Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Adrien was used to his father’s absence. It was something that he had been able to count on for most of his life, and even more so in recent years. If he tried hard enough, he could catch tiny glimpses into happier times. They were hazy, faded with age like pictures that were fuzzy around the edges, lines blurred between fact and feeling in a way that made him question if they had actually happened at all. Even so, they were all that he had, and when the closed door of his father’s office weighed too heavy on his mind, it was a small comfort to be able to close his eyes and remember.

A picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens, him in his mother’s arms giggling as his father took a picture, a smile of contentment on his face so foreign to the man he was now that Adrien felt he must have imagined it.

A stroll along the Seine, his parents at either side of him, each hand firmly grasping his as they swung him back and forth, laughing all the way.

His father letting him color designs with crayons onto his base sketches, his unusually tight expression full of amusement at how excited his son was to help him with work.

But things were different now. The house was cold and lonely, his father didn’t smile, and his mother was gone. Adrien could squeeze his eyes shut and escape to his memories as much as he wanted, but it did little to replace the feeling of his mother’s arms around him, and even less to make up for his father’s absence in his life. They were strangers to each other, connected only by blood and the faint remnants of the love his mother had given them. Adrien had long since resigned himself to the grueling hours of the schedule his father subjected him to, and the fact that no matter how well he did, approval would never come.

That didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.

So when he walked up the steps to the mansion, first place metal displayed around his neck, only to be greeted by Nathalie’s impassive stare, it hurt far more than he cared to let on. It sparked a pain in chest that reminded him once again that he expected too much. He didn’t know what he was hoping for- his father standing in the entryway, arms open wide for a hug? To run into his embrace and have his hair ruffled like when he was a child? He shouldn’t have been surprised, he had won plenty of tournaments in the past, and his father had never been there to congratulate him then either. It was his normal, and he had no reason to think otherwise. He pulled at his collar nervously. The gold metal that should have filled him with pride, instead only served as a reminder that in his father’s eyes he would never be good enough.

“Will you let my father know I won?”

Would he even care?

“As soon he’s done with his work.”

it wouldn’t matter anyway.

Shoulders slumped, he ascended the marble steps up to his room, too tired to mask his disappointment.

It was the end of the weekend, and for once he had no other activities scheduled for the rest of the day. As such, Adrien had been prepared to go to his room, flop gracelessly onto the bed, and wallow (if only a little) as Plagg tried to cheer him up. He had not been prepared, however, to walk into his room to find Ladybug mid jump as she leaped out his open window.

“Ladybug?” his eyes widened in shock as he watched his partner swing into the distance. He couldn't for the life of him imagine what she had been doing. Sure, Ladybug had visited him a few times in his civilian form, but clearly this time she had not intended to be seen. Looking around, he spotted a package on his pillow and walked over to it. A small gasp escaped his mouth as he read Marinette’s name on the corner. Ripping open the wrapping paper, he held up the black beret curiously.

That’s strange.

“Why would Ladybug leave me a gift from Marinette? And with a heart embroidered on it?” He wondered.

Not that he would ever mind a gift from Marinette. He still carried her lucky charm with him whenever he needed some extra luck (which was almost always), and he felt its presence in his back pocket distractedly. No, he’d cherish any gift she gave him even if it was something as simple as a leftover croissant from the bakery (Actually, he would especially appreciate it if it was something from the bakery).

As he looked at the beret, he couldn’t help but admire her handiwork. It had three stripes along the top that matched the ones on his shirt, with two hearts embroidered on the side. The stitching was clean, and he smiled at the thought of her taking the time to make it. He pictured her bent over her sewing machine, biting her lip in concentration just like he occasionally saw his lady do.

Wait… his lady?

“Uh well it’s obvious because…” Plagg stumbled for an answer. “Because Marinette must have asked her to!”

Adrien wasn’t buying it. The more he thought about it, the more comparisons he couldn’t help but draw between Marinette and his lady. The way Marinette was always there to help a friend in need, so determined to fight for what she believed in, all the times he ran into her during Akuma battles, Ladybug ‘conveniently’ knowing her - it all pieced together!

“Or because…” he hesitated, afraid to admit what he suspected to be true. “Marinette is Ladybug!”

“Nonononnono! It doesn’t make any sense!” Plagg rushed to pull the beret away from him, tugging it as hard as he could. It didn’t matter, he was already too far gone. “Marinette is Marinette, and Ladybug is-”

“Marinette!” he exclaimed. His face lit up as he allowed himself to say again what he had thought impossible before. He pulled the beret from Plagg’s tiny grasp and held it close to his heart, thinking of both the girls it belonged to, and the fact they could be one in the same. It all made too much sense! He couldn’t believe how close they had been to each other all along. How could he have missed it? Granted they both acted differently without the mask, but the signs were always there.

“Adrien we’ve been over this!” The tiny god yelped. “You saw them in the same room together! You know Marinette can’t be Ladybug!”

His face fell and he sat down on his bed. It was true, he had seen her and ladybug in the same room. Why would it be any different now?

“Maybe you're right Plagg,” he sighed and turned the beret over in his hands, smiling despite himself as he caught sight of Marinette's signature stitched into the lining. “Unless…” he trailed off.

He still couldn’t help feel there was something more to it, and that he couldn’t rule the possibility out yet. Yes, he’d seen Marinette and his lady together, but she’d seen two of him in the same room before as well! If he knew anything about his lady, it was that she was a master planner. How was he to know she didn’t do something intentionally to avoid suspicion?

“Adrien, this whole thing smells like stinky cheese. Forget the stupid beret! Let’s go get some Camembert!” His kwami pleaded. “Or- or we could play a duet on piano- anything!”

“Ya know, it almost sounds like you're hiding something Plagg,” he said accusingly. “Almost like… I can’t think that Marinette is Ladybug.”

Plagg’s eyes widened as he zipped around nervously. It was all Adrien needed as confirmation to know that there was definitely something he was trying to keep from him. Could Marinette really be his lady? There were too many variables to be sure, but that did nothing to quell the excitement that bubbled up at the prospect. He’d always liked Marinette, even if she could be a little weird sometimes (albeit only around him). He’d always chalked it up to nerves, though why he could make her so nervous that she couldn’t even string sentences together, he didn’t know.

She’d improved in that respect at least. Since getting to know each other better, she didn’t trip over words nearly as much, and he could confidently call her one of his closest friends. She was amazing. Their ‘every day Ladybug’, he had called her, and he laughed at the irony. If it was really true though, he’d need proof.

A sly smile made its way onto his face, a plan formulating in his mind.

“Oooh no kid, I know that look! In fact- I patented that look! Whatever your planning, it’s not good.”

“I’m onto something Plagg! Ladybug doesn’t just run errands for people out of nowhere! I have to see where this goes… please.” He looked at his kwami and stick his bottom out, mustering up the best kitty cat eyes he could manage.

“I really can’t talk you out of this huh?” Plagg sighed, flying to perch on his shoulder.

“Nope!” He sank back onto his bed and grinned, clutching the beret like it was the most precious thing in the world. His head filled with images of his lady and his princess that blurred together to make one complete picture. Soon, he could test his theory out for sure.

His thumb traced the heart absently as he stared up at the tall ceiling. He didn’t dare hope it could mean what he thought it might. Didn’t dare dream it could really be that simple. Even if he was right, she was in love with someone else, always had been, and it was clear from the beginning that that someone was not him.

Right?

Chapter Text

Adrien bounced in his seat, knee bobbing up and down rapidly as his eyes burned holes into the classroom door. It was Monday, and he was finally ready to put his Ladybug theory to the test. Plagg was still largely against it, and had taken every opportunity to tell him so, but eventually Adrien had been able to convince him to go along with it. It had taken no small amount of begging on his part, and the promise of two wheels of the best Camembert available before the kwami had finally acquiesced to his chosen.

The plan, which Adrien had very affectionately named (much to Plagg’s annoyance) ‘Operation Lovebug’, involved only a few key steps. First, he would get Marinette to eat lunch with him (for this to work, it would be best to have privacy). Then, he’d ask her how exactly her present came to rest on his pillow when he got home. If her answer didn’t involve a certain red clad superheroine, well, one point Adrien. Next, he’d slip a bit of Chat into their conversation, try to gauge her reaction. Finally, if all signs pointed to the fact that she was indeed his lady, he would attempt to reveal subtly, and hope she wouldn’t punch him on the spot. It would be tricky and had a lot riding on his part, but he thought it might work.

Besides, he couldn’t exactly walk up to the girl and say ‘Hey, so this gift you got me? I saw Ladybug leave it in my room and now I think maybe you’re her. Also I’m Chat Noir. So how was your weekend?’

Yeah, that definitely wouldn’t go well.

He adjusted the beret again, making sure it hadn’t slipped down in the minute that passed since the last time and continued his staring contest with the door handle.

“Dude, you good?” Nino questioned beside him. “You’re more fidgety than usual.”

“I’m fine. Probably just had too much coffee or something.” It wasn’t his best excuse, but Nino seemed to accept his answer anyway, shooting him one last concerned look before leaning over to talk to his girlfriend.

Adrien sighed, resigning himself to the fact that he’d just have to wait. He had hoped showing up early would mean getting a chance to talk to Marinette before the lesson, but it was only a minute until class started and she still hadn’t made an appearance.

The bell rang, and in classic Marinette fashion, she burst through the door only seconds after it ended. “Sorry!” She huffed, making her way to her seat. Mme. Bustier didn’t seem to mind, well used to her tardiness by now.

He waved as she joined Alya in the row behind them, and she sent a small wave back, her eyes widening as they landed on the beret. A deep blush spread over her face, and he felt guiltitly proud for causing it. Before either of the two could say something, however, Mme. Bustier called for everyone’s attention and began the lesson.

It felt like the longest class he’d ever had to endure (and that was saying something). He tried to stay focused, yet he couldn’t help but let his thoughts drift. Over the last year, Adrien had always longed to know who his Lady was behind the mask, and now he might actually find out.

She wouldn’t approve of his scheming, he knew that. From the very beginning she had been staunchly against revealing themselves, constantly reminding him of the danger that came with that knowledge. He understood why their identities were secret, even if he hadn’t always, and had tried his best to respect her privacy. Even so, the possibility of her being so close was all too much to move on from.

Curiosity killed the cat, he supposed.

If his lady was Marinette, it would be worth it.

He fought the urge to turn around, knowing the subject of said thoughts was right behind him. He wondered if she was having any easier of a time paying attention. Was she staring ahead at the board? Or perhaps, was she distracted too? If he turned, would she be looking at him? The idea alone was enough to make his cheeks heat up and his hair stand on end. Forcing his head to stay in place, he drummed his fingers on the table impatiently.

When the lunch bell finally rang, Adrien practically bolted out of his chair and whirled around to face her. “Marinette!” he said a little too loudly.

She froze for a moment, like a deer in the headlights. “Hi Adrien,” she squeaked. “You’re wearing the beret.” She smiled at him shakily, bluebell eyes timidly meeting his own.

Whatever he had been planning to say died on his tongue at the sight of them. They were so blue, he found himself noticing. How could he have never noticed how blue they were? Like pools of sapphire under a full moon, sparkling and bright under even the stormiest of skies. He was lost in them.

“Adrien?”

It was his turn to speak, he realized, trying to find his way out. “Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling caught. “Thanks, I really like it.”

“Oh! W-well I’m glad,” she brightened. “It was for Saint Athanase day!”

“That’s my fifth middle name,” he beamed.

“I know.” She seemed to register what she’d said, and her blush deepened. “N-No- I mean-”

God she’s cute.

“It’s alright Marinette,” he said, hoping to ease her nerves. “It means a lot to me that you took the time to make me something. I really do like it.”

He resolved to tell her one day how much it truly meant that she’d remembered his fifth middle name, and that she’d felt it important enough to make him a present. How knowing that she’d thought of him, that she’d wanted to give him something for a day he himself barely remembered had lightened his heavy heart. How he’d traced her signature, gliding over each perfectly imperfect stitch as he said her name aloud.

Ladybug or no, he had it bad.

“Hey kids, me and Nino want to try a new cafe, you guys okay eating alone?” Alya piped, breaking him out of his reverie. Her and Nino were looking at them expectantly, and he looked around to see they were the last ones still in class.

Unbeknownst to them, they’d just made step one of his plan incredibly easy. He smiled gratefully. If all went well, he’d have to say thanks for the help. Even if they hadn’t done it intentionally.

(He would find out much, much later, that Alya and Nino had most definitely done it intentionally. But that’s a story for another time.)

He turned back to her. “What do you say Marinette? Think we can manage?”

Marinette nodded, and the pair began to pack up as they said goodbye to their friends. By the time they finished he was teeming with nerves and excitement and something that felt a little like flying.

“Ladies first,” he said holding the door open for her. She ducked her head sheepishly at the gesture as she stepped through, a shy smile playing on her features. It was short lived though, and in a stroke of bad luck that could have given Plagg a run for his money, she tripped and stumbled forward.

She had barely fallen two feet before he sprang into action, reflexes taking over as he quickly wrapped an arm around her waist to slow her descent as his other hand grabbed hers. Somewhere along the way he’d pulled her so they were facing each other, and her hand found its way around his neck to steady herself. The result left them in a sort of ‘dip’ position, as if the fall was nothing more than a dance between the two.

He held her there, steady as always as she peered up at him in surprise. It left him breathless, not from exertion, but from the way that his body had just known what to do.

Then again, it always seemed to be that way when it came to Marinette, didn’t it?

“Almost took a nasty dive there” Their noses were nearly touching, and his heart beat loudly in his chest at the proximity. He hoped she couldn’t hear it. “Lucky I caught you in time.”

If he leaned in, even just a little, would she?

“Yeah,” she breathed. “pretty lucky.”

She was the first to look away, all but jumping out of his arms as if burned. He felt a sudden lack of warmth where her hand had been in his, and he brushed it against his jeans trying not to be too disappointed at how empty it now felt.

“Th-thanks,” she stuttered.

“Any time,” he replied, heat rising to his cheeks despite himself. He put his (now very empty) hand above his heart and stuck the other one out behind him. “Shall we?” He bowed, gaze never faltering.

She seemed to study him for a beat, eyes searching for something he wasn’t yet aware of. Whatever it was though, it was gone in a flash and replaced by a terse nod and a smile.

“Of course.”

______________

Since the weather had decided to be kind, they agreed to eat outside at a park just across the street, having both brought lunch with them. Fortunately they didn’t encounter any more accidents on the rest of their journey.

They chatted idly while they walked. She asked about how his fencing tournament had gone, and he preened when she congratulated him on his win. In turn, he asked about her latest fashion endeavors, listening happily while she told him about the dress commission she was working on. They secured a nice sunny spot on the grass and sat down, conversation lulling a bit as they unpacked. Adrien gathered his courage, and decided it was time to commence step two.

“By the way,” he said, schooling his expression into one he hoped was casual enough. “I have a question.”

“A question?” She echoed. She was playing with one of her pigtails nervously, and his eyes were immediately drawn to them.

He’d never let himself dwell much on her signature hairstyle, but in retrospect maybe he should have. It was very familiar. From the sweep of her bangs to the shiny raven hue, down to the bright red of the ties. In fact, it was by all accounts almost identical to that of his lady’s, and he filed it away with his (rapidly growing) list of similarities between the two.

“Um… what’s the question?”

Oh, right. You're supposed to talk now. Words. Words need to happen.

“Right,” he coughed. “How’d you get it to me?”

“Huh?”

“The beret. How’d you get it to me?”

“O-oh! How’d it get you- I mean how I got it to you- w-well…” her face paled, eyes darting around wildly. “I-I came by to drop it off. Nathalie said you weren’t home, so I… asked her to give it to you! Y-yeah! Hehe…” She ended her rambling by unwrapping the sandwich from her lunch bag and shoving it into her mouth, looking everywhere but at him.

Meanwhile, Adrien’s brain went into overdrive. He knew she had lied- knew that it had been Ladybug who dropped it off- because he had seen her. He thought he might be seeing her now, too, as she sat staring at her food as if it needed her utmost full attention.

Time for step three.

“Oooh,” he drawled, and flashed her a grin worthy of his alter ego. “Makes purr-fect sense to me. I’m glad it worked out, considering it’s such a claw-some gift.”

Marinette practically choked, going into a coughing fit as she tried desperately to get her bearings back. “Wh-what?!” She rasped, hand on her chest as she took a drink of water. Adrien felt a little bad for baiting her when she was clearly frazzled, but he reminded himself it was all for the greater good.

“I was just saying how paw-sitively nice your gift was,” he said innocently. “You fe-line okay Marinette?”

Well, if she wasn’t sure she’d heard him right the first time, she certainly was now.

“Yes! I’m fe-line- I mean feeling fine meow- now! I’m fine!” She stammered, and her face turned a deeper shade of red than Adrien had previously ever thought possible.

Between lying about Ladybug dropping off his present and her odd reaction to his puns, his theory was beginning to seem even more viable. Of course, there could be other reasons why she was so freaked out when Adrien acted like Chat, but he was at least 67% sure he knew the real one.

He was almost tempted to whisk her away right there. He wanted to tell her everything. To call her his lady and declare his love for her and give her a thousand kisses and-

‘Getting carried away again Agreste,’ a voice that sounded suspiciously like Plagg whispered in his head. He shook it off, taking a bite of his own lunch as he focused back on the task at hand.

“That’s good, we wouldn’t want our everyday Ladybug getting under the weather.” He tacked on a wink for good measure, and she balked.

He was really hoping he was right about this, because if he wasn’t, he would have a very awkward week ahead of him.

(Of course, there were many other reasons he wanted to be right, but the imposing threat of ruining the progress he’d made with Marinette as friends was among the most important of them.)

(That, and the fact that if they weren’t the same person after this, he wasn’t sure his heart would ever be able to choose.)

“N-no… wouldn’t want chat-that!” She gave him an inscrutable look, similar to when he’d bowed, then shook her head a little as if to clear her thoughts. When her eyes landed back on him, he was surprised to see they contained none of her usual trepidation. “Sorry,” she said, one corner of her mouth quirked upwards. “I guess you could say a ‘cat got my tongue.’”

It wasn’t even technically a pun, but Adrien laughed, loud and unconstrained as if it was the funniest joke he’d ever heard. She joined in, and soon enough they were both in stitches, holding their stomachs as more laughs bubbled out.

“What’s with all the puns today anyway?” She asked as they settled down, sounding much more at ease than before.

“What? Shocked that I secretly have a hiss-terical sense of humor?” He moved toward her and wiggled his eyebrows.

She pushed his shoulder playfully, in a motion he was so accustomed to he could almost see the mask on her face. “More like claw-ful!”

“You wound me madam!” he jeered, clutching his shirt dramatically. “How could you disrespect the most noble art of puns? A-paw-ling! Completely a-paw-ling!” He fell back onto the grass as if hit.

Her soft giggles filled the air like music to his ears, and she leaned over so that he could see her. From his reclined position, this meant her face was flush with the sky, sun lighting a brilliant halo around her hair as his heart did a somersault. He didn’t think he’d ever seen a more beautiful view.

It was so nice that he nearly forgot about his plan, content to just bask in the glow for as long as she’d let him. He would have stayed forever if it meant she’d keep smiling at him like that. However, fate had other plans.

He didn’t see what happened, but could only guess that somehow her hand had accidentally crushed her discarded water bottle, effectively shooting its contents into the air and soaking them both. Her eyes widened comically as it spewed out, waving her hands around frantically as she spoke. “Sorry! Oh my god I’m so sorry I-”

“No worries,” he said before she could keep going. He sat up and shook off, little droplets flying off of his hair as he did so.

Her bangs were plastered to her forehead and her pigtails drooped a little, he was probably no better. He handed her a napkin, only to discover that it was wet too. She took it anyway. “You okay?” He chuckled, shucking off his overshirt and setting it aside to dry.

“Date- I mean great! I’m great! Just, ya know… madly clumsy! I am ...so clumsy…” she trailed off, burying her face in her hands.

In an instant, Adrien’s whole world went slack, vision tunneling around her. He was staring, he knew, but didn’t make any effort to stop. His heart raced and his thoughts quickened as his mind flashed to the last time he’d heard those exact words.

“I’m ma- uh me- um...” the girl said trying to unwind her yo-yo from the telephone line above. When she finally managed to pull it free, it hit him square on the head with a small ‘thunk’. “Madly clumsy,” she grimaced as he rubbed his head. “I am so clumsy.”

Marinette was Ladybug.

Ladybug was Marinette.

His lady was his princess.

Of course he’d known it was possible. He’d thought as much. But now it was true. Marinette was the love of his life all along and she was sitting right in front of him. He’d finally found her. In a moment of pure unbridled joy, he decided enough was enough, and said what he hoped was enough to help her find him too.

“No sweat clumsy girl, I’m learning the ropes too.”

No sooner than the words left his mouth, her whole body stiffened and her head snapped up. She looked him up and down, gaze lingering above his hair where his cat ears would have been, and then on his right hand where his ring wrapped around his finger. Her mouth opened, closed, then opened again, gears visibly turning in her mind as she put all the pieces together.

“Marinette?” He said, getting a little worried.

She didn’t speak, instead bringing her hands over her mouth, eyes unfocused.

“Marinette?” He tried again.

Still nothing. He shuffled closer, leaning down so they were on the same level and looked at her pleadingly.

“My lady?”

It seemed to do the trick. She let out a breath that sounded almost like a cry, eyes meeting his once again.

“So it is you.” Her voice was so quiet, so delicate in that moment, that if not for the closeness he might have missed it all together.

“Guilty,” he shrugged. “I hope you’re not too mad at me, but once I started to figure it out I really couldn’t help myself.”

“I-but-how?”

“Well, let's just say maybe you should be a little more careful next time you suit up to make deliveries,” he smirked.

“Ugh I knew that was dumb of me!” She groaned and covered her face again. He reached up and gently pulled her hands away, holding them in his. Her fingers traced the outside of his ring absently, gliding over the cool metal and sending a tingle up his spine.

“I wouldn’t beat yourself up about it too much, Bugaboo,” he smiled. “After all, you made a certain boy very happy that day.”

She gasped, “It was the card wasn’t it? Because I signed Marinette and then you saw Ladybug leaving?”

“I had a few suspicions before too, but it was mostly that. Then, it was because of this convoluted plan I concocted to try and know for sure.”

“Oh my god! That's what all the puns were about!” She exclaimed.

“Yeah, that’s what all the puns were about,” he admitted. “I really do like the beret by the way. The hearts are purr-ticularly appreciated.”

She blushed furiously, then laughed. “I can’t believe this is actually happening,” she shook her head. “Really, I can’t. I might be in shock. I think I need to go home and scream into a pillow, maybe cry, probably both.”

He grimaced, “Do you wish I hadn’t said anything? I know I wasn’t supposed to, but I was so excited that it was you. Then once I knew, it just didn’t feel right to keep it to myself.”

“No! I- It’s good you told me,” she rushed, and he let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding in. “It’s certainly a lot to process, and I’ll definitely be freaking out later, but I’m glad you were honest about it. Of course, we’ll have to be extra careful from now on- but this is- this is good.” She opened her mouth like she was going to continue, but stopped abruptly.

“What?”

“It’s...no never mind.”

“M’lady, whatever it is, you can say it.”

“You-” she paused. “You’re not… I don’t know- disappointed? That it’s just me?”

Oh.

“Marinette, no.” He said it like she was being silly, because she was. “There could never be anything ‘just’ about you? What do you have cooking up in that big brain of yours to make you think any different?”

She shrugged. Her bottom lip trembled, and she pursed them together as a tear threatened to spill down her cheek.

Well that just wouldn't do.

“Marinette, I could never be disappointed that it’s you. In fact, I’m over the moon about it. I just found out that the amazing girl I’m in love with and the amazing girl I’m starting to fall in love with are the same amazing girl! I feel much less guilty now, really. It’s a big weight off my chest. You might need to hold on, I could just float away with the breeze any minute now, and then who’ll race you across rooftops during patrol tonight?”

It worked the way he hoped it would. She giggled, lips splitting into a grin as she shook her head fondly at him. He matched it, pouring into it every bit of love he could find in his weary heart to show her that he meant it all.

“It wasn’t just that that made me think it was you though, Marinette.”

“Oh,” she murmured. “It wasn’t?”

“No,” he beamed, and decided his feelings were much better out than in. “It was a lot of other things too, like your big blue eyes, and your hair, and your smile, and your laugh. It was your creativity, your talent, your kindness. It was your generosity, and the way you’ll do anything to help a friend. It was how much of a leader you can be when you need to, and the way you never back down from something you believe in. How you’re so quick to stick up for the little guy, a real everyday Ladybug.

“You can be every bit as stubborn and temperamental as her too, and sometimes it makes you do things without thinking, but you always set it right in the end. It was the way I wanted your approval so badly, even on the first day we met, because your opinion always mattered to me. It was your warmth, and the way I seemed to always seek it out without even really knowing why. Because even before I got to really know you as Marinette, I never felt anything other than safe around you.

“It was a bunch of other stuff that I probably should have picked up on earlier too, because it would have saved me a lot of trouble. So you see? I found you because everything that makes you Ladybug, makes you Marinette, and nothing about that could ever be ‘just’ anything. You’re amazing Marinette, on both sides of the mask.”

“Cha-at!” She was crying for real now, big tears streaming down to her chin, but her eyes were bright and her smile was big. He brought his hand up to her face and brushed some of them away, and when he started to pull back she stopped it and held it there. Her expression was unbelievably soft, and he stroked his thumb along the apple of her cheek.

“I have something to tell you, and I think you’ll be happy to hear it.” She took a deep breath. “It was you, Adrien, who had my heart the whole time.”

It was his turn to widen his eyes comically. His breath hitched and his heart threatened to beat out of his chest. Thoughts of ‘this is happening this is happening this is happening’ ping ponging around his brain because he wasn’t sure anything could have prepared him for this moment.

“Ever since you gave me that umbrella on the first day of school, it’s always been you. You were so wonderful, with your dreamy eyes and your sincere smile and the way you laughed when that dumb umbrella clamped down on my head, that ever since I’ve been head over heels for you, often literally.” He laughed, and all the tension and tightness he had gotten so used to carrying around in his heart seemed to drain out of him all at once.

“You’re sweet and smart and cute. You’re kind too, kinder than anyone else would be in your situation. You never judge, and you always see the best in people, even when you shouldn’t. You’re a good friend, patient, always there to lend a hand. You’re so… bright, dazzlingly so, and since the first day we met I’ve never been able to look away.

“I probably didn’t have the best way of showing it, but that’s only because I liked you so much that every time I was near you I got so nervous I couldn’t string three words together! I tried to tell you in other ways, so many times. I made you gifts and the cards got misplaced, I wrote you a poem and forgot to sign it, I wrote a letter that got switched with a prescription, I made a video confession that got deleted. You think your plan was convoluted? I roped all the girls into so many weird complicated schemes to win you over that I’ve lost count!”

He gave her a lopsided, watery smile, daring himself to speak. “Well, that part doesn’t really surprise me.”

It earned him another giggle, a short little sound that reached her eyes and rang out like a bell.

“But it wasn’t just you, Adrien.”

“Oh?”

She shook her head. “It was also you, my partner, who I fell for in the end. My partner, who’s always been there for me, lifting me up and giving me strength when I need it with your words and your smiles and your jokes. My partner, who underneath all the bravado and puns is thoughtful and brave and has the biggest heart in all of Paris. I trust you more than I’ve ever trusted anyone in my whole life, and when I realized how much I truly cared I panicked and shoved it down because it scared me. I love you too, on both sides. All of you,” She finished, and before he could respond she was kissing him.

It was light at first, shy in a distinctly Marinette way that made him feel drunk with affection. He brought his other hand up to cup her face and she tangled hers in his (still damp) hair, pulling each other closer and deepening the kiss. Her lips were soft against his, the sweet strawberry smell of her lip gloss pleasant as he breathed her in.

Often when he’d imagined kissing her, he’d thought it would be hungry and passionate, charged with the adrenaline of battle. This was something different. It was passionate, yes, but also warm and tender in a way that surprised him. It was slow and gentle, like saying ‘welcome home’. His mouth broke into an elephantine grin, one that couldn’t be suppressed no matter how sweet her lips were. They pulled apart, just barely, twin smiles plastered on their faces as their foreheads pressed together.

“FINALLY!” Plagg’s tiny voice roared from his bag. “THANK GOODNESS! I COULDN'T HANDLE ONE MORE MINUTE OF YOU'RE RIDICULOUS PINING!”

“Oh stinky sock! You’re really just a big romantic softy aren’t you!” Tikki cooed.

Marinette smirked, eyes meeting his lovingly as she said, “that makes two of you,” and kissed him again.

Suffice to say, they never made it back to class.