Every possible thought that had once escalated through Marinette's head disappeared by the butterflies rising from the very cold ground. Her fingers curled tightly around the string from the yo-yo, letting it spin quickly in the air, shielding her from the butterfly attacks. She felt the rush of air flash past her, drawing her attention to the akumatized person that stole her purse and Chat Noir. Scowling, she turned back to the butterflies and swirled the yo-yo making them disperse around the room, obscuring her view.
"A-ah" She whimpered, seeing them spinning around her, she didn't want to kill any of them. She couldn't. They were just innocent butterflies. Covering her face she peaked up, noticing a large figure coming straight after her. Where to move? Spinning on her heel she tried to move out of the way.
Just then, Marinette was knocked over onto the ground from The Racer, her head slamming against the cold ground, bouncing from the sudden hit.
She tried to focus, but everything grew blurry, her vision was doubling and she heard Hawk Moth shouting;

'Get it! Get her miraculous now!'

Marinette clasped the side of her head, the pounding, and the noise- it all hurt. Her head throbbed like a heartbeat, she didn't know what was going on. She was just a girl, she wasn't Ladybug. Feeling the strong hand wrap around her hand, she looking up, seeing The Racer smirking at her.
Another voice echoed in her ears from the room;

"Ladybug! Get up! You can do it, just listen to my voice. You can do it, you can fight. I believe in you."

Chat Noir….

Marinette looked all around, her head and eye lids feeling heavy, the akuma flipped her over, her head bobbing, staring into his face. The grimace. He was reaching for her earrings…
But there was nothing there for him to grab. That's at least what he didn't know.

Her arm grew firm, Chat's very words, his belief in her that she can do it. She WAS Ladybug. With or without Tikki.

Slamming her fist across his face, it caught him off guard, moving his hands away he cradled his cheek where her blow hit him.

"Ow!" He whined, as Marinette gripped his shirt, using that to boost herself to slide under his legs. Moving across the floor, she let the yo-yo wrap around his feet, binding him firmly. The butterflies were still flapping around the entire room. The akuma yelped as he was the one now slammed against the floor.

"Ha! Just you try to run now… Racer" Marinette sounded back, firmly wrapping him in the cord. Straightening to her full height, she pivoted around to stare at Hawkmoth, who tightened his grip on his cane.
'So… you want to play that way?'

Marinette rested a hand on her hip and smirked; "Not a chance Hawkmoth. I'm through with your games. Let's play one of mine."
She raced forward towards him, gripping onto his shoulder and jumping through the air. Her face staring intently into his with a grin plastered onto her face.

Hawkmoth's hand reached forward just as she was flipping over him…

It was almost like time had slowed down….

Hawkmoth's hands moved to her earrings… slowly.

But Marinette moved her face so his hands caught her mask, just as she flipped over his body rolling to her purse. His hand clenched the mask, his voice sounding throughout the entire room, laughing.

"How will you keep your identity a secret now? Ladybug?"

Marinette covered her face, hearing Chat Noir's distressed yell, just as she was reaching for her purse…

"LADYBUG!"

The Racer had gotten free and was landing a blow right to Chat's face, his head slammed to the side, as the Emerald eyes of his shot open to stare at where she was. Hawkmoth was just turning around, and The Racer was so fixated on Chat Noir that no one but Chat himself was staring at Marinette who stared back.

His eyes fixated on her face, the pure shock, the freckles speckled over her nose, the perfect lips of hers, and the face he now saw so clearly.

'She came here not as Ladybug… But as herself. She put herself in danger… for me.' Chat's voice echoed throughout his entire head, he saw her, and she saw him. So- where was her miraculous?

Marinette opened her mouth, just as she unclasped the purse, to reveal the kwami flying from it.
Everyone's head turned to look at the back of Marinette's head. Hawkmoth's eyes narrowed at the sight of the pink ladybug kwami. Rage filling his entire hand, seeing the sparks fly from her body, the only voice that spoke was hers.

….

"TIKKI'S SPOTS ON!

Her body was engulfed in the sparkling light, her face getting its usual mask across her face. No one said a word as they witness her transform into the real Ladybug.
Hawkmoth growled under his breath, he had Tikki, her kwami this whole time in the purse. And he didn't know. She was in this room.

Ladybug finally spun around, flicking her pony tail, smirking at the Papillion.

"Miss me?"

Chat Noir managed a smile, as he looked over at The Racer now that his lady was here, it was his turn to finally step in and take action.
"Ladybug, the medal!"

"Got it!"

She jumped into the air, throwing the yo-yo, which gripped a hold on one of the bars on top of the ceiling. The Racer now ran after her, trying to run up the wall as Ladybug hung from above. She looked all around and noticed Chat Noir staring up at her; he looked so worried but so confident in her abilities. She needed him now though, Hawkmoth was staring up at her shouting, she couldn't take them both on.

'Okay, new plan Marinette, forget the medal, free Chat.'

Stretching outward, she yanked onto the yo-yo and it fell with her on the ground, as she sprinted towards Chat Noir. The Racer now tailgating, it was time to use her Lucky Charm!

"Lucky Charm!"

Chat Noir growled; "Ladybug! Look out!" he tried to free himself from the chains that held him down into the ground, but nothing worked. And besides, he wanted to save cataclysm for the real enemy in front of them.
He needed something.

Ladybug jumped out of the way as she held the lucky spotted key. Looking all around she noticed the locks on Chat's hands. A large smile appeared onto her face, spinning she landed on her knees sticking the key into the slots.

"Let's get you out of here, okay Kitty?"

"Sounds good little bug."

The locks unclasped from his wrists and fell, letting Chat stand to his full height rubbing his wrists glancing over at Ladybug who stood next to him spinning the yo-yo of hers.
"Ready?" She questioned him taking a small peak over at his narrowed eyes.

"Ladies first." Extending his hand he gestured her forward, leaving The Racer and Hawkmoth in utter silence as they stared.
"Let's go pretty kitty." Racing forward she slid under the cane from Hawkmoth, trying to hit her. Chat seemed to understand that she was going after The Racer and he needed to keep an eye on Hawkmoth. Fight him? Nah- maybe slow him down and keep his mind occupied.

Chat extended his stick and raced after Hawkmoth, their sticks colliding with each-other as they pushed at one another. The cat swung his stick, and back and forth they went, the metal clanking with one another, while Ladybug battled The Racer.
Her yo-yo swung around his hand but he took it, swinging her so she flung across the room, hitting onto the metal wall groaning.

"Chat!" She called, as her earing beeped for 4 minutes left. Chat Noir glanced up and heard the noise, he needed to help her. He needed to get the medal for her.
Chat slammed his stick at the metal beneath Hawkmoth, the noise making the Papillion's growing crazed, swarming around the evil man.
Chat spun around and ran after The Racer,

"Cataclysm!"

His voice echoed through the hallow room, followed by Hawkmoth's pleads and shouts of anger. Ladybug was pinned against the wall, from the evil akuma. But not for long, as Chat Noir slammed his hand against the cold metal ground trailing after them both. The Racer let go of her from the sudden floor shaking, leaving just enough time for Ladybug to swing out of the way next to Chat. Chat reached forward, seeing at the akumatized man was stuck in the metal ground. Gripping the second place metal from his neck he threw it to Ladybug.

"My lady!"

Catching it, she slammed it onto the ground, freeing the Akuma, spinning the yo-yo she snatched it up, cleansing it from its evil.

"No- NOOOOOO!" Hawkmoth screamed in the room, now his own beeping sounded throughout the room. He only had 5 minutes left.

Ladybug threw up the key, sending the lucky charm to fix all had been broken by the once akumatized man. Chat ran over to help him, lifting him up the ground as his own ring beeped.

3 minutes.

"As much as we'd like to stick around to put you down for good Hawkmoth. We can't. I'll let you go free this time." Ladybug protested to him as she stared at her in anger, Hawkmoth gripped his cane, seeing at the trio left without a word.

"I will get your miraculous Ladybug.." Throwing his cane across the room he growled under his breath angrily, this was not the time. But one day, he'll get it.. he was so close too.

Ladybug and Chat Noir got out of the scene quickly with the man, they needed to get away as far as possible.

"Go home now, okay? You're safe." Ladybug placed her hand on his shoulder smiling, as the man took off, in the now dusk sky.
Turning to face her Chat he smirked at her, a faint blush could be seen across his cheeks. So it was time for them to talk.

Ladybug gestured to the top of one of the roofs; swinging her yo-yo he followed behind her as quickly as he could. So, this was the romantic moment they were going to have, huh?
She landed, folding her arms thinking about the moment he saw her without her mask. Thinking about if he actually saw her face, or was it too dark in the room?

"You came to save me, in a Ladybug costume? You would really put yourself at risk like that?" The boy questioned to her, as she stared away from his direction. The only view he had was the back of her head, was she mad? Should he have done more to help her?
Ladybug inhaled, before sighing, facing him once more. She stared down at his hands, he held her purse.
Her eyes met his emerald ones, she was frowning now, she felt sad, but this was the right thing to happen.

After a failed attempt to keep herself a secret, it was best that Chat knew who she was. Just in case something happened to them.

Reaching forward, she took the purse from his hand placing it on her shoulder, slowly moving closer to the cat.
"So… you did end up seeing me?"

Chat Noir smirked, blushing frantically; "Yeah- about that.." he trailed off, feeling her cold finger press against his lips to keep him quiet.
"I did what I had too because you're my partner Chat Noir. And I-"

Her finger lingered, but hearing her earrings beep she covered them, it's not like she was needing to run anymore. It's not like she needed to hide who she was, he already knew. It's just him that she didn't know.
Chat Noir smiled at her, looking down at his hands, seeing the ring also beep.

2 minutes

"Thank you. I'm sorry that things had to happen the way they did." Reaching his hand up, he gently stroked her cheek, staring intently in the emerald eyes. Ladybug turned her head, closing her eyes, her tongue swiping across her dry lips.
She couldn't form a sentence, she didn't know what to say, she knew this person, this moment. The echoing of his voice, it sounded so familiar.

Closing her eyes she inhaled, feeling the small stroke, it sent shivers down her back. So this was the moment, the sun setting, Paris starting to light up for the dark to come after.

The wind whispered in her ear, but soon enough Chat broke that silence with his powerful, yet soft voice.

"I tried to tell you yesterday, just like you tried to tell me something too."

Ladybug opened her eyes, confused; "What… do you mean?"

Chat Noir's lips parted slightly, pulling her in close, so they could share this moment together. Their bodies pressed against one another, enabling Ladybug to fully be able to stare intently in his face. It seemed that the scar across his cheek was gone. Was that because of the lucky charm?
Her arms folded up towards his body, her hands being swung around his neck.

1 minute

In that moment…she knew.

The sapphire eyes of hers sparkled, seeing Chat Noir's sly smile, the emerald cat like eyes staring into hers as they lingered for a moment. Their lips coming closer, and closer to one another.
Pressing them against each-other, her knees shook as the sounds from their miraculous beeped continuously.
But the kiss grew on, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck, his hands firm against her back.

They pressed harder, the smooth soft lips of his across her own. Her lips tasted sweet, like sugar, just like his tasted like candy.
Their lips puckered under the kiss, as the first wind brushed across them, feeling cool. But their bodies being the only warmth they received in this very moment.

The lights sparkled around them, as they closed their eyes, hearing the final transformation to their usual self-sounded within the now almost night sky.

Marinette opened her eyes and smiled, as Adrien pulled her back. The Kwami's staring in silence at their new reunion.
He looked almost disappointed, like this was it- this was who he was and she needed to accept that. But she smirked, letting a small giggle through her lips. The perfect hand of her swiping back a small lock of golden hair.

"Hey kitty.." She sounded within her small voice, the eyes of hers becoming glossy, this whole time she loved her partner.
This whole time Adrien, the boy she sat behind, she worked with day and night. So they really knew who one another was.

Adrien smirked, gripping onto her hand, sounded in the same tone she did;

"Hey my lady."

Marinette grinned, a small tear rolling down her cheek; as her voice let through a small giggle. Pressing her face into his chest, she felt his arms once more wrap around her back.
This moment between them, this very moment. Was pure bliss.

"From before, what I said to you inside your room.." Marinette spoke to his chest, closing her eyes tightly, as her heart pounded.
She was finally going to say it, and this moment was everything she had hoped for. This moment between them was something she'd never forget.

"I love you."

Glancing up at his face, Marinette couldn't believe she'd finally said it. She finally said what she had been wanting to say. And it was just that easy, it was so simple. A hard blush spread across his cheeks, as he then pressed his forehead against hers. Adrien's voice croaking out the same exact words as her own.

"I love you too, don't ever forget that."

Plagg sighed rolling his eyes, letting through a large groan; "Okay, okay, you love each other. Can I please have some cheese now?" Tikki narrowed her face, as she lightly smacked the black kwami.
The two of them glanced over at the kwami's, letting through a laugh.

"Okay bud, you earned it. I'll give you one gooey camembert tonight." Adrien walked over, his arm linked with Marinette's, letting the kwami land in his open hand sighing from exhaustion.
Marinette moved closer to Tikki, and she firmly placed herself on her shoulder.

"So, how are we going to get down from this building?" Tikki questioned, making the heroines exchange looks nervously.

"Uhh- we haven't exactly thought about that?"

Marinette looked down at her clothes, noticing she was still in the cosplay outfit as before. At least Adrien looked acceptable, she couldn't exactly walk down the street like this.
"Oh wait!" She looked into the purse of hers, seeing the two cookies. "Perfect, here eat up." Handing one to Tikki and the other to Plagg who made a familiar disgusted noise.
But they needed to get off this building somehow and get back home, and going as Chat Noir and Ladybug would get that job done fast.

Plagg growled as Adrien gave him a look; "You'll get your camembert when I get back home."

Marinette glanced over at Adrien, they couldn't help but continuously smile. They day they had both been waiting for was here, and it came just as romantic as they hoped.
Seeing as the kwami's were done eating , they took each-other's hands tightly in their own.

"Plagg—

Tikki—

Claws out!

Spots on!"

The cat held onto the metal balcony staring out at the beautiful colors of the now darkening sky, the girl was right next to him as they stared intently at the view. How blissful this moment was becoming, just the two of them, against the world. Against whatever tested their abilities.

The once ladybug was now Marinette, as she reached for his leathery hand holding it into her own.

"I never did thank you for visiting me."

"—hm?" Chat sounded within his voice, glancing over at the beautiful girl next to him. Her smile, the very freckles on her cheeks—

She was his dream come true.

"When I was sick, you visited me as you, but also this you." She gestured to the cat suite moving closer to him, as a small chill blew through her dark hair.
Chat wrapped his arm around her shoulders, thinking about the moments where she used to get so flushed around him. But once she found out he was Chat Noir, everything between her nerves fell into place.
They both stared ahead at the view, not wanting to leave, not wanting to wake up and feel like this moment would end. That this moment would be just a dream. Just a dream like any other night.

"I did- didn't I?" Chat asked, the toothy grin now forming across his lips. He knew both himself, and Chat Noir would make her feel better. And it worked like a charm.
Puffing his chest, he let through a long sigh, he needed to go back home. Missing school today was one thing, and having to fight off an akuma attack, but his father- maybe pondered on where he went.

"I should probably get back home." Looking over at Marinette, who gripped onto her usual shirt nodding, he probably needed too. It was best anyways.
The voice of his was soft and smooth, smoother than any tone of voice he'd ever spoken to her. She felt his finger slide under her chin to lift it, their eyes meeting once more. The wind rippling through her hair that wasn't in its usual pigtails, her hair that flowed within the wind.

This moment, this very moment between them. She could see his eyes clearly now, she knew who he was. Finally she could see the Adrien she knew.

Once more did he let his own lips steal a single kiss from hers, a single kiss to cheer his very night; a single peck to make a small tear fall from his eye. Pulling away his hands fell from her face, to grip the metal stick of his extending it to the ground from the top of the balcony.

"I'll see you tomorrow—

My love."

Authors last comments:

Thanks for picking up with this story, and for the countless wonderful reviews in regards to it! I had so much fun writing it, and I hope that you all enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed providing the story for you.
Please let me know what you thought, and if you want a follow up- sequel story to this one.