A/N: Alright, so I wasn't planning to write this chapter. Events in chapters 33-36 were originally meant to make up only one chapter, but I added extra things to each. Instead of one chapter, there's now four to cover the scenes of the movie. I'm working on 36 right now, and if I finish it tonight I'll update again tonight. Otherwise, expect it tomorrow.

Oh, and unintentional mentioning of another one of my favorite shows. Let's see if anyone gets the reference!

P.S. I know I never mentioned it before unless I responded to someone's individual comment, but there are NO MIRACULOUSES in this fanfiction. No Ladybug, no Chat Noir, and no Hawkmoth. Just Adrien and Marinette.

I included this message in the Prologue/Chapter 1 chapter, but I just made the change. This is for anyone who is up to date who most likely won't be re-reading this, until I eventually rewrite the earlier chapters as I do final editing.

And thank you so much for all the reviews I've gotten! I love reading them! I just want to ask, please, please, please keep them K+ rated! I don't want to see any swearing in them! I don't want to delete any comments because I am keeping this fic K+ friendly!

Chapter 35

~Marinette's POV~

Adrien was starting to really worry me. I barely registered the ending of that scene of the firemen because of his behavior. He looked like he was about to either cry or throw up and I had no idea what to do about it, so naturally I started thinking of the worst possible scenarios.

Maybe Adrien didn't mean to keep his arm around me for that long, and he regrets even considering doing it to tease me in the first place.

Maybe he thinks that he made me uncomfortable by doing it.

Obviously, he didn't make me feel uncomfortable because I had debated with myself at first whether I should lay my head on his shoulder or not. Of course, I decided against it.

Maybe he thinks that my dad is upset with him for having an arm around me.

The last thought made me turn my attention to my dad. New thoughts replaced the old and I became even more confused.

Why would he even make Adrien think he wasn't happy with him when I know that he loves the idea of Adrien and I being together?

I narrowed my eyes slightly as I looked at my dad trying to see if he was actually mad at Adrien. He had his arm around my mom, and they were both smiling as they watched the last scene of Adrien and I together. There was no sign whatsoever of him giving Adrien a hard time.

Does that mean Adrien's sick?

I looked back at him and frowned, my eyebrows knitting in concern. I knew that he was one to hide his emotions and thoughts if it meant he'd get more time with his friends, but I hoped that didn't including hiding the fact that he didn't feel good.

I was aware that the scene of Adrien and I together was almost over, but I didn't care about it at all now. I leaned towards Adrien slightly so that when I spoke quietly to him he would hear me but no one else would.

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked in a whisper. "Are you not feeling well?"

Adrien didn't answer me for a couple moments, seeming frozen and uncomfortable, but when he did answer he didn't look at me. "I'm fine."

My eyes narrowed at him as I instantly felt annoyed at him for lying. "No, you're not." I told him, still keeping my voice down. "What's wrong?"

Adrien turned his head and looked at me, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. I was sure he wasn't used to seeing me so worried about him to the point I was practically glaring at him.

"What's wrong?" I repeated quietly, but sternly, when he didn't say anything. "You can tell me."

Adrien let out a long sigh and turned away from me, his head dropping to look at the floor as his arms lowered, his elbows still on his knees. He looked miserable, and it made me more upset myself to see him like this while I felt so helpless not knowing how to help him.

I looked down at my own hands on my lap as I fiddled with my fingers uncomfortably. I really wished I knew how to get through to him, but it was very difficult to do that when he refused to open up to me, or anyone for that matter.

But I'm sure that not opening up to anyone makes things hard for himself too…

I closed my hands in fists, suddenly determined. I looked up, blankly staring at the television screen ahead of me. I knew that the scene would be at an end soon, but I had to do this while I still had the confidence.

In one quick motion I looked at Adrien, reached towards him, took him by the wrist, stood up, and marched out of the living room and to the kitchen, dragging the boy behind me. I heard, but chose to ignore his protests as I led him away from everyone else.

Despite my heart thumping in my chest the entire way and nearly stop when I turned to face him in the kitchen, I was strangely able to maintain my composure enough as I tried to look as determined as I had felt moments ago.

"Alright, Adrien." I started, letting go of his wrist to point at him accusingly. "I'm going to ask you again, and I want you to tell me the truth. What's going on?"

Adrien looked shocked to say the least. His mouth was parted, and his eyes widened slightly in surprise (I knew that he'd never experienced this side of me before), and his cheeks were a rosy color, suggesting that he probably was getting sick.

"Adrien," I continued when he said nothing. "You better not be getting sick. Don't you realize how awful that would be? I mean, I know it would be terrible for you, but it would through off our filming schedule, and—Why would you even still be here if you knew you were sick?"

I noticed him swallow and seem to try to get words out, but now that I was on this rant I couldn't stop.

"Not only do you risk getting someone else here sick too, but it could make you feel worse!" I said, my tone growing harsher as I was unable to stop myself from glaring at him while poking his chest accusingly. "I don't want you to make whatever you got worse, so please, just take care of yourself!"

"Marinette, I—"

"What?" I demanded, causing him to pause and visibly swallow again before he spoke.

"Marinette, I'm not sick."

"Then why—"

"I'm okay, really." He interrupted me this time and tried to give me a smile, although I knew it was forced. Somehow, this only made me feel worse.

"Why won't you tell me what's bothering you?" I asked, cursing myself as I knew my voice was starting to shake. I could feel the tears building up from frustration and worry for this boy. "Adrien, I thought we were friends."

"We are!" He said quickly, obviously panicking. "We are friends! You're one of my best friends!"

"Friends don't lie." I said, shaking my head at him slowly. His smile faded instantly, and he looked down, seeming ashamed of himself. The dejected look on his face made my heart ache and I instantly stopped feeling angry at him.

"I…" Adrien started, his own voice shaking slightly. "I can't tell you what's on my mind, Marinette… I'm sorry…"

Although it hurt to know he wouldn't tell me, I knew that I couldn't force it out of him. "Why didn't you just tell me that?" I asked, my tone softening. "I wouldn't have gotten so mad at you."

"I don't know." He admitted, his eyes flicking up to meet mine briefly before focusing on the ground again. "I didn't think it really mattered."

"You're insane." I said, staring at him in shock, worry, and regret. I had no idea why he would even think that his well-being wouldn't matter to anyone, and to me for that matter. "What made you think that?"

Adrien leaned back against the island counter, still staring at the ground. He didn't answer my question for several seconds, but when he did, his tone was soft and sad. "I haven't been able to open up to anyone since my mom left…"

My heart ached for him, and I could feel my tears threatening to escape in his behalf. "But that was—"

"Almost three years ago." He finished, nodding slowly with a small, sad smile. "I know. It's been a long time since I've had someone to be completely open with."

"Adrien, I had no idea…" I said quietly, and it hurt me more when I noticed a silent tear running down his cheek. Before I even thought about what I was doing, I stepped closer to him and put a hand on his cheek to wipe the tear away with my thumb.

His head lifted and his saddened eyes met my concerned ones. I could feel my heart ripping apart as I realized that I didn't know him as well I liked to think I did. I never thought he was hurting so badly, but I was also in silent awe that I had the privilege to experience this side of him.

"Adrien, I care so much for you." I told him quietly, and my other hand went to his other cheek when another tear was shed. "You can always come to me about anything that's troubling you. Always. I promise I'll listen."

Adrien nodded slowly and tried to blink away the tears that threatened to fall. With a swallow, he forced a smile, though this one I could tell was much more genuine than the last. "Okay…" He said quietly as if he were afraid his shaking voice would cause those tears to come back.

"Promise me that you will come and talk to me whenever you need to?" I asked quietly. My hands moved on their own as they gently cupped his cheeks, my fingertips in the ends of his hair near his temples.

He nodded again, this time with a little more reassurance. "I promise." He said quietly. I gave him a small, satisfied smile and took my hands away and brought them back to my sides.

"Good." I said. "I'll always have time for you. Whether you want to call or text or talk to me in person. I'll always be there for you, Adrien."

Adrien's smile seemed to grow, which made my heart feel whole again. It took me by surprise when I suddenly felt his arms around my waist in a hug. My hands landed on his chest as I stared forward in surprise.

"You have no idea how much this means to me, Marinette…" He said quietly near my ear. I then felt his forehead on my shoulder, and I couldn't help but smile and blush happily.

My hands slid from his chest to his shoulders, and my arms looped around his neck as I returned the hug. In the back of my mind, I hoped that he didn't notice how fast my heart was racing. Even though I knew I would be there for him, only as his friend, it was wonderful to know how much he valued our friendship. I was willing to put aside my feelings for him if he needed a friend.

"You're one of my best friends too, Adrien…" I told him quietly. "I'm really, really happy we're friends…"

I felt his arms tighten around me, but not to the point that his hold on me was uncomfortable. If anything, it made me blush a little more.

After a few more moments of hugging him, I thought it might start getting a little awkward for him if he knew I secretly didn't want the moment to end, so I loosened my arms from around his neck. I could feel him doing the same to my waist, but even as he started to pull away, I couldn't bring myself to pass up on the chance.

As he rose, while he was still lowered slightly near my level, I stood on my toes to stay at his and gave him a kiss on his cheek. When I lowered myself again to stand flat on my feet, I could feel myself blushing as I smiled softly at him. I could see his cheeks a rosy color like before, and I'd like to think that it was my kiss that made him react that way.

We are French… A kiss on the cheek is just a friendly gesture.

I reminded myself with a sigh as I looked down. But the exact same moment that I sighed, I noticed Adrien tense up again. Instantly, I looked up towards him again, then followed his gaze. My heart flip-flopped in my chest, unsure of what to think.

It was my dad, standing there in the doorway and looking at the two of us while crossing his arms. He had a disapproving look, which instantly made me confused.

"We were just talking." I said, although I knew that by my statement, it seemed as if we might have been doing a little more than just talking.

"I see." He responded, his eyes not leaving Adrien for even a moment. "I would like to have a turn talking with Adrien now though, if you wouldn't mind, Marinette. All of your other friends have left."

My heart sunk as I looked at Adrien, seeing that he still looked very nervous. I turned back to my dad and started to slowly walk towards him to leave the room. I really hoped he wasn't going to do something to embarrass Adrien or me.

"Dad, please…" I said to him quietly as I stopped for a moment next to him, looking at him with pleading eyes. It completely took me by surprise when he turned to me and gave me a wink. I was left speechless as I turned away from him silently and left the kitchen without another word.

I struggled to think why my dad winked at me like that as I mindlessly wandered back to my room. My mind was racing, yet moving so incredibly slow at the same time that I hadn't the slightest idea what to make of it.

The moment I lifted the trapdoor that led to my room I heard a voice that stunned me even more.

"Girl, you have got to watch this."