#marichat comes the least naturally of all the lovesquare sides to me ig

[rosie-b]

Married in Black (know that she loves you back)

AO3 link

When Monarch learns that Chat Noir loves Marinette, he jumps at the chance to exploit the hero's weakness, but after mutiple failed attempts to capture Marinette and hold her ransom for Chat's ring, he decides to switch tactics. Monarch creates an akuma that can summon anyone's future spouse, sure that finding out Marinette will marry someone else will break Chat Noir's heart, priming him for akumatization. But what happens when Chat Noir doesn't react the way Monarch expects?

Spoilers for Season 5 through E:9 Elation/Exaltation! You can use the AO3 link above or read the entire fic below!

Chat Noir has feelings for Marinette Dupain-Cheng.  

Ever since the evening he’d nearly akumatized Marinette, Gabriel had been trying to figure out a way to exploit the hero's uncovered weakness.  

If Chat Noir was in love with Marinette — although this was likely just another short-lived crush, like his affections for Ladybug — then there must be some way to twist his emotions and force him to give up his Miraculous for the sake of his super-fan! 

But no matter how many akumas Monarch sent after Marinette, he’d never been able to capture her for long. Most of the time, she was already rescued by the time Ladybug and Chat Noir even showed up!  

More surprisingly, Ladybug, not Chat Noir, was the hero who saved her the most often. Monarch’s akumas had overheard Chat Noir complaining about this fact to Ladybug too many times for him to miss that detail. It seemed that Ladybug was just too efficient, too quick; by the time Chat slipped away to transform, she’d already found Marinette and moved her to safety. 

Monarch hated to admit defeat, so he wouldn’t. But he would change tactics, and quickly!

Creating an akuma to directly attack Marinette would be too predictable, so he would have to try hiding his true goal inside of a more innocent-seeming akuma attack. After all, any akuma could be sent to target Marinette; it didn’t have to be someone who was specifically upset with her! Even if Monarch did choose someone upset with the baker girl again, he could just warn them not to go around shouting about how much they hate Marinette while they were akumatized this time.

In fact, if Monarch—

“Sir.” 

Nathalie’s voice interrupted Gabriel’s pondering. Sitting up in his armchair, he looked up at his assistant, a frown on his stern features. 

“What is it, Nathalie? I’m rather busy at the moment, as you can see.” 

Nathalie scrutinized the thin book dangling from Gabriel’s listless fingers. “Yes,” she said drily. “I see that. However, I need to inform you that your son is considering something important, and I think that, as his father, you should know about it.” 

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “He's considering something? Like finally getting an Alliance ring of his own?” 

Nathalie closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, knowing that Gabriel would chalk any strange reactions up to her poor health. “No,” she sighed, opening her eyes. “He’s considering pursuing another girl romantically. He’s quite serious about her,” she continued, feeling her heart sink as Gabriel’s fists clenched and the corners of his mouth turned further downwards. 

“A girlfriend? Is she one of those hooligans from that public school, or is she at least somewhat acceptable as my son's love interest?” 

Nathalie sighed, pushing up her glasses, and relinquished all hope that this conversation would go pleasantly. 

“Actually, she is, sir. Both from your son’s school and up to your standards of what a girlfriend for Adrien should be. It's Marinette Dupain-Cheng,” she said, and the book slipped from Gabriel’s fingers. 

“What?” 

“She’s one of his closest friends,” Nathalie said, keeping her composure cool and collected. “And you’ve admired her ingenuity in fashion design before. I think they make a good match for each other, a strong couple that you should approve of.” 

Gabriel waved a hand in the air dismissively. “No, no, no, I don't care about that; I'm concerned with something else!” he said excitedly, standing up and walking a few paces over to where Nathalie stood, supported by her leg braces. “My son is in love with Marinette Dupain-Cheng? The girl Chat Noir has a crush on?” 

Nathalie frowned. “Yes, but I think that Adrien stands a better chance of winning her heart. If you look at these pictures,” she explained, swiping through a folder on her tablet, “You can see that Adrien’s feelings of love for her seem to be reciprocated, even if the girl herself doesn’t know about them, yet. Adrien stands a good chance of stealing Marinette's affections away from Chat Noir permanently if we help Adrien woo her properly.” 

Gabriel’s mouth slowly stretched into a grin as he took the tablet from Nathalie, zooming in on Marinette’s face as she smiled bashfully at Adrien, unaware of the hidden camera. 

“Good, Nathalie,” he said, and paid no attention to the woman’s confused, exasperated expression. “Your information is quite valuable. Thank you for sharing it with me.” 

Yes, Monarch could make something of that little cat’s emotions yet. Gabriel could almost taste his long-awaited success... 

  __*__*__*__*__

  There was another akuma, once more originating inside Francois-Dupont's brick walls. 

But this time, Adrien noted with relief, the akuma was not targeting Marinette! 

“Congratulations, girl,” Alya said jokingly as she ran off with Marinette ‘to find a safe hiding place.’ “You managed to not make anybody mad at you today!” 

Groaning as her best friend laughed, Marinette turned the corner, disappearing from Adrien’s view as her voice echoed down the halls. “For the last time, that coffee I served was not too hot! Lila was just looking for an excuse to come after me with some new, villainous powers. And as for the other day, you know how Chloe is!” 

Agreeing with Marinette in his head, Adrien ducked into an empty classroom and transformed into Chat Noir. This akuma might not be targeting his just-a-friend (for now), but Adrien would do his best to protect her from it by defeating it as quickly as possible! Now, he just had to figure out which way Tell-Tale went.

Probably outside the building, he decided. Adrien had seen her ex, a boy named Ali Monpourchien, running outside as soon as the akuma alert went off. 

Ever since Lili Anger found out that he'd been cheating on her while they were dating and promptly broke up with him, Ali had seemed tense. He'd been expecting this akuma attack for nearly three days, knownig on some level that he deserved Lili's wrath.

And with Monarch's help, the newly named Tell-Tale would bring it to him, dressed in a high-collared black wedding dress, covered in lace and dripping with blood.

Just as he usually did with his minions, Monarch must have drained all the love from her heart, so she could be targeting anyone now! Chat Noir rushed through his transformation, hoping he'd be in time to protect Marinette (and everyone else) from this new monstrous akuma.

  __*__*__*__*__

  Tell-Tale did not want to target Marinette. She was a great class president, even if she wasn’t Tell-Tale's, and she’d had just as much trouble in the love department as Tell-Tale herself had, probably even more! 

But that’s just another reason to find her, Monarch’s voice whispered in Lili’s head as she stalked down the hall leading to the courtyard door. If you touch her with your bouquet, you can use the power of the Horse and transport her future spouse to her, revealing who is truly worthy of her affections! Marinette won’t be plagued by uncertainty anymore; don’t you think that’s beneficial? You’d be helping her, not hurting her!  

That’s true , Lili mused, and she took another step down the hallway, listening carefully for Marinette’s voice. Maybe this plan of Monarch’s wasn’t so bad, after all. 

Excellent! Monarch cackled to himself. Now Chat Noir will learn how fickle girls’ hearts are. When he sees that Marinette’s true love is not him, his heart will shatter! And then... I shall have a new akuma, one far more powerful than any before! I think I’ll call him—  

A small body slammed against Monarch’s akuma, breaking off his internal monologue as he looked to see which unfortunate student had run straight into the akuma they thought they were escaping from. 

“Oh! I’m so sorry!” the clumsy student apologized.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng looked up from the floor and gasped as her eyes met Tell-Tale's dark black ones. It was if her entire eyeballs had been subsumed by the pupils, leaving them an inky black that sucked up light like a black hole. Unable to look away, Marinette froze on the floor, sitting with her legs splayed uncomfortably.

“Hello there,” the akuma purred, bending down so that her face was eye-level with Marinette's. In the background, Alya ran around the corner, freezing when she saw what had happened to her best friend. “It seems you’ve taken another nasty spill, Marinette! But don’t worry, I’m here to make sure you only fall for the right guy from now on!” 

Tell-Tale reached out and touched Marinette with the bouquet she’d been carrying in her right hand as Alya screamed, throwing herself in front of Marinette to protect her too late. 

A red flash traveled up Tell-Tale's arm from the bouquet, racing along the lace covering her black bodice and circling around the jagged heart cut-out on her chest. 

“What did you do to her?” Alya screeched, pulling Marinette up and away from the akuma. She stood in front of her friend defensively, eyes searching the hall for a weapon to use. 

Touching her left hand to the glowing heart on her chest and draining the energy from it, Tell-Tale smirked at the two cowering girls.  

“Why, I found her future spouse for you,” she said in a sickly-sweet tone. “If I bring them to you, Marinette, you’ll never need to worry about falling for the wrong person! I know I did,” she growled, wrenching her hand away from her chest and throwing the energy gathered in it out into the air. “Voyage!”  

As Marinette flinched and Alya looked mildly interested, Tell-Tale continued, “But now, you will never need to worry about making the same mistake. Here you go, Marinette: one future spouse, specially delivered just for you! Now, I can’t waste all my time here,” she said, turning to leave through the courtyard door just meters away. “I have one cowardly ex to find and punish. But I wish you the best of luck with your husband!” 

Pushing the door open and walking through it casually, long, black skirts swishing behind her and leaving a trail of blood on the floor, the akuma left the building. Meanwhile, a blond man, freshly summoned through the space-time portal and lying on the floor of the school, began to stir. 

Marinette clutched Alya’s arm tightly, hiding behind her friend. “I need to go,” she whispered urgently. “Tell him I’m sorry, but I have to stop that akuma before she finds Ali!” 

As Alya opened her mouth to respond, a different voice cut her off. “You know where the akuma is?”

Hearing the familiar inflection of the speaker, Marinette turned red and let out a little eep! as Chat Noir jogged up behind her, having come back inside after an unsuccessful outdoor search for the akuma. 

Alya grinned and waved him over. “Marinette just got hit by the akuma!” she squealed excitedly. 

Chat Noir blanched. “WHAT?! How? When? Just now?? And you’re okay with this? Some best friend you are! Did you get hit, too, or why aren’t you more concerned about poor Marinette? Marinette!” he gasped as he rushed to the girl’s side, spinning her around by the shoulders and checking her over for injuries. “Are you okay?” he asked worriedly, concern swimming in his green eyes. 

“She’s fine,” the man lying on the floor said groggily. Pushing himself up off the floor and tossing his blond hair out of his face as he stood up, he reached up to adjust his glasses, found that they were not on his face, frowned, and squinted down at the group gathered in the hallway.

He was in his pajamas, and his features had changed somewhat with age, but there was no mistaking it. Marinette's future spouse, pulled through time and space by Tell-Tale's powers, was none other than Adrien Agreste.

Before the group had time to react, the akuma barged back in through the courtyard door, dragging her ex behind by his hair. The unfortunate Ali yelled in agony, his leg getting caught in the door several times as it bounced shut. Blood landed on his face as it dripped off the akuma's gown, falling on his crisp white shirt and staining it red.  

“Sorry, guys,” Tell-Tale said cheerfully, gesturing with the bouquet in her hand. “Monarch and I nearly forgot to check out who Marinette’s lovely future spouse would be for ourselves. Oh! That’s Adrien, isn’t it! I’d recognize that face anywhere after seeing it on the billboards so many times. Congratulations, Marinette, I know you’ve got a thing for him!” 

Lili turned to leave again, but Monarch's glowing symbol appeared over her face, and she paused to listen to him, sighed, and turned back around, frowning.

"Are you happy, Chat Noir?" She asked huffily, with an aggrieved air.

Towards the bottom of her black wedding dress, red blood slowly oozed from the picots of the lace and began to pool on the tile floor.

"Happy seeing that you've lost our dear Marinette, that is," Tell-Tale continued at Monarch's prompting. "Seems to me you lost her before you even began to woo her," she added in a low mutter.

Chat Noir blinked, breaking out of his trance-like staring at the older Adrien's features. He scrunched up his brow as he thought of how to respond to the akuma's question.

"Yeeees," he said unsurely, remembering that Monarch knew about his crush on Marinette, and so might be trying to target him through this. "I'm... devastated." Chat Noir clasped his hands together over his chest, playing up his supposed heartbreak.

Tell-Tale squinted at him. "Your ears are still pointy," she said. "According to the Ladyblog's cat section, that's how they look when you're happy. I think you've just been faking your emotions for Marinette," she said in a gossipy voice. "Trying to make Ladybug feel bad about turning you down before. You don't really care about Marinette, do you?"

Yes he does! Monarch spat in Tell-Tale's mind at the same time as Chat Noir spoke out loud.

"Yes, I do!" he insisted angrily, and Adrien, who had rubbed the rest of the sleep out of his eyes and was now standing at Chat's shoulder, facing Tell-Tale with the rest of the group, nodded firmly, supporting his apparent love rival.

Oh, now Chat's ears are back, Tell-Tale noticed. And his tail is lashing. He's finally mad!

"Well, if your affections for Marinette are not false," Lili found herself saying Monarch's words out loud as they appeared in her head, which felt weird, "Then do something to prove it! Perhaps the facts simply haven't sunk in yet.

"This is Adrien Agreste," Tell-Tale said, gesturing to the half-asleep man wearing red and black spotted pajamas. "He is Marinette's future husband. Him, not you," Tell-Tale sneered, and the blood on her costume dripped faster in response to her growing anger. Ali let out a complaining whine at the growing red spot on his shirt.

For a second, Chat Noir looked as if he might flinch back from the vengeful akuma as she glared at him.

But his back suddenly straightened, and he looked Tell-Tale in the eye and declared, "You're saying that like I should object to her future marriage, but Marinette can love whoever she wants! If that's Adrien, then I'm glad to step aside and let her have a happy ending. I'm not angry," he said, "Though I am hurt that I will lose her affections. But I'm sure that, in time, I'll find my own purrfect partner. Now, let's get back to the point — you're targeting Marinette again, Monarch, even though I warned you not to do that!"

Widening his stance, Chat Noir frowned at Tell-Tale threateningly and pulled his baton from behind his back.

"Take Marinette and Alya to safety," he called over his shoulder to his future self. 

Adrien nodded. "Don't worry," he said. "I'll make sure they're protected."

He turned to Alya, who was recording everything on her phone, and Marinette, who was in a state of shock and kept staring at Adrien's Ladybug-themed pajamas, glancing up once in a while to frown at Chat Noir with her brow scrunched up.

"Marinette," Alya said, nudging her. "We have to go with Adrien now! Come on, let's find a place to hide!"

Marinette's gaze snapped over to Alya.

"'We don't have time to waste talking," Adrien said, grabbing Marinette's hand and pulling her with him as he and Alya ran from the akuma. "Trust me, this akuma might not look like it, but Tell-Tale is a dangerous fighter when she puts her mind to it. We need Ladybug, and soon!"

Lips thinning into a line, Marinette nodded once and looked back to Alya. 

"I think we might need to split up," she said. "I have some questions for Adrien, and then, well.. you know," she explained, feeling awkward with the akuma's eyes still on them as they ran.

Looking slightly disappointed, Alya shot her friend a brief, reassuring smile. "I know," she said. "Don't worry about me, focus on what you need to do! Just promise to tell me about it all later."

"I will," Marinette said, waving to her friend as she turned the corner and pulled Adrien into an empty classroom with her.

"Now," she said, her face growing serious as she dropped Adrien's hand, "I don't know how much you know, but I don't think I could let you wear these pajamas without making sure you know what they mean to me. Not that they mean something too specific! Or that you need my permission to wear clothes! You can wear whatever you'd like! I just—" Marinette covered her face as a blush spread across it.

Adrien smiled comfortingly at her as she peeked at him from between her fingers.

"I know what you mean, little bug," he said, gaze softening as Marinette let out a little squeak. "Don't worry about how your question came out when we have other things to get to, and so little time! Chaton Noir is going to be caught off guard soon, and you need to be there when he does. Now, I know that you are Ladybug... and I know that you still love Chat Noir, too. I get it, he's a tough guy to get over! So before you leave, let me assure you that mini-Adrien, your Adrien, understands this, too. It's okay that you love Chat Noir, Marinette— just like it's okay that he is still in love with Ladybug, even if he doesn't know it."

Marinette stared at Adrien, her mouth open in a little 'o'.

"He still loves me?" Her voice was broken even as she looked hopefully into his eyes.

Adrien nodded, still smiling gently at her.

"And he always will," he confirmed. "I know it doesn't make sense now, but picking which one of us to love is not a decision you need to make. You see, it's just the same," he said, glancing down at his watch. "You love Adrien and Chat Noir, and so does Ladybug, because she's you. And I love Marinette and Ladybug, and so does Chat Noir, for the same reason! Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Marinette tilted her head, considering Adrien's words. Suddenly, she grabbed his right hand, looking over it for a simple ring she thought she might recognize.

"It's me, Milady," Adrien said, and Marinette gasped.

"It can't be," she said, thunderstruck. "It can't be! Why would you tell me this now, anyway?"

A surprised shriek echoed in the hall outside the classroom.

"Because that would be the sound of my wife arriving," Adrien said, and walked over to the door. "She's transformed, so don't worry about Monarch discovering our secret identities, but you need to hurry over there and help Chaton Noir! My Ladybug can help in the fight, but it's your Lucky Charm that will send us back to our proper time."

Dazed by the speed in which the reveal had come about, Marinette murmured her transformation phrase quickly and strode to the door, which Adrien held open for her.

"Since I'm currently stuck as a civilian, I'm going to stay here," he said to her as she stepped over the threshold. "I won't see you again until you send your older self back to me, so I wish you the best of luck! It's not going to be easy, but I promise that everything turns out well in the end."

Nodding, Marinette looked back at Adrien, still feeling a bit shell-shocked but knowing that she had to face the akuma again sooner or later.

"Thank you," she said, offering a small smile. Walking down the hallway with a firm stride, she hissed under her breath, "I cannot believe an akuma just revealed my secret identity to Chat Noir before I could! Tell-Tale had better watch out."

  __*__*__*__*__

  As Tell-Tale fought off Chat Noir and an older Ladybug at once, Monarch's voice growled in her ear.

This can't be happening! Chat Noir was supposed to be upset by Marinette's marriage! And if he was still in love with her, as he seemed to claim, then finding out he was doomed to marry the same woman who rejected him time after time should have broken him! Clearly, this is a marriage of convenience for them. It's more of a business partnership! Why isn't he upset??

"If you would shut up already," Lili responded out loud, which startled Chat but didn't faze the future Ladybug, "Then it wouldn't matter, because I could just focus on defeating Chat Noir, grab the ring off his finger, and force Ladybug to yield to me! But you keep on distracting me," she huffed as she took another blow to her arm. "Honestly, you couldn't even give me a weapon?" she complained.

Monarch glowered in his lair as he took the teen's scolding. What would you do with a weapon? he asked. You aren't a fighting akuma! Your whole thing is looking scary but pretty and showing people who their true love is! Occaisionally, I can lend you the power to physically summon a spouse or two, but that takes a five-minute recharge time. Honestly, the more I think about it, the worse this idea seems! I should never have akumatized you, Monarch fumed.

Scowling, nearly vibrating with rage, Lili ducked another attack from the future Ladybug and spun to the left, landing a right hook on Chat Noir.

I'll have you know I've trained in MMA for years now! she responded mentally to Monarch's complaints. I'm only not a 'fighting' akuma because you decided it was a good idea to give me a full-skirted dress! And I'm still holding my own even in that, so who says that I'm not a fighter?

Monarch's voice fell silent for a moment, giving Tell-Tale the chance to dive under Chat Noir's swinging baton and grab his leg, wrestling him down to the floor.

I see, he observed. You have my sincerest apologies for underestimating you. And a new outfit, as a symbol of my thanks and trust.

The black, lacey skirts vanished in a surge of purple energy, leaving behind a tight black suit with red accents, the bouquet and heart cut-out on Tell-Tale's chest the last remnants of her old costume. Even her eyes had changed, Lili's hazel pupils returning, and her hair had changed from an elaborate, curly updo to a short ponytail more practical for fighting in.

Chat Noir blinked up at Tell-Tale. "Hey, what happened to the akuma?" he called out, confused.

"I got an upgrade," she replied smugly. "And so will you, if you'd just hand over your ring! I'm sure Ladybug will prefer a scrawny, powerless boy to a cat with two black eyes."

Chat Noir blanched as Tell-Tale curled her hand into a fist, bringing it back to swing at his face.

Before she could test her new powerset, two yo-yos wrapped around Tell-Tale's arm, pulling her off Chat Noir and spinning her off-balance.

"My Lady! You're here!" Chat Noir said excitedly, pushing himself off the ground and shooting her a flashy grin. "Twice over! I must be the luckiest cat, getting to work with two Ladybugs again! Now there's the younger you and the older you— not that you're old!" he squeaked, ducking to the side as Tell-Tale backflipped away from future Ladybug's assault, nearly hitting him in the head with her feet. "At least, I think you're not! And if you are, then you look very good for your age!"

"Less talking, more fighting, Chaton," the older Ladybug huffed. "And, mini-me? It's time for that Lucky Charm!"

Minibug nodded. "Lucky Charm!" she called, catching a single rose in her hands. "Got it! But I think you already know what it means."

"You know it," the future Ladybug agreed, and threw her yo-yo around Tell-Tale's right wrist, pulling her down and backwards. "Chaton Noir!" she called. 

"On it!" he responded, avoiding Tell-Tale's flailing limbs and prying the bouquet out of her hands. Now that her outfit had changed, it was the only possible option for where her akuma could be, and the Lucky Charm seemed to confirm it.

"Cataclysm!" The deep red flowers of the bouquet blackened and crumbled, allowing a little purple butterfly to flap its way out of the sweet-smelling prison.

"Ughhh," Lili grumbled as Minibug caught the akuma. Her fight suit had vanished, leaving a normal-looking girl on the floor in jeans and a t-shirt. "What happened? I have a headache, and my arm feels like it's been ripped out of its socket!"

"Miraculous Ladybug!" was the response she got, and it was all she needed, though the sight of a second, older Ladybug waving goodbye before vanishing caught her off guard.

"Oh," Lili said, her face flushing pink. "I'm so sorry, Ladybug and Chat Noir! I didn't mean to get akumatized! I've been fighting my negative emotions off, but I guess finding an old bouquet from my ex this morning pushed me over the edge."

Walking over to Lili, Ladybug smiled reassuringly as Chat Noir helped her off the floor. "It's all right, we understand," she said.

"Yeah," Chat Noir agreed. "Everyone's anger gets the best of them sometimes. Get it? Anger? And your last name is Anger? I guess it only makes sense in English," he sighed as Lili and Ladybug shook theiir heads at his attempted pun.

"Your emotions aren't something to be sorry for," Ladybug said simply. "Are you going to be okay?"

Lili nodded, her face solemn and resigned. "There's not really anything I can do," she said sadly. "But I know I can handle this situation. I just wish I could make sure I never fall for the wrong boy again."

Chat Noir gave her a gentle smile. "I hope so, too," he said. "Everyone deserves to be with someone who truly loves them."

Lili's face softened as she looked at the two heroes. "Yeah," she said wistfully. "They do." Flinching at the sound of the schoolbell, Lili smiled nervously. "Well, I guess I'd better get back to class," she said, jerking her thumb backwards in the direction of her classroom. "I don't know if they'll excuse my being late just because I got akumatized."

"They should," Chat Noir said. "And if your teachers don't, let us know and we'll talk to them!"

Flashing a grin, Lili waved at Ladybug and Chat Noir. "Thanks, guys! Have a good day," she said, and darted off to her class.

The two heroes waved back, waiting for Lili to disappear around the corner before turning to each other.

"So, you're 'sure that you'll find the perfect partner?'" Ladybug asked, crossing her arms and raising a brow at Chat Noir. "I guess you being Adrien explains why you didn't look as heartbroken as Monarch seemed to expect."

Chat smiled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. "I wasn't wrong, was I?" he asked, his smile growing fond as he looked at his lady — who was also Marinette! "In all honesty, My Lady, I wasn't really expecting to find out who you are under the mask today, but as soon as I did, I couldn't hide how happy I was! It nearly cost me my ring," he chuckled, remembering how aggressively Tell-Tale had fought while Chat was in shock and the future Ladybug was getting her bearings. "I was overwhelmed because, really, how lucky can one cat be? First I found out that I'd get to marry Marinette-you, and then I found out that you're not just the caring, talented girl who sits behind me in class, but also my amazing partner, who's actually been in love with me this whole time! I nearly swooned," Chat gushed, grinning widely.

Ladybug blushed furiously as her earrings beeped a one-minute warning. "Chat," she protested, raising a hand to her ear, "You shouldn't say such sweet things to me when we should both be finding a safe place to detranform!"

"Why not?" asked Chat Noir, leaning closer to Ladybug. "You were the one who started this conversation. We still have plenty of time... unless you plan to use it for something else."

Ladybug scoffed, turning her face away and trying in vain to look unaffected by the hopeful gleam in Chat's eyes, somewhat dampened by his partner's rejection.

"Like what? Come on, Chat," she said, and walked over to the courtyard door, holding it open for Chat Noir to walk through. "We should at least get outside before our transformations drop. You don't have much more time than me," she pointed out, and Chat's ring beeped in agreement.

Glancing down at it, Chat Noir looked surprised, but he smirked as he walked up the open door. "So, you do have some plans for our time together?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows at her.

Still blushing though her face had cooled down considerably, Ladybug offered Chat a smirk of her own. "Maybe I do," she said smoothly. "But you won’t find out unless you stop acting so catty and follow me!"

Shocked, Chat Noir's mouth fell open. "My Lady!" he gasped. "I can’t believe it! You— you—”

As Chat Noir clasped both hands to his chest dramatically, as if he’d been shot through his heart, Ladybug’s smirk faltered. Had she come off too harshly? She hoped Adrien knew she’d only been joking!

Suddenly, Chat grinned, looking down at Ladybug gleefully. “You punned! This day can't get any better!" he cheered.

Ladybug sighed in relief, letting go of the door to hook her arm around Chat’s as he stepped into the courtyard with her.

"I can think of a few ways to prove that wrong," she said, looking up at Chat with a grin of her own. "Beating me in UMS and Lila Rossi switching schools being two of them. But for me, nothing can beat finding out that you still love me! For a while, I thought I'd blown all my chances with you."

"Never!" Adrien insisted, vehemently shaking his head. "Milady, my father himself could tell me to give up on you and I wouldn't listen to him. You're my partner, my best friend, my future wife," he said, a blush prettily covering his cheeks. "I've always loved you, and I always will."

"And I will always love you, mon chaton," Marinette said, gazing tenderly into his eyes. "Now and forever."

  __*__*__*__*__

  "I may not know the first thing about this MMA fighting thing, but I'm certain that Ms. Anger was nowhere near as practiced as she claimed to be," huffed Gabriel as he paced in front of an exhausted Nathalie, who was sitting up in bed and patiently suffering through Gabriel's intrusion on her privacy as she worked on updating Adrien's schedule for next week. "Why else would she have lost even with her new suit? We had not just Chat Noir and Ladybug, but a future Ladybug, too, within our grasp! If Ms. Anger had actually made an effort, we could have—"

"Sir," Nathalie cut Gabriel off in a cold voice, "Ms. Anger is just a teenager. Are you even listening to yourself? All you did was change her outfit, not even granting her superhuman strength like you did with Anansi, and expect her to somehow overpower not one, not two, but three superheroes, one of whom has had more years of practice fighting with her Miraculous than even you! You can lour all you want to about the outcome of today's attack, and rightly so, but, Gabriel, you can not place the blame for your defeat on Lili."

"But that's not even the worst part about the attack!" Gabriel exclaimed loudly, pausing to take a sip from the coffee cup he was holding. "For a while, everything went to plan! Tell-Tale hit Marinette, and revealed her true love to the world! Chat Noir found out about it with no time to prepare for the shock... but he wasn't even a little bit hurt! If anything, he was excited! And then, when I had Tell-Tale summon his own future spouse, thinking he would finally show some disappointment, he was only surprised and confused to see Ladybug! And he got over it in a matter of seconds, and became nauseatingly happy, instead! I don't understand why my plan failed to work! I could have akumatized Chat Noir into Chat Blanc and won his and Ladybug's Miraculous by the time Adrien came home from school, but instead, he— he—"

Gabriel gestured aimlessly with his oversized coffee cup. Nathalie took it from his hands before it could spill over the edge and land on the white inner sheets of her bed.

"Of course, Chat Noir wasn't going to be upset after finding out that he's going to marry Ladybug," Nathalie said in a vexed tone. "Any fool could see that he hadn't gotten over her yet. And it turns out that he never will," she observed, looking back down at her tablet. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm a bit busy at the moment. But thank you for sharing your information," she said with a smirk. "It was very valuable."

Gabriel held back a scream of rage as his assistant took a sip of his coffee.