Marinette sat waiting on the rooftop that she had met with Cat Noir earlier this week. She wanted to show Adrien how she transformed. Maybe it could really prove that she was indeed, Ladybug. Of course, she didn't doubt that Adrien believed her, but it would nice to actually show him the transformation.

The door to the roof opened and Adrien appeared. Marinette smiled as he sat down next to her.

"You're not Cat Noir yet?" Marinette asked.

Adrien chuckled. "You're not Ladybug." He took her hand. "I wanted to show you my transformation."

Marinette laughed. "Me too!"

Adrien stood up. "I'll go first, my lady."

He exclaimed, "Plagg, claws out!"

Marinette watched as Plagg was sucked into Adrien's ring. Adrien moved his hand across his face and hair and his mask and ears appeared. The familiar black suit of Cat Noir stretched across his arms and legs, and a tail appeared. Suddenly, where Adrien had been, Cat Noir stood there, and he smirked at Marinette.

"Your turn, Marinette."

She smiled at him. She was still shocked to see Adrien transform but now she could shock Adrien with her transformation.

Marinette exclaimed, "Tikki, spots on!"

Adrien was in awe as Tikki went into Marinette's earrings. Marinette moved her hands across her face as a red mask appeared. Then, she began to spin. As she span, Ladybug's red suit stretched across her body and she ended the transformation with a graceful dance. When she was fully transformed, she put her hand on her hip and looked at Cat Noir.

"Well? How was that?"

Cat Noir just stared at her, still in awe. "Ladybug, that was beautiful. You're beautiful."

Ladybug's blush was covered by the red mask but Cat Noir could still see it. He walked towards her and took her hands.

"I can't tell you how free I am right now. As Cat Noir, I can be who I want to be without worrying about image. And the best part is, I'm with you."

Ladybug hugged him and nestled her head in his shoulder. "Can you not be who you want to be as Adrien?"

Cat Noir sighed and pulled her tighter. "As Adrien, I am the son of a famous fashion designer. Image is everything, and I can't hide from the eyes of everyone. My father expects me to be perfect and sometimes…that kills me."

Ladybug pulled back to look at him. "You never have to hide around me, Cat Noir. I know I don't have to hide either."

Cat Noir leaned over to kiss her and Ladybug gratefully accepted. He wrapped his hands around her waist and she pressed against his body. When they released the kiss, both were smiling. Cat Noir took her hand.

"Shall we explore the city, my lady?"

Ladybug giggled. "Of course, Cat Noir."

Ladybug threw her yo-yo and leaped off the building. Cat Noir gasped for a second, but then remembered that she's done that so many times. Now that he knew that Ladybug was Marinette, he saw her in a different way. All he wanted to do was protect her, but he knew that she was independent and brave. But if she ever needed protection, he'd be there. Cat Noir leaped off the building to join Ladybug.

They moved in rhythm, as Ladybug swung from building to building, Cat Noir leapt from each building to harmonize with Ladybug. Eventually, they landed together in the park. Ladybug landed and her yo-yo contracted back to her hand. Cat Noir landed next to her on all fours but then stood up. He smiled at her as they sat down on a bench. Cat Noir wrapped his arm around her waist and she wrapped both arms around his body. They sat there together in peace. Cat Noir rested his chin on her head. As they sat there, Cat Noir heard Ladybug's breathing gradually become slower and heavier. He realized that she had fallen asleep and a slight chuckle escaped his lips. He held her and rested his head against the park bench. As he closed his eyes, he thought of Ladybug and how much he loved her. He never wanted her to come to any harm because he wanted to be by her side every minute. They were not only partners, but in love. And because of his love for her, he would always protect her. And inside, he knew that she would do the same for him. He knew this because she already had.