Archive of Our Own

“You don’t understand, Alya. I’m going to break his heart, he’s going to hate me, I’m going to end up lonely and living with my parents for forever! Then the three kids, the hamster–”

“Marinette! It’s okay, it’s just earrings!” Alya’s voice interrupted over the phone.

“Exactly. Earrings. Just earrings,” Marinette sighed as she admired the dangly earrings with peony-shaped rose quartz. She loved how the stones flickered in the soft lighting of the room, reminding her of the way Adrien had looked at her with soft hesitance as he presented her with the gift.

“They reminded me of you.”

It’s been two months since Adrien gave her the earrings, and she has not worn them out in public. Of course, she tried them on for a minute, staring like a love-sick fool into the mirror. Then, an akuma alert blared from her phone, and she felt her stomach flip inside out as she rushed to take off the earrings and shove the miraculous on.

“Plus, you already made a dress to match them.”

Marinette thudded her head against her desk softly. “I am literally considering getting my seconds pierced on my lobes just so I can wear them with my miraculous.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Alya replied with a hum, “but it does take time to heal. I wasn’t allowed to take out my earrings for like two months.”

“And I really wanted to wear them to the dance this Saturday.”

“I’m sure Paris will be safe for four hours. Tikki could just keep them safe inside your purse. And if you ever need them, they’ll be right next to you.”

“Yes, Marinette! I can keep them safe the entire night!” Tikki chimed in. She patted Marinette’s shoulder reassuringly.

The corner of Marinette’s lips twitched into an amused smile. “I guess this would be my version of ‘hold my hoops’ if an akuma shows up.”

“Ah, but usually someone would just remove their earrings. In this case, you’d be removing a pair, just to put another pair on,” mused Alya.

With the reassurance from her two best friends, Marinette steeled her resolve and vowed to make a plan to wear the earrings to the dance.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Marinette twirled in front of her mirror once again, watching the pleats of her baby pink dress shutter from the movement. She was particularly proud of this project. She had spent hours at the fabric store with the earrings in her hands, comparing textures and colors.

“Gosh, Marinette. You look stunning.” Alya watched her from where she was fixing her heels. “The boys will be here any minute. Grab your bag and let’s head downstairs.”

Marinette checked her purse for what felt like the millionth time. She visualized Tikki’s little body in the corner of her purse. Next to her, the earrings sat in a little plastic pouch.

“Don’t worry about me and the miraculous,” squeaked Tikki. “Don’t keep the boys waiting!”

Nino and Adrien met them at Marinette’s front door, and of course, her parents fussed and took plenty of photos.

They all tolerated it, letting her mom and dad pose them altogether and eventually moving on to couple photos.

Adrien looked so handsome and mature in his suit, in a way Marinette rarely saw in person. Usually, they’re both dressed casually, and she only gets glimpses of him in formal wear in magazines.

“Marinette, the earrings are stunning on you,” Adrien whispered as he reached one hand to brush aside the curl next to her cheek to get a clearer look. She had worn her hair in an updo in hopes that he would see them.

Click. Flash.

Marinette flushed. When Adrien looked at her like this, like it was the only two of them in this world, Marinette felt all her worries and trepidations sink into the pits of her mind.

“Thank you. And you look very handsome. Like always.” Marinette smoothed out his matching pink tie that she made.

Click. Flash

And there was the sound of Alya and Nino gagging while her parents cooed.

Both she and Adrien bursted into laughter, being broken out of their personal little moment.

“Okay, you kids need to get going before you’re late!”

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

There was a line for coat check where everyone from school was hanging their bags and coats before they entered the ballroom.

In front of her and Adrien, she watched as Alya and Nino handed forward their jackets and Alya’s clutch.

“Here, Marinette, let me help you.” Ever so the gentleman, Adrien helped her slip out of her coat to hand it over to the staff.

“And your bag too, miss?”

Marinette tensed up and clutched her bag a bit tighter into her armpit as if someone would steal it right then. “Ah, I’m going to hold onto it tonight.”

“Why?” Kim asked bluntly from where he stood behind them. “It’ll only get in the way of the dancing! What, you planning on being a buzzkill and not partying?”

“Marinette’s on her period and needs her purse on her,” Alya blurted out as she glanced over her shoulder.

Really, Alya. That’s the best you could come up with?

Kim cringed away like she was contagious, and Nino shifted uncomfortably from side to side from where he was holding Alya’s hand.

To his credit, Adrien didn’t react and just wrapped his arm around Marinette’s waist.

Marinette laughed awkwardly to dispel the silence that fell amongst the group. Nothing like feminine issues to shut men up. “Alya’s joking,” she rambled. “My purse completes the outfit. As a fashion designer, you have to think about accessories. People underestimate the power of a statement piece in a bag.”

“Let’s get something to drink,” Adrien suggested as he guided her past their friends.

Marinette obediently let herself be steered deeper into the ballroom, taking in the sparkling lights that changed color to the beat of the music. Cramming down her anxiety, she reminded herself that this was an event she knew was going to be memorable. This was her first dance with her boyfriend.

Luckily, Adrien was the perfect distraction from her slight mortification. His face lit up with enthusiasm as he took in all the different activities. He told her ages ago that he was very excited for the dance. Being homeschooled for the majority of his life made this his first ever one. He ushered them to the photo booth to take pictures. Both of them were left with matching strips of photos: the first being a silly photo, the second a superhero pose (he suggested it), then a kiss on the lips.

She grinned as she tucked both of their photos into her purse for safekeeping. She took that moment to take a peek and saw Tikki winking back at her, munching on the macaron she had snuck her earlier.

Soon they found themselves on the dance floor. Marinette and Adrien both messed up their hair as they headbanged to Jagged Stone’s newest single. Nino ripped his pants when he dropped it too low. Rose dipped Juleka with a dramatic kiss. Mylene tripped over the tulle on her dress, but Ivan caught her. She was pretty sure she stepped on Adrien’s toes a couple of times.

It was perfect.

“This one’s for all the lovebirds out there!” the DJ called out.

The popular pop song that was playing slowly transitioned to a familiar melody.

It was their song. The one they had danced to all that time back in New York.

Adrien smiled down at her and pulled her closer. He pressed a kiss softer than silk on her forehead as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

Marinette blushed but kept her eyes locked with Adrien’s. “I’m having such a fun night.”

“It’s always perfect when I’m with you.”

“God, you’re cheesy,” Marinette teased, “and I’m not talking about that slice of camembert I saw you put in your pocket earlier.” She had thought it was strange when she caught him, but he had sheepishly explained that he really liked cheese (something she already knew, but she didn’t realize his love extended to putting it raw in his pockets).

But whatever, love meant you accepted someone for all their quirks.

Adrien laughed easily. “Like I said, a snack for later.”

Marinette smiled as she closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest. They both swayed to the music, her thoughts swirling with giddiness.

“Marinette—“

Whatever Adrien was going to stay was interrupted by an ear-piercing crash of glass as a monstrous form crashed through the ceiling.

The startled screeches of her classmates filled the ballroom. Then the scene in front of her became a blurry vision of dust and the colorful flashes of people’s outfits.

Marinette felt Adrien’s body completely engulf her on the ground as debris showered them. As quickly as he had shielded her, Adrien practically ripped her shoulder out of her socket as he dragged her away from the chaos.

Behind them, the akumatized victim bellowed as they clambered towards the screeching teenagers. “I am The Snatch Catcher! Anything precious to you is now MINE!”

“Your phone? Mine! Your precious necklace? Mine! Your beloved camera? MINE!”

“Ugh! That’s my phone, you filthy loser! Give it back!” Chloe shrieked.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the akuma snatch various items out of everyone’s possession. The akuma appeared to look like a man, dressed head to toe in red with eyebrows permanently stitched into a ‘v.’ His torso was long and round as he easily quadrupled her height. She gasped as she noticed the items he stole appeared stuck to his body.

With his other hand, a light beamed out towards the distraught victims who had no time to react to the scene. “Now you will know the pain of losing something you love!”

Marinette watched in horror as the light engulfed Chloe and the blonde’s face twisted into a look of utter despair before melting her into a puddle of goop on the ground. The goo had the same coloring as Chloe: bleach blonde goop at the top, fake tan orange, then her butter yellow gown.

Oh mon Dieu.

Marinette had balked in her pursuit towards safety, the urge to help her scrambling classmates now bubbling in her chest. She felt so useless without being Ladybug.

“Marinette, please,” Adrien begged, “we have to keep moving!” Again, he nudged her forward an inch, but she remained rooted in her place.

“That purse looks dear to you. Too bad it’s mine now!” The Snatch Catcher, who was just on the other side of the large ballroom, came parading towards the two of them at a startling speed.

This time, Marinette doesn’t hesitate to sprint away with Adrien. One of his hands was gripped in hers, and the other hand smashed her purse against her chest. There was absolutely no way she could ever let her miraculous get in the hands of Hawkmoth.

She cried out as her right arm was ripped open, causing her to expose her purse to the akuma. Her right hand still stubbornly clenched into the leather, her fingernails leaving little indents. The handle was in the claws of the akuma, the two of them playing a little tug of war.

“Ah!” The Snatch Catcher grinned with glee. “I see this is especially meaningful to you. That means it’ll hurt tenfold when I steal this from you!”

It was a combination of Adrien pulling her away and the Akuma ripping the purse out of her hands with supernatural strength that had her purse wrenched out of her grasp. Marinette felt a pit of dread being filled in her stomach, and she could visualize a mini her being quickly drowned.

The flash of light coming from the akuma’s other hand jolted her out of her panic. This time, she took Adrien forward with her as they narrowly escaped being transformed into a pile of miserable goop.

She was barely listening, but she could hear the akuma threaten another person. But she couldn’t stop now, she had to get to safety so that she could regroup and think because her mind was going 10000 kilometers per hour, telling her how badly she just messed up and what if everyone remained a pile of goop and Chat Noir would be so disappointed in her and—

“Alya! Nino!” Marinette gasped as she caught sight of her two friends. The hope from seeing them snapped her out of her frantic rambling in her head. They were holding open a door to the ballroom kitchen, ushering a group of panicked people into it.

As soon as the last of them entered the kitchen, Rose and Juleka closed the door and leaned against it as if their body weight could stop the akuma.

Everyone was crouched behind the service counter, Max even wielding a butcher's knife he had found.

But as soon as the imminent danger was cleared, the true reality of what just happened settled into Marinette. Whether Hawkmoth knew it or not, he had her miraculous. And she can’t transform. She began to shake, her anxiety and mind beginning to spiral.

Adrien wrapped a heavy arm around her, the weight of his body helping to ground her. “It’s okay, Marinette. Ladybug and Chat Noir will get your purse back. I promise.”

Marinette kept her head low, not trusting to look him in the eyes. It was a lot when the whole city was relying on you, and you couldn’t even trust yourself.

“Can you keep an eye on her, Alya? I’m going to go help the others I saw trapped on the other side of the buffet table.”

“No!” Marinette protested, finally looking up. “It’s too dangerous!”

“Yeah, what the hell, Adrien. Just stay here!” Nino argued.

Adrien pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. “There’s no guarantee the akuma won’t get in here either. It’s not safe anywhere.”

Nino and Kim attempted to hold Adrien back, but he was as slippery as a fish. All that they were left with was Adrien’s jacket in Kim’s hands that Adrien had shrugged off when they grabbed at his shoulders.

Marinette just stared at the door in disbelief. Did she really just let Adrien waltz back into danger like that without stopping him?

“Marinette. Where’s your purse?” Alya hissed in Marinette’s ear so only she could hear her.

She ripped her gaze away from the door and back to Alya. Marinette knew her expression held it all.

Alya cursed under her breath and yanked Marinette up by her elbow.

“Where are you two going?” Nino asked.

“First Adrien, now you guys?” Rose whimpered as she buried her face in Juleka’s shoulder.

“Marinette’s on her period,” Alya stated bluntly, her tone leaving no room for argument. “We need to get a tampon from the bathroom—she lost her purse.”

“Really? Right now?” Kim sighed with exasperation as he waved towards the door where they could still hear the chaos.

“Well, we can’t just hold it,” quipped Alya. “You would know that if you didn’t fall asleep in health class.”

No one attempted to stop them. Alya led Marinette to the staff bathroom, locking the door behind them.

“Marinette, you need to get your miraculous back.”

Marinette let out a shaky breath, her mind a jumble from worrying about Adrien and about being able to transform to deevilize the akuma. But the only way she could save Adrien is by being Ladybug. There was only one thing left she could say.

“Alya, hold my hoops.”

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

She actually did end up taking off the earrings (she didn’t want to lose them) and sneaking out the tiny window in the bathroom. She trusted that Alya would take care of them.

Her heeled feet hit the pavement, and she mentally debated running around barefoot, but decided against it when she landed inches away from a pile of goop that must’ve once been a person.

It wasn’t hard to find them. She followed the path of the screeching and the blobs of goop sticking to the pavement. She distantly heard Chat call out “Cataclysm!”

From a distance, she can see a tall building crumpling to the Earth. She could not fathom what plan Chat had that would warrant an entire building collapsing.

Marinette was panting hard as she caught up to them, grateful that they had not strayed too far from the building that had disintegrated. Her feet ached from running in her heels, and she made the ultimate decision to ditch them. She’ll be faster this way. And quieter.

She ducked behind a large truck, steadying her rabbiting pulse and breathing.

“This is Ladybug, leave a message!”

She heard her dial tone from Chat’s baton as he held it to his mouth and left a rushed message. “Hey, LB. We got an emergency here down by the Seine near the Louvre. I would love to see your spots soon, Gottagobye!”

She felt so guilty watching Chat try to contact her.

From her hiding spot behind The Snatch Catcher, Marinette could see her purse hanging off his back by the strap, right next to a set of heavy dumbbells and a pacifier.

The Snatch Catcher was still preoccupied with Chat, continuously trying to blast his dark figure with the light. Just like his namesake, Chat hopped side to side, nimble on his feet.

Marinette assessed the situation again. She knew it was risky. The probability of being turned into goop was extremely high without a good escape plan. She had been lucky in the ballroom; there were many other people to be a distraction.

Her eyes narrowed into the way The Snatch Catcher was moving. It was different from the way he was moving in the ballroom. He lurched from side to side, seeming to need lots of energy to correct the imbalance from his movement.

The weight of the items was putting him off balance.

She had an idea.

She crept out from her hiding place behind the car. Instantly, Chat noticed her, and his bright eyes widened with disbelief.

Marinette threw him a look from where she snuck behind The Snatch Catcher that hopefully said, ‘don’t utter a single word.’

Chat kept his eyes trained on her moving figure, but did not lose his focus on the akuma as he continued to dodge the beams of light.

“Hey, you kinda remind me of a nasty zit,” Chat called out as he landed on all fours on top of a light pole. “You’re big, red, ruin important events, and create disgusting pus.”

It kept The Snatch Catcher’s attention locked on Chat enough that Marinette could creep up directly behind him.

Triumph! Marinette ripped away her purse from the akuma’s back, thankful that whatever magical substance that trapped the items to him wasn’t like gorilla glue.

Unfortunately, her disturbance caused The Snatch Catcher to whip around the light beam, striking directly with her eyes. She ignored the stars that almost gave her a headache from the bright light. She heard Chat cry out her name just as she ducked in time for the blast to go over her head.

At the same time as she ducked down, she swung her right leg straight across the bottom of the akuma’s legs.

“You brat!”

The Snatch Catcher was swept backwards by Marinette’s legs. The weight of the items strapped to him didn’t allow him to recollect his balance as he fell flat on his back with a loud groan.

I’m so sorry, I promise that my miraculous butterflies will fix whatever bruise that is left!

Marinette didn’t waste time scrambling away, eyes darting to find coverage to transform. As she ran, she took a second to unzip her purse. Relief almost made her knees buckle when she saw Tikki’s terrified, wide eyes and her little arms clutching her earrings.

“Marinette!”

She almost let out a sob of relief as she gathered her earrings into her hand. All she had to do was drop into the sewer system in front of her, take a few turns, then—

“Oof!” Her thought process was interrupted as something collided into her back, lifting her feet far off the ground. Marinette screeched and flailed her arms, expecting The Snatch Catcher to have caught up to her.

“Marinette! Stop! I’m taking you somewhere safe!” Chat growled in her ears as he used his baton to propel them through the sky.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

It was Chat’s ring, but they both ignored it.

She twisted around in his arms so that she was more secure. She clung to his front like a monkey, getting a glimpse of The Snatch Catcher hot on their heels.

“Chat, you have to put me down. I’m fine!”

“Why would you do something so idiotic? Ladybug and I would have gotten your purse back in the end. You did not have to risk your life by getting it yourself.” Chat ignored her pleas and changed their trajectory to lose the pursuer.

It’s another minute of twirling, racing through alleyways, then back into rooftops. Marinette was beginning to get dizzy.

Beep. Beep. Beep

“Chat! Your ring!”

It seemed to be beeping louder if possible, even through the whistle of the wind screeching past her ear.

Chat cursed beneath his breath, moving them faster in between buildings.

From her view over his shoulder, she saw that the akuma was no longer visible. A pang of relief flooded her. She had her purse back, she could transform the moment they landed, and she could get away from Chat.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The horror rushed back as she recognized the last final beeps the miraculous lets out before they were forced to detransform. Chat Noir had launched them high in the sky a moment earlier with his baton, so in a second, he was about to detransform with nothing to catch them but the ground.

“Oh, fuck, we’re not gonna make it,” Chat hissed. He drew his head back to look into her eyes. “Marinette, I’m so sorry.” His eyes were glassy, filled with remorse.

This wasn’t the worst way she could die. In the arms of one of her best friends. But her friends and family would be so disappointed. And Adrien—she needed to make sure he was safe. God, and Paris would be a wreck with both Ladybug and Chat Noir essentially pancakes on the pavement.

Marinette made a reckless decision at that moment. Both their lives were at risk, and without them, Paris could not be saved. Her miraculous were still clutched in her right palm. She placed them on both ears, and before she could regret anything else, she breathed out, “spots on.”

As if synced, twin lights consumed them both.

“Ladybug?”

“Adrien!?”

Marinette took in the white shirt he was wearing (sans jacket) and the pink tie she made. His tie whipped her face. She shook her head, focusing on the issue in front of her now. She tossed her yoyo long, feeling the resistance as it wrapped around a pole and lowered them to safety in a nearby alleyway. She settled him down, taking a couple of uncertain steps away from him.

Adrien staggered a bit before collapsing against the wall of the alley with a faraway look.

It was a few heartbeats before he turned to look at her.

“Did I just hallucinate? Marinette?”

Marinette nodded very slowly and swallowed. “Chat Noir?”

Adrien solemnly nodded. “And your miraculous were in your purse. And that’s why you did something so stupid and brave as to risk your life to get it.”

Marinette nodded again, fidgeting with her yoyo by her side. It was strange to be in front of Adrien like this, clad in her red and black suit and a mask.

Adrien smacked his head against his palm. “It all makes sense! Everything does now. I’m so sorry, Marinette.”

“Sorry?” Marinette echoed, “Why are you sorry?” An apology was not what she was expecting. She thought he might curse her out for doing something so stupid and risky. But then again, he kinda already did that.

“I must’ve put you in a difficult position getting you those earrings. You didn’t have to wear them tonight.”

Marinette crouched down to Adrien’s level, getting on her knees so she could rest her head on his shoulder. “Adrien, they’re my favorite pair of earrings. I don’t regret wearing them. Even now.”

Things were starting to connect in her brain. The way he was so quick to get away during every akuma attack. She just hadn’t given it much thought because she was always busy doing the same thing. Sometimes she caught him talking to himself—it must’ve been Plagg because she does the same with Tikki. How somehow both of them were never available for date nights the same nights as Ladybug and Chat Noir’s patrols. Marinette had thought it was just fate. And last week, both of them arrived late and sweaty for their date. There had been an akuma attack right before it.

Plagg floated in the air, tapping his little foot impatiently. Marinette was startled as she just noticed him there. “Okay, yeah, yeah, we’re all learning enlightening things today. But I’m hungry, and there’s an akuma on the loose.”

Adrien sighed and reached into his pocket, and Marinette felt even more pieces of the jigsaw click into place.

Adrien handed over the camembert with annoyance, and Marinette lost it.

She folded over, hands clutching her stomach as she erupted into choked laughter. “You’re telling me,” she gasped, “that the cheese I saw you put in your pocket was for this?”

“I don’t even like camembert,” Adrien confessed as he watched Plagg devour the cheese with blatant disgust. He glanced sideways at her. “And I can assume that the macaron you put in your purse earlier was for the same reason?”

She didn’t realize that he had seen that. “I’m a baker's daughter. I actually like macarons.”

Adrien raised an eyebrow at her, his smile telling her he knew she was joking.

“But yes, macarons are Tikki’s favorite, and she asked me for one.”

“Okay! I’m ready. Let’s get this over with so we can get back to the dance. I saw some gruyere I wanted to try!” Plagg announced after he let out a rancid belch.

“Plagg, claws out!”

For the first time ever, Marinette watched in awe as a light consumed Adrien, one of her best friends, and in his place was Chat Noir, one of her other best friends.

He stood up in his black leather suit, brushing off imaginary dust.

Marinette felt hypnotized, still trying to piece together two people whom she knew so intimately, being one.

With one hand reached out to her, he winked. “Let’s go, M’Lady. Paris needs us.”

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“The akuma’s not in his bowtie!” Chat informed her as they dashed across the roofs.

“How’d you know?”

“Well, I didn’t cataclysm that building for nothing.”

Marinette didn’t understand how it was related, but she decided she didn’t need to know at this moment.

“I’ve been having trouble trapping him,” Chat warned. “He’s a bit slower now from all the junk on him, but he’s strong. And I swear Hawkmoth has modified him with everything possible to make it impossible to get a good grip on him.”

Marinette listened intently as Chat explained everything he already tried.

The akuma wasn’t where they had left him. But they followed the trail of tossed aside vegetation and crumpled ground.

It doesn’t take long for Chat to speak up tensely. “Mar-“ he corrected himself quickly. “Ladybug. I think we’re heading in the direction of the bakery.”

She knew what he was implying. They were headed towards her home. She focused all her energy in getting to their destination as fast as possible, taking long swings with her yoyo and ignoring the burning protest in her legs.

There was a giant chasm in the side of her home, the familiar smell of heat and warm yeast hitting her nose.

Her parents are huddled in the corner of the bakery, her dad wielding a rolling pin as he used his bigger body to shield her mother.

“Hey, clunky! Leave the bakers alone and come fight us. You know it’s us you want!”

The Snatch Catcher turned with a sneer, a blinding beam flashing towards her and Chat.

They both ducked and rolled in opposite directions to avoid the blast. As Marinette stood up, she almost felt her jaw drop at what she saw.

Strapped to the front of The Snatch Catcher was the industrial-sized fridge from the bakery. Inside contained the freshest ingredients delivered each morning as well as a slew of sour dough starter. Her parents' prized possession.

If she weren’t so focused, she would have laughed at the absurd situation, because frankly, it looked like something out of a fever dream.

She swung her yoyo, using it to wrap around the akuma like a snake several times. Now if she could just yank it, and he would fall to the gro—

To her dismay, The Snatch Catcher spun in a circle like an amusement park ride. His legs stayed grounded while his torso did impossibly quick 360s.

“Umph!” Marinette felt herself fly backwards from the momentum of the spinning. Thankfully, she still had her yoyo in a death grip in her palm. She wasn’t about to let another important item go.

He raised his arm to blast her, but Chat’s baton knocked his arm to the side, letting the beam go up to the sky.

From her position on the ground, she noticed something she hadn’t before. The Snatch Catcher was only wearing one shoe; the other was barefoot. If she had to make any bets where the akuma was, she’d be throwing in her entire bank account and pointing to the remaining shoe.

She called out quickly as she got up from the ground. “Lucky charm!”

In her hands, she was holding a magnet bigger than her.

There was another minute or so of struggle as she and Chat Noir dodged attacks and attempted to land some blows. In between her panting, her brain scrambled for the use of her lucky charm. Maybe she was supposed to toss it at his head and hope it would knock the evil out of him.

Chat’s eyes lit up suddenly. “Ladybug, the fridge!”

Of course, fridges are magnetic. She had previously been keeping her distance to dodge the attacks, but in the next moment, she was using her yoyo to propel her towards The Snatch Catcher’s front, where the fridge was strapped. She thanked the magic strength of her super suit because she stood her ground as The Snatch Catcher came colliding forward towards her and the magnet.

She gritted her teeth as she lifted the akuma in the air with the magnet, leaving all his limbs flailing in mid-air. “Quick, Chat, his shoe!”

“Cataclysm!”

She watched with satisfaction as The Snatch Catcher crumpled away and the weight of the akumatized victim lifted from her arms. She was quick to purify the akuma and toss her lucky charm in the air. Before her eyes, the hole in the side of her home was patched, the skid marks they left on the ground from the fight were smoothed over, and the akumatized victim melted away into a normal person.

It was surprising to see The Snatch Catcher was just a teenage boy. He looked around with furrowed eyebrows. “What just happened?”

“You were akumatized,” Chat explained gently as he kneeled to be on his level, “and you’re safe now.”

“The last thing I remember is that girl in my class throwing my shoe in the Seine. My Maman had saved up for months to get them for me for my birthday.” He looked dejected as he fiddled with the laces. “I don’t remember what happened, but I remembered feeling so guilty after losing something she had worked so hard to get me and that I loved so much.”

Marinette crouched down to mirror them. “And that’s a perfectly reasonable thing to feel. I lost something important to me today, too. And I also felt guilty. And that’s okay, and I’m sorry that Hawkmoth took advantage of your feelings.”

She reached inside her yoyo, revealing the charm she gave to the victims. “This will protect you in the future.”

Chat gave him a comforting pat on the shoulder. “It sounds like it’s time for a little trip to the bottom of the Seine, how does that sound?”

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After they recharged Tikki and Plagg and fished the boy’s other shoe out of the river, Ladybug and Chat Noir sat at the top of the Eiffel Tower, gazing out at the shimmering lights of the city.

Her throat felt dry, as if all of a sudden there was nothing left for her to say to him.

“So,” Chat started as he kicked his feet from where they dangled off the edge, “this probably means I shouldn’t get you any more earrings?”

“That’s what you’ve been thinking about.” Marinette deadpanned.

“Just for the last ten minutes.”

“I’ll get more ear piercings for you.” She rested her head against Chat’s shoulder. “What does this mean for us?”

Chat wrapped an arm around her waist. “I don’t know about you, but this makes my life a lot simpler. And it makes much more sense.” He continued when she stayed silent. “I’ve been in love with a grand total of two people in my entire life. And it’s funny that both of them turned out to be you.”

Marinette hiccuped, feeling embarrassed as she started to get misty-eyed from his sweet words. “I was worried you’d be disappointed.”

“Claws off.”

“What are you doing?” Marinette lifted her head to see Adrien sitting next to her. “We need to back up from this edge before you send me into a panic attack.”

“It’s okay, you always catch me.” He flicked her yoyo strapped to her waist. “I trust you. And I love you. I, Adrien, and Chat Noir have loved all of you: Ladybug and Marinette. I could never be disappointed with you. You’re my everything. Quite literally. The love of my life, my partner in crime, the person who stuffs me with pastries every day, the one who sneezes like a—“

“Okay, I get it now!” She laughed as she threw her arms around his neck. He smelled like his sweat and hair gel. Softly, she added, “and I love you too. Like too much sometimes. Both you and Chat. Or I guess just you since you’re both Adrien and Chat Noir.” She blew at her bangs, trying not to confuse herself.

Adrien’s warm hands cupped her face, and he kissed her. “Don’t overthink it. We’re here for each other, and that’s what matters.”

Marinette rested her forehead against his. “Okay, I think we have a deal.”

They still have so much to discuss. Boundaries and safety nets. New considerations now that they had to be extra cautious to prevent revealing each other's secret identities. Maybe a new coded language while they were civilians?

But today had already been a whole tornado of emotions. Marinette felt very content where they had left off the night before.

They sat in comfortable silence before Adrien’s face broke out into a wide grin. “I can’t believe I kissed Ladybug.”

“You’ve been kissing her.”

“Yeah, but now I get to kiss Ladybug and Marinette. Any time I want. Being whoever I want. Chat Noir or Adrien.”

Marinette laughed and threw her head back. “Okay. Obviously, you’ve had too much time to fantasize. Let’s get back to the dance?”

“Of course, M’Lady. I’ll race you!”

“WAIT! Make sure you transform first!”

And who knew this could all stem from just earrings?