There were no words to describe just how tired Adrien was. Late-night solo patrols were great for exercise, but they were not great for getting to bed at a decent time. That would be just one of the sacrifices he would have to make for Ladybug. Getting up at 6 am was good for him though. Early rise, early start as they say.

"What a load of crock."

Adrien fumbled through his closet, pulling out his second favorite t-shirt, light gray with black, horizontal stripes. He quickly pulled on his blue jeans and turned to the sleeping Plagg on his bed.

The cheese-obsessed god was sleeping on his own special pillow, one that was made by Marinette at Adrien's request. Adrien made his way to Plagg and poked his cheek several times to wake him up.

"Nyaaaaa~ Five more minutes kid." The black creature said, snuggling into the small blanket he had, again made by Marinette.

"Come on Plagg you need to get up. What would Ladybug say if she found out that I had such a lazy Kwami?" Adrien lifted the small blanket and got a sigh from the Kwami."

"She'd probably tell you that you need to let me sleep all I want. That you should let this poor, innocent soul do what he wants, whenever he wants"

"You do that already. Permission from anyone or not."

"UGHHHHH. Fine." Plagg lazily lifted himself off the pillow and into the air. He let out an exaggerated sigh, which was only silenced when Adrien produced a piece of Camembert.

Adrien shook his head at the way Plagg was easily silenced by just a simple piece of cheese. He touched the top of his head, feeling his hair stick out in many different directions, and headed into the bathroom. He looked at himself. He could see the way his hair had a mix of the Cat Noir style and Adrien Agreste style. It was horrible. Adrien grabbed a comb and began to smooth out his hair. He happily began to hum the theme song of Les aventures de Ladybug & Chat Noir.

"You know Adrien, you have been quite different lately," Plagg said as he sat on the shoulder of his chosen.

"Enlighten me oh glorious God of Cheese. How have I been acting differently lately?" Adrien pulled out his phone while his other hand kept combing. He looked at a message Marinette had sent to him last night, a meme of a cat falling on a bed and saying good night. He saved the picture, setting the phone down and navigating to the home screen. What was once a picture of Ladybug was not replaced with a selfie of Adrien and Marinette in front of the reconstructed Notre Dame. The building had a rapid destruction/recovery thanks to a certain team of superheroes. "Because if you ask me, I think the only thing that has changed is just how utterly funny I am. And I didn't think I could get funnier."

"Riiiiiiight. Because the reason you have been in such a good mood has nothing to do with Marinette at all. Not the way you guys casually hold hands, have her sit on your lap and hold her, literally sword fight in your room, seriously why do you guys fight with swords and not the fencing foils and sabres, and do whatever couples do during this century…..eat snacks and get fat together!" Plagg laid down on Adrien's shoulder with his arms placed behind his head to rest.

Adrien stopped messing with his hair and gave the Kwami a confused look. "I know that Marinette and I have become the best of friends, but that doesn't mean that she and I have been dating. I think you need to open your eyes and see things for what they are. Marinette and I are just friends."

As he uttered those words Adrien felt as if a blade had pierced his back and made its way to his heart. He clutched his chest as he let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Why did his body react like that when he mentioned her being his friend? It happened a few times when out in public, and it got worse and worse the more time had passed.

"Kid, I have been around since the beginning of the entire universe. Long before the first humans arrived. Literally, and I mean quite literally, the moment it was created there was Tikki and me. The others came not long after but that is beside the point and a history lesson I am not going to give. I know love when I see it. Especially since you haven't been flirting with Ladybug and trying to woo her."

"Ok, now I know that you are being ridiculous. I have been flirting like a maniac lately. Three days ago Ladybug and I cuddled under a blanket together on a balcony, warm tea in hands, watching Dirty Dancing, talking about how much we wished our lives were like that. Free, fun, and lots and lots of questionable quality of dancing." Adrien let out a heartfelt sigh with a smile plastered on his face. That memory was one he would look fondly on for days to come. Just a relaxing evening with-

"Marinette."

Adrien, broken from his self-induced trance, looked over at Plagg with a raised eyebrow. "What? Sorry I couldn't hear you over my own thoughts."

"That wasn't Ladybug. You were hanging out with Marinette at her place. You were on her balcony, then you suggested you both watch one of your favorite movies and helped her dad bring up his old CRT TV because 'watching this movie with any other quality would be unauthentic.'"

Adrien was about to argue when he paused for a moment. The memory became crystal clear as he could see Marinette snuggled up to him under the blanket. She had fallen asleep by the end of the movie and he moved some hair out of her face to kiss her cheek.

"But...but what about the two weeks ago where we had dinner at this American style diner and Ladybug got ketchup all over her face. I moved in with a fry, cleaned off her face, ate the fry, and winked at her? Her face turned deep red and her blush was adorable. Marinette looked so...so…" Adrien gripped the edge of the sink, a cold sweat running down his neck and his face turned pale.

"Mhm, I told you so."

"This one is true though!" Adrein shot up, holding his finger up in a triumphant manner. "I got Lebanese take-out to eat while on a patrol. Ladybug said she hadn't eaten that day and I came through with a solution!" Adrien crossed his arms and closed his eyes at this statement. He knew this memory was true because it happened on Sunday. He remembered this mainly because Marinette had to suddenly leave to go help her parents run the bakery. This had to cut their shopping trip short, but he still had fun for the next two hours with Ladybug.

"Yes, yes this is true. You did eat food with her. Though the entire time your mouths were stuffed with food, you barely talked, and when you guys did talk it was about literally nothing but vague topics to avoid knowing identities. The most important thing you said to her was that you had a new appreciation for baker's especially when they are short and cute. It was the opposite of romantic."

"There you see? I had a nice time alone with Ladybug and even then Marinette was on my mind for only a moment. But...but she was still on my mind. Even when I was with Ladybug I still thought of Marinette. She…"

Adrien sunk to his knees, falling backward and onto the floor. He looked up at the high ceiling. The light from the sun outside being the only thing that illuminated the room.

"Plagg."

"Yesum?"

"I think….I think I am falling for Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Hard. And I don't think I am gonna stop falling any time soon."

"Really? Who would have ever thought that? It's not like you two have your paws all over each other at every moment." The sarcasm in Plagg's voice was heavy, but warranted in this situation.

"I don't know what I am going to do, Plagg." Adrien stood up, looking at his reflection in the mirror. He saw a man who was now beginning to blossom a new love for a woman who could honestly give Ladybug a run for her money.

"I have a wonderful idea that you should really consider. You should ASK HER OUT!"

Adrien just stared at his Kwami, blinking twice before shaking his head. "What? Are you serious Plagg? I can't just ask someone like Marinette out. I have no idea if she even likes me like that. Jeez, you sound like Alya the last time I got caught staring at Marinette when she wore shorts. Her legs were so long and…. I am getting off-topic damnit!"

"Are YOU serious? You have to be joking right? How could the girl not be totally all over you?"

"I always thought that I intimidated her. Because of my status as a model and the wealth my father has. It put up this barrier between me and everyone. My father always insisted that we were different from everyone else. A status above them all. In my head, everyone saw me as a pretty boy model who was to be awed only because of his looks. It is exactly why I thought that it would be impossible for a girl to like me. They would like the idea of me, and not actually me."

Adrien looked down as he turned around and leaned against the sink. He looked at the sun as it was rising. Probably looking to be around 7 in the morning. Adrien brought his hands up, playing with the ring as he let out a sigh.

"Adrien, I didn't know that is how you felt. Why did you never tell me that?"

"Because it really wasn't your problem to bear. It was mine. I didn't want to drag you down with my own dumb burdens."

"You know that she isn't in it for your money Adrien. She has seen you at your lowest points. She knows just about everything about you."

"But...I...she isn't just a friend any more. It has taken a lot of willpower to not lean in and kiss her sometimes. She may not be Ladybug exactly, but she is my everyday Ladybug."

Plagg just smiled at this comment as Adrien made his way to his room. He looked outside the window, taking his phone and making a call.

"Hey, can you meet me at school early? It's important."

It took only 15 minutes for him to arrive at the school, Gorilla waving him off as he drove away. Adrien took a deep breath as he held onto the strap of his bag. He looked around, looking for his friend when he spotted her.

Chloe was laying on the ground, a blanket beneath her near the school gate. She was wearing her favorite white capris with an oversized red off shoulder top. Her head in Alix's lap as they were both on their phones, Chloe resting her hands atop Alix's helmet . He chuckled at the sight, their "secret" relationship being very obvious at this moment. He approached the duo, clearing his throat before he spoke.

"Hey Chloe, I am glad that you could make it. I need your advice on something." He looked down at the girl, who raised her eyebrow in response but never took her eye off the phone.

"Just spit it out already. Don't leave me in suspense." Chloe spat out. She glanced at Alix, smiling at what she read on her phone. Alix giving a wink in response.

"I'm in love with Marinette and I am going to confess to her today!" Adrien said aloud as he closed his eyes. He wasn't prepared for what he had heard next though.

"It is about time you realised that you loved her," Chloe said in a slightly annoyed tone. She looked at her best friend as she put her phone away in her purse.

"What do you mean it is about time? You are acting like it was obvious or something." Adrien looked at the girl, a deadpan look on her face as he went wide eyed. "Oh my gosh it was obvious wasn't it! Why didn't anyone call me out on it?"

"Maybe because Nino, as lovable as he is, isn't like Alya who will call you out on your bullshit?" Alix commented as she snickered a bit.

Adrien blushed as he thought back to Nino. All the times that Adrien called Marinette cute and Nino gave him a strange look. All the times that Nino suggested that he do something with Marinette instead of the secret love that he had for someone else. All the times that Alya even called him out on it saying that the two would be good together. Every time his friends tried to say anything about Marinette in a romantic light all he ever said was "She's just a friend". Even thinking those words now puts a sour taste in Adrien's mouth. How could he say such a thing about her? Why hadn't he noticed her much earlier?

"Do I even have a chance with her anymore? I have basically rejected her so many times…"

Chloe let out an annoyed sigh as she stood up. She looked up at the taller boy, him having grown a full head taller than her these last few years. She cleared her throat and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"That girl is madly in love with you. I have known about this for years and trust me, no boy has come by and stolen her away from you. Well one boy tried but obviously failed." She poked his nose letting a quiet 'boop' escape her lips.

Adrien looked down at the finger touching his nose and gave a small smile in return. "Thanks, Chloe. I feel much better now."

Alix gave him a thumbs up, a quiet sign of her approval. Chloe just looked him up and down, silently judging him.

"What?"

"You could have picked a better outfit to confess in, you know."

Adrien was about to retort when the bell rang. He gave the girl a dirty look, which she retaliated with her own. Alix sat up, giving Chloe a kiss before heading off to tend to her own business. Chloe blushed profusely as she guided Adrien inside, keeping a fast pace to get away from everyone

"Why does she have to do this to me…" Chloe's voice was quiet and slightly timid as she spoke. This got a chuckle out of the model.

"Probably because she knows what effect it will have on you." Chloe only rolled her eyes at this statement.

"Adrien, I can't give you much advice. All I can tell you is to just be honest. And maybe comb your hair. Looking a little wild." Chloe eyed his hair, grabbing a brush from her purse and quickly groomed it.

"She's coming to you. Better do it now."

Adrien looked confused, and blushed a bit as she ran off to go somewhere else. He turned around Marinette walking to him, and she looked like she could be carrying something. But was he ready to do this now? Could he confess to her just out in the open? Yes. He had to. If he didn't he knew he was going to regret it. He put on a smile, looking at her bluebell eyes and feeling his face get flushed as he looked at her freckles. It was criminal to be this cute.

"Adrien, I have someth-"

"Marinette, I have someth-"

The ground began shaking violently for a second. Screams of nearby people could be heard. Adrien looked up, seeing a car with sharp purple crystal being thrown through the air. People from the school began running away, pushing past them and causing the unfocused Adrien to be pushed forward, taking Marinette to the ground with him.

He looked down at the girl, groaning a bit from the fall and the annoyance of being pushed. He lifted himself off the ground slightly, only to feel something soft. He gave it a squeeze before hearing a yelp under him. Marinette's red face looking up at him, and his hand squeezing her chest while the other hand was right next to her head. It took a second of looking at the girl before he jumped back, doing his best to put some distance between the two.

"I'm so sorry Marinette! I didn't mean to do that!"

Adrien's voice cracked as he pleaded with her, his tone nothing but apologetic. He got to his feet, helping the girl to stand.

"It's ok Adrien. It was an accident. I know that.."

"LADYBUG AND CAT NOIR! SHOW YOURSELVES!"

Adrien looked in the direction of the voice, his teeth clenching at the Akuma causing this moment.

Marinette looked at Adrien, a stern look on her face."If you really want forgiveness, then you'll get somewhere safe and stay there!"

Adrien was about to speak before she ran off. Adrien clenched his fist and ran toward the bathroom, locking the door as Plagg flew from his shirt.

"So…..that was a special way to confess." Plagg said with a snicker, his tone full of sass.

"Plagg…."

"Though getting to second base is supposed to happen after you confess right? Not before? Didn't know you were a pervert."

"Plagg!"

"Yes dear?"

"…..Claws out…."