Does he remember?

Chapter Nine

(just pretend light pollution doesn't exist in this part please lol)

After they were finished with dinner, they laid on a heap of pillows and blankets as they watched the stars glimmer in the night sky. Occasionally, they'd steal glances at one another and laugh every time they'd do it at the same time.

"I like the way your hand fits in mine", Chat Noir whispered, squeezing her hand. Marinette rolled on top of him, resting her head on his chest. "I love you so much."

"I love you, kitty", Marinette whispered, lifting her head to look at him and play with his hair. "You're paw-some."

Chat Noir laughed. "Will you just marry me already?"

Marinette's eyes met his. Her smile faded, so he knew she was completely serious. "Yes."

Chat Noir sat up, his eyes still on hers. "Wait, really?"

"I would want nothing more than to marry you", Marinette smiled.

Chat Noir couldn't help but smile as he reached in his pocket, taking a ring out. "I can't imagine being with anyone else but you. Marinette, you're the best thing that ever happened to me."

She gaped at the ring. He knew she was trying to figure out how much it had costed him. "Oh my gosh", she breathed out. "You were actually going to propose to me?"

"Of course I was. I've had this ring for months, actually", Chat Noir admitted. 

Marinette's eyes were glassy, the moon and stars reflecting inside them. He slid the ring on her finger and she immediately sprung on him, embracing him as if she hadn't seen him in years. They hugged for a while, and he could tell by her breathing movements that she was crying.

"Please don't tell me you spent a lot on the ring", Marinette laughed, wiping away the tears.

Chat Noir laughed, pushing her hair away from her face. "Don't worry about it."

"Kitty", Marinette pleaded, looking down at the ring. "This looks really expensive."

"That's because it was", Chat Noir tapped her nose. "But money doesn't matter to me, Marinette.  The only thing that matters is you."

Marinette couldn't help but smile, glancing down at the ring again. "It's so beautiful."

"Beautiful ring for the beautiful girl", Chat Noir smiled, pulling her back in.

"So what now?" Marinette asked genuinely.

"Now, we can do whatever we want", Chat Noir explained. "I mean, we're out of school now, we're 18. I think we should start discussing what we want to do."

"Yeah, but do we even have the money to do whatever we want'? Like getting a place together, our wedding, and even college?"

"Princess, you forget that money is not an issue in my life. And since we're getting married, money is no longer an issue for you, either", Chat Noir reassured. 

Marinette pulled away to look at him. "Are you super rich or something?"

"I don't really like using that word to describe myself", Chat Noir admitted. "But yes. Pretty much."

"Oh my gosh", Marinette barked out a laugh. "How come I never knew this?"

"I don't know, I hate bragging", Chat Noir half smiled. "I guess it's because I really wish I wasn't rich..."

"Hey", Marinette moved closer to him. "What's up?"

"It's just", Chat Noir sighed. "Yeah, it's nice to have money. But my father always used his money to buy me front row seating to events and stuff like that. Others might've loved to have that, but all I wanted was his attention. I don't care about money, but as far as I'm concerned, he's always been money-hungry. He cared about money more than me, and still does now."

"I'm so sorry, kitty", Marinette grazed the back of his neck. "You don't deserve that, not in the slightest."

"I'm doing much better, though, because I have you", Chat Noir smiled at her. "I'm really excited for our future together."

"You sure you're able to stand me that long?" Marinette laughed.

"I'll fall in love with you over and over again. It's not hard", Chat Noir smiled. "I've already done it once."

"You have?" Marinette's eyes furrowed in confusion.

Chat Noir only then realized what he said. "Oh, shit. Ummmm, forget I said that? Yeah."

"Kitty", Marinette said. "You know, we have to be honest with one another. I promise I won't get upset at whatever you're about to say."

Chat Noir let out a sigh. "Okay, Marinette. But I don't think you're ready."

"I'm listening", Marinette said calmly.

"I know you're Ladybug", Chat Noir admitted. "I've known for 3 years now."

Marinette's eyes scanned the floor, processing his words. "How?"

"I didn't mean to find out, but I had to do it to save you from Mayura. From that box, remember? Actually, the box that was currently where we're sitting right now", Chat Noir elucidated.

"You didn't tell me?" Marinette questioned. "I'm not mad, but why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't know if it would change anything", Chat Noir stressed. "I thought, that I would lose you. That's the last thing I wanted."

"How would you lose me?" Marinette placed her hand on his.

"I thought I'd get my miraculous taken away or something", Chat Noir grazed her hand. "I thought I'd never see you again. So instead, I never mentioned it again. I loved you anyway, and I realized I fell in love with you twice."

Marinette smiled. "I'm just glad you weren't weirded out or mad about the reveal."

"How could I be? Marinette, I love all sides of you. Your clumsy and awkward side, your hilarious side, your confident and genius side. Everything about you is amazing to me", Chat Noir kissed her forehead.

"I got really lucky with you", Marinette squeezed his hand. "And you know, whoever you are beneath that mask won't matter to me. I know I'm going to love you with or without knowing who you are."

"Marinette, you deserve to know who I am", Chat Noir realized. "This would be a great time to reveal to you who I am. You know, so you won't be marrying a stranger?"

Marinette laughed. "Either way, I wouldn't be marrying a stranger. I know you. And besides, I think you should wait to reveal to me until our wedding. It's a fun mystery."

"Are you sure?"

"Paw-sitive", Marinette grinned, causing Chat Noir to smile as well. 

"Well, it's getting late. I should take you back home. I promised your parents you'd be home by 10", Chat Noir stood up, offering a hand to Marinette.

"I don't want this night to end", Marinette embraced him.

Chat Noir pet the top of her head. "Me too, but hey we have like a million photos of us to remember it well."

Marinette laughed. "You enjoyed taking those pictures, admit it."

"Maybe next time", Chat Noir ruffled her hair.