Marinette and Chat Noir sat atop the same building Chat Noir had brought her to. Ladybug had detransformed a while ago in the middle of her storytelling, still wearing her shiny, red dress from the dance. Tikki had hid away in her purse, giving her some privacy. Chat now sat beside Marinette, listening as she talked.
"Wow . . . that was a long story." Chat said, nodding as he looked forward.
"I told you." Marinette turned to him. "I did a lot of damage. Especially during the last week."
"But I forgive you." Chat smiled, turning to face her. He stared at her happily as he interlocked his hand with hers, lightly squeezing it.
Marinette's mouth opened as she slightly inhaled from his action. "But why?" Her eyes scanned his face. "How can you say that so easily? I just told you the details and you haven't taken any time to think about it."
"Because I don't need to think about it. I may know what happened now, but I already knew my answer." Chat's smile softened as he stared into her eyes. "I love you no matter the reason. You're here now, showing me a side of you that I've never seen. I'm flattered that you thought of me through all of this and even if you protest this, I never stopped trusting you. I never stopped believing in your abilities because I knew you'd save me." His eyes sparked and he continued to grip her hand.
Marinette seemed speechless. Chat Noir was acting really nice and he almost seemed too good to be true. But then again, what did she know?
Marinette removed her hand from Chat's, keeping eye contact. She lifted her arms and grabbed Chat Noir by his shoulders, smashing her lips onto his. Chat Noir's widened in shock, but he soon melted into the kiss. She wasn't really thinking, but Marinette just couldn't help herself. She pushed back, still tightly holding his shoulders. Marinette panted with a smile.
"Sorry." She breathed, letting go of him. "Just couldn't help myself."
"N-No . . . I think I played my part in that." He said awkwardly.
Dead silence, but it was broken by Marinette's sudden burst of laughter. Chat looked over at her, surprised by her reaction. Marinette held her stomach as she shook with joy.
"W-What's so funny?" Chat stuttered.
"Y-Your face . . . you're s-so a-awkward now." She wheezed. "You should see the look on your face. " Marinette started to calm down, wiping a happy tear from her eye. "It's so funny."
Chat Noir slowly blinked at her. That laugh. That smile. He loved them.
"I didn't think a little kiss could make The Chat Noir nervous." She smiled at him.
"H-Hey it's not my fault." He held his hands up defensively. "Y-You're Ladybug. I've been dreaming of this moment for like three years. My reaction was normal."
"Oh. The girl of your dreams?" She laughed. "That's flattering. And here I thought I'd have to fight for you." Marinette chuckled, pressing her knuckles to her chin.
"Oh please. I know all about your awkwardness and clumsiness." His facing got closer with his taunting words. "You may be confident at the moment, but your mask's gone. Your Marinette is showing." He smirked, making her inch backwards.
Her face paled and her eyes widened, now realizing how vulnerable she was. She almost felt naked without her suit, her truths completely seen and noticed. "U-Um t-that . . . d-doesn't matter-r." Marinette stuttered, feeling a few of the folds in her jeans between her fingers. "I-I'm still the same either w-way . . . b-but . . . hey! It doesn't matter! I'm me with or without the mask!" She had a fire in her eyes that drew Chat Noir closer.
"I was just joking." Chat Noir raised his eyebrows.
"It's not funny." Marinette crossed her arms.
"It kind of is." Chat gave a half pout.
"No it's not!" Marinette insisted, nostrils flaring.
"Yes it is."
Marinette glared at him. "No it's-"
Chat Noir delicately smashed his lips against Marinette's to silence her, a hand pressed against each of her cheeks. He was gentle, but needy as he poured all of his emotions into the act. The kiss seemed to last forever for Marinette, but far too short for Chat Noir. His head backed away as they caught their breath, still holding her face.
"It was funny." Chat said, nodding his head. "Even though I was just joking, that doesn't mean I love your flaws any less. You're perfect just the way you are . . . as civilian and hero."
Marinette sighed with a smile. "I guess you won this debate." She rolled her eyes.
"Of course I did, M'Lady." He said, removing his hands from her. "After all, you're my prize."
"Okay, listen." Marinette said holding up a finger as she raised her eyebrows. "We are not in a movie here. So stop with all these cheesy romcom lines. They're too much."
Chat leaned closer. "Oh come on. They're purrfect." He grinned, moving in for a kiss.
Marinette turned away shaking her head. "Nope." She pushed his smolder back with her finger.
"Hey." He protested. "Why can't I kiss you?" Chat pouted. "I have to make up for all that stuff I said to you before."
"What are you even talking about?" Ladybug rubbed one of her eyes. "You didn't even say anything to earlier."
"I did . . . just . . . " Chat Noir grew nervous. Ladybug took note of it. "In my civilian life." He gave an off smile.
Marinette's eyes grew wide. "Your civilian self?" Her breath hitched. "You mean . . . we know e-each other? W-Without our masks?"
Chat Noir nodded. "Well I'd thought you would've figured that out based on the fact that I already knew your name." Marinette hit her hand against her forehead. "That's why . . . I wanted to show you my identity."
Her hand fell. "Y-You . . . "
"Yes." He said, looking at her face, unsure of what to expect. Silence. "If you'll let me-"
"Fine." Marinette interrupted, closing her eyes in conclusion. To be honest, she did want to know who he was, but on the other hand, no. She liked the way things were and loved him this way, but she feared for what might come out of this reveal. Her identity didn't change his feelings, so his reveal shouldn't change hers. But what if it did? That lingered in her head. But it was time to stop thinking only about herself. Marinette could see Chat's nervous hands as they moved anxiously for her answer. She wanted to help him and make him happy, so she agreed. She opened her eyes with a smile to see his eyes wide from shock. "Seems fair to me. Especially since it'd be easier knowing the name of my boyfriend." Marinette took his hand in hers and gazed up at him.
"Y-You're boyfriend?" He repeated.
"Doesn't it make more sense?" She asked.
Chat thought for a moment before changing to a devilish grin. "So . . . if I'm your boyfriend, shouldn't I get to kiss you whenever?"
Marinette gave him an irritated look. "Yes." She answered blankly.
"Yay!" He squealed giddily. "I could show the world that you're my girlfriend. I don't know what my father or friends would think, but I wouldn't care. All I'd have is you." Marinette gave him a creeped out look while he continued. "I could kiss you all the time and finally tell you how I feel. Aw, what else? More than kis-"
Marinette held a finger against his lips, her nostrils flaring. "I only want to see your face right now. How about we start there before you get too excited?"
Chat Noir gave a pout before straightening up. He held his hand in front of him and gripped the ring with his other, looking up at her for final conformation. With a simple nod, he closed his eyes and slowly twisted the ring off.
With a pop, the ring was off, leaving the black magic to circle the boy and reveal the civilian identity underneath. With widened eyes a small "Uh-" could be hear. Marinette was speechless with her voice caught in her throat, almost as if she didn't have one.
She couldn't believe her eyes. It couldn't be true. It couldn't be real. Her mind had to be playing tricks on her. Maybe she was just wishing too hard or hoping for too good of an ending.
Marinette, arms shaking, reached forward and poked his arm. "Real . . . not a dream." She mumbled. Marinette looked up at his questioning eyes, bringing her arm back to her side.
Nope. Adrien. The Adrien Agreste. Her Chat Noir. Right there, in front of her, right now. Still in his suit from earlier. He was the one, the one she loved twice. She fell for both and avoided both. The biggest debacle she's had has been solved in this moment. Marinette set out a sigh with a teethy smile. She reached forward and embraced his in a passionate hug, burying her face in his chest.
Adrien gasped, looking down at her content face. He squeezed her back. It felt different from their hug earlier. No suits or masks to hide them from each other.
"Why would you do that you silly cat?" Marinette smiled. "What are you trying to do to me?"
Adrien looked down. "What do you mean?"
"You're messing with my feelings." She mumbled into his shirt.
"Is my identity that surprising?" Adrien chuckled, pushing her back with both hands on her shoulders. He heard a small sniffle before he noticed a few tears. She felt his stare and immediately wiped them away. "Hey, what's wrong?" His face changed to concern.
"Nothing." Marinette said, wiping an eye with her fist.
"No no. I know it's something. Tell me."
She let out a half sigh. "Well . . . you remember, don't you? The story that I just spent like twenty minutes pouring my heart out bout?" She glared. "You didn't forget it all already, did you?"
"Oh no. Of course not." He held his hands up in defense. "You talked about your dilemma and how you felt. You told me about your crush on me and . . . some other guy."
Marinette raised her eyebrows, waiting for him to connect the dots. He was lost. She shook her head and walked past him with her arms crossed.
"Hey, wait." He turned, grabbing her curve of her arm. "What're you doing?"
She spun around on her heels. "Is this whole akuma thing giving you any side effects?" Adrien blinked at her. "Anything at all? Memory loss? Common sense? Cause . . . I thought it was kind of obvious." Marinette continued, knowing she wasn't getting anywhere. "You remember who you are and what you were when you were changed by the akuma for some reason. I do too when it affected me as well, but I started it." She sighed. "Do you remember when I was at the dance?"
"Yeah . . . you were upset about something, avoided me and Chloe, and then eventually started hanging out with Chloe, and then you smashed a pizza slice on me. Did I miss something?" Adrien watched her, scrunching his eyebrows. "Were you mad . . . at me?"
"Yes-I mean that you. Not this one. This one's fine, but-"
"But why? Is it because of the things I had said to you?"
"Well I smashed the pizza because of what you had said, but I was originally mad because . . . because you . . . took Chloe to the dance. I had wanted to ask you, but never got the chance when I found out you two were dating."
"But you knew it wasn't real. It was a dream."
"That doesn't change the feeling. The guilt." Her eyes watered as she remembered. "I don't know why we remember this, maybe because we're heroes, but who knows what everyone else is thinking. Who knows . . . with this unusual akuma . . . everyone might remember the dream. Chloe might think you're still her girlfriend and . . . it'll be like nothing happened." Marinette jolted around to face him. "And I can't have you. I don't deserve you or the happy ending. If Chloe still believes you two are dating, you need to stay with her. I can't hurt her for my own mistakes."
Adrien reached for her shoulder. "You know I can't do that. I have fought for so long to get my Ladybug's attention. I am not gonna lose you now when you're right here in my reach." Adrien used his other hand to slide a lock of hair behind her ear. "Chloe will get over me. She hardly knows me outside of fame and fortune. I only want you."
Marinette took his hand from her shoulder and held it in her hand. "But . . . but I caused this and . . . it's my fault. I can't just let my friends suffer. I have to own up to my mistakes and live with the consequences. If Chloe remembers, you can't tell her anything."
"But that's-"
"No." Adrien shook his head while she spoke. "Chloe and I became friends tonight and . . . even if she doesn't remember, she still has feelings. And I-I can't do that to her." Adrien opened his mouth to speak, but was hushed by her finger. Marinette looked away from his eyes, standing firm with her words. "Adrien . . . I don't deserve y-"
Adrien took her face in his hands and smashed his lips to hers, pouring in every emotion. Marinette's shoulders relaxed as she let out a calm sigh. His thumb brushed her cheek, soothing her. Adrien pulled back, both of his hands on her shoulders. A burning blush painted Marinette's cheeks as she attempted to make eye contact, but they could only flicker from his eyes to lips. It was different this time. There were no masks to hide them.
"Please don't ever say that again." He breathed.
Marinette looked away and mumbled a bunch of nonsense. Adrien grinned as he began to tickle her sides.
"What? I didn't quite hear you." He chuckled. "Can you repeat that?"
"N-No Stop it!" Marinette laughed, trying to block his wandering fingers.
"What was that? I still can't hear you
. . .
Marinette and Adrien walked inside to see the party still going, showing no signs of stopping any time soon.
"Wow. I can't believe it's still going." Marinette said, taking a dessert from a ransacked cookie stand. "And there's barely any food left. I really wanted some pizza."
Marinette leaned forward to take another bite, but Adrien spun her around to face him. He stole her chocolatey dessert and took a bite.
"Maybe we should go dance." Adrien chewed.
"Hmmm. Maybe." Marinette smiled back, leaning forward in a kiss.
Just before their lips met, Marinette was pulled back by her arm. She turned to see a frantic Alya. Adrien, with his lips still pursed, looked sad.
"Marinette, where have you been? You ran out earlier after smashing pizza on Adrien and didn't come back. And now you're here, about to kiss Adrien, and you didn't mention any of it to me." Alya rambled.
"Okay, breathe Alya." Marinette assured her friend. "It's fine. I'll tell you later. We can have a sleepover after or something. All you need to know is that Adrien is my date right now."
"Fine. But I better see you later." Alya backed away with her eyes skeptical. "I'm watching you."
Marinette laughed to herself.
"Okay, can we go dance now?" Adrien asked, turning her around by her hip.
Marinette reached for his hand, kissing his knuckles. "Alright" She led him on the dance floor and loosely put her arms on his shoulders.
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng!"
Marinette grinned at Adrien before turning to see Chloe Bourgeois.
"What is it Chloe?" She rolled her eyes, keeping her smile.
"How dare you come back to the dance with Adrien! I've been waiting all night for my chance to dance with him, but you ruined my chances. First, you ruined his suit and now you're stealing him from me?!"
"C-Can I say-"
"I haven't ruined your chances, Chloe. You can dance with him right now." Marinette took a step back.
"What?" Chloe calmed, crossing her arms. "Really?"
"Yeah. I'll just go over there." Marinette pointed to a corner of girls.
"Can I say something?" Adrien repeated.
"No." Marinette silenced him. She slowly backed away, mouthing the words 'Have fun' at him.
Chloe quickly wrapped her arms around Adrien's neck, making Marinette chuckle.
. . .
Chloe watched as Marinette and Adrien laughed at a corner table. She squinted her eyes, confused, as Adrien dabbed some cupcake frosting on Marinette's nose. Chloe watched intently as if she was looking for an imperfection or fault between them. With her hand on her hip, she dup her nails in her side from frustration, but halted at something sharp in her pocket. Chloe pulled it out to find a small polaroid picture of her and Marinette.
"What? Where did this come from?" She looked towards the cute couple. They seemed so innocent and normal.
Adrien wrapped his jacket around Marinette's shoulders as they headed for the door. Chloe looked back down at the picture, noticing her unrecognizable smile.
. . .
A/N
After a lot of thinking, I finally decided to upload chapter 12 because the last cliffhanger bothered me. This story was planned to have 14 parts, so it isn't finished but don't expect any uploads soon. Writers block is killing me, so who knows if I'll update.
-Alice Pink