"Did you hear them talking, Plagg? It almost sounded like they knew Marinette liked me…like before the movies."

"So?" Plagg collapsed on Adrien's bed with a wedge of cheese.

"So, if she liked me before the movies, that means Ladybug liked me before the movies." Adrien plopped down into his computer chair and turned to the little god.

"And?" Plagg groaned. "I don't get what you're saying, kid."

"Ladybug turned down Chat Noir for another guy. She said she was in love with someone else. If Ladybug is Marinette and Marinette is in love with me..I'm the other guy. I'm the only reason Ladybug wouldn't go out with Chat Noir."

"So? If I had to pick between handsome, rich model or boy in catsuit I know what I'd pick."

"Plagg," Adrien sighed, remembering from the swapping of the miraculous how sweet Tikki had been. Why did he end up with the obnoxious one? "What I mean is, She turned me down for me and still ended up with me. Maybe she would have ended up with Chat Noir if she didn't know me as Adrien. Maybe if I tell her I know she won't be as upset as I thought she would. Maybe it could be more than hooking up."

"You hooked up once and you're already catching feelings."

"My feelings for ladybug have always been there. And Marinette has always been special to me. Being the same person just amplifies my feelings for them..for her. It doubles the meaning she's had in my life. Ladybug is always there when I need her, she's my partner, we understand each other. And Marinette has helped me so much, giving me my lucky charm, standing up to my father…in and out of the suit Marinette has always been and probably always will be the best friend I've ever had."

~••••••~

Marinette's week had gone from Spectacular to Okay to Terrible within hours.

Lila had come back to school, a whole new menagerie of lies ready to go.

"And then Ladybug and I had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. She even canceled a date with Chat Noir to join me! We had a wonderful time. Ladybug even told me how much she enjoyed my company." Lila proudly proclaimed that evening in class.

"That's amazing, Lila!" Mylene praised. "I would love a dinner with Ladybug!"

"Wait, so Ladybug turned down a date with Chat Noir to go to a dinner with you?" Adrien cut in, catching Marinette's attention immediately. What was he doing?

"Oh yes. Chat was oh so disappointed about it and Ladybug is so amazing she promised to make it up to him, but I was only in town for one night so we just had to have our dinner then."

"So.." Adrien glanced at Marinette. "Chat and Ladybug are a couple? Ladybug confirmed it?"

"Adrien," Marinette cut in, but stopped herself from saying more. What could she say? 'I know your identity and you're coming too close to exposing yourself?' He'd have so many questions. Starting with 'why didn't you tell me sooner?' And ending with 'you're ladybug and you didn't tell me!' She looked down as Lila continued.

"Yes of course! Though if you're asking me, Ladybug could do so much better. The cats not good enough for any friend of mine." Lila sat back, crossing her legs and without thinking Marinette intervened.

"That's not true!"

"Marinette!" Adrien grabbed her hand and Marinette frowned. He was going to intervene now? She was defending him! Not that he knew that she knew he's Chat, but still. "Come on, Mari. Let's go." He started trying to tug her away but Marinette stood firm.

"Chat Noir is the BEST superhero in all of Paris! Ladybug couldn't save Paris without him. He does all the grunt work. He carries out all the plans. He protects Ladybug and consoles the akumatized after its all over. Chat Noir is so much more heroic than Ladybug, Ladybug should be the sidekick!" Marinette huffed, stomping off to follow Adrien who was trying his best to hide his smile. His lady really did like him, both of him.

"Come on, Mari. We know she's lying. That's all that matters." He pulled her into his side and she nodded.

"I just hate that she gets away with so much of it. A few lies every once in awhile to protect yourself or others is one thing. Lying to make people like you is another."

Adrien couldn't decide where not telling Marinette he knew her identity fell on that spectrum, but again he was reminded exactly why he hadn't told her yet.

"Our friends will figure her out eventually. All we can do is wait for that to happen and comfort them when it does. With how ridiculous some of her lies are..I'm sure it won't be long."

"Chat Noir isn't a sidekick." Marinette repeated, hoping the meaning stuck even if he didn't know she was talking about him specifically.

"I know. Neither is Ladybug. They're partners. But that's not the hill to die on. I'm sure Chat Noir knows Ladybug appreciates him."

"I don't know if that's true." Marinette sighed. She had never truly made a conscious effort to thank or praise him for everything he did for her.

"He does. I'm sure of it." He kissed Marinette on the top of her head and she blushed. It was like a whirlwind, how fast everything had changed. From stuttering around Adrien, pushing Chat away, to having real conversations with Adrien, knowing he was Chat and the hook up..her heart pounded in her chest as she wondered if they'd ever do it again. He certainly hasn't stopped kissing her since, not on the lips, but the forehead and cheek kisses seemed unending. She hoped they were.

"We should get back to class before we get in trouble." Marinette turned the corner as a scream erupted from the courtyard. Both teens froze then turned to face each other.

"We should-" Adrien began. "I mean, you should-"

"Hide? Yeah I'll do that." Marinette darted into the girls bathroom and Adrien copied her strategy, using the boy's room to quickly transform. Ladybug met him on the roof of the school.

"You sure got here fast." He teased as he examined the streets below.

"So did you." Ladybug retorted, her eyebrows furrowed. Was he trying to give himself away?

"I was around. Had a feeling Mr. Shady would strike soon."

"Never call him that again." Ladybug begged. Sometimes it was still hard to believe that under that suit it was Adrien making those jokes.

"Whatever fits your fancy M'lady. How about Dark Butterfly Man? DJ Mothy? Gloom Butterfly? Murky Moth?"

"Chat, please!" Ladybug giggled, turning to smile at him. "I love your jokes but we've got an akuma to take care of." She swung off and Chat's eyes widened as he hurried to follow her.

She loved his jokes?