Marinette's Reveal

Another year had rolled by and it was almost Adrien's birthday again. Marinette really wanted to get him something good this year, something nice, something with her name on it! If she forgot to write her name on the card this year it would be 3rd year running that she'd been a mysterious gift giver. Adrien never seemed to notice that he didn't get a gift from her, she wasn't sure if she should be grateful for that or not. On one hand, he never seemed to be sad that he hadn't got a gift from her so clearly it was ok that she often messed up. On the other hand, he never seemed to be sad that he didn't get a gift from her, maybe he didn't really notice things from her in general?

Marinette chewed these thoughts over and over in her head most of the day. It distracted her from school work, it distracted her from talking to her parents, and right now, it was distracting her from patrol.

'Are you alright, My Lady?' Chat's voice jolted her back into the present. She sighed.

'Yes Chaton, sorry, I've just got a lot on my mind at the moment.'

'You know what they say; "a problem shared is a problem halved".'

'Who do you know who says that? Like, ever?'

'Oh shush, do you want to talk about it?'

She considered it, maybe talking about it would help. Chat was so much a part of her life and they'd shared so much for the last few years that she was confident he'd be able to offer her some insight.

'Ok, so there's a guy – don't start – that I've liked for a long time. His birthday is coming up and every year since I've known him I've managed to goof up this card or present so he never knows it's from me. That's one problem. The other one is that he doesn't seem to notice that I've apparently not given him anything, and I'm begin to wonder if maybe he just doesn't care about our friendship, you know?'

She finished talking and looked at Chat, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

'I'm sorry for just loading that on to you.'

'Nothing to be sorry for my lovely Bug. I have a friend in real life who never seems to get me anything, but I enjoy spending time with them so much that just the fact they turn up to my birthday get togethers is enough. Maybe you friend feels like that too.'

'I'd never even considered that, thanks Kitty!'

'As for the card/present mishaps, maybe you should get him a card that will stand out loads, so if it doesn't have a name on it he'll be forced to ask who gave it to him?'

'Where am I going to find a card like that?'

'I actually have several ideas for ones that would work, I could get it and bring it to patrol tomorrow?'

'That would be amazing! Thanks Chaton, you're the best!' She gave him a quick hug and he beamed at her, she had a little pang in her heart, Chat would be such a good choice for her if Adrien wasn't in the picture.

The next evening Chat showed up with one card, covered in little cat faces with 'You're the Cat's Meow' written in the middle of it. Ladybug smiled and rolled her eyes.

'Really Chat?'

'What? I said it would be memorable! I had it printed specially, it's one of a kind.'

'You're a silly cat, but ok, I will give my friend this card even if I do look like a complete weirdo.'

The day of Adrien's birthday gathering had arrived. He still wasn't allowed parties, but his father had finally relented for his 16th birthday and let him have 'gatherings'. Pretty much the whole class was going though, so Nino had decided it was really a party.

All the cards and presents had been placed on an ornate table near the door, waiting for Adrien to reach the appointed time for 'present opening'. It might a get together be for his birthday, but that didn't mean he could avoid being intensely scheduled by his father (via Nathalie).

Adrien blushed a deep shade of red and being made to sit in the middle of the room and go through his gifts, he'd joked about it making him seem like the spoilt rich boy he never wanted to be. Marinette had realised the truth behind the joke, but she'd felt for him as he'd made his way to the appointed seat.

When he got to Mari's envelope Alya had leaned over to her.

'Tell me you signed your name this time.'

'Honestly I can't actually remember…'

'What am I going to do with you girl?! After all the reminders you left yourself to do it!'

'I know, I know! But I was so preoccupied with the card itself that I genuinely don't know if I signed it.'

Alya dramatically rolled her eyes at her friend and sighed defeatedly.

Adrien opened the envelop.

He stared at the card. He hurried to open it.

'Well, who is it from Adrien?' prompted Nathalie. 'Don't forget to thank them.'

'It's… it's not signed.'

'They must be here. Whose card was this?' Nathalie called to the room.

Marinette let out a slight squeak and raised her hand. Adrien gazed at her like he was seeing the sun for the first time, she could feel her cheeks burning and momentarily wondered if it was possible to spontaneously combust.

'I can't believe Adrien made you a card to give him!' Marinette's head swivelled to face Nathalie, her eyes widening. 'That card is one of a kind'

Adrien and Marinette stared at each other until the chef's burst in with Adrien's cake.

Patrol was going to be interesting tonight.