Chapter 1: Does That Mean You Like the Beret?
After discovering that Marinette is Ladybug, Adrien plans on keeping this information to himself, despite Plagg's various warnings. He just wants to spend some quality time with his lady first.
Upon entering his bedroom, Adrien got a brief flash of red and black spots exiting out his open window.
"Ladybug?" After examining the crime scene, Adrien found a blue package on his bed that was left there by Ladybug; however, it was signed by Marinette. "Why would Ladybug leave me a gift from Marinette?" After he opened it, he discovered a black beret reminiscent of the shirt he wears every day. "And with a heart embroidered on it?"
Plagg did his best to interject, "Uh well, it's obvious because Marinette asked her to!" Surely there was no way he figured it out after all this time.
"Or because... Ladybug and Marinette are the same person!" For some known reason, something in Adrien's brain just clicked, when he saw Marinette running earlier, it was no coincidence. Visions of past interactions suddenly entered his head.
Marinette dressed as Ladybug when she volunteered to help Clara Nightingale's music video, when he, as Chat Noir, stopped by to help Marinette with Evilillustrator. He then recalled a certain moment when his feelings were first brought to Ladybug's attention.
After a disappointing evening of missed dates and giant ice cream man, the superhero duo ended the night on the candlelight rooftop Chat Noir had prepared for Ladybug. "You're my friend, and I'd never want to lie to a friend."
Confused, he pressed on for more information, "But why do you think you'd be lying?
"'Cause... there's this boy, I…" Hesitating, Ladybug looks away as to not divulge too much information about her secret crush.
"Me!" Adrien's eyes lit up so brightly, finally he knew the identity for his lady love, and she sat right behind him in class. He could now realistically see the house on an island with an all fruit diet and a hamster, and they name it-.
"No no no no!" Plagg flew into Adrien's face, trying to pull the beret away from him, "It doesn't make any sense! Marinette is Marinette and Ladybug is-"
"Marinette!" Adrien clung onto his gift with so much emotion, words could not express his joy; he finally knew the identity of Ladybug!
Plagg, once again, attempted to convince Adrien that his theory was in fact false, however there were rules they had to abide by. "Okay Adrien, this whole thing smells like rotten cheese. You know you aren't supposed to know each other's secret identities!"
He beamed, "Just because I know her secret identity doesn't mean she has to know about mine. Everything will be just fine, I promise." He placed the beret on his head before charging out of his room.
'I can't believe it! All this time she was right here in front of me, well sitting behind me but still; I finally found you! Why hadn't I seen it before, the hair, the voice, those eyes! Not only that but her courageousness; her fighting spirit, her intelligence, and the ability to think under pressure, that was all Marinette the whole time!'
Adrien practically leaped downstairs from the second floor as he charged towards the front door, he flew past his father's office just in enough time to be caught by Nathalie. "Adrien, where are you going?" She closed the door so his father wouldn't hear.
"So-sorry Nathalie, I uh forgot something at school; I need to go get them really fast! I'll be right back!" He had no time to waste, he had to find Marinette. If he knew his lady as well as he thought he did, she wasn't going to stay in one place for very long.
As Adrien was running down the stairs, he reached into his pocket and dialed a number, "Hey dude what's up?"
"Nino, I need a huge favor, I need you to tell me where the girls are hanging out today." Adrien made it to the family car and hopped right in.
"I don't know bro; I got a text from Alya today saying they were waiting for Marinette at the Trocadéro-"
"Great, thanks Nino!" He quickly hung up, then asked his driver, "To the Trocadéro, please?" The Gorilla grunted then nodded as she started the engine.
'I got you now, M'lady!'
️ ️ ️ ️ ️ ️ ️ ️ ️ ️ ️ ️
"Marinette!" From the bench at the Trocadéro, Marinette and the rest of the girls glanced over to see Adrien walking down the stairs. His heart started to race, the closer he got; he was about to make the ultimate move. With her hair down, Marinette looked absolutely beautiful. "I have something to tell you."
With the help of the other girls, Alya and Rose launched Marinette at Adrien, forcing her to run into him, but it's something that he used to. "I've realized... I've realized that you're not just a friend to me. I've always felt like you were more than that." He reached down to hold her hand, "And now I know why…"
The ear of the ladies began to perk, after working with Marinette over the years planning out dates and confessions, they knew one when they heard one.
Marinette stiffened up, appearing excited but hesitant. "Does that... does this mean that you... you like the beret?"
'She's so cute!' Adrien simply smiled, ready to put it all on the table and risk it all. "It means that I love you." After advancing closer, Adrien bent forward as Marinette stood on her tiptoes and they exchanged their first out of many kisses.
Adrien's pounding heart was drowned out by cheering and applause the new couple received. Moments passed and time was ticking, "Would you ladies mind if I borrow Marinette for a minute?"
After receiving a roar of "No's", "Please, do's", and "whoot whoot's", Adrien took Marinette's hand and lead her to his car, she looked back and gave her friends a silent scream of excitement while they all returned with big smiles and thumbs up.
He smiled brightly as they walked towards the car, "Unfortunately I can't stay long, but I thought we could chat for a bit, if you don't mind." He watched as she nodded as Adrien opened the door, motioning her to go inside. Once sat, Adrien climbed in after her, "Could you drive around the Esplanade, please?"
The car ride was mostly quiet as Adrien couldn't take his eyes off Marinette; every time she looked at him, she used her hair to hide her face. "Wh-What are you staring at?" His eyes were just so full of affection she couldn't look at him for very long.
"The most beautiful girl I've even laid my eyes on…" He let go of her hand to pull her hair out of her grip, staring at her with loving puppy dog eyes.
"I wanted to say thanks so much for the beret, Marinette, it fits purr-fectly! He watched as she covered her mouth to giggle.
'I knew my puns were funny…' Placing his hand on his chin, in a very Chat Noir like manner.
Marinette put her hair behind her ear, "I-I'm glad you like the present, I wanted to give you something for your 5th's name day; I didn't know if anyone else would remember…"
"You remembered and that's all that matters." Adrien reached over and clasped her hand, "You must care an awful lot about me to go through all this trouble."
She waved her free hand in front of her face, "Oh no it was no trouble at all, I-I was happy to do it." Marinette felt her face heat up, she turned her head to hide her blushing.
"Thank you! I really appreciate it, now I have something that'll match my lucky charm!" Adrien reached in his pocket and pulled Marinette's charm she had given him oh so long ago, "I have the best girlfriend in the world!" He sighed as he clutched the bracelet in his hand.
"G-Girlfriend?!" A happy shiver ran up Marinette's spine. "You -I mean Me? And you together? Like as in a couple? Together?" She stammered.
"Well yeah, if you'll have me…" Adrien reached behind his head to nervously scratch his head, he glanced at Marinette with hope; all of his heart and soul was riding on this answer.
"B-But what about that other girl? The one you said you were in love with?" Marinette took her hand away and wrapped her arms around herself.
Adrien placed his hand over Marinette, squeezing it lightly, "I'm sorry Marinette, there was someone who had my heart, but I'd rather give it to you…" IF she was truly his lady and if his theory was correct; then they were soulmates, just like he had always known. She would accept him and love him for the rest of his days.
Marinette felt her eyes sting, she placed her hand over her heart and glanced over to Adrien, "Nothing would make me happier…"
It didn't take them long to reach the Trocadéro again, Adrien opened his door, reached out and took Marinette's hand, guiding her out the rest of the way. Marinette thanked his driver then stood by the car as Adrien held it open. "So, I know you get to school late, but I was thinking that maybe if I got there early, I could wait for you? And we could get breakfast maybe…?"
"Um yeah, I could do that…yeah…and I could bring us some pastries or croissants?" Fiddling with her fingers then folding her hair behind her ear.
"I'd love that! I'll see you first thing, then?"
"Yup, right and bearly!" Marinette smiled brightly, "Um text me when you get ho-" A gentle kiss was placed on her lips silencing her for the rest of the visit, seeing as she no longer trusted her voice, Marinette just waved as Adrien climbed back into the car.
"Have a good night, Mari!" He announced out the window, as they drove off.
Nighttime in Paris was always a special treat, it was the best time to see all the twinkling lights and hear the wonderful music that played downtown. The streets were always littered with people relaxing with treats and loved ones, before returning to the dry drape lifestyle of work and school.
Ladybug sat on the rooftop of their Sunday night meeting spot, she loved it; watching this side of nightlife always inspired her to protect this city and these precious moments.
"Good evening, Bugaboo!" Ladybug glanced over her shoulder to see Chat Noir dismounting his staff, "Ready for a night of making the world a better place?" Noir bounced towards his lady, her hands were in her lap, and she had a somber expression on her face, "M'lady what's wrong?"
"Hey Kitty… Can we talk for a bit?" She patted the space beside her. Chat slumped over to the edge of the building, following suit by dangling his legs over as well; he looked dumbfounded, what could she be upset about?
"Well first I'd like to say that I care deeply for you and that yo-you're a really great friend to me and yo-you're so much more then my partner and you're irreplaceable and-and-" The more she spoke, the more her voice cracked, her breathing quicken and her hands were more spastic than usual.
"Whoa whoa Bugaboo, calm down! You're rambling, what's the matter; talk to me…" Chat Noir gently placed his claw on Ladybug shoulders, she was beginning to hyperventilate. "Whatever you have to say, just tell me. I can take it…"
Fanning her face, Ladybug took a deep breath; "I never thought I'd be saying this but…" She turned and faced her partner, taking his hands into hers. "I have a boyfriend now and it's the guy that I told you I liked…"
Showing off his stunned expression, Chat Noir stared at Ladybug with wide eyes, "Wow, you finally confessed to him huh?" With his shit eating grin, Chat placed his hands behind his head then proceeded to lay down on his back, crossing his leg over his knee.
"What, no? He confessed to me actually- wait? Aren't you mad? Upset? Jealous?" LB snapped at first but then retreated shortly afterwards.
"No, why would I be? The better man won obviously…" Keeping his eyes closed, Chat then rolled over and placed his head in his palm as it rested on his elbow. "So, what happened, was it romantic? Did he make your heart flutter?"
Ladybug was taken aback by Chat's positive response, he was calm, cool and collected, which was odd for him. "Y-yes, he did." She placed her hand over her heart, "He found me after I dropped off a gift for him and told me everything. It was…nice…"
Chat rolled back over into his previous position, "Well it seems like all's well that ends well…" He soon peaked one eye at his Bug, her body was slumped over, and her face was still gloomy. Despite her announcing her good news, her attitude didn't match. Was it him, did he go too far confessing in front of her friends, maybe the beret was just a token of friendship and he interpreted wrong?
Noir sat up on his elbows, "Well you don't seem very happy considering you're finally with the love of your life. Is he not as he's cracked up to be?" Chat was worried, based on her actions.
"No, it's not that exactly…" Ladybug pushed her bangs back off her face and sighed again, "It's not him, it's totally me; trust me.…"
"What do you mean?" He asked as he sat up fully, placing his hand in his lap.
"Look you don't know me outside the costume, but I'm not all that I'm cracked up to be. I have fears, insecurities; I'm clumsy and uncoordinated, and sometimes I can't always say what I feel. I'm just afraid that he'll see that too and it'll scare him away." LB slumped herself in her lap, covering her face with her hands.
Adrien took himself out of the current situation, this was the first time Ladybug opened up to him like this, she had always kept their relationship professionally friendly and yet, he felt he was seeing another side of her. Chat Noir had been with Ladybug from the start, he saw her at her lowest point and brought her up as a superhero, but as a civilian? He was seeing how vulnerable Marinette was about screwing up her new relationship she was barely in. What made her think that those things were problems?
"M'lady, did you ever think that maybe that's what he loves about you the most? That you're not like anyone else, around him? What you feel is an insecurity, he might find it as a quirk; what you see as fear, he counts it as bravery? I think that since you're always in the spotlight, that you're worried about disappointing the people around you." He turned, placing his hand on hers, "But honestly you have to give yourself time to relax and be human, just allow yourself to enjoy something, take it slow and go with the flow. Everything will work out, eventually…"
Noir's speech didn't seem to sway her, he took her hand from her knee and brought it to his chest, interlacing their fingers. "If you take away the spots, earrings and Tikki; what do you have left?"
Ladybug began to tear up, "The same old Mari- I mean the same old clumsy girl who couldn't talk to the boy she liked!"
Chat rose his arms to cheer, "Exactly! The same clumsy girl that comes up with amazing strategic plans to defeat the akumas every day! Now who wouldn't fall in love with a person like that?" He leaned against her arm, placing his head on top of hers, "You're still the same person, inside and out; just because you have this suit doesn't mean anything. It's not the miraculous that gives you powers, it's the heart beating inside…"
Ladybug thought for a minute, even though he was a silly goofball, a huge jokester and a total dork; Chat can be shown to be very wise beyond his nine lives. She soon joined him, falling back against Chat's arm, "You know what Kitty, you're right. I should enjoy what I have now, instead of worrying about things I can't control." Scooting closer, LB was able to drape her left arm across his back for a weird rooftop cuddle.
"Y-yeah exactly, live in the moment," He returned the favor by placing his arm across her shoulder. "Just call me Chat Noir: the love guru!" He cheered himself with a fist pump in the air.
"Oh really? Well, "love guru" where's your lady love, tonight?" Ladybug lifted her head to stare into his eyes.
"I don't know, probably at home being beautiful and amazing as she always is!" Noir let go and returned to his first position on his back, laying down on the roof.
Ladybug pulled back slightly, staring dubiously, "Wa-Wait, y-you have a girlfriend n-now? Like a real one and not another trick? How? When? And who for that matter?" Ladybug was surprised, she jumped up on her hands and knees.
Noir began to answer her questions while counting on his fingers, "Yes, I have a REAL girlfriend now, I confessed my feelings and she agreed to date me, believe it or not. Just today actually, and I can't tell you." He booped her nose, while pushing her out of his face, "That would be a breach in the "secret identities" department, remember?" He placed his claw back behind his head.
Ladybug sat on her knees, "Oh right. Well can you at least tell me about this mystery woman?"
Chat smiled as he glanced over to Bug, "She's special, creative, talented, she's sweet and helpful; everyone loves her. "Chat sat up back on his elbows, "She's got soft dark hair, gorgeous oceanic eyes, a super cute face, and she's really smart. Oh yeah, I've hit the trifecta!"
"She sounds great, but why didn't you tell me?" Ladybug sat on her butt, collecting her legs in her arms.
Chat sat up fully, "Well first of all, you wanted to talk, and I wanted to hear about your great news. Secondly, I didn't think you'd believe me, considering…." Noir looked away scratching his head. He looked back at his partner then sat himself up on the ledge, "Look Bug, this isn't going to make things weird with us, is it?"
Ladybug stood on her feet, "What? No, of course not!" She knelt down, grabbing his shoulders and squeezed them lightly, "We're great, still partners and still best friends…" LadyB brought her arms around Chat's shoulders, embracing him and rubbing her face against the side of his, "No matter what happens to us and our new relationships, we'll still be the 'cat and bug team'!"
"Bug and Chat team…" Standing up Noir corrected her, managing to steal another hug, 'This is silly I'm going to see you in the morning…' With one last squeeze, he let her go but not before giving her a small peck on her head. "Okay Boss Lady, now that we got that all outta the way, what say you to a nice round of patrol?"
Stepping away Ladybug looked towards the horizon, she sighed heavily, enjoying the night air. "Y'know Kitty, it's pretty calm out tonight, you wanna just skip it?"
"Excusez-moi? Does thou ears deceive me? Did I just hear that Miss 'sense of responsibility' wants to call it an early night?" Chat stomped his foot on the roof, "Has hell finally frozen over?" Then he surveyed the skies, "I don't see any swine in the skies…"
Giggling, Ladybug punched him lightly in the arm, "Well as I see it, we should spend as much time with our special somebodies as possible!"
"I couldn't agree with you more Bugaboo," Chat grabbed his baton and looked at the time, "I have to get up early to meet my new lady at school!"
"Yeah, me too! I'm making breakfast for my boyfriend!" Also checking her yo-yo, Ladybug placed her face on her cheek and squealed.
Stretching his arms high above his head, Chat dropped his arms back down; "And with that my lady, I will bid you farewell for now." Chat bowed down low, catching Ladybug's hand and kissing her knuckles, "Have a safe trip home, Bugaboo!" He readied his staff by releasing it down to the lower level, then mounted his foot, "Patrol this Wednesday?"
Ladybug pulled out her yo-yo, "Unless there's an akuma first!" She threw the ball elsewhere then pulled back to tighten it, however she halted from taking off. "Chat, wait!" He tilted his head back to stare at her, "Did you really mean all that stuff you just said before, about me?"
Chat smiled, rotating fully then walking back towards her, "I meant every word Love Bug…" They fist bumped before crouching down preparing to launch forward, only they were facing the same direction… They both stopped before leaving, "Um Bug, don't you normally head the other way when we depart?"
Placing her hand behind her head, Ladybug nervously chuckled, "Yeah well, I thought that since it was such a beautiful night that I'd take the scenic route y'know?"
Now Chat Noir knew that Adrien Agreste lived that direction, he also knew that Marinette lived in the opposite direction; so why did Ladybug need to go the same way he needed to suddenly?
Chat scratched his neck, "Riiiiiiiiiiiight, well if that's the case I will also be taking the scenic route, just…this…way…" Noir retracted his baton and walked to the opposite side of the building then vaulted away, "Good night, Bugaboo!"
After landing on a fire escape of the neighboring building, Chat Noir watched his spotted lady swing away in the direction of his house, 'Now where are you off to, MariBug?' Placing his baton in its proper place, Chat proceeded to follow Ladybug on the rooftops on foot, hidden by the cover of night.
It didn't take long for Chat to figure out that Ladybug was going to visit Adrien, but why? What reason could Ladybug have for going to see Adrien Agreste in the middle of the night? 'Especially when we made plans to meet up at school.'
Did she do this often? If she did, that was kinda creepy, in a hot way; knowing Marinette had been stalking him as Ladybug left him with an uneasily flattered sensation. Moreover, what is she going to do when she finds out that Adrien isn't there at this hour? Luckily for Chat, and his many years of sneaking out, he had his bathroom window at the ready in case someone came in looking for him.
Adrien had to laugh at the likelihood of that happening.
Dropping down inside, Adrien quickly detransformed and instantly went for the shower, after the day he had he could really use one. However, desperate times called for desperate measures; Adrien quickly got undressed then jumped in the shower for a moment, just to get wet.
Plagg groaned, rubbing his temples, "I don't know what all the fuss is about, you'll see each other at school, why not give it a rest already?"
"Come on, Plagg, lighten up. I'm just having a little fun, that's all." Adrien managed to grab a towel and wrap up his waist in no time. "Call it payback for not laughing at my jokes all these years…"
"Well make it quick, we'll need to eat and actually shower so we can meet up with Marinette in the morning." He grumbled crossing his tiny claws.
Adrien grabbed another towel then began to "dry" his hair as he walked out of his bathroom; he had grabbed his moisturizer on his way out. While rubbing his hair, he cleverly glanced towards the window. Lord and behold there she was, face planted up against the glass trying to peer inside. Adrien shook his head and laughed, 'My girlfriend is so goofy…' He continued to "dry" his hair as he paced towards the window, giving the illusion that he was "fresh out of the shower" and none the wiser of the "guest" he suddenly had.
'Wait'll she gets a load of me…' Adrien suddenly took back the dirty thought he had; he threw his head towel off to the side then sat the bottle down on the arm of his couch. He pressed down a decent amount in his hands, lathering up both his hands; Adrien slowly spread the cream on his face, down his neck and then slathered his chest.
'I hope you like the show M'lady…' The whole time while he was performing his after-shower skin care regiment, he was flexing; holding his arms up to broadcast his tone muscles. Rotating the lotion over his stomach displaying his defining abs; being Chat Noir has really done wonders. At last, he carefully lifted his legs to wipe down his strong calves; Adrien made sure to show off as slow as possible, to let Marinette know what she was getting into.
She couldn't take it anymore, Ladybug squeezed in excitement out of fear when Adrien reached down for his body towel, 'Gotcha Mari…' She had blown her cover, Adrien readjusted his towel around his waist, then cat walked towards the window.
Adrien opened the window, flashing the fakest smile he'd ever shown; so, she wouldn't sense any sarcasm in his voice. "Oh Ladybug, what a surprise!" Bucking out his eyes and tilting his head to act nonchalant. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh h-hi, vood gevening! I mean good evening!" Adrien outstretched his arm out to invite her in, but she pleasantly declined sitting on the pane instead, "Sorry for dropping by unannounced, I won't be long. I was just on my way home and wanted to check on my boyfri- I mean my friend. Yes, my dear friend Adrien Agreste!"
Brightening up his face, Adrien beamed, "You and I are friends?"
Ladybug snickered, "Oh well yeah of course! I mean you've helped me -er- us out a lot in the past; Desperada, Riposte, that weird thing with your bodyguard… I thought that would at least made us kinda friends, right?"
"I never thought having your life in danger was a way to make friends…" Adrien crossed his arms as he leaned in on the glass only to double back after feeling how cold it was. They laughed briefly before Adrien cleared his throat suddenly aware that he was still very much naked in a towel, "So not to be rude but I kinda-"
"Oh right! Sorry it is getting late; I should go and finish some homework, or whatever else things that Ladybugs do…" Ladybug turned about to launch herself out, when Adrien spoke.
"Yeah I should hit the sack, I have to meet my girlfriend for breakfast in the morning…" Adrien turned to retrieve his extra towel and headed back to his closet.
She tugged her yo-yo string back, glancing over her shoulders to Adrien, "Oooh yeah? Somebody was finally able to capture your heart huh?" Ladybug stared lovingly at her beau.
He stopped just short of his bed, "Well honestly, she's always had it, I just needed to find her so I could ask for hers…" Placing his hand over his heart, Adrien swooned.
"You've always had it…" Realizing she said that out loud, Ladybug cleared her throat, "I mean I'm sure you've always had her heart too. Sh-She's lucky to have you…"
"No, I'm actually the lucky one…" Adrien smiled back at his lady, wrapping the towel around his neck; "She's my everyday Ladybug." His words made Marinette tear up inside, she placed her hand over her heart in order to make it be still.
Ladybug jumped down on the ledge and turned back to face Adrien, "So I'll be taking off now, have a good Adrien, night…
"Night Ladybug…" Before he knew it, she was gone into the night. Smiling hard, Adrien walked back to his bathroom to shower at last; he was joined by Plagg soon after,
"Is it safe to come out? Is your girlfriend gone now?" He asked, scarfing down a slice of camembert. "Huh I guess I can't make fun of you for that, anymore, can I?"
"Haha I guess you can't!" Adrien grabbed his towels and placed them on the counter, he turned on the faucet then waited before stepping inside. "I can't get over how adorable Marinette is, I can't wait to see her tomorrow!" Enjoying the heat over his body, Adrien grabbed his shampoo then began lathering his hair, "I can't believe I'm dating Ladybug, it's like a dream come true!" He took his washcloth and smothered his face as he squealed with glee.
Plagg stared at his charge for a moment then he flew straight in Adrien's face, "You know, Adrien I'm not one for giving out advice when it comes to the love area but I'm pretty sure keeping a secret from the LOVE OF YOUR LIFE is a very bad thing!" He shook his head, as he brought his claws up to his mouth, "It's one thing that one of you knows the other's identity but using that knowledge to mess with her and play with her heart is another!"
Adrien was shocked by Plagg's outburst, he had never seen him so emotional when it came to love and relationships. "Plagg, please calm down…" Plagg fiddled with his claws before approaching Adrien again, "Listen, I've loved Ladybug from the first day I met her, and today I found out that she sits right behind me in class!"
He presented his palm for the tiny God to land in, "Look, I hear what you're saying, and I'm not playing with her heart; Marinette is the first person I've had a connection with since Mom disappeared."
Plagg crossed his little paws as he shook his head, "I still don't like it; I'm getting this weird feeling about the whole thing. I don't think it's a good idea to keep this from her…" Adrien placed Plagg on the soap dish next to him as he rinsed off the shampoo out his hair.
"Don't worry, I'll tell her one day, when the time is right. Everything will be just fine, I promise."
Translations:
Excusez-moi = Excuse me?
References:
wiki/Gabriel_atelier
wiki/Cat_Blanc/Transcript
