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Dangerous Games	By : Cat_Eyes Category: +M through R > Miraculous LadyBug Views: 11603 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug. Miraculous Ladybug is the intellectual property of Thomas Astruc and released by Zag studios. No profit was made writing this story.

Chapter List
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Adrien had only just changed into his pyjamas when he heard Marinette scream. He tripped over the hem of his pants, before stumbling out of his apartment. His concern escalated when he found her door unlocked. He then shoved his way inside, terrified of what the following silence could mean.
'Marinette, what's wrong?' he demanded when he saw her curled up on the couch, and staring at something before her.
He approached the back of the couch cautiously, afraid of spooking her, and of what he might find. She was staring at something on the coffee table with wide, unblinking eyes. Looking in the direction she was staring, he saw a low box. Confused, he edged closer.
'What?'
'He knows,' Marinette whined.
'Who knows what?' he asked, already knowing who she meant.
Marinette rose suddenly to her feet. 'The Stalker. He knows I'm Ladybug,' she cried.
Adrien paused, his eyes darting between her and the box. He took a step closer to get a better look. Inside were dead ladybeetles and butterflies pinned to a thick Styrofoam pad. He gulped, realisation coming in a sickening rush. His head spun and his stomach felt queasy, while Marinette paced in agitation. He stared from the box, to her, and back again while the information sank in.
Marinette was rambling, a panic induced litany which only served to fuel her growing dread. As quickly as she had stood, Marinette stopped and turned to face him, her face pale and sweaty. 'Now you know, too,' she whispered.
His heart clenched painfully at the naked fear on her face. In all the years he'd known her, no matter what guise she wore, he had never seen that look on her face before.
He took a step toward her, and gripped her shoulders. Looking her in the eyes, he said, 'don't worry about me, ok? I'm a grown man, big enough and ugly enough to look after myself. No one's going to hurt me.'
Tears welled up in her eyes to spill down her cheeks in a silent flood. Her lip quivered, and she hiccoughed an uneven gasp, but didn't push him away. Adrien pulled her into a hug and stroked her back, while rocking from side to side. She clutched his shirt and sobbed quietly into the fabric.
'Come on, you can stay with me again. I won't leave you here alone,' he said, gently guiding her towards the door.
Marinette began walking without protest, though she kept her arms curled protectively in front of her chest and her shoulders hunched.
Adrien glanced behind them when they reached the door, to see a bright red kwami hovering anxiously over the back of the couch. He tipped his head, indicating the creature follow them.

Adrien cuddled Marinette as they lay in his bed. Neither of them were asleep, but Adrien felt inexplicably better with her, alone in the dark, as she lay within the protection of his arms.
Her head rested on his shoulder as her breathing gradually slowed down. He continued to rub her back and stroke her hair, with soothing shushing noises. Since she had not changed from her day clothes, and had left her apartment unprepared for a sleepover, he had loaned her a shirt to sleep in. It was so large, the collar hung off one shoulder, and the hem almost reached her knees. He didn't feel it was the appropriate time to tell her how adorable she looked in his clothes.
'I just told you I'm Ladybug,' she whispered, aghast.
He gave her a light squeeze. 'Better me than anyone else. Your secret's safe with me, I promise.'
'You could get hurt because of what you know,' she argued.
'Then we just don't tell anyone that I know.'
'There's no way it can be that simple. It's never simple.'
'Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. We'll keep a lid on it for now, and see how we go, all right?'
Her fingers curled in his shirt. 'Ok. What a heroic figure I cut,' she sighed.
Adrien placed a chaste kiss on her crown. 'We all have moments of weakness, it's nothing to be ashamed of. For what it's worth, I think your feelings are perfectly justified. A stalker finding out your most important secrets would scare the snot out of anybody.'
Marinette huffed a weak laugh. 'True. I just can't believe a complete stranger has that information. I don't like what he can do with the knowledge. Damn it, if only I'd seen something, heard something.'
Adrien perked up. 'The camera,' he exclaimed.
'The what?'
'I installed a security camera in my door. Maybe it caught something that'll help us catch this freak.'
Marinette sat up. 'Well, what're you waiting for? Go check the footage.'
Adrien bolted out of bed and ran to the loungeroom to fetch his laptop. He came back with it open in his arms as it booted up. He put it down to wriggle back under the blanket, then hefted it into his lap while Marinette curled into his side to watch. He wrapped his arm around her waist to manoeuvre the mouse and open up the security program.
It took a little time to puzzle out, but soon they were watching the day's feed. Nothing happened for a long while, prompting Adrien to figure out the fast forward action. Then, at a point late in the evening, a dark figure appeared at the edge of the screen. Marinette gasped as Adrien rushed to hit pause. He rewound it a bit, then pressed play.
The figure was dark and blurry as it hovered on the perimeter of the screen. Then, it cautiously made its way over to Marinette's door, the box held under one arm. It bent over to place it on the floor, then straightened up again, looking around. The person was identifiable as male, with a slender build and of an average height, but his face was obscured by the deep shadows of a hood, and a makeshift mask covered the lower half of his face.
'What's he wearing on his face?' Adrien wondered.
'It looks like a handkerchief, or a scarf. He's probably wearing sunglasses too, judging by the occasional glint of light reflecting from under his hood.'
Adrien paused the video and brought the screen closer to his face, squinting at the man. Light had indeed caught on something glossy under his hood. Adrien scowled, and lowered the laptop to resume play back.
The figure furtively crept back to the stairwell, and out of sight. Adrien sighed, frustrated his plan hadn't worked.
'This is great,' Marinette marvelled. 'With this, I can prove there's someone out there. I bet the police could use this in their investigation.'
Adrien squeezed her around the shoulders. 'I love the positive thinking. I'm proud of you.'
She turned to him with a sceptical twist to her lips. 'Why?'
'Well, you're Ladybug for one. It goes without question I'd be proud of you for that. It takes a lot of guts to fight crimes and akuma, especially since your motives are entirely altruistic. You don't do it for reward or praise, but because it's the right thing to do. You're amazing.'
A dark blush spread across her cheeks as she looked away. 'Thank you,' she breathed.
'Furthermore, you're humble, kind, compassionate, extremely clever and talented. You're an incredible designer, a supportive friend, and absolutely trustworthy.'
'Stop,' she told him, her hands pattering against his chest.
'Do you believe me when I tell you you're amazing? No matter which side of the mask you're on, you're amazing. In fact, it's Marinette who makes Ladybug so amazing. She is you, after all.'
'I don't think of Ladybug as a separate personality, you know. I've never felt like there was a divide between myself and my alter ego.'
'I'm pleased to hear it.'
'Stop it,' she repeated. 'It's late, go to sleep.'
'As you wish, Ladynette.'
'Oh my God, will you stop?'
'Anything you say, Maribug.'
'Seriously, it's super late, and we have things to do in the morning.'
Adrien chuckled, then placed a tender kiss on Marinette's forehead. 'Ok, we do have a big day tomorrow. How are you feeling?'
She was silent while she considered her response. 'I'm ok, I guess. I appreciate you being here for me, it really makes me feel better. I'm sorry I told you to go away before.'
'Don't worry about it. You were scared, I get that.'
Marinette released a long breath as she settled down against him. 'Still, I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. Chat Noir must think I'm so ungrateful, now.'
Adrien trailed his fingertips up and down her arm. 'No one thinks you're ungrateful. Go to sleep now, we have a hell of a day ahead of us.'
He shut his laptop off and burrowed down beside her.
Unbelievable, he thought, with a small shake of his head. Marinette has been Ladybug this whole time.
He felt astonished, both at the revelation, and his at his own blindness. The two loves of his life were really only one person.
I guess that makes things a little easier. I'm not a cheating cad, after all.
However, he had to set his mental breakdown aside. Marinette needed him to be strong right now, and as her partner, he would do what he could to help her through.
A warm feeling blossomed in his chest, hopeful and excited. Ladybug had always pushed Chat Noir away, and now he knew why. Marinette had a crush on Adrien, so it was no wonder Ladybug had rejected his advances for all those years.
He bit his lip, hoping she still loved him enough, no matter what guise he wore, to take him back. Now that he knew her secret, he didn't think he'd ever be able to let her go.
As her breathing evened out, he stroked her hair, and placed a tender kiss on her crown.
He fell asleep with her head on his chest, and his arm draped over her waist. Nothing had ever felt so right.
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