Adrien stuck the pictures Marinette drew on the walls beside his computer screen. He'd taken down the ones of Ladybug, but didn't have the heart to throw them away. So he piled them together and shoved them into the first empty drawer he could find.

"I gotta say," mumbled Plagg, munching away on a cub of cheese, "That girl can really draw."

Adrien took a step back, admiring her artwork and smiled softly. He could picture her drawing them, with her brows creased together in concentration and her fingers flying over the page. He sighed, "Yeah, she's amazing."

"But I still think this is a mistake."

Adrien's blood ran cold and he snapped his head to the kwami, eyes hard. "You don't know what you're talking about. We're in love."

"And Hawk Moth knows that!" snapped Plagg, "You need to at least tell Ladybug about this. As your chosen partner she has a right to know exactly what you'll both be facing in future."

Adrien brushed off Plagg's comments, but they stuck to his mind and tugged on his heart. Plagg never fought with Adrien about anything, but when his identity was compromised the kwami didn't back down. And he was right.

Chat Noir had to reveal himself.

"She won't accept me." he muttered, "Not after she finds out I was the one who broke her heart. She'll think I'm seeing her out of guilt. She won't –,"

"Maybe not, Kid." The kwami flew up to his face and frowned, "But you gotta decide what's more important. You or her."

"Her!" he replied, "Always her." Plagg's expression didn't relax and Adrien dejectedly turned his attention back on the drawings. They all seemed so happy, so beautiful and real. He didn't want to lose that. He didn't want to lose her.

"I just need more time. Hawk Moth hasn't done anything. I can still do this."

Plagg lowered his head and his tiny arms fell to his sides. "It's your choice, Kid. But don't say I didn't warn you."

His bedroom door opened widely and Plagg quickly flew down the neck of the hoodie Marinette made him. Natalie stepped inside and beckoned him forward. "Your father has something urgent to discuss with you Adrien. It's best not to keep him waiting."

"I'm coming." He walked out of the room, not checking if Natalie was behind him and quietly stepped into his father's atelier. Gabriel stood behind his desk, absentmindedly staring at the portrait of his mother.

Adrien cleared his throat and Gabriel's back stiffened. "Father? You called for me?"

"Yes, I did." He turned around and sat behind his desk, urging Adrien to sit down across from him. He complied and Gabriel's eyes hardened considerably when he was seated. "Tell me Adrien, what's your connection with that classmate of yours?"

"Classmate?" he asked, "I don't understand."

"That girl who wants to work for the fashion industry one day," he explained, "I believe your friend Chloe is quite hostile towards her."

Adrien frowned, "You mean Marinette?"

Gabriel nodded, clasping his hands together over the desk between them. "Good. I trust you know about the incident with Chat Blanc on the Eiffel Tower two weeks ago." Adrien nodded wordlessly.

"Good." he muttered, "Her connection with one of Paris's superheroes is alarming and unnerving. I want you to stay away from her for your own protection. No talking and no physical contact. Am I clear?"

Adrien couldn't move. He couldn't understand what his father was doing. "Why?" he croaked, "Chat Blanc isn't a problem anymore. She's safe and Ladybug –,"

"Ladybug wasn't there for her and she certainly won't be there should this happen again." He slammed his fist on the table and pushed his chair back as he stood, a horrid screech echoing through the empty room. "I don't want you becoming a casualty in this feud with Hawk Moth, Adrien."

Gabriel's eyes softened briefly and Adrien felt fire running through his veins. "She's my friend," he replied, "I can't just stop talking to her."

"You can," he said sharply, "And you shall." Gabriel sat back down in his seat and pulled some papers in front of him. "You can either do it your own way or I can pull you out of school to ensure your safety. There is no other way around it."

"But father –,"

"You're dismissed." His voice was sharp, cut and clear. Adrien couldn't argue with him. He stood from the chair and hurried out of the atelier, slamming his father's door behind him on the way out. He ran up to his room, his clenched fists shaking and locked his bedroom door.

Plagg flew out into the air and, taking one long look at Adrien, groaned. "Please no. I don't feel like it today."

"You never feel like it." he muttered.

Plagg sat atop Adrien's head and peered down at him, "But today I especially don't."

Adrien ignored him. "I can't believe my father. How can he ask –demand that of me? How can he tell me to just drop her like that?" He glanced at his bedroom window and walked towards it, reaching out to the glass pane longingly.

"I'm no expert, but I know it's better to start a relationship on something real." mumbled Plagg.

"Chat Noir is real." He replied.

"But he's not the only one in love with her, Kid." Adrien pressed his forehead to the cool glass and groaned. He had to tell her. He had to do it soon. Tomorrow even. It was the right thing to do.

"Fine," he replied, "Just let me have today." Plagg didn't say anything and Adrien called for his transformation. And in a flash of green light he was Chat Noir again.

He knew it was selfish, but if it all went to hell he wanted to treasure the last night forever. This was it.

This was the night Marinette would either accept all of him and the things he'd done to hurt her.

Or the night he'd be forced to walk away for good.

Marinette hadn't expected Chat Noir to show up that night. As much as she loved spending time with him, she needed to study for calculus tomorrow and with Chat being a constant distraction she wasn't likely to remember anything other than the feel of his lips against hers and the soft purrs rumbling from his throat.

Knocks beat persistently against her trapdoor and Marinette reluctantly walked up the steps, leaving Tikki hiding behind her make-shift bookshelf. She opened the latch and peered out into the night, "Chat? I thought –," But it wasn't Chat on her balcony.

A young man dressed in red and blue stood over her with a wicked grin plastered on his narrow face. "Hello, Marinette. I don't believe we've met before." He opened his hand and bowed deeply at the waist, small flames licking his fingertips. "I'm Inferno and I was wondering if you could help me with an errand."

Marinette discreetly reached for the purse around her neck and opened the clasp. She felt as Tikki's weight settled against her thigh and released a heavy breath. She closed her purse, "What kind of errand?"

The akumatised villain smirked and leaned his head down to hers, "Nothing too difficult. I just need to take care of a certain pest."

Marinette moved quickly, ducking back down in her room, but the man was faster. He grabbed her wrist and the increasing heat from his palm made her stop cold. He yanked her up and threw her out onto her balcony, her back slamming into the railing. She hissed out in pain and he took a small step towards her.

"What do you want with me?" she seethed. She raised herself up on shaking arms and he chuckled darkly.

"Isn't it obvious?" he stretched his arms out on either side of him and laughed, "When dealing with pests the more important part is always the bait. And that makes you my errand," his lips twisted into a dark scowl, "Princess."

He raised his palm in the air and flames burst through his glove, licking his palm and fingertips. "Let's get this over with, shall we?" He aimed and the small embers flared angrily as they flew from his hand. Marinette ducked her head and braced for impact, but it never came.

Strong arms wrapped around her waist and yanked her on her feet. Her eyes shot open and she saw Chat Noir standing in front of her. His grip was firm and tight around her as he leapt off her balcony and onto the roof of another.

He ran across the buildings, dodging bursts of fire that shot out from behind them and Marinette peered over his shoulder to see Inferno still chasing after them. "Chat –," He shushed her and launched them down into an alleyway.

Quickly, Chat pulled her close and pressed his lips hungrily against hers, pressing her against the brick wall shrouded in darkness. He stayed like that and after what felt like seconds, Chat Noir extended his baton, lips pursed, and left her in the alley alone.

Tikki opened Marinette's purse from the inside and called out to her, "Marinette! He needs our help. We need to go."

Trying to ignore the tingling in her lips, Marinette cleared the daze from her mind and nodded. She straightened her stance and brushed her hair back from her ear. "Tikki! Spots on!" And in a flash of pink light Tikki had fused with Marinette into Ladybug.

She hooked her yo-yo around the gutter of the roof and pulled herself up, flying from one street to the next until she saw flashes of bright light moving closer and closer towards her. Chat Noir fought well against Inferno, deflecting his attacks and taunting him.

Ladybug took a step forward and smirked down at them, "And here I thought Chat Noir was the only hot-head in Paris."

Both glanced up at her, one in disgust and the other in a silent plea. Chat Noir was tired, slouching over with his chest heaving and his lashes lowered. He was weak, unprepared and yet he'd rushed to save her.

He'd thrown himself in front of an akuma, careless and unprepared. And Hawk Moth would pay for making him feel the need to. That she'd make sure of.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY GUYS!!! Hope you all had a day filled with lots of chocolates and gifts {including the guys ;)} I think this day is one of the best, not because you confess your love, but because you have the opportunity to make someone feel loved!!❤️❤️ My friend's love it!

Please don't forget to vote or comment if you enjoyed this chapter and I'll try to update the next one on Friday. Stay Miraculous guys!!❤️