Adrien. Chat Noir is Adrien.

My mind is reeling, and I struggle for words. I'm frozen in place. My hands shake as I take in the blood now staining his temple. He's bleeding, because once again he put me before himself.

My instincts kick in. No time to process any of that just yet. Dust covers us like a cloud, shielding us from Hawk Moth's view, but not for much longer.

"Tikki, spots on!" I yell, my transformation coming over my skin.

Adrien's eyes struggle to focus on mine, and I shake him, "Adrien, you have to transform!"

He gives a slight nod, and weakly murmurs the words, "Plagg, claws out." He is once again Chat Noir just our cover of dust settles. I help him get to his feet, his miraculous giving him temporary strength, though he still leans against me. He brings a hand to cradle his ribs, wincing.

I catch a glimpse of Slingshot moments before he spots us. Then another boulder is tumbling towards us. I tightly hold to Chat Noir, and swing us out of the way, heading toward the Eiffel Tower, where all the people have cleared out.

Slingshot comes barreling after us. Perfect.

We land on the first level of the Eiffel Tower, Slingshot stuck on the ground below. He quickly loads his slingshot and we dodge the boulder.

I call on my lucky charm, and a mini phone projector falls into my hand.

"If you are planning to defeat Slingshot with a giant projection of me and my good looks, you are definitely onto something," Chat Noir says through gritted teeth, "No one can resist me. "

I give him a side glance. It would seem nothing could take away Chat Noir's light personality.

I cast my eyes around us frantically, landing on the beams of the Eiffel Tower. Slingshot shoots another boulder towards us and we leap out of the way. I look back at where we were and see cracks starting to break through the structure it hit.

An idea sparks in my head.

I look at Chat Noir, and seeing how weary he is, I answer, "That is exactly what I am going to do, but of me of course, I'll have him swooning in seconds."

Chat looks at me, confused before saying, "Who wouldn't swoon at the sight of you, M'lady?"

I swing down to the ground where the police force has controlled the panicking people. I run up to a random officer.

"I need to borrow your phone!" I say, my words rushed.

He gives me a worried look, but doesn't ask questions as he hands it over, unlocked.

"Thank you!" I say as I swing back up to where Chat Noir is leaning against a frame of the Eiffel Tower, hidden from Slingshot's sight. He clutches his side.

"I'm going to need your Cataclysm, you up for it?" I ask, looking him over, hating myself for having to ask that of him.

He straightens up, and stands on his own two feet, "Always, Ladybug."

I give him a grateful look, "I believe the akuma is in his slingshot" I explain, "Ready?"

He reaches for his baton, and gives a nod.

I quickly pull up a picture of myself as Ladybug, and use the phone projector to project my image across to the other frame of the Eiffel Tower.

Slingshot sends boulders flying towards it and I move the projection to the next leg of the tower. He shoots at each pillar and cracks start to break apart the structure. I move to each leg of the tower, and smile to myself as the structure starts to tremble and fall. Slingshot hesitates before realizing in moments he will be trapped. He moves to avoid the falling ruins of the tower, but is too late. It comes crashing down around him, trapping him where he stands.

Gathering his strength, Chat Noir calls on his cataclysm. He vaults himself over to Slingshot using his baton, destroying the slingshot with his lethal touch.

Chat Noir lands roughly, barely managing to stay on his feet. He sucks in a breath, and I rush over to him, letting his weight fall onto me.

I capture the akuma as it flutters out. Once it is de-evilized, I yell out, "Miraculous Ladybug" and the magical ladybugs fly around and repair the damage around us.

"Thank you, Ladybug and Chat Noir," Slingshot says, now a middle aged man.

I give him a nod before rushing off to return the officer's phone. We don't stay for all the people wanting to snap photos or ask us questions. I just loop an arm around Chat Noir and swing us onto a roof, away from prying eyes.

"Pound it, M'lady," Chat says, finding his own balance.

"Pound it, Kitty," I answer, bumping my fist against his.

Our miraculouses beep, but neither of us move. We just stay there, staring at the other, seeing them in a new light. Chat takes a cautious step towards me. My eyes dart down to his lips for a moment before going back up to meet his green eyes.

Then he is bringing his hand up to caress my cheek, sliding the other around my waist. He leans closer. I close my eyes.

He kisses me softly at first, then as I fall into the kiss it turns fierce. He kisses me like he has waited his whole life for this moment. I savor the sensation of his lips and the feeling of him. I wrap my arms around his neck, my hands going into his soft hair. He pulls me closer.

Our transformations fall away and Chat-now Adrien-stumbles and we break apart, the strength from his miraculous now fading. He collapses against me, a hand going to his side.

I nearly stumble under Adrien's weight without the strength my miraculous grants me, but then catch my balance. Tikki and Plagg appear, the latter looking over Adrien, concerned.

I hand Tikki another cookie, "Eat up, I can't get Adrien to the hospital until your strength is back up."

"No-we can't go to the hospital, they'll ask questions," Adrien says. I look at him, knowing he's right. Everyone saw that Chat Noir was injured and clutching his side, if Adrien came in with similar injuries, right after the attack...it was a risk we shouldn't take.

"I-" I start.

"You know I'm right," Adrien says, "I'm fine, just a little banged and bruised up," he forces a smile.

I look at Tikki but she is still eating, I turn my eyes back to Chat Noir-Adrien. That is going to take some getting used to.

"Did you ever think Marinette could be Ladybug?" I ask, curious.

"Yes. You're both kind, and you both help people. You're both beautiful, too," he says, and heat rushes to my cheeks, "Did you ever think Adrien could be Chat Noir?"

I laugh, "At first, not at all, but recently your Chat Noir has been showing, especially when you called me M'lady the other night."

"Plagg chewed my ear out about that for thirty minutes," he complains, and we glance to our Kwamis, now enjoying their food and each other's company, "I wanted to tell you so many times…" His voice trails off.

"So did I, it's a burden having to keep it a secret from everyone," I say bowing my head, thinking of my parents, of Alya.

"And now, we don't have to carry that burden alone."

I smile, my chest feeling lighter. "Thank you, Kitty," I say.

"Of course, M'lady."

Tikki and Plagg finish their food, but Adrien looks too tired to transform into Chat Noir.

"Let's get you fixed up," I say and transform into Ladybug once again. I gingerly gather Adrien in my arms and throw my yo-yo. We swing swiftly back to my apartment.

I make sure Alya and Nino are out before we enter through the window. I bring Adrien down to his feet and help him over to the couch.

"Spots off," I say, and I'm Marinette again.

I head to the bathroom, digging out the first aid pack. I wet a cloth, and grab an ice pack from the freezer. Going over to him, I kneel beside the couch and press it gently to the large bump forming on his head. He holds it there while I carefully clean the dried blood from his forehead.

I work in silence before Adrien breaks it, "What are we going to tell Alya and Nino?" He asks, gritting his teeth as I pour rubbing alcohol against the several scrapes along his skin.

"Uh...we'll say we...we went bike riding and that...you hit a rock and went flying over the handlebars," I suggest.

"That must have been one hell of a bike crash, " He says, wincing.

"I just hope they don't ask too many questions," I mutter.

"If they do start to ask questions, just kiss me and that'll take their attention away from my "bike crash"," Adrien says, with what I think is a pained grin. I watch him, feeling guilty as pain washes over his face. The pain there because he was protecting me.

"You didn't have to do that, you know," I say.

He blinks slowly and smiles, "Yes, I did," his eyes focus on mine and the look on his face grows intense. "I may not have much experience with love, but I do know that when you find it, you're willing to do anything for them." he shrugs, "Besides, at this point, I can't help it, my first instinct is to make sure you're safe."

My heart warms, and then my stomach flips at the implication of his words. Then Adrien is caressing my cheek with his hand, his thumb traces the shape of my lips, "I'm in love with you, Marinette, I have been in love with you for years, I just didn't know it."

I can't help the tears that well up in my eyes.

Adrien brushes the tears away as they slide down my cheeks, "M'lady, what is it? Why do you cry?"

I give a soft laugh, a wide smile breaking across my lips, "My heart is too full, it can't contain it."

The smile that breaks across his face threatens to make my heart burst. Then he is kissing me again, pressing soft kisses to my cheek, my forehead, my lips. I see tears well up in his eyes as well, he starts to laugh, but winces, and pain distorts his features.

"Okay, we are getting you checked out tomorrow, I don't care what anyone thinks, or if they believe our story, I think you fractured your ribs." I say.

"No, I'm fi-," Upon seeing the look on my face, Adrien stops, "As you wish, M'lady."

Satisfied, I smile; it would seem I have been doing a lot of that lately.

"But besides that, no stitches needed, only rest and ice packs."

Adrien keeps his green eyes fixed on me, "And your company," he whispers, gripping my hand tighter.

"Of course, Kitty," I say, "What kind of partner would I be if I left you like this?" I ask, looking hurt.

He only lets out a light laugh, but then regrets it as his breath grows tight, his laughter dying out. We fall silent, staring at each other.

"Come here," He whispers, his eyes pleading.

I comply, cuddling up besides him, careful to avoid his right side, and the scrapes on his skin. I rest my head against him and feel his heart pounding in his chest. I realize mine is going just as fast. I soak in the moment.

We grow quiet for a moment, each of us enjoying the nearness and warmth of the other. Until I finally voice the words that have been building in my chest since the moment Adrien gave me his umbrella.

"I love you," I say, and it feels as if a burden has been lifted from my heart.

"I love you too, M'lady," I can almost feel his wide smile without seeing it, "You have no idea how long I have wanted to hear those words from you," Adrien says.

I giggle, "Actually, I think I do."

We fall quiet, and soon Adrien's breathing grows deep and steady. My own eyelids become heavy. Against Adiren's-my Kitty's-chest, I feel so comfortable, as if for one blissful moment everything in the world is right.

I close my eyes, breathing in the scent of the boy I love, trying to remember a time when I felt this happy. I search my mind, but come up empty handed.

Because I can't remember a time when my heart felt so full.

Alya POV:

"That movie was awful," I say, while climbing the never ending stairs, Nino's hand in mine.

"Can we both agree to never watch another movie with the word "carrot" in the title?" Nino asks, as we approach my door.

"Absolutely," I say, unlocking and opening the door to Marinette and I's apartment.

I freeze in my tracks at the sight on the couch. Nino bumps into me from behind.

"What is it?"

I laugh, poking Nino in the chest, "You, my good sir, owe me money."

"What!" Nino exclaims, but manages to keep his voice low. I point to where Marinette and Adrien have fallen asleep, their arms around each other, Marinette tucked against Adrien's side.

"It's about time our hard work paid off," I say, a smug smile tugging at my lips.

"Yeah, finally." Nino, says crossing his arms, "Still, they could have waited another week," a disappointed look on his face.

We look at them for a moment more, then turn back to each other, satisfied smiles on our faces.

"Nino, it seems Operation Adrienette is complete."

Authors note:

Thank you all who stuck around till the end! I had so much fun writing this and I hope you all enjoyed reading it. I am going to end this here, but there is a chance I could pick it up again. We'll just have to see!