[Narrator's POV]

"You gotta be kiddin' boss. It's my son's birthday t'day!" An office worker pleads.

"Mr Agreste is coming in for a business meeting tomorrow, the place has to look spick and spam. And that means you're staying late to clean it." The boss jabs his finger into the worker's chest as he speaks. "Ta Ta!"

The worker clenches his fists and scowls bitterly. A little black butterfly flies in as the boss opens the door to leave. It flutters over to the worker and lands on his tie.

"Just-Ice. I am Hawk Moth." Comes a voice from inside the worker's mind. "I grant you the power to seek revenge on these office oppressors. In exchange, you will get me Ladybug's earrings and Cat Noirs ring. Understood?"

"Yes, Hawk Moth." The worker answers.

.

Marinette just got back from her beach trip yesterday. She missed the city of Paris so much and decided to take a walk for some fashion design inspiration. She was just passing by one of Gabriel Agreste's partners in trade when a swarm of people began rushing from the building in panic.

"He's gone mad! He's gonna freeze us all!" Screams one of the citizens.

Has someone been akumatized? Marinette runs forward, looking around frantically. With all these people around, she has nowhere to transform but she just has to get inside.

[Adrien's POV]

I push against the current of the crowd, trying to get into the building. I'll find a bathroom or something inside to transform in but first I should find this villain. I hurry into the office building and search the area. Everyone has evacuated except some girl looking around as if she is lost.

"Hey!" I call out. "You should get out of here, it's not safe."

The girl turns around.

"Marinette?" I say in surprise.

"A-Adrien! What are—what are you doing in here?" Marinette asks, her eyes shifting nervously.

"My father does business here and he asked me to...check some stuff out." I lie. "Why are you in such a dangerous place?"

Marinette jumps in fright a little. "W-What? Oh! I, ah, well...I had to delivery—deliver! something, for the bakery!"

"I didn't know the Dupain-Cheng bakery did delivery." I reply.

"They don't." Marinette answers. "I-I mean! They do, no, sorta. I was giving some treats to a, uh, family friend—yeah! Speaking of which, I should go. I need to find him."

"Wait!" I try to stop her but Marinette is already hurrying out of sight.

Great. I have to get her out of here and then transform into Cat Noir before the villain escapes.

I'm pulled from my thoughts by the sound of evil laughter. I spin around to see a villain dressed in a blue skinsuit with white icicle designs, tormenting the citizens outside.

"For years you bin' captivating me here! Well say g'bye to this wretched office building!" The villain blasts frosty wind from his hands. "Just-Ice brings icy justice to your city! Forget the warmth of your family, EVERYONE IS WORKING LATE!"

I watch in horror as all the doors and windows get frozen in thick ice.

"No! No, no, no!" I shout, banging on the doors. "I can't help Ladybug take down the villain if I'm trapped in here."

"Relax, Adrien. Just use your cataclysm." Plagg says.

"But then you'll have to recharge. Argh!" I groan in annoyance. "I guess we have no other choice. Plagg, clawssouwaAAH!"

Ladybug jumps out from nowhere and lands next to me. Thank god I managed to stop myself from transforming just in time.

"L-Ladybug! What are you doing here?" I ask, my voice cracking a little.

Oh man, that was embarrassing. What's with the stutter, Agreste? It's just so much more nerve-racking talking to Ladybug without a mask to hide my shameful blushing.

[Marinette's POV]

Oops. I must have scared Adrien, jumping up from behind him like that. His eyes are widened in shock. His big, beautiful, green eyes. His chest heaves back and forth with his heavy breath. His lips, slightly parted for the air to escape. His soft, pink lips...what I would give to kiss them...

Ah! Snap out of it, you're Ladybug not Marinette!

"I was fighting Just-Ice but he escaped." I tell him.

"You're gruper sool—I mean super grool—ah! I mean—I, uh, I...just wanted t-to tell you..." Adrien says nervously. "Y-You're really great, Ladybug...er, at fighting..."

I stare at Adrien blankly. I did not understand I single word he just said. God, is that how I sound when I talk? Wait a second. Is this really happening? Adrien is the one stammering over me?!! Ooohhh, that's so adorable! It's too cute to handle. Look at his little timid face, I just want to grab him and kiss it!

No! No. Stay focused.

Adrien probably just feels super awkward right now because the last time I ran into him as Ladybug I forcefully made out with him. I think this mask gives me a little too much confidence because I have the urge to do it again right now. But I wouldn't...obviously...because I'm Ladybug and I am professional.

"Um, thanks. Fighting is what I do best." I reply. "Are there any other civilians trapped in here?"

Adrien snaps out of his state of shock. "Y-Yes! My friend Marinette is in here somewhere."

Crap. What now?

"Oh, I'm sure she's fine. I didn't see anyone when I was fighting Just-ice." I reply.

"She must be hiding, she was in here when the building was frozen. We have to help her" Adrien stresses.

Oh no, he's turning to leave. Quick. Quick! I have to do something!"

"Gah! No worries, I'll get rid of the ice!" I exclaim. "Lucky Charm!"

Adrien stops and turns back to me to watch my Lucky Charm. Yes, it worked! Now all I gotta do is—

"Huh?" I look down at the item in my hands.

It's some herb with a spotted ribbon around it.

"How is a mistletoe going to melt ice?" Adrien questions.

A—A...a mistletoe!

Oh gosh. My Lucky Charm is supposed to give me what I need in any situation, but I was thinking about kissing Adrien not breaking this ice!

I can feel my face burning. Thank goodness I have a mask on to hide my red cheeks.

"W-Well...It'll probably come in handy later, my lucky charm has never failed me." I answer in false confidence.

I've wasted my Lucky Charm. Now I'm going to have to find a place to transform before I power down and somehow get food for Tiki to charge her back up.

"In the meantime, all we have to do is wait. I'm sure Cat Noir will cataclysm this ice away." I say. "I'll call him now."

I flip open my yoyo and dial Cat Noir but he doesn't pick up.

"That's strange..." I mumble.

"Uh, you know what? I think I'll go look for Marinette while we wait." Adrien says.

I force a smile. "Good idea."

Adrien hurries off towards the stairs.

Oooooh craaaap. Marinette's supposed to be with her family friend—which doesn't exist!

Okay. Okay. This is fine. I can transform back into Marinette, meet up with Adrien and then find some food for Tiki.

[Adrien's POV]

I rush into the stairwell. As soon as I come to face the door to the next floor level, I stop and bang my head against it.

"Stupid. Stupid. Idiot!" I say angrily as I hit my head on the door. "You're really great at fighting? Seriously!"

Argh, why is it so much harder to talk to Ladybug without my mask. That was my one chance to make a good first impression of my real identity and I blew it! Ladybug will never want to kiss Adrien ever again...

I sigh and step back from the door. Well, Adrien has had his moment in the spotlight. I need Cat Noir now to destroy this ice. I open the door to find Marinette standing just beyond it.

"Marinette, there you are!"

"Ahaha, here I am." She says with a nervous smile.

"Did you find your family friend? Where is he?" I ask, looking around.

"He...He must have gotten out before the building got frozen. I couldn't find him." Marinette answers. "Say, did you happen to see a staff room around here? Somewhere with a fridge possibly?"

"You're thinking about food at a time like this?" I question.

Marinette laughs awkwardly. "Ahaha...ha. What can I say? I'm a baker's daughter alright!"

I can tell her smile is forced. She looks so anxious... Marinette is probably scared. I know that Ladybug needs Cat Noir right now, but maybe Adrien should help out Marinette for a little bit.

"I know you must be pretty scared right now but don't worry, everything will turn out fine." I comfort her. "You'll never guess who I saw in this building with us."

"Er...Who?" Marinette inquires.

"Ladybug!" I say excitedly.

"R-Really? That's cool." Marinette replies casually.

"She's so awesome." I sigh, getting lost in my own thoughts.

"I am—I mean! S-She is?" Marinette stammers.

"Well yeah, don't you think she's amazing? She's so smart. She always thinks of a solution to any problem. And the way she saves everyone all the time, talk about badass." I admire.

"Wow, you really like her." Marinette says.

I suddenly realise that I've let my inner fanboy slip out in front of my classmate. How embarrassing! I'll cover up my massive crush and pretend I'm just a fan of her work.

"Oh, psh— Of course I like her, she's a superhero. But who doesn't? I-I mean, I don't really like her I just think she's great...at fighting." I recover. "I also think Cat Noir is cool, because he's a superhero too you know. Heck, if anything I like him way better than Ladybug!"

Arahh! Now it sounds like I'm sexually confused! I cringe so hard just listening to myself speak, but Marinette seems to be buying it.

"Oh, right. You're a LadyNoir fan aren't you?" She says.

My face lights up with hope. "Yes! Yes, exactly! I enjoy both superheros equally."

As I let out a breath of relief, I notice something in the corner of my eye. A restroom, it's perfect!

"I need to go to the bathroom, be right back!" I say hastily before hurrying into the toilets. I've got to work fast. "Plagg, claws out!"

Before Plagg has a chance to slip in a single word, he disappears into my ring. Green light illuminates the bathroom as I transform into Cat Noir. I look around for a window but there is only one tiny one in the whole bathroom. Still, as long as I can touch the ice it won't matter.

I try to pull the window open but it won't budge.

"Come on. Come on!" I grunt, yanking as hard as I can. "You gotta be kidding me!"

It must be frozen shut. That means all of the window and doors will likely be just as hard to open. What should I do?

"Adrien?" Marinette calls through the bathroom door. "I heard shouting. Is everything okay?"

"Ah, yeah. Everything's fine!" I call back.

I have no other choice. I'll cataclysm this window open, transform back into Adrien to see Marinette and then once Plagg has finished recharging I'll come back in here to cataclysm the ice. Argh, this is way too complicated. I hope Ladybug is all right...

[Marinette's POV]

"He said I'm awesome." I giggle to Tiki. "He did say he just admires superheros and, sure, he also said he likes Cat Noir more than me which is a bit insulting but for the most part he thinks I'm awesome!"

"That's great Marinette but what about Just-Ice? I need to recharge now or we'll never get that akuma!" Tiki worries.

I hear the bathroom door begin to squeak open. "Ah, okay okay. I'll think of something. Now hide!"

Tiki zooms into my bag just as Adrien emerges from the restroom. He is fumbling around inside his shoulder bag. My nose hairs tingle. What's that smell...? As Adrien approaches me, the smell gets stronger. I look down at his bag and a waft of stinky air clouds my senses.

"Oh, sorry. I just opened some camembert cheese." Adrien says, noticing my strained expression. He looks down at his bag angrily. "It smells pretty bad, doesn't it?"

"You have food in there?!" I reply.

Adrien looks up at me with a puzzled face. "Yeah...?"

"I need some!" I exclaim. Adrien looks startled by my sudden urgency for cheese. I calm my voice and start over, "Sorry, uh, I—could I please have some?"

Adrien looks down at his bag uneasily. That was probably rude of me to demand some of his food, but Tiki needs it!

"Uh, sure." Adrien says.

He reaches into his bag and pulls out a scrappy slice of cheese. I thought he just opened it? That looks kind of chewed on...

Well, I asked for it. I shouldn't stand and stare unappreciatively.

"Thanks!" I say as I take the slice of cheese from his hand.

Adrien watches me expectantly.

Oh, right. He probably thinks I wanted to eat the cheese myself.

"Uh..." I shift my eyes around the room before suddenly pointing at the window behind Adrien's back. "Look! Is that Ladybug?"

Adrien spins around. I shove the cheese in my purse hastily and resume my original stance before he turns back around.

"Sorry, must have been some other chick dressed in red." I shrug. "That cheese was delicious by the way, thank you."

"Right..." Adrien says slowly. His eyes flicker to his bag and then back to the restroom door. "You know what, I think I need to go to the bathroom again."

Without another word, he hurries off to the bathroom.

"That boy has some dietary issues." Tiki says from within my bag.

"Shush and eat your cheese." I snap.

[Adrien's POV]

I waste no time after transforming into Cat Noir.

"Cataclysm!" I shout, slamming my hand down on the thick layer of ice outside the smashed window.

The ice shatters. I pull myself up and climb out through the bathroom window. I parkour my way around the side of the building and smash through the office window, doing a forwards roll and springing up right in front of Marinette. She looks at me with wide eyes, paralysed with surprise.

"Cat Noir...?" She says.

I flick my hair to the side at the mention of my name. Here it comes, the praising.

Yes, I have saved you. No, you don't need to thank me. Well, if you insist pretty lady—

"What took you so long?" Marinette yaps, disrupting my fantasy.

I stand there silently blinking at her. If only she knew the trouble I went through to get here.

"How Rudolf you to say that." I reply charmingly. "I was busy battling Just-Ice—great name by the way, finally a villain with a sense of humor. Don't you think?"

I give Marinette a wink but her unimpressed expression doesn't waver. I even used a snow pun, how could she not be swooning over me right now?

Of course! She must be confused because it's summer time and Rudolf is a reindeer. I assumed she would get it since reindeer live in the snow.

"Get it?" I prompt. "Because Rudolf lives in the north pole and Just-Ice has winter powers."

"Yeah, I got it." Marinette says bluntly. "Shouldn't you be off fighting the villain?"

Hm, a challenge. Something about Marinette's resistant intrigues me. I persist with a dashing smile. "Why, I was coming to Alp you of course. It's too dangerous for you to stay here, but don't worry, I'll drop you home. It'Snow problem."

"Thanks but no thanks," Marinette replies. "I'm waiting for my friend Adrien, he's in the bathroom."

She wants to stay here in the midst of a battle just to wait for me? Marinette really is a kind person, it's too bad Adrien won't be coming out of the bathroom any time soon.

"I'll come back for him." I say quickly before scooping up Marinette.

Ignoring all arguments against it, I rush out the broken window and carry Marinette back to her home.

[Marinette's POV]

I flail my arms and kick my legs until I eventually tire myself out and just accept my fate. Idiot cat. He is just taking me farther away from where I need to go. As soon as he leaves I will have to transform into Ladybug and go all the way back to fight Just-Ice. Poor Adrien, too. What if he thinks I abandoned him?!! I hope he's okay...

Cat Noir lands on my balcony and puts me down gently. "There you are, little lady."

He's looking at me with that stupid smile...it's kind of cute though, I guess. He was just trying to help me and keep me safe. I suppose underneath all those bad puns and annoying flirting, he really is a nice person isn't he?

As if the universe if trying to test my patience, Cat Noir turns to me with a smirk before he leaves and says, "Ice-talavista, baby."