I love double-blind reveals, but don't see many of them. I wanted to write a fic that had a double-blind reveal for the majority of the plot line, and do another M-W's Word of the Day challenge, and they both lined up to create this.

Enjoy.

The Reveal™.

Starts after Sandboy.

We're ignoring the whole meeting with Master Fu at the end for right now, because it doesn't quite work in this timeline.

24.08.2019

sporadic

adjective | spuh-RAD-ik

: occurring occasionally, singly, or in irregular or random instances

Marinette walked into class yawning. And late, as per usual.

But this time, it wasn't entirely her fault. That akuma had gone late last night.

Marinette almost shuddered. Everything about Sandboy had disturbed her. Not only were Plagg and Tikki gone(and Wayzz was down in there with them), but… the nightmares.

Those were terrifying. That… "Adrien" that followed her around was far creepier than anything she could imagine on her own. Losing her powers was horrible in an entirely different way, and Marinette knew that she could never willingly give up the responsibility until there was no more need for Ladybug.

And Chat Noir's nightmare… Marinette almost wished she could return his feelings to stop those fears of his.

So when Marinette slipped into class quietly and distressed, it wasn't really a wonder that she didn't pay attention to the lesson. She had no idea what they were even talking about in French that day.

Until she got prodded on the shoulder rudely. "-inette, Marinette! Earth to Marinette!"

Marinette looked up at her best friend and blinked. "What, Alya?"

"You seriously weren't paying attention, were you?" Alya rolled her eyes. "We're doing a project on Romanticism with a partner. And you were paired with the one-and-only Adrien Agreste!"

Marinette was so tired that she wasn't even able to properly freak out. "Great."

"You really are tired. The nightmares keep you up too late?"

She nodded. "Definitely."

"Alright class!" Mlle. Bustier spoke up, apparently done assigning partners. "Now we'll go to the library so that you can get started on your projects."

Adrien turned to Marinette, looking just as tired as she felt. "Ready, partner?"

She mustered the energy to give him a smile. "You bet."

After finding the book they were assigned, Adrien and Marinette went to a secluded table in a corner of the library. They worked on their project in earnest until Adrien fell asleep.

He looked so nice and peaceful that Marinette couldn't bring herself to wake him up. Not to mention that she felt like following suit.

She took a deep breath. She should really keep going on their project. And she did.

Until Adrien started to become fitful in his sleep.

"No! Ladybug! We're partners… don't hate me!"
Marinette looked up to Adrien, staring.

Seeing.

Because that nightmare was exactly like Chat Noir's last night.

And, of course, who else could be her "partner" besides Chat Noir himself?

Because apparently Adrien was.

Chat Noir was facing down Ladybug.

"I hate you!" she shouted. "I wish that you were never around! All your flirting and puns are STUPID! How could I ever even LIKE you?"

Dang it.

She was terrifying to face down. How had it ever come to this?

Ladybug let out a furious cry and charged towards him. Unfortunately, he was trapped against a wall. So Chat did the only thing he could; he pleaded. "No! Ladybug! We're partners… don't hate me!"

She didn't stop, just kept coming. Until her furious warcry turned into calling his name- his civilian name.

"Adrien! Adrien! Come on, wake up!"

Wake up? Why would he need to…?

Adrien blinked his eyes open, registering someone shaking his shoulder and… that was Marinette. Marinette? Oh, right. Project.

She looked very concerned and mildly troubled, though he couldn't tell why for the latter. "You were having a… fit. Are you okay?"

He nodded. "Just… the nightmares from last night are still getting to me. I had one about being trapped in my room."

No outright lies. Just… disconnected facts that could be interpreted wrong… very easily.

Marinette's lips stretched into a thin line and she nodded. "We should be working on this right now, but if you want, we can meet up later. If you have time in your schedule, that is."

Adrien nodded. He knew that he had a free afternoon today, so that sounded good.

They had worked on their project- actually worked on it- for a good hour in Marinette's living room before they took a break.

Which was conveniently when nature chose to call. "Uh, Marinette, can I use the bathroom?"

Still paying attention to a design she was working on, Marinette nodded distractedly. "It's right upstairs."

Adrien quickly took care of his business and came back down to the living room. Quietly, he opened the door and-

Well, what he saw changed everything.

Marinette wasn't in the room, but she had left her purse on the table they were working at. Which really wasn't such an unusual thing.

Except for a small, hot pink head poking out of it.

Then hovering above it.

Zooming off and back, holding a cookie upon its return before disappearing back into the bag.

Adrien had never seen Ladybug's kwami himself before, but that is exactly what it seemed like.

Almost as if to confirm it, Marinette promptly stumbled down the stairs. "Tikki! What do you think of this design?"

How could anyone else besides their "everyday Ladybug" be the actual Ladybug?

Because apparently, that's who Marinette was.

In case anyone is going to question it, YES, they have successfully figured out each other's identities.

The fun part starts after they have time to process it...