CHAPTER FOUR

Adrien looked at her warmly, feeling both nervous and excited. "Well, uhm I heard from your friend..Nino was it? That you were grounded and he didn't believe it was fair. I thought you might be lonely and stopped by..?" Ladybug tried to make up a reasonable excuse, but she had to face it. There was no way else to explain why she was there than to just admit everything. "Yeah Nino is my best bud, it was nice of you to come by…" Adrien blushed at the idea that she cared enough to visit him ladybug style. He looked at her eyes, and it was confirmed she was indeed Marinette.

Ladybug looked at him, she knew he didn't buy her excuse. So she sat awkwardly and fidgeted with her fingers. Does she know? Adrien wondered what brought her here. Sure Marinette was kind, and she would want to accompany any of her friends if they were feeling locked away. However he wondered if maybe there was more. Maybe she was onto his identity now. "Do you think I'm Cat Noir?" Adrien asked. Ladybug flinched at the bold question. "Are you?" She asked. She once again noted another possible piece of evidence that he may be. Either Adrien could read her mind, or he had to be Cat Noir. How else would he have a clue she was suspicious of him?

"Would you believe me if I said I was Cat Noir?" Adrien quizzed. He could flat out say it, but he could also have some fun with it. He gave a Cat-like grin and sat confidently on the couch in a very Cat Noir pose. "Okay that's all the evidence I needed. You have got to be Cat Noir! Tell me if I am wrong." Ladybug said. "The one and only Princess," Cat Noir said, smiling. Ladybug took a moment. He called her "Princess", he only called Marinette that normally. "Yeah I know." Cat Noir answered for her. "H-how?!" Marinette exclaimed.

Adrien picked up the bag of cookies from earlier and popped one of the ladybug macarons in his mouth. He already finished his passion fruit ones. "I saw you jump on your balcony and I swear I wasn't trying to find out! I just got out of hiding from the chimney and I just saw you." Adrien explained honestly, hoping she wouldn't be mad. "Are you disappointed?" Ladybug looked down at her hands. "No! I couldn't be happier about it! You have always meant so much to me with and without the mask. I've never felt so in love." Adrien said and Ladybug was sure for a moment it was a dream. "I'm dreaming, right?" Ladybug gasped. "No your not" Adrien took a hold of her hands. "Tikki spots off." Ladybug transformed revealing Marinette.

She smiled shyly, then let out a little laugh. "What?" Adrien asked. She looked at him amused, "That guy I told you I was in love with and the reason I wouldn't date you as our Cat Noir self…" Adrien looked at her blankly, waiting for her to finish. "It was you! Like Adrien you, I kept turning you down for you!" Marinette waved her arms in the air emphasizing the insane irony of it all. Adrien once again had to be shocked and then overjoyed. " I kept friendzoning you and pursuing you!" Adrien started to join in the amusement of their irony. "Will you finally take my rose?" Adrien asked. "Yes kitty." Marinette smiled adoringly.

Later that day Marinette as Ladybug and Adrien as Cat Noir took a stroll enjoying the spring air. Henbought her a little bouquet of roses and they chatted about everything that came to mind. "So you sure your dad won't notice you are not in your room for being grounded?" Ladybug questioned. "Nah, he's too busy to check and Natalie hasn't been around a lot today anyway. My bodyguard has gone home for once. He deserves the break." Cat explained. Ladybug was happy to hear that, they'd have some quality time together.

After some more strolling they wanted to rest, but it was getting a bit chilly, so Ladybug suggested they would relax a bit at her place since Cat didn't want to go home yet. They entered her room through the trap door. Cat saw Manon's ladybug spotted dress in the making again. I see why you avoided showing me the dress you made for yourself." Cat said as it seemed to make sense now. "Ah, yeah. I was still trying to keep my identity secret, I had a feeling if you saw it you'd want to see me wear it. I didn't want to fall into such a situation, you would have recognised me." She explained, blushing a bit at the idea of dressing up for him at all.

Marinette pulled out the dress from her closet. They transformed and let their kwami's zoom away towards Marinette's cookie jar. Plagg sighed disgruntled at the lack of dress was a beautiful red that matched her ladybug suit so well. The spotts were perfectly placed, and a sash with a ladybug yoyo buckle sat in the middle. It was a fun dress, but with a flair of sophistication. The sleeves resembled almost the wings of a ladybug, a subtle touch.

"Wow Marinette! That's so amazing! I bet you could even make my dad jealous with your skills!" Adrien said earnestly. Marinette smiled, "I don't know about the last part, I wouldn't say it's that amazing, but thank you." "You're so modest, you really are so talented." Adrien complimented again. "Wait here." Marinette said, and she went down the trapdoor to her bathroom. She changed into the dress and then quickly darted back up to her room. Adrien marveled at her. He always thought she was the most beautiful girl he ever saw, and couldn't imagine her getting any prettier. However here she came up and yet again amazed him as she wore the dress.

He stared lovestruck and she giggled at his face. "You okay Kitty Cat?" She asked before he snapped out of it. "Oh! Y-yeah." Adrien blushed embarrassed. He really only had one question to ask. "So, would you be my girlfriend?" He blushed even more when she said "Yes!"

I hope you enjoyed reading Cookies and Red Polka Dot Dresses. Thankyou for reading my fanfiction. It's truly enjoyable to write and share what I write. I also really enjoy reading what others post. :)