Marinette woke early the next day with Zoe snuggled up to her. She knew that today they would need to discuss everything.
"Wake up, Zo." Marinette gently shook her partner, leant in, and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips.
Zoe's eyes fluttered open and she smiled up at Marinette. "Good morning, Mari. So, yesterday really happened?"
Marinette nodded. 'Yep, I'm still Ladybug. I'm sorry I kept it from you for so long."
Zoe nodded and lay her head on Marinette's lap. "You knew about Pollen. You knew I was Vesperia. You know, because you chose me to be a heroine. I just cannot express how much it means to me that you gave me the comb."
Marinette ruffled her girlfriend's hair. "I knew you were special from the moment we walked into each other at the bakery. It was like something from a romance movie. I have been falling for you ever since. I knew I needed you on my team, even as I desperately wanted to keep you safe."
Zoe reached up and cupped Marinette's cheek. "I can see which desire won out. So I guess Ladybug and Vesperia will become a public couple as well?"
"If you want them to, sure. I can understand if you want to keep this just among our civilian selves too."
Zoe gave her a smirk. "No, now that I know I own Ladybug's heart, there is no way I'm not kissing her silly in front of Paris."
Marinette giggled. "Fair enough. I am sure Paris will be aflame with the new heroine power couple. They have been theorizing for a while which girl was going to get Ladybug as her own."
Zoe sat up and looked Marinette in the eyes. "I need you to promise me, you won't risk yourself again like you did yesterday. I know you love me and do not want to see anything happen to me, but you are the only one that can reverse the damage. Moreover, you are so good at it. Please, anything that happens to me can be undone."
Marinette kissed her forehead. "I promise to try. I reacted seeing you in danger. I love you. I do not want to see you hurt. However, I also understand my role and what it requires."
Zoe gave her a warm smile. "I love you too, and also hate to see you hurt. Kwami, I have so much to ponder over. Every time I have seen Ladybug tossed into a building, for example. And I've been keeping my own secret from you, as well."
"Oh, well I know you're Vesperia. What other secret have you been keeping?"
Zoe sat up and put her lips right next to Marinette's ear. Marinette shuddered at having her lover so close to her.
"I was Kitty Noir."
Marinette pulled her into a deep hug, cradling her close. "Kitty Noir was hot. I'm glad Plagg went to you, during that time."
Zoe rubbed her cheek to her own. "Not as hot as Lady Noire. That long braid? I had far too many fantasies about playing with that braid."
Marinette smirked. "We should tell Alya that you were Kitty Noir. She would be pumped."
Zoe blinked. "Why should we tell, Alya? Does she know you're Ladybug?"
Marinette blinked. "Oh right, we had not discussed that. Alya does know and she is Rena Rogue. But you knew her by another name. Alya was Scarabella."
Zoe stared dumbly at her partner before she fell over onto the bed and laughed. Marinette felt her heart flutter, reached down and stroked Zoe's hair again.
"I should have known. Can we mess with her a bit, before we tell her the truth?"
"I love the way you think, my love. We'll pool our resources and come up with some ideas. Now, come on and get up. I need to get your measurements and in our make-out sessions yesterday, I forgot to do it."
Zoe smirked as she rose and stripped down to her undergarments. "You mean 'my girlfriend is Ladybug and I cannot take my hands off her' make-out sessions?"
"Hey, I've dreamed about having you in the Vesperia costume too. I cannot wait to see you in my spots."
Zoe leaned in, her lips inches from Marinette's. "I cannot wait to see you in my stripes."
They did get the measurements done, but only they had finally ended their most recent make-out session. They went about their task, blushing red as they did. Zoe put her clothes on as Marinette set to making the costumes and she sat on the chaise to watch her girlfriend work. Marinette could not help stealing looks at her partner as she worked. She was so glad Zoe was not mad at her. They were stronger than ever.
Next time: Escalation
