A/N: I started writing this story post New York special, but pre Shanghai special and Season 4, so that's when it's set. This story idea is prompted because I had a really, really bad day. The original concept was titled "You Can't Take It Personally". It… evolved.

This time, it's personal

Ladybug felt the pressure. Sometimes it seemed like people didn't appreciate what she did for Paris. As a superhero, she wasn't allowed to make mistakes, she couldn't let personal feelings get in the way of her duty.

But she was human.

What do you do when your job requires you to be professional, even stoic, but inside you are hurting? You go home and cry.

Sometimes after a particularly nasty akuma, especially if the akumatized victim was someone she knew or if it was a particularly sad situation, Marinette would find herself on her bed bawling into her cat pillow. Tikki would try to comfort her, cuddling her cheek and speaking words of encouragement. At other times she'd just ask her parents for a hug, saying she had a bad day - the problem with that is they would want her to talk about it, and she couldn't. Well, not about superhero stuff.

Other days, she'd find herself sitting on a rooftop, cuddling with Chat Noir as she let the tears out. Sometimes, he'd cry with her. She was very grateful to him for that. He was the best friend and partner she could ask for.

The question that kept coming to mind was, Is it worth it?

Some days, like today, that answer was no. Because nobody could know her superhero identity, she had to lie to her parents, to her friends, to her boyfriend, and to her former crush. She couldn't even tell Chat the whole truth without compromising her identity, and with how many times Master Fu and Tikki both drilled identities must be kept secret! into her, not to mention the horror of Chat Blanc, she knew there was no way she could let him find out her real name.

But how in the name of all the Kwamis was she supposed to go on? Hawkmoth's akumas were getting harder to beat, Lila was getting worse, her friends kept pestering her about what was wrong, and even though Luka was an understanding soul, there was only so much ditching dates she could do before he started asking questions. If something didn't give way soon, Marinette was going to have a nervous breakdown.

So here she was on a random rooftop pacing back and forth, lost in her head. Citizens waved at her from far below, but she ignored them. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice anything else, which is why she let out a startled Marinette-esque cry when Chat Noir touched her on the shoulder.

"Sorry, Bugaboo, I didn't mean to scare you."

Holding her chest and trying to calm her breathing, Ladybug stared at her partner. "Well, you did!"

"Woah, LB. Angry much?"

"Yes! … No! … I don't know!"

"Okay, something is definitely wrong. You aren't usually this oblivious. What's going on?"

Ladybug stared at her partner, and felt the tears gathering in her eyes. She didn't want to cry, she really didn't, but today was too much.

"It's just… everything. Ugh."

"Everything?" Chat hated to see his Lady's bluebell eyes so watery. He held out his arms, and she accepted the hug.

"Everything," she sniffed. "It's all just piling up on me today. You know how stressful being a superhero is, having to lie to everyone so we can go fight Akumas."

"Of course I do."

"Add to that normal stuff like homework, friends, a job. You understand that too, right?"

"I didn't know you had a job."

"Part time with the family business."

"Me, too! Another thing we have in common. Do you like your job?"

"Chat! Not now. Identities."

"Right."

Ladybug huffed. "Now add being the Guardian."

"That has to be stressful, LB. But I'm here for you. You and me against the world, remember?"

Ladybug nodded, but then teared up again as she remembered what happened today. "And Lila!"

"Lila Rossi? What about her?"

"She knows me. Well, she knows me as a civilian. It seems to be her goal in life to make mine miserable. She threatened to take all my friends away. And to ruin my chances with the boy I'm in love with. And at times, I think she's succeeding." Chat Noir flinched, heartbroken at the reminder that his Lady was in love with someone else. But right now it was about her, not about his bruised feelings.

Meanwhile, Ladybug continued the verbal diarrhea. "And I'm trying to be just friends with him, but it's so hard, Chat! I get so nervous around him all the time and I wonder if he thinks I'm a spaz or if I hate him. And Luka is there, and he's calm and mellow, and he calms me and wants to date me but I'm not sure I want to date him. And then there's you, the most perfect partner and best friend I could ask for, and you left me in New York, and I was so scared, and I can't do this without you, and I'm glad you came back but I'm afraid you're going to leave again, and I'm the Guardian now and I have to protect all the Kwamis from stupid Hawkmoth, and the Guardian should know who all the holders are and I'm afraid to reveal my identity to you because I don't want our love to destroy the world like it did before, and I still have nightmares about that, and I'm so behind on my commissions, and I haven't played video games in too long, and stupid Hawkmoth and his stupid Akumas interrupt my sleep, and I'm exhausted, and Lila lied in class again and made it seem like I'm the one bullying her, and I just can't handle it! Not today!" Ladybug shook with tears as she broke down sobbing in her partner's arms, letting it all out and for once allowing herself to be human.

Chat Noir just held his partner in his arms, rubbing her back and trying to calm her down while internally he was screaming. The boy she's in love with. Luka wants to date her but she's not sure. And our love destroyed the world? And Lila knows her as a civilian? And seems to have a goal to make her miserable? He knew someone like that in his civilian life. A girl who was amazing in her own way. An everyday Ladybug.

"It's okay, Mm...y Lady. Let it out. I'm here for you. I'll make sure no Akumas get you today."

The girl in his arms sniffed again. "Thank you, Kitty. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Chat Noir kissed Ladybug on her cheek, then whispered, "It's okay, Mari. I'm here."

Ladybug stiffened. What?!

"No. Oh, no. No, no, no. You can't know who I am! I have to prevent that awful future!"

"The one that gives you nightmares?" Ladybug nodded. "What happened, Ladybug?"

Trembling, Ladybug decided to finally share the burden of Chat Blanc with her partner. "All I know is that Bunnyx from the future came and picked me up to save an akumatized you in the future. Paris was destroyed, Chat. Devastated. And you said it was our love that destroyed the world. And you knew my name."

"You saved me?"

"Yes, Kitty. But your akumatized form was so cold. So alone. My heart broke for you. I don't want that to happen again."

"Look at me, Bugaboo. Whatever Bunnyx needed you to fix, you fixed. Right? So it's over."

"But I don't want it to happen again."

"Ladybug, is Bunnyx here?"

"No?" she squeaked and he hugged her tighter.

"No. And nothing else bad is happening, so we're okay."

"I suppose so."

"Okay, so that's one thing off your plate. And I'm willing to help you with Guardian stuff, if you let me. I'll also help you with Lila at school. Why didn't you tell us that she threatened you?"

"Well, at the time I didn't think she could pull it off. But she did get me expelled for a little while."

Chat smiled to himself. That sinches it!

"Wait, us?"

"Your friends, Princess. So… tell me about this boy you love. Luka?"

"Luka isn't the boy I love, but I think he loves me. And I just can't give my whole heart to Luka while I'm crushing on … him."

"So if it's not Luka, then who is it?"

"You said you're my friend at school, right?" Chat nodded. "Then you should know. Everybody knows. Well, except him I guess. I mean it's so obvious with the way I mix up my words, and trip, and everything."

"But the only one I've seen you mix up words in front of like that… is… " Chat stopped cold. "Wait. You're in love with m...odel boy Adrien Agreste?"

"Uh, huh. But I can't seem to get two coherent words out in front of him. And every time I try to confess my feelings, something goes wrong."

"Like what?"

"Chat Blanc was the worst of them, but I also recorded a video on the anniversary of his mother's disappearance which got erased by his cousin, and the girls and I set up this elaborate plan where we'd ride together in a rickshaw - and I called it a coleslaw! Stuff like that."

"But why him? Why the pretty faced, daddy's boy supermodel and not me? I know you too well to think you'd be shallow, so why?"

Ladybug gave a humorless chuckle. "Honestly, Chat, if it wasn't for Adrien and Chat Blanc, I'd probably have fallen for you a long time ago. I do love you, you know, but Adrien had my heart first and I haven't been able to let him go."

"But what's so great about him? He's a mask."

"Not all the time. Do you know about the first day I met him?"

"You thought he was putting gum on your seat and was really mad. And he's been trying to make up for it ever since."

"Wow, you really do go my school, don't you?" Chat nodded. "About the gum… my anger dropped the moment he apologized on the school steps in the rain. He gave me his umbrella, did you know that? Gave the girl who'd misjudged him his only umbrella and walked to the car in the rain. But not before I heard him laugh. A genuine, heartfelt laugh and a smile that could put the sun to shame. I fell in love with him then. I'd do anything to see his real smile more often, to help him relax out of that … persona forced on him by his father's expectations. To get him out of the house he's trapped in. And I want to get to know the real him."

"Oh, Bugaboo." Chat Noir kissed Ladybug's head. "You do know the real him. And he's been wondering why you can't string two words in front of him. Princess, look at me."

Ladybug's tear-streaked face looked into cat-slit pupils. "Really look at me, Marinette," he whispered. "What would you say if I told you your prince charming runs around in magical leather fighting bad guys and making puns."

"I…" Could it be? Ladybug reached up to Chat Noir's hair, smoothing it and imaging it with Adrien's usual style. She imagined white scleras and green pupils, which she now remembered that Chat had as Mr. Bug. She placed her hand on his face, imagining flesh instead of a black mask. "Is it really you?"

Adrien rubbed the back of his neck as he tried to figure out a way to confirm his identity without de-transforming or saying his name outright. Quietly he said, "I'm starting to regret ever telling you to take the higher ground with Lila. If I'd have known she threatened you..."

"Ohmigod, it is you! But.. how… when… wait, I know when. It's been you this whole time?" Adrien smiled gently and nodded. Ladybug narrowed her eyes. "What about Aspik?"

"Yeah. Plagg wasn't too happy about that one."

"I bet."

"So what about Multimouse?"

"I had the fox miraculous."

"Of course! Leave it to you to have a plan."

The conversation between the two heroes went on like this, the unexpected reveal having an overall calming effect on Marinette, until Ladybug suddenly punched Chat Noir on the shoulder.

"What was that for?"

"Does the phrase 'just a friend' ring a bell?"

Adrien had the good grace to blush. "What can I say? I had spots in my eyes." Ladybug punched his shoulder again. "Hey!"

"I know you really love Ladybug. You said as much during Glaciator. I have to ask - do you love Ladybug more than Marinette?"

"I love Ladybug because she is Marinette." At her startled look, he went on. "I'd already seen you struggle just before your speech on the Eiffel Tower during Stonehart. I saw how brave you were in facing your inner demons, and I vowed that whoever you were underneath the mask that I'd love you. Now that I'm thinking about it, I've seen that confidence in my classmate. You stand up to bullies, you make a great class president, and you are always looking out for our classmates. There's a reason I call you our Everyday Ladybug. I just never thought about the possibility of you being the regular Ladybug too."

Ladybug reached out to cradle Chat Noir's cheek. "You helped me find courage that day, and many times since. I really can't be Ladybug without you, and there's no one else I want by my side."

"Then don't. It's you and me against the world out here. Can it be you and me against the world as civilians as well?"

"Adrien Cat Noir Agreste, are you asking me what I think you're asking?"

"Marinette Milady Dupain-Cheng, would you be my girlfriend?"

"If you told me a day ago that LadyNoir would be a thing, I'd have denied it."

"Is that a yes?"

Smiling the first genuine smile she'd had in days, Marinette said "Yes, silly Kitty," and bopped Chat Noir on the nose - just before kissing him.

"I don't know about you, Bugaboo, but I feel better."

"I could stay here like this forever."

"Unfortunately we have school tomorrow, and this cat needs his beauty sleep. You going to be okay?"

"Absolutely. See you tomorrow?"

"Absolutely!"

And with that the two heroes parted ways for the night.

"Dude! You're here early."

"Hey, Nino." Adrien couldn't help smiling.

"And you're in a good mood. What's up?"

"Oh, nothing much." Adrien rubbed the back of his neck, eyes shining with glee.

"Morning, Sunshine. Morning, handsome."

"Morning, babe," Nino greeted his girlfriend as she was walking up.

"What's the occasion?"

"I don't know. Adrien was here when I arrived."

Alya looked at the teenage supermodel. "You're not usually waiting for us. Something's up."

"Can't a guy just want to greet his friends before school?"

"It's possible. But you gotta admit, it's unusual."

"What's unusual?"

"Woah, girl, you startled me! I wasn't expecting you yet," Alya greeted her best friend.

"Morning, dudette."

"Morning, Mari."

"Morning, guys! Croissant?"

"Love to!"

"Seconded."

"Thanks, Marinette. Your family's baking is so good, I'll take all I can baguette." The grin on Adrien's face was pure Cat Noir.

Nino facepalmed at the pun, while Alya groaned and Marinette rolled her eyes fondly before she heard a noise.

"Your stomach rumbling seems to agree with you. Didn't you eat this morning?"

Adrien shook his head. "Too much going on to think about eating."

"Good thing I brought extra, then. We can't have you starve. And I'm pretty sure your dietician doesn't know how active you really are."

Adrien laughed. "You're right about that, Princess. Shall we?"

With that the four friends headed to their homeroom class, Adrien and Marinette laughing and joking like old buddies, holding hands and bumping shoulders as they walked together. The look in Alya's eyes was pure mischief as she vowed to get to the details, no matter how long it took.

As they walked toward Madame Bustier's class, a cry of "Adrikins!" assaulted their ears. The blonde tornado known as Chloe hugged Adrien as he gently guided Marinette safely to one side. The surprisingly gentle hug was released as Chloe whispered, "It's about time you realized your feelings, you idiot." The couple were stunned as the socialite then walked away, saying "You two are ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous!"

"Well, that was something I never thought I'd see," said Marinette.

"Told you she had a good side buried in there somewhere."

As the students started gathering in their homeroom class, Adrien escorted his girlfriend to her seat. Before he could sit in his own place, Alya slipped into it with a wink and nodded toward her vacated seat.. "I want to sit next to my boyfriend today, Sunshine. You okay with that?"

Blushing and rubbing his neck, Adrien nodded with a grin on his face. It was at this point that Lila walked in.

"Um, excuse me but aren't you in the wrong seats?" she asked, batting her eyes.

"Oh, who elected you Queen of Seats?" asked Chloe. "Go on. Go to your own seat." Alya looked stunned at the reminder. What in the hell was going on?

"Look, I want to sit next to Nino today, and Adrien graciously switched places with me. If Madame Bustier has a problem with it, we'll switch back. Okay?"

Not wanting to come off as the "mean girl", Lila swallowed her pride. She was playing the long game, after all. "Okay, Alya. Sure."

"Hey, Lila. Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure, Adrien."

"I'll be right back, Princess. Keep my seat warm for me?"

"Anything for my Prince Charming."

As Adrien and Lila walked to the corner, Alya turned around. "Deets! When did this happen?"

"What?"

"Oh don't play the oblivious card with me, Marinette. Since when have you quit stuttering and tripping in front of Adrien… ADRIEN?!"

"Since I realized he was a massive, pun-loving dork who accepts me as I am." And runs around in a magical leather catsuit.

"Well congratulations. I always knew you two belonged together. Now if only Ladybug and Chat Noir would realize they're made for each other…"

"You know something Alya, I think I'm coming around to that point of view…"

"Okay, who are you and what did you do with my best friend. Marinette Dupain-Cheng, the girl with a crush so massive she can't say to words in front of him and who always says Ladybug sees Chat Noir as her partner and nothing more?" Reaching out to touch the Franco-Chinese girl's forehead, Alya said, "Are you delirious or something?"

"Yeah, deliriously happy. But the way I see it, I found my happiness, why can't they?" The smile on her face was big, beautiful, and somewhat enigmatic.

In the meantime, Adrien had brought Lila over to the corner where they couldn't be overheard easily. Pasting a model-smile on his face he said, "Our deal is off, Rossi. I'm no longer going to pretend to be your friend. And if you ever threaten or attack Marinette again, I will end you."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb with me. I've known you were a liar ever since the beginning. I know how the game is played. If you want to play against me, remember that I learned the rules from Gabriel Agreste himself." Dropping his voice to a more menacing register he said, "You won't lose… you'll be destroyed."

A/N: I really did not intend for this to end in a reveal, but it turned out that way. And I'm glad it did.