Chat Noir was bored and uncomfortable. Seeing Marinette with her friends and her late-night talks with Luka had been one thing, but witnessing her falling head over heels in love with another man was the most excruciating experience of his life.

It was obvious what was happening, and it had been for a while. The fact that he couldn't do anything to stop it plagued his mind morning and night — not that he had the ability to sleep.

The guy was an absolute dork. Out of all the words he'd use to describe Adrien Agreste, 'cool' wouldn't even come close. Sure, he was attractive and occasionally came out with a good pun, but Adrien was everything he wasn't, and he hated that. He despised that his Lady was falling for someone who was the complete opposite, which most likely meant she was falling out of love with him. Even when Adrien sent her texts late into the night, sharing memes about Mr. Darcy, Marinette seemed to be drawn to him even more. She had begun to hide the messages and keep Chat out of the loop. And it seemed the more Chat Noir whispered into Adrien's ear, the more the guy grew in confidence and, dare he say it, fun!

But something still didn't sit right. Although he had tried to respect Marinette's 'no stalking' rule, he couldn't help but spy on Adrien whenever he could. And what a result he had found.

Adrien seemed normal. Every time Chat Noir managed to tail him at work or during a quick visit to the guy's apartment, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The guy ran like clockwork. Wake up, eat breakfast, brush teeth, read Ladrien fanfiction (what a goon!), take an epically long shower — must be the model in him — get changed, and go to work. Adrien was even more boring in the evenings because he either spent his time with Marinette or was texting her.

That was until one day.

Marinette had gone out with a couple of her friends, Chat Noir telling her he'd catch up with her after 15 minutes because he had no choice. However, he'd used those 15 minutes to spy on Adrien. Adrien was talking to himself about her. He was falling for her as much as she was for him, and the realisation stabbed at Chat Noir's heart, almost killing him — or it would have, if he could feel.

Chat Noir wanted to know who he was more than ever. He wanted to confront his civilian persona, force the guy to find Marinette and fight for her, winning her heart like he knew he could. But it was useless. He'd attended more funerals than necessary over the past couple of weeks, and he'd scoured the missing people section of the internet — yet there was nothing.

He felt defeated, knowing that by the end of the night, he would likely lose his Lady for good. Adrien hadn't taken his eyes off Marinette during the wedding ceremony. Chat Noir was almost certain the guy was about to stand up, belt out 'Unchained Melody', and drop to one knee right then and there. He could almost envision Gammy jumping onto a chair, swinging her clutch bag around her head in celebration. Maybe she could even knock some emotion into Gabriel with it.

A pain shot through his ghost-like body.

His hands flew to his chest as he struggled with these new unfamiliar feelings. His breathing huffed—unsteady. His claws dug into what it could of his suit, grasping bits of the black leather like material in a bid to feel.

Breathe, Chat Noir, breathe!

He hadn't really felt anything until this moment, the sharp, intense pain burying itself deeply in his heart before twisting around and pulling aggressively out. Marinette's smile flashed through his mind, her laughter echoing like a distant melody. Adrien's face overlapped, smitten and enamoured, a stark contrast to his own brooding demeanour.

Chat dared himself to try, to fight against this inevitable tide, to grasp at hope even as it slipped through his fingers like sand. Maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to turn the tables, to rewrite this story that seemed to be falling away from him. With Marinette's image burned into his mind and Adrien's shadow looming large, he steeled himself for what lay ahead, determined to reclaim what felt like the last fragments of his shattered heart.

Reaching out, he shocked himself when his hand collided with a wall instead of passing through it as he had half-expected. The sensation jolted through him, a physical reminder of the boundaries that tethered him to this world. Yet, despite the solidity of the wall, his resolve remained intangible, hovering like a ghostly spectre. With Marinette's essence still lingering in his thoughts, he couldn't retreat into the shadows just yet. The ache in his heart, once dormant, pulsed with renewed intensity, pushing him forward into the uncertain abyss of hope. If he couldn't rewrite their story, he had at least attempted to pen a new chapter—one where he dared to defy fate and fight for what he held most dear.

A quick glance at the floor and a buzz of excitement ricocheted through his body. A stone sat just in front of his shoe and he couldn't help but hope he could touch it—that the intensity of the feeling meant he was becoming real again.

He swung his foot, expecting it to connect with the stone, only for it to pass straight through. He was taken aback by how this affected him, by the lack of any reaction from the stone. He made it out of the reception area and into the grounds of the venue, heading towards the flowering arches and the main hotel. He just needed these 15 minutes alone, away from them.

He despised how well-suited Adrien seemed to be for his Ladybug. The carefree jokes, the way he seemed to understand her more deeply than he ever had, and the way he stared at her... It made him want to poke Adrien hard in the eye and hopefully cause some damage. He detested it—really, really detested it—and yet there was nothing he could do. Yes, he knew Marinette still loved him; he could see it in her smile and the time they spent together. But there was no denying she was falling in love with Adrien too.

With a deep sigh, he headed in the direction of the bedroom, just needing a moment to look around and see if he could find something to discredit his rival and win back his fair maiden's heart. He needed to uncover something that made Adrien seem less impressive... Who knew? Maybe Adrien was actually back with his ex, and what Chat Noir thought he was seeing in Adrien's eyes was merely pity and friendship.

The corridor Marinette and Adrien were staying on stretched long and narrow, with numerous rooms occupied by the Agrestes, Graham De Vanilys, Fathoms, and Tsurgis. Chat Noir continued down the hallway toward their room, but suddenly stopped, clutching his stomach. A strange fluttering sensation overcame him, like a mix of nerves and hunger—an unfamiliar feeling he hadn't experienced in ages.

Another jolt hit his gut, followed by a warmth that clashed with his cat-like internal heat. He halted abruptly, reaching out for the doorframe. To his astonishment, for the second time that evening, his hand made contact with the solid wood.

He was touching it.

A small, surprised laugh escaped his lips as he withdrew his hand and tapped the wall a few more times, then placed his other hand against the surface. He could feel it—the coolness, the texture of the wall against his ghostly touch. It added to the mystery of his ethereal existence.

He turned, eager to run back to Marinette and share the astonishing discovery, but his plans were abruptly halted by the sound of two voices—familiar voices—echoing through the hallway in his direction.

Shit! Had the invisibility worn off? Was he real again?

Uncertain of what to do, he began to move erratically from side to side, his mind racing through limited options. Should he stand still? Slip into a room? Dash down the corridor or leap through a window? He continued to shuffle back and forth, his thoughts scattered.

As the voices grew louder, rounding the corner, his heart skipped a beat. It was Chelsea and Gabriel Agreste!

Frozen in place, Chat Noir spotted a room service tray abandoned outside a doorway. He bent down, attempting to grasp the cloche covering a plate. But to his dismay, his hand passed through the object repeatedly. Merde!

How could he go from touching to not touching? His head was as scrambled as his stomach, the fluttering feelings persisting as he remained unseen and unheard by the new arrivals. Although relieved to have evaded detection, a nagging worry gnawed at him. What if he had been spotted? How would he explain his sudden appearance if caught?

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Gabriel's voice was as curt as always. His hand rifled in his pocket for the key card to his room, pulling it out and tapping it against the lock. The red light suddenly flashed green, the audible click of the lock shifting, and the door swung open as they entered the room, Chat Noir left unnoticed.

Leaving his crouched position, he shuffled into the room behind them and stood frozen by the door.

"What do you want?" Gabriel was the first to speak, yet in front of Chelsea, he looked nervous and on edge. She held all the power, that was for certain.

"You know what I want, Gabriel. And you need to give it to me." Her voice was menacing, cold, and detached.

Chat moved closer to where the two were and peered around the corner. Gabriel was grabbing a tumbler and a bottle of whiskey from the mini-bar, while Chelsea made herself comfortable in an armchair. Her long legs crossed over in a move reminiscent of 'Basic Instinct'.

"I've told you before, I don't know what you're talking about," Gabriel said, his eyes burning into Chelsea's.

The cackle that left Chelsea's lips would have had Chat's hair standing on end if he could feel it. It was only half an octave away from that of a witch.

"Oh, Gabriel, Gabriel, Gabriel! Do you really think I believe your little amnesia episode? I know you know who she is, and thanks to your son, I now have my suspicions too. I KNOW who he is, Gabriel. I know he's Chat Noir. And I've seen the way Marinette clings to him. They're inseparable... And after all, who is Ladybug without her Chat Noir?"

The sound of smashing glass covered the gasp that left Chat's mouth. Gabriel's son...was Chat Noir? Chat Noir...was Adrien Agreste? He was...

The world began to spin around him, his eyesight blurring in an old-school 3D style—green and red crossing over and outlining the scene. As he continued to observe Gabriel and Chelsea, a secondary vision clouded his mind, making it hard for him to concentrate on what was right in front of him. The sudden sound of laughter reached his ears, clearly not originating from inside the room. The conversations of an enthusiastic crowd of people fought against the tense emotions he was witnessing here.

Then he saw her. His vibrant ray of sunshine. His rose. His love.

Marinette.

She stood in front of him, smiling with a glass in her hand, which she lifted to her lips before covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. Her hand reached out, as if swiping at him— at Adrien.

He was seeing Marinette through Adrien's eyes.

She laughed, and he heard himself respond, his words coming out garbled and distorted as if underwater. Her face broke into another smile, her eyes lighting up with enough shine to illuminate the whole of Paris. Her hand reached for him again, this time connecting— and he could feel it. He could feel it all. His heart fluttered, his breathing hitched, the full spectrum of emotions from lust to longing...just one small step away from love.

He focused harder, and Marinette became clearer before he blinked and lost her.

His breathing became laboured, and he feared this was it. That the end was near. That finally, he was letting go of this Earth and seeing his Earth Angel one last time before he ceased to exist.

"Listen, Lila!" The venom in Gabriel's voice, in his father's voice, calmed his impending panic attack.

Lila?!

"Well, look who does remember! Amazing, considering you've been playing innocent for five years, Gabriel!" Lila, Chelsea, whatever her name was, stood up. The heels pushed her to a height not much lower than Gabriel's.

He looked rattled beyond belief. Fear pulsated through his eyes as he realised what he'd just done. "What do you want?" Gabriel asked

Lila held her head high in confidence. "I knew you'd come around." She sauntered around the room, picking up items and looking at them before placing them back down. "I want her life."

Her life?

Finally, Lila made her way to the desk and placed a sketchbook on top of it. Marinette's sketchbook. How had she got a hold of that? His eyes shot to her again, squinting slightly and changing the hair colour and style.

No! It seemed Lila had one more trick up her sleeve, one which went by the name of 'Lillie'.

"I did this for you, to save your company," she said, picking up the stolen sketchbook and waving it in front of Gabriel's face. "I deserve a reward for that, don't you think?"

A slow, menacing grin stretched the sides of Gabriel's mouth before falling again, an expression almost lost if you weren't looking close enough. He walked over to the table, pulling open a drawer and taking out a USB stick.

"I'm sorry, Lila, but you've lost this time. Adrien already gave me Marinette's designs a couple of weeks back. I'm afraid I have nothing more to speak to you about. Now, if you wouldn't mind, I need to get back to my nephew's wedding."

As Chat Noir attempted to piece together what the hell he was watching, the sound of a growl echoed around the room before Gabriel was slammed into the nearest wall, the one right beside him. Lila held the man in position with her hand around his throat.

"You're messing with the wrong person, Agreste! You should know that."

"I don't know what you're on about," his father said breathlessly.

"Tell me, Gabriel, I'm right, aren't I! Marinette is Ladybug." Lila's voice wobbled, emotions causing her to lose some of her control. "She is! I know she is! Agree! Tell me the truth, or I swear to God –"

Gabriel started to laugh. Lila grabbed his throat harder to try and stop him, and although Gabriel was spluttering, there seemed to be no chance of giving her a name.

"Is she Marinette?"

Gabriel just continued laughing in her face. He looked insane. Letting go of him, Lila stepped away, her hands clenched tightly and left to lie worthless by her side.

His father stretched up and rubbed a hand over his neck, continuing to laugh—or at least try. "You were with Adrien. If he wasn't going to tell you anything, why would I?"

"Because your idiot of a son has no idea who she is."

Until now.

"And neither do I," Gabriel stated, so calmly it was slightly terrifying.

They stood face to face for a while, before Lila turned and stalked out of the door and back towards the party, Gabriel remaining alone. He rubbed a hand over his face before heading to the broken glass and beginning to clear it up, throwing his phone on the sofa and calling through to Nathalie on loudspeaker.

'Gabriel? Where did you go?'

"Keep an eye on Chelsea for me, and keep her away from Marinette."

Chat Noir closed his eyes, resting his back against the wall and closing his eyes, almost missing the fact that he hadn't fallen through to the next door. Gabriel— his father— knew he was Chat Noir. Lila also seemed to be privy to that piece of information, but neither were sure about Marinette. Marinette— who Gabriel seemed to believe was in danger.

As his father continued his conversation, Chat Noir headed out the doorway and back down towards the party.

He was Adrien Agreste, and he was right about Adrien lying. He was hiding things from her. But where he thought it would originally pull the two of them apart, it would only bring them closer together. Adrien was hiding him. And he was with Marinette right at this moment. And he was certain Adrien and his Lady were falling in love.

Face-to-face. Maskless.

His steps were slow — tentative — a step into a future he hadn't even realised existed. A future with her. All those times wondering who he was, and he'd been spending an abundance of time with himself — he was right there.

He thought about all the times he'd thought Adrien was talking to himself, the realisation hitting him like a 2 by 4 to the head as he concluded that must have been Plagg. Those weird one-sided conversations he hadn't understood made perfect sense when you added in Plagg's sarcastic, cheese-quipped puns.

Plagg.

The kwami must still be with Adrien, the black ring on his finger evidence of this predicament. This split between the two of them, the two parts of his personality...which now, thinking back, weren't all that different. Though he would have to have a word with himself about this plant thing. Red roses only at their wedding.

Heading in the general direction of the ballroom, he made himself a promise. Even though he couldn't be seen, or help Marinette in the way he wanted to, he would make sure he was protecting her...

Even if it meant watching himself guard her with his life.