"Are you sure it's safe?" I ask Adrien, looking at the shiny new bicycle. It's not the bike I'm worried about. Its riding with Adrien Agreste, my school crush. I wish I could "Lucky charm" my worry away, but even being Ladybug can't do that.
Adrien laughs gently and takes my hand. "I'm not going to let you fall. I promise," he says, softly. I look into his deep green eyes and for a moment he reminds me of my partner Cat Noir. Sometimes, secretly, I wish Adrien could be Cat Noir. I mean, they've got two different personalities. Yet, I have been thinking about that lately, and I have the same thing with being Ladybug. I'm quiet and shy as Marinette, and as Ladybug, I'm confident and sometimes very sassy (according to Cat, but secretly I think he likes it.) It's so much easier to be confident behind the mask, when no one knows who you really are. Though I growing and trying to speak up for myself.
I think Cat is playful and teasing all the time because he's had a strict upbringing. It must be difficult at times whoever is beneath the mask, to be quiet and good all the time.
"So, where should we go?" Adrien asks, and suddenly I'm back in Paris instead of the city of my thoughts. "Could we get ice cream from Andre's?" I ask. Adrien's face lights up. "Cool. I'm sorry I couldn't go with you last time. You know how Father is," he sighs.
I swing up onto the bicycle and wrap my arms around Adrien's waist. I want to make sure I'll stay on, and even though I don't say it, this is my little way of giving him a hug. We set off, the fresh breeze making both of our cheeks pink. "Has there been any progress with your dad?" I ask. Just like Cat Noir, Adrien's father is very strict. "I tried to stand up for myself the another night, and he just held up his hand and told me to go to my room," Adrien said, quietly. For a minute, I listen to the pedals squeaking. "I'm proud of you. It can't be easy," I tell him. "I-I just don't want to disappoint him. You know? He's been through a lot since Mom disappeared," Adrien says. "That doesn't mean he gets the right to walk all over you."
We coast down a hill, and I close my eyes feeling the wind in my hair and Adrien's cologne smells so good! We hop off for a moment to stench our legs. Adrien leans against the wall, looking like the perfect model he is. I tie my hair up in a ponytail, the sun is getting hot.
"How often do you see Cat Noir?" Adrien is suddenly right next me against the wall. His breath smells like coffee and cookies and it scrambles my thoughts for a moment. "Almost every night. He's my best friend. Why?" I ask. Is Adrien jealous of Cat Noir?
Truth be told, even I'm not sure why Cat started hanging out with me. "What do talk about?" Adrien's eyes are a deep green, reminding me of Cat's, and I sallow a lump in my throat. "Secrets, life. It's like that one person you can just be you with, you know?" Adrien and I get back on the bike, heading back into the bright sunlight. "I have someone sort of like that," Adrien says, but his voice his tinged with sadness. "Nino spending to much time with Alya?" I lightly tease. "It's not Nino," he tells me. We stop again, but I've forgotten the ice cream for the moment when I see the back of Adrien's neck is red.
"So, who is it?" I ask. "Ladybug," he whispers. Me! I'm a confidant for Adrien Agreste, even though he doesn't know its me, shy Marinette.
When Cat's not around on nights I get lonely, I've been going to Adrien's as Ladybug. But, he seems lonely too, though I can't figure out why.
"There's Andre's ice cream cart!" Adrien's voice rises in excitement. I step off the bike, my legs a bit wobbly. It's been awhile, and I'm using to running on rooftops. "You okay?" Adrien asks, taking my hand. His hand is warm and soft, and it brings happiness to my being. I squeeze back, hoping he won't let go anytime soon. We walk over to the ice cream cart to get in line, and Adrien lets go of my hand, only to wrap his hands around my waist, pulling me close. Is this heaven? Oh, how I have yearned for this...this physical affection which is real and genuine. Sometimes, as Ladybug I feel like people love the image of me, but they don't know the real me. Hmm, maybe I should talk to Cat or Adrien about it.
Adrien pulls me close, nuzzling my neck and I can hear the soft thumping of his heart. "You truly are the a every day Ladybug," he whispers in my ear. I turn slightly in surprise and I hear myself say, "and your my Cat Noir." We look a each other and a moment passes between us. Just who exactly, is Adrien Agreste?
"Ahh, Marinette and Adrien! Back for ice cream, eh?" I smile. You have to hand it to Andre, he's always happy. We get are ice cream and sits down by a quiet fountain.
"So, what's she like?" I ask. I want to hear Adrien's description of me as Ladybug. "She's sweet just like you," Adrien begins, and turns to me kissing me on the cheek his lips cold are perfect. "She gives great advice too. She's great at giving comfort too, like she just knows when you need a hug," he tells me, his face going soft. "So, you like her?" I lick at my ice cream, trying to be casual. He's thinks I'm sweet! My mind is doing cartwheels. "yes, I suppose I do," Adrien says. "Oh," and suddenly I don't know what to think. Would he still love me, even if I didn't have a red and black magic suit? Time to be brave, I tell myself. "Would you like her even without a mask?" I whisper. "yes, though sometimes its hard to know what she's thinking. Secret identities , and all." "She's got a good reason for it, you know," my voice comes out slightly defensive. If I started blabbing out my Ladybug secrets, Shadowmoth could have a field day, and that is not a gonna happen.
"Oh, and you personally know Ladybug?" He leans toward me, his breath scattering my thoughts for a second. "We, um, talk here and there. Don't you ever talk to Cat Noir?"
We walk back over to the bike, and this time, I don't hesitate. I trust Adrien. "We've modeled a couple of times together," Adrien tells me.
Huh. "Well, Cat could be a model," I muse out loud. Adrien slightly looks back at me, where going down a hill, and the wind blows back my hair. The greenery in this alleyway is beautiful.
"You got feelings for Cat, Marinette?" I slap Adrien gently, but I feel myself going hot. "I can either confirm or deny that question," I say with some dignity. Where in front of my house now.
Suddenly, my stomach drops. I don't want Adrien to go yet. "You-you don't have to yet, do you?" I ask, staring into his green eyes. Adrien's smile is like the first bit of sun after a snowstorm. "I free all day, Mari," he says, and steps forward, brushing back a lock of my hair. My heart thuds quietly in my chest.
We hold hands as we climb the stairs to my room, my parents and hard at work in the bakery.
"Wow, you've been busy!" Adrien looks around my small room. "Sorry, it's a bit messy," I look around. "No, I like it. It's a creative mess," Adrien says. I show him some of the projects I've been working on, including a blue and green sweater.
We end up talking on the little couch. "Adrien?" I ask. He turns to look at me. "You asked me ealier if I liked Cat Noir and…." my small voice trails off. How did he know I'm falling for Cat, not just as Ladybug, but as Marinette as well? "I do like Cat Noir." Adrien doesn't seem upset, so that's a good sign. "So, what do you like about him?" hmm. "Well, he's playful and doing his cat puns," I pause for a second and giggle. Sometimes, during akuma fights, its my Kitty's humor that gets me through. "And he's a good listener," I say. "You said he modeled with you. For what?" "For a animal shelter."
Awww, now that's cute! "Somebody I know is getting a sweater," I say. "So, helping animals earns some clothing made by the Marinette Dupain-Cheng?" Adrien teases me. "Well, I'm slightly booked, but you can check with my manager," and we both laugh.
Adrien pulls me closer, so I'm laying on his chest. "I'm jealous of Cat right now," he says, brushing his hand down my arm. I shiver happily. "Why, because he's getting the sweater you want?" "That and I happen to like you too," Adrien whispers and then kisses me.
My head goes into the puffy clouds and if clouds were solid, you could bounce of them. I kiss him back, exploring. My, he tastes good! Sunshine and chocolate, with a hint of coffee. His lips travel to my ear, and I gasp. "What if I'm Cat Noir?" he softly growls at me. "I'd like that very much." it just slips out. "Darn that they have to keep who they are a secret right?" I try to cover, though I'm glad I told the truth. "yeah," Adrien strokes my back softly for a moment. Just who is Adrien Agreste? Is he really Cat Noir?
His face glows softly. "You happy?" I ask. "yes. I'm glad we've been spending more time together, Mari. We must go out again soon." On our bicycle built for two, or maybe two partners.