Chapter Text
It was a wonderful night for Chat Noir. Not only had he discovered earlier today that the girl he had a crush on was also his superhero partner, but she also liked him back and now they were sitting on their favorite platform on the Eiffel Tower and watched the city below hugging close.
Eventually Ladybug sighed and snuggled closer to her boyfriend.
- What’s wrong? - he asked - Are you cold?
- No. - she said sadly - I just remembered something.
- Want to share it with me? - he asked gently and put his head on hers - You know you can tell me everything. Especially now that we don’t have to hide any secrets from each other. - He smiled supportively.
She looked up at him and also smiled.
- I know that. - she said - But there are a few things I kept from you. To protect you - she added - if it is any consolation.
- Things like what? - he wanted to know.
Ladybug sighed again and sat straight to look him in the eyes. She grabbed his hands in hers and rubbed his palms with her fingers.
- Do you remember that one time we met on top of the Montparnasse Tower?
- The time we totally thought we were in love when hit by Oblivio? - Chat giggled at that thought. - We weren’t completely wrong, were we?
- No. - she laughed too - A few weeks later. The time I wanted to see you so desperately.
He thought for a moment and then nodded his head.
- Yeah, I do. - he said - I was worried something bad happened but you just wanted to sit and chat. - he smiled.
- Because something bad had happened. - she ignored the pun. - I didn’t know how to tell you about it back then but now I think you deserve to know the truth.
Chat Noir lowered his head to her level and smiled encouragingly.
She had to tell him about this one time she had to fight against her partner.
- The beret was from you? - Chat Noir asked, surprised.
- That’s all you got from this story? - Ladybug replied shocked.
- No, of course not. - he started abashed - It’s just so weird.
Ladybug huffed upset.
- Well, if you don’t like my presents then give the scarf back.
- I meant the whole ‘Chat Blanc’ story, not your beret, but ok. - he answered defensively - Wait! What scarf? - he asked.
- The blue one I made you for your birthday. - She said and then calmed down - I’m sorry but I’m the one who made it. Not your dad. - She said apologetically - That’s why I started putting my signature on my works like that hat. So people stopped claiming my works are theirs.
Chat Noir darkened. The blue scarf he got for his birthday was one of the nicest things he’d ever got from his father and it turned out it wasn’t even his work. He stole it!
No, he thought after a while, he didn’t. To steal something to give him that would mean he cared and remembered about his birthday. It must have been Nathalie. He was disappointed.
- I am so sorry, Adrien - she said and brushed his shoulder with her hand - I didn’t want to make you sad. I just wanted you to know the truth.
- You did the right thing. - he said sadly - Even when it’s not nice, it’s always better to know the truth.
She smiled at him reassuringly and snuggled close to him once again.
- So… - he started in a slightly better mood - Have you ever found out what happened that I got akumatized?
- All you said back then was that it was all because of our love. - she admitted quietly.
They sat in silence and listened to their quiet breathing.
- Someone must have found out about us being superheroes and Hawk Moth must have used it against us. - He said surely - It’s the only possible explanation.
- I also think that’s the only one that makes sense. - she agreed - But maybe we should talk to someone smarter than us. - she smiled widely and dropped her transformation.
He observed her carefully as if he was watching a beautiful dancing show. One moment where his superhero partner sat there was his cute classmate he loved so much. Then he detransformed as well. Their kwamis swirled around each other happy to have their chosens finally found themselves.
- Aren’t they cute? - asked Marinette.
- I could say the same thing. - replied Tikki. - Hi, Adrien! Good to see you again.
- Hi, Tikki! You too. - said Adrien still a little blushed from her previous comment.
- Pigtails! - screamed Plagg happily - Oh, thank me you finally confessed. I couldn’t stand this love-sick kitten any longer.
- Hello, Plagg. - she answered - Sorry it took me so long.
- So what do you think? - started Adrien - About me being akumatized. Do you think Hawk Moth might have found out who we are?
- There is such a possibility. - said Tikki sadly - I don’t really know what to think.
- If that’s what happened because you were dating then, forgive me for saying that, maybe it would be best if you weren’t dating. - added Plagg.
Adrien and Marinette looked sadly at each other and then immediately smiled.
- What if.. - she started.
- No one knew we were dating. - he finished with a knowing smile.
- That would mean you have to keep your relationship from everyone. - said Tikki - Your parents, your friends. Everyone!
- Nothing new here. - said Adrien, still not looking away from his girlfriend’s eyes.
- If we managed to keep our identities a secret for all this time I’m sure we can keep us a secret as well. - Marinette smiled and she scratched his chin - Don’t you agree, Kitty?
Adrien smiled widely at her. He wanted to purr so badly.
- You’re right, as always, My lady.
Ever since Chloe boarded this plane, she felt miserable. She went to New York. The city her mother lived in. The mother who didn’t even bother giving her a call nor invite her for lunch nor just see her.
Chloe knew she had never been a perfect daughter and her mother left her when she was just a kid, but she had changed since then and she wanted her mother to appreciate the young lady she had become.
She felt really lonely. Especially since Sabrina met this boy in New York. All she did in her free time was texting him and checking his social media. It was utterly boring.
A part of her wanted to be happy that her friend found someone who liked her for her but the other part was simply jealous. Sabrina was her friend first and she should spend time with her and not some boy that lived across the ocean.
She sat at her desk in sorrow and thought about how her life has changed recently. She almost missed Adrien’s coming to the class. He sat in his usual seat next to his best friend Nino, but she still hoped this title belonged to her.
He was smiling. It wasn’t an unusual look for him yet something in this smile made her realize there was something more to that than just a good day.
She realized that the way to stop being lonely and miserable is to turn to her friends, and there was not a better person than a boy she knew since forever and the one who could always see the best in her. Yes, she will try to be a better friend to Adrien to feel better about herself.
- Hi Adrien!
She heard this sickening sweet voice and her blood boiled.
- Hi Lila! - he answered with a smile only a good friend of his would realize was forced.
- I was hoping you could help me today. - said the Italian girl - I was trying to catch up on physics while you were gone but It’s just too hard for me. Perhaps you would find time today to explain it a bit to me. Pretty please. - she smiled sweetly.
- I was hoping you could stay away from people you’re making uncomfortable. - snickered Chloe - Perhaps you could find a place where you’re wanted. Pretty please. - she said mockingly.
Adrien tried not to smirk but at the same time to look harshly at Chloe. Lila blushed embarrassed, went right to her desk, and didn’t wait for his response. Alix, who was just passing by and overheard Chloe’s remark, stopped in her tracks and looked at her. This quiet yet snarky Chloe was something new. She decided to watch her closely.
- Hi Adrien! - said another voice, sweet and flirty.
- Hi Marinette! - Adrien replied in the same manner - How are you doing?
- I’m doing fine, thank you. - She answered with a wide smile - How are you?
- Everything’s just perfect. - He smiled and winked at her.
When she sat at her desk just beside him everyone started to gossip.
- What was that?
- Did he just wink at her?
- Did she just flirt?
- You call that flirting?
- In this case? Yes!
- Alright, everybody - said Alix - There must be something going on between them. Let’s make a bet. Ten euro per one idea. The person who’s the closest wins!
Kim put a fifty on her desk and started throwing the most ridiculous ideas he could possibly come up with. Max said it must have been something about their dancing in New York. Nathaniel shyly put his bill and said “Andre’s ice cream”.
Chloe didn’t like the idea of Adrien dating Marinette but even she had to admit she’d rather accept her than Lila.
- I think… - she started - It has something to do with Ladybug and Chat Noir. - she said and contributed to the bet.
- And why is that? - asked Alix and quickly took the money.
- Because when we were in the museum they both disappeared and only came back after the heroes saved the day. I think they were in danger and Ladybug and Chat Noir saved them. That’s why they don’t want to talk about this trip - she looked meaningfully at Alya who turned her head, partly offended, partly grateful for the idea.
- Not to try being a bad bro - said Nino and conspiratorially leaned over Alix - but I think Nath may be on to something. - he winked at the redhead boy to which he replied with a little blush.
Adrien and Marinette listened to this conversation with their eyes wide open. It was not a good thing their classmates speculated about their relationship and considering Alix and Kim’s passion for competition they should do something soon before someone finds out the truth.
Alix nodded to Nino then turned her head towards Chloe. She started seeing this new social face of their class diva and couldn’t believe her own eyes and ears. Yeah, she will observe the rich girl. When she stops being a brat she’s actually not that bad, she thought.
- What the heck was that?
- I know. - said Adrien - Them speculating is not a good thing.
They were in an empty classroom. Their next class would start in another five minutes.
- I meant you asking me about my day. - Marinette exclaimed - You never do that.
- Can’t I ask my very good friend about her day? - he asked nervously - It’s you who never asks me that. - He noticed.
- It’s not the point here. - Marinette knew perfectly well that this was in fact the point - The point is now they suspect us and this is one thing we didn’t want anyone to know.
- That’s the ONLY thing?! - asked Adrien angrily.
They both didn't like the idea of fighting on their first day as a couple so they stared at each other with anger and shame in their eyes.
- You’re right. I’m sorry. - said Marinette finally.
- No. I’m sorry. - replied Adrien sadly - I shouldn’t have screamed.
- You better figure out what now. - said a muffled voice from inside Marinette’s purse.
- Plagg?! What are you doing there? - asked Adrien surprised.
- Well now that you know the truth about each other we can finally stop pretending we don’t know the other is here - said Plagg and he and Tikki left the purse.
- Anyway - started Tikki - The more they talk about it the more people will know about it. Your class should never find out that you are dating because you are each other’s superhero crush. You should come out with a plausible story.
- We should lie? - asked Adrien - Wouldn’t the truth be better? Or at least part of it?
- Maybe we don’t have to lie. - said Marinette after a moment - We can tell the truth. It’s all thanks to Andre’s ice cream. Everyone knows I have a crush on you and Nino and Alya thought you had a crush on me ever since we came back from New York. This way it would be Nathaniel and not Chloe to win the bet. Even though they’re both right.
- But Nino and Alya saw your ice cream. - noticed Tikki - As much as Adrien’s could have meant you, yours didn’t portray him. It was Chat Noir’s colors.
Adrien and Marinette looked at one another. It was such a perfect explanation until Tikki pointed out the obvious.
- We’ll say the black was like my T-shirt. Or my sense of humor. Or no one will ask. - said Adrien exasperated - And I think we can handle Nino and Alya.
Marinette looked at him and nodded slowly. Again it was them against the world and they proved countless times that it worked for them. When only they knew the truth.