Nights spent as Ladybug watching over Paris were Marinette's favorite. There was something so magical about sitting on the rooftops as Ladybug. Nothing even came close to feeling the same; not even sitting on her own balcony. Being Ladybug really added something. Even after being Ladybug for years the feeling of being a super hero was still exciting and wonderful. The feeling never faded. Patrols, while they could be boring at times, were still enjoyable.

While Ladybug sat on the edge of the rooftop she hears footsteps behind her. Chat Noir, her partner was finally joining her for their patrol. He was late, which had become typical.

"What is your excuse tonight, Kitty?" Ladybug teases as she pokes the bell around his neck. In turn Chat Noir chuckles, shrugging.

"Eh, don't have one," the blonde sits beside her, his legs dangling off the edge of the roof they were perched on top of. Ladybug just lets out a small sigh, looking towards the Eifel Tower in the distance.

"You'd think after doing this for this long you'd know how to show up on time for our patrols," Ladybug retorts, elbowing her partner in the arm.

"I still showed up didn't I? Cut a cat some slack." Huffing Ladybug averts her gaze from Chat Noir. "Oh c'mon, My Lady, I'm sorry, okay?"

"Chaton…" Ladybug says with a smirk. "Beg some more and maybe I'll forgive you." This just makes Chat Noir laugh.

"Are you just going to sit here and flirt with me or are we actually going to do our patrols tonight?" In turn Ladybug blushes and stands imminently. "You know I wouldn't mind."

"Come on, Kitty."

It was a beautiful night, clear and cool. The air was quiet and everything was calm, which was quite rare. Thankfully, though, akumas weren't very common at night, but not common enough where patrols would be unnecessary. Plus the two had come across a robbery and even a mugging or two. So the patrols proved useful. It also gave the two heroes the chance to see each other regularly outside of akuma attacks.

This encouraged the two to become closer as partners, which Master Fu greatly encouraged. He still thought despite everything that had happened to the duo throughout the time they've spent as partners they weren't quite ready to reveal their identities.

Chat would bring up the point that Ladybug got to know who Rena Rouge, Carapace and Queen Bee were often, and was confused as to what the difference it would make if she knew who he was. But the guardian's stance remained unaverred.

So the two had to be careful when talking to one another, not wanting to give away too much from their personal lives. If they said too much they might be able to put together who the other is. And while Chat Noir was perfectly okay with this fact Ladybug didn't want to anger or disappoint the guardian.

The two had finished patrols, nothing out of the ordinary. They decided to sit at their favorite spot: a rooftop across from the Eifel Tower. Even with living in Pairs their whole lives they still found the landmark breathtaking at night.

"So, my lady, I know we're not supposed to know about each other's personal lives-"

"For good reason," Ladybug speaks up, interrupting her ever curious partner. She sighs, looking down at the ground. "Not even the guardian thinks we should know… and Chat… I trust his judgement… we've been over this."

"You got the wrong impression," Chat exclaimed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. "I know that's off limits. I wasn't going to ask about your identity at all. Cat's honor."

"Is that even a thing?"

"Bugaboo, I am insulted."

"Haha, alright I'm sorry," she looks back up Chat Noir, offering a smile almost out of pity. "Where were you going then?" Chat Noir adjusts himself again, sitting up straight.

"I was just wondering what you were doing now that school's out?" the hero asks curiously. "You said you were graduating so… I don't know. You don't have to answer if you don't want. B-but if you tell me I'll tell you what I'm doing!"

"Chat I…"Ladybug thinks it over before deciding it's a harmless question. As he said, he did know she was in high school before, they knew they were the same age which was somewhat comforting. "Well… I got a paying internship. The company I'm working for likes the work I do and I couldn't bring myself to turn them down."

"You had plans to go to college, huh?" Chat asks, hearing a hint of disappointment in her tone.

"Well yes, but this is the field I want to go into anyways, and if they think I'm good enough to hire right out of high school then it'd be foolish not to do it." There was an awkward silence between the two of them before Ladybug speaks up again. "Well enough about me, you said you'd tell me your plans if I told you mine."

Hesitant Chat speaks, "I've had a job since high school and I'm just continuing my work. Not as exciting as yours, sorry if I got your hopes up there."

"Oh no, that's- Chat that's great," Ladybug stumbles, "Do you, um, like your work?" It felt odd talking about their personal lives like this. Unsure of what kind of job Chat Noir, a teenager in high school, could have Ladybug was unsure if the question was stupid or not. Besides, it wasn't like he could give her any hints as to what his job was.

"It's alright I guess," Chat Noir sighed, "I just wish I had more control over my life you know?" Ladybug was silent, not certain on how to respond. While her life was hectic, she was quite happy with her life.

She had heard Chat complain in the past, but it had always been some one-liner and he would keep going about his day. Never giving his remarks a second thought. Tension started to build between the two, the feeling was in the air between them.

Slowly Ladybug leans over and rests her head on Chat Noir's shoulder, "Chaton… you know you can talk to me right? I-if anything gets serious- I mean- if you need anyone to talk to. I know we can't really get into much since we're superheroes but… I care about you."

"Thank you, Ladybug," Chat Noir breathes, resting his head on top of hers. For a moment everything was calm. Just being with his partner was cathartic. It was nice to have someone to talk to, even if it was only vague words of advice or encouragement it still helped the blonde get through most days. He sought validation from the bug themed hero, and it was no secret to anyone.

Their single moment of relaxation was cut short by a flash from the ground. Ladybug instinctively jumps to her feet with her yo-yo at the ready. It turns out it was just a reporter. Though this was a problem of its own; for years the press wanted to prove Chat Noir and Ladybug were dating. It didn't seem to matter how many times Ladybug shot them down, though Chat Noir didn't help as he let all the allegations slide.

Taking Chat Noir's hand Ladybug swings them away from the range of the reporter's camera. She was flustered, face as red as her suit. All she could bring herself to think of was what the headlines would read tomorrow. Those photographs would be all over the internet by morning, she was sure of it.

By the time she had a clear head she realized she had brought Chat Noir to the top of the building where Chat had tried setting up a romantic picnic across from her own apartment. She was running on autopilot and brought him somewhere she knew and was comfortable.

"S-Sorry," Ladybug exclaimed, "it's just those nosy reporters…"

"It's okay… I understand," Chat Noir comforts, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"How are you so cool with them?" Ladybug yells, almost ready to tear her pig tails out. "They never bother or get to you! Never have!"

"Well, My Lady, they used to make me uncomfortable. The thought of people able to take what I do and say and broadcast it to the world? It's terrifying," he says plainly. "But what can you do? People are going to talk, especially with how famous we are. People love some good gossip and drama."

"Guess you're right," Ladybug sighed, allowing herself to fall back. She looked up at the sky, it was barren due to light pollution, but the dark blue-purple color was calming. Chat Noir sits beside her, offering his partner a wide smile.

"Hey? Want me to show you where I go when I want to get away from the press?" Chat asks, watching as she perks up. "It's a great spot. I go there when I'm about to de-transform sometimes. No one can see you, it's totally safe."

"Do you really want me knowing where you go during those times?" Ladybug asks, raising an eyebrow. "The de-transformation I mean."

"My Lady, I know you're not going to follow me," Chat Noir laughed, taking Ladybug by the hand.

Mulling it over for a minute or two Ladybug gives her hand to Chat Noir. He then proceeds to set her on his knee as he extends his baton.

It doesn't take long for her to realize where the two of them are going; it wasn't very far after all. Chat Noir leads Ladybug to the rooftop of the high school. She would admit she de-transformed here often as well. Just as she thinks Chat is done he points to a small storage closet on the roof of the school.

The inside is small and littered with cleaning supplies. It was dark, only one small overhead light which was very dim. While it was very small, claustrophobic even, Chat Noir was right, it was a very private space.

All the years that Marinette had attended the school she had never once considered this a space to neither transform or de-transform. It was genius. The pair even started patrols here sometimes, this could have been a perfect place to transform.

"I know it's a little small," Chat Noir apologized.

"No no no, it's perfect!" Ladybug exclaimed, "It's private and… just… thank you Chat, it means a lot to me."

"Of course, My Lady, anything-" the hero is cut off by Ladybug kissing him on the cheek. A rush of excitement courses through the teenage boy's body. His face is red, and he's staring off into space, almost on cloud nine.

"Chat, I know you want to know my identity," Ladybug admits, sitting on the ground with her back against the wall. "And I want to know yours too. I do, but-"

"But we can't," Chat finishes, sitting down next to his friend. "My Lady, I know. You don't need to feel bad about it. If the guardian really thinks we should-"

"I just feel bad keeping it from you," Ladybug vents, looking over to her partner. His eyes shining through the darkness. "I see how hurt you are whenever I bring in Rena or Carapace. Just know it isn't because I don't trust you, Chat, please."

"Bugaboo, I've never thought-"

"Yes. Yes you have, Chaton." The girl sits, the light above them flickering on and off periodically. Ladybug felt bad having this between them for so long without properly talking about it. "And… stop me if you think this is a bad idea, okay?"

Confused Ladybug stands and pulls the string attached to the light overhead, making the small closet they were in turn go into absolute darkness. Ladybug was blindly trying to sit next to her friend as he assisted her, having night vision thanks to his cat-like superpowers.

"My Lady?"

"I'll close my eyes, and you de-transform," Ladybug offers, "S-so the flash doesn't give away anything. Then I'll do the same. I'd go first but you have night vision and…"

"Are you sure?" Chat Noir asks.

"Yes, we can't know who we are but this is important. It's kind of like a trust exercise. And we aren't breaking any rules or doing anything too risky! Chat I want to prove I trust you. This is the best way I can think to do it, okay? We've been partners for years and even de-transformed in front of one another before. If you didn't open your eyes back then I trust you won't do it now."

Chat Noir knew how seriously Ladybug took keeping their identities a secret. Though he would admit he held the issue to the same standard (mostly for Ladybug's sake) he would also admit he started to feel distant as Ladybug knew the identities of their partners as well as being trusted to give out miraculous. Something about this trust exercise felt right. It was as though they would be talking to their civilian forms, no costumes in their way. Sure, they didn't and wouldn't know who was under the mask, but this felt more personal than their usual talks after patrols.

Both Ladybug and Chat Noir close their eyes and with a Claws In Ladybug could hear the magical de-transformation of her partner. A part of her wanted to run away and hide, she was too scared to do this. Too afraid de-transform in front of Chat Noir like this, in an instance where they didn't need to,but they did. This was an important step for the two of them. Not only as partners but as friends.

"Tiki, Spots off," Ladybug breathes, now opening her eyes though there was no difference. It was just as black as when she had her eyes closed. The only difference being now Chat Noir couldn't see either.

There was this weird discombobulated confusion and awkwardness as they tried to interact in the darkness. Marinette feels a hand go to her cheek, it was soft and gentle, as if Chat Noir was trying to get a feel for both where his partner was and just a want for some friendly casual physical contact.

Something about feeling Chat Noir's hand against her cheek without the latex /spandex like suits in their way felt very different. In an awkward and odd way there was a vulnerability to it all. A layer was shed from both of them. The masks added a layer of confidence to both of them and it was obvious any time they were in a situation such as this.

Suddenly the smooth Chat Noir was this awkward and unsure teenage boy, like any other Marinette knew. He fumbled over his words, like a cat had his tongue at lack of a better expression. Marinette's hand slowly moves up over Chat Noir's, holding his hand in her own.

Neither of them said anything. The silence was both comforting and continued to make things more awkward. They found solace in that neither knew what to say. This was the first time they were out of costume, at their own will, while in a casual setting with one another. Marinette was almost mad at herself, why was this so awkward? It was only Chat Noir. It wasn't even like she could see who was under the mask, so in every way, this was still just Chat Noir to her. That same degree of separation between their civilian and superhero forms was still present.

"Thank you for this, Ladybug," Chat Noir stumbles, "F-for trusting me I mean."

"Of course, Chaton, we're partners, best friends," Marinette says, placing her hand on Chat's cheek herself. It was so soft and it was nice to feel his face without the mask covering a lot of it.

"My Lady, i-if I may," the boy started, trying to find the right words but also waiting on a nod of confirmation from Ladybug, or rather Marinette. "O-oh gosh, alright. I- Since they day we met I knew that- My Lady, you're amazing. You're kind to everyone, even Chloe. You're so strong, a-and not just physically. A-and you are always there when people need you- not even just for hero work or akuma attacks, you have been a great friend for me and Rena, Queen Bee, and Carapace speak so highly of you."

"Kitty…"

"Ladybug, I love you." And with that Chat Noir kisses Marinette. It was considerably smooth considering neither of them could really see.

At first Marinette wanted to fight it, but she didn't stop him. Inside she knew this was a bad idea, they couldn't know who they were. She knew this would only end in heart break, but she couldn't bring herself to stop, or to care about the consequences. Chat Noir's lips were so soft and gentle yet they were slightly quivering as she would assume he was nervous about this. She found it cute. They stayed in an embrace for a minute or so before Marinette slowly pulled away.

"Chaton?" Ladybug breathes.

"Y-y-yes?" Chat Noir expected the worst, backlash of some kind. He expected Ladybug to yell at him: scream at him for his actions. But that isn't what he got.

"I think I love you too," Ladybug quakes.