"Ok," she inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, "I can do this." She stood up and started pacing, her hands repeatedly clenching and fidgeting with nervous energy.

"Yes, you can!" Chat smiled at her from his seated position.

Sat on her chaise, he watched her with repressed amusement at her pacing and incoherent mumbling. Finding it completely adorable, and somewhat sobering, how she was so flustered at just the thought of practicing. Part of him hoped he may get to see the outcome at school, and was surprised by the sour taste that thought left in his mouth.

"Uh-" she turned to him, as a thought crossed her mind, "what should I call you?"

He realised that she was not willing to give away her crush, so he turned on his charm and leaned back, sending her a cheeky wink. "Use my name," he purred, expecting her joke back at him.

She did not.

The blush now rivalling his partner's suit appearing on her face, was not the reaction he was expecting, at all. However adorable it was for him to see, he felt he needed to make her feel a bit more comfortable in the situation. He thought back to how she was with him as Adrien, there was no way she would have the same reaction, "why don't you pretend I'm Adrien?"

'Kid, why in Kwami name did you say that."

"I don't know it just came out!'

Her head tilt at his words, accompanied by the lip biting and blooming blush, distracted him somewhat. Clearing his throat, he brought her out of her reverie, "he's your friend right?"

'You're an idiot.' Adrien could imagine the deadpan Plagg would be shooting him.

Her face turning redder, and eyes widening in horror, he wondered what was so bad about imagining himself, as himself, for her to confess to. "Are you ok Marinette?"

The colour drained from her face, leaving only a slight tinge of the previous full face coverage. She started fanning her face nervously. "Yeah, fine, completely fine, you're fine-it's fine-we're fine-I'm, uh, fine?" She finished with a small smile and nervous giggle, which only intensified how uncomfortable she was feeling.

Chat stood up and closed the distance between them. The adoration he held for in his gaze was only rivalled by how he looked upon Ladybug when he got to see just how awesome she was. He smiled and looked over her obviously unsure face, "you've not done this before, have you?"

'If only you knew,' she slumped, "I've never managed to do it successfully," the sound of defeat was present in her voice. "The closest I came was embarrassing beyond belief." Marinette sighed and wrapped her arms around herself for comfort. "Afterwards he told me about a girl he loves and I assumed that was his current girlfriend, but," Marinette turned away from him, "but she doesn't think it's her."

"I'm confused."

"I know right!" Marinette rolled her eyes bitterly and found two arms wrapped around her torso. She could feel his warmth surrounding her as he held her from behind, she resisted the urge to lean her head onto his shoulder.

"Why don't you try like this?" He encouraged her quietly, resting his chin on her shoulder. "You're not looking at me, but you can feel me here," he gave her a reassuring squeeze. "And we can work up to you actually looking at me."

"Can I keep my eyes closed?" Marinette asked skeptically, a small smirk playing on her lips, indicating the return of her sass.

"Of course Purrincess," he told her with a hint of amusement, "whatever makes you feel comfortable."

"Thank you," she exhaled breathlessly. "Right, ok…"

"Just remember to breathe," he reminded her before adding quickly: "And that I'm your handsome good looking mystery man."

A soundless laugh left her as she shook her head fondly, "you're unbelievable, you know that?" Marinette teased, tilting her head to catch his reaction.

"I'd like to think of myself as irresistible," he replied cockily with a broad toothy grin. "Come on, tell me how much you love me!"

'Kid, you're one stupid comment away from being stood here in your Ladybug underwear. Stop it!'

Marinette willed the reoccurring blush away unsuccessfully, as she composed herself. Tikki looked on, watching her holder close her eyes and wishing she had popcorn for this performance. The red Kwami was waiting on tender hooks to see how this whole situation would pan out.

"Chat," Marinette started, waiting for him to say something, but he stayed silent and just held her. "There is something I told you should-ah!" She buried her face in her hands. "Why can't I do this?!"

He turned her around suddenly, causing her eyes to shoot open. He was determined to help her with her conundrum. "You can do this," he grabbed both her hands in his, holding them between their torsos as he stooped to hold her gaze. "Listen to how I do it, how I say it." She nodded slowly, cursing the blush rising over her face, again,

"Here goes," he closed his eyes and opened them slowly, making sure to keep her blue eyes focused on his grass green ones.

"Marinette, you are the only person I have ever wanted to know. You are the most amazing person I am lucky enough to have met, and I have feelings for you which are so strong, I can no longer deny them-"

Tikki's eyes widened in shock at what she was seeing. 'Is he doing what I think he's doing?' Her mouth dropped open, however hypothetical this declaration was, she knew the young man under the mask. She knew what Kagami had suspected, and although she knew Adrien loved Ladybug, the sincerity of his words caused her to question if Plagg's chosen was in a similar predicament to hers.

Marinette's mouth became suddenly dry, as his words started to register. Her blue eyes dilating as her feelings for her black clad partner came to the forefront of her mind, body and soul. She needed to remind herself that she was not in her red and black suit, for the fear that she would jump him at any moment.

"-if you do not want to be anything more than what we are, then I'm ok with that." He continued to hold her gaze, realising his voice was starting to catch in his throat. "But I wanted you to know how I feel about you, before I do anything else."

He stood tall and moved his hand to her shoulder once more and cleared his throat. "See," he smiled nervously while reaching for his nape, "it's as easy as that."

Marinette blinked. Once, twice, three times, before she managed to close her slightly parted lips and consider saying actual words.

"I-uh-ye-yeah," she stuttered out, "easy." Swallowing on her exceptionally dry throat, she let out the breath that she had held unwillingly.

"Your turn."

Thoughts?

I don't know about you guys, but I've watched the special over and over, and I've got to say, I love it! I love the fluff, love the angst and ooof they didn't take everyone, which was perfect!

Anyway...

Thank you for reading, and the reviews, follows and faves =), hopefully there will be a few more chapters from me out this weekend.

Take it easy, and stay safe.

Lady Rhi X