Chapter Text
This was it. After weeks and weeks of getting closer to one another. Ladybug was finally going to do it. She was going to reveal her identity to Chat Noir. But not only was she going to reveal her identity, she was going to confess her love to him.
Who would’ve thought that she’d finally move on from her debilitating crush on Adrien and fall for her amazing partner? Chat Noir was amazing and he made her happy. Very happy.
It was the way he could be so honest, open, and carefree with her. It was the way he made her laugh especially when she was having a bad day. It was the way he always had her back, always supported her during every akuma attack, during every moment when she felt like she wanted to quit. He was always there to help her get back up on her feet.
It was during cold nights when she needed to someone to lean on and have a nice quiet night while watching the Parisian skyline. It was all those and so much more.
Chat Noir… was the boy she loved.
“Tikki… This is it. Tonight’s the night!” She said to her kwami.
“Marinette, so you’re finally going to tell him?” Tikki asked.
“Yes! I’m finally going to do it! I’ve thought it over long and hard. I want nothing more than to share my feelings with him. Share who I am with him! I’m sure he wants the same too! We’re going to be better together! I just know it!” Said Marinette.
Tikki flew up to her wielder and nuzzled her on her cheek affectionately.
“I’m really happy for you, Marinette. I’m sure things will turn out great for you. Just always be careful. But I’m sure if you trust each other, the two of you can do this!”
Marinette nodded.
“Thanks, Tikki. Anyway, it’s getting late. I have to meet up with Chat now. Let’s go!”
A quick transformation later, and Ladybug was on her way to meet up with Chat at their usual spot. Nothing was going to ruin her evening!
Or so she thought…
****
Twenty minutes later.
Ladybug was pacing back and forth on the rooftop of their meetup. She was mentally preparing herself. She thought of the various ways she’d bring up the topic of how she’d bring her up identity and feelings for him.
“Chat, I know it’s taken me longer to admit this… but the truth is… I love you. No… wait. That’s no good. How about?—“
Ladybug took a breath and jumped a little in place.
“Chat! The reason I wanted to talk to you this evening is because we should share our secret identities with one another! And because I love you!”
Marinette shook her head.
“No… that’s no good either…”
She’s gone over the scenarios a hundred times. Practicing different versions of how she wanted to bring up the topic. She’s tried her best to slowly build up to this moment for weeks. She’s gotten more affectionate and open with her partner. In fact she’s been a lot looser on the rules regarding secret identities. She was revealing little details about her life. She started with her favorite hang out spots. Then foods. Some places she frequently visited in her civilian life. Even a few hobbies. Chat himself was surprised at first but happily welcomed the change as he started telling her things too. She hoped that Chat would take the hint that she’s finally getting ready to tell him who she was. Hopefully he’d accept her feelings for him even though it took her a while. She hoped it wasn’t too late. But she had a good feeling that things would turn out well.
“Good evening, my lady!” A voice said behind her.
Ladybug’s expression immediately brightened. She turned around and there he was, her kitty. She walked up to him and held him in a sweet embrace. Hugs were now a mandatory thing for their nightly patrols.
“Good evening, Chat. So glad you’re finally here.” She said.
Chat chuckled.
“Sorry, I’m late. Had a bit of homework to finish.” He said.
“No worries. Ready to patrol? After that we can catch up?” She said.
“Definitely.” Chat nodded. The two of them then quickly jumped off and started with their routine patrol for the night. All the while, Ladybug’s heart was beating wildly. In just a few minutes, they’d finally know one another behind the masks. The thought was exciting that she can finally hang out with the boy under the mask in her regular life.
“This is going to be amazing.” She whispered.
****
A few minutes later
“Ladybug, I’ve fallen in love with someone.”
Ladybug’s heart nearly shattered into a million pieces when he spoke those words.
“W-what?” She muttered.
The two of them were enjoying themselves as they sat on a roof outlooking the Parisian skyline. They were catching up normally when suddenly Chat spoke up and dropped that bombshell.
“There’s this girl in my civilian life and I’m pretty much fallen for her like crazy. It’s taken me a stupid long time to realize it too.” He said.
Ladybug wanted to go back home and cry her eyes out. She always insisted that Chat find someone else to love before. Now she regretted ever saying so.
“T-that’s wonderful Chat… What’s she like?” She hesitantly asked. Chat didn’t notice the change in her tone as it seemed he was over the moon as he began talking about the girl he was currently in love with.
“She’s just wonderful, Ladybug. She’s a schoolmate of mine. She’s kind, warm, funny, sweet, generous. Everybody loves her. She makes me feel… special and good about myself. I just want to be around her all the time.”
“She… sounds amazing.” It was getting more painful by the moment as he heard him speak.
“You actually know her, Ladybug. I mean… if it’s okay to reveal that detail. I know we’ve been kinda relaxed on details about secret identities. Is it okay to share?” He asked.
Did Ladybug want to know this girl’s identity? He said she already knew her. She did want to know who Chat was. She would’ve eventually found out who she was anyway through him when they would probably end up together. Who would ever say no to a sweet boy like Chat?
“Y-yeah. Sure. Who’s the lucky lady?”
Chat chuckled.
“You know you’ll always be ‘Lady Luck’, m’lady. Hahaha. But all jokes aside… the girl I’m in love with is…”
Ladybug turned her head away a moment before he uttered the name of the girl who stole his heart. She braced for impact of the hurt of knowing who this other girl was.
“Marinette… Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”
Ladybug’s eye widened immediately. She quickly turned her head towards him and saw a huge grin on his face as he looked out towards the Parisian skyline.
“W-what??!! Marinette? As in…”
“Yeah! Marinette! You know her! You’re friends right? Or at least know each other? The one time Multimouse! She’s the girl I’m in love with.”
Ladybug was stunned. This must be some kind of silly prank or joke, she thought. She looked carefully at his expression for some hint of a prank, or a punchline. She checked her surroundings and even pinched herself a little to check if this was all some weird dream.
“You… really love her?” She asked again.
“Yeah. I’m head over heels for her.” He said dreamily.
And with that Ladybug couldn’t help but smile. And then… she laughed. She laughed hard.
“Hahahahahaha!” She began rolling on the rooftop causing Chat to look at her with a bit of a frown.
“Hey! Why’re you laughing?”
“I-It’s nothing! I swear!” She muttered out in between giggles.
Chat continued to frown at her and gave her an unsatisfied look.
“Oh… I get it. You think I’m not good enough for her. Is that it? Marinette would never fall in love with me… That’s pretty hurtful, Ladybug.” Chat turned away with a pained expression.
Ladybug immediately sat up and composed herself.
“W-wait! NO!! OF COURSE NOT! KITTY! You're wonderful! It’s just… I never thought you’d fall in love with her… I mean. It’s honestly amazing!” She said truthfully.
It was pretty much perfect she thought. She fell in love with him. And now Chat fell in love with Marinette. It’s a good thing she was planning to confess this evening anyway and reveal her identity to him. It would’ve been a lot more complicated if not.
“You’re really not making fun of me or anything?” He asked.
“Of course not! Sorry for laughing. It’s just… I really didn’t expect it! I think Marinette would totally go out with you, you know.” She winked at him.
Chat began to blush and rubbed the back of his neck.
“You think so?”
She nodded immediately.
“Oh definitely Chat! I could help out, if you like?” Ladybug was starting to form up a plan in her head.
“Help? How?” Chat looked curious.
“I could you know… set you guys up for a date?” Ladybug suggested.
Chat began to choke on air.
“W-what? Set me up with her?! I mean… But? Wait. Oh God. I’m not sure if I’m…”
Chat stood up and began to pace a little. Ladybug was enjoying seeing her kitty act so troubled over a possible date with her. It definitely boosted her ego a little and it was definitely a better feeling than a while ago while she thought she lost her chance with Chat forever.
“Are you nervous, kitty? Come on! It’ll be great! I’ll introduce you two!” She said.
“But Marinette can’t date me! I mean… “Chat” me. And civilian me. Well… she and I are already good friends but she’s always seen me as just a friend.”
Marinette felt the internal cringe. She knew how that felt. The fact that she was apparently good friends with him was interesting. But she set that fact aside for the immediate concern. She remembered her times with Adrien and all the times he said she was “just a friend.” Whoever her kitty was underneath the mask, she was going to give him an honest shot.
“How about this. I’ll set you up on a blind date with Marinette. Well, not exactly a blind date for you. I’ll just tell her I know a great guy who might be really great for her. You just go as your civilian self! It’ll be perfect.”
Chat thought about it for a moment.
“Would she be really up to it?” He asked.
Ladybug smiled and patted him comfortably on the shoulder.
“Of course! We’re friends… kinda. I’m sure she’ll say yes for a date. She’ll trust my judgement! I can give her my Ladybug seal of approval. Trust me too!”
“Won’t that compromise my identity since you’re setting me up? What if you catch me on that date with her? What if I do end up together with her? And she talks about me to you? Won’t that be a problem?” He said.
This was the moment Ladybug was waiting for.
“The fact that you told me her name was already compromising, Chat. Actually, I was kinda leading up to that. I wanted to tell you a while ago but then you brought up your whole crush with Marinette… but I wanted to tell you that we should share our identities with one another.” She said.
Chat’s eyes bulged out with what she said.
“Oh my God! Are you serious?”
“Yeah. Haha. Have you noticed how relaxed I’ve been with details about secret identities? I’ve pretty much building up to revealing them already.”
Chat’s tail swung happily behind him. His smile was already plastered on his face.
“No wonder! I knew something was different! That’s great! Yes! Let’s do it!” He said.
She nodded.
“It seems like you’re excited as I am. So that whole issue with me finding out who you are through Marinette. Not a problem!”
Chat immediately went up to her and embraced her once more.
“This is perfect! What a perfect evening, Ladybug! Thank you! So shall we begin?” He asked.
“Wait!… Not today. I was thinking of telling you by next weekend.” She said. It was a lie but she needed to stall him to prevent him from revealing his identity too soon.
Chat frowned a little.
“What? Why?”
She laughed.
“I wasn’t mentally ready for it tonight. Can we just postpone till next week then? And if I find out your identity through Marinette, well… I’ll just reveal my identity to you sooner. Deal?”
Chat thought about it for a moment and looked like he came to a decision.
“Okay. Sounds fair! I won’t pressure you to tell me any sooner. Honestly, this is all so exciting… But are you really sure Marinette will say yes?”
Ladybug giggled once more.
“Trust me, Chat. She will. I’ll message you when she’s free. Okay? Just be yourself. And be ready for it! It’s a date so be prepared for one!” She said.
“Of course, m’lady! I’ll do my best if she says yes.” He said.
After some light discussion, the two of them separated for the night. Ladybug was filled with glee. She couldn’t believe the situation she was in. Chat was in love with her. Marinette her. Revealing her identity to him took a different run. She was going to reveal her identity to him during the date.
“This is going to be great.”
****
It was three days later when Ladybug said that “Marinette” was free for a blind date with Chat Noir’s secret identity. She dressed her best, styled her hair and mentally prepared for this moment. She was at the park nearby her house. She sat patiently at the bench she informed Chat that Marinette will wait at. It was just after lunch. Her phone began to ring and she saw it was Alya on call.
“Hey Alya!” She answered.
“Hey Marinette! How’s it going? Any sign of Chat yet?” She asked.
Marinette giggled.
“No. Not yet. At least I don’t think so? He should be here some time very soon. Gosh. I’m so excited honestly, Alya.”
Marinette and Alya were preparing like crazy the night before. Alya was definitely supportive of this meet up. She always wanted them to know each other behind the mask. The fact that she was on a date with Chat now was a very good bonus on her book.
“You got this, Mari. You’re going to blow his mind. Have a fun date and get ready to surprise him with that secret of yours! You two are perfect for each other.” Alya said.
“Thanks Alya. Gosh. I’m still thinking of whether to say who I am as soon as he arrives or wait till after the date. Anyway, I think I hear somebody. Talk to you later!” She said.
Marinette quickly ended the call as she heard footsteps from behind her. She tidied herself up a bit, and waited patiently. She was going to finally see who Chat was for the very first time.
“Hi Marinette. I’m your blind date.” Said the voice behind her.
Marinette immediately recognized the voice of her kitty. It was him for sure. But at the same time… there was something else itching at the back of her head. It was somehow familiar in a different way. She didn’t turn her head yet towards him and spoke facing away from him.
“Oh hi. Uhm. So you’re him. The one our mutual friend vouched for. She says you’re a great guy. I’m pretty excited to meet you.” She said.
Chat chuckled behind her.
“We kinda know each other already.” He said.
“Oh right. Ladyb-Ahh I mean our friend said we were schoolmates. I almost forgot that.” Marinette slowly turned to look at him for the first time without the mask.
“So… who might be my mystery date for today—-?“ Marinette stopped speaking mid sentence as she finally saw who her date was.
Beautiful green eyes.
His cute nose, and kissable lips.
The unforgettably handsome and kind face.
She knew all the details well from the dozens of pictures of him she used to have plastered all over her room.
In fact… she didn’t need the pictures anymore. She memorized the details of his face by heart.
He looked nervous and shy as he looked upon her. The hint of a blush was on his face.
It was him.
It was none other than the golden boy of Paris.
The teenage heartthrob of the city.
Adrien Agreste. Her first love.
“A-Adrien? You’re my—-?”
Adrien nodded timidly at her.
“Yeah. Marinette. I’m your date this afternoon.”
Marinette’s brain momentarily shut off. Never in her wildest dreams did she think something like this would happen. If Adrien was her date this afternoon... that only meant one thing.
“No way…”