All roads lead to Paris… or something along those lines.

I do not own any of the world or characters created for Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir. I just own this fanfic.

Chapter 8: The truth.

"Do you have feelings for me?" His voice was soft, almost as if not believing his own question.

She widened her eyes.

"I- I don't know."

'I do.'

"I don't know how strong… this… is."

'So strong.'

"Don't mind me, it's probably something childish."

Can't tell you how much I care!'

"I probably just got confused."

' I'm not anymore.'

She couldn't mouth what she truly felt.

"But… you do." His statement came and she debated whether admitting anything or not. For all she knew, those feelings belonged to Ladybug, being with him as Ladybug and all he did for her was what made her fall for him. What the civilian Marinette was most likely to feel was a mere infatuation for the hero, still…

She glanced up at him and finally nodded looking at his still piercing eyes.

Her answer came numbing his senses. His lips parted slightly but before anything else happened, a green glow appeared surprising both teens. She knew exactly what that meant and immediately turned around and covered her eyes.

His transformation wore off completely revealing a not so happy Plagg. "How could you let this happen?"

Adrien looked at his now civilian body not understanding how he had missed the first beeps of his transformation. "Huh, this is a first." He commented. 'Why do I always lose track of time around her?'

Still looking at the opposite direction, she chuckled nervously and said, "There are a few snacks in my drawer. You know, for your Kwami."

"Thanks, Marinette." It was the little god who spoke taking one of the pastries she had offered.

The moment was interrupted, but surely not less awkward. She remained giving him her back which she thanked because her flustered face was hidden. She looked down also confused as to why on earth they didn't listen to the warning beeps.

Adrien, on the other hand, was still in shock with her confession.

But more than her confession, what truly troubled his mind was how he had caused that unintentionally.

In her own words: "Just don't do it with any girl."

'She isn't any girl.' He admitted surprising himself.

She did mention earlier: "I probably just got confused."

Plagg, had anticipated this: "If you ask me, the girl could be misled or something."

'Was I truly flirting with her?' He asked himself.

He also recalled the time Plagg confronted him: "If you're not really interested in her, then why is it every time you run into her, you start acting like that?"

'Why?' He wondered as he glanced around her room. He caught sight of a few of her designs here and there, the pastries on her desk, the game station she was so expert at, an autographed poster of Jagged Stone and one of Kitty Section. He could barely believe how this little woman sitting there was so full of talents. He probably just forgot because of how hum le she was. Then his sight lingered at the photos of them that she treasured so much, moments where he felt truly happy, then he spotted his lucky charm, the one he gave her as a present.

This was definitely Marinette Dupain-Cheng, his classmate, then friend, then confident. His eyes watered in realization.

"I grew so fond of her that I unconsciously drew her closer and closer, even as Chat. I just need her. Marinette was always special to me that I couldn't help but…"

Not able to control his movements, the blonde teen approached her and gave her a bold but tender hug from behind.

The girl once again turned the reddest shade ever seen and lost her balance almost falling from the chair to what she stood up. He never letting go.

"Chat, wait. What are you…?" She gasped and covered her eyes again as she almost took a glance of his true self reflected in one of her mirrors.

Plagg was also taken aback, and it took so much to truly amaze him.

Adrien buried his face hiding his tears in her now cascading hair and whispered repeatedly. 'I'm sorry! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

"Eh?" She didn't like where this was going. Was he going to reject her?

"I'm sorry I acted so selfish before. All I wanted was to keep such an amazing friend like you by my side. You're so special to me that I couldn't afford losing you. I couldn't measure the boundaries, though, and I- I totally messed up."

Yeah, he was rejecting her. She concluded sadly. She tensed under his grip. He had yet again gotten her hopes up with today's visit only to confirm he wasn't interested at all.

"But now…" He made a pause and without warning he summoned his transformation again. "Plagg. Claws out!" She had a hard time to register everything that she couldn't do or say anything. Then she felt him turning her around so they were face to face again.

"I have to say this looking straight to your eyes." He continued and she blinked unable to do much else. "I have feelings for you, too."

She widened her eyes for the umpteenth time. "How can I not?!" He said tenderly as he took a strand of her hair into his gloved hand. "I was so stupid for not noticing before. All I said about you being my friend, now I know that was bullshit. It's been a long time since I don't see you as just a friend, Marinette. Oh gosh when I thought I'd lose you- your company forever, I- I simply couldn't live with that. Marinette, you're- you're wonderful beyond words."

To say she was speechless would be an understatement. She was known for not bringing out words correctly, but now, it was as if her tongue had gotten into a fight with her brain.

Suddenly feeling so self-conscious he leaned back and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Please, say something."

She shook her head. "Can't. Believe. This."

He smiled warmly. "I can't either."

Realization hit him like a thunder bolt. 'Oh no- why couldn't it have been Adrien. No… no this isn't right. Marinette and Chant Noir? It will only put us both in danger. Gaaah!' he mentally scolded himself.

His sudden twist in mood didn't go unnoticed by the bakers' daughter who smiled sadly. "We still can't be together, huh?"

The hero eyed her sadly as well and nodded. "Why couldn't we find each other in different circumstances?" He felt so stupid for not realizing his feelings sooner as Adrien, he might have had a chance, and they were real close friends now. Maybe she could have learned to love him back. Wait. Did- did he really think he loved her? He turned his eyes at her and she just cocked her head at him and the gesture looked so adorable that he couldn't help but smile. Yes, he was in love. In love with the only person in the world that treasured both Adrien and Chat Noir, he couldn't believe how lucky he was and yet so unlucky.

"Kitty, we- we don't have to rush any decision. I'm happy enough my feelings are reciprocated, I'm unable to think of anything else right now." She snickered to what Chat nodded with a smile of his own.

He then walked to her and took her hands in his. "We'll figure something out."

She reasures with a nod.

"Mari, I-"He sighed and gave her a quick peck on her cheek "Thank you." And he left with another word leaving a bewildered Marinette staring out the window.

Short, I know but their feelings are finally clear!