Miraculous Ladybug, "The Tell-Tale Kiss" ch. 13, rated M

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 Fandom: Miraculous Ladybug & Chat Noir
Title: The Tell-Tale Kiss
Chapter Title: Thirteen - More Than Partners
Pairing/Characters: Marinette (Ladybug), Adrien (Chat Noir), Tikki, Plagg, Marinette/Adrien, Gabriel, Nathalie
Word Count: 2067
Genre: Humor/Romance
Rating: M
Spoilers: Up to Season 2 (for now)

Notes: This is a new multi-chapter fic though it won't be too long. I've written a few chapters and have the rest outlined. For now, this first chapter is written for my "major" prompt for the Summer Mini Challenge. Characters are aged up about a few years, around 16 years old. Canon divergent from Season 2/3.

Notes for this Chapter: Marinette wonders when Adrien started to really notice her as more than a friend.

Other Links: FFnet | AO3

Summary: Adrien has had enough. If Ladybug won't accept him as Chat Noir, well, then maybe she'll say yes to Paris's top male model? When she gives her answer, he doesn't expect what comes next.

AN: This fic is not dead! Since COVID made everyone's lives crazy, mine was no different. I'm hoping to be back on track with this story too.

Chapter Thirteen: More Than Partners

Marinette stood in her room agape as chaos continued outside in the city of Paris. She was shocked, of course, to learn that Chat Noir and the boy she loved were the same person. In some ways, it made absolutely no sense to her, and in others, she felt like a fool for not seeing it sooner.

“Marinette! You have to transform now! Chat Noir needs your help!” Tikki yelled at her, breaking her out of her stupor.

She shook her thoughts from her head trying to focus. She could figure out things later, but Tikki was right. She had to stop the akuma.

“Tikki, spots on!” she yelled as she became enveloped in the transformation. Fully imbued with Tikki’s power, Ladybug stood focused, zipping out of the bedroom window to follow Chat Noir’s direction inside the epicenter of the battle.

“So everyone thinks they can bully me!” yelled the woman with the cannon. The akuma had transformed her into some green and black military super soldier. “I’m tired of being stepped on and laughed at. I’ll show all of you. For once, Paris will know the feeling of vulnerability!”

Ladybug landed next to Chat Noir who had just dodged a blast that had taken the roof off a building. People were screaming and running away, and Ladybug felt sick to her stomach knowing that some of them might be hurt.

“Nice of you to join me, m’lady,” he said with a sheepish grin, and she shot him a glare that would wilt a plant.

“Well, I was a little indisposed,” she said with all the meaning behind it. Chat Noir backed away slightly and turned his attention to the disturbance. “But I’m here now, so what have you noticed so far?”

“Akuma that can shoot a cannon…” he said, and Ladybug rolled her eyes. “I’m guessing the akuma is in there, and you heard as much as I did. She feels wrong, bullied by the people in her life so now she’s taking it out on everyone else with Hawkmoth’s akuma powers.”

She huffed. “Well, at least we know that Hawkmoth didn’t totally disappear. He’s been gone but now he’s back with a vengeance.” She paused and looked at her surroundings as the akuma blasted statues and scenery, laughing wildly as innocent people ran in fear. 

“Alright, usual formation. You keep her busy, and I’ll set the trap. Distract her by targeting her cannon, and be prepared for harsh retaliation. I’ll be setting up for a lucky charm and get her from the side.”

Chat Noir saluted her and shot her a grin. “Will do, m’lady. Just say the word.”

Ladybug narrowed her eyes at the akuma, looking for the perfect time to strike. After the akuma paused within a billow of smoke from a blast, Ladybug lunged. “Now!”

Chat was off, doing what he did best. He taunted the akumatized woman, making her angry enough to set off random blasts at him, even though he was too quick for her to get a direct shot. While he tried to disarm her cannon, Ladybug called for her Lucky Charm and then assessed the situation, finding the perfect formula to get the cannon from akuma.

She held a ladybug spotted discus, and when she saw Chat Noir completely enthrall the villain’s attention with his antics, she launched it at her target, watching it ricochet off several other spots before heading toward the cannon. Like clockwork, the discus took the enemy by surprise, and it dislodged the cannon from her grasp and sliced it clean into two parts.

“Gotcha!” Ladybug yelled, pumping her fist, and the dark butterfly began to make its escape. Ladybug threw out her yo-yo, caught it, and called for her magic.

Within seconds her power unleashed the cleanup crew, setting everything back to normal and healing everyone affected by the akuma’s destruction. Chat Noir held the groggy woman in his arms, who de-transformed once the akuma was defeated, and he landed down by Ladybug on a street corner.

The woman regained consciousness, looking around bewildered. She turned her attention to Ladybug and Chat Noir amid a fist-bumping celebration.

“Wha---What happened?” the woman asked, looking down at her plain appearance and adjusting her glasses on her olive face.

“You were akumatized, which means you must have been hurt about something,” Ladybug said. “Don’t worry, everything’s okay now. You just need to find other ways rather than giving into your anger when you deal with bullies. Hawkmoth is the biggest bully of them all, and he takes advantage of that.”

Her face fell. “I’m sorry, Ladybug, but I understand.”

“Might I suggest martial arts and maybe a spa day?” Chat Noir added in suggestion, and Ladybug smacked the back of his head. “Ow!” He looked over at her and she still didn’t look happy with him. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Ladybug?”

Suddenly, she grabbed his arm and dragged him off. She seethed in an angry tone, “We need to talk.”

Chat Noir’s face paled, and he let her drag him away from onlookers into a small, darkened alley. Ladybug looked around cautiously, and when they were finally alone without anyone to bother them, she pulled him toward her.

Chat Noir prepared for the worst, but what he didn’t expect was for Ladybug to pull him into a hungry, forceful kiss. As soon as he felt her lips on his and her tongue move past his teeth, seeking out warmth, he melted against her.

“Mmm,” he moaned, meeting her kiss with equal fervor.

When she broke off the kiss with a smack, she looked at him with tears in her eyes. He was almost afraid he had hurt her for knowing her identity and not telling her, but then she smiled at him and he let out a sigh of relief.

“You idiot,” she said, and he laughed. He drew her into his arms tightly, and he kissed her nose. She giggled against him.

“Plagg, claws in,” he said, and Ladybug watched him turn back to the boy she fell in love with.

“Tikki, spots off,” she said, de-transforming as well.

“Well, you two are in big trouble!” Plagg said, buzzing around their heads.

“Plagg’s right,” Tikki said, looking concerned. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea that you know each other’s identities.”

“But Tikki, Rena Rouge and Carapace know each other’s identities, so why is it wrong for us to know?” Marinette said.

“Wait, they do?” Adrien asked, and Marinette nodded at him.

“Still, you knuckleheads need to be careful,” Plagg said. “If Hawkmoth manages to capture one of you, he could manipulate you two into revealing the secret and that would be a very dangerous advantage for him.”

“We really need to consult Master Fu on this,” Tikki said. “I mean, in the past the Miraculous users of Destruction and Creation did eventually figure out each other’s identities, but it took time, and they were much older and more trained. You are still young compared to them…”

“Then, I guess we need to train more and be more careful,” Marinette said. “You can’t say that now that we know each other’s identities that there aren’t some pros to this.”

“Marinette’s right,” Adrien said. “We go to school together, and we love each other. It’ll be more convenient for us to rely on each other when an akuma attacks. Maybe we’ll work together even better now.”

The two kwamis nodded, but they still appeared worried and hesitant.

“You do make a good point though,” Marinette said. “We probably should talk about this with Master Fu.”

Adrien sighed and then nodded. “Until then, we need to get back. We both have school tomorrow.”

“And homework,” Marinette said, and she turned to him. “Um, about our project...I can finish it if you need to go home.”

Adrien nodded. “Let’s get back to the bakery then. We need to get into your room as if nothing happened.” Marinette agreed.

“And get some cheese. I need cheese,” Plagg said in a long whine. “I’m soooooo HUNGRY.”

Adrien chuckled. He pulled a slice of cheese from his pocket, and Marinette turned to Tikki with a macaroon from her purse. The two kwamis devoured their treats as they headed back to the bakery. When they arrived, the two kwamis had enough energy to transform them so they could climb back into Marinette’s room as if they never even left.

“I could get used to this,” Marinette said, as she turned back from Ladybug again and Adrien did the same.

“Mmm,” he said, and before he left her room, he pulled her into an embrace and covered her lips again, delighting in her taste and warmth. They fell into the moment again, drowning in each other and deepening their kiss. Marinette backed him against her door and he moaned in her mouth as her body slid against his.

Reluctantly, he pulled away from her kiss, and they grinned at each other, their cheeks red as they tried to compose themselves.

“We really should um...I should go home before my father worries,” he said, scratching his head. The look on his face told her he’d rather be with her and never leave, but they needed to get back to their normal lives, and honestly, they were still supposed to be keeping their relationship a secret.

“Yeah, it’s getting late. I can finish up the project tonight. There isn’t much more left to do,” Marinette said.

“If you’re sure… I can always help out,” he said, not liking that she was taking on the rest without him.

Marinette waved her hand in the air. “It’s fine. You need to go home and keep up appearances with your dad.” She leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “Come on, I’ll walk you out.”

As she led him out of her house, his driver was waiting for him. Marinette’s parents waved goodbye, giving both kids knowing looks, and Marinette promised to text Adrian later.

“I’ll see you at school tomorrow, kitty cat,” she whispered to him before the door shut on his driver’s car. Blue eyes met deep green ones, and Marinette felt her heart quicken, knowing all the things they’d done, what had transpired between them, and that a weight was finally lifted off her shoulders.

Adrien was Chat Noir, and he knew her identity too. She wondered just how much more complicated their lives would get now. Especially since Marinette was more worried about Adrien’s father than the reveal of their superhero identities.

--

Gabriel Agreste had his back turned to his assistant as he gazed out the window of his office. The atmosphere as usual was cold, brimming with an ominous tension.

“It is good you have returned,” Nathalie said to him, though he didn’t respond. She continued to speak. “I know your schedule is still full, but I know you will want to make time for this.”

Nathalie paused in a heavy moment, and Gabriel’s silence was urging her on. She cleared her throat, and if he was staring at her now, he’d see how much delight she took in watching his reactions to any tantamount news.

“Adrien has been performing his duties as usual, but I fear he has picked up an extracurricular activity. I have seen evidence of it myself,” Nathalie said. She inhaled a quick breath.

“Sir, I do believe Adrien is seeing someone in secret,” she finally said, and Gabriel turned around. His face darkened and he did not seem pleased. Internally, Nathalie enjoyed witnessing the seething rage in his expression.

“I believe if he gets more serious with this girl, your son’s future will be out of our hands,” she said finally. She watched as Gabriel’s uptight composure faltered, and anger was already inspiring his next move.

.