"Thanks, Marinette," Adrien took the water bottle that Marinette held out to him. "How was fencing?" she asked, closing her sketchbook. Adrien winced. "I think I was distracted," he blushed. Marinette giggled.

"Did it have anything to do with a pretty girl with a dark hair and pigtails?" she asked, booping his nose. "Oh, she wasn't cute," he leaned close, giggling at her cute little pout. Her nose always scrunched up when she did that. "She's adorable. Of course, she's you!"

"But seriously, I'm ready for a walk in the woods and get some fresh air. Care to join me?" he asked. "I'd love to, but what happened to you loving the fresh smells of the bakery?" Adrien leaned forward, kissing her cheek. "Be back soon."

Adrien sighed, changing out of his gear, and glanced at his hiking shoes waiting in his locker. They were new, and he had to try them out. Well, no time like the present!

"Are those new?" Marinette asked, pointing to his boots when he came back out. "Yeah, I was supposed to break them in weeks ago, but didn't. Let's go!" "Are you sure you don't want your other shoes? Breaking in new shoes can be painful!" "I'll be fine." "Okay," she said, uncertainly. "I'll meet you at the front."

Marinette knew from experience how sore Adrien's feet could get, and she and Nikki quickly removed the shoes, placing them in her own backpack.

"Look how pretty the trees are!" Marinette held Adrien's hand as they walked one of the trails, the sun warm like shawl on both of their shoulders. "Do you think they're ready for the runway?" Adrien teased. They laughed, pausing to rest by the stream.

Adrien stretched out, listening to the water meander past. Marinette looked over at him, smiling. Both Adrien and Cat had special places in her heart, and sometimes she wanted to reveal.

Maybe she should do it, as the world was at peace, so what she holding back?

"I'd better get up before I start snoring," Adrien jumped to his feet, trying not to wince. Ouch. The new shoes were even more miserable then those high heels he'd wore as Reflekta.

"Last one up the tree's, a little red bug," Adrien called. "Hey, I'm your Ladybug!" Marinette scrambled up after him.

"Someone I know is a ladybug," Adrien sang quietly as Marinette climbed out on a branch. "I'll take that as a compliment," Marinette huffed. "And I have a confession," Adrien blurted.

Marinette looked up sharply. Oh, My Kwami, maybe Adrien was Cat Noir! "These boots are to tight!"

Marinette burst out laughing. "Its not funny!" he grumbled, swinging his legs back and forth. "Don't worry, Ladybug saves the day!" She pulled out his comfy shoes.

"But how...I thought I closed the locker door," Adrien cried. "Oh, I have my ways. Come on, put them on and let's head back for dinner."

So, with comfy sneaker now applied, Adrien and Marinette raced each other in the golden shadows, the silhouettes of Ladybug and Cat Noir never far behind.