I've decided I love writing in Adrien's perspective. I do have an outline and specific chapters from Marinette's perspective as well, but my dudes… I sure love our beloved sunshine boi to be conflicted. Plus writing Adrien usually means I get to write Plagg dialogue and Plagg is quite possibly my favorite character in the entire show.

Day 8 – Hair Down

Adrien wasn't completely sure why he had insisted to bring Marinette the notes from class today. Alya had casually said something to Nino about dropping by the bakery later that night and Adrien jumped at the mention of her name. Adrien cringed as he recalled the earlier conversation.

"I'll do it for you!" He practically shouted at Alya.

Alya peered at him over the brim of her glasses. "You sure?"

"Yeah, it's no problem at all!" He realized how eager he sounded and decided to tone it down a bit. "I mean, she's done it for me before, so it only makes sense that I should make it up to her, right?"

She smirked at him and he realized just how subtle he was not. "Whatever you say, Buttercup. I'll let her know."

This brought him to his current position, outside the door to her family's apartment. Her parents welcomed him immediately when he walked in the bakery doors. They each gave him a hug, Tom handed him a croissant, and directed him up the stairs before heading back to take care of their customers. He had never felt such a warm welcome or tasted a more delicious pastry in his life.

He stared at the doorbell, stomach doing flips. Why was he so nervous? He was just dropping off class notes for a friend. It shouldn't matter how he felt about her. He had normal conversations with Ladybug all the time without issue and he was madly in love with her. This shouldn't be any different. So why was it?

He steeled himself and reached out to press the button. His hand was visibly trembling as it hovered mere centimeters from sounding the alarm. His heart beat was deafening, so much so that Adrien was surprised she hadn't heard it from inside the room.

Why was this so hard?

"Oh, for the love of gouda," Plagg groaned before flying over and pushing the button himself. "There."

Adrien stiffened and worked to relax his expression. He was a model after all; people only saw whatever expression he wanted them to see.

He took a deep breath as he heard her trapdoor open. His heart leaped in time with the creaks as she descended the ladder. He could do this. Creak. He could act like a normal human being around her. Creak. All he was doing was dropping off notes for school. Creak. He was only repaying a favor. Creak. For the girl he loved. Creak. He could do this.

Time slowed as he watched the knob turn. Nervous anticipation coursed through his veins. He quickly put on the façade he donned in his photoshoots, an expression he was all too familiar with. One that hid the raging thoughts in his head.

However, no amount of preparation, pep talks, or poise was able to help him once Marinette opened the door. His carefully constructed mask of indifference fell as he once again took in the sight of her. She was wearing the same pajama's she wore that day she helped him escape his crazed fans. His eyes first landed on her parted lips, then to the blush that nearly covered her freckles, and finally to—

"Your hair is down—"

"You're not Alya—"

Something in Adrien's brain completely malfunctioned. Her hair fell gracefully on her shoulders, framing her face perfectly in the hallway light. She must have showered a couple hours ago because he could smell her shampoo with his enhanced abilities. He had a sudden and irresistible urge to reach out and run his fingers through it.

Adrien coughed in an attempt to focus. "Sorry, Alya said she would tell you I was coming."

Marinette shifted uncomfortably in the doorway. "She didn't."

"I'm sorry." Adrien's gaze shifted to the floor. "I wanted to give you the notes you missed from class today. You know, since you helped me out last time." He held out the folder unable to meet her eyes.

Marinette hesitated for a moment before taking the offering. "You didn't have to give me anything back." She said quietly.

"Sorry," He muttered before turning to leave.

"Wait!" He felt her hand on his wrist and let her turn him around. He finally met her eyes. "I didn't mean it like that!" He watched as she found the right words, still very aware of where their skin made contact. "I was just surprised it was you and not Alya. Alya usually brings me school work when I miss a day and I guess she must've forgotten to tell me you were coming instead. Thank you for helping me out."

She held his gaze and he was starting to find it incredibly difficult to think. "No problem," he spoke softly. He was content to stay like this forever, staring into her beautiful bluebell eyes as the world around them dissolved into the background.

Suddenly, her gaze shifted and Adrien's brain tumbled back down to Earth. His skin felt cold when she pulled her hand away.

"So are you sick?" Adrien couldn't help his curiosity.

"Kind of," She answered vaguely.

He raised an eyebrow. "Kind of?"

"I've just…" Her brow furrowed in concentration. He could tell she was choosing her words carefully. "I haven't been sleeping well lately, and apparently getting enough sleep is important for your health. Who knew?" She smiled, but he could see the uneasiness behind it. Adrien was an expert at spotting fake smiles. He practically wrote the book on them.

"Well, I'm not just a pretty face," He joked. "I'm a great listener and occasionally I have good advice. If you ever need to talk about anything I'm here for you, ok? Or if you don't want to talk and just want to be distracted I can do that, too. I'm good at being distracting." He winked.

"Yes you are," She sighed almost dreamily. "I mean, I will! I'd love to talk to you about anything."

He smiled. "I look forward to it. See you tomorrow?"

She smiled and this time it reached her eyes. "Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow. Thanks again for the notes."

"No problem at all!" He turned to walk down the stairs and heard the door click shut behind him.

Talking to Marinette had always been so easy. He had to laugh at how ridiculous he was being earlier. He couldn't even remember why he had been so nervous in the first place.

He turned to gaze at the closed door. Even if she didn't return his feelings, Adrien decided he was so incredibly lucky to have her as his friend.

She's not sick or anything. Everyone needs mental health days every now and then, but I couldn't see Marinette flat out telling Adrien that.