Disclaimer: I don't own Miraculous Ladybug.

A/N: Welp, I got sucked into another fandom. Might as well write something for it. XD I haven't really written a secret admirer cliche fic since I was 12 or something, so here's to testing it! I hope you guys like the fic and stay tuned :)

Dearest Marinette

Chapter 1

Dearest Marinette, your smile is sweeter than chocolate.

Your secret admirer.

When Marinette showed the piece of pink paper to Alya after school, her best friend gave her an ear-splitting grin and wiggling eyebrows. Marinette personally found the note really cheesy at first, but she felt her heart skip a beat out of flattery after rereading it for the eleventh (yes, she counted) time. It wasn't the first time she was given a declaration of infatuation, but having a secret admirer was a whole new level.

The two girls walked together, headed to Marinette's house, both knowing that Alya was scheming about finding her secret admirer already.

"So, any idea who it is? I already know who you want it to be," said Alya. The black-haired girl grinned and sighed softly, hopping a few steps forward at the thought of Adrien Agreste. At this point in her life, she believed Adrien was too far from her reach (despite him just sitting in front of her in class!), but it wasn't wrong to hope that he reciprocated her feelings. She grabbed a nearby lamppost and spun around it before walking beside a chuckling Alya.

"Seriously, Marinette. Get a hold of yourself. If this is how you react on thinking he's your secret admirer, what more will it be if he actually is?"

A pretty light pink color dusted on her freckled cheeks. "Can't a girl dream, Alya?"

"Of course a girl can. But you're an alien, Marinette," Alya joked. "Anyway, we have to find out who this is."

"Why are you more excited about this than me?" Marinette asked with knitted eyebrows. Alya draped her arm over her best friend's shoulder and tutted.

"It's not every day you get a secret admirer. Come on, girl! How would you react when pretty ol' me gets a secret admirer?"

That was true. Sure, there was Nathanael, but it wasn't really a secret anymore. She'd doubt about him sending a letter as well, seeing as he spoke through visual art rather than flowery words.

Marinette smirked at Alya. "If you had a secret admirer, I'd bet my collection of Adrien wallpapers that it's Nino."

She received a light slap on her shoulder. "You do know you have a lot of enemies for Adrien's heart right? And why Nino? He's so..." Alya trailed off, shuddering. Marinette could only stifle a giggle as she thought of other prized possessions she could use for betting in case the time comes.

"Do you think it's Nathanael?" Alya asked. She waved her hand, brushing off the idea. "Too obvious. Or what if it's Kim? I mean, maybe he realized you're way cuter than Chloe!"

"I wish Adrien realizes that too," Marinette mumbled, bowing her head.

Her best friend gave her a fond smile. "Hey, cheer up. What if it really is Adrien?"

"T-then he should confess it out loud. At my face," Marinette replied, holding back a shy smile.

Alya suddenly jumped in front of her, causing Marinette to almost fall backwards if not for her balance. "'Marinette, my name is Adrien Agreste and I am your secret admirer!'" she declared, mimicking Adrien's voice the best she could. "You want a confession just like that?"

If only there weren't so many people (adults, thankfully) around them, Marinette would say yes. "No! Let's go, Alya! You're embarrassing me!"

She grabbed Alya's wrist and ran, unaware that Alya was whispering something under her breath before laughing.

"Geez, Mari, your outbursts about Adrien are more embarrassing."

"Oh, Tikki. Whoever could this be?" Marinette sighed, twirling around while hugging the letter before falling back-first on her bed. The little red kwami flew from her table onto Marinette's stomach, slowly pulling the letter out of her grasp.

"'Dearest Marinette, your smile is sweeter than chocolate.'" Tikki tapped her little chin and looked at Marinette. "This is really sweet! Do you think it's from Adrien?"

"I hope so," she sighed. "I don't want to turn down another guy after Nathanael. It made me feel really guilty, but no one can replace Adrien in my heart!"

Tikki shook her head. "You did the right thing, Marinette. Be loyal to the one you love. Now, are you going to take a nap or what? Don't leave Chat Noir patrolling on his own."

Marinette eventually dozed off after a few minutes, unaware that Tikki flew around her room, holding her secret admirer letter, and searching for the love letter Adrien wrote about a girl with black hair and blue eyes hidden in Marinette's drawer.

Ladybug found Chat Noir trotting on the roofs of Collège Françoise Dupont, humming softly to himself. She slowly crept up behind him after stealthily jumping on the roof, but the boy easily noticed the presence of someone with him.

"My Lady, please don't forget I have cat's ears," he said, chuckling. He spun around and sat down the roof, staring at the disgruntled heroine standing in front of him. "And, of course, I recognize your footsteps anywhere."

"What if I was a very sneaky villain?" she chimed.

Chat Noir snorted, his ears perking up. "I'd still notice. And villains usually introduce themselves flashily, My Lady."

"A clone?" she suggested. He shook his head, smirking at her determination.

Ladybug placed her hands on her hips. "Come on, kitty cat. No time for chit chat."

"You were the one guessing," Chat reminded, still smiling. "This place is clear. Let's go somewhere else."

Ladybug went ahead, jumping off the roof. Chat did the same and watched Ladybug lead the way, biting his lip as he stared back at the dark windows of the school. They leapt on the nearest house's roof and raced to Champ de Mars. They eventually stopped at one roof, Ladybug scanning the large green field filled with people. Chat swung his legs as he rested his back near the ledge of the building, allowing him to gaze at the star-studded dark azure sky.

"Do you enjoy going to Champ de Mars, My Lady?" he asked, listening to the light footsteps of Ladybug vibrating against the floor.

"I do, when I have time," she answered as Chat noticed two airplanes at the sky.

"With your friends?"

"Sometimes," she replied. "Mostly with my parents. How about you?"

"Sometimes," he said. "When my schedule allows me to."

He smiled as she giggled – ah, the music to his ears. "You have a schedule?"

"Believe it or not, my normal life is pretty boring. It's pretty safe, but boring. Being told what to do is also boring. Being Chat Noir is a great way to unwind," he mused. If he weren't that tired, he would try to check what Ladybug's facial expression was.

"I like my normal life. It's not as thrilling, but there are lots of people who make me happy. And it's safer," she told him. He heard a loud thump and noticed Ladybug sitting next to him.

"You must have great friends. Are most of them from your school?"

Ladybug blinked. "If this is another way to know what school I'm from, I'm going to–"

"Relax, My Lady. I won't ask. I just want to make sure your civilian life is pleasant. No bullies or mean teachers?"

"My school has bullies and mean teachers, but I'm just lucky that I'm not facing them," she replied. "Well, maybe one bully, but she terrorizes everyone."

Chat chuckled. "Same. I have one classmate that almost everyone dislikes. How about crushes? Do I have any competitors for your heart?"

Ladybug rolled her eyes, flicking Chat's left cat ear lightly. "Maybe. Maybe not."

"Any admirers?"

She sighed, flicking Chat's right cat ear. "You're such a nosy kitty."

She never answered his question, but thoughts on Marinette's secret admirer filled her head throughout the rest of their night's patrol.

Chat felt the sudden change in the atmosphere and didn't say anything, even after they parted ways.

Dearest Marinette, you are the silver lining of all the clouds in my life.

Your secret admirer.