It was silent in the city, where lights dominated the beautiful night sky of Paris. While the stars were not visible, the lights from atop the Eiffel Tower basked the surrounding area in a golden light. It was alluring and quiet, free of crime and akumitizations. The lack of crime and those to help could make the night somewhat slow, though Chat Noir wasn't going to complain. The change made things easier for him and Ladybug, though it was a bit suspicious.
With the silent night and nothing else on his plate, the leather clad man decided to take his leave to visit Marinette's apartment.
The building wasn't hard to find, especially as the soothing golden lights glistened from behind the curtains of every building, each giving way as the path lead to the window of a familiar place.
This aureate landscape was new to both of them, despite the fact that Chat Noir did not live there. Marinette had moved to gain more space with her steadily growing business in the fashion industry, leaving the bakery and childhood home behind. Though this didn't mean that she didn't visit often, she had gone here with him as both Chat Noir and Adrien.
In his civilian form, Adrien had used his name to help progress Marinette's business. The Agreste family was very well known, and having him model for her line was a huge deal. Having someone of his status grabbed a lot of attention from the press and the fashion industry. Though Marinette was absolutely a talented creator herself.
While this double life helped him become a better friend towards Marinette, he did feel bad at times about knowing some of the secrets that she'd told him. Those that were personal and ones she'd never tell him as Adrien.
Secrets like she used to have a huge crush on him back in school.
Back then, she'd been such a huge advocate for him. She helped him break free of his father's grasp, moving past his sheltered youth. It was something that he couldn't thank her enough for. He'd also been focused on his feelings for Ladybug, instead of someone who was right in front of him. 'Have I always been this airheaded?', he wondered to himself, landing on the window's ledge gracefully.
Chat went to alert Marinette to his presence, but froze from the nerves.
The idea of Marinette finding out tonight, the possibility of her rejection caused him to worry. What if she got mad or didn't want to hear from him again? He couldn't stand to give his heart, to only have it given back. He wondered if he'd almost be better without telling her, but the idea of revealing himself was set into motion. He couldn't stop himself if he tried.
He shook these thoughts from his head, quietly rapping on the window. It was late and he wanted to get her attention without alerting the neighbors to notice a guest in the twilight hours. After a few minutes, the window slid open to reveal Marinette. She had her dark hair in a bun, bangs pinned up above her face so that she could see better while working.
Chat slid in through the window, his tail curling itself around the woman's waist as he stood to his full height. He'd become quite a bit taller than Marinette in the last few years, which was something that'd been a point to poke at her about. She stood just above his shoulder while he was six foot two.
She looked at him, making a face at the movement, and Chat smirked. His emerald green eyes met her glistening bluebell eyes for a moment before he pulled her closer. "Meowdy there, Purr-incess," the feline said as he let go of her. He could see a bit of red across Marinette's cheeks, which matched the color settling across his own.
Just as quickly as Marinette had been let go, she stepped away while stuttering a bit. This was a familiar sight that he remembered from their school days. She always stuttered around him and her sentences didn't make sense back then, though they did now.
"You're a dork," she said with a giggle, walking away to the living room. "Come on, Kitty. Let's go watch a movie."
Chat follows down the hallway, looking over the woman's mixed outfit. The top was a regular, blush colored t-shirt. Her pants were black, similar colored spots matching her top. It was obviously Ladybug themed, though not so much so that it made her look overtly like a fangirl. He watched as her hands moved to her head, letting her bangs fall back over her forehead.
Both of them moved from the bedroom to the living room and sat down next to each other. There was a bit of space between them with Chat's right leg crossed over the other, and his arms were across the back of the couch. His left arm was over Marinette's shoulders, though not touching the woman as she began to pick a movie.
"You picked what we watched last time, so it's only fair that I get to pick this time," Marinette commented, to which Chat shrugged.
"Is there still a ban on my usual movies?"
There was the sound of the rain pattering against the window, a soft drizzle beginning to fall across the city, the raindrops sliding off just as quickly as it came. Chat's ears flicked at the sound, suddenly glad he was inside instead of still patrolling in the wet night.
"Yep. I think We're going to watch Beauty and the Beast. The animated version, of course," she said before starting the movie. She then set the remote down, settling into the couch with a blanket. Chat leaned across her, pulling the large blanket over to himself and slightly moved Marinette's blanket off of her, enough to lure her closer to him. The apartment was chilly and he was warm, which he hoped to use in his favor.
The movie began and they both became quiet as Marinette slightly curled up into his blanket. He felt nervous for a plethora of reasons, but the biggest being because of his dual identity. He was sure that she would want to know who he was. Once she found out he knew so many secrets… would she still feel the same towards him, or even still want to be friends with him? The idea of Marinette never speaking to him again made Chat ponder if this was even a good idea.
For just a little while, Chat did decide to watch the movie with Marinette and forget his plans for a moment. He'd have his chance to reveal himself soon enough, when the timing was just right. Plus, he enjoyed a good musical so Beauty and the Beast scratched the right itches. The animation was beautiful as well, and he wished that Disney still did this sort of animation instead of their current CGI style. Though the CGI still had its perks.
He was too far into this now, though. He wanted Marinette to know how he felt, at the chance of ruining their friendship and partnership. She would leave a huge hole in his life if she left.
Which is where he stood now. Or well- sat. Chat managed to move his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to himself. His stomach was full of Ladybugs, churning some from nervousness.
As Belle and the Beast played on the castle grounds, he smiled while they threw snowballs at each other and enjoyed their time together. He found it so adorable and he felt like the time to share his feelings for Marinette was nearing.
When Chat shifted, Marinette took notice. She looked up at him as he leaned down, one hand on her cheek before pulling her into a soft kiss. Romance filled the air.
Chat was the first to pull away from the kiss. His eyes opened slightly, just in time to see Marinette's eyes flutter open to meet his own. He could feel his cheeks blushing hard, this moment being the least smooth for the Cat.
Marinette's cheeks were equally flushed, she watched him for a moment before he began to feel guilty for knowing secrets he shouldn't. She shouldn't be left in the dark like this. It wasn't fair towards her.
"Before you say anything. I want to show you something. Or… someone. Me, without the mask," he said as he wanted her to know that he was Adrien beneath the mask.
Marinette seemed shocked, but shook her head vigorously. "What? N-No Chat! Your identity should remain a secret, just like any other miraculous holder. Besides, I'm sure that's what Ladybug would want you to do," she told him.
Adrien shook his head. "I already knew that you were MultiMouse. It's such a shame that you couldn't come back as her either. So, I think it's only fair for you to know my identity as well," he disagreed, eagerly wanting her to know who he is.
Then without another chance to let Marinette argue with him… Chat revealed his identity.
"Plagg, Claws in..."
In the background of their current scene, the Beast began to change back to his human form by the love that he shared with Belle. His human form was revealed to be Prince Adam, and Belle was glad to see that her prince was back.
Chat transformed back into his civilian identity while Marinette covered her eyes to try not to look at him. He was worried whether she'd be mad at him or disappointed. He didn't know if he'd be able to recover from that.
Adrien felt upset because Marinette didn't want to know who he really was. That she would be disappointed it was him of all people. "Please, Princess?" he asked softly, brows raised. "I want you to know who I am. We'll be alright, I promise you."
"If anybody found out I knew your identity, you could lose your miraculous," she said, feeling his hands on hers. They were warm and soft. The feeling was very familiar to her for some reason, then it clicked.
Marinette's eyes shot open in visible surprise only to see Adrien Agreste sitting in her living room. Adrien had just kissed her. She found out Adrien was Chat Noir. The man that had been flirting with her for the last ten years.
Adrien watched her face to see a wave of emotions, Plagg emerged from his pocket nibbling on some Camembert. "Marinette?" he asked softly, a hand cupping her cheek. He was unsure of what was going on inside of her head. Until she began to turn bright red.
"Since you showed me your secret… Can I show you one of mine?" she asked while he noticed the deep flush spreading across her cheeks. Her partner had been Adrien all these years and she hadn't even guessed. Now it was her turn.
"Tikki, spots on!", she called the little red Kwami who transformed her into Ladybug. Adrien looked shocked as Marinette transformed, though he was glad to know that it was Marinette who was his Ladybug.
"M'lady?~" he said with a smile on his face while being shocked at the same time as Marinette spoke her detransformation words. "My kitty."
"Are you disappointed it was me?" the pair asked one another in tandem. They both let out a small chuckle as Adrien pulled his lady closer to him. She was special to Adrien, and he was glad that they knew each other's identities now. He was unable to imagine a life without her in it.
Adrien was special to Marinette as well, the guy whom she had a huge crush on back in high school had turned out to be her partner in crime all this while. She meant so much to him, and he was glad to know that he meant the same to her as well. It certainly was a night to remember.