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Marinette and Adrien walked down the street to a café, mostly silent.

I wonder what's got him so upset.

Once they reached their destination and sat down at a table, the raven-haired girl stood back up. "I really need to find a restroom. I'll be right back."

Adrien sighed. "Okay."

Once she was alone in the restroom, Tikki flew out of her holder's bag. "Marinette, you seem awfully tense. What's wrong?"

"First I lose Cat Noir's friendship and now Adrien's upset. My brain can't handle the stress!! I don't know what to do!!"

"You're worrying yourself too much, Marinette. I think you need to focus on helping one of them at a time."

The Kwami was struggling not to crack under pressure and reveal the truth that Adrien and Cat Noir were one and the same. She and Plagg found out the truth the day that the heroes were almost beaten by Dark Owl.

Marinette took a deep breath and rubbed her forehead. "You're right, Tikki. I shouldn't try to put so much weight on myself at once."

Adrien fiddled around with the table's napkin dispenser until Marinette came back. Her presence caused a smile to grow on the blonde's face. "Everything come out okay?", he joked.

Marinette gagged herself with a teasing stare. "You're so funny", she quipped sarcastically as she sat back down.

Neither of the teens noticed their Kwamis flying out of their hiding spaces and under the table.

"So, ya think they're gonna reveal their identities this time?", Plagg asked before scarfing down a wedge of camembert. Tikki shrugged. "I'm not sure, Plagg. I think Marinette needs to apologize to Cat Noir first so Adrien will feel better."

"So...Marinette...can I tell you something?"

"S-Sure, Adrien. Anything."

"Okay. Please don't laugh", he said before taking a deep breath.

"I...I used to have a crush...on Ladybug."

If you could hear Marinette's thoughts, you'd probably hear the sound of glass breaking.

"He had a crush on me!!!!", said the elated side of her brain.

"No, you dolt, he had a crush on Ladybug", retorted the logical side of her brain.

"Wait...you 'used to' have a crush on Ladybug? What changed?"

Adrien twiddled his thumbs. "I...I kinda grew out of it. I realized she deserved much better than plain ol' me."

Marinette reached over the table and grabbed his hand. "Adrien, you are not plain. You are an extraordinary boy and any girl would be blessed to be with you."

"Y-you really think so?"

"I know so."

"I appreciate the kind words. Thank you, Mari."

He just called me Mari!!! Oh my gosh!!

After school that day, Adrien walked into his room and plopped down on the bed, sighing happily as he stared at the ceiling. Plagg sat on his chest and inhaled another piece of cheese. "You seem happy, big guy."

"Marinette's so nice to me. I wish Ladybug was more like her."

"Your opinion on Ladybug took a big 180 if you ask me, Adrien. All she did was shatter your hea...oh. Forget I said anything. You really like Marinette that much, huh? Looks like the kitty has a new ball of yarn", the Kwami commented with a fangy smirk.

Adrien rolled his eyes. "Nice joke, Plagg. But I don't like Marinette like that."

"Keep lying to yourself, Agreste. You know you think that girl's fantastic", he scolded himself.

"So are you gonna patrol tonight?"

"Yeah. I guess I'll just keep my distance from Ladybug. Plagg, claws out!!!"