I haven't been around in ages. I've been rewatching Ladybug, and I wanted to try and write again. It's been really busy for me lately. Sorry this isn't much of anything, but to acknowledge this isn't forgotten and I'm going to try and work on it over the next few weeks while I have some free time! 3

Marinette wasn't sure how long it had been before she finally, reluctantly, pulled her lips away from Chat's. A small growl of protest almost made her pull him back, but she managed to take a ragged breath in an attempt to still her pounding heart.

She had so much she wanted to say, but everything was so jumbled inside that all she managed to breathe out was, "We can't."

"Did I do something wrong, my lady?" he asked, his tone nervous as he quickly scanned her face. She smiled, gently touching her hand to his cheek. He immediately grabbed it with his own hands, nuzzling his cheek against it affectionately. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that. Actually, I'm pretty sure you've know just exactly how long. And personally, I think he was purr-fect." The grin that spread of his face was one of pure happiness.

A small giggle escaped as she shook her head, not at all surprised he was still as dorky as ever. "It's getting late, I should go," she said, hoping that actually saying it would motivate her body to move away from his. She still had school in the morning, and though the likelihood of any sleep was absolute zero, she still had homework. "I may be a superhero, but homework is still my worst enemy!" She grinned nervously, trying to dissipate the somewhat awkward tension she felt rising up in here as the reality of what had actually happened was starting to sit in.

Oh God. Ooooh God. I kissed Chat. I kissed Chat!

For once, her expressions were lost on him as his eyes widened beneath his mask. "Shit, so do I. Well, that's certainly a moment killer." He quickly focused his attention back to her, his grin only widening as he stepped away to give a small bow before extending his arm. "Can I escort my Lady home?"

"Now now," she scolded, placing a hand on her hip. "I'm a big girl. I can handle it."

"Just as a safety purrrr-caution?"

Marinette rolled her eyes as she loosened her yo-yo from her waist. "I'm Ladybug. Whatever's out there should be afraid of me," she joked as she took off at a sprint across the roof, barely catching Chat's cry of "When can we do this again?"

She arrived home unscathed, heart still racing from her acrobatics. Well – mostly from the acrobatics. Now that she was home on her own, she quickly released Tikki before pouncing on her bed and releasing a pent up scream into her pillows.

"Marinette?" Tikki asked curiously.

She was answered by another muffled scream as Marinette pressed her face deeper into the pillow, arm muscles straining from the force at which she was holding the pillow. Tikki waited patiently through two more screams before Marinette finally dropped the pillow as she released a deep breath.

"Tikki….what have I done?"

"What do you mean?" Marinette sighed as Tikki fluttered over to rest on her shoulder.

"You know what I mean. I wasn't intending anything to go as far as it did. I just… I wanted to see him, and before I know it there's Marinette feeling word vomit everywhere. I kissed him, Tikki! What is that going to do to our dynamic?" She huffed, hugging the previously abused pillow to her chest.

"I don't understand. I don't think anything is going to change drastically. He's been crazy about you for years. If anything, he'll just be even more dedicated to you."

"But I don't want him to put himself in more danger than he already does! That's the point! I don't want to have to go through these feelings every time we fight now. I need to keep Chat and the people of Paris safe. I don't want to suddenly make irrational decisions."

"Marinette, calm down! You're a great Ladybug! You're strong and smart, and you'll always make the best decisions you can. Like remembering to do your homework."

A small 'eep' escaped as Marinette fumbled off the bed and over to her desk, sifting through cutouts of Adrien's magazine photos and school papers. She settled down, setting to work furiously.

The sun was already bright as Marinette raced down the sidewalk, notebook clutched to her chest. She'd fallen asleep as some point, and as usual, she was running late. Literally running. She saw the school come into view, heaving a sign of relief. She was going to make it.

Until she collided with another body moving at an equal speed but going in the opposite direction than she was. She yelped, which mingled with the cry of the person she'd hit. Papers rained over her she felt her feet leave the ground. She was going to fall! They were falling!

A winded oof resounded from beneath her. It wasn't until the point she realized she had closed her eyes and somehow managed to grasp onto her target like a vice. Her eyes shot open as she felt large hands gently prying her fingers open.

"I am so, so sorry!"

The recognition of the voice drove her to immobilization. She'd just plowed down ADRIEN. PLOWED HIM OVER. Tackled him. Possibly injured him! The realization sent in her into sudden frantic movement as she struggled to disengage herself while incoherently babbling apologies.

"I'msosorryitwasallmyfaulticanthowdidi-"

"Marinette, it's okay!" He was laughing now as he rolled over and propped himself up on his elbow, using his free hand to brush back the blonde hair that had fallen over his eyes. "Let me help."

She nodded quickly, her mouth hanging open as he stood up and brushed of his pants, extending his hand for her to take. She stared at it like a precious treasure until a slight cough from him reminded her she was supposed to take it. He pulled her up effortlessly, still holding her hand as he leaned over to gather the notebooks from his feet. "Here. Sorry again," he apologized, giving a shy smile. "I was lost in my own world. I should pay more attention. You're okay, yeah?

"Fine! Yeah!" she yelped, gathering her materials from around her.

"Marinette!" she heard Alya's voice as it resonated over. She looked up to see her best friend waving at her from the steps.

"See you in class, okay?" Adrien gave her a small wave before making his way over to Nino who was standing nearby.

"There are better ways to get the boys attention," Alya teased as Marinette made her way over.

Marinette groaned, rolling her eyes. "He probably thinks I'm an idiot clutz."

"Well, you are," Alya teased before switching her attention to her phone. "So you so all the Ladybug news from yesterday, yeah? I got some great footage!"

Marinette nodded along, her breath catching as Alya scrolled through an image of Chat grinning cheekily for the camera. It was right after they had defeated the Akuma. So, about five hours before she kissed him. Her cheeks suddenly began to burn, and the regret that she couldn't get Alya's on the situation was frustrating. So, instead, she went for the interested bystander tactic.

"On a random side note, what do you think of Chat Noir and Ladybug as a couple?"

Alya looked thoughtful as they slid into their seats. "There's no real indication that they aren't already."

"Who's not what?" Nino asked as he an Adrien took their respective seats.

"Chat Noir and Ladybug. Do you think they're a couple?"

"Did someone say they were?" Three sets of eyes focused on Adrien's sudden excited outburst. "Just…curious."

"Not officially. Marinette just asked what I thought if it so happened they were."

"I think they'd be great together if they decided to give it a try."

Marinette noted the sort of dreamy look that crossed over Adrien's face for a split second. She smiled. He must have such a romantic side. She shook her head to clear the thoughts. "But what about, you know, the professional side?"

"What about it?" Adrien countered. "They aren't answering to some higher boss – just each other."

"And Paris!" Marinette whined.

"Are you so against it because you want Chat Noir to yourself?" Alya joked, which caused Marinette to hide her face in her hands.

"No! I just – nevermind!" she muttered as their teacher called them to attention.