[Narrator's POV]

Alya squeals excitedly. "I can't believe Adrien asked you to the movies. Good for you, girl!"

"I know! I had the most amazing weekend." Marinette says. "I'm sure that I'm still in the friend zone but I'm making progress and that's what matters."

"Well, this weekend is the perfect opportunity to make a move. The last weekend before Halloween," Alya replies. "It's my Halloween party, you're still coming right?"

"Of course. I wouldn't bail on you." Marinette says.

"I thought you might be too chicken to be my Cat Noir." Alya teases. "The cat costume is a bit out there, but I bet Adrien would like it."

Marinette's face turns red. "Don't say that! You're ruining Adrien's gentlemanly image. Besides, I am not going to flake out. In fact, I'll be the best Cat Noir you've ever seen."

"Hey Marinette!" Adrien walks into class and approaches Marinette and Alya's desk. "Look at the school newspaper, it's our picture."

Adrien gives Marinette and Alya each a copy of the school paper and, sure enough, on the front page is Adrien and Marinette posing as Peter Pan and Wendy at the Story Book Parade just as Mr Damocles had promised.

"Wow, so cool!" Marinette says.

"I know right. I'll definitely be keeping this as a memento." Adrien rolls up his own copy of the school newspaper and puts it in his bag.

Marinette's heart flutters at the thought of her picture being kept somewhere in Adrien's room.

"And that's not our only picture that's been printed. The magazine featuring our beach photoshoot is finally out! I got you a copy." Adrien grins and hands Marinette a magazine.

Marinette has to consciously stop herself from drooling over the pictures of Adrien's defined muscles shining in the sunlight. She would definitely be keeping this magazine. And on the very front page is the picture of Marinette in her ladybug bikini cuddled up to a shirtless Adrien on the beach.

Rose catches a glimpse of the magazine and gasps. "Wow! You're on the front cover of a magazine?"

Soon every student in class has gathered around Marinette.

"You look amazing. Like a supermodel!" Maylene compliments.

"I like your bikini." Alex adds.

"Yeah, you're actually pretty cute you know Marinette." Kim chimes in.

Nathaniel nods in agreement.

"Cool." Juleka says monotonously.

Suddenly, someone plucks the magazine out of Marinette's hands from over her shoulder. She turns to see Chloe grimacing at the picture.

"Pathetic." Chloe scoffs. "What are you doing hanging off of Adrien's arm? It's not like you could have afforded to bribe him."

"Have you considered that maybe he wanted me there?" Marinette responses.

Chloe opens her mouth to reply but Adrien cuts in.

"Chloe, please just give Marinette her magazine back." He reasons gently. "I got it for her."

Chloe takes one last dirty look at the magazine before throwing it on the ground in front of Marinette. "Word of advice. Next time you're planning on doing a beach photoshoot, maybe cut down on the bakery muffins beforehand." She taunts as she strides off to her desk.

Alya shoots up from her seat angrily but Nino grabs her shoulder and sits her back down, shaking his head. Marinette scowls as she snatches her magazine off the floor and stashes it in her bag with her copy of the school newspaper.

"I'm sorry Marinette. Please don't listen to Chloe, she's just jealous." Adrien says.

Ms Bustier walks into the classroom and all the students scramble back to their seats. For the rest of the day Marinette just focused on Alya's upcoming Halloween party, which would be Chloe population: Zero.

.

.

It is the day of Alya's Halloween party. Marinette is checking herself out in her bedroom mirror, fidgeting uncomfortably with her cat ears.

"The more I think about it, the more ridiculous it seems that Cat Noir actually wears this costume whilst crime fighting." She comments.

Marinette tears herself away from the mirror. She looks up at her picture wall, now featuring the photos of her and Adrien at the Story Book Parade and the beach. Marinette stands beside her photo of Cat Noir and poses.

"So, what do you think? Do I make a good Cat Noir?" She asks.

Tiki giggles. "I think you look very cute, Marinette."

"I've made a special black purse just for today so that I can still carry you around without ruining the outfit." Marinette says, opening her purse to invite Tiki inside. Tiki flies in and Marinette clips it shut. "Alright. Let's roll."

.

[Adrien's POV]

Nino and I are cosplaying as Batman and the Joker. Nino went full out with his costume but I'm just wearing a green and purple tux, preferring to skip out on the white makeup. Plus, dad wouldn't let me use green spray on my hair in case it got stained. I hope people still get the reference seeming that Nathalie purchased an exact replica of the Joker's suit for me. Nothing but the best as usual.

Nino and I walk up the driveway leading to Alya's house. The whole place is covered in fancy lights and pumpkins.

"Alya sure knows how to throw a party." I say.

"Yeah man, tonight's gonna be sick." Nino agrees.

He pushes open the door to reveal a packed house decorated even more spookily than the outside.

Alya emerges from the crowd wearing a ladybug suit and greets Nino with a kiss. "Glad you could make it."

"You look smokin'." Nino says.

I stick out my tongue and imitate a gag reflex.

"So, I've got my partner in crime. Where's yours?" Nino asks.

"She's coming, I asked her if she could get me a drink." Alya answers. "I've gotta say I underestimated her when she said she would be the best Cat Noir I've ever seen. She's been flirting with me all night."

I immediately tune in at the mention of Cat Noir. Who's cosplaying as me tonight and more importantly, claiming they are the best Cat Noir? Surely not...

A courageous woman slinks through the crowd, swinging her hips as she walks.

"My Lady." She bows before Alya and holds out a can of Cola.

My eyes linger over the impersonator, travelling up her long legs, her defined curves and coming to a stop at her lustrous, midnight blue hair.

"M-Marinette?" I say unsurely.

The female feline turns to face me. She looks like Marinette, but...something about her essence has changed. She locks me in an intense gaze. Her bright and innocent eyes are now fierce and alluring. Her lips, painted a dark red, are twisted into a cool smirk.

She raises a finger to her lips and grins. "Shh. My identity is supposed to be a secret." Marinette leans in closely and looks me up and down. "You must be the joker, because you look like a lot of fun."

I gulp nervously. "You look..." I search for a descriptive word but my brain can only focus on one. Despite my thoughts against it, the word just comes out. "Hot."

It's true. It's the only word suited. I would be embarrassed about how straightforward I just was but I'm too gobsmacked.

"Thanks." Marinette puts one hand on her hip and uses the other to swing her tail around. "You know, I understand now why Cat Noir is so bold. With this mask on I'm not afraid to say anything."

I give up. I forfeit. I submit. Yield. Surrender! Marinette is the greatest Cat Noir ever. My god, I think my nose is bleeding.

"Me-ow! I'm liking this side of you, girl." Alya says. "This confidence is extremely sexy."

"It's all about the cat-titude." Marinette replies. "Say, what happens when Batman sees Catwoman?"

"What?" Nino asks excitedly.

"The dark knight rises." Marinette jests with a wink.

"It's not true, Alya. I swear!" Nino cries, clinging onto his girlfriend.

Alya cracks up laughing. "You're a dweeb."

How come we can both dress like Cat Noir, act like Cat Noir, but everyone finds Marinette attractive. Nobody gives me attention or laughs at my puns, what is this sorcery?

"Hey babe, I could go for a drink. Show me to the fruit punch?" Nino requests.

"Of course." Alya turns to Marinette with a grin. "Hey Mari-Noir, why don't you show my other guest around the house?"

"Sure thing, bugaboo." Marinette replies.

She's even abusing my catchphrases!

Alya takes Nino by the hand and leads him away.

"Come on, I have to show you the backyard." Marinette says. "It's pawsitively mewtiful."

I chuckle. "You sure are comfortable playing the role of Cat Noir."

"Oh I've got this cat in the bag." Marinette replies proudly.

She starts walking ahead of me, leading me down the hallway.

"I've gotta say, it feels like you're a completely different person." I say.

Marinette tilts her head back to look at me and smiles. "Don't worry, I'm still your Purr-rincess."

My heart leaps longingly. For some reason I feel content hearing that she is my princess. As we make our way through the house, a number of people wolf-whistle at Marinette. It makes me...kind of uncomfortable. I was loving her costume a minute ago but she's just too cute. I suddenly feel the need to wrap her up in a thick coat and hide her away. I walk as close to her side as I can, eyeing every guy we pass. Once we get outside, I take her hand and pull her off away from the crowds.

"It's too loud here." I excuse. "Let's go somewhere where we can actually hear each other."

Marinette was right, it's beautiful out here. The pool is lit up with rainbow lights and there are pumpkins everywhere glowing a bright orange. I lead Marinette down a path of stepping stones, trailed with flowers and fairy lights. We take a seat on a swing bench secluded in the garden.

"Are you just trying to get alone with me?" Marinette questions with a raised brow.

My heart lurches with the sudden realisation that we are in fact alone. I am in a dark, isolated place with an extremely attractive girl. I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks. I'm sweating with nerves. My heartbeat quickens as Marinette scoots closer.

"What's the matter?" She whispers seductively. "Cat got your tongue?"

Jesus she's good. That's the best Cat Noir for you, she's got me right where she wants me. No. Whatever game she is playing I, the real Cat Noir, will win. I gulp down the dry lump in my throat.

"The only thing this cat has stolen is my heart." I reply swiftly, stroking Marinette's cheek.

Marinette's confidence wavers. She always gets flustered when she's complimented, no way can she keep up this cool cat act.

But she presses on calmly. "Oh, I see. You think you're pretty smooth yourself?"

"I do consider myself quite the pickup master." I boast playfully.

"In that case," Marinette leans in closer still, looking deeply into my eyes. "Do you have a map? Because I'm getting lost in your eyes."

My face is burning. How dare she make me, the king of charms, feel so flustered. I lean in closer to her, as if playing chicken.

"Did you use tail whip? Because your booty's got me defenceless." I say, holding up my arms in surrender.

Marinette seems shocked by my bold remark but she quickly shakes it, smirking flirtatiously. "If I were a real cat, I would spend all my nine lives with you."

Our faces are now inches from each other and neither of us is backing down. I can feel her warm breath on my lips. The stars are twinkling in her eyes. I watch her long lashes bat with every slow blink of hers. My gaze slowly travels down to her scarlet lips, slightly parted for her breath to escape.

"Your lips look a little lonely...Would they like to meet mine?" I say softly.

Marinette's breathing slows. The environment around us seems to fall silent. I watch in anticipation as her soft, scarlet lips slowly draw closer.

A sudden tremor in the earth causes the swing bench to jerk. Marinette and I both go toppling to the ground.

"What was that?" Marinette panics. "An earthquake?"

This abrupt interruption seems to snap me back to reality. What was I just doing?...Were Marinette and I about to kiss? This is weird. So many emotions are bubbling up inside me, I can't tell if it's a good feeling or not. Above all I'm just confused. I...I thought I was in love with Ladybug—I mean, I am in love with Ladybug. Surely I was just caught up in the moment, and Marinette was just lost in her character.

I get up onto my feet. When Marinette tries to stand up, the ground shakes again and she falls back down. I quickly grab her arm to support her and lift her up.

"I don't know what's going on but maybe we should go find the others." I say.

Marinette nods in agreement. We both hurry back to Alya's house, abandoning whatever atmosphere and feelings were rising in the garden behind us.

When we get back to the house, most of the guests are already gone.

"There you are!" Nino exclaims, rushing towards us. "We were looking for you guys everywhere."

"What's going on?" I ask.

"Some crazy hippy chick's been akumatized." Nino answers.

"Alright, I'm going out." Alya says. "Nino, can I trust you to look after the house?"

"What? No." Nino replies, grabbing Alya's hands. "Don't go. You're always risking your life for the ladyblog, but this one is too dangerous. This chick can control the earth! Please, Alya."

Alya looks at Nino guiltily. "I'm so sorry Nino, I promise I'll be safe."

She pulls her hands from his and runs out of the house.

Nino sighs and looks down at his Batman attire. "What good is a superhero who can't even protect the lady he's fallen for?"

I grip Nino's shoulder firmly to comfort him. "She'll be alright man. It's Alya, she's tough."

"I should go home," Marinette says. "My parents will be worried sick."

I feel anxious thinking about Marinette trying to make it home at night by herself, especially with an akumatized villain on the run. My body wants me to run after her, but my mind is yelling at me to let her leave.

Ladybug needs me. Ladybug. Go to Ladybug.

I have the whole of Paris to worry about; I don't have time to worry over Marinette.

"I need to go home too. Sorry dude." I say to Nino before quickly running outside.

I turn the corner and crouch behind a bush.

"Plagg, claws out!" I demand.

Plagg flies out of my suit pocket and disappears into my ring. I watch as my body gets covered in black leather. I look down at my claw-tipped hands. I have become Cat Noir, the Casanova, the cocky flirt, the big tease...

A past conversation with Plagg rings in my head.

"But you don't like flirting with multiple women..." Comes Plagg's voice. "...Actually come to think of it, you do flirt with more than one girl."

"I don't flirt with Marinette." My voice replies. "Ladybug is the only girl for me."

My head is swirling with guilt and regret. I need to shake it off. I need to go help Ladybug. Ladybug, I need to be by her side.