The Rose

6 - Cat Noir? No way!

Marinette took a step towards embarrassed Adrien. She didn't turn her sight away from his green eyes gazed at her face. Thousands of thoughts passed through her head and each one was more absurd and insane than the previous one. It would be pure madness to believe that Adrien Agreste was Cat Noir! They were so different from each other!

But if he really was... Was it possible that he had discovered her identity earlier? Maybe this was the reason of those frequent Cat Noir's visits on her balcony? Or the reason why Adrien so willingly had agreed to go to the cinema today? How had she revealed her identity?

"How long have you known?" she asked quietly.

"Actually, I started to believe it when I saw the rose." He whispered.

"Since when did you know?" she repeated severely.

"It occurred to me a moment ago when we were coming back from the cinema." He confessed.

"Why then?"

Adrien grinned, and Marinette suddenly realised that his smile was so like Cat Noir's. Adrien never smiled at her that way. He didn't smile like that to anyone.

"When I came back to the cinema, you weren't there yet. I was..." he hesitated and blushed. "I was thinking a little about what had happened before you ran away..."

Marinette also flushed immediately. Her behaviour, especially the kiss with Cat Noir, seemed less embarrassing when he didn't know her identity. Now they stood facing each other without the masks and she wanted to die of shame.

"And suddenly I remembered that when I called your name, you answered me..." he added.

"How... How did you know then?" She whispered.

"I didn't." he admitted honestly. "I don't know why I said your name. Until then, I didn't connect you with Ladybug at all. There was Ladybug, and there were you. Always as two separate people."

"Same with you and Cat Noir..." she smiled shyly.

"And though you did something I had dreamed about for so long..." he continued, still blushed. "I was terribly worried about you, the real one, left somewhere in the dark cinema. Or worse – on the street, looking for me. And that's probably why I said your name."

"I responded automatically." Marinette muttered, more to herself than to him. "I must have forgotten myself a bit..."

Adrien grinned again. Yes, it was definitely the Cat Noir's smile! The blush on her cheeks deepened when she realised that.

"When you ran away, I didn't think about what had just happened, I just went back to find you. You know, nearby the cinema. I wanted to make sure you were OK. But then I started thinking about all of this and finally I realised there were a bit too many coincidences."

"So... You didn't know when you were coming here?" Marinette asked to make it clear.

"I had no idea then. It's strange, because when you think about it, it's pretty obvious that you are Ladybug."

"Really?" she asked in astonishment.

"Yeah! For example, today at school or in the cinema you behaved very much like Ladybug. I don't know how describe this. At ease? I don't know. As usual with me when I'm Cat Noir, I mean. I didn't see these similarities before, but now when I know your identity, it's rather obvious."

"I have the same." Marinette murmured.

She also began noticing similarities between Adrien and Cat Noir. And she didn't even try to explain him why she hadn't been comfortable with him before. She felt awkward enough with being aware she had kissed him today.

"So, maybe you would agree to go to the cinema with me again? Adrien asked with a shy smile. "This time for a real date, OK?"

"Are you really inviting me?" she asked in amazement. "But... You love Ladybug..."

"What a coincidence. Aren't you her by the way?" he grinned. She couldn't help but roll her eyes. "I've always said that I love a girl who is Ladybug. Your bad luck it's you."

"My bad luck?" she repeated.

"Well, now you'll have to forget about that guy who broke your heart."

Marinette burst out laughing.

"What?" he asked warily.

But Marinette was still laughing so hard that tears welled up her eyes. Adrien watched her with curiosity and confusion. She tried to control herself, but she began to laugh every time she looked at him. After a while she started to hold her stomach and her other hand she leaned on Adrien's shoulder.

"Hey, what's up?" he asked.

"Wai... Wait..." she stuttered. "Wait a minute... You'll be laughing as well..."

"But what happened? What's so funny?"

He took her hand that she held on his shoulder. She immediately became serious and looked at him.

"It's you..." she whispered and began to giggle again.

"What me?" He didn't understand.

He stood dumbfounded, still holding her hand and not understanding what was happening.

"Marinette?"

"It's you, Adrien." She repeated. "You're that guy."

And she started laughing again. This time he joined her. He got it finally. And he remembered what Plagg had told him a few days ago, that caused a further outburst of laugh. They stood face to face, holding hands and laughing heartily – starting over and over again as only one of them looked at the other.

"Do you have any idea how much entangled it is?" Adrien asked when they finally calmed down.

"Don't make me laugh, because my stomach hurts already." Marinette muttered. "Sure, it is. If it wasn't, I would never tell you."

"Why?"

"I'd be ashamed."

"Why?" he repeated. "I've told you what I feel for you."

"Not exactly." She replied. "You said what you felt for Ladybug. Actually, Cat Noir said. As Adrien you didn't tell me anything. Me as me, Marinette."

"You didn't tell me anything. Neither as Ladybug, nor as Marinette." He reminded her.

"There were always some obstacles. Usually my shyness, I guess. And fear..."

"Fear?"

"Well... Of rejection." She explained.

"Ah, that kind of fear. Yeah, I have it too."

"To be honest I've already turned you down."

"Should I repay?" he joked, and she gave him a jab in reply.

"You have invited me on a date." She reminded. "Do you want to withdraw?"

"Never!" his answer was immediate. "Oh, and I owe you something!" he added, taking one step towards her. There were only centimetres between them now.

"What?" she whispered, looking at him in amazement.

"You know..." he blushed and glanced at her shyly. "When I gave you the rose... I had a plan to kiss you. You know... Not on the cheek." He added, and Marinette flushed.

"It's a pity you didn't tell me then who your boyfriend was..." Adrien whispered.

"You weren't my boyfriend." She corrected automatically.

"I would definitely kiss you then." He ignored her comment. "What a waste of time..."

And then he leaned and kissed her. Her – as Marinette. But did it matter now?