so I haven't made a reveal one-shot in awhile so I thought I'd give it a go... ;) hope everyone enjoys!

Ladybug was running so fast her legs felt like they would snap off any minute now.

She couldn't stop. She only had a minute before her transformation would wear off, and Chat Noir was currently on her tail.

"Wait!" he yelled urgently. "I just want to tell you something!"

"I can't, I'm sorry!" Ladybug yelled back, hand gripping her yoyo. "I'm about to change back!"

Chat skidded to a stop, watching Ladybug reach for her yoyo. He frowned. Tonight was the night he wanted to confess to Ladybug. To spill his true feelings for her. And not by flirting.

He wanted it to be for real.

Ladybug looked back, visibly saddened. Her pigtails swayed in the wind. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Ladybug flung her yoyo at the nearest building. She gritted her teeth, reminding herself to hurry up before her transformation wore off.

The string latched onto a chimney and Ladybug tugged on it to make sure it was secure. She scooted to the very edge of the building, still sensing Chat's presence behind her.

Ladybug was just about to jump off when a final beep rang in her ears. She gasped in shock as a red flash suddenly filled the air.

Chat winced, the light blinding him. It took him a moment to process the fact that Ladybug was detransforming right before his eyes.

As much as he wanted to look, he knew that Ladybug firmly believed that they shouldn't know each other's secret identities. And he would honor that wish.

"Ladybug?" Chat yelled, his eyes pinched shut. "Are you okay?"

As the transformation peeled away, it left a shocked and embarrassed Marinette behind. Realizing that she was on the edge of a building without the comfort of her magical yoyo, her heart sunk, causing her to quickly back away from the edge.

"Uh, yeah," Marinette said, noticing that Chat's eyes were pinched shut. Had he seen her detransform and was devastated with the outcome so he closed his eyes in disappointment? Or had he chose to close his eyes so he wouldn't know her secret identity?

Marinette guessed the second option considering Chat Noir was very respectful of her wishes.

"Sorry about... everything," Marinette laughed. "I didn't exactly keep track of time."

Chat chuckled back, his anxiousness creeping up on him. He wanted to open his eyes so bad. The love of his life was standing in front of him. Without the mask. Without the secrets.

Would she hate him if he looked?

Curiosity definitely would've killed the cat if that were the case.

Exhaling slowly, Chat opened his eyes.

He couldn't function. He couldn't talk or do anything for that matter. He was so utterly dumbfounded.

In Ladybug's place, Marinette Dupain-Cheng smiled sheepishly at him. So she was the girl behind the Ladybug mask.

He had been flirting with Marinette all those days. Innocent, quiet, kind Marinette. He was hopelessly flirting with her. The girl who couldn't say two words in front of him. It almost felt... wrong.

Nonetheless, that adorable and awkward smile crept up on her face.

"M-Marinette," Chat stuttered. "You're Ladybug? What-- How--"

"So I'm guessing you know me?" Marinette mumbled, nervously crossing her arms. "You seem pretty shocked."

"I mean, yeah," Chat said. He bit his lip before saying anything else.

Tikki suddenly flew up in front of Chat's face. She smiled. "Hi! I'm Tikki, Marinette's kwami. Nice to meet you!"

"Hi," Chat Noir replied, slightly interested as he stared at the creature.

"Well," Marinette chuckled at Chat, placing her hands on her hips. "You know who I am now, kitty."

Chat smiled. "Yeah."

Marinette winked and nudged his side. "Promise you won't tell?" She was trying so hard not to lose her cool. Chat Noir knew who she was now. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't curious about his identity. His ring beeped for the first time.

"I-" Chat croaked, trying to find his words. He was still a little stunned. He cleared his throat. "I won't tell."

Marinette's eyes danced as she stared at Chat, gratefulness gleaming in her eyes. "Thanks," she said.

"No problem," Chat winked. "Anything for my lady."

Marinette pointed over her shoulder, taking a step back. She laughed. "I'd better go. I have a bunch of homework to do."

"Okay. Would you like me to take you home?" Chat asked quietly, tilting his head. He brought out his staff.

Marinette's eyes widened before they glanced down at his ring. "You don't have to do that. You're about to change back." His ring beeped for a second time.

"It'd be my honor," Chat replied, walking over to Marinette. He held out a hand.

She sighed. "You're such a stubborn cat."

Marinette grabbed his hand and he picked her up and held her close to his chest. She wrapped her arms around his waist and made sure she had a good grip. Chat then extended his staff and they vaulted away into the night.

After a few minutes, they finally arrived at Marinette's house. Chat landed on her balcony and let her down. She stretched, feeling extremely awkward.

"Thanks for the lift," Marinette said. "Goodnight."

She turned away and opened up her latch door when Chat called out to her.

"Marinette, wait."

She turned her head and looked at him curiously. "What is it-"

Her words were interrupted with a final beep coming from his ring. A bright green flash lit up the sky, and crackles filled the air. Marinette's breath hitched in her throat as she saw the transformation peel away, revealing Adrien Agreste. A black cat-like creature floated beside his head. But she didn't pay attention to that.

Her mind was on stun.

Adrien... Chat Noir?! Chat Noir is Adrien Agreste?! How is this happening right now?!

When she thought about it, it kind of made sense.

The blonde hair, the dazzling green eyes. The only thing really different was their personalities.

Then, her mind flashed to Valentine's Day. She internally screamed.

I KISSED Adrien Agreste!! AND I HAD TURNED HIM DOWN MULTIPLE TIMES!

Marinette thought she was going to pass out.

Plagg groaned, repeatedly trying to get Marinette's attention. He turned to Adrien. "Is she always like this?"

"Pretty much," Adrien shrugged.

"Plagg?" a tiny voice asked.

The kwami turned around and widened his eyes as he saw his fellow friend, Tikki, floating beside Marinette's head.

"Tikki!" Plagg screeched. He flew over to the red kwami and gave her a big hug.

"Geesh! How long has it been?" Plagg asked.

"Too long!" Tikki excitedly yelled. She squeezed him back.

After a few minutes of hugging and Marinette's incoherent blabbering, Plagg groaned in annoyance. "Okay, enough hugs."

Tikki let go and giggled. "Sorry. It's just been so long!"

"I agree. How about we catch up inside?" Plagg asked. He then held his stomach. "But first, I need some cheese."

"Don't worry, I know where it is. Follow me!" Tikki said proudly. She then flew inside and Plagg followed her hurriedly.

"Marinette?" Adrien asked quietly, returning the focus on his friend. His eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"Y-You are," Marinette stuttered, "Chat N-Noir?"

Adrien flashed a sheepish smile. "Yeah. Surprise?"

"B-But," Marinette began. She sat down as she began to process everything. "You- You're so different!"

Adrien sighed and sat down as well. "I knew you'd say that. But so are you compared to Ladybug."

"Touché," Marinette chuckled. "I don't feel like a complete klutz when I'm Ladybug."

"And I can do whatever I want when I'm Chat Noir," Adrien mumbled.

Marinette looked over at him and he was frowning slightly as he stared at the ground. Maybe she didn't know Adrien as much as she thought she did.

"Chat Noir is the real me," Adrien continued. "I can be free and be who I really am. I don't have to worry about my father telling me what to do."

Marinette sat quietly. She felt bad for assuming Adrien had the perfect life. Apparently he didn't.

"Sorry," Adrien said, shaking his head. "I didn't mean to spill my feelings like that."

"No," Marinette said quickly. "Don't be sorry."

Adrien's eyes then met hers, sending chills down her spine. Normally, she would proceed to faint and internally scream, but now that she knew Adrien was Chat Noir, that didn't happen. She could finally communicate with him like a normal human being.

"Marinette, I really hope you don't hate the real me," Adrien said sincerely.

"W-What?! I could never hate you!" Marinette sputtered. "In fact, I was worried you wouldn't like me."

"Pft, that could never happen," Adrien smiled endearingly. "But I'm glad you still like the real me. You're one of the best things that's ever happened to me. I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you."

Marinette's cheeks heated up. Just hearing those words come from his mouth sent chills down her spine. I really mean that much to him.

"T-Thanks," she replied.

"Ha, wow," Adrien breathed nervously, fanning himself using his shirt. "Is it just me or is it hot out here?"

Marinette giggled. "It took you a lot of courage to say that, huh?"

"You have no idea," Adrien replied with a grin.

"Wow, I've never seen Chat Noir so flustered," Marinette said quietly, leaning in closer to Adrien. She batted her eyelashes.

It was Adrien's turn to blush.

"I've never seen Ladybug flirt back," Adrien countered.

Marinette turned her head slightly and landed a kiss on Adrien's cheek. She then backed away. "Okay, go home kitty. I need to do my homework."

Adrien's face was red as a tomato. "Right," he sighed dreamily, placing a hand over his cheek. "Goodnight my lady."

He then yelled into the air for his kwami. "Plagg! We're leaving!"

A few seconds later, the kwami emerged, his paws full of cheese. "You called?" he said groggily.

Adrien raised an eyebrow. "Where'd you get all that cheese?"

"This kwami has connections," Plagg said slowly before swallowing a piece of cheese whole.

"Bye," Marinette said, giving off her signature wink before retreating inside her room.

Adrien sighed, turning around and looking out over the railing. He could just jump down with his...

Wait a minute.

Adrien slowly lowered his hand from his cheek as a realization dawned on him, causing him to sigh.

How the heck was he going to get down?

Inside, Marinette laughed. She was enjoying his inconvenience.

"Oh, you are so gonna pay!" Adrien laughed, racing inside after her.

"Ah, those love birds," Plagg thought as he watched his Chosen run inside after Marinette. He then glanced down at the bundle of cheese in his arms. "I'm so glad I have you," he said happily.

Tikki suddenly appeared besides Plagg. "Thanks! I'm glad I have you too!"

Plagg groaned as Tikki proceeded to give him another hug, but deep down inside, he was glad he finally got to see his friend again.