“The snake’s power is a very strong one, Marinette. Whoever uses it must be wise enough not to be tempted to manipulate time for their own personal gain.”
When Marinette returned the snake miraculous, she admitted her mistake of choosing Adrien to Master Fu.
Throughout it all, Fu remained silent, eyeing the exhausted kwami. And when Marinette had finished, he merely complimented her for choosing Luka. And maybe ended with advice about choosing with her head, and not letting things like her heart influence her. Because didn’t she choose Chloé partly because Adrien made her feel guilty? Fu still questioned the wisdom of her choice. The brat’s personality hadn’t improved at all.
Marinette nodded, a bit abashed. But she had learned her mistake. She would not give false hope to the likes of Chloé anymore, nor would she be giving the haunted Adrien another miraculous anytime soon. This guilt will stay with her for quite some time.
She needs to be logical, not emotional.
Meanwhile, Master Fu also planned to have a little chat with his Chinese student.
Adrien was braced for an admonishment.
Fu also remembered to be gentle because he knew Adrien was still traumatised from seeing the girl he loved defeated how many times over.
That didn’t mean he couldn’t be stern as well. Because not only did Adrien abandon his duties as Chat Noir, he abused Sass’ powers to flirt with Ladybug! And now the poor kwami was still eating a large pile of beef jerky as they spoke.
Adrien hung his head in shame. He had been selfish, choosing to put his feelings for Ladybug above the needs of others.
Master Fu: I won’t be punishing you. The memories of Ladybug being vanquished by her enemy and your own failure will be enough. But mark my words, Adrien. There is a reason Ladybug is the leader. She acts with responsibility. You have been in her shoes, so to speak. Can you ask yourself honestly if you think you have been a good partner to her?
Adrien wanted to cry. He had been joking and playful. True, those had come in handy for distracting an akuma but not her.
He remembered how frustrated he had felt with Lady Noire, who still had to help him figure out the lucky charm.
Chat Noir wasn’t the best partner Ladybug should have. Adrien didn’t like that idea.
He took a deep breath and straightened his spine. “I’ll be better, Master Fu. I promise I’ll be less selfish from now on.” He could have said he won’t ever be selfish again, but come on, humans aren’t perfect. And it’s alright to be selfish every now and then (particularly if you are an overworked class president)
Master Fu finally gave a small smile. “Good. Heroism isn’t a game, Adrien. It is great Chat Noir is free from the expectations your father places on you. And your optimism is helpful when Ladybug feels responsible and guilty over her own share of mistakes. Just keep in mind that lives are at stake when Hawkmoth sends out an akuma.”
Adrien nodded.
From that time forth, Kagami noticed a change in her partner. He was definitely giving his 110% at every training session, working hard to improve his fencing ability. It was like there was something else motivating him to be the best beyond impressing Gabriel.
Adrien also developed a sudden interest in riddles and puzzles to stimulate his own brain activity.
Chat Noir admired Ladybug as always, but there were no more pick-up lines or date requests. What would be the point when he would be rejected again?
Ladybug was curious why her kitty suddenly stopped flirting, but it was one less distraction when fighting an akuma.
She worried there was something troubling Chat but his playful teasing with akumas assured her he was doing fine.
As for Sass, Adrien gave him a formal apology.
(I wondered if Adrien working so hard meant Marinette should too. After all both are busy with modelling/fencing/piano/Chinese and class president duties/baking shifts/design projects/guardian training respectively. But it occured to me that Marinette was serious in both her hero and civilian life while Chat was more serious as a civilian.)
Chat Noir enlists Rena Rouge's help to create an Aspik illusion. Absolutely nothing goes wrong.
Ladybug smiles. “I wanted to drop by and welcome Aspik. I know it must be a little intimidating, being surrounded by so many veteran heroes…so, welcome! We’re glad to have you on board.”
“I look like an egg!” Aspik announces, T-posing.
Chat turns to Rena, feeling like he has been punched in the solar plexus. What the hell? he mouths.
Rena grimaces, her eyes wide with panic. Stomach sinking, Chat remembers one of the first things he learned about the Fox Miraculous: that if Rena Rouge isn’t focused, her illusions go haywire.
During his 23,956th try as Aspik, Adrien reveals his identity during the middle of an akuma attack. However, this time, Ladybug manages to purify the akuma and save the day. After Desperada is defeated, however, Ladybug and Adrien have to deal with this newfound information.
Sooo Desperada left me feeling things and I needed to write this. Lemme know what you think! I’m sorry if it seems rushed I practically ran to get it written down lol. Hope you enjoy this identity reveal!
AO3
“You know, Ladybug,” Aspik turned to look at her as they ran away from Desperada, taking a deep breath he allowed himself to reveal the very thing he had been keeping secret for so long, “I’m actually also Chat Noir, and I’ve been in love with you since our eyes first met.” Her eyes widened in shock as the familiar sounds of the trumpet played and Aspik prepared for Ladybug to once again disappear before his eyes.
“NO!” she screamed out instead, dodging the blast with a well-timed duck, shooting her yo-yo out at the akumatized musician. With a flash, both trumpets crashed to the floor and Ladybug was sliding under Desperada, quickly tying the horse saddle around her legs. With a giant tug, the villain fell forward, allowing Ladybug to quickly grab the guitar case and break it. Aspik blinked at her in shock as the akuma flew out of the guitar case and the bug-themed superhero quickly captured it.
“It’s time to de-evilize!” Ladybug shouted quickly, her yo-yo purifying the butterfly. Without sparing a second thought to wave the butterfly goodbye, she threw the horse saddle into the air, “Lucky Charm!”
“Wow,” he breathed out in both shock and awe as Ladybug managed to single-handedly save the day. He watched her pick up the girl, giving her a quick smile and explaining what happened before her head whipped around to him.
Her eyes narrowed sharply, “What did you just say?”
“I um said wow,” he rubbed the back of his neck nervously as she advanced upon him slowly.
Ladybug chuckled dryly, “No, no. That’s not what I was asking you about. I meant what you said before about being a certain superhero.”
“I, uh, um,” Aspik hesitated, “May I just say I really didn’t think we were going to win this time. I’ve been trying for a really long time,” he gulped as she stalked ever closer, “This was actually my 23,956th time, to be honest.”
With a fierce tug on his arm, Ladybug led him away from the open area they were within and led him to a much quieter alleyway. Her eyes softened considerably as she looked at the ground nervously, chewing her lip, “W-were you telling the truth?”
He blinked at her, unused to this shyness from the superheroine, “About what part,” he whispered.
“About being Chat Noir,” she glanced up at him from beneath her lashes and his heart gave a sharp tug.
I couldn’t lie to you even if I wanted to, bugaboo, “Ladybug, I-I’m so sorry. I honestly didn’t mean for it to happen like this.”
“Oh my god,” the superheroine breathed out before she began pacing and muttering to herself.
As he watched her tug on her pigtails in frustration, a wave of hopelessness washed over him and he quickly called off his transformation, “Sass, scales rest,” feeling the power rush out of him, Adrien quickly caught the tiny snake, who panted from exhaustion. Quickly feeding him some of the cheese he saved for Plagg, he turned to Ladybug who was still talking to herself in utter disbelief.
“Just casually slips out that he’s Chat Noir in the middle of a battle. Unbelievable! What am I going to do abou-,” Adrien cut her off as he grabbed her hands, stopping her mid-way through her short walks.
“Hey, listen to me LB,” he spoke calmly as he stared into her bright blue eyes, “I know you don’t love me too, but that’s okay. We can get through this together. I promise to always be by your side to protect you.”
Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, “What?” Ladybug said before waving a hand in the air, “Oh, that’s not the issue here. The issue is...”
“Wait, what?!” Adrien burst out, “What do you mean that’s not the issue here!”
“Calm down, Adrien,” a gentle smile formed on her face, “If we’re being honest here... which apparently we are since someone,” she glared at him, “decided to reveal their secret identity today.”
He smiled at her awkwardly, “Whoops?”
“But yes,” Ladybug paused to take a deep breath, “I am in love with you too. I’ve just been in love with Adrien this whole time instead of Chat.”
The model’s mouth dropped open as he stared at her in disbelief. Opening and closing his mouth several times, he attempted to speak but was unable to get anything out. Breaking the awkward silence, Ladybug’s miraculous beeped warningly, and her hand moved to cover her earring.
“I, um, I have to go,” she turned around, preparing to race away, but once again his arm shot out, grasping onto her wrist to prevent her from leaving, “Adrien?” the superheroine turned to him, a silent question forming within her eyes.
“Stay,” he pleaded, “You know who I am. Isn’t it about time I know who you are?”
Her teeth came down to nibble nervously on her lower lip, “Adrien, I-I can’t. You know we can’t reveal who we are.”
“Have all my second chances really not proven anything to you, M’lady,” Adrien’s lips quirked up into a crooked smile, “I’ll always be by your side, fighting with you. I wouldn’t give you up for anything,” he rested a hand against her cheek. Her eyes fluttered closed for a second and she leaned into his hand. His heart pounded as he stared at her soft face in awe.
After a few seconds and another beep, she looked back up at him, “A-alright. I’m trusting you, Adrien,” with another deep breath, she called off her transformation, “Tikki, spots off.”
A rush of pink sparkles dazed his vision before a small, red creature landed in a girl’s hand. His eyes traveled up from her hand to her white shirt and finally came to rest on her bright, blue eyes that finally weren’t enclosed within a mask. Marinette stood there, tapping her two index fingers together as she smiled nervously.
“M-Marinette,” Adrien breathed out in a rush before wrapping her up in his arms and twirling her around, “It’s been you all this time!” he laughed as the girl squealed, “How could I not have known?! God, you’ve been sitting behind me for who knows how long!”
“Adrien! Adrien! Put me down!” A fierce, red blush had overtaken the fashion designer’s face and she looked about ready to pass out.
“Sorry, sorry,” he chuckled sheepishly before putting her down, “I’m just really happy.”
Marinette giggled shyly before twirling a piece of her blue hair around a finger, “Me too.”
He beamed at her in utter joy before his face darkened considerably as he remembered the events of that day. Adrien stepped backwards, away from her, as he realized, “But that means...”
“That means what?” she frowned once again, stepping towards him as he continued to backpedal away from her, “Adrien?”
“You’re-you’re Luka’s girlfriend,” the model hissed out in a panic, “I-I won’t be able to date you, or kiss you, or marry you like I’ve always wanted.”
“You’ve wanted to marry me?!” Marinette screeched as her face turned an even darker red.
He nodded quickly before shaking his head even faster. A dark seed of envy built from within his chest as he remembered the two of them playing the guitar together that morning, “But I won’t... I can’t betray Luka, Marinette. I love you but I can’t be the reason you two break up,” Adrien turned to go but a small, slender hand caught his wrist.
“Why in the world do you think Luka and I are dating?” the designer stared at him with her lovely, wide, beautiful, blue eyes.
“B-because Kagami said you were. A-and you and him were playing the guitar together this morning,” his eyes clenched shut as he envisioned himself teaching Marinette how to play the piano instead. His hands sliding over her daintier ones as he taught her which note came next. Adrien sighed longingly as he realized he’d never be able to do that now.
The girl chuckled quietly for a second before placing a hand slowly onto his cheek, “Adrien, open your eyes please.” He gave a firm shake of his head causing her to giggle cutely once again, “Please? I need you to open them so you know I’m telling the truth.”
Reluctantly, he opened his eyes and stared down at the small girl who gave him some of his happiest memories, “Marinette, I-” he began but she cut him off by placing a finger on his lips.
“Shh, let me speak for a second?” Adrien nodded, and she removed her finger, “I’m not dating Luka. We’re just friends. And it’s because I-,” Marinette paused to take in a quick gulp of air, “Because I’ve been in love with you since you handed me your umbrella. And I haven’t been able to tell you because every time I try to, I stutter and stumble. I mean even when I tried to write them down and tell you, I mixed up the letters and gave you the wrong one.”
His mind flashed back to his trip to London with Kagami and the serious expression on Marinette’s face as she handed him the letter, “I... really, Marinette?”
The fashion designer nodded shyly as she glanced up at him from beneath her lashes, “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to tell you before.”
“No, no it’s fine!” Adrien rushed to reassure her, “Actually it’s more than fine! It’s perfect! Would I... I mean would you mind if I, um kissed you?”
Her mouth practically flopped to the ground as her face turned a bright red. She nodded quickly before his lips were upon hers. With a gentle sigh, Marinette’s arms wrapped around the back of his neck as she stood up on her tip-toes to deepen the kiss. Adrien’s own arms curled around her waist as he finally got to kiss the girl of his dreams.
After a few seconds, Marinette pulled away and smacked his head in anger, “Ow! What was that for?!” he rubbed the back of his head, wincing in pain.
“For revealing your identity in the middle of an akuma attack, you idiot!” she glared, “You had no idea how close Desperada was to us! She could’ve been right there and you just decided to give it all up on a whim!”
Adrien chuckled as he listened to her exasperated musings, “God, I love you, Mari.”
The fashion designer paused her angry tirade to smile adorably, “I love you too, Adrien. But don’t think that means I’m not still mad at you!”
“Hey, Mari?”
“What?”
“I have the rest of my life to make it up to you,” he smirked teasingly at her.
Her face turned the shade of a tomato as a smile twitched against her lips, “You’re too smooth for your own good, cat boy.”
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
I promised I’d write something Lukadrien about the aftermath of these 25,913 tries, and I’ve delivered! Expect a multi chapter angsty (but ultimately happy ending-y) fic!
