As soon as she saw her, Alya knew from Marinette's expression that something had happened.

'Tell me everything,' she demanded.

'Hello to you too,' Marinette teased.

'Girl, what happened between you and you-know-who?'

'How do you know something happened? Were you spying on us?'

'Of course not. I've told you, a journalist and a BFF knows these things. Now spill.'

'Well…what happened was…weconfessedourfeelingsandhegavemearoseandIgavehimaluckycharmandwekissedunderthemoonlightanditwassoromantic!' she gushed.

Somehow, Alya understood every word.

'You kissed? Like, for real?'

'Yes!'

'So you two are…?'

'Yes we are.'

'AAAAAAAHHH!'

Nino arrived and looked on in confusion at Alya and Marinette holding hands and jumping up and down with joy.

'What's with you two? Something good happen?'

'Um, yeah. Marinette…won another design contest!' Alya said the first thing that came into her head.

'Oh, that's awesome, Marinette. What did you win?'

'Uhhh…a new sewing machine.' Smooth, Marinette, she thought to herself.

'That is great news,' said Adrien.

Marinette jumped. How long had he been there? She had been so out of it that she hadn't noticed him getting out of his car.

'Adrien, hi. How are you?'

'Me? Oh, I'm just fine. More than fine. Perfect, in fact.' He looked it too. In fact, she couldn't remember ever seeing Adrien this happy. He flashed Marinette a dazzling model smile. She felt a flutter in her chest – and then a pang of guilt. She did not still fancy Adrien. She had a boyfriend now, and it wasn't him.

'Wow. I'm…glad to hear it. Have you had some good news too?'

'Why yes, you could say I have. But I'm afraid I can't share it with you.'

'Oh…no worries! If it's none of my business that's fine, I totally understand.'

'Thanks. You're a great friend, Marinette.' He gave her arm a friendly pat and departed for class.

Marinette smiled fondly back at him. The great friend thing didn't particularly bother her anymore. Of course it didn't. And her heart totally didn't still skip a beat at his touch. Absolutely not.

'What's with him?' Alya wondered out loud, glancing suspiciously after Adrien.

'I don't know. But whatever it is, I'm happy for him. Adrien's been through so much, losing his mom and all. He deserves to be happy.'

'Have you still got those posters up in your room of him?' Alya asked.

'Um, yeah, I have. I should probably take them down. It's the right thing to do.'

'Are you going to replace them with Cat Noir posters?'

Marinette raised her eyebrows. Most posters involving her partner had him striking some sort of hero pose while flexing his muscles and grinning like a Cheshire cat. And most of them also involved herself, which would be a little weird to have in her bedroom.

'I think I'll pass on those. Having to deal with the real thing everyday is more than enough, even if I am in love with him.'

'Suit yourself.'

They entered the classroom and took their usual seats. Her classmates (with the exception of Alya) were going about their days with no idea that her life had changed overnight. Chloé was being her old bratty self, Kim and Alix were sharing their usual banter, and Juleka and Rose were chatting away. She longed to share her news, to gush about her amazing boyfriend, who was a superhero! But if she told them she was dating Cat Noir, they'd either laugh in her face or potentially guess she was Ladybug. It was her secret and it would have to stay that way.

After school, Marinette was approached by Alya, Nino, Ivan and Mylène.

'We're going to get ice-cream. Want to come?'

'Erm…'

Marinette looked around at the two couples standing before her. Did she want to be the only one whose partner wasn't there? Did she want Andre to hand her another black, green and yellow ice-cream in front of her friends? Alya would definitely tease her and the others might guess whom it was supposed to resemble.

'Uhh, no, it's okay. You guys go on without me. I have homework and stuff to do anyway.'

Alya chewed her lip as her gaze lingered on Marinette.

'Are you sure? We don't want to leave you out or anything.'

'No, it's fine. You all have fun. Don't worry about me.'

'Maybe I can persuade Adrien to come,' said Nino.

'Oh no – that's not a good idea. He's way too busy. He won't want to come.'

Nino, Ivan and Mylène looked confused at this out-of-character statement.

'If you're sure, we'll see you later, Marinette,' said Mylene.

'Bye.'

Marinette watched them go with a sadness worming its way into her heart. She didn't want to join them and third wheel as usual. Nor could she invite Cat Noir. It occurred to her that as long as their identities remained a secret, they would never be able to do normal couple things together. She could never introduce him to her friends outside of masks and costumes. She couldn't invite him over for dinner with her parents because she was dating him as Ladybug this time, not Marinette. She couldn't take him out on dates and show him her favourite fabric shops and teach him how to bake her favourite treats.

'This is wrong,' she muttered as a stray tear slid down her cheek. 'All wrong.'

'Cat Noir, I've made up my mind. I want to reveal our identities.'

His face lit up brighter than the sun.

'I'm so glad to hear it, m'lady. Are you sure?'

'Yes, quite sure.'

He smiled and nodded.

'Plagg, Claws In.'

There was a flash of green light as the costume melted away to reveal…

Marinette woke with a gasp.

'No, no. Back to sleep,' she muttered, stuffing her face into the pillow. But it was no use. She was awake. And it was time for school anyway. Looking at her phone, she only had five minutes until her alarm went off.

The dream confirmed what she hadn't wanted to admit. If she was going to date Cat Noir, she needed to know who was behind the mask. And she needed to know now.

The next evening, Ladybug felt uneasy as she swung through the sky to meet her kitty – her boyfriend – once again. He was waiting for her with a sweet smile, but this dropped when he saw her face.

'Bugaboo? Is something wrong?'

She nodded, looking dejectedly at the floor.

'Is it…us?'

Her silence gave him the answer. He was at her side in a moment and lifted her chin with a clawed finger.

'What is it? Do you not want to…?'

She took a deep breath.

'Well…yes, but not like this.'

His brow furrowed.

'Go on.'

'I do think I am in love with you, but I wasn't ready to tell you yet. I didn't know if it was just a passing phase or if it would last. You're the best partner anyone could ever hope for, and the last thing I wanted to do was let you down.'

He looked moved by this. He placed one hand on her shoulder and the other over his heart.

'In that case, Ladybug, I'm the one who let you down. I'm sorry I clawed it out of you before you were ready. I was just so excited. Forgive me?'

'Of course.' They shared a warm embrace.

'So…what are you thinking?'

She told him all about the thoughts she'd had, seeing her friends going off doing couple things together, and how she'd realised they could never be a normal couple.

'I don't see how I can go out with you. I love you, but I don't even know your real name.'

'We can easily change that, m'lady.'

'I…but…we…'

'It's your call. Just say the words. And you definitely won't be able to resist me without the catsuit, trust me.'

She smiled a weak smile, not knowing what to do.

'You know that, do you?'

'Oh, yes. None of the ladies can. Or some of the guys, for that matter.'

She frowned curiously. Was this some sort of hint?

'I wanted to wait until after Shadowmoth's defeat. Then we wouldn't be putting each other in danger.'

'And when will that be? It could be months. Years, even. You remember Timetagger? We're still going to be Ladybug and Cat Noir when we're older. Do you want to stay in the dark all that time?'

'No. I don't.'

'And we have our good friend Bunnix to set us right if we go wrong, right?'

'Yes. That's true.' She knew that all too well.

'You're the Guardian. I'll do whatever you ask.'

She paced up and down for a minute or so, contemplating the risks.

'I can't be so selfish. What if I'm putting Paris in danger?'

'If you ask me, I think you deserve to be a little selfish. We make so many sacrifices, m'lady. Lying to our parents, our friends and our families. I don't want to keep lying to each other, too.'

'I…suppose.'

'I've been ready to know your name since the moment I laid eyes on you. That being said, I'm still going to call you m'lady and Bugaboo. Don't think you're getting out of that.'

'I wouldn't expect otherwise.'

'And…you know everyone's identity but mine. And I've been by your side from the start. Does that really make sense? Think of all the ways we would work together. As well as visiting each other as boyfriend and girlfriend. I really want to get to know your family.'

She bit her trembling lip. He was too good at reasoning with her.

'If we're going to do this, we should at least go to a secure location where nobody will see us.'

'Where do you have in mind?'

'The Eiffel Tower. Gustave Eiffel's office. No-one will follow us there at this time of night.'

'Shall we, then?'

'We shall. Before I change my mind.'

Flying through the cold night air made what they were about to do seem even more real. Ladybug was sure her partner would be delighted when he found out that she was the girl who he'd saved less than two weeks ago, the one who'd awkwardly pretended to be in love with him, and who he'd travelled all the way to Shanghai to find because he'd heard she was missing. She was most nervous about what she'd discover when she saw who was beneath his mask. What if they'd interacted without ever knowing?

'Still time to back out, m'lady,' he said as they landed on the topmost balcony of Paris' most famous monument.

'Don't tempt me. If I don't do this now, I never will.'

'I'll shut up then.' He grabbed the door to the office and held it open for her, smiling reassuringly as she stepped inside. She found herself turning to humour to disperse some of her nerves.

'When you say without the catsuit…you were dressed when you transformed, right?'

He laughed.

'What do you take me for?'

Ladybug caught his eye and laughed too.

'So…Ladies first?'

'Oh…okay. Um…Tikki…Spots…uh…umm...'

'I believe the word is off, Ladybug.'

'Oh, I can't! You go first.'

He gave an understanding smile.

'If you insist. Plagg…Claws In.'

Ladybug screwed her eyes tightly shut and saw the flash of green through her closed eyelids.

'Open your eyes.'

'Go on, Ladybug. You won't be disappointed,' came Plagg's voice.

'Not now, Plagg. Can you give us some space please?' There was something about his voice that seemed softer, gentler. It was familiar…

'Sorry, kid. I wouldn't miss this reaction for all the cheese in the world.'

Ladybug, knowing how obsessed Plagg was with cheese, wondered what he meant. She forgot her worries for a second and her eyes flew open.

'What do you…' Her voice froze in her throat as her eyes fell upon the boy before her.

'Adrien?' she croaked.

'Yes, m'lady. It's me.' He blinked his big, now naturally green eyes at her in anticipation. 'Are…you okay?'

Her mouth was opening and closing like a goldfish. Adrien looked to Plagg in confusion.

'Just wait for it.' Plagg pulled out a slice of Camembert and started eating it as if it were popcorn.

'I can't believe it. No.' Ladybug ran her hands through her midnight hair.

Adrien's heart sank right down to the ground which was hundreds of feet below them. Had this been one huge mistake? She seemed disappointed. He was just wondering if he ought to try and get his hands on the rabbit Miraculous when Plagg spoke up again.

'She's not disappointed,' he said as if he'd read his holder's mind. 'Just shocked.'

'Do you mind?' the aghast heroine snapped at the little black kwami. Plagg swallowed up the rest of his cheese.

'Put this poor boy out of his misery and let me see my Sugarcube. Then I'll leave you be.'

'Ladybug?' Adrien tentatively edged closer. 'Please tell me what's wrong. What are you so surprised about?'

'I've been so confused, thinking my heart was torn between two boys, and all along you were the same person?'

'Same person? Feelings for?'

'I'm in love with both of you! I mean, both sides of you.'

'You're in love with me as Adrien too?'

'Yes. This whole time I've been turning you down for…'

'For myself. Oh wow. That is unfortunate.' He began to laugh.

'I'm glad you think it's funny.' She folded her arms grumpily.

'Well, it is a little. Now…I don't think you'd turn down my irresistible feline charms for a boy that you didn't know. In person. So you must be…' He racked his brains for a girl he knew who might be in love with him. One who had never been akumatized…who acted nervous around him…who had posters of him in her room...who brought him treats and had once called him super handsome…

The answer came to him and he pulled her into a tight hug, his face lighting up once more.

'Marinette.'

She wrapped her arms around his waist, just like before. Sadly, there was no purring now that he was no longer a cat. He no longer smelled of leather but of Adrien: the Fragrance. She would tease him about that at some point. Knowing that he was Cat Noir, it didn't surprise her that he wore his own perfume.

'Spots Off,' she whispered. The room was bathed in a red light. He released her so he could look upon her unmasked face.

'Of course it's you,' he murmured. 'My everyday Ladybug. And all this time you've been in love with me?'

'Yes, Adrien. Only recently I fell for Cat Noir, too.'

'You must tell me all about that.'

'Well, he's been in my dreams every night for the past week and a half.'

Adrien's alter ego shone through in the look he gave her.

'I look forward to hearing more about those dreams. Maybe we can make some of them come true.'

'We already have. We've kissed, revealed our identities and become a couple.'

'You dreamt about kissing me?'

'Don't make me regret telling you.'

'Wouldn't dream of it.'

Something in his face told her that wasn't true.

'I can and will throw you off this building.'

'Now that sounds painful. Please don't.'

'Zip it then.'

Adrien mimed zipping his mouth shut, before letting loose a laugh.

'And anyway, if you think the dreams are bad, wait until you hear about the cat puns and the ice-cream.'

If Adrien had still been transformed, his cat ears would have perked up.

'Cat puns and ice-cream? Now I'm intrigued. Tell me more, m'lady.'

Marinette mimed zipping her mouth shut.

'Aw, come on!'

He gave her a pair of big pleading kitten eyes that were effective even out of the suit. She caved and told him about the ice-cream.

'Andre sure knows what he's talking about. You know what my ice-cream looked like? Strawberry with black chocolate chips and blackberries for her hair. Blueberry ice cream just like her sky-blue stare.' He leaned in and lifted her chin to look into her eyes properly. 'And it was delicious, too. But not as much as your macarons, Marinette.'

'Oh, that reminds me. Adrien, Kitty, I have a little promise I need to keep to myself. Something I decided I'd do when I found out who you were.'

'What's that, m'lady?'

'Give you a lifetime supply of pastries from the Dupain-Cheng bakery. To thank you for all the times you've saved me. Although, I didn't know you were a model at the time. That could be a problem.'

Adrien laughed his warm laugh.

'I am allowed to eat pastries, but I think my father would draw the line at lifetime supply. Although a box or two of those passion fruit macarons wouldn't go amiss. And plenty of Camembert for Plagg.'

They heard a distant yell of 'Yes please!' which informed them that their conversation was not private.

'Consider it done.'

'And who knows? In a few years, maybe that won't be a problem anymore.' He winked. She thought about telling him about all the plans she'd made for their lives together, but held back. He didn't need to know about that just yet.

'Now then...' He edged closer until her back brushed the wall. 'You're going nowhere until you tell me about those cat puns, Dupain-Cheng.'

'Oh, all right. When I first fell in love with Cat Noir I started making cat jokes without meaning to.'

'Oh, I wish I'd been there to see that. If I had any doubt that we were meant for each other, I don't anymore.'

'It was how Alya guessed I loved you.'

'Ah yes, Rena Rouge. Nino told me.'

'What? Really?' Marinette shrugged off her annoyance at this. She was much too happy to care. And she'd confided in her best friend, too. Which was something Adrien needed to know.

Luckily, he saved her the trouble.

'She filled in for you. She knows, doesn't she?'

'Yes. I can explain. I'm sorry you weren't the first, but I was feeling incredibly overwhelmed and needed my best friend. Telling her was an impulse decision I made. The time wasn't right to tell you. I hope you don't mind too much.'

'I would have liked to have been the first, Marinette. But I know now and that's what matters. And you had no idea that I was so close to you this whole time.' His eyes took on a mischievous glint. 'I'm sure you'll find a way to make it up to me.'

'Well, there's the macarons, for one thing. And I might have a couple of presents that I made for your future birthdays.'

Okay, so she could start telling him now.

'Really? You're even more amazing than I thought, Marinette. That was actually a joke, but…I won't say no to those. Only…I don't know if I'll be able to wait for my birthday.'

'Oh yes, sweet Kitty. But I won't make you wait for this.' She put her hands on his shoulders, reached up and pressed a kiss to his mouth. He gave a tiny hum of surprise before locking his arms round her back. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her hands were just making their way into his hair when…

'Ewwww! Get a room!'

They broke apart, frowning. The kwamis were back.

'This is a room. You don't have to be in it,' said Adrien. 'Remember who supplies your cheese. Me.'

'And Marinette, from now on,' Plagg replied, baring his fangs in a grin.

'Leave them be, Plagg,' said Tikki. When Marinette had detransformed, the little kwami of creation, unlike her counterpart, had made a quiet exit. 'We were just coming to tell you that it's getting late and we should all get home to bed.'

'Okay, Tikki. Good point,' Marinette agreed. She turned back to Adrien.

'What do you say we have a bit of fun with Alya tomorrow?'

He raised an eyebrow.

'What did you have in mind?'

The look on her best friend's face when Marinette walked into school the next morning hand in hand with Adrien was, in Marinette's opinion, priceless. Alya's jaw dropped to the floor.

'Oh my gosh. You two...?'

'Yep.' The couple gazed lovingly into each other's eyes. 'It's official.'

'Oh. Wow. I'm over the moon for you, really, but…' She looked questioningly at Marinette. 'What about…'

'Her crush on Cat Noir?' said Adrien, eyes sparkling with amusement. 'I know all about that. Can't say I blame her. He's handsome, charming, and sophisti-cat-ed. And it makes purrfect sense since she's Ladybug. They're meant for each other.'

Alya looked at Adrien as if he'd grown an extra head.

'I'm so confused right now.'

He took a step towards her and folded his arms.

'I have a bone to pick with you. I hear you've been teasing my Lady, and that, Rena Rouge...is my job.'

Marinette elbowed him, giggling.

'Silly Kitty. That's enough now.'

She watched as comprehension dawned on Alya's face. The young journalist gave a laugh of disbelief.

'No. No way. Oh, Marinette...only you could manage to fall for the same person twice.'

'That's where you're wrong,' said Adrien. 'I managed it too.'

They both laughed, taking each other's hands once more.

'Okay…something tells me I'd better leave you guys to it,' said Alya, shaking her head. 'I'll see you in class. I'm going to tell Nino if that's alright with you two.'

'More than alright,' said Marinette. 'Carapace deserves to know everything.'

'Later, girl.' Alya headed off to class, rolling her eyes at the couple.

'Was that what you wanted, m'lady?' Adrien asked.

'Yes, and more, Adrien.'

'You're very welcome.'

She shook her head.

'I don't know if I'll ever get over the fact that it's you.'

He leaned in so that their noses were almost touching.

'I don't still fluster you, do I Marinette?'

'Now that I know you're the one who's been flirting with me this whole time? In your dreams.'