the moment we (I) have all been waiting for... haha enjoy

xo moonbaby

Seeing Chat Noir was just what Marinette needed. The sense of calm and accomplishment that had been with her at the fashion show had returned, and she kept her Ladybug attitude on the rest of the night. Her parents were delighted with the news, of course, and spoiled her with hugs and treats. She steamed the black dress, stomach bubbling with pride and excitement that Adrien liked it so much.

The realization that Chat Noir and Adrien were the same had gradually settled into her. The pieces came together, all of their patrols and akuma fights and excuses and his strange disappearances made sense, but there was more to the feeling than just closure. Somehow, seeing how sensitive, miserable Adrien was also jaunty, brave Chat Noir had reassured her that she, shy, stuttering Marinette, was also strong, confident Ladybug. She felt Ladybug's confidence mingle with her own pride as she lay in her bed, about to be featured in her favorite magazine, next to both her biggest crush and greatest friend.

She sighed happily. "Oh Tikki, can you believe how wonderful everything has turned out?"

Tikki smiled a secret smile. "You deserve it, Marinette. I'm so proud of you."

…..

Marinette floated through the school day, counting down the hours until the photo shoot. She was still filled with that delicious calm, leaving Alya to make up for her by jumping around and gushing with excitement.

Adrien wasn't so calm. He kept bouncing his knee and tapping his pencil, annoying Nino. He kept stealing glances back at Marinette. She had pulled her hair back up into a bun, and he kept looking at her graceful neck as she hummed over her sketchbook. Their eyes met, and she smiled warmly at him.

He struggled to find words. "D-did you bring the d-dress?"

She raised her eyebrows. Look who's stammering now. "Yep!" She smiled brightly again. "But I really don't know anything about photo shoots…"

"I can.. y-y'know..tell you.." He swallowed. Alya and Nino were looking at him like they didn't know who he was. They exchanged glances.

Marinette giggled. "Thanks! I'm excited." Her eyes lingered on his face and up to his hair, picturing ears. He blushed and turned back to his homework. Ugh, she's Ladybug! I can't help but be an idiot around her… but she's also Marinette.. and she's acting like..ugh, Ladybug! Adrien's mind and stomach were full of butterflies.

Finally, the last bell rang, and everyone filtered out. Marinette pulled the dress from her locker and went to the classroom where the shoot was taking place. Adrien was already sitting in a chair, getting hair and make-up, looking perfect and relaxed. She was suddenly gripped with nerves. She felt like an imposter.

"Uh-uhm.. what.. should I do..?" She cleared her throat. The photographer and an aide rushed over to her.

"Ah, Marinette, our star designer! So wonderful to see you. And is this your dress? Adrien has told us all about it!" The photographer winked and lowered his voice. "I know us at Catwalk Teen are hoping he'll choose you." Marinette blushed deeply. She didn't know what to say. The whole scene was overwhelming.

"Come, come, sit down and be comfortable! Can I get you anything to drink?" The aide ushered her to the makeup chair next to Adrien. He kept his head still but smiled at her in the mirror.

Marinette stared at him. "H-how can you be so calm?" she blurted.

He laughed. "This is my job, Princess." Some of his confidence had returned with the routine of being on set.

She stared at him, and swallowed. Well I'll be damned. All doubts about Adrien being Chat Noir left her, but new doubts rushed in. How do I tell him I know? Should I know? Should he know? Marinette was grateful when the makeup artist and hairdresser started working on her. The whole thing was a blur, being treated like a star, someone doing her nails, the aides opening her dress bag and admiring the black dress. Finally, she went into a dressing room and got into it, stepping out to be overwhelmed by shoes and people, holding up accessories and turning her around, both admiring her and pretending like she wasn't there. The whole thing rattled her pretty bad. Where is Adrien? She needed a familiar face.

Looking around, she saw him across the room, in a similar situation. He was wearing the Chat Noir suit, hair being perfectly tousled and everything being adjusted, except he looked relaxed. He waved off the aides and turned to look at her. That glow lit his face again as he took her in. Confidently, he stepped onto the set under the lights, and held out a hand.

Marinette found her legs, but the heels they had her in were super high. She felt naked under the big lights, and like her arms and legs were too long. She stood by him awkwardly, trying to smile, but was really shaken up by all the attention. Come on, Marinette, find your Ladybug! This is all for you! Acid filled her stomach. The photographer had started taking pictures, but was looking down at the computer and shaking his head, whispering to his aide. Marinette wanted to sink into the floor and die.

A hand took hers. "Can we take 5, please?" Adrien's voice rang out confidently. The photographer nodded and returned to the screen, looking concerned.

"Come here." Adrien led her off of the set to his dressing room, closing the door behind them. He turned to face her, hand still in his. His green eyes looked down at her, full of concern.

Marinette blushed and looked down, tears coming into her eyes. You fool, Marinette, don't cry! You'll ruin your makeup as well as the shoot! A gentle hand lifted her chin.

Damn her eyes, thought Adrien, seeing the beginning of tears sparkling against the blue. He took a deep breath, trying to settle his stomach and heart being so close to her. My Lady needs me.

"Marinette." His voice was calm and soothing. She swallowed, and continued to look up at him, eyes full of shame.

"Marinette. You don't have to do this, but I think you should. You are a brilliant designer, and you deserve this attention and exposure." He paused, green eyes searching hers, wondering if his words were sinking in. She was gazing up at him, brows a little furrowed.

"Do you remember the night of the show?" He went on. The fingers holding her chin opened to cup her cheek, feeling her tremble just a little. "You were so.. poised, and confident, so sure of yourself after weeks of hard work and… it reminded me of…" His heart was hammering in his chest, so loudly she must hear it. He swallowed, and lifted his other hand to her face, cradling it.

His mind raced for the right words, and he felt that recklessness growing and roiling in his stomach, pressing against his lips. Those blue spotlights widened, and he couldn't keep dancing around the truth any longer.

"I have this crazy theory," he breathed, and then closed the distance between them with a kiss.

Marinette's heart leapt, and her eyes closed. She knew this mouth, she knew this kiss. The warmth of realization rushed through her, that same, thrilling rush of certainty from when she kissed Chat Noir. When he pulled away, still cradling her face in his hands, she gazed up at him again, taking in those green eyes, hooded with admiration and desire. Her legs trembled.

"Chat Noir."

"My Lady." Adrien's mouth descended on hers again, and as she wrapped her arms around him, he felt a wonderful completeness mixed with an insatiable need to spend forever in her arms. Their kiss broke, both of them burying into the deepest hug they could manage, smiles creeping onto their faces, a laugh and a giggle of joy bubbling up from their chests.

"Oh, Marinette, my Ladybug, my princess," Adrien grinned, kissing her everywhere on her face, her eyelids, her nose, her cheeks, her forehead, eliciting giggles and smiles.

"Oh my Chat, oh—" her breath caught as she looked at his face. "My Adrien." The words felt strange together, but wonderful.

A Chat Noir grin was plastered all over his face. "Well, My Lady, shall we meow them all?" He bowed, and kissed her hand.

Marinette felt the confidence of a thousand Ladybugs as she nodded yes.

…

The photoshoot went perfectly after that. Ladybug and Chat Noir were a team, after all, and had been in lots of photos together. Adrien brought out that rakish grin, to match his suit, and Marinette was all ease, showing off the lines of her own dress, looking into the camera with all the attitude of a young woman at the top of her game.

The photographer was delighted, and the mood on the set was giddy. "That's a wrap!" he finally shouted, coming over to shake hands with them both. Just as he reached out to grip Adrien's hand, they heard a loud crash outside of the classroom. One of the makeup artists rushed in, panicked.

"AKUMAAA!"

Marinette and Adrien looked at each other and raised their eyebrows. They ran past the panicking aides to Adrien's dressing room, slamming the door.

Marinette squeaked in shock.

"Tikki!"

Adrien gasped. "Plagg!?"

The two Kwamis had been cuddling, hard. They broke apart guiltily. Tikki gave Plagg a swat on the head and blushed.

"We haven't seen each other in a long time!" she squeaked. "And you two, well.." She smiled, unable to be embarrassed.

Plagg wouldn't look at Adrien. He knew he was in for a lot of teasing.

"Aaaaanywayyyy," Adrien stretched the word, making his kwami squirm. "There's an akuma outside, so we've got work to do."

He looked at Marinette. She was grinning, with that mischievous twinkle he knew so well.

"Tikki, Spots On!"

….

thank u so much for reading! I had so much fun writing this.. it totally took over my life, ha ha. should out to Yoko89 for being so supportive from the beginning J

xo moonbaby

p.s. keep ur eyes peeled.. I'm thinking maybe Marinette is into figure skating for the next one?