"My Lady."
Adrien's words rang in her mind as she shot across Paris, wanting only to be home, hidden in her bedroom, being comforted by Tikki or her mom.
My Lady? Who does he think he is, Chat Noir?! Was he just fanboy-ing after what he thought was a date?
She raced over rooftops, heart beating crazily, breath ragged with exertion and emotion.
What was he doing, comparing me to.. me as Ladybug? Does he know?! Did I give it away?
She cursed herself, but the flicker of hope deep within her refused to be extinguished.
Maybe Adrien Agreste loves both parts of you. Maybe he doesn't know we're the same person, he just wishes it to be true so that he isn't torn between two different girls…
That sounded plausible. She could work with that. But it brought her back to his parting words.
"My Lady."
Chat Noir wasn't at the fashion show, but he had known about it, known that the clothes were inspired by him. But it was so heavily promoted, of course he could have known about it, her resistant brain thought. Something else nagged at her mind. How did Adrien get back to his own house so fast?
During the battle, she hadn't seen Chat Noir after he used his Cataclysm when they were battling Fantastique. And then Adrien.. threw the akuma to my feet.
She had reached her rooftop. The night air cooled her sweat. Paris glittered innocently in front of her.
Ladybug rewound the scene in her mind. Chat Noir used the Cataclysm on her fan, but it wasn't the akuma.. Adrien appeared at the door, and Chat Noir was gone. Adrien grabbed the fan around her neck. Had she even seen the akuma by then? Adrien knew the was akuma around her neck… and threw it to my feet. She rewound again, mentally watching him throw. That curled, triumphant smile…the flick of his wrist…that ring on his finger..
"My Lady."
"…thank you for last night..."
Ladybug's heart clanged like a bell.
….
"Now, Adrien, what will you do today?" Gabriel loomed over him at the table Monday morning.
"Go straight to school. Come straight home. Not talk to any reporters." Adrien repeated, again.
"Fine. And go to bed early tonight. You look terrible. You have an important photo shoot tomorrow." Gabriel strode out of the room.
"Gosh, your dad is.. less forgiving than an old Parmesan," mused Plagg, applying himself to Adrien's breakfast.
"Would it kill you to be a little less amused, Plagg?" Adrien snapped, causing his Kwami to look up suddenly.
"Look," said Plagg, unusually firm. "You are in love with Marinette and Ladybug. You couldn't hide it to save your life. You ditched Ladybug as Chat Noir to pull some hero move as yourself. You then kissed Ladybug, and you have to go to school with Marinette today. Excuse me for preferring the company of cheese, it is infinitely less dramatic than you."
"Aaaaarghh!" Adrien kicked the table leg.
Plagg flew annoyingly close to his face and peered into his eyes.
"I don't like to give advice if I can avoid it," he said, "but maybe you should stop feeling sorry for yourself and consider how Marinette is feeling today."
Adrien slumped in his chair. "You're right, Plagg." Maybe I just wish they were the same person, so I don't feel so torn between them. "She's never been splashed all over the papers before. And school is going to be hell."
Just then, an idea formed in his mind.
….
The paparazzi in front of Marinette's house had only increased since the day before, as everyone had done the math about Mondays and school. Marinette stood in her kitchen, pleading with her parents.
"Please don't make me go out there!"
Sabine and Tom felt bad for her, but they had no choice. Marinette's school attendance had been shady the past few semesters.
"Oh darling, it won't be so bad," her mom soothed. "I'm sure everyone will just want to congratulate you on the show!" It was clear Sabine didn't really believe herself.
There was a rapping on the kitchen windowpane. They all looked. A blonde head with black cat ears was smiling in at them. Tom opened the window.
"Chat Noir! To what do we owe the pleasure?" said Tom in surprise.
"Ohhh, I don't know, I thought maybe a certain fashion star might want a catwalk to school this fine morning. To avoid a certain pack of dogs?" Chat Noir grinned at her.
Now he shows up, that's rich! Marinette frowned. She had stayed up all night with her realization, sifting through details, and had come up again and again with the realization that Chat Noir and Adrien Agreste were one and the same. But here was Chat Noir, her Chat Noir, who she was comfortable around, who she had kissed..!
Her mind was a mess, and she had only a moment to respond. For now, I'll have to play along she decided. I still don't know for sure if he knows I'm Ladybug. And Marinette's not supposed to be mad at him or kissing him or anything. She fixed a smile.
"Well, that's very thoughtful, Chat Noir," said Sabine, clearly impressed. "There you go, Marinette, now no more excuses. We'll see you later darling."
"Fine. Come Chat Noir, we'll leave from the roof."
Chat Noir popped in through the window, bowed again to her parents, and then followed Marinette up to her room. He had been there just two days before. He looked around to see it in the light of day.
"Ah, what a nice room, Madame!" he chirped, stalling. Could it be? Something had kept nagging at his mind, something in this room…
Marinette stood by the trapdoor, pointing at the ladder stairs to the balcony. She clearly didn't want him to linger.
Don't blow it, Agreste, this is supposed to be a nice gesture! Chat Noir smiled and continued up, surreptitiously glancing around. The pictures of him as Adrien had been taken down, and were now on the desk next to the computer. Was she researching me too? Did she take the hint? Is what I think is happening..happening?
Just then, he saw it. The small octagonal box on her desk. It's the same as my Miraculous box! The final pieces fell into place, but a cold hand gripped his heart. She might not want me to know.
He looked at her. Marinette stood watching him, chewing her lip, one hand on her hip, the other on her purse. Her brow was furrowed, and Ladybug's swift dismissal came to his mind. But what could he do? You have to talk to Ladybug about this, as Chat Noir. Now take Marinette to school, you dingus.
"After you, madame." She picked up her school bag and ascended the stairs.
They emerged into the sunlight. Chat Noir's chipper bravado reappeared. "Grab on, fashion star!" He held out his arm. Marinette privately rolled her eyes, but that flutter from kissing him stood out among her other feelings. She slid into his grasp, and they both started a little, at knowing each other so well.
"Your edu-cat-tion awaits."