Ladybug and Chat Noir: The Discovery

Chapter 6

Marinette's P.O.V.

"Well, I kinda have a secret..."

I freeze up. He knows, he knows, he totally knows! I want to scream, run away, and hide under a rock all at once. He knows I'm Ladybug. My life is over. I'll never be left alone again. The paparazzi will start living in my backyard. I'll never get any sleep. Alya will hate me for not telling her. I'll lose my best friend! That can't happen! It just can't!

Panicking, I reach forward and grab the collar of Adrien's shirt, all caution thrown to the wind. "Please," I breathe, "please don't tell anyone what you saw."

His eyes are wide, his lips only inches from mine. I suddenly realize how close we are. Just a little nudge forward and we'd be...I shake myself. Get a grip, a little voice scolds, we're on a mission here, remember? Releasing him, I step back, breathing hard. It's a few minutes before anyone speaks again. Surprisingly, it's not me. Or him. It's...another kwami?!

He's small and black with bright green eyes, two small car ears, and a tail. He grins up at me, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Don't worry," he says, "Adrien won't tell, will you, Adrien?"

The boy shakes his head, still in shock from our little...moment earlier. I look between him and the kwami, still unable to believe my eyes. Adrien is Chat Noir?!

Before I know what's happening, Tikki's out of my bag, circling the new company. She studies him for a moment before tackling him with a hug.

"Finally!" She cries gleefully, "Someone who understands!"

He smiles and hugs back, "This is gonna be fun."

My eyes shift beyond the two new lovebirds to Adrien. He's transfixed by the whole thing. I clear my throat and his gaze snaps to mine.

"So...Char Noir, huh?" I half-joke, trying to lighten the tension in the air. It doesn't  really work.

"Yeah," he scratches the back of of his neck, "Chat Noir."

"Um," I hesitate, "I don't really know...um...wow."

"Yeah," he shrugs, "wow."

"Oh for Pete's sake, give it up already," Adrien's kwami sighs, "you're not fooling anybody with the shy crap."

Adrien half-smiles, "I've been waiting a really long time to find out who you are."

"Yeah," I confess, "me, too."

"Were you disappointed, my Lady?" He gives a deep bow.

There's my Chat Noir. I grin, "Not in the slightest, Cat."

"So," he regains his serious composure, "what now?"

"I don't know," I shrug, "anything, I guess."