The two broke out of their hug.
"Cat," said Marinette. "You sound a lot like my friend, Adrien Agreste."
Cat Noir felt a drop of nervous sweat creep over his cheek. "Adrien Agreste? Isn't he Gabriel's son? Would he know that his father was Shadow Moth?"
Marinette said, "He would've told me, I hope. I think we're dating, but I have no idea. I mean, we did kiss-"
"Hold up!" Cat Noir recalled, "Is Adrien. . .Buttercup?!"
Marinette snorted. "Haha, I remember that. Yeah, he is."
Cat Noir smiled. "You must really love this boy, Marinette."
Marinette smirked. "Can you please not think that I'm a stalker after I trust you with this very, very, very embarrassing secret?"
Cat Noir snickered. "I might make fun of you for it, but sure."
"I know his schedule for the next three years." Marinette winced at Cat Noir's reaction.
"You do? Really?" asked Cat Noir. "How do I get Ladybug's? Can you get it for me?"
Cat Noir was inwardly screeching. Marinette knew his schedule for the next. Three. Years. And he thought she was just a friend.
"Maybe!" laughed Marinette. "I have the best time with you, Cat Noir."
"Me too," said Cat Noir. "It's nice to know I'm not the only one obsessed with somebody special."
Cat Noir whisked away on his stick.
As soon as he transformed into Adrien Agreste, he smiled to himself.
"Marinette. . .of course. No wonder she always knew where to find me. She's incredible. She's just miraculous."
Plagg told Adrien, "I thought you liked Ladybug."
"I do, Plagg, but that's not gonna happen. Might as well settle for Marinette. I should tell her as Adrien that Father was Shadow Moth. Then I need to confront Gabriel."
So that day, as soon as lunch started and Adrien had found Marinette. . .
"Marinette, I have to tell you something. It's important," said Adrien.
Marinette asked, "Is this about your dad? I had a talk with Cat Noir last night and he told me that your dad was. . ."
Marinette's voice fell to a whisper. "Shadow Moth."
"Yep, he's got it right, I believe. I'm going to talk with him today, and ask why." Adrien took a bite of his sandwich.
Marinette said, "Wow."
Adrien heard a car honk. "That's my bodyguard. I'm going to talk to my father."
Marinette grabbed his arm. "Wait!"
She gave him a peck.
"Be careful. Shadow Moth is a danger to everyone, Adrien. I don't want to have to see you as a villain."
"I know, Marinette. I'll be okay. I promise."
