I text Marinette before I head out the door to school, promising Starbucks when I pick her up. As long as I've known her, she's never been an early riser, so I'm surprised but pleased with a response that comes quickly.

My breath catches when I catch sight of her, waiting outside the bakery. She's wearing a fuzzy pink sweater with white polka dots and her hair is in two double buns with pink ribbons. I don't know how she keeps keeping the breath out of me with her beauty, but here she's done it again.

"Meow, aren't you a vision in pink," I grin, as I approach her. "Cat, your going to make me even more pink with your compliments." "Your beautiful," I tell her, kissing her hand, and intertwine our fingers. "You know what I think is beautiful?" she flirts, bouncing up on tiptoe to kiss my cheek. "Coffee."

"Now, Princess, that hurts my feelings!" her playful expression turns confused. "Huh?" "I thought you were tell me I'm beautiful." "You are, but there could be a few slight adjustments," Marinette says as we walk. "Such as?" "Hm, I don't know, maybe if we polished your bell or we trim your whiskers." "You know, I always wonder why I didn't get whiskers with the suit." "It might be because Ladybug might not take you seriously?" "Ah, good point. Ah, Starbucks. Look out, Marinette is coming to order." "Cat!"

We get in line and its a bit crowded as the normal workday traffic grabs their fix. My protective nature takes over and I encircle my arms around Marinette's waist. I don't care if we're photographed, and even Marinette lets out a tiny sigh.

After ordering, she makes a bold move of kissing me while we wait. "You were pink before, Princess, and now your red. If I painted some black dots on your face, you'd look like Ladybug!" "And I," Marinette says, taking my hands and swings them around, "Would paint whiskers on you, if you do such a naughty thing." "I'll take that risk."

We head out, back to the sound of traffic whizzing by us, and back into our own little world. To bad we have to leave that world, for we arrive at school way to quickly. "I'll see you this afternoon then." Even if I'm going to be seeing her in a few minutes as Adrien, its not that same dymatic. "Yeah, I'll be here."

When I walk into class, Marinette has a small scrap of paper in front of her, and she's scribbling away madly. "Ahem," I clear my throat softly. Marinette jumps, looking up at me. "Adrien! I didn't even hear you come in."

"You seemed pretty deep in work. Must be pretty important." Marinette squirms. "Not really, just some silly doodling." "Ah, does someone have a crush?" "If you can keep a secret, I'll show you. But not a word to anyone." I nod, zipping my lips shut with a grin. Then she hands me the paper, and I unfold it, curious to see what she has drawn.

She's drawn my face as Cat Noir with whiskers and there are little hearts drawn all over the paper. The words "MDC +Cat Noir" are drawn in a heart. "Not a word, Agreste." she wags her finger at me. "Promise."

A promise that's easy to keep, for I'm the one she's crushing on. But I must get back her for those adorable whiskers somehow, and my mind begins to work furiously…..

By the time school is over, I've come up with a plan, now I have to see if Marinette will agree to it or not. "Princess, there comes a skill that every fashion designer must have," I tell her, trying to keep a straight face. "Oh, and what would that be?" "Face paint. Wearing it and applying." "Cat, what do you have up your sleeve?" "My arm." "And you want to paint my face." "If your offering…." "Fine. But no funny business. Be good."

She gets out her kit and plops down in her swivel chair by her vanity. "Okay, work your magic." Grinning, I begin, for one of the first things about modeling is that you learn to apply your own makeup when your makeup artist gets sick.

Because she's so cute and sweet (and I don't want to spend the evening on time-out when its game night) I paint her as a fairy.

"Cat, how," she turns to look at me, then back at the mirror. "How did you learn this?" "Ah, now that's one of the secrets. But I'll share one I can share. I was going to paint you as Ladybug, just for the fun of it." Marinette's eyes grow wide and her gaze is locked on mine. "You'd paint me with the Ladybug mask? Do it, please."

I don't quite understand her pleading tone, but I do as I'm instructed. When I finish, my mouth grows dry, for Marinette looks like a carbon copy of M'lady, minus the red ribbons. "Your-your-," I can't get out the words. "Cat, what if I really was Ladybug? What if you weren't the only one with a secret?"

Before I can respond, Marinette whispers the two words so quietly, I almost miss them: "Spots On." I don't blink or breathe as the pink light swirls around her, and Ladybug sits in Marinette's desk chair, eyes closed.

"M'lady?" One bluebell eye opens, then the other. "You can also call me Marinette," and a soft smile spreads on her face, as her face grows wet with tears. "I didn't expect this on game night, but if you revealed, then so shall I. Claws In."

"Adrien?!" Marinette squawks. "Yep, its me. Disappointed?" "You silly cat! I've had a crush on Adrien Agreste for years, and your the one behind the mask?!" "Yep, its really me, Bugaboo." "Oh, chocolate and icing." We look at each and giggle, before we're hugging each other and crying.

"I'm so happy its you, even if it isn't the way I thought the reveal would happen." "Marinette? Cat? Grandpa and Grandma are here!" "We should get down," Marinette says, but I catch her wrist. "Wait, they're going to wonder if we're dating, or just friends. And if its okay with you, I'd like to be your boyfriend." "I'm okay with boyfriend, but knowing Grandpa maybe you should say we're friends."

"Marinette, there you are! You look so pretty with your hair all done up like that!" "Hi, Grandma! Grandpa!" I hug them both in turn. "Ready for a fun evening?" "Marinette, who's your pussy-cat friend?" I giggle. "This is Cat Noir, my best friend. Cat, this is Grandpa and Grandma."

Cat shakes their hands. "Pleasure."

The evening goes better then I even expected, and I'm still basking in the glow that Adrien is Cat Noir. Each time we catch each other's eye and smile, my heart feels like a flower, unfurling my petals and blossoming.

Maybe this was meant to be, Cat and I finding out, though I never would expected for it to happen in this way. True to his word, Cat is competitive, but the night is filled with good humor and fun.

I'm sad when when everyone has to leave, and Mama gives me a hug. Cat told me he'll text me in the morning, for our next outing he wants to be a surprise.

I really am a lucky ladybug, with the best partner in the world. And I have a boyfriend now! Even us being friends was good enough, for it meant I wasn't alone and sad anymore, but that doesn't ease the pain of saying goodbye every night.

I'm just twenty-one, but if Cat, or rather Adrien, wanted to settle down, I would say yes. But I'm getting ahead of myself, for we just revealed. One step at a time, Marinette.

Around midnight, I make a cup of tea, hoping it will calm me down enough to sleep when I feel a buzz in my pocket. Adrien.

Adrien: You up? I can't sleep.

Marinette: What were you doing? Grooming? Chasing your tail?

Adrien: Funny, love. No, I was thinking of you.

Marinette: May I ask a question?

Adrien: Go for it.

Marinette: Do you ever feel restless here in Paris? Like you want to escape?

Adrien: Love, my puns aren't that bad! But yes, sometimes. Why?

Marinette: I haven't given up the dream of living on an island and farming.

Adrien: What about your fashion career?

Marinette: What if I wanted to be a mother even more then a designer?

By now, the teakettle is shrieking on the stove, and this conversation shouldn't be had when we're both half-asleep.

Marinette: My tea water's ready, so I'll talk to you in the morning. Good night.

Adrien: Sweet dreams, love.

The tea is warm and does just the trick, and as I snuggle back under the blankets I fall asleep.