Adrien POV

"Hey Adrien," Marinette said timidly, I looked over to her awkwardly fumbling with her hands as we walked. I wonder what could be on her mind that has her so nervous.

"Hmm?" I prompted hoping my casual act would settle her nerves. Lately she has gotten much better with talking to me with less stuttering and I don't want it to revert.

"If you want…would you like" she took a breath, "would you like to go on a date with me sometime then?"

I stopped. That I wasn't expecting at all to come from her mouth. I didn't even realize that she liked me like that, seeing as how she hated me at first and was unable to talk to me for the longest time.

"Um, Marinette I really like you but-" struggling to find the words that I needed," I don't think I like you like that."

Her eyes widened, "Oh! W-well thanks for letting me down easy I guess?"

"I'm sorry though!" I rushed seeing her eyes mist, "I just…you're one of my best friends. We have grown closer this past year and I don't want to ruin that!"

Marinette crossed her arms around herself, "I understand Adrien, and you don't have to explain yourself to me! I don't want to ruin things either!"

"Are you sure?" I asked not sure if what she was saying was true. She nodded quietly. I frowned and before I knew it I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her. She quickly tensed before relaxing into my arms.

"I completely understand you can't help who you love." I froze a flash of Ladybug's face came to mind.

"Can I be honest?" I pulled back. Marinette looked at me questionably.

"Uh sure."

"I don't mean to hurt you, but there is someone else I like." I said nervously.

"Oh!" She exclaimed, "D-do you mind me asking who it is?"

"You'll think I'm crazy, but it's Ladybug." I chuckled ruffling my hair. Marinette looked at me with surprise.

"You," She started, "You like Ladybug?"

"Yes?" I said, "It's just, she saved me and…. She is just amazing."

"Oh, I see." Marinette said as she looked down with her cheeks flushed. Oh no, I've made her upset and made it even worse!

"I'm sorry!" I blurted, "I've made it worse! You're even more upset aren't you?"

"No!" She shouted quickly before blushing even more, "It's just…you see." She started wringing her hands once more and stuttering.

"Yes?" I pushed.

"I'm L-"

BOOM!

A large explosion interrupted whatever she had started. I gasped as the ground shook violently beneath our feet.

"Run!" I shouted grabbing onto her Marinette's arm. She tripped a bit before gaining her footing and we ran down the street to her parent's bakery. We quickly ran inside surprising her parent's.

"What's the matter dear?" Mrs. Dupain-Cheng asked worryingly grabbing an out of breath Marinette.

"An Akuma is nearby! We heard an explosion and ran here." I said before moving to the door, "I've got to go!"

"Wait Adrien! It's not safe!" Marinette cried.

"I'll be fine! I just have to get home to my father quickly!" I said giving her no time to stop me before opening the door and exiting. I ran quickly to a nearby alley and checked if it's empty.

"Plagg! Time to wake up!" I said opening up my pocket to allow him to fly out.

"Ughhh. I need cheese first after that nauseating confession." Plagg whined.

"No time! CLAWS OUT!"

Marinette's POV

I can't believe Adrien just ran out like that! I try following him, but my father stops me before I can even reach the door.

"No Marinette! Stay here it isn't safe!" Papa says as he turns me around.

"B-but Adrien!" I protest quickly.

"He will be fine! He is capable of getting home and by the looks of it he went away from the scene."

I relented, knowing there was no way I could win the argument. I sighed defeated, "Fine, I will be upstairs in my room. I need to call Alya and Nino to see if they made it home safely!"

I ran up the stairs as quickly as I could. Once I reached my room, I pulled out my phone and opened the site for the Ladyblog.

"This is your girl Alya reporting on a scene of yet another Akuma!" She shouted excitedly, "This one seems to have an explosive temper and is rampaging through downtown Paris folks so be careful!"

'Speak for yourself Alya,' I grumbled.

"Here comes Chat first on the scene!" The phone swiveled to follow his movement as he struck the akumatized victim on the side.

"Hey your power is the bomb!" Chat yelled gleefully. I just groaned at his antics.

"I am not in the mood for your puns Tom Cat!" The villain yelled, "I'm TNT and you must give me your miraculous!"

TNT threw a stick of dynamite that Chat at the last second avoided before it exploded. I gasped and quickly shut off my phone after that, knowing that I can't waste any more time.

"Okay Tikki, it's time to go help." I said opening my purse on my hip. She flew out and looked at me like she was disappointed.

"What!?" I said defensively, "What did I do?"

"We can go now, but after we are going to speak about how you almost revealed yourself to Adrien!" She scolded me.

"You heard that?" I said. She only nodded angrily, "I'm sorry Tikki. It won't happen again. I was just vulnerable at the moment."

Tikki's eyes softened after hearing that and she came to nuzzle my face, "I understand Marinette, but your identity still must remain secret."

"Alright, but first we need to help Chat!" I said with determination, "SPOTS ON!"

With a flash of pink surrounding me leaving me in my supersuit, I quickly climbed to my window and left my house. I swung my yo-yo and grabbed onto a nearby building and launched myself into the air towards the Akuma. It didn't take me long to find and land beside Chat.

"Sorry for my lateness Kitty!" I exclaimed getting into fighting position, "I had trouble getting away."

"That's fine Bugaboo! I was having a blast before you came." He said as he got into position too.

I just rolled my eyes, "Any idea where the akumatized item is?"

"No idea Mi'lady! I haven't had time to look without something blowing up in my face!"

"Alright then! Whenever he throws a stick of dynamite just bat it back to him then!" I shouted, "I'll survey him from afar to see if I can find it!"

"Roger that!" Chat got into action batting away the explosives as I swung up to a nearby rooftop. I looked at the victim closely and noticed that he had a lighter in his hands that he was using to light the sticks of dynamite.

'Aha! Got it!' I thought as I threw my yo-yo into the air yelling, "LUCKY CHARM!"

A bucket fell back down into my hands and I looked around for indicators of what to do with it. As I was examining the scene my eyes fell upon a nearby water fountain. That's how I would use it!

"Chat!" I yelled loudly to get his attention as he batted yet another explosive away for it to blow up midair. "Just for a little longer! I have an idea!"

"I'll just stick around here!" He yelled back to me as I started toward the fountain. I landed beside it and gathered water within the large bucket before quickly going back to the fight scene.

"Hey TNT!" I baited, "Your explosives are WEAK."

"HOW DARE YOU!" TNT screamed as he rushed toward me without lighting up a stick. As soon as he got close enough, I grabbed the bucket and splashed the water on his entire body and effectively soaking all his sticks of dynamite. I swung myself to the side to land toward Chat before he could bulldoze me.

"I'll show you!" He yelled smirking as he tried to light another stick of dynamite. When it wouldn't he screamed in frustration pitching the lighter toward Chat.

"Catch it!" I yelled swinging my yo-yo to trip TNT.

Chat caught easily it broke it under his foot. A small black butterfly fluttered out and tried to fly away.

"No more evil doing for you little Akuma!" I said swiping my yo-yo at it. "Time to de-evilize!"

"Gotcha!" Catching the Akuma and bringing my yo-yo back to open back up," Bye bye little butterfly!"

I swiftly did the Miraculous Cure and a swarm of ladybugs fixed the streets were there were large explosions. I turned to Chat and smiled before lifting my clenched fist to him.

"Pound it!" We shouted together as the victim came to. He groaned and asked what happened. Chat and I explained simply what happened and asked if he needed help home. He just shook his head and said sorry for the problem he caused that day before heading out.

"Ladybug! May I have a quick word?!" Alya shouted from the sidelines. I frowned as Chat put his hand on my shoulder.

"Well, this cats out! My family will be wondering where I am." I smiled and said a quick goodbye to Chat before turning back to Alya.

"Alya was it?" she nodded as she put her phone up to record me, "You should be more careful! That was a very dangerous Akuma today!"

"I know! I stood back as far as possible from the fight!" Alya babbled and I answered some questions politely before I heard my earrings beep reminding me to get away.

"I must go! Goodbye!" I waved as I flung myself away from a squealing Alya. I raced rooftop to rooftop. I caught site of Chat ahead of me several buildings away.

'Hmm he must live in the area then' I thought curiously. Chat suddenly dropped down to a nearby alleyway. I tried to skid to a stop in case he was destransforming, but I wasn't quick enough as I reached the edge and flung myself over the gap. It happened too rapidly and I was unable to keep myself from seeing.

In a flash of green light it revealed to be Adrien Agreste himself.