Not even bothered by the obvious blush on her face, Marinette decided she could do this. 'Just channel Ladybug,' the beet red raven haired young lady chanted internally.

"Chat-"

'Oh boy!' Tikki thought, as she crept closer to the slightly open closet door, 'this could get interesting…' Peering through the crack, she waited with bated breath for the inevitable to happen.

"Marinette?" Sabine's voice called through the hatch, "it's getting late sweetie and you've got school in the morning." Marinette visibly winced. "Time for bed."

They both froze with the interruption of Marinette's mother calling up to her. Eyes widening with guiltily amused grins spreading across their blushing faces once they were sure she had gone.

Chat whispered while gesturing to the exit, "I had-ah-better-"

"Yeah," Marinette replied slowly, biting her lip and deliberating her next words as he reluctantly turned to make his way to the exit. "Actually."

She watched as he stopped and peered over her shoulder with a small soft smile. His brow slightly creased in a hopeful manner.

"Could you stay," she added quickly to clarify what she meant, "just while I've still got the nerve, y'know…"

Marinette trailed off, tapping her fingers together with uncertainty and a crooked smile graced his face. "Anything you need, Purrincess," he purred, peering at her with devilish charm.

Now positioned on her bed, so their footsteps would not be heard from down below, the two teenagers faced each other. Both crossed legged, Marinette let out a big sigh, preparing herself while Chat watched in amusement once more.

The black cat had not envisioned saying to her what he had said tonight, but his own words had caused Plagg to tease him constantly, especially at inappropriate moments.

'She's taking you to bed now kid!' Plagg's cackle sounded out through his mind.

Adrien chastised his Kwami internally, 'stop it Plagg! You're making something out of nothing!'

Plagg drawled annoyingly, 'you can lie to yourself kid but remember, I feel what you feel, I hear what you think, and I see what you see when we're combined.'

Pushing Plagg to the back of his mind, Chat looked at the fidgeting girl sat in front of him. He partly wished he was sat there with her as Adrien, because at least then he would not have to worry about Plagg invading his thoughts.

'You're insufferable sometimes Plagg!'

'And you're in denial all of the time, Adrien.'

The use of his actual name told the blonde how serious his Kwami was, and he decided to address the Kwami's counter later.

"So," he pressed his unknowing classmate, "what are you going to say?"

She looked from where she was playing with her green and black comforter, up to meet his gaze. The encouragement he was giving her made her chest swell. "I-I don't think I can-"

"Of course you can," he smiled softly, "I know not everyone has my easy way with words but-" He hooked his clawed forefinger under her chin, as she had returned her gaze back to her hands, bringing her blue doe eyes to meet his. "-you are amazing Marinette, any guy would be lucky to have a lady like you." The flirtatious smirk he sent her caused her breath to hitch in her throat.

She raked her bottom lip with her teeth in the most adorable way while searching his eyes. Peering up at him, her heart pounded against her chest hard and she cleared her throat.

"Chat," she whispered, noticing how close their faces were, "there's something I need to tell you."

Just as quietly he answered her. "Yes Purrincess," his half hooded green gaze drifting down to her lips that were just too inviting for him to ignore.

'Oh my goodness it's happening!' Tikki squeaked internally, watching from her hideaway. Her tiny Kwami hands covering her mouth in anticipation of any audible gasps that might escape.

Marinette gulped and closed her eyes, angling her head slightly downwards, causing Chat to brush his thumb against the corner of her mouth. The contact he made with her did not falter, as she took a deep inhale to before she started.

"You are ve-very special to me-e." She puffed out an exhale, not noticing how Chat had stilled, while he watched over her intently.

'Kid remember you're not Adrien right now.'

The caution from Plagg sobered the hero in black. He deflated where he was sitting, but absentmindedly brushed the soft skin under his thumb, causing her eyes to look up and meet his. He saw, in her blue pools, a sense of purity and vulnerability that did things to his insides that he had never experienced before.

'Adrien you need to leave now.'

Chat knew his Kwami was right but no matter how much the rational part of his brain screamed at him to move away, lean back, get out, he did not want to do so.

"We been have fr-friends while now-gah…" she sighed and leaned backwards. Breaking away from Chat's touch and covering her face with her hands. "What's the point!" She leant back on her hands with exasperation and said quietly while looking up to the ceiling, 'I'm not even going to do it tomorrow."

Chat put his hands on her crossed legs, causing her head to snap down to look at his vivid green orbs. "Purrincess, you need to tell him how you feel," Chat looked down to hide his conflicting features, "he deserves to know you have these feelings for him."

Marinette leant forward, placing one of her hands on his. He looked up to see a resigned half smile one her face, her brow slightly creased and her eyes downcast.

She shook her head slightly, "I don't think it's him I want anymore."

Chat suddenly looked hopeful. His heart beat increased and he could feel his stomach twisting with anticipation.

'Kid, I know I tease you about this kind of stuff but you need to sort things out with Kagami and Ladybug before you start anything with Pigtails.'

'Plagg what do I do?' Chat pleaded with the deity fused with him, 'I can't keep this up.'

'Exactly, meet with Kagami tomorrow and tell her then.'

'But Marinette-'

'Kid, you need to be clear before anything else happens.' The serious tone of Plagg's advice helped Chat make his decision instantly.

'Plagg I need an out.'

'Already on it.'

*Beep Beep*

"You have to go Kitty."

The solemn tone of Marinette's words was not lost on the leather clad hero. With his decision at the forefront of his mind, he had no guilt in promising to come back the next evening, as he had everything all worked out.

Bounding over the rooftops of Paris back to the mansion, Chat knew he had made the right decision. He was meeting with Kagami in the morning for an early morning fencing session, their lesson may have to wait however, while they had a serious conversation.

I hope you're enjoying this fic so far, thank you for taking the time to read it. Coming up next, his talk with Kagami, or so Adrien thinks anyway...

Thank you for the reviews, follows, and faves, and please let me know what you think of the latest chapter :) The day is still young, I may be lucky enough to get another story updated by this evening!

Take it easy =)

Lady Rhi X