A/N: At ramble o'clock, I just realised that Adrien Agreste has made me subconsciously have super high expectations of men. Things I will look for in my future husband: Will he make me laugh even if his jokes are absolute shit? Will he be drop-dead gorgeous? Will he have an amazing personality? Will he be able to support me no matter how high the odds are against us? Will he even nuke the world in my name~?

Ah~ Being a single, sexy woman who knows how to not burn toast is such a hard life man U_U

Anyways! This drabble is based on an AU where only Ladybug's miraculous was released and Adrien became her self-proclaimed sidekick/partner in the background. Bonus angst elements: the miraculous healing light does not heal Ladybug~

Enjoy!

"We are the ones that will stand up and fight (hey!)
We are the fire the one shining light (hey!)
Don't try and stop us don't ever let go (hey!)
We are the ones falling out of control"

Out Of Control - Man With A Mission ft. Zebrahead

Pairing - Ladrien + Adrinette (with Ladynoir dynamics?)

Prompt - 'Knowing'

~(x)~

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"...You still seem quite mad at me," Ladybug timidly peered under her lashes, the fabric of the makeshift mask shifting from her furrowed brows whilst her kwami chewed silently as she rested on her generous plate of cookies. The duo were sat on the edge of a giant, expensive bed that belonged to the other presence in the room who was also the owner of said wonderful bed and said ginormous room.

Though, Adrien remained tight-lipped as if to ignore his Lady's sentence, nose still slightly flared as he gently carried on in redressing the bandages on her arm with a precision that would make many in the medical field take notes. A precision that came from countless experiences in having to patch up the girl over and over again which in turn continued to crush his heart from the sight of her covered in such painful wounds...

The heroine couldn't help letting out another pouty sigh as she continued to receive the silent treatment from her self-proclaimed partner despite the boy lacking any supernatural powers or having any abilities to aid her in Akuma battles without becoming a liability. Yet, it didn't make her think of him any less and every bit of help and nosing around proved to be so much more beneficial than she'd stubbornly like to admit.

If it weren't for him, she would have probably drowned that one time an Akuma got lucky and delivered a horrific blow against her skull, causing her to lose consciousness and fall in la seine like dead weight.

She remembered the bloodcurdling cry of her name on his lips, Adrien tailing the battle in order to keep an eye on her and make sure to pull her aside if the fight got too brutal.

She remembered the blistering feelings of glaciers seeping through her skin when the impact of hitting the water made her regain back consciousness yet her body refused to cooperate with her brain.

A splash from above as she continued to sink below.

The sensations of strong, firm arms crushing her into a familiar chest as she passed out anew.

Soft, soft, soft on her lips whist the harsh, hot breath rushed through her mouth and hands crushed her chest until she coughed out the river water in her system and opened her eyes.

"...Dieu...Dieu merci...oh my Lady,"

And scorching tears that belonged to him dripped down on her face as if he was rain and she was a parched, dying plant stranded in a desert.

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"Is it because the Akuma broke my arm again? I swear I was being extra careful." She got a low scoff in response, his emerald greens continuing to seethe in a rare but dangerously fiery rage.

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But Ladybug was well known to always throw herself within the depths of even the most deadliest of flames.

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"...Or, is it because of...of our conversation from yesterday?"

Her question was the final straw for the blond, his hand slamming the first aid kit shut, surprising the little red kwami, and then finally stood up to face the love of his life with an expression so stoic, it would have given his negligent father a run for his money.

"Can't really call it a conversation when you wouldn't let me speak a single word." His tone was like ice burrowing through her veins like a parasite and his broader frame practically towered over hers as she cooly remained seated on his bed.

"Come on, Adrien. It was a really dangerous subject and you agreed to never approach it-"

"And you know who else doesn't let me speak? Père."

Suddenly, she felt like she was plunged into the icy, freezing depths of la Seine once again. The mere thought of being compared to such a horrible human being that mistreated her loved one on a daily basis was the equivalent of getting knocked around against buildings by a gang of ruthless akumas.

Ladybug absolutely hated it.

"Wha- don't compare ME to HIM!" Ladybug sat up instantly, having to strain her head up just to meet the boy's heated gaze due to their stark height difference as their chests were almost pressed against one another. The stabbing and persistent pain and aches of her wounds and broken arm were thrown to the back of her mind as she narrowed her eyes further at Adrien.

"The only reason I couldn't let you say anything else is because of your safety, Adrien. I do this not just for Paris, but also so you're always safe and sound! I wouldn't know what I'd do if you ever got hurt because of me."

"By letting yourself carry on getting thrown around by villains regularly without any help whatsoever!? By still refusing to see doctors or hospitals to check on your broken bones just to keep your secret identity!?" His trembling hands were now on her cheeks as he pulled her closer. "By forcing yourself to come to school every day? Pretending that you're okay and not nursing ungodly bruised ribs and concussions-"

Ladybug couldn't help but slap her free hand against his mouth, shaking her head, internally begging him to not say it. To not make it a reality.

To not break the illusion of the line she placed between her vigilant side and civilian side.

But, over half a year of knowing this boy has made her more than aware that he's no angel.

A cunning, sneaky little black cat instead.

One that nonchalantly inserted himself into her life on both sides of her mask and refused to leave because she is his Lady whether she liked it or not and probably, definitely knew that she liked it quite a lot.

And that's why she tried so hard to maintain the wall between them because she knew that she would be completely destroyed if anything happened to the boy she loves more than life itself. Yet, he continued to crash through without a beat.

.

"Quit it. Quit all of these pretences. I'm sick and tired...so tired of being forced to pretend that I don't know who you are...pretending to not hear your pained whimpers when you sit behind me...pretending to accept your excuses when you're extra clumsy from all the fatigue..." His forehead was on hers now, dark lashes lowered as the remnants of his tears clung onto them like diamonds. "Pretending not to recognise the bandages and wounds that I worked on,"

"Adrien...you're going to be compromised-"

"I'm sick and tired of not being allowed to be by your side, Marinette."

.

Just as mentioned, he was no angel.

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And when he threw the mask off her face and captured her lips in a desperate and raw kiss, it was anything but angelic.

His piano fingers dug through her hair, snapping the ribbons so that the midnight locks spilt downwards and tangled up within his digits. His lips slanted against hers, greedily taking in everything that was humanly possible as if to emphasise just how much she meant to him whilst his eyes remained tightly shut and his nose took in the sweet scent of her body in a frenzy.

Marinette's blood was lit up in the most delicious, fiery way she's ever experienced and she could have sworn that she was melting from his touch itself, let alone his lips taking captive of hers in a head-spinning, heart racing kiss.

Much to her dismay, she had to pull back too soon, far too breathless and winded from the boy's affections alone. That didn't stop him from chasing her lips, brushing his mouth against hers again and again and again and then trailing his lips to her jaw, his arms firm as they pressed her against his body yet being mindful of her injuries.

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"Marinette..." He whispered into her skin, his body arched over hers whilst battling the temptation to push her into the bed behind them. "My Marinette," The slight possessive tone in his voice had her quietly giggling as she brushed her fingers through the shorter locks on the back of his head.

"Adrien...that was dangerous," The light tone of her voice juxtaposed her sentence but she earned another protective squeeze from her partner.

"I don't care." His words were muffled since his face was buried into her neck, almost whiny and childish. All Marinette could do was sigh and continue to hold him, eyeing her kwami who now floated up to meet their gazes.

"As dangerous as this is, it was inevitable," The little Goddess started, gaining a victorious smirk from the blond whilst the heroine scowled in return. "And if nothing has happened to him so far despite knowing your identity, then we should be slightly assured that he'll continue to be fine in the future,"

"Wait. How long exactly did you know that I was...well, me?" Marinette scrutinised the boy who now sported a slightly sheepish expression as he led them back to sit on the bed. "...Adrien?" Her eyes continued to narrow.

"I think...around the start~?"

He should have known, broken arm or no broken arm, the love of his life was capable of destroying him with a bunch of his pillows. Even Tikki joined in! It took a few more minutes of him withstanding the brunt of the plush objects being thrown at him with a neverending smile on his face for Marinette to give up with a harrumph.

"I can't believe you! All this time, all this time you knew! Ugh! No wonder you were always hovering around me like some bodyguard at school and always bought my excuses when I had to suddenly leave to fight an Akuma!" She tossed one last pillow at his head, causing it to bounce off and fall onto the floor like the rest of its family. Adrien continued to watch her with an amused yet adoring smile, unable to stop himself from giving her another kiss, earning a surprised squeak from her.

Unlike the last one, it was quite brief but never less loving and certainly had both of their hearts ricocheting within their chests. When he pulled away, the duo wore matching lovestruck faces and rosy cheeks, the older of the two interlacing his hand with Marinette's uninjured one.

"As Tikki said, it was inevitable. We're in the same class. We're best friends. Our best friends are dating." He then leaned into her face, grinning like a feline who got the cream. "So of course, I had my eye on you throughout the whole time. It wasn't long till all the extra pieces and parts were glued together as I watched you," And of course, since he was such a greedy little devil, he pressed his lips against hers once more, smiling from the feel of her lashes fluttering shut and tickling his cheekbones.

"Adrien...you can't keep kissing me to avoid the consequences of you now officially knowing my identity- mmph!" Marinette let out a warning growl whilst the boy smirked in the umpteenth liplock, playfully nipping her bottom lip and emerald greens twinkling at her dishevelled face. "I hate you."

"Oh no~ you love me. Love. Me~" He emphasised each word with a kiss on her nose and then finally gave her some space, cradling her hand with both of his and then brushing his lips against her hardworking knuckles. "I know you're worried. I know you're scared. But not once have you ever let Paris down...ever let me down," He kissed her forehead, combing her fringe with his fingers affectionately.

"But still, Adrien. Anything could happen and..."

"I'm very careful, Marinette," He tilted her chin up with his finger so that she met his eyes. "I've been trying my best to help out behind the scenes and not once has an Akuma nor Le Papillon caught a whiff of me. Or that I'm linked with your alter ego." His smile softened from the way she relaxed under his touch, his thumb rubbing gentle circles on her cheek and her baby blues twinkling.

"It's...it is a huge risk...we've seen what happens to those who are close to superheroes in films and books." She gripped his hand tightly, the one that wasn't caressing her face. "I would become a monster if anything happens to you," Adrien furrowed his brows at her declaration, placing his forehead on hers.

"I'm no Louis Lane and I'm certainly no Gwen Stacey. I'm Adrien. Your Adrien. I know I can't aid you in Akuma fights despite being a champion in fencing so that Le Papillon doesn't target me. But, I can protect you like this, in secret. Where that cowardly man can't harm us and where the paparazzi can't even get a glimpse of my interactions with your masked self." He was now tracing mindless shapes on the back of her hand, massaging the bones and savouring the softness of her skin.

"And honestly, whether we have a relation or no relation. Whether I know your identity or not. That hasn't stopped that deranged man from sending in puppet villains that mercilessly hurt innocent civilians." His expression was determined and pleading, hands quietly trembling from all the feelings and emotions that coursed through his body.

"...Tikki? What do you suggest?" Not knowing how to respond to Adrien and unsure of what decision to make, she turned to the ancient little Goddess.

"I think you're better off taking this risk rather than continuing to fight Akumas without Adrien's aid in the background. Usually, my holders are healed by the miraculous lights but because the damages you fix are so vast and so magnificent, it balances out by not healing you. Marinette, do you understand how amazing you are? You have brought the dead back to life." Tikki placed her small hands on her friend's cheek. "You're unconsciously just so selfless, you ended up becoming one of the best Ladybugs I've ever had...but because of your selflessness, you're unable to look after yourself properly,"

She then floated towards Adrien and landed on his shoulder.

"I've suspected that he knew who you are for quite a while. And I never said a word about it because he was doing everything to look after you as much as he could. He's covered for your absences in school. He's read and studied medical books just so he knew how to treat your injuries right. He always brought you coffee and breakfast because you're always so exhausted. And he loves you so much, he would do anything for you," She smiled sweetly at the flustered model. "I think...no. I know it's best to keep him in the loop. To let him continue to protect you in his own way. You deserve to be happy too, Marinette,"

All the chords within the heroine's heart were hit with flying colours, overwhelming her tiny body with so much love and emotions that her eyes began to water.

"...You really love me...?" Marinette's voice was shy and small. She wasn't entirely blind to his feelings for her with how he treated her in and out of the mask. Heck, even their friends would always tease him about being an overprotective husband and the way he would bristle if anyone he didn't like or know got too close to her.

Not to mention that they have kissed multiple times too.

For Nino's film.

To snap each other out of Akuma spells.

When a villain got a bit too close to either of them.

And even now.

"Well, duh." He jokingly flicked her nose with a finger, a lopsided grin plastered on his face. "It's like everyone in the world knew I'm head-over-heels except for you. Ma Princesse, your parents even call me their son or son-in-law. And I only have ever kissed you." He pecked her hand, marvelling at the way the sakura hue continued to bloom across her cheeks. "Now I think the question here is, is my feelings mutual?"

.

That little shit.

He knew and yet he wanted her to say it?

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"Duh~" Marinette parrotted, her iconic alter ego's smirk now playing on her lips as she watched her partner's face melt with indescribable joy. "But you knew that anyway, like the sneaky cat you are." She was met with a shameless chuckle and he brought her into his arms.

"Not as long as I knew your identity but it's still nice to have some verbal confirmation. I think I figured it out when hit me on the shoulder for getting too close to the battles and then kissed me right away~"

"Ahh. So that's why you became even more touchy and bold at school."

Adrien pulled away just a bit, enough to face her but still having her frame within his embrace. His golden hair endearingly bounced when he tilted his head ever so slightly to the side.

"As if I'd leave the love of my life alone~" Just as he was leaning in to snatch another kiss, all the pain and aches came swarming back like a tsunami and caused Marinette to wince from the injuries. "Oh, shit- first! We are taking you to a hospital to have a thorough look at your injuries. I'll make up some excuse about how you got them but you really need to see a professional."

"Ugh...Fine. What is the excuse gonna be?"

Once again, she was reminded that her Adrien was no angel.

"Oh~ that you were so captivated by my beauty, you tripped and fell down the stairs of course~!"

"...I want a divorce."

"Oh? We're married?"

"I mean break up!"

"No, no, no. You said divorce~ So I should introduce myself as your husband at the hospital, non?"

"We're still in le collège! That wouldn't work! Tikki, help!"

"I'll take good care of you, ma femme~"

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~(x)~

A/N: This got too long.

Hey, at least 'Adrien-Wants-To-Take-Marinette-To-Bed' made an appearance.

As usual, feed me with comments because I'm hot.