Author's note: I decided to write an epilogue of sorts, so enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug or any of its characters

Marinette wasn't entirely sure why she had agreed to this again. It wasn't like she was angry or upset with the boy. Far from it, really. But it was so awkward. It had been two days since Adrien's move in the café and both teens had been avoiding each other like the plague. His kiss had been so sudden; terrifying and exhilarating all at once. Neither one could help the feeling of wanting to ignore the other for a while. But here Marinette was again. The blond haired model sat across from her with a stack of papers on his lap. Though it wasn't the homework his eyes were focused on.

Adrien, too, was slightly regretting his decision to ask Marinette to study again. But he felt bad for inciting an unnecessary tension upon their friendship. It was terribly awkward asking her but nonetheless she nervously agreed.

The two hadn't been sitting in the café for long – a different café than the previous time – but neither had spoken yet. Marinette looked around the shop anxiously, wringing her hands together in nervous knots. Homework was not on either of their minds.

"Come on and apologize already," Plagg's voice popped into Adrien's mind. "Then we can leave and go eat some cheese." Adrien knew that Plagg was right. Not about the cheese, of course, but about apologizing. He cleared his throat and attempted to chuck aside his embarrassment.

"I wanted to apologize for what happened last time," Adrien said timidly. Marinette's body stiffened, embarrassed at the memory. "I'm not really sure why I did that, and without your permission. So I'm sorry." He looked to her eyes, waiting for any sort of reaction. Marinette felt frozen in place. It had shocked her in the moment, but even if Adrien had asked her it still would have happened. She smiled at the thought, though still she blushed.

"It's alright," she replied at last. "No harm done." She waved a hand. Adrien sighed, very much relieved for her forgiveness. Not that he was surprised; Marinette was exceedingly kind and understanding.

"I guess," Adrien began. But then he paused. He had been thinking about it since it happened; why he'd kissed Marinette. It was because she reminded him of Ladybug and he had wanted to pull out that romantic move. But did he really want Marinette to know that? Said girl looked at him expectantly and he decided that he could trust her with something like this.

"You remind me of someone I care about a lot. I think that's why I, you know." Marinette's heart sunk. He has a crush on someone, she thought. She tried to push through the dejection she felt and feigned a smile.

"Oh? Do I know her?" Marinette asked, for she truly was curious about who it was. Then maybe she could get her hands around her neck…

"Hey, be nice," Tikki's voice invaded her thought. Right, right, play nice, Marinette thought. Adrien chuckled.

"Sort of, it's rather complicated," he said. Marinette looked at him quizzically, encouraging him to elaborate. His eyes darted away from her in embarrassment.

"It sounds a bit silly but you remind me of Ladybug. And I may have a crush on her, so something in me just told me to go for it. Does that make sense?" He gazed back up at Marinette.

"Are you okay, Marinette?" he asked. For her eyes were as wide as he'd ever seen them, mouth slightly open, and cheeks absolutely crimson. Adrien had a crush on Ladybug, meaning Adrien sort of had a crush on Marinette. It took every single ounce of self control she had not to transform in Ladybug right then and there.

"Marinette?" he said again, concerned. At last Marinette shook herself from her stupor and focused her vision on Adrien.

"L-l-ladybug, you say? How interesting," she said, her excitable jitters in full swing. She couldn't help the dreamy expression from filtering onto her face as she fantasized about sweeping Adrien off his feet as Ladybug in the near future.

"You don't think that it's weird?" Adrien's voice cut into her daydream briefly. He worriedly looked to her. He trusted her very much but he didn't want her to think less of him.

"Not at all," Marinette managed, still dazed. Adrien's face lightened. He knew Marinette would understand; she was just like his lady. He chuckled, his gaze going toward the window.

"That's why you remind me of her," he said. Marinette snapped out of her thoughts. She looked to the boy quizzically. Noticing her confused expression, Adrien smiled. His eyes stayed on the window though his thoughts were very much focused on the two girls he cared about most.

"You're both very understanding and kind. Both of you would stand up for anybody in need of help," he said. He looked back at her. "And you're both very strong, even though I don't think you believe it." Marinette couldn't help but gape at the boy. It was true that Ladybug was all those things, but Marinette herself? Adrien was much too generous. She opened her mouth and put up her hand to protest. Knowing what she was about to say, Adrien reached forward and took her hand in his.

"It's indisputable to me," he said. Immediately, Marinette's cheeks flushed. The boy laughed and after a moment of stupefaction, Marinette could not help but join in. When they stopped, she looked up at him, heart aflutter from the look he gave her.

"You really are a special person," Adrien affirmed. "Believe it yourself." Marinette was sure she would melt into a puddle of goo. Her cheeks grew even hotter but still she gave Adrien a smile. Happily, he returned the grin. After a moment of a happy silence, Adrien realized his hand was still covering Marinette's. He blushed and pulled it away.

"Sorry," he said, though neither was upset about it. "Shall we take a look at this homework?" Obviously Marinette would have enjoyed more sentimental conversation but it seemed that he had given her a lot to think about. Adrien liked Ladybug, but Marinette reminded him of Ladybug; so he liked her too? Adrien also had a lot to reconsider. He loved Ladybug, but there was also something about Marinette.

But now was not the time; they had sorted one thing out today and that was enough. Both pushed any thoughts aside and the two friends put their brains to work.

Thanks for reading! Please feel free to let me know what you thought, reviews are greatly appreciated :)