Day 31. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all of the support on this series. When I began Ladynoir July, it had been over a year since I posted anything to this account. In a way, this was my return to the fanfic scene as a whole. I honestly wasn't sure if I was going to succeed this year, but I did it! Now I can say I have officially succeeded in doing a monthly challenge for every side of the square. Each like, each comment, everything you guys do means so much to me. I promise I won't disappear like last time. Thank you thank you thank you, I love you all <3 -Colorado

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It was raining. The entire sky had opened up and poured down on Paris. Ladybug couldn't have been happier, Chat Noir didn't share her sentiment. Still, watching his lady twirl around in the rain with a large smile on her face was worth getting wet. Even if his suit was sticking to him, and his hair was plastered against his skin, and he was so so cold. It was rare to see Ladybug look so incredibly happy, and Chat Noir wanted to soak it all in. He just had to ignore his suit soaking in the rain. Plagg wouldn't be very happy with him. Cats didn't like the rain, after all.

"Come on, Chat," Ladybug called to him, holding out one of her arms. "Don't you want to come and dance with me?" She fluttered her eyelashes in a way she knew he was weak to.

Well, he was already drenched, might as well make the most of it.

Chat Noir ran over to her, scooping her up and spinning her around. Ladybug began to laugh, hitting his back ever so slightly.

"Chat! Put me down!" He did as he was told. Ladybug threw her arms around him, pulling him down so they were nose-to-nose. "Hi, kitty," she said giggling.

"Hello, My Lady," he whispered, leaning down ever so slightly to kiss her. Ladybug hummed into the kiss, one of her hands coming up to caress his cheek. He pulled back, suddenly not feeling so cold anymore.

"Are you ready for today?" Ladybug asked, tilting her head ever so innocently.

"No," Chat Noir said, letting just the slightest bit of vulnerability slip, "but I don't think I'll ever be ready. I'm excited for it, of course, it's just daunting."

Ladybug grabbed his hand, squeezing it tight.

"I know, but whoever you are underneath the mask, I'm going to love him." She placed a quick kiss to the bridge of his nose. Chat Noir felt his heart flutter.

He still couldn't quite believe this was happening. Ladybug was going to reveal her identity to him and he was going to reveal his identity to her. The two of them were closing in on Hawkmoth, and Ladybug had been nervous about the fallout. Chat Noir had proposed that they reveal their identities beforehand so they could find each other when the smoke cleared. To his absolute joy, Ladybug agreed.

So the day had finally come. Chat wasn't sure how things would turn out tomorrow, but he was going to soak up these precious moments with her. They had managed to track one of Hawkmoth's akumas coming straight from his own house. Not that Ladybug knew that, but she would soon. Chat tried to push off the very obvious answer to why an akuma was coming from the basement. There would be time to dwell on that tomorrow. Perhaps Hawkmoth had just been living in his house like a homeless man. But who cared about Hawkmoth when Ladybug was staring up at him as if he answered all of her wishes?

"I swore to myself the second day I met you that whoever you were underneath the mask, I'd love you," he whispered against her lips. "I intend to keep that promise."

"There's millions of people in Paris, I highly doubt we know each other already," Ladybug took one hand and tried to ruffle his hair. It didn't really work in the rain.

"Probably not," Chat agreed, "but it won't matter to me either way. Unless you were like, Lila or Chloe."

"Rest assured I'm not Lila or Chloe." Ladybug wrinkled her nose, offended that Chat would even think of that possibility.

"I know," he said, pressing his lips against her forehead.

Ladybug opened her mouth to say something else, but a crack of thunder drowned her out. Chat tried his absolute hardest not to jump, but it didn't work. Ladybug shot him a look of pity.

"Let's get out of the rain, okay kitty?" she said.

"Please," he pleaded, giving her the best kitty eyes he could possibly muster.

The two took off, dancing across the rooftops. Over the years the two had gotten very good at finding nooks and crannies no one else in Paris knew of. Chat Noir especially, as he absolutely hated the rain. Ladybug was the exact opposite. He had asked her once why she loved the rain so much, and she had gotten this far away look in her eye. She had told him that the rain reminded her of falling in love.

It had been many months since then. Now, Ladybug was his and he was hers. He still couldn't quite believe the past few months had been real. That their relationship wasn't just some trick his mind was playing on him. Yet, here he was in an undeniably real relationship with Ladybug. Perhaps after today, his feelings about the rain would let up. He had no doubt this would be one of the happiest days of his life.

"Here," Ladybug pointed to a small alcove facing an abandoned building. "No one is going to see us here." She jumped down to the alcove, sitting down.

Chat went to join her, automatically feeling the relief of being dry. His hair was still wet, and his suit was still cold, but he wasn't in the rain anymore. He didn't hesitate to drape himself across Ladybug, trying to soak up her body heat. Ladybug laughed, much to his utter joy.

"You are such a cat, you know that?" she whispered, running her hands through his hair.

"I'm your cat though," he muttered, beginning to purr.

"Hell yeah you are," Ladybug said, leaning down and giving him a quick peck. Chat bit back a whine as she pulled away. Ladybug let out a laugh at his pouting, that traitor. "There will be time for kissing later, for right now, I think there's something we're supposed to do." Her eyes were sparkling. Not for the first time, Chat Noir thanked his lucky stars for his night vision. Ladybug was beautiful, he would for the night to hide her beauty.

"Oh? I don't think so, I'm pretty sure the only thing on tonight's agenda are cuddles and kisses." Chat Noir pursed his lips, closing his eyes. He felt her press a finger against his mouth, which he kissed.

"Fine, we can just not reveal our identities and go into Hawkmoth's territory blind," she teased, but Chat could hear the slight tremor in her voice. He sat up, opening his eyes.

"Hey, listen. I know that you're scared, I'm scared too, but this is going to be for the best. We're going to defeat him and tomorrow both the butterfly and peacock miraculous will be back in the Miracle Box where they belong." Chat Noir squeezed her shoulder. "We have a plan, we can call in the team, this is going to work Ladybug."

He kissed her. If only he could make her see how much he believed in her, but no words could ever explain it. He could at least try with actions. Ladybug kissed him back happily, maybe even a bit desperate. Chat didn't blame her, it was a lot of stress to be under. He knew they would succeed, but the fight against Hawkmoth was not something he wanted to think about.

"Thank you, Chat. I really needed that," Ladybug mumbled, pulling away from him.

"Anytime bug, seriously," he said, wrapping her up in a hug. "I know it's stressful, but it's going to be worth it. We're going to free Paris no matter what we do."

"Yeah," she breathed out, turning to look out at the city. The abandoned building blocked most of their view, but they could still see the very top of the Eiffel Tower.

"And we'll have the element of surprise, but also the added knowledge of who each other are. Hawkmoth won't be able to catch us off guard," Chat reminded her, nudging his head against hers. Ladybug nodded.

"You're right. We should uh, really be doing that, shouldn't we?" she asked, biting her lip.

"Doing what?" Chat Noir's heart sped up, already knowing the answer.

"Revealing our identities. That way we have time to process and talk it out and all that jazz," Ladybug said, a semi-crazed grin coming over her face.

"Um, yeah. I guess we should. But only if you're ready. You know I never want to force you into something you don't want." He squeezed her shoulder. Ladybug responded with a quick peck.

"I think if we waited until I was absolutely ready we'd never reveal our identities to each other," she said with a small laugh. "But I know that I want this. I want to know who you are, and I want you in my life. I want to introduce my boyfriend to my friends and family, and I want us to go on actual dates. I love our nightly meetings, but I want to go to the movies with you and steal your sweatshirts and-." Ladybug stopped herself, giving Chat Noir a bashful grin. Chat was smiling so widely it hurt.

"Everything you just said sounds like an absolute dream. I would like nothing more than to be introduced to your family. I want to introduce you to my friends, and I want you to go to my competitions. I want to take you out to the arcade and give you gifts you can actually wear in public. I want all of that and so much more." Chat pressed his forehead against hers, gazing into those blue eyes that he loved so much.

"I want all of that too," Ladybug whispered, finding his hand and intertwining their fingers together.

"On your mark, bugaboo," Chat whispered, closing his eyes.

He felt Ladybug nod against him and call for her transformation. Chat did the same. It was a heady feeling, his hand suddenly feeling skin instead of a suit. He could feel her breath against him, he could feel her clothing as he held her. Hell, he could even feel the goosebumps on her arms!

"You're cold," she whispered, one of her hands running up and down his arm. It was an intoxicating feeling.

"Cats don't like the rain." he said simply, not daring to open his eyes.

"I'd give you a jacket except I'm not wearing one either," she laughed. It was the exact same laugh he had heard so many times before, but it all felt different now.

"My eyes are closed," he said, "I won't open them until you tell me to."

"Mine are closed to," she said, a smile in her voice. The two of them were so in sync, Chat never wanted it to change. "Count of three?"

Chat nodded against her, his heart pounding and butterflies stirring in his stomach.

"1..." she started.

"2..." he continued.

"3!" The two finished together, their eyes flying open only to see their classmate sitting right in front of them.

"Oh my God." Marinette Dupain-Cheng's voice was nothing but a hoarse whisper. All at once, Adrien felt his world crumple, then put itself together again with a much better and brighter future. He beamed at Marinette.

"Of course it was you. There's no one else that could possibly be Ladybug." He leaned forward to hug her. He had been right! His Ladybug was Marinette! The girl who had always felt so special to him, even if he couldn't explain it. She was his partner, of course he was drawn to her.

"Really?" Marinette breathed out, tensing up slightly before leaning into him.

"Really. You remember the whole Kwamibuster situation? I had actually suspected you were Ladybug before the two of you appeared side by side," Adrien admitted. "How did you pull that off, by the way?"

"Fox miraculous," she said, pulling away from him ever so slightly. He could see the nervous grin on her face, the way her eyes shined, the hope that was written all over her face. "This uh, doesn't change anything for you?" she asked, her eyes suddenly interested in her pink jeans.

"What do you mean?" Adrien didn't understand, of course this changed things, but only in the best way possible!

"You'd be okay with dating Marinette? Even though she's 'just a friend?'" Marinette spit out the words and Adrien resisted the urge to flinch.

"I am more than okay with dating Marinette, and for the record she was only 'just a friend' because I was enamored with Ladybug. I genuinely wanted you to be the girl I was in love with, and called you my 'Everyday Ladybug,' I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like something I'd call someone who's 'just a friend.' Even if I didn't see it until now, you've always been precious to me," he admitted, a blush coming over his face. Marinette stared up at him with wide eyes, her face that pretty pink he loved so much. God, how had he not realized it before?

"Adrien Agreste was the boy I rejected Chat for." Whatever Adrien had expected her to say, it certainly wasn't that. He felt himself choke on air.

"What?" he wheezed. Marinette laughed, a sound that could grant him his deepest wishes.

"You know why I love the rain so much?" she asked, stretching a hand out to feel the raindrops against her fingertips. "It's because the first time I fell in love, it was in the rain. There was this boy who I had misunderstood, I thought he was playing a trick on me. I'm pretty sure you know the story." Marinette shot him a wry grin. Adrien could only look at her in shock. Was she really saying what he thought she was saying? What he hoped she was saying? Marinette turned back towards the sky.

"Anyways, he had given me his umbrella so I could walk home in the rain. Right then and there, I fell in love with him. And I remained in love with him until my precious partner weaseled his way into my heart. I remember being so proud of myself for moving on," Marinette laughed. "Looks like I didn't move on after all, huh kitty?"

"Can I kiss you?" he asked, cupping her face.

"Please," Marinette whispered.

And so he did. He kissed her and he poured every ounce of love into the kiss. Every single memory he had with Marinette that he treasured. Every single memory he had with Ladybug that he thought about constantly. Of course they were one and the same.

"Just when I thought I couldn't be in love with you anymore than I already am, you had to go and prove me wrong," Adrien confessed as they pulled apart. "I am so in love with you, Marinette."

"I'm in love with you too, Adrien," she whispered, her eyes lighting up with glee. "Look at me! I actually managed to confess! I love you," she said again, giving him a peck on his cheek. "I love you." A kiss to the nose. "I love you. I love you. I love you." Each declaration was broken up with a quick peck.

Adrien laughed, he couldn't help himself!

"I love you too."

"Bleh, what a sap fest." Plagg zipped over to the two of them.

"Plagg! They were having a moment!" Tikki chided, following behind him.

"So? I don't mind giving them some privacy, but it's raining and wet. Adrien, transform so I can get out of this unbearable weather," Plagg demanded. Adrien sighed, Plagg really did look miserable out in the rain. He took pity on his poor kwami and transformed.

"Why hello there, My Princess," Chat Noir purred, leaning into Marinette's face. She flushed a bright red, hiding her face in her hands.

"Chaaaaat," she groaned. "You're such a flirt."

"Only with you," he sang, giving her a quick peck to her cheek.

"You might want to transform back, too, Marinette. What if someone sees you? I know there's not a whole lot of people in this part of town, but I don't trust it," Tikki said, eyes scanning the street below.

"I suppose we shouldn't push our luck," Marinette sighed and within the next second, she was Ladybug again.

It was one thing to know that Marinette and Ladybug were one and the same. It was another to actually see her go from one to the other. Chat Noir felt his jaw drop, it was quite the sight.

"Close your mouth, chaton, you're going to catch flies that way," Ladybug said, giggling. 

"Maybe I'm trying to catch a ladybug," he said, wiggling his eyebrows. Ladybug rolled her eyes, but there was a smile on her face.

"You caught me long ago," Ladybug muttered, shooting him a look that was filled with so much love Chat Noir felt like he couldn't breathe.

"You've had me since the day we met," he whispered, picking up her hand and kissing it. Ladybug's face suddenly went white. "What? What's wrong?"

"Hawkmoth is in your house," she whispered, horror written all over her face. Chat Noir let out a long sigh.

"Yeah. I'm still holding out hope he's like a homeless guy camping out there, but I know that's not likely," he said, pursing his lips in a tight line.

"Whatever happens, whoever Hawkmoth is, that doesn't change anything between us." Ladybug squeezed his hand. "I'm in love with you, nothing is ever going to change that. You are your own person, if it turns out Hawkmoth is someone you know, I'm not going to fault you for it. I know Adrien Agreste and I know Chat Noir. They are the kindest people I know, it's almost concerning."

"And I'm going to be by your side no matter what happens or who Hawkmoth is. There's nothing that man could say that could get me to turn against you," Chat vowed. He didn't say anything more, he couldn't quite voice his fears yet, but it was enough.

"I love you," she said again, leaning up against him.

"I love you, too," he said it like a prayer, dropping a kiss down to her head.

The two stayed like that, curled up in their hidden spot until the ungodly hours of the night. Even though they both knew they should part ways, they didn't. Whatever happened tomorrow was going to happen no matter what. Chat could focus on it later. As for right now, he was content to cuddle with his girlfriend and watch the rain. 

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And that's a wrap folks :) -Colorado