Chapter Text
How could she let herself get in a situation like this?
Ladybug was trying to manage fighting an akuma and protecting Adrien Agreste. She found herself a bit irritated with him at the moment. He’d pushed her out of the way before the akuma could strike her. What’s worse is that this isn’t even the first time he’d pulled something like this. How could he be so reckless?! He could have been hurt! Now, he was trying to get her to leave him behind.
“I’ll be fine Ladybug, just go do what you have to do!” He pleaded.
“No! I’m not leaving you!” Why was she so stubborn?
He huffed, knowing there was no way he could get out of her grip. They ran into a doorway only to hear a loud crash behind them. As they both looked at where they came from they saw the rubble covering their path. The empty room they were in wasn’t very big and had no windows.
They were trapped.
Apparently the akuma couldn’t get to them either, or hadn’t seen where they went. The two could hear the sounds of destruction fading in another direction. Ladybug looked at Adrien. At least he was safe, for now.
Unfortunately, another sound filled the room. The final beeping of Ladybug’s earrings. She had already used her Lucky Charm and she was out of time. In her rush and concern for her friend and crush she hadn’t even realized just how close she was to transforming back. Her mouth opened to tell him not to look, but he had already turned away and closed his eyes tightly.
“Y-you… thank you.” She gasped as her transformation fell.
“Of course! Don’t get me wrong. I’d love to know who you are.” Adrien’s heart ached. She was behind him. His lady without a mask. But he’d been in this situation before as Chat and he was determined to treat her wishes with respect. It would have been an accident. It would have been an innocent way to find out, he knew that. Still, he wouldn’t give into the temptation to turn back around and look. “But I know that secret identities are, well, a secret.”
Marinette felt tears in the corners of her eyes as she fed Tikki so she could recharge. It was a mistake on her part, for not paying attention. He could have looked at her. Part of her almost wanted him to. What would his reaction be if he knew the girl that sat behind him in class was Ladybug? She’d heard he had a crush on her super heroine self. The temptation to look must have been strong. But he didn’t. He could have and he just admitted he’d love to know, but still she was looking at his back.
“I just need to feed my kwami and then I can transform again. It won’t take long.”
The trust she had in Adrien at that moment was as strong as it was familiar. Her mind drifted to her partner. How many times could he have taken advantage of the situations they found themselves in and gotten his answer? He always respected her wishes.
Chat Noir turned the other way. Chat Noir closed his eyes. Chat Noir shut the door. Chat Noir was with her when she was hit by Truth. He could have asked her then. Chat Noir didn’t ask. Instead, he assured her that he wouldn’t.
Adrien reminded her so much of him in this moment. She couldn’t help but compare the two boys. They were both kind and self-sacrificing. It had taken her a while to see it with Adrien, but the more she got to know him the more she realized he was as silly as her partner. A bit quieter about it, but definitely silly. As a bonus they were handsome. Both of them. Marinette felt herself blush, but she wasn’t blind. All the comparisons just led her to realize the things she fell in love with Adrien for existed with Chat as well.
The realization somehow made her head spin but also felt comforting at the same time. She’d fallen hard for two boys. There was something else. A thought that tickled the corners of her mind.
“I’m sure you’ll get us out of here.” He said confidently.
“I hope so! Maybe my Lucky Charm can help.” She sighed. “Chat Noir is probably out there wondering where I am.”
Adrien winced. Chat Noir was definitely not out there. But it wasn’t really his fault, he’d TRIED to get away from Ladybug. If her Lucky Charm didn’t give them a way out of here. It wouldn’t be her identity that would be revealed.
“Ready Tikki?” Marinette started, but her kwami flew away from her towards Adrien. “Tikki?”
“Hello Adrien!” Tikki winked at him, and he got the message.
“Oh wow! Your name is Tikki, right? You must be Ladybug’s kwami.” Adrien didn’t have to hide his amused smile since Ladybug couldn't see his face. “It’s so nice to meet you!”
“The pleasure is all mine!” She giggled.
Adrien opened his shirt a bit so Plagg could greet her. He was happy they were getting this moment, however brief. Tikki surprised Adrien when she flew closer to his face and whispered.
“This says a lot to me, Adrien. I mean I always knew. But you were tested today.”
“Did I pass?” He couldn’t help but pat her head as he whispered in amusement back to her.
“What you did means a lot to her.” Tikki looked at him seriously. “You are so much more than you give yourself credit for.”
He felt Plagg press into him closer. “She’s right kid.”
Their words shot straight to his heart. Great, now he was misty-eyed. He’d been hard on himself lately and sometimes he’d get really down and feel useless or replaceable. The encouragement from the kwamis definitely helped. He didn’t notice the extra glances between the kwamis or the silent acknowledgement between them. Tikki flew back towards her holder.
“Thanks again, Adrien!”
“Yes, thank you!” Marinette echoed her kwami’s words as they shared a nod. “Tikki! Spots on!”
Adrien turned around after the pink light faded. “You’re welcome, Ladybug.”
Ladybug called on her Lucky Charm. This time it was actually straightforward. A sledgehammer. She took it to one of the outer walls through the drywall and the exterior. Adrien watched. He knew how strong his lady was, but that didn’t stop him from blushing while she made it through quickly.
“Well, here’s my exit.” She grabbed her yoyo and looked back at Adrien, knowing he should be safe since the akuma was elsewhere. “Can I trust you to go home and be safe?”
“Of course.” Adrien responded.
Ladybug swung away towards the akuma.
“Liar.” Plagg laughed.
“I’ll go home eventually, so technically not a lie.” Adrien shrugged. “Plagg! Claws out!"