He called the transformation and made his way into his room.

New training partner? Now that took the biscuit!

He'd spent an evening trying to romance her, and what does she do? Run off into the night with another man, another man who she wanted to give his Miraculous to.

Adrien scoffed as he walked over to his computer, turning it on, like Plagg was going to let that happ-

Wait!

Wait a darn minute!

Plagg!

His jacket!

Plagg was in his jacket!

No way!

No stinking way!

She really thought she was clever!

Adrien sat back in his computer chair and looked at the screen before pulling up the Ladyblog. If she thought she was going to trick him, well she was wrong. He was the ultimate prankster! The wax museum confirmed that. He inwardly cringed, best not to think about that, it really was really not one of his best.

And by the looks of things she had got Alya in on it too. He knew Alya knew Marinette was Ladybug, but did she know his alter ego too? He hoped Marinette wouldn't do that to him, after everything they'd been through this past year, wouldn't she at least have the decency to keep his identity on the down low.

His computer finally loaded up, and he made his way to the Ladyblog, looking at any live sightings of Marinette/Ladybug around Paris. He knew Alya was out as Rena so perhaps it was just wishful thinking on his behalf, after all, nobody would be about to catch photos.

Checking the clock, he saw there was only ten minutes until he needed to go and meet his new partner. He didn't need a new partner. He was an original, the black cat to work with the red bug, a chosen one, the yin to the yang, ya'll. Not some stinking snake that he couldn't even use properly, because he messed up repeatedly as Aspik.

Frigging Aspik! Why would she think he wanted to relive some of the worst months of his life? Did she not know him at all? This was just mean. An alert from the computer pulled his attention from his internal rambling and to the screen, and there she was ... in her full red and black spotted glory, Ladybug running over rooftops with a new black cat.

Plagg was a traitor! He could kiss goodbye to the camembert, it was cheese strings all the way from here. Aldi special cheese strings.

Huffing to himself he stood up and made his way to the window. He was half tempted to not go, but he could use a good rant! Whoever was his new 'training partner' was about to get a right earful about their so-called leader, secret identities or not, he couldn't give. A badger's bottom at the moment.

With hop, skip and a jump he landed on the roof of the school, still mumbling about Marinette and her traitorous ways. He would get his own back. There was no way he was letting her get out of this without a few select words from himself.

Aspik noticed a figure on the edge of the school roof and made his way towards them, not really paying attention to who or what it could be. Slumping down he sat on the edge and swung his legs over the side, a big sigh followed and he heard a chuckle from his 'partner' sitting next to him.

"That was a big sigh," the soft voice said. He hadn't even got the energy or will power to be polite and look at her.

"I don't want to be here." He responded, causing his counterpart to giggle again.

"Yet here you are."

"Don't remind me," he groaned, "you see, the bug tells me to jump and I just ask how hi-" finally he looked at his partner and stalled in his words. She had totally played him and he could see the sparkle of mischief in her eyes that she'd won this round.

He raised an eyebrow as he studied the grey and pink beauty sitting next to him, complete with adorable space buns and pink ribbons. Game and set to Marinette Dupain-Cheng, or should he say Multimouse.

"Have you seen the new black cat? He seems to be doing well, I wonder who it is?" Multimouse batted her eyelashes at him, her lips turning up into a cute smile.

"I prefer Chat Noir." Aspik said, glumly as he placed his elbows on his knees and his hands cupping his chin.

"Really? I don't see it myself. The guy tries too hard when he really doesn't need to." Aspik looked at Multimouse to see her nose all scrunched up.

"And what is that meant to mean?" He wasn't going to get angry but she was pushing it. Firstly with giving him the snake, and now with this ... why did he accept it? Why does he continue to do what she wants him to? He should be over this by now! They ... are ... equal. He took a deep breath and let it out, turning his head to face her.

"He tries too hard," she shrugged.

"Perhaps he tries hard because he cares?" His voice came out a lot harsher than he intended it too, this whole conversation was weird, he knew they both knew who the other was yet here they were, talking in third person.

"Oh, he definitely cares, but he doesn't need to try as hard as he does. He makes everything a lot more complicated than it needs to be, and ends up getting flustered."

"Just wait a damn minute, how can you -" His words were interrupted by Multimouse continuing her speech.

"He's impulsive, reckless, annoying, controversial, and wonderful -"

"How dare you say ... what?"

Multimouse let out a chuckle and began swinging her legs over the edge of the building.

"He's wonderful. He's funny and smart, sweet and caring, generous, and all round a great guy. He does not need to try as hard as he does, he's already perfect to me."

Apsik looked at Multimouse, Multimouse grinned at Apsik, and he knew then the match was over.

"He's a bit of a dumbass though." She said.

"I thought we were making up here, and you come out with something like that. What's wrong with me now?" He was exasperated.

"Kitty, you forgot that for anyone else to be the black cat they need a certain something I'm quite sure is still around your finger."

He could have face palmed himself off the building. He really could be an idiot sometimes, as they said booksmarts don't always transfer into everyday life.

"Rena?"

She nodded, a smirk still plastered on her face.

"You scared me for a minute, Marinette, I really thought I was being replaced." Adrien whispered out.

"No one could ever replace you. You're too amazing. Though I think Chat needs to make it up to Fredrick."

"Don't worry, it's already been done. He has a thousand euro tab at the restaurant to use at his own leisure."

"Thank you." She replied.

"But now, I think you need to make it up to me for this dirty prank."

"Yeah, well, I've got a swollen, black eye, so lets call it even."

Adrien cringed.

"I am so sorry, honestly, I just wanted the night to be perfect. I found out you were you, then Nino told me that you liked me and I should ask you out, I couldn't believe it when you said yes and then it all went horribly wrong."

Marinette laughed and took his hand in hers.

"It didn't go horribly wrong, for sure it wasn't the best, but I'm up for a redo if you are."

"I don't know, Bug, I find it quite mean what you've just done to me."

"Adrien, if you're going to be serious when you say things like that, you need to do it without a huge grin on your face."

He brought his hand up to his mouth, trying to hide his smile. She wanted another date, she was flirtingwith him, she called him wonderful, how could he deny the girl?

"I want to kiss you so badly," Adrien whispered as his forehead moved to touch Marinette's.

She sighed, a small smile gracing her lips. She lifted her hand and stroked down his face, following down his neck and placing her palm to his chest before pushing him back away from her.

"To be honest, Adrien, I would prefer it if you didn't."

"You don't want me to kiss you?" His eyes sprung open wider than he thought they could. At this moment he was surprised his eyeballs were still connected to the sockets. He was beyond confused with her. She wouldn't play with him like that would she?

"Oh I definitely want to kiss you, I'd just prefer you didn't do it badly." Her smile grew and he let out an exasperated breath.

"Har-har! Look who's the everyday comedian."

She let out a sweet soft giggle and he couldn't help wrapping her into his arms.

"Three words; Grecian Wax Museum."

He shivered, remembering causing her to laugh and brighten up the night sky. His heart truly couldn't take much more of her without growing out of his chest. The way she made him feel, even when she was mad at him, or grumpy, was still a feeling he never wanted to lose.

"I'm so sorry the date was rubbish. Please let me try again."

She snuggled her head into his chest, allowing him to settle himself between her space buns.

"I was on a date with you, that was perfect in itself. You have no idea how long I've dreamed about just that, kitty, but maybe next time we can do something simpler."

"Maybe a movie? Or Bowling? Or Kissing?" He wiggled his eyebrows at her and moved closer.

"Exactly that," she leaned forward and kissed him gently on the lips, before pulling back and covering her mouth. Her eyes were wide open and she was staring at him in complete shock.

"That bad?" Adrien grimaced and reached up to rub the back of his neck.

"I kissed Adrien Agreste. I mean - I mean - wow! I actually kissed him."

Adrien watched her face turn pink, feeling his own heat up in response. Taking a deep breath he pulled together his Chat Noir confidence and moved toward her.

"And you're about to do it again."

Marinette smiled, closing her eyes and meeting his lips with her own. Their first date might have been a little unconventional and erratic, but Adrien was thrilled to know that there were many more to come.

~~~~~~~~~

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Until next time, Bug Out!