This was, by far, my favorite chapter to write. Enjoy!

Chapter 5

Marinette

"Here." I handed the hot chocolate I made to Chat who was currently staring at the posters of Adrien.

"Why do you have so many pictures of him?" He turned towards me, his emerald eyes piercing mine, pinning my body in place.

"Um well you see," I stammered out. I forced my eyes away from Chat's, taking a deep breath. I let it out slowly, gathering my thoughts. "I love fashion and his dad is a great fashion designer. Actually, he's what inspired my interest in fashion. Adrien's a great model and obviously very very cute." I finished, proud of myself for coming up with an answer that at least sorta made sense.

"Sounds to me that you have a crush on him." Chat smirked, leaning closer to me. His sparkling eyes once again drew me in. I felt my heart galloping away. I opened and closed my mouth like a fish gaping for water until I finally found my voice.

I squeaked out something that sounded like, "yea I do!" But I couldn't be sure. "It's not just a celebrity crush either," I quickly added, "we go to the same school. We're friends." For some reason it felt wrong telling this to Chat.

His eyes widened, leaning even closer to me. The smell of cheese and mint drifted off of him, causing my head to spin. "So you're telling me you're in love with him?!" He exclaimed, splashing some hot chocolate onto my floor. "Oh! I'm so sorry!"

"It's okay," I told him, used to my own clumsiness. "Why don't we go somewhere else so we could talk without worrying about my parents finding you?" I suggested, loving the way his face lit up like a little boy on Christmas morning.

"I know the perfect place to take you!" I held up a hand, running to get a thermos for the hot chocolate. I quickly cleaned up the spill before I grabbed my purse, knowing Tikki wouldn't want me to go without her.

Up on my balcony, I wrapped my arms around Chat's neck, enjoying the warmth his body gave off. His strong arm was snug on my waist as he extended his baton. My stomach dropped out and we were off. I couldn't help but take in the beautiful night. The stars were out, the sun gone but still sending a pink hue over them. For early spring, it was pretty warm though there was a bit of a chill. Wind ruffled my hair, tugging at it playfully.

Everything was silent this high up. The weightless feeling was never one I got to experience in my civilian form. It was exhilarating being up here without my suit, only having Chat to rely on to keep me safe. "Close your eyes," he ordered quietly. I obeyed. Once I did, I was very aware of how my body was pressed up against his, molding perfectly to his side, just like always.

"We're here," he whispered, lowering us to the ground. Even after we started walking, Chat kept his arm around me. We shared the hot chocolate as we enetered Notre Dame. Nobody else was there. Our footsteps echoed off of the vaulted ceilings.

We sat in the front, just enjoying each other's company, sharing the hot chocolate. Something was off about Chat. He wouldn't meet my eyes, staring off into space. A frown creased his lips.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He jumped, almost as if he forgot I was there.

"If you don't mind..." I nodded, encouraging him. His hand ran through his hair, messing it up more than it already was. "Well I don't want to bore you."

I grabbed Chat's chin, forcing him to meet my eyes. "Nothing you say could ever bore me," I told him. "I'll always be here for you." As Marinette and Ladybug, I added to myself.

"Everything has been adding up all day. I guess it finally all caught up to me when I was thinking about my mom." His eyes squinted shut and he sprang up to pace. I followed suit, wrapping my arms around him. I hated seeing him like this. "It started with the Akuma today." He buried his head in my shoulder. His next words came out muffled. "Ladybug threw herself in front of me, blocking the flower from hitting me even though she had no idea what it would've done." Chat's shoulders shook so I rubbed his back. "I'm supposed to be the one protecting her. I don't know what I'd do if I lost her."

"It's okay Chat, it's okay," I murmured, hugging him even tighter.

"No it's not because I'm in love with her yet in my civilian form I have a girlfriend!" Shock ran through my body, causing me to stiffen. "I mean it was an accident for us to start dating but I like her. It feels like I'm betraying Ladybug."

"I'm sure both of them would understand." Chat pulled back and shook his head. The twin green orbs were glassy.

"I think Laybug would understand but I don't want to risk it. Besides, she doesn't love me that way so I guess it's good for me to try to move on." His voice was so small and broken it caused my heart to shatter.

"I'm in the same boat. I'm dating the love of my life, but I know he doesn't feel the same, and I think I'm starting to fall for someone else as well." I cringed thinking of Adrien. "Do you want to talk about anything else?" I blurted, wanting to change the subject.

"My dad yelled at me for disobeying his orders but he doesn't even care to ask how I'm doing once in awhile. That's when I started thinking of my mom." Chat finally cracked. Tears poured down his face, dripping off his chin onto my face. "If she was still here, everything would be different. We could be a family again."

I had no words to comfort him. I'd always thought Chat had an easy life and was carefree but that obviously wasn't the case. His life sounded a lot like Adrien's. Stop comparing them! I internally screamed at myself. They're not the same person.

While I was lost in thought, Chat's forehead had come down to rest on mine. "Marinette," he whispered, sending shivers across my skin. "Thank you. I don't think I would've been able to talk to Ladybug about any of this." The corner of his lip turned up in a soft smile. Chat's hands tensed on my back, holding me in place. "Can I kiss—"

"I know what we could do!" I shouted before I did something I know I would regret. The tension between us shattered. Chat pulled back, cocking his head. "We could play truth or dare."

"Yes! I love that game!" Chat beamed at me, making my heart flutter. "Truth or dare?" He asked a little too eagerly, making me laugh.

"Dare," I drawled the word, stretching it out. A glint appeared in Chat's eyes. "Wait no! Truth truth!" I requested but he just chuckled.

"No no. You already chose dare purrincess. Let's see, what can I make you do?" He pondered, his finger tapping his lips. "I got it!" He bent to grab the hot chocolate cup before snagging me. He launched us into the air as soon as we were out of the door.

Across Paris we went until we were settled at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Chat hadn't moved away, keeping us steady. "I dare you to jump."

Adrien

"What!?" Marinette shrieked, pushing me away. Her eyes were wide but she regarded me silently, the tension leaving her body.

"Don't worry, I'll catch you," I promised, throwing a wink her way. A blush dusted her cheeks, causing her freckles to stand out.

"You always do," she whispered, jumping off, feet straight. What was that supposed to mean? I thought to myself, jumping after her.

I went head first, the wind whipping through my hair. I kept my arms close to my body, propelling myself even faster. I soon was falling next to the blue haired girl. Her grin lit up her whole entire face, as if it was the full moon among all the stars.

I molded my body around hers and extended my baton in the same motion. We jolted to a stop, about five feet from the ground. Marinette's face was flushed from the rush and she laughed, sitting in my lap.

"Oh my gosh! That was so much fun!" She squealed, making me wince. "Oh, I'm sorry." Her eyes were downcast but they still sparkled from the thrill.

"It's okay. Besides, how else were we supposed to get down princess?" I teased, dropping us the final way down. "Shall we head back to your castle?" I bowed slightly, offering my arm.

"We shall." She wrapped her hands around my arm, leaning into me. "It's your turn. Truth or dare kitty?"

I pulled the hot chocolate thermos from my pocket, suprised it stayed.

"Here. It's still warm." She gratefully took it. "I choose truth." I knew she would expect the exact opposite. Marinette spit out the sip she had just taken, getting hot chocolate everywhere. "Cat got you're tongue?" I reached over, wiping her face off.

"Not yet he doesn't," She retorted. Instantly, her face turned tomato red. She wouldn't meet my eyes but instead started walking faster. I had to jog to catch up. She didn't even acknowledge me. "Have you ever done something for so long, so much, so often, that it's part of you, even if you don't want it to be?" A million things popped in my head but only one stayed.

"I never had friends growing up," I confessed. "Now I'm not sure how to act around people." Marinette gave me a hug before pointing up. I immediately obeyed, gently depositing us onto her balcony. "I should probably go now. It's getting late and we have school tomorrow." I shuffled my feet around.

"Why don't you come in? We could continue our game." She added the second part as if it was an afterthought. I jumped on the chance, nodding my head eagerly.

After we were situated on her bed, she chose truth. "Have you ever kissed anyone?" I asked, wiggling my eyebrows at her. She instantly turned bright red, ducking her chin into her chest.

"I uh well you see," She stammered, "I- yes. I have. Today actually. I mean my friend Alya kind of forced us, but we did kiss." Marinette took a deep breath before continuing on. "I was going to apologize to him tomorrow. I don't want him to feel like I'm forcing myself onto him, since we're only fake dating," she admitted sheepishly, even though I already knew. "I like him beyond his fame and money and I don't want him to think that I'm using him for that. We're already using each other to leave the room during Akuma attacks, I just don't want him to think I'm not his friend." Her eyes were so upset when they met mine that I didn't know what to do. They held me frozen in place, the despair pouring into my soul.

"It going to be okay." I pulled her into my lap. "Besides, if it doesn't work out with him, you've always got me," I added cheekily, meaning every word.

"I guess I do kitty." I felt her fingers flutter over my side. "Truth or dare?" She started to full on tickle me as she asked. I squirmed trying to get away from her. I roared in laughter, begging her to stop. She only giggled in return.

"Fine. Time to taste some of your own medicine." I fought back tickling her stomach and sides. She shoved me onto my back, surprisingly strong. Marinette pinned me down, but I wasn't ready to taste defeat just yet. I flipped us over and we toppled to the floor.

I managed to protect Marinette's head, even though I landed on top of her. Both of us were panting, so close to each other. Her body pressed up against mine, her lips right there. Her lips brushed mine, so soft. All I had to do was lean forward a little bit and

"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?" Tom bellowed, forcing his large frame into the room. He towered over us, his whole face red and shoulders heaving. It was then that I realized I was still on Marinette.

"Oh no," I muttered, springing up, my hands held in front of me. "I wasn't like that, I promise!" Though it was like that, I added to myself.

"Papa, it's okay, we just fell off my bed." That only seemed to enrage Tom even more. Marinette motioned for me to leave behind her back. I didn't want to leave her alone, but I also didn't want to die.

Marinette

"What's wrong girl?" I didn't reply, groaning into the desk instead. "Oh come on, you think I'm really going to take that for an answer?" I groaned once again. "Fine. Be that way. Nino! I'm sitting next to you today!" I shot upright but Alya was already moving. "Too late girl," she smirked, glancing at the door. Adrien had just strolled in.

He didn't spare Alya a second look, plopping down next to me instead. "Hey." Why did he always have to be so cute?

"What do you think you're doing sitting next to my Adrikins?" I jumped as Chloé's hand slammed into my desk. Her whole entire body radiated fury, her blue eyes blazing.

"To be honest Chloé, I sat down next to her, not the other way around." Adrien gave her a very pointed look, but Chloé being Chloé, she ignored it. She quickly whipped out her phone.

"You have no right to sit next to him after last night." I felt my whole body tense as a picture of Chat and me hugging in Notre Dame. Alya gasped. "That's right," Chloe swung the phone so everyone could see, "our very own, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, is a lying cheater! She knew Adrien would never actually end up with her so she went to Chat crying about all her troubles like a baby!" My hands shook as the rage spilled into my vision, turning it red.

"Ok first of all, we were playing truth or dare, and second of all, Adrien and I are already dating." I threw the last words into her face. She shrunk into herself, tears in her eyes. I didn't mean to hurt her that much.

"You'll never keep him Maritrash!" She yelled at me before running out of the room. I don't think anyone else saw the tears because they were too focused on me.

"Were you really with Chat Noir? But what about Adrien?" As always, Alya was the first to speak up. "Is that why you were so upset this morning?" I knew the reporter in her was dying to know, but I couldn't do this, not right now.

Luckily, screams from the other side of the school saved me from her prying questions. Adrien grabbed me, dragging me towards the door. Before we left he planted a quick kiss on my forehead.

"It's alright. We'll talk later," he whispered to me before disappearing. I followed suit. There was an Akuma to deal with.

*I do not own Miraculous or the characters*

P.S. if there is anything you'd like to see in the story, let me know. I can't promise anything but I will try.