Adrien could have kicked himself. Of course Marinette rejected him! He'd ruined her life and the lives of people she cared about. He wavered, wanting to back out more than anything, but he wouldn't stand her up again. Kim was right, he was better than that. He was trying to fully prepare himself for the final rejection. He could avoid her in the hallways at work, right? Their offices were on different floors. It wouldn't be impossible.

The thought of losing communication not only with Marinette but also with Ladybug physically pained him, but what could he do? He'd come too far to back out now.

Plagg meowed at him and he had an idea. Maybe Plagg could help him seal the deal? He'd gotten a leash for him as a sort of joke forever ago because Plagg was so lazy but maybe this time he might cooperate…for a bit of camembert. Not enough to warrant going to the vet though. Just a take.

"Hey buddy," Adrien cooed. "You want some of this?" He held up a small piece of the smelly cheese and Plagg instantly perked up, meowing and reaching out to bat at the treat.

"You'll get it," he promised. "But first I need you to wear this." Plagg eyed the leash dolefully but went into the harness without complaint. Good kitty.

When he got to the Eiffel Tower, there were surprisingly few tourists. Good. That way he might actually be able to see Marinette coming before she saw him. That was essential to getting the plan to work. Plagg was purring in his lap and he absentmindedly stroked his pet while keeping an eye out for the love of his life.

She appeared at the edge of his vision, looking around nervously. She was beautiful, wearing a red dress that flared out at the waist and a black leather jacket, loose curls framing her face.

"This is it, buddy," Adrien encouraged Plagg. He waved the cheese in front of the cat's nose and prayed he made a good toss. He was counting on a lot of variables here: actually throwing the cheese in the right place, Marinette's good heart prompting her to go over to the cat…Please work, he prayed.

He threw the cheese in a high arc and Plagg's whiskers twitched. He smelled it already. Like a streak of black lightning he was off to claim his prize. Right in front of Marinette, who looked very confused as to why there was a cat on a leash in front of a famous Parisian landmark. She bent down and scooped him into her arms, whispering into his little ears and planting a kiss on his furry head.

Adrien nearly melted right there. The girl of his dreams was being sweet to his cat. He had to focus. Stick to the plan. "Plagg! Plagg!" he called, holding out another tiny morsel of camembert.

Even from that distance, Plagg could smell it and squirmed his way out of Adrien's arms. Marinette's mouth gaped open. She had heard him. She knew. She approached him slowly, a hand over her mouth as tears coursed down her face. Adrien met her in the middle and wrapped her in his arms.

"Don't cry, Ladybug, don't cry."

She looked up at him, those adorable freckles dusting her nose, and gave a watery smile. "I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly."

He grinned, so relieved he wanted to collapse right there, and he leaned down to kiss her. Marinette's arms tightened around him as they kissed, softly and sweetly, with Plagg wrapping himself around their ankles. Adrien couldn't believe this was real. Real life was so much better than the internet.

Author's Note: That's all folks! Hit me up if you liked it or if you'd be interested in beta reading the original fic I'm working on. It's about a female serial killer on a mission to protect children who is trying to keep her crimes from coming to light.