"I mean you don't have t-" Chat Noir beginning to become flustered, surprised at his own question.

"I can make time," Marinette interrupted, "I have to go through a couple of designs or Alya will kill me. I've been running late on deadlines, will you be my model?"

Chat, happily obliged and bowed to the girl,

"Anything for you, my lady." Unfortunately, they both knew that Chat would have to keep his disguise. Marinette did somewhat wish to know who Chat Noir really was. She wanted to thank not only the hero but he as a person. For being so kind and patient with her. She really did owe him an apology for what she did as Ladybug. Leaving him in the dust like that, also just disappearing for six years. But she didn't want to ruin the relationship. What would he say? How would he react? Surely, not in a good way. Scared, Marinette won't say her true identity just yet. She needed time to figure out her words to explain. Even then, the thought of her words she said made her panic, what was she thinking? She hoped maybe that Chat didn't take the wrong way. At the same time though… She did always like her partner in crime. If it weren't for Adrien, she would be with Chat. Maybe, she could try to start something anew with him… No, that can't happen, she thought. She's betrayed him as Ladybug, she didn't deserve someone as good as him.

Both of them parted ways for Chat Noir to carry on his hero work and Marinette Dupain-Cheng to carry on with her daily duties.

"Marinette!" Alya her jaw dropping, as well with dropping Marinettes designer clothes to the floor with surprise. She forgot to tell her best friend about the news… her new haircut.

Alya came up and hugged her best friend tightly in her arms.

"I know I needed to change…" Marinette trailed, "so this is the first step."

"And a great first step it is. I'm so proud of you." Alya caressed her best friend's cheek giving her one last hug.

"I also have news!" Alya smiled excitedly, unable to control her emotions and gave Marinette a letter. Slowly the pixie cut haired girl unfolded to the letter.

"You got the job!? The one you kept applying and bugging them about!?"

"Yes!" Alya jumped with glee and shouted with joy. "Official reporter Alya Césaire, at the crime scene." The two girls celebrated with giggles and shouts of excitement but quickly quieted down when noticing some customers eyeing them puzzledly.

"And…" Alya handed another letter to Marinette with a black wax seal of the letter A encrusted into it, "that isn't all."

Marinette wasn't sure what this was about. She had an idea, but in denial of what it could be. She was afraid to even open it. But fortunately, her fingers already began to lift underneath the wax and opened the letter.

Ms. Marinette Dupain-Cheng,

Congratulations, you are the decided winner of the Guest of Honor of the Masquerade Ball. We would like a new design from you to present at the ball and for to debut Gabriel Agreste's new clothing line Adriene. You are to create by the following date XX XX XXXX .

Good luck,

Gabriel Agreste

He chose her as the winner already? Marinette was at such a loss of words, she wasn't even sure how to react.

"But I…" Marinette stumbled, "I didn't even enter...the competition…"

"I don't think you had to." Alya peeked over her shoulder, reading the letter. "I'm sorry, I took your design and produced them, but you did let him see his son again one last time." That was true, but it was also for her. To see Adrien one last time, to finally… move on.

What could she even come up with this time?!

It was just spur-of-the-moment. Maybe she'll use old photos of her high school crush for inspiration. Then again she doesn't want to use that for a clutch. She's a designer, they can create things out of almost nothing! Plus if she wanted to move on, it was best for not to use photos of Adrien. In fact, she started to dispose them one by one.

She started become embarrassed to even come up with the design about Adrien. She sure never really grew up did she?

Although, it felt like all a dream now. That even Gabriel Agreste likes her work, it's surreal that even Jagged Stone still asks things for her to come up with. Such as outfits, album covers, accessories, etc. Thanks to him is how her business started grow. Now even bigger because of her favorite designer of all time giving her the recognition.

Marinette headed up the stairs in her designer room of her shop. Letting the window open, the breeze greeting her. She had to come up with something new. Something fresh. Something Gabriel liked, it was son. She went through old designer magazines she had for reference, luckily Adrien was featured. She could use something similar with the style but elevate it. No, that wouldn't be right. She has to be original. She could make an outfit as if it were for Adrien back then. Featuring the blue scarf again, now that she could work with. It was her scarf that she made after all. Soon she began to work taking out her art supplies letting her art process to grow.

The sun began to set, Chat Noir quickly checked the time. He hoped he didn't make Marinette wait too long. It's always busy for Chat Noir without Ladybug.

Ladybug, that's right. He stopped dead in his tracks. What was he doing? Seeing a civilian instead. It's not like they were actually together! Maybe Marinette meant something else, she just needed a model! But why be worked up over this? He thought. Ladybug left him. She didn't want to fight anymore. She didn't want fight alongside him. She probably won't even be back for another six years, so what's the point? Chat Noir's gaze trailed, in thought. It was also time for him to move on. But he couldn't blame her either. It was partly his fault for her to quit. Because himself, Adrien "died" in front of her. He set it up. He waited for the right time where someone was akumatized. He wanted to give up his old life and not be the designers son anymore. It was beginning to affect Ladybug where he couldn't fight alongside her. Days and nights where he was forced to stay at his father's side. His over sheltering of his son was becoming too much for Adrien. So Ladybug had to work and fight by herself. There were times where Adrien wasn't fighting, he could hear Ladybug calling for Chat Noir. There were cases where she barely made it. Where she was beat up badly, bruised almost everywhere. This case was when Hawk Moth revealed himself from the shadows, stronger than ever. She was in the worst state that he'd ever seen Ladybug in.

On this particular night, Adrien fought but not as Chat Noir. Ladybug worked hard to protect him and fight at the same time. They came to predicament and it was time for Adrien give up his life and only staying as Chat Noir.

Ladybugs yoyo was clasped around the top of the eiffel tower tightly as she held Adrien's hand tightly as they were both hanging off it. It was basically the first time Ladybug has ever held his hand so tightly. She never wanted it to happen like this.

"Ladybug - -" Adrien held onto her tightly yelling for her.

"Don't let go! I can get us out of here," Ladybug looked around frantically, she had already used her lucky charm. She was running out time. She can hear her earrings already giving her the five minute warning.

"Lady - -"

"DON'T," Ladybug was beginning to panic. This was unusual of her. Her yoyo began to slip and untie due to the weight.

"You have to let me go, Ladybug," Adrien began to let go of the heroine's hand where it began to slip.

"Don't say that, Adrien. Don't say that, I can get us out of here! Hold onto m - -" She lost her grip of her lover. Her hand outstretched for him as she yelled his name, her tears falling with him.

No one could find his body for he transformed before he hit the ground and escaped. The news recorded his fall but no one could find him after that. No body was found, the entire city searched for him. Soon then the crazy people began conspiracy theories about both Ladybug and Adrien of the cause of his death. It didn't help Marinette at all when Alya was talking about these theories to her. Gabriel Agreste did not forgive Ladybug for not saving Adrien, nor did he hate her. Because he knew she tried her damn hardest.

After that night, when Ladybug de transformed to Marinette she couldn't live herself. She vanished that day. For six years, without a word.

"She left without even saying good-bye…" Chat Noir mumbled to himself. He made her go away when all he wanted to do was be there for her. He felt selfish, he didn't want her to do all the work anymore. He couldn't stand just idly watching her fight to the brink of death. Yet, he was the one who caused her not wanting to fight anymore. He came back to reality seeing how dark it become. He jumped, climbed around skillfully till he came to the window sill of the Marinette's shop. It was her designer room. She had fabrics and silks hung in a corner, mannequins posing her style choices. She was in a thinking process, tapping pencil with the eraser tip to her lips. What was she going to do next?

Chat Noir curiously watched the designer. There were times though, right? Times where they were friends. Does she not remember the dance they had? Or the time where she competed in his father's competition of him to model in?

Maybe not as close she wanted, but was it not close enough for her?

Marinette took several notes in her sketches, her old senses tingling from her hero days and met the black cat hero's gaze. There sat Chat Noir at her windowsill in the moonlight, his green eyes glowing. Chat noir slyly entering through the window that she had left open, making himself at home. He pondered over to Marinette's sketches, somewhat relieved that she wasn't doing another outfit for him. Though we're some resemblances of Ladybug and Chat Noir's super hero outfits. The dark shades of black aesthetic on male models with small green paw print at the right corner of the chest area. It was mark for even the t-shirts, hoodies, pants.

With the female models were shades of red and black. Black pleated skirts with red lining, as well with a collared red and black polka shirt.

"You've been a big inspiration for me. " said Marinette coming alongside the super hero, resting her head on his shoulder.

Chat Noir, admirably went through her sketches holding them carefully between his claws. They were wonderful. Maybe if Ladybug sees these she'll come back, thought Chat Noir.

"I really did admire both you and ladybug, so I decided to come up with something for both male and female. Some may not like it, maybe not even Gabriel Agreste. But I believe this will be a good line with Paris." She traced her own sketched with her fingers. She really loved these sketches, very proud of them too.

"Me too," Chat Noir trailed off as he gazed back at the bluebell eyed girl, "You needed a model?" he quickly changed the subject stepping away from the girl. He flexed to her jokingly.

Marinette's lips pulled into a smug, shaking her head. He's never changed that cat.

Marinette had the cat hero put on some of her prototype clothing line for the males over his hero suit. It suited him perfectly. Marinette quickly made some adjustments and some tweaks here and there then adding notes to her journal along with her sketches.

"You can keep that jacket if you want." Marinette said as she was finishing the final touches for the cat hero around his collar, gazing through his mask.

"As you wish, princess." Chat Noir caressed the young girl's face, remembering his friend from his school days. He wondered if she could say those words she said at the grave to him again one day. Marinette, felt warmth from his claw like hand, placing hers on top of it pressing it more to her cheek. How could she not realize with their hero work of much he loved her as Ladybug. She was so naive and blinded by her crush that she was in so much denial, she felt like she's always loved him more. She cared deeply about him, protected him with her life as he did with her. He was her partner in crime, she wished she would have noticed this sooner. How kind, how generous this black cat is.

Chat Noir leaned forward, aiming for Marinettes lips but stopped in his tracks. They barely touched. His eyes darted away, and stepped back.

"I gotta go," he mumbled, "thanks for the jacket." He rapidly jumped through the open window and down to the ground landing on his feet, de-transforming then dashed through the moonlight. What was he thinking? Was it just instinct to do that? He couldn't explain. His body was just moving on its own until he finally hit reality of the situation. He sprinting slowly began to a jog, his pace becoming slower and slower as he thought. How would she react once she found his identity? He assumed it wouldn't be good. He could already picture her crying face. That just made his heart sink. He took a deep inhale, forming into an exaggerated sigh. His thoughts were so clouded, he wasn't sure of what to even think anymore. He hoped he didn't hurt her feelings. He looked down at the jacket she had made for him, admiring the stitches and lining she had places. It was warm, made him feel cozy and safe. He loved it. Which was even more frustrating with this gift. It was the best thing he received so far. He could see Marinette's face in his mind, just images of her smiling face.

Once he got back to his apartment he made a groan, planting face down in his bed. Why was this so confusing?

Plagg casually whistling going to his favorite snack that Adrien had placed and made sure that it was stocked up in the fridge. This was unusual to Adrien. Him whistling and being an good mood. Usually he's complaining how tired he is while eating. He didn't even wanna do anything in general.

"What's made you all giddy?" the young blond male questioned with suspicion.

"Just that girl you like, you're a lot closer to her than you think."

"I don't like her, she's a friend." Said Adrien with annoyance.

"Then what do you call a friend that you almost kissed?" Adrien didn't bother replying to his kwami. He was right. What was he doing? They're definitely not friends anymore. They're definitely more than friends but not dating. It was all too conflicting.

"What do you mean I'm a lot closer to her? It's been… almost years since we last spoke till now."

"Exactly,"

Adrien paused, his mind processing in the new information. Was his kwami saying that Marinette could be Ladybug? His kwami has always been mischievous and very vague with his words. Every time Adrien asked his cat like friend to elaborate, he never made it simple. He thought about it. It was possible, but he wasn't certain. He turned back on his belly his face going back to his pillow. He definitely didn't want to think about this. Especially all these conflicted things, he needed a break.

When Chat Noir left the small studio from Marinette's window she felt her face immediately go hot. She slapped her cheeks, feeling her awkward self again like when she was younger. NO! She didn't want this happen so fast! She can't fall for someone who gave her the slightest bit of attention! Yes, she was going to move forward but not like this. This is all too fast! She groaned, remembering the memory of how close he was. She felt even more flushed, just remembering their lips barely touching. Even then, how was she going to maintain a relationship with him? How would she even get his schedule?

Stop right there, Marinette. She thought to herself.

"By no means, you will NOT stalk Chat Noir like you did with Adrien." That was that. She absolutely vowed to herself. Her behavior with Adrien was definitely not funny or acceptable. She will just keep being exactly what she's doing with her male best friend. Now crush.

Even then, this was all so frustrating! There's no way she could talk to Alya about this.

The young designer took a deep breath, pulled out the black and red matte box from her bag. She flipped open the Chinese designed box, admiring the polka dotted earrings. She will admit, she missed being a hero. She missed fighting for justice but she can't help but feel that she failed her people, her friends. Most of all, she missed Tikki . She missed her friend that was always there for her, guiding her the right direction.

She pulled out the necklace that was tucked underneath her shirt that Tiki gave her for her fourteenth birthday. The red Yin charm. She wondered if Chat Noir had one as well from his kwami. This could be a good design, she thought and began to sketch out more. She deserved to know. She deserved more to this world.

Marinette slowly picked up the earrings in her hand. One by one she put them on. Maybe, just maybe, Tiki can get her back on the right track.

The young adult girl had her eyes squeezed shut. She was afraid of facing Tiki again. She wondered if she was already there in front of her. There was silence the entire time her eyes were closed, finally Marinette sucked up enough courage and opened her eyes. Tiki patiently waiting for her owner.

"I like your haircut." She smiled sweetly to her.

"Me too," Marinette began to sob between her words as her small friend hugged her cheek. The kwami gently wiped her tears away.

"I thought you would be mad at me." Marinette sniffed, wiping her eyes.

"I would never be mad at you, Marinette. I only want what's best for you. I'm glad to see you're trying to improve."

Marinette held the small kwamis in her palms then took one hand away pulling out the trinket that Tiki had given her. The polka dotted kwami beamed with joy from the gift her master had still kept. The small creature hugged Marinette's cheek, so happy her friend had been trying to better herself.

Tikki hasn't aged at all. Unlike Marinette she was definitely much more mature. She lost her baby fat, grew taller. One thing Tikki hated was seeing her masters grow way too fast. For Marinette especially cutting her off briefly. It seemed just like yesterday when she saw Marinette when she was in her teens. Now she can hardly believe she's in her twenties.

"I got invited by Gabriel Agreste to a ball, starting a new line with him, they were inspired by Ladybug and Chat Noir."

The old heroine pulled out her sketches as the kwami smiled joyfully.

"the last time I saw your work, these are astounding Marinette. You have definitely improved."

"Thanks Tikki, for everything." they both stared each other for a moment and giggled together. It was just like old times. Staying up late in her bedroom talking all night. It was like having a sleepover with another best friend every evening.

Adrien couldn't sleep. He was restless. He didn't wanna think about it but Plagg putting that seed into his brain that Marinette was a possibility of being Ladybug could make sense to… everything. The mourning of himself with Marinette. The disappearance of Ladybug after his fake death. The rejections he received so many times from her was because she loved him not Chat Noir. He sat up in his bed, thinking long and hard, a hand to his head. It was like a conspiracy theory in his head. Red thread connecting to each encounter, each incident that had them together so many times. She was always there somehow. Every incident, Akuma, Marinette was always, always there.

"Oh I got trapped!" was an excuse from her which of course he would use similar ones as well to keep hidden.

"I was stuck in the bathroom,"

"I was also akumatized!"

"I was running looking for others!"

He could hear her voice with each one then listening to the times when he was with Ladybug, matched exactly of how she spoke.

Could it really be? The love he had, had been for Marinette this entire time? He had so many chances to know who Ladybug was, but… He could never bring himself to break her trust she had for him.

He wished he was faster and he could have caught up with her that one night she ran off.

He then remembered the night with Marinette when they were younger. When Ladybug had stood him up, he could've stopped right there and be with Marinette. She appreciated him so much more than his crime fighting partner.

He turned on his side still deep in thought.

"I kinda want to see her again right now."

"You just saw her twenty minutes ago?" Plagg said with mouthful of cheese.

"I know," he said dejected. And the major problem for him was that, he didn't want to see her as Chat Noir anymore.