FANART

by iamtotalfandomtrash on tumblr

post/156190475237/some-fanart-for-loyal-chevalier-by-imthepunchlord

by zebrea-rin on tumblr

post/156117240602/i-love-punch-lords-latest-fic-loyal-chevalier-and

Adrien sat alone in the library, contemplative.

He knew who Ladybug was.

She's been so close from the start, and he couldn't believe he didn't notice. And it seems at this moment that it's a fact she accepted, or maybe hasn't really thought it over. She didn't seem bothered that he knew when he came to visit her last night. But that could be just from her being tired and emotionally drained.

He sighed, sweeping a hand through his hair, not caring that he was messing up his locks. He gave a start when his hand was swatted away. When he moved to jerk away, Chloe snapped, "Stay still."

He pursed his lips as she stood beside him, readjusting his bangs so that his hair looked nice once more, presentable. He asked, "It's done?"

"It's done," she confirmed. "Lila is suspended for purposely manipulating her classmate trying to ruin her, and leading to an akumazation. And with Alya unable to keep her big mouth shut, everyone in the school will know what she did." Chloe withdrew, looking over Adrien critically. Satisfied, she met his gaze, reassuring, "I highly doubt she'll find any lackeys here easily."

"Thanks Chlo."

"Only because you asked," she bid, giving the tip of his nose a tap, smiling at how he wrinkled it. Then she looked down to her nails, lips pursing in annoyance. "Besides, that girl was trying to wiggle her way up to the top. This'll save me the trouble of dealing with her when she tries to take the school." Chloe smiled. Now she won't ever be able to.

Adrien nodded. And it'll help keep Lila from hurting his lady ever again.

Who he should reveal too.

It really bothered him that he was the only that knew. That he learned without her consent, out of her control. Even if she didn't seem to bothered by this, it still bothered Adrien.

When he asked Plagg about this, if he should reveal himself, all he got from the little kwami was, "Sure."

How helpful his kwami was.

Adrien was so blessed.

He perked when he saw Marinette pass by, hugging her sketchbook tightly. With a slight gulp, he rose up and followed, desiring to be close to her. He was oblivious to Chloe as she peered after him. She gave a small sigh, rolling her eyes, and leaving.

Pulling out her cell, she sent Sabrina a text, asking her to be ready and snap a picture of Lila's reaction when she arrived and learned that she's been suspended.

She can think of a few people who would like to see that reaction.

Marinette took slow steps into the classroom, pausing when all eyes turned to her, expected, concerned, and curious.

She froze for a millisecond, surprised by the attention. The eyes all on her. Licking her lips, she awkwardly greeted, "H-hi?"

Rose stood up, leaning out. "You doing ok?"

Marinette offered her a smile, coming into the class, relaxing. "Yeah, I'm, I'm ok."

She looked around the class, blinking when she didn't see the one girl she was dreading to see again.

But there was no Lila.

No Lila to be seen.

She jumped when a warm hand came to rest on her shoulder. She looked over to see Adrien offering her a small smile. "Lila got suspended," he told her, "punishment for purposely hurting you."

Her eyes widened, surprised. "She's suspended?" she repeated.

Adrien nodded. "You won't have to worry about her now."

"And if I have it my way, she'll never bother you again."

They turned to see Alya coming through, fabric wrapped up in her arms. Marinette blinked in surprise at that, accepting the red and black spotted bolt from Alya. "For the Ladybug doll," Alya said. "That, that felt like it, well, her main body. I, I didn't know what else to grab…"

Marinette smiled, holding it close. "Thank you Alya, this'll be a big help."

Alya returned her smile, relieved.

Adrien shuffled on his feet, anxious. Just as he was about to ask Marinette if he could talk to her alone, Nino slid behind them, beaming as he found Marinette there. "Glad your back Nette!" he proclaimed, sweeping her up in a hug.

Marinette happily returned it.

Alya joined in, pressing against Marinette.

Unable to help herself, Rose scuttled down to join the hug. The rest of the class dwindled down, crowding around, offering support and providing relief that she was back, that she was safe.

Adrien shared their smiles, watching the warm relief shine on Marinette's face as she looked over them all.

But he could not help but feel anxious and impatient.

He wanted her to know.

He wanted her to know so badly…

When Marinette heard the soft knock at her window, she called, "Come in!"

Chat slipped in, his gaze locking on her, watching her working on the Ladybug doll, rebuilding her body. Near her was the dragon Fang plush, waiting to be worked on next. Turning to her with a quirk of a smile, she teasingly asked, "Is this going to become a thing now?"

He set claws on his chest, grinning as he bid, "Well seeing as I am your favorite…"

She rolled her eyes, smiling as she sewed up the leg.

"You doing better?" he asked, plopping down on her chaise.

"I am," she confirmed.

Tikki zipped up to Chat, waving to him. "It certainly helps having Lila away, and Alya back." She pointed to the fabric Alya bought her. "She was so stressed, she thought about buying Marinette half the fabric store."

Chat had heard.

He overheard Alya bringing up going fabric shopping, going to little craft shops, offering to buy Marinette whatever she needed or wanted, just to make up what she went through. Marinette made it clare that it was fine.

"I'm glad you two are full friends again," he told her.

"Me too," Marinette murmured.

That was a long few weeks.

She was glad their friendship was back on track.

Chat shuffled on her chaise, glancing up to her loft. "How's Chevalier?" he asked.

"He's just missing a bell," she said, "almost as good as new though."

He nodded, pleased to hear that.

"And Ches?" he asked.

"As soft as ever."

"Good, good."

Chat leaned back on the chaise, lips pursed, awkward.

Marinette continued her work, lost in her thoughts.

Quietly, Marinette asked aloud, "Is it, is it weird that I wish he had a different end?"

"Nope," Tikki reassured, drifting over to her chosen, snuggling up on her cheek."He is your creation, and he cares." He gave up what he wanted most to secure she'd be happy.

"He did a lot for you," Chat murmured, fiddling with his claws.

She sighed, silently agreeing with him.

"So," Chat started.

Marinette hummed.

"Um, I'm…"

"You don't have to reveal yourself," she told him.

"I want too," he told her, willing the transformation to drop. "I trust you in knowing." Adrien gave a chuckle. "You were willing to give up your earrings for me."

Surprised by the flash of light, she turned to see Adrien shyly smiling at her on her chaise, waving to her, a little black cat kwami peering at her.

Marinette dropped the doll she was working on.

"Hi," he greeted.

"You, your… this, this whole time-"

"Yep!"

"I, I doubted you were Chat Noir!"

Adrien gasped at her. "My Lady! ...Well, I guess that's fair," he consented. He always looked over Marinette and never played with the idea of her being Ladybug. He even played with the thought of Chloe being Ladybug during the Lady Wifi fiasco!

But never Marinette.

So yeah, Adrien would call that even.

He turned when he heard her laugh, shaking her head a little. Bending down, she picked up the nearly mended Ladybug doll, and set her on the desk by the dragon. Then she got up and drew near him. Adrien watched her with wide eyes, heart pounding in his chest. She plopped down beside him, shoulder to shoulder, thigh to thigh.

With a mix of an eager and shy smile, she stared at him, comparing, noting, soaking him in. Adrien echoed her, wondering how could've missed her.

Her smile grew, satisfied with what she saw. "Hello Chaton," she greeted, holding her hand out to him.

Adrien shared her smile, taking her hand and lacing their fingers together, relishing the touch, relishing the shape of her hand, how it fit in his. He was touching her hand without gloves for once. He returned, "My Lady."

Tikki and Plagg floated up towards the trapdoor, Plagg not interested to see this go gushy, and Tikki thinking some privacy would be best. As Plagg slipped through the trapdoor, she stopped, hovering for a moment when her gaze settled on the Chat Noir doll.

She floated near and gave him a fond nuzzle. "I'm sorry," she offered the doll, but reassured, "but you did well. She is thankful."

The doll just smiled, staring at her blankly.

Tikki withdrew, smiling. "She'll smile more," she promised the doll. "I know she will."

Satisfied, she turned and zipped out, joining Plagg outside.

At the head of the bed, Chevalier sat comfortably against Ches, leaning against the curve of the cat plush guarding the head of the bed. They sat together with an ever present beam, as still and hushed as before, waiting for their creator to come and join them, waiting for her as they always did.

And will continue to do so.

Thank you guys for reading! I hope you had a good, emotional read!