Chapter Text
This was, hands down, the single longest day of Adrien’s life.
Also, it was only 8:15am.
Last night, while sitting atop the Eiffel Tower, Adrien (while in his dashing and secretive alter-ego, Chat Noir) had finally, FINALLY been kissed by none other than the love of his life, Ladybug.
He thought he was going to drop dead on the spot.
Before they could do much else, such as declare their undying love for each other, plan their wedding, or, you know, smooch some more, she had taken off. Also, she had said something, um important? Something about a new Guardian rule?
He wasn’t sure. There was kissing though. That, he was 100% on. Yep.
It wasn’t even that big of a kiss, but it didn’t have to be. She smelled good, and her lips were soft, and her kiss tasted like, like…
“Dude,” Nino said as he slid into the seat next to Adrien. “So, did you study for this math test this morning?”
“Like strawberries,” Adrien murmured.
Nino blinked. “Uh, Adrien? You studied like strawberries?”
Adrien blinked and realized where he was. “What? No! I, oh. Hey, Nino. What’s up?”
Nino stared at him, slightly concerned. “Uh, did a modeling shoot run late or something? You seem kinda out of it.”
Adrien slumped in his seat, a stupidly large smile on his face as he stared off into space. “No, no, last night was fine.”
Nino eyed him. Something was definitely different about his friend. “Uh, so then, like, what’s up? You look like you’re half-asleep. Did something happen last night?”
“I kissed him.”
The voice cut in through their conversation. The comment wasn’t really meant for them to hear, but they heard it just the same.
Alya squealed behind them, startling both boys. She looked at Marinette and bounced up and down in her seat. “Spill! Now!”
Marinette blushed and rubbed the back of her head. “It’s no biggie, Alya. He’s just some guy I met while, um, out.”
This was true.
“What’s his name? Do I know him?”
Marinette shook her head. “Believe it or not, he never told me his name.”
Also true.
Alya shot Marinette a sly look. “You slut! You made out with a guy you didn’t even know? Girl, you’re like a Disney princess come to life and you got busy with a stranger?”
Both boys turned around, clearly more interested in this conversation than their own. Marinette glanced at them and turned bright pink from embarrassment. “Alya, please! It’s not like we did anything major. I just, you know, kissed him.”
Alya put her hands out. “Wait. Back up. You kissed the mystery boy? Not the other way around?”
Nino smiled. “Mari, I never knew you had game.”
Marinette smiled awkwardly. “I have game. I have all the games. I am a gamer girl. Of games.”
Marinette did not have game.
“You kissed someone?” Adrien asked. Despite what had happened with Ladybug the night before, he suddenly felt something stab in his chest. It was small, but it was there and it bothered him. He didn’t understand why it bothered him, though, and that bothered him more.
Marinette nodded. “Geez, guys. It’s no biggie. I met a guy while working on a project and, well, just took a chance. That’s all. Nothing major.”
“My girl has a boyfriend!” Alya cheered.
“No!” Marinette said, putting her hands out to quell her excitement. “No, I do not! Like I said, this was a spur of the moment thing. I just, you know, saw an opening. That’s it. Honest.”
Marinette sighed with relief. She hoped that Alya hadn’t been too loud, and that she had put things to bed.
She sensed something behind her.
She turned.
Rose, Juleka, Mylene, and Alix were standing right there.
“EEEEEEEEEE!” Rose squealed as she hugged Marinette. “You finally got some action!”
Juleka gave her a thumbs up, while Mylene blushed.
Alix tossed some flower petals in the air. “Congrats,” she said, deadpan.
Marinette blinked. “Where did you even get those?”
“They’re mine,” Rose said happily. “I always have some, just in case. Mari, tell us everything!”
“Is he nice?” Mylene asked.
“Who is he?” Juleka asked.
“How far did you let him get?” Alix asked, smirking.
“Tell us!” Rose demanded.
Marinette turned red. “GUYS. Please. It was just… Something nice. That’s all.”
Marinette noticed that her friends had quieted down. She figured that meant her answer had satisfied them, so she turned in her seat to face the front.
Ms. Bustier was staring at her, her hand resting on her hip.
Marinette was now the color of a tomato. “Um, Ms. Bustier?”
Caline shrugged. “I mean, I could start class, but honestly this was so interesting I was willing to let this play out. Are we all done now? Would anyone else like to share the intimate details about their scandalous evenings?”
Rose started to put her hand up, but a beet red Juleka quickly grabbed it and yanked it down.
“Um, sorry, Ma’am,” Marinette muttered, too mortified to speak. Her friends scooted to their seat as class began.
Adrien turned to focus on the lesson. It was about math. Math? Who could think about math? He had kissed Ladybug! And Marinette had apparently kissed some phantom stranger. Who was this guy? Was he nice? Was he nice to her? Dude, Ladybug! But hey, back to Marinette. What if this clown was taking advantage of her. What did she know about him? How long were they kissing for?
Adrien frowned. This was not the obsessive thinking he had booked time for today, and it was really starting to annoy him.
Marinette was special to him. She was a friend, one of his best. Her family was warm and inviting, her parents treated him like their own, her mother could cook like nothing on this earth, and she was just nice to be around. She made him feel good. Right. Calm.
Adrien simmered. Ms. Bustier was saying words, but he wasn’t hearing any of them. Why was he so bothered by hearing Marinette say that? Why couldn’t she just be, you know, there? He liked being near her. He liked the sound of her voice. When he was at her place, hanging out, that voice was for him. Her smile was for him. Even the smells of her home were wonderful. The food, the bakery, even…
“Adrien?” Ms. Bustier asked. “Do you have the answer?”
“She smells wonderful!” Adrien blurted out.
He blinked.
Caline blinked.
“No. The answer is 6. Um, good effort?”
The class sniggered as Adrien shrank in his seat.
Nino leaned over and whispered, “Uh, are you feeling okay? That was weird, even for you.”
Adrien nodded. “Uh, yeah. I’m cool.”
He glanced behind him at Marinette, who was focused squarely on Ms. Bustier.
“I’m cool.”
Adrien settled back into his seat as his mind wandered. He kept focusing on his lady, the love of his life…
Was Marinette being taken advantage of? Seriously, the poor girl was so trusting and loving. Someone might have…
Dammit.
Ladybug wanted to see him. Tonight. Alone. Maybe for more kissing?
Was Marinette meeting her mystery man for more kissing? What if he took things too far? Would she be able to defend herself? Maybe he should check on her. You know, to make sure she was safe.
On his left shoulder, a tiny version of Ladybug appeared. “Okay, cut the crap. You’ve been wanting me for how long now? And here I am, practically handing myself to you on a silver platter, and you’re thinking about little miss klutz back there?”
On his right shoulder, a tiny Marinette appeared. “Well excuse me if Mr. Man here is concerned for my well-being! I mean, can you imagine it? Poor, defenseless, innocent me, pressed up against a wall in a dark alley. A stranger having his way with me…” She clutched her hands to her chin and hopped up and down as she giggled.
“You would be excited by something like that,” Tiny Ladybug said, her arms crossed.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Tiny Marinette asked, clearly perturbed.
“I mean, you’re going off, acting like a woman of the night, meeting God-knows-whom in some back-alley exchange when you could’ve had some of this right here,” she gestured to Adrien.
“Um,” Adrien quietly mumbled. “Excuse me?”
Tiny Marinette put a tiny hand to Adrien’s lips. “Stay out of this, cutie. Look, miss spandex. It’s not my fault the boys are lining up. At least I’m not throwing myself at the first leather-clad horny teen that comes rubbing up against me!”
“Maybe you should have!” Tiny Ladybug snapped back. “At least our man here will be getting a little something special tonight from a lady and not some clumsy, bland-looking dork.”
“I am NOT a dork!” Tiny Marinette countered. “And I happen to be quite attractive. Adrien thinks so!”
“He does not!” Tiny Ladybug yelled. “He’s been trying to pin this bug to his love board for months and you know it!”
“Um…” Adrien said, clearly uncomfortable at this point.
“Shush, hot stuff.” Tiny Marinette shot tiny Ladybug the eye. “I happen to know he finds me sexy! We’re derivatives of his subconscious brought about by his own anxious tendencies, further manifested by his increasing stress and mounting insecurities concerning his sex life!”
Adrien blinked. “Wait, what?”
Tiny Marinette continued “We can only feel what he feels, and I’m telling you, he wants to throw me on the desk and show me he knows how to put the ‘aggressive’ in Agreste. Oh yeah. Rwar.” She winked at Adrien.
Tiny Marinette also did not have game.
“Oh please, princess. Our man here wants a woman with confidence, not to mention curves.” Tiny Ladybug strutted across Adrien’s shoulder and shot him a come-hither stare. “You like looking at me when we patrol. Admit it.”
“He checks me out all the damn time, you hussy!” Tiny Marinette shouted. “He may be all, ‘oh, she’s just a friend,’ but we both know that if I let him, he’d lay me out and destroy me!” She blew a kiss to Adrien.
“Please stop,” Adrien said, his face in his hands.
“He wants me!” Tiny Ladybug said. “Not some stuttering disaster-human. Have you even seen the fanfic on his computer? Dude.” She lowered her gaze. “Duuuuude. Our boy’s got some next-level kink going on, let me tell you. And it’s all gonna be focused right here.” She slapped her behind for emphasis.
“He doesn’t want a cherry-red slut! He wants a woman with some modesty! And a soft, squeezable butt!” Tiny Marinette screamed.
“My butt is great, too! Better than yours, even! And everything else, too! I’m, like, 300% more touchable than you! And he’s gonna touch it! Tonight, he’s gonna touch all of it!”
“I DON’T WANT TO TOUCH YOUR BUTT!” Adrien screamed. He was breathing hard and looked around, but the two tiny women that were on his shoulder were gone.
He blinked. Why was everyone…?
Oh.
Oh no.
The entire class stared in mute shock.
Ms. Bustier cleared her throat. “…That’s good to know, Adrien, but we’re taking about integers.”
Adrien crumpled in his seat. “May I please be excused?”
Ms. Bustier nodded and pointed to the door. “Please.”
Adrien grabbed his bag and shuffled out the door. The class sat in silence for a moment.
“My butt is awesome, thank you very much,” Kim said a little too loudly.
Ms. Bustier put her face in her hand and sighed. “Let’s just try to get through math.”
***
At break, Nino found Adrien in the common area. He was sitting at the end of a bench with his face in his hands.
“Dude,” Nino said as he sat down beside him. “Are you feeling okay?”
Adrien let out a long sigh. “I don’t know. I think so? I just, I have a lot on my mind, that’s all.”
Nino considered him for a moment. “Is this about the fact that you like two different girls?”
Adrien turned to Nino and stared at him like he had just sprouted horns. “What?”
“Hey, it’s cool.” Nino patted him on the shoulder. “You’ve had it bad for your mystery girl for a while now, and I get it. It can be hard when you build something up in your head and don’t act on it. You start to create all these fantasies about what your life could be, how they would react, and before you know it, you’ve fallen head over heels for someone.”
Nino looked across the common area and spotted Marinette talking with Alya.
“You build this whole thing up in your head, even though you know the other person probably isn’t into it or just sees you as a friend, and then there’s this other person who’s really great and kind and hot, and you never considered them in that way before, but then one day, you just do, and you feel guilty.”
Adrien watched his friend as he opened up. Nino’s face softened as he glanced to Adrien and smiled.
“It’s okay, you know. You’re not betraying one person my also liking another, especially if you haven’t acted on it.”
Adrien slumped a bit. “Last night, I met up with, um, that other girl? And she kissed me.”
“Oh,” Nino said, blinking. “Did you kiss her back?”
Adrien shook his head. “I didn’t have time.”
“Did you want to?”
Adrien nodded. “Yes. Yes? I think I do? I do. I don’t know. I…” He glanced to Marinette, who was still talking and laughing with Alya.
“I don’t know. What would you do?”
Nino laughed. “Dude, it's what I did. My feelings for that other girl were strong, but they were, well, just a built up fantasy. Once I focused on what was in front of me, I realized how special Alya was, and, well, you know.” He gestured to his girlfriend. “Sometimes you get so focused on what you think you want that you don’t realize how incredible the person in front of you really is.”
Adrien smiled. “I think I get it.”
Nino put his hand on Adrien’s shoulder. “Hey, whatever happens? I’m here for you, okay? Don’t let this stress you out.”
“Thanks, Nino. You’re a pretty incredible friend, you know that?”
Nino grinned. “Seriously, dude, you’re my best friend in the world. It’s the least I can do.”
Adrien turned his attention back to Marinette and sighed. “The person in front of me,” he murmured.
***
After school, Chinese, Piano, fencing lessons, and a modeling shoot, Adrien was just plain done. As he exited the shoot and wiped his brow with a towel the photographer had given him, he looked to the Gorilla as he loomed next to the sedan and said, “Okay, honestly? I’ve got about an hour and a half before I’m supposed to be at Marinette’s for dinner and, um, I’d really like some me-time today. Can I just walk there and we pretend you drove me? I could really use some time to think.”
The Gorilla stared at him.
“Please?” Adrien asked.
The Gorilla considered him for a moment, and then opened the car door. Adrien felt his heart sink, but the Gorilla reached in and grabbed two cans of juice. He handed one to Adrien and popped the top on the second, downing it in one massive gulp.
“Thanks,” Adrien said, enjoying the drink. The shoot had been outside and it had been particularly hot that afternoon.
“Hey, can I talk to you about something?” Adrien asked. He sat down on the curb. The Gorilla sat down next to him.
“So, and please don’t tell my father this, but there’s, well, this girl.” The Gorilla raised an eyebrow. Adrien blushed a little, but he continued. “I’ve had a crush on her for a while, but she’s made it clear for the longest time that she just wasn’t interested. And there’s this other girl who, um, well, she’s wonderful. She’s kind, and smart, and pretty, and I think I might, I might have feelings for her now, but from the sound of it, she might be falling for someone else. Also, this first girl? Suddenly, she seems to be interested, right when I’m starting to fall for… Ug.”
The Gorilla took out his cell phone and swiped through his pictures. He found a selfie he had taken with Adrien’s friends when they had done some modeling for Marinette and pointed at the blue-haired girl.
Adrien nodded, his cheeks flushed. “Yeah. Huh, I guess it’s a bit obvious?”
The Gorilla rolled his eyes.
“So, what should I do?” Adrien asked. “Should I keep pursuing girl number one, or, well…” He gestured to his phone.
The Gorilla put his hand to his chin and thought about it.
“Also,” Adrien said, slightly quieter. “What if they both end up rejecting me?”
He felt a hand on his shoulder. Adrien looked to the Gorilla, who was shaking his head. He pointed at Adrien’s chest and smiled.
“Thanks,” Adrien said. “I think I know what to do.” He bit his lip and frowned. “At least, I hope I do. So,” He looked up at the Gorilla and offered a smile. “Would you mind if I walked?”
The Gorilla looked to Adrien, and then down the street. He was still frowning.
“You know,” Adrien casually tossed out as he finished his juice. “I hear the multiplex is showing Love Knife 4: A Knife Night to Die. I know you’ve been interested in seeing it, and there’s a showing in 20 minutes…”
The Gorilla gave him a concerned look.
Adrien put his hands up. “I promise I’ll be careful. I’m a big boy, after all. You know I won’t do something stupid.”
The Gorilla sighed. He reached out and put his hand on Adrien’s shoulder, giving it a light squeeze.
“Thank you,” Adrien said, giving the surprised bodyguard a hug. The Gorilla hesitated, and then hugged him back. “Enjoy the movie! Don’t spoil the end for me!”
The Gorilla smiled and waved as Adrien took off down the street.
***
Adrien had meant to just stick to the rooftops and get some air. He had transformed the moment he was out of sight and had been running in the late afternoon light, marveling at the feeling of freedom. He had just made a loop around the Seine and was coming back towards the Dupain-Cheng bakery for dinner. Sabine had arranged a deal with Nathalie; Adrien tutors Marinette and in return, Adrien gets a home cooked meal with a family.
Adrien couldn’t argue. The food was great, and the company… Well.
Adrien was so lost in his own thoughts that he almost didn’t register the scream from below until it was too late. He glanced down in time to see a rather large man sprawled out in the street with packages all around him. Just a few meters away and barreling down quickly was a delivery truck.
Adrien wasted no time. He dove towards the man, catching him in a quick, fluid motion and rocketed out of the street via his pole just seconds before the delivery truck crashed through the sprawled boxes the man had dropped.
Adrien got the man to a nearby rooftop and helped him to his feet. It was only then that he realized he knew him.
“Are you alright, Mr. Dupain?” Chat Noir asked as he dusted Tom off.
“I think so,” Tom said, still a little loopy. “A bike crashed into me and laid me out cold. I was just coming to when you got me.” He glanced over the edge of the building. “Looks like you got me just in time.”
Chat breathed out a relieved sigh. “It was the least I could do, Sir.”
Tom frowned. “Well, there go my storage trays. Ahh well, better a lost tray than a lost life, I guess. Still,” He sighed. “Those were good trays.”
“Why were you holding storage trays in the middle of the street?”
“I just got done working an event across town and was trying to hurry back for dinner.” Tom rubbed his forehead. “Sabine is gonna kill me.”
“Nonsense,” Chat said. “She’ll be happy that you escaped without a scratch.”
Tom considered Chat Noir for a second. “I, um, I don’t know that I ever said sorry for before. You know, when I turned into a werewolf monster and tried to kill you?”
Chat smiled and waved him off. “Honestly? It happens all the time. Don’t even worry about it.”
“No, no,” Tom said. “I need to thank you properly. You’ve been nothing but polite to our family and lord knows you’ve saved us as well as all of Paris more times than I can count. I’d like you to come to dinner.”
Chat paled.
“I won’t take no for an answer,” Tom said. “After all, we’re making extra, what with that nice boy, Adrien coming over.” He nudged Chat Noir and winked. “You’ve got a little competition, if I do say so myself. I think our little girl is quite taken with him.”
Chat flushed and let out a nervous laugh. “Um, thank you? But really, I have to, um, get home to my father? He’ll be expecting me.”
“You’re sure?” Tom said. “I know you and Mari get along. I, um, I hope the thought of another boy over isn’t what’s putting you off…”
“No, no,” Chat said. “That’s not it at all.”
Tom considered the hero for a moment. “Son, are you okay?”
Chat blinked, confused. “Beg pardon?”
“Well,” Tom said. “Forgive me if I’m overstepping, but you seem like something is on your mind and has you distracted. I understand if you can’t talk about it, but…” He gestured to the rooftop. “No one else is here, and I can keep a secret. If you need to vent, it would be the absolute least I could do to listen.”
Chat sighed. “You’d be the third person I’ve talked to today if I did.”
“Ah,” Tom nodded. “Then it’s a girl.”
Chat stuttered. “Um, well, erm… Yes. Yes, it’s a girl.”
“Ladybug?” Tom asked.
Chat was about to ask how he knew, and then realized that of course he would guess Ladybug. I mean, who else would he suggest?
“Yeah,” Chat said. “It’s nothing bad, I guess. I’m just trying to make sure I do the right thing and don’t hurt anyone’s feelings.”
“Oof,” Tom said. “I’ve been there. My best advice? Especially if it’s in relation to what I think it is? Be honest and be direct. Don’t dance around it, just tell her. Regardless of her answer, if she is your friend and cares about you, she’ll understand, no matter what.”
“Um, you don’t even know the situation,” Chat pointed out.
“You’re a teenage boy,” Tom said, laughing. “I think I have an idea.”
“TOM!”
Both Tom and Chat froze as a black and white hero landed on the rooftop. Tom because he was surprised, and Chat because he was admittedly scared of the woman. She rushed to Tom and swept him into a tight hug. This alone was unnerving, but then she pulled him closer and planted a huge kiss on the shocked man.
“Woah!” Tom said. "Madame, please!"
Sabine stepped back, blushing. She took confused baker by the arms. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“I’m… Fine?” Tom said as he was nervously checked over. “Um, excuse me?” He gently pushed the woman hero back. “Uh, do I know you?”
Sabine closed her eyes in relief and sighed. “I saw, on the Ladyblog that you were… That you were nearly killed and…” She looked to Chat Noir. “Thank you,” she said as she swiftly approached him and wrapped him in a tight hug. “Thank you so, so much.”
Chat nervously hugged her back as he was picked up off the ground. “Um, you’re welcome?”
“Do you know her?” Tom asked.
Chat nodded while being hugged. “We worked together the other day. She’s…”
Chat’s eyes went wide.
“She’s…”
Wider.
“Chat Noir,” Sabine asked as she stepped back. “Are you alright?”
‘Why was she so concerned about Tom?’ Chat thought to himself. ‘Why did she hug him?’
“Well then,” She looked back to Tom. “I had better get you home, citizen. Um, I’m sure your beautiful wife and daughter are worried about you.”
She stepped over and put an arm around Tom’s waist. Tom blushed and squirmed a bit. “Um, I’m married, Miss.”
Sabine blushed and nodded. “Sorry, Dearrrpain? Mr. Dupain?” She giggled, but then instantly put her game face back on. “I need to hold you tight to make sure I don’t drop you. Here,” She guided his hands. “Hold me close.”
She smirked at how red Tom was getting. “Um, er, okay.”
“Tighter, please.” Sabine was nothing if not safety oriented.
Tom turned crimson as he held the mystery woman tight. With a wink to Chat Noir, she took off, launching herself with her Shepherd’s staff much the same way Chat usually did.
Chat watched them go, his brain slightly broken.
‘How did she know which way to go?’
‘How did she know he had a wife and daughter?’
‘Why was she blushing so hard?’
Chat suddenly remembered an exchange with Ladybug the night prior.
Marinette leaned on his shoulder, which surprised him, but he wasn’t complaining. He put an arm around her and asked, “So, who was that newcomer? Was she from the future or something?”
Marinette shook her head. “Nope. Just my mom.”
Chat was admittedly dense.
He wasn’t that dense, though.
“Holy shit,” he said as he collapsed onto his rear end. He stared dumbly in the direction of the Dupain-Cheng bakery, and slowly started to grin.
***
So, dinner was awkward.
Adrien sat nervously looking from Marinette to Sabine as he attempted to focus on the amazing pot roast Sabine had taken out of the slow cooker. Tom meanwhile looked decidedly miserable as he fiddled with his food and kept glancing to Sabine. Sabine meanwhile was trying to play footsie with Tom under the table and shooting him coy smiles.
Marinette just ate her food, completely oblivious.
“This is really great, mom,” Marinette offered.
“Isn’t it?” Sabine said, staring dreamily at Tom.
“Yes!” Tom said, visibly sweating. “This is good. The food. I’m talking about the food.”
“This is good food,” Adrien chimed in, still looking back and forth. He was still processing what had happened on the rooftop.
‘Dark blue hair, blue eyes, bright smile, ladybug-themed earrings… Oh my God,’ Adrien thought to himself. He smacked his forehead and muttered, “I’m an idiot.”
“I’ll say,” Marinette said as she slurped up a bite of carrot. “What was up with you during math today? I’ve never heard you just yell like that before in class.”
“I, um, I was distracted,” he said. Marinette glanced at him and smiled.
“Hmmm,” she said. “By what, exactly?”
He glanced to her and blushed. “Um, nothing.”
She popped a bite of potato in her mouth while still watching him.
From the kitchen, both Tikki and Plagg watched while eating a loaf of bread Sabine had left out for them.
“He knows,” Plagg said.
“Well, it’s about time,” Tikki said. “I’m pretty sure she does, too.” She looked around. "Hey, where's Ziggy?"
Plagg pointed over his shoulder. Tikki turned to see the goat kwami passed out on top of what had been a plate of cookies. "Oh," she said.
“So, they’re just pretending not to know at this point?” Plagg asked.
“I don’t think they know the other knows,” Tikki pointed out.
“We could just fly in there and solve this,” Plagg suggested. He downed another piece of bread. “Okay, even without the cheese, this is good. Is this how you eat every day?”
Tikki shrugged. “It’s a bakery, so yes. Please don’t fly out there. Tom doesn’t know. It’s not our place to spill.”
Plagg grumbled as he scarfed down more warm bread. “He’s gonna crack first.”
“No way,” Tikki giggled. “My girl can’t keep it in. She’s gonna pop before he does.”
“You’re on,” Plagg grinned.
Meanwhile…
“So,” Sabine said as she trailed her finger up Tom’s arm. “I was wondering if you’d like to go for an evening stroll? Maybe get some ice cream?”
Tom was sweating buckets at this point. He abruptly stood up, bumping the table as he did so. “Sabine, I need to tell you something,” he blurted out. He quickly glanced to the two kids and said, “can we please talk outside? I… I need to get something off my chest.”
Sabine rolled her eyes but kept smiling. “Whatever you say, dear. Marinette? Would you mind cleaning up while your father has a tiny breakdown?”
“Can do,” Marinette said. She took another bite of her food and smiled. Adrien watched in confusion as the two adults headed out the back door.
“What was that all about?” Adrien asked, confused.
Marinette set her fork down and looked to the blonde boy beside her. “Well, according to mom, something happened today involving some heroes. Dad’s probably just freaking out about it.”
“Why would he be doing that?” Adrein asked, already suspecting the answer.
Marinette shrugged. “It’s not that important. Um, soooo… Wanna head upstairs to the balcony? It’s a nice night, and, um, I wanted to talk to you about something.”
Adrien turned red. “Um, yeah. Yes. Sure. I would.”
Marinette stood and gathered her dishes. “Okay, but first? We need to clean. Grab dad’s bowl?”
Adrien nodded. “Yes Ma’am.”
He’d waited all day to talk to Ladybug.
He could wait five more minutes.
Maybe.
***
As soon as they got outside, Tom whirled around and lowered his head. “Forgive me, Sabine. Something happened today.”
“Oh?” Sabine said, eyes wide with fake surprise. “What?”
Tom was wringing his hands. “I… I was almost hit by a truck. Chat Noir saved me and then…”
“Yes, dear?” Sabine stepped closer.
Tom swallowed. “This woman hero I’ve never seen before. She appeared and… And she kissed me!”
Sabine put her hands to her mouth as her eyes went wider. “No!”
“It’s true,” Tom said, sadly. “I didn’t mean for it to happen. She just… She jumped me! I’m sorry, Sabine.”
Sabine turned from him and put her hand to her forehead. “Oh, how could this have happened! I’ve lost you! Our love has been forgotten!”
“No!” Tom dropped to his knees. “I swear, I did nothing. She just arrived and… And the guilt of it has been eating me alive.”
Sabine was shaking. Tom assumed it was from crying. “Dear?”
“I will never love again,” Sabine said as she put her hands to her mouth. She was shaking harder now.
Tom was devastated. “I… I understand. I’ll pack my bags. I’ve failed you and Mari and… And I’m sorry.”
Sabine lost it.
Tom stared as his wife collapsed in hysterical laughter. She was rolling on the ground as tears were flowing down her face. “Oh Tom,” she managed. “Tom, honey, you… You did nothing wrong!”
“I was kissed by a strange woman and you find it funny?” Tom asked.
Sabine got to her feet, still laughing. “Okay… Okay. Can I tell you something? And can you promise to keep it a secret?”
Tom nodded, not sure where this was going.
Sabine, still giggling, straightened herself and said, “Okay. Oh boy. Mari is going to be so upset. Okay. Close your eyes.”
Tom did.
There was a sound, and a flash of light.
“Open them.”
Again, Tom did.
“…Oh,” Tom said as the black and white heroine scooped him into her arms.
“So,” Sabine said, blushing. “What do you think?”
Tom stared, stunned. “So, that was you? I kissed you?”
Sabine nodded. “Of course, silly. Why do you think I was so concerned about you?”
"You're a superhero?"
Sabine nodded. "Yes. Yes, I am."
Tom frowned. "How long has this been going on?"
"Oh, since yesterday." Sabine giggled. "I was going to tell you this weekend, but, well, you know."
Tom relaxed a bit as Sabine held him closer. “I never would have guessed. I mean, on the roof, I just thought you were being extremely friendly. I didn’t, I mean, this is just not what I expected, and…”
“Tom?”
Tom looked down at his wife as she held him with what felt like impossibly strong arms.
“Hold on to me,” she said.
Tom held her tightly. “Okay. Um, are we going for a ride again?” He stuttered.
Sabine smiled and leaned in. “You could say that.”
“…Oh.”
***
Marinette and Adrien stared at each other as they sat in the patio chairs that were atop her balcony. Each had thought through time and again what they would say at this moment, but now that it was here and right in front of their faces, they weren’t sure anymore about what they should do.
“So,” Marinette said.
“Soooo,” Adrien said back.
Adrien swallowed down his fear and nodded to himself. “Marinette? Um, there’s something I want to tell you. Something important. Something... That I should have told you a long, long time ago.”
As Adrien spoke, Plagg floated up behind him, clearly visible to Marinette. He was grinning from ear to ear and waving.
“So,” Adrien said as Marinette covered her mouth to hide her grin. “For the longest time, I had a crush on someone that, honestly, was out of my league.”
Marinette watched as Plagg grabbed his chest as though his heart was breaking. “Go on,” she managed.
“I was in love,” Adrien said. “I was in love with a woman who didn’t love me back, and in being so, I built this wild fantasy up in my head. One where I could no longer see everything else around me. Everyone around me.”
Plagg put his paw to his head and tilted back. Tikki floated up beside him. He held his tiny arms out to her, but she put her hands out and turned her face away. Plagg dropped in mid-air to his knees and gestured as though he were begging.
Marinette covered her face and peeked out through her fingers as she started to shake with laughter.
“I went on like this for so long that I didn’t see the person who was right in front of me. The person I cared about, that cared about me.”
Both kwamis spun around each other, holding their arms out to one another.
“I should have realized that I… I was in love, but not with the person I thought.”
Plagg took Tikki’s face in his hands.
“I was in love… With you, Marinette.”
Plagg pulled Tikki in and leaned over her. They pretended to make out as Marinette burst out laughing.
Adrien blinked, devastated. “Um, okay,” he said. “I guess that was a bit too much. I’m sorry. I… I should go.”
Marinette reached out and grabbed his wrist as he stood to leave. “No! No, you’re, oh my God, you’re wonderful! I love… I love you, too! I always hahahahave! This was every... Everything I wanted it to behehehe!”
Adrien looked down, confused. “What? Then why are..?”
She reached up and turned his face to see the two kwamis, still pretending. Adrien went white as a sheet.
“What?” He stuttered.
“I’m sorry,” Marinette said, hiccupping from laughing so hard. “You were being so sincere, and they, they were…” She broke down laughing again. "You two are such jerks!" She yelled, still grinning.
Adrien glared at the kwamis. Tikki looked slightly embarrassed, while Plagg was smirking. “Your speech sucked. We were making it better.”
Tikki elbowed him. “That’s not nice! He was pouring his heart out to her!"
Plagg crossed his arms and shot Tikki a look. “Oh yeah, then why’d you go along with it?”
Tikki blushed and looked away. “Because it did kind of suck a little.”
“Ha!”
“Wait,” Adrien said. He looked back to Marinette, who was now standing in front of him. She was still giggling, but now she was reaching out for his hands. “You… You knew?!”
She nodded. “I only just put it together. You?”
“Um, I figured it out when I saved your dad. Your mom showed up and, well…”
Marinette’s eyes went wide. “Wait, WHAT? What happened with my dad? Mom just said she gave him a lift!"
Adrien shook his head. “He’s fine. I just… Wow.” He cupped his hand to the side of her face. “So, does this mean the guy you kissed last night was..?”
“Oh my God, would you please just kiss me again already?” Marinette said with a wink. Not bothering to wait on him, she grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close.
Finally.
“So,” Adrien asked when they came up for air. “What was that new Guardian rule you wanted to discuss?”
Marinette put her finger to the side of her mouth as she pretended to be lost in thought. “Ah! You’re allowed to share your identity with the person you love.”
He smiled. “You love me?”
Marinette blushed, but she didn’t look away. “I’ve loved you since the day I met you.”
Adrien stiffened and turned beet red. “I, uh, wow.” He held her and said, “I love you, too. I guess I always have.”
“You loved Ladybug,” Marinette pointed out.
Adrien shrugged. “Yeah, well, I fell in love with you before I even knew you were Ladybug, so there!”
“You did?” Marinette asked, eyes wide.
“I did,” Adrien said.
As he leaned in to kiss her, Marinette softly whispered, “Adrien?”
“Yes, Marinette?”
“…So whose butt were you shouting about in class today?”
Adrien nearly stumbled as Marinette caught him and said, “Come here, you.”
Adrien narrowed his eyes. “You did that on purpmmMMMmpphh.”
And while Adrien wanted to call Marinette out on tripping him up, and on knowing who he was for at least 24 hours longer than he knew who she was, he was to his delight, completely distracted.
As the two lovebirds laughed and embraced, another couple could be seen that night, leaping over the rooftops of Paris. A woman, clad in miraculous magic, was jumping impossible distances with a large man held safely in her arms.
"Are you okay?" Sabine asked as they made their way to the Eiffel Tower.
"Of course I am," Tom said, an ice cream for the two of them to share clutched tightly. "I'm in the arms of a superhero, after all."
Tomorrow, both couples would face what the changes in their lives would bring.
For now though? They were happy, and they were loved, and that, dear reader, is enough.