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Adrien couldn’t stop staring at Marinette. He wasn’t quite sure what it was, but maybe it was the fact that she was so close and that she didn’t seem to want to move away from him. There was something that he felt in his chest, something warm. Then the umbrella closed on the two of them, causing the beautiful sound of her bubbly giggle. He couldn’t help but join in.
He wished he could walk with her, but he couldn’t just skip his Chinese lessons. He wished he was more rebellious in that moment. Just so he could spend more time with Marinette, maybe even get to hear her laugh again. But she was so understanding, and knew he could see her again soon. Even so, as he walked to his car, he couldn’t help but stare. She always did look beautiful when she smiled. And now she was smiling at him, bright and genuine, not panicked or uncomfortable like it sometimes seemed.
He barely even felt it when he bumped his head. Not when it caused her to giggle again and not when the warmth in his chest only grew. He wanted to make her laugh all the time. He wanted to make her smile all the time. He loved seeing her happy like that, carefree and relaxed.
It wasn’t until he was in his car, turned in his seat to watch Marinette as she walked away. That he realized, maybe friends didn’t feel that way about friends. When he’d gotten home, he was sure Plagg said something snarky, but he didn’t pay attention to him. There was only one realization on his mind. The only other time he’d ever felt like that was with Ladybug.
I’m in love with Marinette Dupain-Cheng, he thought to himself. And for once, the urge to correct himself wasn’t there anymore.
”Hey, kid? Earth to Adrien,” Plagg sing-songed, waving his arms around in front of Adrien’s face.
”I’m in love with Marinette Dupain-Cheng,” he said in awe, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Finally.” Plagg sounded exasperated, “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve wanted you to realize that? Since the moment you met her. That’s a long time ago!”
But, was it even possible to love two people at once? No, Adrien decided, it wasn’t. Yes, he loved Ladybug, but he knew that was unattainable. And with Ladybug it was different. He’d fallen hard and fast. With Marinette it was slow and steady, it was like coming home. (Well, not his home, which was a cold, giant mansion, but like the warmth of Marinette’s bakery.) People always said one never forgot their first love, and he figured the same would happen for him. Despite this, his feelings for Marinette were suddenly very clear.
He couldn’t just confess all of the sudden, however, no matter what he wanted. After all, he wasn’t sure Marinette felt the same about him. Then there was also the issue of the recent breakups for both himself and Marinette. She probably wasn’t ready for a relationship, and he didn’t want to make it seem like she would be a rebound.
So, Adrien decided he would wait. He didn’t mind waiting for Marinette. Something told him he’d probably wait forever for her if he had to.
It was about two months after that day in the rain when Kagami had told her that Adrien was perfect for her. Marinette had definitely been surprised to hear that, and even more surprised when Adrien had stumbled and been clumsy around her. Ever since that day, Marinette and Adrien had only grown closer.
Marinette had gotten better about her stutter—so much so that it was almost gone— and Adrien would seek out her company even more. Sometimes she almost swore that Adrien would blush, but she couldn’t be sure about it. After all, wasn’t she just a friend? Alya kept teasing her even more about it, too. Marinette had told her that there was a possibility that she wasn’t over Adrien yet, after what happened in the rain, and all she got for that was a knowing look from Alya. There were a few times when Marinette would find Alya or Kagami talking on the phone in hushed tones. She always dismissed it, though. (Trixx had told Tikki they thought Alya was working with Kagami to scheme. Marinette had pretended not to hear.)
Now, standing on her balcony as Paris slowly stopped buzzing, she felt at peace. She knew she was still in love with Adrien, and that was ok. She knew where he stood, and she was fine with being his good friend for now. Growing closer to him and finding out more about his silly and relaxed side had been fun, and she’d only fallen harder for him. (Alya had said she’d finally taken him off the pedestal, too.)
There was a change in the air, then Chat Noir was sitting on the balcony railing beside her. “Hello, purrincess,” he drawled, a cheeky smile on his face.
Marinette grinned, rolling her eyes. It was always the same whenever Chat stopped by to visit, which seemed to be quite often over the past few months. “Hey, Chat. What brings you by tonight? Need more croissants?”
“Well, I mean, I wouldn’t mind more croissants, of course,” he assured her, “but, it’s actually something else.” He cleared his throat, tone surprisingly serious, “I...need advice.”
She quirked a brow at that. That was definitely new. Usually they just spent their time joking, ranting about the difficulties of a teenager, building pillow forts, watching movies, or playing video games. (She always kicked his butt all the way to the Eiffel Tower, of course.) “Advice on what?”
And Chat actually looked nervous, his hands wringing together, before he settled on twisting his ring, his tail swishing behind him agitatedly. “There’s this girl I know, as a civilian, and I, well, I love her,” he locked eyes with her, then tore his gaze away quickly, rubbing at the back of his neck. She shrugged off the familiar nervous gesture when Chat continued, “I don’t really know how to bring it up, though. I mean, for all I know I’m just a friend. I’m scared I’ll tell her and ruin everything. What do I do?”
Well, that was unexpected. Sure, Marinette knew Chat didn’t just go around flirting with everyone and she knew he was a very big dork, but she thought he might’ve been at least a little experienced. After all, she hadn’t forgotten the time he bared his heart to Ladybug and set up a beautiful rooftop with candles and roses.
Marinette hummed thoughtfully, “I think it’s probably best to just tell her. Be honest and genuine about your feelings. Hopefully, everything will turn out just fine.”
It was the best she could give him. She really didn’t know what to do in the case of a love confession. With all the times she tried to confess to Adrien, not one had been successful. She’d tried everything from elaborate plans to seemingly simple ones. Nothing had worked, so she only hoped her advice would work out for Chat Noir.
Chat nodded curtly, “I hope so, too. Thanks Marinette.” He flashed her a grateful smile that quickly turned into a smirk, “Now, about those croissants...”
Adrien was a nervous wreck, continuously pacing back and forth in the locker room. He’d arrived early to school after stopping to grab a single red rose to present to Marinette. He’d tell her how he felt and ask her if she would accept the rose, as well as his feelings. The worst thing that could happen was that he didn’t like him that way. At least, that’s what Plagg had told him. But Plagg didn’t consider the fact that her not liking him could ruin their friendship. He hadn’t considered that she could end up feeling awkward around him and that things would never be the same. He hadn’t considered that—
“Adrien?” A voice asked, cutting through his spiraling thoughts. It was Marinette. “What are you doing he—oh. Who’s that rose for?”
Adrien finally faced Marinette, her cheeks slightly pink as they always seemed to be whenever he saw her. Or maybe those were the rose-tinted glasses everyone said one looked through when they were in love. He wasn’t sure.
His palms were sweaty, and his mouth was dry, but he wasn’t going to back down. “Marinette Dupain-Cheng,” he told her tenderly, stepping closer to her, “I love you.” She gasped, her cheeks reddening further. He hoped that was a good sign. “I’m not sure when this started, but I know that I realized this that day in the rain after Mr. Ramier was akumatized for the 72nd time.” He took a shaky breath to steady him, wondering idly if Marinette had stepped even closer or if that had been him. “I’m asking you to accept this rose along with my feelings, but I understand if you don’t feel the same way. I would never want to force anything on you, Marinette.” With that, he stopped talking.
There was a long moment of silence between them, and in that time he started to panic. Was she trying to figure out how to let him down gently? Did he ruin everything? Did he lose one the very first friends he’d made at school? Should he take it back? Should he say it was just a joke and laugh it off and then—
“I-I love you too, Adrien,” Marinette said breathlessly. Adrien let out a breath he didn’t even realize he was holding. “I’ve loved you since the day in the rain when you handed me your umbrella.” She smiled, a little shy giggle escaping her. His chest bloomed with affection at the sound. “It’s kinda funny that we both fell in love in the rain, isn’t it? Under the same umbrella?”
He nodded, chuckling a little. Marinette took the rose from his hand, kissing him on the cheek not too far from the corner of his lips. His face felt like it was on fire, his cheek tingling where she’d kissed him. “Would you like to get some Andre’s ice cream with me later today? I have some free time right after school.”
Marinette’s whole face brightened as she beamed at him. He couldn’t help but smile back. “I’d love that.”
Adrien’s face was starting to hurt from smiling so much, but it was a wonderful feeling. “Great!” He pushed a stray strand of her behind her ear, softening at the surprised squeak she let out. “We should probably go to class.” Marinette nodded, then turned to go. About a quarter of the way, her finger tentatively wrapped around his. He pulled her closer to him when she did, relishing in the feeling of her warm, small hand in his.
He didn’t think there could be anything more wonderful than walking with her to class, hand in hand, the bliss of becoming a new couple in the air around them.