Author's Note:
Many conversations might seem light on dialogue. I tried to keep the word count minimal by trying to keep the dialogue pertinent to the plot. Please feel free to imagine whatever other conversations might actually be taking place. Each chapter is about 1,500 words (plus or minus).
I do not own any of the characters, but I did try to stay true to the way the characters have been developed in canon.
The story tries to use only canon through Season 3's WereDad Episode. Any developments in canon contrary to this story released after December 31st, 2018 would not have been incorporated into this story.
Alya's mother answered the door and saw Marinette. She let her in and told her that Alya was in her room. Marinette went into Alya's room and shut the door.
After sitting on the bed and watching Alya update the Ladyblog about the akuma last night, Marinette decided to get her undivided attention. "Hi Rena Rouge. How're things going?"
"Fine, just updating the…"
Alya spun around to see Marinette sitting on her bed. "What did you call me?"
"Rena Rouge. I wanted to make sure I had your attention."
"Only Ladybug would know who Rena Rouge is… OMG! Marinette! You're Ladybug?!"
"I was." Marinette brushed back the loose hair around here ears to show that here earrings were no longer there.
"Did you get fired? Was it because of the akuma last night? Who's going to be the next Ladybug?"
"Woah, woah, woah. Calm down. One question at a time. No. I was not fired, Hawkmoth surrendered to Cat Noir. The akuma last night will be the last one. No one will be the next Ladybug, for now at least."
Alya's face was frozen in shock… then, it hit her. "Hey! Why didn't you tell me you were Ladybug before now? You knew I could keep the secret since I was Rena Rouge."
"It was supposed to be a secret, remember?"
"Yeah, yeah. I remember. Does Nino know yet?"
"No, I haven't told Carapace yet. I wanted you to post a statement on the Ladyblog explaining that things are all over."
Alya swiveled around and started typing the headline: "It's All Over"
Marinette explained what happened that Hawkmoth was not in custody, but surrendered willing for a peaceful resolution to the issue he had that required the Ladybug and Cat Noir miraculouses. She made sure to state that everyone involved would appreciate the anonymity of a private resolution so they can get back to building a normal life. Finally, she stated that all of the miraculouses are where they belong and that there would be no more akuma attacks.
After approving the article, Alya posted it and Marinette headed home. She asked Alya not to tell Nino about her being Ladybug yet. But that she would do a reveal herself to him within the next week.
Adrien had arrived at the bakery while Marinette was out. Tom and Sabine welcomed him in told him he could wait at the dining room table in the upstairs apartment. As he was leaving the bakery, Sabine noticed the black and green arm band and asked Adrien about it. He stated that Marinette had given it to him in a secret gift exchange and that it was time to reveal who got the gift. Tom and Sabine just smiled at each other.
Marinette arrived home and Sabine told her that she had a friend waiting upstairs. Marinette was puzzled. But headed up. Adrien was not facing the door as he was reading the statement released on the Ladyblog.
Marinette opened the door and saw a boy sitting at the table with a black and green arm band. "Cat Noir?"
Adrien smiled as he turned around. "Surprise, purrincess!"
Marinette fainted and hit the floor with a thud. She woke up on the sofa with the news on the television relaying the Ladyblog statement. She looked up to see Adrien looking down at her with a concerned look. "Are you alright?"
"Yes. I'm fine."
"I'm sorry if I disappointed you."
"Disappointed? No, no! Not at all! I'm glad it was you kitty. I was just shocked. I never even considered the possibility that you were someone I already knew."
"Really?"
"Yes. I'm glad you're my 'Knight in Shining Leather'… or at least, you were."
"Oh, you saw the Ladyblog article."
"Yes. I was with Alya when she got the statement. I figured I might see you in a day or two for the reveal as all of the miraculouses were out of circulation now."
"With Alya? Did you meet Ladybug?"
"Not really."
"Oh. I see."
"Have you not met her yet?"
"No. Not yet. We're supposed to meet tonight at the Eiffel Tower at 6:00 PM for the reveal."
"Oh. Well, I'll take that arm band back. It's served its purpose and it really doesn't go with you outfit. Besides, I wouldn't want Ladybug to get jealous if she saw it."
Adrien took off the arm band and handed it to Marinette. "I hope you can forgive me for deceiving you these past few months. But, if I had been myself, you would've known I was Cat Noir real quick."
"Your personalities are quite different and distinct."
"I wanted you to get to know the real me, but I couldn't do it as Adrien. I hope you understand."
"I understand kitty. I couldn't reveal you identity."
"My father has invited you to lunch tomorrow. He'd like to get to know you better since I told him how close our friendship has grown and how much you admire his work."
"Thank you. I'll definitely be there."
"I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the recent change in his attitude."
"So, are you going to meet Ladybug at the Eiffel Tower tonight to finally profess your love to her as yourself?"
"Yes. I plan on meeting her. I need her friendship now more than ever. It's unbelievably lonely without Plagg… even with other recent events."
"I see. I'm sure you'll make a beautiful couple."
"Purrincess. These past few months have been wonderful. I've learned so much about you that I don't think I'd ever have been able to learn as Adrien."
"Likewise. I've learned so much about you that I couldn't have pictured coming from you."
"I'm torn. I still love Ladybug. But it's more of a crush. I've found myself falling for you though. Getting to know you has made me want to build a future with you. Please understand. I need to be friends with Ladybug to help me through this transition period. But, I want to have something more with you."
Marinette looked into Adrien's eyes. "I love you too, kitty."
Adrien's eyes widened. He did love her. Didn't he? Adrien reached up and cupped Marinette's chin. The kiss sent an electric shock through both bodies as they melted into each other.
Marinette gazed up at Adrien. "I can't believe my crush became my best friend without me realizing it… and then became the love of my life when I was ready to let the crush die and choose Cat Noir."
"Your crush?"
"Yeah… About that… Ever since you gave me your umbrella. That's why I couldn't carry on a normal conversation with you."
"I was so oblivious, wasn't I?"
"Yes."
"Please forgive me."
"All is forgiven."
After another kiss, Marinette offered to go to the Eiffel Tower with Adrien to meet Ladybug. However, Adrien thought it best for him to go alone in case she was only looking for a boy alone, wearing the red and black spotted gloves Ladybug had given him. Marinette agreed and Adrien left to get ready.
Marinette went up to her room and flopped down on her chaise pondering what had happened, and what was about to happen. She had decided to not reveal herself immediately in favor of learning more about his feelings and to have a magical moment at the Eiffel Tower.
She grabbed the wrist watch and the designer cufflinks (which now made much more sense). She put the cufflinks in the top button hole of her jacket. She left early so that she could put her plan into action.
Arriving at the Eiffel Tower at 5:30, Marinette placed the wrist watch visibly on one of the bars of the south pillar. Adrien had given that to Ladybug. But, she wanted Adrien to see it when he was there to meet Ladybug as Cat Noir so she could gage his reaction. She turned over the collar on her jacket hiding the cufflink.
Adrien walked up at 6:00 as if on cue. He wandered around the south pillar looking for a lone girl with designer cufflinks. Then he saw it. He picked up the wrist watch and looked around. He realized it was the wrist watch he had given Ladybug as Adrien. But, how did she know Adrien would be here instead of Cat Noir (since the cufflinks were not there either).
He decided to look around for the cufflinks in case they were on another bar. He was so focused on looking for the cufflinks that he didn't notice Marinette walking up behind him. "Any luck finding Ladybug?"
Adrien spun around. "Marinette! I thought you were going to let me come alone."
"I know. I couldn't resist. I just had to know who Ladybug really was."
"I found a wrist watch I had given her after our thank you dinner. I think she doesn't want me to know who she is."
"If the wrist watch was from Adrien, then didn't you give her something as Cat Noir?"
"Yes. That's what I'm looking for. They don't appear to have been left here like the wrist watch was."
Marinette turned over her jacket collar. "Be careful Chaton, you might miss something that's right under your whiskers."
Adrien saw the cufflink and just smiled. They really were made for each other.
Marinette would soon learn exactly why Cat Noir had kept Hawkmoth's identity a secret and why it was so important for him to resolve everything peacefully.
