There were times Marinette was sure she would look back and wonder what the hell was wrong with her.

The first regret would come in the form of why she didn't demand that she and Chat Noir reveal their identities before going to university.

The next would be not asking where he was attending university. Even if they hadn't revealed, she could have followed him. There were many amazing design schools in London, and, to be honest, it couldn't have gone any worse than her short stint in New York.

And finally, she would regret not telling Chat Noir and Adrien exactly what they meant to her. Yes, this was complicated and yes, she was struggling not to feel like she was cheating on one with the other. But they were the same, amazing person, and they deserved to be loved. They deserved her love... She just wasn't sure she deserved theirs.

If she was struggling with this, she should really think about how they were feeling at the moment.

Her mind had been spinning after catching their conversation, the reminiscing, the hurt... It was a lot, and like the bumpy patches in their pre-relationship partnership, she had caused this. She needed to correct it, to finally let them – him – know she loved him. Because she did. In flannel shirts or a leather super suit, it was the man who wore them who had her heart, and she wanted both of them—as one person, or two.

So, she'd crept into Adrien's room silently the previous night, climbing under his covers and cuddling up to his warm, hard body, placing her hand over his heart. He loved her and she loved him.

'Always and forever.'

Their connection ignited again with an intense fervour, and as her feather-light kisses on his shoulder transformed into a fiery dance of passion, leaving them both breathless and fulfilled once again, she knew this was where she belonged—who she belonged with.

When they made it back to her apartment in Paris, Adrien said a quick goodbye and left for his own place. She didn't know whether she was relieved or disappointed that he hadn't asked her back with him. But she knew he had a lot of work to do before the meeting with Mary and his father in the morning. The first step in their plan – hopefully to both freedom and restoration.

And now she was in her apartment, with him. How could she be yearning for the guy who's not there when he was right there. She wanted to go back to the night before. To be snuggled in Adrien's arms with the rest of the world shut out. Just them.

"Can we talk?" Chat Noir asked, sitting on the sofa and patting the space beside him.

"Of course." She nodded, walking her way over to the sofa and sitting down. "What's on your mind, Kitty?"

"I was just..." He trailed off, looking out of the window and puffing out his cheeks.

Reaching out, Marinette took his hand in hers, pulling it to her and stroking a thumb over his gloved hand. "It's okay. Take your time."

His other hand came to meet hers. His touch, once a source of solace, now carried the weight of unspoken pain. Fingers that once danced in harmony now brushed against hers like a fading melody. In the subtle tremors of their connection, echoes of a love slipping away whispered of heartache, leaving a bittersweet feeling in the spaces between their entwined hands.

She watched his fingers caress her own, before moving up to the vibrant green of his eyes. They felt like a familiar refuge, a sanctuary calling her to a place where words were unnecessary. She knew what he wanted to say. She could feel it in every rotation of his thumb. As she continued to look into his eyes, she found the unspoken language of connection, a home within the depths of his soul.

Before she knew it, her lips were on his. She was kissing him and kissing him. Passion, love and confusion tangled in a web. Each touch carried a dual essence, the love she poured into Chat Noir's embrace mingling effortlessly with the remnants of the morning's affection for Adrien. Lost in the complexity of her emotions, she found herself falling even more for the both of them, only adding to the web of feeling that defied easy categorisation. She couldn't help but wonder if Adrien could feel this too. That her desire for Chat Noir would radiate through to Adrien as well.

With closed eyes, she moved back, an attempt at seeking clarity in the darkness of her thoughts. Unsure of the path ahead, she pondered the delicate balance between her heart's desires and the reality she faced, knowing now – more than ever – that her plan needed to work.

"I - um –" She stood up, stumbling on weakened legs. "I need to go unpack, then get ready for bed. Big day tomorrow and all that."

She could almost feel the hurt coming from him. The pain of having her once again pulling away from him.

"That's fine, I'll just..." He reached behind him, grabbing the blanket from where it lay on the back of the sofa.

"I was –" She stepped forward and stopped him from making the sofa his bed for the night. She needed to take this step, and for him to understand she was there for him – that she was going to fix it.

"I was wondering if you wanted to sleep in my bed tonight...with me." Her hands joined in front of her body, fingers threading through the other as the anxiety built. This shouldn't be this hard, yet the pounding in her chest was a constant reminder that 'yes' it was.

"Sleep with you?" he questioned, one eyebrow rising.

She nodded. Chat Noir quickly stood up and placed his hands on her waist, and before she had a chance to ask him if that was okay, he was kissing her. He was kissing her like she was the finest delicacy he'd ever tasted.

They stumbled down the hall, lips only parting in a quick need to breathe, before they stumbled into her bedroom. She kicked the door behind them, enclosing them in their time together – the time she had to tell him just how much she cared.

And by the time she was falling asleep she was almost certain that if they didn't ever reform she would be quite happy living with both of them – she'd just have to make a schedule.

*****

Early the next morning, Marinette straightened her dress in the mirror. This was it. Judgement day.

As she twisted side to side, her anxiety built. There was so much riding on this part of the plan. If it didn't go well, she could end up confirming Lila's suspicions and completely outing Adrien, or cause a war she wasn't certain they could win. Worst of all, she was on her own. Chat Noir wouldn't be there whispering in her ear. This was just her. Even Adrien couldn't step in on this one.

"What's up, Lovebug?"

She looked from the mirror to where Chat Noir was resting against the doorframe, a mug of coffee in his hands and looking as cool and calm as ever. How the hell did he do it?

"What if this doesn't work?" She grabbed one of the pins out of her hair and repositioned it, before taking it out again and putting it back where it was before.

Sighing, Chat Noir walked to her dressing table and set his mug down. He took the grip from her hair, before repositioning it and grabbing her upper arms. "I've always told you, you're exceptional. Even without the mask, it's still you. It's this girl I fell in love with, not a fancy dress costume. You've got this, Marinette. I'll be outside waiting and Adrien will be with you. There's nothing to worry about. We've got your back."

Pulling out of his grasp, she flung her arms around his neck, pulling him to her body and settling herself in his clam and familiar warmth. His purr radiating through him and calming her down, a purr which had done just the job of making her forget the previous night.

"Thank you," she whispered, rubbing her head against his chest, only to be thrown backwards.

"Your hair!"

She started to laugh, Chat Noir messing around with the hair grip and putting it back in. He spun her around to face the mirror, his chin resting on her shoulder as they both looked into the mirror. "You've got this, Bugaboo. You never give up without a fight."

Taking a deep breath, Marinette turned around and marched to her handbag, grabbing it, along with her cardigan, and throwing it over her arm. She kept up the façade as she made her way into the kitchen and grabbed the travel mug that Chat Noir had prepared for her. This was it! She could do it!

With one last look at her partner, she smiled. He looked as though she could defeat anything, a look of pride and reassurance. Thank you she mouthed, watching as he crawled his way out the window and up onto the rooftops of Paris.

Okay! Here goes nothing!

Opening the door, she checked her bag for Tikki before heading to the stairwell. She wasn't taking any risks today. The elevator could trap her in, or malfunction, or even be sabotaged. It was stairs or nothing.

It didn't take her long to reach the street where the office was, Adrien pulling up at the curb in his Aston Martin just as she had the entrance in her sights. She stopped, watching him get out of the vehicle like the ex-model he was. He was dressed in a gorgeous off-white suit, his black shirt pristine underneath with one too many buttons open, revealing his perfect, tanned clavicle. He was wearing aviator sunglasses and she could have quite easily melted on the spot.

He began to mess with the buttons on his jacket, Marinette taking the opportunity to walk forwards towards him.

"You know, I don't think we're expecting models today."

His head lifted and she guessed his eyes were searching hers. It all became more obvious as his lips turned up and his teeth almost blinded her. "Damn it. I was hoping to get my kit off too."

"I see you've finally lost the tie, Hot Stuff." She flattened one side of his shirt, swiping her thumb against it, casually catching the skin left on show and watching as he gulped.

He leaned forward, his lips only a slight distance from her ear. "You should check my pockets. See what I'm hiding."

Laughing, Marinette swiped a hand at him, hitting him in the bicep, only for him to completely overreact.

"Domestic abuse! Domestic abuse!"

"Adrien, we've actually got to be together for that to happen."

His eyebrows turned in. "I think there's been a little bit of a misunderstanding here. I thought we were together, but I suppose I haven't asked properly. So, light of my life, the most beautiful woman in the whole universe, will you be my girlfriend...again?"

"Why are you always so drama—"

The sound of a second car pulling up outside the office doors interrupted the grand declaration, and someone stepped out and onto the pavement. Someone who definitely shouldn't be in Paris.

"What's he doing here?" Marinette watched as Gabriel helped Nathalie out of the backseat of the sedan.

"Let's find out."

The Gorilla noticed them, grunting a 'hello' over in their direction as he closed the door behind his boss.

They grunted back in tandem, before heading in the direction of the car.

"Oh, by the way," Adrien whispered, leaning down to her ear. "When my alter ego gets overly excited, we seem to have some sort of connection. I'm happy to see you're giving us both a chance."

He pressed a gentle kiss under her earlobe before continuing to his father, Marinette feeling her face burn up a couple of degrees. Could he feel what happened last night? With...the other him?

Gabriel stepped forward, greeting them both with a handshake. "Adrien, I didn't think you were in the office today." Gabriel's attention turned from his son to her. "Miss Dupain-Cheng, lovely to see you again. Is this another original?"

Shelving the need to fan herself, Marinette smiled in the most professional way she could muster — strong and firm, with only a slight layer of sweat. "Yes, sir."

Gabriel nodded in response before looking back at Adrien.

"You never said you were coming over," the younger Agreste said, standing beside her and looping an arm around her waist in the most natural of ways.

"Just like you weren't meant to be in the office. Something's come to my attention and I want to sort it out personally." Gabriel took something from Nathalie and progressed into the building, Nathalie following behind with a slight smile.

"What's that all about?" Marinette whispered to Adrien.

He took the glasses from his face and slipped them into his inside jacket pocket. He looked where his father had just entered the building, his eyebrows creasing in what looked like confusion. "I haven't got a clue, but I think we're about to find out. Shall we?"

Wanting to maintain the image of their relationship as purely professional, Adrien stepped to the side and allowed Marinette to enter first, both meeting up with Gabriel and Nathalie at the elevator. They remained in silence, an eerie tension circling around them as they stood and waited.

The welcoming sound of the elevator reached the ground floor, the doors opening with a metallic clang before they all stepped in. Marinette reached forward, scanning her pass and pressing the button for Mary's floor. The doors swooshed closed, once again thickening the tension. God, she prayed the elevator didn't get stuck.

"I don't know what your plan is Adrien, but I am asking you just this once to trust me. Keep your mouth shut, and do not enter the office until I say," Gabriel said.

The elevator slowed, chiming the arrival of their destination. Without waiting for the doors to fully open, Gabriel and Nathalie were making their way out without a backwards glance.

"I bet you can't wait to marry into this family," Adrien murmured, rubbing his neck and allowing her to step out first.

She didn't move. "What?" Her sudden outburst seemed to have shocked Adrien out of whatever daze he was in, his eyes searching hers.

"What?"

"What did you just say?" she asked him.

The doors began to close again, his arm shooting out to restrict it and allow them both out of the elevator. "I didn't say anything. You heard what my father said. I have to 'keep my mouth shut'."

She stepped in front of him and looked into his eyes. "Adrien – will you do what your father said?"

"Pfft, no!" He slammed a hand over his mouth, his eyes widening. No, no, no!

"Control yourself," Marinette hissed, and from the look in Adrien's eyes he understood what was going on. For some reason, Chat Noir was channelling himself through Adrien, which must mean he was feeling highly emotional. Damn it!

"Marianne! Get in here now!" The scream of Mary's voice had the receptionist drop her mug of coffee all over the papers on her desk. Oh, this was not going to be good.

"Game face, M'Lady! We've got your back." She wasn't sure if that was from Adrien or Chat Noir, but one thing was for certain, she needed him now more than ever. Both his sides.

Marinette nodded, turning on her heel and walking through the door towards Mary's quarters. All she needed to do was channel the woman she'd been that very first day at Gabriel when she'd mistaken Adrien for a PA. Walk in there and not take any shit... Or she could push Adrien in first and hide behind him.

No! This was about her. She had to do this. She wasn't a coward, after all.

Walking past her desk, she noticed Lillie had her things scattered everywhere. Her bag, her coat...and was that a shoe? As Marinette progressed closer and closer, the arguing of two women caught her ears. The door to Mary's office was open, the silhouette of Gabriel Agreste was reflected in the window.

"Lillie! Will you just be quiet? Marianne, get in here!"

With one last glance over her shoulder, Marinette walked into the office, Adrien closely following behind.

"How dare you take my kindness and abuse it!" Mary pounced on her as soon as she entered the office, both Mary and Lillie staring at her with eyes like thunder.

"She stole my designs! I just –" Lillie pressed a tissue to her mouth and began to cry again. Actually, crying was too little a word. Sob was the only way to describe it, her chest heaving with the exhaustion of the act. Could she have been any more fake?

"I can't believe you'd do that! Going behind our backs and seducing Adrien so you could pass off Lillie's designs as your own! That's instant dismissal."

"B-but... I swear I didn't..."

"You're fired! Now, go and clean out your desk. You're no longer welcome at House of Humphries." Mary dismissed her, Lillie letting out another pathetic wail and Marinette being completely unsure what she should do.

Gabriel's face was like stone as he spoke. "Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng, Mademoiselle Sancoeur, will help you pack up. You'll need to make sure you take everything with you when you move into your new office."

New...what?

"Adrien, please come in here," he continued.

Marinette watched Lillie's face pale as Adrien entered the office, blocking the door like the security guide at a nightclub.

"Nice to see you in the office, Father. I expect it's been insightful."

"That's certainly one way to put it." Gabriel held out one hand, his eyes remaining on the two women in front of him, when Nathalie placed a malia envelope in his hand. "You see, Adrien gave me some documents almost a month ago now with these exact designs on them. However, they didn't come from Lillie, they came from Marinette."

"He's lying," Lillie said. "He-he's just mad because I wouldn't go on a date with him."

"Who? Gabriel?" Mary said in disgust.

Gabriel shook his head before laughing bitterly. "Now, now, Lila, I don't think your lies are going to help you out of this situation. You see, you have dated Adrien...under another alias. You deceived your boss and made me look like a fool."

"Lila?!" Mary almost squawked, looking between Gabriel and Lila.

"I don't know what he's on about. You know people have said he's crazy. Remember the rumours of him killing his wife! They're all true!"

Gabriel began to laugh maniacally, throwing the envelope onto the table and crossing his arms over his chest. He tilted his head to one side and gave it a shake. "Oh, my dear Lila. I remember when I had you as part of the company as a model. You almost drove it into the ground."

"I think it's best you leave," Mary said, her glare directed at Lila. The woman looked lost for what to do. Usually calm and collected, she looked frazzled and slightly unhinged, Marinette praying the staplers were locked away.

"Leave? She-she's stolen my designs and is sleeping with my boyfriend! She's the one who should be fired."

"She already is!" Gabriel announced before anyone else could, his eyes searching for Adrien's, only for his eyes to widen in sudden understanding.

"And she'll be coming to work with Gabriel." Adrien's final words seemed to send Lila into a spiralling rage, a scream ripping from her throat as she pushed everything she could reach from the table.

"I can't believe you're all working together now! Heroes and villains! It makes me sick!"

She began to march out the room, stopping as she came level with Marinette. Marinette felt her back straighten, her chin lifting as she stood tall, pulling back her shoulders in preparation for whatever Lila was about to throw at her.

"We're not done yet!" The words sprayed from her mouth before she barged past Adrien and out the door, collecting her items before leaving.

Marinette let out a long, raspy breath. One she didn't even know she was holding. She was ready to collapse. Adrien, reading her body as he always did, stepped forward to hold her up.

"These contracts are what you signed on the first day in London. You have violated at least six of the agreements and, unfortunately, our partnership is now void. As I own Marinette's designs, I will also be taking them with me, along with the designer. There will be no repercussions to Marinette and I expect a generous payout for the unfair dismissal. Have I made myself clear?" Gabriel's voice was eerily calm as he spoke.

Mary collapsed into a chair and waved a hand around in what Marinette thought was agreement.

Not sure whether she should say anything, Marinette was surprised to see Adrien make his way over to her and crouch down by the chair.

"She fooled a lot of us, don't take it too personally."

Standing up, Adrien held out his hand to Marinette before leading her out of the room. As they reached the door, she held Adrien still and looked over her shoulder. One last look at the broken version of her boss.

"And for the record, the name's Marinette."