Spoiler: Author Rants at the End

I set up my phone so I was aiming it in the superhero's direction.

"So, Cat Noir. Before we actually begin talking about you, I think people might want to know how you feel about Cochon, after all. It has just been you and Ladybug for the past few months. Would you say this is a positive thing?" I asked. He crossed one leg over the other, making a triangle with his legs.

"Well, I quite enjoy having Cochon around. She even likes my puns!" He sat back. "But she isn't my bugaboo. And also, with a new hero, that just means more trouble. Ya know?" I nodded. "But I respect the fact that she has so much confidence and independence. Sure, Ladybug is the best, kind, wonderful, but I have a feeling Cochon won't be letting me help her stand up for a while," he put his hands up in a defensive pose. "But I like having her around, don't get me wrong. She's like a little sister, and Ladybug is the older sibling who doesn't put up with anything off topic." He smiled to himself, but that smile quickly faded as I spoke next.

"You realized you just referred to the girl you claim to be 'in love with' as an older sister, right?" I laughed as the realization hit his face.

"I just mean, uh,"

"It's alright, we all know you still care very deeply for our red and black, masked superhero. However, I'd like to point out that you and Cochon have been dealing with a bit of sibling rivalry." It felt so weird to be talking to him, about me!

"Yeah," he began rubbing the back of his neck. "Like I said, she's like a little sister. And it's all in good fun." He flashed a smile towards my phone, and I chose to move on with the interview.

"Great, now we have all the girl stuff out of the way, is there anything you can tell us about Hawk Moth?"

"Wait, you aren't going to ask about my identity?" He smiled at me, faking surprise.

"That isn't the most important thing our fellow Parisians need to know. Do you have any recent updates on who Hawk Moth is, or anything else?" I knew he didn't know much, but I had to ask, just so I could keep it as far-fetched as possible that I could have any knowledge, especially with my coming out as Cochon.

"We don't know much, but the three of us are planning on meeting in," he glanced at the clock behind me, and his face dropped. "five minutes. I'll see ya later, okay?" He ran out and I realized it was 4:24, six minutes before I told them to meet me in the park. I went into the girl's restroom and opened my backpack.

"You finally got your exclusive with Cat Noir as Sam! I'm so happy for you!" He said, flying around my head.

"Thanks! We can talk about it later. Daizz, Pig out!" I transformed and ran out of the bathroom, leaving my outfit in my locker. I ran/hopped to the park and hid in the bushes, letting Cat Noir talk to Ladybug before making my grand entrance.

"I just went to see her. Tell my purr-incess that the deed has been done by her prince." He bowed.

"Silly kitty, Marinette doesn't need a prince," I tripped over a stick and fell at their feet. I stood up, and leaned on one leg. I had to play it off as cool, you know? Let me save some of my dignity.

"So, who was this hot date?" I asked Cat Noir.

"Would it make anybody here jealous if I said it was a date?" He looked to the sky, his arms outspread.

"No, not really." Ladybug said, punching her kitty's arm. I laughed, and a snort came out. I covered my mouth, but the damage was done.

"Did you just-" Cat Noir began.

"Even if she had, you purred when I fell on you," Ladybug looked at the blushing boy. "What could be more embarrassing than that?"

"Y-you purred?" I asked through my hands that were still covering my mouth.

"Shut up. I hate you both. Well," he put his face right next to Ladybug's with a smirk. "I could never be mad at you, Mi'lady."

She used her finger to push him away, and he reacted as if she had done that a million times, which I had no doubt she had. "Silly kitty!"

I put my hands down and pushed both superheroes to the ground so they were sitting. "So, enough flirting."

"Porkchop, I-" I gave Cat Noir my death glance, and it worked. He looked to the ground, ashamed. "Sorry."

"I'll teach you that one later, Ladybug," I glanced to the red figure. "Works every time. Now," a pedestrian walked past us.

"Let's go to a rooftop where we don't have to worry about people." We follow the bug's advice, and landed on a random building. "Good, now. What did you want to talk about?"

We were standing, and I looked to my watch. 4:39. I had more than an hour. "I was wondering if we could rearrange the schedule so you both can get more sleep." Ladybug was about to comment, but her partner put a hand on her shoulder.

"Let the bacon speak. I've been falling asleep in class." He gave me a wink, which I returned with a nod, then I realized he never denied he was on a date with me. That thought brought heat to my face, but I shoved it down. Now was not the time!

"Yeah, but, I also, think that I know who Hawk Moth is."

Their eyes widened and they stepped towards me. "Who?" They said in unison.

Don't act nervous, confidence! "Someone living in the Agreste mansion, either Adrien Agreste or Gabriel Agreste."

"It can't be Adrien," the pair said once more, at the same time.

"First of all, stop doing that, it's weird. Second of all, how do you know?"

They both began their nervous habits. Cat Noir was rubbing the back of his neck, and Ladybug was stretching her arms behind her back. "Well, I-I don't know him personally, but he is too, young?" Ladybug asked, or said, I'm not sure.

"But, we are all teenagers, how do we know he isn't?" I reasoned.

"Do you have any proof?" Cat Noir asked, slowly sitting on the edge of the roof with his legs dangling.

"I followed the white butterfly the other day, and I heard a male's voice speaking to it," I sat myself next to the boy. He was just a centimeter of so taller than me, and his face looked long, sad.

"It would make sense if it was Gabriel, I-saw, the book with all that information on the Miraculous'. Master Fu said that whoever it belonged to, would most likely have the peacock and the butterfly Miraculous. It just makes sense now." She sat next to Cat Noir on his right side, while I was on his left. "What's wrong, kitty?"

He looked angry. "It can't be him! He was akumatized! Into the Collector! Which means-"

"Don't yell at us, we are just trying to help. Besides, he could've faked it if he knew you two were onto him." I pat his back.

"I have a plan, and I need you both to trust me," the cat-inspired hero and I glanced towards Ladybug. "What if we use bait? To lure him out? I'll be waiting wherever you heard the voice coming from. I'll de-evilize the akuma on the spot, then I'll go in and attack. Then-"

"Mi'lady, I don't think that will work," Cat Noir replied, half-heartidly. "I'll go with you, and Cochon, you will be with that person in case of-," my watch interrupted him.

"Five O'Clock." It spoke in Daizzy's voice before performing an oink.

I covered my watch with my hand and waved to my new partners. "Deal! I'll be at whatever school you need me to be!" I launched one end of the lasso to it caught to Marinette's porch railing.

"Francois Dupont. It's a girl in tenth grade, and that's all you need to know, where are you going?"

As I was going through the air, I shouted back to Ladybug, "Home!" I fell onto Marinette's porch, and I realized that was just terrible timing. I zigzagged from building to building until I finally reached the apartment complex. I detransformed in the bushes before running into my room, slamming all the doors shut.

"Daizzy! I got to have an exclusive interview with Cat Noir!" I squealed.

"You realize he never denied it was a date, so he might think that's exactly what it was," I looked at him, and panic rose in my stomach.

"Crap! I forgot the outfit at home!"

"Uh, you mean you forgot it at school?" Daizzy chuckled. His laugh had those cute snorts, and sounded like a child who has inhaled an entire gallon of helium. "Don't worry, you can just get it tomorrow! This way you won't be tempted!" He poked my nose, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Has anyone ever told you have have a contagious smile?" He nodded, and just floated before me.

"Of course! I even get Plagg to smile sometimes, although he is usually never far from his 'sugarcube'."

"Plagg is Cat Noir's kwami, right? Who is Ladybug's?"

"Tikki! She has such a sweet tooth, almost all of the kwamis tease her about it! We all love cheese. This one time, Tikki brought a magical paintbrush to the celebration of NooRoo, Hawk Moth's kwami."

"That's really nice of her. Statue! Shoot!" I jumped off my bed and searched through my boxes.

"Sam! Language!"

"Trust me, what students say in America is much worse." I continued searching the boxes.

"What are you looking for?" Daizzy asked.

"My make-up! Every Friday, when I lived in America, I would stand in the park and pretend to be a statue to raise money for charity. I've been doing it with my friends since I was ten, but I need my make-up!" I heard a grunt come from behind me followed by a small poom.

"This?" I turned around to see the kwami hugging a tin can that was placed on the floor.

"You are amazing! Yes! Now I just have to pick out my clothes. I trust you, would you like to pick?" I gestured towards the box of gray clothes. He smiled, and went right through the box, flying out the top with a gray dress with a small circle connecting it to the straps. It had spaghetti straps with a skirt that reached the floor.

"Here, you go!" He dropped it on my bed, and I picked up the can of make-up and put it on top.

"You have better taste than I do. Maybe you should pick out my clothes from now on," I winked at the small creature.

"I am known for my fashion sense, so I think that might be best." Daizzy flew around me several times before settling in front of my face. "However, your clothing is your way of expressing yourself! It wouldn't be the same if I picked it out for you, because it wouldn't be you!"

"Well, all the clothes I own are of my own personality. Except for the statue outfits, those are for other people," I noticed the confusion on my roommate's face, and continued. "Well, you chose the dress for a goddess. That means I will be standing for two hours tomorrow in the park as that goddess would, wearing what she would." I explained it to the very confused Daizzy until he finally caught on.

We were just sharing stories when I heard the door to the apartment open. "Daizzy!" He nodded and flew into one of the open boxes.

"Salmon? You home?" She always called me "Salmon". Samantha, Saman, Salmon.

"Yeah, Mom! I'm in my room!"

"Have you eaten dinner?"

"Yeah," I lied. "I went for a hot dog with my friends!" I pulled out my phone and post the video of Cat Noir on my blog, and I went to the group chat with Nathaniel, Marc, Marinette, Luka, Alya, Nino, and Adrien.

SamCam: I got an exclusive with Cat Noir!

Model Boy: Congrats!

Ladyblog: And you didn't ask him if he knew who ladybug is

Ladyblog: girl, im jelous

Mari: so you liked ur visiter

SamCam: u set it up?

Mari: guilty

SamCam: i

SamCam: freaking

SamCam: love

Sketchmeister: just say it already

SamCam: u!

SoulSeer: Doesn't everyone? I know I do.

SoulSeer: Did I send that 😶

"Woah, Daizzy! Come here!" He came floating, and sat on my shoulder, watching as the messages flooded in.

Mari: uh

Model Boy: shes an amazing friend

Sketchmeister: i dont think thats wat he meant 😞

Ladyblog: girl u got an admirer

ComicMarc: y did u put me here

Dude: adren, i think he meant more than a friend

SamCam: luka, can't u deelet the message

SoulSeer: I can't.

Ladyblog: the damage has been don

Model Boy: does everyone not love mari?

Mari:

Mari:

Mari has left the chat...

SamCam: sooooo....

Model Boy: y is everyone freaking out

Dude: dude u r the most idiotic guy i have ever met

SamCam: just think about it

Model Boy:

Model Boy: ohhhhhhh! XD

ComicMarc: srsly can i go

SamCam: just delete the chat from ur phone

ComicMarc: thx sam

ComicMarc has left the chat...

SamCam: so, who still is her

Dude: nino

Model Boy: adrien

SoulSeer: Luka

Sketchmeister: Nathaniel i s here

Ladyblog: girl i would never leave such an amusing chat

"Wow, Alya is amazing! I wish I could meet her. Her kwami, Tr-" He paused.

"Wait, does she have a kwami?" Daizzy backed up, hands, well, arm things, covering his mouth. "Daizzy," I said in the slow way parents call their children when they are in trouble. It hit me, and Daizzy looked terrified. "She's Rena Rouge?" Daizzy faked a smile and shrugged.

"Maybe?" His voice had gone up at least two octaves, if that was even possible.

"One of my friends, is a superhero. And you just exposed her identity!" I whispered to my kwami. "Would you rat me out?" He looked near tears, and my phone buzzed.

Ladyblog: omg! Ladybug just came to my hom abd did something to my dress!

SamCam: that is what cat noir did

Mari has rejoined the chat...

Mari: what have i missed

Ladyblog: girl ladybug just showed up to my hous

Dude: Does anyone else feel like this has turned into a chat for the ladies

SamCam: shut up, you know you always were wondering what we think about ;)

Dude: so not true

SamCam: well, it can be hard for us gals to know what ur all thinking

Ladyblog: oooh! Nino, shes coming for u

Mari: alya!

Model Boy: imm lost

SoulSeer: Can't we just be civilized?

I looked to Daizzy who's back was turned to me. "Daizz, I'm sorry. I was just teasing you, it's a thing humans do." Man, I felt guilty.

"I know, but you were right. I'm putting you at risk. I'm sorry, I'll just-" his body began floating towards the window, and I used as strict a tone I could use with my mother in the room next to me.

"Don't you dare leave!" He continued trying to float out the window, but ran into a pink barrier. "What happened?" Daizzy turned back to me with surprise and ran to my shoulder, where he perched up.

"You just used the powers you are given as my master. You just gave me an order, and under no circumstances am I ever permitted to disobey your orders."

"But why are you so happy?" It confused me, I was giving him no freedom, yet he was smiling.

"Because you have rules, and you expect very little. And even though you knew I could be your downfall, you wouldn't let me leave, you wouldn't give up on me." He hugged my neck with his small arms, and I just stared at my phone.

"You are so cheesy."

Sketchmeister: i dont know, i kinda want to see wat haoppens

SamCam: calm down boys and girls, im not going to do whatever u think im going to do to nino

Dude: i think they all though u were just going to ask us wat we actually think

SoulSeer: Why cant we tell them?

Model Boy: we just talk about random stuff

SamCam: srsly? Stop

SamCam: i dont actually want to know

Ladyblog: ur no fun girl

SamCam has added ComicMarc to the chat...

ComicMarc: Why am I here again?

SamCam: I added u

SamCam: i was wondering if anyone wanted to go to the park afterschool w/ me and stand like a statue-

"Don't ask, it's weird," Daizzy commented.

"Yeah, you're right. I don't even know how to word it. 'Hey, do you all want to put on some gray clothes and hard make-up for two hours with me so we can raise some money for someone else?' Yeah, and this way, if they see me, they'll be surprised." I deleted the message I had typed out, and just replaced it with something new.

SamCam: I was wondering if u guys would be up for carpooling to the dance?

SamCam: camping somewher and walking to the school as a group

Ladyblog: asking my mom

Mari: mom and dad said I can

Model Boy: havent asked, but i know dad will say no

SoulSeer: Juleka and I are in.

Ladyblog: i can go

Dude: im game

Sketchmeister: sure

ComicMarc: public events aren't really my thing, not even sure if im going to the dance

SamCam: come on! Nathaniel will be there, and so with mari. We are ur friends, u should come

Mari: yeah, come! U can bring whoever u want!

Sketchmeister: it wont be fun if u dont come

SoulSeer: What if we camped near Andres Ice Cream cart?

Mari: thats a great idea

We all continued a conversation, and we began talking about what we would bring. Alya asked Marinette multiple times, but instead was told not to look at her outfit.

"Do they know it is still almost two months away?" Daizzy asked from my shoulder. I noticed the time, it was seven.

"I have to do my homework!" I leapt off my bed to the wood floor, still completely packed with boxes. I pulled out what I needed to do my homework and finished it in just a half hour. I walked out of my bedroom to find my mother asleep on the couch. I was bored, so I did what every normal teenager in Paris would do, I turned into my superhero alter ego to go meet Cat Noir and Ladybug. I locked my bedroom door and hopped out my window.

Unsure of where to go, I just went to the school to get my outfit. I entered through the stadium and simply opened the doors. Do they not lock the doors? I grabbed the bag and as I was about to head home, I saw a black figure sitting on a rooftop. have jumped up next to the figure, sitting next to him.

"Hey, Porkchop," he greeted me without glancing my way. I elbowed him in return

"I saw your interview with that one girl. Was she your not date?" I rose one eyebrow.

"No, I didn't have any date. Marinette asked me to do something, so I did," he commented.

"I like our sibling rivalry. Keeps things interesting," I smiled at the boy who was about my height, perhaps a few centimeters taller. "What's bugging you?" I looked straight ahead, just like he was.

"Do you ever wish someone you cared for cared about you just as much?" He asked curiously.

"You're talking about Ladybug? She sees you as a partner, a friend."

"What if I don't just want to be friends?" He looked sad, disappointed.

"You can't blame her for the way she feels, much like you, she has no control over her emotions towards another person," I rest a hand on his shoulder, grabbing his attention. "She can only control how she appears to feel. You wouldn't want her to fake her emotions, right?"

"No, I'm just tired of feeling like nobody loves me." He put his face in his hands.

"I'm sure she does love you, perhaps even as much as you love her," his ears twitched. "It just might not be in the same way, or even in the way you want her to."

"You give good advice, Porkchop. That made me feel better, thanks." He sat back, leaning on his hands. He changed his mind and chose instead to lay on his back, hand under his head, legs still dangling. "Is there anything you want to talk about?"

"Me? Not really, I mean, I have to find a charity for something I'm doing tomorrow, but-" I leaned on my arms, my legs criss-crossed.

"What about the Senior Centre? They could always use more, or a homeless shelter? Animals?"

"Slow down, black cat. How about, in honor of the animals, I'll donate to an animal shelter?"

"Will you get me a cat?" He asked, his eyes glued to the sky.

"Will you give me money?" We laughed, and he sat upright.

"Well played, pork,"

"Indeed, alley."

"Alley? Oh!" A smile spread across his face. "For, yeah. No, I think I like 'Black Cat' more, it sounds strong!" He flexed his muscles and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"Do you do that every time you are in front a lassie?"

"Of course, how else will they fall for me?" He gave a flirtatious smile that I just pushed away.

"Girls need to fall to get up and gain strength. So tell Ladybug to stop letting you fall for her, because she catches you without even realizing. Did you see that video of you and Ladybug after you defeated Oblivio?" His cheeks turned red, and he gave me the side eye.

"How could I not even remember that? The one time, and nobody actually involved remembers!" He let himself fall backwards onto the roof, which I could only assume hurt, judging by the groan. "Don't do that, and you'll be fine," he said with a strained voice.

"And learn from your mistake? That would make only too much sense!" I let myself fall, and I hit a nerve in my back. "Woah! Ho, ho!"

"Told ya! You still glad you did it?" He looked at me and smiled. I valued his friendship, and I would do what I could to make Ladybug see who he is.

"Of course, never been happier!" I winced from the pain, and I could hear a chuckle from beside me.

"Alright, whatever you say, lassie."

We both stared at the stars that were overhead until my watch beeped. "It is eight thirty, Cochon! Go home!" Daizzy's voice called from said watch.

That got me a point and a comment from Cat Noir. "So, that's Daizzy I'm assuming?"

I stood up and launched my lasso into the air, catching on Alya's porch railing. "Of course, who else? I look forward to having some chit-cat tomorrow! See ya!" I waved to him as I landed gracefully on my face. In my defense, Alya was standing there, which just spooked me.

"Hey, you're Cochon, right?" I looked to the girl who helped me up. Rena Rouge.

"Yep! The one and-" She dragged me into a chair and sat across me, her face taken over by a large smile, and determination.

"Do you know who Ladybug is?"

"No, and even if I did, that isn't my secret to tell. I really should," I tried standing up to walk away, but she used her crazy strength to push me back down. "Nevermind! I can stay for a bit!" I smiled, waving at the phone she had aimed in my face.

"You are in my grade, right?" I waved my hand in front of me.

"I'm sorry, I can't disclose any personal information to the public," I put a hand on my chest. "We do this for the safety of our friends and families." I spoke with my hands when I explained things. "If Hawk Moth were watching and I let anything slip about who I, or any of my team members, including Ladybug, Cat Noir, Rena Rouge, or Carapace, may be, he could come for the people that matter to us."

She gave me a blank stare, then turned her phone off, giving me a large hug. "Girl, you are a saint with words! Ladybug would be-"

"Hey, Alya!" Her attention was taken by Ladybug, who was swinging in on her yoyo.

"Hey, Ladybug! What are you doing here?" Alya remarked, an arm on my shoulder.

"I have to steal Cochon from you, I'm sorry!" Ladybug dragged me by my arm out of the house and held me by my waist, taking me to the road via yoyo.

"Thanks! But I was fine, I had a lasso," I smiled.

"No, Alya is a bit obsessed with me, and most likely would've held you hostage until you released something cool about us." We weren't talking as rivals, but as old friends.

"It is eight fourty-five. Get home, now! I won't tell you again!" I smiled at the girl, and said my "farewells." I landed in my room, and went back to Samantha.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" He asked.

"What-how did you do that with the watch?" He just laughed quietly and went to the bed I had made him with a miniature jewelry box with the small drawers that you can easily draw out and push in. I put a ripped piece of fabric on the bottom just so it would be more comfortable with a pillow of paper, and a small piece of thick fabric for a blanket.

"Good-night, Sam!" He crawled into the bottom drawer and I could hear his faint snoring within a few minutes. I got ready for sleep myself, and thinking of the dance began the countdown.

41 Days

Date of Dance: April 20, 2019 (Saturday)

Note from the Author:

Alright, so the next part will actually have some fun stuff. So far, I don't plan on having Sam ask anyone, but let me know if you don't agree with that decision.

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