Adrien tossed and turned that night, thinking about everything that had taken place.

Luka liked Marinette. And he liked Marinette. Just how much he liked her, he wasn't sure of yet. This was all new to him, and although he knew his lady had feelings for somebody else and thought of him only as a friend, he still couldn't help feeling slightly guilty about this new revelation.

For awhile, he thought about how it made him happy whenever Marinette was bubbly and happy, how talented he thought she was, and it wasn't just her designing skills that made him think that, either. He admired her for her bravery that she showed whenever there was a problem, be it during akuma attacks or even if that problem was standing up to Chloe, who he'd never admit could actually be pretty terrifying. Adrien recalled all the times Marinette had helped him out or was kind to him, the most recent being when he wanted to escape his fans and bodyguard and just have some time to himself to see his mother's movie. She put up with a lot that day because of him and what he wanted. She was pretty selfless.

Then he thought about the brief time Luka's been in their lives, and the obvious affect it has had on her. They had gotten close very quickly, but he didn't know the reason why. Was it the way he dressed or his good looks? No, he quickly dismissed the thought. Marinette would never be so shallow as to only go after someone for their appearance.
If appearance wasn't it, then it must be his personality.

He was cool, certainly. And friendly. But what else?

"The more I learn about you, the more amazed I am. You're incredible! You really made that?" The memory came at Adrien so suddenly, his eyes grew wide with surprise.

"You're like a superhero, you know? Ladybug and Chat Noir are great, really. Especially what they did to help my mom out yesterday. But you - there's just something about you that brings you to their level."

Adrien trudged behind them, hanging on every word. He noticed Marinette seemed a bit uncomfortable, and what he could see of her face was tomato red.

"R-R-Really? You're comparing me to Ladybug and Chat Noir?"

Luka chuckled. "They do incredible things, I know. But it's you who truly amazes me, Marinette."

"But it's you who truly amazes me, Marinette," echoed in Adrien's mind over and over.

Oh. OH!

Adrien sat up so abruptly, disturbing Plagg who was curled up right next to him.

"What gives?! I was asleep!" a grumpy voice cried in the dark.

"Sorry! I just figured out why Marinette seems to like Luka so much."

"Did you now?" he yawned. "Great. You can tell me about it in the morning," he curled back up in a little ball.

"Wait," Adrien insisted. "If I don't talk about this with someone, there's no way I'm getting any sleep tonight, and I'm sure you won't want a sleepless Adrien tomorrow."

Plagg groaned. "Okay, okay. Tell me then, why does Marinette like Luka?"

"I think it's because he makes her feel special by complimenting her. Sure he's kind and cool and all, but I think that's what has her particularly interested in him. I remember my mom was always especially happy whenever Father would give her a compliment."

"Good boy, Adrien! Glad to hear you figured that bit out. Now goodnight."

"I just don't understand. I've complimented her several times before..."

"Just putting this out there," the cat Kwami cleared his throat. "But what if she likes you?"

Adrien blinked. "What? No way, I think I'd know that."

"Okay, whatever you say."

There was a few seconds of silence.

"Do you think she likes me?" his voice filled with hope.

Plagg moaned. "Oh for the love of cheese!" he exclaimed before he burrowed himself under the pillow. A few grunts later and he was comfortable again, ready for sleep.
He had a chance, he thought to himself. But he certainly wasn't going to do anything about his feelings now. First he wanted to really know more about them. But more importantly, he wanted to figure out her feelings and her relationship with Luka.

His timing wasn't very good, but he convinced himself that even if she was with Luka right now, that could change.

Adrien finally drifted off to sleep with a smile on his face.

"Didn't sleep last night, Marinette?" Tikki asked her early the next morning.

She groaned as she lifted the pillow off of her face. "No, I didn't."

"What's bothering you?" her Kwami asked her sweetly, hovering by her head.

"Lots of things, I guess. Adrien's been acting kind of strange lately. That glare yesterday didn't really seem like him at all. And Luka, everything's so new with him, and I'm not sure how to feel about it yet... but what's been bothering me the most is Chat Noir," she confessed.

"Chat Noir?" Tikki repeated. "Why?"

Marinette sat up, clutching the pillow to her chest.

"When I met up with him yesterday, he just looked so sad. I thought maybe it could've been what I said to him, but we've spent time together since then and he's been fine. So I'm wondering if something new happened to him..."

"Why not ask him about it?" suggested Tikki.

Marinette sighed. "I can't, because whatever is wrong probably has something to do with his personal life. You know we can't talk about things like that, Tikki."

She reached for her alarm to turn it off before it began blaring.

"We're friends, but it's such a limited kind of friendship that we have," she shook her head and ran her hand through her hair. "I can't do for him the same things I can for my other friends. I really don't like that I'm not able to help him with anything, unless it's involving an akuma."

Marinette looked down at her lap, her eyebrows scrunching up with distress.
She sighed after a few moments and hoisted herself off her bed.

"I promised Luka I'd meet him at school in 20 minutes," she announced, getting changed.

Twenty minutes later, Marinette was out the door, heading to school.
She stopped when she saw Luka, and her mouth popped open when she saw who he was talking to.

"Chat Noir?" she looked down at Tikki with immense confusion. She ducked by the stairs as not to be seen.

"Why would he be talking to Luka?" Tikki wondered aloud, taking a peek at the two boys.

"I don't know," she looked back towards the boys. "But something tells me it's not a casual chat."

After a couple of minutes, Chat Noir left. Marinette came out from behind the stairs.

"Luka," she greeted with a small wave. "What was Chat Noir doing here?" her tone mildly curious.

Luka examined her expression a moment before he answered. "Oh, it was nothing serious. Do you know him? On a more personal level, I mean."

"Ah, no, not really. We've spoken a couple of times because of akuma attacks, but that's it," she replied, her voice a little too high. Luka's eyebrow quirked up with curiosity a moment.

"I see. Anyway, I was wondering if you'd like to go out tonight?"

Marinette blinked. "What?"

"We could go to a movie or concert or something?" he suggested. "Whatever you'd be up for."

"Oh. O-Okay," she stuttered slightly, her cheeks turning pink. Luka chuckled.

"I'm fine with anything, as long as you're there," he took her by the hand and led her to the stairway to sit. "How about movies and ice cream?" he suggested.

She smiled shyly. "That sounds really nice, Luka."

In class during break, Marinette was doodling in her notebook when she heard someone say her name.

"Hm?" she looked up. A pair of bright green eyes and a brilliant smile greeted her.

"Ah!" she jumped back in her seat. "Oh, Adrien, you startled me!"

"Sorry," he said apologetically. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's okay, don't worry about it. I - I shouldn't have been spacing out in class, even if it is break time."

"I was wondering if... if it'd be alright to stop by your house for a visit today?" Adrien asked timidly, scratching the back of his neck.

"Oh, uh, I'd love for you to come over, but... I'm going out with Luka tonight."

"No way, girl! You're going out with Luka?!" Alya shrieked suddenly, her hand shooting up to cover her mouth. Nino glanced at his friend who looked as if the wind had just gotten knocked out of him.

"Yeah, he asked me when I met him on the school steps this morning."

"I see, well maybe some other time then," Adrien said, his model smile appearing again before he turned around in his seat.

Marinette and Alya started chattering about her date behind him. Not wanting to hear anymore, Adrien grabbed his bag and left the room. He still had several minutes left of break and just wanted to spend it alone.

He headed for the lockers, not paying attention to his surroundings as he went, lost in thought.

Luka was on his way downstairs when he spotted Adrien looking depressed. At first glance, he instinctively wanted to call out to him, but then it dawned on him why he was so miserable. Luka shot a look towards Marinette's classroom, then back at Adrien, before he sighed and continued down the stairs.

When Adrien walked back into the classroom, Alya's phone began to buzz.

"Looks like an akuma's out there wrecking havoc again," she sighed. She wanted more than anything to be allowed to become Rena Rouge again. Once you get a taste of the superhero life, you never want to give it up. Especially when you've always wanted to be one. But Ladybug trusted her to do the right thing in giving the Miraculous back, and she wasn't going to let her down.

"Right, forgot to take a bathroom break before class started again. I better hurry," Marinette rushed out the door.

"Tell Mrs. Bustier I went to my locker. I forgot my textbook," Adrien said once she was gone, and he too ran out the door.

Alya stared at her phone, waiting for updates.

"My friends are crazy," Nino stated with a shake of his head.