The Romantic Adventures of the Miraculous Ladybug and Cat Noir
Marinette was drowning in her thoughts, as she walked home from the park. What could she say? What could she do?
The more she thought about it, the more distraught she was. She closed her eyes and all she could see were green eyes flashing.
Marinette realized how much of an idiot she had been.
She ran for a nearby bench, not trusting her legs to hold herself up. She had been blind to Cat Noir, focusing purely on Adrien. She hadn't realized what a great guy Cat Noir had been.
And now that she knew they were the same person, she knew, in her heart, that she loved him.
All of him.
Tears sprung to her eyes as she realized this. She was too late to love him. She had broken his heart. How could she make it up to him?
Adrien told the musicians to leave. He was numb.
Deciding to distract himself, he started to clean up the mess that he and Marinette had made.
Once that was done, he realized he needed to think. He looked around and decided to climb a tree, like he used to do when he was smaller.
When he climbed the tree, he laid down, content to look at the stars.
And his thoughts turned towards Marinette.
She was Ladybug?
The more Adrien thought about it, the more he realized how obvious it had been. They were both amazing.
Adrien sighed, thinking of how he hadn't ever gotten over Ladybug. He grinned as he realized that he didn't have to worry about it. He liked Marinette and Ladybug. He had been so distracted by the other that he hadn't realized that she could be the same person.
His smile faltered as he remembered Marinette crying and running away. He realized that...maybe Marinette didn't want to be with him.
She had liked the Adrien side of him—that was cool. She had admitted it!—But Ladybug had never liked the Cat Noir version of him, calling him immature at time.
Adrien sighed, frustrated. What was he supposed to do?
Marinette looked to the sky. Adrien did too.
Flying across the sky was a shooting star. Both saw the shooting star at the same time.
They sighed, each wondering what the other was thinking.
Adrien was determined. Marinette was scared.
Later that night...
"Goodnight Mom." Marinette told her mom, wanting to just end this night. She had played games with her mom and dad, trying to distract herself from everything. Her dad had fallen asleep on the couch.
"Goodnight sweetie." Her mom kissed her on the cheek before sending her up the stairs. "Don't worry about Adrien; tomorrow's a new day."
Marinette gave her a tight smile before fleeing to her room. She had changed into her pjs earlier and plopped into bed. Tikki floated behind her, concerned.
"Marinette?"
Marinette shook her head, not wanting to talk. A moment later Tikki sounded more urgent. "Marinette!"
"Tikki, I just want to go to bed."
"You might want to look at this."
Marinette sighed and lifted her head...
To see Cat Noir outside of her room.
She almost fell out of bed in shock.
When she recovered, she quickly unlocked her window.
"H-hi." She said, sitting on her bed. Cat Noir entered through, looking at her for a moment. She blushed.
And suddenly they were both talking at once.
"I'm sorry-"
"Look, Marinette-"
They both stopped talking, both blushing. Marinette decided to put on a brave face.
"I'll go first." She stood up and let Cat Noir sit on her bed. She took a deep breath.
"Okay, so..." Marinette gulped. "I've been thinking about it... And I have to explain some things to you. I really have liked you since you lent me your umbrella. But..." Her face was burning. "I've been so obsessed over you that I didn't even consider the possibility that you were Cat Noir. I thought you were the best person ever and Cat Noir...well he was just a friend." She rushed on before Cat Noir could interrupt. "But the thing is...I realized that I like Adrien and Cat Noir, y'know?"
Cat Noir nodded, slowly. "My turn." He said. Marinette was taken aback by him cutting her off short. They traded places.
"First off, m'lady, these are for you." Cat Noir took out his roses that he had had out at the picnic. Marinette's face, while he hadn't thought it possible, turned even redder. She took them and Cat Noir's ring started to beep.
"Oh, Cat Noir...your ring-"
Cat Noir held up a hand. "You already know who I am. What's the point?"
Marinette kept quiet. Cat Noir cleared his throat.
"Marinette..." He realized this wasn't quite right. He got down onto one knee, holding her hand. "Where do I begin with you Marinette?" He said.
"I've been in love with Ladybug ever since we started fighting crime together. I, too, didn't notice the other side of you because I have been so obsessed over the side I liked first." Cat Noir tried to ignore the fact that he said "in love with". He continued on, trying not to stumble over his words. "The truth is Marinette, I was shocked when you told me you were Ladybug." He gave her a reassuring smile. "But more than that. I've never been happier." He felt his costume come off and him turn into plain old Adrien. "I never fully got over Ladybug. But that didn't make me like you any less. You gave me the best news I have ever heard."
He stood up and helped Marinette up. Marinette looked up at him, eyes brimming with tears. Adrien kissed her forehead.
"It's almost like...we're meant to be together." Adrien said. The moment he said it, however, he cringed. What if she didn't feel the same way?
Marinette blinked up at him. Then, she looked down, sheepish. "I get that." She whispered.
After a moment, she felt his hand on her cheek. She looked back up at him and he wiped some of her tears off.
"Why are you crying?" He gave a small laugh, the light glistening off of his face.
She touched his cheek. It was wet. She laughed too. "You're crying too."
Adrien gave her the purest, happiest smile. "I'm crying because I don't have to choose. Because you're you. And I'm in love with all of you. I love you Marinette."
Marinette looked down again, her tears spilling over. "I'm crying because I'm so happy that you're okay. I thought you would be heartbroken after..." Adrien covered up her mouth before she could continue.
"We are never allowed to mention that night ever again." He said, laughing. "If we had only told each other who we were before, we would never have even gone through that."
Marinette looked at him, happy to be with him. "Adrien..." She whispered. "I love you too."
Adrien brought her close to him and their lips met, tenderly. It was a gentle kiss, but one with fireworks underneath it. One filled with promise and passion. Marinette brought her hand to Adrien's hair, touching it as she used to imagine.
Once they parted, Adrien looked into her eyes and made her feel like the only girl in the world. Adrien smiled at her.
"You have no idea how long I've been waiting to do that. Our first kiss."
Marinette blushed, remembering something. "Actually...we've kissed before. You know during our fight with Dark Cupid? You couldn't remember anything? Well..."
Adrien blinked after Marinette explained, groaning. "You mean, I don't even get to remember our first kiss?"
Marinette laughed softly, clasping her hands behind Adrien's neck. "No...but the second one was better." She kissed him on the lips again, making Adrien tingle all over. "And the third." She whispered.
Adrien sighed. "You're driving me insane Marinette." He didn't want to, but his eyes accidentally wandered to the clock. "Mari..." He whispered into her ear. "I have to go. Nathalie will be wondering where I am soon."
Marinette looked at the clock. "It's midnight. Wouldn't she have wondered a couple hours ago?" She asked. Adrien was so touched by her concern that he kissed her again.
"Probably. Which is why I have to go." He called for Plagg, whom Adrien had lost track of. "Hope you've eaten plenty of Camembert, Plagg." Plagg flew in front of them.
Plagg groaned. "Who could have an appetite while you two are being disgusting...kissing?"
Tikki flew into view. "Only you, Plagg." She turned to Adrien. "Don't worry. He's been eating my cookies." Tikki glared at Plagg.
"Oh, I nearly forgot." Adrien turned to Marinette, taking her hand again. "Marinette..." He whispered. Marinette looked up at him, eyes sparkling. "Would you be my girlfriend?"
Marinette put her hands on his face and kissed him on the nose. "Yes, Adrien. Of course I will."
Adrien's smile couldn't get any bigger if he tried.
When Adrien eventually got home, Nathalie yelled at him for a while, chastising him for abandoning his bodyguard and worrying her.
But it was so worth it.
Marinette was his girlfriend.