Chapter Text
Marinette was sitting in her room doing homework and Tikki was helping her. Having her kwami on her side, or her shoulder in this case, was so comforting and the girl was happy she had her in her life. Even if it meant having a super responsible job of being Ladybug - the protector of the city.
They were done quickly, so Marinette moved to her sewing machine to finish the commission she’d taken before her trip. It was a task that didn’t demand her focusing so she started thinking about what Alya told her earlier. Adrien’s suspicious behavior.
-Can I ask you a question?
Tikki stopped swirling around the room and flew close to her chosen.
- What’s wrong, Marinette? - she asked - Do you have an art block or something?
- No. That’s not that. - Marinette smiled. - I was just wondering. Have you noticed anything different about Adrien recently?
Tikki tried very hard to stay serious. Had she noticed? she smirked gently. Of course, she did. It was as if he and Marinette swapped their habits. Tikki could only imagine what a horror it must have been for Plagg to have a love-sick chosen. She smiled mischievously.
- No. What do you mean? - she lied.
All she wanted was for her Ladybug and Plagg’s Chat Noir to finally find themselves. Having teenage chosens was a burden although it was not their fault they were young and wanted to experience more romantic sides of their lives. Now, with Guardian gone and Marinette taking care of the miraculous box things may get easier, she thought.
Thankfully Adrien started noticing Marinette as a wonderful girl she is, so getting them together might not have been such a problem anymore, Tikki schemed.
Maybe this little innocent lie would help Marinette realize the true nature of Adrien’s behavior.
- Alya said he was following me and staring. - said Marinette unaware of Tikki’s plotting - She thinks that something happened between us in New York and that we’re hiding it from her.
- Do you have any idea why she thinks that? - Tikki tried to nudge her in the right direction.
- I don’t know. - sighed Marinette - she knows perfectly well he does not have feelings for me. And I am trying to move on from him.
- Wait, haven’t you told Luka you can’t do this? - asked Tikki.
- Yeah, but only because I didn’t want to hurt him anymore and to stop him from waiting for me till I move on. - she admitted - It is hard but maybe if I give it one more chance.
‘You do have a type, don’t you?’, thought Tikki. Yes, ‘pure of heart’. Could have been worse, she smiled. All the nice boys in Marinette’s life. It’s hard to make a choice.
- How about giving one more chance to someone else instead? - Tikki suggested. - Don’t think I haven’t noticed. - she added with a smirk - You care about Chat Noir.
- Of course, I care about him. - replied Marinette - He’s my partner and…
- You care about him more than just because he’s your partner. You like him.
Marinette stopped sewing and looked at her kwami with big eyes. ‘She can’t be serious’, she thought, ‘I don’t have a crush on Chat Noir’.
Sure, she liked him. He was nice and caring. Even his puns were funny, though Marinette would never admit it if he asked.
There was something about him that Marinette felt good in his company.
He was also an amazing partner on the battlefield. Very brave and smart and loyal. She appreciated it.
But she also felt sorry about his family situation. It wasn’t fair to be treated like this. Although she knew she had only seen the tip of the iceberg.
All in all, Chat was someone important to her and she wanted to have him in her life. She just wasn’t sure he may be as close to her heart as Adrien. Or for the same reason.
She was about to answer her kwami when her focus was drawn to her computer screen. She could see the news report from a press conference with the Mayor but next to him stood no other person but Chat Noir.
- Ladies and Gentlemen, - started Mayor Bourgois - I am honored to inform all of you that our city is doing everything we can to overcome the tragic consequences of the last sentimonster attack. Our loyal superheroes could not be here to rescue us back then but are here now to offer their help.
- That’s right. - added Chat Noir - We are very sorry for everything that happened. Fighting both Hawkmoth and Mayura at the same time in two different places was simply impossible. - he said seriously - We’re not trying to beg for your forgiveness. We just ask you not to lose trust and hope in us. We will do whatever we can for situations like that to never happen again.
The crowd cheering was overwhelming and Marinette suddenly felt cold and hot at the same time. ‘What is Chat doing?’, she thought, ‘why didn’t he say anything?’ She would be there too.
- And to prove our good intentions - he continued - we would like to offer financial support as well. - he said and pulled a check from inside of his pocket. - On behalf of Ladybug and me I would like to give this ten thousand euro to the citizens of Paris who suffered the most. - Chat Noir handed the check to the Mayor - It’s not much but we hope it will inspire the rest of us to help.
He left the podium, saluted, and used his baton to lift himself and disappear behind the roofs.
Marinette was left speechless. Not much?, she asked herself, she has never even seen so much money and Chat gave it as if that was nothing.
- Wow. - said Tikki with a smile - He really is generous. He didn’t consult it with you, did he?
- No. - replied Marinette still in shock - He didn’t. But I can’t be mad at him for that. Look! - she pointed to the screen - People liked it. He’s the hero!
- I think - said Tikki smirking - that he’s a hero no matter if he gives money to charity or not.
Marinette looked at her offended.
- You know that’s not what I meant. - she replied.
Tikki winked at her and sat on her shoulder to watch the rest of the news.
Suddenly Marinette’s phone buzzed.
- It’s Alya. - she said - Wow! Apparently, Chat’s speech did inspire people to help. - she added, surprised - She wants us all to meet and get some ice-cream from Andre. It looks like he is raising money for the fundraiser too.
- Good idea. - said Tikki - The Sweetheart's ice cream never lies. Maybe this should help you ease your mind about all the nice boys in your life - she teased.
Marinette did not respond to that obvious provocation. She took her purse and went downstairs to tell her parents she was leaving.
Sabine and Tom were in the bakery trying to contain the crowd willing to help collect money. Her parents were also contributing to the fundraiser by giving fifty percent of their income to help rebuild the city. But after TV coverage of the press conference Chat took part in, the number of people willing to help was astounding. They set a box on the counter to which everyone who wanted to help could put money which was later transferred to the foundation.
Marinette kissed her parents goodbye and they told her to have fun with her friends.
She loved them and was very proud of them.
- I cannot believe my own eyes! - shouted Nino - Has your father finally become a decent human being and let you leave your castle?
- Laugh all you want but It looks like that just happened - said Adrien with a grin - Well, he let me go via Nathalie but it’s still something.
- No matter how, I’m happy the whole gang is here. - said Alya - Let’s go then. Andre is just around the corner. - she said and took Marinette’s arm.
- Have you seen what Chat Noir’s done today? - she asked.
- Yes. - answered Marinette with a wide smile - It was amazing. I’m so happy we have someone like him to protect our city.
Adrien overheard their conversation and blushed intensely, which was not missed by Nino.
Marinette thought he was amazing. His newly discovered crush admired him. He was over the moon.
Alya was right. Andre’s stand was right around the corner. He waved to them happily when he saw them approaching.
- Hello sweethearts! - he said - What can I get you today?
- How about the usual? - asked Nino with a smile.
- Ah! Of course. Coconut, banana, and a touch of passion fruit! Here it comes. - said Andre and handed the cone to the couple. - What about you, my boy? - he turned to Adrien.
‘This is it’, thought Marinette, ‘soon I will find out should I move on from Adrien or not’.
Tikki looked at her chosen from inside her purse and smirked. ‘Yes’, she thought, ‘this is it’.
Adrien took his ice cream and left to the side so Marinette could get hers.
- Hello, pretty Marinette! - Andre smiled at her - Ready to try something new or would you prefer to stay with your classic?
- I think I will let you choose. - she replied shyly.
- All right then. - he said - How about both? Dark chocolate and mint for his eyes. Here you are.
Marinette was shocked. She thanked him with a nod because she couldn’t say a word and turned around.
It couldn’t be possible.
‘Strawberry with cream! Blackberries for her hair, and blueberry ice cream just like her sky blue stare! - that’s what he said’, thought Adrien while staring at the cone in his hand. It’s like his special, except for the strawberry scoop.
It wasn’t red with black spots. It was pink. The color he usually associated with…
Marinette?
She stood there and watched her ice cream with the same horror he had on his face.
Black and green. It couldn’t be a coincidence. They were Chat Noir’s colors.
But she was sure Mint was for Adrien’s eyes. Not Chat’s. Unless…
Yes, the third scoop in Adrien’s cone was in the same color as Marinette’s pants. But the rest? He was sure last time he had them, they portrayed Ladybug.
He turned around and saw her looking back at him with her eyes wide open. Then she smiled and he couldn’t help but reply the same.
‘I found her’, he thought.
‘it’s him’, she grinned.
Still not sure if they’re right, they sat on the bench nearby and looked at each other’s ice cream.
Marinette blushed a little when she noticed the colors she usually saw in the mirror. Adrien just grinned like an idiot when he found his alter ego’s distinctive colors in Marinette’s cone.
They didn’t say anything too scared this all was too good to be true.
Marinette and Adrien finished their desserts in pleasant silence.
Meanwhile, their kwamis enjoyed the view from inside Marinette’s purse.
- I thought you would come out with an elaborate plan to make Adrien realize the truth about his true love’s identity. - said Tikki - Watching him struggle against himself was tiring. - she admitted.
- It was and I did. - said Plagg - Luckily I wasn’t the only one. - he smiled widely at her - And you know me. Why bother doing something when he has so many friends who care about him.
Tikki observed Plagg for a moment and smiled too.
- Thank goodness. - She sighed - I was worried it would be very stupid and very reckless and that I would have to fix your mistakes.
Plagg only smirked in response. It was a good thing she never found out about his plan. And he was glad he didn’t have to lift a paw.
Lazy Plagg is a happy Plagg.
Drunk with happiness from her realization, Marinette transformed that night and rushed towards their usual spot on the Eiffel Tower. She sat on the platform and watched the city. A lot had changed since she was there last time. She inhaled the scent of night Paris when she heard another body landed on the platform she was sitting on.
Chat Noir approached her and sat down next to her just like he did the other day.
They were sitting in silence, not sure how or if they should make a move.
- Thank you. - he finally said.
- For what? - she asked and looked at him.
His mint-like green eyes were watching her as well.
- Again for convincing my father to let me go. - he whispered with a gentle smile. - I was right. You are my ladybug. With or without a mask. - he added confidently.
- You know we are not supposed to know our identities. - she said with a smile. - It can be dangerous.
- Yeah. - he admitted sadly. - It’s up to the guardian now. - Chat Noir smiled teasingly.
Ladybug observed her partner / the boy she cared for more than any other in this world.
- What do you think will be the guardian’s decision? - he asked curiously.
She looked at him and thought for a moment.
- It depends. - she said finally.
- On what?
- On your next move. - she said seriously. She decided to play open cards. - I like you, Adrien. You are my partner. On the battlefield and on the dance floor. I trust you with my life. - she said and noticed him blushing underneath his mask.
She didn’t know what else to say. ‘He should know’, she thought, ‘I should tell him’.
Here goes nothing.
- But I also liked you. - she admitted shyly - I had this enormous crush on you for months now. And that’s why I never liked your constant flirting. - she added surprised with her discovery.
- Let me get this straight… - said Chat Noir - Ladybug didn’t like Chat Noir’s constant flirting because Marinette had a crush on Adrien? - he chuckled.
She looked at him apologetically and then she also started giggling. Soon they both laughed wholeheartedly.
- It’s stupid. We’re stupid. - she said, fighting back tears. - But it’s even more complicated. - Ladybug added - Earlier today when we visited Andre, and when my normal Adrien themed ice cream looked like you, Chat, I realized two things.
- Let me guess… - he cut in - the first was that your cute classmate is your fighting-crimes partner and the second that you like them more than you like your other friends. - He looked at her with so much love she had to look away.
- You felt that too? - she asked timidly while watching the city skyline.
- Yes. - he confessed - And I liked what I felt. I like you Marinette. All of you. My courageous superhero partner and my amazing petite classmate. - he took her hand and waited for her to look at him. - I can’t believe we wasted so much time dancing around each other. - he added with a sad smile.
Ladybug looked at her partner and then she turned her eyes on their joined hands. She smiled widely. Chat Noir’s heart began to beat faster.
- You’re right. - she smiled teasingly - You are the only person I know who would be so stupid, so goodhearted and so rich to give ten thousand to charity without batting an eye. - Ladybug laughed at Chat’s confused face.
- Fun fact about me - he said - I have no idea how much money is much money.
- I noticed. - she replied with a gentle smile and she rested her head on his shoulder.
They sat in perfect silence like a couple of hours before and enjoyed each other’s company. They had a lot to think about.
- I think… - she lowered her voice and brought her face close to him - That the guardian will be ok with all that. After all - she added - It’s not like Ladybug would not care for her classmate Adrien or Chat Noir would not rescue his very good friend Marinette. - She winked at him.
Chat Noir smiled with embarrassment. He will never hear the end of “a very good friend” story, will he?
- And this way - he said - We will not waste time to look for Marinette or Adrien while fighting an akuma. And it will be easier to have an alibi for another attack. - Chat Noir smiled - It looks like us getting together will have plenty of advantages.
- ‘Getting together’? - Ladybug repeated quietly.
- Only if you want it. - he lowered his face to hers - Will you give this stray cat one last chance?
Blue met green when Ladybug looked into Chat Noir’s eyes and smiled reassuringly.
- I don’t know. - she teased - Ask me tomorrow at school.
Then she smiled and touched his lips with hers. He immediately hugged her closer and smiled too with his lips still on hers.
Finding his partner’s identity, realizing she’s the same girl he had a crush on and that he liked him back, all of that was too good to be true.
And yet it was.