All The Things You Said

By: Lara Winner

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Miraculous Series

Adrien would be the first to admit that sometimes his understanding of social interaction was a bit lacking.

Blame could be placed upon his father, that years of imposed isolation from his peers put him at a distinct disadvantage when dealing with the nuances of hormonal teenage interaction. He could even concede that anime and comic books were hardly a good basis of comparison for navigating the pitfalls of the savage jungle also known as high school.

Observation could not always substitute experience; he'd been learning that the hard way.

It was Friday afternoon; the bell had just signaled the end of the school day and Adrien had to stifle a laugh as Nino was practically pulled out of his seat by his pushy girlfriend. Alya winked and flashed Adrien a fearsome grin, the kind that made him feel like he was missing something important. Not at all sure what that was about- because this was Alya and not many people could keep up with her thought process- he waved to his two friends and started putting his books away as the rest of the class boisterously exited the room.

A shadow fell over his desk and Adrien looked up.

"Hey Marinette," he grinned easily, genuinely happy she stopped to talk to him. It seemed she'd been making more of an effort lately to acknowledge him, sometimes without her usual unease, and it warmed Adrien's heart to think that maybe they were finally heading into that normal-friend-thing she had with Nino.

"H-h-hey A-Adrien…"

He tried not to show his disappointment because she was nervous around him again, and focused on the fact that she had talked to him first this time.

"This week was killer but at least it's the weekend, huh?"

Marinette blinked and then nodded with enough enthusiasm to make a bobble head jealous. "Y-yeah, go weekend!" she exclaimed softly, awkwardly fist pumping the air.

Adrien had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. He didn't want to seem rude but honestly she was just too damn adorable. He decided to take pity on her.

"So…" he said leadingly, "I take it there's a reason you wanted to talk to me?"

Marinette slowly blinked again- the random thought filling his mind that her eyes were like a deep sea of blue he could drown in- before visibly collecting herself and promptly flushing scarlet.

"Right, um… here," she stammered, thrusting the non-descript white box she was holding into his hands. "I know you like pastries and Papa was trying out new recipes so I thought you could taste them and let me know what you think because I liked them but Maman said the raspberry was too sweet and the lemon wasn't sweet enough but if you don't want to try them that's okay-"

Marinette's rambling halted as she drew a breath and Adrien clutched the box closer just in case she tried to take it back. The delicious scent wafting up from the box made his mouth water.

"I can't wait to try them," he replied excitedly, "Thanks Marinette!"

She released her breath in a gentle woosh, a far more natural smile lighting up her face. "Really? Your welcome? I mean… your welcome."

A feeling of fondness pooled in his chest and Adrien couldn't help but chuckle. He truly liked Marinette and she was definitely one of his favorite people, but he was still completely at a loss as to why she couldn't just talk to him like she did with everyone else. He wasn't sure what more he could do to get her to relax.

But maybe he had an idea…

Slinging his book bag over his shoulder, Adrien motioned his head toward the door to get Marinette to follow him. The car was already waiting for him, he was certain, but his bodyguard could wait a little longer. He paused by one of the benches in the courtyard, hoping she felt a little more comfortable now that they were around other students, and hefted the box in is hand, "Want to share them with me?"

It was an innocent question so Adrien was more than a little confused when Marinette's eyes widened, dropping down the box like it was a nest of writhing vipers, and squeaked, "Can't… uh… I gotta… see. Go you later!"

Adrien watched her leave, stumbling over her own feet in her haste to beat a quick retreat, and let his shoulders slump in defeat. Maybe there wasn't anything he could do to get her to like him more. But if she didn't like him very much then why did she force herself to be nice to him and give him sweet treats?

Marinette obviously valued his opinion which should mean they were friends… right?

Why did he have this sinking feeling that he was missing something in all of this, something really, really big?

Why did girls have to be so freakin' complicated?

Clutching the box to his chest, Adrien made his way to the waiting car bemused and frustrated. At least he had the sweets. He understood those.

"So girl, how did it go?"

Marinette pulled a face at Alya's image staring back at her from her computer monitor. "What part do you want to know about? The part where I turned into a basket case suffering from verbal dyslexia or the part where he almost opened the box and found my love letter and I ran like hell?"

"At least you remembered to put the letter in there," Alya laughed, but then stopped abruptly arching a brow accusingly, "You did, right?"

Marinette groaned, clutching at her pigtails dramatically. "Yes I put it in there. I even signed it this time but I gave him the box so I'm pretty sure he would have known it was from me anyway." Taking a deep breath, she asked worriedly, "Now what do I do?"

"You wait. Give Adrien time to think about how he feels and if the boy is smart then he already knows how amazing you are and this should be a piece of cake," Alya beamed.

"But I'm not amazing, I'm…" she gestured wildly to herself, frowning, "just me."

"I'm calling bullshit on that. You. Are. Amazing. You just have to believe it, girl."

"What if he doesn't feel the same? Or can't? Then what do I do?" Marinette whispered.

"Then you hold your head high, be his friend and move onto bigger and better things. He's just a boy, sweetie. Paris is full of them." Alya replied with a cheeky grin.

From her unseen perch on top of the monitor Tikki nodded her head in agreement.

The letter was shaking.

No not the letter, Adrien realized; it was his hand that was shaking.

He could feel his blood pressure rising, heat flooding his face as his temples throbbed. His stomach was twisting into a knot, though from panic or excitement he really couldn't tell, well maybe it was a bit of both, but definitely more panic.

He still couldn't tear his eyes way from the letter.

What the hell was he supposed to do? This.. this complicated things, right? Because now he knew, now he had the answer to the mystery that was Marinette Dupain-Cheng. And it all made sense, in a scary, heavy- this is not something to be taken lightly because I could break her heart and she'll hate me forever but I've never thought of her like that- kind of way.

Taking a deep breath Adrien read the letter again.

Adrien,

There is something I've wanted to tell you for a long time. I'm not good with words and when I try and talk to you and I make a fool of myself more often than not so I decided to write it down instead.

You're an amazing, handsome and extremely talented guy. But more importantly you are the kindest, most caring person I know. You stole my heart the day you gave me your umbrella. But that's ok. It's yours if want it.

I love you.

There, now I can't take it back or completely mess it up by being scared. You mean the world to me and now you know it. I hope it's a good thing.

All my love,

Marinette

Why did she have to go and say anything? Why? Why? Why? He was perfectly happy being a clueless idiot.

"I told you she was your girlfriend," Plagg teased, the little kwami reading the note over Adrien's shoulder.

Girlfriend…

"Gah!" Adrien cried, dropping the note and lurching off the sofa to his feet. Raking his hands through his hair in agitation, he began to pace back and forth. "She… I… why…" He struggled to articulate his thoughts until he finally settled on something tangible.

"I love Ladybug, not Marinette," he stated sadly.

Plagg cocked his head to the side curiously. "So that's the end of it then?"

Adrien eyed the cat-like kwami as he floated past his head, his pacing coming to a halt, "Well yeah. I'm going to lose Marinette as a friend when I tell her I don't feel the same and as much as that really, really sucks I don't know what else I can do. I mean, I'm not going to lie to her just to spare her feelings. That would hurt her a thousand times worse."

Now Plagg was looking at him like he was the dumbest person on the planet.

"What?"

"Ok kid, pay attention and try to keep up," the kwami groused, rubbing his little paws together, "You're going to turn down a chance with a really nice girl who has genuine feelings for you because you think you're in love with some nameless chick in skin-tight polka dots? Reality check, what you've fallen for is the skin-tight polka dots."

"Not true!" Adrien glared, his sea green eyes flashing angrily. "Ladybug is everything I could ever want. She's brave, kind, smart, strong-"

"With midnight hair and blue-bell eyes, just like Marinette. Obviously you have a type," Plagg retorted with a roll of his glowing eyes and a fanged grin. "But your little girlfriend has something that Ladybug doesn't."

"She's not my girlfriend-"

"Neither is Ladybug," Plagg snapped, "Focus Adrien, this is the important part. Marinette loves you. Not because you're a model, not because you're a hero and not because I make you look good in black leather. She loves you, kid, and I've been around long enough to know that's something you don't just throw away."

Making a noise that sounded suspiciously like a whine, Adrien flopped down on the sofa and dropped his head into his hands. Damn Plagg for making such good points and damn his own lack of experience so that he couldn't refute the kwami's insinuations with certainty.

Swallowing back his irritation, he looked up at Plagg with a resigned sigh, "So what do I do?"

"That is up to you. I want cheese."

"Seriously?" Adrien hissed, his annoyance coming back full force. "After all of that now you've got nothing to say?"

"Pretty much," Plagg replied with a shrug. "I can't do all the thinking for you, even if I am the brains of this operation."

"Brains my ass," Adrien muttered under his breath.

"I heard that."

Ignoring Plagg, Adrien picked up the discarded note once more, revisiting the heartfelt words and this time allowing their warmth to sink in.

"I don't want to hurt her," he admitted softly.

Curling up on Adrien's thigh with his wedge of camembert, Plagg offered his charge one more pearl of wisdom. "Then don't."

Who knew that akuma attacks were a great way to expend copious amounts of nervous energy?

After a night of fitful tossing and turning and spending most of the day unable to focus on anything productive while nervously pacing a rut in her bedroom floor, Marinette was a tightly wound ball of frayed nerves. It didn't help that her thoughts kept running in circles, flipping back and forth between fantasies of Adrien taking her in his arms and professing his undying love to worst case scenarios where he gave her pitying looks and said thanks but no thanks.

When the akuma attacked it was a blessed relief.

Ladybug didn't have time to be hung up over some handsome boy. She couldn't afford to be distracted by sun kissed hair and polished jade eyes. Running over roof tops, adrenalin igniting in her blood, she held the fate of Paris in the palm of her hand. There was no room for uncertainty and self-doubt with such a precious treasure under her protection.

With her poker face on and her head in the game, Ladybug made quick work of kicking akuma butt and giving Hawkmoth the metaphorical finger yet again.

After she saved her partner's scrawny hide, of course.

They both collapsed onto the rooftop as swirls of ladybugs flew into the air in mesmerizing spirals putting everything back in its place. Catching her breath, Ladybug ignored the beep of her earrings and turned to watch Chat as he struggled to sit upright, his breath coming in wheezing gasps. He took a pretty hard hit against the side of the building, hard enough that some ribs should have been broken, but as her miraculous did it's work he started breathing easier and her worry turned to vexation.

"What the hell was that?" She asked with enough attitude lacing her voice to let him know she wasn't happy.

"Sorry my Lady, I made a bad call."

"A bad call? You almost got yourself killed," she snapped.

Instead of flashing Ladybug a charming smirk and teasing her for her concern, behavior that she'd come to expect from her partner, instead Chat simply hugged his knees to his chest and rested his chin on them refusing to look in her direction.

"I said I'm sorry," he mumbled softly.

Siting up as well, Ladybug folded her legs and braced her elbows on her knees, propping her chin on her fists. She didn't have much time so she got right to the point. "Start talking."

"Huh?"

"You've been completely distracted tonight," she replied by way of explanation, "Whatever the reason is you can tell me."

Chat opened his mouth to speak then closed and opened it twice more before finally deciding to ask, "Have you ever been in love, my Lady?"

Ladybug stiffened, not sure where this was going or if she would like the direction. Hesitantly she answered, "Yes, there is someone I love. Very, very much."

Another beep sounded in her ear.

Chat's eyes finally slid to meet hers, his expression unreadable. "He's very lucky."

"Of course he is," she quipped with false bravado to hide the vulnerability Chat's honesty threatened to reveal. "And you're lucky I'm here to save your neck."

"That I am," he smiled, familiar but wrong.

"Well if you're not going to tell me what's bothering you then I need to bounce before I turn back into a real girl," she said, rising lithely to her feet and pulling out her yo-yo. She was nearly to the edge of the roof when his hand grasped hers, stopping her in her tracks.

"This guy that you… you love, does he know about this?"

"About Ladybug?" she asked, looking back over her shoulder with a perplexed frown.

Chat Noir nodded, lips thinned and jaw tight.

"No and he won't, ever." Giving Chat's hand a squeeze, she continued sadly, "That's the price we pay for the freedom. It comes with responsibility and dangerous consequences. It's a good thing we have each other because no one else can know this side of us. That's the only way to keep the people we love safe."

Her earrings beeped again.

Chat's eyes flicked to her ear then back to her own, his expression resigned but determined.

"I get it, bugaboo. Even if we wanted…" he trailed off, giving his head a slight shake. "You'd better go. Until next time," he smirked, bringing her hand up to meet his lips.

"Stay out of trouble Kitty," she smirked back, flicking him on the nose before launching herself into the air and away from trouble with a capital C.

It was one thing for Chat to suspect that Ladybug might never return his feelings, but to have it confirmed from the source herself, that she did indeed have a lover, hurt worse than he was prepared for.

There is someone I love. Very, very much.

Her soft words repeated themselves over and over, ricocheting around in his head, causing the breath to catch in his chest as he raced across the nigh skyline. He was fairly certain that a jagged blade going through his heart would probably be less painful than trying to breathe around the knot of frustrated tears lodged in his throat. But he refused to slow down, running as if his life depended on the slap of his feet hitting the concrete and the jolts that reverberated through his bones.

It was the beeping of Chat's ring that finally forced the distraught teen to seek the refuge of his unwelcoming home, collapsing exhaustedly on his bedroom floor mere seconds before his transformation dispersed, as a few traitorous tears escaped the corner of his eyes.

Plagg landed beside him with a tiny thump. "Are ya trying to kill me, kid?"

Feeling detached and drained, Adrien ignored the mischievous kwami's baiting because now that the numbness had settled in he was too afraid to disturb it.

With robotic movements and a vacant stare, he sought the comfort of a hot shower. The scalding water acted as a balm for his screaming muscles and a convenient disguise for the tears that leaked down his cheeks. Resting his brow against the cooler tiles, eyes screwed closed against the memory of Ladybug's tender smile as she mentioned the boy she loved; he was consumed by self- recriminations.

That was his moment. He could have countered her feelings with his own. He could have laid out everything between them, strained partnership and consequences be damned. That was his chance to make her understand that is feelings for her were true, not just a silly, star-struck crush.

But he let the perfectly good opportunity slip away because underneath his over confident mask he was just a lonely boy with a loving heart that understood Ladybug wasn't his and never had been.

It was that simple truth that consumed him long after the hot water had run cold and he was curled up in a ball in his bed, kaleidoscope dreams of vanishing ladybugs, fields of blue-bells and midnight skies keeping him company.

The next morning when Adrien awoke, groggy from a restless night's sleep with sandpaper eyes and a cardboard throat, the pale morning light that illuminated his room also elucidated a new perspective.

He would always love Ladybug. That wasn't something he could change, even if he were inclined to try. But why couldn't he come to love someone else as well? It was hardly fair to pine away for a girl who already loved another; a girl that would never be anything more than an ideal, just a part-time companion in fleeting moments of his life. Because Ladybug had been right about one thing, their alter-egos and the bond they shared only existed in the realm of their duty, not in their civilian lives.

Chat Noir was only a part of Adrien personality just as Ladybug was only a part of the girl under her mask.

A girl that Adrien Agreste would never get the chance to know.

It was a harsh truth to accept but one that Adrien would not shy away from. While he was optimistic to a fault, romantic by nature and cursed with a sentimental heart, he was also a practical person that knew when a situation was out of his hands.

How could Ladybug and Chat Noir have any kind of relationship if they could never truly be themselves when it counted most?

They couldn't.

But Adrien could be himself with Marinette.

He could be a little flirty like Chat and a little sappy like Adrien. He could make her laugh with lame jokes and sweep her off her feet with his impeccable manners. He could get excited about sweets and not care if she beat him at every video game he owned…

He could be real with Marinette.

He could have so much more with her.

So what if his heart didn't try to beat its way out of his chest at the sight of his adorable classmate? The warm feeling that swelled with in him whenever Marinette smiled was equally addictive. Could he have deeper feelings for Marinette if he allowed them to grow? He wouldn't know if never gave them a chance.

Marinette was not Ladybug; he couldn't measure one by the other. And he couldn't measure his emotions that way either. He wanted- no, needed this chance with Marinette to be different so he could give it a fair shot.

There was no point in making comparisons, not only was it unfair but he had the sinking feeling that there wouldn't be much to compare anyhow since his experiences with Ladybug were rather limited.

But with Marinette the possibilities could be endless.

Acknowledging this line of thought did not take away the sting of Ladybug's confession. Adrien's heart was cracked and bruised, his emotions exhausted and torn. But he was not broken.

Marinette was her own person and that was enough for now. Come whatever may happen between them, Adrien was going to make damn sure Ladybug had nothing to do with it.

"You really should set your alarm earlier, Marinette." Tikki admonished in her gentle, up-beat way, her large blue eyes filled with exasperated amusement as she watched her charge scurry around her bedroom getting herself ready for school.

"Its fine Tikki, I'll just be fashionably late," Marinette replied breathlessly, her voice muffled by the shirt stuck over her head as she pulled on her skinny jeans blindly.

"I don't think school is the place you're supposed to make a grand entrance," the kwami giggled. With unsuspecting strength or a creature so small Tikki tugged Marinette's shirt down, freeing her head and gave the teen's cheek an affectionate pat. "Besides, I thought you would have wanted to get to school early so you could talk to Adrien."

Marinette blushed. "Well, I overslept so it will have to wait."

"But you weren't sleeping because you hardly slept at all last night. And when the alarm sounded you put your pillow over your head and tried to hide under your blankets," Tikki teased, "I think you're stalling."

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!" Marinette cried with a stomp of her dainty foot for emphasis. When Tikki dissolved into a fit of tinkling laughter, Marinette grinned sheepishly, "Okay, so maybe I was stalling a little. But now we really need to go. Come on, Tikki."

In a blur of black and pink Marinette zipped through the bakery, snagging a cookie for her kwami and calling out a goodbye to her parents. In the distance the bell rang and she raced across the street toward the school, narrowly missing pedestrians and vehicles in her haste. By the time she reached her classroom she was flushed, out of breath and feeling a little sick to her stomach from nerves. Taking a deep breath, she mustered her best apologetic smile and opened the door, unexpectedly tripping over her own feet and stumbling gracelessly into the classroom.

The surprised quiet was broken by collective snickering earning the tardy girl a disapproving frown from Mlle. Bustier.

"So nice of you could join us, Marinette." The teacher snapped.

"Sorry Mlle. Bustier," she pouted, keeping her eyes down and slipping into her seat.

In her peripheral vision Marinette saw how Adrien turned in his seat to watch her. She could feel his stare tingle along her skin, but she didn't dare peek up from her task as she arranged her books before her knowing that she wouldn't be able to keep from staring back at the handsome boy. It was bad enough her face was aflame from everyone's laughter; she didn't need his pretty green eyes to steal her wits away as well.

Alya kicked her foot under the desk table.

Marinette ignored her.

Just when she was certain she couldn't keep her curiosity at bay any longer, Nino punched Adrien's shoulder in warning getting the blond boy to turn around and face forward. Marinette sagged in her seat breathing a silent sigh of relief.

Alya kicked her foot again, harder.

Marinette kicked her friend back just as a folded note dropped onto her open textbook. She side-eyed Alya but the Lady-blogger only grinned, pointing at Adrien.

A note from Adrien…

Marinette's eyes widened in full blown panic and jerked to the back of the blond head in front of her. A note only meant one thing; she was getting her answer, right here right now in the middle of class where everyone could bear witness to her utter humiliation. Swallowing hard against the internal freak out just waiting to erupt, she opened the note carefully, bracing herself for the worst…

I was hoping to see you this morning

That was… not an outright rejection.

Marinette's breath released in a rush as a different kind of nervousness twisted her stomach. Unsure what to respond, she kept her reply neutral.

Sorry, I overslept as usual lol

Reaching over Marinette dropped the note onto the bench seat beside Adrien. There was no way in hell she could focus on class now. Instead she doodled in the margins of her note book and waited for his response. A few minutes later Adrien leaned back in his seat and stretched, discreetly dropping the note onto her textbook again.

Can we talk at lunch hour?

Marinette had to bite her lip to keep from smiling.

Sure thing

She watched Adrien's back as he read over her reply and she could have sworn his shoulders seemed to relax a little. She should have known that Adrien wouldn't crush her feelings in a careless note. He wanted to talk to her and it could very well be to let her down gently but at least he was considerate enough not to upset her in front of everyone. It was really hard not to love the boy.

However, the dreamy expression was ripped from Marinette's face when Alya kicked her under the desk table for a third time. This time it was hard enough to make her yelp. With a purple face and a withering glare at Alya, who smiled back innocently, Marinette sunk down in her seat and wrote her friend a quick progress report.

We're meeting at lunch to talk. I'll fill you in later. QUIT KICKING ME!

It was apparently enough to appease the Lady-blogger because she kept her foot to herself, much to the relief of Marinette's ankle.

Adrien impatiently tapped his pen against the desk, oblivious to Nino's disgruntled glare, as he watched the clock willing it to move faster. He was desperate to talk to Marinette, eager to have things settled between them. Maybe then he could get her off his mind for a few hours and actually focus on his neglected school work and not what he wanted to say to her.

To admit her confession had wreaked havoc on his head would be an understatement. Once he'd made up his mind to go for it, shy little Marinette was all he'd been able to think about. He wasn't proud to admit that a large part of it was because knowing Marinette found him lovable was soothing the cut of Ladybug's rejection, but aside from that Adrien actually wanted to make a good impression with her. He intended to be honest and tell her everything so it was important that he articulate his feelings properly. He didn't want assumptions and miscommunications to plague them in the future.

When the bell finally rang for lunch Adrien was wound so tightly he sprang from his seat like a jack-in-a-box, stuffing his books into his satchel haphazardly, a far cry from his usual meticulous tendencies. Plastering a well-practiced smile on his face, he turned to Marinette looking for all the world like he was in control, when in truth his heart tugged in his chest and every memorized line melted away at the sight of her hopeful yet hesitant smile.

"H-Hey," she stammered softly.

Had he ever noticed how pretty she was? He'd thought her adorable; had even acknowledged she was cute. But right at this moment, looking up at him with clear eyes as endlessly blue as the sky, the apple of her cheeks tinted pink as she worried her bottom lip between her teeth, Adrien felt like he'd never really seen her before.

When her gaze skittered away uncertainly, he was pulled from his trance.

"I was thinking we could go to the park," he blurted out abruptly, hoping he didn't come across stiff and commanding like his father. He relaxed slightly when her smile widened and she nodded, situating her book bag and motioning for him to lead the way.

They walked together in expectant silence, Adrien noticing the curious stares from some of the other students. He was used to attention, it rarely bothered him anymore. Marinette would have to get used to it though. Being seen with an Agreste was going to get her noticed and he hoped she would be okay with that. That was something he would have to warn her about if she wanted him in her life.

It was a short distance to the park but by the time they claimed a bench and settled down, the silence was starting to become stifling. Their eyes met in a shared side-glance and they both spoke at once.

"Marinette-"

"Adrien-"

They stopped short, awkward laughter overtaking the uncomfortable quiet until Marinette nudged his arm with her elbow. "You first."

Okay. He could do this.

"Your note surprised me," Adrien started with a sheepish smile, "It shouldn't have, maybe, but I'm not always good at reading people. I honestly had no idea how you felt. But now, knowing that you care so much about me means more to me than I can put into words."

Marinette smiled wryly, "But?"

Was he that obvious?

He sighed deeply, rubbing his neck nervously, really hoping this part didn't ruin everything. "But, there is someone I have feelings for. She doesn't return them, I know that now, and it's probably for the best, but…" he shrugged a shoulder helplessly, "You deserve to know."

It could have been the sadness that seeped into his voice, or the shadow that clouded his expression, but Marinette didn't recoil at his admission. She surprised him with her genuine concern.

"Why on earth would she turn you down?" she asked, sounding upset for him.

"Affection can't be forced, I know that better than anyone," he replied with a certainty borne of a home life that left him desperate for something more. There was no point in telling Marinette that he hadn't actually confessed his feelings to Ladybug, it was enough that she understood that he was no longer holding out for someone who couldn't be what he needed. But when Marinette flinched, he realized she'd taken his statement the wrong way.

"I-It's okay Adrien. P-P-Please don't feel b-bad. I didn't e-expect you to feel the s-same about me," she stammered earnestly, her discomfiture returning with a vengeance. It was like he could see her walls slamming back into place, shutting him out and he didn't like it one bit.

"Wait! That's not what I meant," he backpedaled, mentally kicking himself. Borrowing a bit of Chat's boldness, Adrien took her hand in his, locking their gazes so she would understand exactly how he was serious was. "The point I'm trying to make is; I've been so busy chasing a pipe dream that I never noticed what was right in front of me. But I see you and if you could give me a chance I want to try figure this out with you."

"Oh," Marinette breathed ever so softly, eyes wide and slightly unfocused, "Okay."

He wasn't sure what to make of her reaction so he soldiered on.

"To be fair I don't know you as well I'd like. You're always so shy around me and uncomfortable; I kinda thought you didn't like me at all actually. Now that I know I was totally wrong, I want to get to know you better. Maybe we could… I don't know, hang out and do stuff together. You know, just see what happens from there."

Adrien finally understood the courage it took for Marinette to give him that note, to expose her inner most feelings and offer them up under his scrutiny and chance finding out she wasn't good enough. Even now he half expected her to brush him off and the very thought sent his stomach coiling into a vicious knot.

But then Marinette grinned, her eyes crinkling with excitement, and he felt like he could breathe again. She sounded a little dazed and a whole lot happy as she asked, "You really mean it, don't you?"

"Definitely," he promised, her joy triggering a similar emotion within himself. "You're an amazing friend and I want to know if we could be… more," he added shyly, unable to contain his lopsided smirk.

"I'd like that too," she beamed, squeezing his hand that he'd forgotten was still holding hers.

Warmth and contentment filled Adrien as he sat beside Marinette, relishing the connection that was beginning to form and looking forward to the tentative steps it would take to create something between them that would make it all worthwhile.

Blinded by her exuberance it was a simple thing to ignore the nagging little whisper in the back of his mind that warned it couldn't possibly be this easy, black cats almost never had this kind of good luck.

A.N. – So… this is my first Miraculous fanfic. I'm blown over by this kids show that just kills me with all the feels. Now for the first time in a really, really long time I'm inspired to write again. There is more to this and I was going to finish it before posting it but I honestly couldn't wait. Let me know what ya think.

** Edited for grammatical errors and a few incorrect spellings. ( I probably still missed some lol)