Adrienette/Marichat- best friends

Part thirteen

Marinette followed Adrien mindlessly as the streets became less and less familiar.
"How many times have you been here? You seem to have a whole route planned out in your head." She joked.
"Just a couple times" he chuckled, "the people here are very welcoming- even if it's only because they want to sell you stuff." Adrien found interest in the small town, it felt friendlier than his own household had felt in years.

As a sudden scream erupted through their ears, causing the two to impulsively tighten the grip of their joined hands.
Adrien turned his face to Marinette, and she gave him an acknowledging nod.
"Mari- stay here- I need to go transform-"
But another shriek interrupted their conversation as whatever akumatized villain came closer.
"I need to get you somewhere safer-" and without any hesitation he began running with his hand linked tightly with hers.
"B-but!" Marinette protested, but Adrien's only concern right now was getting her somewhere far away from the akuma. Ironically, that was the exact opposite of what she wanted to do. Although she knew his secret, he hadn't yet known hers. When he told her he was Chat Noir, something held her back from telling him she was Ladybug.
Even though she regretted shrinking down during that opportunity, she felt it was already far too late, and he would take it the wrong way.
Regardless, she allowed herself to be dragged around hoping he would soon find a safe place to 'drop' her off at.
He dashed into an alleyway with Marinette following closely behind.
"Plagg, claws out!" 
She clenched her eyes shut at the bright light that came from his transformation. When she opened her eyes, Chat Noir stood in front of her.
Marinette tried harder than she ever did to hold back the heat creeping to her cheeks, but seeing him in that suite just-
ThereAreMoreImportantMattersRightNow!
He gripped her shoulders, "Stay right here Mari!"
Unable to speak, she nodded, and a second later he was off.
Making sure no one was watching, Marinette joined in.
"Tikki, spots on!"
She threw her yoyo, swinging through the city until she caught up with Chat in battle.
Throughout the fight, it was clear that Chat Noir was fully concentrated on cutting this enemy down and returning to Marinette.
"Anxious to get somewhere, kitty?" She teased.
He jumped in surprise at her voice, "Oh- it's you- I thought I heard..never mind. And uh- I need to get back to a friend. She doesn't like being left alone." He chuckled at the last part.
Marinette- Ladybug, giggled nervously, "I'm sure she's fine!"
--
"Bye-bye little butterfly!" Marinette said as she waved off the purified akuma.
"Cant stick around long- but it was nice seeing you." Chat winked as he jumped, running from building to building.
Marinette jumped down to a safer place, and released her transformation at the sound of her last dot beeping.
But this area was completely unfamiliar, and Marinette found herself lost.
Anxiety crept in, but a glint of hope emerged at the sight of what looked like a bunch of citizens gathered around the market.
This must be the place- she thought to herself.
"But Adrien- he's gonna be so worried when he doesn't find me where he told me to stay- and how do I explain why I'm all the way over here?"
"Mari!" A voice called out from above.
"Chat!?" She yelled as she looked up, watching as he landed down beside her.
"What are you-" she squealed as he gripped her body and pushed her into the same alleyway she detransformed in.
Before she was able to process anything, Adrien released his transformation.
"Adrien!?!-"
"My ring started beeping- but what are you doing all the way over here?"
"Huh!?"
"I was on my way to where I left you but- well, here you are"
"Uhh I-I was- I was!" She stuttered, searching for anything to say to cover up the situation.
But no excuse crossed her mind. I can't keep lying to him.
"Adrien I-"
"I need to tell you something..."
Concern rang through him, worried at what she could possibly say next,
"W-what is it?"
but his expectations were far from what she actually said.
"Don't...don't freak out..or get mad I just-"
She exhaled, pausing briefly to get her words together.
"Adrien I'm...her- ladybug."
His eyes widened, "You're-"
"Ladybug. Im ladybug." She finished his sentence.

--
Cliffhanger...
Thank you for reading this chapter! I'll try and have the next one out asap!