A/N: So sorry for the delay, life gets the best to all of us. But please know I think about writing and continue writing this fanfiction and others when I can. Happy reading and thanks for your patience.

Chat Noir enchanted by the civilian woman Marinette Dupain Cheng as she entered the Louvre through the sea of people. He also discovered something more important. She was Ladybug. Once he thought about it, they were both literally smitten with each other for years without ever realizing it. How much of an idiot is he!? It also clicked when his friend Nino and her best friend Alya would always push them together. Though, he still couldn't help but have a tinge of doubt. They had no idea they were super heros but liked them together in their civilian forms. It's her, he's very sure. But the doubt in the back of his mind started to spread and he needed to confirm. He just needed a little more evidence. He wouldn't be disappointed, rather he'd be actually kind of thrilled if Marinette was Ladybug. He never really seen another side of the person he knew but knowing now of how strong she really is. He knew how smart she really is, how much she really cares. Her city, her friends, family and especially if someone she was in love with. Memories of her back in their school days made his heart slightly flutter, the woman and the girl of his dreams as a boy is coming true. He was even getting a bit nervous but this time he was gonna find her and catch her.

He hopped down onto the streets entering the Louvre, still in his hero form then stopped in his tracks. This will change everything about their relationship. From being a friend, dead ex crush and now revived from the dead and just throwing her into a constant emotional roller coaster. He's gonna have to wait on revealing himself to her. Till she has more time.

He was greeted immediately by security and other civilian people. Quickly, they pulled out their phones hoping to get a picture. Usually, Chat Noir would but he was on a mission. He was given a badge for him to access all throughout the Louvre by the security, he thanked them and headed inside while waving to some of his fans that tried to chase for him.

With luck on his side, it was a masquerade. There was no need for him to dress up, he already blended in. The only difference were his cat ears. People couldn't tell if it was really Cat Noir or some guy dressing up as him, regardless they took some pictures of him and with him anyway. He kept his eyes peeled constantly, looking for the dark blue shorts haired girl.

The black cat hero pushed forward around in the ballroom, hearing a round of applause from strangers, of his father Gabriel Agreste introducing the young girl Marinette of the evening. She, being the guest of honor. Across the ballroom there were demos of her design, they almost looked exactly alike the sketches he saw before. Hooded black jackets with a single green paw print at the top left of the chest. Formal wear and even casual wear inspired by the hero's of Paris, even though one was no longer in the pictures.

"Thank you for coming this evening," Gabriel greeted the ballroom of people, "I would like to announce I am off hiatus, and will continue my work." the crowd applause and gave several cheers.

"Though I will no longer be alone, I have carefully selected a team to produce my new clothing line. And as leader of that team will be the guest of honor, Marinette Dupain Cheng, I encourage you to look what she has produced and to enjoy this evening."

Gabriel Agreste made his goodbyes and settled off, avoiding paparazzi where he was now heavily guarded around him of body guards, fading into the deep hallway - away from the crowd and the ballroom.

Something seemed off with the famous fashion designer to Marinette and Chat Noir. He never really made too many appearances. Even before the loss of his wife he made a few but soon then it became almost never. Did he have sudden inspiration? Not really like him they both thought.

Marinette enjoyed answering questions from a couple reporters and possible future designers. She was sure to be kind and polite, even her mother and father had joined the ball giving her a big hug in her father's arms. They both were so proud, they knew she was in a rut for a long time but they always made sure they were there and never pushed her too far. Both Tom and Sabine were thrilled and relieved of how far their daughter has become.

Luka Couffaine approached the young woman Marinette, asking her hand to dance. Her mother gave her a knowingly glance but only got an eyeroll and a giggle from her daughter but Marinette gladly agreed, going to the dancefloor.

Marinette and Luka actually previously dated before briefly. The couple was flawless and to much surprise had no fights whatsoever. They had their bantering and inside jokes. Luka was very much a gentleman. He walked her home, brought her flowers, remembered birthdays and anniversaries. Even visited and tried support her business as much as possible. Luka was the dream, for his love of music he always made sure he had time for Marinette. Tom was especially impressed by Luka and even wanted him to propose to his daughter! Luka was planning just that, but Marinette's heart wasn't completed. She felt so wrong to be with him. It broke Lukas heart, but he knew that he had to let her go and has continued to love her but only from afar. One thing that Marinette has also cherished from Luka was that he never forced her, pushed her. Always made sure it was her decision. Though, they are still very much good friends. At times, Marinette did miss him and his company. But she couldn't see herself with someone else besides Adrien, and she prepared to be alone from now on.

"Congrats," He said in his soft voice as he slightly towered over her. One of the things that Marinette did find attractive and admired about Luka was that he was very gentle, soft. He always knew how to calm her down somehow. She couldn't help herself but smile to him,

" Thank you, Luka. It's always been my dream."

" I know," he gazed more closely to her but all Marinette did was smile. There was nothing left Luka could do but just enjoy this night together with her. He missed her, he rather enjoyed her company even when she was only next to him designing things in her sketchbook. She was an artist like himself just in a different form.

Marinette gazed into Lukas eyes, slightly wishing that it was Chat Noirs, before she knew it the song was over. Luka lifted her hand and kissed ontop of her hand soflty,

"I wish you all the best," he said and turned away to the crowd. And he really did mean it for her even if he can't be a part of her anymore.

Chat Noir on the other hand watching from afar leaning against the ballroom wall. She seems…. So happy with him? In fact, they look like they're actually a couple. If she was so in love him why does she seem so happy with someone else? He actually couldn't help but feel… jealous? The way he held her close as they danced, the way they gazed at each other and the way her pink lips smiled so nicely. He imagined himself dancing with her in his civilian form, he knew he couldn't keep this up for long, from being 'dead'. He would have to come out sooner or later maybe just a new identity in general. He definitely did not want to be known as Gabriel Agreste's son. He could always take his mother's maiden name.

Chat Noir pressed his thoughts aside, those can be for later. For now he had to find out if Marinette were really Ladybug. How would he find out though?

Soon then as the orchestra slowly faded in beginning the next song. Before Marinette even began to head toward her produced pieces of her clothing line Chat Noir slyly interrupted her walk, bowing before her.

" Can I have this dance, my lady?"

Marinette froze, feeling her knees and hands becoming weak. Just like a cat, he was fast and appeared out of nowhere before her very eyes. She dreaded this, didn't he have to be outside somewhere? Like guarding the facility? It's not that she didn't want to, she just really wanted to go away before she does or say anything stupid. She can't afford to embarrass herself, and all she can think about is their almost kiss. Just remembering of how close he was to her, how tall he's become began to make her feel hot.

"Chat," she greeted nervously," I, uh, -" she stammered. She hated this, why couldn't she spit out what she wanted to say?

" I got to um -"

"I'm afraid I must insist, my lady." the cat hero gently with his claw like hands taking hers, leading the designer to the dance floor, his green cat like eyes bewitching her. She felt like she was already under a spell that suddenly ignited. Even though she wasn't that great of a dancer just dancing with him flowed so easily. It felt as if she was gliding through the floor. The ballroom crowd had already found the Chat Noir hero was dancing with the guest of honor and began to pull out their phones to record and take pictures.

"How could I say no to you?" she blurted out, in awe of him. Her bluebell eyes in starstruck, gazing into his. Even when she was Ladybug, fighting alongside him it was hard to say no to him. Her heart sank every time she had rejected him, kept telling him she was in love with someone else. She started to doubt herself, was she in love with Chat Noir instead this whole time?

Chat Noires lips tugged into a smug, his feelings of envy quickly dissipating, now only thoughts of just her. Who she was, what he could do better for her, if only he could have gotten to really know her. He admired her bluebell eyes, exactly the same color as Ladybugs. Her freckles spread across her nose and speckled across her cheeks, he wanted to kiss each one on her face. Her pink lush lips, then spreading across into a smile he couldn't help feel himself blush. He felt like a school boy all over again.

What has she got herself into? She could feel everyone's eyes on her, she never wanted this much attention in her life and it's beginning to make her feel embarrassed. First her own business with Gabriel now she's dancing with the hero of France. She thinking about it overwhelmed her, almost putting her into a stop.

"Marinette," Chat Noir called for her softly, making her fears melt away. "Just focus on me." He reassured.

Marinette thought that probably make things even worse but when she met his gaze she was calm, enchanted by his cat like green eyes. He gave a soft smile and finished the rest of the song. A loud applause came from everyone who participated in the dance, before she could even make another step Chat Noir led her out of a courtyard near the Louvre.

Silence was between them, awkward silence. She genuinely liked Chat, why was it was so hard to open up to him? Nonetheless even speak to him?

Chat Noir analyzed the young girl top to bottom. Her black and red dress she's wearing already looked like so much of Ladybug, he was starting to really believe it every second. Becoming more thrilled.

"You're really amazing."

Marinette surprised by his words looked up at him, he was leaning against pillar as she sat on one of the benches, resting her feet from the dancing.

She could feel herself becoming hot again and just wanted to run, but made herself stay put.

"What made you say that?" She asked.

"You're a lot stronger than you think you are." He replied coolly. And it was true. The burden she's carried and especially if she is Ladybug the amount of loss she carries on her shoulders. The stress and her other life was just as too much like Chat Noirs. And he got rid of one of them.

Marinette gazed upon the hero, not quite sure how to respond or even react.

"I have to get back to my design pieces, excuse me." She got up to her feet and began to take a step but she froze. This was her chance, if she doesn't do it now it'll be like with Adrien all over again. It's the perfect night, and they're officially alone. It's been so long they've been alone like this.

Chat Noir waited patiently, curiously looking at her face as she thought hard.

Marinette's heart never pounded this hard before, she put her hands on her chest feeling it going against her chest, racing faster by the minute.

"Chat Noir," she began, slowly exhaling. Determined, she faced Chat Noir once more her eyes furrowed forward with nervousness, "I love you."

Hearing those three words was his absolute dream. Especially from someone he loved and admired. His eyes widened and felt like his heart was struck with an arrow from Cupid itself. All he wanted to do was take her now for himself, he already had imagining so many things he was doing with her but quickly switched back to reality, seeing the young girl anxiously waiting for an answer. Before he could even respond Marinette put her hand up.

"And I completely understand that you can't have a relationship," she continued, "you have to keep your identity and not he distracted. I had to let you know, I won't try to pursue you but I didn't want to regret not telling you."

Chat Noir shook his head, only if she knew. If only she knew. It was taking a lot of self control for him to not reveal himself right then and there. He wanted to kiss her luscious pink lips so badly, he started to clench his fists. Even he was having a hard time himself, hearing this confession. He was ecstatic, especially coming from Marinette he felt so honored to be loved by her, twice in fact. And if she was Ladybug it would make him explode.

"Marinette," He started off, inching closer to her, putting his claw like hands over her eyes.

She didn't say a word. The young girl would do anything he asked at this point. If he asked to run away with him or her to sacrifice herself she would do it in heartbeat.

"Don't move," he said softly, his hand still covering her eyes. Silence from Marinette, suddenly feeling so calm just by the touch of his hand covering her sight.

"Claws off," he commanded as he de-transformed into his civilian form. Plagg watched what was happening and even covered his own tiny mouth, swirling into his pocket. Definitely not the time to tease or mock Adrien.

Marinette felt goosebumps knowing that he de-transformed with the similar command she does with Tikki. Still she was silent, waiting patiently for Chat Noirs next request.

"Can I kiss you?" he whispered to her, his breath ever so lightly brushing upon her skin. He used his left hand to caress her cheek. It felt so normal to him touching her like this. It was casual, as if they've been like this before.

Marinette felt like she was going to faint by his request, it was just a simple kiss but at the same time it wasn't just any kiss. It was kiss from Chat Noir, a kiss that made her heart pound, a kiss that made her feel extremely hot that she was sure she already had a fever.

"Yes." She replied to him. As soon as she gave her answer Chat Noir, well now Adrien did hesitate a single second and engulfed her lips. He didn't mean to kiss so hard but he couldn't wait anymore. It felt like he was trying to suck the life out of her but he just wanted her so badly, he had to contain himself. This will have to do, at least it should calm him for the rest of the evening from his thoughts from earlier. They both parted for a moment but Adrien went in for one more and Marinette didn't dare reject him. Just a single kiss she felt so much love from him, she felt all his passion transfer through her. She slightly wished she would have pursued Chat Noir before she quit as Ladybug and maybe things would have turn out much more differently.

Chat Noir still had her eyes covered.

"Marinette," he called for her after their shared lips, "I'll show you who I am, but I'm afraid you won't forgive me."

She shook her head placing her hand on top of his as reassurance, "I'll always forgive you. Only when you're ready."

Adrien slightly bit his lip, he couldn't hide any longer. If they were gonna continue the way things were he had to spill. And he knew Marinette wouldn't dare say a word, but he was more afraid how she will react. Would she even recognize him?

Slowly, he removed his hand unveiling Marinette's eyesight.

Adrien's eyes lowered, bot daring to look at her in her beautiful blue eyes.

"I'm sorry."