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Marinette was in trouble. Way more trouble than she ought to have been. The week was torturous for her academic life.
Five akumas.
Five freaking akumas which terrorized Paris and Marinette had to ditch classes multiple times that week. And each time… she was caught.
This was the fifth time that week Marinette was caught by herself coming out of a restricted room in school. The fifth time she was caught by the staff asking her what she was doing by herself. Only this time, she accidentally ended up coming out of the faculty room where the latest test questionnaires were being held. And who else could make it worse for her?
Lila Rossi.
“Principal Damocles…I-I didn’t want to assume that Marinette was doing anything bad… it’s just… after how many times this week, she kept disappearing during class hours and reappearing coming from restricted areas for students. And it’s just right around the next set of exams… I decided enough was enough… and I had to tell you.” Lila was doing what she did best. Manipulating the teachers and the people around her. She tried playing the good student card… and even looked tear-stricken. She even managed to draw in a couple of students to watch. An audience for everyone to see Marinette get caught.
What a Grade-A liar she was and it irritated Marinette to no end. She knew Lila just wanted to ruin her life. She was taking this perfectly good opportunity to take her down. What else did she have planned for her after this? But what could she do? What could she say? She couldn’t explain that she had just come back from an akuma attack from across town.
“So Marinette, how do you explain yourself? What were you doing there?” Asked Principal Damocles.
There were a few other students around waiting patiently for her answer. Ms. Bustier gave her a concerned look. She waited with bated breath. She could see Lila’s gaze and could feel the secret satisfaction of placing Marinette into a corner.
“I… I…” She was speechless and was about to panic.
There was no Alya to help her out today too. Ever since Alya found out, she’s helped her out so much and gotten her out of many Lila issues ever since she learned the truth. But she was out today due to a cold.
She was alone.
“She was making out with me!”
Everyone in the gathering gasped when they heard the new person speak up. Everyone gave their attention to the newcomer.
It was none other than Adrien Agreste. Everyone was shocked. None more than Marinette herself.
“W-what?!” She shouted.
Adrien quickly walked up to Marinette, went behind her and held her right around her waist protectively. He pulled her close and Marinette’s heart raced intensely. She could barely breathe being so close and feeling so intimate with the boy she loved.
“My girlfriend and I were together… making out.” He continued to explain to the crowd.
New chatter began around the crowd of people watching the situation. Lila looked irritated most of all.
“G-girlfriend?!?!” Lila shouted. “You’re lying!”
Marinette was like a statue. Completely immobilized. Adrien said to the crowd of people that she was his girlfriend. And implied that she made out with him on several occasions.
“When did that happen?!” Her mind screamed. If such an event did happen, Marinette would have cherished the moment for all eternity but her mind was leaving a blank.
What was he doing?! Why is he saying all this?!
Principal Damocles was surprised by the sudden turn of events and didn’t seem to know what to do or say.
“Mr. Agreste. Are you telling me that the reason Ms. Dupain-Cheng has been missing and coming from restricted rooms this week was because the two of you have been… making out?” The older gentleman seemed a bit awkward with his suggestion.
Adrien didn’t hesitate at all and nodded his head.
“That’s right, sir. Marinette and I have been together this whole time. But you’ve only seen her coming out those rooms but the truth is I’ve always left a few minutes prior so no one would notice what we’re doing. We were keeping our relationship a secret from the paparazzi and from my father but if doing so hurts Marinette academically, I’ve decided to tell everyone the truth.” He told the crowd of people.
Marinette watched as Adrien lied and continued to lie. What was he doing? Adrien turned his head to look at her ever so slightly so that she could only see as he winked at her.
He wanted her to play along. Finally her brain caught up and understood.
He was covering for her.
Marinette had to take this opportunity. She needed to make it good and so… she took a breath and tried her very best to act like a girl whose secret relationship was just revealed to the world. It wasn’t very hard… because she literally just found out about it too.
“A-Adrien… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I… tried my best to make sure they didn’t think we were a couple. You didn’t have to come and tell everyone the truth. What will your father say now?!” Marinette started to pout and look teary eyed at Adrien.
The boy was momentarily shocked and then… he smirked. He now knew she understood.
Marinette continued to play along and covered her eyes with her hands, throwing a few muffled sobs in between for the crowd to hear.
“Now he’d want us to break up.” She said.
That caused the crowd of people to murmur even further.
“They were having a secret relationship from his father?”
“Wait… they’re not allowed to date and now that we know, they have to break up?!”
“Oh no…What do we do!? That’s horrible?!”
“I heard Adrien’s dad was super strict but stopping him from dating?! That’s terrible!”
The conversations kept continuing and the faculty present were trying to calm everyone down.
“Students! Please leave! This has gotten out of hand. This is a private school matter.” Principal Damocles tried to calm down everyone.
“We’ll all keep it a secret! Right everyone!?”
They all turned and saw it was Nino with the rest of the class. He was giving the two of them the thumbs up while the rest of their class cheered and agreed.
“We got your backs, Adrien and Marinette!” Said Alix.
“You can trust us!” Said Rose.
There were nods and continued agreement. The crowd of people started to agree as well. Principal Damocles was losing even more control and Marinette saw that Lila was not pleased by this turn of events.
“Alright! Alright! Everyone back to your classrooms!” Principal Damocles asked again and finally everyone began to disperse. All who were left were Principal Damocles, Ms. Bustier, Lila, Adrien and Marinette herself.
He sighed in relief before going back to talking to both Adrien and Marinette.
“Mr. Agreste… I think I understand what is going on. I can only imagine how difficult it is being under the pressure of the paparazzi all the time, and now you’re telling me your father is forbidding you from getting into a relationship? I… I don’t think as a good educator I can fault you for trying your best to hide your relationship with Ms. Dupain-Cheng. I do have to warn you that you shouldn’t go to certain areas of the school. There are places that are restricted for a reason. I’ll give you both a final warning. And… I promise not to tell your father… nor will the rest of us. Is that right?”
Principal Damocles turned to look at Ms. Bustier who nodded immediately and they both turned to Lila who for a split second, Marinette was sure was hesitant to move until finally she put on the fake smile Marinette knew and nodded too.
“O-of course, sir! We’ll keep it a secret.” Lila said.
The three of them left leaving Adrien and Marinette alone in the hallway. Finally some time for them to talk.
There was an awkward silence between them. It was obvious they had to address what just happened.
“Marinette… I’m so sorry about a while ago. It must have made you so uncomfortable and I…”
“No! It’s okay. I understand. I got what you were planning to do. You were trying to help me, weren’t you?”
Adrien smiled and looked a bit shy. He rubbed the back of his neck and his cheeks pinked a little.
“Yeah. I couldn’t stand Lila trying to make you look bad again. I know that you’re always so busy with your own extra curriculars and I saw you in a tight spot. It was the last straw. And I saw the opportunity and took it. I hope you’re not mad at me.”
Marinette saw the concern on Adrien’s face. He was guilt-stricken.
“I mean… you probably hate the idea of being paired up with me since were just friends?” He continued.
He had no idea.
“W-what?!?! N-no! Not at all! In fact… I’d like to thank you really for helping me out. I have been pretty busy and I really didn’t know what to say to them… So thank you, Adrien. And for the record… being paired up with isn’t bad at all. I-I mean… well… you’re awesome, Adrien.” She admitted.
Adrien looked relieved. He smiled at her and she could feel the gratitude emanating from the boy.
“You’re welcome, Marinette. You’re the awesome one here. Haha.”
“You really don’t mind being paired up with… me?” She asked hesitantly.
Adrien looked surprised from her question.
“W-what? Of course not! Marinette! You’re one of my closest friends. You’re sweet, funny, beautiful and smart. You’re our everyday Ladybug! I mean… whoever ends up dating you for real would be a lucky guy!”
Marinette nearly melted into a puddle.
Adrien was telling her how lucky anyone would be if they dated her. Did he feel the same way… about himself? Would he like to date her too?
“A-anyway… so what happens now? Everyone thinks were dating. Won’t that be a problem for you, Adrien? Everyone said they’d keep it a secret but I have feeling Lila would find a way to trouble us soon.” She said.
Marinette was surprised to see Adrien smirk once more.
“I’ve actually planned ahead for any issues about dating… more particularly my father finding out I’m dating someone.” He said a bit proudly.
“You have?”
Adrien chuckled.
“I’ve been thinking of several plans to help you out for weeks to be honest.”
That shocked Marinette the most. He’s been planning to help her out for so long.
“So… is it alright if we continue to fake date for now? And find a way to get back at Lila along the way?” Adrien sounded mischievous and his grin grew wide.
Marinette became excited. This sounded like a great opportunity. Her Ladybug quick thinking and confidence came in.
“Let’s do this… What did you have in mind?”
****
Later in the afternoon.
“Marinette… You’re kidding me.”
“I’m not…”
“No way…”
Marinette sighed. “Yes… I’m telling you that’s what happened.”
“I can’t believe I’m sick and missed out on all this!!! GAH! How could I have missed that?!”
It was later that day, and Alya wanted ALL the details as Marinette explained over their phone call.
“Adrien suggested that you two fake date?! That’s crazy! And my God! Lila! UGHH! I wish I was there to give her a piece of my mind. But… forget that for now! YOU AND ADRIEN ARE DATING!… kinda.”
The conversation kept circling back to it. Marinette decided to tell her the truth though and that it was just for show. A way to help further their plans to finally halt Lila’s attacks on her.
“It is pretty surreal, Alya.”
“Do you think that maybe Adrien is just saying he wants to fake date you and in truth… might want to date you for real?” Alya’s tone of her voice was suggestive of something more than “just friends.”
Marinette choked on air at her suggestion.
“W-what?! That’s crazy! Adrien only sees me as just a friend!”
“Uhuh. Didn’t you just tell me he said that anyone would be lucky to date you? And that you were ehem… “beautiful?”
Marinette’s cheeks flared.
“W-well… he did but he’s just sweet like that! We’re just teaming up against Lila! That’s all!”
Marinette could imagine Alya rolling her eyes as she chuckled over the phone.
“Alright. If you say so, Mari. Let me know if you two need any help on the Lila front. And… if ever anything happens on the Adrien front… SPILL ASAP. I need to document your young blooming relationship.”
Marinette whined as she thought about the possibilities. How far were they willing to go to prove that they were a couple to everyone? Adrien suggested a ton of things which nearly made her combust in place. It was going to be a very crazy period of her life.
****
The Next Day
It was the next day at school and classes went pretty smoothly. The morning classes flew by and now it was lunch period. Throughout the entire day, there were dozens of curious stares headed to her direction. Apparently she was the center of attention after the “secret” of her relationship with Adrien was revealed to a huge chunk of the school population. But there were a lot of happy gazes as well. The majority of her class was very supportive. A few exceptions being the obvious ones. Chloe was definitely not pleased. Adrien and Marinette were also expecting a retaliation from Lila some time soon. But they’ve got things covered.
“Ready to go forward with our plan for lunch?” Asked Adrien.
Marinette took in a breath and jumped in place to psyche herself up. This was going to make her heart go crazy with what they were planning to do in front of their friends.
“Let’s do this.”
The two of them walked into the cafeteria together hand in hand for everyone to see and they caused a few small gasps from people. They made their way to a table with a couple of their classmates seated together.
“Hey you two!” said Rose. “Aren’t you supposed to you know… keep your relationship kinda secret?” She asked.
They smiled at their friends before nodding their heads.
“We were… but after what happened yesterday, we decided that it was really no use hiding it anymore. I already handled what I need to tell my father as well so I think it shouldn’t be a problem anymore.” said Adrien.
Marinette looked around the cafeteria and found her target. She saw a Lila Rossi continuing to look displeased at the two of them. She put on a fake smile as she exited the area. Adrien announcing that they were no longer hiding their relationship and that he handled the issue with his father was for Lila to hear so. They hoped it would prevent her from revealing the relationship prematurely to the press and Adrien’s father.
Marinette whispered to Adrien. “I think she got it.”
Adrien smiled and then whispered back.
“Perfect. Now with Lila handled for today, let’s make it good for the rest of them.”
And so Adrien and Marinette sat at the table but Adrien however did something that surprised everyone there including Alya. He pulled Marinette close and tugged her to sit on his lap. Marinette then snuggled in close as Adrien wrapped his arms possessively around her waist. Marinette then began slotting herself perfectly with Adrien.
“Okay… You’ve been mentally preparing for this, Marinette. This is just for show. You can do this! Ignore your super high heart rate! You can scream into your pillow later tonight!” Marinette’s thoughts were screaming but she had to do this.
“Oooooh. I guess you two really are not hiding it anymore.” teased Alix.
Marinette’s cheeks burned once more. She could see Alya’s amused look.
“You guys are so cute together!” said Rose.
“Totally! I need to take pictures… for documentation and other fun stuff.” said Alya.
The rest of the lunch went rather normally until it was time for dessert. Here was the big moment the two of them planned.
“What do you have for dessert, bro?” asked Nino.
“Just some strawberries. Marinette brought some Nutella too. Perfect together!” He said.
“Yum! I love eating those two together.” said Alya.
“Me too! I was craving for it for a while now.” said Marinette.
Adrien then brought out his pack of strawberries and Marinette opened her bottle of Nutella. She scooped a good portion of it onto a plate. Adrien then dipped a strawberry and coated it with a good amount of Nutella. But instead of eating it, he brought it straight to Marinette’s lips catching everyone off guard again.
“Say ahh.” He said.
Marinette followed and opened her mouth.
“Ahh.” She said as she took in the delicious Nutella covered strawberry.
“I can’t believe it. Adrien literally just fed me! Is this really happening? Thank you Nutella!”
Just as they planned, everyone was watching them as Adrien continued to feed her the delicious fruits. Marinette continued to play the part of the lovesick girl being fed by the love of her life.
“Now it’s my turn.” She said. She got a Nutella covered strawberry and brought it to Adrien.
“Here you go my prince.” Her hand was slightly shaking.
“Stay cool, Marinette. You can do this!”
“Aahhhhh.” He said.
“The image of feeding Adrien strawberries will now forever be part of my daydreams.” This was so cheesy and yet she wouldn’t dare stop.
If only he knew how much she wanted this to not be an act. It was Alix who broke the silence of their friends as they watched the two of them feed each other.
“You guys are so cheesy! I should’ve known! You both were always romantic fools.” She said. A few of them began to laugh a little at their silliness. Marinette saw that Alya had a dozen things to say for sure later in private.
Adrien just chuckled at Alix’s teases.
“Let us have some fun, alright! We’re finally not hiding our feelings for one another, right Marinette?”
Marinette wanted to die a little. If only he knew how deep her feelings were for him.
“Y-yeah. Finally not hiding how we feel at all!”
The rest of the lunch period was filled with cheesy romantic gestures, and cute pestering from their friends.
****
A Week Later
"I can’t believe this! How is this happening?! Adrien Agreste! How dare he!”
Lila Rossi was fuming in her room. Everything she’s been planning for weeks now had all gone down the drain.
“I’ve been planning this perfectly and then with one single action, it’s all for naught!”
She was talking about her plans to ruin Marinette Dupain-Cheng’s life. Her biggest obstacle for ruling in school. She was a thorn in her plans to become the most popular girl in school. Apparently she was never deceived by her constant lies. She hated her. She hated her goody two shoes nature. And she needed to get rid of her.
Then when she thought she had her in a corner, her other problem showed up and ruined it all.
“They can’t be dating for real! It all must be ruse! It has to be!”
Ever since Adrien and Marinette began “dating”, they were inseparable. Every time she tried messing with Marinette even with the simplest of things such as tripping her clumsy feet, Adrien was there to catch her like the good “boyfriend” he was supposed to be. He was always there observing her. Covering for her. Protecting her even when she didn’t know Lila was there to ruin that moment for her.
It annoyed her like crazy.
“Even Gabriel seems to be in on this!”
Lila tried finding a way to secretly reveal their hidden relationship to Gabriel in advance but apparently Adrien beat her to it by deciding to tell his father and he was alright with it. How?!
“Ms. Dupain-Cheng has apparently helped my son in his academics and has made him more interested in the dealings of the Gabriel fashion line. I have to thank her for that. There is nothing of concern here, Ms. Rossi.”
She needed something new. Something else to ruin her life! But for now she had to step back and figure what else to do… Where else to strike. She’ll find a way.
“You win this round, Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”
***
It was Friday night and Adrien was going to pick up Marinette for another of their “fake dates.” It was a simple one that evening. Nothing too fancy. Just the two of them having dinner and watching a movie. Here he was, waiting for her at the entrance of the bakery. He didn’t expect anything to change. He expected to have a fun night with his friend. But when Marinette stepped out to see him, his heart stopped and that was when he realized that something was different.
“Marinette?” His voice low and in awe.
“Is it too much?” She asked.
What she was talking about was her outfit. Marinette looked completely different than usual. Not to say that Marinette’s regular style was boring or anything. Not at all. She was always a very stylish and cute girl. But today… his breath was taken away.
“N-no. You look lovely. Beautiful!” He told her.
She was in a lovely red top and black skirt combo. Her hair was let down, and flowing around her shoulders. She had some slight makeup which highlighted everything wonderful about her. Her cute cheeks, and red lips that somehow had him entranced. Her blue eyes were quite hypnotizing too. He’s never been so at awe with any girl before.
His heart skipped a beat.
“My mom insisted that I change my look, you know. Since we’ve been “dating” for a while now. I-I’m glad you like it.”
“I wish I dressed up nicer.” He said.
Marinette giggled.
“You always look dashing, Adrien. Come on, let’s go catch that movie.” Marinette reached out and took hold of his hand. There was a moment that felt like electricity coursing though his fingers at her touch.
Something was definitely different now. Adrien was feeling something special for this lovely girl he was currently “fake dating.” He had to know what.
***
A Few Days Later
“Dude… how long are you going to keep this up?”
“What are you talking about, Nino?”
“You know… your “not fake” dating with Marinette.”
Adrien nearly tripped as the two of them walked together that afternoon.
“W-what?! Fake dating?! What are you talking about?”
Nino sighed.
“Dude… I’m your best friend. I know when you’re pretending. And I’m sure you know Alya knows… so she talks about it with me.”
“Oh… of course.” He didn’t consider that Nino would easily see through him.
“Was it that obvious?” He asked.
“For a moment I believed it until that whole strawberry show thing at the cafeteria. Don’t worry I think only Alya and I know. We just know you two better than most.”
Adrien sighed in relief. He needed to keep the appearances up.
"But wait, what do you mean “not fake” dating?”
“Dude. I get it. You were trying to help take Lila down and it’s working like a charm! But the thing is you can’t keep this up forever. And the fact that everyday, you’re more and more not ‘pretending’ as you do couple things with Marinette. Dude, it’s getting pretty obvious how much you do like Marinette. As in… for real.”
Adrien blushed. How could Nino have noticed his feelings when he himself only realized that morning? He woke up feeling on cloud-9 when Marinette texted her a good morning and all he could think about was wanting to hold her close and kiss her beautiful face all over. And then it hit him.
He was falling head over heels for Marinette.
“I… I… dude. I don’t know what to do.” He finally admitted it.
“At first it was really just for show but now I can’t stop thinking about her. I’m totally smitten. I want to take her out for real dates and not the fake ones we keep showing to everyone. I don’t want to plan ahead the times we have to hold hands. I want to be spontaneous and just hold hands just because I can. And… I want to kiss her because she’s my real girlfriend and not just some pretend one. Kiss her privately too when it’s just the two of us.”
“That’s it… let it out buddy.” Nino let him continue as he patted his back.
“I love her laugh.” Adrien smiled as he began to reminisce. “It makes me so happy to hear her laugh. Her smile. The cute her way nose scrunches when she’s solving a problem. I’m crazy for her. But Nino… Marinette only sees me as a friend. This is all for show. What can I do?!” He vented.
Nino sighed at him and just shook his head.
“Look… I’m not supposed to be saying anything. Alya would have killed me if I did before but now that I know what you're struggling with… I think it’s fine time that I tell you something.”
Adrien didn’t quite understand what Nino was trying to explain.
“What is it, dude?”
Nino pulled him over to a bench nearby and sat both of them down. He leaned in to speak privately to him.
“Look, let’s just say that if you ever try to ask Marinette out for real… It might turn out good.”
Adrien’s eyes widened.
“So wait. Do you mean… Marinette might possibly like me for real too?!
Nino smiled and shrugged.
If he understood Nino properly that meant… there was hope.
“Not saying anything else bud except take that chance. Look at how happy everyone was when they thought you two were dating for real. They’re all thinking the same thing. You guys would be great together! And I think you feel something too, don’t you?”
Adrien stood up and started pacing. He had to think of something and quick. He couldn’t wait.
“There’s a flower shop nearby, right?” He asked Nino.
“Yeah? What? Are you going to ask Marinette right now?” Nino looked amused.
“Of course!”
Nino chuckled.
“There’s my best friend. Come on. I’ll go with you.”
***
It was a few minutes later when Adrien was ready. He had a bouquet of roses in hand and he knew where he was going. Marinette and Alya were at the park just across from the bakery having a nice afternoon and relaxing. He was going to ask her out. For real.
“You nervous?” asked Nino.
“Very. But excited. Wish me luck buddy.” He said.
Nino pushed his friend forward a little towards the park. In the distance, they saw Marinette and Alya talking on a bench nearby, still unaware that the two boys were behind them and approaching. Everything was going smoothly until…
“Alya… I told you for the last time. This won’t work out. This thing with Adrien. He and I will always be just friends. Nothing will change that!”
Adrien stopped in place. His grip on the bouquet tightened.
“Adrien’s always been a nice guy. I just… Sometimes it’s hard to be around him when we’re pretending. Sometimes I wish we didn’t start doing this fake dating thing at all.”
Adrien’s heart was aching. Was it that bad? Was being around him that difficult?
Adrien took a step back and then turned going for a full sprint. Nino was stunned for a moment before he tried calling him back.
“Dude! Wait! It’s all a misunderstanding. I swear!” Adrien halted.
“Yeah… it definitely was. I should’ve known that I’d never have a chance with Marinette.” Adrien dropped the bouquet and ran off leaving Nino speechless.
“No! Ugh!” Nino rubbed his face with his hands from frustration. He wasn’t going to let it go down like this.
“No more!” He said.
Nino grabbed the bouquet and ran straight back to the girls by the park.
“Marinette! Alya! We need to talk!”
***
By the Seine, Adrien walked by himself as he contemplated his choices recently.
“Of course, Adrien. The only one you can blame is yourself. You’re the one who suggested to do the fake dating. It’s your own damn fault for not realizing your true feelings sooner. Digging yourself another hole. Getting yourself heartbroken all over again. “
As he walked, he saw a pebble and kicked it off into the river in frustration.
“It figures someone as wonderful as her would never date me for real.”
Adrien found an empty bench and sat down as he wallowed in his current state of misery.
As he closed his eyes, leaned over and covered his face with his hands, he heard footsteps approaching which stopped right in front of him.
“Excuse me… Can I sit beside you?”
Adrien immediately recognized the voice. He looked up and there she was.
“Marinette?”
The girl was blushing, her arms were behind her back as if she was holding something.
“Hi, Adrien.”
“W-what are you doing here?” He immediately stood up in front of the girl who took a step back from him as he moved.
“I… I found something.” Marinette slowly revealed what she was hiding behind her back. It was the bouquet of flowers he bought for her.
“Nino told me these were for me… Did you really want to give this to me?” She asked. Her cheeks were still a nice color of red. She smiled and his heart melted. She seemed happy and not upset at all at the thought of the flowers coming from him. Could it be?
He nodded silently at her.
“Yeah, they’re from me.”
“Adrien… Nino told me more than just the flowers being from you and that there was something you wanted to tell me or you know… talk to me about?” Marinette started to fidget with the tip of her shoe on the dirt, drawing a small circular pattern with it. Adrien’s never seen Marinette act like this. It was familiar and new at the same time. She was nervous, and he’s seen her nervous before. But she was confident with her words. Were they possibly on the same page after all?
“I like you.”
Adrien went straight for it. No beating around the bush. He finally told her.
Marinette squeaked a little. Her gaze never left his though. She was hanging on to every word he said.
“I like you a lot, Marinette. In fact I’m going all out and saying even more. I love you, Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I don’t think I can pretend dating you anymore… because I want to date for you real. And if I’m sensing it right… I’m hoping you feel the same. Would you be my girlfriend for real now?”
Marinette choked a little but smiled quickly. There was some tears but he could tell that she was happy beyond words.
“I love you too, Adrien. W-whatever you heard me say at the park was all a misunderstanding! The truth is I’ve loved you for so long and I would love to date you for real! I would love it if you be my real boyfriend!”
Adrien quickly enveloped the girl with a warm embrace and she held him back tight. This was it. He could barely believe it! They loved each other.
“I’m taking you out for real dates. The best restaurants! Movies. Anywhere you like! And… I’d really like to kiss you. Not just pretending we do.”
Marinette giggled in his arms. She looked up at him and placed a hand on his cheek. She slowly caressed it and Adrien felt like melting from the gesture.
“What are you waiting for?” She teased with such confidence. Adrien’s heart skipped a beat. He liked this other side of Marinette too.
And so… they both leaned in and finally kissed each other.
It was simply magic.
****
Epilogue
It was a week later and Marinette was feeling on top of the world. Lila’s recently halted her constant harassment of her. She was doing well in school, and she was doing productive work with several projects for the grimoire. Lastly, she recently got together with the love of her life. For real this time. No more pretending. No more shows for people to see. All actual feelings. And it was truly wonderful. After they resolved their feelings for each other a week ago, She and Adrien became even more inseparable. One of the first things they did was head back to the bakery… and make out for a very good amount of time. She was practically a puddle on the floor after it.
“Adrien’s lips are magic.” She sighed in recollection.
Now here she was, experimenting with a few notes from the grimoire and waiting for Alya to come over and help her out. She was already suited up as Ladybug in case they needed a lucky charm or two for the procedure.
“How are you doing, guardian?” asked Wayzz.
“Never better. It’s like I can take on anything! Shadowmoth better watch out cause I feel on the top of my game.” She said.
“Is it because of Adrien?” asked Sass.
Marinette giggled.
“Well he’s definitely a big reason why I’m so happy. He’s just… amazing. It’s a shame he’s so busy today. I would’ve loved to see him this afternoon.”
There was a knock on her trapdoor.
“Alya. Is that you? Come in!”
Marinette turned her back for a moment to check her latest experiment. She heard the trapdoor open and the sound of footsteps entering her room. She got her latest work on the table and began to explain it.
“So Alya, I was thinking maybe a way we can make a bigger shield for all of Paris would be to enlarge the protective charm? Make it a radio kind of system and—“
As Marinette turned around to see Alya, she was surprised not to see her but instead…
“AA-DDRIEENN?!?”
“L-Ladybug?!?” He shouted right back.
“What was he doing here this afternoon?!”
“Uhh! H-hello citizen! How can I help you?!” Marinette was flailing with her arms and trying to shoo the other kwamis. But Marinette could see the understanding coming to Adrien’s face. He was connecting the dots. His eyes widened even further.
“Marinette.” His voice was filled with awe.
“Uuuhhh! What?! Who?! No Marinettes here! Leave a message after the tone! Beeep!!!”
“Oh God. I’m making no sense.”
Without warning, the boy held her tight in his arms and began chuckling.
“Oh my God! I should’ve realized sooner! You’re totally my Marinette!”
Ladybug whined.
“Nooooo! I-I. Uuugghhhh. Okkkay… it’s me.”
Adrien continued to chuckle as he held her tight.
“Wow… you really do look cute in red.” He said. Marinette’s cheeks bloomed even further. Her boyfriend really was such a flirt.
“Oh shush, Adrien.” She sighed for a moment. “I guess it truly is too late… What are you doing here? I thought you had a long photoshoot?” She asked. She wanted to panic but she needed something else to talk about to distract her from doing so.
“I wanted to surprise you! I asked your mom if I could come up and well… I pretended to be Alya when you called out. But to see you here in full outfit… It’s just… it all makes sense.” He said.
“W-what do you mean? You’re not surprised that clumsy me is Ladybug?”
Adrien shook his head.
“No, not really. I’ve had my suspicions on several occasions. I kinda hoped you were her for a while too. I mean… I did have a crush on Ladybug, you know? And you were the only one who fit. The only one who could possibly be her. You two always had the same big heart who cared so much for others.”
Marinette was stunned.
“W-wait. You had a crush on Ladybug?!”
He nodded back.
“Ever since the beginning… my lady.” He winked at her.
Marinette gasped.
“My Lady.”
“Nooo… you couldn’t be.”
Adrien just nodded. “Oh. Yes. It’s me. You fell into my life literally and you’ve had me tied up by your yo-yo string ever since.”
Everything was so annoyingly complex and yet it was always so simple!
“No way… Chat Noir?!” He was her kitty.
“Always at your service, my lady.” He let go of her and bowed with flair and a cheesy hand gesture.
Marinette’s instincts went in and she did what her body was screaming for her to do.
She tackled the boy and assaulted the handsome young man with kisses.
“You’re so dead, kitty. (Smooch) but I love you so much! (Smooch)” She said.
“And I love you, Marinette.” He said in between the kisses.
And so the afternoon turned out even better than Marinette imagined. The two of them continued to pepper each other with kisses and it was full of joy.
At least until 5 minutes later… when Alya came in screaming when she saw Chat Noir and Ladybug making out on the chaise.
Ladybug had a hell of time asking Alya to calm down and to stop whacking Chat Noir with a broom as she screamed: “She’s taken already, you mangy cat! She’s dating already one of my best friends! Get off her!”
It was a crazy afternoon, indeed.