As the baton descended down just far enough to access the window he'd left ajar, Chat Noir dropped inside, his startled eyes wide.

As soon as his feet hit the hardwood floor, Adrien de-transformed. "Am I right?"

Plagg's glowing eyes narrowed. "Are you asking me to tell you?"

"Not really." Adrien paced the floor, as Plagg darted over to his mini-fridge. "I mean, I think I'm right. I think it really might be her."

"Yeah?" Plagg stuffed his face. "Then what are you going to do about it?"

"That's what I haven't quite figured out yet."

Adrien dragged his hand over his face, pressing his forehead against the slight chill of the window pane. He tried to quell that rush of panic, churning in his belly. If he was right, he just confessed to his crush...about his crush.

He bounced from foot to foot. For the briefest moment, he was tempted to text Nino, for a slightly less sarcastic, more impartial voice of reason. But what would he even say?

How could he even explain it without revealing far more than he ought?

Plagg floated up beside his ear, swallowing loudly. "What's got you muddled, kid?"

"I told her about my feelings for Ladybug…"

Plagg cackled. "And if she's Ladybug after all, then you placed your cards on the table already? So what do you have to worry about?" The kwami shrugged. "Kid, it wasn't like she didn't react to that."

"That is true." Adrien arched a brow. Marinette had been blushing an awful lot. But that wasn't necessarily something he hadn't seen before. Marinette had always been prone to blushing and stammering around his when he was outside of his super suit.

But she was blushing like mad when he'd told her. It had seemed like a far more unusual reaction at the time, but he'd chalked it up to the proximity.

She hadn't pushed him away, especially not once he'd mentioned his own feelings for Ladybug.

Biting his lip gently, Adrien let himself smile. Even this remote possibility that Marinette was Ladybug was giving him hope.

If he was right, it meant that Ladybug also knew who he was in and outside of the mask.

It meant that perhaps she was not quite as indifferent to him as he'd feared.

When Marinette arrived at school the next day early, Alya had pressed her hand against her forehead without hesitation.

"Ha ha." Marinette grumbled, deadpan. "Very funny."

Alya smirked, drawing her hand away. "Seriously, though. I can't remember the last time you were in so early."

Rolling her eyes slightly, Marinette's lips curved upwards. Even now, she couldn't even bring herself to grumble too much.

Some time after she'd bundled herself into bed last night, the thought occurred to her that if Adrien didn't mind spending time chatting with her as his alter ego, he clearly didn't mind hanging out with her that much.

The thrill of shivers she'd gotten at that realization had been accompanied by a not-so-soft scream muffled into her pillowcase - one she had been very lucky it hadn't sent a curious parent up her bedroom steps.

It didn't seem likely he had really taken to starting up late night conversations with any other citizens of Paris. Not with Adrien so busy between school, modelling duties, and his whole host of extracurriculars.

She'd been tempted to veer her mind off and spend far too long wondering, until Tikki reminded her that she'd be able to ask soon enough. Not to mention the fact that her Kwami was quick to remind her with an unnecessarily knowing grin that Chat Noir clearly did have feelings for Ladybug after all.

"I just had an easy time getting to sleep last night."

Alya grinned, tugging out her phone to show off her new article and the feedback. "Since you're so awake, let me know what you think about my next article…"

The moment Adrien entered the room, beaming, Marinette sat up a little straighter.

His bright, sunny smile ignited the frisson of shivers that chased down her spine.

She nibbled at her lip, scrolling through the text on Alya's phone.

Marinette didn't know the exact cause, but he was clearly, truly happy. She knew that smile well enough to know the difference.

"Good Morning!"

"Morning!" Nino echoed, pulling him into a quick conversation she'd mildly tuned out for her own sanity.

Alya would definitely want her answer before class started and she was only a few paragraphs from the end.

Blinking, she looked up, feeling Adrien's eyes on her.

"Morning, Marinette." He'd turned around halfway in his seat, his eyes had locked on her.

"Good Morning, Adrien," she murmured, smiling softly.

His charming smile had widened before he'd turned around to prepare for class.

Marinette was still wide-eyed and smiling when Alya elbowed her, whispering for the return of her phone.

Miraculously, they had made it all the way through the school day before the next akuma attack alert came.

Adrien had made it all the way home, before the notification hit his phone. Forcing him to run all the way up to his room, before Chat Noir could make his escape to save Paris.

He'd felt bad arriving late, but Ladybug already had the battle mostly well in hand, even her Lucky Charm was already out and ready.

The Akuma kept blasting water around the barge, but was moving much too slow to be able to catch up to Ladybug's yo-yo swinging speed.

Mostly. He'd snagged her out of the air-redirecting her out of range of the Akuma's water cannon.

"Well, my Lady," Chat Noir landed them both on the barge with a grin. "This one looks like a blast."

"He's mostly been a pushover." Ladybug grinned, her lovely blue eyes sparkling as she righted herself. Snagging the nearby bridge support with her yo-yo, she'd shouted back to him, "But a helping claw would be appreciated."

Smirking, he dodged the first blast, leaping into the air overhead. The Akuma followed him, only realizing his error a little too late, as the blasted water came rushing back down.

"Looks like this one's all wet."

The Akuma grumbled, turning his hose-laden fists towards Chat Noir. "Wretched cat."

"Don't get your hose all out of joint."

The Akuma - who he'd already mentally dubbed Master Blaster - predictably was irritated, focusing his water cannons in the direction he'd just escaped. Grinning, Chat Noir gripped the edge of boat, sneaking along the side, as the Akuma focused entirely on knocking him off the edge.

It was funny how often they forget about his claws.

He'd spotted Ladybug swinging overhead as she tossed the red-and-black spotted life ring over the Akuma's head and arms.

She tugged the purple black photo from his pocket as the Akuma blasted water futilely down at the barge deck, struggling against the ring. "No!"

She'd ripped the photo in half, unleashing the purple black butterfly into the sky.

Chat Noir stood beside her, watching as she'd purified the butterfly and sent the charm spiralling into the air. "Miraculous Ladybug!"

The more that he saw, right down to the subtle curve of her lips as she'd watched her powers turn back the tide of the damage, the more sure he had become.

He knew that secret, little smile.

She'd winced as her earrings beeped three times. "I'm afraid I can't stick around and chat."

His brows rose, but he was quick to acquiesce, looking down at the confused man now sitting prone on the wooden board. "Another time, then, my Lady."

Ladybug's smile was bright, winking as she'd lifted into the air from the deck. "Count on it."

Marinette was anxious, pacing the floor of her room as Tikki nibbled her well earned treat.

"I can't believe I forgot to give him the clue."

Tikki sighed between bites. "It's isn't like he doesn't understand the timer."

"I know," she huffed. "But now I have to figure out how to give him another clue."

"It could always wait until tomorrow," Tikki offered.

Marinette frowned, her arms crossing over her chest.

"Or not. It really is your decision."

Her brows furrowed. "Would you mind going out again?"

"Of course not, Marinette." Tikki rolled her eyes and smiled. "Just let me finish this first."

It was just turning to dusk, when Ladybug landed outside of his window.

He'd just finished up dinner and come upstairs to work on homework.

"Marinette?"

She stilled, her eyes wide through her mask as she gripped her yo-yo a little more tightly. "Y-you know?"

"I suspected." He held out his hand with a smile to help her inside. "I might have been able to puzzle it out after our conversation last night."

Dumbfounded, she took his hand, allowing him help her down.

It was that same smile he'd had earlier -the genuine one.

She's spent months memorizing it. Analyzing. Over analyzing every slightest quirk of his lips, every furrowed or raised brow.

It wasn't bad, but it was no less terrifying. Those shivers would definitely be out in force the moment she stepped out of costume.

"Can I see?"

She winced, swallowing as she realized she still had yet to let go of his hand. "I'm not sure it's a good idea. I don't have anything on me to re-charge."

Adrien set a calming hand on her shoulder. "Nothing to worry about. What do you need?"

"Cookies."

"Huh." Adrien blinked. "That's a bit harder to find around here normally."

"That's a shame."

"It really is. And Nino can only sneak me so many at school."

His green eyes were full of mischief and so painfully close. It was as if the walls that had separated his personalities were dropped entirely, taking the lack of personal space right along with it.

Ladybug cleared her throat, but didn't give an inch. "I might have to see what I can do to help with that."

He grinned, lifting an amused eyebrow. "You know. I've heard there's a really good bakery nearby."

She was torn between rolling her eyes and laugh, opting instead to do both before she reached down to link her gloved fingers with his.

The sight of Adrien blushing when their fingers locked together was entirely worth it.

She hated that she didn't have a camera. For all of the modeling he'd done, the photographers had truly missed the best photos.

"Hey." Adrien squeezed her hand lightly. "I never did ask…"

"Hmm?"

"How did you figure it out?"

"Ummm." Warmth rose to her cheeks. She absolutely would not meet his eyes, focusing instead on his thumb tracing distracting patterns on the back of her glove.

And she thanked Tikki silently that she didn't detransform, because she would surely combust from the sweetness of it all.

"I might have noticed when you stopped my fall."

"Oh." Adrien furrowed his brows in confusion, his free hand grazing the nape of his neck. "Wait. How on earth did you notice?"

Her blushed deepened, now red enough to match her mask. "Well, you have been catching me as Chat Noir for a while now..."

"Right." He nodded. "But even I didn't realize how much or how little you could be changed by your Kwami."

She'd nodded, eyes darting up to his. "You are still pretty similar. And that smile peeks through every once in awhile."

He frowned. He'd been so careful to keep that well practiced mask in place.

"And you maybe feel the same…" She trailed off.

"Feel the same?" He echoed.

Ladybug had gone quiet, red to match the suit all the way to the tips of her ears.

They hadn't touched all that much whenever he'd managed to catch her, but clearly it had been enough to set her a little off balance, to make her so adorably embarrassed.

"So you caught on, then?"

She unleashed a thoroughly satisfying groan at that, slamming her eyes shut as the blush started to subside. "Of course there would have to be puns…" she'd grumbled softly.

Smirk deepening, Adrien he pressed her gloved knuckles to his lips, wheeling her even closer. "I always said you'd fall for me someday, my Lady."

Ladybug bit her lip as her eyes scanned the rafters, searching for patience. "Don't push your luck, Chaton."

Her fingers grazed his neck, just above the spot his bell usually occupied. He was sure that his own cheeks warmed, but he could not have been more pleased. "I've never been the lucky one, you know."

Those purple blue eyes locked with his, only shades different from a familiarly hesitant reaction he'd seen in Marinette for these many months now. Her eyes softened, a sweet little smile crossing her lips, her smaller hand squeezing his a bit more tightly. "I don't mind sharing a bit of my luck with you, you know."

He beamed, tugging her a little closer. "I've definitely been feeling a little luckier of late."

Ladybug's own smile grew, the softer blush chasing back into her cheeks.

He couldn't keep the vein of mischief from his eyes as he smirked. "But it was rather touch and go for a while there."

Adrien had been delighted as her eyes narrowed, and the start of a grumble had passed her parted lips. He lived for her animated reactions, and now he'd even get the chance to joke with Marinette outside of the suit as well.

He was so pleased with himself that he missed the first sign of her closing the distance between them.

At least until she'd hauled him by his shirt a few inches towards her and lifting up on her tiptoes to press her lips warmly to his as she met him halfway.

Adrien groaned against the ardent pressure at his lips.

He inhaled, relishing the sweet smell of vanilla and what must have been the warm aroma of baked goods that had pervaded the bakery and her home. He had been this close before, but never got to linger long enough to enjoy it. His hands rested upon her shoulders, allowing her to decide the fairest distance.

Adrien had never dared to hope that Ladybug might be standing in his own room kissing him.

He could only hope this moment might last forever.

His eyes opened, meeting blue before remembering to breathe again.

And yet.

"Aaaand, gross."

His eyes slid closed as he shook his head. Yeah. That seemed more like his life. "Plagg!" he hissed.

"What?" Plagg smirked. "I was bored. And we're out of cheese."

Adrien sighed, dropping his head on her shoulder.

Ladybug - Marinette - looked on in amusement, barely stifling a chuckle of her own.

Plagg wheeled on her quickly. "If you're trying to keep him from punning, that seems like a rather inefficient method."

She just gaped at the floating black cat for a moment, before her eyes flashed with mischief of her own. "I can't say that would really surprise me. I'm fairly used to his ridiculous sense of humor by now. Besides, you can't tell me it wasn't effective."

Plagg shrugged. "You could always turn Tikki loose, Bug. It's been awhile since we could catch up."

Her eyes widened at that. "I-"

Plagg nodded sagely. "Ahh. Her sweet tooth, right? I'm pretty sure the grumpy pants secretary actually has a secret sweets stash in her desk. We can both phase in and get in, easy as that." The Kwami snapped for effect.

Adrien glared. "So, you'll go for her, but you won't get your own cheese?"

"It's called being a good host, kid."

She was biting her lip, still unsure but smiling fondly at their antics. "To be honest, I'm not sure how well I'd be holding it together without the suit right now."

"Not to worry, Marinette." Adrien smiled, his his fingertips skimming along her jawline, tilting her chin up to meet his eyes.

Her lips parted as the soft blush crept back into her cheeks.

His grin widened. "I will always catch you when you fall...for me."