23: First Trial of Many

Jagged Stone's new album brought Sea Queen a lot of money and even more publicity.

There's hundreds of emails and DMs I get from different people and in some cases organizations. It's been a little overwhelming so I decided to tell certain friends about it.

"I think you should hire an agent by this point," Adrien said as the three of us were at my dining table.

"Yeah," Nino agrees as he looks at my computer screen. "Unless you are planning to do all these events they are inviting you."

I sighed, "I mean, some are for a good cause."

I changed screens and showed them the upcoming event.

"Prince Ali of Atchoo is hosting a toy drive for the children's hospital in Paris," Nino read out loud. "It is his majesty's wish for the acclaimed Parisian artist Sea Queen to be part of the event.

"He is a great admirer of the Queen's work in the arts. We shall be waiting for your response.

"Best regards, Prince Ali's representative."

"Whoa," They both say.

"I know," I groan. "It's so formal. And I'm going to be with someone from royalty. I don't know how to reply."

"How about, heck yeah? I'll love to?" Nino offers cheekily.

I gently slap his shoulder. "Do you know a fancier way to say that?"

"How about, in regards to the Prince's kind invitation, I will be honored to accept it. I shall be waiting for further details about Prince Ali's visit," Adrien replies in a ridiculous posh manner.

Nino and I laughed, but I had to write it down. It did sound super fancy.

"What should I wear?" I gasp. "I mean, I have to wear something formal, but comfortable so I can do… stuff."

"I think I can ask my father for that," Adrien says. "I'm sure if I sell it right, he will be glad to be Sea Queen's exclusive designer."

"Sounds nice, but I think Marinette should have a chance," I told him. Having Gabriel design something for me would be mind boggling, but I have a better idea. "It's her dream to become a fashion designer, and I think it would help her get her name out."

"That's a great idea," Nino says. "I'm sure she will accept. She's amazing like that."

"…And this has to be between us," I told them. "I don't want to make it even more public than it has to."

"Don't need to tell us twice," Adrien reassured me.

And so for the past week, I've been busy with scheduling with Prince Ali's representative and the children's hospital about how things are planned for that day.

She's very meticulous about time.

She even has restroom breaks scheduled for the prince.

And I'm glad Marinette agreed to make my outfit for the day. It is heavily inspired by Ariel from the Little Mermaid. She made me a seafoam green a-line dress, the skirt reaching my knees with long sleeves, with a white Peter Pan collar. The royal purple corset belt and matching large hair bow were a nice addition.

But I was glad I was given the opportunity to be given a tour of the hospital by the director. She is very passionate about giving the best care and making sure the children are as comfortable as possible.

It broke my heart when I saw children waiting for their chemotherapy session, or those for their physical therapy.

"Most of the money goes towards the hospital staff and the equipment used," The director says. "We do have some money set aside to add to the recreation room and do receive various donations so that all the children could enjoy.

"Hopefully, with this toy drive, each child will be able to have one."

"…I don't know if you know this about me, but I'm an animator," I told him as I tuck a piece of red hair behind my ear. "I will gladly donate sketchbooks, crayons, markers, paints, colored pencils and even pencils for them to enjoy."

The director smiled at me, "I am very familiar with your work Miss Queen. My children enjoy your videos."

"I'm glad," I said with a small smile. "I know this visit is all about Prince Ali. But I was wondering if I could do a small workshop. I could teach the children how to draw a cartoon character. Or several depending how much time I'm allowed here."

The director smiled, "That sounds like a great idea. An actual art class by a popular artist! Oh, I'm sure the children will like it.

"But I also heard that you will also be singing and playing the piano and guitar in the main lobby? Will you be able to make time?"

"I'm sure I can spare a couple of hours before and after my musical performance," I said as I fixed my shades. I'm planning to ditch class that day anyways, might as well take advantage of that. "Talk with your people and we can set up a meeting on how the schedule for that day will look like."

And so Sea Queen was going to spend most of her day at the children's hospital.

Adrien and I were cuddling on the couch watching Lilo and Stitch the series. He did not believe me when I told him there was a series, so of course I had to show him.

But we didn't really pay attention after the first episode, not after Adrien started to nibble on my ear and I teased him back.

I've noticed that we are getting more comfortable with more physical contact and it doesn't bother me. And Adrien hadn't brought it up either.

Which is fine, but I couldn't help thinking about all those books Kathy gave me for my birthday. The protagonists of those books begin some of their more erotic scenes eerily similar to how Adrien and I start our make out sessions.

But I'm not sure to be disappointed or relieved when Adrien's fingers don't tease my lower regions or make seductive comments.

And I'm too nervous to start any of that. I don't want to scare him away.

"What are you thinking?" Adrien asks softly as he plays with strands of my hair.

"…Do you like touching me?" I asked softly.

"I think this should show how much I do," Adrien says as he plays with my hair more and even pulls a thick strand so he could make a mustache. But then he quickly let's go, "You don't like it?"

"No, I do," I reassured him as I caressed his face. "It's nice. I enjoy it," I told him. "But do you like that I touch you? We haven't told each other what we like and I'm just curious."

"Oh," Adrien smiled softly. "Well, I like when I rest my head on your lap and when you start rubbing my head and playing with my hair."

I smiled, "Do you want to do that now?"

Adrien nodded excitedly as we sat up and I got comfortable. His head immediately rested on my lap and I pulled his hair back and occasionally massaged his scalp.

"…I like it when you sing too," He says quietly, his cheeks flushed.

"What kind of songs?" I asked. I don't remember singing when I do this to him.

"…Well, you hum and sort of lilt and it sounds peaceful," Adrien admits. "The song you do the most is from the Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty movie."

Oh, yeah. Now I remember. But I thought he was sleeping. He's sneakier than I first thought.

But it makes me happy that he likes what I do for him when I thought he wasn't paying attention.

And so I started to hum 'So This Is Love' and I could feel how his body instantly relaxed as his eyes closed. My mind just wandered as I sang whatever came to mind, a jumbled melody of songs I thought fit the mood. My hand ran through Adrien's head and I laid my head back against the couch.

And I think I might have been falling asleep too because I jumped when Adrien called my name.

"Huh?" I asked as I got a head rush from moving my head up too fast.

Adrien chuckled as he sat up and looked at me.

"You did what I like, now it's your turn," He says. "What do you like?"

My face instantly burned as the not so innocent thoughts went in my mind.

"Um, it's embarrassing," I told him as my hands pressed against my heated cheeks as I stood up.

"I promise I will not judge," Adrien said as he stood up too.

"I want you to," I paused as I grabbed his hips and brought him closer to me. He didn't back off, but I saw him blushing as our crotches were touching. I then grabbed his hands and led them to my ass.

His face was redder than a ripe tomato.

He cleared his throat, "R-really?"

"I give you permission," I said softly, my face still burning. "And I want you to… squeeze it too."

I squeaked when he did what I wanted him to do.

"Was that too hard?" He let go, but I grabbed his hands and then placed them back where they were.

I shook my head as I placed my forehead on his shoulder.

"I… liked that," I admitted as I licked my lips.

God, that stirred something in me.

If I asked him to spank me, would it be too much?

No, baby steps.

Adrien kneaded my derrière as his hands went inside my jean's back pockets. It took a lot of willpower to not buck my hips against him.

Hormones, calm the hell down.

But my hands grabbed Adrien's face and I brought him down so I could kiss him.

My arms wrapped around his head as my hands messed his hair.

Adrien grabbed my hamstrings and carried me up. My legs wrapped around his waist as I held on, my lips trailing wet kisses along his jaw and neck.

His guttural groan was enough encouragement to keep going as I nipped his ear and nibbled on his lip.

Adrien carried me away from the living room so he could place me on top of the dining table. And there, his hands roamed all around my back, neck and my ass that I really wanted him to touch.

I was happily drowning in his love.

"Adrien?"

We pulled away so fast that I was surprised I didn't fall back on the table.

The cat kwami looked between us.

I've never felt so mortified before. I could even feel my ears burning.

"Y-yeah, Plagg?" Adrien coughed as he pulled down his shirt, his face a similar state like mine.

"…Nothing," Plagg slowly backed away down the hall of the bedrooms. "I'm going to take another nap." I had moved Chez Plagg into the guest room once Kathy moved out. He hasn't come out unless one of us tells him that they have to leave.

This is the first time he gets out on his own.

Which is why I was confident of allowing this heated moment with Adrien. And I'm sure similar thoughts are going through his head too.

Even as Plagg had left, Adrien and I were quietly looking at each other as we fixed our clothes and our hair as best as we could with our fingers.

"…I liked it," I said, hoping that it would break the tension.

Adrien smiled as his blush was still on his cheeks, "I liked it too."

"…Told you that it was embarrassing," I rubbed the back of my neck. "Did I hurt you?"

When Plagg surprised us, I'm pretty sure I kicked Adrien away.

"Nah," Adrien waved it off as he got closer and placed his hands on my hips. His eyes then traveled to my neck, "Don't get mad, but I gave you a hickey."

A giggle escaped my lips as I rested my head on his shoulder, "There are worse things that could have happened."

Adrien kissed the top of my head and hugged me. "Would you be mad if I said that I'm glad that I did it?"

I pulled away to look at his still flushed face, "You mean the hickey?"

He nodded, "It was accidental, but I'm glad to see it on you."

As soon as those words were out of his mouth, both of us had matching blushes.

"…It's getting late," I said. "And as much as I want you to stay, you know…"

Adrien groans, but nods, "Yeah, I know."

He gave me one last kiss before going towards the hallway.

"Wait, Adrien, I just started watching my novela!"

"Sorry, next time we come back. Plagg, claws out!"

"No! Pause it!"

There was the sound of the transformation. I walked down the hallway, just in time to see Cat going towards my room.

His eyes seemed to glow in the dark as he looked at me. He smirked as he grabbed the bottom of my chin and kissed deeply and slapped my butt with his free hand.

"Catch you later, little lady," He winks as he breaks away, opens my window and jumps out.

…Huh.

What Plagg told me was right: As Cat Noir, Adrien is more wild.

The hickey that Adrien gave me was a lot bigger than I had first thought. I had to put on makeup and wear a thick choker.

I never thought I was going to be grateful for my edgy emo-goth stage in middle school.

But I should have thought better when the choker in question was black leather and it had a silver circular charm with a paw print engraved on it.

"Spill girl," Alya corners me in the locker room with Marinette in tow. "Why are you using that?"

"…I thought it was cute," I lied as I looked away from her scrutinizing eyes.

"Mhmm," She says. "It is cute on you. But, we both know that's a lie you came up with."

"Alya," Marinette tried to dissuade her from interrogation, but Alya is stubborn.

Alya placed her hands on my shoulders and I looked at her. Her face was soft, "Girl, you know that you can trust us. We will not tell anyone."

I can trust them, but not with this.

"I'm sorry, but I just don't know what you mean," I fake innocence.

Alya groaned, but she let me go. I prayed she didn't see the make up when she got close.

"Do you have a crush on Cat Noir, yes or no?" She says.

I knew she was going to be direct, but not this direct. The locker room looked empty, but we don't know if someone is eavesdropping. And she wasn't exactly quiet.

"Jolene," My saving grace called out.

Both girls turned around and that got me the opening to move out of the way and reached for my boyfriend.

Adrien grabbed my hand, gave it a squeeze, before wrapping an arm around my shoulders as he faced the girls.

Marinette was immediately in a daze, and Alya looked at us quizzically.

"Is there something wrong?" Adrien asks.

"No, nothing at all," Marinette grins. "You're perfect. I mean, everything's perfect."

Alya facepalmed beside her. "We're good, Adrien."

"Cool," He smiles, Marinette already blushing and Alya shaking her head. "See you tomorrow," He waves at them before leading me away.

When we were in the safety of his car, Adrien whispered into my ear.

"So… are you going to tell me when you got that collar?"

"Many years ago," I whispered back to his ear. "I had a phase back then."

Adrien smirked, "Well, I like seeing you wear it. Though I would have preferred if it had a bell instead."

At that moment, I was glad that Giles paid more attention to the road than us. Or he would have seen how Adrien gently nipped my ear and my cheeks immediately heated.

When he dropped me off, he promised to visit me that night.

Cats are very curious as I have come to learn.

"I can't believe you have this," Cat said as he saw my gothic accessories that I laid across my desk. He picked up my leather cuff dulled-spiked bracelet.

"I mean, my family died just as I was in middle school," I told him softly. "I wore black for a whole year. A symbol of mourning of a close relative from my mom's side of the family.

"And Sea Queen was inactive for a little over a year too," I added.

It was a dark time in my life. I had to change my identity, moving from my warm Southern California home to the chillier Northern California apartment. I got into a new school where I knew absolutely no one and didn't care to make any connections.

I think the only person that I actually talked to was the florist that I visited every week.

I had allowed myself to grieve.

But after that ended, I knew that I had to move on.

I moved towards a familiar city soon after. It was about another year before I moved here in Paris.

The best decision I had made.

"You were in Las Vegas!" Cat exclaimed as he saw my postcard pictures of the Strip hotels and casinos.

"For a while," I said as I then went inside my closet to retrieve an album, "Then I moved here."

"Whoa," He says I gave him my album. He flipped it open and saw the pictures I had taken. "I've always wanted to see Cirque du Soleil."

Ah, yes. They were impressive. Their incorporation of graceful gymnastics and music is what helped me get inspired again to make more UTube content. I took lots of videos and studied kinesiology closely so I could animate them.

My videos have improved a lot since then. Though they have taken longer to animate since I do the actual animation frame by frame. Takes even longer to color them…

"You've gone to many places haven't you?" Cat says softly as he goes further. These were pictures of Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon.

The next were the pictures I took of the Mojave Desert as I took the train from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.

And of course, I took many pictures of Los Angeles. I was pushing my luck in traveling there. But I took lots of precautions so I didn't stay there overnight.

My time there was short, but I made it worth it. I've been to LA a handful times with my grandparents. My sister hated being in a moving vehicle for more than half an hour. But she loved walking.

Even more than Sandy, which I always thought was kind of funny.

"I guess," I said wryly, but then I touched Cat's shoulder, "You will get a chance to travel."

"Father doesn't like traveling for pleasure. He only does it for business and I don't even get a chance to leave the hotel room," He frowns.

"Hey," I gently nudged him. "Don't lose hope. I'm sure when you least expect it, he's going to let you explore a new city."

Cat didn't look convinced, but he smiled for my sake. "I really hope so."

I kissed his cheek as I gathered my album and put it back in my closet. "Hey, maybe we can plan a trip. You know, just the two of us.

"Take the train to a nearby city, explore for a little bit and come back before the end of the day," I offered. When I turned around Cat was there. I jumped in surprise, my head getting hurt in the process by the door ledge.

"Ayyy," I whined as I rubbed the back of my head.

"Sorry," Cat says quickly. "Didn't mean for that to happen." But his sly grin sent butterflies in my stomach. "Can I kiss it better?"

I dumbly nodded and Cat grabbed my face and kissed me. He walked back, my face still in his hands. I grabbed onto his biceps, trying not to stumble.

But he fell back onto my bed, bringing me down with him.

"Felino," I laughed as his hands settled on my hips. Our legs were tangled, our chests touching. "You darn cat," I started with a fake frown, but I laughed again as I grabbed his face in my hands to return the favor, "Why. Are. You. So. Darn. Love. Able?" I kissed his face between syllables. And continued to kiss him more until Cat flipped positions.

He smirked, "It's because I'm cat-tastic."

I groaned at the pun, "That was horrible."

"Worth the shot," He shrugs. But then he became more gentle as his hand caressed my face, "Your head, okay?"

"Yeah, it doesn't hurt anymore," I smiled.

Cat then settled next to me and spooned me. I didn't say anything and simply let him relax.

"…Do you mean it?"

"Huh?"

Cat chuckled as his arm wrapped around my belly and pulled me closer. I could feel his warm breath on my neck.

"That you want to take me away."

"Of course I meant it," I answered. "But it's going to be difficult to find the right time to do it."

"Yeah, I know," Cat sighed. "But where would we go?"

"Orleans," I answered. "I've always wanted to go to New Orleans back in America, but I think going to the city it's named after first is kind of poetic."

"Sounds like a good place to start," he hummed as I felt his belt wrapping around my leg. "You and me on a train, seeing the countryside. Sounds like a dream."

"We'll make it a reality one day," I promised him. "We just have to find a day that works."

"…But if an Akuma attacks and Ladybug needs me?"

Yep, the biggest obstacle to our plans: Akumas.

"To stop the Akumas, you need to capture Hawkmoth, don't you?" I asked instead.

"But we have no idea where to start," Cat groans. "He can be anywhere in Paris. And we don't even know who he is."

"…I'm not an expert, but have you tried profiling?" I asked. I started to watch more of the crime genre television shows when I moved to Northern California and Las Vegas. Criminal Minds in particular got me hooked.

"Profiling?"

I scrunch my eyebrows together trying to explain. "It is when you look at what the person has done and make educated guesses about who he is.

"Hawkmoth is an adult male, at least middle age," I started. "I mean, when he revealed himself when Stoneheart had Chloé and Mylène in the Eiffel Tower was a big clue.

"His goal is to obtain both the Ladybug and Cat Miraculous, but the question is why?

"Is it to gain more power? Or is there something special that involves those two in particular?

"Have you asked Plagg about it?"

When I heard silence, I thought Cat fell asleep. It made me annoyed and I was about to elbow him, when all of a sudden he got out of the bed and ran towards the window.

"Felino?" I asked as I sat up, worried I said something wrong as he opened the window.

He looked stressed, "Ladybug just saw us. I'll be back."

And he left.

Dread was filling my stomach and I knew things weren't going to be the same.

I should have brought curtains.

I'm going to wait for him on the roof. I just hope Ladybug isn't against us.

When Cat came back almost an hour later, I didn't say anything and just waited for him to talk first.

It took at least five minutes before he grabbed my hands and kissed my knuckles.

"You know that I love you, right?" He says softly.

"Why are you asking this?" I asked, feeling nauseous. "You know that I love you too, right?"

He pulled me into a hug, his arms were wrapped around me. But I felt a clawed finger tapping the nape of my neck in a pattern.

Adrien taught me Morse Code. I'm not as fluent as he is, but he's repeating the same pattern over and over again: Bug watching us.

Cat pulled away and looked at me.

The trick of good acting skills is that you have to truly believe and feel your part. And it didn't take much effort to evoke that. I just have to imagine that Cat really was breaking up with me.

And bam! Already I could feel the water building up.

"And because I love you, I want you to be safe."

"Felino," My voice cracked, "Don't do this."

Already I could feel Cat breaking. "I don't want to, but it's for your safety. If Hawkmoth were to find out about us… you would be in constant danger."

I covered my face with my hands, my shoulders shaking as I cried.

"Just leave," I said.

"Jolene?"

"Leave!" I yelled as I turned around, eyes already leaking a waterfall-worth of tears. And in that moment that I turned, I saw Ladybug on the neighboring building.

I admired her. I really did. I thought she would understand. Afterall, she was the one to take me to break Cat's spell from Dark Cupid.

For a couple of seconds, I hated her.

I channeled that hate as I looked down at the ground. Cat's hand touched my shoulder, but I slapped it away.

"If you really loved me, you would not have done this," I spat. "I guess I knew deep down, you love Ladybug more than me.

"I was simply second best," My voice cracked as I opened the door to leave the roof. Slamming it close behind me.

I hope Ladybug bought our fake breakup.

When I got to my room, I texted Adrien just in case my acting was a little too real. I mean, I managed to convince him very well on Christmas.

I know you love me, my piece of heaven. I hope she is convinced.

It would be until half an hour later when I got a reply.

You could be an actress, I was convinced. And so was she. I'll talk to you tomorrow, my only love.

I looked out my window, to see where Ladybug could have caught us in the first place.

Yeah, I really need to buy some blackout curtains for all my windows.

Omake 12

I was very close to giving up my Miraculous and telling Ladybug to find a new partner.

But Ladybug made a point. As Cat Noir I would be able to protect Jolene more than as Adrien Agreste.

"I'm… sorry, Cat, but it's for the best," Ladybug said as she came closer.

"…I made her cry," I said softly. "I never wanted to be the reason for her tears."

Ladybug went to reach me, but she pulled back.

"I'm sorry," She repeated again. "But-"

"It's for the best," I finished with a frown. "Look Ladybug, I did that because I love her. Now, I have to stay away from her to keep her safe.

"And she thinks that I still have a stupid crush on you."

"…But you don't have one, right?"

"No," I stated firmly. "I do care about you as my friend. But Jolene… I love her more than I ever loved you."

"I… I am sorry, Cat," Ladybug looks down to her feet.

"Saying sorry isn't going to fix what I've done," I snapped. "Look, if you're done controlling my love life I have a place to be."

"Cat Noir!"

I ignored her as I ran as fast I could, only looking back to make sure she wasn't following me.

More than once I was also close to using Cataclysm.

When I got to my room, I was back as Adrien.

"Adrien…" Plagg said softly as he floated in front of me. "You and Jolene are still together, right?"

Before I could answer I got a message on my phone.

And a huge weight lifted off my chest.

"We are still together, Plagg," I reassured him as I fed him Camembert. A few minutes later she sent me a text.

Good night, love you.

I replied.

I love you too.

"Plagg," I said slowly. "Do you care about Jolene too?"

Plagg immediately nodded. "Of course I do! She's been good to us. And gives me plenty of cheese and love."

I smiled wryly, "She's a keeper, isn't she?"

Plagg was silent for a while before smiling, "She loves you more than you can imagine. I could feel her love even when I transform you."

"Feel her?"

Plagg nodded. "Since we spend so much time with her, I've memorized her aura. And let me tell you, she was heartbroken when you told her what Ladybug wanted you to say to her. And then she got mad. Like… really mad at Ladybug."

"So that wasn't acting?"

"Yes and no," Plagg moves his paw side to side. "More like she channeled that sadness and anger to fool all of us. Very convincing. But I'm glad you guys are still together. I don't think I would have been able to cheer you up."

"I will have to make it up to her. Somehow," I told him as I went to change into my pajamas. "Any ideas?"

"Why are you asking me? I'm not the one courting her. You should know better anyways," Plagg huffs. "But if I had to take a guess… I've seen lots of couples give each other decapitated flowers for whatever reason."

"Flowers, huh?" I mutter to myself.

Jolene has a garden with some flower pots. It has to be something special then…

I wish I could talk about this with my father. He somehow got Mom to marry him.

But I don't want him to know about us.

I fear that he will forbid it. And I know he will do everything in his power to break us apart if it comes to that.

AN: This took longer than expected, but this is the final product of many revisions.

So I want to thank all of you to those that waited for this update.

And I want to thank roggerlopez99, starrat, Shadowing, Aminelover, leenap1105, and SakuraMinx743 for reviewing. And I also want to thank kuroyukihime35, leenap1105, Brecken RainCaller, and Rosenia for following/favorited this story. You all are amazing and seeing these notifications really helped my day become better.

Next chapter will be the Princess Fragrance episode...