"Marinette, do you know what you want?" The barista asks, and I jump. My mind is totally not here, and not thinking about coffee, rather a black cat with soft kind eyes and golden bell….."Marinette, you in there?" "Yes! Sorry, I'll have a Mocha Cookie Crumble and a plain bagel. Toasted."

I shuffle to the side, embarrassed for holding up the morning coffee line, but that is forgotten quickly. Cat, I'm Ladybug, the voice in my head repeats over and over and won't shut off. I bite my lip. I want to tell him so badly, but my heart races and palms grow slick even just thinking it, let alone saying it out loud. Its a relief to get my coffee and flee to school, where the outside world is a bit calmer, just the birds chirping in the trees. I'm so lost in thought that I almost don't here Tikki trying to get my attention.

"Marinette, Marinette, stop!" The urgency in her voice makes me skid to a halt. "Look through those trees! Aren't those the men who tried to steal your earrings?" "I don't know, but I'm going to find out."

I use the trees as cover, creeping closer and closer. Even if I can't hear the men, I can they are the same and there's a fourth who I instantly recognize….. "Gabriel Agreste. Hawkmoth."

Trying to creep closer, I'm nearly run down by the gardener with his lawn mower. I spring into a nearby bush just in time for him not to see me and cause a scene. I'll have a few bruises later, but I'll take him for if Gabriel would have saw me he would have immdeitaly become suspicious.

Could Hawkmoth be searching for the Miraculous again? Or is that even Gabriel? So many questions, so little time and if I run I won't be late for school.

I slide into my seat, breathing heavily. "Hey, you okay, Marinette? You look a bit flushed." Adrien Agreste is sitting next to me, the most sweet and concerned look on his face. Before I can answer our Teacher speaks. "We're going to do something different today for Health. Your to spend the hour outside with a partner of your choosing." Adrien takes my hand, and I feel a wave of peace flowing through my body, for a few minutes before I only felt frantic and confused. "Partners?" he grins at me. "Partners."

Adrien keeps my hand and I don't want to let go of the warmth and safety it provides. "Let's find a spot to ourselves," he guides me to under some apple trees that are in full bloom and block the view of prying eyes. We settle down and Adrien turns to me. "You were saying?" I take a deep breath and count to three. What I saw on the way to school can wait. "Have you ever had to keep a secret from everyone? Everyone you love?" "I have many secrets, Marinette. Though some would be aloud to tell, but I would need permission." "Have you ever wanted to tell someone a particular secret, though the only reason you didn't was because you didn't want to be rejected?"

Adrien shuffles closer, caressing my thumb with his. I can smell his honey breath as he answers. "That sounds like some pretty big worries for such small shoulders." He rests his forehead against mine. "If this person truly loves you, and you love them, you need not fear any rejection. You have to be strong, My everyday Ladybug." I smile at the nickname he gave me all those years ago. "Here's a secret I can tell you. I have a secret name for you. Buttercup." Adrien laughs gently, those eyes pulling me in. "Buttercup. Why Buttercup?" "Um, because of your soft fluffy hair." Adrien grins wickedly at me. "You really shouldn't have told me." "I know a way to keep your quiet," I peek at him. He smirks. "Show me."

"Oh, I'll show you," I say, placing my hands on his chest and pressing my lips to his. I don't know where this confidence is coming from, or why I'm doing this since I'm seeing Cat. But it feels so right, and I don't feel any doubts. Adrien tastes sweet like apples and honey. "See, told you."

But Adrien isn't done, and he pulls me gently forward, gesturing that I should lay my head in his lap, which I do. "I can see why Cat is so attracted to you. Your sweet and kind, and put others before yourself." A quick flash of guilt passes through me. I ran away from my problems to Tibet, and Cat was left all alone. I need to say sorry when we're next alone together. I shift slightly and a bit of my tummy peeks through. "Marinette?" I look up at Adrien, but I can't read his expression. "Yes?" "Would it be okay if I…." Adrien's voice trails off, and he places a hand on my tummy and starts moving one of his fingers in little circles. I barely get an out a "that's fine" before letting out a little groan.

I guess I didn't realize how touch-starved I was. I nearly fall asleep, but the bell rings. "Thanks, Adrien. Your a great listener." We're back inside by my locker, and Adrien cups my cheek and I lean into the softness. "Anytime, I'm here."

At the end of the day, I'm gathering my books trying to figure out what Cat meant exactly by "kidnapping" me. "Meow-lleo," a voice speaks in my ear and I feel gloved hands encircle my stomach. "Hey, what are you doing at school?" I ask, as he nibbles at my ear. "Did you forget? Your mine for the weekend." "No, I didn't forget, I just wondered how you were going to do it." He turns me so that I can see his face. "Do you really think I would reveal all my secrets so easily?" he taps my nose. "No, they must be earned." I press a soft kiss to his mouth. "With what, kisses?"

I like Cat's little place after I pack a small bag. He shows me around and I gasp at the large TV. "Yes, I have Mario Kart, if that's what your wondering," he chuckles. "I could so beat you." "Will see, Princess." He takes a few strands of my hair, rubbing them together. "So, what happened today at school? Anything good?" "Oh, okay! I flirted with Adrien Agreste!" I bury my head in Cat's chest. "Oh?" His voice teasing. "Yeah, I had questions for him, and he gave me some answers in the flirting variety." "Why aren't you mad?" "Secret." "I thought cats were supposed to be curious?" "Oh, Princess, you should see how cute your little pout is."

Cat walks forward taking my hand. "I want to try something, if you'd let me?" "I trust you." He scoops me up and we walk towards the bedroom and sets me down on the bed. "I just want to be held, Marinette. Held by you. You don't know how worried I was." "I should have never run away from you," I whisper. "I need you." Suddenly, I have an idea. "Do have a banana lying around? You can blindfold me so you can detransfrom."

Keeping his forehead against mine, Cat's hand opens a drawer as if my idea is what he had all along. He ties securely around my head. "Your senses might be heightened. Besides your sight of course."

I can hear the gentle rustle of his shirt falling to the floor. Then, before I know it I'm on Cat's chest but without the suit and as I feel my way around I'm certain this material is blue jeans. His chest is soft and warm and powerful built and I trace my fingers over it. "If I was in the catsuit right now, I'd be purring." I snort, bursting into giggles. Then I feel cool air flow as he tugs my cardigan off.

I've always wondered what my partner's hands felt like without the gloves and suit, and its better then I could have ever imanged. Unfortunately, my tummy begins to growl a few hours later.

By this point, we're just cuddling. "If this is what you consider kidnapping, I think I like it." "Come on. Let me transform and then we'll make dinner."

I find a box of pancake mix in the cupboard and start to pour water into the mix. "How about you give this a stir while I get the stove heating?" Cat nods, keeping his eyes on me as I stir. "What?" I ask, peeking over my shoulder. "Don't be afraid to tell me anything, Princess."

A few minutes later, I do have to tell Cat not to flip the pancakes so high. "That's the third one that's stuck to the cling." "Your so much better at this then I am. I'm just good at the puns."

After dinner, I challenge Cat to a Mario Kart race that last until after midnight, and I crash on the couch. The scene in the park pops back into my mind, but its to late to wake Cat. Besides, I'm the only one who knows the location of the Butterfly Miraculous, so its not like Hawkmoth is getting his hands on it anytime soon.

I sleep deeply, even if I'm on the couch fold out bed. Cat has promised me Starbucks in the morning as he doesn't want a grumpy Marinette. My eyes are heavy, pulling me into the world of sleep.

I stand proud and confident atop of the Eiffel Tower, waiting for Cat as Ladybug. Gone are all my worries and when Cat comes into view I skip towards him. "You no longer have to hide behind the mask. And either do I. Spots off."

"Bravo, all it took was some courage," A evil voice floats towards me, and Cat jumps in front of me. "Stay behind me, M'lady!" I gasp, warm tears slipping down my cheeks. He's still calling me M'lady, even if right now I'm Marinette. "You don't scare me, Hawkmoth!" I reach into the Miracle Box, but there's no Miraculous. "Ladybug, he stolen them!" Cat shouts over the whirl of his baton. But when he turns towards me, I scream for Cat has the face of Cat Blanc…...