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After a day filled with school work, photoshoots, and an akuma attack, Adrien is just about ready to collapse on his bed. It's been a long day, and he feels like doing nothing more than sleeping forever.
But he can't - at least, not yet.
Ladybug is coming over tonight, and he's been looking forward to this all week; Ladybug's weekly visits are always the highlight of his days. He has to make sure everything is perfect for when she arrives.
So Adrien tidies up his room, puts all the camembert in a place where the smell won't be obvious (much to Plagg's distaste), and changes into comfortable clothes just as he hears a knock at his window. He smiles as he turns around.
"Hi there."
"Hey, handsome." Ladybug kisses his cheek once her feet touch the floor. "How's your day been?"
"Tiring. Better now that you're here, though." He smiles at her affectionately.
Ladybug reaches out to ruffle his hair. "Dork."
"Your dork," he corrects.
"Since you've had a long day, why don't we just cuddle on the couch and watch a movie? I made macarons for you, too."
"That sounds perfect. you bake?" He raises his eyebrows in mock surprise. Chat Noir might know that about his lady, but Adrien doesn't.
“I do!” Ladybug grins as she takes her yoyo and opens it, pulling out a familiar box of what seems to contain the pastries. “They’re not the best, but…”
“Don’t be so modest,” he says as he takes the box from her hands and opens it. He smiles. “I'm sure your baking is lovely.”
Ladybug bites her lip. “Do you really think so?”
“Of course I do! You’re the one who made them.”
He sets the macarons down on the table before snuggling up to her side on the couch. They scroll through Netflix before settling on a movie; it's one they've both seen before, but watching it with her feels different.
Everything is different with Ladybug. It's a good type of different, the kind that fills his heart with warmth.
Doing things with her, even small things like this, makes him feel... loved.
He smiles and presses a kiss to her shoulder. Ladybug runs her fingers through his hair in response.
Adrien has to resist the urge to purr, settling to smile brightly at her instead.
"Are you even watching the movie?" she laughs.
"Nope. I'm watching my world instead."
Ladybug sputters and looks away, and Adrien feels a blush rise on his cheeks. It’s one thing to say lines like that when he’s Chat Noir, in-costume and behind the facade that everything he says is a joke.
Here, though, he’s Adrien. he means every single word he’s saying. It's so different from what he’s used to; he feels the slightest bit more vulnerable. He wants to say the words louder, and he wants to hold them close to his heart where no one else can hear at the same time.
They've been dating for nearly a month now, yet Adrien still gets butterflies in his stomach whenever he’s around her.
But he truly does mean every single word he says.
“Adrien…”
“You’re incredible, Lovebug,” he murmurs, “really.”
"So are you, you know. I mean, what can I say? I have the world's best boyfriend by my side, after all." She smirks.
“I- really?" he rubs at his neck sheepishly.
"Of course I do! He's talented, smart, and has a heart of gold.” She pauses and boops his nose. "Not to mention he's easy on the eyes, too."
His cheeks are burning as he reaches for once of the treats on the table. "Well, I'll have you know my girlfriend is plenty talented herself. She's made these herself, in fact."
Adrien takes the macaron and takes a bite, savoring the flavor. He already knew it would taste great; after all, Ladybug herself made it. it’s bound to be delicious.
And yet, Adrien thinks as he finishes the rest of the macaron, he can’t help but feel the flavor is a bit… familiar. Almost as if he’s tasted it somewhere else before.
“See?” he smiles at her and reaches over to take another one. “They’re perfect, just like you.”
Ladybug laughs and takes a macaron for herself. “I'm glad you think so! They’re passionfruit, after all. Your favorite.”
Oh.
Passionfruit macarons.
But how does Ladybug know they’re his favorite? Has he ever told her?
It’s not something he’s mentioned to many people. He’s said it offhand during lunch once or twice maybe, but that would mean—
He takes another macaron from the box and takes a careful bite. There's something specific in its texture to a particular bakery; no other location can get them quite like this.
Marinette.
“I- what- who?” Ladybug stiffens next to him.
Oh.
He swallows and takes her hand in his. “Your baking really is immaculate, Marinette. Only the best from you, huh?”
“I-I… what?” Ladybug gapes at him in shock. “W-What are you talking about! I-I’m not Marinette, I’m—“
“The girl I'm in love with, whose family makes the best pastries in all of Paris?” Adrien presses a kiss to her knuckles. “Yes, definitely not Marinette.”
It all makes sense now. Their interactions, all the similarities between Ladybug and Marinette… they’ve been the same all along. And he never even realized.
Ladybug groans and buries her face in her hands in embarrassment. “This isn’t how I'd thought you’d find out.”
Marinette is Ladybug.
“It makes perfect sense,” he murmurs, letting out a soft laugh as he pulls her into his arms. “You’re both smart, kind, beautiful…”
“Adrien.”
“I only speak the truth!”
Ladybug is Marinette.
The shock has faded, and all Adrien is left with is acceptance. This feels right.
When he leans in to kiss her after the embarrassment has faded, all he can think is that the girl he loves is Marinette.
Not just Ladybug.
Marinette.
Adrien wouldn’t have it any other way.