[A/N: This is the final chapter of this fic, and I would like to say thank you to everyone who has enjoyed it this past year :). I'd also like to thank my beta, tourmei; I couldn't do it without you .]

Chat Noir couldn't keep the smile off his face with the miraculous' energy and his love nearby. The paint-covered Vanisher in front of them gritted her teeth as she backed into the nearby wall. Ladybug's earrings began beeping, making both of the young heroes' stomachs drop a little.

Chat Noir looked at the narrow corridor and smirked. He ran towards the Vanisher and pushed his staff against her. Chat pressed the staff so that it extended and wedged itself into the old brick walls. The Vanisher struggled against the bar now against her stomach.

As she struggled, Chat searched her pockets to find the dark violet cellphone. With a huge smile, he threw it to Ladybug who quickly de-evilized the akuma inside. The shower of shimmering bugs flew over the city, and Sabrina reemerged from a shroud of black and violet.

Chat turned to Ladybug whose earrings rang once again.

"We should talk," she said before putting her fist out. Chat returned the fist bump softly.

"Yeah we should," he said while retrieving his staff from the wall. He gave Ladybug his hand. "May I?"

Ladybug's earrings rang again as she nodded. Chat Noir wrapped his arm around Ladybug's waist while she took hold of his shoulders. Chat's staff extended, guiding the teens onto a near balcony. Ladybug's miraculous timed out and she reemerged as Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Chat's jaw dropped as Tikki landed in Marinette's hands. He knew who Ladybug was, and he still couldn't believe how close she had been this entire time.

Marinette grabbed her arm and bit her lip. "I guess I should explain."

"Explain what?" Chat said.

"How I found out your identity or why I kept quiet."

Chat's lips straightened into a line. While he was curious how his classmate came to have this secret, he didn't particularly care. He just wanted to learn more about his Lady, about Marinette. He felt now that she was more of a prism, a person with so many sides that they shone differently depending on what angle he looked at her with. He felt as if he had just unlocked a new side of her, and he couldn't wait to know her more than just as a partner or quirky classmate.

"Chat?" Marinette said. "Adrien?"

He shook his head a little. He put on his signature smirk and leaned on his staff. He didn't know how to react or what to say, but what he did know was that he didn't want to leave her yet. He eyed his bag that still clung to Marinette's frame. He pointed at it. "How about we finish our work, princess?"

Marinette glanced down to the silver bag and nodded with a sheepish smile. She could still see Sabrina wandering the streets below and the neighborhood was in disarray after the attack. "Maybe not here, though," she said while nervously fiddling with the bag's strap.

Chat looked around. "Yeah, you're right."

"My place?"

Chat smiled. "I have no objections, my lady." He scooped Marinette in his arms without delay and jumped along the Parisian rooftops.

Gabriel tapped on the mess of papers before him. The week had been hell and the guilt piling in his gut didn't make anything better. Three days until Adrien's event. He glanced at Emilie's portrait behind him. He was alone in this.

He adjusted his glasses as the phone rang. He answered it in a heartbeat. His jaw dropped as an executive told him about some conflicts in the coming weeks.

They finally landed in front of the back entrance to the Dupain-Cheng's bakery. He set her down gingerly.

"I guess it's time to take off the mask now, isn't it?"

Marinette grasped his clawed hand. She nodded before looking around. There was no one milling about the side street.

Chat took in a deep breath and released Plagg. Both of the teens' hearts raced as they locked eyes. They handed over each other's bags; their wide eyes never fully leaving the other.

"W-we should go in," Marinette finally said.

"Right," Adrien said, a slight blush crossing his face.

He quickly took out his phone to text Natalie where he was. He didn't know whether or not she knew of the attack and didn't want her thinking he was missing later. They entered the household entrance. The heavenly smells hit Adrien; it made him realize just how hungry he was. He had counted on eating at the cafe earlier, but with all the commotion, he had forgotten. Plagg's stomach growled too. Marinette giggled after hearing the two of them.

"Mama, Papa!" she called into the household while walking into the bakery's kitchen, "I brought a friend over."

Sabine ran into the kitchen from the front room and hugged Marinette.

"Oh, thank the heavens you weren't hurt. I just heard about the attack," Sabine said in a frantic string of words.

"Yeah, luckily we managed to get out before anything really happened. Apparently it was the Vanisher again," Marinette said with a nervous chuckle.

Sabine sighed with relief. She looked over Marinette's shoulder.

"Oh, hello Adrien, would you like something to eat or drink?"

Adrien glanced over to Marinette. He just wanted to talk with her, but his growling stomach and dry throat had other ideas. Sabine grinned and walked into the house's kitchen and rustled through some shelves. She turned on the kettle and pulled out the box of herbal tea. Marinette sighed. Her mom always brewed that tea after an akuma attack. While the kettle whistled, Sabine passed the teens to get into the bakery's kitchen and snatch two fresh croissants off the rack. Before Adrien and Marinette knew it, they were seated at the kitchen counter with hot food and drink in front of them. They thanked Sabine before she disappeared back to the store front.

The door closed behind Sabine, leaving the teens alone in the quiet kitchen. The kwamis snuck out of their hiding spots and sat on the counter in front of their respective chosens. A few beats of heavy silence fell over them before Marinette finally took a sip of her tea. Adrien did the same.

"So you're Ladybug," he said quietly, almost to himself.

Marinette nodded.

Adrien looked her in the eyes, hand covering his grin. So fucking close. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. He felt it was all too good to be true and that at any moment he was going to wake up to Plagg wanting his stinky breakfast.

Marinette blushed as Adrien flashed her that look that Chat Noir had given her countless times. Without the mask, it was so much more potent.

Marinette took another sip of her tea. She didn't know quite what to say. The truth had more or less settled in, but she could tell that Adrien was still well into the shock phase of the reveal. She didn't want to push him.

But her curiosity was quickly overwhelming her tact.

"Were you surprised?" she asked quietly. Her heart roared in her ears as the question left her lips.

Adrien lowered his hand and took a sip of his drink. It kind of burned as he took a big gulp.

"Yeah, I guess. I don't know," he said, "I guess I just feel really dumb."

"Because we were so close," they said in unison.

A beat of silence passed before they fell into a fit of giggles. The kwamis sighed and retreated into Marinette's room as to not disturb the teens. Adrien and Marinette locked eyes.

Adrien took one of Marinette's hands and squeezed. Her heart stopped as she felt the cool metal of his ring push against her skin.

"I'm just so glad," he murmured. "I'm just so glad that I finally found you."

Marinette smiled and put a hand on top of his.

"Me too, chaton," she whispered. "Me too."

A few days passed and the pair were nearly inseparable. Plagg and Tikki couldn't help but look on like they had done with so many chosen before . Whispers and rumors and angry Chloe went about the school. To say that Alya and Nino were relieved would be an understatement as they watched their friends nervously walk together in the halls.

The day of the festival came quickly. The students were let out of class early to change into their costumes. The entire class was readying the food and tables when Chloe came in wearing her over extravagant (and probably expensive) powered up Ladybug costume with working wings. She thought she would be the star of the show as she walked into the class with a flourish.

No one paid her any mind as they went about their assigned tasks.

Chloe huffed as she took her spot at the hostess stand with Sabrina, who was in her homemade Chat Noir costume nervously straightening menus and utensils.

Alya and Nino were putting up posters along the halls in their animal-themed costumes, coordinated of course. They wondered where the new couple was. They were the organizers, after all, and they should be rest of campus was in a roar as colorful balloons, streamers, and other decorations were set up and pop music played over it all.

Adrien and Marinette giggled as they quietly ascended the stairs. They arrived in the classroom with bright smiles. All eyes were on their beaming faces as Marinette played with the bells tied to her leaf-patterned armbands. They jingled slightly with her every move, adding to the illusion that her forest fairy outfit gave. One would think that she was a little imp coming to play with the students and guests. Next to her was a blonde Masked Tuxedo whose arms was linked with hers.

The classroom applauded the craftsmen and asked for a myriad of photos. The day went well. Adrien and Marinette had little to do as organizers as soon as the costume cafe was up and going. They spent the majority of the day walking around, looking at other exhibits.

Soon enough, sunset was upon them and activities were slowing down. Adrien held Marinette's hand as they sat down on a bench in the neighboring park. The day had ended without a hitch. Yet, Adrien still felt a slight hollowness in his chest. His father never came. He guessed that the fashion industry was just far too busy for Gabriel to attend the festivities. Adrien sighed and Marinette squeezed his hand. He had told her bits and pieces of what was going on, but she still couldn't imagine how he felt.

"I'm sorry, Adrien," Marinette said quietly.

"It's okay."

Marinette faced him. Was he really okay? She wasn't sure. She looked right into his bright green eyes. She just wanted him to be okay. She just wanted him to be happy. She leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss.

His eyes widened as she pulled away. Both of their hearts fluttered as they regained eye contact. A moment passed before Adrien closed his eyes and leaned in.

Car brakes sounded nearby. It was Adrien's ride. They squeezed hands again before Adrien stood. They exchanged quiet goodbyes, but before Adrien could turn around, Marinette saw a tall man exit the silver car.

Adrien turned and saw his father who had a minute smile on his face. Adrien's breath caught in his throat as Gabriel walked onto the sidewalk with a proud expression and slightly open arms. Marinette sat on the bench with a smile as she watched father and son come together.