"What's wrong, Adrien?" Nino clapped his friend on the back as he sat down.

"Nothing." Adrien yawned in response. "I'm fine."

Nino raised his eyebrow skeptically. He did not look fine. Adrien saw him looking, and sighed. "I just didn't get much sleep, okay?"

"Alright, okay." Nino laughed, raising his hands in defense. "Just making sure."

He technically wasn't lying, he hadn't gotten much sleep. After getting back late, he didn't stop thinking about Ladybug and what she had said, and how complicated everything had seemed. But there was no turning back now, he had made his decision, in spite of Ladybug.

Maybe it was a mistake going back.

No, it's not a mistake he tried to keep reminding himself. He had been thinking too long, given himself all day, distracting himself from his school and homework, and Chinese lesson. But now it was dark, and dark was the place of Chat Noir, not Adrien and his indecisiveness.

Before giving himself the opportunity to think further, he tapped on the trapdoor.

"Marinette?" He called out. There was no response. The light was on, and he heard footsteps, but thought it was probably better if he didn't knock again. Maybe the world is telling me I shouldn't do it. I'll just leave. He thought.

But as he was about to jump off the roof onto a neighbouring one, the hatch flipped open, and Marinette smiled at him. "Hello again..." she said nervously.

She had known it was coming. She had to find a way to stop it, but she couldn't think of one. That's why she almost didn't open the door, but she didn't want to seem like she didn't care.

Tikki wanted no part in it at all. She had sternly warned Marinette of the possible consequences of the revelation of one of their identities, then flew through the floor to look for cookies.

"Did something happen, Chat?" She almost whispered, voice catching in her throat. She couldn't make it seem like she knew too much, hiding anger and confusion.

"I, uh..." he tried to start. His confident, flirty facade was failing as he tried to find his words. "I told Ladybug that I loved her..." he began.

"That's.. um, good?" She responded. Maybe he changed his mind? Maybe he had decided to keep his secret, and was still in love with Ladybug?

"Then I told her I love somebody else now." Guess not.

"R-really?" She asked, almost breathlessly. He stepped towards her and took her hand.

"I think... I love you, Marinette." He smiled. "And, I need to tell you something..." he stepped back.

"No!" She shouted suddenly. He looked back with confusion. "I mean.. I don't mean I don't..." okay, she'd be lying if she said she didn't have any feelings back for him. But if she told him that she loved him? He'd end up taking his ring off with no hesitation.

"Don't call of your transformation."

"What are you saying?" He sounded like he was going to cry.

She moved forward and took his hands again. "I don't mean that I don't... love you, I just mean I don't think it's a good idea to..." she paused. "To tell me your secret identity, I mean what would Ladybug think..." she cringed, realizing he probably didn't give a damn what Ladybug thought. "And, well, you're a superhero, and... it's... dangerous." Her voice trailed away helplessly.

He nodded slowly, then shook himself out of the trance. If she knew he was Adrien, it would all be different. "No, but Marinette, you don't understand! If you just let me..."

"Please, Chat Noir, don't make it harder." She pushed him towards the window.

"I don't want it to be too late." He whispered, and Marinette froze in her place.

Those words, that was exactly what was in her mind. That's what she had been thinking. But what could he mean? She knew if she tried to love him now as Ladybug, it would be too late, because he gave up on her.

"Don't convince me that I made a mistake coming back here." He whimpered.

She still had her hand on his torso, when he took a breath. "Claws in." His whisper seemed to echo across the whole world, ringing in her ears in slow motion.

There was a bright green light, and just before she managed to see anything, her eyes were closed. Her hand felt leather disappear, replaced with cloth, until she pulled it back. From behind her eyelids she noticed the flash disappear within a second.

Ignoring all the advice and prompting beating in her brain, Marinette was faced with an impossible decision.

Open her eyes, or keep them closed?

Chat, or Adrien?

Short chapter this time compared to the rest, I've been so busy but excited to write more of this fanfiction, it's come so far! I've been short of inspiration and ideas for the future, but I'm not giving up! Til next time!