Chapter 6 -

-Present-

Adrien parked in the parallel spot in front of Marinette's building. It was a dated five story brick building with rows of wide windows facing the street. Marinette's flat was on the 4th floor. As they entered the lobby Marinette exhaled loudly.

"I'm sorry, the elevator is down again," Marinette groaned while pointing to a sign that had been taped onto the doors.

Adrien laughed, "It's okay, I can handle a few stairs."

He and Marinette walked over to the stairwell and he followed her lead up. Adrien tried not to stare as Marinette bounced up the stairs effortlessly in her figure-hugging dress. Her petite frame and lightness of foot reminded him of Ladybug and how he used to watch her bound up stairwells chasing akumatized victims. Adrien felt a pang in his chest. 'Don't think about it.' he scolded.

Marinette reached the third flight and paused to see if she had lost Adrien. She was used to losing people on the stairs. Adrien's chest bumped into her back not realizing she had stopped. "Oh! You okay?" Adrien said holding her shoulders.

Marinette laughed. "Fine, I just thought I lost you."

"Can't lose me that easily," Adrien smiled releasing his hold. They continued up slowly, side by side.

"Okay!' Marinette announced clapping her hands together and turning around to face Adrien. They stood right before her light blue doorway that was at the end of the hall.

"I have to warn you. My flat is a mess. I have been so busy prepping for the show and I wasn't here yesterday and… " 'and Alex was here the night before' Marinette trailed off in thought. "…Just don't judge. It's not always this bad."

"Mari, its fine. I won't judge." Adrien promised. She was cute when she's frazzled.

Marinette opened the door and let him in. She immediately cringed. It was worse than she thought. There were articles of clothing on every surface. She didn't have any places to sit down. Her half empty coffee mugs were scattered about and a red lacey bra was hanging from her coat rack, inches from Adrien. Coat racks make great drying racks, but not when you have company.

"Ah! Give me one second!" she squealed.

Adrien watched as Mariette raced around collecting all of her stray clothing. It was messy, but that wasn't the first thing he noticed. The smell that filled Marinette's place was intoxicating. It was a strawberry, creamy smell with a hint of coffee that he recognized immediately. Next, Adrien admired the row of windows he saw right as he walked in. There was so much light flooding in, it made all the surfaces appear to be glowing.

Noticing the pages taped up along the wall, Adrien moved closer to investigate. Leaning in, Adrien slipped a pair of brown-framed glasses from his pocket and slide them on his face. Marinette slowed her pace with an armful of clothes, watching Adrien look at her sketches. Marinette dropped the clothes into a bin and went to stand next to him.

She studied the side of his perfect profile. His strong jawline and chiseled cheekbones. His soft looking lips that weren't chewed up like hers were when she was stressed. She wanted to stroke the side of his smooth, tan face desperately.

"I didn't know you wore glasses," she said softly.

Adrien pulled back from the sketch and quickly slide the glasses back into his pocket. "Model secret." He smiled tapping the side of his nose with his index finger. "I had to get a prescription while I was at university."

Marinette moved in closer, wedging herself between the wall and Adrien. She reached into his pocket, pulling the glasses back out. Adrien's breath caught in his throat. Carefully she reached up and slide the glasses back into place on his face. His green eyes were wide looking down at her.

"Now you look like a physics professor," Marinette nodded. Adrien held his gaze with Marinette who after a few seconds, blushed and pulled away. "Sorry!"

"No! Now I know what I need to do to get the job!" Adrien chuckled pulling off the glasses once more.

Marinette smiled taking in the tall blonde muscular figure that was Adrien. 'What was she doing?'

Marinette was still wearing the dress!

She quickly excused herself to the bathroom to tear off the dress she had been restricted in all day. She slide on a pair of skinny blue jeans that stopped just above her ankle. She buttoned up an oversized white cotton long sleeved shirt and tucked the front into her jeans, leaving the back untucked. She tied her hair up in a messy bun and slide in a red headband once more. Marinette took one last look in the mirror and decided she looked okay.

Adrien was standing awkwardly with his hands in his pockets in the middle of her flat when she emerged from the bathroom. Realizing she was a bad host she quickly made her way to the small kitchen area.

"I'm sorry! You can sit here, can I get you something to drink? I have coffee and ..." she paused scanning her fridge. "And tap water... sorry. I haven't been shopping in a while."

Adrien took a seat at the island, watching as Marinette rummaged through her fridge. "Coffee would be nice if you're having some. Don't trouble yourself though." He said while smiling.

"Coffee does sound good. I'm probably going to be at the venue late tonight."

While Marinette fiddled with her outdated coffee maker, Adrien made his way over to Marinette's desk and lifted the large black clothing bags on hangers. Underneath was a series of sketches that caught his eye.

"I'm guessing this is what we came for?" he said holding up the bags, eyes still locked onto the drawings.

"Mhmm, pretty sure that's all of it." she said looking over to him. "What are you ..." Marinette made her way over to the desk and saw what had him so distracted.

The drawings she had left out were for lingerie. Not her normal project but it was at a special request from Alya for her wedding night. She may have gotten carried away and designed one or two for herself. The sketches that had Adrien's attention were hers.

Marinette quickly grouped up the papers and flipped them over. "Whoops, sorry I should've put those away. They're not for me, well not all of them. I mean they're for Alya! She asked for help and ... you know what?Just pretend you didn't see anything. " Marinette stammered.

Adrien set the bags back down and laughed. "Right! I didn't see anything... but if you need a model, I'm your guy." He joked, giving Marinette a wink.

Marinette giggled. "I don't think they're your size." She joked back. Her face felt hot. Was she flirting?

Gettin back on track, she collected a bag of sewing supplies and a few other odds and ends she'd need for the day. The coffee maker beeped and Adrien was already back in the kitchen going through cupboards to find the mugs.

"The ones next to the sink are clean." Marinette instructed. He sure was making himself comfortable, she mused.

"Here, I'm supposed to be the host. Let me," she said making her way next to him.

Adrien put his hand behind his head and laughed. "Sorry, you had your hands full."

"No worries. How do you take your coffee?"

She made up their coffees and sat next to him at the island. They sat awkwardly close while blowing on their hot mugs.

"I really like your place." Adrien said breaking the silence.

"It feels homey. I don't think I've ever lived in a place that feels like this."

"You mean small?" Marinette teased.

'No. It's warm and nice here. I just moved in to my apartment and it feels like every other place I've had. I don't know how to describe it, " he said smiling at Marinette. Blush crossed her face. She imagined Adrien alone in his probably massive apartment, that had exspensive furniture but no color or life.

"I'm not much of an interior designer but maybe I could help you make it feel more 'homey'. I'd start by throwing your clothes everywhere. " Marinette giggled motioning around to her messy place.

"Ah, so that's the secret." Adrien laughed. Having Marinette in his apartment sounded enticing.

The two finished their coffees and Marinette checked her phone. It was getting close to 2:00 already and she had so much to do at the venue. "We should get going." She really didn't want to leave though. Being here with Adrien felt nice. Even if it was in poor judgement.

Adrien was having the same feeling as they collected everything she needed to take.

"That should be everything, although knowing me, I'm gonna forget something." Marinette said looking around.

Adrien had his arms full and smiled at Marinette. "Thanks for letting me help. And for coffee." he said as he made his way to the door.

Marinette shook her head. "I should be thanking you. This would've been difficult on my own."

When the two reached the hallway, Adrien stood in place. A familiar bald man was just entering his apartment. Directly across from Marinette's.

-Past-

Master Fu was sitting cross-legged on the floor already waiting for Marinette's arrival. There were two steaming cups of tea on the small table and cookies that were laid out for Tikki. "Come. Sit," he coaxed.

Marinette sat on her knees tucking her legs underneath her. Tikki sat herself on the plate happily munching on a cookie. There was no easy way to start. "Master Fu. About what happened…" she whispered.

Master Fu shook his head and gave a small smile to Marinette. "We can't be perfect all the time Marinette. What is important is that you and the Miraculous are safe."

"But we aren't safe. I can't be Ladybug anymore." Marinette said softly, looking down at her lap. "Hawkmoth will eventually suspect me if he doesn't already. I wasn't careful enough. I wasn't good enough."

She took out the ring from her pocket and slide it on the table. Tears began welling in her eyes from the guilt she felt. "I also need to give you this. Can you return it to him?"

"Marinette, Paris still needs Ladybug! You can't give in. You can take down Hawkmoth now! You know who he is!" Tikki protested.

"You know his identity Marinette?" Master Fu said incredulously.

"If he connects me to Ladybug, my family, my friends, you guys, will all be in danger. I shouldn't even be here now. I will honor the deal I made with him, I can't reveal his identity. He swore he wouldn't use the Moth Miraculous if his identity remained a secret."

She paused looking at the sad expression on Master Fu's face. "I'm sorry Master Fu. You will have to find another way without me. I-I can't help you."

Tikki flew from the plate and hugged Marinette's cheek. "So, you are going to leave me Marinette?"

"Not forever Tikki. Just until it's safe." Marinette struggled to sound hopeful. Was there any hope?

Marinette asked Master Fu to borrow a piece of paper. She was going to leave a note for Chat Noir. She had to say goodbye.

Adrien awoke in a panic, grasping at his throat.

"Whoa, dude it's okay! You're safe now!" Nino braced Adrien trying to calm his best friend.

Adrien gasped for air looking around. Where was she? Where was Marinette? He found himself in Nino's room. Adrien looked down to see he was no longer Chat Noir. "Plagg?" Adrien choked.

"Oh! Is that your Kwami? Marinette, no Trou Noir took it and you de-transformed. I shielded you, don't worry. No one saw."

Nino paused as Adrien got up off the bed.

"I can't believe you were Chat Noir this whole time, dude! I'm Carapace, or you probably already figured that out. Man this whole time... " Nino trailed off realizing Adrien was still distraught.

"Is she still out there? Marinette?" Adrien asked.

"I brought you back here as soon as you changed back. I'm not sure what happened when I left but the news is saying everything was put back to place. Probably Ladybug's doing. Alya hasn't gotten ahold of Marinette yet but I wouldn't worry, Ladybug always makes things right. Marinette is probably home now, safe." Nino reassured.

Adrien looked down at his bare hand. How had he let this happen?

"Right. We should go to Master Fu's. He will know what to do." Nino said patting Adrien on the shoulder. He could geek out later at the fact that he and his best friend were super heroes.