I'm Not Ladybug

Chapter 13

I love you

Adrien was happy that Marinette didn't seem mad at him, but there was still a lot they had to talk about. He gently pulled away from her "Marinette…I am happy I really am, but I'm worried about you ... .I saw the cuts Marinette. I know what you've been doing to yourself." He was glad he held onto her arms to comfort her because she looked like she might bolt as he spoke.

"We don't need to talk about that." She wouldn't look him in the eye and he hated that. He gently cupped her face.

"Marinette, please look at me." Her eyes met his. She looked so guilty.

"I told you. You'll think I'm a loser."

"I don't think you're a loser…you save Paris, you defend your classmates. You always make sure to take care of everyone except yourself." She watched him closely. Seeming to decide on something she started talking.

"It helps…it's like I have all this pain built up and when I…make these marks. The pain and pressure go away for a little bit." When it became clear to Adrienne that she was done talking he gently took her arm to look at the marks.

"Some of these are pretty deep." It was a simple sentence. He wanted to see if she would continue talking if he allowed her the space to do so. She was silent for a minute, clearly trying to decide what she wanted to say.

"Not deep enough...I'm still here." It really surprised Adrienne to hear her talk like that. She was truly not the happy positive girl that everyone thought she was. He couldn't help responding worried.

"You can't mean that." She looked up at him. Her sad eyes meeting his worried ones. Her eyes watered as she gently cupped his cheek, moving him closer to her.

"That's exactly what I mean Kitty." Her tone was sad as she spoke. Like even she wasn't happy with her words. Adreinne didn't know what to say. He was shocked and saddened. He was terrified! He couldn't imagine a world without Marinette! Withhout Ladybug! They're two of his favorite people.

"How can you say that? How can you not be happy? You're Ladybug, this best hero in Paris." She smiled bitterly, shaking her head.

"My amount of time as Ladybug is nowhere near as long as my time as Marinette. There's nothing special about her." She felt Adrienne grab her hand, but didn't look up.

"Marinette, how can you not think you're special?" It really did break her heart hearing how broken he seemed at her words. She couldn't help it though. She was done lying. He knew everything, there was no point in lying to him.

"Adrienne, why do you think it is that you were in love with Ladybug all this time, but not Marinette? We're not the same. Marinette isn't worth anything." Marinette was confused and shocked when she felt Adrienne's lips press against her own. She hadn't felt anything in a very long time. Longer than she couldn't remember…but something came over her in that moment as she kissed him back. When he finally did break away she was shocked to see tears running down his cheeks.

"Marinette, I am in love with you. I'm in love with how cute and awkward you are, how beautiful and brave you are. It's just…you were my first friend and I didn't want to lose you if we didn't work out as a couple. You mean more to me than you'll ever know. I love all the versions of you." She felt her eyes water at his words. Not willing to fully believe them though.

"You don't mean that….you're just saying that because you're worried I'm going to kill myself." She was surprised to see the anger flash across his face.

"Don't tell me how I feel! Don't dismiss my feelings like that. I love you and I don't care if you believe me or not. That's the truth and you're going to have to live with that." His tone was hard as he spoke. Clearly mad at her words. Her brows furrowed as she stared into his eyes waiting for any form of deceit.

"Why are you now just telling me this then? You've known me for a year, Adreinne. If you really feel the same for me that I feel about you then why have you never said anything before? How could you not realize how big of a crush I had on you?" Adrienne shook his head disappointed.

"I was stupid Marinette! I always just thought that was your personality. Every time I was around you, you were awkward and funny. I really didn't think it was anything more than that. I didn't tell you because I didn't want to make you uncomfortable if you didn't feel the same. I still wanted to be friends and I knew if you felt awkward that might not happen. I could ask the same of you, you know?" Marinette was surprised to see him so mad. She had hardly ever seen Adrienne mad.

"I…I was scared you wouldn't feel the same. I couldn't stand it if you had rejected me." She relished in his warmth as he cupped her cheek again. His voice was much more gentle as he spoke this time. Almost a whisper.

"I could never reject you." She didn't know what came over her as she slowly leaned forward. Watching his eyes closely for any form of rejection. Her heart soared as he closed his eyes and welcomed her kiss. This kiss was longer, more passionate. It was like she could feel everything Adrienne was feeling in that kiss. When they broke apart he rested his forehead against hers, trying to catch her breath. "I'm going to help you, Marinette. I'm not going anywhere."

Authors note: Hi guys! I really hope you all liked this chapter. Please let me know what you think! I was so excited to get this one out.