Author's Note: I know this has probably been done before, but I couldn't help it after relistening to the episode Copycat while I was writing After the Fire Burns Out, Ash Will Take it's Place.

~Leafbranch

Marinette stops in front of a red light, desperate to get her hands on Adrien's phone. How could she have been so stupid to think that the recording was done! Oh, she'll never hear the end of it from Adrien, or Alya.

"Isn't Ladybug supposed to be at the unveiling?" Tikki asks from her purse.

"Yes but Marinette needs to be at the school."

"It is a ceremony in you honor."

"But Marinette's honor is at stake if I don't get that phone. It'll only be five minutes tops."

"Remember the last time you thought you had enough time."

Flashes of Alex being akumatized resurfaces and she rubs her neck. Sighing, "Fine, we can go after the unveiling. I just hope it's not too late by then."

Adrien's POV

Adrien looks around the base of the statue, so far no sign of his lady. The unveiling is due to happen any moment.

"Perhaps we should start…" begins Andre the mayor.

"No, I need to tell Ladybug how much she means to me. To get her to sign this." Theo holds up the same picture he showed him a few minutes ago. Honestly he didn't like that this guy liked his lady. He loves her and wants to confess to her.

Suddenly Ladybug shows up, "Sorry I'm late."

Andre claps his hands, "Ah Ladybug let's get started."

The unveiling is pretty popular and the statute looks phenomenal. It captures his lady so eloquently and gracefully. Jealousy seethes through him, though he doesn't recognize it. Clearly Theo has the same love for Ladybug as he does, but before he can do anything Theo is already talking to her. But after she signs the paper, Theo says this as Adrien approaches closer, "I love you Ladybug, your bravery, your heroism, everything about you is gorgeous."

"Sorry, Theo, but I love someone else. But thanks for the statue, it means a lot to me that you made it."

"If you just took the time….."

"Sorry, I've got to go. Bug-out!" She then yo-yo's herself away. His heart feels crestfallen. She already has a boy she likes. Going back to the school and detransforming he sighs.

"So Ladybug already likes someone else, huh?"

"Yeah. But that's understandable, I've been cooped up my whole life, while she's probably been with friends and at school her whole life. And who I am compared to a friend of hers."

"You're her partner."

"But I'm not the one she loves."

He sighs and digs for his phone. Plagg did say he had a voicemail, might as well check it out before he goes home. Putting in his password he opens up his phone. Clicking to hear the voicemail he's surprised to hear Marinette's voice.

"Hello-ahhh-Adrien's voicemail-uhh-This is Marinette, who-ah-has a message for you of course cause it's your phone, so-uhm-Ah heh-Call me see you later bye!"

He smiles, Marinette is just being her usual self. But then the recording keeps going, "What? What did you expect me to say? Hey hotstuff this is Marinette I'd ask you on a date to the movies but I got such a crazy crush on you that the only way I can talk to you without foaming out the mouth is over this stupid phone. Pretty ridiculous right."

And the voicemail ends. Blushing he puts his hand to cheek, embarrassed. Marinette, likes him? And her only reason for stammering around him so much isn't because she's afraid of him, but has a crush on him. Marinette the super nice girl, who stands up for her friends, knows all of their classmates, and is a super talented designer. Marinette. Marinette.

But she hated him for the chewing gum, unless him giving her the umbrella changed things, but he didn't think it was this drastic. Marinette likes him. Likes him. But he's in love with Ladybug, but Marinette is a super nice girl and awesome and amazing in her own right.

"What was in the voicemail that made you blush so much? You look like a tomato."

"Marinette likes me."

Plagg smirks, "I told you that from day one."

"You knew? You knew she had feelings for me?"

"It was pretty obvious, kid."

"It wasn't to me!"

Plagg just simply shrugs and wolfs down a camembert cheese, before going into Adrien's pocket as soon as he hears footsteps. Adrien shakes his head, and takes off his fencing helmet.

"Adrien?" Marinette asks, seeming shocked to find him here.

Blushing he answers, "Hey, I didn't think you would be here."

"I-ah-uhm…" Marinette stammers. And now he knows why she stammers around him and messes up her words. It's because she has a crush on me. His blush darkens, he can feel it.

"No sweat, I was going to head home, if you'd like to join me."

Marinette looks nervous, looking around the locker room and then ducks out sprinting for the exit. "Wait, Marinette!"

Running after her, he manages to catch up and grab her wrist.

"Marinette, why are you running away from me? Is it because of the voicemail you left behind?"

She blushes in embarrassment and nods meekly.

"It's okay. I was surprised though…"

"Why?"

"You're an amazing girl, Marinette. You have a kind heart, you're an amazing designer, friend and you're willing to stick up for your friends and to be honest hearing you loved me….It felt surprising that such an amazing girl like you would be interested in me, when I haven't done anything for myself….."

Marinette walks closer to him and puts her hand on his. "I fell in love with you because of your compassion when you gave me the umbrella. You have a big heart and a compassionate heart, even if you don't see it. You were willing to stick up to Chloe for Mylene when we shot that movie together."

His blush darkens again and he's sure he looks like a tomato, "But you're perfect, I'm…."

"I'm not perfect, no one is. I try to be….." She looks away blushing.

"You're perfect to me. You're our everyday Ladybug."

Her bluebell eyes look into his eyes, stunned. Her cheeks blushing bright red. His heart beats rapidly for some reason. They both lean forward to each other and kiss. It was something he never experienced before, but it feels so right. So good. Feelings he's never experienced before arise in his chest, but he also feels happy.

They break apart and Adrien smiles, "That was amazing. I never felt so happy before."

"Really?"

He nods, "It's been great, going to school, having friends, but this, this was something different. In a good way."

Marinette smiles back, "I'm glad."