A/N: I just wanna say that the love square is endgame, I just like the idea of this ship as well . Also, they're 16 and in 11th grade in this because (while the main chapters will be 100% pg) there will be a bonus chapter that isn't as... family friendly haha.

Marinette has always had these feelings. She thought they were normal, too, until she was about six. That was when she first heard that a girl liking a girl or a boy liking a boy was "weird", "unnatural", "gross". She heard all of this at school, so decided that it must be true. Everything you learn at school are facts, right?

So she hid it. It wasn't hard at first, just telling her friends she didn't have a crush when they asked. Eventually it got harder when people stopped believing her. "Everyone has a crush!" They'd say, "I'm sure you just don't want to tell! Is it (boy name)?"

Occasionally Marinette could tell the truth, because her crushes weren't always on girls. But other times, she would have to lie, choosing a random boy who many girls liked to place her fake affections on. This got her into a few awkward situations, sure, but it usually worked out.

Unfortunately by the time she was 16, it became extremely hard for her to keep this secret. She'd kept it for over ten years, but eventually the weight got too heavy for her. She needed to tell someone, and the obvious thought was her best friend Nino. She didn't know how he'd take it, but she thought of him as a big brother. She just somehow knew everything would be okay.

That didn't take away any of the nerves though.

Marinette waited until class was over before tapping on Nino's shoulder. "Yeah, dudette?" He asked. "I need to talk to you. Want to go to the park after school?" His face showed a small amount of concern before he nodded with a grin.

Once they had their bags packed and Nino had texted his parents telling them he'd be slightly later than usual, they made the short walk to the park. There they found a small bench away from everyone, and plopped down.

"So, what is it that you needed to talk about?"

"I... I have a problem? Well, no, not a problem. More of a secret? That I've hidden my whole life..." she trailed off, looking at some pigeons.

"Okay, which is...?"

"This is really hard to say, but... I-I like girls..." the latter half coming out as a whisper. "Not strictly, though. I looked up some sexualities online and I think bi fits me best? I understand if you hate me, I get that it's not really a widely-accepted thing, I just-"

"Mari. I could never hate you."

"Really?"

"Of course. You're like my little sister. And if I hated you for being bi, I'd be a huge hypocrite."

Marinette nodded with a small smile on her face before the information clicked in her mind. "Wait, you're not straight?"

"Mm-mm. I'm gayer than a rainbow." He laughed. Mari joined in rather quickly, all tense energy being zapped away instantly.

After that, Nino and Marinette grew even closer, and Mari finally had someone who she could vent to about her gay struggles.

After things had gone over so well with Nino, a few months later Marinette decided to tell her parents. Things had gone equally well, but this exchange resulted in many more hugs and tears than the last. Her parents supported her completely, and Marinette was so grateful to be surrounded by such amazing people.

Everything seemed to be going great, until the next school year started and two new students joined Mari and Nino's class. Although they didn't know it at the time, these two students would play major roles in their lives.

It only took a few days of eleventh grade before Marinette and Alya grew to be friends. It only took a few weeks before they became very close. But it only took a few minutes of being in Alya's presence before Marinette fell in love. Unfortunately, it also only took a few minutes for Alya's overactive imagination to decide her friend was crushing hard on the new boy.

Marinette had tried to object, a few times in fact. But Alya wasn't having it, claiming she could see through her friend's lies. So, Marinette accepted it, deciding that Alya must be straight and would never accept her feelings anyway.

It was really hard to be near Alya every day, falling deeper in love but not being able to say anything. It was almost ironic when Marinette became Ladybug and Alya became her fan girl.

Being Ladybug was amazing. Marinette could never ask for anything better, it was like being in heaven. Tikki was competing with Alya and Nino for Marinette's best friend, and the feeling of wind through her hair when she swung across Paris was alike no other. It was bumpy at first, sure, but now she couldn't (and wouldn't want to) imagine a world without her abilities.

Ladybug also really liked her partner. Sure he was slightly annoying, constantly joking and never paying attention, but he always made her laugh. He would occasionally flirt, but it was obvious that he wasn't in love with her. It was just his style of jokes. It wasn't until a late night sitting on a roof that she found out why.

"Yeah, I..." he started nervously. "I really hope you don't hate me for this, I really like our friendship, but I don't feel like I can hide this from you anymore. I.. I'm gay." Ladybug's smile grew. "Why would I hate you, Chaton? I'm bi, and I have a major crush on my best friend." His eyes widened, "Really? I guess we're in the same boat then." They grew closer because of that night.

Marinette didn't know a whole lot about Adrien. She new he was the son of her favorite designer, and one of his models, but other than that she was pretty stumped. She knew Nino was pretty close to him, and from what he'd told her, he was a dork in disguise. She wanted to get closer to him, to be his friend, but she didn't want to give Alya the wrong idea. She wanted to keep alive any sliver of false hope that her friend could possibly love her back. And since she was determined that Marinette was in love with Alya, she felt like she couldn't get too close to Adrien and give Alya's theories more traction.

Fortunately, (or unfortunately, Marinette couldn't decide yet) fate had given her an opportunity to get closer to Adrien.