carefully as he looked into her eyes. "You don't know how long I've waited for this."

"There's something I need to tell you, Chat." Instinctively his hands pulled away when she said that, his eyes widening. "I hope you won't be too mad, but..." She paused, taking a deep breath. "Tikki, spots on." Chat's eyes turned to the size of dinner plates as he watched Marinette transform into Ladybug right in front of him. Marinette looked nervous for the most part, and she felt more nervous than she looked. All the times she had rejected Chat, for someone who she realized would never feel the same way. Luka was there for her, and he loved Chat, so she was sure this could work. Finally a non-complicated relationship.

Chat looked surprised to say bluntly, and his expression made that very clear. At that moment he felt stupid and oh so oblivious. Of course Marinette was Ladybug. They were both the sweetest girls ever, both fiery and sassy, both headstrong and ready to defend what they believed in. "I... feel like an idiot." He laughed breathily, putting a hand to his forehead as Ladybug joined him. Well, Ladynette or Buginette or Maribug, whatever he wanted to call her.

"I felt stupid taking so long to realize who you were," She said, starting to laugh harder," To be honest it was right after you asked me those questions earlier this week..."

"About Luka?" Chat asked, partially wondering how she had found out. Had he let something slip? He didn't remember anything too obvious that would give him away. "What gave me away?"

Ladybug's nose crinkled when he spoke in 3rd person, but she ignored it. "Well, Kitty, I hate to brag but I'm just like Sherlock Holmes." Chat chuckled, dropping the issue, and bringing her in for another hug, glad he could finally do it. "We should probably detransform and go inside, I'm sure Tikki and Plagg would like to catch up."

"You know Plagg's name?"

"Well yeah," She giggled, "Remember Style Queen? I met him at Master Fu's. When you lost him."

"Lost him? Is that how he covered me?" His mask crinkled as he gave her a questioning look. "I couldn't really help with the akuma, considering my condition." He chuckled, crossing his arms. She had said she knew who he was, she should know he was a glitter statue the whole time.

"Your condition?" Ladybug asked, now holding his shoulder. She didn't know Luka was going through something during that akuma, she had seen Juleka but not Luka. Maybe something had happened. "Why, what happened? Is everything okay?"

Chat gaped at her, now utterly confused. He ran a hand threw his hair, trying to piece together what she was saying as her hand still stayed on his shoulder in a concerned manner. "What do you mean what happened? Y-you were there! You carried me back to the fashion show after the fact!" Marinette's mind raced, shaking her head as if she didn't understand. Finally Chat realized what was going on, looking at her through upset eyes. "Who exactly do you think I am?" He demanded, crossing his arms again but this time in a serious manner.

"Luka?" The crack that sounded in Chat's heart was so loud he heard it. He blinked at her before he pulled away, ripping his shoulder away from her hand.

"Sorry to disappoint, Princess." He snarled, blinking away the burning in his eyes as he stepped away from her. "Sorry I can't be your Prince Charming, sorry I'm not as amazing and perfect for you as Luka." He said, his words hurting as they came out. He felt hurt. He had had everything he wanted only to have it ripped away. Of course Marinette was so happy to see it was Luka. She loved Luka. Luka played guitar.

His fists were tight as he struggled to breathe, now stalking away from her, using his right hand to grab his baton which was perched on his back. "Sorry I'm not who you expected, sorry I'm disappointing you Mari. Hate that it was such a shame for me to be Chat and not the oh-so-amazing Luka!" He yelled, not even caring anymore who heard.

Marinette didn't know what to say, she felt horrible. Everything had made sense, she had no idea where she went wrong. Chat jumped onto the next building, then the next, seemingly leaving her. Ladybug frowned, quickly taking her yoyo and swinging it around him, pulling him back towards her.

"C-chat, wait! Let me explain, please."

"Explain so you can tell me how you were hoping and praying that I was Luka so much that you actually believed it?" It broke her hear to hear him talk like that, with so much pain, but she knew she had to explain herself.

At least she was planning to before she heard the akuma alarm from the school. She and Chat looked at each other, then back to the school across the street. Then Chat forced himself out of the string, huffed haughtily, and used his baton to vault to the school. Ladybug sighed miserably and used her yoyo to swing herself there after him.

This was just what they needed. An akuma at the worst time; just when they were at their weakest.

-LB-

I told you I'd do it :D Are you guys proud? ANYWAY I was THIS close to making Chat get akumatized. Like that was the original plan but then I thought: Am I worthy enough to write a Chat Blanc story? PFT nO! Maybe another story ;D. Anyway I am ALMOST done with the stories that will be out by New Years. One is a late Christmas one, the other is one I've been working on a LONG time. It's a story where Adrien grows up without a mother and is cold and snobby like Chloe- AND it's a reverse crush AU. Plus it's in HIS POV! SO every chapter is an episode of the show and it's SO HARD to watch and type and think of ways for it to be the SAME as the show yet different YKNOW.

The things I do for you people :-;