"Behind every mask there is a face, and behind that a story." - Marty Rubin

A/N: This is my first foray into the fandom and I just couldn't resist...I'll just leave this here.

Midnight in Paris: Ladybug and Chat Noir share a well-timed kiss in the rain.

Midnight.

It was raining.

The streets were glowing from the reflection of the Paris lights on the wet pavement. Gold and white dots speckled the sidewalks and a soft pattering masked the distant sound of moving cars.

A pair of black leather boots stood directly opposite a pair of red and black polka-dot-clad feet.

On any other night, it would have been just another few moments of banter between Chat Noir and Ladybug, but something was different this time.

Perhaps it was the fresh scent of rain, and perhaps it was the jubilant expressions on their faces. Perhaps it was the adrenaline after having vanquished another foe. But something made the two of them want to linger. Something made them feel like being brave.

"We've been hiding behind our masks for too long," Chat was saying as he adjusted the black umbrella in his grip and made sure it covered his friend. Both he and Ladybug wondered why this scene felt familiar...a blond boy sharing an umbrella with a blue-eyed girl. But neither of them could place where the memory came from.

He brushed a damp curl away from Ladybug's cheek and she blushed.

"I know."

Neither of them had originally wanted to share their secret identity with the other. They thought total anonymity would be healthier for their alter-egos. But after a year of working together, they knew they worked better as a team. And teams failed if there were too many secrets.

As a completely unrelated side note, love also failed if there were too many secrets.

"It's your last chance to change your mind," Chat said, sounding giddily nervous. He was eyeing Ladybug's earrings, which were nearly spotless and chiming in warning. His ring was also flashing. They had mere moments before they changed back. "Are you completely sure about this?"

"I am," Ladybug said confidently. She took Chat's hands in hers. "I mean, I'm just as nervous as you are, but after all we have been through, would knowing really change anything between us?"

"Only for the better," said Chat. He looked into those eyes - blue like the heavens - and knew it was true.

"Good," she replied, stepping closer. The rain was letting up. "Because there's something I want to do."

And suddenly she was leaning in and he wasn't stopping her. It was raining at midnight and they were on a quiet glowing street with seconds ticking away to exposure and they were kissing and it was bliss. With their eyes closed, there was only the sense of silk, a lovely warmth, the smell of rain-on-cement...

They were still kissing when they changed back - there was a flash of energy as their masks fell away. The red and black spots vanished and the black cat ears disappeared.

Neither of them really cared about the name the lips of the other belonged to. Simply being together would have been enough. But they had already decided: no more secrets. It was too late to change their minds anyway, even if they'd wanted to.

They broke apart, eyes still closed.

"Ready?" she whispered, her heart pounding. I hope it's Adrien.

"Yeah." I hope it's Marinette.

"Open your eyes," she said, and green met blue in a flash of eyelashes.

"I should have known," said Adrien with a quirky smile, silently cheering. "I should have been able to spot you anywhere."

Marinette was startled at first, but she relaxed happily as she looked into those familiar emerald eyes. How could Chat have been anyone else? Deep down, she'd known it was him all along.

She put her arms around his neck and laced her fingers. "Always with the puns," she sighed.

"It's my best character trait." He was grinning from ear to ear.

"I'm glad it's you."

"And I'm glad it's you."

There was an elated pause.

"So...do you think we could try that again?" Adrien asked her shyly.

"Do you even have to ask?"

"Out of courtesy, yes, my lady."

"Then by all means."

Adrien winked.