AN: A big thank you to everyone for following up to here! I hope my little story hasn't disappointed you. Your views, reviews, favorites and follows have been so unexpected and brought me so much joy and encouragement. A giant hug to everyone!
Chapter 3 (final)
The following weeks felt warm and bright. Ladybug and Chat Noir would stay for a long chat after their usual patrol. They talked about everything: video games, books, school and teachers (obviously, no naming), food, fashion, friends, fighting, themselves. Everything was all right with the world. They were alright. Gradually, Ladybug realized the truth in her mother's words. That she would talk endlessly to Chat, making jokes and puns, small talk or serious talk, anything under the sky. How pleasant it was to share the mundaneness of food conversation, to share the trust, the enthusiasm, the responsibility… and that's when she knew. Chat Noir was the kind of guy worth fighting with (and for). Not intangible, unrequited crush Adrien, but real, palpable Chat. Ironically, she didn't stumble while talking to Adrien at school anymore. They were good friends. It didn't matter so much anymore, because she was now waiting not for the mornings to come, but for the evenings. Her connection to Chat Noir was real, and that's what she wanted to keep.
- Chat?
- Milady?
- I care about you, Chat.
- …
- I care, I… think I… love you, Chat Noir.
He paled.
- No, no, she laughed, you didn't swipe me off my feet with your ravishing beauty and horrible puns, if that's what you're thinking! I'm not blinded, Chat. I mean, I'm not blind.
She blushed.
- And, she continued, I… Someone told me that love is true only when shared. And… you're the one who I share this big superhero part of my life with… And I'm greedy and I still want to share more with you, Chat… She touched her earrings. I am afraid of letting go of this mask. I want to share who I am… but I'm afraid of losing what I have. What we have.
- You will not lose me, Milady. If anything, sharing more will make us stronger.
- I love you, Chat Noir.
A pink and white light revealed Marinette.
Chat gaped and smiled fondly, while caressing her cheek.
- Of course it was you… how could it be anyone else? The one I love, the girl under the mask… it's you.
- Chat, for what it's worth, you may be anyone in the whole wide world, I do not care. You are my kitten. For all I care, you may be anyone.
- Really now?
- Really.
- Even your former unrequited crush Adrien freaking Agreste?, he smirked and de-transformed.
- You…! You…! How did you know that?!
- Well, it might have had something to with Tikki over there, who has generously cooperated with Plagg, over here.
- At your service. If you provide good quality cheese, that is.
- You… you… this is embarrassing! Tikki, you matchmaking traitor! I am going to get you for this, Chat Noir!, she ambushed him with silly pecks on the forehead, cheek, face, lips.
She was right… her kitty was so fun to fight with. Quite a lifetime worth fighting, she thought.
Some indefinite time later, on a rainy day, inside a familiar bakery
- The sweet hot chocolate you make opens the gate to my heart, Milady.
- Marry me, kitty. I am bribing you with daily hot chocolate until the day we die.
- Now, that, milady, is what I call a good deal.
Behind the counter, Sabine smiled happily.
The end