As he walked away from Marinette's building, a spring in his step that definitely wasn't there before, Adrien felt beyond elated. He felt like he could take on the whole world all at once and not even bat an eyelash. The young man had truly enjoyed himself that single day more than he could recall having ever had in his twenty-two years of existence, and he owed it all to Marinette. Through their high school years, the pair had never been quite close and he had always regretted it. He always sensed her weirdly uncomfortable around him, though he had never figured out why, as she was acting kind and confident with everyone else in their class. Still, seeing as both their best friends were dating, they ended up spending a lot of time around each other whether they liked it or not, and she had quickly become one of his favorite persons in the world even if they didn't talk that much back then. He had always admired her selflessness, the obvious endless kindness of her heart, the passion she put in everything she touched. If he was to be perfectly honest with himself, he had to admit the unexplained awkwardness between them had always stung his heart a little. He had never managed to pinpoint what in the world he could have done to her to make her dislike him. She couldn't still be mad about the chewing gum incident, could she? His departure to the other side of France had sealed the fate of their stuttering friendship, along with his well-known reluctance to come back in Paris if he could avoid it.

True, getting himself free from his father clutches had come with the price of many severed friendships, but he couldn't bring himself to regret it. At twenty-two, Adrien Agreste finally had a say in his future, was managing his own schedule and wasn't driven around by a bodyguard anymore. The fact that he didn't regret the decisions he had made to gain himself a little freedom, however, didn't mean that he wasn't missing his old friends, and being offered the chance to rekindle things with Marinette after all this wasted time, and even getting to really know her this time around truly meant the world to him. All the time he was away Nino often talked about his girls, praising Marinette's progresses as an aspirant designer, Alya's reporting gigs, periodically sending him pictures of the three of them grinning at the camera, giving him little updates on their lives, actually making him feel like he was there all along with them, the fourth member of their little private squad unbeknownst to them.

The perfect day he just had spent with her made him feel like they just had made up for all that lost time by her side.

Happily humming to himself as he got back to his car, Adrien turned up the volume of the radio, singing along the old Jagged Stone song that blared out of the speakers. His good mood lasted until he finally got home, fed an upset and lonely Plagg and heavily dropped himself onto his couch eagerly pulling out his phone from his pocket with every intention to tell his lady all about his perfect day:
[Ladybug] I'm fucked kitty. Utterly and completely fucked.
His breath suddenly hitched in his throat. She had assured him time and time again throughout the day that she was fine. Had it been all for the show? Running his hand through his hair nervously, he quickly typed back:
[Chat Noir] Hey princess, sorry for the late answer, I was driving. Are you alright?
[Ladybug] I thought I was. I'm stupid. Don't even bother about me. Gonna find some hole to hide in for the eternity.
[Chat Noir] What happened?

As Adrien waited for her answer, he got up and pushed the button of his coffeemaker. He would regret tomorrow drinking coffee so late in the evening, but he had to do something with his hands or else he'll just go crazy.
[Ladybug] Ah… you'll need some explanation to understand what's really going on.
[Chat Noir] Explain then. I have all night.
Putting a cup under the coffeemaker and pushing a pod into the feeder, he absorbed himself into the contemplation of the brown liquid infusing.
[Ladybug] Silly loyal kitty :P I don't though, I'm working tomorrow. Waking up on time may prove to be difficult by this point, though.
[Ladybug] So, I fell hopelessly and desperately in love with a fellow classmate when I was young and stupid. Spent years pining after him and not even being able to form coherent sentences around him.
[Chat Noir] Awkward.
[Ladybug] You tell me. Poor guy probably thought I was totally nuts and hopeless.

Adrien didn't like the direction their conversation had taken. He had a gut-clenching feeling he wouldn't like the slightest what she was going to tell him next.
[Ladybug] Anyway, once high school was done with, I never saw him again. Had news once in a while from mutual friends, but not much.
[Ladybug] With time I managed to convinced myself I was way past my silly crush on him. Even dated someone else (didn't get my happy ending, but still).
The blond put his phone on the kitchen counter for a minute, pouring sugar and milk into his mug. He sighed, taking the little device back, and exiting his living room onto his small balcony, reveling in the nice weather of the late evening.
[Chat Noir] Let me guess, you ran into him today?
The answer was quick:
[Ladybug] Worst.
[Ladybug] He's my brand new boss.
[Ladybug] Fresh out of the crate.
Despite his better judgment he chuckled inwardly:
[Chat Noir] The one I advised you to knock off his feet?
[Ladybug] Yeah. :(
[Ladybug] Apparently it's gonna be the other way around…

Adrien took a sip of his caffeinated drug, unsuccessfully trying to soothe the feeling of dread clenching his stomach. What was his problem, anyway? He didn't have any sort of claim on her. He didn't even know her first name, for God's sake!
[Chat Noir] How so?
[Ladybug] I'm not nearly as over him as I thought I was.
There it was, the heartbreaking statement he had been hoping he'd never receive. Shaking his head, Arien tried to put his selfish and interfering thoughts in check. She wasn't his, he reminded himself. Never had been. He had absolutely no right to feel as crushed and betrayed as he felt right then.
[Chat Noir] How are you feeling?
[Ladybug] Confused. And scared.
The young man frowned at his digital screen briefly. His own feelings pushed aside, who was the man that dared make his sweet princess feel worthless like this?
[Chat Noir] I don't get it. You said you're tired of being alone the other day.
[Ladybug] I am, Chaton. I really am. But I'm not too eager to put my heart out in the open to be tampered with, you know?

Plagg ventured out on the tiny balcony, and Adrien briefly wondered if the cat was dumb enough to jump down six stories. But the grumpy feline only smelled his way around for a second or two before retreating to his safe haven inside the flat. The blond could tell his furry friend wasn't adjusting too well to the moving, and Adrien felt sorry for his protege.
[Chat Noir] I think I get it. A close friend of mine have been hurt pretty badly, and she hasn't dated anyone ever since. I guess she's scared too.
[Ladybug] Probably.
[Ladybug] It's just...
[Ladybug] He NEVER looked at me that way. Thinking things could change 7 years later is only wishful thinking if you ask me.
Now, Adrien was just plain angry at the man dumb enough to overlook a girl sweet and caring, funny and witty, curious and passionate as his lady was.
[Chat Noir] Well that's his loss princess. On a side note, we're a few days closer to 35!
[Ladybug] Silly kitty.
[Ladybug] I told you, you're too sweet to make it that far alone. Some girl gonna snatch your heart away before you even know it.
Now, that's something he'd like to see. Retreating inside his apartment he patted Plagg absentmindedly before heading to his bedroom. He undressed with heavy movements, suddenly reminding the tie incident with Marinette, which made him cringe shamefully.
"Dumbest move of the year Agreste, good job, really."
He didn't even know why he had said something like that. Her proximity, along with what she was asking from him had made him inexplicably nervous. And yet, she hadn't been offended, only slightly surprised. Was there an end to the kindness of this girl?
[Ladybug] I think I'm going to switch careers and go into research instead.
[Chat Noir] Huh?

The thought that Marinette would probably get along with his princess briefly brushed his mind. Now that would be something, the two women he cared the most about being friends with each other.

And then realization hit him. Hard. In barely even three days, Marinette had unknowingly managed to sneak her way into his heart. He truly cared about her deeply, and he probably wouldn't need that much of a nudge to fall in love with her if it weren't for his princess. Adrien had always wished to be his friend, but now he wanted way more out of their relationship. He wanted them to be best friends, nothing less, and to spend days like today with her over and over again. He wanted to see her happy and relaxed like she had been that day every single day of their lives.
[Ladybug] Think about it.
[Ladybug] If I invent an off button for feelings, I'm gonna be deliriously rich.
[Chat Noir] Why would you want to do such a thing?
[Ladybug] BRB

Adrien waited a few minutes, imagining wild scenarios as he checked his phone every now and then for an answer. Maybe her boss had finally come to his senses and was on her doorstep, confessing his everlasting love to her. Maybe she was the one currently declaring her flame, going all in and throwing useless caution to the wind. About ten minutes later, he heard the tell-tale chime again:
[Ladybug] Sorry.
[Ladybug] YOUR daughter managed to entangle herself into a ball of yarn that was neatly put away in a CLOSED cupboard.
He chuckled loudly at that.
[Chat Noir] Right, when she misbehaves suddenly she's MY daughter. That's how our parenting is gonna work princess?
[Chat Noir] Did you snap a picture?
[Ladybug] … I did.
[Ladybug] has sent you a picture.
His laugh was so genuine, so sudden that he scared Plagg out of the room. The little ginger ball of fur was tied up like a veal, paws up, and totally covered in black yarn.

Yawning, he stretched himself. He had had a very long day, after all, even if it had been mostly a good one:
[Chat Noir] Thanks for the laugh. I needed that.
[Ladybug] Oh. Did you have a bad day kitty? :(
[Ladybug] Sorry we just talked about me 2night :(
The young man didn't want to lie about his incredible day with Marinette, it felt like betraying her and the efforts she had put into it. But he wasn't too eager to admit to his lady that she was the cause he was feeling a bit down.
[Chat Noir] My day has really been pawsome, thank you very much. But I'm always in for a laugh, you know that.
[Chat Noir] Heading to bed now princess. I'm exhausted.
[Chat Noir] You gonna be ok?
[Ladybug] I am now. Thank you, kitty.
[Ladybug] For everything.

Anyone remember the scene where Adrien insist he's NOT Mari's boss?