Author's Note: Hey guys! I had this idea based off of my own Miraculous theories/speculations, so don't kill me if my story doesn't float your boat. On the other hand, if you love it, please review!

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or elements relating to Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir.

Miraculous: Borderline

Chapter 1: On the Edge

Adrien paced the halls before class change, his brow furrowed and his mind in a whirl of ceaseless thoughts.

Should I tell her?

Adrien looked up, his sharp eyes looking straight through the windows of the Françoise Dupont High School and out into the streets of Paris. After eyeing the Eiffel Tower in the distance for a moment, reminiscing of all the fights they'd fought there together, Adrien focused his gaze on his reflection on the glass pane.

Would she even care?

Adrien felt stricken for the second time that week. They had fought Stormy Weather again that morning, and Stormy, being one of their more powerful akumatized villains, had nearly managed to knock Ladybug unconscious into the Seine River. It had been a terrifying moment for Adrien, upon seeing Ladybug so close to death. What would've happened if he hadn't saved her?

Adrien knew that he loved her, and he knew that she knew. And he had never been shy about confessing his feelings, despite having been rebuked again and again.

But this time, when Adrien had kneeled down in front of Ladybug to tell her how he felt, he'd hesitated, for once unsure where to begin.

She had already rejected him twice. He didn't want to be rejected again.

And to him, it seemed like she would always reject him as Cat Noir...but would she love him if he proved he was Adrien?

Would that even be who he wanted her to fall in love with?

Adrien felt an immense fog of sadness descend upon him. People loved him because of his looks. He knew that. His father knew that. And Adrien could not see how anyone would ever love him for who he really was if all they could see was his looks.

"Adrien?"

Adrien blinked and turned to see Marinette standing just two feet shy of him. Her dark blue hair was pulled back into two ponytails, and she wore her stylish gray blazer over a white shirt with a pink flower design. Her ever-present polka-dot purse was slung over one shoulder.

He smiled at her.

She's a sweet girl, easily flustered but well-meaning. Maybe she likes me for who I am, not my looks…

Marinette nervously fiddled with the strap of her purse.

"I—" she started, but seemed to lose her words as her brilliant blue eyes latched on to his. "I—I wanted to ask you—"

She giggled and looked away. "What I mean is—will you—I mean, would you—"

"Adrikins!" a sweet voice called out.

Chloe loped over to Adrien and draped an arm over his shoulder, cooing at him. Adrien felt uncomfortable with her attitude, and he cast an apologetic glance at Marinette, who looked angry.

Adrien was taken aback at her fervent expression. Marinette never looked angry like that. Sure, she was willing to speak up for others against Chloe's inconsiderate insults and usually got really mad at her, but Adrien had never seen Marinette look the way she did now.

"Adrien, can I talk to you for a moment?" Chloe said in a sweet voice.

Adrien leaned back warily. "Uh, sure, Chloe."

Chloe raised herself up on her tiptoes to whisper directly in his ear, "You don't have to entertain the poor girl, it's obvious that she's got a major crush on you."

Adrien felt incredibly confused. "What're you talking about?"

Adrien's eyes met Marinette's, and he suddenly realized that she looked hurt as well as angry.

What did I—

Chloe leaned back and said out-loud, "Come on, Adrikins, can't you see that Marinette Dupain-Cheng has got the biggest—"

Marinette exploded. "Chloe, just stay out of this!"

She turned on her heel and stalked off, slamming the doors to the locker room closed behind her.

Adrien stared after her, a terrible feeling seeping into his body, as if someone had poured acid into the lining of his stomach.

It couldn't be...that Marinette had a crush on him? Like, a real one?

Adrien knew that she admired him for his fashion line. After all, she was a fashion designer herself. But Adrien had always felt as if he could count on her for being just a friend, a girl he could actually talk to without swooning over him every three seconds.

"Adrikins, don't be such a dummy," Chloe scoffed. "She's so not your level. Look at me! She's nowhere near this perfection that you see right here."

Chloe laughed unkindly. "I mean, she doesn't even have the money to buy new jewelry, let alone be worth your time to talk to."

Adrien felt his anger rise up, and he stamped it back down. "Chloe, that was very rude," Adrien snapped.

Adrien ran over to the locker room door and peeked it open.

"Marinette?" he called.

Even though Adrien felt uncomfortable confronting Marinette about his suspicions about her feelings, he couldn't just leave her feeling sad and hurt. Adrien may not like her that way back, but at least he could say...something to help her, right?

Adrien walked into the locker room, letting the door swing shut behind him.

"Marinette? Uh, can I talk to you for a moment?" Adrien scratched the back of his neck nervously.

Plagg flew out from his shirt. "Come on, Adrien, what're you so nervous about? It's just Marinette," he wheedled.

Adrien glared at his kwami. "Well, what if she turns out to be just like those fan girls who swoon over me? What if our conversation turns into that?"

Plagg shook his head, and for a moment, his expression turned serious. "Would that be so bad? You've known Marinette for, like, ever. She's not such a bad fan to have, you know."

Adrien's eyes fell on a familiar-looking purse laying on the locker room bench. "You know, Plagg, you're right."

Adrien sighed. "Maybe I'm overreacting. Marinette really is a great friend."

Adrien walked over to the bench and sat down, picking up the purse. "And if she's a fan, she's probably the best fan I'll ever have."

Plagg hovered over the bag. "What's this?"

"Marinette's purse. She must've left it here by accident."

Plagg frowned. "I don't think she would've left it by accident."

Suddenly, Adrien heard something. "Do you hear that?" he whispered to Plagg.

Plagg's eyes darted around like he was nervous. "Hear—hear what?" he whined.

Adrien narrowed his eyes at his kwami. "Plagg, it was very audible. It sounded like it was coming from—"

Adrien started to look down at Marinette's purse when Plagg flew into his face. "No, Adrien, don't!" he cried.

Adrien glared at Plagg. "What's the matter with you, Plagg?"

And then they both heard another sound. This time it wasn't a squeak. This time, it was a scream.

End of Chapter 1: On the Edge

Author's Note: So how was it? The best parts are still to come! My favorite character is Marinette, if you can't already tell, so she's the superstar...or is she? Anyway, thanks for reading, please review but don't flame me, and see you next chapter!