Chapter Text
Arnold froze and his jaw dropped as he watched a young teenage girl jump over a bench and transform into Ladybug. The superhero took no notice of him as she swung back towards the park. He swiftly turned around and walked back the way he had come only to see the cause of Ladybug’s transformation zapping people with ice. He should have stayed home today. He hid behind a tree, only to notice a young teenage boy talking to himself and then turning into Cat Noir. He blinked at the sight and ducked behind a bush as the superhero leaped over him to chase after Stormy Weather.
He had just seen both of Paris’ superheroes as civilians. Not that he had recognized them but still. The fight was taken elsewhere and he quickened his step, fully determined to stay home the rest of the day. On the way, he noticed a large picture on a board with the civilian Cat Noir on it for a clothing ad. The boy was a model? The name Agreste in the corner of the board had him researching it on his phone. Adrien Agreste, son of fashion designer Gabriel Agreste. Arnold blinked and looked around at the empty streets around him. He had just made a crazy discovery. Now what? When the weather had returned to normal he returned to the park despite his earlier intention and was surprised to see the model slash superhero in the middle of a photoshoot with a little girl as if nothing had happened.
The girl he now recognized as Ladybug was there too, watching the shoot. She wasn’t alone so he didn’t approach her. Arnold hesitated. He could wait around and let the superheroes know he knew or he could just continue on his way and forget any of this had ever happened. During his indecision, the photoshoot came to an end and the little girl rushed into the civilian Ladybug’s arms, giggling. Cat Noir walked over and Ladybug blushed at something he said. They were so different as civilians. Ladybug’s red-headed friend smiled as she grabbed the young girl’s hand and dragged her away from the heroes. The two teenagers stared at each other awkwardly. Well, it was now or never.
“Ladybug, Cat Noir.” He said, approaching them. They both turned to face him and blinked with equally shocked expressions on their face. “I wasn’t sure if I should say anything but you should really be more careful where you transform. I saw both of you and- are you ok?” He stopped as he noticed just how red Ladybug had gotten. Cat Noir was staring at her with stars in his eyes and the biggest grin on his face. Ladybug covered her face with both her hands and groaned.
“Who would have thought?” Cat Noir grinned.
“I’m dreaming. This is a dream. There’s no way you’re Cat Noir. Not possible. Na uh.”
It became immediately clear that the superheroes hadn’t known each other’s identities. Arnold slowly backed up as Ladybug pinched herself and Cat Noir laughed, leaning towards her with a very cat-like grin. With their focus on each other, he turned and quickly walked back home. He was never leaving the house again.