Hi, folks! I've been writing for a while, but this is my first work of short fiction. Feedback is welcome and encouraged. It is, however, a finished story, so be aware that feedback will be incorporated into future stories, not this one.

This fic was written before Season 2's Gorizilla came out. It contains Season 2 references, and spoilers for Season 2 Episode 1. It effectively branches before Gorizilla, though the differences are fairly minor.

Apologies for the multiple upload attempts to get decent formatting; this is my first time using this site.

The Uglifier stood on top of the fountain, yelling his manifesto in a voice amplified by his akuma: "You all looked down on me because I wasn't beautiful, but now *none of you* will be beautiful! From now on, you'll be ugly on the outside as well as the inside, and you will never dare to laugh at me again!"

Ladybug stood on a roof overlooking the square. She'd followed the sound of screaming and the trail of weird, zombie-like monsters the akumatized victim had left behind- apparently an "uglified" victim not only looked like the products of the world's worst special effects makeup artist trying to copy Picasso, but became stupid and aggressive too- but it looked like she was in luck. While he was ranting, he wasn't attacking, and it probably meant he hadn't been around for very long. She would put money on this one being Chloe's fault. Again.

"YOU!" came the booming voice from the square. "You're exactly what I hate most, you spoiled beautiful rich kid!" Ladybug followed his gaze across the square to find... Adrien?! Standing in front of one of the advertisements he'd modelled for, worse luck, looking around at the fleeing crowd- no chance of persuading the Uglifier that this was a case of mistaken identity. Her reflexes kicked in while she was still gazing in horror, swinging across the square to snatch Adrien up moments before the Uglifier's green slimeball hit the ground where he had been standing. It wasn't until they were quite a few rooftops away that she stopped and set him down, shoving him into what looked like a gardener's shed from someone's rooftop garden. She stared at him urgently. "He's looking for you. Stay here. I know it's inconvenient, but you'll be safe here, I'll come get you after the battle's over. Just... trust me." With a slam of the door and the quiet "click" of the latch outside closing, she was gone.

Adrien sighed. "You know, Plagg, I don't mind her rescuing me, but what is it with Ladybug sticking me in boxes so far away from the akuma? This one wasn't even chasing me, I was just a convenient target. You'd think a block or two away would be sufficient, and then it'd be faster to get back. Also, can you get the latch?"

Plagg floated through the door, and in a slightly muffled voice said "Well... maybe she likes you." The latch clicked open, and Adrien was out in an instant.

"We need to go help her! Plagg, claws... wait, *what* did you say?" Adrian froze mid-pose as Plagg's comment sank in, and stared at the kwami.

"Maybe she likes you. I mean, when Paris was attacked by those horrible cheese-eating akuma" - Plagg shuddered visibly- " the first thing I did was to lock up my precious camembert so it would be safe. So maybe you're her camembert. Humans and their weird tastes..."

"Her... Plagg, she barely knows me! Or at least, she barely knows Adrien. She's only seen me a few times without the mask on, and she doesn't know it's me! I mean, she doesn't know I'm Chat Noir... oh, you know what I mean. How could she like *me*?"

"How should I know? You humans are weird. But why complain? You keep saying you love her, she likes you, go with it! Enjoy yourself! You're making things too complicated."

"But... but... what do I *do*?"

Plagg sighed dramatically. "How should I know? Cheese never makes things this difficult. Ask her out or something. Anyway, are we going to go fight an akuma? I love a break, but all of this sappy sweet stuff is turning my stomach."

Adrien stared briefly and then shook himself. "Right. Akuma. I need to go help her. Everything else can wait. Plagg, claws out!"

The battle wasn't one of their most challenging, although there were the inevitable close calls, and the akuma hadn't even managed to do any property damage this time around. But as always, the satisfaction of a job well done put a big smile on both Ladybug and Chat Noir's faces as they bumped fists. The smile fell off of Ladybug's face with remarkable speed, however, replaced with an expression of mild horror and concern.

"Adrien! I left him locked up on a rooftop so he'd be safe! And he hates being locked up! I have to go get him!"

"I'm sure he's fine, my lady," said Chat Noir with slight urgency, although it was clear from his expression that he didn't expect to be listened to. Ladybug was too busy looking elsewhere to notice.

"Yes, but- I need to get him down so he's not stranded up there any longer than he has to be. See you!" And she was off.

Chat Noir sighed heavily, but was immediately on the move himself, trying to get ahead of his Lady before she found him gone. "Why does she have to be so *responsible*? And capable and likable and..." He gasped. "Fast?"

Adrien had barely had time to drop his transformation- and not at all enough time to catch his breath- when Ladybug flung the door open with an immediate "I'm *so* sorry! But you're safe now!" Luckily, she was too busy looking to see that he was there and in one piece to notice the lingering signs of exertion. "The akuma is gone, and everything's back to normal. Um... can I... drop you somewhere? A bit more convenient? It seems rude to just leave you on a stranger's rooftop, and, um..." Ladybug, atypically, dropped her eyes and stepped back awkwardly, in the clear realization that she had been mere inches from Adrien's startled face.

"No! I mean, um, thanks for saving me, you don't have to be sorry. Um." Adrien looked down at his feet and shuffled them awkwardly. "I don't suppose you could drop me of at... my school? I've got some after-school classes nearby that I should be around for."

"Your school? Uh, sure! Sure, I can do that. Let's go!" It wasn't until she had whisked him a couple of roofs over that she stopped and said "...uh... which school is yours again?"

Adrien's quietly adoring gaze turned thoughtful. "Francois Dupont High School, mi... er... my school, that is."

Either Adrien's luck held or Ladybug was being unusually subtle about noticing discrepancies, because she didn't say anything else as they swung their way across the city to the school. Nothing but a simple "Here you go," as she set him down and turned to leave.

"Wait! Ladybug!" Adrien was reaching out to her when she stopped and turned around. There was a pause while they stared at each other, and then Adrien sheepishly dropped both his arm and his gaze and started rubbing his hair, blushing. "Sorry, I. er. I was wondering... I know we don't know each other very well yet or anything... but... I was wondering if, um. We might... see each other again? Sometime? Without a fight, I mean."

There was a long pause as Ladybug stared at him in surprise. "See... me? But... why?"

"Well... you're Ladybug. You're amazing, and you just seem so nice, so, uh. I thought it would be nice to get to know you a little better, without being stuffed in a closet. Er! Not that I minded the closet, I'm not complaining or anything! But, um..." Adrien sighed. "I know, it was a dumb idea. You're a superhero, and you rescue everybody. I'm sure every boy in Paris has a crush on you."

"No, it's just... I was surprised, that's all. I mean, I've got to fight the akumas first, and that can be really busy, so I don't know when we could, but, um... yeah, sure!" And before Adrien could say another word, she was gone.

Marinette flung herself into her spinning chair, arms over her face. "Tikki, what do I *do*? Adrien asked me out! But he asked Ladybug, not me! I mean, I am Ladybug, so he did ask me, but he doesn't know who I am and I can't believe I said yes, what do I do?!" She flopped face-down onto her desk in despair.

"Well, you did say you were going to see him again. And you have been wanting to go on a date with Adrien, so this is your chance! You should be happy! But... Marinette, you need to be very careful! He knows you, and you can't let him find out your identity!"

"I know, Tikki... which means I can't talk about school, or about me, or about my friends, or my parents, or... oh, this is going to be so complicated, why did I say yes?"

"Because you've been wanting him to ask you out for ages?"

"Well... yes, but it's going to be a disaster!" Marinette stood up and started pacing around the room, tugging her pigtails in stress. "I'm going to drop him off of a rooftop! Or start stammering uncontrollably and not be able to say a word! Or get so nervous that I'm going to start talking and never stop and he's going to find out who I am and he's going to be super disappointed because glamorous Ladybug is really just boring Marinette and he's going to tell everyone and it's going to be all over the news and my parents will ground me for forever and Hawk Moth will find me and Alya will *kill* me for keeping Ladybug a secret... oh, God, Alya! I can't tell her about this! But she's going to kill me if she ever finds out! What am I going to do?!" She started hyperventilating.

Tikki flew up in front of her face and looked her in the eyes. "Marinette, *calm down*. It will be *fine*. You're Ladybug, you've faced down dozens of monsters, you can face a conversation with Adrien. Just pick someplace pretty to go, where you can look at the scenery when you run out of things to say, and ask about him. Everybody likes to be asked about themselves. Or talk about being Ladybug and saving the world! You've done that in plenty of interviews. Just *be careful*."

Marinette sighed and slumped back down in her chair. "I know you're right, Tikki. But it's so hard."

"You'll be fine, Marinette. Just remember that you're Ladybug. And that he did ask you!"

Adrien flopped backwards on the bed with a beatific smile, arms spread wide as though he was trying to embrace the world. "Plagg, she said *yes*! Ladybug said yes to seeing me again!"

Plagg grumbled into his cheese. "Yes, I know. You've been saying that for the past twenty minutes. Also, you already see her practically every day."

"Well, *yes*, but I see her as Chat Noir. And she never wants to take the time to get to know me. This time, we aren't going to spend all of our time fighting. We can actually talk. And I can get to know her better!" Adrien sighed. "Assuming she actually likes Adrien. Why *did* she say yes, anyway?"

Plagg rolled his eyes. "Who cares? The love of your life has agreed to go on a date with you. Enjoy it, and for crying out loud, *stop talking about it* and let me enjoy my cheese in peace!"

There was a knock on the open bedroom window. Adrien started and turned around in his chair too see a waving Ladybug outside. "Hey, I know it's late, but I figured it would be easier to just coordinate in person. Got a minute?"

"S-sure!" he stammered, standing up and trying fruitlessly to hide the giant screens behind him showing a zoomed-in photo from the most recent Ladyblog update. She smirked slightly and dropped lightly into the room.

"Hey, it's OK. I kind of figured you might be a fan. People who aren't don't usually ask me to stop by for visits."

Adrien rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, looking sheepish. "Yeah, I know, I was just... startled. I wasn't expecting you so soon, but I'm glad you're here. Er... can I get you anything? A drink or something?"

Ladybug grinned. "I'm fine, and you don't need to be a perfect host. I wasn't meaning this to be a"- she coughed and glanced away- "d-date or anything. Tonight, that is, not that I dont want a date, we could have one, just. Um. Later. But the logistics are complicated, and I thought we should talk."

Adrien looked up and smiled, his green eyes brightening. "Talk away, mi- er, my couch is over here, want to sit down?"

The two of them perched awkwardly on the couch, sneaking a peek at each other only to discover the other one staring and hurriedly turning away to fumble at a cushion. The TV screen was well-positioned to act as a target of attention, and even black and blank the two of them looked relieved to stare at something a little bit less nerve-wracking than the person at the other end of the sofa. There was a brief, awkward silence.

"So, you-"
"Well, how-"

And then "No, you first!", in stereo. Blue eyes met green, and suddenly they both started laughing. The tension was finally broken.

"Sorry, I may have some practice in the superhero department, but I'm afraid that if you want suave conversation you should have invited Chat," Ladybug said, smiling. "I don't have the first clue what to do in the r-roma- conversation department."

Adrien smiled shyly back. "Me neither. I could probably count the girls I've talked to alone who weren't makeup artists on one hand. Besides, you're putting yourself down. I'm sure you're a wonderful conversationalist, we're just... still getting to know each other."

Ladybug looked away, with an uncomfortable-looking smile. "Yeah! Just getting to know each other. I'm sure that's it." She took a deep breath and turned back, the usual confident Ladybug cheer back in place. "And I wanted to get to know you better, so I thought we should talk about how to do that."

"Well, you're always welcome here", said Adrien, blushing again. "I mean- look at this place, if there was a way for my dad to add entertainments to my gilded cage so I'd have no excuse to ever leave, he's bought it. And it's not like anyone ever checks on me unless I'm late for something."

Ladybug smiled, eyes bright but slightly sad. "That sounds wonderful, Adrien, and I'd love to, but... we need to talk first. You may not actually want to see me once you know what's involved." She stood and started pacing.

Adrien looked up at her, green eyes full of confusion and just a little fear. "Mi...er... what do you mean? Of course I want to! You're Ladybug!"

"That's just it. I'm Ladybug. Hero of Paris, defeater of akuma, inspiration to children, all that. But also Ladybug, enemy of Hawk Moth, target of every akuma ever created, disruptor of evil plans, and favorite subject of both paparazzi and reporters. I'm *dangerous*, Adrien. Dangerous to know, dangerous to the people around me..." Ladybug sighed, her back to the couch, shoulders slumping slightly. "And not just to people who know my identity, either. If we started dating, and Hawk Moth found out, you'd be target number one, because he'd know that by threatening you he could get to me. If he even *suspected* such a thing, you'd be in danger." She started pacing again. "And if the Ladyblog or one of the paparazzi gets a photo of you, the game's up. Once or twice right after an akuma attack, sure, that's just Ladybug rescuing a passing civilian. But over and over? On random days with no activity? The gossip columns will be everywhere, and you'd be exposed. In danger. I shouldn't even be *asking* you..."

Adrien's eyes widened, and he half-stood and reached out towards her unseeing form. "Ladybug, no! You're... you're worth any danger! And besides, I actually can take care of myself, you know."

Ladybug laughed sadly and turned towards him. "I know you're capable, Adrien, you're a better fencer than I will ever be. And your f-father's security system is amazing. But it won't stop an akuma. We can't fight our way out; the only option is to keep it a secret." She shook her head and looked down. "Yet another secret..."

Adrien was up and across the room to take her hands before she could finish shaking her head. "No, m-Ladybug. You're right, but that doesn't mean we can't do it. I'm willing to do whatever it takes. Even if it has to be a secret. Spending time with you is worth it. No matter what."

Ladybug looked at him with a bittersweet smile. "Even if it means lying to your friends? Your father? The world?"

"Yes." His green eyes stared into hers, unblinking, practically radiating sincerity; his voice was firm and unquestioning. He laughed quietly, as if at some private joke. "Wouldn't be anything new, anyway." Then winced.

Ladybug pulled back, startled, eyes questioning.

"Look, Ladybug..." Adrien looked down awkwardly, dropping her hands to rub the back of his head the way he always did when he was nervous. "I'm... not who most people think I am. Everybody sees the pretty face, the perfect kid, the model student, Gabriel Agreste's son. The one on the magazine covers. Even my dad thinks that. But I'm not. That Adrien is just an empty shell that's good at smiling. I'm..." He sighed. "Some days, I don't think even I know who I am. Honestly, I'm trying very hard not to scream and run away right now for fear that when you find out just how imperfect I am, you won't want to see me anymore. But... you deserve to know. I don't want you to feel like I've led you on or disappointed you."

Ladybug's eyes had been widening steadily through the whole speech, hands coming to her mouth in horror. "Adrien, no! That's... Adrien, I don't l-like you because you're a model and famous and heir to a design empire or anything. I like you because you're *you*. You're kind, and thoughtful, and humble, and, and, and *wonderful*!"

Adrien laughed sadly, still looking down. "How would you know, Ladybug? We've barely met."

"Adrien, look at me." Ladybug tilted his head up until he couldn't avoid her eyes and looked at him intently; part-glare, part-plead, part-challenge. "You will NOT think such terrible things about yourself. You *are* kind, and wonderful, and amazing, and I *do* know that, and... and... and I need to you to just trust me on that, OK?" She sighed and dropped her hand. "And that's the other thing about being a superhero... I can't tell you anything about who I am under the mask. You can't even guess. Because if you knew, then both of us would be at risk; you, as a target, and me, because Hawk Moth could use you to find me when I wasn't ready for him."

"I'd *never* tell Hawk Moth who you were!" Adrien objected, although he hadn't quite lost the dazed look Ladybug's fierce defense of him had put onto his face.

"I know you wouldn't ever do so deliberately. But akumas can change people's minds, however temporarily. And if Hawkmoth took you over, there would be nothing either of us could do to keep him from finding out. It's not just you, Adrien; even Chat Noir doesn't know who I am, and I don't know who he is. It wouldn't be safe."

"But why? He's a superhero, isn't he? He can defend himself." Adrien's green eyes stared into hers with oddly intense curiosity, despite his light tone of voice, before he blinked and looked away.

"He is, and he can; but we both still get hit, and sometimes being hit is almost as dangerous as being akumatized. When Dark Cupid hit him..." Ladybug closed her eyes and shivered slightly. "He didn't just stop liking me. He hated me, to the point where he teamed up with Dark Cupid to track me down and take my miraculous."

"WHAT?!" Adrien yelped.

Ladybug looked startled, then grinned. "Yeah, I suppose most of the details of that one didn't make it to the Ladyblog, did they. Alya was a little busy at the time. Trust me, it was... scary. I'm glad everyone else forgot. It would have broken Chat's heart. But the point is, if he'd known my identity, he probably would have revealed it then, no matter how trustworthy he normally is."

Adrien was staring at her with a horrified and slightly broken look, jaw open. She waved her hand in front of his face, starting to laugh. "Earth to Adrien? Hello? I know it's surprising to realize your heroes are people too, who make mistakes and have bad days, but really, we do!" Then she smirked. "Which, I will note, was the whole reason I'm here, was it not? Because you wanted to know the person behind my mask?"

Adrien blinked again, then shook himself like a wet cat and seemed to see her again. "Er, sorry about that." He started to put his arm behind his head in his usual embarrassed gesture, but a gentle polka-dotted hand on his shoulder stopped him. He glanced from the hand to Ladybug's gentle smile and back in surprise.

"Seriously. It's ok. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Heck, you should have seen me, my first week as Ladybug! There's a big difference between thinking like an ordinary citizen- if there's a danger, someone will stop it and come rescue me- and thinking like the one who has to actually do the stopping and rescuing. It can be a bit of a shock. I apologize, I didn't mean to dump all of that on you at once. Did I mention I'm not that great at conversation?" She looked at him, bit her lip, and looked away, dropping her arm and hugging herself in an obvious attack of nerves. "So, um. Let's see. Secrecy, secrecy, and more secrecy... no sweeping across Paris in my arms before a cheering crowd... no romantic dates in public places... a girl who can't even tell you her name... still want to do this?"

It was Adrien's turn to step up, put an arm on her shoulder, and turn her around to face him. She was still staring determinedly away in a most un-Ladybug-like fashion, and he tilted her head up so he could look her in the eyes.

"Yes." His eyes smiled at her.

Then he stepped away and grinned. "So, was that the hard part? What would you like to do now? Watch a movie? Play a game? My time is yours, my la... ladybug." He winced slightly and looked at her with a fetchingly pleading look that wouldn't have been out of place on Chat Noir. "Can I call you that? My ladybug?"

She stared at him for a moment and then started laughing wildly. "Oh, you have been watching too many Chat Noir videos. Come up with your own pet name, silly! Chat would have a field day with that one if I told him, he loves fans." She smirked and plopped down on the couch, arms out, suddenly relaxed. "Games it is, then. Your choice! You know your collection, after all." She raised an eyebrow at him, in that astonishingly flexible mask. "Join me?"

Adrien's eyes lit up. He ran.

It wasn't until several hours of pixelated combat and laughter later, when Ladybug was about to take her leave, that she remembered the conversation they'd never quite finished.

"So, uh... next time. If you want one, that is... um... we should figure out where to go. Night's probably the best time, since it's harder to see people."

"Of course I want one! What do you mean, where? You can just come here again, right?"

Ladybug sighed. "I wish I could, this has been so much fun. But... it's dangerous for me to come here too often."

Adrien looked at her, confused. "Why? Nobody ever checks on me anyway. And I make sure the security cameras on the back side of the house are disabled all the time, because otherwise I could never sneak out. The walls are too high for paparazzi to see in from outside. No one will notice."

Ladybug looked down, the laughter draining out of her. "Adrien... this is a secret, OK? One of the ones nobody else can find out. I probably shouldn't even be telling you, but... well... you of all people deserve to know."

Adrien was starting to look worried. "Of course I'll keep your secret. But... what's wrong?"

Ladybug sighed. "I don't know how to tell you this. Um. Well. Your father..." There was a long pause. "Your father is probably an associate of Hawk Moth."

Adrien sat bolt upright, starting to look a little angry. "What do you mean? He's been akumatized! He's a victim of Hawk Moth's too!"

Ladybug didn't look up. "I know. But... remember that book you borrowed from him? The one that got you into so much trouble?"

"...yes..."

Another long sigh. "Whoever has that book almost certainly also has both the moth and the peacock miraculouses. So if Hawk Moth isn't your father, there's a very good chance that he's someone your father knows. Works closely with, even. I'm... I'm sorry, Adrien."

Adrien was staring at her, shocked. "But... how do you know? What peacock miraculous? Why is the book so important?"

Ladybug was still looking at her feet. "I can't tell you the first; I'm sorry, but I warned you there would be secrets, and this one isn't mine to tell. The book is very old and very special, but I can't tell you more. And there are actually a lot of miraculouses, as it turns out. Not just Ladybug and Chat and Moth."

The green eyes were starting to look betrayed. "But you never told... um. What does a peacock miraculous look like, anyway?"

She shrugged. "Some kind of peacock-themed jewelry, I assume. I haven't seen it, but I could probably dig up a description."

Adrien's mouth was open to deny any possibility that the accusations were true when a memory flashed before his eyes. His father's open safe. The book. Keepsakes from Tibet. And... a turquoise pin reminiscent of a peacock's tail?

His mouth closed, and there was a pause before he took a deep breath. "Can you get me that description?"

Ladybug looked up in surprise. "What? I mean, sure, but... why? Have you seen it?"

"...I don't know. That's why I want the description. And I'm not saying I believe all of this, all right? I may not like him most of the time, but he is my father. Just... just get me the description."

And then he paused, and it was like watching all of the life run out of him. He walked to the opposite side of the bed and sat down, shoulders slumped, back to Ladybug.

"That's all this was, wasn't it. You just... wanted me to spy on my father for you. You know, you could just ask next time, Ladybug. I'd help. You don't need to put on such a show." The bedspread wrinkled as his fists clenched in the blanket. His voice was dull and miserable.

Ladybug looked utterly horrified, reaching out uselessly towards Adrien's back. "Wh-what?! No! No, that's not it at all, Adrien! I love you, I would never do..." Her voice trailed off. "I mean... um... I..." She winced, as her cheeks attempted to match her mask's brilliant red.

The slumped form on the bed had stiffened. Slowly, the head turned. Slowly, the huge green eyes sought Ladybug's. There were tears and betrayal in those eyes... but also a desperate hope, and no small amount of fear. The green eyes bore into her, unblinking. Waiting. Demanding.

Ladybug bit her lip and walked slowly over to the bed. Adrien's face followed her, but he was otherwise still as a statue, hardly even breathing. She crouched, slowly, and put one hand hesitantly on his knee.

"Do you think we'd even be talking about seeing each other again if it were something like that? Adrien, you're worth more to me than any akuma. More than Hawk Moth. Maybe even more than my miraculous." She glanced away briefly, turning even pinker, then swallowed nervously and looked back into his eyes. "I would never, *ever* risk you for information. I'd say I'd never risk you at all, except... here I am. I care about you, and I'm selfish enough to offer you the dangerous choice of being with me even though I know I shouldn't. I know you don't believe that I care that much, or that I know you... just... please, trust me. Don't look for me, don't ask questions, but... believe me. I know you. And I l...l..." She dropped her head and buried her face in her hands. "Iloveyou" she squeaked, eyes scrunched up and shoulders hunched as she awaited his reaction.

There was another long pause, and then a pair of gentle hands pulled her face up to look at him. One scrunched-up eye blinked open briefly, then closed again in pure embarrassment. That is, it did until an equally gentle pair of lips lightly kissed her forehead. Ladybug's blue eyes widened in surprise and she lifted her head abruptly to look at him, only to discover an unexpected obstacle in the way.

"Ow!"

"OhnoIamsosorry does it hurt do you need a tissue or...?" Ladybug stammered, hands over her mouth. Adrien, still holding his abused nose, started to laugh, eyes glinting with amusement.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't find this so funny, but..." He started laughing again.

Ladybug's hands slowly dropped away from her mouth and she started to giggle slightly too, cheeks pink. "That's me, clumsiest superhero in Paris. Um... guess it broke the tension?"

"As long as it's just the tension and not my nose!" Adrien grinned at her, wiggled his nose to show he was just joking, and sat up. He closed his eyes and started breathing deeply until chuckles stopped leaking out at odd moments, then looked straight at Ladybug with shining eyes and a shy smile. "Ladybug... you don't need to be embarrassed either, you know. I wouldn't have invited you here if I hadn't wanted to hear you say that. I've had a lot of trouble returning the favor, but trust me, it isn't for lack of feelings." He leaned forward again, taking Ladybug's gloved hands in his, never letting his gaze leave her widening eyes. "Ladybug... I love you too." And then he kissed her again, gently, on the forehead.

"But... you can't. You don't even know who I am! Wait... do you?" Ladybug looked at him in sudden panic.

Adrien grinned, eyes still never leaving hers. "No. But I know I love the girl under the mask, and I have for a long time. I know how amazing she is. And while I'd love to know her name someday, I don't mind if that isn't today, or even for a long time. I just want to get to know her better. Even with her spots on."

They looked at each other, no more than a few inches apart. Slowly, they both leaned in, and...

CRASH!

The would-be lovers were on their feet immediately. Adrian met Ladybug's eyes, and flicked his own to his oversized balcony. She nodded as she moved, hidden in the upper story's shadow mere seconds after the sudden noise. Adrien walked toward the closet where he thought the noise had come from and stealthily opened the door, only to find a giant stack of camembert containers spilled out from a large box sitting on its side. A large box that had obviously come from the equally large space on a shelf above, where a round catlike form with bright green eyes floated and smirked.

Adrien stepped into the closet in a hurry and closed the door. "Plagg!" he said in a furious whisper. "What are you *doing*? She can't know you're here!"

"I was getting bored with the soppy nonsense. At least the video games had music. Besides, if somebody didn't snap you out of your self-induced sugar coma, neither of you would be getting any sleep before school tomorrow, and when you're too tired you never give me proper time to savor my breakfast. Just tell her something fell down and get on with it, kid, so we can go to bed."

Adrien rubbed one hand through his hair in a gesture of immense frustration. "You are a royal pain, Plagg. Why do I put up with you?"

"Because you recognize true nobility when you see it! Your service is graciously accepted, I'll take it in camembert, served warm, daily. Now go away and let me get back to enjoying my bedtime cheese."

Adrien sighed, rolled his eyes, and left the closet again, closing the door tightly behind him.

"Sorry, Ladybug. False alarm. Apparently one of the boxes in my closet wasn't balanced well, and it picked a really inconvenient time to fall over."

The red-suited form dropped down beside him with a grin. "I'll have to remember that trick next time I need to distract an akuma. Where were we again?"

The two of them looked at each other, blushed, and looked away again quickly.

"Doing this again sometime?"

"Right! Right. Um... so, if not here... where should we go next time? You're the one who gets around the city, Ladybug..."