Chapter Two

Things were never going to be simple when it came to a relationship between Marinette and Chat Noir, mainly due to secret personas being hidden in the mix. Guilt ate away at Chat Noir primarily because Marinette had no clue that he was Adrien Agreste. He was fully aware and understood that she had deemed his civilian-self undesirable as a potential love interest. Yet her relationship with him in the mask was accelerating at a rapid pace. Neither had put a label on their romantic connection but it was obvious that both were enraptured with one another.

For weeks Chat Noir stewed on his inner thoughts, wondering if he should reveal his true identity. Marinette had never pushed to know as if somehow understanding that critical nature of keeping such a secret. Still, he wanted to let her know. He wanted to be with her at school as her boyfriend rather than just the acquaintance he'd been relegated to. Of course, there was going to be drama when he did expose the guy beneath the mask.

Chat Noir had no doubt that Marinette would be angry at him. But it had been two months since he'd stupidly rejected her as Adrien. Sitting opposite her upon the chaise, Chat Noir literally rolled the dice. They were playing Snakes and Ladders. He rolled a four and moved his piece, hitting a snake. Ironically it sent him almost back to the beginning. Was it a sign? Would exposing the truth reset their relationship in the worst of ways?

Erring on the side of caution, Chat Noir decided to keep his secret.

A week later he wished he hadn't. Nothing had prepared Chat Noir for the possibility that Ladybug was secretly Marinette. His standoffish partner had finally deemed him worthy to reveal the girl beneath the mask and he'd freaked out. Even now he was bounding across the rooftops, his heart pounding as he fled the one girl he loved.

It was insane, part of his conscience screamed. Leaving her was a metaphorical slap in the face. But Chat Noir feared that Marinette would hate him when she learned he was Adrien Agreste. The boy she no longer wanted. He paused in his running, clutching at his chest as he looked back from where he'd come. Ladybug had not followed him and he realised he'd just made things worse.

Ladybug had laid her heart bare and he'd fled. He wanted to kick his own ass. Raking his hair with both hands, Chat Noir realised there was only one thing for it. He needed to reveal his own identity and pray that she didn't beat him to death with his own baton.

There was a hollow feeling in Marinette's chest. She'd been rejected by Adrien Agreste and now Chat Noir. Well Chat hadn't technically told her to get lost but his reaction to run said as much. While she'd known that he'd pushed aside his crush on Ladybug she'd never really thought that his feelings would completely wither.

She had wanted to be honest with him. She had wanted him to know both sides of her. While she'd debated the idea long and hard, Marinette thought he would have been ecstatic. Sure, there was an element of betrayal since she'd initially been guiding him away from her alter ego, but their relationship had changed. Chat Noir was the most precious person in her life now and he'd bolted the moment she'd asked him if he would drop his transformation too.

Perhaps she'd pushed too hard. Yet in the past, Chat Noir had always been eager to know. Fear had lit his eyes the moment she'd questioned him. Who was she kidding, he was on edge from the moment she dropped her mantle and showed him the girl under the mask. A girl she thought he wanted. A girl who assumed she had always held a place in his heart.

Drawing in a shuddering breath, Marinette glanced down to her handbag where Tikki sat watching. Her kwami seemed to understand that she didn't want to talk. Instead Marinette called up her transformation and bound home.

With her head down, Ladybug didn't notice the wiry silhouette of her partner leaning in the shadows of her balcony. Even when her feet landed with a firm but quiet thud she didn't raise her gaze. It was only as she squatted to open her skylight that she realised she wasn't alone. Cocking her head to the side, Ladybug caught the reflective shine of Chat Noir's feline eyes. His wide pupils were locked to hers and her chest constricted.

Chat Noir's voice was gravelly as he edged towards her. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted as I did. It's not because of who you are, it's because of who I am."

Ladybug's brow crinkled. "I don't understand."

The flick of his tail caught her eye as he moved closer. "Can I come inside and show you?"

Her nod was hesitant. "Yeah, alright."

Turning back to her skylight, Ladybug opened the window and slipped inside. She didn't linger on the bed, instead she hurried to her bedroom floor and dropped her transformation out of pure habit.

Chat Noir's entry was much slower. He latched the window behind him, perhaps to ensure he stayed near her this time or maybe it was done in a show of trust. Marinette didn't know. As he descended, she was mesmerised by the catlike poise her partner exhibited. His form moving with a fluid grace that belied his human body. Dancers everywhere would envy his effortlessness.

The moment his boots touched her floor his cat ears pivoted towards her and the end of his tail continued to twitch. Anxiety practically radiated from him. His clawed fingers twisted and curled as he fiddled while closing the distance between them. Chat Noir looked like he wanted to say something but his lips remained sealed.

Nodding to himself, Marinette watched as Chat Noir dropped his hands to his sides and drew in a deep breath. "Here goes," he said with a forced grin. "Plagg, claws in."

Marinette's eyes bulged as Chat Noir's true face was revealed with the dissipation of the magic. She had expected to see a stranger, someone unknown to her life outside the mask but she was wrong – so very wrong. The face before her was only too familiar, every line and curve studied over many hours. And those eyes, those dreamy green eyes. Eyes she had lost herself into while dreaming of a future that could never be. Because he had rejected her. Told her they could only be friends. Fear shone brightly in those green eyes which were overshadowed by the drop of his eyebrows, pleading without words. Adrien Agreste knew he was in deep trouble.

Next chapter, Marinette's response to the reveal.

Thanks to everyone for reading, following, favouriting and reviewing. We've got one chapter to go. :)