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Adrien woke up under the umbrella on the beach and looked around with sleepy eyes. No one was in sight, except for Marinette Dupain-Cheng, who was still asleep on a nearby beach towel.
Adrien and his friends — Nino, Alya and Marinette — arrived on the island where his family owned a summer house on a shore with a section of a beach.
After swimming all together Alya and Nino went for a walk to explore the island, and Adrien was too tired to join after an akuma fight that happened the night before.
So, he lay down to nap a little on the towel at the beach next to Marinette, who also looked tired and went to rest a bit earlier.
Adrien stretched out and smiled, watching his sleeping friend. A pleasant warm feeling of tenderness filled his chest.
This feeling arose in him every time when he had an opportunity to observe Marinette from the side, when she didn’t see him.
She was a very sweet and kind girl and Adrien was happy and proud to consider himself her friend.
Marinette was lying on her side facing him, and Adrien noticed how beautiful she was. Dark hair, usually gathered in two neat tails, were now scattered over her bare shoulders in lace patterns, already dry, but slightly tangled after swimming. It created a picture of effortless natural beauty, complemented by the measured sound of the surf and the salty smell from the sea waves.
Adrien was mesmerized. His gaze slid down her body, noticing how well it was folded. Marinette was dressed in shorts and a swimsuit top only, so the perfect curves of her body were clearly visible now.
With impunity Adrien ran his eyes over her naked thighs and flat stomach, lingered on her chest.
He was a little embarrassed when he realized that he was staring at his friend’s body, but he couldn’t bring himself to turn away. No one could see him anyway, he thought, and relaxed, noticing to himself how beautifully the swimsuit outlined the flawless shape of her breasts, which was peacefully heaving from Marinette’s calm breathing.
Adrien looked up at her elegant neck and lingered on her lips. They were slightly open and flinched a little in time with her breathing.
He swallowed.
For some reason his throat and lips went dry, and a shiver ran down his spine. He licked his lips and could no longer look away from her face.
Marinette was so beautiful.
Could one even think that way about their friend? Beauty — is something objective, Adrien said to himself, feeling convinced: there is nothing personal about it, right? Yeah.
Although Adrien happened to come across some modeling girls, who behaved so disgustingly that their beautiful faces seemed unpleasant to him.
Marinette slightly moved her head, making him forget his internal debates. Lock of her hair fell down her face, and Adrien’s eyes widened as he watched a strand of hair hitting her lips.
This view made him feel a hot stream of energy running down his stomach, making his body tense.
He raised a shaking hand and reached for Marinette’s face. Like spellbound he leaned to her, and removed hair from her face with a careful movement.
Adrien found himself still hovering over her face, so close he could feel her sweet breath on his own one. This sensation interrupted his own breathing. His head was slightly spinning and he leaned closer, wanting to feel more of that sweet breeze.
He inhaled the stream from her lips and couldn't longer think. His body weakened, his eyes half closed.
Marinette slightly tilted her head in his direction and her hand began to move along the body, straining before waking up. She let out a faint, sleepy groan and slowly opened her eyes.
Adrien was unable to move.
There was a thought pulsating weakly in his mind, that he needed to distance himself, that his actions could be whirred and unpleasant for Marinette, that she could be frightened.
But her groan knocked the last remnants of reason out of his head…
Marinette opened her eyes and met his gaze.
For a moment she was just looking at him, blinking. Then, probably realizing his proximity, she took a sharp breath, opening her lips more and froze, but didn’t move away.
Adrien, as if he was hypnotized, slowly lowered his gaze to her lips and swallowed, then licked his own lips. His chest tightened with sweet languor. He looked up, meeting her eyes again, and realized that her breathing is also quickened, her chest heaving more.
Marinette swallowed too and dropped her gaze to his lips. This movement gave Adrien some unusual feeling of confidence. He only now realized that his hand was still holding her hair.
He gently tugged it behind her ear, and ran the back of his fingers over Marinette’s cheek from ear to lips. His hand turned and he continued to run the pad of his thumb over her lower lip.
Marinette made a subtle movement with her lips, lightly wrapping the tip of his finger.
Maybe it was only an accidental movement, but it was enough for Adrien’s whole body to get an electric shock. He felt as his lower abdomen was cramping from tension.
Adrien inhaled the air sharply. Not being able to resist any longer, he closed his eyes and touched her lips with his.
Adrien could feel the world spinning around him as her lips parted, accepting his kiss.
Marinette’s taste literally intoxicated him, so that Adrien no longer remembered where he was and who he was. From now on he could only feel her smell, her taste, and the gentle touch of her lips.
Adrien had never felt this way before. He never knew that a kiss could instantly drive him crazy. Although this wasn’t just a kiss, but the kiss with Marinette, the most beautiful, gentle, and kind, and caring girl in the world!
Somewhere on the back of his mind the image of Ladybug appeared, but maybe he used to be rejected by her, or maybe Adrien’s sensations were just so filled up with Marinette at the moment, so that image remained aloof from his attention.
This taste... he needed to feel it stronger, to have more of it.
Adrien moved closer, supporting Marinette’s head from behind with his hand. He pushed her slightly towards himself, penetrating deeper into her kiss. Her lips opened to meet him more, as if they were just waiting for his signal.
Adrien felt that the air began to run out and slightly pulled away from her, catching his breath. His eyes were still closed and he could feel her uneven breathing on his face.
He opened his eyes and met Marinette’s gaze.
For a second he froze, expecting rejection or condemnation. But there was only languor and expectation in her eyes.
The heat pierced the back of his head, and ears, and neck, rolled down his back, and Adrien grabbed her lips with his again, more confidently and imperiously, as if now he had received her blessing.
His body moved closer to her instinctively, turning her face up, and Adrien loomed over her, not breaking away from the kiss. He felt the hot waves running through his muscles, knocking them in a pleasant languor.
Marinette’s hands clasped his back convulsively, her nails slightly digging into his skin. Adrien let out a muffled groan, breaking away from her lips for a second, and instantly lashed out at them again with more fury and urgency than before.
Adrien was kissing her lips, slowly passing to her chin, without stopping, then went to her neck.
“Adrien…” A whisper escaped Marinette’s lips as she threw her head back, leaning her body toward him.
Adrien froze, lifting slightly above her neck, suddenly realizing what was happening.
He was kissing Marinette.
Not a single thought about friendship crossed his mind at that moment.
He was mad from the smell of her skin, his body was cramped by the sensation of her closeness. The only thing that held him back from grabbing her again at that moment was trying to figure out if she wanted him to stop.
This moment lasted an agonizingly long time. But when Marinette whispered “kiss me”, as if answering his silent question, Adrien’s head seemed to explode with heat, his chest pinched, and his body moved towards Marinette’s again.
His hand slid under her back, supporting her as his lips kissed her collarbones, gradually dropping lower.
Adrien stopped again, his breathing heavy and deep.
He raised himself to her face, gently releasing his hand from under her back, and pressed it to her cheek, turning her face to his.
“Marinette,” he whispered. “I…” But the right words didn’t come to his mind. He felt too much now to express or even realize it completely.
“I know.” She whispered back, her eyes half opened. “Me too.”
Adrien moved over to kiss her again, but this time slowly and gently.
Her hands slid up his neck and Marinette buried her fingers in his hair, sending a shiver all over his body.
Adrien pulled away from her lips for a moment and let out a faint moan, driven by new sensations.
“Marinette,” he exhaled, breathing heavily. “What are you doing to me!”
Her fingers squeezed his hair lightly, as if his words gave her more confidence.
Adrien’s head started spinning again. He leaned over Marinette, kissing her neck and shoulders while her fingers tugged lightly on his hair, guiding and encouraging him.
His senses were overwhelmed, but he wanted more. He didn't want to stop, he wanted to drown in her taste, suffocate on her scent, get crazy over her touch.
He froze over her swimming top and pulled back again, looking at her face, meeting her gaze.
Marinette freed her hands from his hair, making his heart beat faster with worry.
Why is she leaving him?! Did he do something wrong? He must have been awkward! Now she would leave him, reject his feelings!
His feelings... for her?
For the first time, Adrien realized that what was happening now wasn’t caused only by the power of the moment or wild teenage hormones.
Yes, her sight was especially mesmerizing today, as she lay relaxed and calm next to him.
But now Adrien remembered dozens, maybe hundreds of times, when he had watched the same beautiful features without even realizing it. Now his mind gave out a huge amount of memories as he watched Marinette, unnoticed, admiring with his heart stopping.
Could this mean he had real feelings for her?
His heart clenched pleasantly at the thought. And in the next moment it clenched with a new painful force as Adrien remembered, that Marinette had pulled away from him. That she would now reject the feelings he had just suddenly realized.
Marinette put her hands behind her neck, not taking her eyes off Adrien. She slowly untied the ties on the swimsuit, but left it on her chest.
Adrien’s mouth opened by itself. He looked at her with wide eyes, not believing in what he saw.
“Marinette,” He whispered, afraid to move, as if the girl might disappear into thin air from his awkward movement. “Are you sure?..” He asked, and after thinking for a moment, added: “Are you sure you want... me?”
Marinette had never seen him more than a friend. Maybe this was a mistake for her? Maybe this was an accidental impulse for her and she will regret it? And he will lose her, forever.
This thought pierced Adrien’s chest with pain.
“Are you sure you want... me?” Marinette answered with a question.
“Yes, oh my god, I’m sure as hell!” Adrien exclaimed, his breathing increased again.
“Adrien,” She whispered, and grabbed him by the neck, pulling to her, beginning to kiss him passionately.
His doubts vanished. Adrien answered her kiss, holding her by the shoulders.
For a while they were just kissing each other, forgetting about everything in the world.
Then Adrien pulled back and gently hooked up her top with one hand, slipping under her body to pull the strings behind her back with his other hand.
He was looking into her eyes as he removed her top to show that she was important to him, that what was happening between them wasn’t just an action, but a sign of their connection.
Adrien’s gaze dropped on her breasts. They were perfect. He looked up to her face again, seeing her watching him. She took a sharp breath and he slowly lowered his lips to her chest.
Adrien began covering it with light kisses, moving closer to Marinette’s nipples. He drew his tongue around one nipple and her whole body reacted, arching towards Adrien.
He suddenly realized that they were still on the beach and abruptly pulled away from this realization. He looked around and stood up.
When Adrien looked into Marinette's face, he was surprised to find horror in her eyes.
He bent down and gently picked her up in his arms. With a look of a man who was carrying a treasure he carried Marinette into the house. Just a few meters and he walked through the door, pushing it with his foot.
In a guest room, Adrien placed Marinette on the bed and sat down next to her, with a look of admiration on his face.
She looked a little embarrassed, her eyes searching for his, but amazingly beautiful at the same time.
Adrien smiled at her. He was happy to be by her side. Happy that she allowed him to be with her, hold her, kiss her... His gaze fell on her lips again, then on her hands, on her chest, on her belly.
She was perfect.
Marinette relaxed and smiled at him. She was here, with him. Acceptד it.
Does she really want him to be with her? Could he be that lucky?
Adrien leaned over to kiss her again.
His lips returned to her neck, then shoulders, her chest. He took her breasts in his hands gently, and placed one nipple in his mouth.
Marinette gave a slight moan and Adrien forgot himself.
Does he do this to her? To this amazing and kind, but at times strong and selfless girl? All the guys around seem to have a crush on her or at least be good friends with her…
And she's chosen him! Of all people!
And he could make her feel this good? The sounds of her pleasure, the feeling of her body responding to his every touch, the taste of her still salty after the sea, but sweet at the same time lips...
Adrien forgot about everything around. About words still unspoken between them, about how fast it was happening. He definitely forgot about any mentioning of the friendship between them.
There she was, a beautiful, hot, amazing, perfect woman in his arms. And he wanted her. And she wanted him.
Adrien’s hands were moving by themselves, discovering the curves of her body. His mouth coming back to hers and then traveling around again.
His hand made its way into her shorts by itself, and Adrien felt how warm and wet was the space between Marinette’s legs...
His body exploded with new unfamiliar sensations and emotions. His whole body seemed to have a convulsion, painfully pleasant and unbearably strong.
He was 18, and had a lot of sexual fantasies and dreams before. But he never touched a girl like that for real. He wasn’t prepared for how it would make him feel. He didn’t expect the desire to be closer to her, to be inside her, to feel this welcoming warmth around him could be so strong and wild.
This short touch was enough for him to realize that he was unable to control his impulses next to Marinette any more.
Adrien jumped away from her in horror: responsibility for what was happening fell like a mounting on his shoulders: he must protect her, not attack her like an animal!
“I can’t!” He stared at Marinette like he just saw her, ashamed of his actions.
It all happened so quickly, he didn’t even understand when he crossed the line.
Marinette just sat on the bed and stared at him speechless.
“I can't do this to you.” Adrien repeated.
“But I... want you to.” She whispered back to him.
Adrien looked at her with amazed shocked eyes. Her face suddenly distorted with pain, disappointment.
“You don’t like me!” She stated, tears pointing out of her eyes.
What was she saying? Adrien didn’t like her?
Of course he did! He was always impressed with her character: how she could stand up for herself, how creative and talented she was. He admired the kindness and passion with which she was dedicating herself to what she liked and believed in — like all the school projects, class movies, fashion competitions she was participating in.
The only thing that he didn’t realize before was the attraction he had to her. Before today he thought that his perception of her was only platonic, which — due to the situation they now were in — was clearly his mistake.
“I don’t LIKE you, Marinette!” He exclaimed, hit by the realization. He slowly fell on his knees next to the bed, still holding eye contact. “I love you.” He whispered, forgetting all the rush his body just had, feeling only blood pulsating in his temples.
“But I thought... I thought we were...” she didn’t finish the sentence, swallowing.
“I thought that too! But we’re not... we aren’t... (the word felt so foreign now, it couldn’t even come to his tongue).
Adrien stood up and held her in his arms,
His embrace was gentle and tight at the same time, as he pulled her to himself, forgetting they were almost neked.
“i’m so happy i found you!” He whispered, then understood how silly it must have sounded to her, as they were classmates for a few years now. “I mean...” while he was looking for the words to explain, he realized her necked skin over his and his body responded burning with warm waves inside out again. “God, you’re so hot, I can’t even think straight!” He whispered, hiding face on her neck.
Marinette started slowly shaking and Adrien felt her hot tears on his neck.
He pulled away, worried.
“Oh my god, Marinette! I’m so sorry! Did I hurt you?!” This time he wasn’t worried about being rejected.
All his horror was built around the fact that he could hurt this beautiful creature with his idiotic unbridled actions!
Marinette was still crying and trembling, so Adrien hugged her again, holding her closer to him.
“Please Marinette, tell me what to do,” he was stroking her hair gently. “Anything! I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He whispered to her ear. “My dear Marinette, I love you, please don’t cry.”
Stop telling her that! — Adrien told himself. — She doesn’t like you that way! That’s why she is crying. She only wanted to be your friend! She always denied having any romantic attraction to you! And you overstepped, you crossed the line! It will destroy your friendship! You need to fix this, right now!
“We can be friends again! Please forget what I said. Please, don’t leave me!” Adrien begged.
Marinette silenced. She wasn’t crying anymore. She’s still sobbed a little, but her breath sounded calmer now.
Good, Adrien sighed. Stay on the safe side. Friends it is.
“I’m sorry, Adrien. Marinette said in a small voice. “I can’t be your friend. Not anymore.”
His heart fell. No. No. Please, no! How could he be so reckless?! How could he let this happen?! He couldn’t lose her! Not her!
“Because you see, Adrien,” Marinette continued. “I love you.”
Adrien couldn’t say if he was more shocked or happy.
The less possible words he’d expected were out of her mouth and Adrien wasn’t sure he was able to survive this happiness.
He pushed Marinette away a little to see her face better.
Her eyes were shining with warm timid happiness.
Was it real? Could it be?
From the day he fell in love with Ladybug, Adrien never thought he wanted to see love for him in somebody else’s eyes. He always thought his partner was the only person he would expect to accept his feelings with such excitement.
But Marinette…
She was so wonderful, beautiful, passionate... but most importantly, she was so dear to his heart, so necessary for his existence.
Before this day, when he thought he’d lost her, he never understood how much he needed her!
She was always there for him. For secret birthday parties and just silent support when things were especially bad with his father. For convincing his father to let Adrien go on a school trip, or giving him the most special lucky charm, that he was always caring with him around. Or for just bringing him some croissants on a sad rainy day to cheer him up.
Her constant gentle presence in his life, like invisible but tangible support, made his days brighter. But it also made him want to be there for her. For catching her when she was falling, or helping her to express herself when she was stammering. To take her luggage or just hold her hand when she was protecting the trees.
But he wanted more than that.
He realized now that he wanted to see her face in the morning. As lame as it sounded even in his head, but it would already make his day.
Just her presence...
But he couldn’t agree to only having her presence now. Not after he felt her responding to his kisses like that. Not after he saw her eyes burning with deep hot desire... desire for him! Not after he felt how much her body wanted his…
Not after she said she loved him...
Adrien leaned to Marinette again and kissed her.
This time his kiss was long and deep, as much as the feelings to her he had just realized.
Marinette answered his kiss with her usual gentle acceptance.
But soon they both were breathless again with shaky hot desire, overwhelming their almost neked bodies.
Adrien pulled back to avoid touching her.
“What’s wrong?” Marinette asked, catching his gaze.
“I...” Adrien was trying not to look at her body. “We need something...”
He found a blanket and cowered all her body with it quickly, so only her head was out of it.
Good, now she is safe. He can work with it now.
“It’s summer, Adrien,” Marinette protested. “I’m hot!”
“I know you are, trust me...” Adrien blushed. “That’s why it’s safe to hide you from me. Otherwise I’m not in control over my actions.”
“What makes you think I want you to be?” Sly seductive smile appeared on her face and Adrien couldn’t believe himself...
Even all her body was covered with a blanket now, he all burned like crazy only from her one smile.
“Don’t... uh... play with a fire, Marinette.” Adrien He took breath in and out deeply. “l need to calm down a little before I can kiss you again. I’ll get your clothes.”
“I’ll let you leave if you promise to kiss me the moment you’re back.” She smiled playfully and he knew right here and now, he’d give everything for this smile!
“You don’t have to worry about that.” Adrien blew her a kiss and went out.
He was a gentleman, after all. And Marinette must be treated as careful and nice as the girl she was.
Adrien made a few steps away from the room, but stopped for a moment to think. He turned and made a few steps back to ask if Marinette wanted some water too.
But when he was about to open the door, he heard a familiar ringing voice.
“Are you all right, Marinette?” Tikki asked.
“I’m fine, Tikki, I’m just so happy.” Marinette replied.
“You deserve to be happy, Marinette.”
*
Next day's patrol was promising to be the most difficult patrol in his life.
Chat Noir was running across the rooftops to the meeting point, thinking about the previous day.
Could it all have just seemed to him?
Yesterday Adrien was so shocked hearing Marinette's supposed conversation with Tikki, that he just couldn’t speak for a few minutes.
The sky came crashing to his head and it wasn’t fluffy with clouds, but more like a heavy handfuls of hail.
When he returned to the room with clothes and water for Marinette, there was only her in the room, but of course Tikki would hide from him!
But that meant... because Tikki knew his identity... and Plagg... Plagg knew Ladybug’s identity too... All this time... And they were silent…
Adrien didn’t know what to feel about it.
Several times he was close to unraveling Ladybugs identity and Plagg took his thoughts away from Marinette. This only confirmed his confidence now.
Soon Alya and Nino came back and they all left for the city.
Adrien volunteered to accompany Marinette home, and noticed that Alya smiled slyly at him, saying goodbye, and winked at Marinette.
What did it mean?
Maybe Alya noticed earlier that Adrien likes Marinette, even before he realized it?
Or maybe…
Could it be possible that he, Adrien, was the one Marinette liked more than a friend before?
She said she loved him.
Loved.
It couldn’t happen to her in one day, right?
Either Marinette, just like him, only realized that she had been in love with Adrien for a long time. Or she realized it for a long time and didn’t say anything.
But why?
And if Marinette was Ladybug, could it be that...
“The boy.” Chat Noir said, when Ladybug landed on a roof next to him.
“The boy?” Ladybug asked, looking confused.
“The boy you liked this whole time...”
Ladybug lowered her eyes.
“Chat, I...” She started.
“It’s Adrien Agreste, isn’t it?”
Ladybug looked up at Chat Noir sharply, her eyes expressing surprise, shock, and then horror.
Finally, she seemed to be able to control herself. She blinked several times and spoke.
“I can’t tell you who he is. We mustn’t know each other's identities.” She said.
“What if... What if I already knew?” Chat asked, hiding his eyes like a boy who stole a candy.
Ladybug stared at him for a moment. Then her face distorted with anger.
“Did you follow me?” Ladybug asked in a stiffened voice “Did you...”
“It was an accident.” Chat replied.
Only now, seeing her almost shaking with anger with the idea of her partner betraying her trust, Chat Noir became really worried.
He understood now that Ladybug might be actually hurt, if an akuma got to her somehow.
Now it wasn’t about her trust anymore. It was about her safety.
How couldn’t he realize it sooner? He wanted to know who she was so much, only the fear of betraying her would stop him.
And now he had another fear, much, much deeper. If something happens to her... If something happened because of him knowing her identity...
“I’ll give up my ring.” He said the only thing that he found right to say.
“What? No!” Ladybug exclaimed. “You can’t do that! You are Chat Noir! I’m just mad! We’ll think of something...”
“I’m sorry, Marinette.” Chat interrupted her. “You will have to find another Chat Noir.”
“No! Don’t say that!” Ladybug protested. “I need YOU!”
“Claws in.”
Adrien handed her the ring, looking down on his feet. He wasn't ready to see the disappointment on her face.
Even if she rejected him now, she would be safe.
And that’s what mattered.
Silence.
Why didn’t she take the ring? Adrien swallowed. The silence was too long now.
“Was it before or after?” Ladybug whispered.
Adrien looked up at her.
Ladybug was staring at him with tears in her eyes.
“Before or after?” He repeated. “What do you mean?”
“When did you understand it was me, Adrien?” Ladybug asked in a silent voice.
“I... yesterday.” Adrien confessed. “I went to take your clothes and I... “ He swallowed again. “I just wanted to offer you some water and... I heard you and Tikki talking.” He looked away. “I wasn’t sure though. Until I asked you about Ad.. me today. The way you reacted... I knew it was you then.”
“So... you do love me?” Ladybug asked, her voice shaking.
“Oh my god, Marinette, more than my life!” Adrien couldn’t stay far from her anymore.
Even if she would push him away, he had to hold her. Just for one more second...
He made a step and took Ladybug in his arms. So warm, so incredibly howling, this girl was everything to him.
To his surprise Ladybug returned the hug.
“Please, stay with me, Adrien.” Ladybug whispered, sobbing. “I need you. I need my partner too. Please, please, keep the ring.”
“I can’t, Marinette.” Adrien whispered back. “You won’t be safe.”
“I will. With you. Don’t you want to protect me?” She asked with a weak voice.
“That’s exactly what I’m doing right now, giving Plagg away.” Adrien’s answer sounded confident.
“But I... please...” Ladybug began to shake, crying again and he just couldn’t stand it.
“Marinette, please, don’t cry, I’m begging you!” Adrien pulled away to kiss her face, her cheeks, her forehead. “I’ll keep it, I will. Please, don’t cry!”
She stopped crying and looked into his face.
“You will?”
“I... I just want to keep you safe. If staying away isn’t an option, then the next best thing — is staying as close as I can.”
“Thank you, Adrien! I love you so much!” Ladybug sighed. “We’ll think of something. Like with Rena Rouge!”
“Alya?” He asked. “What about her?”
“How do you know?..” She widened her eyes at him.
“I wasn’t supposed to say that, was i?..” Adrien smiled bashfully.
“For a guy who claims to be kept in the dark, you sure have your way with secrets.” Ladybug noticed.
“Nino told me, when he... uh... thought his girlfriend was in love with... uh...”
“Really?” Her face broke into a smile. “It must have been funny!”
“Not really, no.” Adrien’s face fell when he remembered that conversation with Nino. “I heard a lot about how flirty and stupid Chat Noir was, and how Ladybug hates his jokes, and rejects him, and how much she’s right to do so, and...”
“I’m sorry, Adrien.”
“It’s not your fold.”
“It kind of is..” She silenced. Then she looked at him again. “When Alya got to know my identity, she had to help me more. And she was very nervous about keeping this secret from Nino, so I guess he misread her actions and...”
“She knows?” Adrien stared at her. How many more surprises will he get today?
“I told her.” Ladybug looked away. “I was so much damaged after breaking up with Luka... and not being able to tell you about my feelings... and then they almost found the miraculous box... and then the gang of secrets happened... I was... I needed someone... I...”
“Shhh.” Adrien silenced her with a quick kiss. “It’s ok, Marinette. You don’t have to explain it to me. I trust you. I’m sure you have all the reasons you need. As well as for revealing Carapace and Rena Rouge to each other.”
She sighed, holding him closer, and it was the best thing he could wish for right now.
“So,” Adrien said, pulling away a little, when a sudden thought came to his mind. “If Alya knows your identity, and we still want to keep mine a secret, you gotta choose.”
“Choose what?” Ladybug was narrowing her eyes at him.
“You can’t have two different boyfriends, Ladybug. Your friend won’t understand that, or — which is more likely, considering it’s Alya we’re talking about — she’ll figure out my identity right away.”
“Oh.” She nodded. “You’re right.”
“So?” Adrien was looking at her with a warm, expecting smile.
“So... I get to choose my boyfriend then?” She gave him a satisfied smile. “Well, that’s an important decision to make.”
“Is it?” Adrien raised his eyebrows. “All the girls fight over Adrien, so...”
“So I’ll choose to date my partner then.” Her gaze was warm and loving.
“Really?” Adrien didn’t expect that.
“Sure! Why?” She asked, taking his hand.
“I thought...” Adrien was looking at her, as if he witnessed a New Year miracle. “I thought you didn’t like me... him that way.”
“Me? Not liking that funny, charming, brave, thoughtful, honest, and...” she winked at him — “this must stay just between you and me — really hot partner of mine?” She leaned forward closer to his face. “Oh, you’re mistaken, mister.”
Adrien was absolutely amazed.
Like his happiness of discovering his feelings for Marinette didn’t already bring him to heaven. She loved him back.. AND she was his beloved partner Ladybug... AND Ladybug returned Chat Noir’s affections.
Like what could make his life more happy?.. maybe only.. if she once agreed to be his wife, and they bought a house, and got three kids, and a dog, no, a hamster!..
One day.
“She’ll be very disappointed though.” Ladybug sighed. “She gave me quite a talk yesterday about you bringing me home, and that I have to confess my feelings to you... and...”
“You still can do it.” He smiled. “I don’t mind, as long as it stays between us.” He winked at her and kissed her cheek. “But... wasn’t she a LadyNoir shipper?”
“She was. Until she got to know who Ladybug was.” She confirmed.
“Well,” Adrien put the ring back on his finger, watching Plagg appear in the air. “Maybe she’ll change her mind again, once she knows about your secret adoration of your partner.”
“Uh, Ladybug?” Plagg looked at her, then at Adrien, then at Ladybug again. “Why is...” He started slowly.
“It’s ok, Plagg. I know.” Ladybug smiled.
“Oh. Ok.” Plagg just said. “So, we’re good then?”
“We are.” Adrien smiled. “Plagg, claws in.” He said.
And kissed his new girlfriend.