AN: I found this written first bit of a fanfiction that I had written up a few months ago, left forgotten. Until my sister wanted me to find something else I had written for Miraculous, when I stumbled upon this again! She insisted that I post it, and work on it as an ongoing fanfic.
If you agree with her, please let me know if you want me to continue it!

~ToujoursMiraculous

The sun was setting over the City of Love. The sky a brilliant orange, illuminating everything the rays touched, saying goodbye until the morning. Chat Noir and Ladybug had just brought down yet another akuma, that was sent with the hope that this time, the Miraculous would finally end up in Hawk Moth's clutches. Unfortunately for Hawk Moth, this akuma was captured, and rather quickly, they had managed to do so without even using their powers.

"We have some time, don't we, Ladybug? I mean, neither of us have to rush off because of our Miraculous." Chat asked hopefully, wanting to spend as much time with her as possible.
"I suppose we do..." she replied hesitantly.

Chat Noir was her partner, and her best friend. She knew Chat had feelings for her, but that didn't change how she felt about Adrien. She didn't want to hurt him, so all she could do is brush him off. Even that was becoming harder and harder to do these days, as he became more and more persistent.
Nervously brushing his hand through his hair, he spoke.

"There's something I need to talk to you about. Something I wanted to tell you a long time ago, but things kept getting in the way..." Chat's voice trailed off. Ladybug glanced around nervously, blushing slightly. Thankfully, her mask hid most of the pink that tinted her cheeks.
"What is it?" Ladybug asked, her voice an octave higher than usual.

Chat Noir took her hand in his, brushing the top of her hand gently with his thumb."I know you probably think I'm just a flirt, that I'm just having fun and playing games, not serious at all... but m'lady, I...I love you."

There it was, the words she knew it was coming someday. Yet, she realized at that moment, she would never actually be prepared to respond to them.

"Chat Noir, I-" she started, looking away from him, but Chat stopped her.

"You love someone." It wasn't a question.

"...Yes," she whispered after a moment.

"And he's not me?" Chat asked, barely audible.

"No, he's - he's not," Ladybug said, glancing down at her hand in his, then added, "he's someone I know... from school. I'm sorry, Chat. If there wasn't...if he didn't exist... I mean-"

"I get it," he said, trying to mask his pain. "If it weren't for this guy, then you'd give me a chance?"

"I'm sorry," Ladybug repeated quietly, on the verge of tears. She had no idea he cared for her this much, but she could see the pain in his eyes, the pain she put there.

"Don't worry, Bugaboo, I'll be okay," he said forcefully, his back towards her now. "I'll see you tomorrow, alright?" and with that, Chat bounded off of the windy rooftop, unable to hear Ladybug calling after him.

She was left on the roof, silent tears streaming down her face.

Chat flung into his bedroom window, becoming Adrien again.
He felt as if his heart had been ripped from his chest, and yet it was still in there, hammering away.

"Kid, are you okay?" Plagg asked, floating up to his face.
Adrien just shook his head. "I'm going to take a shower," he said dully, and headed for the bathroom.

I wonder who he is. Adrien thought to himself, as he turned on the water. This guy...this guy she likes. Is he even good enough for her? Does he have feelings for her, too? Or will she end up feeling like I do now, because the feeling's not mutual? He didn't want Ladybug to feel the same kind of pain that he was feeling. It's not Ladybug's fault she loves someone else, but any guy would have to be crazy not to like her.

The next day in school, both Marinette and Adrien walked into class, looking particularly glum and run down. Nino and Alya took notice of their best friends' haggardness.

"Dude, what's wrong? Is it your dad?"

"Ah, no. It has nothing to do with that, I'm fine, really," Adrien said weakly, with the fake smile he sometimes used during photoshoots.
Nino gave him a disapproving look, but left it alone.

"Seriously girl, what's wrong with you? You look like a wreck," Alya greeted Marinette just moments after Adrien sat down.

"I - I didn't sleep very well last night," Marinette admitted, yawning.

"That's as clear as day. Why couldn't you sleep?"

Every time Marinette tried to close her eyes, all she could see is the pained look in Chat's. Only, she couldn't share this with Alya, so she made up some fake fashion contest that she had stayed up super late fussing over instead.

Adrien was dreading the afternoon, and yet, he still had that familiar feeling of longing for it at the same time. He loved Ladybug, he loved saving Paris with her. No matter what, these things would never change. He wasn't going to let his time with her be ruined simply because for her, there was someone else. Chat Noir from now on would just be Ladybug's partner and friend, if she wanted.

"Marinette!" Alya said a bit too loudly, both Nino and Adrien turned around. Marinette had dozed off.

"What?! I'm up, I'm up..." she muttered, rubbing her eyes.

"Morning Marinette," Adrien greeted her cheerfully. For some reason, even with how badly he was feeling, something about her always brightened his mood, and sometimes brought out some of his 'Chat Noir' qualities. He wondered if Marinette noticed.

"M-m-morning, Adrien. H-how are you?" stuttered Marinette, her eyes wide.

"Good, I'm doing good," he answered, and when he said it, he really felt that he was. "Say, I was wondering...would you mind if I come over after school, possibly play a video game, or something?"

Marinette stared at him a moment, the only movement that came from her was her blinking. "You want to come over?" Marinette asked, bewildered.

"If you're busy or something, I totally understand, I just-"

"No, no! You could totally come over, I mean, if you want. Of course you do, you asked me if you could...I mean, but you don't have to, I was only...oh..." she groaned, hiding her face with her hands.

Adrien chuckled. "Is straight after school alright?"

That was perfect, patrol wasn't until 5.

"S-sure, you're perfect. I mean, THAT'S perfect!"

"Great, I'll walk with you then..."

"Okay..." she replied dreamily. Then it hit her. Her walls were plastered all over with his face. "Ahaha actually Adrien, I better go home first, make sure it's okay with my parents."

"Oh... alright. I'll just wait in front of the school for you then?"

"Sure!" she grinned down at him awkwardly until he turned around to face the front of the room.
Alya gave her a wink and a thumbs up to show her approval.

And suddenly, Marinette couldn't wait for the school bell to ring.