The Final Chapter Of:

Concealment

Chapter Twelve

Changes and a Kiss

POV: Adrien

Ladybug's hands flew to her mouth, shock filling her eyes as she stared at his civilian form. "Adrien?"

Plagg floated inches from Adrien's face, smug as a cat can be. "I told you she wouldn't get it. You have one of the strongest concealments of any Chat Noir before you."

"Adrien? It's you?" Ladybug whispered.

"Surprise," Adrien smiled. "I guess no amount of hints was going to remove the concealment."

"Oh, my, god, Serious! How – how – what?" she cried.

"That was my thoughts a few moments ago!" Adrien said, laughing

"Concealment is very strong magic. It's one of the best defenses you two have," Plagg told his chosen. Then he turned his attention to Ladybug, "The names Plagg by the way, nice to meet you. I'm Chat's kwami. Can you release Tikki? Please?"

"Oh… um sure… I guess so, no reason staying hidden anymore…" Ladybug murmured. "Tikki, spots off."

In a similar flash of red the little kwami Adrien had met nights before appeared. Rushing over she tackled Plagg from the air and the two went tumbling into the open air with a screech of "Plagg!" Tikki's voice sounded far happier and much chipper then the last time he had met her.

"She's better than before," he stated, smiling back at Marinette who was blushing red in the night sky. "And you're looking better since yesterday as well."

"Um… y-yea. I slept most of today… we both did," she motioned to her kwami. "I can't believe I was so blind. You're even the only person to not be akumatized besides me in our class."

"Makes you feel a bit like an idiot, I know. I've been kicking myself all week for not figuring it out, but at least," he continued, "We know we are well hidden and that protects our families and friends from Hawkmoth."

Marinette nodded. "The concealment is a good trick. Though… I'm sure it works in Hawkmoth's favor as well."

"True, but for now… I believe you were worried about our team dynamic?" Adrien murmured. "Are you still worried? Has anything changed?"

"Has anything Changed? Everything has changed," Marinette murmured, watching the kwamis chase one another around the midnight blue sky.

Silence fell and Adrien waited, worry was spreading into his heart as he watched her. He knew she would need time, just as he had needed time as well. And he wanted to give it to her but he also wanted to hear that their team would be stronger now. Not weaker. They could help each other now. Contact the other if an attack occurred and the other didn't know. They could give each other alibies for where they had been during attacks. And…

A blush crossed his face as his eyes landed first on her hand sitting so close to his. Then his eyes rose to her face and lips, lips he wanted to kiss, lips that were currently being bitten by their owner as she deliberated in her mind. Finally, she released them with a sigh.

"My Lady?" he asked, pleased to see her blush darken.

"Chaton," she started. "What… what do you think about my crush on the Agreste boy? Do you think Marinette has a shot with him? After all… he seems pretty hung up on this Ladybug person…"

It took Adrien a moment to register what she had said, then he broke into a smile. "I think Marinette will find she as more than just a chance with Agreste… if you think Chat has a chance with Ladybug? After all, first crushes are hard to forget."

"Yea, I know. But… second crushes can be just as hard to forget as those first crushes…" she looked to Adrien, smiling at his confusion. "Because somewhere between the puns and the flirting… Chat Noir crept into Ladybug's heart just as easily as Adrien flew into Marinette's."

It was Adrien turn to blush, but he smiled too. "I would have to agree with you there. Second crushes are just as powerful as their predecessors," Adrien agreed. Turning he gazed out at the Paris skyline. "But I think your second crush has helped with your problem with the first one," he told her.

"Problem?" Marinette asked, confused.

"You've stopped stuttering," Adrien smiled, turning back to gaze at her.

Marinette face returned to the deeper red that had begun to fade. "Right… that. I could never figure out why I started that in the first place," she sighed, shoulders slumping and she gazed down at her hands. "I hope it doesn't return, I was finally getting over it this week."

"Only because you started groaning at my puns instead," Adrien winked at her when she looked up. Her eyes narrowed at him.

"Ugh, that should have been a giveaway right there," Marinette said, shaking her head in disbelief.

"That's the magic of the Miraculous for you. Though it was fun seeing you moan and groan as Marinette," he playfully shoved her shoulder.

"It will be more fun to shoot down your flirting now that I know it's you," Marinette winked at him this time, pulling out some Ladybug courage from somewhere deep inside.

"But My Lady!" his face fell, reveiling the Chat she knew and loved.

"Yes, Mou Chaton?" she smirked and he saw the glint in her eyes. Calling her bluff he leaned in closer to her.

"You won't shoot me down every time, will you?" he asked quietly.

"Guess you'll have to wait and see," she grinned, leaning into him and letting their lips met.

It was a quick first kiss. And technically it was their second, to Marinette's at least, and she blushed hard at that thought. Not that she was the only one blushing.

"Eeew!" Plagg cried, drawing their chosen's attention, causing the kiss to break. The little kwami was watching them with his tongue stuck out in discussed. Tikki giggled.

"Oh Plagg," she laughed. Then, surprising all three of them, she floated over and kissed Plagg cheek.

"Huh?" the little black cat was speechless, green eyes going wide as saucers. Tikki blushed pink instead of red. Marinette giggled. And Adrien broke out laughing.

Yes, everything would change.

But maybe not all change was bad.

FIN

A/N: It's over :( so sad! I cant believe its done! Wow. I don't have anything in the works right now but maybe I can get to writing more soon. Sorry about the wait for the chapter but it was worth it, right? Let me know what you thought, I really do appreciate the reviews :) And with any luck we will have new episodes to watch soon! Even if it is another three or four months... :'( And please feel free to leave a review! They keep me smiling!

9/10/17

All prayers going out to those in Texas and Florida as the recover from Harvey and are hit by Irma. Stay safe everyone!
And prayers for all those affected by 9/11 on this 16th anniversary.

We will never forget.