The next day, Marinette had no desire to be at school whatsoever. What she wanted was to be done with it and go to the fencing hall to casually appear before Adrien…
Maybe I should have asked Gecko to lock us both in a cage, that worked wonders with Alya and Nino!
…
but then he'd ask me to lucky charm… and I'd probably get something that would lock us both forever together, instead of letting us free!
Their plan was simple. Wait for him to appear in the fencing hall locker room, throw a tiny pebble to make a slight noise, grabbing his attention. Then use that private moment with him and offer a simple date. Just going to a secluded corner in one of Paris's gardens and talking it out. The simplicity of this was compelling enough and also less stressful than more complex alternatives. It had the benefit of being rather discreet too, even if a bit bland. Still, time with Adrien couldn't possibly be defined as bland, so…
She finally reached her position in the fencing hall.
Target. Pebble. Locker. Attention.
Perfectly executed… but that was the easy part!
Adrien turned his head to watch who threw the pebble. The last thing he expected was for it to be Ladybug.
"Listen, Adrien. I… there's something I want to tell you, ok?"
"S-Sure, I'm all ears…"
There's no Akuma around… what could that be?
"Adrien, I…"
Is she… nervous? Around me?
She tried again.
"Adrien, I want to tell you something b-but…"
"Don't worry Ladybug. We have all the time in the world. Anything you want to tell me, I'll..." he stopped in the middle of his reply.
Could she… could she have realized it too? After all, I'm not the only one who was trying to figure out how this akuma worked…
"Ladybug… you figured it out, huh. That akuma the other day."
She nodded, cheeks slightly red. And so he went on.
"Well, I've been meaning to tell you I love you, but I guess I've been outed now…"
She looked at him dumbfounded.
"Wait… y-y-you… love… me?"
Wait a minute… she didn't figure this out?
That's impossible. It makes no sense.
…
Unless…
He felt his heart beating, almost losing focus.
Unless she thought it was the other way around… because…
No. it can't be. It's impossible.
His heart was beating faster and faster.
Me?
...
Ladybug loves me?
He never remembered himself being so red-faced and so embarrassed. He turned his head away, barely noticing how she did too. A careful look her way finally affirmed this was unmistakably the case.
But…
His mind blanked for a moment at the realization, only to spring back into action as he recalled both were standing against each other.
Slowly but surely, a smile found its way to his face and hers too and he felt he could look in her direction. Cheeks still red, he beamed now.
"So… how about we…" he started, then stopped and let her take the lead.
"How about we… go someplace? To talk?" Ladybug offered and Adrien quickly nodded in approval.
He watched Ladybug type a very quick text message before she gently picked him up and carried him to a nearby rooftop.
Gecko was already at the store when she got the text message.
I knew it. I called it! I knew it I knew it I knew it!
She had more complex plans, having already searched the internet for shops where she could purchase a classic picnic basket for the two. One of the first results quickly and clearly stood out from the others.
"Oh, this is so rich! 'Black Cat Delicatessen'! Wonderful choice."
Should I bet on them being that oblivious? Then again, none of them figured it out already… No, I really do have to do this!
"Yes, I'll be taking this."
She paid for the basket and quickly found her way to the point she picked in advance.
Ladybug and Adrien now sat on a Parisian rooftop.
"So…"
"So…"
She really wasn't sure what to do now.
I was so nervous thinking about what would happen while I asked him out that I totally forgot to think what exactly to do and say afterwards!
Thankfully, her communicator beeping helped her refocus. A location was shared with her. It appeared to be a point at the Bois de Boulogne park.
What is that girl planning? That park could be nice though, and secluded enough. Hmm…
She did appreciate the lack of need to think this one.
"Come, We still have a way to go." Ladybug smiled at Adrien and he returned the smile, almost causing her to levitate by virtue of that smile alone, rather than jump up using her superpowers.
Adrien hanging on to her was thrilling; hopping through Paris was never as exciting as this. Having to make sure he didn't fall off her kept her from going all crazy at having Adrien so close by.
I just hope he's not close enough to feel how fast my heart is pounding in my chest right now!
The Bois de Boulogne park was one of Paris's largest parks, sporting lakes, natural flora, some of the best views the town had to offer and last but not least, opportunities to have some seclusion from prying eyes.
Given the right spot… this could be amazing. Better trust Gecko on this one… after all, her advice seemed to be spot on thus far!
As they arrived at the coordinates Gecko sent her, a red-and-white checkerboard picnic blanket was already in place. Placed upon it was a classic straw picnic basket and two warm-up blankets for them to cover with.
"You prepared all of this, Ladybug?" Adrien had an astonished look.
"Umm… I… had something arranged for us, yes. I wasn't sure what I was going to get," she admitted.
Gecko… I just hope you didn't go toooverboard…
The labeling on the basket had "Black Cat, Paris" written over it with a large ornate emblem.
Ladybug cautiously peeked at the contents, then drew a short breath as she opened it wide,
revealing a large assortment of charcuterie, cheese, a large serving of salad, fresh baguette for two and cookies.
And a half-bottle of white wine, coupled with two glasses.
"That looks a bit more than just talking…" they both said in tandem, leading to a few moments of flustered silence. "Wow, that's… okay. That's… nice.
Wayoverboard, Gecko! Whatever are we going to do with all of that? And how much did all of that cost?
She quickly brushed that thought aside though, turning her attention back to Adrien.
"Umm, whoever arranged it apparently forgot or didn't guess we're both minors… but maybe a single glass won't be too bad?" Adrien suggested.
Adrien started to pour a glass for Ladybug, very cautiously.
"Is that… is that enough?" He asked.
"Yes… no... I don't know, just..."
What a mess! I shouldn't look like I want to drink too much, or too little, or…
"Ok then… a toast to 'a bit more than just talking'" he suggested, half-jokingly, but just as quickly going full red at what he had just implied.
"I meant eating together!" he tried a retraction.
"No, it's… it's okay…"
Ladybug figured actually going along with it might be more helpful to calm them both down.
They gently touched their glasses in toast. No sooner than they took a slight sip, they both spurted it out.
"It's... it's water with food coloring!" Ladybug cried.
Oh no! Now he's going to think I was just messing with him!
There was a short pause as both looked at each other, trying to process what exactly just happened.
"Ladybug, the look on your face…" Adrien let out a small giggle and Ladybug quickly found herself giggling as well, slowly turning into full-blown laughter.
Phew, okay.
"That prank wasn't half bad. I think someone was suggesting we take things easy." Ladybug conceded and Adrien nodded in agreement, beaming at her.
"Well, it's very hard to take this so seriously anymore. Let's just enjoy the food!"
She finally let out a full-blown relaxed smile, matched by his.
Perhaps alcohol wasn't needed to make things a bit less tense.
"Ok, this stuff is downright great!" Adrien said as he munched on a piece of baguette with a smoked sausage and cheese. "My dietician is going to kill me, but compliments on your taste, Ladybug."
She helped herself as well to a piece of baguette with some homemade jam on it. It was as delicious as she thought it would be.
"The view here is great too, the air is so fresh… this is… wonderful."
They both exchanged adoring looks at each other, only to turn them away a moment later, flushed.
A few meters away, an invisible onlooker was watching as the date progressed. She took particular interest in how they'd react to her choice of dessert.
She watched them open up the box. It was a single plate, appearing to be a sweet variation of spaghetti and meatballs, with the spaghetti being made out of strung chestnut puree and the meatballs being chocolate balls with a touch of detailing.
Surely they're going to get thathint, Gecko thought as she observed them. Or maybe they've never seen 'Lady and The Tramp'?
They said nothing about that, which Gecko considered to be a setback. It was fun to watch them eat it, but...
God, these two are genuinely hopeless.
After that, they just held hands and admired the view and each other for a while.
"Ladybug… I'd love to do this again. Really. This was amazing."
They both looked into each other's eyes as they drew near each other, but stayed short still.
Their invisible onlooker, however, wasn't quite satisfied with that.
No no no. You two are notending this date in any way other than a kiss.
Adrien could have sworn he felt a slight nudge on his back, gently pushing him forwards for his lips to meet Ladybug's, both of their eyes widening. The sudden touch of their lips made Adrien forget all about that pretty much in an instant, though. Nothing else was of any concern as soon as their lips met. The realization that both of them wanted it helped them relax for but a moment, only to pull apart a moment later and turn fully red.
"Umm… uhh… I… better… Going?" Ladybug said, with Adrien replying in a similar fashion. "Yes… I… something…"
She carried him off next to a metro station and there she parted with him.
"There's no way I'm letting these two mess up next time," Gecko muttered out loud, examining their picnic area after they left. "And to think they almost didn't kiss! I'll have to up my game...
But in the meantime... Gecko one, inhibitions zero. Let's keep that momentum up."
After dropping Adrien off, the rest seemed like a blur to Ladybug. The usually crisp and accurate yo-yo movements were replaced by addled zipping around, until she finally reached her balcony.
A dazed Ladybug de-transformed into an equally-dazed Marinette and tried to calm herself down, somehow.
"Tikki… he kissed me! Adrien Agreste kissed me! I thought I was about to faint right there!"
Tikki looked back, partly amused but nonetheless worried.
"Marinette, as much as I hate being the voice of reason right now…" Tikki looked at her "... if Alya sees you like this, there's no way she won't get all suspicious."
Marinette tried her best to dial herself down yet again.
"Okay, okay… you're right… deep breaths…"
Yes, Marinette definitely needs to calm down at least for a bit!
It seemed to be working. Marinette went silent, looking blankly at her phone for a minute or two. But then...
"Tikki..."
"Yes, Marinette?"
"He kissed me!"
Oh, This could take a while…
"Marinette… how will you concentrate at school like this?"
"Sorry, Tikki… I can hold myself. No more 'He kissed me'. Promise!"
Okay. I think we're finally done here.
"Tikki…"
Or, maybe not...
"Yes, Marinette?"
" I kissed Adrien Agreste !"
Gecko, you broke my holder! I think she's still under the one-year warranty, though…
The day after at school proved to be a relief for Tikki's concerns.
Luckily for Marinette, her adoring looks towards Adrien just passed as normal, if a bit high spirited, by Alya.
"Someone's having a good day..." She grinned at her.
"Oh yes. How could I not? Just look at him!" Marinette was gazing at the boy from across the courtyard, paying minimal attention to Alya.
Alya just let out a slight chuckle as she patted her best friend's back.
By the time for the evening patrol, Marinette wasn't holding up her show any longer. That patrol was one sporting two dreamy-looking faces. Ladybug, for finally having a date with Adrien, and Chat, for seeing the effect he was having on her.
"Chat, you have a silly look on your face…" Ladybug finally noticed it, still not connecting the dots with her own situation.
"You just seem so happy today, Ladybug… maybe it's infectious." He grinned and she blushed lightly.
"Oh… ummm... "
Somehow, they both knew better than to further pursue this.
Their three-person patrol the day after was nothing like the one before it.
Ladybug still had that dreamy look on her face, but someone else didn't anymore. Chat seemed downright agitated. He'd sneak an occasional look at Ladybug's direction, only to turn his face away with an expression of mild pain and frustration.
This did not go unnoticed by Gecko who was watching the results of her work, puzzled by his behavior.
Shouldn't he be sky-high now? I just set him up with the love of his life! What the hell is wrong? This wasn't supposed to go down like this.
Then it dawned upon her.
He wants to kiss those lips again and he can't and it's driving him crazy.
She winced a little at that thought.
Ishould have seen that one coming, above all… but time's up anyway, I'm going to tell her and he'll soon be free of that.
Back at home, Adrien was in a total turmoil of emotions. True, he did already figure out that Ladybug rejected him for himself. But only later it dawned on him what it really meant.
If this goes on any further… how would I ever be able to look her in the eye? For her to look back and see a partner whom she knows is in love her, wrongly believing that she can't reciprocate? Is this how it's supposed to be?
And how am I supposed to act? As if I'm no longer in love with her? As if it's all nothing?
I can't do this!
.
"Stupid unlucky cat!" he cried as he kicked his foosball table, alerting Plagg.
"What's with that noise, Kid? Some of us are trying to enjoy camembert."
"I'm glad some of us are still happy with all that mess that's going on." he snarked.
"Hey hey, kid, what's wrong? are you ok?"
"No thanks to you. Don't you get it? She loves me, but now the sight of Chat Noir will only remind her, and me, of the unrequited love I'm foisting on us! I can't just drop the mask even though I'm practically dying to do it right now, both out of love and out of anger."
Plagg didn't seem to care much for this.
"It could have been worse, you know. She does love you."
"I'm sorry Plagg. The thought of putting out the suit makes me feel disgusted and nauseated. I just hope that seeing her smile would help me keep up such a vicious act, knowing that she actually does love me! I'm not built for this thing!"
Adrien sighed.
"You know, there were times I had these dreams. That I would find the guy and out him for not really loving Ladybug, or something of that sorts, and then win her heart. All too many times I wondered who that guy is and what he's done to be so lucky. I even had dreams of beating him up." Adrien had a bitter smile on his face as he admitted it. "Looks like it's the other way round now, isn't it. I'm that guy and I feel like I want to punch Chat Noir in the nose. And that's going to be painful in several ways."
And then there was another home where trouble was brewing, in parallel.
"Marinette, can you come down for a moment?" Sabine called her from below.
"Coming right away, mom!" She went down.
With impeccable timing, an unannounced visitor just burst into her room from her balcony.
"Commander, about Chat Noir, there's something I must tell-" Gecko barged into her room from above uninvited, much to the panic of Tikki.
"Gecko, don't !" Tikki cried almost in despair.
"Huh?" Gecko looked at Tikki, then just as quickly realizing what was happening.
She knew what I wanted to say… I cannot believe this! Are kwamis that treacherous?
"You. Come. We need to talk." Gecko's eyes were aflame as the little Kwami shuddered.
Gecko left a note on Marinette's desk. "Took your pet out for a walk, gonna return her soon, nothing to worry about, G"
Yeah, you've got nothing to worry about, commander. As for your Kwami though...
"So. you stopped me because you knew what I was about to say, which means you also know."
Tikki looked back at Gecko. It wasn't hard to figure out she was absolutely livid at her.
But… why? What's it so important to you, Gecko?
"That's right. Please don't te-" Tikki tried to appease her.
"I didn't ask for your suggestion!" She was cut short.
"You'll first have to convince me that you have Marinette's best interests now. And note I didn't say Ladybug."
Tikki's head drooped. Before she could think of a good reply, Gecko went on.
"For how long has this been going on?"
"Months now. But she swore me into secrecy!" Tikki winced as she admitted that to Gecko, anticipating she wouldn't take it so well. She tried to soften the blow, unsuccessfully.
"Did she know when she did?" Gecko asked, dashing Tikki's hopes that the scolding would cease..
"No… but…"
"So is it about being sworn to it… or were you simply afraid she'll yank the earrings and throw them at the wall? All these months! She must have been agonizing herself so bad! Tikki, what the hell were you thinking?"
I was thinking about Paris?! Gecko, doesn't this matter to you just as much too?
"Gecko… I have a set of duties. I'm a Kwami. a quantic being. I'm not a human being!" she pleaded.
"Well… neither am I. I am not like Marinette, mind you."
Wait… what?
That's… Of course, she isn't… but… but… how exactly?
"Haven't you noticed, Tikki? I don't have a human existence. I'm likely a quantic being myself. I am Gecko. Granted, I'm no Kwami. Much closer to human, true. Enough to know perfectly well what it means to cry your heart out into your pillow, which is what Marinette was probably doing all along!"
How on earth could she be a quantic being? But what else could she be?
"I…"
"But Marinette… she isn't Ladybug, comparatively speaking . She's still Marinette under the mask. and we don't know if she still would have chosen that! And at any given moment, someone else could become Ladybug, without having to lose the same thing she did."
There was a pause as Tikki mulled the situation and the implied half-suggestion half-threat. Gecko broke the silence.
"Do you care for Marinette… or do you care for Ladybug? I'll ask you one last time, why shouldn't I tell her, and allow her to finally choose between duty and her heart's desire?"
Gecko crossed her hands and stared at Tikki.
She's finally waiting for my response. Here's my last chance to avert disaster. If I figured this right… I think I know what Gecko's motive is.
"Gecko, Marinette made that choice a long while ago. She became Ladybug. While you were 'born' into it, she chose it. I was there when she did and there's no separating them now without a very emotional and traumatic separation. So you're still not that different from her. But more importantly, her love isn't mutually exclusive with that."
Tikki watched as Gecko's expression softened and breathed in relief.
Looks like I got it right. Phew.
"You're right, Tikki. An identity reveal is quite optional to what we're trying to do. we'll go with that, even if it makes our job harder."
Tikki breathed in relief.
Ladybug's identity is now safe, and… wait, what? What did she just say?
"Wait, our job?"
"Congratulations, you're the Kwami of matchmaking now."
Oh shoot.
Gecko grinned at her triumphantly as Tikki realized both of them knew Gecko had the upper hand in this conversation.
"Very well. I think I know exactly what you're after now. Marinette is one of the most selfless ladybugs I've ever met. I suspect she might be able to confess her love and realize her feelings for Chat too, if it becomes about him rather than herself. Something tells me your new plans already make a case for that."
Gecko smiled at the proposition and nodded.