Previously

However, the Kwami seemed to get message, and the Ladybug suit and yo-yo dissolved in a blinding array of light right as the train car launched into mid air.

Powerless, Marinette fell.

Chat watched it all happen from a distance. That meta- that thing- foiled his brilliant plan.

Adrien had told Beast Boy that Ladybug wasn't going to listen. He had instructed the green shape-shifter to do whatever was necessary to keep her safe. He had been elated when the small, green boy had brought back Ladybug's yo-yo, promising that the heroine was tied to the other end.

The train cars had slowed enough that the agile hero was able to jump off of it and chase the rest of the speeding train.

A little-known fact about Chat Noir was that he was extremely fast. Not like Flash (or even Kid Flash) fast, but enough that he could barely keep up with the train, especially since it was moving a little bit slower over the rusty tracks. Then, he felt a jerk on the yo-yo, and he saw the meta wrapping the string around the top of the train car. His heart fluttered nervously, and he ran even faster.

He watched helplessly as Ladybug's looked to him desperately. She said something, and although he couldn't hear over the hammering of his own heart, he understood what she was mouthing:

"ADRIEN! I'M SORRY I NEVER TOLD YOU!"

She knew. How long had she known?

Chat's stomach did a flip. He had often fantasized about how he and Ladybug would discover each other's identity. His favorite scenario was where they revealed them through a romantic candlelight dinner. He would tell her all about his mom and how much he missed her. He would tell her how he really felt about her. She would confide in him her deepest secrets too. Life-and-death had never really factored into the equation before.

He gripped the yo-yo harder, knowing it was his only lifeline to Ladybug.

His stomach did a double back tuck when the device dissolved in his hands (his stomach should start doing parkour).

For a second he was afraid he had lost his grip on the yo-yo, but when he glanced at Ladybug again, he saw her without a mask.

Somewhere in the back of his brain, he vaguely registered,

'Huh. So it's been Marinette all along?'

However, there was only one thought at the forefront of his mind, and he was screaming at the top of his lungs.

"I CAN'T LOSE HER TOO!"

Powerless, Marinette fell.

Only to rise seconds later, cradled by a familiar figure.

'Why is Wonder Woman here?' Chat wondered.

The star-spangled hero gently set down Ladybug (Chat couldn't wrap his mind around her being Marinette yet) who was shivering in fear. Chat immediately embraced her, trying to stifle his own shaking nerves. The two remained like that as Batgirl, Beast Boy, and several other justice league members approached them. Standing on the edge of the old wooden bridge, ignoring the heroes that were suddenly coming out of the woodworks, and holding his shivering partner against his chest, all Adrien could think about was how close he had been to losing another person he cared about.

The heroes drew off to the side, seemingly wanting to give the pair their privacy. Finally, it was Ladybug that pulled away first.

"Um, so, uh, hi." She muttered.

Chat noted with amusement that her face was almost as red as her suit. "It's me. Marinette."

"I figured that out. Finally." Chat said with a chuckle.

Ladybug/Marinette looked away, not saying anything.

With a slight frown, Chat asked,

"How long did you know my secret identity?"

"Not very long- wait!" Marinette cut herself off "That's what you're mad about?"

"Well, I'm not mad. Mostly annoyed, 'cause our deal was that I wasn't going to tell you until you told me." Chat pouted.

Marinette started in disbelief, dumb-struck, before asking again.

"Aren't you mad that Ladybug turned out to be, um, me." She said, pointing to herself animatedly, eyebrows raised in disbelief. She began to pace back and forth, listing all the reasons Chat should apparently be angry at her.

"I'm so boring and normal! I'm not rich or famous, and without any powers, I'm just a nobody! Without the suit on I can barely walk without tripping all over myself! Plus, I knew your secret identity for like, a whole week-"

Chat resisted the urge to laugh, wondering how he had missed all the blatant connections between Marinette and Ladybug.

"I already told you, M'lady." he interrupted. "I'll always care about you... whether or not you wear a mask doesn't change that."

He pulled her gently back into his arms, and Marinette, while stiff, allowed him to hold her. Although "Marinette" was definitely more insecure than "Ladybug," Chat could already tell that the two parts of her identity were more alike than she thought.

" I still can't believe you thought I be mad. Pfft Like I'd ever get mad at you, Marinette."

The moment he said her name- her true name- he felt her relax. A blossom of hope bloomed inside of his chest. He wouldn't have traded that moment for anything in the world.

Until Beast Boy interrupted with a wolf whistle.

"Whoooooo-wheeee! My man's a real animal with the ladies!" he yelled obnoxiously, as he jogged up to the french heroes.
Marinette turned away self-consciously, burying her face in Chat's shoulder.

"Is my secret identity completely blown?" She mumbled.

"Don't sweat it. You can trust the league members. By the way, you guys are needed." The green-skinned boy gestured to the group of waiting adult superheros standing a few meters off.

The pair, (Chat wanted to say couple, but he wasn't sure what he and Ladybug were yet) made their way over to the Justice League. Chat was a bit confused to see Wonder Woman, Superman, and even Batman.

"Um, hi?" He asked with uncertainty. "Were you guys here the whole time?"

"We're here because Batgirl called us in as backup." Superman explained. "We got here when things really started to go downhill, so we decided to watch you two and see how you would handle real life-and-death situations."

"I must say, unlinking the train cars to isolate that beast and protect the innocents was a stroke of genius." Wonder Woman praised with a smile on her face.

"Oh no! That meta; I killed him by letting him fall off the bridge." Marinette gasped, a look of shame and disbelief clouding her face.

"Sometimes we have to make hard choices." Batman said gruffly.

"Don't worry." Superman cut in sheepishly. "I saved him before the train car hit the ground. Dropped him off at the nearest meta-human holding facility too."

"You're super fast." Chat said in awe, wishing he could know how fast the Man of Steel could actually fly.

"Welp, fast as a speeding bullet and all that jazz." Superman shrugged, running a hand through his perfect hair.

"So this was all a test? We were never in danger?" Chat continued.

"The danger was real, but we were watching and ready to step in when things turned deadly." Wonder Woman answered.

Marinette sighed, hanging her head and obviously blaming herself for the near miss.

"It's alright." Wonder Woman said, patting Marinette on the shoulder. "All new recruits get the 'overzealous-chaperone' treatment on their first missions too."

"But I failed." Marinette insisted glumly, disappointment marring her delicate features.

Chat felt just as ashamed at their apparent failure. He realized with a bit of a shock that if the Justice League had not been there to save the day, Ladybug- Marinette- could have died.

"On the contrary." Wonder Woman said passionately. "I was impressed with your willingness to risk your life."

"-And your secret identity." Added Batman. "You two have passed the final test. If you are interested, we might be considering the expansion of the Parisian branch of the Justice League soon."

Two sets of jaws dropped as they realized what Batman was offering them.

"I know you're both young," Wonder Woman comforted the shocked french heroes," but you're both well-known public figures, experienced heroes, and most importantly, good people. I look forward to working with you both."

To say Chat was shell-shocked would be an understatement. He had expected to learn from the Justice League, but to be offered a place in their ranks was unbelievable! Excitedly, he turned to Marinette.

"Well Ladybug, what do you say-"

Marinette was not looking at the league members, or even Chat. She was staring at Beast Boy and Batgirl, who had not been included in the conversation.

The two Young Justice members stood a little ways off, watching the group of older heroes wistfully. Then, Marinette's eyes met Adrien's, and he knew their decision without a doubt. Even if it meant he would have to deal with Kid Jerk more frequently.

"Actually, we appreciate the offer, but as long as we're gonna join the League, we will stay with the Young Justice team." Chat Noir announced confidently.

Wonder Woman and Superman had parallel looks of disbelief, but they were drowned out by Beast Boy's excited shout as he rushed over and flung his arms around Marinette and Chat Noir.

"I knew we were bros for life!" He exclaimed dramatically. "I helped you get the girl didn't I? If that's not the true mark of bro-ship then I don't know what is!"

Batgirl, also joining the group, gently elbowed Marinette.

"See, that wasn't too hard." She fake whispered, and Chat had a feeling she was talking about something other than the decision to stay with Young Justice.

So faintly that nobody even noticed, Batman smiled.

The End.

Author's note: I hope you enjoyed this story. Let me know what you think, and criticism is always welcome (I laugh at flamers... no really, they're kind of funny to read).

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