The Love Swap

Chapter 1 - Plagg's Out the Bag

Marinette Dupain-Cheng never expected in a million years to be sitting on the floor of the library, watching a show with her science teacher in it, who was showing the whole world proof of Ladybug and Chat Noir's kwamis. She certainly also did not expect that during this time she would be sitting mere feet away from her crush, Adrian Agreste, and seeig her partner's kwami floating above his pristine school bag. 

Yeah.

She could tell there had been many mistakes made as Tikki's face was one of complete horror, as she watched Marinette regard Plagg. At this point, there wasn't anything that could be done to fix the current situation. Tikki was only lucky that Adrian's eyes were glued to the screen as her and Plagg dove into their master's bags. Only half the damage done?

Oh boy was Tikki wrong about that.

Marinette rushed to the bathroom with inhuman speed. It made sense really, she was a superhero after all. Tikki exploded out of the her bag as she entered the stall. She was freaking out. Freaking. Out. Tikki attempted to say something, anything, but Marinette started speaking before she could come up with some kind of excuse. 

"I know what I saw Tikki, there isn't anything you can say to disprove what we both just saw," Marinette started. "Plagg was right over Adrian's bag and hid in it too. Not only that, but Adrian had the exact same look on his face that I did." Tikki tried to but in.

"Marinette, there's no way-"

"Tikki, I know Adrian is Chat Noir!" She practically shouted in the empty bathroom. It didn't matter though, Marinette's world had completely been changed. Adrian and Chat Noir? The same boy? The angel and the devil? The perfectionist and the bad boy? Tikki interrupted her thoughts with a loud shush.

"I know. Marinette, there is no way Chat Noir can know. You can't let him know you know. You can't tell him who you are. You have to keep it a secret," Tikki practically begged Marinette.

Marinette's face changed to one of frustration. 

"You have some serious explaining to do, missy," Marinette scolded. "You know I'm no good about giant secrets like this!" Tikki huffed in confusion. 

"That's not true, you've kept being Ladybug a secret this whole time-"

Just then a loud beeping sound echoed around the room from Marinette's phone. She quickly pulled it out to see an Akuma Alert! Watching the details closely, Marinette knit her eyebrows together in concentration. She put her phone away. 

"This conversation is going to have to wait for later. Tikki, Spots On!" Marinette called to her kwami. Tikki flew into her earrings hurriedly, and Marinette headed for the closest window. Once she had propped it open, she flew out, heading to save the day."

***

Ladybug landed back on her balcony before detransforming to reveal a very stressed Marinette. She had defeated Kwamibuster with the help of Master Fu, all the kwamis, and Chat Noir. But at what cost? She thought to herself. She had almost let let the cat out of the bag, literally. Telling Chat Noir know what she knew was going to change everything. Hell, she was barely even able to work with him during the mission because she kept imagining Adrian under Chat's deep black beautiful mask.... Hey! Snap out of it! She thought to herself. 

"Now would be a great time for that explanation," she sternly looked at Tikki. They both headed into her room below to talk. Tikki gulped.

"I warned Plagg not to do it, but he kept going back everyday to eat the magic cheese!" Tikki cried, "It was all an experiment set up by your teacher! She tried to capture us on camera and in a net. I knew Plagg would do anything for a piece of smelly cheese, but I didn't think he'd go so far as to reveal his master's identity!"

Marinette held Tikki close as she was crying softly in her hands. It was hard to understand how this series of events had happened, but it didn't matter now.

"Hey, come to think of it, Adrian does always smell like old cheese..." Marinette trailed off. Huh, maybe I like that? She thought to herself. Weird.

"That's besides the point Marinette!" Tikki wailed, "There isn't anything we can do, to undo what just happened."

"I know Tikki, I'm just going to have to pretend that nothing changed. Everything is the same."

"How are you going to do that, Marinette?" Tikki questioned. Marinette looked at her in determination.

"I'm going to separate Ladybug and Marinette. If I can pretend that Marinette is just Ladybug's friend then it will be easier to keep her secret!" Tikki looked up in surprise. It's so odd it might actually work, Tikki thought to herself. 

"After all, Chat Noir has dropped by a couple times to be my 'friend'," she reminded Tikki. And to think that has been Adrian this whole time, seeking my company..... Tikki wiped her remaining tears away to nod at Marinette. 

"That's true Marinette. But how are you going to hide your secret from Adrian in school? You can barely keep yourself together already?" Tikki flew up from Marinette to hover in front of her. Marinette thought for a second before an idea popped into her head.

"Oh that's easy!" She exclaimed. "Ladybug will just have to fall in love with Chat Noir!" Marinette stood proudly at the thought she came up with, while Tikki raised an eyebrow in confusion. 

"How is that going to work, Marinette?"

"Simple, if Chat Noir is busy getting attention from Ladybug, he'll be less likely to noticed Marinette! His lady would be falling in love with him, after all. There would be no reason for him to pay any attention to me in school." Tikki gasped in amazement.

"That's a great idea! Good job Marinette!"

"Thanks Tikki, I'm glad we figured this one out," She paused, thinking to herself. "No reason to let Master Fu the truth, right?"

Marinette and Tikki exchanged a worried glace and both laughed nervously.

This was going to work, right?