Adrien couldn't believe it. He didn't understand it… It just didn't make any sense!

On the roof, not a block from where they had just defeated their most recent foe, stood the woman of his dreams and fantasies. The greatest of said fantasies being that she would reveal who she was to him, to finally know the woman under the mask. And she just said the words he was about to give up on ever hearing.

After two years of waiting, he had begun to second guess his feelings, wondering if what he felt was simply a hormonally overcharged infatuation. He spent weeks mulling over all the encounters they ever had, thinking about how he felt when he was around her, and what he loved about her. The way her smile lit up the dark void inside him from the emotionless lifestyle he had to live at home. How her kindness seemed to seep out of her and into the very air around her, like a warm blanket being softly draped around you.

The light and warmth she brings is what captured his sight and held it for so long. And it's what kept him going through all these years. The memory of her smile held the darkness - building inside for so long - at bay. Though, when he thought about it, he noticed that her smile somehow reminded him of someone else. A certain young woman he had seen nearly every day since he started school. A young woman with the same kind bluebell eyes and midnight blue hair.

The thought had startled him at the time, but as he thought it over… he couldn't seem to shake the feeling that it was right. So Adrien watched her; waiting to see any coinciding actions, any movements or mannerisms, any sign at all that he was right.

After days and weeks passed, he did not only believe it, he could see it. The way she could take command of a situation in an instant, and have it work in everyone's favor - except for a certain boisterous blonde woman. The way she would stand up and comfort her friends whenever they were in need. She - Marinette Dupain-Cheng - was his Lady through and through. From that day forward, he promised to make sure she was safe and happy.

In every fight he was always there to take the brunt of the damage, taking great pains - both literally and figuratively - to make sure she wasn't hurt. And during school he would always be close at hand, as Chloe would frequently accost her - verbally, for the most part - and he would be there to defend and protect her. Marinette's surprise each time he came to her rescue was enough to please him, but he never pressed the opportunity to be closer to her. Adrien thought if he tried, it would lead to her discovering his identity, and he did not want her to think it was simply because she was ladybug that he helped her.

This had been about….. Ten months ago. Adrien knew Marinette would never be ready to tell him who she was behind the mask. And though he pressed her before, he lessened his pursuits bit by bit. Though he never stopped flirting, that was something he would never give up on. Over the years, he even noticed her usual scoff and eye-roll soften to a small smile as her eyes simply looked down and away.

But standing on that rooftop - watching the woman he never thought he could have - suddenly say the words he only dreamed of hearing, was making his head spin. He walked the few feet over to her, looked her dead in the eye searching for any lapse or falter, any indication that would justify this hallucination. But there was none. Her gaze held steady, looking deep into his eyes.

So as one last precaution he asked, "Are you sure you want to do this?" His nervousness making it barely come out as more than a shaky whisper, hearing his ring beep as he attempted to calm himself.

She finally looked away. She seemed like she was thinking, carefully picking her words. She even took a few breaths before looking back in his eyes. "I've been thinking about this for weeks now. Wondering what it would be like to finally talk to someone freely. Not having to worry about hiding myself, or giving half of the truth to everyone. Finally being able to be wholly honest. And even more than that," she paused, taking a long sigh, "I've come to realize how much you're there for me, even if you never knew it was me you were helping.

"You always appeared from out of nowhere whenever I was hurt, whether physically or emotionally, and supported me through it to the end. You would be there to protect me before I would even realize I was in any danger," she continued, but she didn't notice Chat's expression had softened, and he had taken a step back.

"It always seemed strange how quickly you reacted, but it also amazed me -"

"Milady," he called out, but she was on a roll. Her emotions seemed to tumble out of her.

" - I don't know how I hadn't noticed how much you cared for me before. I always thought it was just a mutual assistance as my partner or that you were just an incorrigible flirt -"

"Ladybug~" he spoke again.

" - But after a while I began to notice how my heart always fluttered when you smiled at me. And how I was looking forward to your awful puns, because they still made me feel better on a bad day -"

Finally he was getting a little frustrated, and before he could stop himself he called, "MARI!"

They both stiffened in surprise, but it had worked. Now she was looking at him. And the look on her face told him she did not mishear him. "Shit," he muttered under his breath, his hands moving to rake through his untamed hair.

Marinette just stood there for a moment, frozen in shock at what he called her. "Y-y-you just s-said my name," she stated, her beautiful eyes open wide, then narrowing drastically. "You KNEW?" she screamed, her eyes seeming to pierce into his very soul and her face taking on a determined demeanor.

Adrien hesitated a moment, thinking over his options as his transformation was about to end. He did the only thing he thought was rational for a young man to do in front of an angry and powerful woman.

He turned tail and ran.

"How. Long. Have. You. Known?" she yelled after him, her tone becoming almost hostile. She swung her yo-yo in an attempt to ensnare him, but Adrien dodged at the last second as her weapon of choice wrapped around a chimney.

Adrien was running full tilt on all fours, trying to keep distance between them for as long as possible. But he didn't get very far before he heard the third chime come from his ring. He had two more minutes until he reverted back. Before he could think too far on the matter, a small flash of red appeared out of the corner of his vision. In the next instant, he was entangled and sitting before the love of his life.

Marinette stared down at him with what seemed only a little anger, maybe he had a chance to turn this around.

Again she asked, "How long have you known?"

He sighed as his head dipped forward, his eyes suddenly covered by his shaggy locks. "Almost a year."

She balked at the response for a moment, not quite believing it to be true. She stepped toward him with a hand raising to point at his chest, "If you knew who I was….. Why didn't you tell me?!" she asked with a small note of incredulity.

"How could I?!" he responded defensively, standing up and taking a step forward as well. "I was always worried that if I tried to approach you about it, you would be angry, thinking that I had followed you after a fight, after you turned me down so many times. When in truth, I had just thought about what made me fall in love with you, and I began noticing the similarities!" Now it was his turn to spill it all out. "I was looking back to make sure that my feelings for you were real, because I kept asking myself why I kept trying to pursue you, even when you were never ready to return my feelings. And to be honest, I had begun to give up; to think that I would never have a chance to be with you the way I always dreamed about.

"And that's when I noticed how weird I felt around you, as Marinette. The same things you were just telling me, aside from my pawsome jokes," he said with a little smirk, "I was looking forward to seeing your smile. Just waiting to be around you and feel the warmth and joy you always seem to emanate. It was starting to be what helped me make it through the day.

"And when I finally made the connection between you, I was overjoyed beyond compare. The two women I had come to love over the years were the same person. It was incredible! Never in a million years did I believe I could find someone as amazing as you. Someone so strong, confident and graceful; but also a little clumsy, and bashful. Someone who was so happy, it was hard to find a sliver of sadness or despair around you."

He paused a moment in his confession to look at her eyes again, the azure sea of emotions passing so quickly, but he did notice his bonds loosen and shrugged them off. Then, Adrien decided to finish his audible soliloquy. "And since I knew you wouldn't be ready, I decided to do what I could to protect that beautiful smile. I would do what I could to keep that beacon of kindness and happiness in your eyes shining bright….. And I hoped…. That one day you would come to me and say those words. I just hope this hasn't changed your mind." He heard his ring sound its final notice, causing him to look around for protection, just in case.

He turned to one side and saw another chimney broad enough for him to be concealed and began to make his way to it, but stopped short as a small hand firmly grabbed his wrist. He turned his head slowly to see a red and black dotted hand ceasing his progression. Dragging his eyes up her arm and to her face, he saw disbelief most prominent in her expression.

"You love me?" she asked, her eyes - wide before with frustration and betrayal - were now filled with wonder and disbelief at what he said. "All this time…. You've been in love with me?"

He turned to her - before he could second-guess himself - pulled her into a strong embrace. "How could I not love you?" he whispered into her ear "You're perfect, in every way I could ever hope for."

She stiffened for a moment, then slowly relaxed, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in the crook of his neck, tightening her grip as if he were the only thing tethering her to the ground. "Who are you?" She whispered back.

They were suddenly engulfed in a blinding green flash. Adrien loosened his grip on her and playfully said, "Why don't you look and find out?"

Her head stayed looking down for a moment, still seeming unsure if she should tilt her head to see his face. He felt her body tense, then ever so slowly, her head began to rise.

Marinette seemed to be taking in every detail on her way up. Her vision was passing over his shoes, which were stylish and looked brand new; up to his clean and pressed pants, closing in on his shirt and hesitating once again. She studiously observed his attire, seeming to recognize the ensemble, and all at once looked up into his face.

The earlier disbelief he observed had shifted, growing into an almost frantic astonishment. She jumped back a few feet, suddenly cutting her touch away from him. After waiting so long to hold her in his arms, the disconnection was somewhat intense. Though Adrien waited for her. He knew this wasn't going to be easy, but he had to try, damn it!

Finally finding her voice, she spoke. His name escaped her lips in a way that made his whole being quiver with so many emotions. 'Down boy!' He commanded internally at his suddenly rising need, as it definitely rose to the occasion.

Then she did something he did not expect. She took a step…. Towards him. She was closing the distance between as she spoke again, "Adrien?" she said more confidently, the effect of his name on her lips had not dulled in the least from the first time. And when she was close enough, her hand reached out, finding its resting place on his cheek. "I can't be dreaming," she mumbled mostly to herself, then looked into his eyes.

He closed his eyes and smiled softly, his hand covering hers as he turned into the touch, reveling in the dream come true. "If we are, I don't think I could bear to wake up," he said, "Cause then I would never have the courage to do this again."

"What do yo- mph!" Her question was instantly cut off, as he had captured her in another embrace and enveloped her lips with his own. The initial shock she had was clear, but much to his satisfaction she began to return the kiss - God help him - she even deepened it. Her body pressing further into his, her tongue making traces on his lips before being given entry to explore his mouth.

They were so tangled up in each other, it was hard for him to tell where he ended, but he knew where she began. His hands gave firm testament to that, as they (by no coincidence) were gripping her rear; and they did not stop there.

The passion of their kiss only grew. His hands roaming her body, etching every supple curve, every toned and taut muscle to his memory. His body exploded with sensations he had never felt before. And when Marinette moaned - MOANED - a sound of pleasure, he had all but lost it.

Adrien quickly broke the kiss, reached down to her mid-thigh and lifted her up. A squeak of surprise escaped as he spun them around and gently - but still with some force - pressed her against the chimney he had gone to hide behind a moment ago. He kissed her as soon as they settled into place, still holding her up by her legs and pressing his hips into the free space below. The bulge that was only slightly present before returned in full force, raging against the confines of his clothes.

Adrien attempted to seek some - or any - kind of relief from the pressure. And as he pressed forward, only looking to support Marinette from falling, found himself grinding against her. She moaned into his mouth while he continued his unplanned gyration, only causing him to move a little more forcefully.

In a breath between kisses Marinette gasped out, "Oh. My… GOD!" Her voice, breathy and quiet, as they couldn't seem to stop. Her legs had wrapped around Adrien, bringing him closer and matched his movements with her own. They dove back into the intense make out session, both attempting to release years of what seemed like unrequited love and pent up frustration.

When they had at last parted their heated exchange, he noticed she had dropped her transformation, appearing before him now as Marinette once again. He had no idea where his kwami was though, or what may have happened to hers, but was too occupied at the moment to give much thought to it.

And it seemed he didn't have to, as someone was clearing their throat to gain the new couple's attention. They both jumped, Marinette tucking her body into Adrien out of surprise. Turning their heads around to find the source of the disturbance, their eyes settled on two floating figures. Plagg was a few feet away with a slightly annoyed look on his face, while beside him was another kwami he had never seen. It was all red, except for a large black dot just above and between her eyes.

They floated up to the duo while Plagg spoke up, "Well, it's about time you two found out. I've been dying of frustration waiting for this to happen."

Tiki lightly smacked him on his arm. "Be nice Plagg, things like this are not something you rush," she chided the black kwami, "and do you remember the last time we forced a reveal?"

The black deity shuddered at the memory, then turned back to their holders. "Okay, okay, I'll behave." He relented and turned to Marinette, "Nice to finally introduce myself. I'm Plagg."

The red one sidled up to Plagg, whom Adrien noticed had absently draped his arm around her to pull her closer. "And I'm Tiki. I'm so happy you two have finally opened up to each other. It's been causing Marinette quite a bit of distress the past few weeks," she said as an introduction.

They both remained quiet for a moment, taking in their kwami's introductions, when sudden understanding dawned on Adrien. "You both knew who we were, didn't you?" Marinette gasped, and narrowed her eyes at the two immortals.

Tiki giggled, "Yes, we knew who you both were. We are beings of balance, and besides our roles of keeping each other in check, we are so closely intertwined that we are able to know where the other is at all times."

Plagg turned back to Tiki and pulled her to him in a warm embrace. "And I cannot begin to tell you how pawfully lonely I've been without you," he said, kissing her cheek while she groaned from the pun.

Marinette giggled and turned back to Adrien who was still wrapped around him. "Now I know where you get it from."

"I taught him everything he knows. Most of my holders tend to get my humor from the transformation, but I take pride in how this kitten has adapted to my personality so wholly," Plagg replied, drifting over to his charge. Adrien cringed slightly at the pet name.

"Don't you start grooming me again. I get enough of that already," Adrien stated with exasperation. Turning to Marinette he added, "He acts like I'm a little kitten he sired. While it can feel overbearing at times, he's cared for me more than my own father has." Turning back to Plagg he said, "There were a couple times I slipped and called him dad."

The black kwami rolled his eyes, but a smile remained on his face. And when he looked back at Adrien, there was only love and affection for the boy.

Tiki explained that he tended to adopt his favorite holders. Taking them under his wing, in a sense. It made Adrien's heart warm in a way that he rarely experienced. He was immensely pleased to be considered one of Plagg's favorites, and he assumed it was obvious how he felt.

"You've done a great job as Chat Noir, and I couldn't be more proud of you. Just keep up the good work, my little kitten." Even as small as he was in comparison to Adrien, Plagg ruffled the boy's hair.

Tiki came up next to them and gave him a serious look. "And if you like to consider yourself his kitten," she began, then her features softened, "then that makes you mine as well."

Adrien was shocked by the gods' words, and wasn't sure how to react. But as Tiki floated up and snuggled against his cheek, pouring all of her affection into the contact. He kept her close, bringing one hand up to gently press her farther into his cheek.

All the affection Adrien never received from his father, and lost from his mother after she disappeared, seemed like it was coming back through the two kwamis. Plagg leaned into his hair as Tiki stayed where she was. Marinette nuzzled close to him as well, bringing them all in for a loving embrace. The emotions that were building up inside him were beginning to be more than he could handle. The mask of perfection and control that he almost constantly wore was starting to crack.

"This," he thought to himself, his eyes burning as fresh tears pooled up inside, "This must be what it feels like to have a family."

Finally the dam broke, the salty water sliding down his cheeks past Tiki to fall onto Marinette's shoulder. He buried his head in the crook of her neck, not wanting any of the three to let go. The new-found family stayed huddled close for a few moments, until Adrien was able to calm down.

He lifted his head from where it rested, thinking back on his plan for the future. He felt a solid resolve form within himself for what he needed to do. "I will protect my family, no matter the cost," he thought as he looked into the setting sun. Its light painting a beautiful canvas across the Parisian sky.