I'M WARNING YOU THIS IS CRAPPY DON'T READ IT

You ignored me, didn't you.

Well, don't say I didn't warn you.

"Argh!" Marinette flopped down on her bed.

"What's wrong Marinette?" Tikki, Marinette's kwami, asked, concerned.

"It's just...I can't take it anymore, Tikki! All these secrets!"

Marinette, understandably, was frustrated.

Today after school she was supposed to work on an assignment with Nino. Unfortunately, an akuma had struck, and Marinette had to pretend that her parents had called to help them in the bakery. Alya then called her to ask why she hadn't come for their sleepover that she had missed because she was busy taking care of the akuma. She then lied to her using the same excuse she had used with Nino. Then, when instead of being at Alya's she appeared at the bakery, ahe told her parents Alya had to cancel. The amount of guilt she was feeling right now was terrible.

Tikki frowned, thinking. How could she help Marinette? She knew if Marinette went on like this, she would accidentally tell someone sooner or later. Better someone Marinette trusted than some random stranger.

"Ok."

Marinette looked at her kwami, confused.

"Ok, what?"

"You can tell one person." Marinette was about to jump for joy, but was interrupted by Tikki.

"And only one person, Marinette. I can't stress how important this is. You really shouldn't be telling anyone, but I can see you're about to explode. But make sure you choose the right person!"

"Thank you so much, Tikki!" Marinette brought the kwami in for a hug.

The next morning, Marinette was confused, to say the least.

She had no idea who to tell.

Alya? She was the first person who came to mind. She was her best friend. But, Alya was also the creator of the Ladyblog, a blog dedicated to unmasking Ladybug. She knew if she revealed herself, Alya would have a ton of questions for her. Not to mention she wasn't sure whether Alya would post her identity on the Ladyblog yet.

Her parents? They were the next choice. But Tikki had said only one person, and she didn't want to make one of her parents lie to the other. Not to mention she had no idea who she would choose. No matter how annoying they were (Adrien), she still loved them.

Adrien. He was perfect. He would never tell her secret. But she didn't want to be biased. Just because Adrien was her crush, doesn't mean he was the best choice. Even though he was perfect.

Of course, there was the most obvious choice.

Chat Noir.

As her partner, with a civilian identity himself, Chat Noir would understand exactly what she was going through. But...she knew the kitty had a small crush on her. What if he got the wrong idea? And once she revealed herself, she'd have to explain Adrien...and she didn't want to hurt him. And if she didn't tell him about Adrien, then he might flirt more with her, and she didn't think she could deal with that.

Marinette was so unsure that by the time she got to school, she thought even Chloe would be a good idea.

Though she quickly dismissed that idea when she heard the scream. Chloe had caused an akuma again.

"Chat?"

"Yes, M'Lady?"

"I...never mind."

"Uh...ok."

Marinette sighed, detransforming inside the school toilets. She had been so close! She had almost told Chat Noir, but chickened out at the last minute. She just couldn't...she didn't know why she couldn't.

She walked out, holding her purse in front of her to talk to Tikki.

"I don't know who to tell, Tikki!"

"Why didn't you tell Chat Noir?"

"I don't know."

"Marinette...you know he'll never think anything less of you, right? I know I've told you this a million times, but you are amazing, and everyone but you can see that!"

"Thanks, Tikki, but..." she was about to continue, but that was when she noticed...him.

Adrien Agreste, walking up the stairs, hands in pockets, looking the epitome of cool. He was right there! And she could tell him!

"Tikki..."

"Yes Marinette?"

"Can I tell Adrien?"

"Marinette, it's your choice. But...if Chat finds out...how do you think he will feel?"

"Well, it's not like he'll ever find out, right?"

"That's not a reason, Marinette!"

"Tikki, I need to tell someone. And Adrien's right there..."

Tikki sighed.

"Ok, Marinette. But I'm not sure if you're making the right choice."

Marinette put Tikki back in her purse and walked up to Adrien, determined.

Adrien walked up the stairs, hands in pockets and a frown on his face. Ladybug had been acting weird...he would ask her at patrol. Just as he was about to go off into memory lane, he was interrupted by Marinette walking up to him, a determined expression on his face.

"Can we talk?" she whispered in his ear.

He assumed she meant private, so he took her hand and lead her into the library. The room was empty, the librarian on her lunch break.

"So...why'd you want to talk?"

Marinette wrung her hands, eyes flicking everywhere but Adrien. He was worried. Marinette had gotten over her nervousness over the last few months (though why she was nervous around him he had no idea) and he really hoped she wasn't going to start again. Marinette was a really good friend, and if Ladybug wasn't there, he might have...but he shouldn't go there, because Ladybug was here.

"Um, well, you see...have you ever had a secret?"

Adrien blinked, startled. He had a secret. Of course he did! No one knew that he was actually Chat Noir, hero of Paris.

"Yeah. Doesn't everyone?"

This created a small smile, which soon disappeared.

"Well...I have a rather big one, and, I couldn't keep it hidden anymore, and I had to tell someone, so..."

She took a deep breath.

"I'm Ladybug."

Adrien blinked. Then his face broke out into a grin. Ladybug was Marinette! The love of his life sat behind him every day at school! This was perfect! Now all he had to do was reveal his identity-

Wait.

Why was she telling him?

He swallowed, not quite able to explain the feeling of dread that had grown inside him.

"Marinette...why are you telling me this?"

Marinette furrowed her eyebrows.

"I just told you, Adrien. It's been too much-"

"No, I mean, why not tell, say...Chat Noir?"

Marinette snorted. The dread in his stomach threatened to overwhelm him.

"That silly kitty?"

His heart sank.

"If I revealed my identity, he'd reveal his identity, and as much as I like him, I don't think I'd be able to put up with all his puns all day. And...I don't want to hurt him."

Adrien fought to keep the tears out of his eyes. Trust her to break it in the most selfless way possible.

Marinette, oblivious, said excitedly,

"Anyways...do you want to meet my kwami?"

Adrien swallowed. All he had to do was say three choice words. And then it would be over. No secrets. Everything would be out in the open. But his mouth wouldn't work.

She had asked him for help. And Chat Noir was always there for his lady.

Besides...she didn't want to know.

Looking up at Marinette, he smiled the famous model smile, and trying to keep his voice from trembling, asked,

"What's a kwami?"

Ok...I think I need to clear up something here.

I know Marinette seems...a little mean.

But the point is, she doesn't know she talking to Chat Noir. One of Marinette AND Ladybug's main character flaws is that they are impulsive (If you disagree, it says on the official ML website, so FIGHT ME). She sometimes acts without thinking of the consequences, like when Marinette steals phones, or when Ladybug misses the reveal of the sculpture.

Also, remember the last part is in Adrien's perspective. The way he might see her words is different to the way Marinette would see them. Adrien may see them as kinda hurtful (but cause cinnamon roll is lovesick, he can't bring himself to think that), while Marinette sees them as fond/exasperated.

And, don't think Marinette's the only one who stuffs up. Adrien isn't perfect either. So, somehow, he's going to mess up. Once I figure out how to make him mess up. Just warning you.

And PS. Tikki/Plagg don't know who Ladybug/Chat Noir are.

Also, this is probably the longest chapter here. All the other ones are going to be shorter.