Adrien didn't mean to find out Ladybug's identity…honestly, he didn't, but turning the corner of an alleyway after his own transformation fell away, he couldn't help but see the dissipating sparkles leaving none other than Marinette Dupain-Cheng standing with her back to him. He quickly turned and ran in the opposite direction, simultaneously elated and terrified. Thrilled, because he finally knew the identity of his beloved and she turned out to be the sweetest, kindest girl he knew. Afraid, because how on earth was he going to tell her that he knew? Ladybug was adamant that their identities remain secret, even from each other, how could he disappoint her by telling her that her most precious secret, was no longer hers alone?
Adrien paced back and forth in his room, trying to come to grips with the information he'd just learned, not that it was hard to believe that Marinette was Ladybug. In fact, now that he knew it, he couldn't believe he'd never worked it out before. Hadn't he seen Marinette show the same resourcefulness, stubbornness and tenacity that he admired so much in Ladybug? She never failed to stand up for those in need. Friends and classmates, even strangers, could rely on Marinette to come to their aide. She never laughed at another's misfortune but always tried to help them see the good or make the best of a bad situation. Now that he thought of it, was it Ladybug's creativity he saw in Marinette, or hers in Ladybug? Whether it was a Lucky Charm that made no sense to him, or a situation in their civilian lives that looked hopeless, she always had the right idea at the right time. Hadn't he seen the same soft tenderness and compassion in Ladybug that Marinette always had? Didn't Ladybug use her platform as a superhero to speak out against bullying and teasing, the same way Marinette always did? Hadn't she been the reason Chloe had finally given up some of her less-than-pleasant qualities? Marinette may not have been able to reach Chloe, to help her see the error of her ways, but Ladybug did. Ladybug knew how much she was looked up to, respected; and she used that, not to berate or tear down Chloe but to give her the help she needed to be a better version of herself, and when Chloe was ready to apologize for her misdoings, Marinette was there to forgive past transgressions and be a friend. Simply put, she was amazing.
However, amazing though she may be, he remembered the fierceness he'd seen displayed more than once, both as Ladybug facing various akumas and amoks, and as Marinette facing down bullies, unjust teachers/administrators, even the mayor wasn't safe from her righteousness. Most people, especially kids their age, would be intimidated by adults, let alone powerful adults like rock stars, news personalities, and politicians. Adrien had been on the receiving end of that anger before, when she'd mistakenly thought he'd put gum on her seat, back when they first met. It was not an experience he was looking forward to repeating anytime soon, and now he'd gone and found out the one thing that she didn't want to share with anyone, ever. She was going to be furious.
"What if she HATES me?" he asked to no one in particular, knowing as he said it that Marinette would never actually hate him. She was far too sweet to hate anyone, except maybe Lila. . .and Hawkmoth of course. Be incredibly angry with him and not speak to him for weeks though, well he didn't know about that. "Maybe I can just pretend nothings changed. . .that I don't know anything. Then, someday, when she's ready to reveal identities I can just act surprised!"
Plagg just rolled his eyes.
"Kid, you might be good at standing in front of a camera and taking pretty pictures, but you're no actor. Bet you wouldn't last 30 seconds around pigtails without giving something away." Plagg chuckled as he gulped down another wedge of camembert, "I don't know why you don't just stick with cheese, it's a lot less complicated."
"Yeah…yeah…" Adrien mumbled, only half listening to Plagg, "I'll have to tell her, she'd hate me more if she found out later that I knew and didn't say anything. The real question is how…How do I go about telling her? Should I go to her as Marinette? As Ladybug? Do I reveal my identity in the process? Will she even want to know? Do I apologize? I didn't mean to find out, I swear it."
"Ugh…just tell her. Look, you didn't do anything wrong. You weren't following her or trying to figure it out. Geeze, why you humans insist on making things SO complicated I'll never understand. Either she'll be mad or she won't. . .if she blames you for something you had no control over then that's her problem isn't it. Maybe she should pick a better place to detransform!"
Adrien looked at Plagg, a little shocked at his outburst. "Yeah, your right. Let's go!"
"Wait. . .I meant," Plagg interrupted;
"Plagg, Claws Out!"
"at the next patroooooooo" he screeched as he was pulled into the ring.
A few minutes later, Chat Noir stood on Marinette's balcony, knocking on her trapdoor.
Author's Notes: This is my first ever fanfic. I plan to update at least weekly and have this story all mapped out. Hope you all enjoy! Please feel free to leave reviews/comments and constructive criticism. I own none of the characters, trademarks, etc. Thanks everyone!