Author's Note:

This is a follow up story for sariahsue's The Ad Campaign. If you have not read that story, please show the author some love by reading it first and then come back and read this story. It was a great two-shot that she graciously allowed me to continue.

I do not own any of these characters.

Adrien fell backwards onto his bed after getting home from school. "Plagg... this is great!"

"What's great? Camembert? I agree!"

"No, Plagg! Apparently I'm Ladybug's crush! She's been rejecting me for me... and doesn't even realize it."

"Are you sure she's not just fangirling over you? You are a model after all... not to mention your new picture is shirtless."

Adrien sat up and grimaced. "I hadn't thought of that. I was just so excited that I didn't even think she just liked me for my looks... like almost every other girl in Paris."

Plagg swallowed a whole wedge of camembert and smiled at Adrien. "Yeah, almost every girl. At least Pig Tails doesn't like you just for your body... since she's such a great friend... and into fashion."

"Why do you always have to bring up Marinette when we're talking about my love life? I've told you repeatedly that she doesn't see me that way. She likes Luka." Adrien stared down Plagg, who just shrugged. "And stop calling her Pig Tails. She's more than just a hair style. She's not the only person in Paris who wears her hair that way."

"Yeah. Ladybug's hair is in pig tails also... so that's at least two people in Paris with that hair style."

"Exactly!"

Plagg flew off to get another wedge of camembert. Adrien's obliviousness was way too much fun not to mess with, but it always made him hungry for some reason.

"Hey, Plagg! Maybe I can get Ladybug to tell me if it's just a celebrity crush tonight on patrol. You think that might be possible?"

Plagg threw the wedge of camembert high into air and swallowed it with a loud gulp. "I doubt it. She's pretty tight-lipped about personal stuff. You know she's not likely to divulge anything that might give away her identity."

Adrien scratched his chin as he thought about how he might be able to get her to accidentally confess why she had a crush on his civilian self. "I got it." Adrien smiled brightly at Plagg.

"You're going to get yourself in trouble. She's not going to like it very much if you trick her into telling you."

Plagg's eyes widened and he flew off quickly to hide, causing Adrien to turn around and look out his window. He almost jumped out of his skin when he saw Ladybug swing over and knock on his window.

Adrien opened the window and Ladybug jumped inside. "L-Ladybug? What... What brings you here?"

"I-I couldn't help but see billboards on you... I mean... see you on all the billboards. I thought I'd stop in to say hi."

"Um... Hi?"

Ladybug smiled, her gaze lingering on him for a little longer than was appropriate and she quickly shook her head trying to break herself out of whatever she was thinking. "S-Sorry. I... uh... wanted to make sure you weren't being mobbed by all your fans again. L-Like that time your bodyguard was akumatized..."

"Oh? It's fine. I've had a few run-ins with fans today... but I'm used to it."

"That's good. Just let me know if you need me to whisk you away so you don't get trampled."

"I... I think I'm safe here in my room."

Ladybug blushed. "Yeah... right... I guess you would be."

"That is... unless you plan on whisking me away for yourself?" Adrien gave his best Cat Noir grin and winked.

"N-N-N-No! I... I... I was just concerned after what happened the last time you had an ad come out... Honest!"

Adrien smirked. "I wouldn't mind if you whisked me away..."

Ladybug gulped. "I-I-I don't think that would be appropriate."

Adrien took a step towards her and she took a step back like she didn't trust herself to be too close to him. "Are you a fan?"

"Who isn't?"

Adrien frowned a little. "Just a fan?"

"I... I'm sorry. I can't answer that." Adrien's eyes widened knowing full well that meant she considered herself to be more than a fan. "I-I-I mean. I've saved you a few times... so, it's not like we're complete strangers. Right?"

"Right... but, saving me doesn't mean you'd be anything more than a fan... would it?"

"I just can't say anything more. I can't risk my identity. I'm sorry."

"Does that mean you know me... when you're not Ladybug?"

"I-I can't answer that. Please... Please don't press the issue."

Then it hit Adrien. She's over here because I told her during the fight to sneak over and that Adrien would let her stare at his muscles. "Then... let's change the subject. So... do you like my new ad, or are you just concerned about me being trampled by fans?"

"B-Both?"

"I see..." Adrien gave her his best smolder. "Would you like a closer look at my muscles then?"

Ladybug's face went bright red. It was hard to tell where her mask ended and her cheeks began. "I-I-I-I-If you're o-o-o-o-okay w-w-w-with that?"

Adrien couldn't contain his blush any more, even with his professional modeling skills. He slipped his jacket off and flexed his biceps as he posed for Ladybug, who involuntarily sat straight down... thankfully onto the sofa. "Like what you see?"

"Yes," Ladybug whispered with wide eyes. Adrien's knees almost gave out on him when Ladybug reached up and ran her fingers along his bicep. He regained his composure and slipped his shirt off, allowing Ladybug to study his abs. "Abs-olutely perfect," she whispered, causing Adrien to blush even harder. "The billboards don't do you justice," she remarked as she ran her fingers along his six-pack. "D-Don't get me wrong... They're very distracting, but they certainly don't capture every... little... detail."

"Th-Thank you."

"No... Thank you. I don't think those billboards will be nearly as distracting now."

"Oh? Did... Did you have a hard time fighting the akuma today with all of those billboards?"

"You have no idea..." Ladybug said as she continued studying Adrien's torso.

No kidding! But I can't let her know that I know that.

Both teens jumped up in surprise as Adrien's bedroom door opened and Gabriel walked in. "Adrien... I was wondering if..." Gabriel froze in his tracks at the sight of Ladybug standing next to Adrien, who was frantically putting his shirt back on. Before Gabriel could finish processing the scene in front of him and recompose himself, Ladybug jumped over the sofa, hugged him quickly, and then leapt out the window using her yoyo to swing away. Gabriel cleared his throat. "What... was that?"

"Ladybug... She was checking on me to make sure I didn't have any problems being mobbed by fans today... like I was last time."

"Okay? And you needed your shirt off because?"

"Ladybug just wanted to see if the new billboards did me justice."

"And?"

"And... she said they didn't. That the billboards didn't capture all the details." Adrien cleared his throat nervously.

Gabriel sighed. "Thank you for your honesty. I was wondering if the billboards caused any undue issues for you today."

"A little. But nothing I haven't had to deal with before... other than Ladybug showing up unannounced that is."

"That's good to hear." Gabriel turned around and showed himself out, still in shock. Adrien could've sworn he heard his father mumble to himself, "That didn't go quite as planned," as the door shut behind him.

Plagg flew out from hiding, laughing uncontrollably. "What?" Adrien asked as he blushed in embarrassment.

"It... It serves you right... for planting that idea in Ladybug's head about sneaking over here."

"It worked out better than I could have planned it."

"Why's that?"

"I'm sure Ladybug knows me in her civilian form."

"Everyone knows you Adrien. You're a model."

"No, Plagg... I mean she knows me personally... outside the mask."

"So? Does that mean you know who she is?"

"No... But it certainly narrows it down from all girls in Paris to girls at my school, girls I model with, or girls I fence with."

"So... assuming you're correct... then you admit that you've been completely blind to the fact that the love of your life has been next to you this whole time and you never noticed?"

Adrien just stared at Plagg, waiting for the smirk to wipe itself off of Plagg's face. After about 3 minutes of silence, Adrien finally answered. "Yes, Plagg. I admit it."

Cat Noir landed on the roof where he was to meet Ladybug for patrol. To his surprise, Ladybug was already there... staring at one of the many billboards. Cat Noir blushed as he remembered her visit from earlier that evening. He mentally calmed himself so that he could play the part of acting like he hadn't seen her since the akuma that afternoon. "I see you're still drooling over your crush."

"Oh! Cat! I didn't hear you."

"Are these billboards going to continue being a distraction?"

"No. At least not during a battle. I took your advice from earlier and it really help desensitize me to the billboards."

"Advice?"

"About seeing Adrien..."

"Oh... You know I was just messing with you, right?"

"I know you were... but it ended up being the best advice."

"I-I'm glad." Cat Noir forced himself to look a little sad by thinking about how their time had been cut short.

Ladybug noticed the look on his face. "I'm sorry, Kitty. I know this is hard on you. I never wanted you to find out who my crush was. I knew that'd make it real for you."

She bought the look and he could now prod her into hopefully revealing why she liked him as Adrien. "It's... It's okay. I understand. It's just a celebrity crush anyway."

"Excuse me? It's not just a celebrity crush!"

"Oh really?"

"Yes! Really!"

"The only way it couldn't be a celebrity crush is if you knew him outside of your mask."

"That's too personal to answer. If I told you I did, then you might find out who I am under my mask."

"Then I have no choice but to continue thinking it's just a celebrity crush..." Cat Noir put on his best look of defiance.

"Cat... please. Don't force the issue."

"As long as it's just a celebrity crush, I still have hope that you'll get over it one day and fall madly in love with me."

"Cat..."

Phase 1 complete, he thought. Time for Phase 2. "Okay fine. Then at least explain to me why you think it's not a celebrity crush... without confirming or denying you know him as a civilian. If you can convince me it's not a celebrity crush, then I'll drop it."

"Fine... Okay, let's see... He's the kindest person I know."

"How so?"

"He's always willing to help others, even though he has almost no free time for himself."

"Well... that certainly doesn't sound like he's the stereotypical stuck up model. Can you expound?"

"He IS NOT a stuck up model!"

"Woah... Woah... calm down, LB. I said stereotypical." Cat Noir almost blushed at how fiercely Ladybug defended him, but was able to stay in character.

Ladybug huffed. "He's the type of guy to help others get caught up with their missed homework... even if he doesn't like them."

That sounded like she was talking about Lila... but I know she couldn't be Lila, so that likely narrows her down to a classmate. "That's rather... noble."

"It is. He's selfless that way."

"Okay... kind and selfless. He sounds too good to be true."

"He is too good to be true." Cat Noir turned his head to hide a blush he couldn't contain. Ladybug took it as Cat Noir getting his feelings hurt. "Is that enough? Are you satisfied? Now that I've hurt your feelings even more."

Cat Noir's head snapped back to focus on Ladybug. Uh Oh! The plan's about to implode. I need to say something to keep her talking about Adrien. "It... it didn't hurt my feelings. He... he just sounds like he'd make a better Cat Noir than me."

"Oh Cat... Don't say that. You're the best partner I could ever ask for. I don't want to replace you... not even with Adrien. I'd be a nervous, blabbering wreck during all the battles and Hawk Moth would surely win."

Interesting. If she couldn't fight alongside me as Adrien, then maybe she's been too shy to confess to me. "So, he doesn't know you like him?"

"No... And please don't tell him. It's up to me to do that. I'm getting better, but I still stutter around him sometimes... especially when I think I've gotten the courage up to confess to him."

"I never even considered the fact that you'd ever be so nervous around anyone that you'd stutter."

"Only around him. And he... he thinks we're just friends."

Cat Noir's eyes widened. She had let her guard down so much she not only forgot to keep away from saying anything that would confirm she knew Adrien outside the mask, but she actually confessed to being his friend outside the mask. And, the only female friend he had that stuttered around him was... Marinette. Suddenly, he could see them side by side, and yet the same person. No wonder Plagg constantly teased him about Marinette... he even called her Pig Tails, alluding to the fact that she had the same hair style as Ladybug. Cat Noir knew he shouldn't reveal himself... not yet at least. She was right, it would adversely affect her ability to function as Ladybug. But, it was time to confess his own obliviousness. "So... he's blind to your feelings?"

"We're not exactly from the same background. He's a model from a rich a family, and I'm... I'm not."

Me-ouch. "From how you described him, I doubt he'd care about that."

"You're... You're right. I just... I just don't feel worthy enough to be with him..."

"Not worthy enough! You're Ladybug. You're worthy to have any guy in Paris you want!" So is Marinette!

"He doesn't know that... He can't know that. It's not like I can stroll up to him as my civilian self and say, Hey hot stuff. I'm Ladybug. Wanna go on a date?"

Cat Noir laughed a little. He never thought Marinette would call him hot stuff. "No... I suppose you can't." He smiled brightly at Ladybug. "But... if you're only nervous around him, I'm sure he's noticed how Ladybug-like you are with other people, right?"

"Ladybug-like?"

"Confident. Stands up for others. A leader."

"Yeah, yeah, okay. I get it. He has called me an Everyday Ladybug... So, I guess you're right."

If Cat Noir still had any doubts about Ladybug and Marinette being the same person, he didn't now. I'm certainly going to have to ask her about Luka when we talk tomorrow. "I think you can do it. I think you can ask him out. You just need to summon that inner-Ladybug... like I'm sure you had to do today when you went to see him."

"Today was easier because I went to see him as Ladybug. I had my mask to hide behind. Outside the mask, I'm... I'm just so scared. I don't want to lose him. What if... What if he rejects me? Or what if we end up dating and he decides he doesn't like me?"

"Impossible."

"No. Not impossible. I thought he liked another girl that he fences with. A girl that's much closer to his status. But after what happened today, I think he likes me as Ladybug. If either of those are correct, that means he'd never accept my civilian self."

Adrien almost broke character as he felt the overwhelming need to face palm himself for actually asking Marinette about advice for dating Kagami. Maybe that's why she invited Luka. But, Cat Noir had no way of knowing any of that. "I can't speak about the other girl. But, maybe he just has a celebrity crush on you. He might be open to getting into a real relationship with the you he already knows."

"A celebrity crush... on me? You're joking, right?"

"Why do you think it's a joke? You are a celebrity after all. At least you are as Ladybug even if you aren't as a civilian."

Ladybug stopped to think. Cat Noir could see the wheels turning. "I never thought of myself as a celebrity... not even as Ladybug."

"Maybe you could stop by again as Ladybug and see if it's just a celebrity crush... or at least explain to him... like you do to me all the time... that dating as superheroes is off limits."

"I think I just might. That'd at least give me a fighting chance with him."

Oh, Marinette! I think you've not only won the fight, but the entire war, Cat Noir thought to himself, fighting off the urge to hold her tight. They finally switched to the task at hand of doing patrol.

Cat Noir had just gotten back and detransformed in time for Plagg to fly off and hide... while eating his camembert. Ladybug showed up a few minutes later, just as Adrien had gotten his computer on, trying to look like he'd been in front of it for a while.

Ladybug knocked on the window and Adrien acted surprised before letting her in, while reminding himself to act like he hadn't already talked to her about all this. "What... What brings you back?"

"I'm glad you're still up. I didn't get a chance to clear things up from earlier before I had to leave."

"Oh... really? What needs to be cleared up?"

"I just wanted to make sure you knew that... even though I might've been ogling you earlier... that it's unrealistic for you to think we could have a relationship. It just wouldn't be safe for you if Hawk Moth found out. He could use you against me."

I can't just immediately agree. That'd be too suspicious. I should argue a point or two before conceding. "Well... I think just you, me, and my father know about what happened earlier. Couldn't we date... just not in public?"

"It's not safe. I wouldn't want to put you... or any civilian... in danger. Even if we tried to keep it quiet, it'd most likely be discovered at some point. It's best if we just stop it before it starts." Adrien looked sad and Ladybug felt a bit of remorse tugging at her heart. "I-I'm sorry. I don't have a choice. I don't want to hurt you or for you to get hurt because of me."

"I... I guess I understand. We're from different worlds after all."

"I'd never let that stop me. But, your safety has to be my priority."

"Okay."

"Isn't there... someone else... you might be interested in?"

"There are a few girls that I think like me. But, only one of them has all the qualities I like about you."

"She reminds you of me?"

"Yeah... I've even called her an Everyday Ladybug. I hope you don't mind."

Ladybug's heart skipped a beat. "N-No. I don't mind. She must be really special."

"She is... but I'm afraid she just sees me as a friend... or worse, is just fangirling over me."

"W-What makes you think she's just fangirling?"

"She seems to only be nervous around me. I think she might have a crush on me. But, I'm worried it's for the wrong reasons. Plus, I think she likes another boy."

"You won't know the answer to either question unless you ask her... you know?"

"I know. But, she's actually starting to get better and I don't want to lose our friendship. She means too much to me. I can't imagine a world without her." Adrien winced a little after letting that last line spill out, worried it might tip her off that he's Cat Noir.

"I know it's scary... but doing nothing ensures nothing will happen."

Phew! She didn't pick up on it. But wow, what great advice! "Thanks Ladybug. Maybe I'll talk to her tomorrow."

Ladybug smiled brightly at Adrien and then leapt out the window to return home. Both teens slept as well as could be expected, knowing that the next day was going to change their lives.

Adrien got out of his car, repeatedly going over Ladybug's words from last night like a new mantra for life, doing nothing ensures nothing will happen. He noticed Marinette walking over from the bakery. He took a deep breath, replaying the mantra in his head one more time, and called out, "Hey, Marinette!"

"A-Adrien! Hi!"

Then they said, "I want to ask you something," at the same time. Both teens blushed and then Adrien held out his hand indicating for her to go first.

Marinette took a deep breath. "Adrien... I-I like you. Like, like-like you."

Adrien rubbed the back of his neck and wanted to hug her right then and there, but reminded himself that his conversations last night were with Ladybug instead of Marinette and that he needed to play dumb. "Is it... Is it because I'm a model?"

"NO! I mean, no. It's because of how kind and selfless you are. I've actually had feelings for you for a while now. I've just been too scared to tell you."

"I see. How... how long?"

"Ever since you gave me your umbrella..."

Adrien's eyes widened. "That's almost the entire time we've known each other!" I'm never going to hear the end of this from Plagg about how blind I've been.

"I know. I'm pathetic..."

"Hey! You are not pathetic."

Marinette looked up in shock and locked eyes with him. "Th-Thank you."

"I can't say that I've liked you for that long... but I've always admired how Ladybug-like you are around everyone else. And... I can say that I'm beginning to realize my feelings for you now that you're getting better at talking to me."

"R-Really?"

Adrien smiled brightly. "Yes... really."

"What about Kagami?"

"She's nice... but she only focuses on what she wants. She doesn't think about others."

"What about Chloe?"

"Chloe's been my friend for so long, she's more like a sister. She just hasn't accepted that yet."

"What about Lila?"

"Seriously?"

"No... I'm just messing with you now."

Adrien and Marinette laughed. My turn. "What about Luka?"

"Luka? Oh... the double date at the ice skating rink. He... uh... he could tell that I had a crush on you. He's even the one who encouraged me to run after you that day."

"I see." They smiled as they stared deeply into each other's eyes. "It... Uh... It won't bother you having every fangirl in Paris ogling my bare chest?"

"As long I'm the only one with access to that chest... they can look all they want. They just can't touch."

Adrien smirked. "That... uh... might be a little hard to promise. Ladybug has... already stopped by and... well she didn't exactly keep her hands off my chest." Adrien rubbed the back of his neck trying to look nervous.

"Does Ladybug come over often and fondle you?"

Adrien blushed hard. "N-N-No! Just... this once. I... think it had something to do with the ads being distracting."

"Oh. I see."

"D-Don't worry. Ladybug cleared up any mixed signals. She said we didn't have a chance together because she couldn't date anyone as Ladybug. She couldn't let herself put anyone in danger."

"That's... understandable."

"She's the one who encouraged me to act on my growing feelings for you... actually."

"She did? Oh... in that case... I guess I can forgive her... this time." Marinette winked at Adrien to reassure him that it wasn't going to be an issue.

"One more issue I need to ask you about. You don't mind being hated by every fangirl in Paris?"

"I'm use to not being liked. I've had to deal with Chloe for years."

That's it. That's all the bases we needed to cover. Adrien took a step closer to her. "In that case... Marinette Dupain-Cheng, would you like to go on a date? Just you and me."

"I'd love to."

Adrien turned around and they started walking into the school. Adrien, reached down and took her hand in his. Marinette took a deep breath and leaned her head over to rest on his arm as they continued to walk inside. They squeezed each other's hands more as every pair of eyes in the school slowly turned to watch them.

After many months of dating, they finally found out that Hawk Moth did indeed know about Ladybug's crush on Adrien and that the bare-chested Adrien ad was his doing. Unfortunately, it was also the same time Adrien found out his father was Hawk Moth and he had to have his own father arrested.

Marinette showed up at Master Fu's to turn in the Ladybug earrings. She didn't notice that he already had company until she heard, "Hello, Bugaboo."

Before she even turned around, she smiled and stated, "I didn't expect to see you here, Kitty. I guess you get to learn my identity now."

"I already know who you are, Marinette."

Marinette's eyes grew wide and she spun around to see Adrien sitting there nervously rubbing the back of his neck. "Adrien?"

"Surprise!"

"But... but..."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I just couldn't risk it affecting your ability to fight alongside Cat Noir." Marinette's mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. "I've known since that night we met for patrol... the night before we started dating as civilians."

Marinette face palmed. "I gave up too many details... didn't I?"

"Yes... But to be fair, I was fishing for them."

"Th-Thank you."

"Thank you?"

"Yes. You did the right thing. I would never have been able to concentrate on fighting the akuma if I was worried about my boyfriend taking a hit for me."

"So... you're not mad at me for finding out?"

"How can I be? We never would have started dating if you had kept holding out hope for Ladybug while I was holding out hope for Adrien."

"And to think... it's all because Hawk Moth decided to try to distract you with that ad campaign."

Marinette giggled. "It didn't work out so well for him, did it?"

"It certainly did not."

"At least he's getting the help he needs now."

"Yeah, maybe in a year or so, once he's gotten his mental and emotional issues sorted out at the sanitarium, he'll be able to come home... hopefully as the father I remember him being before mother disappeared."

"I'm here for you, Kitty. No matter what happens."

Adrien reached out and held her hands. They looked deeply into each other's eyes. With a soft kiss, they turned and headed out of Master Fu's apartment... into the great unknown future, armed only with their love for each other.