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Adrien was used to being a celebrity. He'd been recognised his whole life, even as a small child when he had always been with his parents, because his parents had been famous. Later on, his own face started appearing on ads and billboards and it became even easier for people to know who he was.
Most of the time, he didn't mind when he was stopped by fans for a photo or an autograph. Except when people became extra pushy and really overstepped boundaries, it was a nice experience to be able to communicate with people who admired him.
Not much had changed after he became a superhero. He was used to the attention, although now it mostly came in the form of cries for help. But occassionally, they did get fans who wanted to express their gratitude or just take a photo with the duo. It was more of the same for Adrien.
Just because this wasn't new for him, although he couldn't really show it, it didn't mean that he couldn't tell that it was a bit stressful for Ladybug. She would always go a bit awkward in the face of cameras and people asking questions. She also insisted that they were superheroes, not celebrities, so to be treated as such was wrong. But this didn't stop people.
He tried to help her by redirecting the attention to himself, since he knew how to deal with it. But it was hard sometimes because it was her that people really looked up to. He didn't mind. She was the true hero in his eyes as well.
So it was safe to say that the last thing he'd expected had been for her to ask for his autograph.
"You want my autograph?" He gaped at her as she handed him a picture and a pen as they found a rooftop to rest at after finishing patrol.
"Your face, kitty," she giggled. "This isn't such an outrageous request."
"Yes, but... why?" He couldn't help asking.
"Because I'm a fan," she had the audacity to wink at him.
"Making fun of me is not nice," he pouted.
"I'm not! Why is it so hard to believe that I look up to you?" She looked like she meant it. And yet...
"Because you're you, m'lady," he shrugged. "You save the day. I'm just a sidekick, comic relief, raw muscle..."
In spite of trying to stay serious, he felt his lips curl into a smile even before she laughed.
"See, this is the only thing I'm good at, being silly!"
He wasn't fishing for compliments, he really wished he contributed more as a superhero but he rarely got the opportunity. It was Ladybug who was the true genious and he was happy that he could help her bring her crazy plans to life, but he knew that she could also manage without him. Although it might sometimes be harder without having someone else to take the hits.
"I won't dispute your silliness," she grinned. "But... there is no Ladybug without Chat Noir, ok?"
"But..."
The stern look on her face made him bite back his protest.
"I wouldn't be even half of the superhero I am without you. This is the truth and never forget it," she said.
"Thank you," he whispered. This had moved him more than he could articulate.
He was just reaching for her hand when he realised what he was holding.
"So, you really want this?"
Now she hesitated.
"Ok, full disclosure. This doesn't negate any of the things I said, but this is for someone I know."
"Ha! I knew it."
"But next time I'm asking for myself. Now go ahead," she pointed to the photo.
This was something he could do in his sleep, so he didn't really think before scribbling his signature. It took a moment too long to realise what he'd done.
"Shoot."
"What is it?" Ladybug tried to look over his shoulder and he moved to hide the photo to the side.
"Um. I messed up. Big time," he muttered.
Right there, under the photo of him and Ladybug he'd gone and signed as Adrien Agreste.
"What did you do? It can't be that bad."
"It's bad. No one will believe that this is my autograph," he noted. No joke.
"Is it hard to read? No big deal! I'll vouch for it."
"No, it isn't... " Come to think of it, it would have been better if it had been illegible.
"Let me have a look, you're overreacting," she scoffed, grabbing at the photo while he was distracted.
"No!" He held tight. "You don't understand. I signed my real name," he finally blurted out when she kept pulling.
Ladybug paused mid-tug and stared at him.
"What?"
"I'm sorry! It was just instinct. I didn't think."
"What are you, a celebrity that gives autographs all the time?" She laughed, a hint of hysteria in her voice.
There was no way out of this. So he just looked sadly at her.
"I really didn't mean to. Let's just forget about it."
She frowned and looked deep in thought for a moment, but she didn't let go.
"Let me have a look," she said eventually.
"You don't want that." It was his turn to frown.
"I know what I'm saying," she hoffed. "I just... I have a feeling and I want to know if I'm right."
"It will be too late once you see it."
This was something Adrien hadn't expected - to be arguing with her against her knowing his real identity. But it was hard to accept her sudden change of heart.
"Maybe it's high time I knew anyway. Please, kitty."
There was no point in saying no. He actually wanted this and if she was sure, so be it.
He watched with bated breath as she turned the photo towards the light from a nearby street lamp. There was no cry of surprise or horror. But her shoulders visibly slumped.
"It is you."
He barely heard the words.
"You guessed?"
"I thought that it was wishful thinking for a moment there," she snorted.
"What, am I your celebrity crush or something?" He tried to joke.
Her head shot up and she looked at him with wide eyes. As if he'd somehow guessed right.
"No way," he chuckled.
"Not just a celebrity crush," she mumbled, her cheeks suddenly bright with colour. "You're my friend. I mean, Adrien is. So are you. Oh dear..."
He knew that what she meant was a big deal, but he couldn't focus on it. Not when she'd given him the biggest hint about her identity.
His eyes traced the familiar features, from the bright blue eyes, through the flushed cheeks, to the nervous way she was pressing her lips together. He knew.
"So, Marinette, you're not just a fan, eh?" He grinned at her.
She blinked a few times and laughed a little.
"You shouldn't have figured it out so fast."
"There is no one else you could be," he said firmly.
"I could say the same to you," she smiled a little. "I should have realised that I don't just have a type."
"Tell me all about it," he prompted eagerly.
"Stop it," she slapped his arm with the hand still holding the photo.
"M'lady, please," he grabbed her free hand. "Tell me that it's real."
Her eyes softened and her fingers squeezed his.
"It was always you."
He could finally let himself rejoice.
"I'm so happy."
"And I'm keeping this for my personal collection," she waved the photo around.
"You can have my autograph anytime," he smirked.
"I mean, no one should see this because it will be a disaster," she rolled her eyes as she put the photo back in her yo-yo. "But thanks, I apppreciate it."
"Although, now you can ask for much more, you know," he said casually.
"Really? Like what?" She shot him a look, amused.
"Well, I don't go around offering kisses to fans, it would be unprofessional. But you're a special case. You're much more than that. So... "
Did this sound too eager? He didn't care. It was too late to play it cool. He had always worn his heart on his sleeve for her anyway.
"Is that so?" She still looked amused.
"Only if you want too."
"Hmm. I guess I do."
It was happening, for real. His heart beating loudly, he leaned in before he realised that she'd offered her cheek to him.
She was driving him crazy. Like always. But two could play this game.
His lips brushed her skin then he quickly switches sides, lingering a bit longer to feel her cheek warm up under his touch. He didn't mind this kind of kiss as well. But he had a feeling she wanted more, just like him.
"Is this enough?" he asked, so close he could hear her fast breaths in his ear.
"No," she gasped.
He didn't manage to smile because she turned her head slightly and her lips found his. This was more like it.
It was unreal how many times Adrien had dreamed about this and yet his dreams didn't come close to the reality. They couldn't capture the softness of her lips and the way they moved against his. They never had her tasting of cherry lip balm. Oh, and he couldn't have imagined just how good her hands would feel in his hair.
"I love you," he whispered when they finally came up for air.
Marinette smiled, still flushed but much more confident now. She truly was his lady.
"I love you too."
He really couldn't imaging being happier than this.
*
"You need to practice giving autographs as Chat Noir. You can't make this mistake again."
"No one is going to ask for it anyway."
"I still need the one I've promised! I'll just get another photo."
"Oh, ok then. I guess I will practice."
Anything for her.
Although, he could get something in return.
"I'll need a lot of kisses to keep my strength up, though."
"I will have to live with this, I guess."
And yet, she didn't seem to mind when she kissed him again and again. Not at all.