Chapter Three

"So just what friend are you exactly hanging out with?" Sabine asked as Marinette came down the stairs, raising an eyebrow at her daughter's apparel– it was her birthday, so her dressing up nicely wasn't surprising, but her Sunday best clearly wasn't what Sabine had been expecting.

Marinette flushed a bit, looking down at the dress she was wearing. She didn't have the luxury of being able to sneak out of the house. With her parents as bakers her dad was up at four in the morning, and her mom not long after, so it was usually a guarantee they'd be up before her. She could technically leave through her balcony as Ladybug, but that would raise too many questions.

"An old friend," Marinette said, but she couldn't hide the blush on her face. So instead she turned around, allowing her mom to get a full look at her outfit. "Do you think it's too much?"

She had been working on this dress ever since she had agreed to marry Chat– it was by no means a wedding dress, but still she had taken her time on it. It was a long, light pink dress, the skirt made from a silk-like fabric. She had embroidered a soft green leaf pattern along the hem and sleeves. If one looked closely enough they could spot patterns of a ladybug and cat hidden within the stitching on the leaves. The light greens and pink were paler versions of her and Chat's signature colors.

Sabine scanned her daughter. "Depends on who exactly this friend is, I suppose. Is it someone important?"

Marinette could hear the hidden question in her voice– was it someone she was interested in? She blushed a little bit more, nodding, and her mother grinned. Instantly Marinette felt guilty, her mother probably thinking she was going off on a date when she was really going off to elope.

"Then I think it's perfect, you look stunning," Sabine beamed. It was a miracle that Marinette was up this early, let alone that she had taken the time to do her hair and makeup at what she considered an unearthly hour, so she knew that Marinette was excited for this 'meet up' with a 'friend'. "Get in here Tom and say goodbye to your daughter– she's about to go meet her friend."

Her father slipped out from the kitchen, smiling and covered in flour. "I hope you have a good time sweetie–" he began, but paused when he saw how dressed up his daughter was, and he grinned. "A friend, huh? I'm guessing they won't be just a friend for long, hmm?"

"Papa!" she cried, ignoring the fact that she was probably even redder.

"I hope we get to meet them soon," Sabine said, and by her tone of voice Marinette knew she was going to join in the teasing soon. "Or maybe it's already someone we know?"

"I'll bring him by tonight," Marinette promised, but didn't bother answering if they knew him or not– because she didn't know if they did. "I don't want to be late, so I should get going."

"They aren't going to pick you up?" Tom asked, tone clearly unapproving at this.

"We have a special spot we like to meet up at," Marinette said quickly, not wanting her parents to be mad at her future husband so quickly, and she couldn't explain that he didn't know where she lived. "It's our tradition, so he'll be picking me up there. It's not too far from here, and some fresh air will help calm me down."

Her parents grinned, clearly thinking back on how she was around her crushes when she was younger. Except for this was no crush, nor even a cute little first date like they clearly thought. She didn't know how she was going to explain all of this to them tonight, so for now she'd just accept her parents' excitement, smiling at them.

"Be careful!" Sabine said as she shouldered her purse, checking to make sure Tikki and everything she needed was inside. The kwami gave her an encouraging nod. "And remember, it's good to take things slow. One step at a time."

"Mom!"

"Ooo– before you go–" Tom began, hurrying back into the kitchen. Marinette paused by the doors of the bakery, biting her lip nervously. A minute later her father came back out, a small box of pastries in his hands. "Fresh from the oven– for you and the lucky guy."

"Thank you, Papa," she said, accepting the box. The bakery's name was on it, something she'd normally have to hide when bringing things to Chat, but after today that wouldn't matter. "He loves your baking, so I know he's going to be excited."

"Sounds like a keeper already!" Tom grinned, looking at her, clearly expecting her to get flustered– maybe say they weren't serious yet and not to say things like that– but she just simply nodded in agreement.

"I'll see you guys later, goodbye!" Marinette said, hurrying out the door before they could stop her again. She heard them calling their goodbyes, and she gave one last wave as she hurried down the sidewalk.

She passed through the park, the box of pastries warm in her hands. She was heading for the alleyway that was across from the park. It was one of her favorite places to transform– no windows nor cameras, nor even that many people around there. It went through to the other side of the street, so she could pop out on the other side a pretty good distance from her bakery. She had been using it for years, and it remained one of her most reliable hiding places.

Tikki was literally buzzing with excitement as they slipped inside, grinning from ear to ear. "This is going to be amazing!" she sang, popping out of the purse, chime-like sounds coming from her as she danced about her holder. "I've been waiting for this for so long! I love it when our chosens learn who their partner is! And when they get married! And when they have adorable little babies and–"

"Tikki!" Marinette yelped. "W-we're not ready for that yet! You're just as bad as my parents!"

Tikki giggled. "Just transform already, I'm sure Chat Noir is waiting for you!"

They planned on being there early, but she knew Tikki was probably right. Chat Noir was probably going to be early too– and it would be no surprise if he was earlier than them. She took in a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. This was really happening– she was going to see Chat without his mask. They were going to be closer than ever– and they were going to be married.

"T-tikki, spots on," Marinette whispered, a slight waver in her voice as her kwami was drawn inside her earring. Her power washed over her as she transformed, her box of pastries and bag vanishing as she became Ladybug. Her hand went to her heart, but she felt no chain or ring there either– she'd have to get that back after they detransformed and revealed themselves to each other.

So she instead grabbed her yoyo, running out of the alley and raising it up. She let it fly up towards a building, it going taut as she was pulled up into the air. She heard people calling excitedly as they saw her, waving happily as she ran across rooftops, and she waved back. No need for anyone to see her serious expression and get worried there was an akuma about.

Chat Noir was pacing on the roof of the old warehouse, hands tucked behind his back. Worry was gnawing at him, despite the fact that it was a good half hour before they were supposed to even meet. The sun had just barely begun its trek through the sky, the autumn morning cool.

She would be here, she said she would. This was the day she had chosen for them, and he had it set aside as a free day for several months now. He did feel bad that he wasn't able to meet up with his friends today, but his Lady was more important. Today was the day they would finally know who the other was– the very thing he had wanted to know from the moment he had met her.

He could feel Plagg's giddy emotions, which unpleasantly clashed with his excitement. Plagg's presence felt almost taunting in his mind, the kwami had been grinning knowingly at him since last night, which was not helping him with his nerves. He sighed, pausing from his pacing to look at the Eiffel Tower off in the distance.

"What a cute little stray alley cat," a voice said behind him, and his ears immediately flicked up, a purr beginning to form in his throat.

"'Fraid this alley cat won't be a stray for much longer," he said, turning with a grin, his nervousness momentarily fleeing at the sound of her voice. But as he looked at her it returned full force, his heart hammering in his chest. Hers was beating fast as well, he could pick up on it with his enhanced hearing. "If His Lady will still have him, that is."

"If you're wondering if I've changed my mind since we've last seen each other– which was only two days ago, may I remind you– I still have every intention of marrying you," she put her hand on her hip, a smirk tugging at her lips, and he wondered how someone could be so beautiful. "Just like I haven't changed my mind in the months since you've asked me, silly kitty."

"I guess I'm just afraid my bad luck is going to catch up to me." He closed the gap between then, arm going to her waist as he approached, pulling her close so their bodies were flush. "That I'll wake up and I won't have this wonderful girl next to me, and that this was all somehow just a dream."

His voice had started off strong, but had slowly dropped to a whisper as he leaned in closer to her. As the word 'dream' slipped through his mouth his lips were hovering just above hers, and without any hesitation he kissed her. She leaned up against him, deepening the kiss, sending tingles across his entire body. This could very well be the last time he kissed her knowing her as just 'Ladybug', and he didn't want the moment to end.

Though he wanted nothing more than to see who was under that mask, there was still a sense of forlorn to the thought. They were very much happy the way they were, they had a strong relationship, and all that would change today. Change for the better, be the change he had been wanting for so long, but still the idea of change itself was always a frightening prospect.

He panted slightly as they pulled apart, his hands at some point having become entangled in her hair. He ran his clawed gloves through it, remembering the silky feel of her hair against his bare skin, something he had only been able to do on the rare occasion. After today that would no longer be so, there would be no masks or gloves between them, nothing keeping them apart.

"Are you ready?" he asked softly. He didn't know if he was referring to the reveal or the marriage, but he wasn't sure it mattered. Though the kiss had ended she hadn't pulled back, her breath tickling his face.

"Yes," she whispered. "Nervous, but definitely ready," she pressed a kiss to the side of his mouth, and a small mewl escaped him. "My parents are excited to meet you."

He stiffened up slightly. "Y-you told them?"

She smirked. "Scared of your future in-laws already? Don't worry, they'll love you. After they finish their freak out about the... marriage and all," she stepped away, worry in her gaze. "They know I'm meeting with someone I'm 'interested' in, that's all. In their eyes they're probably thinking this is a first date."

She shrugged, like it wasn't a big deal, but he could tell that she wasn't looking forward to informing them otherwise. He would be there by her side though, and if anyone was going to take an angry outburst it would be him. She was close to her family and he didn't want this marriage to be the reason that was broken.

"I'm afraid I can't say the same about my father, but I have no intentions of letting you anywhere near him," Chat replied, heart twisting as he thought of his father. His relationship with Gabriel was... complicated. He knew the way he and his father interacted wasn't right, Ladybug told him that everytime they talked about it, but despite all of that...

He loved his father.

He didn't think anyone else would understand it, and he wasn't even sure if he understood it himself. This man went out of his way to isolate him, and seemed to care less on the effects it had on him. His father had left bruises on him, only spoke to him when necessary, and when they it did was formal and distant. Nothing about it felt like family, at least not the family he remembered when his mom was alive, nor what he saw with his friends' family.

He craved closer bonds so desperately, savored his time with his Lady– because he knew that was what love was supposed to be like. The soft words, the touches, the comfort– it wasn't supposed to be a rare occasion. It should be natural, a way of building bonds, something one could always depend on to have. His father gave him none of that, and didn't seek it out from him either. He was content on treating Adrien like an employee, a prized trophy he could display, but also tuck away when not needed. He knew it was wrong, he was happy that he would be able to leave that environment and cut ties– but he could not bring himself to hate Gabriel.

Even if his father didn't love him, even if that knowledge had hurt him so much the day he had realized it, he still cared deeply for the man.

"I have no intentions of letting him near you either," Ladybug spat, a venom in her voice.

He knew it drove her insane that she could do nothing for him despite knowing of the abuse, and when she had first learned of it she had tried to get him to tell her his identity so they could stop it then and there. It was the only time she had tried to get them to reveal one another when they were younger, and it was the only time he had refused to agree to such an arrangement. He knew trying to report it would be worthless, because his bodyguard had tried to on dozens of occasions. His father must have connections with the police in some form, paying someone to keep quiet on anything said against him, or maybe something much more complicated that ran much deeper.

"If Father doesn't disown me... do I plan on keeping in contact with him," Chat Noir said slowly, and Ladybug gave him the dirtiest look. He knew that it wasn't meant for him though, and he continued. "You won't have to be involved, I doubt it would even be face to face, I rarely get that as it is... and some distance might make things better between us."

"Things like this don't get better, Chaton," she whispered quietly. "Not with people like that."

He closed his eyes, and said nothing. He already knew his father was going to cut ties, that he would want nothing to do with his son if he wasn't going to be a pawn. He also knew that she was right– but he couldn't rid himself of the hope that perhaps one day there might be something more. He wanted away from his father, but he still very much wanted a father. Even if said father wouldn't truly be family.

"Bugaboo?" he asked softly. "Would it be okay if I took your last name?"

She blinked.

"I'd rather not be... associated with my name," he said quickly, fingers tightening around hers. "I don't want you to take mine either, but I want to share a name with you. It'll make more sense after you know who I am, and honestly when it comes to family names I want it to remind me of you and not where I come from and–"

He fell silent as she smiled her wonderful smile. "If that's what you want, I would be perfectly fine with that."

Chat Noir nodded slowly. "Thank you," he swallowed. "So, are you ready to... to, er..."

He gestured to their costumes, scratching the back of his head, letting out a small laugh. Figures, he finally is getting what he wanted after so long, and now he was too nervous to even speak. She let out a small laugh, thumbs running across his palms. Ladybug then let go of them, hands going up to his face instead, fingers tracing his mask.

"Yes, Chaton, I'm ready."

No other words were said between them, just taking her hand and leading her towards the roof entrance for the warehouse. He had already scouted out this place several times, even had Plagg come through here on his own and make sure there was no cameras or activity here that could lead to them getting spotted. There were other places they could potentially go, locations much more glamorous, but they had both agreed the more isolated the better. This was an important moment for them, and they wanted to be alone for it.

He had done his best to make it nice, however– made sure there was no dust or cobwebs, that the room would be well lit at this time of morning. He may or may not have been here each morning for the last week making it look presentable, and he may or may not have considered decorating it with Ladybug and Chat Noir themed decor. (Plagg had talked him out of it at the last minute.)

Green eyes met blue as they came to a stop, hesitation and excitement lining their gazes. They stood apart from each other, hands interlocked. He could hear both of their heart rates rising again, fingers twitching against each other. They knew what was to come next, and there was no point in waiting any longer.

"On three?" he offered.

"Let's close our eyes," she said, hers sliding shut. "No opening until we're both ready, okay?"

"Okay," he said, instantly pressing his eyes shut. He could feel a warmth running through him– he was going to know who she was! After five years there would finally be no more secrets between them. A huge grin spread over his face, and he squeezed her hands reassuringly. He felt Ladybug relaxing, and she took in a deep breath.

"Spots off."

"Claws in."