Nora dropped off Alya, Nino and Marinette outside the Agreste mansion. They rang the doorbell and were admitted inside by Nathalie.

'It is nice of you three to come and see Adrien on his birthday,' she commented. 'He has had a busy day and could really use the company.'

'Pretty nice of his old man to let us come,' remarked Nino. 'What made him change his mind?'

'Mr. Agreste does care about Adrien. When he found out that Adrien skipped the start of his photoshoot to be with you, he was reminded of how much his friends mean to him.'

The trio stared at her blankly.

'Um…he did what, now?' asked Alya.

'My dude skipped part of his photoshoot?' said Nino in disbelief. 'That's not like him.'

'You mean he was not with you?' Guilt and confusion flashed across the older woman's face as she realised she'd said too much.

'Nope,' said Alya.

'Nuh-uh,' said Nino.

'Not with us,' said Marinette.

'Did he actually say he was with us?' Marinette could tell Alya was intrigued and ready to dive into the case.

'Well…not exactly. Just that he was with friends.'

'Oh, well…we're not the only friends he has. It could have been Kagami. Or Wayhem. Or any of the other guys in our class,' suggested Marinette. However, she was inclined to agree with Nino. It didn't sound like Adrien at all. The perfect model who always did everything his father asked. Why would he skip part of his photoshoot? And then lie about it?

'I suppose it could. Anyway…you all know where Adrien's bedroom is. You may go up and see him.' Nathalie walked off, frowning.

'What was that about?' Alya wondered as they began walking up the stairs. 'I hope we haven't gotten him in more trouble.'

'Why would Adrien leave out his best bud?' said Nino.

'If he was with the others,' replied his girlfriend. 'Which we don't know we was.'

'Let's ask him.'

'Or ask them…'

'No,' said Marinette. 'It's his birthday. Whatever he was doing, it's his business. If he's lying, there might be a good reason behind it.'

Her best friend looked at her sceptically.

'Girl, I know you have a crush on him, but…'

'But nothing. It's probably just a misunderstanding. If there is something going on, we'll find out eventually, right?'

Nino shrugged.

'I suppose it is the dude's birthday. He deserves to enjoy it. Especially after…y'know, last year.' He shifted his feet awkwardly.

'Fine,' said Alya, although she didn't look happy about having to drop a perfectly good mystery. 'I'll let it slide for today. Now let's go wish Adrien a happy birthday.'

They knocked on Adrien's bedroom door. Marinette's stomach did a little backflip when the familiar blond answered it.

'Yo, my man! What's up, bro?' Nino exclaimed, giving Adrien a fist-bump.

'Hey, Nino. Alya. I'm so glad you guys could make it.' He moved past the couple. 'Hi, Marinette.'

Marinette gave a little squeak that was meant to be 'hello'. He put a hand on her shoulder, sending her heart rate through the ceiling.

'Happy birthday,' she said breathlessly.

'Thank you so much. It's certainly a lot happier now that you're here.'

'Me? Oh, um, thanks! I mean…you're welcome – I mean…ugh.'

His smile only widened. It seemed to radiate sunshine.

'Come in, guys!'

The three of them went in. Marinette took off her backpack and put it on the floor. Adrien's eyes followed it. There was no way she'd be able to give him all five gifts or confess her feelings to him. But she'd made a promise to at least try. She remembered Tikki's warning – If something goes wrong, you'll have to be the one to put it right.

'So…um…' Adrien scratched the back of his neck self-consciously. 'What do you guys want to do?'

'It's your birthday, Adrien,' said Alya. 'We'll do whatever you want!'

'As long as it doesn't involve blowing up your sound system again or having half of Paris over for a party,' joked Nino.

Adrien laughed.

'Definitely not. I still can't believe I got away with that. Let's play some games then!'

They took turns shooting hoops, playing table football, and eventually moved on to Ultimate Mecha Strike III. They did a few rounds of girls vs guys, and then Alya insisted that she wanted to team up with Nino, which left Marinette to team up with Adrien. Adrien was delighted, but Marinette couldn't find her focus at all, which resulted in them losing.

'Not up to your usual standards, Marinette,' he teased.

'Oh…yeah. I'm just a little, uh, tired. Why don't you and Nino play for a bit?'

'Okay, if you're sure.'

The boys began to play on their own. Marinette and Alya went to sit on Adrien's bed.

'You're nervous, aren't you?' Alya asked with raised eyebrows. Marinette nodded.

'Chill, girl. Whatever your gift is, he'll love it.'

'Uh…yeah. He will.'

This wasn't what was bothering her the most. Although she had pretended to have dropped the issue of Adrien's mysterious absence from his photoshoot, she had not. Nathalie's information had planted a seed in her mind. And that seed was rapidly growing into a tree – a large tree with many branches. She had a terrible feeling she knew exactly where Adrien had gone that afternoon, when she had been in his bedroom…with Cat Noir.

He had shown up in Adrien's room, at the same time Adrien had been absent from his photoshoot.

He had said he was dropping off a present for Adrien…and failed to do so.

He had said the gift was from Adrien's fan club in Brazil…which was the exact same excuse she'd given to Adrien as Ladybug.

He had seemed moved by what she'd done (or tried to do) for Adrien.

He had been very interested to hear about her love for him.

She couldn't remember ever seeing the two of them at the same time. In fact, Cat Noir was always mysteriously absent when was Adrien around…and vice versa.

Cat Noir had been horrified at the idea that Gabriel Agreste might be Hawkmoth, and delighted when he had become akumatized, disproving that theory.

Adrien had a ring on his finger.

Was it possible for someone to act that differently when wearing a Miraculous? Yes, of course it was. Her earrings turned her from a clumsy Marinette into a heroic Ladybug. It could make you a different person. Or…the person you could be if you no longer had to worry about your father, or your public image…if you were no longer cooped up inside your house…

Adrien was Cat Noir. Cat Noir was Adrien. And she'd told him everything. Everything.

He'd found her hiding in his own bedroom, disguised as a mouse, held her in his hands, and she'd admitted that she was in love with him and that she'd come up with a plan to lie to him on his birthday. If it was possible to die of embarrassment, Marinette thought she just might. Whatever did he think of her now?

She glanced over to Adrien. He was in the middle of beating Nino at UMS, laughing and joking, with no idea that she'd just guessed his secret. Focusing in on his right hand, she had to bite down hard on her bottom lip to keep from crying out loud. How had she never recognised that ring? She'd worn that ring, used its power. She knew the thrill of the cataclysm pulsing in her hand. But not anywhere near as well as Adrien did. If she was right.

She was now faced with an important choice. Did she tell him who she was? Now she realised – Bunnix had lied about Adrien telling everyone she was Ladybug. Since he was Cat Noir, he'd found out his Lady's identity when he'd seen her leave his room, and somehow become akumatized because of that. Which meant she couldn't tell him. Or could she? That was before she had become the Guardian. Things were different now. What if he'd found out…kept it to himself and struggled with not being able to say anything…and become a victim for Hawkmoth? She couldn't let that happen again. They had to find out together.

Her best friend's voice jolted her out of her thoughts.

'Okay, Nino, I think it's fair to say Adrien's kicked your butt. Nora's here. It's time for us to leave.' Alya gave a large, obvious wink at Marinette. 'I hope you enjoyed your birthday.'

'Yeah, I did. Thanks so much, guys.'

'Marinette's getting picked up later, aren't you?'

'Uhh…' Marinette realised she'd forgotten to arrange a lift home. But never mind. She could always use her Ladybug powers.

'See you at school on Monday, dudes,' said Nino as he and Alya left the room. They were alone.


Adrien and Marinette sat in awkward silence.

'So…um…how was your photo shoot?'

'Oh…it was long. But it was okay, I guess.'

Come on, Marinette! She could hear Alya's phantom voice in her head.

She had to give him the presents, and while she was at it, get a confirmation that he really was Cat Noir, before she could think any more about revealing herself as Ladybug. And she'd have to be super careful, just in case there was any chance she was wrong. If she was somehow mistaken, there was no way he was finding out about what had happened that day. So, the best bet was to watch his reaction.

'Adrien…I wanted to…I got you a…give…a gift.' She didn't know why she was still stuttering. If her hunch was correct, they fought side by side every day. He spent the whole time trying to chat her up with terrible puns and pick-up lines.

'A gift? For me? That's very generous of you.'

She studied his face carefully. Had he been expecting this? Did he look surprised? She picked up the backpack and contemplated which gift to give him first. As her hand closed around a soft package, she knew what to do.

'Here you go. I…hope you like it.'

Their hands brushed together as she handed it over. His skin was warm and soft. She couldn't help herself from picturing that hand encased in black with claws, his green eyes slitted and cat-like, and his perfect face covered with a jet-black mask.

There was no mistaking the look of recognition on his face. It was the same parcel he'd held earlier. As he pulled out the long thin strip of fabric, he looked long and hard at it, refusing to meet her eyes, clearly trying to hide the fact that he knew more than he should.

'It's a scarf.'

'Yes. I…I made it. Just like the…the one your father gave you last year.'

This time, it was clear as day. His green eyes narrowed, and his lips pursed ever so slightly. He knew exactly what she was doing. He knew that she knew.

'Marinette…my father didn't give me that scarf, did he? You know that.'

'Yes. And you know, too. Don't you?'

She reached down and took hold of his right hand, slowly lifting it up so she could examine the silver ring that rested on his finger. He made no attempt to stop her, and finally met her eyes.

'So, you've found me out, have you?'

'Was that…meow-t?'

He chuckled.

'I'm going to take that as a yes.'

Marinette hid her face in her hands.

'Oh no. This is not happening.'

'Don't be embarrassed. Please. I really appreciate what you tried to do for me. Although I'll admit I was disappointed in my father and Nathalie when I found out about the scarf. But I love my new one. And I'm sorry I lied to you too. I just thought…it's not really possible for me to go and tell Adrien, since I am Adrien.'

The blue-haired girl groaned.

'I am so stupid.'

'You're not,' he said fiercely, pulling her hands away from her face. 'I said it earlier and I'll say it again. You're amazing, Marinette.'

'So are you. You're a superhero. And I never knew.'

'Yes. I was hoping you wouldn't have to know. But we can talk about me later. I had no idea you would do something like that for me. I'm really moved.'

'It was such a dumb idea.'

'Yes, okay, it was, but your heart was in the right place. I'm also glad you're willing to admit that it was wrong and move on. That makes you a hero too, Multimouse.' He gave her that all-too-familiar wink.

At this, Marinette couldn't help from smiling. If only you knew.

'Now, how about the rest of those presents? I'm intrigued to know what's in them.'

Marinette took out the remaining four packages and handed them to him one by one. He was delighted with the pen and the items of clothing that she had made herself, but gave her a telling-off about the expensive watch and insisted that she keep it. She agreed and he fastened it onto her wrist. The floor was now littered with wrapping paper.

'These gifts are all lovely, Marinette. But next time promise me that-'

'Yeah…I know. I'll be honest. I was taught a lesson this afternoon by a wise cat.'

His face split into a grin.

'A wise cat, you say? He sounds very clever. And very handsome, too.'

Marinette shrugged.

'I don't know. His head is a little too big for my liking.'

'Meow-ch.'

They both laughed.

'Now…don't you have something else to tell me?'

Warmth flushed into Marinette's cheeks.

'Well, I…told you this afternoon. So I don't need to.'

He folded his arms and looked at her teasingly.

'A promise is a promise, Marinette.'

'Adrien…since you're Cat Noir, that means you're in love with Ladybug, aren't you?'

His face fell.

'Well…yes. I am. I won't tell you otherwise, since I've just asked you not to lie to me. I'm sorry, Marinette.'

'Don't be. We can work through this together.' The secret hero had to keep herself from smiling too much.

'You're really fine with it?'

'Yes. I think I can really be myself with you, now that you know my secret and I know yours.'

'I'm glad to hear it.' He patted her shoulder. 'But speaking of Ladybug, and my secret…well, we've got a bit of a situation here, Marinette. I'm going to have to explain to her that you know my identity. I know she trusts you, but I don't know how she'll take it. I hope she doesn't take my Miraculous away.'

'Oh, she won't,' Marinette said casually.

He raised his eyebrows in surprise.

'How can you be so sure?'

'I know Ladybug pretty well. Why don't we ask her right now? I'll go get her.' She stood up.

His eyes widened in alarm.

'Now? Marinette, what are you-'

'Tikki, Spots On!'