Marinette woke up with a pounding headache the following day. Groaning, she lifted her black and pink polka-dotted comforter off her body.

When Marinette sat up, she was horrified to discover a massive pool of sweat soaking into the white fitted sheet.

"I'm not even sick," she whispered, confused.

Marinette looked at her flushed knees and felt her pulse everywhere.

Now she remembered.

The dream felt so real—Chat Noir's leather gloves exploring her body, his hot breath whispering her name—her real, civilian name—in her ear, his lips tattooing every inch of her skin...

This was embarrassing. It was worse than embarrassing. There should've been a new word for how embarrassing it was.

Marinette jumped out of bed, bunched the sweat-drenched sheets together, and threw them in her pink laundry basket.

What on earth was wrong with her? This came out of nowhere.

"Marinette," Tikki woke up and noticed her holder's frantic behavior. "Are you ok?"

"Oh, yes, I'm fine, Tikki!" Marinette chimed. "Just thought today was a good day to do the laundry. I've been holding that off forever!"

Marinette's cell phone buzzed. She nearly stumbled over her own feet, trying to grab it from her nightstand. She saw Alya's name on her screen and picked up.

"Hey, girl!" Alya said. "I was just calling to let you know that I'll be at your house in an hour so we can get ready for the party together!"

"Party??" Marinette asked, genuinely confused. She glanced at her calendar decorated with mini Eiffel Towers and gasped. "—Oh! Oh, yes! The party! Of course!"

"Oh no, don't tell me you forgot about Nino's end-of-school-year party," replied Alya.

"How could I forget?" Marinette nervously laughed. "...Ok, fine. I forgot. But to be fair, I had a lot going on yesterday!" That couldn't be further from the truth, but her mind had been busy. Too busy.

"Yes, I know, evening patrol," Alya laughed. "Now get your ass out of bed if you haven't already."

"It's out," Marinette giggled.

"Good. I'll see you in one hour," Alya repeated to ensure her friend heard it.

"Mhm, see you!" Marinette hung up with a heavy sigh. She had only been awake for ten minutes, and so much had happened already.

"Are you sure you're ok?" asked Tikki, flying next to Marinette.

Marinette nodded. "Yes, I just need a shower before Alya gets here!" She rushed into the bathroom and undressed quickly, relieved to get rid of her clammy, sticky pajamas.

The problem began when Marinette stepped into her walk-in shower. Thoughts of Chat Noir danced around in her head—her dream...he was so sweet and gentle with her.

Marinette couldn't believe she was about to do this over one dream, but she was desperate and frustrated. She grabbed the shower head from its holder. Maybe this would help her function throughout the day.

//**\\

Alya arrived late, stumbling through the bakery door with two dresses in her hands. She had made a last minute shopping trip because she saw the dresses online and ditched the outfit she originally planned to wear. Tom told Alya she could wake Marinette up, for they thought she was still asleep.

"She better not have fallen back asleep," Alya muttered to herself as she opened the wooden hatch to Marinette's bedroom.

Alya looked around the room. There was no sign of her best friend, but the shower was running—Classic Marinette, taking a shower at the last minute.

"Oh, Alya, you're here!" Tikki chirped. "Marinette's been in the shower for almost an hour. I'm concerned, but she said she was ok when I asked her a few minutes ago."

Alya's face twisted into a baffled expression. "An hour?" She clicked her tongue. "Girl, I don't know what you're doing in there, but you are wasting hot water!" Alya yelled to Marinette. "I need you to come out and get ready!"

"Hold on, Alya, I'm almost done rinsing my hair!" Marinette called back.

Alya shook her head and sat on Marinette's rolling chair beside her desk. "I wonder if she's having one of those panic showers," she told Tikki.

"Ohhhh," the Kwami smirked. "The ones where she feels like she needs to look absolutely perfect before going somewhere Adrien's going to be?"

"Exactly," Alya snorted.

Marinette finally emerged from the shower with her hair wrapped in a white towel and a pink towel around her body.

"Oh my god, Mari...how hot was that water??" Alya said, observing her friend's flushed appearance.

"Steaming," Marinette nervously laughed. The first half of her shower was interesting, to say the least. She spent more time releasing all that tension from her risqué dream than she thought she would. "I wanted to look my best today."

"We know," Alya rolled her eyes. "I should've seen it coming after I told you Adrien was going to be at Nino's the other day."

Marinette raised an eyebrow. "Oh, that's not...I wasn't..." her cheeks turned pink.

Alya held her hand up. "No need to lie, girl. We know you still have it bad for Buttercup." Before Marinette could respond, Alya stood up and kept talking. "Which is why I bought you a special dress for the occasion."

Marinette's eyes went wide. "Alya, you bought me a dress?! I never consented to that!"

"Good thing it isn't your money, then," Alya smirked, unzipping the garment bag and revealing a casual, bright red mini dress with an open-back bowtie.

Marinette looked at the dress from top to bottom, and she didn't have to move her eyes too much because, holy shit, the dress was short.

"Alya, no, this is crazy," Marinette shook her head. "I'm not wearing that."

"Why not?" Alya questioned. "You're an adult now. Relax, have some fun. You don't always have to be little Miss Modesty."

Marinette glanced at the absurdly short dress. It was gorgeous, she'd have to admit. And she did have black flats that went perfectly with it.

Alya gave her a shit-eating smirk. "I see you eyeing that dress like it's candy. You know you wanna wear it. And look," Alya pulled out her own dress. It was the same cami dress, except it was dark blue. "You won't be the only one wearing something revealing. I'm sure some other girls will wear even more revealing clothes."

"Ugh. Ok, I'll wear it," Marinette gave in. "But only this one time."

"Yes!" Alya grinned. "Can I do your makeup?"

Marinette gave her a lopsided smile. "Yeah, sure."

"So," Alya said as she applied blush to Marinette's cheeks. "This is the fourth day in a row without an Akuma attack."

"Fifth, actually," corrected Marinette. "Shadow Moth was going so hard on us this year until now."

"That's not a good sign," Tikki joined in. "You and Chat Noir better get ready for something big. No more funny business!"

Alya laughed. "What were you guys doing on Patrol yesterday?"

"We were just playing cards and drinking smoothies," Marinette answered.

"Seriously? You guys are that bored?"

"There was literally nothing else to do."

Tikki placed her tiny nubs to her sides. "Yeah, and because of that, Marinette shared her age with him!"

Alya furrowed her eyebrows. "That's not a big deal, Tikki. A lot of people are our age."

"He's the same age as us," Marinette said. "He just graduated high school, too."

"Wouldn't it be funny if he went to the same school as us?" Alya smiled mischievously.

"Nope, I'm not going to think about it!" Marinette stuck up her chin. "I'll never actively try to find out who he is."

Tikki rolled her eyes. "Maybe not intentionally, but they've been so laid back around each other lately."

Alya smiled sheepishly. "I know it's dangerous, but the reporter in me wants to find out who Chat Noir really is behind the mask."

"Alya, come on," Marinette sighed.

"Don't worry. I wouldn't tell you if I knew," Alya winked.

Marinette gave her a grave look. "You better not even try. I'm serious." If Alya discovered who Chat Noir was, Marinette knew she'd also be extremely tempted to know. Anytime her curiosity started to take over, she quickly shut it down.

After all, curiosity killed the cat.

"Alright, subject change," said Alya, spraying Dior all over herself. "Adrien."

Marinette groaned. "Let it go, Alya. I already told you I don't want to focus on boys for a while. All they ever do is get me in trouble."

"But what's life without a little danger?" Alya poked Marinette's shoulder, earning her an annoyed pout.

Marinette crossed her arms. "In case you've forgotten, I put myself at risk almost every day."

"I agree with Marinette, Alya," Tikki said. "There are only so many risks you can take before you go too far. And if Marinette wants to focus on her future, let her do it!" The Kwami smiled.

Alya's face softened. "I know. I'm mostly kidding, but I want you to be happy, Marinette."

"I can be happy without Adrien," Marinette told her. "And he can be happy without me. We're best friends, and that's what matters."

Alya looked at Tikki. "How many times has she done this, now?"

"Too many to count," Tikki replied.

"But this time, I'm serious!" Marinette insisted. "Alya, when's the last time I came to you with a crazy plan to win Adrien over?"

Alya pondered for a moment. "—You have a point." She turned to the Kwami. "She has a point, Tikki."

"Yes, I still love Adrien, but I love him enough to let him go if he ever finds another girl," Marinette played it off like it didn't cause an ache in her chest.

"My bestie has grown up," Alya fake sniffled and wiped invisible tears from her cheeks.

Marinette carefully slid into her dress in case she tripped. "Well...I'm tired of pining after someone who's not mine," she whispered. "You can only hurt so much."

Frowning, Alya placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Marinette, I promise you'll find someone who loves you someday. Love comes unexpectedly. Remember when you trapped Nino and me in that empty exhibit at the zoo all those years ago?"

Marinette laughed. "Yes. I can't believe Nino had a crush on me."

"I don't blame him," Alya winked. "And who didn't have a crush on you in school?"

Marinette looked at her flatly. "Do you really want me to answer that?"

"No! No, of course not," Alya cringed. "I didn't mean it in that way. I meant that there are plenty of fish in the sea, and it won't be too hard for you to find the one. You're a very lovable person, Mari."

Marinette smiled at her friend's effort. "Thanks, Alya, but you're forgetting I'll always have to keep secrets from my future husband. And I don't want to keep secrets from the love of my life. Keeping secrets from all my friends and parents is already painful."

Alya gave Marinette a side hug. "I'm sorry you have to deal with this, girl. I can't imagine being in your position with one of the most powerful miraculous."

"Heh, well, it's a huge responsibility, but I love doing it," Marinette said. Ever since she became Ladybug, her confidence skyrocketed, but it also came with new fears and insecurities. Her love life, for example, was out of control, but she always chose ladybug.

As long as Marinette kept choosing Ladybug, she'd stay on the right track.

Alya drove Marinette to Nino's midsized house. Thick bushes with pink roses surrounded the cream-colored exterior. The green shutters sat wide open as if giving every guest a welcoming hug.

Before Alya could knock, Nino opened the door with a wide grin. "Saw you two pull up. Party's in the back!" He looked Alya up and down. "Lookin' extra hot tonight, babe," he winked.

"Am I not always this hot to you?" Alya questioned, hands on her hips.

"Uh—no! I didn't mean it like that!" Nino sputtered. "I meant, like, your dress—"

"I'm just kidding, babe," Alya laughed, giving him a small peck on the cheek. "I love it when you get all flustered and panicked."

"Is that even a healthy relationship?" Marinette smirked. "The boy's always scared of the girl?"

"Hey, it just means he respects me. Isn't that right, Nino?" Alya crossed her arms with a playful expression.

Nino sighed dreamily. Ab-so-lute-ly. I love a woman who takes charge."

Marinette shook her head as she made her way outside with her friends. Nino had a giant volleyball net placed in the middle of the backyard. A black speaker sat on a table under the gazebo, and people were talking with cans of beer in their hands.

Nino led Alya and Marinette to a giant cooler on the porch. "Would you ladies like a beer?" He asked.

"No, thank you," Marinette smiled tightly. She never got into the party scene like most of her classmates did, partially because she often couldn't attend parties anymore. The homework load, Marinette's part-time job at a flower shoppe, and being Ladybug nearly killed her during the school year. At last, she didn't have to do homework and had more time to look for a summer job.

"I'll have one," Alya answered Nino.

Nino tossed his girlfriend a can. "You know, I don't care what they say about red wine and rosé. I wholeheartedly believe that beer is the most romantic alcoholic drink."

"You have got to be kidding me," Alya chuckled.

Adrien, who just finished using the restroom, came outside. His eyes focused on Marinette. He admired her long hair in a high ponytail and noticed two thin, wavy tendrils hanging on both sides of her face. Adrien's breath caught in his throat. Wow...

He then gazed upon Marinette's little red dress and couldn't stop himself from admiring her toned and slender legs. Adrien wondered what it would feel like to squeeze her thigh either to assure her or just to touch her. She shouldn't show so much skin, he thought. That's driving me crazy.

Adrien immediately shut that thought down. You're practically objectifying her! He scolded himself. She can wear whatever the hell she wants! Adrien rubbed his forehead. I really shouldn't be having these thoughts. Now, I'm just sounding like a creep. She's my friend, and she probably wouldn't feel the same.

Under the gazebo, Nino elbowed Alya, motioning towards Adrien. "Babe, he's totally checking her out!"

Alya whipped her head to the right and gasped when she saw Adrien ogling her best friend. "He's not even trying to hide it!" She squealed. "But he's not moving, and we both know that Marinette will never make a move, so we have to give Adrien a little push."

Nino nodded with a sly grin. "I agree."

Grabbing Nino's hand, Alya walked up to Adrien, who jumped like a kid caught sneaking candy in the middle of the night.

"Hey, Adrien," Alya said suggestively. "Nino and I are going inside to get some more snacks. Mind giving Marinette a water bottle? She told me she's parched."

"Yeah, of course!" Adrien replied, his cheeks flushed red.

"Thanks," Alya winked as she and Nino sauntered into the Longère house.

Adrien took a deep breath before ambling towards Marinette. "Hey," he waved awkwardly.

"Hi, Adrien," Marinette replied with a smile. "You look nice," she blushed, referring to his casual party attire—a grey T-shirt covered by a black blazer, dark jeans, and black tennis shoes. How is this fool not burning up in that?? she wondered.

"Thank you, Marinette," he returned her smile with added affection. "Uh—I, um, came by to ask if you want a water bottle since it's super hot out." Adrien wanted to smack himself in the forehead. That sounded so stupid. Who the hell opens a conversation like that?

"Sure, I'll take one," Marinette said. "Thanks!"

"No need to thank me!" Adrien nearly tripped over his own feet while walking to the coolers.

Marinette giggled. "Be careful!" She called across the freshly cut lawn.

"I'm good," he chuckled, giving her a thumbs up.

"Thank you—again," Marinette took the cold water bottle from Adrien's hand.

"Like I said, no need to thank me," Adrien grinned. "Hey, let's sit down over there," he pointed to the two dark green lawn chairs near the back door. Marinette nodded, and they sat down.

Marinette pressed her legs together, mindful of her short dress. She started to regret saying yes to Alya because Adrien sat only two feet away from her, and who knows what he thought of this dress? She wasn't used to showing her body this much.

Marinette's ladybug suit was skintight, but at least it covered all her skin. The wind could untie the back of her dress at any time! Or her spaghetti straps could slide off! Or—

"So, how's your summer going so far, even though it's only been a week?" laughed Adrien.

"It's alright—a bit uneventful, but that's a good thing for me. My life is so...chaotic and jumbled. I can hardly even walk the right way. But duh, you already knew that." Marinette left out a quiet, frustrated huff. Why couldn't she properly speak to Adrien when they were alone and he asked her about herself? At least she could form her sentences in the correct order now. That had to be some sort of win in her book.

"I'm glad," Adrien smiled, trying not to focus on how soft and smooth her skin looked. She was like an angel. Adrien had never seen perfection of a higher grade in his life—what he'd give to run his hands up and down her legs...and entire body....to give her the love and attention she deserved.

Ok, stop, Adrien censured himself. This was only torture for him, and it wasn't going anywhere. He needed a hobby—anything that kept his mind off her. He used to have distracting feelings with Ladybug, and Plagg teased him to no end, so there was no way Adrien would give his Kwami the ammunition this time.

"Oh! Adrien!" Marinette perked up. "I told my parents that you were interested in an internship at the bakery, and they said they'd be more than happy to have you! You can stop by anytime and talk with them about it."

Adrien's face fell. "Thank you for the offer, Marinette, but I won't be able to take it. My father told me no and set up a bunch of Spanish and cello lessons for me this summer." He rubbed his arm.

Marinette frowned. "Why don't you just tell him no? I'm sure he'll understand after you explain why you'd rather intern at the bakery."

"Oh, I would if he'd let me get to that stage. He's very stubborn and doesn't ever listen to me. So, even if I got to explain, the words would just travel through one ear and out the other," Adrien sighed. "But thanks anyway."

"I'm so sorry, Adrien," Marinette said. "If you ever need someone to listen, I will." Her cheeks went red. "A-and Alya! And Nino!" She quickly added.

Adrien rubbed his neck. "Heh, thanks. You guys are the best friends ever."

"Mhm, you are too!" You're an incredible human being!" Marinette squeaked out. An incredible human being? Did she actually say that out loud? She was so angry at herself. Marinette's mouth had a mind of its own, and evidently, it loved embarrassing her.

Adrien's face lit up. He'd never heard anyone tell him that before. And coming from Marinette, it was a bonus. "Thank you." Adrien wondered if those were the only words he knew how to say around her. He had never felt confident in his skin—always constrained by his father and crazy fans. At least as Chat Noir, he felt a little more free to let loose and be himself.

"Hey, um..." Marinette crossed her ankles. "I could talk to your father if you want me to. A second opinion could change his mind."

Eyes wide, Adrien shook his head. "No! No need to do that! He doesn't take well to guests."

Marinette's eyes softened. "Are you sure? It's ok to ask for help."

"Yeah, I'm positive! You don't need to talk to my father. You know what? You're right. I need to assert myself more. I'll just talk to him about it!" Adrien didn't want Marinette to face his father like she did when they were younger. He still thought about when Marinette convinced his father to let him return to school.

Adrien believed she could change his father's mind about the internship, but he wanted to protect Marinette. The overwhelming need to keep her safe was omnipresent in the back of his mind.

Marinette nodded with a gentle smile. "Ok. I know you can do it. Adrien held in what would be his one hundredth 'thank you' by now and simply returned her smile.

He'd probably wait a few days before telling his father, but for now, Adrien wanted to enjoy the sunlight and spend time with Marinette while he could.

The very idea of Italy made him sick to his stomach.