A Deep Blue River

Most people look at Adrien and see the supermodel, the one on posters and the one on magazines and instantly fall in love with his fame, but not with... him. He doesn't know anyone who loves him for the person he is, and not for his fame and looks.

But he knows that there must be one out there, one who doesn't care for his family name, fame, and looks. That someone truly loves him for himself, and not for the superficial things that make him famous. Looks fade with age, fame eventually falls away, and all that's left is who he really is.

He sits on the steps of the school that late evening in Paris, and stares blankly upward, not hearing the footsteps approaching, or the voice calling his name.

He finally notices the person as they drop a plush white blanket over his shoulders, and he looks up to find Marinette smiling shyly at him, and he glances at his shoulders to find a light pink and white fuzzy blanket, "you looked cold..." she mumbles.

He smiles, and pulls it close to him, "thanks, Marinette." He fully expected her to turn and leave, and when she sits next to him, he blinks in surprise. "A... are you okay?"

He hesitates, then grins a smile he doesn't mean, "yeah. Just thought I'd come stare at the stars."

"For an hour at this time of night?" He looks at her, and her brows are pulled together in disbelief, "how did you...?"

She flushes slightly, "I... my papa saw you from the bakery and told me. I thought you'd leave soon, but you just kept sitting here, so I came to see if you... if you were okay."

"I'm good. I swear." He smiles slightly, and she stares at him, her blue eyes searching for something, "you know you don't have to do that... right?" He blinks, "do.. what?"

"Pretend. You can talk to me, Adrien.. I mean, I don't know if I can help, but... it might be better if you talk about what ever is bothering you." She'd occasionally break eye contact and flush, and Adrien smiles slightly.

"Thank you, but," she looks at him, and he stops. The two stare at each other, one not giving in and the other not continuing, and he was the one to break away. "I feel as if no one really knows who I am." He blurted, without meaning to.

Marinette didn't miss a beat, or hesitate like he'd figure she would, "and whys that?" He glances at her, and sees a look of sincerity and strength he doesn't recognise, and it surprises him. "I just feel like all people see in me is my fame and looks."

"I don't." He gives her a surprised look, and she flushes, looking away, "I mean... at first my impression of you was not all that great, b-but.. after..." she glances at him, and he understands the moment she's talking about, "I knew you were a sweet guy. You're considerate and shy and friendly and encouraging and charming, and... and.. if your fans don't know that, then that's their own fault." She began to stutter more, and stumble over her words.

"You're not just fame and looks, you're... much more than that, and although I might not be a good judge of character, I know you, and I know that you deserve so much more than what you get. You are not just a model, you're a friend and an amazing guy. All of your friends and I love you as Adrien, the classmate and friend, not as the model."

She glances at him, "and I do mean that. You're not just loved by fans, but by your friends and family, and even though some might not show it, you mean the world to them and I, and without you, I know, is a world none of use could live in."

Her blue eyes were brimming with sincerity, and he felt his eyes watering, and without even thinking for a moment, he pulls her into a hug. "Thank you." He says, and she smiles wide, placing a gentle hand onto the back of his head, "anytime, Adrien."