Chapter 2

Hello and welcome to chapter 2! Thank you all for reading! :)

Marinette sat, shocked, for what felt like hours. Her ears were ringing as the reality of the situation exploded in her mind. L-L-Ladybug? But that's…but…I-I'm-

"Marinette?"

Adrien's voice snapped her back to reality as her face began to show the utter catastrophe that was going on in her mind. "O-oh! Uh, s-s-sorry haha, that's just…not what I was expecting!" she stuttered out, her face pallid.

"Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Me? Yeah, I'm great! I just, uh…don't know if I closed the trapdoor to my balcony or not. It's supposed to rain tonight, I think" Marinette lied.

"Oh, gotcha. Really? Huh, I didn't see much cloud coverage on the way in" Adrien remarked. "Well anyway, Marinette, you said you have some experience with crushes, right? My situation is obviously a bit different, but I would really appreciate some advice on how to make Ladybug notice me more. I mean, we've met a couple times, but it was always in the middle of an akuma attack, so there was no real room for talking."

Marinette was still utterly shellshocked. Wait. If Adrien likes Ladybug, and I AM Ladybug, then that means…that means that Adrien likes ME! Well, kind of. It's not that Ladybug ISN'T me, after all. But in his mind, she and I are separate people. Ugh, what a mess. Marinette suddenly realized that Adrien was actually expecting an answer to his question as he looked at her with a focused expression, wondering when he should say something to snap her out of her daze again.

"W-well, um…Ladybug and Chat Noir go on patrols, right? I see them every now and then lunging from rooftop to rooftop, getting ice cream and taking pictures with civilians and stuff. Maybe that would be a good time to get to know her?" said Marinette, actually surprised at how good her idea sounded.

Adrien's face lit up, then quickly turned to a look of disappointment. As good an idea as that is, I don't see how I could be on patrol with Ladybug at the same time as being in my civilian form to meet her. "Wow, good idea Marinette! I can't believe I never thought of that before" he said, trying to maintain a hopeful look on his face to hide his chagrin.

"Thanks! Anything to help a friend" she responded, feeling blood finally returning to her cheeks. I need time to process all of this. I just…I can't believe he actually likes Lady-err, me! I guess that's the silver lining here.

"Well, on that note, maybe I could help you at the same time if you want. Be honest, you have someone in mind currently too, don't you?" Adrien said with a smirk. Marinette's eyes opened wide. Adrien chuckled playfully. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but I'm sure I could assist you in your romantic endeavors if you would like."

"Pshhh, it's really not that big of a deal" Marinette started. I obviously can't tell him who my actual crush is. 'Oh, my crush? It's this really cute guy named Adrien Agreste! Surely, you've heard of him. He's an amazing, kind, thoughtful person who also happens to be a famous fashion model.' Yeah, that would go over really well. Maybe…maybe I can just describe him. I wouldn't even have to go into much detail.

"He's…well, he's honestly the most amazing person I've ever met. Super kind, generous, and always putting other people above himself. He has the most golden hair you've ever seen, piercing green eyes, and a smile that lights up my whole world. I didn't even like him, at first! I blamed him for something he didn't do, but instead of brushing it aside and ignoring me, he tried his hardest to make it right. He's the kind of person that makes other around him want to be better, and I haven't been able to get him out of my head ever since I met him."

"Wow…Marinette, you really love this guy, don't you?" Adrien remarked, astounded by her description. That is, of course, until his subconscious started to put together the pieces that Marinette had scattered across his mind. Wait…blond hair. Green...eyes. Is she…is she talking about m-

Marinette saw the machinations of Adrien's mind presenting in his raised eyebrows and wide eyes. Oh no! Maybe I was a little too descriptive! Think, Marinette, think! You can't let him figure it out! Not now, not yet.

"Is it-" began Adrien.

"I-it's Chat Noir!" Marinette practically screamed before slamming her hand over her mouth. Oh no, what am I doingggg.

Adrien almost choked on his own saliva as he tried to get out a "Wait, REALLY?!"

Well, the damage is already done. Might as well keep going. Hopefully this throws him off the trail of discovering my crush on him. Still, I don't feel right outright lying to Adrien. "Uhh…yeah, I've met him a few times, just like you with Ladybug. He's a real gentleman" said Marinette, trying to come up with a believable story.

"Oh, uh, yeah, he seems like a pretty cool guy. I've never met him in person, though" Adrien remarked as he tried to keep his cool. Marinette likes ME? Well, not ME me. But still me. Just with a flirty attitude and a skintight cat costume. Which…sounds weird now that I think about it. "Wow, Marinette, looks like we're in the same boat!" said Adrien with a laugh.

Marinette forced a laugh as she internally scolded herself for allowing the situation to progress as far as it had. "Yeah, maybe we could go on a double date…with superheroes. How would that work, anyway? I'd hate to take time away from their responsibilities" she said, realizing, like Adrien, that it wouldn't be possible to be on patrol and be a civilian at the same time.

"Oh, uh…yeah, I didn't really think about that. Ladybug and Chat Noir must have their work cut out for them with Hawkmoth. Plus, we'd probably get mobbed by fans the whole time" Adrien considered. He let out a sigh. "Maybe it just isn't meant to be."

"Don't give up that easily!" Marinette chirped. Adrien looked up at her in surprise at her outburst. "If you really like her, then you-err, we can figure something out!" Marinette said, trying to lift his spirits.

"You'd really help me, Marinette?" Adrien said with a smile.

"Of course! You're my friend, and I want you to be happy" she replied, grinning.

"Well, thank you. Hey, maybe I can help you with Chat Noir too! Any guy would be lucky to be with someone like you, Marinette."

Suddenly, Adrien's phone began to buzz in his pocket. He took it out and saw the familiar face of Gabriel Agreste calling. "Oh, excuse me Marinette. It's my father" he said as he slid the phone icon across the screen and held the phone to his ear.

As Adrien talked with his father, Marinette sat ruminating over the situation that she had just created. What have I gotten myself into? I'm basically setting myself up with Adrien. He doesn't know I'm Ladybug. No good relationship is built on lies and secrets. Not to mention that he thinks I like Chat Noir! How is THAT gonna work?! If he ever finds out my identity, it's going to completely destroy his trust in me. What do I do…?

"Okay, father. I understand. See you at home. Sorry, Marinette, my father said that I have to come home now. It's getting pretty late, and I have a photoshoot in the morning. But it was nice getting to know you better! I'll text you later, okay?"

"Uh, yeah, sounds good. It was nice getting to know you too! See ya" replied Marinette, still deep in thought.

Adrien walked over and opened the door into the living room. "Oh, and Marinette. Thanks for promising to help me with…you know" he said as somebody walked past the entryway.

"O-of course! What are friends for?" Marinette replied with a put-on smile.

Adrien gave a small wave and closed the door, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Tikki came out of her purse and flew up to face level with a supportive look on her face. "Don't worry, Marinette, I'm sure everything will work out fine in the end" she consoled.

"I sure hope so Tikki. But for now, I just need to leave this party." Marinette said as she got up and started towards the door. Suddenly, it flew open and Alya strode in, wine in hand.

"Hey, girl, I just saw Adrien leave. Tell me everything! How did it go?" she prodded.

"Oh, um, great! We talked about a bunch of stuff. I really feel like we made a connection" Marinette explained, leaving out the elephant in the room.

"Wow, great synopsis, Marinette. Now tell me actual details!" Alya poked further with a smirk.

"Uh, sure, I can tell you all about it tomorrow! I'm just super tired and I want to get some rest." Marinette said, attempting to dissuade Alya from asking further.

It somehow worked. "Okay, I get it. Must have been a hell of a conversation to make you this exhausted" Alya said, hands up. "I'll come by first thing in the morning, 'kay?" she said with a wink.

"First thing" repeated Marinette as she walked past her and made her way to the front door. Once outside, she started walking down the street towards her house when she got an idea. A risky idea, but one that she couldn't get out of her head.

Back at Adrien's house

"Wow, Plagg, I had no idea Marinette could be so talkative. She usually only speaks in short, choppy utterances but tonight she seemed a lot more confident" said Adrien, laying spread out on his bed.

"That's great, kid. I always knew you had something for Marinette but were just too afraid to admit it" replied Plagg.

"What?! No, Plagg, we're just friends! Plus, she said she'd help me get to know Ladybug. She wouldn't do that if we were anything more" replied Adrien defensively.

"Whatever you say, Adrien" Plagg said, laughing, as he devoured an entire slice of camembert in one bite. "Wait, how does she know about your lovey-dovey crush on the bug?" he inquired.

"Oh well, I uh…kind of told her about it" Adrien replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "Should I have kept that a secret? I mean, she couldn't figure out that I'm Chat Noir because of a silly crush, could she?"

"No idea, kid. But I'm sure you're not the only blonde, green-eyed, handsome teenage boy in Paris that feels that way about her" Plagg said sarcastically.

"Pfft. Whatever. She knows now anyway, so it's not like I can do anything about it" he replied.

Suddenly, he heard a slight knock on his window. Almost imperceptible, as if a moth had flown into the glass. He looked over as Plagg flew into his shirt to hide. "What's wrong, Plagg?" he asked. No answer. Eyes glued to the window, Adrien slid off his bed and slowly made his way over to the windowpane from which the sound originated.

Looking out, he didn't see anything. "Huh. Must have been a bug or something" he muttered. Before he could turn around, a shadowy figure descended from the top and stopped at face level. Adrien jumped back in shock. "Wait, is that…" he started before the figure slid in through the unlocked window and landed in front of him, yo-yo in hand.

"Ladybug?!" he exclaimed.

"Uh, hi. Adrien Agreste, right?"