One-shot again... My heart aches for some love and happiness before the season final (Yes, I'm worried). So, here it is, some Fluff to soothe the pain Thomas Astruc does to us.

Enjoy!

Adrienette/post-reveal/pre-relationship.


Marinette shuffled edgily in her seat, her gaze focussed on the romantic play being performed in front of her. Not that her seat was uncomfortable, not at all! She was just too delighted to be there; the Théâtre de Paris was a prestigious place after all. However, she would have preferred to sit next to her friends at the opposite end of the row. Unfortunately, she had been late, so Miss Bustier had told her to hurry, and she'd taken the last seat next to Aurore, a student from the other class in their grade.

Although, maybe it was better that she wasn't sitting near Adrien. Things between them had been a little awkward since their accidental reveal that had occurred a few weeks ago. They'd both used the same classroom to transform, and both he and Ladybug had been left frozen on the spot by the sudden reveal—no pun intended. Since that day, Marinette's usual clumsiness around Adrien had increased tenfold, even when he was Chat Noir. As for her partner, he seemed quite uncomfortable and confused. He wasn't as goofy as he used to be. He didn't seem to know what to do or say around her, which was pretty unusual for him.

She shook her head, trying to chase away her muddled thoughts and focus on the play. But it was easier said than done. She eventually sighed and glanced sideways, surprisingly meeting two bright green eyes looking in her direction. It startled her so much that she let out a squeak. She quickly shot Adrien a cringe-worthy grin before turning away, her breath catching in her throat.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated in her pocket, making her jump in her seat. She apologized to Aurore and took it out, discreetly peering at the message she'd received. It was from Adrien, she realized as she read the name of the sender. She looked up to find him still staring at her with a glint in his eyes she couldn't quite identify.

She blinked in confusion and lowered her gaze back to her phone. Her trembling thumbs slide on the screen, opening the message he had sent her.

«I hate the way my heart misses a beat when you're looking at me with those mesmerizing bluebell eyes of yours…»

Her eyes widened, her lips parting in a small 'o' shape. She didn't dare to look at Adrien, feeling her cheeks burning. Suddenly, her phone displayed a second message and she resumed her reading, anticipation coalescing with excitement in her chest.

«I hate it because I was used to seeing the world in black and white until I met you. Now, when you're around, you're the only thing in color, like a firework lighting the twilight. It blinds me so much that everything else pales away in your comparison...»

Her hand reached for her belly, slowly pressing against it. Goodness, his words did things to her. She could feel it. She could feel them inside of her—the butterflies flapping around. She was unaware of the smitten smile that formed at the corner of her lips, as a third message popped up on her screen.

«Actually, I hate the fact that this isn't the only thing that has the power to blind me. There's also your smile, dazzling me every time I see you…»

Marinette's face flushed. Was he even trying to pay attention to the play? Although, the thought of him only having eyes for her made her knees feel like jello. Luckily, she was sitting down, which made her perfectly capable of taking the fourth message, right?

«I also hate the fact that you're so sweet you give me a toothache…»

That one made her laugh and she thanked her lucky stars that everybody in the theater burst into laughter at the same time. It wasn't for the same reason, but it kept her safe from being scolded by the teacher. Silly Chaton. He was incorrigible.

«But I can't bring myself to hate the way that you laugh; it's so contagious! It tickles me like a feather-like caress and I can't help myself but laugh with you...»

The fifth message made her raise her head from her phone and she stole a glance at Adrien. He was looking at her with watery eyes, but it wasn't due to sadness. No, not at all. His cheekbones were a slight pink hue and he was smiling brightly. She could tell without a doubt he'd just laughed heartily. And judging by his message, she had been the cause of his laughter.

Soon, she saw him typing something else on his screen and she quickly received another message.

«I hate that I can't recall what it's like not to love you...»

Marinette's hand flew in front of her mouth to muffle her gasp. She felt dizzy all of a sudden as she tried to remember how to breathe. Her heart started throbbing faster, threatening to burst out of her chest any moment. She needed to get out of there and take some fresh air before she fainted right there and caused a scene. She stood up abruptly, apologizing to her schoolmates as she crossed the row of seats to reach the opposite side, towards the exit door.

Eventually, she whispered a shaky apology to Adrien as she walked past him and increased her pace as she hastened to get out of the theater.

She went outside and immediately took a deep breath. But she didn't have the time to collect herself back together as barely a moment later, another message made her phone vibrate in her hand.

«I hate the way the smell of your perfume lingers. Every time I catch a whiff of your scent, my concentration splinters...»

Had he just inhaled her perfume as she'd walked by him? She blushed crimson at the thought.

"Okay, Marinette. You can do it. You're going to get back to the theater and act as if all this wasn't totally awkward, even if it was," she muttered firmly in an attempt to encourage herself.

She eventually took a sharp breath and balled her hands into fists. She mustered up her confidence, determined as she pushed the door leading to the theater venue. Unfortunately, this didn't last as she cringed immediately when she saw Adrien, all her confidence faltering in the blink of an eye.

She took an unsteady step forward, ready to cross the row to get back to her seat, but stumbled over her feet. She squeaked and closed her eyes as she braced for the impact when a hand immediately grabbed hers. She didn't even have to open her eyes to know who had caught her so firmly and gracefully. She knew her partner would always be there to catch her.

"Thank you, Chaton," she whispered before rushing to her seat, her cheeks burning with a shade of red that could give a run for its money to her Ladybug's mask. Her heart was beating frantically and she was out of breath when she finally sat down. A second later, her phone called her back to reality.

«I really hate how hard you deny you haven't fallen for me already…»

Marinette probably looked as if she ran a marathon. But she hadn't. It was just the 'Adrien Chat Noir freaking Agreste is openly flirting with me' effect.

She raised her head, her face still flushed as her breath came out in short puffs, and crossed his gaze. A mischievous gleam danced in his eyes and a sly smirk played on his lips as he stood up. She didn't know how, nor when, but at that very moment, she realized that he knew. One way, or another, he knew she had fallen for him. Twice. And now, he was laying all his cards on the table.

Never breaking eye contact with her, Adrien apologized to their classmates as he crossed the row to reach her seat. He walked by Aurore and stopped next to her, leaning in and whispering in her ear.

Marinette couldn't hear what he asked but Aurore quickly stood up with an excited grin, obviously leaving her place for Adrien as they switched seats. He didn't say anything. He just smiled cheerfully, his bright green eyes shining as he sat next to her. Without any warning, he searched for her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. The touch brought goosemups to her arms, sending shivers down her spine.

They stayed like that for a moment, almost until the end of the play, until her phone vibrated once again.

«I hate the way your fingers perfectly fit with mine. It makes me even more self conscious of you being my missing puzzle piece. It sends my heart into overdrive because you're so close… It's even getting hard for me to breathe, because every single time you touch me, you take my breath away...»

Glancing sideways, she realized Adrien was holding his phone with his free hand, typing with his thumb as another message pinged on her screen.

«But what I hate the most, it's the way I don't hate any of those previous facts. Actually, it's exactly the opposite. I love who you are. I love you.»

As she read the last message, she heard Adrien whispering the last words he'd written. This heartfelt declaration surprised her, but it was absolutely beautiful and overwhelming and definitely welcome.

She turned to him and everything felt like a blur. He had leaned in without her realizing, his hand gently touching her cheek. His eyes sparkled as they moved down to glance at her lips and she shyly nodded. The subdued lights gave the theater venue a romantic and discrete atmosphere. Everyone was so engrossed in the play that she didn't have to worry about someone paying attention to them.

When his lips found hers, it was nothing like the dreams she had in the past. It was far more wonderful than that. It was nothing like she had ever felt, or experienced in her life. She soon found herself hating the way she hadn't let down her walls before—probably also hating the way she'd became addicted to his kisses so quickly. Adrien, Chat Noir, her partner, would surely be the death of her. But she didn't mind. It was a wonderful way to die, she decided.

When cheers and applause echoed around them, they broke apart abruptly, their faces flushing bright red. They realized that half the audience were rejoicing for the final kiss of the play whereas the other half, their schoolmates, rejoiced for their kiss. Even Miss Bustier.

Maybe they were not as discreet as she thought. But she didn't care.

After all, joy and love always outweighed hate.


Thanks for stopping by and reading this story. Comments are very welcomed. Miraculous kisses y'all!