Hypothesis 4: When both heroes know the other's identity, keep giving hickeys and see who breaks first.

Variant change: Who gives a damn anymore!

Marinette paced her room, hands in hair and mumbled words leaving her mouth. The 'audience' at the café had not been inconspicuous with the photos, and even some videos, causing them to go viral in precisely four minutes.

How did she know this? Because she had all the best 'Adrien Agreste' websites and social media platforms set as news alerts on her phone, notifications popping up from everywhere telling her that Adrien Agreste was an 'everyday Chat Noir'. She swore that if she didn't laugh she would most certainly be crying.

"Marinette, stop!"

"How, Tikki? Tell me exactly how to stop and I will. I don't know whether I'm more uptight about Adrien being my crime fighter partner who I've held at arm's length for years, or the fact that Gabriel Agreste is going to come knocking my door down and demanding I leave Adrien alone."

"He's not going to do that."

"You know the man as well as I do Tikki, he's a psychopath."

"Gabriel Agreste isn't going to come and get you just because his son was holding you like a new bride," Tikki giggled, Marinette responding with a slap to her own face, both hands covering over her eyes.

"Ugh!" Flopping onto her back on her chaise lounge, she looked up towards her bed and skylight. Should she tell him she knows? Should she take his ring? Should she go around to his room, pretend nothing had happened and finally get a hickey from Adrien Agreste?

There was a slight sound from above. Great! Now it was raining too, and she hated battling akumas in the rain.

The noise sounded again, a little louder this time. Was it hailing?

She moved off her chaise lounge, climbing up the ladder and towards the skylight only for the noise to happen once more with a very distinctive shadow blocking out the moonlight.

Reaching up and pushing it open, she headed outside onto her balcony to find that the hail stones were tall, black and shaped like a cat.

"Oh!" He coughed, straightening his back and puffing out his chest. Maybe he wasn't expecting her to answer. "Good afternoon, good citizen," he continued, Marinette raising an eyebrow. What was he playing at?

"Chat Noir, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Or pain, she thought, trying to stand calmly facing him. One thing she'd learned over the years was, when it came to Chat Noir, expect the unexpected.

"Oh, um, well, as an outstanding citizen of Paris, you have been selected to take part in an experiment."

"An experiment?" she questioned.

"Yes, one of great importance."

What the hell was he on about? This had zero importance and was hardly an experiment anymore.

"Continue." She offered him a seat on her chair only for him to decline and remain standing. Well, if he wasn't going to sit down, she needed to. Even that or she'd end up a heaped bag of bones on the floor.

"We have been asked to test the durability of our super suits."

No you haven't!

"And for one of those tests we wanted to see if we could bruise beneath our suits."

That's not the test Minou, she kept her expression neutral, trying hard to not call him out on his bluff. Where was he going with this?

"So, fellow outstanding citizen, I would like to ask you a favour-"

"You want me to punch you? That's absolutely fine, let me just get up."

Chat's eyes widened and he took a step back away from her.

"That's not," he waved his hands in front stopping her from progressing forwards, "that's not what I meant."

"Face or body? I meant I know you don't wear a mask all over but there must be something there right? After all, no one's figured out your identity."

She saw his Adam's apple bob up and down as he gulped. Oh hooray! She'd made him nervous.

"You know what, this was a silly idea. I'm going to just..." He pointed over his shoulder, before turning and heading towards the edge of the balcony. "Good night Marinette."

"Goodnight, Chat Noir, and watch out for those bed bugs, I hear they can bite."

She held back the laugh as he squeaked, tripped on a plant pot and scurried to get away.

Point one to Ladybug.

•••••

"Can you believe her? She teased me, Plagg! Actually teased me! She was meant to cave in and let me know her identity; not threaten to punch me."

"It's kind of hilarious when you think about it. She would have done it, you know, and I've seen her lift a bag of flour, too. It would have most likely caused some damage."

"You're not funny."

"I never said I was." The black kwami flew around the room looking for his oldest stash of cheese, finally finding it just outside Adrien's shoe holder. "Come to me, my precious." He lifted the cheese towards his mouth only for it rudely to be snatched away.

"Suck me."

Plagg had to blink a couple of times to make sure his eyeballs hadn't popped out of his head, because he was almost certain Adrien had asked him to suck him. Now there were things kwamis drew a line under and that was most certainly one of them.

"Suck...you?"

"Yeah, give me a hickey," Adrien said, making it sound like the most normal thing in the world as he pointed to his neck.

"Hold up. I don't go around 'sucking' mortals to leave bruises. What do I look like? A vacuum cleaner?"

Plagg watched as Adrien's eye widened, the God of Destruction knowing full well he'd just inadvertently given his kitty an idea; and a stupid one at that.

"A vacuum cleaner! Yes!" Adrien turned and made a beeline for the door before turning back to fill Plagg in on the idea. "If I make it look like I went to someone else for a hickey, it won't look like I'm waiting around like a lost puppy! It will show her that I can actually find someone else. You know she's a control freak, she won't like this one bit."

"Kid, do whatever you think is best." He watched an overly enthusiastic Adrien leave the bedroom, a smile plastered over his face. Once he was clear of the door Plagg broke out into laughter. "And we'll soak up the outcome." He wiped a paw under his eye. "I need to tell Tikki about this."

•••••

The next day, Adrien had arranged with Alya to deliver an interview for her internship at TVi. As he made his way up towards Alya's apartment the mumble of a very freaked out girl sounded through the door and into the hallway. Not wanting to interrupt the conversation, he slowed to a halt and waited for the conversation to finish.

"What do you mean? Chat Noir wanted you to mark him." Adrien recognised the voice of Alya before Marinette's higher pitched voice responded.

"You know...mark him!"

"With a pen?"

"No, with my mouth."

Alya's cackle sounded through the wooden object and Adrien gulped. If Marinette was Ladybug, and Ladybug had told someone her identity, he would put money on it being Alya, the sound of the cackle being factual evidence.

"And you said?" she asked.

"We didn't get that far," Marinette responded.

"This time at least," Alya said, amusement clear in her voice.

"What do you mean?" Shock. Pure shock. Adrien felt his heart speed up, terrified yet unable to move. He didn't know if he could stand here and listen to this.

"Oh, come on Marinette. Nino hasn't been blind to your little hickey. He's given me enough of different variations and he is certain that's what's on your chest. So unless you've plucked up some courage to finally move in on Adrien, it could only be the result of one other."

"I could have a secret boyfriend, you know I'm good at keeping secrets."

"Not when it comes to crushes."

"Alya, please, not now."

Marinette's voice sounded with distress, Adrien's heart wanting nothing more than to jump in and save the day. Pulling away from the door, he lifted up his hand knocking against it three times.

"That's Adrien."

"Why's he here?"

"Marinette, get a grip. Buttercup isn't going to get mad at you for having a hickey from a superhero."

He was 'Buttercup'! After all these years they could have been together! Oh no! This just wouldn't do! He needed to rectify this and fast.

The door flung open, Alya standing aside to let him in, Marinette clearer nervously standing behind her.

"Marinette, I -" his speech was interrupted as Alya gasped behind him.

"Oh my God! Is that a hickey?"

He watched in horror as Marinette's face formed from an 'o' to a disappointed and somewhere angry expression. So maybe his plan was backfiring slightly?

"Oh, um," he kept his eyes firmly on Marinette's willing for her to believe him. "Would you believe that it was the vacuum cleaner?" Every inch of him was trying to telepathically tell her that it was not what it seemed; that it was indeed caused by a suction based home cleaning device and not someone else's lips, and every inch of him knew she didn't believe him.

She shook her head, moving away and towards where her bag was seated. Picking it up and placing it on her shoulder she headed towards Alya at the door, exchanging hugs and leaving.

If he hadn't screwed himself over before, he most certainly had now.

•••••

Ladybug didn't know what to do. She sat on the side of the rooftop, looking out over Paris, knees to chest and arms wrapping around her legs tightly.

He'd just gone and found someone else. It was like she didn't even matter. She thought they'd play a little game, pushing each other a little more each time, but no. As soon as he saw an escape he took it, obviously Marinette Dupain-Cheng was the issue because he most certainly wouldn't have done that when she was just Ladybug.

The sound of heavy steel capped boots hit the rooftop beside her. The familiar 'thud' which could bring her warmth, frustration and, now, heartbroken feelings with its crescendo.

"M'Lady?"

She sniffed, wiping ferociously under her nose, brushing the stray tears from her cheeks.

"Marinette."

He spoke her name like smooth melted chocolate, sweet, creamy and velvety and all she wanted to do was beg him to like her. Make him see that even though she was Marinette, she was also Ladybug. An equal combination of his friend and the woman he loves (or maybe loved). She heard him sigh before it was overpowered by the stamping of his boots ricocheting against the rooftop. The harsh sound of metal meeting stone.

Trying to keep her eyes in front of her, she couldn't help but notice the large shadow appear over her, the one clearly shaped like her partner. His presence and shadow, as big as his heartwarming personality.

"What was her name?"

"Henrietta."

"Oh, is she- is she nice? What was she like?"

"Small, very pink, British...a vacuum cleaner."

"Adrien you don't need to cover it, it's fine you asked someone else. It's not like we're together. I mean, she sounds lovely."

"She's a vacuum cleaner, Marinette."

"Okay, okay, I get it. She's good at hickeys, you don't need to rub it in." She attempted a fake laugh where really she just wanted to cry. Henrietta the small, British girl, probably a model and perfect to be on Adrien's arm. Not the raven haired wannabe designer.

"I'm not -"

"Kitty, it's fine. I'm okay, I'm happy for -"

"You're not listening-"

"Hopefully you can bring her to meet us soon. It would be nice to see your girl...wahhhh!" she screamed as something bit her on the shoulder. "What the hell did you do that for?" She rubbed her shoulder. "Did you just bite me?"

"Well you wouldn't shut up and you need to listen to me."

"You just bit me! I can't believe you just...ow!"

This time he got her arm, clenching his mouth around it and sucking hard.

"That's two for me now, Bug. Are you going to play, or am I just the lucky one?"

She pushed him away. "What would your girlfriend say?"

"Marinette for the last time I DO NOT have a girlfriend."

"So you just let random British girls suck on you?"

"For the last time...there is no girl!"

"Then who the hell is Henrietta?"

With a growl he yanked his baton from his holder and flicked it up, tapping around a little until a pink circular vacuum cleaner appeared with pretty eyelashes and a flower on her head.

"Oh!" Marinette exclaimed, before bursting out laughing. "You gave yourself a hickey with a vacuum."

"I wanted to make you jealous, and it seemed like it worked, Purrincess." He pushed his shoulder into hers knocking her off balance and onto the rooftop. "Oops, sorry, let me help you-" He stretched a hand towards her, only to be pulled onto the rooftop too.

She grabbed hold of him, pushing him onto his back and straddling over him, her mouth going straight to his neck.

"Oh wow!" he moaned, as she sucked his flesh between her lips, his hands coming to rest on her thighs as he tilted his head allowing her space. "Oh, Marin- wait! Stop! Marinette! That's not my suit!"

She pulled away, smirking at the awe and shock displayed in his eyes. "Is it not? Oh dear. I'm so sorry, Kitty cat."

"Yeah right."

Before she could move back to her position sucking on his neck, he'd rotated them; positioning himself on top and holding her hands above her head. "Oh, how the tables have turned, Bugaboo."

She groaned as his mouth pressed hard against her neck, taking his time to caress his lips over her, soothing the bite with licks and kisses as he went.

Knowing Adrien Agreste was doing this to her made her stomach twist in rather peculiar ways. Yes, he'd always made her stomach flutter but this was new and different, and damn right desirable.

"Adrien~" His name left her lips as he continued his experiment before breaking away and smiling down at her.

"Would you be opposed to me treating each of your gorgeous spots to the same treatment?" he whispered, his eyes never leaving hers, and his eyebrows expressing the same puppy dog look she adored so much.

"Why?" The word was faint, her voice slowly reforming after being taken with such desire and lust.

"I thought it had always been obvious?"

"I want you to tell me, Adrien. Please." Her voice begged for the words she'd always dreamed about, leaving his lips. The words that solidified that it was Adrien, and it was Chat Noir, and that both wanted her.

"Because I want you, Marinette. I want you more than I've ever wanted anything in my whole life. I love you."

"Are you sure? Because once I accept what you're saying, I never want to let you go."

"Then don't!" He moved his mouth down and lower, spending time on every single safe spot, making each and everyone feel special. All 47, give or take a couple.

She bit her lower lip, watching as he kissed her body in a way she always wanted him to kiss her lips. Delicately and effectively, unsure whether he was doing it from want or just because he was trying to mark her.

As he finished on her ankles, he moved his way back up her body, dropping a quick kiss over each as he finally reached for her face.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that?" he sighed, his face looking more carefree and dreamy than he'd ever done before. If she was being completely honest he was radiant.

She started giggling, Chat Noir's own smile stretching to mirror hers. "What?" he asked, a chuckle falling from his lips.

"I was just thinking how dreamy you looked."

He moved his face forwards towards her, his eyes glistening with mischief. "Do you want me to show you how I turn radiant?"

Her breath hitched in her throat, an audible gasp leaving her mouth as he slowly lowered his own down towards her, pressing them together in perfect connection. Lips made for each other.

He pulled away, her eyes remaining closed and chest heavily rising and falling. This must be a dream. It must be. Apart from when she opened her eyes she realised it wasn't. It wasn't a dream, this was her reality.

"Hummm..." she hummed, "definitely radiant."

His chortle caused her to open her eyes, watching as Chat Noir stretched up and stroked a clawed thumb around her mask.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey yourself. I'm going to be black and blue in the morning."

He laughed again, shuffling around a little so they were laying side by side, his hand resting delicately on her hip.

"I feel we need to even things up." She bopped his nose with her index finger, her smile radiating pure evidence that true love did exist.

He rolled onto his back, placing his hands behind his head and bending one knee.

"Come on then, Bugaboo, do your worst."

She narrowed her eyes and pouted her lips. "I let you use that nickname once, only because your mouth was doing amazing things to me. But, this time I'm not letting it go."

"Is that why you never told me you loved me back?" His eyebrows wiggled causing her to dart forward and press her lips against his once more, grabbing hold of his face and allowing herself the chance to feel everything about his mouth, finally calming it down to a slow, sultry kiss and allowing their tongues to swoop together. A kiss more electrifying than a lightning bolt.

Finally needing to breathe before she passed out, or he put more hickeys on her, she moved her face off and away from his.

"What do you think?"

"I want you to say it. Say, 'I love you, Buttercup.'"

"You're obnoxious, do you know that?"

"Maybe, but you love me."

She smiled. Yes she most certainly did and it was time she told him.

"Yes, Buttercup. I love you. Always you, and only you."

"Then show me."

Her cheeks flustered as she moved her head down and began to select random parts of his body.

It was fair to say the end result was a complete and utter tie.

•••••

The next day, Adrien was floating on air.

He found...he'd claimed and he'd conquered.

Ladybug, Marinette, was his girlfriend and he was as giddy as a school boy. Unfortunately it didn't last too long.

"You as well?" Whilst knee deep in his floating puffy cloud of love, Adrien had completely forgotten to cover up, leaving his arms and neck bare and available for ridicule; which of course Alya was ready to deliver.

"Oh, um, yeah." He stretched to rub the back of his neck only to find the nervous tick an instigator for his tender hickeys, a wince sounding from contact.

He looked over to Marinette, who if you didn't know was Ladybug, may have just given herself away; because not only was she supporting legs, arms and a chest full of hickeys, but they were perfectly placed where her spots were. How convenient!

"So what's your excuse, Buttercup?" Oh, she was on to them. He just prayed she was going to be as good a secret keeper as Marinette thought. After all, she'd kept the Ladybug secret for years.

"Oh I was bitten by a bug."

Nino studied his friend's body. "It must have been a big bug."

"Huge." Adrien agreed only for Alya to snort out a laugh and Marinette to cover her mouth.

"And so many too. What do you taste like?"

"Mint chocolate ice cream, with extra chocolate sauce and sprinkles on top." Marinette said in a dreamy sigh, bringing her hands up under her chin.

"What? Were you the bug or something?" Nino laughed before stopping suddenly. "Oh my God! Did you two?"

"No."

"Me and him, pfft, no way."

They said together, each displaying a wonderful array of red on their faces.

"How did you get yours again Marinette? Fleas was it?" Nino asked.

"Yeah" she hummed. "From a big cat."

Adrien stifled a laugh as Alya groaned; he loved his woman so much.

"When did you get a cat?" Nino asked exasperated, his friend was losing control and Adrien had to admit, watching his friend so perplexed was rather funny.

"Last night," Marinette stated, "I found a stray and took him in. He's cute, though a little needy."

"Hey," Adrien yelled, only to realise his mouth had run away from him. "I'm sure the poor kitty just needed some love and attention."

"I'm sure too." Alya said with a smirk.

"Anyway, Marinette, I was wondering if you could help me with something this afternoon. My socks need darning." Adrien dropped a wink to Marinette as he walked towards her.

"I would sure like to darn your socks, Adrien. Shall we go now? Back to my place? My parents are out."

"Sure. Let's go."

As Marinette and Adrien made their way over to the bakery, Nino turned to his girlfriend in bewilderment.

"Is Marinette not allowed to darn when her parents are in?" he asked innocently, eyebrows pulled so tightly the two formed into one.

"Aren't you just a little sweetheart?" Alya pinched his cheek and gave it a little shake, before letting go and giving it a little tap.

His gasp was audible over the busy streets of Paris as it finally sunk in. "They're 'sucking face' aren't they? That's why they look like human dot to dot puzzles."

Alya tapped Nino on his head before threading her arm through his and dragged him down the road.

"They are, my love, they finally are."

With one last look at the retreating couple, now arm in arm and giggling together, he looked back at his girlfriend.

"I wonder what picture we'd get if we joined the dots together."