The photographer clapped his hands. Adrien and Ashley heaved a sigh. Their makeup artists went ahead to fix their makeup and wipe their sweats. The girl took a glance at her guests who were sitting a few metres behind the photographer, watching them. Nathan has occupied himself in his sketches yet again while Alix watched Ashley and Adrien pose.

"A few more shots and we are done for today," the photographer said.

He told Ashley to push Adrien's cheek with her hand while the boy wrapped his around her waist. They had to look like siblings who never agree with each other. Another pose was of her getting angry while Adrien rested his elbow on her head. After a few more shots, it was over.

"Can you take a picture of me with Alix and Nathanael? They are the designer of this wonderful dress," Ashley requested.

"Okay, but only one. Fix the two up," he ordered the makeup artist.

Nathanael was confused when a few people surrounded him. Alix obliged. It would be her first picture with a model other than Adrien. Then, Alix pushed him to stand beside Ashley. He was standing between the two girls. Ashley flashed a sweet smile to him which made him blush. They stood still. A few shots were taken.

"Thank you!" she said to the photographer.

She went to change into her clothes after that. Adrien came up to the two newbie designers. The red head was still blushing and Alix looked fine.

"I'm sorry. She could be pretty convincing at times..." Adrien apologized.

"It's okay. I had...fun..." Nathan replied, smiling.

"Yeah. I've never been to a photo studio before," Alix interrupted.

Adrien offered to send them home. After that, the two cousins went back to the manor to get ready for their dinner. Adrien took the time to open his present from Marinette. He sat down on the sofa to read a note from her.

"Adrien, I've been meaning to say this..." he started reading.

"Oooohhhh, what's that?" Plagg cooed.

"Get away! I'm trying to read this," he scolded the kwami.

"I'm in love with you, Adrien..." he widened his eyes at the note.

He was shocked, not because of her confession, but because of the sign at the bottom. It was a circle, divided with a line in the middle and had five dots. Close to it was a small heart. It was Ladybug's signature.

"Marinette's Ladybug?!" he exclaimed.

Leaving Plagg, he rushed out of his room to get to his cousin's room. Ashley opened the door before he could barge in. She was in her bathrobe and had just finished opening her gift too.

"Marinette is Ladybug!" he exclaimed again.

"You just realized that?" she asked, smiling mischievously.

Adrien blinked in confusion. She told him to come inside. It was his turn to sit on her sofa.

"Why did you say that?" he asked.

"Think about it, Adrien. She has the same hair and eyes as Ladybug. She was the one who answered your poem because she thought you wrote it for her," she explained.

"Hah...no wonder she wasn't interested in Chat Noir. She already knows me as Ladybug," he sighed.

"It's still weird why she's telling you, though..." Ashley muttered, thinking hard.

"She wrote that she loves me," Adrien said, staring into spaces

"That's great! You should tell her that you're Chat Noir!" the girl suggested excitedly.

Adrien smiled and furrowed a brow. He didn't really think it was a good idea, but he is in love with Ladybug since the first time he met her. They could finally end up together. He excused himself to take a bath and think about her suggestion. Ashley smiled at herself. A note was attached to her gift as well.

"I'm going to tell him – Marinette"

She went to put on some clothes. She was glad that Marinette had confessed to Adrien.

"They are really made for each other," she hummed.

Marinette sighed, smiling to herself. She had told Adrien the truth. Tikki was happy for her chosen.

"Thanks for being okay with this, Tikki," Marinette said.

"No, problem! I mean, I've been sensing Plagg since day one but we can't communicate with each other because our chosen didn't know each other's identities," she explained.

"So all this time Adrien actually likes my alter-ego..." the girl muttered.

"It's fair enough that you tell him since you know who he is," Tikki decided.

Marinette nodded. She kissed her kwami's head. She was happy that he found out and hoped that it wasn't too shocking for him.

"I hope he accepts my confession," she prayed.

Tikki smiled broadly at Marinette. The said girl had already texted Alya about the news of her confession. Her best friend called her immediately.

Ashley sat down at her seat just as her cousin did. They were at the restaurant. She flashed a sweet smile to Adrien. Adrien replied with a smile as well. The appetizers were served. They started to eat.

"I asked father to include Marinette soup in our menu," Adrien said.

"Hmm. A soup named after Marinette must be delicious," she remarked.

"It is. Her uncle is the one who created it. It was originally called Celestial soup," he explained.

"Oh, I see. You're wearing a cap?" she asked, pointing at it.

Adrien smiled and nodded. "Yes. It's a gift from Marinette. What did she get you?"

"A cute beret. I love it!" Ashley exclaimed.

"Adrikins!" they suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Oh no..." the orange haired girl muttered, frowning at their uninvited guest.

"I saw the reservation your father made. It must be for you," she cooed.

She pulled a chair to sit at their table. Adrien shooed her but she didn't budge. The two sighed. Even if they complained, nobody could do anything because she is the Mayor's daughter. They were afraid of losing their careers. Adrien and Ashley ate their food in silence, trying their best to ignore her.

"Where did you get that cap?" she abruptly snatched it for his head.

"It was a gift. Now give it back, Chloe," Adrien said sternly.

"From who? If you want something like this, I could get you dozens of them," she said, playing with the cap.

Ashley stood up. She snatched the cap from her hands, glaring daggers at her. Chloe snorted before walking away angrily.

"I seriously can't believe I used to be her friend..." she mumbled to herself.

"Thanks for doing that," he said, putting the cap on the table side.

They were about done with their food anyway. Once they were done, Adrien took her to the rooftop to enjoy the view. The night breeze was cool and soothing. Adrien noticed her quietness.

He asked, "What's wrong?"

She smiled and shook her, saying, "It's nothing. I'm just sad that I have to leave soon."

"Come and visit again," he said, handing her a small envelope.

She glanced up at him. She took it and opened it on the spot. It was a pair of Eiffel tower earrings. Her eyes sparkled at her gift.

"I'll wear this to every photo shoot and interview!" she exclaimed.

Adrien smiled and nodded. "We should get going. I have to patrol tonight…" he muttered.

"Good luck," she said to him.

Chat Noir jumped onto the roof of a building he had promised to meet his Lady. He was actually nervous to see her that night but it is their responsibilities after all. He didn't know how to face her. Ladybug arrived. She flashed a smile to him. There was a moment of silence as the two looked away from each other.

"So, you're Marinette?" he asked after a few minutes.

"Yes, I am," she said, pointing a finger at him, "…and you're Adrien."

He was surprised that she knew. "How did you…?" he asked.

She chuckled to herself, explaining, "Do you remember the night I was late for our patrol together? I saw you reverting back to Adrien and transforming to Chat Noir…"

Chat was even more surprised. He didn't know that she found out before him. He kept on blinking at the smiling Ladybug. He unconsciously pulled her into a hug. She froze for mere seconds before hugging him as well, heaving a sigh of relief.

"I never thought that the girl I love all this time is my clumsy classmate," he whispered.

"So, you love me?" she asked, poking his chest playfully.

"Yes, Milady. Of course, I love you as Marinette and Ladybug," he confessed.

They gazed into each other's eyes. Chat inched his face closer to her. Their lips met and they shared a long passionate kiss. They pulled away after a while to catch their breath. They reverted back to their human forms. Tikki greeted Plagg who grinned to her. Adrien could see Marinette's red face. He could sense that his face was as red as hers. They shared a nice long hug.

"I'm going to puke," Plagg groaned.

"Don't say that! They're made for each other," Tikki scolded Plagg who sighed in return.

He asked her, "You're okay with this? They found out each other's identity!"

The red kwami giggled and replied, "Of course! It's not like the whole world found out. Ladybug and Chat Noir are the only ones who knew…"

Plagg groaned. Tikki kept on smiling at the happy couple.

"I love you, Adrien," Marinette whispered.

Adrien covered his face with his right hand, embarrassed. Marinette was happy to see this side of him. She kept on saying that she loves him, making him beg her to stop. He wasn't used to such affection, especially since it was coming from his Lady. Marinette wrapped her arms around his neck. She gave him a peck on the cheek.

Such a weird turn of events, don't you think? I just thought that Alya, Tikki and Ashley had given her enough encouragement now.
Plus, she did find out about Adrien being Chat Noir. So, it's only fair that he knows as well.

Thank you for reading!

Tell me what you think, as always.