If Ladybug had summoned a lucky charm at that moment, it would definitely have been a camera to take a picture of the look on Adrien's face.

'My…my Lady!?'

Ladybug burst out laughing.

'Consider that revenge for earlier, Kitty. Now…' She put a foot on the chair and leaned in towards his astonished face. 'Something you wanted to tell me? About Marinette?'

Adrien closed his mouth.

'That she's wonderful and I love her. Whether she's a mouse, a ladybug, or just herself. And I'd like for her to be my girlfriend. If she wants to, that is.'

'I'll pass on the message. And I'm fairly certain she'll say yes.'

He stood up and pulled her into his warm embrace. They melted into each other and remained like that for several minutes.

'Come to think of it, this actually doesn't surprise me at all,' Adrien murmured into her dark hair. 'There's just one thing. I saw Ladybug and Marinette as two separate people. How?'

'Oh, yes.' They sat on the sofa and Ladybug told him the whole story, explaining how she'd used the Fox Miraculous to create the mirage.

'That's the only time I've ever tricked you like that, Kitty. I had to cover my identity. You understand, right?'

'I do, Bugaboo.'

Ladybug rolled her eyes. This was going to take some getting used to. It was especially odd being called Bugaboo by her sweet Adrien. She felt like she couldn't get mad at him when he wasn't in the catsuit. But his green eyes did have that mischievous gleam that she knew so well.

'I know you've done your fair share of things to keep your secret from me, Cat Noir. Like…accepting a Miraculous from me? I mean, really?'

'Oh…yeah. Guilty as charged. What was I supposed to say? Thanks, but no thanks, I already have one?'

She sighed and shook her head.

'Good point. You could have made an excuse or something. But I'll let you off because it's your birthday. For that and for calling me Bugaboo.'

'You know you love it really, m'lady.'

She elbowed him playfully.

'You were right,' he said. 'This has been the best birthday ever. And hey…even my dad came through in the end!'

'This wasn't how I imagined today would go. But this is better.'

'Much better,' he agreed. 'I take it I don't need to escort you home this time?'

'No, you don't. But you can accompany me if you'd like.'

'I'd like nothing better. Plagg, Claws Out!'

A small black shape zoomed out from a nearby cupboard trying desperately to keep hold of his Camembert.

'A little notice would have been nice Adrieeennnn…' The kwami's voice was silenced as Adrien was enveloped in a flash of green.

Ladybug laughed. Cat Noir now stood before her, as he had done hours before.

'Don't mind Plagg. I bet Tikki isn't as lazy as he is.'

'No, she isn't. In fact, neither are any of the kwamis.'

'Wow. So you're the Guardian. Things must get noisy at your place.'

'Oh, you have no idea. You try babysitting a bunch of super-powerful beings. It's hard work. I might be calling on you to help from now on.'

'It would be my pleasure, O Great Guardian. That would explain why you were able to become Multimouse. Will I be meeting her again soon?' He flashed her a flirtatious grin and waggled his eyebrows.

'Sorry, Kitty. Multimouse won't be making any more appearances for a while. She's learnt her lesson.'

She flicked his bell teasingly and he pouted.

'Aww. But she was soooo cute. Not that Ladybug isn't cute. Actually…why didn't you just drop off the gifts as Ladybug?'

She was silent for a moment.

'That,' she decided, 'Is a story for another day. Now, race you to my place!'

'You're on! But first…' He took a step towards her, leaving only a few inches between them. 'With your permission, m'lady?'

Ladybug knew exactly what he was asking. She smiled and nodded. Their arms wrapped around each other, their lips met, and they shared their first real kiss – the first one that they would both remember.


Thanks so much for reading and for all your nice comments. BTW - if you can't see the cover image, it's a drawing of Cat Noir holding Multimouse up by her tail. I thought she looked super guilty, like she'd been caught doing something she shouldn't, hence this idea was born.