(A/N: For the reviewer who asked about the AU, I will still write that one. So don't worry. I'm already working on it, so I hope I can post that one soon! And for when I will post the original fanfic, I will try to update it on Saturday. If it's not Saturday, then it would be Sunday. Without further ado, enjoy reading~)

"Okay, why is she here? I see that she carries my books, but does that mean she was just kind enough to bring them to me? She is kind after all. However, didn't she heard anything from our class? Or… could it be she's going to reject me…again? Ugh, I really don't want to hear that. I'm not sure if I can handle another rejection. Or is it possible that I'm the one she was in love with? Hah, yeah right as if. She never looked at me that way."

"Nathaniel?"

"Like sure, it would be nice if she was actually liking me as Nathaniel. However I what's wrong how I want to be? Like Vulpino? What's wrong with him? Well of course we've only known each other for a while, I mean, she won't just like a total stranger right off the bat right? Still, I only wanted to share her my feelings so she would take me serious. I didn't expect a flat out rejection and also that she's already in love with someone else. Even so, who is that someone? Would it be alright if I ask her about it? Well mayb-"

"Nathaniel!"

"Huh?" Nathaniel looked confused in front of him at Marinette. Ah, maybe he had been thinking for too long. He stepped aside and gestured her to come inside. He pointed out to let her sit on the couch and he will close the door.

"Are you alright, Nathaniel? If you… don't really feel well or… if you want me to leave, I can do that." Marinette mumbled while she put Nathaniel's book on a table. She was now doubting if it was really alright for her to visit Nathaniel. After all, she rejected him and maybe he's afraid she would do it again.

"If I said I'm alright, it would be a lie... But you don't have to leave. May I ask why you're here though? You're not here only to bring me my books, are you?"

Nathaniel sighed slightly and sat across from her. His eyes are swollen and she even ask him if he's alright. Couldn't she just see that he's not alright? Besides, she didn't need to bring his books to him, Adrien could've done that as well. If Marinette came here to say something to him or ask him something, it would be better to do it soon. He actually wants to be left alone, but it would be rude to send her away after she went through the trouble to bring him his books. And maybe she won't talk about his feelings he has for her.

"W-well… yes, you're right..." Marinette was feeling quite awkward as Nathaniel saw right through her. Her question was also stupid as she noticed his red swollen eyes. He must've cried a lot… How should she even bring up the question if Nathaniel is Vulpino. Maybe he isn't even Vulpino. It would be so embarrassing if she was wrong. However she has to know. It's not fair if only Vulpino knows who she is.

"So… you are Vulpino, right?"

"Good job Marinette. How could I've asked it straight to the point? Maybe I should've asked it in another way. And I even asked as if I know he's Vulpino for sure. Ugh, I'm so stupid. Why can't I ask it less awkward or talk about something else first?" Marinette was really panicking in her head. She did notice that Nathaniel looks very dumbfounded as she asked that question. However, she doesn't know if that's a good thing or not. Maybe he thinks she's crazy to come up with that idea? Or maybe he really is Vulpino.

Well… she didn't bring up his feelings, so that was good? Actually, Nathaniel wasn't sure anymore which one is better. He wasn't prepared for both cases actually. To think that she actually figured it out so fast is quite impressive actually. Should he just admit it or act like he doesn't know what she's talking about. If he denies it, he would be lying to the one he loves and that might bring some trust issues later on.

Nathaniel just sighed aloud and ruffled his hair out of frustration with his eyes closed. Now his hair even looks like Vulpino, though he didn't do that on purpose. He opened his eyes and faintly smiled to Marinette.

"Seems like I let the fox out of the bag."

So she was right. Nathaniel is Vulpino! To think she would've figured it out so easily. She was feeling quite proud of that, but it also made her think if that was really good. And he even admitted so easily. Well, maybe he did that because he also knows her identity.

At least Marinette wouldn't reject him again. She was not that cruel. Oh right, now she knows who he is, he could ask who's the one she loves. It's not wrong to ask that right? He didn't want to pressure her to answer it, only because he knows her secret and she knows his secret. However, he was just curious who had captured her heart.

"So now you know my secret, can I know something about you too?"

Marinette looked slightly confused at him. He does know about her secret right? He knows she's Ladybug, so what else does he want to know about her?

"Sure, you can ask me anything."

She was actually expecting that they would be more awkward with the whole confession and rejection yesterday. However, Nathaniel looked more relieved or at least more relaxed now. Maybe because they don't have big secrets for each other?

"It's alright if you don't want to answer this. I'm just curious about it, but… you mentioned yesterday that… you like someone else. May I know who? Is it someone from our class?"

"…"

"Marinette?" Nathaniel tilted his head slightly to the left as he looked confused to Marinette. She seems to be totally frozen. Was it bad for him to ask it after all?

Suddenly Marinette's face turned bright red. She was still looking at him with surprised wide eyes, but it looked more like she was panicking inside her head. Nathaniel wanted to calm her down by saying it's alright for him not to know. However, Marinette was interrupting him.

"I-it's…A-" She softly started to talk, averting her eyes from Nathaniel.

"A?" Nathaniel leaned more forward to hear what she's saying. It seems like the one she loves begins with an 'A'. He couldn't hear what she mumbled after that.

Marinette nodded slightly and didn't want to repeat again who she mentioned. She wasn't sure why she would even tell him. Wouldn't Nathaniel feel upset after hearing who she loves? He seems to be friends with Adrien now, so… Wouldn't that cause some troubles for their friendship if she would tell him?

It seems like Marinette doesn't want to repeat the name again. So it's someone whose name begins with an 'A'. Well, the only ones in their class whose name begins with the letter 'A' are… Adrien, Alya and Alix.

"Wait, could it be Adrien?" It could of course be that she might like someone else with the letter 'A' or she likes Alya or Alix. However, as he noticed that Marinette got startled when he mentioned Adrien, it looks like he's the one she loves.

"So it is Adrien…" Well it was to be expected actually. Many people loves him and he deserves the love. However, he does feel like he can't beat Adrien. Maybe he should indeed give up. Marinette deserves someone like Adrien… or Chat Noir. Chat Noir is also an awesome guy. Adrien is all nice and such, but Chat Noir really loves her.

"This might be a random question, but what do you think about Chat Noir?"

"Chat Noir?" Marinette was taken aback by this question. She didn't expect Nathaniel to mention him after he found out who she loves. Why bother asking? Well, it won't hurt to tell him how she thinks about Chat.

"Chat Noir… he's a great partner of mine. He's always there when you need him. I can trust him with anything actually. He's selfless, outgoing, cocky, optimistic and open. He makes a lot of puns what annoys me, but actually… I like his puns. Ah, but don't tell him that. He will go on and on with his puns if he knows that I actually don't dislike them."

Marinette chuckled slightly as she got many more things to say about Chat. She actually thinks pretty highly of him as a partner.

"Well, there are many more things I have to say about him. Not only his good sides, but also his bad sides. Not that I mind his bad sides, like he brags a lot about himself. He really loves to brag about himself. Ah, he also loves to call me by nicknames, like 'my lady' as Ladybug and 'princess' as Marinette. It seems like he wants to be quite the gentleman?"

Marinette keeps talking about Chat with a smile on her face, it was as if she likes Chat. Maybe Chat got a chance after all. Chat and Adrien are quite different, but if he hears and sees how Marinette talks about Chat… it seems like she might have feelings for him as well, but she doesn't realize it?

"Then… what do you like about Adrien?"

"A-a-adrien?" Marinette stuttered and just looked down at her hands, playing with her shirt. She doesn't really know where to begin. She loves everything about Adrien, like…

"H-his smile. His smile is so dreamy, as if it shines like the sun. His kindness to everyone is mesmerizing, he's even kind to Chloé!"

"Yeah, that's indeed very special." Nathaniel agreed as he dislike Chloé maybe even more than Marinette does. He even rolled his eyes when he thought about her.

"I know right! I can't believe that he stays friends with Chloé. I mean, she's just so… so… ugh. I can't even describe her in one word. She's just so horrible! She's selfish, annoying, bragging a lot, very obsessive. I mean, yeah I can be obsessive about Adrien as well, but I'm not that obsessive like Chloé. She's just claiming him like he's some object. She got no consideration at all for others!"

"I totally agree with that. She even got mad at me for just being friends with Adrien. Just talking about her already makes my blood boil."

xxx

"I hate to interrupt your conversation together about Chloé and Adrien. It's about time to patrol." Inarii said, after finishing his rice. Tikki sat next to him and received a chocolate cookie from Nathaniel. They introduced their kwami's before after they were done with ranting about Chloé. After they had pizza together, they were talking about Adrien.

It was actually easier to have a conversation with Marinette than he thought. Though he didn't imagine to rant together about Chloé. He doesn't really mind though and maybe it's bad to badmouth about her behind her back, but he will say the same things in her face if he wants. He already faced her head on, so he's not scared of her.

"Yeah, maybe Chat Noir is already waiting." Tikki said while flying to Marinette.

"Well, we can't keep the cat waiting then." Nathaniel chuckled and was ready to leave. He was actually looking forward to see Chat and thank him properly.

xxx

"You two seems to be quite close now." Chat looked at his friend and Ladybug who were smiling at each other when they were talking about something. Well, he was glad they were getting along with each other. He actually prepared himself for some awkward silences or that one of two won't show up. However, to think that they are getting along with each other so quickly is quite surprising. Does that mean that Vulpino is totally over Ladybug? It can't be right? Or is he not giving up and trying to win her heart over? If that's the case, maybe he should try his best too? Should he even give up his love? His friend is more important than having a lover…

"Hey kitty, seems like you finally arrived." Ladybug said jokily as if she's been waiting forever. Though they waited only some minutes.

"Chat!" Vulpino smiled brightly and quickly approached the feline hero. "I really want to thank for yesterday. If there's anything I can do to repay you, please tell me. Without you, who knows what could've happened to me."

Chat Noir chuckled and shook his head. "You don't owe me, foxy. We're friends after all. Besides… I'm really glad you feel better now. I was worried things might be awkward between you and LB."

"Yeah, I thought that would be the case as well, but we had some serious conversation together." Actually they were ranting about Chloé and admiring Adrien, like two total different conversations. Not that he's going to tell him that was the reason they got more like friends. He does feel very friendzoned now, but maybe that's just for the best. It's better to stay by her side as friend then losing her.

"A serious conversation huh…" Somehow he couldn't help but let his jealousy slip. He knows and he really wants to be there for Vulpino. But somehow he just can't hold his real emotions back.

"Ah, don't worry Chat, we're not together or anything. I'm totally friendzoned by her." Vulpino laughed sadly and glanced over at Ladybug who was just sitting at the edge waiting for the guys to patrol together.

"I see… But isn't that quite painful, since you still have feelings for her?" Chat asked carefully, not trying to hurt his friend. He was just worried if this was really alright.

Vulpino saw the worried expression of his feline friend and laughed softly. "You really are a great friend, you know that? Don't worry, those feelings might fade after a while. If I love her enough to be her lover, than I also love her enough to be just friends with her right? I don't want to lose her… so I would rather be her friend than avoiding her forever. Besides, I think avoiding would be even impossible as we have to work together."

"I see… But if it gets too painful for you, please tell me. I have your back." Chat was still of course worried about Vulpino's feelings. However, maybe it's better for him to move on? This does make him even more afraid to confess to Ladybug though. What if she would reject him as well, would he do the same? He's not sure how he would deal with his feelings, but he surely doesn't want to give up. He actually wonders how Vulpino could give up his feelings for her that easily. Though everyone is different and everyone deals about this a different way. Would he… recover from a heartbreak as fast as Vulpino as well? Just thinking about Ladybug rejected him already breaks his heart.

"And I have yours." Vulpino smiled and gave Chat a quick hug. "Thanks Chat. No matter what happens, I'm here for you and I want to support you as well."

"Ready to patrol?" Ladybug asked after a while and the male heroes nodded, ready to patrol. Chat glanced for the last time to Vulpino before jumping to another building. He still got many questions, but he can leave that for another time.

xxx

"Like I said Sabrina, stop bothering me! Or else I will block you and never talk to you again!"

Chloé screamed on her phone and hang up. She sat frustrated on her bed, turning her phone off. She got the urge to throw her phone away, but then she hears a knock on her door.

"My apologies to disturb you, miss Bourgeois, but your father wishes to speak with you."