Response to Reviews

Joey: Adrien is such a hopeless romantic. I'm glad that you enjoyed his impulsiveness in assuming she was his girlfriend only to later be haunted by the fact that he didn't do it right. We will be seeing more of the letters in the next chapter. I couldn't fit in a reading with timeline of this chapter, but I hope that it is still satisfying. I already know mainly what the letters will say. Now, I just have to figure out where to place them in the story.

Clarisa: Wow! Thank you so much for analyzing my story with such thought. I had written this chapter before I read your review, but one of your requests is coming to fruition. I love your ideas of bringing back old memories and even the lucky charm. I will definitely include some of these things. I'm glad that you like how I am developing the characters. I really wanted to show how they have changed and how they are continually changing. Yet, they are still just plain old Adrien and Marinette. You have picked up on things in my story that I hadn't even realized was there. I hope that you continue to read and provide me with feedback. I am more active on my Wattpad account. You should download that app, and find my stroy there. It's easy to be notified of updates through that app.

OtakuGamer69 : Thank you! Keep reading.

wolfrunnerable12 : Haha! Adrien always breaks Marinette. Glad you're enjoying.

Now on with the story!

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"I can see now that the boy I had known had been only a fraction of who you are. Please don't keep the rest of yourself hidden. I want to know that Adrien Agreste. The one who has been hiding behind the mask of the perfect model son. I don't think I can truly fall in love with someone that I don't know completely. This is what's holding us back; I just know it."

Those words echoed through my mind as I washed my hands in the bathroom sink. We had just finished eating our food and Adrien had gone to purchase some ride tickets. I decided to take a restroom break so that I could have a moment to think for myself. I looked in the mirror and caught a glimpse of my fraudulent face. How could I ask Adrien to open himself up completely to me when I wasn't even willing to do that myself. Adrien may have had a hidden personality, but I was hiding behind a secret identity.

"This is what's holding us back; I just know it."

I knew that those words were directed more at me than him when I had said them. How could I ever expect Adrien to fall in love with me if he didn't know me wholeheartedly? I dried my hands with a rough paper towel and then turned towards the exit. In front of me, a full sized mirror reflected back my image with absolutely no remorse. My heart sunk as I saw the girl standing before me. She was a lie. She was only a fraction of who I truly was. Tears began to form as I studied this meek looking facade. Why couldn't I act more like Ladybug? Why did I keep my two personas so separated?

After so many years of only being Marinette, I didn't even know how to be Ladybug anymore. Even when I had transformed that past few days, I didn't feel like I actually deserved to be in the suit. What had happened to the bold and brave heroine that I once was? Where had she gone?

Honestly, no matter which version of myself I caught in the mirror, I felt as if I was looking at a lie. I felt like an actress who was expected to fulfill a certain role. Even though I was able to do that, it didn't seem as if I was portraying myself. I always knew that I was someone else underneath it all, and that fact was tearing me up inside. What was wrong with me? How could I expect Adrien to get to know me if I didn't even know myself? Would it be better if I just told him who I was? No, I knew that wouldn't work because I wasn't even sure who Ladybug was any more. If he knew that I was her, then he would expect me to be brave and fearless. However, I just didn't know if I had that in me anymore. I had to keep that part of me a secret. At least until I could figure myself out a little bit more.

I wiped the tears from my eyes and exited the restroom. The crowds seemed to have multiplied in the time that I had been gone making it hard for me to make my way back to our meeting place. Suddenly, a pair of firm arms wrapped around my waist from behind making the hairs on my arms stand. I shrieked and jumped at the same time only to find that I couldn't break free from his grasp. I placed my hands upon his which were oh so smooth and gentle. I knew those comforting hands anywhere.

"It's okay, Mari," Adrien breathed into my ear, "I didn't mean to scare you. I was just trying to be cute." Adrenaline from the scare pumped through my veins as I shifted around to face Adrien, still tightly locked within his arms. My knees became weak with the surge of emotions that were running through my body. Adrien held me tighter as he felt my balance waver. I reached my arms around his neck to help support myself becoming entirely lost in his gentle gaze.

"Uh, Not that you two aren't cute and all," Nino muttered, "but like… can we actually go and have some fun now?" Nino's voice startled me even more. For moment, I felt as if Adrien and I were the only two people in the world. I looked over to see Nino and Alya staring directly at us. Apparently, Alya was still broken, because she only watched in awestruck silence.

"Sure, man," Adrien responded while giving Nino a huge smile. Then he turned back to me and softly whispered, "Will you be okay to walk, Marinette? We can stay here like this for a while longer if you need to."

My heart fluttered at his suggestion. I wouldn't mind staying here like this with him forever if I could. Besides, just how was I supposed to gain back my strength if he kept being so gosh darn cute? I knew, however, that we couldn't stay like this. Not with Alya watching, anyway. If we broke her even more, she might just die. I straightened my legs and shifted my weight back into them as I pulled away from Adrien. "Let's go," I said.

We all decided that the first ride we should hit would be the Ferris wheel. Of course, all of us meant Adrien, Nino, and me. Alya still had not said a word since she had seen my first interaction with Adrien. I was looking forward to riding alone with Adrien on the Ferris wheel; it would give us some time to talk and hopefully, cuddle. Alya was the first person to hand in her ticket and step towards the mat with the footprints on it that tells you where to stand. I waited for Nino to join her, but instead, I was pushed ahead towards the mat. Before I could even object, the seat had stopped behind us and we were told to board.

As the wheel began to take us around, I could only stare off into the distance just as Alya was doing. I shook my legs as the uncomfortable tension between us grew. It wasn't until five other rounds of passengers had boarded until she finally looked at me and spoke. "So…. you and Adrien huh?"

My ears burned at the mention of his name. "Yea, I guess so," I meekly responded.

"He really likes you, Marinette," she somberly stated. "I'm sorry I have been so quiet. I have just been trying to process it all."

I giggled, "It's a lot to take in. He's quite a flirt. I never expected that out of him."

"It's not just that, Marinette," she added with a serious tone to her voice. "Any guy can be a flirt. But with Adrien… it's the way he flirts. The way he looks at you." Alya smiled and grabbed my hand. "I can tell that you two are still unsure of your relationship with one another. But…. there is something there. Something between you two that is just dying to be set free. I can feel it."

Alya's words caused my heart to skip a beat. Did Adrien feel something more for me than I could see? "That's why I have been so in shock," she continued. "I was expecting to find the Marinette and Adrien that I had known. Obviously cute together and meant to be, but this… this is something that I have never seen before. There's just something about you two. Something powerful. It's there…. just waiting below the surface. I had never sensed that about you two, until now."

My mind was spinning as I tried to process what she was saying. There was something powerful between us? What did that even mean? "I don't know what is holding you back, but once you get that figured out…..get ready," Alya warned. "You and Adrien are going to be something epic. Just you wait and see."

Could Adrien and I ever get to know each other well enough and become close enough to create a love that was truly as remarkable as Alya had foreseen? I certainly hoped so, yet at the same time, that idea absolutely terrified me. Being that intimate with Adrien would mean that I would have to share everything. He would have to know my strengths and most definitely my weaknesses.

"Look over there!" Alya squealed. "We can see the Eiffel Tower from here." I hadn't even noticed that we had made it around and stopped at the very top of the Ferris wheel. The city of Paris was bustling beneath us. Couples strolled leisurely and parents kept up frantically with their children. Everyone below was in a different phase of life, nearly oblivious to the others that were around them. On the ground, the same could be said about me, but up here, I could see everything.

I remembered watching the citizens like this as Ladybug. I always enjoyed being able to see without being seen. I felt as if I knew who these people were just by seeing a small, yet pure, segment of their life. However, it always saddened me to know that that was not what they saw when they saw me. All they saw was Ladybug, the superhero.

I looked over to the Eiffel Tower. Even Chat, Ladybug's closest friend never could see the real me. All he saw was my strength. I never allowed him to see the weaker, more sensitive side of me. Who did Chat really think he was even responding to when writing his letter? Ladybug is just a mask….just a lie.

The Ferris wheel began to move again jolting me from my thoughts. Alya squeezed my hand letting me know that she was here for me. I welcomed the breeze that danced around us as the ride made its final uninterrupted journey propelling us around and around. When it finally came to a stop, we exited the ride and waited for Nino and Adrien to get off.

While looking around for our next destination, I felt Adrien's arms wrap back around me sending an immediate wave of heat throughout my body. This time, instead of jumping, I leaned back into his embrace reaching my hand back to cup it around his face. He leaned forward pressing his head against my hair. His sweet scent which I could only describe as being his was nearly enough to intoxicate me. "You know….. I really hated missing that carriage ride with my princess, but I don't regret pushing you to ride with Alya." So he was the one who had shoved me. "I hope that the wheel of fortune was on your side."

I could feel his accelerated heartbeat on my back as I was pressed against his chest. Alya's words played in my head as an intense longing to become closer with Adrien filled my entire being. But now was not the time. I had to get ahold of myself. I giggled and then unwrapped myself from his arms stepping away and turning to face him. "Of course it was, you silly dope. Now, let's go."

"Marinette," Alya called before we had barely gotten a few steps. "Is it okay if I commandeer your boyfriend for a little while? I need to talk to him."

Blood rushed to my face, "S-sure…..b-but he's not my boyfriend."

Adrien's face mimicked mine as he sheepishly looked to the ground. Alya nearly burst out in laughter. "Aww, you keep telling yourself that hun; that's real cute," Alya mocked. "Now, your boyfriend and I are just going to go have a little chat over by the funnel cake stand. You and Nino go have fun."

Before Adrien had any chance to respond, Alya took him by the wrist and dragged him away. His face had a look that was somewhere between shock and terror.

"Poor Adrien," Nino commented as he stepped up beside me. "Now that Alya seems to be talking again, she won't hold back. So Marinette, what do you want to do?"

"Tikki, Spots On!" I said with little enthusiasm. I didn't really feel like transforming into Ladybug, but I knew that the only way I could reach the platform in order to place my letter would be by using my yoyo. I looked at my spotted gloved fingertips and scoffed at the blasphemy of it all. I was no longer a hero, and it was quite dishonorable parading around as if I still was one. I didn't deserve to wear this suit anymore. Especially since the only reason for my tranformation was purely selfish in my desire to contact Chat.

Even though I knew that the reason for my wearing the suit was not by any means heroic, I could not stop myself from leaping from my balcony and swinging towards the Eiffel Tower. After the letter was placed, I decided to lower myself to the base of the tower and allow myself to detransform. Thankfully, it was around two in the morning, so no one was around to see me.

The slightly cool midsummer air seeped its way into my body bringing it strength and refreshment. I thought back upon Adrien's face as he returned with Alya after an apparently harrowing interrogation. He had been flushed and obviously quite embarrassed. In fact, for the rest of the evening, he seemed to be quite a bit more reserved. Almost like a kitten who had been kicked way too many times.

I decided to take the long route home, so that I could enjoy the feeling of the cool air upon my skin and the peaceful silence of the sleeping city. A few minutes into my joyous retreat, a shrill scream pierced its way into my ear.

I froze. Someone was in danger just around the corner. A part of me wanted to rush in and save the day, but another part of me was terrified. Tikki had not yet recharged, so transforming into Ladybug was not an option. I had to remain as Marinette. What could Marinette do in a situation like this? Marinette was weak and not at all brave like Ladybug had been.

Another scream filled the air causing me to instinctively propel myself forward. I caught myself as I reached the edge of the corner. What should I do? If I put myself into view, then I could be put into harm's way. However, if I did nothing, then someone else could get hurt. Could I live with myself if I decided to do nothing? How could a former superhero even think about leaving someone who was in danger?

I peeked my head around the corner so that I could get a read on what exactly the situation was. There were about five young men huddled around an innocent looking girl, who couldn't have been any older than myself, as she was pressed against a brick wall. I couldn't get a good look at the girl due to the men surrounding her, but I could tell that she had long blonde hair.

"Come on gorgeous," one of the men slurred. "We can show you a real good time. Just come with us and you'll see." He grabbed the girl's wrist and pulled her towards him as he wrapped his other arm around her waist. The other boys just laughed and cheered him on as the girl screamed and struggled against him. I realized that none of these boys looked as if they would be predators of any sort. They were all well dressed and nicely groomed. It just goes to show that one can't be judged by looks alone.

My blood was boiling and spots were swarming in my vision. There was no way that I could let this continue. I turned back towards the direction I had come from to see if there was anything that I could use as a weapon. Unfortunately for me, there was nothing. I would just have to do this myself. I took a deep breath and then confidently strided around the corner.

"Get away from her!" I boldly demanded as the perpetrator stroked the young girl's hair. He gave me a menacing look with his short black hair and dark brown eyes. The other boys turned my direction and began to walk towards me.

"Or what? Sugar," the leader sneered as he pulled the girl even closer placing his hand upon her cheek. "Look boys, someone else has come to play with us. Bring her over here."

A slight stench of alcohol and nicotine wafted through my nose as the group of boys pulled closer in. I couldn't let this go on any further; I wanted nothing to do with this pack of miscreants. "Not going to happen," I said as I darted around, dodging the hands that were reaching for me, quickly closing the gap between me and my main objective. Before the delinquent could even register what was happening, I had one hand tightly knotted within his hair and the other arm wrapped around his neck making it impossible for him to breathe. He let go of his hold of the girl as he tried to pry my arms off of him.

Once the other men realized what was going on, they started to run back towards us. I knew that I could never fend off that many assailants at once, so I took that as my cue to leave. With amazing speed, I relinquished my hold of the now dumbfounded man, and jumped forward flinging the horror struck girl over my shoulder. I ran all the way to my parent's bakery only sitting the girl down once we had made it safely inside with the door locked behind us.

My heart was pounding as I bent over, out of breath. What had I just done? I, Marinette, had actually saved someone. Certainly it had been a lot more crude, than what I would have done as Ladybug, but without my enhanced strength, yoyo, or even my lucky charm, I wasn't left with very many options of what I could do. My head was spinning as I tried to process what had just happened. I had always thought that I could only be a hero as Ladybug. I never believed that I could be strong or brave as Marinette, but I had just proven that that belief had been a lie. Was it possible that it wasn't just the suit that had made me a hero? Was it actually something that was inside of me? Was the difference between Ladybug and me only a figment of my imagination that I had created within my own mind in order to keep my identity a secret? If that was the case, then wouldn't it be possible to portray my Ladybug qualities even as Marinette?

"M-M-Marinette?" a meek voice asked from the corner of the room where I had placed the girl. How did she know my name? I looked up only to be greeted by blonde hair and a familiar pair of strikingly blue eyes. My heart leaped in my chest as I realized who exactly I was looking at and who I had saved.

"Chloe?!" I shrieked as she ran towards me wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace. All of the sudden, she burst into tears and lowered her head so that she could cry into my shoulder. "It's going to be okay," I comforted her. "You are going to be just fine…"