Sorry this took awhile. It's my last year in college and it was crazy. I'm finally done!
The ladybug suit did not disappear. And oddly enough, it gave her more strength and agility. After scouring through Alya's superhero comic books, she decided that the Flash's costume changes were what was best for her busy schedule. She tethered it to the black diamond earrings Adrien (swoon) gave her, praying that her magic was enough to do something seemingly impossible. It worked, the earrings managed to hold her costume. It flashed with ladybug colors when activated though. That was probably for the best, she can't have Adrien finding out that she was Ladybug because of the earrings.
She also magically created a black cat costume for her (hopefully) new partner. Maybe she should have asked for his opinion first, but she couldn't help herself. She was in a fit of giggles as soon as she designed the dark costume. Silly Kitty.
If he didn't like it, she could always change it; and since she figured that he wouldn't appreciate cat earrings, she contained his costume in a ring.
Her only issue now was how to give it to him? There didn't have any means of communication. The answer came as the next akuma attack. Then there he was, her confident, cocky partner… in yet another dark cat eared hoodie (how many did he have? He is such a dork) After transforming, Ladybug rushed to her partner and pulled him aside before the akuma spotted him. She thrust the ring at him.
He blinked once, then twice before a mischievous grin appeared on his face. "A little too early for proposals isn't it, My Lady?"
"I-ah-I no!" Ladybug stuttered, a red flush on her face. "It gives you a proper costume. Just say transform moi, and join me in the fight." She leapt to the battle left Chat to stare at his ring in awe. She faintly heard Chat whoop in joy as a green light engulfed him.
In no time, a leather clad cat themed superhero joined Ladybug. "Feline the love here, LB. Thank you." Chat said sincerely as he gestured to his outfit. "But why do I feel like I could jump from building to building."
"That's the costume. Somehow, it gives us more agility and strength." Ladybug yelped as one of the akuma's attacks whizzed past her ear. "Fight now, talk later."
"So, we could hang out after the attack?' Chat said excitedly as he languidly dodged all the attacks.
"Huh?" Ladybug said distractedly, "Yeah sure."
She nearly faltered when she saw Chat's genuine smile. Then, it shifted into a Cheshire grin as Chat launched himself towards the akuma, pinning him down easily.
"Ready when you are, My Lady." He said as his destroying hand hovered over the akumatized object.
Ladybug blinked away her surprise and grinned back at her partner. "Ready."
Ladybug and Chat sat comfortably while enjoying the best view of Paris; their feet dangling over the edge of the Eiffel Tower.
"I never knew how beautiful this city could be." Chat said in awe.
"You've lived here your entire life, and you never realized that? Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world."
Chat playfully bumped his shoulder with hers. "Romantic." Chat murmured wistfully, it was so quiet that Ladybug almost didn't catch it. She didn't comment.
"I guess I was just preoccupied with other things. Beauty was never something I was proud of." Chat said lowly. "Outside beauty… was too shallow I guess. Today, Paris looks more than beautiful. Something is different. It's not beautiful on the outside. It's peaceful, calm."
Ladybug silently noted that her partner might not have such a happy life. She decided there and then that she would be there for her partner, always.
"Chat?" Ladybug said tentatively. "I don't think it would be safe for us to share our identities."
Chat gave her an alarmed look. "But My Lady!"
Ladybug held her hand up to stop his objections. "It is not safe for our family and friends. My parents know my powers- they know that I'm Ladybug. But I don't think they'll want anyone else to know."
"But…." He looked like he might argue further, but after meeting Ladybug's steely eyes, his shoulders sagged. "Alright. I respect your decision."
"I will agree to sharing our contact information though." Immediately, Chat perked up. "But it won't be our main phone numbers."
Suddenly, Ladybug looked nervous. "I, um, tried to create weapons for us, but I guess I wasn't strong enough to conjure something cool."
"I'm sure that whatever it is, I'll love it." Chat tried to reassure her.
"Alright." Ladybug stood up and grabbed the bag she stashed here some nights ago. She pulled out a baton and a yoyo.
"I'm guessing the baton is yours, since it has your colors." Ladybug thrust him the silver and green baton. "I was actually trying to conjure up a sword or something, but it came out like this."
"It's perfect!" Chat said excitedly, drowning away Ladybug's doubt. "I've always pictured myself with a staff of some kind. I have a little background in fencing, so this should be easy. So what is yours?"
She showed him her yoyo. "I was picturing something like Wonderwoman's lasso of truth, but this is pretty close. It's unbreakable I think, I tried to slash it with a knife."
Unexpectedly, Chat enveloped her in a hug. "You are paw-some, My Lady. Thank you."
Though she was taken aback by his sudden show of affection, she let herself melt into his hug. Petting his hair with equal affection.
"Thanks, Kitty."
All weekend was hectic. Akuma attacks, bakery orders, homework (ack), Marinette was ready to drop. When the bakery door dinged, she automatically placed a smile to her face and greeted the customer.
"Welco-eek!" without thinking, she ducked under the counter.
"Um, Marinette?" Adrien's worried voice drifted towards her.
Marinette's cheeks burned. "Oh, A-Adrien, I-I didn't see you-ow!" She tried to calmly come out from under the counter, but she banged her head on the way out.
She turned to meet Adrien's concerned eyes. "Do you need some help? Was there a spider or something under there? Do you need some ice?"
"Nah-no-I,I, there was no spider. and yes, I need your eyes. I- I mean I don't need ice." She laughed nervously.
To her relief, Adrien didn't seem to catch her slip up. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure." Marinette tried to school her emotions. "Anyway, what do you need?"
He hesitated. "I'm not sure. I'm not supposed to eat sweets. I don't know what I'll like."
Marinette dropped the tongs she was holding. "What?!" she nearly screeched.
Adrien winced at her shocked face. "It's not like I don't like sweets, I do! I'm just not allowed to."
"By who?" Marinetter blurted out without thinking.
Adrien winced again. "By my dietician. It's part of the job."
"Unacceptable." Marinette fixed him with a steely look, one that was somewhat familiar to Adrien, but for the life of him he couldn't understand why. She darted out from behind the counter and grasped his elbow as she steered him towards the cakes and pastries display.
"Pick whatever you like, it's on the house." Marinette said as she stopped him right in front of the colorful desserts.
"But I-" Adrien tried to reason, but he was met with another strong look. He scratched the back of his neck bashfully instead.
"Thank you, Mari." Sincerity and awe flowed from every word as he gave her a large smile. "You're amazing."
That was when Marinette realized that she still had her hand on his arm. "I-I it was nothing really. Amazing you are. I-I mean you're amazing. I-I just. I mean, that's what friends are for right?"
"Yes." Adrien blushed as he ducked his head down gratefully. "Friends."
Later that day, Adrien had to transform into Chat Noir to get into his room because Marinette wouldn't let him go home without a sample every dessert, which amounted to three bags. Let's just say, Chat Noir was seen jumping hyperactively from roof to roof later in the night because of the sugar rush….. and the happy feeling he had from having a friend.