A/N: Even though the 6th already passed...Happy third year anniversary! And happy new year!

"Who hides behind the masks?" Nadia grinned at the screen, both Ladybug and Chatnoir plastered with grins on their faces. Unfortunately, they weren't able to get much information on the white hero nor get any pictures of them for how fast she evades the media. 

"Friend or perhaps foes?" Nadia turned to her companion. 

The man grinned, "Regardless, one thing they have is style."

And so, the three became heroes of Paris. Many villains attacked the city almost every day without fail. But the three heroes once again jumped in to save the day. 

Gwen could tell how much Ladybug and Chatnoir were enjoying the attention from everyone. She knows because I used to think the same thing. 

It was a fun experience. Working with two inexperienced heroes. But they learned quickly. Gwen was almost tempted to stop fighting and go back to the way she locked herself away. But seeing the smiling faces of Paris and her partners, the rush in her blood felt all too familiar. 

It felt great. Punching bad guys and defeating them before running away before Alya or anybody else could get a picture of her. Ladybug and Chatnoir noticed this and couldn't help but be confused. 

Why would the hero hide? 

Who is Ghost-Spider?

And so, it has become like that for the past few further months. Defeating the next villains and capturing the akumas. And still no call from her father. She almost relented in calling him to know how he is doing but she couldn't even dial a number before turning it off. 

Something good came out of this, actually. Marinette has increasingly gotten better in school. And Gwen couldn't be any prouder, seeing how being a hero influenced the young girl. 

Not only that, Marinette would occasionally be around Luka when Gwen wasn't around. And where is Gwen, currently? Gwen is sitting down by the park, closing her eyes while taking in the shade of the tree. 

She couldn't help but be tranquil by the soft warm breeze. And the shade of the tree blocking out the sun was all better. She chuckled, sensing a certain someone trying to sneak up on her from behind. 

Feeling warm hands cover her already closed eyes, she chuckled. "Johnny Depp?" she asked but chuckled as the hands forced her head to shake no. 

"Hmm. It smells like strawberry...could it be the weird model from the Agreste company who wouldn't leave me alone despite asking them to?" Gwen waited, noticing how they took in her words before shoving her head forward with a laugh. 

She laughed, turning her head to the side as Adrien picked up the smoothies he placed on the ground and sat beside her, giving her a playful glare. 

"You're unbelievable," he sighed, shaking his head in playful disappointment. 

Gwen chuckled, taking one of the smoothies, "Thanks, it's a gift. Now...what brought us here on this nice afternoon. Could it be that you already miss me?" she smirked, glancing at him briefly. 

He smirked back, leaning on the bench while looking at her. "I don't know. I don't recall calling you out of the blue. I don't have your number after all."

Gwen rolled her eyes, chuckling under her breath. "Oh, sure. Someone didn't just grab my wrist while closing my locker and drag me out of the school and ditch fourth period to hang out in the park and drink smoothies. Yeah, I'm the crazy one."

Adrien laughed, subconsciously leaning his arm back and placing it on top of the bench behind her. He couldn't help but look at her closely, seeing how she leaned to his arm and closed her eyes, dropping her head back and onto his arm. Her short blonde hair with blue tips waved lightly with the breeze. 

She only looked more beautiful every day. How does she do it?

"You're staring..." she mused, keeping her eyes closed. 

"Don't think you're special," he scoffed, smiling at her. "I see a bug heading towards the slip of smoothy in the corner of your lips."

Gwen hummed, frowning her lips and lifting them so she could see it but it only made Adrien laugh at the expression on her face. "Here," he grinned, scooting closer to her and raising a hand, lightly grabbing her chin and making her turn to him. 

Gwen stopped, looking at the boy closely as he wiped away the smoothy with his thumb. She couldn't help but feel her face heating up at the intensity in his green eyes. They were filled with so much adoration and childishness. 

"There," he whispered, unable to remove his hand from her chin. His thumb instead started caressing her lips, finding them smooth. He was almost tempted to lean closer and kiss them. 

Were they smooth? Did it taste like the strawberry smoothy Gwen was drinking from? Were they warm? 

Gwen smiled, leaning back from his touch and leaned on his arm that fell off the bench and was now on her waist. Gwen noticed this but didn't comment on it, liking his arm around her. 

She wasn't stupid about her feelings. She can be immensely stupid when it comes to working in her hero life. But she could feel how every single day came by from school and seeing him and talking to him made her feel. It made her happy, not feeling alone. 

Although they would playfully fight one another, it still helped alleviate the lonely ache in their hearts. 

"So..." she started. "How long you've been in Paris?"

Adrien leaned back on the bench taking a sip of his smoothy. "All my life," he smiled, turning his head to her. "What about you?"

Gwen grimaced, "A few months now. I came from New York."

Adrien's eyes widened, "Really? I've been in New York...once or twice. What made you come over and live in the city of love?"

"Um..." Gwen sucked both her lips. "I'm staying here temporarily, actually."

Adrien's slowly dropped, hearing her continue. "My father is working on himself. Only one call from him and I'm going back."

Adrien frowned, confused by her words. "What do you mean? Doesn't your father work at the bakery?"

Gwen shook her head. "I'm a foster child," she dryly chucked. "There was an incident back at home that caused a drift between my father and I. He...didn't take the news well and sent me off to foster care while he figured things out."

Adrien frowned, now feeling guilty for making her talk about a sensitive topic. "...How long have you not talked to him?" he worriedly looked at her. 

Gwen shrugged, "I lost count. But I plan to talk to him soon...hopefully to get things sorted." She looked up at him, grimacing as she dampened the mood. She goes to speak to alleviate but Adrien got to it first. 

He reached into his pocket, taking out his pocket watch. His eyes softened at it, opening it. Taking a moment to look at the picture inside, he softly handed it to her. Gwen blinked, unsure of what he was doing but held the watch tenderly, looking inside. 

Her eyes softened, seeing a small blonde boy in a woman's arms. They were smiling at each other as they hugged each other. The boy had the same green eyes as the woman. She was beautiful. 

"My mom..." Adrien started, looking down at the picture. He wasn't sure why he felt the need to talk to someone about her. In fact, he never spoke about her to anyone. Not even Nino or his father. yet, he doesn't know why he felt comfortable with Gwen. "She passed away when I was young. I don't remember how she sounds or how she feels like. I have a few pictures from her at home but it isn't the same."

Adrien sadly smiled, looking at her and now holding her hand. "But I know that he will come around. And I will be here too. Even if you go far away, I'll make sure to ditch you out of the school to hang out."

Gwen chuckled, shaking her head at him. She looked down at the picture, handing it to him. "She's got your eyes. One nice quality from a parent."

Adrien couldn't help but laugh at them, glad to know that he takes after his mother. He nudged at her, feeling the damp atmosphere liven up for a moment. "What about you? Who do you take after?"

"Ooooh," Gwen playfully shook her head. "I take after my mom. Though, I got my blond hair from him. I still got her character which is a bonus."

Adrien smiled, nudging his shoulder with hers. "Cool."

🕸🕷🕸

Gwen didn't call her dad. Not after having so much fun in Paris for what seems to be a long time. She even also started her forgiving process, meditating every day and working out, taking her mind off the prom night and Peter. 

It was nice. Even going to the theatres with Alya, Nino, Marinette, and Luka. Gwen would occasionally chuckle, seeing how Marinette and Luka would whisper to each other, not even bothering to look at the movie. 

And Gwen?

She would throw some popcorn at the blonde and him throwing it back. They eventually got thrown out of the theatre as Gwen got competitive and threw the entire bag at him, hitting his nose harshly. But they liked that moment as they went to a friendly picnic, finding it as a triple date but Gwen wouldn't admit it. 

But she spent the entire time leaning on Adrien's shoulder as she conversed with her friends. She even saw Tikki flying out of Marinette's pocket and gently pushed the girl's hand to Luka's. Marinette got easily flustered, apologizing for that as her hand "slipped" but Luka wasn't bothered by it at all. 

Instead, the boy reached over and held her hand, going back to the conversation. 

Gwen was definitely surprised as Ladybug and Chatnoir got their branded cars. She even laughed as the Volkswagon company made one of Ghost-Spider, trying to use any kind of pictures from the media to get into the color. It was similar to Chat's but white with blue and pink streaks. 

She found them cool, promising herself to go back to Paris and buy her car. 

🕸🕷🕸

Gwen sighed, leaning on the balcony of the bakery. Taking in the nice scenery of Paris in the midst of the night. The tower was lit up in gold and she could see the cathedral a little far from where she stood. It felt nice. When was the last time she relaxed like this?

Gwen softly smiled, leaning her head on her arms as she looked down at the people walking in the streets like ants. They were so small, she could crush them. 

"What brings a lovely damsel out in this lonely night?"

Gwen chuckled, turning around as the cat hero sat on top of the chimney, smiling down at her. Gwen crossed her arms, raising a brow unimpressed. 

"I don't know. I was half expecting a plane to fly over and accidentally drop a bag filled with money. But instead, I'm with a black cat who gives me zero chances for it to happen."

He awed, placing a hand on his offensively. "That's cruel. You hurt my heart."

"I could hurt a lot more if you don't keep walking," Gwen lightheartedly threatened. 

Chat grinned, standing up before dropping down to meet her. "Really? I have superpowers. What can you do to hurt me?"

Gwen smirked, crossing her arms and leaning back on the rails. "A whole lot worse."

Chat smirked, leaning close to her. "Is that a challenge?"

"I don't know..." Gwen mused. "You don't seem like a challenge at all."

Chat's jaw dropped, now suddenly wanting to prove her wrong. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her to his chest and jumped farther away from the bakery now standing on top of a roof. 

He parted from her, smirking as he crossed his arms. Gwen frowned, looking at him in disbelief. "Oh  we're seriously doing this?"

Chat nodded, "Oh, we're definitely doing it. It's a man's pride. You understand."

"Of course," Gwen cockily closed her eyes and raised her hands in surrender. "Don't want to damage a poor lady's pride."

Chat scoffed, clenching his and raising them. He lightly threw a punch but yelped as Gwen grabbed his wrist and threw him over her shoulder, dropping him on the ground, throwing down her punch and stopping before it met his nose. 

"I wouldn't go easy on ladies," Gwen smirked. "That's my job."

Chat growled, now feeling competitive. Rolling away, he threw a kick but blinked as Gwen did a backflip, missing his attack. He threw more punches but Gwen deflected them, slapping them away with her hand. Her smile remained the same. 

Chat fully stood, looking at her impressed. "You know, for a cheerleader. I believe you could punch a little faster."

"Oh really?" Gwen smirked. "Interesting. I was about to say the same thing about you."

They both laughed, now heading to one another, throwing their punches and their kicks. Their adrenaline rose as they continued fighting, running on the roofs as they kept laughing. Chat tried refraining his strength but he eventually started using it as soon as Gwen struck his chin with her shoes. 

She was very light on her feet. Almost like a ballerina. Yet, somehow, her fighting skills remind him of someone. 

Gwen eventually realized that her back met with the chimney, stopping in her tracks as Chat now stood in front of her, slapping his hands beside her head, now cornering and towering over her. 

Gwen's eyes widened, noticing the small distance they had. She could practically feel his warm breath close to her face. Her heart raced, seeing the intensity of his green eyes. 

A small flash of a familiar blonde with green eyes popped into her in mind, making her guilty as she was with the masked hero. Even though she and Adrien are not really together. She still has some hint of feelings towards the boy. She should be fighting and dancing around with someone she doesn't even know. 

It didn't feel right. 

"I really should go home now," she whispered. 

Chat frowned, raising a hand and cupped her cheek. "Don't," he said almost pleadingly. 

Gwen apologetically smiled at him as he grabbed her hand and took her back to the balcony, watching her as she headed inside without another word. 

"Who are you, Gwen Stacy?" he smiled in awe. Flashes of Ghost-Spider flooded his mind. 

🕸🕷🕸

Gwen walked beside Marinette and Alya, looking around the school and seeing posters hung on the walls. She hummed, confused about the interests the students are getting at. 

Marinette knew full well, turning to Gwen. "Gwen, you think Luka would say yes?"

Gwen looked more closely at the poster, smiling in interest too as she saw that it was a masquerade ball in a month. She smiled, turning to Marinette. "I think you should."

Alya agreed, "Of course! I'm gonna ask Nino. Are you going to ask Adrien, Gwen?"

Guilt suddenly struck her chest, making Gwen grimace. "I don't know. I might be gone by then."

Marinette's eyes widened in realization. Next month will be the final month of her stay. She frowned, sad to know the nice girl will be leaving soon. 

"You don't think that you can stay here for the ball?" Marinette asked. "It could be...our last time together."

Gwen smiled at her, patting her head. "Maybe."

"I think you should go together," Chloé suddenly spoke up in front of the lockers. The three girls were about to walk past her but her next words stopped Gwen in her tracks. "Because Adrien is coming with me, not with some delinquent."

"Enough Chloé" Marinette snarked back. "The adults are having a conversation. Why don't you go fix your hair? It looks like a rat's nest."

Gwen's eyes widened in disbelief. Did Marinette...defend her? She felt like a proud mother, praising the young girl silently. She laughed, wrapping an arm around Marinette's shoulders and walking her back to class.

🕸🕷🕸

"Tikki, Gwen, I'm going to do it," Marinette grinned, not looking up from her work. "I'm going to ask Luka to the ball. I've got everything planned. My outfit, what I'm going to say, a cute bowtie," she giggled. 

Tikki frowned worriedly. She could tell Marinette was getting distracted from her hero life and felt the need to remind her. "Hawmoth's still on the move. We must stay focused."

"Relax, Tikki," Marinette chuckled. "We kicked every supervillain he's sent our way. He's probably hiding scared."

Gwen couldn't help but agree with Tikki. The girl was happy but she should still be on alert. "Or it's the calm before the storm," she muttered. 

Marinette rolled her eyes, "Not you too, Gwen. And what about you? I think you should ask Adrien to the ball. It could be your only chance with him before you leave."

Gwen frowned, looking down at her hand. "I...I don't want to give him hope. Long distance relationships hardly ever work out."

Marinette frowned, turning her chair to continue to talk but Gwen stood up, leaving the room. She sighed, turning back to the present, and started designing Marinette's and Gwen's dresses. 

🕸🕷🕸

Gwen walked down the street, tugging her sweater as she hid her hands into her pockets. She wanted to. She really does. But she's not sure if she's making the right choice. If she does end up asking him, he could reject her and actually go with Chloé or the guilt of her slight feelings towards the cat hero make the guilt grow more. 

She's not that kind of person. Sure, she has multiple celebrity crushes. But having multiple crushes in real life? That is the most horrible way to think. She can't like Chat and Adrien at the same time. 

It's unfair. 

And besides, she doesn't know who Chat is and he could already be with someone. It's best to not involve herself in heroic romance. Nothing good will come out of it. 

Gwen wasn't sure why her feet stopped in front of an abandoned theatre. The signs to keep people out were all she saw but she recalled hearing Adrien talking about how his mother was an actress in this theatre. 

She looked around, stepping forward and sneaking inside. She was met with the entry, watching in awe at the place. Although it was dusty, she could already picture herself on stage, dancing ballet. 

Gwen's senses flared, immediately crouched low and threw a kick behind her but blinked as a black-gloved hand stopped her foot before striking his chest. 

The familiar cat-like green eyes amusedly stared down at her. "Nice kick," he mused. "I could kick harder."

"Chat..." she murmured in surprise. "Were you following me?"

"To the ends of the earth, my love," he smiled at her, grabbing her hand before dragging her towards the stage. Gwen chuckled, seeing the piano at the center of the stage.

"Let me guess," Gwen mused. "This is where you bring all of your dates?"

Chat chuckled, shaking his head. "Actually. I've never brought anyone here. After my mom died, I promised myself that I wouldn't get close to anyone anymore."

Gwen frowned, looking away sadly. She felt familiar with those words...when she lost her best friend. She didn't think that she would ever get close to anyone, believing she would bring danger anywhere she went. 

"I'm sorry, Chatnoir," she looked down at the ground. 

"Don't be," Chat smiled, reaching over and raising her chin with his knuckle to look at him. "I'm not sad anymore...since I met you."

Gwen's eyes widened, turning back to him. She could see and hear the sincerity of his words, making her face burn. Does he really mean it?

Chat glanced at the piano, smiling as he remembered something that popped in his mind. "I prepared a little something. But I'm not sure...I don't want to mess it up."

Gwen chuckled, jumping up and sit at the edge of the stage, looking back at the red seats. "You know. Someone once told me that failure is not your enemy, your fear are."

Chat's eyes slowly widened, looking at the girl beside him. He's only ever recalled saying those exact words to two people. Ladybug and Ghost-Spider. But then again, someone out there coul have told her the same thing. 

"That's right," Chat breathily chuckled, shrugging as he turned back to her. "So, I'm prepared to make a fool of myself."

Gwen flusterdly smiled, shaking her head in disbelief. "Are you?"

Chat grinned, standing up as he jumped over to the stage and walked over to the piano, removing the last of the sheet and dropping it on the ground. Gwen slowly stood up, walking over to him, genuinely curious on what he's going to do. 

He's not really going to sing, is he?

"And you need a piano for that?" Gwen chuckled, leaning over the piano, seeing as he sat on the bench. 

"A gift...for you," Chat glanced at her, turning his attention back to the piano and slowly started to play. Gwen closed her eyes, feeling her hand on the large instruments and feel the vibration. 

"Can't believe..." Chat slowly sang. "The world that you've revealed to me."

As if on que, the red curtains moved to the side, revealing the hung moon and stars. Gwen chuckled, finding it amusing but turned back to Chat. 

"For the first time, I feel truly free. It's all thanks to you..." Chat looked up from the key notes. 

Gwen softly smiled, a hand to her chest as her heart felt heavy yet light as a feather. It was like she's always known him for a while. Even though he hides from the mask, she didn't want it to be over. 

"I feel the same..." she sang, slowly walking away but her smile hadn't faltered. "You pushed me through the doubt, the pain." Her eyes glinted, completely forgetting what happened that night. "And as our paths collide again, I know what to do..."

Gwen stopped, not hearing the notes of the piano anymore and turned around. She frowned as the hero wasn't around. 

"Take my hand!" Chat exclaimed, now standing on top of a hanging moon and reaching over for her with a grin on his face. 

"As we stand," they chorused. Gwen reached her hand out, jumping a little high as Chat caught her, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Let's face the world! There is nothing that can defeat us."

Gwen laughed as they were were raised higher to the ceiling but Chat grabbed her and jumped away, heading towards the roof. 

"Day and night!" they sang, looking over Paris before looking at each other. "You and I...Let's show the world. That nothing will come between us."

Gwen laughed, feeling Chat take her hand before falling back and off the roof. The wind blew through their hair but Gwen wasn't afraid, trusting him to catch her. And so he did, holding her hand, he extended his staff as they jumped high in the air. 

"Thanks to you, I've become..." Gwen closed her eyes. "Confident to know I am free. When I feel overrun, it's no longer all on me." Chat let her go, taking in the view while Gwen hid. Taking out her phone, her eyes softened at the picture in the cover but she felt happy. With a grin, she stepped out of the shadows and placed both hands on his eyes, covering them lightly. "Hearts and minds, now combined. I am stronger when you're by my side."

Chat chuckled, taking her hands away but not pulling away from her touch as he jumped back, taking her towards the bridge. Gwen yelped as Chat pushed her off, but before she could get into the water, he suddenly appeared under the bridge, standing on his extended staff and holding her to his chest. 

"I can share all my cares. You've laid bare my deepest flaws. You've caught me, unaware...Now my fater is tied with yours. Hearts and minds, now combined. I am stronger, so stand by my side..." Chat yelped as Gwen successfully pushed him to the water. 

Chat spat out the water, looking up at her but blinked to see Gwen already on top of the bridge. He chuckled, swimming back to his staff and chase after her, seeing her running away. 

When he finally caught her, he took her to one of the rooftops, grabbing her hand and wrapping an arm around her waist, pulling her to a dance. 

It took him a moment, looking at her closely as she danced along. She was no taller than Ghost-Spider. Her attitude and spunk was sort of similar to hers. He couldn't help but wonder if they are the same person. 

So he took the risk.

"You save the world everyday with a mask. But the girl behind it saved my heart," Chat smiled, seeing as Gwen's eyes widened at his words. 

Chat looked down at her hands, chuckling in disbelief to see small holes on the girl's wrist. She's Ghost-Spider. Why didn't he see it sooner? Even if she were to cover herself head to toe, he knew her by heart. 

Gwen didn't deny it. She lightly gasped, seeing so much in someone's eyes. Even...when he knew who she was behind the mask, he still wanted to accept her. But does he really know who she was?

What is this feeling now? I cannot fall for him. His eyes move me somhow. I shouldn't start something... Gwen thought, dancing with him under the moonlight

"I know that look, dancing between those eyes. It is the same one I, try to disguise..." Chat lovingly smiled down at her, looking down at her lips before looking back at her eyes. 

Chat closed his eyes, leaning down at her lips. His lips grazed hers, making her stop. Her heart lurched at the thought. What does he know about her? Does he really know her?

"Chat..." she whispered, placing a hand on his chest, stopping him before kissing her. Chat opened his eyes, frowning in confusion but looked at her, frowning more as he saw the uncertainty in her expression. 

"What do you know about me?" she looked up at him, almost pleadingly. Wanting to know if he truly knew her. 

"...You're Ghost-Spider. You're Gwen Stacy. My Gwen Stacy," he spoke but frowned further as he saw her gulp. 

"I know," she looked away before looking up at him. "But...do you...really know what kind of person I am?"

A murderer...

Chat frowned, "What do you mean? You've been by my side. You're special to me."

Gwen winced, remembering those words very well. "So...you don't know what I am...before I came to Paris?"

Chat recalled what the old man said and how tense she was. What kind of person was she?

Gwen noticed the conflict and confusion in his eyes, smiling sadly at her situation. Backing away from him, she looked away. "I'm...I'm sorry," she spoke. "I didn't want you to know me like this. It's best if we don't do this again. For both our sakes."

Chat reached a hand out to her but he saw as Gwen jumped off of the roof, swinging away to her place. 

"Wait, don't go," Chat lowly sang. "Just give it time to grow. We could be great, I know. I'm...falling for you."

Chat sadly frowned, looking down at his hands. "How could I ever think she'd fall for me?...Behind this mask. There's just an empty heart."

Plagg flew out of his costume, flying next to him and looking at him sadly. "You know what else is empty? My stomach." Plagg sighed, "Listen, kid. I told you, don't fall for your sidekick."

Adrien frowned, sitting at the rooftop as he started looking up Ghost-Spider. And what he found out wasn't pretty. 

🕸🕷🕸

Adrien slammed his mansion door shut, gritting his teeth while clenching his fists. His heart ached, not knowing what to do. Has Gwen been lying all this time as a hero and as a person? There's so much on the media that they didn't cover but it hurt him. 

Maybe...he didn't knew her after all. And it hurt. Couldn't she say something about it? Couldn't she...?

"Adrien."

Adrien stopped, pulling his earbuds and turning to the staircase. His brows furrowed, seeing his father pale and visibly exhausted. Bags hung under the man's eyes and wobbled in his step. He wasn't the composed man he's always known. His hair was disheveled and clothes were wrinkled. 

"I've been waiting for you," Gabriel panted, slowly walking down the stairs. "Where have you been?"

Adrien scowled, when does he care? "Why do you care?" he snapped. 

Gabriel frowned, "You didn't come home last night."

"All of a sudden you're worried about me?" Adrien looked at him in disbelief. 

"Of course I worry," Gabriel rasped, out of breath. "I'm your father."

Adrien scowled again, feeling all the pent up anger and pain in his chest flare up, taking everything out on his father. "My father?! I lost my dad a long time ago!"

Adrien didn't let the man say another word, instead storming past him and walking towards his room, slamming it behind him. 

Why does everything have to be so complicated?  

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Next Episode: End to a Beginning L&C Pt.7 ♥

Published: January 9, 2024

Word Count: 4890