Yes, please kill me for writing another fanfic on top of so many unfinished fanfics but I just need to write something for this fandom. I've been so infatuated by this series for the longest time but I never wrote anything for it because I was scared of adding more abandoned fanfic.

I thought of this plot a day before eps 9 aired and after eps 9 aired, it pushed me to actually write it out and post it. I hope you guys will enjoy it as much as I enjoy writing it!

By the way, I am yukifrill on instagram and I draw MLB fanarts from time to time. I'm also making merchs of them so if you're interested to buy, drop me a DM on my ig :) I want to know more people who are in this fandom because it's simply hard to find where I live :(

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN MIRACULOUS LADYBUG!

[Love in the Dark]

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Chapter 1

Adrien sat, dangling his legs nonchalantly despite the height he was in. In his hands was Plagg, chomping onto his Camembert like his life depended on it.

In front of him, he could see the landscape of Paris basked in beautiful orange light. A year ago, this view would've been an unattainable dream. A fantasy of some sort. But ever since he was Chat Noir, this view had morphed into some kind of norm. He adored this view and the sense of freedom it came with. He would've flashed a smile if only he wasn't so tensed right now.

Behind him, he could hear the soft munching sounds from what seemed like Ladybug's kwami, accompanied by the sound of the heroine's thankfully-even breathing.

He looked at the orange sky and was reminded how just an hour ago, there was nothing out of the ordinary.

No. If he had to be honest, everything had been blown out of proportion for a while now. He just didn't see it. He just chose to turn a blind eye to it. He wanted to believe nothing was wrong. But boy was he so mistaken. And now it was going to cost him his best friend, his partner as well as the love of his life.

He blinked a tear out of his eye and wet his lips.

He had to be strong.

For her, too.

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[Two days ago]

Marinette tucked her hoodie lower to hide her face further. She looked around, bluebell eyes under the hood's shadow, to spot anyone she knew and let out a sigh of relief when she found none.

Dashing out of the shop, she quickly dove into the closest alley.

"I'll never get used to this," she mumbled, letting Tikki fly out of her jacket's pocket.

"Marinette, you need to see a doctor," the kwami said almost too quickly, and despite the gentle tone, she was dead serious. A frown laced her small face as she pouted.

"Please," the bluehead muttered as she opened the plastic bag in her hand and took out a bottle of pills. "Don't make a big deal out of a recurring stomachache." She popped a pill into her hand before swallowing it and then sighing.

"You almost fainted from the pain last week if Alya didn't give you the remedy." It was a statement.

Unaffected by Tikki's serious tone, Marinette rolled her eyes and waved her hand. "I can be pretty dramatic sometimes."

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

The said girl tensed. It was the second time Tikki had ever said her fullname ever since they met and last time it was when she got reckless and almost died when trying to capture an Akuma without Chat's help. Her kitty had arrived at the nick of time and it saved her so she simply saw the whole incident as thrilling instead of frightening. But it seemed that the red kwami didn't share her opinion.

Marinette avoided Tikki's concerned big blue eyes and sighed. "Alright. Maybe I'll talk to my parents about it later."

A smile grew on the kwami's face before she hugged her Chosen's cheek. "That's more like it!" she squeaked and giggled.

Marinette giggled with her.

Marinette opened her jacket's pocket for Tikki to fly in and tucked her hoodie down when she was going to step out of the alley, but was abruptly stopped by a chest in front of her. She almost stumbled backward if only the said person didn't catch her hand on time.

"Whoa, careful there, Princess!"

That suave voice could only belong to one person.

"Chat Noir?" She looked up and blinked. "What are you doing out here at this hour? Is there a villain?" Did you see Tikki? Oh my God. She looked around for signs of panic and evacuation but found none.

"Nope. This cat loves to wander around in suit as much as he loves catnip," he said proudly, pointing his nose upward. "By no means to be rude, Princess, what's up with your clothes today? You're normally more… I don't know, pink?"

Marinette looked at herself again. Dull, gray hoodie jacket with questionable ownership and loose jeans as well as black sneakers. It was actually impossible to tell her gender with these clothes on and that made her wonder.

"How did you know it was me?" she removed her hoodie to let him see her more clearly.

"It's your smell," he said with a goofy smile as he mock-sniffed her, earning a playful punch in the arm before they both laughed.

"What about my smell?" she asked, a bit defensive.

He tapped a finger on his chin, pretending to think. "You smell like delicious pastries and flowers. Don't ask me if that combination is possible," he said before pointing at his nose. "This guy does not compromise."

"Are you only like this as Chat Noir or does your civilan self have sharp nose in the first place?" She was too late to stop herself. She was honestly just curious, although she knew she wasn't supposed to ask a question that might lead to him revealing hints of his identity.

"Hmmm," he hummed. "Now that you mention it, I don't think I can smell you this well as my civilian self–"

"Wait, wait, you know me in real life?" she spluttered, eyes wide.

Chat cocked his eyebrow at first but a second later, his eyes shot open and he slapped his mouth. "Oops!" he squeaked before grinning shyly. "Cat's out of the bag?"

Crap. She shouldn't know who he was but now he's making her curious. But before her mind play with her more, a scream of distress broke the tension between them.

"Uh-oh, duty call! Get somewhere safe and see you around, Princess!"

Chat left in a hurry and why did she think it was not only because of the urgency of duty? He was never the dutiful one in their partnership for all she knew.

Marinette shook her head.

Forget that cat. She needed to focus.

"Tikki, spots on!"

TO BE CONTINUED

I tried to use a new style when writing this. I usually have long chapters but here I want to try making short chapters because I think it's easier to read that way. Do drop me your opinions if you prefer long chapters though.

See you soon!