A/N: Hey readers! I just wanted to clarify that The Mime is NOT Mylene's father. It's a completely different guy. I couldn't do that to sweet little Mylene :(

Readers: But you can give sweet little Marinette a criminal love interest?

Me: ...

Me: ...You love it don't patronize me.

xD

Chapter 19

They lay there in silence, just enjoying the others's company. Marinette had long ditched the costume, having gone to the bathroom to change into her sleepwear. She and Chat were curled up on her bed, with Marinette in a slightly higher position so she could easily sift her fingers through Chat's hair.

The feline thief basked in the wandering fingers and rested his head against Marinette's side, eyes closed in relaxation.

"So," he said at last. He rose up, causing Marinette to remove her fingers from his hair. He gazed at her with a grin and a strange gleam in his eye. "You told me you like some guy in your class. Tell me about him."

Why did he want to know this now? Marinette bit her lip and shifted her eyes to the right, avoiding that curious gaze. "Why?"

"Cats are curious animals," he replied easily with a shrug. "Come on, Princess, tell me about him. He has blond hair, green eyes, and his name starts with A. I'm interested to hear more."

"I don't want to tell you more."

"Please, Princess?" He rested a finger against her chin and slowly brought her to face his own. "Give me a first name, at least."

"Fine," she huffed, rolling her eyes in annoyance. "His name's Adrien."

"Adrien? That's a stupid name," he remarked.

"It's not stupid!" She snapped angrily. Like Chat's real name could be any better?

"Sure it is," he insisted. "Okay then, what's he like? Does he have a job?"

Marinette paused, unsure if she should tell him. After all, how many models in Paris were named Adrien?

"You know I won't hurt him, right? You care about him, so I won't hurt him," he promised. He lifted up her hand to kiss the knuckles as if to seal the vow.

The blackette didn't say anything for a few seconds, thinking it over. "Well," she spoke, believing she could trust him. She has trusted him for a long time now. "He's a model."

Chat Noir scoffed. "A model? Seriously?"

The designer rose an eyebrow. "And what's wrong with that?"

"He's just an air-headed piece of eye candy! No substance."

"That's not true!" She retorted, anger rising. She sat up in bed to glare at him.

"Adrien is much more than that! He's sweet, polite, generous, selfless, caring, smart, talented, humble, loyal, helpful, and many other things! He's nice to everyone, even to those who don't deserve his kindness. Despite his busy schedule he always manages to make time for his friends, especially if they're in trouble. He has perfect grades and will help you out with yours anytime. He may be famous and rich, but he doesn't let it go to his head. Honestly, if they're weren't pictures of him all over the city, you wouldn't even know he had money unless he told you! So don't you dare say he's an 'air-headed piece of eye candy' because you couldn't be further from the truth. And before you ask, yes, he's handsome. Gorgeous, even, but that's just a bonus compared to all his other amazing traits."

Marinette was red faced from her tiring rant, she had to suck in large mouthfuls of air to get her breath back. Her fiery sapphire eyes pinpointed on Chat's, she was ready to slew another rant on him if he said one more wrong word.

Chat Noir sat back, staring at her with his lips parted. He blinked in astonishment. His mouth opened and closed, but no words came out, resembling a gaping fish.

Maybe she shouldn't have praised Chat's rival the way she did, but she didn't care at the moment. She would defend Adrien with her dying breath, she hated when people would assume things about him just because he was a model. He was so much more than that, why couldn't people see it?

"I-I didn't know you felt so strongly about him," Chat whispered. "You...you really mean all that? Every word?"

"Every word," she promised. She was aware she may lose Chat Noir forever now, and while that gave her pain, she didn't regret defending Adrien. A part of her would always love him, and she would always be his friend.

Chat Noir's eyes flickered down to the mattress. He seemed to be lost in thought. Marinette braced herself for the rejection.

She squeaked in surprise when he pounced on her, his lips capturing hers in a searing kiss. Her eyes flew open when she felt tears leaking on her cheeks, she realized with a muffled gasp that they were his own.

He pulled back to stare deeply in her eyes. He cradled her face in his hands, using his thumbs to wipe his escaped tears from her cheeks.

"My Princess," he whispered. "I-I-"

He gave a happy, teary laugh and dove in for another kiss. Marinette didn't know why he was reacting like this, especially since she just got done screaming at him, but didn't resist his affections.

He ripped his mouth away from hers and gave her a dopey grin that was full of anticipation. It was strange to say the least, whenever he usually grinned it would be mischievous and sinful, not eager and silly.

"What do you think of me?" He asked breathlessly.

"I-what?" She stuttered in confusion. What was he talking about now?

"What do you think of me?" He repeated, once again utilizing his thumbs to wipe the stray tears from her cheeks. "Please, Princess, I have to know."

"Um, well," she stumbled. She had to take a few moments to think since his question threw her off guard.

"You're a criminal," she started at last. "But you're kind. You're protective and brave. You saved my life four times, yes I include tonight as one of those times. You even saved me after we had a fight. You're a gentleman, you never force me to kiss you. If I didn't want to you'd respect my wishes. You're sweet." Marinette smiled warmly. "You're so sweet to me."

Chat Noir's grin relaxed into a fond smile.

"You're generous, you paid for my food tonight even though I asked you not to." She looked up at him with a teasing smirk to which he chuckled at. "You're a wonderful person, Chat, and I feel horrible because I like both you and Adrien. That isn't fair to either of you."

"You like both of us," he stated softly. His eyes were shining with an emotion Marinette couldn't place. "Both of us..."

She rose an eyebrow. "You shouldn't be so happy about this." It was starting to freak Marinette out. She admitted she likes two guys at once, shouldn't he be mad or jealous or something?

Chat snickered. His lips curved into that devious grin that she had seen dozens of times. "Oh, my Princess, you have no idea how thrilled I really am. So, both of us, huh?"

She bit her lip nervously and nodded.

He laid down on his stomach and rested a fist beneath his chin. His eyes twinkled with amusement. "This is quite a predicament you're in, Princess."

"I guess it is," she answered awkwardly. Where was he going with this? He acted like there was some big joke and only she didn't understand the punchline.

"If you had to choose," he drawled, fluttering his eyelashes playfully at her. "Which one would you pick?"

Marinette frowned. "Why are you saying 'if'? Don't I have to choose?"

Chat Noir smirked wider, something flashed in his emerald eyes. "Of course. Forgive me for my slip of the tongue."

The blackette looked away from that knowing gaze. "I-I don't know."

"It's not that hard, Princess. Adrien, or Chat Noir? Surely you must prefur one personality over the other."

Marinette arched an eyebrow. "Personality?"

"Excuse me, I meant to say 'person'. Another mistake."

She bit her lip. Innocent Adrien, or devilish Chat Noir?

"Both of us must've really done a number on your heart for you to be so indecisive." He rolled onto his back, placing his hands behind his head. "But doesn't one make your heart beat just a tad faster than the other?"

Honestly, Chat Noir has been making her heart beat faster more than Adrien had.

"Adrien, or Chat Noir," Chat mused quietly. "Hm. Adrien or Chat Noir, Adrien or Chat Noir, Adrien, Chat Noir..."

"You're not making this any easier," Marinette bit out.

"On the contrary, I am. The answer is right in front of you." Chat shuffled closer to her, grinning. "Always has been. Right. In. Front. Of. You."

She scowled and rolled her eyes at his antics. Chat scoffed in amusement and went back to his original spot. He looked at her from the corner of his eye and grinned.

Marinette inhaled deeply, then exhaled. She took two more breaths like this, eyes closed in thought. She had liked Adrien since last year, when he offered her his umbrella, but recently the feline criminal had been sneaking his way into her heart.

Sure, her heart beat faster in Adrien's presence, but she couldn't deny the spark of attraction and fluttering of butterflies in her stomach whenever Chat shot her that devious smirk of his.

In all honesty, Chat has been way more vocal in professing his feelings to her, while she wasn't even sure if Adrien liked her as more than a friend. She liked Chat and here he was, ready to start something yet she kept holding back for Adrien. If she kept waiting, Chat Noir would slip away and she wouldn't even have an opportunity for Adrien.

But Chat wouldn't be a rebound, no. She knew she liked him, and possibly in the future that 'like' could turn into love and she could forget about Adrien.

Marinette hesitated. "Chat?"

"Yes, Princess?"

"I...I like you more."

His head perked up at that.

"Don't get me wrong, I still like Adrien. But...you..." She paused to gather her thoughts. "Maybe with you, I can get over him. I-my feelings can grow for you."

Did she word that right? She winced as she dared to look at the thief.

He blinked, face betraying no emotion. He seemed to be processing her words. At last a large smile spread across his lips. He reached over and cupped her face with his hands.

"You really like me more? The criminal?" He whispered.

Marinette nodded. "Y-Yes. I do."

He closed the gap between them and enveloped her lips with his in a soft, passionate kiss. Her eyes automatically closed at the tender way his mouth moved against hers.

She felt one of his hands being removed from her face. She heard something soft hit the bed, followed by two other soft thumps.

Marinette slowly opened her eyes...

She froze.

Her stomach dropped.

He noticed her cease movement and opened his own eyes to look at her own.

"A-A-Adrien?!"

Marinette drew back as if he burned her. She rose a hand to cover her gaping mouth. Adrien Agreste is Chat Noir?! But how?

She took him in. Same suit as Chat, same body, same blond hair, same eyes...but it was Adrien. It was like she was playing one of those games were she had to match the feet, torso, and head of a person. She got Chat's feet and middle right, but missed the head and got Adrien's instead.

Her eyes flickered to the discarded black mask on the bed, along with the two cat ears.

"Adrien?" She repeated. "What-how-when-?!" How could this be possible? How could sweet Adrien be a criminal?

"Surprise?" He smiled sheepishly and shrugged. He rubbed a hand along the back of his neck, an action she'd seen Adrien do plenty of times, but looked plain weird when he was in the catsuit.

"Surprise?!" Marinette shrieked. "I don't understand! This whole time-!"

This whole time Chat Noir was Adrien Agreste. It was Adrien who had saved her that fateful night when she thought they first met. It was Adrien who had saved her from being jumped. Adrien who had saved her from Kim after the party, the same Adrien held a sobbing and bleeding Kim against the wall with a single hand, threatening to not even glance in Marinette's direction.

She had often wondered how Chat would even know if Kim had indeed looked at her.

She had stitched Adrien when he had gotten stabbed. She made a deal with Adrien and kissed him, the same Adrien left a hickey on her neck and again when they next kissed. Adrien had taken her to club Akuma and paid for her meal.

Those kisses, those flirtations, those smirks, those grins...all Adrien.

"It was all you," she whispered, breathless. "I-I-I can't believe this."

Chat-no-Adrien nodded. "I'm sorry to have kept this from you. But, you have to know why I did."

She absently nodded, lost in thought.

Wait a minute.

She just confessed her devotion to Chat, she admitted she liked Adrien. Chat has known for awhile that she liked a guy named 'A' in their class, no doubt Adrien solved the puzzle and figured out it was him.

Marinette's eyes narrowed, hot, embarrassed tears threatened to spill to her cheeks. "Was this all just a joke to you?!"

Adrien looked taken aback. "What? No! Marinette-"

"I admitted to Chat I liked you! He's known for a long time. But you didn't reveal yourself, and-and-were you just laughing at me this whole time?!"

Her brain was beginning to hurt as one realization after another kept hitting her. Her thoughts were a swirled, jumbled mess and all she wanted was clarity.

"Marinette."

She was snapped out of her tornado-like thought process as Adrien grabbed her hands in his. He gazed at her with imploring eyes.

"Listen, Marinette. I-I have liked you for awhile now. But I kept my distance because you didn't deserve to be with a criminal. But when I saved you that first time...I admit it, I got selfish. I tried winning you over as Chat first, but flirted with you as Adrien too, so that you'd fall for both personas. When I found out you liked Adrien, I backed off but paid more attention to you as Chat to get you to like him too. I wanted to make sure you could like and accept both of us."

Both of us, still a strange thing to say. This whole thing is strange!

"Princess," he spoke. He rubbed small, comforting circles on her palms with the pads of his thumbs. "I never laughed at you once. I love you so much, more than you could ever know. I just had to know that you can accept both the criminal and the civilian."

She felt the air leave her lungs. Adrien loved her? Her? Marinette?

"You," she stopped. Her blue bell eyes stared into his emeralds. "You love...me?"

He smiled, warm and hopeful. "With all my heart." He brought her hands to his lips in a silent promise.

Adrien Agreste loved her. He loved her.

"Both as Chat and Adrien," he vowed, dropping his head to kiss her hands again.

It felt as if a weight was released from her shoulders at this new revelation. She didn't have to choose between two wonderful guys, they were one in the same. And he loved her.

Marinette couldn't hold back the giggles. She started full-out laughing at the absurdity of this whole thing. All this time she was worrying herself sick of choosing between them when in reality they were the same guy!

"Princess? Marinette, are you alright?" Adrien asked cautiously.

"Yes!" She squeaked, grabbing his face. "Yes I'm alright!"

She smashed her lips against his, though the romantic spark was lost because she couldn't control her giggle fit. But it was okay, this was purely a 'happy kiss'. Adrien smiled against her lips and started laughing too.

When they both had sufficiently calmed down, they pulled away.

Adrien's face sobered. "Are...Are you disappointed? That the innocent guy you liked is really a criminal?"

"Disappointed?" Marinette questioned in shock. "You have no idea the torture I was going through with trying to pick one of you! I'm glad I don't have to choose because you're both amazing."

"Not as amazing as you," he replied instantly. She rolled her eyes at the sappy response to which he grinned at.

"How does this change things? I mean, what about school?" The blackette inquired.

Adrien furrowed his eyebrows and stopped to think. "It depends on you, I guess. Do you want to start dating?"

"Ideally, yes, but Alya knows I like Chat Noir. I don't want her to ask too many questions if I'm suddenly going out with you. Plus, it really would be out of nowhere, we've given no hints that we like each other."

Adrien nodded, pensive. "I can see your reasoning." Quickly, a wicked smirk lifted his lips.

Marinette felt heat shoot through her. Seeing Adrien make that face, wearing the tight leather suit, it was even more attractive than when he was wearing the mask.

He leaned his head closer to hers. She blushed, eyes widening in anticipation.

"I like the idea of a secret relationship. Imagine how many janitor closets we can take advantage of."

Her breath hitched. Dear Lord, was this boy trying to kill her?

Her mind conjured up an image of her walking innocently down the hall, then a hand darting out of a closet and pulling her in. She'd squeak in surprise but it'd be silenced by a pair of hot lips. Before she'd close her eyes she'd see a burning emerald green gaze...

Marinette blinked to dispel the fantasy. Adrien grinned, as if he knew exactly what her brain had just imagined.

"I better get going," he said softly. "It's really late." He scooted away from her to pick up the mask and ears, quietly replacing them on himself.

Marinette bit her lip in worry. "Ch-Adrien, it's not safe out there."

He gave a wry grin in response. "It hardly ever is."

"You said yourself that Hawk Moth's men will be looking for you. All the criminals in Paris want to hurt you." She refused to say the word 'kill'. She couldn't imagine her Adrien dying at their filthy hands.

"I'll be careful, promise." He cupped a hand to her cheek and pressed a kiss to her nose before placing a chaste peck on her lips. "I'll see you tomorrow."

It did little to appease her worry.

Adrien stretched, about to go out the trap door, when he saw Marinette's crestfallen expression and halted. He bent back down and took her face in his hands again.

"Listen, I'll be fine. My house isn't far from here, I'll be extra careful. I promise you I'll be fine."

Her sapphire orbs looked away.

He half-smiled. "Have I ever lied to you, Princess?"

She reluctantly shook her head.

"And I don't plan on starting now." He tenderly kissed her forehead. "Good night, my love."

A small smile broke out on her face at the endearing name he called her. He grinned and reached up for the trapdoor. Once open, he slipped out into the night.

"Good night, Adrien."

A/N: Whew, that was quite a lot of events! I wasn't planning on the reveal being this soon, but I kept writing, and one thing led to another...and eventually this happened. Plus 19 happens to be my favorite number, so why not have the reveal be in that numbered chapter? Hope you enjoyed reading this as I have enjoyed writing it :)