It had been another day, another successful rescue, thanks to none other than Ladybug and Chat Noir. It should have been just like any other day. But that was the funny thing about life, wasn't it? Some days just had a way of surprising you.

It had been a spur of the moment decision to grab the rose from the rescued man's bouquet, but once he did it, Chat Noir felt emboldened, powered, invigorated. He knelt to a knee, holding out the rose to his beloved Lady, in the same way he offered his heart. "For you, My Lady."

She gaped at him for a stunned moment, before she regained her bearings, shaking her head with an amused huff. "Seriously, Cat Noir?" She asked, gently pushing the rose back. "You're about to transform back." she argued in amusement, pointing to the very hand which held the rose.

He brought his hand back to look at his ring, seeing the blinking paw pad that said he indeed was in danger of running out of time. But he could only smile with a shrug. "So what?"

She shook her head, her amusement vanishing with exasperation. "Cat Noir, I told you, we can't know each other's secret identities- it's too dangerous."

He rose to his feet, his smile never leaving as a sense of relief flooded him. "But then we won't have to keep secrets from each other anymore," He argued, holding the back of his hand up to show her his blinking miraculous, the neon green pawprint acting as a countdown.

"What? Cat Noir, no!"

Too late. Even as she yelled, the ring of energy crackled up his body, his leather catsuit vanishing to reveal his civilian clothes underneath, and his mask vanishing to show his face. Plagg tumbled out of the ring, and the tiny cat gasped, jaw dropping. "A-" he hiccuped, the magic preventing him from accidentally "revealing" his master, no matter the circumstances. "What are you doing!?"

Too bad Ladybug had slapped her hands over her eyes before she could see.

"Ladybug?"

"Cat Noir, how many times do I have to tell you!" She snapped at him, turning smartly around. "I can't know who you are!"

Perhaps, normally, he might have given up, and relented, letting this disappointment pass, and go on his way. But fate had been kind to him today. For the roof they had landed on had been picked at random, yet it was one that also had a clear, uninterrupted view of a massive billboard- of a certain fragrance with a certain boy promoting it.

"But Ladybug, you already know who I am! All of Paris knows who I am!"

"What?"

"Open your eyes."

"No way," she said with finality. "You'll just jump in front of me!" she said, even as she heard the first telltale sign of her earrings losing power.

"I swear I haven't moved, and I promise won't!" He promised. "But the answer is right in front of you! Please, my Lady, just open your eyes!"

She really should've known better than to trust him, but what he said wasn't making sense to her. 'Everyone in Paris knew who he was'? 'The answer was right in front of her'? What on earth was he talking about?

So slowly, very slowly, she dropped her hands. And she flushed when she saw the bright, smiling face of the boy she loved leaping into the sky, carefree and gorgeous in the promotion for his father's new cologne line. She could practically hear the soft, delicate music of the commercial jingle, see him jumping in graceful slow motion to leap through the clouds. She almost, almost sighed dreamily.

"Cat Noir," she said instead, her confusion evident. "What is this about?"

"I'm Adrien Agreste!"

Silence. She was turned around, so he didn't see her flat, deadpan expression.

"Very funny."

"I'm serious!"

"Right. And I'm secretly Chloe Bourgeois."

"Now that would be a funny joke," he almost laughed.

Plagg, during this time, had taken to darting impatiently back and forth beside his master's head. "C'moooon, she's not gonna turn around, let's hurry up and go! I'm starving here!"

"Seriously, Plagg?" Adrien leered at him, more than a little annoyed even as he took out the spare piece of Camembert he always kept with him. "Can't you think of anything beside your stomach for once?"

"Is that your kwami?" Ladybug asked. "Tell Cat Noir to get out of here and he can't show himself like this!"

"Yeeeeeah, you're on your own for that one," Plagg leaned back, casually taking a bite to indulge in his smelly cheese. "He may act like a nice kid, but this guy basically just does whatever he wants."

"Wait! I can prove it!" He realized suddenly, "You've been to my house, I can tell you everything in there!"

"Except you've been to his house too," she said tiredly. "Honestly Cat Noir, isn't this taking it a little far, even for you?"

"I wouldn't joke about this, my Lady!" He said, an edge of desperation entering his tone.

At this point, Plagg took the final bite of his cheese. "Ah, that hit the spot. C'mon Adrien, let's head back- those video games aren't playing themselves you know!"

"What?!"

She whirled around, fast enough to give a normal person whiplash, her eyes huge with shock against her mask. Plagg blinked in surprise, wondering how on earth he had said his name now when he couldn't before. Adrien beamed, the nervous knot that had been forming in his chest releasing in a whoosh as she finally faced him.

"Yes!" He rushed forward, grasping her hand as the rush of his emotions poured out of him like a broken dam. "Now we can be united! More powerful and free! We'll defeat Hawkmoth, then we can both run away- to an island! Far away from everything!" He released her hands, gesturing wildly as his imagination got the better of him. "We'll live off nothing but fruits, and we'll have a cute little pet hamster and name it-"

"Cat Noir!?"

He blinked at her, before smiling a little shyly. "Uh, yeah, that's me."

Her shock hadn't lessened a bit, eyes still comically wide. "But, but you can't be Cat Noir!"

"Uh..." He glanced at his equally confused kwami. "But, you just saw me."

"But you can't be! There must be some mistake! You're so perfect and dreamy not to mention cool and kind-"

He perked. "You think I'm 'dreamy'?"

"Yes~" she sighed, before shaking herself. "I mean no! I mean-!" She squeaked. "You and Cat Noir are completely different! You're so polite, and modest, and kind, but Cat Noir is-!"

"I know," he sighed sadly. "I can't ever do anything that could ruin my father's reputation. But it's different when I'm with you!" He held the rose against his chest eagerly. "When I'm Cat Noir I can be myself! No expectations, no restrictions, I can be a cool, strong superhero, like you! Well, maybe not like you, I know I could never measure up. You're so smart, and cool, and..."

But she wasn't listening to his praise, too stunned at his previous statements to function. 'I can be myself- I can be myself- I can be myself-'

"Ladybug?"

And then Ladybug, cool, strong, perfect hero of Paris, screamed and hurled her yoyo to swing herself off the roof.

Adrien blinked at the spot after her, turning to his equally stunned kwami. "Man," Plagg said. "You humans sure have strange dating rituals. I'd think a simple "not interested" would suffice."

"What?!" Adrien looked at him fearfully. "You think she rejected me?"

"Well what would you call it, then? That didn't look like a "yes" to me."

He looked at him, stricken, realizing that for once, Plagg seemed to have hit the nail on the head. He looked at the rose sadly before letting his hand drop, a single petal breaking off and floating to the floor.

Across town, Ladybug made it to her family's bakery and leaped through her window into her room. Barely.

"Tikki this is a nightmare!" She cried as her miraculous powered off, leaving her in her normal state. Her buggy kwami spun out, becoming an impromptu listener for the girl's distraught raving. "Cat Noir is Adrien and Adrien is Cat Noir! Which makes even less sense the more I think about it because they're not even remotely close to being the same person!"

"Marinette, I think you're over thinking this."

"How is this possible?! All this time I've been fighting alongside him and he's been joking and goofing around with his lame puns and ridiculous flirting-" She gasped suddenly, sharply, hands going to her mouth. "He flirted with me. Tikki, Adrien flirted with me!"

"He flirted with Ladybug," Tikki pointed out.

"That's right!" Marinette grabbed at her head in frustration. "How could I forget- Cat Noir's in love with- I mean Adrien is in love with-"

Because she was pacing and turning about, she was able to face her wall- her special wall, where there were pictures and clippings plastered of a certain blond, green-eyed boy, in all his best modeling poses. Suave, debonair, cool and collected, but with a kind smile that just made your heart melt and go afflutter at the same time.

While Cat Noir thought he was the cat's meow, but all his "smooth moves" were really just an annoyance. He was cocky and zealous, way too full of himself and obnoxious with his flirting, and when he smiled Marinette could only expect another silly cat-themed pun.

I can be myself!

Marinette slid to the floor with a whimper, letting her hands fall to support herself before she faceplanted spectacularly. "Cat Noir is Adiren. Cat Noir is the real Adrien!"

"He said it himself," Tikki pointed out as she floated about. "As Cat Noir, he doesn't have to worry about ruining his father's reputation."

"But Tikki, how could I not have known this?" Marinette despaired, raising a hand to count off her fingers. "I know his school schedule, his work schedule, his favorite fashion, his favorite food, his past and home life, and not once did I think he could be a totally different person!"

"He had to keep it a secret, Marinette," Tikki reminded. "You should understand that better than anyone!"

"Right. As Ladybug," she affirmed, letting her hand drop. "The perfect, confident superhero. Of course Adrien would go for someone like that."

Or at least he would, if he wasn't failing so spectacularly in fencing at the moment. Kagami's taunts of "predictable" were a bitter reminder of his poor mental state as he lost round after round against her. It felt like a cruel reflection of his current love life.

He sat by the lockers, pulling out the rose from his gym bag to look at it forlornly.

"Plagg? Did I make a mistake?"

From his bag, his kwami looked up worriedly at him, only his bright green eyes visible from the shadows. But his worry was clear from the way that for once, he tried to be sincere. "Well, you know how Ladybug feels about your secret identities."

"I know, it's just… I guess I'd been hoping once it was out in the open, we could put that behind us, and she'd change her mind. Looks like I was wrong."

Plagg would have said something, but the door opened and he buried himself further into the bag as Kagami strode in to look down at Adrien.

"What's going on, Adrien? I usually enjoy defeating you, but it's no fun when you make it that easy."

He deflated, eyes never leaving the rose. "Do you ever get the feeling that you're stuck, Kagami? That no matter what you do, it's the same old story, over and over again? That things will never... ever change?"

Kagami would not call herself "kind". She was not compassionate, or empathetic. But even she, seeing how distraught her fencing partner was, couldn't find it in her to be dismissive of his dilemma. She could only guess, from the way he held the red rose, that his heart beat in vain for another. She took the spot beside him, prepping herself to give some advice that was hard for some to hear. "...Adrien, the biggest mistake a fencer can make isn't choosing the wrong technique. It's choosing the wrong target." He wasn't looking at her, his dejection solely focused on the symbol of his rejection. So she reached out, gently pulling his chin so he would look her in the eye, and take her message to heart. "Change. Targets."

She released him, offering a smile, and despite himself, he returned it. As he looked at the rose again, he could see the wisdom in her advice. For months he had been chasing his Lady, with nothing to show for it. Ladybug was high above them all, with impenetrable walls surrounding her. Many had tried to breach them, but all had failed. He'd thought that, maybe if he brought down his walls first, she'd be willing to do the same.

But it was clear that wasn't the case. He was still never going to reach her.

So he smiled at Kagami, and offered her the rose.

Which led to a very unexpected outcome the next day at school.

Marinette had barely slept that night. Actually, she didn't sleep at all that night. Her mind had been a chaotic mess of memories and connecting the dots. Trying to reconcile Adrien's perfect image with Chat Noir's lame goofiness was proving a near impossible task She had been too wrapped up in her own worries and anxiety, so of course she bumped into someone, as was her usual luck. It was just a bonus that someone happened to be Adrien.

"Marinette!" He smiled, eagerly helping her up. "Perfect timing!"

"What?" She squeaked. "W-what do you mean? It's not like I was thinking about you or anything!"

He raised a confused brow, before he chuckled, shaking his head. "No, I mean for me. I need some advice right now. Can we talk?"

"Talk? Now?" She grimaced, darting her eyes around for a quick escape, looking anywhere but at him. Right now all she could see was his last impression yesterday, with him rambling and wiggling like an overexcited schoolgirl. "U-um, actually now's not a great time. I-I said I'd meet up with Alya to go over last night's homework! And-"

"Wait!" He squeezed her hand before she ran off, looking to her desperately. "I just need a few minutes! Please, Marinette, you're the only one I can talk to!"

She stared, caught in his gaze like a deer in headlights. Big, bright, green headlights. Hopeful headlights that tugged at your heartstrings and made your thought process a puddle of lovestruck goo. How could she refuse when he was begging for her help like that?

You're the only one I can talk to!

Talk to-

Talk to...

"Sure thing..." she sighed with a dreamy smile.

"Great!" He said in relief. "Ok, well," he led her to the bench in the school's inner courtyard, letting his bag drop, and she did the same. "I'm sorry, this is a bit awkward for me, cuz, this is about a girl."

It was at this point Marinette froze as she connected the dots. 'Oh no, he's going to ask me what to do about Ladybug! What should I do?! I can't let him know it's me! B-but if he asks how to win her over I have to pretend I don't know what he's talking about and-'

"Oh, a-a girl?" She stammered, looking up to feign curiosity, though she couldn't help her panicked smile. "What kind of girl?"

"A pretty amazing one, actually," he admitted, smile turning a tad shy as he looked up, getting lost in his own daydream. "She's strong, and confident, and it seems like she could do almost anything. And she's really pretty. She has dark, silky hair, and these deep, mysterious eyes..."

Of course, so caught up in his own world, he didn't notice Marinette sighing as she looked dreamily at him. She never thought she'd live to see the day Adrien would be saying all these amazing things about her.

"But I don't even know the first thing about how to take the next step with her," He concluded, turning back to her a little worriedly. "You have any ideas?"

"I- w-well, I don't know," she stammered as she brought herself back to the present. Well, tried. But there was still a tiny, goofy smile she couldn't help as she bit her lip. "Maybe if I knew who she is?"

"Oh, right! It's Kagami."

"Kagami?!" She blurted, the name breaking her out of her dreamy state in an instant. "The ice queen!?"

She slapped a hand over her mouth, just as Adrien gaped.

"I-I meant the ice rink!" she said hastily. "Everyone loves the ice quee- rink! Wait wait wait," she waved her hands quickly. "Hold the phone! It can't be Kagami, you like-" And for the second time in less than ten seconds, Marinette had to slap a hand over her mouth again, making Adrien lean over with suspicion. And a little concern. "Uh, no one!" she concluded. "I thought you didn't like anyone!"

"Marinette, are you ok? You're acting weird."

"Weird? No, I'm not acting weird, I'm just surprised, I mean… you never mentioned liking her before," she saved quickly.

"Yeah. I didn't really see her that way at first, but recently I started seeing her a little differently."

"Recently?" She clarified, a niggling worry gnawing at her. "How recently?"

"Um, yesterday, actually," he admitted, cheeks going a little flush.

Yesterday? But that was when he'd revealed himself, and confessed to her, and she-

- … she ran away from him!

Her jaw dropped, hands going to her face as she realized the scope of the horror before her. This was a disaster! She'd run away from Adrien without thinking, probably making him think she hated him and sending him right into Kagami's waiting arms! AUGH, she was such an idiot!

"Marinette? Marinette!" Adrien called, waving a hand in front of her face. "Are you sure you're ok? Should I take you to the nurses office?"

"No! No no, I'm fine, really!" She said, snatching up her bag. "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine!"

"Alright, then." he stood as well, offering a smile. "Thanks for the advice." His smile fell in uncertainty. "Though to be honest, I'm not sure I could take her there by myself. I might get too shy to try anything-"

"I'll come with you!"

"What?"

"To the ice rink," she said quickly with a strained smile. "To help you! You know, feel more comfortable!"

"You will? Really? That's awesome!" His face brightened instantly, already turning and running off to the lockers. "Thanks, Marinette! You're the best!"

She waved after him, smile plastered on her face until she nodded to herself in determination before marching off to class. It was time to fix her mistake and win back Adrien!

… only problem was figuring out how. Thankfully, her trusty friends were always down for some good scheming.

"Show off in front of Kagami and impress him with your awesome skating moves!" Rose suggested.

Alex snorted. "You do realize this is Marinette we're talking about, right? She'll faceplant before even reaching the end of the rink."

"Then let yourself fall and pretend you're really hurt," Rose amended, clasping her hands together. "Then he'll come to your rescue! It'll be so romantic~"

"You'll definitely win his attention like that." Alya teased.

"But I don't just want his attention," Marinette complained. "I want him to like me. And Adrien likes strong, confident girls, not a klutz."

They blinked. "How do you know?" Juleka asked curiously.

"Uh, because Kagami is strong and confident, right? So that must be what he likes!" She saved quickly with a nervous smile.

"Then we're definitely doomed," Alex sighed.

"Now hold on, girls, it's not over yet!" Alya argued. "We just haven't found the right idea!"

"Ask someone else out and make him jealous!" Mylene suggested.

"Make him… jealous?" Marinette clarified, suddenly feeling less ecstatic.

"But who could we even ask? "

"What about Nataniel?" Juleka suggested.

"No way, that'd just be mean."

But as the girls argued and debated, Marinette just sighed, finding herself less and less stoked on the idea. So she slipped away, taking her leave and making her way onto the stern of Juleka's ship.

"What am I doing, Tikki? I can't come between them."

Her little purse popped open, the bright, usually cheerful kwami looking up to her worriedly even in her encouragement. "Why not? You already know he likes Ladybug, not Kagami!"

"But Adrien can't know I'm Ladybug! And Ladybug can't date anyone. She's a superhero! How can I date anyone as a superhero?"

"You could date 'Cat Noir', since he's a superhero." Tikki suggested slyly. "Remember that night when he set up that picnic for you?"

"Yeah," she relented with a smile. And then she blinked. "AGH! Adrien set up a picnic for me! With candles and flowers and aaaaaaaaaaugh I stood him up and made him hate me I'm such an idiot!"

"Marinette, someone's coming!" Tikki warned.

She squeaked, jumping up to her feet, and spinning about to face a surprised Luka.

"Marinette?" He asked. "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine!" She assured with a strained smile, "Just... remembering a really embarrassing moment..."

"I getcha," he smiled, going over to take a seat by her. "Something kinda like this?" He plucked at his guitar, bringing out a quick, yet oddly anxious tune, like it was creating tension by just being. It made Marinette pout and nod. "Whenever I feel like that, I try to think of a memory that makes me feel like this:" This time, the tune slowed, the notes turning more harmonious and into something calmer, yet cheerful. Marinette sat down beside him with interest. Luka really did have a way with music. "I don't know for sure what it is that made you upset. But you're an amazing girl, Marinette. You shouldn't feel embarrassed about anything for long."

She flushed, eyes going wide at the sincerity, both in his voice and his smile. She smiled a little shyly, squirming under his gaze. Did he really think that about her? As 'Marinette'?

"Hey, Luka... are you busy tomorrow?"

Once at the ice skating rink, the tension was hardly visible. Except maybe for Adrien. He managed to pull on his ice skates, but by that point his uncertainty got the better of him, and he scoot a few seats over to sit beside his classmate as she tied up her skates. "I'm not sure what I should do at this point. Should I offer to hold her hand?"

"Why not just flirt with her like always?"

"What?" He blurted in a panic.

"I mean everyone alway- flirts, right?!" She stammered, jumping to her feet. "That's what people normally do and so, you should do that, ya know, say nice things, tell her she looks good- whoa!"

The blades threw off her balance, and she leaned too far back and fell prey to gravity. Adrien reached for her in alarm, but Luka was already standing, and caught her from behind. "Careful," he advised. "Try to be natural. Go with the rhythm."

He knelt down in front of her, helping her finish tying her skate laces, before offering his hand and helping her up. She looked at his hand, but stole a glance at Adrien out of her peripheral. He seemed stunned, watching their interaction with rapt interest. But nothing more. So, resigned, Marinette took Luka's hand and let him lead her onto the ice. He was so casual, so confident about it, even Adrien had to admit the guy was so smooth he was almost jealous. He looked over at Kagami, who was tying her own laces, and decided to try to emulate him. He walked over to stand before her, but she had already finished, crossing her legs and looking up to him expectantly.

"Uh," His cheeks heated up, rubbing at the back of his neck nervously. "You, look... good!"

She raised her brows, clearly surprised, but smiled in satisfaction. "And you look like you need some help."

"What?"

She pointed to his feet, and he followed her line of sight to see that in his rush to get advice, he hadn't finished putting on his skates. Talk about hopeless. What kind of impression was that? But she knelt down in front of him, making quick work of his shoes. He marveled at how unbothered she was by it, and how quickly she took charge. Once finished, she smirked up at him before taking his hand, and leading him onto the ice.

Their time at the ice rink might have been more enjoyable if they weren't being hounded by the rink owner to try to join skating classes. But regardless, they still managed to enjoy some time together. Marinette, even with her clumsy nature, was able to glide along the ice without incident, thanks to Luka's careful guidance and support. Kagami, noticing the way Adrien seemed tense and kept stealing glances at the other couple, still took his attention away with her grace, and poise, and skill. And Marinette, seeing the way Kagami showed off, felt herself burn with jealousy. So she could do a couple twirls, big deal. All she'd have to do is turn into Ladybug, and-

Run herself into a wall.

"Marinette!"

And Kagami still cut between the boys to help Marinette up herself, offering her own bit of "advice".

"The only reason you can't stay on your feet is because of your hesitation." She murmured by her ear. "I, never, hesitate," she assured, releasing her and turning to steal Adrien away again.

At that point, Marinette knew she was right. Even as Luka checked on her, she feigned injury, and made her way off the rink to find some privacy.

"Tikki, this is the worst feeling in the world," Marinette bemoaned, as her kwami twirled out of her bag. "I know he likes me, but I can't ever be with him."

"Why do you keep thinking that, Marinette?"

"Because I can't date anyone as Ladybug. I'm a superhero, I have to focus on saving Paris! I can't afford to be distracted, not even by Adrien! And now I can't even look at him the same way."

"Why not? He's the same person he's always been."

"I know that, it's just-"

"Marinette?" There was a knock on the bathroom door, Adrien's concerned voice coming through even to the stall. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine!" she said quickly.

"You're supposed to be in love with Ladybug, but now you ditch Kagami to go after Marinette?"

"Me? Going after Marinette?" He was taken aback, before chuckling it off. "No, she's just a friend!"

But their conversation was cut short, when the whole ice skating rink was suddenly being taken over by ice.

In a cruel sense of irony, the miraculous seemed to have heard her internal desire of grace on the ice. Master Fu's new additive gave Tikki an ice affinity. When she transformed, Ladybug was warm, and slick, with blades included on her boots and a tiara on her head, making her a true ice princess. She leaped up onto a rooftop, braking without even the tiniest possibility of slipping and falling. Her partner joined her, also having received the power up to his miraculous. She grinned smugly in satisfaction. Perfect. Now she could show off her new skills to-

"Cat Noir?" She asked noticing he hadn't even said hello to her, let alone flirt with her, "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing, just thinking how I should track and observe him before attacking."

"Track? No, we need to set a trap for whoever did this," she argued.

"And what's wrong with my idea?" He shot back. And curiously, he still had his back to her. "It's not like you're right all the time. What, don't like the cold shoulder?"

She sighed. She should've known it wouldn't be that easy. "Cat Noir, I understand if you're still upset about before, but right now we really should focus on saving Paris."

"Well it's not like we have to do this together," he argued, already jumping off the roof and taking to the ground. "It's not like we're a couple."

"Adr- Cat Noir!" She called after him. "Don't get all pouty on me!"

But he didn't respond back, already gliding down the magically ice covered street to do his tracking. She deflated dejectedly. Great, just great. She had to keep reminding herself that this was still Cat Noir, and he tended to be a sore loser. Adrien was a sore loser…

But she shook her head quickly. Now wasn't the time, she could feel sorry for herself later. So she tossed out her yoyo to find an anchor and swing off to head down the Seine.

She paused at the bridge, down a ways from the Eiffel tower, and scoped the perimeter. This would be a good spot, but she had to try to find bait to lure out the akumatized citizen. So caught up in her musings, she didn't notice the eyes on her, or the enemy dashing down the ice toward her. Not until Cat Noir managed to dive in and snatch her out of the way, having been tracking the enemy and following him before he could take her down. He put her back down and held onto her hand, putting them in a mad chase down the ice.

"Thanks, Kitty," she smiled. And as he winked in his usual assurance, she found a little of the confused anxiety in her lifting. Silly immaturity or not, this was Cat Noir, her partner, and superhero of Paris.

Only after that reassurance, were they finally able to work together again, teaming up to defeat the snubbed ice rink owner and take out the akuma in his skates, reversing his magic and saving all of Paris.

"Pound it!" They celebrated their victory from their spot on the wall, as Philip regained himself far down below them.

Chat Noir saluted her with a wink. "Well you best be off, then. I know where he came from, so I can take him back."

"Cat Noir, wait," she protested. Her fingers tapped together in a nervous fidget. "We should probably talk, and-"

"It's alright Ladybug, you don't have to say anything." He smiled at her, and while it wasn't his usual grin, he at least didn't appear angry. "I remembered what you said about loving someone else, and I already know how you feel about our secret identities."

She sighed. "I almost called your name- your real one. If that had happened in battle, I could end up revealing who you are. I didn't want to risk putting you in danger like that."

"I understand. You don't have to feel bad. I shouldn't have put you in that position." He stepped forward, leaning in to take a kiss from her cheek.

Under the red of her mask, her blush was hidden, saving both her identity, and her pride. But regardless, when he pulled back, he was grinning slyly at her. "But admit it: weren't you just a little bit charmed when my mask came off?" He probed.

"What?" She leaned back. "No, of course not! Why would you think that?!"

"Oh c'mon, everyone loves my face." He boasted, leaning sideways at her and waggling his brows. "No need to be shy~"

"In your dreams, Cat," She shot back, pushing at his temple to put him back. "Not everyone is clamoring over themselves to get to you. I, on the other hand," She grinned- a familiar, confident smirk in their interactions. "Am rather flattered knowing the one and only Adrien Agreste is in love with me."

That did it. His jade eyes went wide, clearly not expecting the turn around. Pink flushed over his face instead, mouth agape from the ambush. She winked at him, hurling her yoyo for an anchor point. "Until next time, Cat Noir~" she sang, before leaping off into the city.

Cat Noir looked after her in a daze. "My name… she said my name!" Some confused groaning from far below him got his attention, reminding him of his duty. "Oh yeah." And he hopped off the wall to help put the poor citizen back where he belonged.

She just barely made it across the street from the rink, transforming back behind the building and slipping through the back door. Tikki spun out, having a moment before Marinette went to make her appearance from her "hiding place".

"Wow Marinette, that was really bold of you."

"Tikki what've I done?!" She wailed. "I just saw him acting as Cat Noir and it slipped out without my even realizing! I'm a disaster- a total walking disaster!"

"Maybe being Ladybug makes you feel more confident, the same way it makes Adrien more confident as Cat Noir."

She groaned, sliding to the floor and burying her face in her hands. "Except now he's even more in love with Ladybug. How am I ever going to get him to fall for me as 'Marinette'?"

"Cheer up, Marinette," Tikki offered, giving a little pat to her head. "At least now you know he does like you."

"Even if he doesn't know it yet," she smiled wistfully. "Who knows? Maybe one day I'll get that same confidence without the mask."

"That's the spirit! I know you can do it, Marinette!"

She giggled, clasping the tiny kwami to her face in a hug. "Thanks, Tikki!"

The kwami giggled as well, hugging her cheek gratefully. Looked like they were back to square one after all. But one thing was for sure: she wasn't giving up on Adrien, not by a long shot.

So yup, just something I wrote for fun. I've been SO frustrated with all those darn teases the last few episodes I was like "you know what?! I need to have this reveal at least ONCE!" So I wrote out the first scenario I imagined when I saw the Frozer trailer. Then it kinda turned into a writing practice exercise and I went to follow the general storyline of the episode to see how it would effect certain scenes. Except the last part, cuz I just needed to let loose and have some fun with it. How'd I do, guys? Let me know! :D