Marinette POV

I stand waiting with a hand on my hip and an impatient foot tapping, for an annoying black cat to arrive. There was an akuma sighting a few moments ago, said to be heading in the direction of the building I'm currently purched on.... And still no akuma and no Chat. I groan, taking out my yo-yo, spinning it in bored circles.

I sigh eventually, and throw it at a gargoyle across the street, launching myself in the air, hoping to catch sight of the akuma. I tuck-n-roll on to the building, getting to my feet. "Still no sign of the akuma," I mutter, retuning my yo-yo to my waist.

"Afternoon my lady," a new voice says, announcing their sudden presence. He stands up to his full height beside me.

I open my mouth to respond, but a strong tickle in my throat causes me to release a string of coughs. "What is that?!" I wail, the intense smell emitting from him burning my nostrils and leaking into my air ways.

"Is it that bad?" He asks, bringing an arm up to his nose. I take it by the scrunching of his face-- it's that bad.

"You're like a walking 'Axe' commercial," I complain, heaving, and leaning in the opposite direction to breathe in the nontoxic air. "At least we have a good distraction for the akuma. All we have to do is get him close enough to you," I snicker. He glares at me annoyed. "Next time, don't wear so much if you're trying to impress me. With cologne -- less is more," I say, fanning my face to get the fumes away.

He crosses his arms, leaning back some, watching me. "Actually, my lady, I didn't do this for you," he tells me smugly.

My cheeks burn, embarrassed. "Oh?" I squeak.

" I happen to have been modeling for a new cologne commercial, thank you very much," he says winking, knowing he got me back for hurting his feelings.

My mind catches on a gut wrenching word. "M-m-modeling?" I manage to finally choke out, the word lodging itself in the center of my throat.

His eyes widen, and he snaps out of his revelry. "D-did I say modeling? Wh-what I meant was, I was trying on different colognes for my dad so that he wouldn't have to smell like twenty-five different colognes when he went on... his date," he tells me, adding a fake smile to the end of it. I don't believe him for a second, but my mind is spinning and reeling too quickly to expose him for it.

I collapse on the edge of the building, legs hanging over. "You're a model. I can't believe I've been running around saving Paris with a model," I breathe out, on the verge of hyperventilation. Of course he is. No normal person just gets handed a miraculous, except maybe me. Great people get great rewards. I don't deserve what I've been given. I'm nothing special.

"I guess that cats out of the bag, huh?" He sighs, sitting down beside me.

"I'm so stupid."

"You're not stupid. You just wanted us to keep our identities a secret and I slipped up trying to rebuild my pride," he says. A moment passes and he playfully nudges my shoulder with his.

"Would I have heard of you?" I ask, curious.

"If you haven't, you'd be living under a rock," he answers solemnly. And that one statement finally makes everything click. Him telling the truth, nothing hidden in his voice. That one statement, and I know who he is. The way he truly feels about his life. And it's not all puns and games and flirting. It's pain and loss and loneliness. And it all makes sense.

I glance over at him, the glazed look in his eyes far different than the usual gleam. He blinks it away, fake-smiling back at me. I reach up slowly and bring my hand to his hair, smoothing the back out nicely before sweeping the front pieces to the side, my eyes locked on his. When I'm done, my breath hitches in my throat, his mask mentally deteriorating and I'm suddenly standing under an umbrella back at school, the damp smell of the rain filling my nostrils, and I know I was right. But it's a distant voice that finds its way to my ears. 'You're amazing Marinette. I guess you wouldn't even need me. I'm so lame compared to you.' And I frown.

"It really is you." I whisper. "Adrien."

The very corner of his mouth twitches up for a split second, and I get to my feet. I wrap my arms tightly around myself. My mind is wild and full, everything compacting against my skull like steam on bathroom mirrors during a hot shower.

He follows me, worried. "My lady?"

"It's just a lot to take in," I clarify.

He nods. "Well...." He pauses, nervous. "May I be allowed to know who you are?" The spark of curiosity ignites in his eyes.

"Don't you know curiosity killed the cat?" I ask. And he grins, a real smile this time, and my heart flutters. And we laugh.

"So?" He jokes, chuckling.

A loud crash and boom sounds below us, and I take off into action. "You'll have to catch me before I tell you!" I'm honestly worried about telling him its me, but its mainly the outcome. I don't know if I'll be more comfortable knowing Adrien is Chat, or if I'll be more shy knowing Chat is Adrien.

"My lady!" He cries, following suit, annoyed.

But I know we will be okay either way. Actually, better.

Hey guys!!!! I hope y'all liked it! I'm gonna be updating this story the most for a little bit just cuz I have so many stories for miraculous I've had just sitting around and I'm I need of ideas for my other stories, but I will def start working on those soon too! Don't worry! I'll get into a schedule I hope. But vote comment and request ideas! Any of the ships😉

Love,
hiccstrid_lover_98