"Marinette, listen. Do you know when I first fell in love with Ladybug? I knew I was in love when she stood up to Hawkmoth, despite all of her insecurities. She faced her fears in order to protect all of Paris from harm. Ladybug is graceful and confident and always has a plan… but so do you.
You stand up to Chloe and let your confidence show. When I found out you were Ladybug, it was a shock to me at first, but, though you may not know it now, you've always been Ladybug. With or without the mask. Remember when I said I loved the girl in the mask? Well, I meant it. I love the girl with the mask, no matter who she is underneath.
But you Mari? I had always loved you, even if I didn't know it. I;m not disappointed. How could I be? The girl underneath the mask is even more beautiful than I had ever imagined - inside and out. Milady, Bugaboo, these were all names for Ladybug. But if you remember me as Cat Noir, you'll remember that there was always one name I never used for Ladybug.
Princess. That was always yours Marinette. Because you are my princess, Mari, and I'll be your knight again. If you'll let me, that is."
Marinette had felt his hand on her shoulder but she hadn't turned around. I still don't believe he isn't disappointed. Besides, she didn't want him to see her face - not after the confession she had just made. But, as Marinette heard his words, she started to let herself hope that maybe, just maybe, he had meant those words.
She turned her head around to look at him, and immediately saw his striking green eyes. The ones she had longed to see everyday. Marinette, after being rendered speechless at all that had taken place, finally found her voice. "Really?"
Adrien smiled and placed his hand on her other shoulder, completely turning the small superhero teen towards him so that Marinette, his princess, was facing him once more. Placing a finger under her chin, Adrien lifted her head so that her bright blue eyes met his own. "Really," he confirmed, and smiled as a soft smile lit up Marinette's - Ladybug's - face.
"Marinette, with or without the mask, you're beautiful, confident, and amazing. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. And trust me, I couldn't be happier that my Lady and my Princess are one in the same. I'll love you as Ladybug and as Marinette. No matter what the world thinks Ladybug, I love you."
Marinette felt like she was in a dream. Could this really be happening? She could only think of one thing to say back to him. "Cat Noir… Adrien… I… I love you too," she said, closing her eyes. Adrien slipped his hands around her waist and gently pulled her closer. She placed both of hers on his chest as he leaned in. Both hearts thumping so fast and loud, butterflies fluttering in stomachs and breaths held in anticipation for the amazing moment sure to come, both ladybug and Cat Noir leaned closer and closer until…
"Stop!"
Marinette and Adrien jumped back, both of them quickly scanning the skies on instinct for an akuma or a super villain. Finding none, the teens' eyes fell upon their kwamis, who were floating in front of them. Plagg had broken them up.
Adrien opened his mouth to retort something, but the little black cat beat him to it. "I'm sorry to interrupt-"
"No you're not," Tikki cut him off, and Marinette let out a giggle at her own kwami's no-nonsense attitude.
Plagg, for his part, merely rolled his eyes and rushed to continue at Adrien's gesture that so clearly said "get on with it." "No I'm not," the cat agreed begrudgingly, before turning back to the two superheroes. "But I don't know if you two lovebirds have noticed, but you're kind of at the top of the Eiffel Tower. In your civilian attire."
"You might want to come down before someone sees you both. Because I don't think this is where civilians are meant to be anyways," Tikki added on, giving Marinette an apologetic smile.
"They actually make a pretty good point Adrien," Marinette said, turning to him. Now that the magic of the moment had worn off and reality had settled in, she was feeling a lot calmer now - and not like she was about to combust into flames. "We should transform again and get off before someone actually sees us up here. Plus, I've got to get home."
The blond sighed heavily, already disappointed at their separation. But nonetheless, he nodded. After a cry of "Plagg, Claws out" and "Tikki, spots on", the two heroes stood there with their suits on, both looking towards each other and looking away. But neither could deny this new territory they had (delightfully so) stumbled into.
Finally, Marinette cleared her throat. "Well, I… uh... I'm going to get going," she settled on, with a small smile on her face. The teen turned to perch on the edge of the railing, lifting her arm up to throw her yoyo out when suddenly, a black gloved hand wrapped around her wrist, pulling the girl backwards. She looked at Adrien, startled.
The boy merely let out a nervous laugh, hand coming up to rub at the back of his neck. It was actually endearing. "I was wondering…. If you'd maybe want to…. hopefully want… uh… " She let out a slight laugh, wondering just when the tables had turned. "Do you want to grab coffee sometime? After school?" Ladybug blinked, before a full grin threatened to split her face apart.
"I'd love that," she decided, the words coming out surprisingly calm. "See you later kitty." With that, Marinette roped off the ledge, hiding her giddy smile as she made her way back to her room to scream into her pillow with delight. Adrien remained on the Eiffel tower for a second more, heart full of love for the one he can now call his own.
I never thought I'd thank a villain, but Lila? Thanks for this.
He could practically hear Plagg's cries for Marinette's bakery bread already, and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. I guess this will be my life from now on.
Somehow, he couldn't find it in himself to mind.