A.N.- Another Friday! Hope you all enjoy.

Adrien knew better than to question a woman when she was fuming, but he couldn't help but wonder if this little trip would be better if both of them were transformed instead of being dragged like a rag doll. He should have been more careful, but after the day that he had, could anyone blame him? Within a couple minutes, they reached their destination and he was pushed down on the ground while Rena stood tall over him.

"Could you?" His words weakly dripped off his tongue as he pointed to her suit. Really it was a gamble, Alya might be even more terrifying than her superhero counterpart at this point. At least as her civilian self, she would lack any extra powers that her miraculous gave her. She rolled her eyes and in an instant, the magic faded away leveling the playing field.

"Start explaining." Her words were pointed and sharp and Adrien felt himself swallow, hard.

"I know this looks bad. It was a stupid mistake but-" he blurted out before he could stop himself. Judging by the stone set expression on Alya's face, there was little he could say to redeem himself.

"Adrien Agreste, you have invented a new kind of stupid. If you would have thought any of this through, maybe things would be different." The only thing that Adrien was thankful for at that moment was that with another shove she released him. "Let's review, shall we?" Her pacing only increased the amount of panic running through his system. "When you run into Marinette after who knows how many years of seeing her, and the first things you do is to go out with her roommate? But that's not good enough for you is it? You decide to abuse your power and snuggle up to my best friend as Chat Noir knowing how vulnerable a state she is in, you decide to live out your high school fantasy and date her at the same time as her roommate like she's some dirty little secret not good enough for the Adrien Agreste. You knew how she felt about you this whole time and then you what- decide on a whim that you're going to go marry Amelie? The least you could have done was cut things off the moment you knew that it wouldn't work out with Mari, but I guess that's too much of a sacrifice for you." Each word may as well have been a paper cut, he deserved it.

"It's not like that," he growled. It was one thing if she had all the information and she laid in him, all her accusations were filtered through what she had heard. Alya was playing judge and jury without the whole story.

"How long did you think you could keep this up, Marinette would want to know your identity eventually, or were you planning on revealing that after you've married the wrong girl?"

"I was planning on telling her."

"It's amazing, when I joined the team, I thought you would be the one to get injured by Hawkmoth initially because you have the tendency to act first and think later, but it turns out that you don't need him to sabotage your own life...and in the process all you're doing is hurting Mari. If she was in the same position, she would give you up for the good of everyone involved."

"You have no idea what I've sacrificed for her."

"Sacrifice?" She scoffed in disgust. "When did you have a long night of comforting her when she was crying her eyes out because of something stupid you did? The lost opportunities to see Nino DJ for fashion shows because I had to clean up after the mess you made when deciding if you were courageous enough to ask her out. I look at all the years that she spent pining after you, hoping that one of those nights she would fall out of love with you, just so she wouldn't hurt as much."

"I-I had no idea."

"You want the girl Adrien? She's been yours since middle school. That girl has been in love with you since we met. She would move mountains just to make you happy. I think back to the nights we spent talking about you, the good and the bad, where did it get any of us? Even after all the years and you two are not any further into being in a fully functional relationship."

"Alya-"

"I've known Marinette for years she's the kindest and most trusting person I have ever met wrapped up in a human being, and for whatever reason," a pity laugh escaped her lips at the reality. "She chose you back then and now I stand by her, even though nothing you have done of late indicates that you deserve her. I love her more than anything in this world and I want her to be happy, but I'm starting to doubt whether you can give her that. Everything you've done since you walked back into her life has been selfish."

"That's not true." Adrien blurted out his anger overpowering his ability to let her vent and sit there and take it.

"I'm all ears Agreste." Alya's hands fell on her hips as she leaned forward menacingly. "Prove me wrong."

"I can't break up with Amelie." That was his reason, so far impressed wouldn't be the first word she used.

"Yeah..." Alya snorted. "that's the problem. If that's the best you got-"

"I'm being blackmailed." It would be easy to just yell that he was lying so he would accept the responsibility for his actions. But something about the vulnerability in which he confessed it gave her pause. It wouldn't be something he would simply makeup, she knew him well enough to know that.

"You're serious." Her face deadpanned allowing the truth to sink in. "What, who, how could you be so reckless and let this happen?" While the knowledge didn't wipe away all he was responsible for, it did explain the missing pieces.

"I was serious when I told Marinette over the summer that I was planning on breaking up with her. I knew that Amelie and I could never work, not with…not with how much I love Mari. I planned to break up with Amelie during lunch…and then she proposed. Before I could turn her down, Chat was needed downtown. By the time I was in a position to turn her down properly, Amelie's mother entered the picture. She knows who I am, Alya, and if I break up with Amelie then she'll release the information and blacklist Mari. Her career would be over." Alya cursed and started to pace once more.

"But what about your father, wouldn't he be able to have the pull?" She didn't know much about the Agreste family, Adrien didn't share much. But from what she knew of Gabriel, people feared him, surely he could approach Amelie's mother and correct the situation.

"The board is one step away from making him step down for his health's sake. He would much rather save his own face than help Marinette." As talented as her best friend was, she knew Adrien was right.

"But what about you, you're his son." He forced his gaze away, he generally wasn't open about his family situation, mostly because of shame. What kind of person cares more about their accomplishments than their own flesh and blood?

"Trust me, I know my father." There was no way that Gabriel would risk the company he built up from the ground just for a scandal. "I've been trying to figure this out for the last two months."

"Does Marinette know?" His pulse raced again at the mention of her name.

"No," he replied. "She would never let me do this for her if she knew. I won't let her career be ruined by something stupid I did." It was time for him to take responsibility, letting Marinette have the life she always wanted was the way he could start.

"You need to tell her, Marinette deserves to know." That was the last thing that he wanted, but he understood why Alya held the position she did. "We can't help you if we don't know what's going on Adrien. You've tried for months to do this on your own, now let us help."

"Did you not hear me Alya? Marinette won't let me do this, she would risk her career just for my happiness." His blood began to boil. He wouldn't allow her to give that up, not when it was her dream since she was 14.
"You tell her…or I will." His gaze shot up to meet hers. He forgot how stubborn she was, If Alya was his friend, she wouldn't be asking this of him. "That's your choice Agreste."

When he realized that Alya wouldn't budge on the issue his eyes narrowed. "Fine, I'll tell her."

"Marinette is the best thing in both of our lives Adrien, don't screw this up," For the first time he saw a ghost of a smile on her lips and a mischievous glint in her eye, "or I'll make good on my promise to skin a cat."

After swinging a few blocks, Marinette found a lonely alley and released her transformation. She needed air and wasn't in much of a hurry to head back to the apartment, so walking the rest of the way would be a nice change. Maybe she could spend a couple hours at her cafe. If anyone asked, she could always say she was working on a project for Gabriel. A calm rushed over her as she slipped into the people walking the street. She felt invisible and it was invigorating. No one needed her, she could be alone with her thoughts... until she was so consumed that she ran straight into a body almost sending her crashing to the ground.

"We have to stop meeting like this." His blue eyes shot through her and suddenly her legs held as much strength as jell-o.

"H-hey," She tongue got tangled but her body refused to budge an inch. "You were that guy...that I spilled my coffee on." Her cheeks betrayed her further by bursting with a brilliant shade of pink.
At least there was no split coffee this time. His laugh filled the air as he steadied her and adjusted his bag.

"Well my friends call me Luka, but you can call me whatever you want." He added with a wink.

"M-Marinette," She replied as courteously as possible. The one thing she couldn't believe was a simple encounter with him brought out the same clumsy traits as when she was hanging out with Adrien. It wasn't like anything was going to transpire between them. She heard him repeat the name back to himself committing it to memory. "You're a musician, aren't you?" Immediately she mentally kicked herself when she spotted the guitar sticking out from behind him.

"I can play a few chords," he teased. "But it's more about the sound the band produces. You should come to a show sometime."

He didn't know what was worse, his conversation with Alya or facing Tom Dupain-Cheng. The bakery faced him, but he couldn't move his feet. Amelie had made yet another call reminding him about the cake and he had run out of time unless he wanted Amelie visiting the bakery. That couldn't happen.
A deep breath gave him the strength he needed, and he wandered through the door. The bell signaled the back, but it wished it hadn't. The last time he had stepped foot in this bakery was years ago, and he hadn't kept the promises he made.

"Mr. Agreste?" He cringed at such a formal greeting from Marinette's mother. He may have grown some, but he wasn't a full functioning adult. He missed the times she would refer to him by his first name.

"You can call me Adrien," he corrected her softly. The last thing he wanted to do was offend her, but it wasn't like he was a stranger.

"Of course Adrien, what can I do for you? We're about to close for the afternoon."

"I would love a box of macarons please," he paused in hesitation. "I was also hoping I could talk to you about a wedding cake." The box that contained his treats fell to the floor.

"I see. I'll fetch Tom to discuss specifics with you as I whip you up a new box. It seems Marinette does gain her clumsiness from me." He knew she was lying, not once had he seen any sort of clumsiness in any form come from Sabine. But out of respect, he played along. He found an empty table easily and sat trying to ease his stomach. As bad as that interaction was, facing Tom would be worse.

"Adrien," he stiffened as his name was called in a much richer voice. "I haven't seen you since..." Tom's voice faded out and Adrien's hand rubbed his neck with embarrassment. He should have bit the bullet and come across the city to visit Marinette and her parents before last year. They acted as parents when his father was traveling for business all throughout high school. This bakery acted as a second home that allowed you to soak in and marinate in love, happiness and of course, croissants.

"It's been too long," he agreed. It was funny how time got away from him when he swore he would manage it better than his father. Now he faced a feeling of knowing the person who was standing in front of you without knowing them. A stranger with a familiar face.

"What's this I hear about a wedding cake?" Adrien couldn't help but cringe at the question, even if it's what drew him here in the first place.

"I wanted to come and ask that you and Sabine make my cake for my wedding next month. We both love your baking and it blows others out of water. It's a high-profile wedding and I'd personally make sure you would get a lot of press. It would bring in more customers." Adrien tried to pitch the idea the best he could when his tongue felt like sandpaper in his mouth. Tom held a stone-faced for a couple seconds before glancing back at Sabine behind the counter and they held another's gaze.

"I can't," Tom"s voice caught him off guard. Adrien blinked, he must have heard him wrong. If he was roped into this wedding, the least he could do was their family to gain more publicity.

"Pardon?"

"Do you remember the last time you were at this bakery. What you promised?" Adrien swallowed thickly at the question. He couldn't forget if he wanted to. It was after graduation and Tom pulled him aside.

He had said that he knew about Adrien's feelings for his daughter, and he was rooting for them to be together. That they were meant to be together. Mr. Dupain-Cheng made him promise right then and there that he would look after Marinette, to make sure she always had a place to turn. To tell her how he felt because life is short.

"Yes," Adrien fought the tremor sneaking into his voice. His chest was tight and the large pit in his stomach twisted once more. He meant to carry out his promise, but he was a coward and he hated himself for it.

"Then you know why I can't make the wedding cake, no matter what you offered me." Adrien didn't attempt to protest, he watched as Tom stood walked behind the counter, placed a kiss of Sabine's head and disappeared in the back. Adrien walked up to the counter, dropped more money than necessary for the treats, whispered an apology then headed straight for the door.

The second he stepped outside he wished that he was back in the tension-filled bakery. He couldn't un-see the sight of the guy from the coffee shop months ago hovering over Marinette. She was taken, couldn't the guy take a hint? Why hadn't she mentioned him earlier? He knew he shouldn't eavesdrop, but he couldn't help but feel overprotective. So he ducked behind a car that was in earshot.

"So what do you say? Come to my concert on Friday. I could really use a lucky charm." Adrien didn't realize he was holding his breath till she responded.

"Lucky charm?" She snorted. "All I've ever done is trip and spill coffee into you."

"Well if you change your mind..." Adrien peered over the windows just in time to see the guy hand Marinette a card, presumably with the concert info.

It only took Marinette 30 seconds after he rounded the corner to head to a trash can. Adrien felt a burst of pride, she knew where her loyalties lie. But before she disposed of the card she paused, something else capture her attention. She ventured over to a nearby newsstand. He watched her fingers trace the edge of a news story before picking it up. The distance was too far to see the headline she was interested in, but she was curious enough to purchase it. She slipped the card she had received in back pocket and headed back towards their apartment.

Adrien waited another moment making sure the coast was clear before coming out of hiding. What could have possibly caught her attention? It wasn't as if he could storm up to her and ask her. He let out a frustrated sigh, he needed to let off some steam before he did anything, otherwise he wouldn't have a clear head. He ran into a nearby alley.
"Plagg, claws out."

Marinette groaned stretching her body enjoying the way the sheets moved underneath her. "How is it that you're even more beautiful in the morning." Her eyes snapped wide at the sudden awareness that the company next to her.

"Adrien?" Marinette clutched the sheets closer over her naked form. "W-what are you doing?"

"Admiring my wonderful wife," he lifted one of her hands and placed a tender kiss on the skin. The contact alone caused a shiver to run the length of her spine. "Is that not allowed?"

"Wife?" The words left her mouth as a whisper. She could only remember bits and pieces of a wedding, but all the memories that danced in her mind were fresh.

"Are you okay?" His eyebrows furrowed as he leaned in and rested his hand on her forehead to check for a fever.

"Yeah… sorry." She smiled still confused at how this was her reality now.

"It just feels like a dream," she finished now knowing how else to describe the rush of emotions coming over her.

"Then let's not wake up." Adrien leaned forward enough to capture her lips in his. The first tender kiss caused her head to spin, what's worse, she loved the feeling. The second time his lips met hers it held more fire enveloping every tip of her body.

Her hands desperately grasped his golden locks as his mouth left the comfort of hers in favor of trail kisses down her jawline towards her ear. "I love you so much," her brain started to short circuit when his hands traced the edge of her arm teasingly. "I want you." Goosebumps formed as his breath danced across the exposed skin. "I'm going to taking my time and worship every inch of your body...and then I want to make you scream my name so loud the neighbors hear us." Somehow Marinette had no doubt he would deliver, her body already ached for his touch. "Not yet Princess." He teased, and she bit back another moan all the time his hypnotic eyes drew her in.

Marinette's eyes snapped open releasing a gasp. Her fists colored white from gripping the sheets and she didn't need to move in order to realize that her dream had lingering consequences especially between her legs.

It was a dream.

Unwarranted, but...not exactly unwanted? The ghost touches still danced across her clothed body and it grew harder to distinguish reality. Her body screamed and ached for his touches, even more so with the knowledge that he slept one room over. So close and yet...the complications in her situation made the thought an outlet for future dreams. She held no claim on him...well all of him anyway. Amelie held the other part, which still fumbled her mind. Less than 2 months ago, Adrien claimed that relationship was over, that she held his heart. His actions didn't make sense.

She threw her covers back knowing that sleep wouldn't come soon. Even if it did a continuation of the dream where Adrien bit, sucked and thrusted till she reached ecstasy would only leave her mentally and emotionally drained.

From the darkness outside, the sun had already set, and Marinette knew that the other occupants of the apartment were probably already asleep. If she had more energy the kitchen would be hers filled with dough and batter. When even baking didn't sound appealing, she sighed. Instead, she trudged up the steps hoping that the night sky provided her more solace.

After spending who knows how long out jumping the rooftops of Paris Chat rounded back in the direction of home. At first, he took off because of the exchange before with Marinette and that musician, but after cooling his head he realized a reality existed where he would lose her to a guy like that the second he told her who he was if he didn't do this right. He needed help and headed towards the Bourgeois hotel. Chloe helped him for what felt like hours practicing just what to say, all the meanwhile avoiding the questions of what he was hiding.

And as much as he disliked the circumstances that Alya thrusted him in, this was for the better. Marinette deserves to know the truth, no matter how complicated everything would become. Ladybug would have to understand, he wouldn't keep anything from Marinette any longer.
As he neared his apartment he caught sight of a figure leaning against the railing on the roof. Upon further inspection, adrenaline shot through his system when he recognized Marinette.

The original plan was to find a way to get alone with her preferably with gifts (which was Chloe's suggestion) and hope that she could see his side of things. But the opportunity presented itself tonight, should he? He allowed his eyes to linger on her form and his lips ticked into a frown. She wasn't smiling, shoulders slumped, and her hands were fidgeting which meant she was anxious.

Something was wrong.

Screw waiting until tomorrow. Marinette wasn't one to feel lavished by gifts, she cared more about being there for each other. He wouldn't be true to himself if he let her stand outside all night alone.

With a few jumps he landed perfectly perched on the railing."Hello Princess," his usual tagline rolled off his tongue then he stilled. From this close he could see tears rolling down her cheeks.

She didn't even have to glance up from the brick she was boring a hole into her eyes when she heard the soft click that his boots usually left behind. If she was honest, she couldn't tell you what made her go up to her balcony in the first place. All she knew was that going back to sleep this early would just draw back the Adrien from her dream, and she wasn't ready for that yet.

"Marinette," she closed her eyes. His tone was different, instead of the cocky flirty tone he had reserved for her, this time it was broken.

"Tell me it isn't true." She said as her eyes squeezed tight to prevent the tears from flowing. If she had been making this whole thing up in her head, then she could chalk it up to stress at work and that she had a thing for guys with blonde hair and green eyes. "Please," the utterance was supposed to get lost in the Parisian air, but Chat's ears picked up on it and instantly drooped.

He had never meant for any of this to go this far, to hurt her like this. In the moment, it had felt like the right thing to do but looking back he would have done things completely different.
"I can't," his voice cracked. Watching Marinette squeeze her eyes tighter and begin the shake her head back and forth refusing to accept reality was a sharp knife twisted in his gut. She was behaving as if him being Chat Noir was repulsive. The very thought dragged marks that could cavern depth across his heart.

Whatever was about to occur between them, the one thing he feared the most was that she would have no desire to see him again. With the remaining courage, he breathed in the night air. "Plagg, claws in." What killed him the most was the brokenness reflected as she forced her blue eyes to meet his gaze.

A.n.-NEXT CHAPTER: Marinette/Adrien confrontation. Are you ready for it? Let me know what you think of this chapter! Your reviews fuel me to write faster so you might get an extra chapter this week...just saying. If that's something that interests you. The chapter is already written.