CHAPTER ONE: She Had A Twig In Her Eye

She didn't mean to come here. But with everything that had been happening, it gave Ladybug little comfort. It wasn't the house itself; being too big and even though warm light cast from every window, it gave the heroine shivers when she thought of all the empty rooms. No, it definitely wasn't the house, it was the boy inside. The most kind, caring and beautiful boy Marinette had ever met.

She definitely didn't mean to be there, sitting upon his neighbour's roof, knees pulled to her chest as she inhaled Paris' cool evening air. Ladybug hadn't even realised where she was until she finally allowed herself to breathe.

Marinette had decided on a quick patrol that night despite Tikki's objection that the teenage girl needed rest. How could she rest with all that was going on? She hoped the patrol may tire her brain a bit, stop her rethinking recent events. Yet here she was. She supposed, between her own homework waiting bedroom and Eiffel Tower where she and Chat Noir met for routine patrols, it was unsurprising she would find comfort here.

Glancing out of the corner of her eye, she saw his bedroom lights remained off. Either he was asleep or wasn't there. Not that she had any plans to yo-yo in and say hello, she cringed at the thought, she just needed a friend's presence at that moment. And after snapping at Alya, her parents and even Chat, her options were extremely limited.

Ladybug sighed. Oh Chat. She's been so cruel and unnecessarily mean to him. She hadn't meant it, not one word. After falling incredibly behind on homework, completely forgetting an assignment, and failing her latest physics test, she hadn't been in the brightest of moods. Not to mention the same day Hawkmoth sent an immensely strong akuma, one that she needed both Rena Rouge and Carapace to help - was coincidentally the same day her parents decided to have a lengthy "discussion" on the importance of grades, which evidently ended with Marinette being grounded until they improved.

Ladybug huffed, as if you could ground a superhero.

But that hadn't even been the worst of it.

After that, last night on patrol, Chat Noir's joking and flirty ways became less endearing and more irritatingly childish. And before she had time to think her words through, Ladybug snapped and was already walking away from shocked and hurt kitty.

Ladybug hugged her knees tighter to her chest when those pained green eyes flashed through her memory.

She felt guiltier over that than the rest. And she'd basically growled at Alya earlier at school when her friend continued to rant on about the identity of Paris's heroes.

If only she knew.

Ladybug sniffled. She hadn't meant any of it. Some friend she was. She was just so stressed and tired, not recalling the last time she'd gotten a decent sleep.

A tear escaped her eye. Being a teenage heroine consumed so much time and energy. It wasn't "freeing" or "exciting" anymore, it was becoming a chore. And helping those in need shouldn't be a chore – Ladybug was letting down the people of Paris. Her heart twinged, she was letting her loved ones down.

No wonder she'd unconsciously gone to Adrien's house. He was the one friend she hadn't hurt.

The thought undid Ladybug. Tears began to pour and sobs bubbled up from her throat. She was so mean to everyone in her life and she just felt so incredibly torn and guilty.

The spotted girl pressed her forehead to her knees to try muffling her cries. But it was no use. In the cool evening, Paris's fiercest hero sat alone on a rooftop, her shoulders shaking as her sobs echoed through the solemn air.

"Goodnight Nathalie," Adrien forced himself up the stairs to his bedroom, his feet dragging behind him.

An exasperated breath escaped his lips as he ran a hand through his hair. This afternoon's photoshoot had been a disaster. Not one good shot captured, the photographers words being "You don't look carefree. You look like the love of your life dumped you then stole your spaghetti. Please stop sulking Monsieur."

His father wasn't going to be pleased.

And Adrien wasn't sulking. He'd tried his best, he really had. It wasn't his fault he actually had screwed up any slim chance he had with the real love of his life. He paused before his door and sighed. Ladybugs words still pulsed through his memory.

"Enough, Chat!"

He rubbed his tired and worn-out eyes.

"Do you take anything seriously!?"

Adrien pushed open the door into his dark room. He instantly slipped off his sneakers before gently reaching into his jacket pocket and lifting out a barely awake kwami. Plagg shuffled in the warmth of Adrien's hand, incoherent grumbles coming from his mouth before settling into an easy sleep.

The boy smiled down at the little black creature. Plagg wasn't that bad when he was well behaved, in fact Adrien was surprised the kwami had dozed off on the way home without his nightly dose of Camembert - he'll probably wake in an hour whining for it. Hoping to put that off as long as possible, Adrien laid Plagg down on his duvet.

Perhaps it's good his kwami slept, he wouldn't tell him off for thinking about her and last night.

Was that how Ladybug really felt?

Being Chat Noir meant everything to Adrien. Not only did it give him freedom, he got the chance to help people that couldn't help themselves, to be something more than just a pretty face on a billboard. He'd become friends with a centuries old deity. He'd save Paris more times than he could remember. And when his father spoke to him with displeasure or disappointment, it never affected Adrien as much as it used to because for once, he knew he was doing unquestionable good.

Without his miraculous, he wouldn't be the same person he was right now.

He wouldn't have met Ladybug.

And now he'd gone and disappointed her.

If only she knew he didn't mean what he said. Well, he did. He always did when he spoke to her. But he just…

"Argh," Adrien groaned, suddenly feeling his bedroom too stuffy. Grabbing, the remote from his desk, he clicked a button and the nearest window automatically swung open.

Adrien heard the sound before the Paris' cool evening breeze reached him. It was quiet at first, hardly distinguishable, but there was no doubt it was sobbing he could hear.

Was someone crying?

Intrigued, Adrien went to the open window to investigate – crying was usually associated with akumas – and froze.

Because there, across the street, on a building's rooftop that was a story or two higher than his house, was his best friend crouched with her knees pulled to her chest, her shoulders shaking. Ladybug was there. She was right there!

Adrien's eyes widen at another realization. And she was crying!

His lady was right over there, radiant as ever in the moonlight, crying!

She was crying!

Adrien suddenly forgot all his previous worries, it didn't matter if he'd disappointed Ladybug, or he went too far with his teasing and flirting. It didn't even matter if Ladybug was going to snap at him again. Because his partner was alone in the chilly air, hurting. He had to be there for her, no matter what.

"Psst, Plagg!" Adrien stood frozen by the opened window, afraid that if he took his eyes off her, Ladybug would disappear like a dream.

"Plagg!" Adrien hissed, glancing to see his kwami starting to stir. He needed to transform now.

When it appeared Plagg had begun to doze off again, Adrien did the only thing he could think of at that moment. He threw the remote that he had in his hand towards his bed, aiming directly for his kwami.

He missed.

It landed with a thud beside the little cat's head. But before Adrien could grumbled in annoyance, Plagg's eyes shot open and he lunged the electronic device, feline instinct and mischief lighting up his face. Adrien watched his kwami pounce, gnawing his fangs along the remote in an excessive behaviour.

"Plagg," Adrien tried desperately to gain his attention before his kwami caused an issue. But it was too late. As if the room moved in slow motion, Adrien helplessly watched as Plagg's wild fangs bit down on one particular button.

And the room erupted with Jagged Stone.

In his fanatical biting, Plagg had managed to turn on Adrien's stereo to exactly where he left it – the latest album of his favourite artist, at full volume. The only problem? His wireless headphones weren't connected. Noise blasted through the air as if Stone's own concert had materialised in Adrien's bedroom.

"Plagg!" Adrien called over the uproar.

His kwami, after jumping from the loud noise, a look of panic on his face, tossed the remote in Adrien's direction, hoping to silence the infernal 'music'. Luckily, Adrien's reflexes had never been more precise. The room was silent again.

Oh no.

Immediately, Adrien's gaze shot back out the window. Ladybug was still there, and staring straight at him. Her blue eyes pierced right through his own and his heart crumpled to see them, despite the distance, red and teary. She raised her head, and her arms fell from around her knees numbly back to her side. There was nothing blocking Adrien's view of her tear-stained cheeks and slightly parted lips.

Do something! His brain shouted at its frozen body.

Right!

This wasn't exactly the steps, but the plan remained the same. Ladybug was upset. And it was his mission to help her, Chat Noir or not.

Suddenly flustered, Adrien tore his eyes from his lady's and scanned his room. There! In seconds, Adrien crossed the room to his desk and returned to the window. Ladybug was still there, somewhat dazed, but her eyes met his again in an instant. Adrien shrugged, mostly to himself, and held up the box of tissues in a wordless gesture.

After all, what else could he say?

"Hey superheroine of Paris, I noticed you crying over there, wanna share your troubles with a mere civilian? By the way, I'm also Chat Noir and I need to apologise?"

Yeah, that would go down well.

However, before Ladybug could respond, there was a sharp knock on Adrien's bedroom door. He spun round just as it opened, Nathalie's shadow appearing from the lit hallway. Plagg was nowhere to be seen.

"Adrien," Nathalie spoke, "your father is currently working. If you're going to listen to music at this hour, please lower the volume. Maybe use your headphones?"

Adrien stuttered, "Um, y-yeah. Sorry, it was an accident."

"And you shouldn't stand in the dark," she said emotionlessly, flicking on the lights, "it's unhealthy for your vision."

He grimaced as the room filled with bright light. If she sensed the peculiarity of him standing motionless by the window with a box of tissues in his hand, she didn't press the matter.

"Of course. Thank you, Nathalie."

She nodded once before exiting, "Goodnight Adrien."

"Goodnight."

Merely a second after the door shut, Adrien whirled back around, leaning further out into the open air, searching desperately.

"Well that was close," he barely heard Plagg's muffled voice coming from under his pillow.

Ladybug was gone.

He couldn't stop himself from what he did next.

"Ladybug!" he called out into what felt like oblivion.

He waited a few seconds and tried not to notice his heart deflating. Of course, he didn't get an answer. He spooked her and now she was gone. Adrien sighed, rubbing his palm over his eyes.

No matter, she might've disappeared for the moment but he could still find her, and apologise, as Chat Noir.

Turning from the window, Adrien made towards his bed, intending to rifle through his pillows and duvet to convince his tired kwami to transform him. He'll probably need to order some more expensive cheeses later. What a night. Just because he'd do anything for her. Just because she meant everything to him. Just because he was head over heels in lo–.

"Hello."

Adrien froze mid stride. His heart skipped one, two beats.

It couldn't be. It couldn't have possibly worked.

But then, Adrien would know that voice anywhere. He dared a glance over his shoulder.

And there she was, her red suit glowing against the darkness outside, gently seated on the window pane with an arm gripping her yo-yo, that disappeared outside, to keep balance. Adrien's heart definitely stopped. For what seemed like the millionth time that night, his was frozen in shock. Ladybug was right in front of him. Him, as Adrien Agreste.

The reality of the situation only just now revealed itself.

Oh my god, he panicked. He was a mere teenage boy, no miraculous and mask to hide under. Be cool, Agreste, be cool.

"H-Hey t-there," he forced out a greeting and inwardly cringed at how unsteady his voice sounded. He could pretty much hear Plagg snickering from his hiding place.

"Sorry for bothering you," Ladybug sniffed.

Adrien suddenly disregarded any nerves he had and reminded himself that this was his partner. They work together perfectly as superheroes, always knowing the other's next move before they took it. Chat Noir trusted Ladybug with his life and knew she'd be there for him no matter what. And if she could do that, it was the least he could do.

"No, no, it's uh, it's fine," Adrien smiled, scratching the back of his head. "Do you, um, do you want to come in?"

Ladybug looked at him with unease, "Are you sure? I don't want to bother you-."

"Of course not," Adrien rushed forward, hesitating before reaching out a hand towards her.

Ladybug paused and stared at him with wide eyes. Adrien felt as if his whole soul was exposed to her – not that he minded. In those few moments, where they held each other's gaze without wavering and Ladybug's fingers tentatively grazed his own, he wanted to tell her everything. He wanted to say that he was Chat Noir, apologise for making her so upset, reassure her that he'd never leave her side. He'd never felt more vulnerable yet she was the one with tears clouding her beautiful eyes.

She grasped his hand, pulling her yo-yo back to her side and dropped into his room.

"I'm sorry for startling you earlier," he said, releasing her hand in reluctance.

Ladybug shrugged, reaching up to wipe a damp cheek, "it's alright. I was just um… I was…"

"Crying?"

She sighed, mumbling, "I was going to say I had a twig in my eye."

"Must have been a pretty big twig," Adrien couldn't help but chuckle. He almost fainted when Ladybug stared at him with those eyes again. She visibly relaxed after a second and smiled at him.

They were both silent.

Think of something, Agreste.

"Did you want to talk about it?" he asked.

Ladybug hugged herself, "I'm not sure."

"It might help," Adrien's voice was soft, he didn't want to push her, "I'm a good listener?"

When her only response was a slight purse of her lips, he tried a different approach. "Well, I was going to put on a movie," he said, "did you um, maybe, want to, um, join me?"

Smooth.

Adrien didn't wait for her reply, he could already see it clear on her face. She shouldn't be here. A superhero in a civilian's bedroom, hanging out like friends – one friend comforting another. A far as the superhero rulebook goes, if there was one, cosying up and doing something mundane as watching a movie while on duty would be a no. But what was he supposed to do? Sit her down for a therapy session? He could pull it off, he'd had enough first-hand experience after his mother's disappearance. If only she did want to talk. Adrien refused to be nosy, he already knew why she was upset, but talking helped. If it wasn't for Marinette that night when Glaciator attacked, Adrien never would have found his own closure.

Marinette truly was amazing.

Adrien fumbled the remote in his hand. What the hell? He reprimanded himself. You don't think about your friends like that. You especially don't think about how amazing your girl friend – notice the space between those words? – when the love of your life is currently in your room with puffy red eyes.

Okay, no more thinking about anyone else other than Ladybug.

What was with him today?

Adrien patted the space next to him as he took a seat on his couch, trying not gawked as Ladybug slowly, but surely, made her way over with small uncertain steps.

She was timid tonight, Adrien pondered, where was the lively superheroine he knew as Chat Noir.

Did he really disappoint her that much?

Adrien opened switched on his television and began to flick through movies, not looking for anything. "So… what do you feel like watching?" he asked, he stopped on one option, "Ever seen Big Hero 6?"

"Not that one," Ladybug shook her head.

"Oh, I heard it was pretty good."

"No, it is. But I think I've cried enough tonight," Ladybug faked a laugh while Adrien made a mental to note to only watched that movie when prepared. "Maybe we could avoid the superhero movies?"

He offered a reassuring smile, "Sure thing."

Eventually they did decide on something – How to Train Your Dragon, light-hearted but still a good watch. The entirety of the opening credits neither were very talkative. Adrien too worried he'll scare her off, and Ladybug too nervous to be so close to her highschool crush. Eventually though, the deafening silence became too great for Adrien's inner Chat.

"I know you might not want to talk about it," he began, "to me nonetheless. And I completely understand if you don't. But there must be reason Paris' infamous superhero was alone on a rooftop crying her eyes out."

So soon as he said it, he regretted it. She was giving him that wide-eyed look again. He forgot his boundaries, any second she was going to get up and leave. Ladybug focused her eyes back on her lap and began to fidget. To his surprise, she said with a voice barely above a whisper, "It's not easy being a superhero all the time."

When he didn't respond, a clear indication for her to continue, Ladybug sighed, "Don't get me wrong, it's amazing and nothing is better than knowing you've helped a lot of people at the end of day."

His heart melted even more for her.

"But at the same time, I'm just… it's only…"

"You're still just a teenager," he finished for her.

She nodded, "exactly."

He understood completely.

"It's hard sometimes. Between this, school and the bak… other things, I rarely have time to do things I want to. I can't remember the last time I hung out with my friends outside of the classroom," she sniffed, "I'm just being selfish."

"No," Adrien was quick to reassure her, pulling a leg under him in order to face her, "you're not being selfish. You're Ladybug, you're probably the most selfless person in all of Paris, well, what I mean is… I get it, I have a lot on plate with school and work and… stuff."

Plagg let out a stifled squeak of amusement from wherever he hid. Ladybug perked up at sound, inspecting the room over her shoulder, "What was that?"

"Uh, nothing! Just a rat!" Adrien waved his hand in an anxious dismissal, praying she didn't pick up on it. "I suppose I'm trying to say that it's okay to feel stressed, especially with your job."

He offered a light-hearted chuckle.

Ladybug teared up again.

"Oh god! Not that photoshoots and homework is anything like fighting super villains!" Adrien panicked, certain he'd made the situation a hundred percent worse, "I mean your job is… really stressful? You should ask the mayor for a sabbatical; can you do that? Maybe even Hawkmoth wants a little holiday?"

"Adrien."

"You never really know with super villains?"

"Adrien," Ladybug placed a spotted hand on his shoulder. He stared at it like some star-struck fan. Ladybug was touching his shoulder! But that feeling only lasted a moment before coming back to the present – he was Chat Noir, he hung out with Ladybug more than anyone. When he met her eyes again, he saw they were also strained on her hand, her cheeks growing a rosy shade as she pulled it away, letting a squeaked, "Sorry!"

Something about that seemed strangely familiar.

He heart melted for a second time that night.

"That's not what I was upset about," she told him, watching his shoulders visibly relax.

"It's not?"

"No, I, um…" she breathed in as if weighing whether or not she should tell him. Raising the corner of his mouth in an encouraging smile, Adrien silently promised her that he'd never share what she was about to say. And she trusted him. "I haven't been doing so well in school recently," she admitted with slumped shoulders.

Adrien held back an impulse to gawk. Ladybug, his lady, the smartest and sharpest person he'd ever met was saying that. Man, did he have some things to say when he met her as Chat Noir again.

"It's a little hard to focus in class when you'd just fought an akuma," she explained. "So, then my parents thought grounding me would lessen distractions, which was pretty useless cause I haven't been doing anything lately other than school, home and superhero-ing. But it still sucks. And not to mention I haven't been the greatest friend these last few days."

Adrien was speechless. His lady just poured out all her worries and he had no idea what to say. What could he say to that? How could he comfort her when she felt as if her world was crumbling around her?

"It's because of Chat."

How could he…

Wait.

Oh god.

His lungs suddenly found it very hard to take in air. "Ch-Chat Noir?"

Ladybug pulled her knees to her chest with a glum nod.

"You're upset over Chat Noir?" he repeated.

Ladybug looked away, tears building back up in her eyes. "Yes."

Adrien felt a gut-wrenching ache in his chest. Ladybug wasn't emotional over stress. She was crying because of him! How he began to feel in that moment was indescribable, his fingertips abruptly grew numb, his skin clammy. Breathe, he body reminded him, sucking in a shallow breath.

"I'm starting to think Hawkmoth just stands in a dark attic waiting for someone to have a bad day. Way to make it even worse, don't you think, LB?"

He clenched a fist at his side. Stupid. How did he not see Ladybug hadn't been herself the last few days; sluggish during patrol, irrational with akuma attacks.

"Not now, Chat."

He was only thinking about himself.

"Come on, bugaboo."

Idiot.

"Enough Chat! How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me bugaboo!"

Ladybug shifted next to Adrien, drawing his attention back. He noticed her tears began to flow less restrained.

"He, uh," Adrien gulped, feeling slightly sick before adding, his voice hardly even a whisper, "What he did must have been incredibly horrible."

He didn't have the right to say he was Ladybug's partner, her other half. What kind of hero was he?

"No," Ladybug mumbled, her head in her heads, "He didn't do anything."

"He must have done something," Adrien said, trying to stay calm, "to make you so upset."

"No," Ladybug lifted her head and wiped her eyes. It pained him so much to see her like that, eyes red-rimmed and cheeks damp. It pained him even more to know he was the reason for her biting her lip and her flushed cheeks, especially for all the wrong reasons.

He'd screwed up.

"I said some horrible things to him. And he didn't deserve it."

Wait. What?

"Are you sure?"

At that moment, Adrien knew he shouldn't have said that because Ladybug sniffled and then glared at him accusingly. "Yes, I'm sure," she scowled, "I know some people aren't the biggest fans of Chat Noir and think he's a total flirt, but they're wrong. Second to y-… one of my closest friends, he's the most understanding person I know, I mean you should see him after an akuma attack. When I handle the press, he's always with the akuma victim, making sure they're okay and making sure they know it wasn't their fault.

"They never print that on the front page," she added with slight distaste.

Adrien was speechless, still as a statue as Ladybug continued.

"He deserves more credit than he's given. Chat Noir is my partner, my best friend, and he means more to me than I let him know." She took a deep breath and slumped in defeat, "and I was so horribly mean to him."

Damn, he wanted to kiss her.

He gulped. "I'm sure it wasn't that bad."

"You weren't there."

Adrien scratched the back of his head, this was becoming awkward. "Have you, um, spoken to Chat Noir since then?"

Ladybug shook her head miserably.

"Then how do you know what Chat Noir is feeling?"

She raised a puzzled eyebrow at him, "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that you don't know how Chat Noir is feeling."

"Probably wondering how he ever liked me."

"Or," he interjected, "he's feeling just as terrible as you are right now."

Ladybug held back a glower, "You know, if I wanted to feel worse than I already am, I'd go pay Hawkmoth a visit."

"Oh no, that wasn't what I meant. Chat Noir is probably at home, standing in the dark, thinking about what he said to make you so mad. He's probably beating himself up the same way you are."

Ladybug blinked at him.

"I wouldn't know for sure," he laughed nervously, "but maybe you should talk the next time you see each other. If you explain what's been going on, he'll understand."

"How can you be so sure?" she asked with a soft vulnerable croak.

Adrien inched towards her, placing a warm hand over her cold one. She stilled under his touch and he ignored every logical thought that told him to pull away, because this was his Lady and he had to find some way to make her understand.

"He's your partner, Ladybug, you've been through a lot together. You've had each other's backs more times to count. Like you said, he's understanding. He's not mad or upset with you, he's annoyed he didn't notice anything wrong. If you explain everything to him, Chat Noir will be there for you. I'm sure of it."

In that moment, with Ladybug looking at him with those stunning crystal eyes, their hands touching and bodies so close, Adrien wanted nothing more than to say, 'I know, my lady, because I'm right here.' He wanted nothing more than to once again admit his love for her, to pull her closer to him, assure her he's been there all along. But no, he can't and he won't. Because seeing Ladybug broken and having her guard down is one thing, but taking of advantage right now and revealing his identity would be betraying his lady's trust – something Chat Noir could never imagine.

So instead, Adrien gently took his hand from Ladybug's and moved away. With an idea coming to mind, he stood from the couch, "I'll be right back, okay?"

After a faint nod from the superheroine, he swiftly exited the room and hurried towards the kitchen knowing it would be empty this time of night. He moved with haste, but still gave himself time to breathe.

In what seemed like no time at all, he'd re-entered his room carrying two steaming cups of tea. His heart cheered to see Ladybug still seated. Adrien took a deep breath before moving over to her and offering her a cup.

Her eyes almost lit up instantly. "Oh," she said, taking the drink, "Thank you, Adrien."

The sound of his name, his real name, on her lips sent chills through his body.

"It's the least I can do," he shrugged and sat down beside her, a bit closer than before. They both noticed but didn't say anything. "Shall we?"

Ladybug nodded and Adrien resumed the movie.

They were both silent for the next hour or so, empty tea cups abandoned on coffee table and the only light in the room coming from the flickering television. Nearing the final battle in the movie, Adrien tried to stifle a yawn, almost jumping when he felt something soft lean against him. He froze when he peered down to see Ladybug's head resting on his shoulder, her eyes close as she took shallow breaths.

His heart skipped a beat for the second time that night. Ladybug fell asleep on him. What was he supposed to do now?

Luckily her miraculous wasn't beeping and hopefully wouldn't in the next few minutes, otherwise he'll be forced to wake her up and that was the last thing Adrien wanted to do. Not because she looked unbelievably cute – because she absolutely did – this girl needed as much sleep as she could get and he wasn't about to ruin this little nap.

Adrien resisted the urge to panic and tried to look over his shoulder for his kwami, deeming it impossible without waking his lady. He needed help.

"Plagg?" he called out in the quietest voice. He was met with silence.

Adrien let out a resigned sigh, assuming Plagg was also fast asleep under his bed pillows. And he wasn't about to throw the remote blindly after what happened last time, no, definitely not. Instead, picking up the remote, Adrien lowered the film's volume and relax back into the cushions, ignoring the giddy feeling he got when Ladybug unconsciously shuffled closer to him.

He yawned. He'll wake her up when the movie ends, or when her miraculous starts to give its warning. Either one.

Marinette didn't want to get up. She wasn't even awake but she'd already made a crucial and firm decision. With eyes hardly opened, she curled further into her pillow, coiling an arm around its warmth. A content sigh escaped her lips. This was the best sleep she'd had in days. No, she certainly wasn't leaving her cosy bed anytime soon.

No, stop, she cursed at her treacherous body when she felt the remnants of sleep start to leave her. It wasn't fair, she clenched her pillow tighter, it was still dark outside Adrien's window.

Marinette froze at her own thoughts. Adrien's window?

Oh no.

No, no, no.

She didn't. She couldn't.

She peeped an eye open and promptly felt all life drain from body as she took in the early dawn starting to light streets outside massive floor-to-ceiling windows. Memories of last night resurfaced, her climbing into her own bed exhausted not being one of them.

Oh, god. She did.

There the girl laid. In Adrien's house. In Adrien's room. On Adrien's couch. Snuggling… Adrien!? No, she wasn't just snuggling against him, she had full-on, leech-like, hot glue to skin attached herself to Adrien Agreste. Not a millimetre of space between them. A leg nestled between his own and an arm snaked up his chest to his neck… She was all but straddling him!

Oh, but his neck was so warm and smelt so good.

Oh my god, she'd burrowed her face into his neck while he slept!

To say Marinette was panicking was an understatement. She resisted every flight response in every nerve to hurl herself away from him and out window before he'd even realise. It wouldn't matter if she wasn't transformed, she'd plummet to the pavement with dignity. She was going to be the laughing stock of town. She could see the headlines now: Paris' Superheroine Takes Advantage of Sweetheart Model's Kindness – Strikes While He Sleeps.

She'd never hear the end of it. From the press. From Alya. Oh lord, what would Chat think?

It didn't matter, she needed to focus on escaping and…

That was when Marinette realised why she had been so warm and cosy. Adrien's arms were wrapped around her. Adrien's arms were wrapped around her.

Marinette would not survive the following day.

If only Alya could see her now.

Marinette titled her head up to gratefully find Adrien fast asleep. She breathed a sigh of relief. She could do this.

Gently but surely, Marinette untwined her limbs from the sleeping boy's body. She looked down to find herself in the pyjamas she'd thrown on the night before and not her spotted suit. Reality crashed down on Marinette like a freight train. Her transformation wore off overnight. Adrien had fallen asleep next to Ladybug. He can't wake up next to Marinette.

Wouldn't that be a dream.

Focus!

The girl released a shaky breath, her body still pressed against her crush's. Scanning what she could of his bedroom, she searched for a little pink creature.

She took a risk and in the quietest voice, called out, "Tikki!"

No response. Where was her kwami? If she transformed then it wouldn't matter if she woke Adrien because he'd just see Ladybug, who he'd fallen asleep next to. Better to find Ladybug curled against him than Marinette currently. She just needed to…

Adrien took a heavy breath and Marinette inwardly prayed. His arms tighten around her waist and pulled her closer back towards his chest. He wasn't exactly making this easy for her.

"My Lady…" he murmured, shuffling slightly, before dozing back off again.

Marinette sucked in a shallow breath. He'd called her My Lady. No one ever called her that. No one except for Chat Noir. When Adrien's breathing even out again, Marinette slowly pulled herself away from his warmth, sitting up and finally allowing herself to look at him.

Adrien Agreste. Of all the people she had to fall in love with, it had to be Adrien Agreste. He was so much more than all those billboards and news articles said, more than a golden model. He was the person that gave his umbrella to someone he thought hated him, just so she wouldn't have to walk across the street in the rain. He's the type of friend that stays and helps you through anything. Hell, he's the type of friend to look past the horribleness that is Chloe Bourgeois. Adrien Agreste is the person that opens his window to a crying stranger, superhero or not, listens to their problems and makes them tea.

Adrien Agreste is the kindest, caring, most selfless person Marinette had ever met. And yet…

"You've had each other's backs more times to count."

She leaned towards him to get a better look of his face. He looked so peaceful but his ruffled blonde locks looked so damning familiar that it unnerved her. Ever so gently, Marinette reached up and, careful not to disturb him, held a hand a few centimetres from his face, covering his closed eyes and the top of his cheekbones.

"He's not mad or upset with you, he's annoyed he didn't notice anything wrong."

And yet…

No. She yanked her hand back. She couldn't think like that.

Yes, Adrien resembled Chat Noir – Alya had stated that fact many times. But he couldn't be her pun-loving, dork of a kitty. He couldn't be Chat Noir.

And she couldn't give herself hope for thinking, even for a second, that he was.

The universe would turn that into a sick joke quicker than her yo-yo could reach the nearest building if she did.

Marinette sighed as she went back to admiring a sleeping Adrien, noting how well the low morning light suited his features – not that it mattered much, he looked beautiful any hour – and she thought about how she'd probably never see his serene resting features so early in the day. She had dreamed, on countless occasions, of waking up beside him like this, savouring each other's warm embrace before enduring the long day until they got to see one another again. How she wished that could be their future.

If only she walked to school tomorrow, Adrien standing by the steps, and saw his face light up at her arrival, thrilled he got to greet her before class because he knew the likelihood of Marinette's tardiness but dreaded waiting until lunch to just be near her.

If only…

Something dawned with Marinette at that precise moment. Something, she supposed, she had known for quite a while now.

Adrien, however immensely polite he was towards her, he never gazed at her with the pure admiration and amazement that one did when seeing something -someone- you loved. He'd never looked at her the way she looked at him.

And… she supposed… he probably never will.

She wished he would, she won't deny it.

But Ladybug was the lucky one. Not Marinette.

But Marinette is Ladybug. She heard a voice in her head, sounding much like Tikki. You are Ladybug.

Yes, but that wasn't the point.

She spent the first year or two marvelling at Adrien from a distance. Then the more recent years, loving him as friends. And all that time, disregarding fantasies and overthinking miniscule interactions, Adrien hadn't shown any sign that he considered her something more than a friend.

Maybe she should stop envisioning that he would. Maybe she should let Adrien go. At least just a little, for the time being.

Marinette, who was content yet still overwhelmed with current developments, leant a little closer to him. Adrien remained undisturbed, now encompassed in a deep sleep. Completely entranced by his proximity, Marinette inched even closer until there was little to no distance between their noses, her eyes shifting between his closed ones and his pale lips.

Her first kiss had belonged to Chat Noir, what seemed like, a millennium ago.

Her second belonged to Adrien, her first, however unrequited, love.

Marinette's eyes fell shut and she grazed her lips gently against his in a light kiss.

First, she felt her heart slow down as it tried to memorise every detail. How soft and warm his lips were. How badly she wanted him to kiss her back and pull her in for more. How electrifying it could've been. How cold it was when she already began to drag her lips away.

And how sad it was when it was over.

Marinette, feeling disappointment grow inside, reassured herself that kissing Adrien wasn't going to be life-changing. She wasn't suddenly going to feel content with her latest decision. This was the beginning step of saying goodbye to her love for Adrien Agreste.

At that moment, his cheek twitched and she buried a giggle. He was so utterly adorable.

She sat back, still somewhat expecting his eyes to flutter open and an adoring grin to spread along his lips.

But, heart-wrenchingly enough, this was Marinette's reality.

And so, she, trying to move as little as possible, rose of the couch.

"Tikki?" she whispered.

If her kwami had sneaked down to a probably-lavishly-stocked kitchen to score some free sweets, Marinette was going to cut back on her macaroons.

"Tikki!" she tried a little louder as she began to search the room, anxiety starting to take hold. She knew Adrien was an early-riser and with every passing second, it seemed to get brighter outside.

You just had to waste time and kiss him, didn't you?

"Tikki? Where are y–." Marinette cut off when she spotted movement from under Adrien's bed pillow. There was a quiet squeak. Adrien wasn't being serious when he said there was a rat in his room… was he? She took a gentle step towards his bed.

"Tikki!" Marinette gasped as a familiar pink spotted head appeared from under the pillow, her little mouth opened wide with a yawn.

Tikki blinked tiredly before focusing on her. "Good morning, Marinette!" she exclaimed.

"Shh, quiet," she hushed. "Where were you?"

"Sorry," Tikki giggled and flew up to nuzzle Marinette's cheek in a morning kiss, "but I was so tired, and you two seemed so cosy last night."

"Tikki!" Marinette quietly scolded her cheeky kwami, glancing over her shoulder to confirm the fact that Adrien was still fast asleep. "Come on," she said, "let's go before he wakes up."

"But Marinette," Tikki argued, "you can't just leave without a word."

The girl raised an eyebrow as if to say 'Well, what am I supposed to do?' before an idea came to mind. She moved soundlessly towards Adrien's desk, which laid scattered with school work. Snatching a scrap sheet of paper and a pen, Marinette hastily scribbled a note, settling it down on the coffee table near Adrien, assuring he'll see it when he wakes.

"Okay," she whispered, moving away from him, "Tikki, spots on!"

Ladybug had already swung out of his window and was a block away when Adrien startled awake. He grimaced instantly, rubbing and twisting his neck to relieve the jarring feeling embedded in it. When had his bed ever been so uncomfortable… Oh, that was right. He'd fallen asleep on his couch, right before he was supposed to wake Ladybug.

He froze.

Ladybug.

He immediately turned and inspected his room.

"Don't worry," he heard Plagg's voice. He turned to see the small black cat poking his head out from underneath his bed pillow. "She already left," Plagg emerged, flying over to nestled himself atop Adrien's head. "Good riddance," the kwami shuffled, making himself comfortable, "worse sleep I ever had, having to hide all night."

Adrien didn't response. He couldn't help but feel somewhat deflated. He sat up, ignoring Plagg's grumble of irritation, and spotted a piece of paper on his coffee table. Leaning over, he slowly plucked it in his hand.

Thank you for everything, Adrien. -LB.

He beamed at the quick sketch of a ladybug the superhero had drawn before setting the note back down, allowing his shoulders to slump.

Adrien bit his lip, trying to rid them of the strange tingling sensation he woke to. Gazing out his open window, where the love of his life had left only moments ago, Adrien tried to imagine where she headed, what she had planned for her day.

All the while, feeling extremely confused about the girl he'd just dreamed of.

END OF PART ONE

So I've had this idea for while and finally took the time to write it. This is part one of four, I'll be uploading part 2 in the next few days. There won't be much plot in terms of Hawkmoth, this is purely Ladrien fluff, with some Adrinette and Ladynoir - there needs to be more Ladrien lol

Thanks for reading! 3