Ever since Marinette had confessed her feelings for him and flirted with him, all Adrien could do was remember her words, how she looked at him, and how close they were at the time. He hadn't stopped thinking about her since the night before. He remembered every freckle he had seen on her neck, and was embarrassed to find that these memories had been burned into his mind. He felt guilty, He felt as if he was being unfaithful to his love for ladybug. When he had woken up, he was determined to act normal around her, as to not let her know that he knew of her feelings for him. But all that crumbled when she had rushed in that morning, seeing her had hit refresh in his head and he remembered everything as clear as the night before. And when he noticed she was shivering, he couldn't even look at her when he had offered her his shirt.

She likes me…

He thought.

He blushed as her fingers brushed his when she had taken his shirt. He took at a glance at her as she sat down and the expression she wore was as if he had given her a million dollars.

She likes me… He thought again with a smile as he sat down, but frowned when he remembered her words exactly.

But not the real me…

Nino had noticed Adrien's wariness towards Marinette, bumping him on the arm with a teasing smile while shaking his head and saying:

Dude, you're like, the most oblivious guy I know. Can't believe it took you so long. She's been gaga for you for, like, forever.

Adrien grimaced as he realized that everyone knew about her crushing on him except for…well, him. He sighed and looked at the board before replying.

"I know."

When Alya had run up to Nino and him and told them that Marinette had invited them for brunch, he had found it odd that Alya was the one inviting them and not Marinette herself. Then he remembered that Marinette was so smitten with him that she couldn't speak correctly and Alya was always the one who would talk for both of them. He flashed Alya a smile and said that they'd love to before Nino could reply. Nino gave him a knowing smirk and Adrien shrugged.

"Hey, free food is free food, especially at one of the best bakeries in town."

Nino smiled. "I like the way that you think Agreste."

When they got to Marinette's house, Alya was the first one to greet them.

"C'mon up."

She said as she took a bite of the croissant that was in her hand. Before they entered Marinette's room they heard her speak up, her voice was slightly muffled, as if her mouth was full. Adrien chuckled at the thought of her spilling crumb everywhere.

"Who was it Al?"

When they entered her room, she was sitting crossed legged on her pink chaise, her plate had a half-eaten waffle and a buttered croissant. She visibly froze as Adrien neared her. As the two boys neared her, she hurriedly wiped her mouth with her sleeve and greeted them. Nino waved at her and took a plate to go steal some of Alya's waffles. In doing so, he left Marinette and Adrien alone. Adrien was a little nervous but he just kept reassuring himself that he didn't have feelings for Marinette and that he was in love with Ladybug.

"H-h-hi A-Adrien. You thank shirt for. Ugh!"

She slapped her forehead and said "I mean, Thank you for your shirt, I'll give it back right now. Please, help yourselves."

He just chuckled and grabbed a plate, stuffing it with waffles and croissants.

How could I have been so nervous to talk to this dork?

He thought with a smile, she was his friend. Crush or no crush she was one of his first friends and he didn't want to put boundaries in between them. So he sat down across from her, fully prepared to receive an "eep!" and her running away or just freeze up completely but he was pleasantly surprised when she remained eye contact with him, unflinching.

"No need for thanks Marinette, it was my pleasure. Thank you for inviting us over for…what do you call this again?"

"Brunch" Marinette said with a giggle.

"Thank you for inviting us over for brunch." He began digging in and savored every bite.

This is so good! I didn't know waffles could taste so good! This, "brunch" thing is my new favorite meal!

Adrien was halfway through his meal before Marinette spoke up again, surprising him slightly in the process.

"It's no problem. Really. Later we could even play video games if you want. Though I promise you I'll win." She gave him a competitive stare, at the same time enticing a dare, the type of dare that you had no way of backing out of. So did the only thing he could do and took the challenge.

"I don't doubt that. But I shall take the challenge!"

"Get ready to get your butt whooped Agreste. I've never lost." Marinette took another bite of her waffle and have him a smirk.

"I know. Nobody has ever beaten you, you even won the video game competition with Max, but I shall be the first to knock the queen off of her throne!"

Marinette swallowed and Adrien looked at her, expecting her to stutter or blush at his statement but what he was met with was a competitive stare and a sly grin.

"We'll see."

Adrien squirmed slightly as she stared at him, expecting an answer.

He coughed and opened his mouth but was interrupted by Alya's screaming.

"You thief! Give it back! Argghhh! Ninooo you're just like my siblings! Marinette!"

Marinette just stared at Alya for a minute before giggling and standing between both of them.

"Alya, calm down, there are more waffles over there."

"Yeah but that one had the last of the whipped cream on it!"

Alya stomped her foot and faked a lunge for the right before going left. Marinette didn't fall for it and grabbed her arm, pinning it behind her.

"Wah! Marinette! Ow!"

Marinette quickly let go and looked at the floor, embarrassed.

"Oh! Oh I'm sorry Al. It's kind of a habit now…"

Marinette slapped her hand of her mouth, realizing the mistake that could've caused her everything.

She waved her hands frantically in the air.

"Oh. Um. It's uh a habit because, because I'm, I'm taking…self-defense classes! After school!

I'll be right back, can't forget the whipped cream!"

She gave Alya a toothy smile before running downstairs.

Adrien was shocked at what he had just witnessed. He had no idea that Marinette could move that fast. She had punched him in the gut when he had startled her as Chat Noir but he didn't know she was that quick. He stared as Nino helped Alya up and gave her half of the waffle. She grumbled a thank you and shoved it in her mouth.

Nino broke the silence by saying:

"That was surprising huh? I never knew Marinette was taking self-defense classes after school. What she did was pretty cool!"

"I didn't know either! And it wasn't cool, it hurt! A lot! How could she hide this from me for so long?"

Alya muffled out, bits of waffle flying out of her mouth.

"It was certainly surprising."

Adrien said as he finished his meal, getting up for seconds.

As he walked over to Marinette's desk he noticed that the posters of him-self had been taken down. She couldn't have possibly have had enough time to take them down when they arrived, so she must've taken them down after Chat Noir's visit. He saw that her sketchbook was open and decided to glance over her designs.

On one page he saw an elegant dress. On the other he saw a leather jacket and a pair of skinny jeans.

"She's so talented. She will certainly become a famous fashion designer in the near future."

He whispered to himself before hearing a cough behind him, he turned around to find Marinette handing him a cup of milk. He took it and gladly sipped it.

How did she know I always drank milk after eating sweet things?

"Thank you, for complimenting my designs. You have no idea what it means to me. I admire your father greatly. He truly is a genius."

Adrien was slightly surprised that she had heard him but felt happy that she had complimented his father.

"Thanks Marinette. By the way, that was an excellent arm lock you did earlier."

Marinette slapped her forehead.

"Ugh! Please forget that, I'm so embarrassed."

"No, don't be! It was really good! Your arm positioning was perfect!" Adrien put his hand on her shoulder, consoling her.

It really was perfect. Just like…Ladybug? Wait… that means…

Adrien brought his face closer to Marinette and whispered:

"Don't worry Marinette, your secret's safe with me…"

The color drained from her face as she sputtered out

"S-s-s-secret? W-w-what s-secret?"

"Don't worry. I know."

She gulped as she made eye contact with him.

"You-you do?"

He nodded and whispered:

"I know. Don't worry. I won't tell anyone that your taking self-defense classes with Ladybug."

Authors note:

Hey guys! Sorry it's a little short, I had two projects this week. I'm sad to inform you that I won't be able to update this for a while, probably until March. I will still try to do a valentines chapter but It will probably be a shorter than the other chapters. I have two more projects to do and I don't think I'll have the time to write. ;-;. Thanks so much for your follows, favorites and reviews! Bye for now!

Nali340