The Love Swap

Chapter 2 - Ladybug Spotted

Boy, had Chat Noir had the weirdest day, EVER. 

He started in school watching a show with his class the first moment, then in the bathroom scolding his kwami for reckless endangerment of his secret the next. Not only did he discover the lengths Plagg would go for some cheese, but he also learned that Ladybug's kwami was also at his high school! 

He lectured Plagg for a hot second before reporting for akuma duty, of course. He was just lucky no one saw the kwamis for real at school, since they couldn't be captured on camera. Not that it seemed like Plagg cared much about all of it.

But then his day took a turn for the wild. While fighting and defeating kwamibuster, he could have sworn Ladybug was more distracted than usual. And was that a pun or two she threw in? Was she flirting with me? He asked himself more than once. It was quite crazy. 

And as if his day couldn't get anymore off the deep end, he decided to follow Ladybug after they defeating the akuma to talk to her. Except she lead him right to the Dupain Bakery.

Huh. He thought to himself. Since when did she like to get treats after an akuma? Especially without him? He was just about to call out to her when Ladybug detransformed before his eyes. On Marinette's balcony. Into Marinette.

"Ohhhhhhh.... noo.." He gasped. He attempted to cover his eyes and turn away, still knowing that the damage was already done. It didn't matter anyways, Ladybug, no, Marinette was deep in conversation with her kwami, Tikki.

Chat Noir looked around in dismay before leaping away... quietly. He knew his lady's identity now, which he was definitely not supposed to know. It was in the rules somewhere? Not that Chat Noir followed the rules usually. But this one was actually important, Chat Noir thought to himself. What if this ruins everything?

He headed back to his house to hash things out with Plagg.

***

"Ladybug is Marinette!" Was the first thing that came out of Adrian's mouth when he detransformed in his room. Plagg let out an exhausted groan.

"Oh man, what are we going to do now?" Plagg asked dejectedly, heading straight to his cheese stash. Adrian scooped him up before he could get there though.

"Not so fast, your cheese cravings are what got us into this mess in the first place. You're grounded!" Adrain declared. Plagg looked up at him with confusion. 

"It doesn't matter, Adrian. You're going to have to tell Master Fu and give up your miraculous. It's all my fault that you won't get to be Chat Noir anymore." Plagg slumped into his hand. Adrian shook his head at the small creature.

"No Plagg, Marinette doesn't know that I know, so it's still a secret. All I have to do is distract Marinette as Adrian! Then she'll never figure out what I'm hiding as Chat Noir!" Plagg looked up with hope in his eyes.

"Hey, that might actually work! We should eat some cheese to celebrate, huh?" Plagg got up again.

"Haha, not so fast," Adrian warned. "I wasn't kidding about the cheese." Plagg furrowed his brow.

"How do you plan on grounding a kwami that has existed for centuries???" Plagg questioned. "You can't exactly stop me!"

"I plan on you following my punishment, otherwise you'll be sitting in the guardian's box for another century without ANY cheese." Plagg's eyes widened. 

"You wouldn't!" He exclaimed in horror, wizzing around Adrian's head.

"Don't test me," Adrian said with a smile. 

***

The next day was a sunny one. Paris had recovered from the latest akuma, and the all the students at Francois DuPont High were getting ready for class. Adrian had one simple goal for the day- derail any thoughts Marinette might have about chat noir knowing her secret. Unfortunately for him though, he didn't know how to bring that up, exactly.

As Adrian walked into school, he saw Marinette with her friends outside the classroom, laughing about something. He approached with a smile, upon hearing what Alya said.

"Wasn't it amazing how Ladybug and Chat Noir defeat kwamibuster yesterday? Our school is so lucky they always come to our aid!" The group laughed and agreed with her. Adrian stopped next to Marinette and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah, Ladybug was ingenious to defeat the akuma how she did!" He exclaimed. "Right Marinette?" Oh yeah, slick, He thought to himself.

She looked up at him in surprise when his handed landed on her, but didn't flinch away. She even straightened her back when she answered, without stuttering.

"Yeah, Chat Noir and Ladybug worked together seamlessly, even on top of a tower! Super impressive teamwork!" She laughed and Adrian felt himself laughing along. A light blush formed on his cheek as he watched her sweet face. How could he have not seen it before? It was so obvious that Ladybug looked exactly like Marinette. She even compliment Chat. He knew his heart was completely stolen by her.

"Hey Marinette," He looked at her once she was done laughing," Do you want to hang out after school? I'll skip my Chinese lesson just for you." He smiled. He could hear a collective gasp from everyone around him, most noticeably from Alya and Chloe. Marinette's mouth opened but she closed it quickly.

"I'd love to, Adrian," she smiled back at him. He held out his fist and she fist bumped him before he turned to walk into the classroom. He heard the rest of the class crowd Marinette as he left, and he laughed to himself.

Part one of his plan complete, distract Marinette! The more time he spent with her, the more time he would have to understand what she thought of Chat Noir and if she knew anything. The blush didn't seem to leave his cheeks though... 

Gosh, I might have to distract myself from thoughts about her! He thought. Who knew just talking to Marinette would do such a thing to him?

I can't wait for this afternoon...