English is not my native language.

It had been an uneventful evening. Chat Noir, barely warmed up from his patrol, was the first to reach this days 'patrol-end'-house, making himself comfortable on the roof. The sun was already setting, and he watched in amazement as the sky slowly changed colors. His left cat ear flickered when he heard a soft 'thump' behind him, and moments later Ladybug sat down by his side.

»Anything?«, she asked.

»Nope. Everybody is feline good today.« He didn't even have to look to know that his Lady was rolling her eyes at the cat pun.

»Good. I haven't seen anything either.«

Not an uncommon outcome for their patrol. The short round trip through Paris each day rather served the purpose of being seen by Parisian residents, reminding them of the heroes that kept them safe. Ever since they started this protocol when Ladybug had become the new guardian, there were fewer Akumas to hunt down. The people felt safe and balanced and that made no good targets for purple butterflies.

When the sky started to turn dark blue, Chat Noir rose to his feet, holding his hand out for Ladybug. He felt the tinge of electricity, the sudden warmth in his chest, when she accepted the gesture and let herself be pulled up by him. Feeling flirty tonight he didn't let go of her hand but leaned towards her with a suave smile. »What about a good night's kiss, m'lady?«

Her reaction was expeditiously. »Chat«, she scolded him and stepped back. »And here I though you had a girlfriend.« She sounded not only irritated but downright annoyed. He could grasp why. Ladybug hated liars and therefore cheaters too.

»Well, lucky for you, this cat is single again«, he reassured her.

»Oh. I'm sorry.«

»Nah, don't be. It was a mutual breakup as well as already a month ago.«

»What? Why didn't you tell me? We're partners after all.«

»You always say we shouldn't talk about our secret identities«, he pointed out.

»Yeah, but… well… are you really okay with it?«

»The breakup? Yeah, no bad blood there«, he said with an honest smile. »What about you? Still with your boyfriend?«

She shot him a quizzical look. »I never had one.«

»Huh? I thought you-«

»There was a boy with whom I… had a little bit of a connection, but ever since I took on the responsibility of being the new guardian… well, nothing came out of it.«

Chat pondered if he really wanted to know more about his loves love live, but against his better judgment he asked: »Was it the boy you had a crush on for so long?«

She looked startled, and with a twist in his guts he noticed a light blush on her cheeks. »No.«

»So you are free tonight after all«, he said with a promising smile, trying to get back to his coy self.

»Kitty«, she said menacingly.

»Worth a shot.« He winked at her, half playful, half hopeful. Maybe someday she'd have a change of heart.

»Look«, Ladybug said, massaging her temple with her fingers, »I had a crush on this boy, and against my better judgment I still have. I tried my best to get over it when he got a girlfriend, but they recently broke up, and my heart just went: 'He's available again! Crush even harder this time!'. So 'you and me' is never gonna happen, I'm sorry Kitty.« She had spoken calmly but with enough pain on her voice that he knew it hurt her to hurt him. None the less he was upset.

»I just don't get it«, Chat blurted out. »What boy wouldn't want to be your boyfriend? You're smart, confident, pretty – boys are probably flocking around you. Why not him?«

She laughed, but it wasn't a happy laugh. »I don't know about you, but in my civilian life I am the opposite of all that. I'm shy, klutzy, and can barely talk straight when he's around. I always make a fool out of myself on the rare occasions I gather enough confidence to confess to him. It always ends in a bit of a disaster.«

»Seriously? Well, maybe he likes a damsel in distress?« Chat cringed at his attempt to make her feel less gloomy. »Who is he anyway – I know, you're not supposed to tell me – but do I know this guy?«

»How would I know if you know him?«, Ladybug said. »I don't know who you are in real life and what people you know.« He sighted, but then Ladybug whispered: »But yeah, you probably do know him. He's kinda famous.«

»Famous? Like… XY?«

A very unladylike snort erupted in her nose, and he chuckled. Her snicker made him whole again.

»No, I mean: famous like that, but not him.«

»Good, I had hoped you'd have standards.« He deemed the topic concluded, and there was a moment of silence between them, while Ladybug watched the sun sink fully behind the Eiffel Tower and he watched Ladybug. He was so mesmerized by her sheer appearance, that her next words hit him utterly unexpected.

»His name's Adrien.«

It took a few seconds for him to digest that. »I'm sorry, what?«, he rasped.

»Adrien Agreste, the model.«

Oh dear god, he needed a handrail to hold onto because his knees suddenly decided to not function anymore. Was she paying attention to his wobbly stance? With a deep breath he tried to calm himself.

»So, uh, a 'celebrity crush', yes?«, he said as evenly as possible.

»What? No! I actually know him. And he's the most kind, helpful, amazing boy I've ever met!«

He couldn't fight his smile anymore. Ladybug had a crush on him! Adrien-him! And they knew each other in their civilian lives – quick, which girls did he knew that had trouble speaking to him- oh. Oh! The smile spread into a grin and he felt happiness bubbling in every fiber of his being.

Marinette.

Ladybug was Marinette. That actually made a lot of sense! Solely the hair should have been a dead giveaway from the start!

»So, if he'd asked you out-«

»I'd probably pass out. No, really, you don't know how bad I have it for this guy.«

»Where's the difference to other guys?«, Chat probed, barely containing his beaming grin, »Say, what if he's a major goofball, punning around- would that be easier to talk to?«

»He's not like that«, Ladybug protested mildly. »He's just- are you laughing?«

»Yes, yes I'am. Oh my god, I'm forever holding that above your head«, it suddenly burst out of him, and he chuckled.

Ladybug was not amused. »Excuse me?«

»You. Having a crush on Adrien Agreste. You're killing me here, m'lady!« And his chuckle turned into an excited laughter.

»Just because I rejected you again you didn't have to be a jerk about my love life!«, Ladybug cried out, and only then Chat Noir realized that she took his laughter badly. Before he could say a word she already had jumped onto the adjoining roof.

»See you tomorrow, m'lady!«, be hollored after her, still laughing because of the lack of tension inside him. Ladybug was Marinette. And Marinette had a huge crush on him!

Marinette briefly entertained the thought of flipping Chat Noir off, but she decided to take the high road. Literally, because she jumped from building to building, her target the small balcony on top of her room. That mangy cat laughing at her… she grit her teeth. He'd better apologize the next time she saw him.

»Good morning!«

»Dude, why so happy today?«, Nino asked with a yawn.

»I had a wonderful evening yesterday«, Adrien smiled, and then turned to Alya. »Could you do me a favor?«

»Sure. What's up, buttercup?«

He cocked his head at the nickname but did not comment it. »Could you switch seats with me?«

»Uh. Yeah, why?«, Alya asked, while grabbing her bag and climbing down a row.

»You'll see«, Adrien smiled.

And Alya didn't have to wait long, because for once Marinette was punctual. None the less she scurried into the room, shouting »I'm not late!«.

»No you're not«, Alix shouted back, while some of the other classmates giggled.

»Oh. Good! Alya, I have to-« Marinette stood dead in her tracks when she gained sight of her best friend - grinning and wiggling her eyebrows at her, sitting in what was normally Adriens seat.

»He asked me to switch«, Alya mouthed and pointed subtly behind herself. Marinettes gaze rose ever so slowly, until she met the most beautiful smile she'd ever seen. Abruptly she looked at her feet. Don't make a fool out of yourself!, she scolded herself. Stiffly she made her way to her seat and sat down. Okay. Now greet him-

»Good morning, beautiful«, Adriens smooth voice said. It seamed as if the whole class took a collective gasp. Wide eyed Marinette stared at Adrien who confidently smiled at her.

»Gggood- I- what?«

»I wanted to ask you something, Marinette.«

»Mhm-mh?«

»Are you free tonight? Because I would love to take you out on a date.«

The classroom suddenly was so silent, you could have heard a needle drop. Adrien was not do be deterred. His smile turned a bit into a smug grin and Marinettes heart skipped more than one beat when she noticed what she could only describe as smolder in his eyes. Where had she seen-

»Say yes!«, Alya whisper-shouted at her.

»YES!«, she shouted and instantly turned beet red.

»Purrrfect«, Adrien said. Marinette felt hypnotized by his green eyes. And then Adrien winked – just the teeniest, tiniest bit. Her mouth fell open. No. Freaking. Way. No. Nonononono!

The grin on Adriens face grew even deeper, when he saw the realization hitting Marinette like a dumbbell in the head.

»Oh my god, dude! Just because you suddenly know how to flirt you don't have to go all out!«, Nino laughed wholeheartedly.

»Yeah, drop down a gear, I think you already broke my best friend!«, Alya giggled, eyeing Marinette caringly.

It remains to be said, that at the end of this day, Chat Noir got his good night's kiss. And boy did he slept good afterwards!