Author's Note:

I do not own any of these characters.

Marinette huffed a little and rubbed her head. "Okay. I think that broke me out of my spiraling despair. What else did you need to tell me now that I know Cat Noir is Adrien?"

Tikki's head dropped and she looked away. "You're not going to like this."

Marinette resituated herself from the floor to the chaise. "I'm already not liking it. But I'm sure it's better to get this all out in the open today instead of spreading it out."

"You're going to find it much easier to talk to Adrien from now on. No more stuttering or accidentally forgetting to sign things. No more slip-ups with notes either." Tikki informed the new guardian.

"That's a bad thing?" Tikki just watched Marinette. She could tell the gears were turning in her head. Marinette's already tear-streaked face began to morph into pure anguish. She buried her head in her hands and mumbled, "It was the miraculous magic, wasn't it? That's why I could never string two sentences together around Adrien!"

Tikki flew over to Marinette and tried to hug her cheek. "I'm sorry Marinette. I couldn't have told you sooner because it would have given away Cat Noir's identity."

Marinette started pacing around her room... fighting off the urge to throw things while mumbling to herself and cursing the universe. After several minutes, she stopped pacing and looked at Tikki. "What has Adrien been stuck doing that he doesn't realize because of the miraculous magic protecting my identity?"

Tikki took a breath and sighed. "He's stuck on believing you're just a friend. Even if he hasn't acted like it, any thoughts past friendship are stolen away from him. And whenever you have gotten too close and the magic makes you play it off, it makes him accept your excuse without questioning it."

Marinette shook her head furiously. "That's not fair to Adrien. That removes his free will to like whoever he wants to like and to question the information he's being given. But... what will happen if he learns my identity? Will that completely implode his new relationship with Kagami?"

"It could." Marinette returned to pacing, mumbling, and cursing. After another minute of watching Marinette, Tikki decided to speak up on a potential solution. "You know Marinette, if you reinforce to Adrien that he's a really good friend, it might keep him from breaking up with Kagami."

Marinette stopped and stared at Tikki for a long second. "Okay. I think I at least owe it to Adrien to let him know I know his identity. I'll play it by ear from there. If I decide to let him know my identity, then I'll try the really good friend idea."

Ladybug swung over to the Agreste Mansion. She could hear Gabriel yelling at Nathalie in his office, figured it was work-related, and that they'd be occupied for a while... at least long enough for her conversation with Adrien. She swung over to his window and knocked on the glass.

The knock on his window brought Adrien out of his thoughts. He looked over to see Ladybug waving at him. So much for staying up all night worrying about what was going to happen. He figured she was here to take Plagg away... especially after the Desperada fiasco. He got up and opened the window, allowing her to jump in.

"L-Ladybug! W-What brings you by?" Adrien stammered.

"Official business, I'm afraid." Ladybug informed him.

"Oh." Adrien's countenance fell.

Ladybug tapped her fingers together. Adrien couldn't help but think it was a very Marinette thing for her to do. "You know that I became the guardian today. And, part of that new responsibility included learning your identity. I'm sorry if this ruins any hopes you had about how the reveal might happen."

Adrien rubbed the back of his neck and Ladybug marveled at how the miraculous magic had made her miss so many clues to Cat Noir's identity. "N-No. Not really, at least. Any plans I had kind of already got ruined."

Ladybug looked at him oddly. "I'm afraid I don't follow."

Adrien continued rubbing the back of his neck. Ladybug waited patiently while he appeared to be trying to find the right words. If he had to give Plagg up, he figured he might as well come clean. "I-I'm sorry, Marinette. I really didn't expect to see you at the train station with Master Fu today."

Ladybug's eyes widened, and then she sat down on the sofa, placing her head in her hands and shaking it back and forth. "I've been guardian for less than a day and I've already blown it. How am I going to do this? Hawk Moth is going to win for sure now. I just... can't."

Adrien sat down beside her and placed his arm around her, pulling her into an embrace. "If anyone can do this... you can, My Lady! I know you didn't ask for this. I know you expected to have more time to get used to the idea of becoming the guardian. I'm sure you expected to have at least some more time being trained. But regardless of all that, no one else is better suited for the challenge."

"Thanks, Adrien. You're a..." Ladybug decided it was time to try to save his burgeoning relationship with Kagami and finished with, "really good friend." Ladybug swallowed hard at that. It didn't sit well in her stomach or her throat. Adrien couldn't help but wince at being called a friend even after the reveal. Then he remembered that Marinette had Luka. So of course, she would only think of him as a friend... even after the reveal. Perhaps it was time to move on and let Marinette be happy with Luka. Maybe he could make room in his heart for Kagami.

Adrien took a few seconds longer than Ladybug expected, but then said, "And I'm always going to be your friend." Ladybug stiffened a little for some reason, but then relaxed. "Even if you have to take Plagg away because I learned your identity, you can always count on me."

"W-What?" Ladybug pulled back and looked at Adrien. He now noticed the tracks of the tears on her cheeks. He had to fight the urge to wipe her cheeks for her as it'd be too intimate for a friend to do. Right? Ladybug continued, "I'm not taking Plagg away. I'd never do that to you Adrien. I need you as my Cat Noir."

Adrien let out a breath. "Even after I screwed up as Aspik?"

Ladybug smiled softly at him. "We both learned that day that Ladybug and Cat Noir are both needed. You in a different role or me in a different role just won't work."

"What about KwamiBuster?" Adrien asked hesitantly.

Ladybug shook her head and then explained, "She had captured Tikki and Plagg. I had to come back as MultiMouse in order to get Tikki and Plagg back. I had to use Trixx to trick you into thinking I wasn't Marinette because Master Fu would have taken away both our miraculouses. But now... Now I'm the guardian and I can decide who gets what miraculouses regardless of knowing identities or not."

Adrien pulled Ladybug back into an embrace. "Thank you! I was so scared I'd have to give up Plagg!"

Ladybug stayed in Adrien's arms for what seemed like hours, but was probably just a few minutes. "I think it's time we expanded the core team. Do you agree?"

"Who were you thinking?" Adrien asked.

"Rena Rouge and Carapace for sure. Then I was thinking Viperion?" Ladybug added, thinking it would be good to have a distraction from Adrien on the team.

Adrien thought maybe she'd take his suggestion of Kagami. "I think Viperion would be great. So would Ryuko, don't you think?"

Ladybug almost smirked at the suggestion. "I agree. A core team of 6 permanent holders will give us a much stronger core." Ladybug stood up and headed for the window. "Well, I guess I'll see you in a little bit to get ice cream with the group before school starts back up."

"Yeah... I'll see you there," Adrien called after her.

As Ladybug swung away from the mansion, she could still hear Gabriel yelling at Nathalie.

Adrien and Marinette talked a little as Andre handed them two ice cream cones. One for her and Luka, and the other for him and Kagami. They walked down the steps and then parted ways. Adrien was sure she was already happily involved with Luka, but Marinette stopped just before sitting down thinking that he had finally made his decision to be with Kagami. After all, they looked happily in love.

Marinette sat down next to Luka and asked him to play the tune he'd been working on for her. After confirming she was ready, he began playing. After several seconds, the rest of the couples started looking towards Marinette and Luka. Adrien and Kagami were the last to look. Adrien stated with a sigh, "Being in love looks good on her. Don't you agree?" Kagami looked back at Adrien, finally realizing he thought Marinette and Luka were already an item... and remembering from Desperada how she might've said something to make him think that Luka was already Marinette's boyfriend.

Kagami swallowed the bite of ice cream she had in her mouth. She wanted to win Adrien, but suddenly it felt like she cheated by making Adrien not realize there were other choices. She debated telling him that she learned later that day that Marinette and Luka weren't an item... but then decided not to say anything. She didn't want to implode her chances with Adrien right after she had convinced him to give their relationship a try. She just turned back to look and Marinette and Luka, simply replying, "Yes it does."

The group had finished socializing and most everyone was saying their goodbyes and heading home. Marinette stopped Adrien, Kagami, Alya, and Nino. "Luka, stick around too." Luka nodded as the others gave Marinette their attention. "I've been thinking, and after a surprising conversation with Adrien this afternoon before we got ice cream, I've made a decision. I'll explain it further, but I hope everyone has some time to join me at home. It'll make much more sense there."

Kagami looked at Adrien who simply nodded to her that she should come with them. After everyone affirmed their availability, they headed to the bakery. Marinette's parents tried to give the teens some sweets, but Marinette assured them they were full from eating ice cream.

Everyone gathered around Marinette in her room. Luka sat in her computer chair. Adrien and Kagami were on her chaise. Alya and Nino were sitting on the ladder to her bed. Marinette stood facing them all. "Okay. I'm a little nervous. But, all of you... except for Adrien... have unknowingly helped me when I needed you. I've decided that I need you to help me on a more regular basis. So, I'm going to make you my core team for now."

Alya piped up and reassured her friend. "Girl, I'd help you whenever you need it, but I'm not following you."

"I know Alya, but this will make it more clear. Tikki. Spots On!" In a flash of pink, Ladybug was standing where Marinette used to be. Gasps filled the air. "Adrien?"

Adrien stood up from Kagami. "Ladybug just learned this today. Plagg. Claws Out!" In a flash of green, Cat Noir was standing where Adrien used to be. Kagami suddenly realized who it was that Adrien had originally been in love with. It was Marinette, but he didn't know it because he was in love with Ladybug as far as he was concerned. And Marinette was in love with Adrien without knowing he was Cat Noir. And she... she was feeling even guiltier at unknowingly taking advantage of the secret identities.

Ladybug pulled out the miracle egg and retrieved the other miraculouses to hand out. She returned it to its hiding place and then returned to the group. "Understand now, Alya?"

Alya, who was three shades whiter than usual, just nodded with her mouth hanging open. Ladybug held up the Fox Miraculous to Alya. She took it and smiled. She put it on and Trixx appeared. "Trixx. Let's Pounce!" An orange flash later and Rena Rouge had joined the transformed heroes.

Ladybug gave the Turtle Miraculous to Nino, the Dragon Miraculous to Kagami, and the Snake Miraculous to Luka... who all transformed in turn. "Thank you all for you past support. I look forward to us working together from now on. You will all keep your miraculouses. Cat and I have been patrolling also, but now we can split up the load. I don't want us to pair off, but we should have at least two of us when patrolling. We'll get a schedule together where everyone will have a chance to patrol with everyone one else. Since we'll have 15 pairings, we'll set up a monthly schedule where we can do all pairs twice a month and we'll figure out what we want to do for months with 31 days in them." Everyone nodded.

"But for now," Cat Noir continued, "keep your miraculouses on you at all times and get to know your kwamis better. If you need to talk... we're all here for each other. You can come talk to any of us. You are not alone." Everyone detransformed.

Alya was the first to leave. She hugged Marinette. "I've never been happier to be so surprised. Thank you for trusting us enough to give us this responsibility... especially after the ordeal with Chloe."

"Yeah, dude!" Nino placed a hand on Alya's shoulder. "It's so cool of you."

Marinette smiled at them. "Just be careful. I don't think Hawk Moth will try to manipulate you like he did Chloe, but keep an eye out anyway." They nodded and headed downstairs.

Kagami approached Marinette and bowed. "You are more honorable than I ever gave you credit for, Marinette. I am honored that you trust me also... after everything."

Adrien stood behind Kagami and put his arm around her. "Marinette's a great judge of character. I'll see you in school, Marinette."

"B-Bye, Adrien." Marinette said softly, and somewhat sadly, as the new couple left the room.

Luka came up to her. "I knew you were amazing, but I was wrong. Unfortunately, there isn't a word in any language that can describe exactly how amazing you really are. So..." Luka pulled his guitar off his back and strummed a few chords. Marinette giggled, but Luka frowned a little. "See... I can't even express it completely, even with music. That's just how indescribably perfect you are."

Marinette pushed his shoulder a little. "I am not perfect. I just try to surround myself with the best. They're the ones who make me look amazing."

Luka smirked. "That's just like you Marinette. Never giving yourself any credit. But you're wrong. You are the one who makes everyone else strive to be perfect for you."

Marinette bit her lip. "Thanks, Luka." Marinette looked at the trap door and frowned a little.

Luka looked over to it. "It looked like Adrien and Kagami are getting much closer. Are you okay?"

Marinette looked back to Luka. "I will be. I know she loves him and will do everything she can to make him happy. I can't come between them... not now. Not when they're just starting their relationship. All I want is for him to be happy. And if that's with Kagami, then I'm not going to stand in their way."

Luka gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "You're always looking out for everyone else's happiness. When are you going to start looking out for your own happiness?"

Marinette took a deep breath and exhaled. "Now. I'm going to start now. Luka... would you... like to go to a movie sometime? Just the two of us? On a d-date?"

Luka smiled brightly. "I'd be honored. But under one condition. If at any time you feel like you're pretending to be something you're not just to try to make me happy, then you have to tell me, and we'll stop dating. No hard feelings."

Marinette nodded. "I agree to that condition. As long as you agree to the same condition. If you find I'm not everything you thought I'd be and that you no longer want to date, then tell me. I'll understand."

"Agreed." Luka confirmed.