A/N: I dropped into this fandom again. I heard about the New York Special, and I haven't seen it yet, or the new season, or Shanghai. I'm trying my best to be patient. Now, the stupid crossover story that I'm starting to regret ever starting, I just need a break from it. Life stress isn't helping and I'm still trying to understand how my brain works so I can actually focus on it, I have it mostly down. Physically sitting down to write is the issue.

This dumb story, the title came first. I literally thought, If Marinette accidentally found out first, how many times would she call Adrien 'Kitty' for him to make the connection? I've increased Adrien's obliviousness, the show doesn't have him this bad, but seriously...there's a few 'just a friend' thrown in too.

All characters belong to their rightful owners.

It was reaching midnight, a quarter moon in the sky as the chill of the air breezed pass. Taking the chance to actually leap the roof tops instead of swinging home, Ladybug breathed deeply as she slid to a stop to take in the lights of the Eiffel Tower. This is the sights she adores, this is her city that she protects, safely behind a mask against the ones who wish to harm her people. Taking advantage of the weekend to stay up and go for a run, it's not something she would normally do, but with the last akuma victim saved, she just felt the need.

Of course, taking on the responsibility of protecting Paris, she wasn't alone, and thanks to her partner she's thriving. The insecurity that she originally had when taking on Stoneheart seems so long ago, a distant nuisance, but also the reminder of what almost happened. She shook her head at the memory, smiling into the night and looking away to continue her way home.

Honestly, she wouldn't mind sharing identities with her partner, but Hawkmoth could still learn their identities if either of them were under the influence of an akuma's magic. The amount of times she thought about needing someone to talk to other than Tikki, whom she's grateful of supporting her, still her Kitty could become her confident. Hawkmoth was just too much of a threat.

As she jumped the roofs, her gaze swept underneath at the streets and alleys, just keeping an eye out for trouble, also seeming to provide hope for the citizens. Then she saw a figure, a familiar build of her partner who she thought had gone home, but it wouldn't surprise her at all if he was also enjoying the night. She watched him as he slipped between a pair of buildings, under an awning. She looked away for only a moment to catch her footing on the next roof, then looking back a green electricity travelled up revealing the person underneath.

Under the shock that she recognized him, her next landing had her nearly face planting into the roof, only she managed to break the fall by curling into a ball. It was more of a reaction of not getting too hurt as her mind tried to catch up to what she saw. Well, actually, she knows what she saw, but trying to match the two boys in her head was the trouble. She blinked into the night sky, somehow she ended up laying on her back, then groaned as she covered her face. Now what? She grabbed her yo-yo and decided to just get home.

Landing on her bed through her skylight, she released the transformation and allowed herself to safely face plant into her pillows. Some of the akuma fights just added up, the moments of concern she had about the safety of one ended up not mattering all that much since the other was the same person. Volpina! That's how he knew that Adrien was an illusion, because he was right there, her partner, since the beginning.

"Marinette?" Tikki called from beside her, munching on a cookie, as her holder tried to suffocate herself.

"Adrien and Chat Noir are the same person." she mumbled into the pillow, making it muffled. She curled her arms around the pillow and shifted until she was on her side, still huddled in the pillow but looked up on her cork board. "He was right!"

"About what?"

"Knowing each other outside the masks. He's never going to let me live this down," she sat up, "unless he never finds out."

"That's not exactly fair." Tikki stated, sighing once she finished her cookie. "What are you going to do?"

"I-I don't know." she turned to her kwami, "I guess it's best if I know over him, since he gets himself controlled so many times."

"But…"

"It could completely mess with our partnership, especially if I start covering for him when I'm suited up." she paused, looking on with wide eyes, then a blush covered her cheeks. "I kissed Adrien, I'm just a friend to him. If he's Chat who likes Ladybug, does he like me since I'm Ladybug? Or does he see just the mask?"

"You know Chat, would he really be that shallow?" Tikki was almost prepared to give a lecture on how there wouldn't be Ladybug without Marinette.

"No." she pouted, then a mischievous smile graced her lips, "He can't date Ladybug, if I'm just a friend."

"Marinette…"

"I won't tell him I'm Ladybug!" she declared, a strained smile took over.

The next day at school, she grabbed the bracelet he made her out of her pocket and tied it around her wrist, making sure it wasn't covered. While chanting in her mind that this is Chat, a dork of a partner, she made her way to class. Stepping through the doorway she hesitantly made eye contact with Adrien, she smiled shyly but made her way up to her seat, trying to draw his attention to the bracelet.

She greeted Alya, knowing the look that she wanted some questions answered, she mouthed out 'later' and turned to get her books out. As she laid them on her desk, she caught glittering emerald eyes.

"You're wearing the bracelet I gave you."

"Well, uh, yeah…you gave it to me, and it reminds me of you." her breath hitched, "As it should, since you gave it to me." she took a deep breath and released it, "You mean a lot to me." she gasped, "As friends!"

Unknown to her, but she could later guess, the girls of the class watched the interaction with interest. Each of them proud that she got mostly words out, coherent words out, and almost fully complete sentences.

Adrien grinned as he pulled out the bracelet she gave him, "I still have my Marinette Luck Charm."

Her eyes soften, "You're sweet, Kitty."

His eyes widened, "What?"

"Uh, you remind me of a sweet kitty that I know."

The sweet turned slightly awkward encounter was saved by the teacher walking in, gaining the attention of the class.

"What was that!" Alya squealed as they made their way to the bakery for lunch. "You made sentences!"

"I'm doing a little at a time."

"It's significant progress!" Alya turned to her friend, "I'm proud of ya, girl." then she gave Marinette a leer, "Now, you just have to confess!"

Marinette paused in her tracks outside the bakery, fidgeting, "No, not yet, besides it's not like we are sure he feels anything for me."

Alya sighed, annoyed, "He noticed the bracelet, and called out that he basically has a matching pair."

"It's not matching, he's probably grateful that I'm thinking of him."

"With a father like Gabriel, I'd be pretty grateful too."

Marinette hissed over at her best friend.

"Oh, please, it's not like it hasn't crossed your mind too." she grinned at her lack of response, "Now we just need to get him to realize…"

"Alya, please, just let me do this on my own." Marinette urged as they made their way up to the apartment, "If this goes well, maybe I'll confess, when I'm sure of being able to talk to him as just a friend."

"Alright, but I'll provide distraction if you need it!" she smiled as they settled on the couch, "Now, show me the design I know you were working on instead of paying attention."

"Nah, I'd rather make you wait." she giggled at Alya's pout.

"I can't believe, you're making merch inspired by the heroes!" Alya exclaimed striding back into the classroom.

"It's all tentative, although, Chat Noir is first." Marinette placed the small box that she was carrying onto the desk right in front of the blonde boy, "The Kitty needs appreciation."

"That's just an excuse, you're a fan!"

Marinette stood at her seat, doing her best not to pay attention to the green eyes that followed her, "Whose not a fan?"

"Well, there are some people who believe that Ladybug could take care of the city on her own."

"Do people not realize how many time he's taken hits for her?"

"I tried to point that out, but some people will always think Ladybug is the better of the two."

"Hey, Kitty." Marinette stated as she caught up to Adrien, "Did you like the macarons?"

"Thank you, but what was it for?"

"Appreciation of us being good friends."

"They were miraculous!"

Marinette's eyes sparkled, waiting for the confirmation, but his beaming eyes met hers, and her eyes narrowed.

He stepped back a bit, and realized what he said, "Uh, cause of being Ladybug and Chat Noir themed, they use miraculous."

She was honestly ready to smack some sense into him, "Dork." she whispered to him and pushed him to the side, but still smiled enough to let him see she was teasing.

"Is that a problem, Princess?" a genuine smile gracing his features, his alter ego showing through. "I, uh, I mean-" he jerked away.

"Am I now?" she turned away, "See you tomorrow, Kitty."

"I thought you weren't going to tell him?" Tikki asked as she watched Marinette continued to sketch now that her homework was done.

"You said at the beginning that I shouldn't tell him, so I'm not going to tell him."

"He's going to figure it out, if you keep calling him Kitty."

"Exactly, he'll figure it out, but I'm not going to outright tell him."

"That's mean." Tikki stated.

"It would be mean if I didn't give hints."

"It's a miracle, you're here early."

The class stared as she walked into the school, Marinette rolled her eyes at Alya's shock, "It happens once in while."

"Is there a reason?"

"Does there have to be a reason?"

Alya raised an eyebrow at her in disbelief, hip cocked with her arms crossed, "Does Sunshine have anything to do with it?"

"Maybe." she searched out Adrien to find him talking to Nino on a bench, she took a deep breath and began to stroll over.

Alya sped past her, startling her into stopping with wide eyes as she stole Nino away from the bench and whatever conversation they were having.

"Hey, Adrien?" she started shyly, almost stuttering.

"Marinette!"

"Um, last nights physics homework stumped me, do you mind helping?"

"Sure, what were you stuck on?"

Making sure no one was looking, Plagg dived for the purse that was on the other side of them, he found the red kwami almost buzzing. "Sugar cube?"

"Stinky sock."

"Uh, does this have anything to do with Pigtails?"

"She knows he's Chat, but she's making him figure it out instead of just telling him!" she cried out.

Plagg couldn't help but laugh, "Oh, this is good, but just calling him Kitty might not register."

"You're holder isn't that dense." she rolled her blue eyes.

"He still thinks that your bug is intimidated by him!"

"Get back to your cat, Plagg."

"Thanks, Kitty!" Marinette just barely stopped herself from hugging him, "Maybe the next test won't be too bad."

"If you're worried about the test, I can help you study."

"I don't want to overload your schedule for just me."

"I don't mind, I'll be happy to help."

Marinette was a little understandable of this akuma, getting through physics can be frustrating, but a ball that visibly defies the laws of physics just hurts her head. Especially, when it rolls up a building. As her classmates backs were turned to outside the windows, she bolted for the door, ready to go transform but was pulled to the side by Adrien once she got into the hall.

"Marinette, you should stay here, it's not safe."

"I just need to get a drink, that's all."

Adrien hesitated with that logic, but relented, giving her room to leave.

Plagg poked his head out, "Worried about your girlfriend?" he grinned.

"I just want her safe." he glared down at him, "She's not my girlfriend."

"That's right, she's your Princess and you're her Kitty."

"I'm Ladybug's Kitty, and thinking of her, there's an akuma."

Plagg groaned at him, but for a different reason that wasn't about transforming.

Chat Noir left the school to find his lady on the roof, staring at the small marbles rolling up the building, "Feeling a gravitational pull, my lady?"

"Kitty, no physics puns, please."

His eyes widened, "Not a fan?"

"Not my strong suit."

"I thought that was magic?" he grinned, seeing her glare, he backed away.

"Let's just get the akuma."

Chat groaned as he sat up on the road, exhaustion filling his limbs, he never thought that physics could be this hard, although when it applied to magic, he guesses it wouldn't make sense.

"Chat?"

He looked up to the bluebell eyes of his partner, concern filling her eyes, "I'm alright Bugaboo."

"Why that name, Kitty?"

"You're my boo."

"But Kitty, I'm just a good friend." she grinned, down at him. "Are you okay?" she held a hand out to him, helping him to his feet.

"Tired, could go for a cat nap in a patch of sun."

"Then make sure you stay indoors tonight to get that nap in."

"I'll open my window for you to join me."

"Maybe one day." she stated as she prepared to go, eyeing his shocked look at her response, "For now, I'm just a friend."

"My Lady, what do you mean?"

She didn't answer.

"It's been 2 days of this, how has he not figured it out yet?"

"Plagg said that he is quite oblivious, and you've told him previously that you wish to keep your identities a secret."

Marinette dropped her head onto her desk, "Next time I see him as Ladybug, I'll just tell him to find me."

"There, there, it'll all come together soon."

She huffed in response.

Marinette's bleary eyes and deep bags under her eyes, startled those that walked by.

"Jeeze Dupain-Cheng, you're a zombie." Chloe laughed at her.

She only glared in response as she tried to clear her eyes, but a warm body stopped her from walking. She leaned into whoever it was, assuming it was Alya, she put more weight on the body, "Mmm, you're comfy."

"Did you sleep at all last night?"

"Designs." she answered, trying to snuggle into Alya, even as she still remains standing.

"A princess needs beauty sleep." a deeper voice rumbled from the body she leaned on.

"Normally, this happens on the weekends, when she has time to sleep in." there was a pause, "Princess?" Alya asked.

Marinette's eyes cleared slightly, seeing Alya in front, eyes switching between the two. She looked up to see who she was snuggled up to, "I'm sorry, Kitty, I thought you were Alya."

"Kitty?" Alya asked again, "Since when did the names start?"

"It was recent." she began to pull away, a hand keeping her steady.

"Don't let other people hear them, they might think you're in a relationship."

"Didn't you hear?" she goaded, "I'm just a friend." she responded out loud.

Adrien looked down at her, "You're more than that, you're a very good friend."

"Sunshine…" Alya pinched her nose, then looked at Marinette's twitching eyebrow. "Mari?"

"I'm fine, might need a cat nap in a patch of sun later."

"I think you've been thinking about Chat Noir for too long."

Marinette looked up at Adrien, willing for him to make the connection, with his lost look into her eyes she turned and stomped to the classroom, leaving behind two bewildered friends.

Hordes of fans lines the streets in packs, calling the name of one super-model, Adrien Agreste. The boy in question escaped his bodyguard to find a place to transform, but was found by his fans. Something was off though as they tried to grab him. All ages were included in this hoard, while most fans were around his age, adults trying to grab at him was beyond creepy.

Pulling away with all his might, his wrist slipped out of the hand that hung on. Then he tumbled back into another person, causing him to fall back. The hoard attempted to reach for him, legs trapping his in the struggle, twisting his ankle as he slipped away.

He made a be-line around the corner, half-limping but stumbled to the ground. He raised his gaze to behind him, fearing the mass but his eyes widened at the ridiculously dressed teenager that appeared, giving orders to the crowd. He gripped his Marinette Lucky Charm that resided in his pocket and prayed.

Ladybug swung past, aiming a kick to the akumatized victim, but her gaze settled on him.

"Where's Adrien Agreste?!" the girl shouted.

"Not here." Ladybug responded.

"Where did you take him?" the victim's eyes narrowed.

"Home." she replied. "What's this about anyway?"

"I just wanted an autograph, but the dumb security guards kicked me out of the photoshoot."

Ladybug sighed, "Pretty sure you weren't supposed to be there anyway."

"Hah! I'll prove to everyone I snuck in once I have my poster signed!"

Ladybug noticed the roll on the akuma's back and nodded to herself.

"Fans!" she shouted, "To the Agreste Home!" with the akuma in lead, the hoard marched down the street.

Ladybug turned to see Adrien struggling to walk and jogged over to him. "Hey, Kitty, you alright?" Ladybug drawled.

"Thank you, my lady. Saved me again." Adrien tried standing on his swollen ankle, only to flinch in pain.

Ladybug offered a hand, taking on some of his weight as he leaned into her, "Maybe you should get home and sit this one out. I don't need you hurting while in the suit."

"I-but the akuma-"

"It's in the poster on her back, should be a harmless fight. Don't worry Kitty, I'll be careful." Ladybug smiled, "Would you like a lift?"

"I just need to call my bodyguard." he leaned away and onto the building behind him.

"Stay safe, Kitty."

The whispered conversation acknowledged his memories and then he remembered that he wasn't transformed. He turned wide eyed to his partner and saw her amused grin, a familiar spark appeared in her blue eyes, a challenge. "What?"

"Everything alright, Chaton?" she grinned, letting him know, that yes, she knew.

"How-how did you find out?"

"We'll talk later, once you find me." She gripped her yo-yo ready to swing away to go after the Akuma, but held back by a grip on her wrist. She could feel him trembling, but she wasn't exactly sure if it was good or bad.

"You're identity?" his head tilting.

Ladybug realized that action was a very Chat move, one she recognized when she was Marinette. "Find me, Kitty."

"There's thousands of people in Paris! How-?"

"You know me." Her eyes sparkled, but turned annoyed for a split second, "Even if I'm just a friend."

Adrien watched her leave, dumbfounded at her departure. Hearing cackles in his shirt he looked down to his kwami, "You know about this!"

Plagg didn't confirm or deny, "I want cheese!" he told him after calming down.

Adrien sighed at his wrapped ankle, as he stared past the ladybug action figure, trying to think of who she could be.

Plagg munched on his cheese wheel as he watched his chosen hurt his head. As much as he's enjoying the chaos that the bug had dropped his kitten in, he also knows that there was no way he was going to figure it out without it staring at him in the face. Considering what the last two days have been like. The cat kwami flew over until he was above the boy, noting the curious look he had. "I expected you to be more productive in figuring out the bug's identity."

"I wonder what gave it away?"

"Doesn't matter." Plagg rolled his eyes, "You've always known her to be a friend."

"She's not just a friend to me." he sighed, love lorn, "I love the girl under the mask."

"Meaning?"

"Her civilian self is a friend!" he gasped, "That limits to the class."

"Maybe ask Pigtails."

"Marinette is a good friend." Adrien's eyes shined as his smile widens. "You're right, Plagg."

Plagg waited for him to start rambling at the obvious connection.

"We'll visit her after dinner."

Plagg was ready to throttle the boy.

Marinette watched the latest video from the Ladyblog, trying to make sure that her conversation with Adrien wasn't caught. "I hope he figures it out soon."

Tikki giggled at her, "Hawkmoth scraped the barrel for this one."

"He sure did." she watched the mind controlling powers, "If it wasn't for that, we'd probably never recognize that girl as a victim."

There was a large thump above her that had both kwami and holder looking at each other.

Tikki smiled, "Think he finally figured it out?"

"He better." Marinette climbed the ladder to her bed and looked out her skylight, green eyes peaked back. As she opened the door, a hand pulled her up. "Hi, Kitty, what do you want?"

His eyes narrowed at her, "You too?"

"What?"

"You and Ladybug keep calling me that in and out of the mask."

"You are a cat." she teased.

"I'm a panther." he huffed flexing.

"More of a house cat." the both fell into familiar banter that was usually in the suits. "Why are you here?"

Chat paused, and struggled to think of an excuse, then an idea passed his mind. "Purrincess, is there anyone that has your heart?"

Marinette couldn't stop the heat that flamed her cheeks. "S-Stupid cat!" she yelled, covering the blush with her hands. "Why the sudden curiosity?"

"Well, I haven't heard about who makes your heart beat. You know my heart beats for ladybug.

She thought about it for a moment, "Why should I tell you?"

"I can help you confess."

"I've tried to confess multiple times, but it's hard to when I used to not be able to talk to him. I'd always stutter and say dumb things."

Chat could feel his own cheeks heat up, remembering Marinette doing the same thing when around him as Adrien. The same person who has called him Kitty frequently the last two days, who he called an Everyday Ladybug and just a friend. A sudden panic came over him, she used to stutter around him, cause she had a crush on him. Used to, used to, it kept repeating in his head, "You don't anymore?"

"Oh, I still do. I found out how much of a cat he is, and realized how much of a good friend he is to me."

Chat backed up into the railing.

"You alright, Kitty?" concern filled her eyes, a dazzling blue.

That familiar dazzling bluebell had his world shaken. "I'm fine, my la-uh, Princess. Lady..bug." he grabbed his baton, and fumbled hit, nearly dropping it. "I-I got to go, see you tomorrow." he launched from her balcony, not looking back.

"Is everything okay?" Tikki came from below.

"I think I broke him." Marinette replied honestly. "Probably should go make sure he's good."

Ladybug reached the Eiffel Tower by 10:30, searching all the platforms for her missing partner. This was where the signal said he was. Once at the top, she spotted him, legs swinging off the side and his eyes zoned out as he stared out at the view.

"Kitty?"

His Lady's voice had him glancing back, the familiar concern that showed in his Princess's eyes not even an hour ago. "Princess." he stated, not a question, a confident answer.

"I'm sorry." she sat down beside him.

"No you're not." he pouted at her, "When?"

Ladybug looked over, "I'll timed glance when you de-transformed. I thought you figured it out yesterday, when Alya brought up the nicknames."

"Well, third days the charm."

"Barely. So, is being me okay?" she released her transformation.

Chat looked over, watching the suit reveal her everyday attire. "It's not that much of a shock."

"Plagg helped, didn't he?"

"Only after you gave me permission." he pouted again, but smiled, releasing his own. "You have a crush on me." his eyes shining.

A light dusting appeared, causing his smile to grow. "Silly Kitty," she leaned closer, "I love you."

"Princess…"

"I know, I'm just a friend." she grinned at his narrowed eyes, then laughed as he groaned.

"I didn't know!" and pulled her over for a kiss.

The next day at school, in the busy hallway, Adrien greeted Marinette with a kiss on the cheek. Alya and Nino, eyes widened while the former was ready to squeal. Other students in the crowds turned to them, each wanting to know if there had finally been improvement. Many of them, squealed and smiled to their friends as the two embraced and the model refused to let go. Only those closest would repeat to the others of what was heard next.

"My ship is sailing!" Alya cried, her arms in the air.

"You serious." Adrien whined to his girlfriend, he caught her glance back at him.

"I thought you knew, I'm just a friend." Marinette stated, enjoying the annoyed deadpanned from the two.

"She's not just a friend." he spun her around and she caught his grin that spelled trouble. He leaned down and kissed her, making the hall cheer causing him to stop and hide his face in her hair. "She's mine!" he whimpered.

The two friends laughed at them, but Marinette whispered to him, "So, how many times did I have to call you Kitty for you to get the hint?"

"Doesn't matter." he answered catching her off guard. "I'll always be your Kitty."

The two held hands as they made their way to class, smiling as they go.

A/N: I don't normally like putting so many line breaks in a story (this will not happen with the x-over), but laziness happened with the two week long stress (thanks, work), I won't bore you guys with those details. I know it's rushed, I ain't fixing it.