Set just after the events of Four Times (and the Lucky One), Adrien tries to subtly reveal his identity to Marinette. Unfortunately, obliviousness seems to be contagious...
Reading Four Times isn't necessary, but encouraged. All you need to know is Adrien knows Marinette is Ladybug.
Enjoy!
Read on Ao3.
There were plenty of opportunities to come…
Unfortunately, Marinette was proving just as oblivious as he had been for so, so long. Maybe the universe wasn’t quite done testing him yet, but Adrien couldn't find it in himself to be frustrated. It was almost like a game at this point as he got more and more daring with his hints.
It had started out small, of course…
------
“Hey, Mari,” Adrien said with a smile as he bounded up the steps of the school. He could feel his hair, now messy and free like his alter-ego’s, bouncing along with him.
“Hey, you-” Marinette paused as she turned toward him, her smile flickering for a moment as her eyes drifted to his hair. Her head tilted and she wore a mask of bemusement. “...Trying something different with your hair?”
“Ah, so you did notice.” He held her close and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. Calling on his Chat Noir charm, he gave her a playful wink. “You see, I’m trying to impress this girl I like…”
“Well I think you’re going to do just fine. I hear she is already head over heels for you.” She tugged his hand as she guided him into the building. Pausing at the lockers, she gently ruffled his hair to make it even messier. “All jokes aside, I like it. The look suits you.”
“...Does it remind you of anyone?” He might be pushing his luck her but…
She snorted. “Yeah - it looks like you had a team of stylists recreate what bedhead must be like for the common folk.”
He gasped in mock offense and while they settled into a familiar banter, he grumbled on the inside. At least he could try again next time.
---------
...But small acts wouldn’t be enough to overcome the magic of the miraculous, would they?
If he was going to succeed, he’d need to be even more daring, even bolder. Something that could tie him to the miraculous, but only because she knew him so well in and out of the mask. For his next attempt, he’d have to play up the cool, badass energy of Chat Noir while still being Adrien. He had just the idea to get Marinette’s attention…
-------
A few days later, Marinette was minding her own business on one of the last days of school before the winter break. As was happening more frequently, the cold had woken her up despite her attempts to cocoon herself in a blanket burrito. Even now, inside the warm school building, there was a chill that had settled into her very bones. She resigned herself to being miserably cold all day, at least until she could get to her space heater in her room. Maybe she could convince Adrien to come over for some snuggling?
As if summoned by her thinking about him, a bright mop of blonde hair pulled her attention up, but after seeing what he was wearing, she was unable to get more than a syllable into her greeting. The rest was lost in a strangled choking sound.
The first word that managed to get through was Leather, followed swiftly by Hot. When she managed coherent thought again, she belatedly realized that Adrien looked good in black leather jackets and… well-fitted black jeans. The fact that no fashion designer had realized this was a tragedy to all humankind. Hell, he could give her partner a run for his money.
...She wondered if Chat Noir would be willing to part with his miraculous for just a little bit. Just to see what Adrien would look like in magical, skin-tight leather.
“Uh… girl?”
Alya’s voice snapped her out of her daydreams. “Hm?”
“Here, you’re going to need this.” Alya passed her a pencil.
Marinette was about to decline before she realized that she was still clutching the snapped remains of her favorite drawing utensil. She pouted at the back of Adrien’s head, eyes narrowing as a plan came to mind. There was a way she could get back at him for this little surprise.
--------
...Of course, Adrien wasn’t the only one who could turn on the charm. He’d thought that he’d had the advantage there, being a model and all. But after what Marinette wore the following day, he was pretty sure she should have been one posing for the camera. Then again, he was more than happy that he got her all to himself.
Even if he couldn’t think straight for the entire rest of that day.
Things got a little desperate, but truth be told…
-------
“So you’ve met Chat Noir, right?”
“I mean, yeah, sure,” Marinette said, as noncommittal as could be. “Most of our class has, you realize.”
Adrien waved that off with a dismissive shake of his hand. “Yeah, yeah, but you two have… met a lot, right?”
Her eyebrows shot up. “And where did you hear that, huh?” She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him. “Did Alya put you up to this?”
“No no! I was just-”
A little gasp escaped her. “Adrien… are you jealous?”
The situation was ridiculous, so clearly he laughed. But that wasn’t the right answer, apparently, since Marinette stormed off. It took some apologizing and hugs, but her mood passed and they were back to normal before too long.
------
...Tact was never his strong suit.
In the end, he was left with only one option. It was one that he hadn’t been looking forward too, but not because of any sense of lost romance, or even misguided fear that she would be angry. They were too far along in their relationship to be worried about that.
No, it was the taunting and griping and ‘I-told-you-so’s from Plagg that he’d been dreading. Adrien took the needling and mocking like a champ, though, and before long his kwami was finally willing to transform him.
After all, even Plagg (especially Plagg) wanted to finally finish this.
Which is why Adrien now found himself on top of Marinette’s balcony, steeling himself for what he was about to do. It had been a while since he’d been here as Chat Noir - after slowly reducing the frequency of his visits, they’d sort of petered out after he and Marinette had gotten together. As much as he wanted to spend every moment possible with her, he couldn’t trust himself not to get comfortable with her and he didn’t want to make her feel like she was cheating.
But now?
He tapped at the glass, unsurprised when he saw her bright blue eyes peering up at him. It was late, sure - but he knew his lady well, knew that when she had a project in mind, she would see it through no matter what. Even at the cost of sleep and eating.
Stunned as she was by his sudden appearance, seemed to let unlock the skylight and let him in through muscle memory alone. She also let in a wave of cold air that raised goosebumps on her skin and sent shivers down her spine.
They’re sitting on her bed, like they often did before he found out. The same place where he found himself slowly falling for his everyday Ladybug, until suddenly his everyday Ladybug and his Ladybug became one and the same. The silence stretched for a few moments, Adrien lost in the memories of falling for the same person twice.
“Chat-”
His attention snapped back into focus. “Marinette. There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Chat can this wait until-”
“I know you’re Ladybug.”
Again, silence. But what had been a soft, companionable quiet before was now charged. Tense. Electric.
There were a few false starts, half-formed questions dying on her lips. Eventually she settled with, “How did you…?”
“A few months ago, there was an akuma. I… I was worried about you. And I know that was dumb since it was nowhere near you but… I was still worried. So I came over to make sure you were alright and… well…” He shrugged helplessly. “It’s Tikki, right?”
“Huh?”
“Your kwami. Her name is Tikki?”
“Y-yeah. Yeah…” Her eyes became distant for a moment before hardening. “Chat,” she said with a chastising tone, “why did you wait so long to tell me? This was pretty important information!”
His ears flattened against his head and his tail wrapped around his waist. “I’m sorry. I was worried you’d be upset that I found out. But, in my defense, I have been dropping hints these last few weeks…”
Her stern expression softened and she put a hand to his cheek, “Oh, kitty. You annoy me to pieces sometimes, but I can’t be mad at you over an accident. Especially because it only happened because you were worried about me.” She paused, her brow furrowing in thought. “Wait… hints? I don’t remember any hints in the last few akuma battles.”
He wrung his hands, wishing he’d just dropped his transformation the moment he got here. Now it was too late and he needed to wait for her to ask him to reveal himself. It was only right, after all.
“That’s… that’s because I haven’t been giving you hints as Chat Noir. I’ve been giving them as… me.”
“We know each other?!” She screeched, before throwing her hands over her mouth. They listened in a pregnant silence, waiting for the sounds of either Tom or Sabine to come marching up the stairs. When they failed to materialize, they breathed a sigh of relief.
“We know each other? In our civilian identities?!” She whisper-screamed at him.
He was sure his blush was peeking out from behind his mask as he nodded, thinking of their last make out session. If that didn’t qualify as knowing someone…
She turned away from him and began patting the pillows. “Tikki? Tikki! Can we just drop his transformation now? He already knows who I am! Why can’t I find out about him?”
A kwami in Ladybug’s colors appeared at his girlfriend’s shoulder. She had a thoughtful expression as she looked first into space and then deep into Adrien’s eyes. With a sigh, she replied, “We may as well. The damage is already done, and the imbalance of power could throw you two out of sync.”
Marinette did her best to have a cool and confident exterior, but it was clear she was struggling while she was out of the spots. She waved at Adrien. “W-well. Go ahead. Let’s see… see who you really are.”
“Alright, just…” He had a sudden surge of fear. “Don’t be mad, okay?” He took a deep breath. “Plagg, claws in.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling incredibly exposed without his mask to hide behind. It took him a few moments to gather the courage to look her in the eye. He couldn’t read the emotion there, and all he could tell was that the curiosity from before had been replaced by something else entirely. The silence stretched out and he itched to break it. Just as he was about to, she finally spoke, her voice a whisper.
“It was you all along…” The reverence in her tone faded as her eyes narrowed. “Wait, how long ago did you say you started trying to ask me out?”
“I know what you’re thinking but-”
“Adrien,” she began, clearly putting on a brave face, “tell me the truth - did you start flirting with me just because you knew I was Ladybug?”
“No.” The speed of his reply seemed to catch her unaware. She was still on the back foot when he leaned forward into her space and took her hand in his. “Sure, that’s what made me start, but that was only because I wasn’t torn about who I wanted to pursue anymore. The two most wonderful women in my life… were actually the same person all along.” He planted a kiss to the back of her hand, looking deep into her eyes as he did so.
Unlike when they were in the masks, this time he’d coaxed a fierce blush from her. Maybe it was because it was something he’d only ever done as Chat Noir to Ladybug. He could see the gears turning in her head. Which was why he was surprised when she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his chest and pressing her lips to his.
He smiles against her and pulls back enough to rest his forehead against hers. “Does this mean I’m forgiven?”
“No. These are disciplinary kisses. Do not take joy from them.”
“Too late.”
She rolled her eyes playfully and kissed his nose. “You’re impossible.”
“Don’t you mean, im-purr-ssible?”
She tilted her head back to groan at the ceiling, then buried her face in his chest, still groaning. “I can’t believe I thought you were cool once.”
“Of course I’m not cool.” He paused for effect, then pulled her close while grinning down at her. “I’m hot.”
“Not to interrupt your grossness or anything, but…” Plagg chimed in from his spot curled up with Tikki. “We could visit whenever now. And you two could do some… nocturnal stuff.”
Marinette’s face went completely red and her pupils shrunk to pinpricks. She squeaked out, “Plagg!”
But Adrien’s mind was flush with possibilities. “That’s an awesome idea, Plagg! We could have movie nights and sleepovers and-”
He was silenced when Marinette put her hands on his cheeks and squished his face. “You are… way too energetic at midnight, kitty.” She pouted in thought. “But a movie night doesn’t sound too bad.”
A few minutes later and they’d built a cuddle nest of pillows around themselves. Marinette’s bed was smaller than his, but that just made it easier to fill with warmth as she rested her head against his chest and the kwamis curled up just above his head.
As the credits rolled on their second movie, Adrien yawned and stretched. As much as he wanted to stay, he’d better go home. A plan which was immediately thwarted by Marinette clamping down on him.
“Bugaboo…”
“It’s too cold out there,” she said in a voice muffled by his shirt. “You’ll get sick. In fact,” she raised her head to peer at a point on the pillow behind him, “I think Plagg already caught something.”
He heard Plagg say, “Wuh? Oh, um… cough cough. Sneeze. Yeah, real sick. You better listen to her, young man. Kwami’s orders.”
“...You literally just said cough and sneeze. You didn’t actually-” He shook his head. “Actually, you know what? You’re right. Plagg’s sick. Can’t go home. I’ll have to spend the night here.”
He settled back into place as Marinette sighed against him.
Hmm... 21 and/or 23 with Royality? - C.C. (also: just finished chap 7 and let me just say... AAAAAAAAAAAA!)
23. “Do you really need all that candy?”
This was fun to write :D :D
I love the sunshine boys
word count: 832
Prompt List [Requests Closed]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Logan was sitting in his favorite armchair (by the window and under the lamp, optimum placement for having enough light to read by) re-reading Agatha Christie mysteries when he heard a clatter from upstairs. He paused a moment, but it didn’t continue, so he dove back into Poirot’s inspection.
The clatter sounded again. Had someone summoned marbles in the mindscape? What an odd sound. But if there was a mess or something he needed to deal with, he was sure they’d ask. He returned to his book once more.
Just as Poirot was about to reveal the culprit, the clatter sounded, and continued, and next thing Logan knew, Roman was tumbling down the stairs, bourne down by a wave of mess.
“Roman, are you quite alright?”
“I’m fine, dear nerd! Just in the middle of another spot of brilliance!”
Logan raised an eyebrow. “Brilliance? It looks like you’ve just fallen out of the dumpsters at Disneyworld. Or perhaps a five-year-old’s birthday party.”
“Oh, you poor sad soul. Unable to recognize fun when you see it,” Roman said, standing with a dignified huff. He summoned baskets and gathered the items around him into them.
Logan peered in with a frown. “Do you really need all that candy? It will give you a stomachache.”
“If you must know, it’s not for me,” Roman replied. “I shall be in the kitchen if you have need of my wonderful presence!”
Virgil slouched down the stairs just as Roman turned through the door. “Hey, L, what was that noise?”
“Roman.”
Virgil nodded sleepily and disappeared upstairs once more.
Roman re-emerged in a cloud of sprinkles and flour an hour and half later. Logan would have happily continued reading, but the dramatic side was also singing at the top of his lungs.
“There is something sweeter everybody neeeds…”
“Roman, must you-”
“I’ve been dreaming of a true love’s kiss!” he sang, twirling into the living room with a basket under one arm. He sprinkled a trail of candy behind him as he went: Laffy Taffys, Hershey’s Kisses, SweetTarts, and conversation hearts. He spun up the stairs as he continued to sing.
Logan wanted to roll his eyes and ignore it all, but knew he was far too inquisitive to not spend the afternoon wondering. With a resigned sigh, he placed a bookmark in his mysteries and followed the trail of sweets.
Roman twirled down the hallway to Patton’s room and knocked. “Dear heart! Your presence is requested!”
A sleep-tousled head poked out, glasses still askew. “‘Morning Roro, where’m I going?”
Roman gestured dramatically to the line of candy behind him. “Follow the path of sweetness! It should be easy for you, as you’re the sweetest person I know!”Patton giggled. “But that’s gotta be you, sugar!”
“No, you, honey!”
“Sweetie-pie!”
“Gingersnap!”
“Cupcake!”
“Please,” Logan interjected faintly. “Please go along with the scheme and stop naming desserts, I’m getting heartburn just listening.”
Roman sniffed. “Some people have no sweet tooth whatsoever.” He kissed Patton on the cheek and danced back along the corridor. “Once you’re ready, I’ll be waiting for you at the end!”
Patton disappeared into his room and re-emerged less than a minute later, looking only slightly less haphazard and twice as giggly. He wore his cat hoodie and used the pouch to collect the candies sprinkled across their home.
Virgil reemerged looking slightly more awake and followed Logan, who followed Patton, all with a sense of morbid fascination.
The trail led down the hallway, down the stairs, through the living room, and into the kitchen. Roman stood there with an enormous cookie cake decorated in mini M&M’s. He’d picked out only the reds and blue to spell out “Roman ❤️’s Patton”
Patton blushed and squealed in delight. “Roberry!! This is so sweet! What’s the occasion?”
Roman came around the table to catch Patton in a hug. “I noticed you were feeling a little down yesterday, my dearest. I wanted to cheer you up.”
“How could I ever feel down when someone as wonderful as you loves me?”
Roman caressed Patton’s face softly. “It’s okay if you do, Pattycake. You’re a wonderful, deep person who feels many complicated things, and I don’t expect my love alone to fix your very real feelings. I just want you to know that I’ll always be here, for the good and bad alike.”
Logan watched the two right-brain sides continue to hug, and turned to see Virgil hiding his face behind his hoodie sleeves
“What is it, Vee?”
“Nothing,” he mumbled.
“Sorry, what was that?” Logan asked, pulling down a hand. It revealed Virgil’s face devoid of its usual foundation gone bright red. He raised an eyebrow in a silent question.
“Shut up,” Virgil growled. “It’s… fuck, they’re just cute, okay? That was a really sweet thing of Ro to do unprompted.”
Logan softened. “I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.”
Virgile pulled his hood up, face still pink. “Good, I’ve got a reputation to maintain.”
Zayn and Harry end up adopting two more kids. Zayn’s always wanted a big family, and Harry didn’t know he did, but once he has Zayn and Laela he finds that he does too. And quite frankly, it’s easy to have a lot of kids given that they also have a lot of money, even once Harry stops touring all the time. Harry never thought he’d want to give up his life on the road, but there’s never a time he’s happier, he discovers, than when he walks in the door and he’s greeted by a dog and two toddlers yelling at daddy to look at the pictures they made today, and Laela nodding and yelling “hi Harry!” from the kitchen where she and Zayn are talking about her day at school (because no matter what, they’re still close, and Harry can’t be jealous of that), and Zayn gives him a kiss as he hands one of the toddlers off to him, and he’s really home.
Put the title of one of my fics in my ask and I’ll tell you something about it that no one knows.
