Adrien had come to the conclusion that he probably most definitely liked Marinette. Like, much more than he would have liked any other friend. This kind of like was on par with his like for Ladybug, though perhaps not as strong. His feelings for Ladybug would likely never leave him, but he had to start somewhere. Not to mention that he had the smallest chance that Marinette was Ladybug, but it wasn't something he was betting on. No, his feelings were Marinette were something born of their own. Besides, Ladybug didn't appear to want to change her mind about Chat Noir any time soon, and it was best for him to get on with his life.

At least, this was what he kept telling himself.

Besides, both of their best friends, Alya and Nino were dating, it would probably be best (socially) to date each other.

This was a poor excuse.

Adrien liked her; ardently. He just wasn't prepared to move on from Ladybug.

Ever since he had accepted these facts, and decided that he should take action on his ever growing affection toward his classmate, he needed help. And there was no better place for him to turn to but his best friend, Nino. The two of them had a brief chat during their lunch hour.

"Nino."

"Yea?"

"I need some girl advice." Nino whipped his head around so violently, Adrien feared that he would break his neck.

"What? About who?" he asked, his words flying from his lips faster than his brain could make them.

"Uh, this girl I know." Remembering Nino's old crush on Marinette, he didn't want to bring up exactly who he wanted to confess to as of yet. There was no doubt in Adrien's mind that Nino was over Marinette, but it still somehow felt awkward to bring it up for various other reasons.

"Who?" Nino wasn't going to let this go. The glint in his eye gave Adrien the idea that Nino knew exactly who he was talking about. Or at least had someone whom he hoped Adrien was talking about. The blind brushed him aside.

"Not important."

"Very important!"

"Well, we're not talking about it."

"Lame bro."

"Are you going to help me or not?"

"Will you tell me who it is if you get with her?"

"I mean, you'll probably find out, yea."

"Then yea, I'll help out."

After class, Adrien very specifically sought out Marinette, trying to catch her before she could leave the classroom. Alya gave him an excited glance, winking at him knowingly. It wasn't particularly difficult to procure a private audience with her, what with their best friends trying to hook them up and the fact that he and Marinette chatted with a much greater frequency that he would have ever thought possible. It was really nice to have such great friends in all three of them. In fact, he could safely say that Nino, Alya, and Marinette were his best friends.

Other than Ladybug.

Adrien and Nino had written out a script of sorts. He would first talk to her about school, or anything he could think of to start a conversation. He had to start things light as not to rouse any suspicion.

He really did have the greatest friends.

"Marinette, would you have dinner with me?" Adrien did everything in his power to not slap himself across the face right then and there. Marinette appeared shocked at his statement, her face taking on a bright pink shade, her eyes widening so the irises no longer met her eyelids.

"As in, a date?" she replied slowly, her brain barely grasping the situation. It was certainly one she had dreamed, though she never thought it possible or reasonable or rational. "Are you, asking me out on a date?" It took a while for Adrien to respond, weighing out all of his loses before he spoke again.

"Yes," he confirmed. There was no going back now. "Is, that okay?" She nodded vigorously, unable to find her voice. "I mean, we've already been on a number of dates if you consider the past month or so." They had been hanging out more often outside of school, and she was much more comfortable with him that she had ever been. It gave Adrien a bit of hope that she might consider him. At least, there was more hope that he had with his Lady. "In fact," he continued, trying to lighten the air with some sort of half meant joke, "we've been out so much, I could probably just ask if you would be my girlfriend-."

"YES." She said that too loud. Marinette's hands clamped over her mouth at an alarming speed. It was Adrien's turn to be shocked. Dazed even. Her feelings had gone completely unknown to him for so long, and she was clearly as ecstatic as he was over the situation.

"Really?" he asked, not able to believe his luck. Wordlessly, Marinette nodded once more.

"Well, you're kind of my best friend other than Alya," she confessed. And what she said was true. True enough for anyone but Tikki and Chat Noir to know. "And it seems silly not to date your best friend, doesn't it?" Adrien grinned something fierce. Not only were their romantic feelings mutual, but their platonic ones as well. Warmth filled his heart and he reached out to take hold of her hand.

"So, does that mean I'm your boyfriend now?"

"I guess so."

"Good. And you're my girlfriend?"

"Mhm."

"Perfect."