Told you I'd upload all 5 chapters today x)
Alright, still, it's an old story, nothing has been changed, I'm just uploading
With that being said, here it is!
Enjoy~


At two in the morning they were finally shushed out of the hospital. Mrs. Césaire would stay with her daughter but Marinette's mum wouldn't let them wait here all night, so she had contacted Nino's parents, telling them she would take Nino back with her to the Dupain-Cheng household. He would be sleeping in Marinette's room.

Adrien was not approving that. Of course, he trusted Nino and of course he knew that they were just really good friend, almost like siblings. Still he found it unsettling that Nino was allowed to stay at Marinette's room, her house, but he would have to return home.

Again, neither of the people in the room noticed Marinette's purse opening, revealing a little black Kwami flying back into Adrien's jacket. He soon felt Plagg moving on his side, relieved to know now he was still there.

As Marinette stood up, taking her purse and looking inside it for a brief second, then left to talk with her father, Adrien quickly made his way to Mrs. Cheng.

"Mrs. Cheng?", he carefully asked. She turned to him and smiled.

"Yes, dear?"

"C-Could I stay with you too? It's not like I can't get home so it's fine if you don't want me to but since I wanted to make sure Marinette was okay and I don't really wanna go home, I-…"

She suddenly grinned conspiratorially and nudged his arm.

"You like her, eh?"

Adrien heard Plagg snickering and desperately hoped it was only audible to him.

He tried his hardest not to blush, but failed to hinder a slight pink line to appear on his cheeks. Politely smiling he nodded, being the well-mannered boy, he was.

"Well, I do like her a lot, yes. But we're just friends…"

Marinette' mother nodded understandingly but did not believe him. Instead of asking him more questions about that topic though she picked up his opening question.

"And how do we convince your father that it's okay to stay with us, young man?"

Adrien's face darkened, his small grin faded.

"I'll take care of that. Besides, my father's out of town, so I'll contact Nathalie. I just need you to agree on me coming with you."

She nodded and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"And if you need any help convincing her, make sure to come to me, yes?"

He nodded, smiling relieved.

"Thank you so very much."

In return the older bluenette snickered, leaving him irritated.

"Oh, just make sure Marinette doesn't hear of your call. I won't tell her anything and then we'll surprise her, sound good? I think, my daughter needs a pleasant surprise after all that…"

Adrien nodded again, then he pulled out his phone. As he dialed Nathalie's number his fingers started to tremble. He was a little nervous, after all he had been missing all evening and was now calling at two in the morning. But if she agreed that would be the first time, he slept over somewhere else, and that made him so thrilled he forgot about his guilt.

"Nathalie Sancoeur, speaking."

"Hey Nathalie…"

"Adrien. Where were you? You were missing fencing. And what are you doing, calling me at such a time?"

"I know, Nathalie… I-… Uh, a friend of mine got injured badly while an akuma attack at our school and I'm currently leaving the hospital."

"You what?!", although she was mostly reserved and quiet most of the time, there were a few things that upset her. Adrien saying something like that, for example, "You have been at a hospital this whole time?! With an akuma attacking the place you were at?! You're coming back home right now. I'll personally get you."

"Wait, Nathalie! Wait, I-… I actually got offered to spend the night at a friend's house. The best friend of the injured student is really shaken up and I wanna make sure, she-…"

"'She'?! You're not staying at a girl's house. This discussion is over."

"Nathalie, stop. My friend is really sad and shocked. I can't leave her like that. Her best friend lays in an artificial coma and she clung to me all evening, crying her eyes out. I am not coming home, I am staying with her. Thanks for the offer to get me, but no thanks. Oh, and my father will not hear of this."

"You have no right to speak to me like that."

"And you're not my mother, so you have no right to act like you are."

"I have to look after you, so I'm the one making decisions. Not you. You're coming home. Now."

"Look, Nathalie, I decide I can't leave her after she almost lost her best friend. So stay where you are, I'm going with her. Just-… Just tell my father I stayed at home. Please, Nathalie! We'll both get what we want: no trouble."

He heard her sigh.

"… Just be back here before your father is, Adrien."

"But-… father's staying away all week."

"We'll talk about this later. Preferably tomorrow. Just don't get yourself into trouble we both don't want."

"Oh, thanks Nathalie! Thank you very much! I'll be home by lunch tomorrow!"

He beamed when he hung up and put the mobile back in his pocket.

Plagg peeked out of his jacket again.

"Will I be getting cheese then?", he finally asked, after being silent for several hours. Adrien had almost been worried for his little Kwami. He laughed, patting Plagg's head.

"I'll make sure of that, yes."

Quietly cheering, Plagg hid again.

Casually walking over to the waiting car of the Dupain-Chengs he felt like he was finally free, just for once. He opened the door and let himself slip in the seat next to Marinette, who was looking at him rather surprised.

"Everyone ready?"

"Yep!", Adrien said, fastening his seat belt, "Ready!"

"A-Are we bringing you h-home? I-… I thought you had a driver, who-…"

"He'll be staying with us, darling.", her mother said from the front of the car.

Marinette blushed furiously and leaned back in her seat. Nino gave him a fist bump right before her chest and cheered.

"Bro, that's so cool! What is that, your first sleep over now? Awesome! I knew your old man still had a heart."

"Actually…", Adrien smirked, "Nathalie just became cool. I stood up for myself and she let me, my father is out of town."

"Bro, seriously, that's awesome!"

"Thanks, man!"


While they drove through Paris' relatively quiet streets, Marinette was silent. Adrien couldn't blame her. They arrived at the bakery in no time and walked up the stairs, all of them very exhausted. Marinette's parents asked her to put out two mattresses for the boys and Adrien was quick to agree on helping her.

Nino and Adrien both managed to carry one mattress so it was on Marinette to open her hatch and guide them where to lay the mattresses. In an unobserved moment, while Marinette's parents had already gone to bed and Marinette and Nino were busy with the bed sheets Adrien even managed to sneak to the fridge, finding a bit of camembert for Plagg. After preparing everything they fell on their beds, eyes drooping of exhaustion.

"Guys, I dunno 'bout you, but Imma sleep right away."

"I agree, Nino… Goodnight guys!"

Marinette climbed up the ladder, slumping in her bed with a soft sound, making Adrien's heart skipping a beat. He still stood there, looked up at her bed and showed no intention on laying down anytime soon. Nino slipped out of his jeans, showing his boxer shorts and crawled under the bed sheet, laying down. Just because he still had his glasses on and needed to take them off, he noticed Adrien still standing, fully clothed.

"Dude, why you not in bed yet? It's freaking early."

"Uh, oh, yeah-… Sorry. I'll switch off the lights. 'Night, Marinette!", he called, then he walked over to the switch, pressing it, leaving him behind in the dark. He felt Plagg leaving his jacket, flying over to hide at the desk. He was unaware of the red Kwami already waiting for the tiny black cat. Carefully he trotted back to his mattress, getting rid of his jeans and white jacket, leaving him in his boxer shorts and his black shirt, covering himself in the sheets as he laid down.

"Goodnight, Adrien, Nino.", Marinette mumbled.

Adrien smiled at the sound of her voice. Slowly his eyes were getting used to the darkness and he could make out the gallery Marinette's bed was on.

He honestly didn't know why he was acting like that. He was in love with Ladybug – or so he thought. Why was he already forgetting her when Marinette crept in his thoughts? Actually, it scared him a little bit. Was he that easily to impress? Just because she was one of his closer friends he was already falling in-… No!

He. Was in love. With Ladybug.

But then why, why couldn't he think of her, her face, her dark-blue hair…?

He tried to remember her face, her adorable freckles, her sky-blue eyes, her delicate features… But found himself not being able to! He almost felt tears of frustration welling up in his eyes as only the colors of her suit, her hair and her eyes appeared.

Slowly he shook his head, trying to recall her voice, strong of confidence and determination.

Nothing.

Maybe he was angry at her just vanishing as Alya laid on the floor, unconscious, in danger of dying. Maybe he thought, it was her duty as a superhero to care for Alya, the first victim they ever had. Although he left as soon as he could too, for turning back to Adrien. Maybe she wanted to be her civilized self too, caring for other students, or she had something to do, or-…

A violently weeping Marinette cut through his thoughts once again. She had looked so helpless as he had called the ambulance. She and Nino both.

Adrien sighed quietly, already hearing Nino fast asleep. He thanked Marinette's parents for not letting them go to school the next day. They really couldn't, not only from exhaustion alone, but he also felt like he could concentrate on nothing but Alya's well-being and his irritating thoughts of Ladybug and Marinette.

Shaking his head once again he turned to one side and tried to sleep, only to find he couldn't bring himself to now. He was wide awake and couldn't do anything about it.

Adrien was so lost in his thoughts he almost didn't hear a quiet sob echoing through the room. Perking up he heard another one, quieter, choked.

Marinette.

He had the choice now. Trying to comfort her or leaving her be.

A row of sobs followed and he decided he had heard enough. Quietly he stood up, making sure he wouldn't wake Nino, and grabbed the ladder leading up to her bed.

"Marinette?", he muttered, "Marinette, can I come up?"

The sobs were forced to be silent.

"A-Adrien? You're still awake?"

"I couldn't sleep. Can I please come up?"

The girl gulped, then he heard her shifting.

"O-okay-…"

Adrien didn't need another invitation. Quickly he climbed up and crawled to her, laying down next to her. She lifted the sheets and he welcomed the warmth beneath, quickly slipping beneath them next to the smaller girl. He opened his arms and she scooted over, laying her head on his chest as he closed his arms around her, embracing her tightly. With one hand on his chest at her chin and her other hand wrapped around him, resting on his back, she finally allowed herself to cry openly.

Adrien held her tightly as she began to shiver because of her mental breakdown. She couldn't take anything anymore, he knew it. So, he let her sob silently against his shirt, hoping the thin fabric would be enough to dry her tears.

After endless minutes, it must've been half an hour by now, she held her breath, trying to calm herself. Gently he stroked her now opened hair, pulling her closer towards him.

"Wow.", he breathed, "Your feet are freezing. How do you survive like this?"

Marinette chuckled under tears, rubbing her forehead against his chest.

"They're always cold. I got used to it."

He shook his head, her hair tickling his neck while doing so.

"C'mere, I'll keep you warm."

He took her feet between his lower legs, snuggling up against her even more. He could feel her blushing against him, her face growing warm.

"Hey, it's alright. It's just me."

"J-Just you?"

"Well, yeah. Just Adrien. At least here I am. Here I don't need to be Mr. Agreste Jr., a model with a face everyone recognizes immediately."

She smiled against him, running her hand up and down his back.

"I h-happen to like 'just Adrien'.", she whispered, almost choking on her own voice. He smiled and sighed.

"Thank you. You would be the second, after Nino."

Marinette snickered.

"Right, can't count Chloé."

He laughed at that and nudged her head with his chin. She laughed too but they tried to keep it quiet so they wouldn't wake Nino. Suddenly, Marinette shifted and leaned away a bit to look in his eyes. He lowered his gaze and saw her silhouette against the moonlight that was gently caressing her cheek from behind. Marinette smiled, he could see that, but her eyes completely vanished in the smooth dark.

"Your eyes are glowing.", she noted. He laughed again.

"And your eyes are hidden. All I can see is your cheek, being ignited by the moon."

She held her breath, as he did, when he brought a hand up to her face, following the thin, soft line of light on her face with his fingers. He noticed how smooth her skin was as he ran his fingers up her chin across her cheek, finishing his way by tucking a loose stray of hair behind her ear.

She inhaled sharply, breaking away from his eyes but he let his fingers return from behind her ear to her chin, lifting her gaze again. He smiled, being well aware that she could see it, since his face was lit up by the moonlight while hers was lying in the shadows. Gently, he pulled her closer, guiding her chin towards him.

Her eyes fluttered and shut as she leaned in.

Adrien knew, a part of him didn't want to look, the part that admired Ladybug. Chat.

But this here, this was Adrien. He who had fallen for this girl during the time of a few hours. He who had managed to forget Ladybug that easily.

It worried him, of course. It's been almost two years now since he became Chat Noir, since he'd met Ladybug. But he had fallen for her just as quickly. Apparently, he was a sudden one when it came to falling in love.

He closed his eyes too, feeling absolutely certain about doing this. As he felt her lips right before his he felt a floating feeling in his stomach, making him feel light and careless.

Gently he brushed against her half open mouth, as if he was asking for her permission.

Almost shyly she pressed her lips to his, trembling under his touch. He slowly moved his lips, now growing confidence in doing so. She adapted his lead and started to move too.

Adrien felt Marinette's hand in his hair, ruffling through it like she had done right before falling asleep on his lap. In return he pressed against her lips, guiding her to lay down on the bed while following, adjusting himself above her, still kissing her. Their movements became softer, more passionate.

She had now both hands in his hair and pulled him closer to her, even closer. He was doing the same with her shoulders, holding himself up with his elbows.

As they parted breathlessly and felt the hot breath of one another brushing against their chins, Adrien couldn't help but sigh dreamily.

He assumed that this was her first real kiss, as it was his.

Freshly kissed looked good on her, he noticed.

As she lay beneath him, with her eyes being half closed, her hand on his neck and shoulders, panting through her swollen lips, he wanted nothing more than kiss her again.

He wanted to kiss her until she was panting loudly because he had stolen her breath away completely.

He wanted to kiss himself stupid and to the point he was nothing more than a puddle.

She saw his look, saw his own swollen lips and didn't even need to think about it.

The bluenette pulled him down to her once again, kissing away all his doubts and worries until he felt her knees shaking against his legs.

Adrien pulled away once again after the second kiss, looking down at the girl who was suddenly blushing in a shade of deep red.

"Adrien-…", she murmured, bringing her hands to her own chest, "I-… Didn't… And I-… Because of Alya-…"

"You're confused?"

She nodded and he instantly felt guilty.

"I am so sorry!", he quickly whispered, blushing furiously himself, "I shouldn't have-… I mean-… Now it feels like I have taken advantage on you… And in your situation… I am so very sorry, I-…"

She shook her head, stopping his bragging efficiently.

"No it's-… It's alright, I just-… I'm s-so very confused r-right now, so-…"

He understood.

"Oh, yeah, of course.", quickly he removed himself from above her and sat upright next to her, "You want t-to sleep, right?"

She looked away, looking completely unsure of herself.

"I'm… I mean how could I? But it would be the best if you'd-… Not that I don't want you to-…"

"No, it's alright, I-I'm pretty tired myself. Uhm-… Just-…"

"Y-Yeah?"

"How about we t-tell nobody for now and don't make this awkward between us tomorrow?"

She smiled, letting him know that she wasn't up for it either.

"Let's just relax and try not to think about it, a-alright?"

He nodded, feeling rather exhausted.

"S-So, you're feeling good enough so that I can leave you up here?"

He almost felt her blushing in an even darker shade of red.

"Yeah-… Of course."

"Goodnight Marinette.", he breathed as he crawled to the ladder, climbing down from the gallery.

"Goodnight, Adrien.", he heard her mumbling, sounding almost asleep.

That made him smile, as much as he tried to fight against it, constantly reminding him of Ladybug to not go insane and just race up there again, kissing her until he forgot his own name, because oh hell, how he wanted to.

Adrien didn't sleep much that night.