Final chapter folks!

1256 words
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  Adrien had left to get some privacy. He really wanted to talk with Plagg, and he had had a terrible feeling that Ladybug had been watching him. (After all, that letter had appeared out of no where!) And he hadn't wanted her to see his expression. For he wasn't entirely sure that he was right in his guess.

  Seeing Lila and Alix in the locker room, Adrien backed away and ran to hide in the Janitor's Closet. Inside, he flipped the light switch and sat down on a flipped-over bucket.

  "Plagg!!! Am I really seeing this???"

  "Seeing what, kid?"

  "THIS!!!"

  Adrien ran his finger down the side of the riddle.

I
M
J
U
S
T
A
F
R
I
E
N
D
    IM JUST A FRIEND

  "HAH!! FINALLY!!" Sprawled out on Adrien's head, the kwami laughed uncontrollably. "THE IRONY OF IT ALL!!"

  Adrien jumped up. "THEN-! IT REALLY-! I'M NOT-! PLAGG JUST TELL ME! MARINETTE REALLY IS LADYBUG??"

  "YES!!"

  Trembling with excitement, Adrien managed to gasp, "PLAGG! CLAWS OUT!"

  "Ah craaaapp-!", the kwami exclaimed as he was sucked away.

  Marinette had stopped in front of the balcony railing and was glancing around.
  Where would he go?? WHY did he go??

  She started to hurry over to the stairs, when she felt someone wrap an arm around her waist, and she was propelled into the air. She couldn't help but give a small shriek of surprise.

  Finding herself suddenly on the rooftop, she whipped around and found Chat grinning fiendishly.

  She released her pent up breath. Her face relaxing and her eyes glowing. "You figured it out!", she guessed breathlessly.

  Both, at that moment, became speechless. Aware of this moment. Aware of who each other was. The excitement being a bit too much for them. So Adrien, grinning still, gave a rapid nod in response.

  Marinette felt kind of awkward without her costume, and knowing he knew. So she only smiled in return.

  Adrien's mind was finally at peace, now that he knew these girls were both the same one. He closed his eyes and lowered his forehead against her own. A purr rumbling up from his chest.

  Marinette felt her heart rate increase, as a thought occurred to her. He hadn't said anything more about a kiss, since she told him to wait that one night. But she felt pretty certain he hadn't forgotten. This was Chat, after all. The one who had repeatedly tried to steal a kiss the night that Nadja Chamack had became Prime Queen.

  Marinette summoned up all the courage she could get. Reminding herself that she had done this before. That it wasn't really a big deal. ...Even though it felt like it...

  She pulled her head back and hastily pressed her lips against his.

  His eyes opened in surprise, and a faint snort of laughter slipped out. The purring having paused. But he didn't hestitate long, and quickly returned the kiss.

  Afterwards, he dropped his head against hers again. Cracking a grin, as his funny bone once again was tickled. "How many surprises are there going to be in this day??", he laughed.

  Marinette closed her eyes as she blushed. "Merry Christmas, Adrien...", she murmured.

  He nuzzled down into her hair again, breathing in the scent of what must have been Strawberry conditioner. The sound of his purring slightly broken with each sniff he took in. He hadn't quite noticed the scent as Adrien...
  "Thanks, Bugaboo...."

  Alya tiptoed out the LunchRoom door, peeking curiously in every direction.

  "Alya, I'm pretty sure this is eves-dropping!", Nino whispered worriedly.

  "Its not eves-dropping until we HEAR something! All I wanna do, is catch a glimpse of them. Hopefully with them kissing... And then I'll take a picture. Trust me, Marinette will appreciate it."

  "I'm pretty sure Adrien left because he was BOTHERED. Not because he was in love and happy."

  Adrien's ears twitched as he detected the sound of their friends.

  "Uh-! Marinette! I think we better clear out!"

  Following his gaze, Marinette saw their friends creeping around and peeking in doorways. "Ah-! CRAP! Get us out of here! No wait! We're in the middle of a school day!"

  She clutched her pigtails in panic.
  If Alya sees this-! If they BOTH see this-! OUR IDENTITIES!

  She felt Chat scoop her up and she glanced at him anxiously.

  He had no choice but to jump inwardly into the school, for the front doors were locked during this time. No one was leaving for Lunch, so why unlock them?

  Picking a spot on the opposite side of the upper-level, Adrien leaped towards it. His timing precise, for their friends were looking the opposite way.

  Just a few feet from landing, he whispered, "Claws in!", and returned to his civilian form.

  Marinette had barely been placed on her own two feet, when a squeal rang out.

  It was Alya. Apparently unable to contain herself at the sight. For Marinette still had her hands on Adrien's shoulders for support. And HIS hands on her waist, to help brace her.

  They both whipped around to see Nino desperately trying to drag Alya away. Her phone held up, as she took picture after picture.

  Adrien broke out into a cold sweat. "You don't-! You don't think-!"

  "Nooo, she's just doing that for me...", Marinette laughed awkwardly. "My cheer squad... If she HAD, she wouldn't be taking picutres right now."

  Nino had succeeded in getting her back to the LunchRoom, shoved her inside, then gave Adrien a thumbs up and closed the door behind them.

  They both glanced at each other, slightly bewildered. Then Adrien shrugged and pulled her closer. Rubbing his nose against hers.
  Seeing her cheeks turn pink, he snickered. "It makes sense now..."

  "What does...?"

  "Ladybug becoming so flustered.", he grinned.

  Her face turned a darker shade of red, and she glanced away.

  Adrien rubbed his thumb against her cheek, emphasizing that he had noticed. "I don't mean to embarrass you, Bugaboo... I just think its cute."

  She smiled a little, then frowned as a touch of reality checked in. "Let the complications begin...", Marinette murmured sarcastically.

  He followed her gaze down to Alix and Lila, who were just now leaving the Locker Room.

  "What do you mean?"

  "Bee stings and fox bites..."

  His face pinched with confusion. "Uhhh... what does that mean...?"

  "You didn't solve all the clues, did you?", she giggled.

  He laughed uneasily and shrugged one shoulder.

  Marinette smiled, then pressed her finger against his nose. "Don't be embarrassed, Kitty. I think its cute!"

  "Touché..." Then nervously he added, "But I really DO mean it, Marinette!"

  "So do I!"

  He winced. "Really...? Because Plagg seems to find my- stupidity?- annoying..."

  "Really, Adrien. I love it. Its make you, YOU." Blushing again, she said, "My blonde-haired, oblivious, Kitty."

Adrien smiled warmly at her. "And MY blushing bug."

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  Authors note:

  If u enjoyed this, come check out my one-shot fanfic. It's called, "The Christmas Letter". And I wrote it with the song "Jingle Bells" in mind.

  Which means i intertwined the words of "jingle bells" into a story. I MADE a story out of it. ...Idk how else to explain it. XD
  Just check it out, and you'll know. 😉😊
   
 
  Thx so much! Chow! 😊👋