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"We should talk about New York."
Chat cringed. He'd made his share of mistakes on that trip, and he fully expected Ladybug to scold him for them.
"It would've been different if we knew each other's identities, I think."
Chat blinked. That wasn't what he was expecting at all, and the whiplash rendered him speechless.
"It's just- well, if Aeon hadn't been able to recognize us you'd never have been Chat Noir again. I wouldn't have been able to find you."
All Chat could manage was a quick nod to show his understanding.
"Before, we could rely on Master Fu because he knew who we both were, but- well, we can't do that anymore. So I think we should know each other's identities."
"That-" Chat stammered, finally able to speak but struggling to find words, "Really? You'd trust me like that after what I did?"
"I don't know, Chat. Maybe. I'm considering it as an option. At the very least someone should know both our identities."
"R- right. For what it's worth, I'm sorry."
"Gods, Chat, the apologies are almost more annoying than what you actually did at this point."
"...sorry."
"..."
"Um."
"Listen, I don't think we should decide anything now. But I want you to think about it, okay? Figure out if you're ready for me, or someone else, to know your identity."
"I'll do whatever you ask, milady."
"That's- Chat, no. I don't want you to blindly follow my lead, I want you to actually consider this."
"I don't really need to, Ladybug. I've been ready for you to know for a long time, and once you became Guardian I figured you'd want to know eventually."
"What if I don't want to know, myself? What if I want us to have someone else as a go-between?"
"Anyone you're willing to trust, I am too."
"Chat, you're blindly following me again."
"Following you, yes. Blindly, no."
"I'm not the perfect hero everyone makes me out to be."
"I never said you were, bugaboo. I see all of you, not just your mask. Your clumsiness, your self-doubt, your occasional lapses into anger, or jealousy. I know you have flaws, but you overcome them. I know you make mistakes, but you own up to them. I follow your lead because I trust you, but I don't do it blindly. I've questioned your decisions before, when it hasn't been clear if you've thought something through. I know you aren't perfect, and you aren't just Ladybug. You're a kid, like me, who's trying to do their best. It's just that your best is a hell of a lot more impressive than mine."
"Chat…"
"I see you, not Ladybug. That's the person I'm choosing to trust."
"Did you have that speech already prepared?"
"It's- kinda? It's something I've thought about a lot. I know how you must feel, having this public image that people see, instead of seeing the real you. I put a lot of thought into this because I wanted to be sure I was seeing the real you."
"Chat, that's… that's really thoughtful."
"Can I ask you something?"
"I- sure."
"The boy you like. I've had a hunch for a while about who he is."
"Oh?"
"It's Adrien Agreste, isn't it?"
"...yes."
"Do you see the real him? The way I see the real you?"
"I think so…"
"Do you see his flaws? His shortcomings? Or just the tailored image that his publicists show you?"
"Chat, are- Don't question my feelings."
"I'm not- That's not what I'm trying to do. I'm not trying to shoot him down so I can make a pass at you, Ladybug. I just want to know. Do you see him?"
"I don't know. I see more than the crafted image for his father's brand, but… If I'm being honest, I don't think I see all of him."
"Then try to."
"?"
"Try to see all of him. Try to see his flaws, his full picture. Once you can tell him you see the real him, you'll stand a much better chance."
"Chat, are you pushing me into the arms of another man?"
"Actually, I'm doing this for Adrien."
"Oh?"
"He deserves to be with someone who sees all of him, Ladybug. With a little nudge, I think that can be you."
"You're- you're being way too nice, Chat. What are you up to?"
"Nothing that would keep you from being with Adrien, milady."
"Hm."
"I've never lied to you, Ladybug. I've neglected to tell you things, but I've never flat-out lied."
"...okay, I trust you."
"Go forth, bugaboo, and seek out the flaws in your perfect man!"
"Chat!"
"Okay, that was a little too much. But seriously, try to see the real Adrien. I'm sure you'll like him."
"Goodnight, Chat."
"Goodnight, bugaboo."
=================================
"Hey, Nino."
"What's up, Mari?"
"Well… this is going to sound weird, but can you help me see Adrien's flaws?"
"I'm going to need you to explain yourself."
"Okay, so I'm worried I'm only seeing some perfect image of Adrien, and not the real Adrien. So I'm hoping if you help me see his flaws, I'll see a fuller picture of who he is and I'll like the real him, not the tailored image on all the billboards."
"You already see more than that, Marinette. You're in his class!"
"Someone pointed out that if I can't name any of his flaws, I'm probably not seeing the real him. They challenged me to find Adrien's flaws, and to like them as much as I like the rest of him."
"This person sounds wise. Your mom?"
"More of… an anonymous pen pal."
"Intriguing, but I'll leave that be."
"So, will you help me?"
"You realize a wingman is supposed to do the exact opposite of what you're asking, right?"
"I guess? Please, Nino. I'm having an existential crisis here."
"Fine. But I'm denying this if he ever asks, alright?"
"Even if he wants to thank you for it?"
"We'll see."
"Either way, I'm thanking you now. So, thanks."
*Shrug*
"So…"
"So?"
"Are you going to start telling me everything wrong with Adrien?"
"Not if you're going to ask like that."
"You know what I mean, Nino."
"Alright. So Adrien's a bit of a dumbass."
"But he's got good grades, and-"
"Wrong kind of dumbass. He can be really oblivious, and he's awful at picking up on social cues."
"Oh, right."
"He's a bit naive. He's getting better, but I still worry how easy it would be to take advantage of his kindness."
"He's really kind, yeah…"
"...to a fault, sometimes."
"Right, yeah. Of course."
"I guess that's it, actually. Oblivious and naive."
"Really?"
"I mean there's other stuff I could say, but really the rest is subjective for what is and isn't a shortcoming."
"I guess that makes sense."
"I could tell you more anyway, though. In the interest of a fuller picture."
"Yeah!"
"Alright, so my boy is a total dweeb. He gets really into his video games and tv, and stuff. It's actually kinda adorable."
"I'd call that passionate."
"You would. But really, it's more than a normal interest. It's… you know how Chris gets, right?"
"Yeah."
"Personally I think Adrien's the same way. He hasn't said anything, and I don't know if he'd even know, but it's the vibe I get."
"You think Adrien's autistic?"
"I mean, I don't wanna push labels on the guy. But, looks like a duck…"
"Don't insult his looks, Nino! He's a model!"
"That's not- It's an expression!"
"I'm teasing, Nino."
"Right. I knew that."
"So you haven't talked to him about this?"
"It's not my place, you know? I know how he is, and labels don't need to play into that."
"Nino, do you remember how worried you were about Chris before be got diagnosed?"
"Yeah, it was bad."
"If Adrien doesn't have that explanation for why he's… different, then…"
"I should bring it up. So he can look into it for himself."
"Exactly."
"So how's your crush going?"
"Oh, right. I'm not sure, actually. I feel like I don't know him very well, after all, but I really want to get to know him."
"As a friend, or…?"
"Maybe more. It's just- I don't know, It's weird. I don't want to feel like I'm taking advantage of him if he is, you know…"
"He isn't a child. You just need to make sure you're communicating clearly. As long as he understands the situation, he's capable of making his own, adult decisions."
"It's- I think I need to get used to the idea."
"Try to see him as a person, Mari. Not a diagnosis."
"I won't settle for trying. I'm going to."
"There's my girl."
==================================
"So, bugaboo. How'd you do with my challenge?"
"I talked to one of his friends, and- I see more of him now."
"Do you still like him?"
"It's complicated, but I think so? He's still the things I liked before, he's just more than that."
"What makes it complicated?"
"I- I think I need to get to know him better before I can know for sure, is all."
"What else is there to know? You talked to his friend, right?"
"I don't know if I can tell you…"
"Why not?"
"It's a privacy thing. Adrien's privacy."
"...huh."
"It's not that I don't trust you, kitty, it's just not my place to decide if you can know."
"...Ladybug, have I ever lied to you?"
"No, Chat. You're always honest, even if you have to hide something."
"I have Adrien's permission to hear about anything you might have to say about him."
"Really?"
"Yup."
"Well, I don't know if he knows I know this…"
"I have permission to know anything and everything. I probably already know about whatever this is, actually."
"Okay. If you know him that well, I guess."
"I do."
"Well, he can be a bit naive, right? And he misses social cues and stuff."
"Mmm."
"So I just worry I'd be taking advantage of him, you know?"
"Why would a little naiveté have you worrying about that? Adrien can be quick to trust, sure, but it's not like he believed Lila or anything."
"I guess not. I think I just had some preconceived notions to get over."
"About what?"
"...autism."
"What's that got to do with it?"
"Nino's brother is autistic, and Nino thinks Adrien might be too."
"Huh."
"I mean, Nino hasn't said anything to Adrien yet, but he says a lot of signs are there."
"Do- do you agree with Nino?"
"Well, like I said, I don't know Adrien as well as I thought I did. But from what Nino described about him, it adds up, you know?"
"Oh."
"Are you okay, kitty?"
"Yeah, yeah. I- I'm just wondering if I might be autistic, too, I guess."
"Hitting close to home?"
"Something like that. Do you think I might be?"
"I don't know enough about autism to say, but- well, I don't think so, but I wouldn't be surprised."
"So you need to get to know Adrien better because of the autism?"
"Well, yes and no."
"I don't follow."
"I don't know if I understand it myself, Chat. Part of it is that he might not even be autistic, Nino's just guessing. Part of it is trying to unpack these preconceived notions, which I know are wrong but I need to internalize it. Part of it is that I just don't know Adrien as well as I thought."
"I think that makes sense."
"It's a lot, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
"What's on your mind, Chatton?"
"I'm trying to decide if I'm ready to tell you my identity."
"I'm not sure I'm ready to know it, if that helps. I'm in the middle of all this stuff with Adrien."
"It's relevant, though."
"Oh?"
"I think you'd want to know."
"Chat, I don't know…"
"Oh! I could do it with the snake miraculous! Then I can take it back."
"That's… that's not a bad idea."
"Thanks, bugaboo."
"I'll go fetch Sass. Will you be alright to wait here?"
"Yup!"
"See you soon, kitty."
=====================================
"Plagg, Sass, unify!"
"Second Chance!"
"Ready?"
"Having the safety net helps... Ladybug, it's me. I'm Adrien."
"Wh- huh."
"..."
"Well, I see why you said it was relevant."
"..."
"Kitty, are you okay? You're pretty quiet."
"..."
"It's okay, Chat. Adrien. I'm not disappointed, if that's what you're worried about."
"..."
"Can I give you a hug?"
"...yeah."
"It's okay. I'm glad you told me. I'm glad you're you."
"Really?"
"Of course, kitten. Now I really do see all of you, and I love every part of you."
"Love?"
"Yeah. I don't know if it's platonic, or romantic, or what, but it's definitely love."
"Oh. I thought..."
"I know. And I hope it works out that way."
"Me too."
"Hey, Chat?"
"Mhmm?"
"How'd you know who 'the boy I liked' was?"
"Oblivio. It was probably wishful thinking, but after that I started paying attention more. How you talked about Adrien, your body language. I did some informal research to see if it lined up."
"You did research."
"Um, yeah. I mean, I know I'm new to crushes and stuff so…"
"Adrien?"
"Hmm?"
"That's adorable."
"I-"
"You're my adorable kitten, and I'm taking you home for cuddles."
"Sounds nice."
"Come on, let's find somewhere to detransform."
"You were serious?"
"Let me try that again. Chat, would you like to come to my place for cuddles?"
"Um, yes?"
"You don't seem sure about that… I won't be upset if you don't want to, Adrien. You're allowed to say no. So do you want to come over?"
"Yes."
"Alright, let's go."