A/N This is my very first fanfiction. All constructive comments and suggestions are welcome.

I'd especially like to come up with a better title than "Confessions of a Teenage Superhero", as I saw another fanfic by that name and don't want there to be any confusion.

I am trying to keep this rated strictly T at the highest.

Right now, I have no idea where this story is going or how it will end up. We'll see, shall we? ...

Chapter 1

Another day, another Akuma. Once again the heroes of Paris had defeated Hawkmoth's latest attempt to gain their Miraculouses. The heroes stood at the base of the Eiffel Tower. "Pound it!" they said, doing their signature fist bump.

Chat Noir went over to the latest victim, calmly reassuring her that it was all over while Ladybug attended to the media that seemed to always follow them around these days. Always with the same questions.

"What was it like fighting this latest Akuma?"

"What do you do when you're not being a superhero?"

"Are you and Chat Noir dating?"

It was enough to drive anyone mad. Ladybug tried to be nice, though this media circus wasn't something she could really get used to - even after several years of being a famous superhero.

"Each akumatized victim is unique," Ladybug said. "Each victim has their own strengths and weaknesses. I'm just fortunate to have a partner like Chat Noir at my side for these battles. For safety's sake, we really can't talk much about our personal lives. And no, we're not a couple."

"Yet," said the low voice of her partner as he came up behind her. Chat turned to Ladybug and held her hand to kiss it in a gentlemanly fashion. "I still have hope." Chat gave a million Euro smile to Ladybug and the cameras.

The media gushed at this statement. Ladybug turned an annoyed glance at her partner, though she couldn't help but give a slight smirk. Then her earrings started to beep. "If you will excuse me, it's time to BUG OUT!" she said as she threw her yo-yo to the nearest lamp post and made her getaway.

Chat took a bow at the assembled reporters and said, "This Chat's gotta get going, too. Adieu!" Then he took off as well, the media filming his exit.

Both Chat Noir and Ladybug rushed to their homes, making sure nobody was following them. Marinette Dupain-Chang collapsed onto her bed, making sure that her Kwami had her favorite sweet treats, while Adrien Agreste detransformed and pointed his Kwami to the mini-fridge he kept in his bedroom, filled with cheese.

A few days later, Chat Noir sat on top of a rooftop, looking at the Eiffel Tower. He smiled as he heard his love land beside him after they finished checking out the city.

"Beautiful night for a paw-trol, isn't it Milady?"

"Again with the puns, Kitty," Ladybug sighed. "But you're right. It is a beautiful night. It seems slow. How did it go for you tonight?"

"Same." Chat looked at his Lady Love. He could never get enough of her beautiful face or those gorgeous bluebell eyes. Now or never, he thought. Come on, Adrien. You have girls swooning for you all the time. How hard can it be to let your Lady know how you feel? Apparently, pretty hard.

"Milady," he began a little shyly. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Ladybug, you and I have been partners now for how long?"

"Two years. No, three."

"I trust you with my life. I trust you with my heart. I... " He needed some water for his suddenly dry throat. Better just to say this and get it out there. "I love you, Milady." He stood sheepishly, waiting for her reply.

"Chat," she began. She looked away from him for a minute. Adrien refused to rush her, always hoping for the answer he desired. "Kitty," she said looking back at him with a sad look in her eyes. "I'm sorry. You are one of my best friends and the greatest partner I could ever hope for. I couldn't do what I do without you. But I just don't feel that way about you."

Adrien's heart broke. Again.

"Is this still about that boy you like?" Adrien relied on his model training and tried not to let the hurt show.

"Yes," she shyly turned away for a moment. "Don't get me wrong, there are times I wish I could return your feelings. But he had my heart first."

"You wouldn't want to tell me his name, would you?"

"Sorry, Chaton. Our secret identities need to be protected. If I give you too much information, you could figure out who I am. You know the risks."

"Is that such a bad thing? Maybe we know each other in our regular lives, and we can protect each other."

"And maybe we don't."

"Well whoever this boy of yours is, I hope he knows what a special and precious lady you are. And he'd damn well better take care of your heart since you won't let me do it."

"Thank you, Chat," Ladybug said with a tear in her eye. "That means a lot."

"You're welcome, Ladybug. Any time."

With that she left, leaving a large, Ladybug-sized hole in his heart. Adrien went home to his lonely room in the cold Agreste mansion. He tried settling in for the night, but his thoughts kept him awake.

Adrien sat on his bed, refusing to cry. Once again, the love of his life had rejected him. He hit his pillow and sniffled - just a little. And yet...

There was the photo of Ladybug kissing him during the Dark Cupid incident. And that photo from Oblivio sure looked passionate. If he could make her fall in love with him during Oblivio, then he could surely make Ladybug fall for him again. Right?

"It's not fair."

"Are you going all moony-eyed over Ladybug again, kid? Disgusting." teased the black cat Kwami of Destruction.

"I can't help it, Plagg. I love her." Adrien sighed, punching his pillow again. "The heart wants what the heart wants."

"Well, what is it you love about Ladybug?"

"She's brave, and creative. Smart and beautiful, too, and those gorgeous blue eyes of hers..." he thought for a minute. "And she's kind. And not afraid to make up for her mistakes. And though I hate to admit it, she looked great wearing your power during that Reflekdoll thing. And I got a new respect for her abilities. Being Mister Bug wasn't exactly easy. I just... don't understand why she doesn't love me."

"Kid, maybe Ladybug doesn't know the real you. Stop hero-worshiping and move on to a new love. Like delicious, gooey Camembert. It's never done me wrong." advised Plagg as he stuffed another piece of said substance into his tiny mouth. "Try looking for someone like Ladybug a little closer to home."

"There's no one like Ladybug."

"Are you sure? Let's go over those traits you admire about Ladybug again. Who do you know who is brave, creative, smart, and has 'gorgeous blue eyes', and is beautiful if you'd only look at her?"

That brought Adrien up short. "Plagg, are you saying I know Ladybug in civilian form?"

"I'm not saying anything," said Plagg as he ate another piece of Camembert. How something that small could go through that much cheese is something Adrien had wondered ever since the Cat miraculous had mysteriously shown up in his room one day.

"Still... if I know her in her civilian form then I'd have to interact with her." Adrien thought about all the girls he knew. The most likely candidates were at his school.

He scratched three girls off his list immediately: Lila, Chloe and Sabrina. The first two didn't have the temperament (plus Chloe was Queen Bee), and Sabrina was Chloe's sycophant. Juleka? No, wrong body type & too timid. Rose? No. Her personality didn't fit. Alix was too much into rollerblading - and too short.

Alya? Hmmm. Alya was confident, but she was also a born journalist. She was constantly trying to figure out who Ladybug was. Unless that was an act.

"Marinette?" he mused. "Same hair color and general build. A great leader and class representative. She's definitely creative - that bowler had she designed looked awesome AND got the attention of my father. Brave? Well... I love how she stands up to Chloe and for the people in our class. But Ladybug? Probably not. I mean she seems so shy she can never say two words in front of me."

"Kitten, wearing the miraculous grants powers, but it also grants disguises. Are you the same when you're Chat Noir as you are when you're Adrien?"

"Well, no, but that's because the eyes change as does the hair. And I can be freer as Chat than I am as Adrien, with all my dad's rules and schedules."

"Then what makes you think that Ladybug is the same in civilian form? All I can say is, open your eyes."

"Yeah, but … Marinette?" Humans are so dense sometimes, thought Plagg as he took another bite of cheese. Especially this one.

"Stupid alley cat," Marinette sighed as she punched her pillow. She didn't want to hurt him - after all, he was her partner. "Why does he do that, Tikki? How can he declare his love for me when he doesn't really know me?"

"Maybe he does know you," said the red, bug-like Kwami of Creation. "He knows the confident, talented Marinette I know hides in there somewhere."

"Hiding inside clumsy, plain old Marinette who can't even say two sentences to the boy she likes without tripping over words. Or onto my face." Marinette sighed.

"What is it about Chat Noir that you have a problem with? You are great as partners."

"I don't have a problem with him. I'm just not romantically attracted to him," she said as her heartbeat picked up a little.

"Adrien on the other hand..."

"Marinette, you're never going to get anywhere with Adrien until you can channel a little of that inner Ladybug confidence and actually talk to him. You need to let him know how you feel, or you're going to keep having these same problems. Either that or stop with the hero worship and look for someone with similar qualities," Tikki said softly as she hugged the girl's cheek.

"I can't, Tikki".

"Yes, you can. I'll be right there with you."

Marinette teared up a little. "Thank you, Tikki. I'll try again tomorrow."

"That's my girl," the Kwami said fondly as she hugged her chosen.

Alya arrived at school and stood at the front steps, looking around for her friends. She saw Nino and waved him over.

"Hey, handsome!"

"Morning, yourself, beautiful," he replied. Alya never tired of the look in her boyfriend's eyes. "Seen Adrien yet?"

"Nope. No sign of Marinette either, though that doesn't surprise me. She'll probably rush in at the last minute, as per usual."

The two chatted about everything and nothing, waiting for the others to arrive. Pretty soon, they saw Adrien's car pull up as his bodyguard let him out. The couple waved him over.

"Hey, Adrien. What's up, bro?" asked Nino as he saw Adrien. "You look down, man."

"A bit," Adrien admitted. He looked at Alya, then back to Nino. "Can I talk to you about it later, Nino?"

"What, don't want to talk in front of the girl," Alya teased. "It's just me."

"Thanks, Alya, but in this case it's a guy thing." Adrien paused. "Seen Marinette yet?"

"Nope."

"Wait a second." Alya looked across the street as the bluenette in question ran their way. "There she is." Alya thought she looked sad.

The three friends waived to Marinette to hurry, as the warning bell was about to ring. They made their way to their homeroom class, and Marinette was able to slide into her seat just as the late bell rang.

Alya looked over at Marinette. "What's with you today," she asked, concerned. "You look like something the cat dragged in."

Marinette gave a wry chuckle and put her head down on her desk. "That's one way to put it."

"Come on, spill."

"I..." Marinette didn't know where to begin. She really needed Alya's advice, but she didn't want to let it slip that she was Ladybug, Paris's #1 female superhero. And she wasn't sure if here & now was the best time to have this conversation. Eventually, Alya's stare made her relent. "If you must know, there's this boy that confessed his love to me last night."

Alya tried not to squeal as she looked meaningfully at Adrien.

"No, not Adrien!" Marinette whispered frantically. "Someone else. And I had to turn him down. I could see he was heartbroken."

"So who is this other guy?" Alya was always looking for gossip.

"I can't tell you. You probably wouldn't believe me anyway." Marinette murmured. "He's a very nice guy. Just not..."

"Just not Adrien."

"Exactly."

Meanwhile, Nino and Adrien were having a similar conversation.

"Dude, you don't look so good today. What's up?" Nino asked.

"Didn't sleep much," grumped Adrien, a half-smile on his lips.

"No, dude. I know you too well. It seems like something more than that."

Why not? thought Adrien. I need some support. I just can't tell him everything. "If you must know, I confessed my love to a girl I like."

"Woah. That took guts, dude. What did Marinette say?"

Adrien looked shocked. "It wasn't Marinette. She's just a friend."

Uh-huh, sure. "Just a friend" my butt, thought Nino but out loud he said, "Oh. ... So what happened?"

"She turned me down," Adrien whispered. "She was polite about it. She said she liked someone else." He turned his emerald eyes toward his best friend. "But it hurts, you know?"

"That sucks, bro." Nino gave Adrien a friendly punch on the shoulder as he said "I'm here for ya' man."

"Thanks, Nino. That helps." Adrien wished he could share the rest, but the risk was too great.

A/N - Until next time!