Switched

Balance

"Um, Adrien, what are you looking for?"

Lady Noire looked around her bedroom, turning back to watch as Mister Bug rummaged through her desk drawers. She was so concerned about Golden Sun that the photographs of Adrien taped to her wall didn't even embarrass her.

She took one more look at her screensaver, a collage of Adrien's photoshoots with a big pink heart around the center photo, as Mister Bug nonchalantly crossed in front of her computer.

Okay, maybe she was a little embarrassed.

Fighting the blush beneath her mask, she watched as Mister Bug finally found what he was looking for.

"Hey, I have a pair exactly like these." He held out a pair of black designer sunglasses.

"I know," she said through gritted teeth.

Mister Bug blinked. "We'll talk about that later, Marinette."

Lady Noire wished she could melt into the floor. She followed Mister Bug onto the rooftop.

"What's the plan?"

"Do you really want to hear it?" he asked softly. His body had suddenly tensed.

Lady Noire wasn't used to seeing him this serious. He hadn't even cracked one joke since they'd switched places.

"Yes," Lady Noire found herself saying. "I do." She leaned in closer and placed a hand on his arm. "Tell me your plan, Kitty."

He chuckled ruefully. "I'm not Kitty anymore."

"You'll always be my Kitty." She held his gaze.

Mister Bug suddenly leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers. A moment later, he pulled back.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have. This was the wrong time," he stumbled on.

Lady Noire felt her cheeks flush again, and this time she didn't try to hide it. She had never seen Mister Bug so flustered.

"We can talk about it later," she said gently. "Now, tell me your plan."

***
As Mister Bug and Lady Noire arrived at school, he couldn't help but feel the pressure of failure. What if this didn't work? Was this how Marinette felt every day?

How did she stand it?

He glanced at Lady Noire as she cracked her neck, eager to help capture Chloe's akuma.

"I really hope this works." He handed her the pair of sunglasses that weren't the lucky charm.

"Stop doubting yourself." She smiled at him. "You are cat-tastic."

He wrinkled his nose. "You have my permission to throw me off a roof if I ever make a pun that bad."

"Please, you couldn't go one day without making a cat pun."

"I don't need to. I've got you for that."

He loved that she felt so free. Lady Noire wasn't usually this chatty, and she didn't make a lot of jokes.

They both put on their sunglasses. Miraculously, Golden Sun hadn't made her way out into the city so most of the damage was contained to the school.

"Don't forget not to look straight at her," Mister Bug warned. "The sun can still damage our eyes even with sunglasses, so Chloe's powers might still be too strong even with these."

Lady Noire nodded. "I didn't forget. Just get me close enough to her." She looked at her hand. "Cata—"

"Wait!" Mister Bug stopped. "Don't call for your power until you have a clear shot. Trust me."