[Narrator's POV]

Ladybug, Queen Bee, Rena Rouge and Carapace are all waiting for Cat Noir to join their night time patrol. They have been passing the time with heated discussions about comic book superheros.

"If we were the teenage mutant ninja turtles, Rena Rouge would definitely be Raphael, always ready to fight people." Carapace says. "Ladybug would be Leonardo because she's the leader—"

"But Ladybug is intelligent like Donatello." Rena Rouge interrupts.

"Leonardo is the one with the plans, Donatello is more tech-savvy like me." Carapace says.

Rena Rouge scoffs. "No, you'd be Michelangelo the comedic relief."

"What? No, that's Cat Noir!" Carapace argues.

"Well then who am I?" Queen Bee questions.

"April O'Neil." Carapace and Rena both answer.

"And Master Fu is Splinter!" Ladybug says with a laugh.

Rena Rouge turns to Ladybug with her detective face on. "Who is this Master Fu anyway?"

"The great guardian. His fate is intertwined with Ladybug and Cat Noir yadda, yadda, yadda, destined to watch over them and guide them with his wisdom, etcetera, etcetera." Carapace explains. "Only now he has given his miraculous to me, says I'm to be his successor, but I've never actually met the dude."

A sudden thought strikes Carapace. Destiny tied together with Ladybug...He is now aware that Ladybug is Marinette, one of his closest friends. He's always cared for her and watched over her like a sister, maybe that's why Master Fu chose him. But then, why wouldn't he choose Adrien or Alya, surely they would be a better choice...

Rena Rouge laughs. "I'm sorry, what? The great guardian chose you to be an all wise protector."

"Hey, I'm a lot more capable than you think I am!" Carapace says defensively. "Master Fu chose me for a reason."

Rena Rouge smiles and crosses her arms. "What reason?"

Carapace freezes. "W-Well, because...because..."

Carapace trails off, hanging his head timidly. Why did Master Fu choose him...? What is so special about him, Carapace has no idea...

The skirt of Cat Noir's pink dress flows gracefully in the wind as he leaps down onto the rooftop beside Carapace. Queen Bee recoils in distaste as she looks him up and down, while Rena Rouge clamps a hand over her mouth to stop herself from laughing.

"Dude...why are you wearing a dress?" Carapace asks.

"Don't tell me how to live my life!" Cat Noir snaps.

"Woah," Carapace says, holding his hands up. "What's got your tail in a twist?"

Cat Noir sighs. "Sorry, I just came from a fight with my control freak of a dad."

"Understandable." Carapace replies. "Well, I'm totally accepting of all kinds of people but, uh, just so we're clear, I'm completely straight."

Rena Rouge clears her throat. "I'm sorry, are we interrupting your little bromance?"

"Can a dude not just wear a dress without getting accused of being gay?" Cat Noir exclaims.

Ladybug giggles. "I'm so glad you could all make it to our very first patrol as a whole group!" She says happily. "Usually we would split up to cover more areas of the city faster but I thought it would be fun to stick together just this once to get comfortable as a team. Any questions?"

Queen Bee sticks up her hand as if in class. "Uh, yeah, why is Cat Noir wearing that tacky dress?"

Ladybug flinches. I made that dress...

"This cat never backs down from a challenge!" Cat Noir declares, clenching his fist and striking a confident pose.

"But why pink? Personally, I would have gone green. It brings out your eyes." Carapace says.

"Are you sure you two aren't gay for each other?" Rena Rouge mocks.

"Okay screw you guys and your gender stereotypes, maybe I'm just wearing it because I know I look fabulous!" Cat Noir says defensively.

"Don't say things like fabulous and then complain when we call you gay." Queen Bee retorts.

Cat Noir places his hand on his hip sassily. "You're just jealous."

Rena Rouge snorts with laughter. "I wish I had my camera."

Ladybug smirks and flips open her yoyo. "I got this."

"Paw-lease! I'm no stranger to the paparazzi." Cat Noir flicks his hair aside and winks at Ladybug's yoyo camera.

"Strut your stuff, girl!" Rena Rouge laughs as she applauds Cat Noir.

"Is someone calling for a catwalk!" Cat Noir twirls around and strikes a cute pose, holding up a peace sign.

"Honey you look bee-utiful!" Queen Bee praises.

Cat Noir slinks around Queen Bee and the two of them pose for the camera.

"Work it!" Rena Rouge says.

Queen Bee grins and takes Rena Rouge's hand, pulling her along. Cat Noir makes an exaggerated point at swinging his hips as he walks, taking this even more seriously than the girls. Carapace wolf-whistles as he passes. Rena Rouge takes Carapace's googles and pulls funny faces whilst wearing them. Soon they are all sharing a laugh as they strike poses for the camera. Cat Noir is bubbling with fun and energy, he can't believe his father would ever consider taking this life away from him.

"This is definitely going on the Ladyblog." Ladybug giggles, giving Rena Rouge a wink.

Cat Noir struts up to Ladybug. "My Lady you are looking pawsitively stunning, you must come join us."

Cat Noir takes Ladybug's hand and yanks her along with him. The yoyo goes flying from her grip, ending the video. Carapace shifts uncomfortably as Cat Noir spins Ladybug around and dips her. He knows that Ladybug already has a boyfriend, who is also his best friend, and Cat Noir is getting too close for comfort. Rena Rouge and Queen Bee can't help but laugh because Cat Noir is acting all charming as he leads the dance despite wearing a pink dress.

Rena Rouge clears her throat and imitates Cat Noir, bowing before Queen Bee. "May I have this dance, m'lady?"

Queen Bee pretends to swoon as she takes Rena's hand. The two giggle as they spin around. Meanwhile, Cat Noir's lips are getting a tad too close to Ladybug's for Carapace's liking. He clears his throat to interrupt the two.

"May I?" Carapace asks before wisping Ladybug away.

Rena Rouge eyes Carapace sceptically. She spins Queen Bee so that she falls into the arms of Cat Noir, and the two of them start dancing. Rena then narrows her eyes determinedly before subtly spinning into the dance so that she is now partners with Carapace. Ladybug giggles and scoops up her yoyo off the ground to play some music, happy that Rena Rouge and Carapace are bonding.

"Psst, why did you cockblock Ladybug and Cat Noir? I think they were about to kiss!" Rena Rouge whispers crossly.

"No, sorry, Ladybug wouldn't do that." Carapace says protectively. "Cat Noir was making her uncomfortable, I had to rescue her."

"What? Are you an idiot? They're in love!" Rena Rouge replies.

"No they aren't, trust me. You don't know what you're talking about." Carapace argues.

"I don't know what I'm talking about? I think you are just jealous of Cat Noir!" Rena Rouge accuses. "Well, he and Ladybug were partners long before you came along."

"Ew, no. I'm not after Ladybug, she's like a sister to me." Carapace denies.

"She barely knows you!" Rena Rouge says.

Carapace huffs impatiently. "Just stay out of it, Rena, I know her better than you do."

"Why? Because you're her guardian?" Rena Rouge retorts. "Ladybug doesn't need your protection, Carapace. I don't even know why Master Fu needed to make you a supposed guardian."

Carapace pushes apart from Rena. "Well I don't know why Ladybug chose you either!"

Ladybug, Cat Noir and Queen Bee all startle to a stop. Rena Rouge shifts back in surprise as Carapace gets more and more riled up.

"You've literally only known me for like three days and you treat me like I'm some completely incompetent idiot!" Carapace rants. "Well you're just hot-headed and presumptuous and, and I'm sick of being under-minded by you!"

Cat Noir places a gentle hand on Carapace's shoulder. "Okay, okay..."

Carapace huffs and turns away from Rena angrily.

"Let's not let the team fall apart just yet. I really think you should all get to know each other a bit more. Maybe you should organise scheduled patrols to see each other more often, like Cat Noir and I do." Ladybug suggests.

"Sure, I love patrol!" Queen Bee agrees, clapping her hands together excitedly. "So much drama! Being a superhero really is fun!"

"See? Even Queen Bee is playing nice." Ladybug says.

"I think Rena and Shelly are just having a little couple's quarrel, totally natural." Queen Bee says, waving her hand.

"We're not a couple." Rena Rouge denies immediately.

"And don't call me Shelly." Carapace adds irritably.

"I think it suits you." Rena Rouge snickers.

Carapace shoots her a glare.

Queen Bee rolls her eyes. "Oh why don't you two just go elope already?"

"I have a girlfriend!" Carapace snaps.

"Seriously?" Rena Rouge scoffs, looking Carapace up and down.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Carapace asks heatedly.

"Nothing, nothing..." Rena Rouge answers aloofly.

Queen Bee laughs. "You guys really are hilarious!"

"Okay how about just for tonight, we all split up for patrol. I think everyone needs to calm down." Cat Noir speaks up.

"Right. Queen Bee go with Rena Rouge, Carapace with Cat Noir and I'll go on my own." Ladybug orders.

"Works for me." Queen Bee says.

All of the heroes split off into their patrol groupings. Rena Rouge keeps her eyes locked on Carapace until he is well out of sight. She feels kind of...guilty.

"What's up with you?" Queen Bee asks.

Rena Rouge tears her eyes away from the distance to look at her partner standing right beside her. "I guess I'm just a little shocked, I dunno what I'm feeling. I didn't know Carapace had it in him. I must have pushed him over the edge. Now I just feel...bad. All of the stuff he said is true, isn't it?"

"Sure you're a little fiery, but that's exciting." Queen Bee assures her. "Who wants to be a perfect, sweet little girl? That's no fun."

"So being mean is fun...?" Rena Rouge questions.

"It's not mean to have some personality, geez." Queen Bee says, rolling her eyes.

Rena Rouge scoffs a laugh. "You're an interesting character, you know that?"

"Of course I know that, bout time you caught up." Queen Bee answers complacently.

Rena Rouge laughs and shakes her head. Cat Noir sure has a peculiar taste in people, but there is something appealing about Queen Bee's attitude, she admits.

"So do you know Cat Noir as a civilian?" Rena Rouge asks.

"He sure knows me," Queen Bee says with a shrug. "But a lot of people do, I'm sort of a public figure. How about you? Do you know Ladybug?"

As much as that idea excites Rena Rouge, she knows that Ladybug probably got to know her through her LadyBlog, not in person.

"I don't think so. A lot of people know me too," Rena Rouge answers. "Maybe Ladybug and Cat Noir chose that way on purpose so that we couldn't figure out their secret identity."

Queen Bee nods in response, though she can't help her thoughts wondering to Adrien. She knows he couldn't possibly be Cat Noir, so why is her mind dwelling on the idea?

Meanwhile...

"You okay dude?" Cat Noir asks as he and Carapace comb the city.

Carapace heaves a sigh. "Honestly? No..."

"I'm sure Rena Rouge will warm up to you." Cat Noir says comfortingly.

"That's not it..." Carapace replies. "Well, not the only thing at least. I'm not dealing with all these secrets very well."

Cat Noir understands in an instant. He remembers how painfully guilty he felt keeping his identity a secret from Marinette at first.

"It's your girlfriend, isn't it?"

Carapace nods slowly. "At first it was cool being a superhero with a secret identity but then when I started doubting myself, it didn't seem worth it. My girlfriend isn't much of a fan of Carapace...and she isn't the only one. The worst part is that all this tension with Rena Rouge is really getting me down but I can't even seek comfort in my girlfriend, the only one who would make it feel better. I can't tell her anything because it has to be a secret, so I kept it all bottled up until I blew up in Rena's face."

Cat Noir smiles sadly and pats Carapace on the shoulder. "Well, you can always talk to me."

"Thanks, at least I've earned your friendship." Carapace says. "Yelling at Rena Rouge sure isn't gonna help me win hers. Of course the stuff I said was true, she is hot-headed and presumptuous—but honestly, I don't think that's a bad thing. She just has a really strong character."

"Why don't you tell her that?" Cat Noir replies.

"I don't know how I'll get close enough without her biting my head off." Carapace says with a scoff. "Besides, if I'm going to take back my words then she should too."

Cat Noir sighs. "I guess that's fair enough. Maybe I can get Ladybug to talk to her—Oh, speak of the devil. I'll be off now, Carapace. You should go home and rest too."

Carapace watches uneasily as Cat Noir leaps away to chase after a little red bug in the distance.

The patrol has come to an end and Ladybug is swinging her way through the city. She lands on her balcony and stands there for a moment before speaking up.

"Any particular reason you're tailing me, kitty?"

Ladybug turns around to face the Cat dressed in pink perched on her railing.

"Well," Cat Noir says as he slips off the railing and approaches Ladybug. "I believe I came here to prove you wrong, bugaboo. So, to make sure I don't have to wear this dress again," Cat Noir takes Ladybug's hand and bows. "Ladybug, you would make me the luckiest black cat on earth if you would agree to date me."

Ladybug smiles and pulls Cat Noir up by his hand, smashing their lips together.

"Of course, Chatton." She says once they pull away.

"There, we are officially dating." Cat Noir grins and pulls the dress off over his head.

"Aw, I don't know now I agreed to dating the cutie in a dress." Ladybug says.

Cat Noir throws the dress at Ladybug playfully, who laughs in response. Cat Noir smiles but it soon fades after he realises that the night is at an end and he must return home.

"What's wrong kitten?" Ladybug asks softly.

"Would you mind if I came in for a bit? I don't want to go home just yet..." Cat Noir says.

Ladybug smiles softly and beckons for Cat Noir to follow her inside. A beautiful mix of green and pink light illuminates the dark room as the two transform back into their normal selves. Marinette climbs up onto her bed and pats the spot beside her. Adrien's aching heart finally feels at ease as he crawls up beside Marinette. He rests his head in her lap, feeling the need to cuddle, and closes his eyes as she gently runs a hand through his hair.

"You fought with your father, didn't you?" Marinette says.

Adrien doesn't respond, but his silence says it all.

"It must be so hard for you, being in that house alone with him." Marinette continues as she strokes his head.

"I don't want to go back..." Adrien says quietly. "I want to stay here with you."

"I'm so sorry for how sad and lonely you must feel...I hate that you have to feel that. But surely you must feel sorry that your father is in just as much pain. You'll always have a family here with me...but you're all he has left, Adrien." Marinette replies. "I know you're not ready and that's okay. I just want you to be happy."

"You're such a beautiful person, Marinette. I want to make you happy too." Adrien says sadly. "Is it okay for me to want him to hurt? To want him to understand how I feel? Does that disappoint you?"

"No, Adrien, I would never be disappointed in you." Marinette replies softly. "I know that you need time and your father should respect that too. I just don't want the bitterness to consume your heart, you can't hang onto it forever."

"I know, princess..." Adrien says.

Adrien yawns tiredly and snuggles up to Marinette a little more. Marinette smiles down at him. It's like having a cat in her lap, she doesn't want to move. She rests her head back against the wall and closes her eyes.

"Do you remember, before the reveal, when I visited as Cat Noir and you taught me how to cook...?" Adrien says sleepily. "You said I could come here whenever...and, do you remember..you said when..when you took over the family bakery, you would hire me?"

"Of course kitten." Marinette replies with a smile

"And I could stay here forever then?" Adrien asks.

Marinette blushes, her heart growing fuzzy. "Of course...Adrien."

"I would like that...very much..." Adrien hums happily before drifting off.