This story is a sequel to my earlier story 'I Never Said that', in which Adrien realizes his feelings for Marinette are more than for 'just a friend'. They still do not know each other's secret identity, however. This takes place after the 'Ladybug' episode.

1. The Next Day

It is now the next day after 'I Never Said That' ended, which I finished writing a week or two back. Adrien gets out of his ride at school and sees Marinette coming towards him, so he goes over to her. "Do you want to keep the change in our relationship quiet, or do you want to let everybody know in a spectacular fashion?" he asks her.

"What have you got in mind?" she replies, smiling.

"Well, I could give you one of those big, dramatic Hollywood kisses like you see in the old-time movies," he answers. "It's not exactly my style, but I'll give it a shot if you want." He leers at her, "what'll it be, cupcake?"

"Lay one on me, hot stuff," she challenges him. "Let's see what you got."

OK, so this might be a little out of character

So, he takes her in his arms, bends her over and plants a long, romantic kiss on her, to the cheers, jeers, and catcalls from their classmates. Then he brings her back on her feet and asks, "what do you think?"

"Needs a little work," she responds. "But not bad. I'd give you a 'C+' for that one."

"A 'C'? I'm devastated." Hand on his heart, he looks at her and asks, "what was the '+' for?"

"I couldn't keep my personal feelings entirely out of my evaluation," she giggles. And they laugh together as they walk to class, joined by Alya and Nino.

"Way to go, bro!" Nino tells him.

"I'm so happy for you, Marinette", says Alya. And their classmates cluster around them, clapping their hands and offering their support and approval.

Later, at the 1st class break, Adrien asks Marinette if she has plans for lunch, saying "I'd like to talk to you and your parents about a few things that I think you and they should be aware of."

"Yeah, that'll be fine. Can you give me a hint for what's on your mind?"

He tells her that he's concerned about what might happen if and when the media and the paparazzi find out they are a couple. "And then there's my father," he adds. "I'm not sure how he's going to take the news that I have a girlfriend without his knowledge and approval."

"So, am I your girlfriend?" she teases him.

"Well, I hope so," he answers, "but I'm going to need some tutoring on being a boyfriend, this is uncharted waters for me and I don't want to screw it up."

"This is all new for me too," she tells him. "I've never had a boyfriend either."

"So, am I your boyfriend?" he teases her, in return.

"Yup, right up until you make me mad. Trust me, you don't want to go there," she gives him a ferocious look.

"That look wouldn't scare a little bunny rabbit," he says, laughing.

"Grrr," she growls at him.

"Still not scared. Maybe I can get some boyfriend training later, to avoid any unpleasantness," he says.

She smiles, and asks, "do you think I need any girlfriend training?"

"Nope, you pretty close to perfect right now," he replies.

"Only close?" she asks.

For now, you're a 'C+' girlfriend."

"You wound me," she cries, with a hand over heart, feigning anguish.

"Well, you did only give me a 'C' on my kiss this morning, and my feelings are hurt," he pouts.

"Poor baby!"

And he sings to her, "I'm just a boy whose intentions were good,

Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood."

'You big silly."

"Yup."

"Let's go back to class". And they did, hand in hand.

song by The Animals. I changed a word, so sue me. Kids today, they don't know good music.

Added: Chat Noir has been a bad influence on Adrien, I think.