Holding his bag in one hand and a closed umbrella in the other, Adrien waited for Marinette to meet him. He admitted to himself that this was stupid. That he could have at least waited a few days to call her aside. But, he was childish and giddy inside. He was a boy with no experience in love, and excitement drove his actions along. She was just a friend all this time. However, hearing her thoughts out loud changed everything. A rainy day, like today, was the spark. Plagg was right back then too. Just like that, Marinette had fallen in love and he was slowly feeling the same way.

Out the corner of his eye, Marinette had turned the corner. She'd opened her bag and checked over its contents. Why was she talking? Alya wasn't around to hear her talk, and everyone else had caught up in the locker room. He was baffled for a moment, until she stood at the main door. Just there, just out of reach, and just as she did when he offered her the umbrella all that time ago.

'Hey, Marinette! I'm glad you came.'

'Sure, thanks for inviting me. Why did you invite me, if you don't mind me asking?' The dark clouds had decided to now start the shower. Standing in the rain and stupidly forgetting he owned an umbrella, he got wet. Gripping the items in his hands tightly he found his words.

'I asked you here because I feel I've been an idiot.' She was stunned by his revelation. Eyes wide, she let him finish. 'I have stupidly kept you at a distance by calling you my friend. Reiterating to everyone that you are just a friend. But, you aren't. You know me and care for me. Hell, you didn't even know that I was Gabriel's son when you told me what you really thought on the first day. You have cared deeply, considered my feelings always and given honest thoughts no matter what. You are passionate about those you love and your dreams of being a fashion designer. You stand out in a room full of Ladybug wannabes as your own person entirely. And even though it's no secret that I have loved Ladybug, I don't need her. But, I do need you. Without you I'd still be following Chloe's every whim and doing only what my father wants from me. You, Alya and Nino have given me a voice of my own. And for that I'm always going to be grateful.' In her silence, Adrien dropped his umbrella and reached for her hand. 'I'm sorry I couldn't see it on my own, but I see it now. Please, could we go out. I want to date you, princess.' And there it was. The confession that he never knew he would be giving. Marinette squeezed his hand right back and wiped away a few tears with her bag on hand.

'Adrien, you have no idea how long I've wanted to hear you say that. I've held a one sided love for you since the day we met, and I've dreamed endlessly about the day you would finally be with me. I'm so happy to hear this coming from you, instead of me having to get the courage only to be turned down.'

'Why does it seem like there is a "but" coming?'

'But, who talked to you about me? This has come very quickly after speaking with a friend about you.' She was boldly exclaiming that Chat Noir would have convinced him to date her. And technically it wasn't wrong. It just wasn't entirely right either.

'Well, I'm very good friends with Chat Noir. He had helped me see what I'd been missing. He finally got fed up with me and put what I felt into words, and the rest is history. He's right, and I think we are a great match.' He sensed that things were not going the way he had hoped. She held his hand still, but looked to be lost in thought. Amongst the tears, her emotions seemed to be in turmoil. What was bothering her so much?

'Did Chat tell you all those things about me?'

'Yes.'

'And the bit about being in a room full of ladybugs, did he say that too.' This felt like a trap. What was the right answer?

'Y- yes?'

'And without Chat you would have continued on our friendship as normal?'

'More than likely, princess, yes. I'm a blind, stupid idiot that can't see the forest for the trees. I needed a push, and I'm glad that Chat Noir gave me just that.' Being honest was all he could do. He had been blind, but he wished nothing more than to make it right.

'Thank you for being honest with me, and thank you for your feelings. But, I have to turn you down.' He didn't hear right. It's almost as if he just got rejected. 'I need to speak to a good friend of mine and let him know that my friend from the internet is him. And I choose him.' It was a rejection, but she decided on the internet guy instead. Mystery guy from the internet is one lucky-

'Wait, you're saying that I'm the internet guy all along? Why didn't you say- Shit...'

'I knew it was you, Chatton.' Marinette cried as she smiled the most sincere smile at her Chat Noir. She was trying to get the truth this whole time. And now he had some serious explaining to do. The jig was up.