I can't believe this is happening. Like actually happening.

Adrien.

This beautiful person standing in front of me. The last time we were in this situation, Chloe barged in blaming me for nabbing her part in the skit. Mainly she was just upset over the fact that I was about to kiss Adrien.

But not this time. This time it was different. Chloe was off at some fashion show with her mom while I was standing here in front of him.

Adrien had finished saying the last of his lines and turned to me. I know this was just the rehearsal but it made my heart flutter knowing I would be able to do this with him a few more times. He grabbed my waist and pulled me in gently. The heat of his body was radiating.

This felt so natural and was surprisingly coming easy to me. My eyes were drawn to his as we both closed them together and began leaning. Suddenly our bodies were pressing together. His left hand made it's way up to cup my cheek then moved to the back of my neck pulling me in further. His lips were so tender and molded around mine perfectly.

What started as a mere peck though turned into something much more. The security I was feeling was hard to describe but it was there. Like no matter what, he didn't want this to stop and he would do anything to make sure I was emotionally ok. His feelings could be felt multiplying through the kiss while he enjoyed the moment as well. A spark, if you will, that was beginning to smolder.

A familiarity. Like I've felt this sort of presence before. The want and need.

His lips started moving against mine and I could feel his desire deepening. Almost like he was sensing this same feeling from myself. It brought me back to my only other kiss I've had with another boy.

Cat Noir.

The stupid guy got hit with an arrow from Dark Cupid and the only way to bring him back to his senses was to kiss his pitch black lips and wake him up. He only did it to protect me since I was the arrow's target, but still. At first he resisted the gesture since he was practically under a spell but then it clicked once our lips met and he melted into my kiss. I can still remember the sweet smell of him. Something that had completely thrown me off as I never imagined him to have such a pleasing aroma. I had always imagined him smelling like a masculine cologne to match his big ego, but it was more like subtle roses and honey. Cat Noir's supple lips just seemed to melt into mine at that time as well.

Adrien had pulled back slightly to move his lips around mine and I took the opportunity to catch my breath. This was all still so amazing and I was waiting for my alarm to go off, or my dad to barge in my bedroom telling me it was time to get ready for school. But, for the time being, I'm thoroughly enjoying the moment. As I inhaled though, something caught me off guard.

Roses.

Roses blended with honey.

There was no way.

It took everything in me not to panic and I willed my body to keep up the charade. Because I couldn't break this kiss without raising some questions if I were to startle, so I decided to confirm my suspicions. I ran my hand down his toned right arm until it reached his hand. The palm of my own hand brushed over a large flat ring wrapped around one of his fingers. He felt my intention and grasped my hand in his. The jolt that wracked through me could have knocked me to my knees. But I needed to stay strong because this scenario could put us both in danger if I acted out how I was deeply feeling right now.

My eyes flew open. I knew I had to break this kiss. I backed up away from him as his eyes searched mine for what just happened. He looked worried and puzzled at the same time, like he had just done something dramatically wrong. I just hope he didn't connect the dots after I felt the ring.

No, he couldn't have. When I tossed my lucky charm to fix all the bad things caused by Hawk Moth's akumatization it erased Cat Noir's memory of us kissing. There's no way he would remember the spark that happened, would he?

"That was perfect guys!" Alya exclaimed. Of course she would be happy over Adrien and I kissing. And I would bet my parent's bakery that she had filmed the whole thing too.

Adrien still hadn't said a word but his eyes haven't left mine.

There is no possible way that he is Cat Noir. I simply cannot wrap my mind around this handsome guy being the over pompous and downright egotistical Cat Noir. Adrien was the exact opposite of him! Then something dawned on me and I had to get out of that room.

"Sorry guys, but I need to go powder my nose for a second. I don't think I have enough before we film the scene."

With that said, I ran to the door but paused to turn back and look at Adrien. I glanced down his right arm to see a silver copycat of a ring to Plagg's miraculous. I had to find a private place to collect my thoughts.

Cat Noir is Adrien?! Adrien is Cat Noir?!

How did this happen? Why him? What made Master Fu choose him? Answers. I need answers.

"Tikki." I said quietly opening the pocket bag once we were in private.

Her big eyes were staring back at me, "Yes, Marinette?"

I have known this Kwami long enough to know when something is up. "You know who Cat Noir is, don't you?"

She didn't utter a word but just gazed at me.

"He's Adrien Agreste isn't he?" To speak those words out loud felt so surreal and found them hard to say.

"Marinette…" she replied back in her soft tone then sighed, "I can't lie to you. But you're always the one who has never wanted to know the truth."

She closed her eyes before continuing, "I will only answer if you want me to."

I paused. Tikki has seen who Cat Noir is from when our Kwami's got mixed up in that one fight with Reflekta. She has seen the boy under the mask she has also hidden that boy under a mask. If I tell her I want the answer, she will tell me if he is or isn't. But do I really want to know that conclusion?

The wall behind me became a crutch. What would happen if I found out Cat Noir's true identity? Would Bunnix come back in time and tell me we messed up again? Would Paris crumble because of our love? All of these bad memories of Cat Noir being akumatized all because we loved each other and Paris suffered because of it.

My eyes shot open.

Love.

Cat Noir loves Ladybug.

"He loves me." I whispered. "Adrien loves me."

Tikki chuckled, "Do you know how long I've waited for you to figure that out?"

I looked up at her to see her smiling back down at me.

"What will happen if we figure out each other's identities, Tikki?"

"Marinette, I have been around for a long time. I have seen plenty of the holders for the ladybug and cat miraculous fall in love. I won't lie, enemies know that they were in love and would use that love against them. However, the holders wouldn't let that tear them apart."

She smiled, "Marinette, you and him are meant for each other. Even Master Fu said so. I believe that's part of the reason why he picked you and him to be the holders. You are creation and he is destruction; one cannot exist without the other."

This information gave me new hope. But also brought attention to another subject. "What do I do now? I've rejected Cat Noir so many times for Adrien but now I know that they have been the same person all along."

It's still hard to believe that Adrien has been the one cracking such terrible one liners and putting himself out there all this time. Throwing himself on the line to protect my life no matter what enemy we face. It just doesn't seem like the same person.

"Yes, you have rejected him but he still loves you. Even Plagg has said so. What does your heart tell you?"

My heart. His heart.

"I love Adrien and Cat Noir." I smiled at her finally realizing what apparently our Kwami's have known all along.

"Hey girl, is everything ok?"

It was Alya. Of course she would come to find me. Tikki immediately flew back into her hiding space upon hearing Alya's voice. Alya has known about her and my secret identity for a while. However, just to be on the safe side, in case Alya had followers, it was best Tikki was out of sight.

I nodded, "Yeah, sorry it was just…" How could I tell her? No, wait. I can't tell her. We promised each other we wouldn't keep secrets but this was something that needs to be kept. Especially, because it's not really mine to tell. "It was a lot to take in."

She smirked. "I get it, girl. But I think you have Adrien-"

"There you are."

My heart skipped.

Adrien.

He strolled over to us. "Are we done with rehearsals? I think my father is wanting me back home soon so that I can work on my piano lesson."

"That's up to her." Alya stated while motioning in my direction. "Marinette?"

"No, Adrien's right. We should probably wrap it up and just continue tomorrow."

Pretty sure that was the first sentence I've uttered in front of him that wasn't incoherent.

"Sounds good to me. I'll let everyone else know." Alya winked at me then proceeded to head back to our group of friends.

"Marinette, is everything ok?" He finally asked me after Alya was out of earshot.

I glanced down at his right hand one final time, double checking that his miraculous was still there. Currently that ring looked like a bright beacon on his hand. That hand that has countless times destroyed great objects with a single touch. The same one that's claws could tear apart any one of our enemies. So funny how it never seemed dangerous all those times when he danced with me or grabbed my hand to lead me away from trouble.

I genuinely smiled at him knowing the next words I spoke would be one hundred percent true, "Everything is perfect, Adrien."

Maybe it was my sudden courage I accumulated in the last twenty minutes or the thought of having the truth confirmed, but I did something that the old, stuttering, and embarrassing Marinette never would have done.

I stepped closer to him watching his reaction. My hands made their way around the back of his neck and into his hair. His golden messy hair was so soft in my fingers as they combed through it. Finally, I leaned in for an unscripted kiss the entire time waiting for him to run backwards since that has happened before. He never did. His lips met mine once more in a bit more of a softer, gentler kiss. I broke the kiss and smiled at him. His eyes slowly opened up to mine and I could see the hint of confusion but also happiness.

I walked backwards and started heading to the lockers to gather the rest of my things, "I'll see you later Adrien." Then whispered under my breath, "Better not be late Kitty Cat."