During the entire class period, everyone was in small groups working on ways to help Ladybug and Cat Noir with the new villain. Marinette was with Nino, Alya, and Adrien, all of them talking about what plans they could enact.

Marinette couldn't really pay attention to anything that was going on around her. He stared at her paper, tapping her pencil on it as the sounds of her classmates began to drone out. She began to lose focus, starting to stare at nothing 'This day…..why can't this day just end….' She felt a hand on her shoulder, breaking her concentration as she shook her head a bit. She looked at the person, seeing Adrien's concerned face. "Hey, are you ok Marinette? You seem out of it." He said in a sweet, but low voice. His eyes showing some worry in them.

Marinette turned to look at Nino and Alya, both of them looking at a map on Alya's laptop. She rubbed her face, giving a fake smile to the model.

"Everything is just fine. No need to worry about little ol' me." She gave a bigger smile this time, showing her teeth as she battered her eyelashes at him.

Adrien just had a stoic face, looking at her and shaking his head slowly. There was no fooling the model apparently. She had been hanging out with him too much. He knew all her tells by now.

"It isn't a big deal Adrien. You don't have to worry." She hugged her sides gently and slowly made herself smaller. She was touched that Adrien cared for her, but the mess going on in her brain was too intense.

"Mrs. Bustier, can Marinette and I head to the library so that we may do further research?" Adrien asked as he had his hand up in the air.

Marinette looked up at him, his golden smile on his face as she swore the light was reflecting off him angelically.

"I don't see a problem with it. I will allow it." Mrs. Bustier said looking up from helping Kim out as he measured some papers.

Adrien looked over at Marinette and extended his hand out to her as he stood. She gently placed her hand into his, that same feeling she had several years ago when she first touched his finger trying to grab his umbrella flowing through her. It always happened whenever she touched him, or when he touched her. This feeling of love was very overwhelming. No matter what boy came into her life, the feeling the would never be as strong as this.

'Even if it is for some leather-clad cat hero?' Her thought rang through her head, causing her to mentally slap herself.

The both of them stood, heading to the door. Marinette expected Adrien to let go of her hand but did the opposite. He just held on tighter as they walked. A smile was strewn across her face but was immediately broken in just a few seconds.

"Now I want you two to behave in there. I am putting my trust in you. I know what young couples are like. No kissing in there or it is to the principal for the both of you."

The duo stopped dead in their tracks, causing them both to turn around and look at Mrs. Bustier. Their faces as red as tomatoes as Marinette rapidly shook her head, waving her hand in front of her face.

"What! No no no no no no no. W-we….we aren't…I mean I know what you mean...but I mean…. We are just super close friends...not a couple...dating….…..." Marinette laughed nervously, doing her best to not look at anyone in the classroom.

"Not yet…" A low voice said, making Marinette looking around to find the source. It was definitely male, but who could have said it?

She was suddenly pulled out of the classroom, being rushed by Adrien up the stairs and to the third floor

Adrien was leaning against the library door, letting out a sigh as he looked down at the ground. Marinette was leaning against a table, her face still completely red as she refused to look at Adrien. He walked over to her, patting her back gently as he offered a smile.

"I am so sorry about that Adrien. I have no idea why Mrs. Bustier said that to us. Believe me, I didn't want to give the idea that you and I are dating." Marinette said as she sat down at a table, sighing as she placed her forehead against the table.

Adrien could hear her mumble some, but not enough to make out any words. He wanted to cheer her up but he wasn't exactly sure how he would do so. The last time he tried to make her get out of a funk this bad she ended up kissing him "accidentally". 'Then again it could lead to another kiss. Heh, wishful thinking.'

Adrien decided to sit down next to her, crossing his arms and making a faux-angry face.

"So the idea of dating me is that bad to you huh? I didn't think it would be that repulsing of an idea." Adrien spoke with a slight pout, doing his best to stifle a laugh

Marinette immediately shot her head up, her face a deep red as she began to stammer on her words.

"W-what! N-no! Not at all. I mean, in fact, it would be the complete opposite of that." After she said those words both of their faces had a deep hue of red to it. "Uh I mean it wouldn't be a bad idea….like saying completely in theory. Not that I constantly think about the two of us together! It's more like every other day. Wait I mean…...UGH!"

She slammed her head down back on the table, grabbing a book from the shelf behind her and putting the open book over her head.

Adrien just let out a small laugh, covering part of his face with his hand to control the volume of his laugh. Marinette looked up at him from under the book, a slight pout to her lip as he controlled himself.

"You know, it is actually quite fitting if you think about it in the grand scheme of things. I mean, you the up and coming fashion designer who is going to put my father out of business and me the model who will wear all your clothes. It is like we were made for one another." He looked down at her, giving her a sultry look. Internally he was panicking, worrying that he was going to blow it.

She lifted her head up, turning her face away as she brought her hands to her chest, pushing her index fingers together.

"N-now that you mention it..it does seem very coincidental that our paths cross. But it doesn't necessarily mean that we are made for one another. There are other girls out there you know...some who are quite better than me…"

He could hear the confidence fading from her voice. He shivered at the thought of her being hard on herself. Marinette is many things, but hear her lower her own image is not something he was going to stand for, no matter if he loved her or not. She needs to know how amazing she is.

He reached out and grabbed her hands gently, wrapping his fingers around hers and making her look at him. She stared into his eyes as he did to hers, scooting his chair closer as their knees touched. He lifted their hands up and gave her his warmest smile.

"Marinette you are an amazing girl. I honestly can't think of a girl who is as amazing as you are. There are times that I feel like I am nothing but a footnote in your life. Like I don't deserve you. You shine that much." His words were honest and held some fear to them. He did feel like that he could easily mess things up with her, do something stupid to sabotage their friendship. Though her sudden outburst broke him of these thoughts.

"Adrien you are so stupid! Why would I ever want you to be a footnote when you can be the heading! Ever since you came into my life things have been grand. Hell, you got Nino from being asocial to an outspoken extrovert, Chloe is still Chloe but she tries hard to be better. You became my best and closest friend. My parents joke that I spend so much time at your place I should just move there….What I am trying to say is...you are special. Even if you don't feel like it yourself, you are to me. And that's what matters."

Adrien had to fight back tears, smiling at her as one broke free. It had been a long time since he was so happy he cried. And then he saw a look in her eyes, one of admiration, happiness, and love?

Marinette squeezed his hand tighter, looking like she was in a trance. "I just want you to know that I love and care for you, Adrien. I always have and always will."

Adrien nor Marinette realised just how close they got to one another. Their faces were inches apart as both of their eyes closed. He leaned in close, his lips barely brushed against hers when he heard the sound of a click. Adrien opened his eyes and saw a mortified Marinette. He looked behind him, seeing Alya awkwardly waving as she had her phone pointed at the both of them.

"Uh….hi…" The blogger said with a nervous chuckle.

Adrien looked at the young raven haired girl, seeing her face turn 15 different shades of red. He swore that her hair lifted up on its own due to her own embarrassment.

"ALYA CESAIRE I AM GOING TO MURDER YOU!" Marinette yelled as she jumped on the table and dashed toward her best friend, screaming obscenities as they ran through the halls.

Adrien just slid back in his chair, rubbing his face as he let out a low sigh. He was so close, so damn close to kissing her and admitting his true feelings. What cruel world did he live in where this stuff happened. At that moment Plagg flew out from under the table, making a disgusted noise.

"Gah. All this romance stuff gives me a headache. I was there only for the tail end of it but I still heard and saw too much." The Kwami shook his head as he landed on the table.

"Yeah, and I was...wait. Why were you just now getting here?"

"Uh…"

**FLASHBACK**

Plagg was sitting in Adrien's bag, looking at a nice piece of Camembert. He licked his lips before taking a large bite. His whiskers tingled some, causing him to turn around and find Tikki floating behind him. He quickly swallowed his food and rubbed his little arms together.

"Uh...hey there Sugar Cube. How are you?"

She didn't respond with words, but flew into him, cradling him into a tight hug. He could hear her sobs as she buried her face into his small neck.

"My Stinky Sock! I am so sorry! I wish I could have seen you sooner but I had to make sure Marinette was ok. I tried to put on a brave face for as long as possible, hiding my own sadness. But I couldn't anymore. I just had to see you and apologize. I wish that you didn't have to get hurt. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you" She let out some sobs as she spoke, holding onto him tighter and tighter, as if not wanting him to go.

Plagg rubbed the top of her head and let out a sigh, kissing the top of her head gently. He did his best to soothe her, which worked slightly as her sobs got less frequent.

"Hey, I wasn't worried in the slightest. I am glad that you are ok. If Adrien didn't need me to keep him transformed I would have Cataclysm that girl in a heartbeat. But you don't have to worry a bit. We aren't going to lose another Bug and Cat an Evil Butterfly again. We are stronger now and wiser. It may be time for them to know they really are. You know how close they have gotten. We risk getting caught. But we will discuss that another time. Let's just rest a moment."

**FLASHBACK END**

"Oh you know, doing God of Destruction stuff. Attending a tournament that holds the fate of our universe. Eating Earth food with my angel servant thing. You know. Typical god stuff." The Kwami said not looking at Adrien at all.

"You are a terrible liar, but it doesn't matter. I don't think Marinette is coming back after what just happened."

Marinette was banging on the stall door, her nostrils flaring as she could hear the cowering girl in there snicker.

"Alya, I know you are there. If you come out I will make your death quick and painless. Just a thing I would do for my best friend." Marinette's voice had a slightly sinister tone to it. If anyone heard her they might think that she is a psychopath.

After not hearing anything she just took a deep breath and backed away from the door. She waited a minute before watching it open and seeing a curious Alya peek out.

"Am I still gonna live?" She tried to sound upset, but the smile on her face betrayed her.

"For now. I just want to know what it is you were doing!" Marinette stomped her foot on the ground, her ears burning as she remembered the scene she was just in.

"Well, I was on my way to check up on you. You seem very embarrassed about what happened. Then I saw Adrien get a look in his eye and flirt with you hardcore. I knew I just had to get a picture of it. But just before you guys kissed my flash and shutter sound with off." Alya had a nervous smile on her face, looking like she was about to scream.

Marinette was about to say something when it dawned on her. She was about to kiss Adrien, and he was going along with it. Before she could let out a scream Alya covered her mouth, muffling the pitched noise.

She pushed the hand down and looked at her best friend, wide-eyed as her smile took up half her face.

"I almost kissed Adrien and he wanted to kiss me too! This is the best day ever!" She squealed as she hopped in place.

Alya let her get it out of her system before pulling her back to Earth. A serious look in her eye as she stared into Marinette's.

"This is serious girl. Do you know what this means? It means that the naive boy likes you. You don't just have a deep conversation like that and try to kiss the other person. I don't do to that to you."

"Well, Kagami tried once…."

"That's beside the point Marinette and something we will get back to later. I mean this is your chance. You have been waiting like 4-5 years for him to notice you. You worked your cute butt off to get him to notice you. Granted this last year you went into overdrive but still."

"I know that Alya. I'm not blind. I can pick up on hints." Alya's eyebrow raised as she said this. "Ok, maybe I am not the best at picking up these kinds of hints."

"Try telling that to Luka and your first date."

"That was in the past. A different Marinette. One who would settle for petty schemes to get Adrien to not be dating and whatnot." 'Though I won't mention my plan of Kagami and Luka. Somethings are best kept a secret.'

"And you have the perfect opportunity to get some alone time with him and finally become that official couple that you guys want to be. That party you are throwing tomorrow."

"I just said that because I didn't have an excuse for why I had an envelope with paper addressed to Adrien. I don't have the time to plan a party in this short amount of time!" Marinette exclaimed as she looked at her friend. She just had a playful smirk as she pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "Oh no. What did you do?"

"You'll see."