Chapter 21: Magic

As soon as the words escaped from his mouth, he knew they were right.

He loved Marinette.

He felt like he had always loved Marinette. He just didn't see it before. There was always something pulling him back from the truth.

It wasn't a love at first sight scenario, it was more of my feelings are growing stronger for you every day.

"Plagg. What do I do?"

"That's actually a…very good question."

"I'm scared. What if she doesn't accept my feelings in return? Is it too early? What about that other guy?"

Plagg seemed to roll his eyes at Adrien as he flew to rest on the bed beside him.

"Kiddo, you'll never know if you don't try."

"I tried with Ladybug." Adrien looked at his feet, "It didn't work. What if things go the same with Marinette?"

"You don't know that. Maybe luck is on your side."

"Luck is never on my side." Adrien laid down on his bed, "Especially in love."

Ladybug had rejected him multiple times. He couldn't seem to get over that; he even believed he still had lingering feelings for her.

And Kagami…he knew that…she wasn't the one. She reminded him of Ladybug too much.

But Marinette. She was a whole new different person. And she was amazing. He didn't love her because she reminded him of Ladybug. No…he loved her because she was Marinette.

Cute, clumsy and caring Marinette.

"I'm not going to give up on her, Plagg. Even if luck's not always on my side."

"Why is that?"

"Because I love her." He mused as Plagg gagged, "And she's worth fighting against luck."

"Ugh…I should've seen your sappiness coming, boy." Plagg moaned into his Camembert, "But go for it, kiddo!"

"Thanks, Plagg!" He gave his kwami a nod in the head as he looked towards the stars.

I'm here for you, Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

Adrien kept glancing at the door of the classroom next morning. Marinette hadn't arrived yet?

Sure, she was late. But she wasn't this late!

"What's up, dude? You seem tense."

"Oh…it's nothing." He tried to sound casual, "Where's Marinette?"

"No idea. Better ask Alya for that!"

"Psst…Alya!" Adrien immediately turned whispering to her as Nino gave him a surprised look, "Where's Marinette?"

"I don't know. I've texted her. But she hasn't replied yet…"

"What?" He said a bit too loudly.

"Adrien, Alya and Nino. Is there something you'd like to share with the class?" Miss. Bustier asked sternly.

"So- "

"Miss. Bustier." Adrien interrupted Nino, "Why isn't Marinette in class today?"

"That's a good question actually. I'm aware of her lateness but…today is quite queer. I have half the mind to contact her- "

"I'm here!" The door of the classroom swung open as a panting Marinette was revealed. Her hair was dishevelled, and she was holding her waists panting in exhaustion, "S-sorry for being late. I-I got l-lost on the way."

Before Miss. Bustier could answer, Marinette was rushing over to her seat when she tripped on the step. His Cat Noir reflexes kicked in as he stood up to stop her from falling flat on the step.

Unfortunately, he wasn't so graceful as Adrien because when he reached to grab Marinette, the impact of her fall sent him toppling backwards to his seat, Marinette going down with him.

As an end result, Marinette's body was slammed against his own in an embrace posture, one of his hands were wrapped around her back. They were half-leaning on his seat: And his other hand stopping them from toppling over Nino who shifted away from them.

And he thought he could heroically and smoothly catch her without making a big embarrassing scene, too bad this wasn't some fanfiction…

Marinette's eyes peeked out at his own as he gave her a sheepish smile. This proximity was driving his heartbeat crazy as anxious shivers rushed through his body. The warmth of her body slammed against him gave him comfort. It made him feel safe and warm.

That was the crazy thing about love. It made you feel scared and nervous but also made you feel warm and appreciated. It was a feeling wrapped up in plenty of other feelings. Humans always complained that they wished they had magic. But when you had love, who needed magic? Love was magic.

"Hem, hem." Miss. Bustier awkwardly coughed breaking the moment,

Marinette jumped off him with beet red cheeks. His were flushed the same shade as he faced Miss. Bustier.

"As you've come, Marinette. We may go back to what we were doing." She stated as Marinette went back to her seat, "Page. 112 please."

The class broke out into some loud chatter with whispers and loud whistles, he buried his head on the desk as he could feel the eyes of his classmates on him.

He had got it bad.

But when you had love, who needed magic? Woah, huge irony there, Agreste.

Also…

Am I getting sappy along with Adrien?

Eeee…

-Sugar Out!