“Am I right in saying that that’s the orientation that lacks sexual attraction?” Gabriel asked while still sketching in his pad.

Adrien swallowed, “Y-Yes, it is.” He internally cursed at how weak his voice sounded.

The deafening silence enveloped the room once more, only broken by the soft scratchings of his father's pencil on the paper.

The blood pounded in Adrien’s ears.

“Then there’s no chance of you ruining the Agreste name with any sort of sex scandal?” Gabriel spoke clearly and precisely.

Adrien blinked. “N-No,” he stuttered, “Of c-course not.”

Only then did Gabriel pause in his work to lift his head and meet Adrien’s eyes. Adrien’s breath stuck in his throat, but he met his father’s gaze and held it steady.

“Very good,” Gabriel nodded before turning back to his work. 

Adrien exhaled and almost collapsed to the floor with giddy relief, but Nathalie’s hand on his shoulder steadied him and steered him from the room.

Adrien’s features were creased in a slight frown as he ambled along the Seine in the late morning sunshine. A slight squeeze of his hand pulled him out of his mind and he looked down to see a pair of warm bluebell eyes gazing up at him in concern.

Adrien smiled. Those eyes never failed to lift his spirits. 

Adrien let go of Marinette’s hand and he put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her in close. She in turn wrapped her arm around his waist and they walked along together in a comfortable silence.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Marinette spoke softly after a while.

Adrien’s smile slipped. He thought back.

“I don’t think there’s really anything to talk about,” he said truthfully. “While Father didn’t seem overly enthusiastic at the idea of me being asexual…” Adrien hesitated before lifting his mouth into the barest of smiles, “he accepted it.” He turned his gaze to the glistening water of the Seine. “And I think that’s all I can expect of him,” he said softly.

Marinette squeezed him gently, “If you’re sure.”

Adrien closed his eyes and inhaled deeply as a fresh morning breeze washed over both of them. Adrien relaxed and let his features loosen into a tender smile.

“Yes, I am sure,” he said, opening his eyes. He was pleased to feel the truth of those words reverberate through him. “My father accepts me and I’m happy with that.”

He looked at Marinette. Her eyes reflected the dancing of the water and her freckles were dark from the sunshine. He leant over and kissed the top of her head. Her hair was hot from the heat of the sun, and she smelled of warmth and fresh bread. 

“And it’s all thanks to you,” he murmured.

Marinette flushed, “I didn’t do anything, I wasn’t even in the room with you.”

“No, but knowing you were just outside was enough.”

Marinette met his loving gaze before kissing him on the cheek. 

“Come on,” she said, releasing their hug and grabbing his hand instead, “We deserve some pastries!” She giggled and pulled him into a run. Adrien grinned, her enthusiasm infectious, as they dashed up the stairs to the main road. Marinette smiled deviously back at him before releasing his hand and accelerating into a flat out sprint. Adrien laughed and rose to her challenge. He felt his grin widen with exhilaration as he chased those bouncing black bunches through the streets of Paris, expertly weaving through pedestrians and jumping fences as he did so. He let out a peal of laughter and was pleased to hear Marinette giggle in response. Being with Marinette, having fun like this, it was like he didn’t need Chat Noir anymore. Adrien gave a little burst of speed so he was level with Marinette. Together they ran, an unstoppable force, even without their suits.

Too soon they reached the Dupain-Cheng Patisserie, they burst through the doors, both breathless with adrenaline.

Sabine smiled bemusedly from behind the counter as the giggling pair strolled up to her.

“My what have you two been up to?” she said.

Marinette’s chest rose and fell as she tried to get her breath back, “Oh, you know,” she said breathlessly, she glanced at Adrien and grinned, “just enjoying the sunshine.”

Adrien eyed the shop, as his breathing steadily returned to normal. He spied a lone croissant from the counter that had survived the breakfast rush and swiped it.

“Those are for paying customers!” Sabine admonished him with a twinkle in her eye.

“Ah!” Adrien exclaimed, half the croissant already in his mouth. He swallowed, “Apologies Miss Dupain-Cheng, but your pastries look so good, I just croissan’t help myself!”

A burst of deep laughter came from the kitchen. “Adrien! Is that you?” Tom appeared with a plate of fresh cookies, the chocolate chunks in them still melted. “I’d know your puns anywhere!”

Adrien beamed, “All I wanted was to bake your day a little better!”

“Haha! Well you’ve certainly rose to the occasion!” 

“It’s the yeast I could do,” Adrien said with a little flourished bow before collapsing into giggles.

He and Tom only laughed harder as Sabine and Marinette groaned.

“That’s enough you two!” Sabine said, failing to hide her smile, she waved Adrien and Marinette out the shop, “Now off you go, I’ve put a plate of fresh pastries for you to munch on at the bottom of the stairs.”

“Thanks Maman!” 

“Thank you Mrs Cheng!” Adrien waved his half eaten croissant at her before finishing it off.

Sabine pulled her still laughing husband into the room, “And you,” she pecked him on the cheek, “enough with the puns and go put those cookies on the display.”

Adrien felt a smile creep onto his face as he watched them. They were exactly the sort of parents he wanted to be when he grew up. He turned away as Marinette tugged on his hand and led him up the stairs, picking up the plate of still warm pastries as she did so.

Marinette placed the pastries onto the coffee table in the living room as Adrien flopped onto the couch.  Immediately, Tikki and Plagg dived on the plate and started munching away.

“Do you want to watch a movie or something?” Marinette asked as she made her way over to the dvd selection.

Adrien didn’t respond for a moment. His heart rate was almost back to normal but he could still feel the effects of the adrenaline in his veins. He watched Marinette. Her back was to him, but she could still see her skin was flushed from their spontaneous sprint. Her hair too was coming loose from her bunches, strands drifting lazily across her neck.

Adrien shook his head, “Come here,” he said, patting the space next to him.

Marinette stopped fiddling with the dvd’s and turned to look at him in slight surprise, her lips were parted and her eyes were shining. Adrien lost his breath. She was stunning. 

With a smile, Marinette went over and cuddled up into his open arm, nestling her head under his chin. The warmth radiating from her body seeped into his, soothing his mind as it  mimicked the sensation of safety. 

Adrien held her tight.

Marinette returned his grip.

Adrien closed his eyes and curled up around her. The love and passion that Adrien had thought would never be a part of his life flowed through them. He breathed deep. He honestly didn’t know how he had survived so long without it. And this amazing girl was willing to give it to him, no strings attached. 

Adrien gripped her tighter.

He had no idea how he’d gotten so lucky.

Eventually, Marinette slowly peeled herself back. Adrien opened his eyes to see her gazing lovingly at him. She pecked him on the nose, “I will love you,” she said, a soft smile dancing on her lips. 

Those words had almost become something of a running gag between the two of them. It was more than just an acknowledgement of their affections for each other, however it was not quite yet a synonym for an expression of love itself.

Adrien opened his mouth respond with the words he had uttered many times over, but they didn’t come. They didn’t… feel right. Snuggled up here, in the safety of Marinette’s arms, feeling her complete support, both physically and mentally… he felt something click inside himself.

“I love you,” he said.

Marinette’s eyes pierced his, a light came on in them, making them sparkle like never before.

Adrien couldn’t contain the emotion flowing through his veins. “I love you, Marinette Dupain-Cheng,” his voice was soft and oddly hoarse. 

Slowly, Marinette sat up. She kissed him gently once on the forehead, then nose, before finally planting a soft kiss on his lips.

“I’ve been waiting for you to say those words,” she murmured as she sat back. Her eyes were large and unusually dark. Adrien felt a shiver run down his spine. “I love you too,” she said, her voice slightly deeper than normal.

Marinette then swung her leg round so she straddled Adrien’s lap and, before Adrien could comprehend the flash of panic in his gut, she kissed him fully on the mouth.

Adrien’s panic subsided as he relaxed into the familiarity of Marinette’s soft mouth. They had kissed a fair few times since that first night and he had come to welcome them. Marinette’s kisses were always light and warming. Adrien saw them as more of an extension of their embrace than the beginnings of anything sexual.

Marinette leant into him a little harder.

This was starting to feel different though.

He wasn’t uncomfortable yet, and neither had much time passed, so he didn’t say anything and let Marinette lead. 

There had been a few times in the past where they had made out for a bit longer than Adrien would have liked, but Marinette had sacrificed so much for him that he usually didn’t mind letting her have her way for a bit. 

However this time Marinette’s kiss was starting to shift from light and fluttery, to deep and moving. Adrien felt arousal swirl uncomfortably in his gut. This was definitely entering new territory now. 

He became aware of his arms resting limply on the couch. He didn’t quite know what to do with them. He gently placed them on Marinette’s hips. That was the most obvious place to put them… right?

Suddenly Marinette’s hands disappeared under his shirt. Adrien gasped as her cool hands met his warm skin, but still, he didn't pull back. He felt a curiosity course through himself  as to his own limits, almost touching on morbidity in nature. He let her hands flow over his skin, tracing his stomach and sides. Adrien tried not to laugh, her light fingers tickled. She continued drawing them up, up over and around his shoulders, before moving back down.

Down.

Down.

Down.

“No.” Adrien grabbed her wrists.

Marinette instantly jerked her whole body back and slammed her hands over her mouth. 

“I-I’m so sorry, Adrien,” she stammered, blushing furiously as her eyes widened with mortification, “I-I just got moment up in the caught a-and I, no, no,” she shook her head, “I mean caught up in the moment and didn’t t-think and I-“

“Marinette,” Adrien placed his hands on her shoulders, steadying her. She froze and held his gaze. “It’s okay.” He ran his hands down her arms. “Just,” he hesitated and glanced away, “don’t do it again,” he met her eyes, “okay?” 

Marinette nodded frantically and lowered her clasped hands to her chest. “Of course! Of course.” She visibly relaxed with relief at Adrien’s forgiveness. “I won’t do anything like that again until you’re ready.” She tilted her head in a gentle understanding smile, but Adrien felt a coldness seep into his stomach.  

Marinette’s eyes widened. “Adrien…” She went to stroke his cheek but Adrien jerked his head away. 

“Don’t!” He cast his eyes away, “I don’t…” He bit his lip. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

Marinette let her hand fall limply to her side. 

The silence enveloped them. The warmth between them faded fast.

“Adrien, you need to talk to me,” Marinette said eventually. Adrien clenched his teeth. “Was the touching…too much?” she quested with caution.

Adrien clenched his hands in his lap, the metal of his ring pierced the warmth of his skin. 

He nodded.

“And…the kissing?” Marinette asked.

Adrien swallowed. “Usually… fine,” he twisted the ring on his finger as anxiety crept through him, “But tonight, it was different.” His gaze flicked to hers before shying away again.

Marinette remained silent a moment before getting up off his lap and kneeling next to him on the couch. “Adrien…”

“I’m sorry,” he murmured once more. 

Adrien started as Marinette suddenly grabbed his jaw and forced him to look into her fierce eyes. “Stop saying sorry,” she said firmly, “None of this is your fault, none of this is my fault. We are just two people trying to find that perfect balance in our relationship, just like any other couple.” She released his jaw. “We are bound to have a few misunderstandings along the way,” she softly, “And when we do,” she continued, “we need to promise to forgive each other, we need to promise to forgive ourselves.” Adrien blinked at the intensity of her expression. “Can you do that for me? For us?”

Adrien felt a familiar pricking sensation behind his eyes. “Yes,” he whispered.

“Good, I’ll start,” Marinette sat up straight, “I apologise for taking things further than you were comfortable with, and for assuming you’ll one day be ready for things you’ll probably never be ready for.”

Adrien’s eyes widened, “You picked up on that?”

“As soon as I said it, I knew I’d said something wrong. But all I meant was I won’t try anything like that again unless you want me to.”

Adrien felt relief flow through his veins.

“So…” started Marinette, “do you-“

“-I forgive you!” Adrien spoke quickly. Marinette grinned, causing Adrien’s cheeks to flush. “And, I apologise for not communicating with you,” he said.

“I forgive you,” Marinette spoke softly.

Adrien felt warm emotion bubble up inside him. But, as much as he tried, he couldn’t remove the tinge of doubt.

Adrien shifted in his gaze. “Are you honestly all right with this?”

Marinette raised her eyebrows in exasperation but didn’t say anything.

Adrien looked at her, heart pumping as she grinned deviously. 

Suddenly, she leant in and pecked Adrien on the nose. Adrien blinked, but before he could do anything Marinette attacked again, with a peck on each cheek.

“Wha…?”

Before he knew it Marinette was peppering him with a flurry of little kisses, all over his face and down his neck.

Adrien giggled, “Marinette!” he cried out, “No! It tickles!” Marinette pulled back to check he was all right, before grinning and throwing him down to actually tickle him.

“Marinette!” Adrien cried out, properly laughing now. He twisted and turned instinctively but couldn't escape, and so he was stuck laughing helpless on the couch under Marinette’s barrage of tickles.

Wheezing and out of breathe, Adrien couldn’t take it anymore. With a burst of strength he broke free from Marinette’s relentless fingers and flipped her onto her back.

Marinette let out a shriek of laughter as Adrien attacked with his own onslaught of tickles. 

“Adrien!” she squealed, squirming under him. 

“Ha ha! Revenge!” Adrien yelled triumphantly, before Marinette caught him off guard by poking him in the side. 

Tikki and Plagg both paused in their munching to watch the ridiculous antics of their respective charges, rolling their eyes at each squeal.

Marinette and Adrien continued playing for a while, squealing and giggling as the person who had the upper hadn’t continuously rotated. Exhilaration flooding them both as they revelled in simple happiness. 

Eventually their attacks grew weaker, and their laughter faded as tiredness set in. Adrien had managed to land the final attack and had Marinette pinned down under him. He swiftly kissed her on the forehead before flopping down next to her. 

They both breathed heavily, faces flushed with laughter. He rolled over to face Marinette. Her bunches had started to slip out and her fringe was in her face, fluttering gently with every breath. Marinette turned over to face him. She reached out and mussed his hair.

“You want to be careful no one sees you like this,” she said, her voice still breathless, “You look like Chat Noir.”

Adrien pecked her on the nose, “M’lady.”

They both lapsed into giggles once more.

Adrien exhaled deeply and closed his eyes. From coming out to his father, to having deep conversations with Marinette, his emotions this morning had hit all corners of extreme and he could start to feel the effects.  

His breathing steadied as Marinette stroked his hair, her gentle touches reverberating throughout his whole body. He let a soft smile dance on his lips. He never wanted to leave.

“Hey, Adrien?”

Adrien reluctantly opened his eyes to see her blue eyes gazing into his, the echoes of laughter still shining in them.

“I’m honestly all right with this,” she said tenderly. Adrien felt his breath stick in his throat as her soft words pierced his heart. 

“I love you so much you can’t imagine,” she continued, “and, just being with you,” her smile deepened, “it brings me more pleasure than any amount of sex would.”

Adrien’s face went devoid of expression. He bore his eyes into Marinette’s, searching for signs of hesitation, doubt or reservation. For anything at all that would signify her dishonesty.

He couldn’t find it.

Those beautiful sparkling blue eyes held only the truth.

Adrien clenched his eyes shut. Once more he could feel the warm sting of tears behind them.

Marinette wrapped her arms around him and snuggled in close until their foreheads were touching.

Adrien couldn’t help it, he felt the tears seep through his closed lids

Marinette gently wiped them away with her thumb, “What are you crying for you silly kitten?” she murmured. Adrien could hear the smile in her voice.

He shook his head. “I love you so much, Marinette,” he said, voice cracking.

He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.

“I love you so, so much.”

Thank you once again for all your beautiful comments, and I hope you all enjoyed this final chapter... cause it really is the final chapter this time haha :) xxx

He forced himself to stand. Both mind and body screamed at him in protest, but he fought it and drew himself to his feet. He continued drawing upwards, stood on his toes and stretched up to the twinkling stars. He exhaled strongly and put his hands on his hips. He tried to cock a confident smile as he looked over the sparkling city and, though he wasn’t entirely successful, it still put some assurance back into his being.

In one swift motion, he leapt onto a ledge, twirled his baton, and leapt off the building into the night. He left his emotions behind in a messy puddle on the rooftop and instead let the exhilaration of bounding across the Parisian rooftops fill his mind and body.

Chat flew through his patrol route at record speed, something he soon regretted as it meant he had to face his emotions sooner rather than later. He slowed right down and ambled along the Parisian rooftops, coming to a complete halt when he saw a red figure in the distance. Chat scowled. He turned on his heel. The last thing he wanted to do right now was talk to Ladybug. Chat froze... but neither did he want to leave things as they were. He rubbed his temples. He couldn't just run and disappear. If he had learnt anything from his past, it was that he could never, ever inflict that sort of pain on anyone, especially someone he loved. Neither was he so fickle that one little argument was enough to rid his love of Ladybug. Still, he wasn't ready to forgive her that easily.

So it was with a heavy heart that Chat bounded over the rooftop and landed behind Ladybug with a soft thud, crunching in the murky darkness.

Ladybug spun around as soon as his feet touched the roof. Her expression of hope quickly fell upon seeing Chat’s dark eyes.

“Adri- Chat!” she cried.

Slowly, Chat Noir drew himself up. His eyes never left Ladybug’s, but they were cold and vacant.

“I came back almost as soon as I left, but you had already gone,” Ladybug said a little too quickly. Chat didn’t blink. “Patrol,” he said dismissively and walked past her.

“That’s what I had hoped, which was why I waited here.”

He ignored her and jumped up onto a nearby chimney to gaze out at the city.

“Chat, I wanted to apologise.”

Chat took a deep breath of cool fresh air and said nothing, she would have to do a lot more than simply apologise to earn his forgiveness.

“Chat, please!”

He closed his eyes.

“Chat! Please!”

He gritted his teeth.

“Chat Noir!” she yelled.

“What!” He cried, spinning around and throwing his arms wide, before visibly deflating, “What do you want from me?”

“I, I,” she stepped back, “I just wanted to say sorry,” she looked at the floor.

“Yeah, well you've done that already,” he muttered.

“Can you,” Ladybugs voice shook, “can you blame me though? For wh-”

"For running away when you couldn't bear to face me? Yeah, yeah I can."

Chat felt cold anger trickle back into his being. He smiled dryly, at least his emotions were returning.

“But you act so different as Adrien!” Ladybug cried.

“Do I?” He rounded on her, eyes blazing, “Then you obviously don't know Adrien at all!” Tears welled in Ladybug’s eyes but she hastily wiped them away.

"I deserved that," she whispered. "The fact that you said you felt you had no one and I..." she drew a shaky breath, "I just ran away. The the fact that you," her lip wobbled, "you j-just lay your heart out in front of me tonight a-and," tears welled in her eyes, "and I just c-crushed it..." she choked and threw her hand over her mouth, “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive myself,” she said horrified.

Chat made no move to comfort her.

Ladybug lowered her hands and clutched them at her chest.

“And then saying you are completely different as Adrien?” She shook her head at her own naivety, “You’re right, I don’t know you.” She looked at the ground. “I mean, my eyes have been starting to open today, but now everything's being torn wide and I'm only now realising the extent of my blindness and... how am I meant to help out the people of Paris if I can't even see the person who sits right in front of me?”

Chat stayed stoic and reserved but drew his eyebrows together. That last sentence didn't make any sense.

Ladybug bit her lip and gazed sideways. Chat properly looked at her and took in the strangeness of Ladybug's posture. Gone was her usual proud and sure self, instead, she was hunched in, her hands were shaking and her lip wobbled.

She reminded Chat of when they had first met, the shy superhero who had felt way out of her depth.

He hadn’t forgiven her yet, but there was no denying those warm memories that rose to mind. Of them taking down their first enemy together, of their first bout of banter, of them cowering before Hawkmoth before she rose up and showed the whole of Paris exactly what she was capable of.

Chat inhaled. He didn't want to feel for her right now, he really didn't. However, there was no denying the emotions that came crashing back into his heart. He gave an exhausted exhale.

“Chat Noir?” Ladybug said, drawing Chat out of his mind.

He looked at her but didn't say anything.

"I know I messed up earlier," she said, "and I don't expect you to forgive me, but," she breathed in deeply and met his eyes with a fierce determination, "I think it's time to show you something."

Chat raised an eyebrow before realising what she was going to do a second too late. 

"Tikki-"

 “-No! Wait!-”

“-Spots off!”

A red light flashed just beyond Chat’s outstretched hand as Ladybug de-transformed.

A small red creature appeared and Chat followed its flight path a moment before turning his attention to the person in front of him. To say he was shocked was an understatement. Out of all the people she could have been, Ladybug was Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

Marinette swallowed and brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She lifted her hand in a small wave, "H-Hey," she said.

“H-Hey,” Chat replied instinctively, giving a small wave of his own.

There was another awkward silence.

“So, um...” Marinette rocked on her heels anxiously, “I know this is-“

 “You’re Marinette,” Chat stated.

“Uh, yes,” she nodded, “yes, I am Mari-“

“But you sit behind me,” Chat said incredulously.

“What? Oh, yes I do...and you sit in front of me,” she said.

The following silence was broken only by Marinette’s soft rocking. Her eyes darted about but Chat’s gaze was stuck on her. He couldn’t believe it. Ladybug was Marinette.

Something was different about her appearance wise though, and it wasn't until she shifted her head that he noticed the light glinting off something in her hair. Her hair! That's what was different. Gone were her signature pigtails and instead she had tied it up into an elegant bun, held in place with the beautiful pin he had given her.

“The um...the pin looks nice,” he said, his voice shaking for some reason.

"Oh," she ran her fingers lightly over the ladybirds, "Thank you- I mean, thank you for uh, giving it um...I mean," she took a deep breath, "Thank you for giving it to me," her voice was steady for once, "it really is gorgeous."

Chat felt heat rise in his cheeks. He didn’t know what to say.

"So, um, Chat Noir," Marinette's eyes darted once more, "I want to apologise for one more time for running away."

“Oh,” Chat’s expression went blank.

"Do you..." she bit her lip, "Do you understand why I ran away?" She looked up at him with expressive eyes full of both sorrow and hope.

“Because of-“ Chat’s eyes suddenly widened, “it...was because of who I am, wasn't it? Not the asexual thing...” he stated slowly.

Marinette’s expression changed into mortification, “The asexual thing? No, no, gosh, no! Is that what you thought? Oh my god I’m so sorry, no that wasn’t it at all!”

Chat felt a part of himself unwind from relief.

“I would never run away from someone coming out to me, you know that right?” Marinette gushed, “Oh my god, you do know that right? I mean I'll admit it took a bit of time to wrap my head around it but," her speech got faster and faster, "but yeah it was the realisation of who you are that completely threw me off and, obviously I know I shouldn't have run away that was completely wrong of me but I didn't mean for you to take it that way at all and... ughhh" Marinette threw her head in her hands and groaned, "I'm such an idiot."

Chat didn’t speak for a moment, he just observed the girl in front of him who was so completely unlike Ladybug, and yet the same.

“You are many things, Marinette,” said Chat softly, “but an idiot is not one of them.”

Marinette peeked at him through her fingers, not quite managing to hide her surprise. Pink dusted her cheeks.

"Though you do let your emotions get the better of you sometimes," Chat let the barest of smile's show.

Marinette blinked before releasing a nervous laugh, “I knooooww,” she groaned and returned Chat’s smile as she lowered her hands, “I’ll work on that,” she smiled.

Chat frowned once more, “Wait but, I get me being Adrien might be a shock... but why...?” Marinette cast her eyes to the side, biting her lip as she did so. It suddenly hit him, “Oh,” his eyes widened, “Oh!”

Chat's brilliant green eyes landed on her blue ones. "I love Ladybug," he whispered.

Marinette gave a small sad smile and nodded.

“My head was in a turmoil,” she said, “you had just confessed to being in love with Ladybug,” she scuffed the ground with her shoe, “but earlier today you...” she sighed, “you said you didn’t love Marinette.”

Chat was silent.

“Except I am both Ladybug and Marinette, how could love only one part of me?”

Chat didn't move.

“That was the question that was going around my head, that was the reason I had to leave, to get some space and think.”

Once more silence engulfed them. “But-“ began Chat.

“-I know I’m just as guilty,” Marinette said quickly before Chat could speak, “I’m...I’m not denying that.” She drew into herself, “I love Adrien Agreste, but I...” she swallowed, “I don’t love Chat Noir.”

“Oh,” Chat didn’t know what to feel. He was happy Ladybug was Marinette, there was no denying that. However there was also no denying the fact that he didn’t love Marinette, he loved Ladybug.

Chat felt a little dizzy. He was starting to understand why Ladybug had needed space. “But I'm both-“ he started to say.

“I know!” Marinette cut him off, throwing out her hand in defence. The other hand she clutched at her heart. “I know,” she said softly, closing her open fist, “and I hate myself for it.”

The silence stretched out between them.

Chat continued to try to make sense of the situation. He loved Ladybug, and Marinette loved

Adrien. But Ladybug was Marinette, and he was Adrien. All of a sudden it hit him

“Oh my god, we love each other.” Chat said deadpan. He met Marinette’s eyes. Her cheeks turned bright red.

 A bubble of giddy warmth rose up inside him. “Marinette!” He jumped down off the chimney, “Don’t you see?”

Marinette watched him but didn't say anything.

“I love Ladybug, but you’re Ladybug!”

Marinette gave a small smile.

“And you love Adrien, but I’m Adrien!”

Marinette giggled at Chat’s excitement.

“Don’t you see?” Chat cried, placing his hands on Marinette's shoulders, "We're idiots!” He threw back his head and laughed.

Marinette blinked before laughing at Chat more than his revelation. She jokingly scoffed shrugged Chat’s hands off of her.

"Excuse me!" she exclaimed, "I thought you just said I wasn't an idiot!" She threw her hands on her hips and smirked at Chat with that twinkle in her eye he saw so often as Ladybug.

Chat blinked. “Nope changed my mind, you are a complete and utter idiot!” he grinned.

Marinette laughed, "Silly kitty," she said before letting her smile drop slightly.

Chat cocked his head to the side, “What is it?”

Marinette twisted her hands together, “I... love Adrien Agreste,” she repeated slowly. “...Yes?”

“Chat Noir is my best friend.”

Chat paused, “Oh.”

"But, you know what?" Marinette's blue eyes sparkled as she looked up at him, "I want to get to know Adrien as a best friend, and my love for Chat Noir can only deepen, so...," a blush rose on her cheeks, "What I'm trying to say is...will you let me grow to love you? The whole you?”

Once more those blue eyes held Chat Noir in their power, but this time instead of shackles and pain it was with love and comfort. It was her smile though that took his breath away, that small lopsided smile which was asking him to be nothing other than who he was. He knew he had mentioned Ladybug had his mother’s smile before, but now he realised why he had felt so at ease around Marinette earlier, she had his mother’s soft smile that only asked him to be whoever he was, in his entirety.

“I...,” Chat’s words stuck in his throat, he didn’t trust himself to speak so he nodded instead. Marinette’s eyes lit up.

“But only if I get the chance to know the whole you too,” Chat managed to say, “I want to know more than the outgoing, strong-willed, stubborn Ladybug.” He said softly, “I want to get to know the timid yet quietly confident Marinette.”

Marinette’s smile broadened, Chat thought she was positively glowing. “I’d love that,” she said softly, she took a small step towards him.

 Chat took a step back, “But, there's just,” his hand subconsciously went to the ring on his finger as he hesitated, “my aceness...” his eyes darted to the side, “It kind of...complicated matters.”

To Chat's complete surprise, Marinette giggled.

“Chat,” she said, with that gentle, understanding smile that made his heart melt, “When has love ever been simple?”

Her eyes pierced his. A lump rose in his throat.

“Adrien,” she said softly and gently raised her hand to his cheek, he almost flinched away but then she spoke once more and he let her touch him, “Chat Noir,” she murmured, as she stepped closer to him. Her touch was so soft it felt more like she was caressing his soul than his skin. His heart started to thump in his chest, “Ladybug,” his voice trembled as he too cupped her face with his hand, “Marinette.”

Marinette stood on her toes, “I will love you,”

He lowered her face to hers, “I will love you too,” his voice was barely above a whisper.

Then, Marinette boldly closed the gap between them and kissed him full on the lips.

Chat held the kiss and waited with anticipation for the spark, the fire, the passion, to shoot through his veins.

He clenched his eyes.

He willed it with all his might.

It never came.

Chat broke the kiss. He turned away and bit back the tears that were threatening to fall.

“Chat?” Marinette said softly, she put her hand on his shoulder but he flinched at her touch.

Chat spun on his heel, grabbing his tail in the process, “I do want to love you, please trust me, I want to but," he twisted his tail frantically in his hands, "I'll never be able to give you everything you want."

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Marinette cried, “You are everything I could want and more! Don’t you dare think you aren’t good enough for me and don’t you dare think you can’t give me what I need!” Chat blinked at the outburst.

“I do love Adrien Agreste and I will love Chat Noir. I will grow to love whoever you want to be, whoever you are, in your entirety! In. You’re. Entirety!” she repeated, “Do you understand?”

Chat froze before a sweep of relief rushed over him, the likes of which hadn't been felt in a long time.

Chat ran at her and embraced her with all his being, shoving all the love and emotion he felt for her into that one heartfelt hug. Marinette gasped with surprise and happiness.

“I have one condition though,” Marinette murmured softly into his hair, “that you do the same for me,” her voice was the gentlest whisper.

Chat squeezed her tighter in response and nuzzled his head into her shoulder.

Marinette wrapped her arms around him and hugged him back as hard as she could.

Together they slowly sank to the floor, neither of them daring to release the other.

And there, entwined with Ladybug, Chat felt it; the love, the compassion, the passion that he had so often dreamed of. He didn't even realise he was crying until he felt the dampness on Marinette’s shoulder.

"Shhh," Marinette stroked Chat's head, "you don't need to hide yourself anymore," Marinette gripped him harder and murmured into his ear, "I don't want you to feel like nobody could ever love you ever again."

Chat gave a sob and buried himself deeper in her arms.

They sat there, woven together, as the warmth that blossomed between them protected them from the icy air.

Chat’s tears slowed.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

 Bonus:

Marinette’s shifted as her legs started to go numb. She tried her best not to disturb Chat, but she failed. He lifted his head and looked at her with wide eyes. She grinned, it truly was like having a kitten on her lap.

“Is it time to go?” Chat asked.

 "I don't want to go either, Kitty," she ran her hands down his arms, "but it is getting late, and we have school tomorrow."

Chat nodded reluctantly.

“I will see you tomorrow though, right?” he asked.

“Of course!”

Chat smiled. He released her and stood up to stretch.

Marinette shivered as her skin, previously protected by Chat’s warmth, was pierced by the cold. Chat looked at her with concern, “Are you alright?”

"Yeah, I'll be- Tikki, spots on!" Heat flushed her body, "I'm fine." She grinned.

Neither of them spoke.

"So... tomorrow?" said Ladybug, taking a few steps away.

"Yeah, tomorrow," Chat agreed, also taking a few steps away. Both were reluctant to leave.

Chat started to speak, "Okay then, so um-"

“Chat! Wait,”

He froze at her cry.

“I just... I want to say something,” she paused.

Chat cocked his head to the side.

“You know,” she said, meeting his eyes, “I’ve always thought you were a pretty ace guy.”

There was stunned silence.

Ladybug sucked in her lips in an attempt to smother her smile.

Chat stared at her, stupefied.

At his idiotic expression, Ladybug couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The stars twinkled down on them both as Chat’s mouth widened into his biggest grin yet.

IT'S DONE!!!

Thank you all so much for your patience with me, I'm so sorry for taking ages to get this chapter up. It felt like no matter what I did, or what angle I came from, the story felt off. I think I'm happy with it now though.

I hope you guys like it at least.

Edit: Okay there’s an epilogue now, so it’s not quite over yet... :D

 Chat's smile widened when Ladybug turned to face him, a smile in her eyes.

"Sorry I'm late, Milady," he bowed deeply, one hand on his chest and the other outstretched to the side, "I was helping out a friend," he tilted his head up towards Ladybug and flashed her a signature Chat Noir grin.

“Mmmhmm?” Ladybug crossed her arms and flashed a flirty smile of her own, “And who is this friend of yours?”

“My Lady! Just what are you suggesting?” Chat exclaimed with mock horror, “You are the only lady for me,” he jumped to his knees and held out his little package for her, “A perfect present for a purr-fect partner." A small part of him cringed deep down, he had wanted to make what he said sound genuine this time.

Ladybug threw back her head and laughed. Despite the slight discomfort that he wasn’t being taken seriously, Chat felt pleasure thrum through him at her reaction, he loved making her smile.

Ladybug took the present and grabbed his hand to pull him up, "Silly kitty," she shook her head with a smile. Chat winked.

“Here I’ve got a small present for you too,” she picked up a paper bag off the ground that he hadn’t noticed before and handed it to him. The wonderful smell hit him instantly. His ears perked and tail swished with excitement as he opened the bag, “Cookies!” he exclaimed, “They smell absolutely a-meow-zing!” 

“I should hope so!” said Ladybug, rolling her eyes at Chat’s pun but grinning nonetheless, “they’re fresh out the oven, baked by yours truly.” She gave a little curtsey of her own and chat laughed. 

"You shouldn't have."

“I couldn’t not,” she retorted, “especially since I knew you’d definitely bring me something,” she delicately turned the small box over in her hands.

Chat turned his attention away from the cookies and watched as Ladybug picked at the ribbon. His tail slowed in it’s swishing as anxiety took over. He hoped the present was appropriate, but he knew he had gone overboard. Better that way round that the other though.

Ladybug gasped as soon as she opened the box. She glanced at Chat with wide eyes before looking back at the gift.

“Chat,” Ladybug’s voice was breathless with wonder,

“I just want to say,” Chat quickly interjected before Ladybug could say anything, “that I know we don’t really know much about each other’s personal lives because,” he gestured at his mask, “identities and stuff, but you’ve mentioned your heritage a couple of times before and as soon as I saw this I knew I had to get it for you, and…” Chat hesitated, “well, I’m sorry if I’m wrong,” he raised his shoulders apologetically and looked at the floor, “but, I just think it’s beautiful,” he glanced back up to meet Ladybug’s eyes boring into his, “and a beautiful woman deserves beautiful things.” Ladybug’s expression shifted ever so slightly into one of surprise. Chat had called her many things before, pretty, charming, good-looking, but never beautiful.

“Chat,” she breathed once more, “It’s gorgeous.” From the box, she pulled out an ornately adorned Chinese hair pin. The stick of the pin was a delicate twisted silver, and at the end were mother-of-pearl flowers and jade leaves. It was decorated with silver studded jewels, both on the flowers and dangling down on delicate chains. Finally, nestled amongst the flowers, were some gorgeously carved, vivid, ruby red ladybirds. They stood out strikingly against the pale icy colours of the jade, silver and mother-of-pearl.

“You like it?” asked Chat.

"I love it!" He beamed at her reply. "But I can't accept it,"

Chat’s heart missed a beat, “What?”

"Where did you get it? It must have cost a fortune!"

Chat dismissed her question with a wave of his hand, “I have my ways.” 

In actuality, Adrien had spied it at a fashion show his father had dragged him to and had begged his father to buy it from the designer fresh off the catwalk, but he wasn't about to tell Ladybug that. 

"And don't worry about cost, you deserve it." Chat gave a small smile, he knew he wasn't acting entirely Chat-like, but he wanted to be sincere.

Ladybug closed the box, “Thank you,” she said softly.

“Shall we have some cookies?” Chat lifted the bag and grinned.

Ladybug returned the smile and nodded. They sat down and both happily munched away whilst watching the twinkling lights of the city.

“‘Eese are oh goo!” Chat exclaimed after shoving another whole cookie in his mouth,

Ladybug blinked before bursting out laughing, “What did you say?”

Chat hastily swallowed, “These are so good!”

“Crazy cat,” Ladybug muttered, but Chat saw the grin in her eyes.

Neither of them said anything for a while after that, they simply enjoyed each other’s company, the sweetness of the cookies, and the wonder that is the city of love. Chat wondered when he should make his confession, or had he already missed his chance? Idiot, he should have done it when he gave her the present. Chat's heart rate increased and his palms grew clammy. He reached for another cookie and munched anxiously. 

“Hey, Chat?” the sound of Ladybug’s voice pulled him out of his mind.

“Hmm?” He looked at her, but her eyes were glazed over, staring at some distant memory.

“Do you,” she paused, her voice was soft and oddly dreamlike. “Do you ever feel like nobody could ever love you?”

Chat froze. His mind went numb. "What?" He put it down to coincidence. It was Valentine's Day after all, there's no way he was the only one feeling down about himself. 

“My friend asked me that question today and it just got me thinking.” Ladybug blinked her eyes back into focus. “It made me realise how lucky I am, I guess.” She drew her knees up and hugged them, “I’ve never asked myself that question in my life.”

"Oh," Chat didn't know what to say. He was still in slight shock from having that question sprung on him. He felt relief though that Ladybug didn't feel as lost as he often did, however there was a very small part of him that felt resentful.

“Chat? Are you alright?”

“Yes, why?”

“You’re frowning.”

“I’ve…. just got some things on my mind is all.”

Ladybug was quiet, “Okay then.”

The silence hung between them for a while, but then Ladybug spoke once more.

“Chat?”

“Yes?”

“Have…” she hesitated, “Have you ever felt like nobody could ever love you?”

Chat cast his eyes to the side, he didn’t want to lie to her, but neither could he bring himself to tell her the truth. “That’s kind of a personal question, don’t you think?”

Ladybug hugged her knees tighter, “Yes, I suppose it is.” Her eyes glazed over once more as her mind drifted off to a different time and place.

"You know, you kind of remind me of him," Ladybug continued after another stretch of silence, "my friend that is," she clarified, "sitting here, like this," she smiled at him. 

Chat still didn’t know what to say, so he reached for another cookie instead. 

“You sure do like cookies,”

Chat smiled, crumbs dotted around his mouth. Ladybug laughed.

“Thanks,” she said after her laughter died down.

"What for?" asked Chat, at a bit of a loss.

“For being a great friend, for being the purr-fect partner." She nudged him with her shoulder, a twinkle in her eye.

Chat gave a warm smile at the compliment, but he went cold deep inside. He swiftly shoved the rest of the cookie into his mouth.

“Hey!” Ladybug suddenly exclaimed, making Chat jump, “You’ve moved your ring,” she grabbed his hand and pulled it to her face, ignoring Chat’s yelp of distress.

“I swear it used to be on this finger?” she said. Her soft touch on his ring finger shot ice through his body.

Chat swallowed, “Yeah, it did,” he tried to sound confident. He honestly hadn’t thought anyone would have noticed such a small thing, but now two people had in one day.

“Why did you move it?”

Chat’s confident exterior wavered, “Uh, no reason.” He pulled his hand from her grip as his ears lay flat and tail curled anxiously.

Ladybug crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows, she nodded pointedly at his ears and tail, “Well obviously there’s a reason.”

Chat’s gut clenched, “Betrayed by the suit.” He grinned and rubbed the back of his neck, but he knew his discomfort was pretty blatant.

Ladybug’s brow knotted, both surprise and concern clear in her eyes. Chat’s tail curled a little tighter.

“You’re not acting like normal,” she said eventually. 

Chat lowered his hand. He knew he wasn’t acting like stereotypical Chat Noir, but his actions weren’t exactly abnormal either.

“How do you mean?”

Ladybug thought for a moment, "You seem uneasy, and usually when you're uneasy you'd dismiss it with a pun or comedic boast." Chat knew what she meant, but he cocked his head to the side anyway. "Oh, you know," Ladybug waved her hand as she tried to think of an example, "Bugaboo!" she cheekily leant forward in an imitation of Chat Noir, "Noticing something so small, one might think you were head over tails for me," she winked before immediately snapping back to her usual self, "Yeah, something like that."

Chat’s tail uncurled and his heart warmed, Ladybug really did know him well. She was right of course, any other time or day and he would have said something like that, but today was different.

“It’s because…” Chat felt anxiety crawl in his stomach. He didn’t know if he could do this. Chat Noir was his persona that allowed him to be free of vulnerabilities, free of judgement and scorn. Confessing his love and asexuality to Ladybug, that made him vulnerable.

He stood up as the anxiety started to claw at his stomach, big painful scratches. He didn’t know what to do.

“Chat?” Ladybug said, her voice laced with concern. She stood up too and placed her hand on his shoulder, “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

Chat bit his lip. That was the thing, he did want to tell her.

Chat closed his eyes and cast his mind back to earlier that day, sitting with Marinette in the sunshine. He recalled that peace he had felt with her, the likes of which he hadn't felt in a long time. He smiled as he remembered her blunt confession. Chat snapped his eyes open, if she could do it, he could do it too.

Chat faced Ladybug, eyes blazing. “I love you, Ladybug!” Ladybug’s eyes widened. “I love you more than a friend, or a partner, I love you, I want to be with you, and I know we have secret identities and don’t truly know each other, but honestly? Ever since I first met you I’ve known, trust me I’ve known, that I will love whoever it is under that mask," his voice grew soft, "if only you'll let me."

Ladybug removed her hand from his shoulder and took a step back, “Chat-“

"However," Chat cut her off, he needed to rip off the second plaster while the adrenaline was still flowing through his veins, "there's something about me which would put off a lot of people," his voice grew hesitant, "which will probably put off you." 

Ladybug’s brow furrowed, “Chat, you know that could never happen.”

Chat clenched his jaw and swallowed back the lump in his throat, he had to get this out now or else he never would, but it was a lot harder than he had thought it would be. He gritted his teeth as all the confusion, uncertainty, and helplessness caused by his asexuality surged inside him. All the gut-wrenching emotions built up until he could take the pressure no more and they came pouring out.

"Ladybug, I'm asexual!" Chat cried, voice cracking, "And I thought I had come to terms with it, but standing here right now, trying to confess to you, it's brought back so many emotions I don't want to feel and I just, I want to accept myself, I do, but it's just so damn hard! And knowing that literally the whole world is different, I," Chat choked, "it makes me feel so small and helpless and," a tear rolled down his cheek, "I just want to be accepted, Ladybug! But my father he," Chat shook his head, "and my mother," Chat slammed his hand on his mouth, "I…" his voice dropped to a horrified whisper, "I've got no one!"

Neither of them moved. Chat's words hung suspended in the air, he half wished he could snatch them back. He bit back the tears, but they fell despite his efforts.

All of a sudden he was encompassed by a warm embrace.

In a blink of an eye, Ladybug had leapt forward to hold him tight.

Chat didn’t know what to do. He hadn’t been held like this in a long time, not since his mother…

He wrapped his arms around her and relaxed into the hug. Emotion flowed between them, Ladybug lifted the heaviness from his heart and replaced it with ease, comfort and security. 

Chat clenched her tighter as tears flowed down his cheeks once more, this time with relief.

Ladybug gently pulled back and wiped the tears from Chat’s face, “Mon Chaton,” she murmured, “you will always have me.”

Chat sniffed, "Thank you," he whispered and wiped his eyes, however he could see the hesitation in Ladybug's expression, "What is it?" he asked.

“Please forgive me,” she said slowly, not quite meeting his eyes, “I can see you’re hurt but,” her bright blue eyes found his, “what’s an asexual?”

Chat’s breath stuck. He grabbed her hands and pulled them off his face, taking a step back as he did so, heaviness rushed back into his heart. All that pain of confessing and she didn't even know. Fatigue swept over him and an odd bubble of laughter welled inside him, to be honest he had half expected this might happen.

“Chat?” Ladybug asked with caution.

Chat took a deep breath and braced himself for the true confession, and consequently, Ladybug’s true reaction.

"The standard definition of asexual is someone who doesn't experience sexual attraction. Asexuals can be further split into romantics and aromantics, the latter being someone who doesn't experience romantic attraction. I fall under the former category, meaning I am asexual but also romantic, heteromantic to be precise, hetero because I only feel romantic attraction to the opposite sex." Chat said all this monotonously as he looking fixedly over the city of love. The irony didn't bypass him.

“A…sexual, and, hetero..heteromantic…?” Ladybug said slowly.

Chat heard her tripping over the words. Part of him felt a little bad about spewing all that terminology at her, but another part felt too tired to care.

“So…” Chat could practically hear Ladybug organising the thoughts in her head, “You say you don’t experience sexual attraction?”

Chat nodded

“That means… you don’t…?”

“I have no interest in sex,” said Chat bluntly. He felt drained. “Don't want it now, never have, never will.”

“You’ve got no interest at all?” She asked incredulously.

“Not a single drop,” he said with a weary voice.

“But have you ever…?”

“Never even kissed,”

“So how do you know?”

Chat went devoid of all emotion. Reading all those forum posts had prepared him for this moment, but the hurt still hit him hard. 

“No, wait! I’m sorry,” Ladybug waved her hands, “That was incredibly ignorant of me, if you say you know, then of course you know.”

Chat blinked, he hadn’t expected that response, “Thanks,” he gave a timid smile, “that’s understanding of you.”

“Yeah…” Ladybug’s unconvincing reply caused his face to fall once more. She frowned at him, “Can I ask you something?”

Chat hesitated before nodding.

“I just, I am confused on one thing. If you say you are, y’know, asexual," Chat saw the foreign word stick on her tongue, "then, what's with all the flirting?"

"What do you mean?" Chat rubbed his eyes, he felt a headache coming on.

“I mean…if you don’t like me in that way, then…”

“But I do like you in that way!” Chat exclaimed, “No, wait, that came out wrong.” His tail wrapped around his ankles, “What I mean is, I still love you,” he said softly, “I just don’t want to ever, you know, do it with you.”

“I see.” Ladybug fell silent.

Chat looked at the floor. He felt so tired, he just wanted to run back home and crawl under his bedcovers. He subconsciously started to twist the ring on his finger once more. He didn't notice Ladybug watching him.

“I’m assuming all this has something to do with the ring?” she asked eventually.

Chat’s head snapped up, he clenched his ring and index finger in his left hand.

“Yeah,” he said quietly, “it’s a little thing between us aces. Asexuals,” he added for clarification at Ladybug’s raised eyebrow. “Wearing a ring on your right middle finger,” he released his fingers from the grip of his left hand and raised his right hand to his face, “It’s usually black but, oh yeah, forgot it turns black when I’m transformed,” he gave a small smile and looked at Ladybug, but her eyes were glassy as she was lost in concentration. His smile dropped, “What?” he asked curtly.

“Does the ring have to be black?” she asked

"That's the most common," he said listlessly, "but purple white and grey work too, those are the ace colours."

Ladybug looked up and met his eyes, “Grey? So like…if it’s jewellery, then silver?”

Chat shifted his stance, he felt a little uneasy but wasn’t entirely sure why. “Sure, I guess, why?”

Ladybug smiled a sad little smile, “I think I might have a classmate who’s asexual.”

"Oh?"

“Yeah, he has this silver ring that he usually wears on the ring finger of his right hand, but just today I saw he’d moved it to his middle finger and…” She abruptly cut off and peered at Chat’s ring. Immediately he lowered his hand and put it behind his back, out of sight.

This small movement caused a spark of recognition to flicker behind Ladybug's eyes. What the recognition was, Chat didn't know, but it made him incredibly uncomfortable.

“Ladybug?” he questioned cautiously.

“Chat, what’s the colour of your ring when you’re a civilian?”

Chat’s body went numb, his eyes darted, “Why does that matter?”

“Is it Silver?” he didn’t answer her, “Chat! Is it silver?”

Chat didn’t respond, but neither did he meet her eyes.

In a horrified whisper, Ladybug said one word which made Chat Noir’s blood run cold,

"Adrien?"