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Oh my. Oh gosh. What was a superhero to do? Hiding behind a dumpster outside of the restaurant where she was supposed to meet her friends, Ladybug had her hand over her mouth so her breathing couldn't be heard. Closing her eyes as if to pretend she hadn't seen what she just thought she saw she opened them quickly and took a peek to see if he was still there. And he was. Standing tall and proud while he fed his kwami, Adrien Agreste was smiling. As if he hadn't just shattered her world. How they wound up in the same alley she wasn't sure… well… she knew. They were meeting Alya and Nino to be their third and fourth wheel. But… Adrien? Of all people. Chat was Adrien? How was she going to sit next to him and act normal?! Plagg flew into Adrien's pocket and he dashed off to meet their friends, and she finally let out an eep.
"What the fuck just happened?" She gasped, before releasing her transformation. Catching Tikki in her hands she stared at her with wide eyes. "Tikki, did you know?"
"Now Marinette…"
"Of course you knew! This whole time, you’ve known it was Adrien. You’ve known. And I’ve been here struggling.” Marinette frowned, her blue eyes wide with distress as she faced her kwami.
"Yes, but you know I couldn't tell you." The kwami of creation squeaked, floating forward to nuzzle her cheek. "We have to go in there. I’m so sorry, Marinette. There was nothing I could have done to tell you."
"I know." The heroine sighed heavily. "I know. I hate this." Feeding Tikki she slid her into her purse, moving from behind the dumpster to smooth out her pink skirt and tug up her thigh high black socks and took a breath. “Now I have to go in there and act like it’s normal to sit beside him.”
“Well, luckily you’ve never been normal.” Tikki teased from her purse in hopes of soothing her.
“Yeah, I guess not.” Taking another breath the raven haired twenty-two year old gently closed her purse before coming out of the alley. Peeking around carefully to make sure Adrien was inside she did her best to make it look like she was coming from down the street and now from the alley.
Making her way inside she let out a gasp when she bumped into someone’s back. “I am so sorry - Oh! Adrien. Hi! Erm, hello.” Rubbing her sore nose she took a few steps back and he turned to face her.
Time had done him well, he was tall like his father, though with an athletic build and slim hips. He was lovely, in Marinette’s opinion. He had grown into himself. Having shaved the back of his hair he kept the top long, a new look for him but still a good one.
“Hi Marinette!” He greeted warmly, turning to face her. “I was just looking for you guys. But I guess you haven’t found the other’s yet.” He reached up a hand to rub the back of his neck shyly.
Seeing that shy smile did things to her, funny things. She logically knew this was the same cat she had thrown off buildings and into the arms of akumas time and again. But this was also Adrien. Her sweet, dear, crush who didn’t know she was in love with him.
Well shit…. He was in love with her! Or at least he had been. It had been a long time since she received a rose from Chat Noir.
Realizing she was lost in thought when his expression fell she quickly waved her hands. “Ah! Sorry, no. No! I haven’t seen anyone yet. Just got here. I bet they are inside either eating without us or Alya dragged Nino to see the scene again.” Realizing she was speaking a little too loudly Marinette took a deep breath, her face red. She needed to pull herself together. This was Chat for kwamis sake.
But this was also Adrien.
“Marinette, are you okay? Your face is awfully red…” Lifting his hand to touch her cheek she found them surprisingly calloused. Just like her own. She had always chalked it up to fencing for him. But battling akumas could also be the reason.
“Me?!” She squeaked, only to let out a thankful breath when she heard Nino cry out.
“I told you they’d beat us here. You do not have to be a part of every battle, babe.” Nino shook his head, adjusting his hat as they came up to the two of them. Now a foursome.
“If I am going to be a successful Ladybug reporter then I have to be a part of the action.” Alya huffed, her now short hair set in curls that were wild about her face from running back to the bistro.
“Babe.” Nino groaned, only to move forward and hug his best bro. “Sorry we are late, dudes.” Patting his back he turned to Marinette, frowning a bit. “Woah, you are so red. Are you sick? Need to go home dudette?”
“No! I am…” Looking up at Adrien then at Nino she wondered if she should just take the out and go home. Get herself together and face Chat for patrol. Oh gosh…. Could she face Chat for patrol? What was a ladybug to do?
Seeing how much her friend was struggling Alya stepped forward, snagging Marinette by the arm. “Alright, boys, you go snag us a table. Marinette and I will make sure Marinette is okay out here. Plan for four.” She waved them off, though the raven-haired girl caught sight of Adrien’s worry as he followed Nino inside.
Once the boys were gone Alya took her friend by the shoulders. “Did Adrien do something to you? I can’t imagine a world where he would. But you haven’t acted this weird around him since we were in school.” It had always broken her heart just a bit that the two of them had never been able to get themselves together enough to date. They were the second OTP, right behind Chat Noir and Ladybug.
But one day something had shifted for her friend. No longer was Marinette freaking out about Adrien, needing them to make intricate plans to get around him. Instead she was mostly calm, claiming they were good friends and that her affections had turned elsewhere. Where exactly, none of them knew. But Marinette Dupain-Cheng had always been a good secret keeper.
“I am fine. I just… I don’t feel so well. Admittedly. Getting caught up in that akuma was a lot. You know how dizzying it can be.” Having never told her friend the truth of her life as Ladybug had nearly broken them. Alya had demanded to know the truths behind her lies but Marinette couldn’t, wouldn’t, tell her a thing. Not whenever she believed Lila so easily. Their friendship had gone through a very rough patch. And while they were close, they were not as close as they could be.
“Are you sure you are okay?” Alya asked softly, her hands lifting to frame her face. It was a sweet gesture, and Marinette wanted them to be in a better place. But really, who could she trust other than… Adrien.
Tears welled in Marinette’s eyes before she could stop them. And it made her sniffle. She finally had someone she could trust without a second thought. Adrien would never betray her. Would he? Chat wouldn’t. But… Shaking her head she pulled gently from Alya’s grip.
“I will be okay. Let’s head inside. I’m sorry. I just… have the worst headache.” Which wasn’t a total lie. Feeling her phone vibrate she checked it carefully, and smiled upon seeing a message from Adrien.
*Need rescuing? AA*
How could he always make her smile so easily? It was a gift.
Together the girls made their way inside, both refusing to admit that their foursome was a bit broken because of them. They hung up because neither Marinette nor Adrien wanted to be the third wheel. At least they had each other when they all went out together.
Taking her usual seat beside Adrien the raven-haired hero shifted her weight, trying desperately to keep her hands to herself. She and Chat were tactile, always touching in one way or another. But Marinette and Adrien were not like that. Casting a look his way their eyes met, blue melding with green, before she flushed and looked away. She needed to pull herself together.
“Are you okay?” The blonde just had to ask, his hand lifting to rest against her shoulder. “You had Nino and I worried.”
“Eep!” Lifting her hands to cover her face as he touched her Marinette knew she was losing it. No matter how much she told herself that she was keeping it together she did not. Pushing herself up suddenly she turned and made her way towards the bathrooms. What she didn’t realize was that Adrien was following her, his worry clear on his face. Rather than turning towards the bathrooms she ducked into the kitchens, making her way through them as if she belonged, before breaking out into the back alley. Not the same alley, but maybe this wasn’t her best decision.
“Marinette?” Adrien reached out suddenly and grabbed her arm when she flailed, the woman nearly falling to the ground. “Okay, you obviously are not alright. Let’s get you home.” He knew their friends would understand. Well, Nino would understand. Alya would demand answers in that way he understood but often had a problem with.
“Aaa-drien!” Stumbling over her own feet she quickly righted herself, with Adrien’s help, before they were making their way to the main street. “We can’t just leave them.”
“Why not? You’re not well.” The blonde pointed out, his hand shifting to the small of her back so he could guide her.
“I’m well enough!” Straightening herself up Marinette sent a glare his way, as if remembering this was her minou. Her chaton. What was he doing being so bossy with her of all people? She was the bossy one between the two of them. She was the boss after all.
“Mmhm.” Looking amused he guided her out into the street, before grabbing his phone to send a message to Nino. Just telling him that he was taking Marinette home and to have a good date with his girlfriend. “I told Nino that we are leaving.” Adrien stated rather bluntly, slipping his phone away as he went back to guiding her along.
Mouth agape Marinette Dupain-Cheng stared up at the taller man, wondering when he had grown to care so much. Sure, she and Adrien were friends but this was different. “You - You- !”
Laughing easily his arm shifted to rest around her shoulders. “Calm down, Marinette. I am just trying to take care of you.” Giving her a squeeze he smiled when it seemed to soothe her. Walking alongside her in a rare quiet moment Adrien was counting in his head. Measuring the time of how soon she’d speak.
“Adrien….” Marinette began and he grinned. “How did you know I was so bad off?”
“Because we are friends and I notice you.” Shrugging casually the blonde knew he could never tell her about the crush he had developed on her. One that rivaled his crush on Ladybug. But once he had taken Ladybug off of the pedestal he had placed her on, it was easy to see that she was just a person. An amazing person. But a person nonetheless. And it was all the easier to see that Marinette, the person right in front of him with the bluebell eyes, had the tiniest of crushes on him. Something he could respond to in kind. Especially considering things would never work out with his Lady.
Glancing at Adrien out of the corner of her eye, Marinette hummed curiously, not quite sure what to say to her long-time crush. There was so much she truly wanted to say. So much she had always planned to say. Yet as time had gone on, she had learned that Adrien would never love her the way that Chat did. She accepted that. Now. At least. It was something that would forever leave a bitter little taste in her mouth, but she’d not dwell on that fact.
“You are something else, Adrien.” Wrapping her arms around herself, as if protecting from the chill in the air, she couldn’t help her shy smile when he removed his coat and wrapped it around her.
“If anyone is anything else that would be you. Honestly Marinette, I have never met anyone who can catch a chill as easily as you.” He teased, making sure his coat was securely around her petite frame.
“Thank you, Adrien.” Rolling her eyes fondly she was starting to piece it all together. Yes, she had a bit of a headache from breaking the kwami magic. But, that did not stop her. Adrien Agreste was Chat Noir. Her chaton was Adrien Agreste, one of her closest friends and her oldest crush.
How could anything be better? Or worse…..
When they reached her parent’s bakery, a place she had been attempting to move out of, but life in Paris was expensive, Marinette led him up the back stairs so they didn’t disturb her parents who were in the bakery. Granted, she had attempted to leave him down below on the street, but like the annoying cat he was, he was having none of it.
Once they were up in her room, with a snack tray because of course her parents had noticed them no matter how they entered, she closed the hatch and turned to face him. She felt…. Protected. Wearing his jacket, with his intent gaze upon her. But truthfully, she had no idea what he actually wanted.
“Adrien - “
“Marientte -”
They both laughed awkwardly as they said each other’s names. Head tilting Adrien stared at her with purpose. He knew something was wrong, knew that he needed to figure it out, but how?
She could see so much of Chat in his movements. The head tilt, the way he flashed that imaginary fang when he smiled at her in reassurance. Removing his coat she draped it over the back of her desk chair and turned to face him once more.
“Adrien,” Marinette began once more, her gaze softening. “You did not do anything wrong. I am simply…. Struggling.” When she admitted such things he reached for her hand, lifting it up to his cheek and holding it there.
“Marinette, if you are struggling I want to help.” The blonde pleaded, and she sighed heavily. Slipping her hand from his grip she poked her index finger directly into his perfect nose.
“You are the problem, minou.” Perhaps not the gentlest way to tell him such things, but definitely a show stopper.
Green eyes widening she could practically see him vibrate with anxiety, his hair very nearly standing on end. “Um…. I am not a cat?” He phrased it more like a question, his voice trembling.
“Don’t be afraid of me, minou.” Releasing his nose from her assault Marinette let out a soft laugh. “Now, will you please… go? I need to process this.” She knew he wouldn’t leave, wouldn’t give her a moment's peace. But she could hope.
“Go? You want me to leave? But you - Me…. What?” Fumbling over his words in a way she had never seen before Adrien reached out to grip her hand, and despite his tight hold she knew she could pull away if she wanted to. But… did she want to?
“Minou, breathe.” Gently lifting her hands out of his grip she touched his cheeks, stroking her thumbs over his sharp cheekbones. Cheekbones she knew so well, both in and out of a mask. Oh little gods, she knew him in and out of a mask! “If you do not breathe then I will not breathe and neither of us will be breathing!”
“I am breathing!” His tone was accusatory and a touch scared. Which made her pull him close despite their height difference. Settling down against her Adrien hunkered in like any cat would, his arms curling protectively around her waist. “I’m sorry, that was rude. I’m freaking out.” He admitted, his head gently bumping into hers as he nuzzled her cheek.
“You are such a cat, how could I have never noticed?” Giggling softly as he nuzzled her she gently pet a hand over his head, her fingers curling into the nape of his neck as she had done so many times before as Ladybug. Their hugs were the stuff of legend.
“You aren’t supposed to notice. LB is going to smite me. Strike me down where I stand. She’s very big into secret identities. And I should have protected mine better.” Adrien woe’d over his apparent failure, carefully pulling back to meet her gaze. Though he was so wrapped up in his own worries that he failed to notice her attempting to interrupt him.
“Smite you, hm?” She asked with a grin that he of course did not notice.
“Ladybug is the Guardian. She’s going to kill me, for sure. Then there will be another Chat Noir. And … and… I want to be Chat Noir. I made him who he is.”
“A punny lunatic?” Marinette asked as she grabbed him by the front of his shirt. “Look at me, Chaton. Really look at me.” She nearly pleaded with him to notice her, her hands shaking before she gripped his shirt tighter. “Do you really think anyone other than me would notice who you are? Detransforming in an alleyway? Really minou?”
“How do you know I transformed in the alley?” Gripping her shoulders he leveled his steady green gaze upon her. What was he missing? She apparently knew so much that he did not. But…. He had to be missing something. Most assuredly. He could tell he was missing something by the way the corner of her mouth quirked up and her gaze met his head on. She was being brave. So brave. Marinette was usually mousey around him. “Only Ladybug calls me minou.”
“I know.” Came the easy reply.
“So you can’t.” He pouted.
“Oh, I most assuredly can.” She taunted him, her index finger reaching up to gently touch his nose and push him back from her. And that was the moment he knew.
He wasn’t dealing with just anyone. This was his lady. How had he missed that of all things? Biting his lip he wiggled in place, unsure of what to do with himself, before pulling her into a tight hug. The laugh she gave lit up his whole face. His whole heart.
“Adrien, you’re squishing me.” Marinette giggled, patting his back as best she could. Though really she could only reach his side with how tightly he held her.
“Don’t care. I’m never letting you go again.” The blonde huffed out as he pressed his face into her neck. This was more than he could have ever hoped for. More than he dared to dream about.
“You never have let me go.” Marinette murmured, gently pulling back so she could look him in the eye. And before she knew it, she was on her tiptoes, locked in a searing kiss with the love of her life. He really never had let her go.