Sorry for the delay, you get an extra long chapter this week, though. Please enjoy and leave a review if you'd like to give me input. I love all kinds of criticism.
Adrien waited 10 minutes after Marinette left before he raced out of the apartment, to his car, and drove to Nino's. He had to let off some steam about what was going on. During the drive, he tried to come up with a way to tell Nino about the situation without revealing himself or Marinette. When he arrived, he rushed up the stairs to the apartment and knocked quickly.
"Hey, dude." Nino said when he opened the door. "What's wrong?" He asked as he saw how distressed his friend looked.
"I…" Adrien's mind went blank. He didn't know how he would be able to tell Nino anything. "I just…"
"Is it about Marinette sleeping over last night?" Nino asked and Adrien's eyes were suddenly the size of saucers. Nino started to laugh as he moved so that Adrien could enter the apartment.
"How did you...nothing happened!" Adrien said quickly as he rushed into the apartment, shutting the door behind him.
"Alya told me." Nino said with a shrug.
"Well I...found something out about Marinette. Something big." Adrien tried to skirt around the issue, but he didn't know how he could say anything.
"Yeah, we know." Nino said with a smirk.
"You know?" Adrien asked with wide eyes. Marinette had let Nino and Alya know that she was Ladybug, but wouldn't let him, her partner, know? He suddenly felt like he'd been stabbed in the heart and his face showed this.
"Well, she told Alya. Alya wasn't supposed to tell me, but I thought you already knew about Marinette's crush on you. She hasn't exactly been subtle about it, Dude." Nino responded with a chuckle as he put his hands in his pockets and leaned back against the wall.
Adrien realized that he could use this to his advantage. "But she didn't tell me for all these years! She just told me last night because she was drunk. And I don't think she remembered in the morning. How, exactly do I…you know…deal with this?" he asked.
"Well, that depends. What do you want to do?" Nino asked.
"I don't know. I mean, she's nice and I really enjoy spending time with her, but I'm...I was kind of in a relationship for a while and...it's complicated." Adrien sighed in frustration.
"Whoa whoa whoa. How long is a while?" Nino asked.
A blush rose to Adrien's cheeks. "A few years?" He said.
"Why is this the first time I'm hearing about this? Do you know how many times I tried to set you up with Marinette? You could have told me you were taken, bro. Not cool." Nino said, crossing his arms.
"It wasn't...we weren't public about our relationship." He said.
"Was it Chloe?" Nino asked.
"What? No!" Adrien shrieked.
"Sabrina?"
"No! She wasn't in our class. At least I didn't think she was." Adrien responded.
"Don't tell me you dated Juleka." Nino said suddenly after thinking for a moment.
"I just said that I didn't think she was in our class." Adrien responded.
"Juleka was really quiet. You might have forgotten about her." Nino defended.
"That's not the point. The point is I'm going through some things right now because of that relationship and it's really...complicated." the blond responded.
"So, uncomplicate it, Dude. Do you want Marinette or this other girl?" Nino asked.
"Both? I just...this girl and I had a falling out recently and I'm not sure what I should do." Adrien said.
Nino thought for a moment. "I know what you should do." He said. Adrien's head perked up as he looked expectantly at his friend. "You should get your mind off of it." He said. Adrien was about to ask how when Nino smiled widely and continued. "...by being my best man.". Adrien's jaw dropped open.
"You finally did it?" He asked. Nino nodded.
"And Alya tried to call Marinette right away, but well...you know." He said with a chuckle.
For some reason, Adrien didn't connect the dots to realize that Alya was asking Marinette to be her Maid of Honor. Instead he and Nino started to talk about what the proposal was like and when the wedding would be. Nino said that they hadn't picked a specific date, but were hoping to marry sometime in Autumn. Nino stated that they didn't want a long, drawn out engagement.
After talking about the impending wedding, Adrien stayed to play videogames and catch up. He felt like it had been forever since he was able to spend time with Nino between his duties at Agreste and his duties as Chat Noir. They played for hours before Nino turned to him.
"So, seriously, tell me about this mystery girl." He said. He'd clearly been curious since Adrien had mentioned her.
"I really don't want to talk about it." He said.
"Well, do I know her?" He asked.
"Yeah...you probably do. But I really can't talk about it." He said.
"Come on, Dude. Just give me even one hint." Nino whined.
"I can't." He replied.
"Is it one of your model friends? Or someone that Marinette wouldn't have a chance against?" Nino asked.
"No, Marinette would definitely have a chance." Adrien muttered. Nino raised an eyebrow and Adrien shook his head. "But the point is that right now isn't a good time. I need time to heal and work on myself. It wouldn't be fair to anyone if I didn't take that time." He said.
"What happened?" Nino asked. Adrien felt a blush rising to his cheeks before he realized that this is exactly what he wanted and why he came to Nino. He wanted a way to explain what was going on and to get his thoughts out.
"This girl and I...we've been on again off again for years and she's insisted that she loves another guy. Every time she did, I backed off and gave her room even though it hurt. And every time she would come onto me again. Well, recently one thing led to another and...well...we had sex. She regretted it right after and told me that she never wanted to see me again before she left. I just...I haven't been able to handle it." He said. "I've been trying to respect her space, but I've seen her since and she's in a downward spiral. I want to help her, but I have to help myself first so that I don't just hurt her more." He said.
"Wow. It sounds like you really love this girl. I guess Marinette really wouldn't have a chance." Nino responded.
"No, she really would. As much as I would want to go back to a relationship with this woman, things can never be the same. And Marinette, well I've always loved Marinette in a way. I was just so preoccupied with this woman that I never acted on those feelings. And now, it wouldn't be fair to her because it would be like I'm rebounding." He said, scrambling to figure out a way to explain without revealing Marinette's alter-ego.
"I see." Nino said. He chuckled to himself after a moment and Adrien looked at him curiously. "Oh it's nothing." Nino said.
"No, what?" Adrien pushed.
"Well, with that video from last week, it suddenly made me think about how your mystery woman might be Ladybug." Nino said, chuckling more. Adrien's back tensed and his eyes widened as he looked at his friend.
"Why would you think that?" Adrien asked. He was trying to look calm, but inside he was panicking.
"Oh my God. Dude! How could you not tell me about this?" Nino asked.
"Tell you about what?" Adrien asked, shifting nervously.
"You and Ladybug! You are cray cray if you think you can lie to me about this." Nino said excitedly with a huge smile on his face. "No wonder you never gave any lady the time of day!" He said.
"I wasn't dating Ladybug." Adrien said quickly, but the damage was done. Nino knew him better than anyone else.
"Wait, do you know who she is? Is that why you can't say?" Nino asked, ignoring what Adrien said.
"No, I don't and it wasn't Ladybug." Adrien insisted.
"You had sex with her and you don't even know who she is? Wait, who did she want more than…" Nino suddenly stopped, the smile dropping from his face. "Are you why Chat Noir went away? Did he find out about the two of you and get hurt?" Nino asked.
"I...I'm…" Adrien trailed off.
"Don't worry, Dude. I know that you're not Chat Noir. But seriously, the story lines up. You were seeing a girl who was in love with someone else for years and had sex with her. She has been on a downward spiral since. And Chat Noir, the other guy that she loves, disappeared." Nino said. Adrien was shocked by how close the story was to the truth. He suddenly realized that he should have been far more careful with what he shared. "And you've been infatuated with her since you first saw her. And don't think I forgot about the Crawler incident." Nino suddenly gasped. "Is that why Chat didn't show up to help that time? Because he was jealous of you and Ladybug? Has there been this whole love triangle thing going on this whole time?"
"It wasn't...nothing happened with Ladybug." Adrien insisted.
"Oh really? The only time I've ever seen Ladybug be the slightest bit nervous or unsure about anything has been when she's been around you." Nino responded.
"That's not true." Adrien said, thinking back to all of the times that Ladybug saw him without his mask. He blushed as he realized that Nino was right. She did always get flustered around him.
"So, seriously, you didn't tell me that you and Ladybug had a thing?" Nino asked. Adrien winced. What he had with Ladybug was definitely more than a 'thing'.
"I'm not saying that I have ever had a relationship with Ladybug, but even if I did have one, I wouldn't be able to tell anyone. It would just put both of us in jeopardy. I would be a target for akumas trying to hurt her and if she was in love with me, she might be reckless if I was in danger." he said.
"So, you were in a relationship with her." Nino said with a smirk.
"I just said that I wasn't saying that I did." Adrien said. "Let's just...drop it."
"Okay, but I don't believe you, Dude." Nino responded. Adrien glared at him briefly before turning back to the game. "You thought out that comment way too much for this to just be the first time it came to you." Nino added as he, too, turned back to the game. The two continued playing for most of the day until Alya came into the apartment.
Alya's eyes quickly made their way to Adrien. "Can I have a word with you? Alone?" She asked. Adrien looked nervously at Nino, unable to read Alya's tone.
"I can't save you, dude." Nino said as he stood and left the room. Alya walked over and sat on a chair beside the couch that Adrien was sitting on as the blond gulped nervously. "Why hasn't Marinette called me back yet?" She asked.
"I don't...why would I know?" He asked.
"Don't think I've forgotten that she spent the night at your house last night, Agreste." She said, her eyes like daggers stabbing into his soul.
"S-she went home this morning. I haven't heard from her since. I swear I didn't do anything." He said, seemingly unable to break away from her stare.
"Okay, I believe you." Alya said with a smile. Before Adrien could sigh in relief she spoke again. "If you break her heart, though, you'll regret it." She added.
"I didn't do anything with her, Alya. I just gave her a couch to sleep on." He said.
"Make sure it stays that way unless you want a serious relationship, understood mister?" She asked. The smile remained on her face, but the intensity of her glare hadn't decreased.
"You know you're terrifying, right?" He asked receiving a chuckle from the brunette.
"That's the point." She said. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to spend some time alone with my future husband." She added. Adrien nodded.
"See ya, Nino." He shouted as he rushed out of the apartment, not waiting for his friend to reappear. The rest of his night was uneventful.
In the morning he went to work with the intention of staying away from Marinette. However, then he went to see if Chat replied to his message. He realized how inefficient and dangerous his current method of communication was. If he wasn't careful, his identity would be found out. That was why, as he made his way down to his replacement's desk he decided that he would set up an anonymous email address for him and Chat to communicate through.
When he got to the desk, he was surprised to see the note accompanied by the box with his ring. Plagg flew out from behind the computer. "Adrien!" The kwami said as he saw the blonde. "What's taken you so long? He's finally willing to give me back and you waited all day." He said.
"It's only been to his first break. And I can't take you back yet, Plagg." Adrien said.
"But last time you said…"
"I know what I said and I'm sorry. I just...I was trying to rush because I was worried about what he would be capable of with my powers. But I do need more time…especially after last night." He said, mumbling the last comment.
"It's been a week. How much more time do you need?" Plagg asked as Adrien started to write his reply.
"Plagg, just trust me. I'll get you back when I'm ready." Adrien said.
Plagg grumbled for a minute. He was then quiet for the briefest of moments before speaking again. "Hey Adrien?" He asked hesitantly.
"Yeah?" Adrien asked without looking up from his note.
"Are you okay? After that fight Saturday morning?" He asked. Adrien nodded.
"When Ladybug set everything right again it healed me." He said simply.
"Oh...okay." he said. Adrien could tell that Plagg had more to say.
"What is it?" Adrien asked as he finished writing.
"I just wanted to…well…it's nothing…" Plagg trailed off. Adrien didn't have time to press the matter.
"I'll see you later, okay?" He said to the kwami as he started to retreat. Plagg just nodded and hid again. Adrien didn't even think about what it meant that Plagg was there without the ring being worn by anyone. He just went straight back to his office and set up a new email for him to use to contact both Chat and Ladybug.
He stomach twisted as he thought about what the note had said. Ladybug was so distraught that she confided in Chat. She confided in a man that she barely knows. And she went out and got drunk. He pursed his lips as he set about writing a letter to her. He wanted to comfort her and let her know that he would be there for her when he was able. As he kept writing, tears started to form in the corner of his eyes.
As much as he wanted to blame her for what happened, he couldn't. He was solely to blame. He was the one who had kissed her. He was the one who had taken them into that room. He was the one who hadn't stopped even though everything was telling him that she would regret it. He'd asked her so many times if it was okay because deep down he knew that it wasn't. And yet he still continued because of his own wants. He wanted to be with her so much that he disregarded her true feelings when the opportunity arose. He felt disgusted with himself as he finished the letter.
He wrote his new email address at the bottom of the page and then enclosed the letter in a sealed envelope, trying to shake his memories of that night away again. It was worse now that he knew who she was. It hurt now that he knew why Marinette was so upset. If there was one person that he wanted to see happy other than Ladybug it was Marinette. He had always loved both Marinette and Ladybug, but he'd focused his attention on Ladybug because he felt that his attraction to her was deeper due to the amount of time they spent together and how well they knew each other.
He wanted to stay away from her. He really did. However, he also didn't want her to feel like she was alone. That was why he found himself sending Tyler out for some of Marinette's Great Uncle's soup. Tyler returned shortly before Adrien went on lunch. Before he did, he dropped off the letter and a short note for Chat. He then took the bag of takeout to Marinette's office. He cleared his throat while he stood in the doorway. Marinette turned. As she saw him, her eyes filled with panic. It was a familiar sight to him, but this time something was different. It took him a moment to realize that the difference was that she wasn't blushing. "Adrien?" she asked, in a shaky voice, her eyes still wide.
"Hi, Marinette. I wanted to check up on you because of yesterday." He said with a small smile, trying to put her at ease.
"Oh, I…am fine." She said, hesitantly. Adrien stood awkwardly in her doorway for a moment before he spoke.
"I brought you some lunch." He said, holding up the bag that he was carrying.
"I…that's not necessary." She replied, looking away from him and biting her lip.
"Are you sure? It's some of your Great Uncle's Celestial Soup. Well, Marinette Soup." He said with a smile, remembering the time her Great Uncle had come to Paris fondly.
"Well, I guess I can't say no to a dish that's named after me." She said. "Thank you, Adrien." She added as Adrien fully entered her office and set the bag down on her desk. He took the bowls of soup out of the bag and set them on her desk.
"I really don't want you to feel awkward around me, Marinette." He said, without looking up at her. "I know you don't usually do stuff like that. And I know that you had reasons for doing it." He said, avoiding eye contact with her as he removed the lids from the bowls. "I want you to know that I'm here for you as a friend." He added. "In case you need to talk." He was overly aware of how close he was to her. He felt partly happy to be in her presence, but mostly heartbroken because she didn't even know who he really was. And yet, he knew that he wouldn't even be able to do this if she did.
"Thanks Adrien, but I really shouldn't have said anything to you. It was…unprofessional of me." She said. Adrien wondered how much she remembered saying and how much Tikki had told her. From how she was acting, Tikki hadn't told Marinette about their final exchange at the end of the night. He was grateful to the kwami for that.
"Well then, I guess it's a good thing that we're friends." Adrien stated with a smile. It broke his heart even more to call her a friend. She was so much more than that to him. Marinette nodded. He found himself opening his mouth to say more. To say things that he shouldn't say. He was grateful that she was looking away when she spoke, making him remain silent.
"I'm just…so embarrassed." She said before her phone started to ring and her eyes widened. "Just like I am right now." She added.
"That's okay, take the call. It might be important. Just know that I'm here in case you need to talk." He said as he grabbed his bowl and spoon and left her office, closing the door behind him. He leaned back against the door briefly and let out a shaky breath. He realized just how horrible of an idea this had been. He had almost told her his secret. If she hadn't spoken, she would know that he was Chat Noir. That he knew she was Ladybug. That he was the one who broke her heart.
He made his way to his office and sat, staring at his soup for the rest of his lunch. The rest of the day, he dove into his work, trying not to think about his partner. He rushed home when he was done with work and focused on playing video games. He didn't do anything else. He was engrossed in the game that he was playing. He didn't even stop to eat anything. That was, until his phone chimed late that night. He paused the game and picked up the phone. He didn't open it, just quickly glanced at the notifications. He had an email. His finger hovered over the notification and his eyes widened. He swallowed hard as he realized what was happening.
The email was to his new email address. To Chat Noir's email address from what he could only assume was Ladybug based on the email address that the sender used. He quickly put his phone down on the coffee table and stood, walking away and grabbing his hair. He hadn't thought through what he would do when this moment came.
How would he be able to reply? He couldn't even bring himself to open the email and see what all she'd written. What if she said that she wanted to see him? What if she revealed herself in the email? What if she told him that she never wanted to see him again? What if she said she loved him?
It wouldn't be the first time she'd said it since he'd given his miraculous away. However, if she did it would be the first time she'd said it directly to him. He felt his stomach churning in a way that only she could cause as he paced in his living room.
"Why did I give her the email? What could I have been thinking? It's different when she doesn't know it's me talking to her. I just sent her that one letter and I could barely even write that. What am I gonna do?" He asked aloud wishing Plagg was there to talk some sense into him. "What would he say?" He asked, suddenly thinking about his kwami. "You're an idiot. Get me camembert." He said in his best Plagg expression. "That doesn't help." He said.
He continued pacing and brought his hand to his mouth. He chewed on the back of one of his fingers as he turned back to the coffee table. He walked back with purpose and reached for the phone, teeth marks still showing along the side of his finger as he reached. He hesitated with his hand just above the phone.
"You're just going to read it. You don't have to reply." He said, trying to calm himself down as he grabbed the phone and unlocked it. He navigated slowly to his email and then opened the message, looking away from the phone as if it was going to bite him.
Chat?
That was it. Just one word. He stared at that word for a moment before hitting the button to respond. He bit his lip. What was he going to say? What could he say?
Yes, Ladybug?
His finger hovered over the send button for a moment while he thought about how stupid his response was. Still, he pushed send. He then waited anxiously for a response.
I miss you. I'm so sorry about what I did to you. Don't blame yourself.
Adrien pursed his lips. Here she was trying to take the blame for his mess up. It was just like her. She always was trying to be a hero. In and out of costume that was one thing that never changed. Marinette always wanted to help people. Normally it endeared him to her, but in this instance it frustrated him.
I do blame myself, Ladybug. I am the one who instigated it in the first place. I'm sorry.
He pushed send quickly. He then waited for a response. He waited and waited. He was starting to wonder if she was even going to reply at all. Then it came.
No, don't be sorry about that. Don't be sorry that we had sex. I wanted it just as much as you did. I just got scared.
I am so sorry. I shouldn't have ran away. I should have stayed and talked to you. The truth is that it wasn't fair to you, what I did. You shouldn't blame yourself. You asked me multiple times if that was what I wanted. You gave me many opportunities to back out. But I wasn't going to because I wanted you, too.
Then I felt terrible because not only did I feel like I was betraying the man I like in my civilian life, but also I felt like I was betraying you. I betrayed you by having feelings for another man while I had sex with you. I betrayed him by having sex with you while having feelings for him. But I didn't just have sex with you to have sex. I have feelings for you, too. But it's not enough. I can't completely love either of you like you deserve.
I shouldn't have hurt you and I'm sorry for that. I wish that I could go back in time and force myself to stay and talk to you. To explain how I was feeling. If I could, maybe you would still be by my side.
Don't blame yourself, Chat. You did nothing wrong.
Adrien stared at the message and re-read it multiple times. "She...she didn't say that she would go back and stop us. Her only regret is...leaving?" He asked aloud. It was contrary to everything he thought he knew about their time together. He shakily managed to type a response.
I'll always be by your side, M'lady. You just might not recognize me without the mask.
He couldn't think of anything else to send. Still, he hesitated. He wondered if she would be able to figure out who he was from that statement alone. While he'd wanted to know her identity throughout their time together, he didn't want her to know his now. He realized that her not knowing gave him the ability to be free around her without the mask just like the mask had allowed him to be free initially. Still, he eventually pushed send even with his reservations.
Chat, can you meet me? At the Eiffel Tower?
Her email caught him by surprise. He knew that she had wanted to speak with him when she'd sent her message over the Ladyblog, but he didn't think that she really wanted to see him.
I don't think that's such a good idea, M'lady.
He replied instantly. He did realize as he spoke with her that it was getting easier.
Please? I just want to make sure that your alright.
She responded just as quickly.
You'd see who I am.
He countered. He knew that throughout their time as Chat Noir and Ladybug that she had always wanted to keep their identities secret. He was sure that the comment would dissuade her.
You can wear a regular disguise.
She responded. Adrien narrowed his eyes.
I just don't think it's a good idea. The Eiffel Tower is a very public place. People would notice Ladybug hanging out with a random guy.
He responded.
I won't go as Ladybug then.
She said. Adrien but his lip. She was as stubborn as ever.
Then I might figure out who you are.
He replied simply.
I don't care anymore. I just want to see you and make sure that you're okay.
His eyes widened at what he was reading. "S-she doesn't care? She doesn't care if we are revealed to each other?" He asked himself aloud.
So, you want for us to reveal ourselves? Now?
He sent. He had to make sure of what she wanted. He waited as she took longer to answer his question. "I knew it." He muttered, knowing that now she was conflicted. Then again, he didn't know what he would do if she said yes. Part of him still wanted her to know. The rest of him thought it would be a big step at this point. And yet another part of him wondered how she would react to finding out that he'd lied to her when she asked him if he was Chat Noir. His phone then alerted him to a new email.
Yes
His stomach twisted as he read that one little word. He had expected a long email about how she didn't want to reveal themselves and why. He never thought that she would agree to it.
You won't believe me.
He responded in a futile attempt to distract her.
Yes, I will.
"This is childish." He said.
No, you won't. Not if we meet in a public place because it's not like you could come out and ask me if I'm Chat Noir and I wouldn't be asking you if you're Ladybug.
He responded, hoping she would give up, but knowing that she wouldn't.
Fine, meet me in our place.
"Of course she would figure out a solution." He said. Adrien glared at the screen trying to figure out what to write. It was obvious that she wasn't going to stop if he didn't either go along with it or reply with a blunt 'no'. He bit his lip as he thought about what to write.
I really am fine.
He finally responded. He didn't want to see her yet, but he still didn't want to tell her that definitively.
Please, Chat?
He closed his eyes in a wince as he read the reply. He sighed as he thought about what might happen.
Okay, but I'm wearing a disguise. You should, too. After all, you've already said that we shouldn't know each other's identities.
He responded. Saying that made him feel like a hypocrite. After all, he knew who she was.
Okay, I'll meet you there in an hour?
He nodded, knowing that she couldn't see him.
I'll be there.
He then put his head in his hands for a moment, letting out a frustrated shout. "Stubborn" he muttered before getting up. He went to his room and put on a heavy hoodie. He also grabbed a mask that he'd used a few years ago at one of Agreste's masquerades. He hoped that Marinette wouldn't recognize it. He shoved the mask in his pocket and left the apartment immediately. He walked to the abandoned building, not wanting to drive his car in case she saw it. He'd put his hood up before he hit the street. He then ducked into an alley before the building and put the mask on.
He then reached the building and took a deep breath with his hand on the door's handle. He stood there for a moment, working himself up to entering the building. Finally, he opened the door. "Ladybug?" He called out. He didn't hear a response as he climbed the stairs. He hesitated outside the door to their room. This was his first time back in the room since that night. He took a deep breath and opened the door. It was exactly how he'd left it.
Adrien settled himself in the corner by the door and waited for her. The way he was sitting, he could see both the door and the window. He checked his watch. There was still 5 minutes left for her to get to the room before the time that she had set. He was determined to leave on time even if she was late getting there. She wasn't. She arrived just in time, bursting through the door after having run up the stairs at full speed.
"Chat?" She called before she even saw the full room. Her eyes landed on him quickly as he moved to stand. "Chat, thank you for coming." She said. She was wearing a pair of large sunglasses and a poncho.
"What are we doing here, Ladybug?" He asked.
"I w-wanted to see y-you. I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry for what I did and I love you." She said, moving toward him. Adrien held up a hand to signal her to stay away. He had winced and partially turned away when she said she loved him.
"I know that you don't really mean that. I know that you are just saying what you th…" he had his eyes closed while he talked, not wanting to see her reaction. This was why he didn't notice her moving toward him until she cut off what he was saying with a kiss. She was so forceful in her kiss that she pushed him back against the wall. His eyes shot open and he raised his hands in surprise.
She stopped kissing after a moment when he didn't kiss her back. "I'm not just saying what you want me to say." She said. He was unable to see her eyes because of her glasses. He wished that he could see her beautiful eyes.
"Ma...Ladybug. I can't...I just…" he couldn't form the words. He wanted to just kiss her again. To bury his anger and pain.
"I know, I hurt you. But can you please forgive me?" She asked, her voice cracking. Now he was grateful for those glasses. He didn't think he would be able to handle seeing her cry.
"Ladybug. I can't." He said hesitantly, acutely aware of how close she still was to him. 'This was a terrible idea.' he thought, wishing that he'd just told her no.
"Please, Chat. I was upset that night and...I didn't mean it. I do love you. I just didn't know how to feel." She said. "It was my first time and I was overwhelmed." She added, shifting to aim her face toward the ground.
"You said that you can't love me, not fully because of another man." He said. "In your email." He clarified.
"Adrien won't ever think of me as more than a friend." Marinette said.
"So I'm...convenient?" He asked, his eyes narrowing.
"That's not what I said." She responded hastily.
"If Adrien made a move on you, what would you do?" He asked.
"I'd tell him that I'm in a relationship." She responded immediately.
"You've pined over him for years. You left me that night because of him." Adrien said, getting angrier with every word. "And now you're telling me that you'd just drop your feelings for him without even a thought?" He asked venomously.
"I...I'm choosing you." She said, her voice cracking.
"You don't even know who I am." He said bitterly.
"I want to." She responded.
"No, you want me to forgive you. You're just saying what you think I want to hear." He responded bitterly. "For years, you've told me that we shouldn't know each other's identities. You even said that the last night we were here. You don't want for us to remove our masks. You never have." He said, dropping his hands to his sides.
"I'm not just telling you what you want to hear." She said clenching her fists as she took a step away from him. She bristled with frustration. He could see how upset she was at what he was saying. He almost thought that she would lash out at him, but it wasn't like her to do that.
"Yes, you are, Ladybug. We've been doing this for, what, 8 years now? You've never once wanted to see who I am or let me know who you are." He said, crossing his arms as if he was challenging her. That was when he saw her snap. Her jaw clenched and her clenching fists shook before they shot up.
"No, I'm not." She said angrily as she grabbed the edge of her glasses. However, she made no move to prove him wrong.
"I don't blame you for that, Ladybug. It is empowering to be able to escape from yourself. Right now, I'm not wanting you to know who I am. I'm happy to just be Chat to you tonight. I just need time before I can come back. Okay?" He asked. Ladybug started to take her hand away from the glasses.
"I want you to know who I am. I didn't realize that I wanted it before, but I do now." She said defiantly crossing her arms. "And I want to know who you are, too." She said in a softer voice. Her arms dropped to her sides.
"I don't think that would be a good idea." Adrien said, quietly.
"How could it not be a good idea? You're my partner. My friend. The person who has always been by my side." she said, looking at Adrien hopefully.
"You'd be angry at me if I took off this mask." He said with a chuckle.
"Nothing could make me angry at you." she replied as if daring him to remove the mask.
"I seriously doubt that." He said.
She stared at him. She looked over his clothes, build, and what she could see of his face. She approached him again and he let her. She reached a hand up to remove his hood and he grabbed her wrist gently to stop her.
"You don't want to do that." He said, worried for how she would feel when she realized who he was. He knew that she would be upset with herself and probably with him as well. Then he saw a determined look cover what he could see of her face. It was a look that she often got as Ladybug. He let her push her hand forward and pull his hood down, allowing his golden hair to be seen. Her hand shook as she reached for his mask. "Last chance to stop." He said, hoping to dissuade her. She paused for just a moment before her fingers reached the edge of his mask. Adrien closed his eyes tightly as he felt her fingers on his cheeks.
His breathing became ragged as she started to move the mask. That was when he panicked. He put his hands over the mask to hold it in place and quickly maneuvered away from her into the middle of the room.
"Chat?" She asked suddenly, her voice a mixture of surprise and hurt.
"I told you, I don't want you to know. Not right now." He said, his back to her and his hands still holding the mask firmly to his face.
"O-okay." She said quietly. He turned to see her with her head bowed and her shoulders slumped. He cringed at seeing her like that. He took a few strides back to her.
He put his hand on her shoulder. "You'll be okay. I chose someone that I trust to be Chat." He said.
She nodded in response. "I know. He apologized to me last night for something that he said during the last akuma battle that we had together. I don't even know what he said. I haven't watched the news or anything about it and we were both hit with the akuma's power. After the start of the fight, all I remember is it being over, me going home and sleeping, and then…" she trailed off and he heard a sniffle and knew that she was fighting back tears.
"Whatever happened, it's okay." He said, massaging her shoulder with his thumb gently. He moved so that he was behind her and started to massage her shoulders. "I know that this hasn't been easy for you. Just promise me that you'll let me have some time, okay?" He asked. He saw her nod. "Take care, Ladybug." He said before he stepped away from her, put his hood back up, and left the room the way he'd entered. It took all of his willpower to continue making his way down the stairs when he heard her start to cry.
A/N: I know that people will probably say that Nino figuring out the Ladybug/Adrien thing is a bit unbelievable, but Nino knows Adrien better than anyone else. Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter.
RickMorty: Yeah, he still doesn't know about that. While Plagg decided to tease him about the incident, he decided that it would be best to not mention the kiss.
