"Strawberry with black chocolate chip! Blackberries for her hair, and blueberry ice-cream just like her sky blue stare!" Adrien is forever tied up to the mysterious girl that is Ladybug. Who ever could she be behind that mask? She's all he could ever think about. While behind the mask is a timid and sweet girl named Marinette who secretly longs for Adrien. His existence is everything to her. If only he could find the heart to love her back.

Part 1: Adrien

Plain exhaustion as usual. He had just come back from his fencing lessons and was now sprawled out on his couch staring at his phone.

It was hot that afternoon, which made things even worse. He grunted in response to this.

"Adrien, turn the air conditioning on! My camembert is melting!" Plagg, his kwami groans whilst holding on to his precious slice of cheese. He presses the remote to his right, activating it. Plagg sighs as the cool air began gusting through. But Adrien continued to express uncertainty. Because he was considering something other than staying at home.

He wanted to see Ladybug.

"Plagg finish your cheese, we're going roof hopping." He declares confidently.

"I hate transforming!" He whines.

"Plagg, claws out!" Adrien exclaims, extending his Miraculous in the air.

"Aahhh wait my cheese!"

Part 2: Chat Noir

It was sunset by the time Chat Noir decided to rest on top of one of the buildings that faced the Siene. It was usually the best spots to watch the sun go down. But as always, he was alone. Adrien knew his father wouldn't even notice him missing. He was always busy doing who knows what. Always in his office, occupied with something that didn't concern him. Adrien's attempts to please him with his legibility in fencing, Chinese and piano were always plungered down by his father's missing shadow. Now he felt more alone than he should be.

But he just remembered Nino. His best friend who always tried his hardest to make Adrien's days in school less lonely and less dull. He also remembered Marinette. One of his good friends who greeted him everyday in school and who was always full of encouragement. And compliments. And.. stuttering.

Kablag!

His attempts to relax at all were clouded by the smoke that had come from the Palais Garnier. Followed by visible sound waves rippling towards him as it left destruction at its wake.

An akuma.

Unleashing his staff, Chat Noir jumps off into the scene.

"I am Primadonna! Here to show you the values of not only domination on stage, but world domination!" A large woman in a circular ballgown exclaims in a singsong head tone. Irritating, Chat Noir thought. Putting that aside, he plunges for the ground, landing perfectly on his feet.

"Mind if I tune in?" He offers one of his puns. He was always so proud of them.

"Chat Noir! Give me your miraculous now!" She belts out.

"We won't surrender to you!" Ladybug swings in.

Ladybug.

Never a twist for her to drop in on most days, but when she does, to Adrien, it's a warmth that spreads all throughout. They've been partners for almost a year now; fighting crime and defeating evildoers day and night.

It was always her who'd complete the day by finishing off the akuma. Always her to enchant the crowds with her feisty and determined persona. Enchanting. Amazing. Infatuating.

"Chat Noir, look out!" Ladybug pushes him out of the way, keeping him out of the violent sound waves caused by the akumatized opera singer. The grounds Chat Noir stood on were now cracked and reduced to rubble. Thanks to Ladybug's shield, he was still whole. But to the poor victims who got hit, they were now captivated by Primadonna's song and are now after the two superheroes.

"Pay attention, Chat Noir or it's gonna be Bye Bye Birdie for all of us." She hits him with a pun.

"Hey, I'm the one with the puns here, bugaboo." He laughs. "Now, we gotta put a stop to that racket. The akuma must be in her giant wig."

"It's time you surrender! Hand over your miraculous!" Primadonna was getting closer, thrashing out notes in their direction.

"Time to use my secret weapon." Ladybug declares. "Lucky charm!"

With a flick of her wrist, her powers conjure up another one of her special tools.

"A megaphone?" Her eyebrows rise. "What am I..."

She thinks for a while; looking around for clues.

"A sing off, I suppose? Then again, your voice is always music to my ears." Chat Noir teases.

"Chat Noir, activate your Cataclysm." Her eyes narrow mischievously. "It's time for a curtain call."

Primadonna's song filled the roads of Paris as civilians were hypnotized by her musical spell; in fact, its deafening tune was the only thing anyone could ever hear. "Attack, my minions! Bring their miraculous to your song bird!" Primadonna throws a note.

"Cataclysm!" Chat Noir exclaims, then turns to Ladybug. "Just tell me when!"

"Brava! Bravissima!" Ladybug yells through the megaphone. "What a splendid performance by the first lady of the stage!"

Through the megaphone, she begins a round of applause. With this, the people respond and applaud their opera queen. The entirety of Paris is muted by the surrounding sound of applauders as the roaring of the crowds increased.

Just as Ladybug had expected, she sees a tear trickle down Primadonna's cheek.

"For me? How kind!" She exclaims; forgetting about wreaking havoc across the city for a brief moment. "Thank you, my adoring fans!" She bends for a low curtsy, gratefully accepting the adoration.

"Chat Noir, now!" Ladybug says. Chat Noir takes his staff, ejecting himself from the ground and over Primadonna's head, snatching at her wig as it turned into dust before them.

And with that, the akuma has been released.

"Time to de-evilize!" Ladybug throws her yoyo at the akuma swiftly. "Gotcha! Bye-bye, little butterfly!"

Once again, she throws the lucky charm in the air ("Miraculous Ladybug!") detoxifying all of Paris from its current disastrous state and putting everything back in order.

"Pound it!" The superhero duo say in unison, colliding fists as a way of congratulating one another a job well done.

"You've done it again, M'lady." Chat Noir kisses her hand tenderly.

"Definitely couldn't have done it without you, partner." She lets out a giggle. "I'm always grateful."

Chat Noir felt a blush creep up his cheeks, flattered. Embarrassed.

Loved.

"I'll see you around then." She says, getting ready to throw her yoyo up in the air.

"Wait!" He pulls her back. Almost in hesitation. They could de-transform soon. But the time now felt precious. She looked at him in thought for a while as she waited for him to speak.

"Can't you stay for.. a little longer?" He hesitated. Ladybug would always decline anyways. Every time, he would ask her to sit with her on the rooftops after missions or invite her to a private dinner, she would often say no.

"Is there something on your mind?" She asks him gently.

"Well, uh.." He wasn't exactly prepared for that question. "No. Not really, but we can watch the sunset."

"Chat Noir.. I wish I could stay." She says. "But I've got homework-"

"On what? I'm willing to help you." He offers. "Geography, Physics, History, I've got them all in the bag."

"That"s really sweet of you, Chat, but I'm a slow learner. Wouldn't want to transform before I get anything right." Ladybug laughs nervously. "I'll see you soon, kay?"

He sighs softly before letting her go. "Okay, m'lady." He says. "Get home safe. Not that you'd be in danger or anything I mean, you're Ladybug. You're awesome. Maybe too awesome. Always fighting crime and saving the day. Heck, I wouldn't even be so sure about how you're able to balance school and saving Paris like you always do, I mean-"

"Kitty." She cuts him off, pushing a hand to his mouth to stifle any more sound. "I really have to go." With a flick of her wrist, she takes off quickly.

Beep beep!

Before he could realize it, Adrien was himself again.

"Adrien, you gotta stop transforming into Chat Noir if it isn't completely necessary, especially when there's a surprise akuma attack." Plagg tuts him.

"How else am I gonna get out of the house? Adrien always gets dragged back inside. If the gorilla catches me walking around, I'm done for." Adrien replies. "Sometimes, I really hate being myself. I prefer Chat Noir. He's free. And he's always by Ladybug's side. Much happier than Adrien."

Plagg doesn't respond to this. He understands the situation well. Adrien is caged up. Forced to please everyone and forced to keep up expectations.

"Well just be careful next time." Plagg says. "You were so close to transforming back in front of everyone."

Adrien waited for nightfall before transforming back and returning home.

Part 3: Adrien and Marinette

"Hey bro, are you ready for the Physics test today?" Nino nudges Adrien who had been staring put the window for quite some time.

"Yeah, sure." He sighs. Adrien didn't have to worry much since he enjoyed Physics and was usually at the top of his classes.

What bothered him was the fact that it has been a whole week since an akuma attack. Not that he was disappointed at the situation. It just distanced himself from Ladybug. Lovesick as it may sound, he continued to sulk.

"Morning, Alya!" Marinette enters the classroom, beaming and seemingly energized for the day.

"You've been awfully cheery lately." Alya giggles at the sight of her best friend. "You haven't been late at all this week and you seem well rested."

"Yeah, I haven't been working myself off lately. Feels great!" Marinette beams. And then, she timidly turns to face Adrien. "Good.. Good morning, Adrien." Her voice was small, but her greeting towards him were cheerful and sweet as always.

"Hey, Marinette." He says.

Marinette notices a change in his tone and her expression falters slightly.

"Is everything a vine? Fine! Not that you look terrible or anything. You seem down. But don't worry, you look superhero, I-I mean, super some. Awesome! Super awesome.. yeah." Adrien noticed the shake in her voice. Like a speaker doing an impromptu speech about something she'd never heard of before. He couldn't help but let out a laugh. He has always admired Marinette's constant attempts to be more optimistic despite always being picked on by Chloe and often having to juggle multiple responsibilities. She was the type to always look for the brighter sides though sometimes there wouldn't be one.

"I'm okay, Marinette. Really." Finally, Adrien seemed to lighten up. Marinette was now noticeably red in the face but she seemed relieved to see Adrien smiling like he usually does. In actuality, he just couldn't stop to think about Ladybug. He wondered what it was like for her in class. Was she a straight- A student like himself? Was she losing sleep over their missions and cramming in projects and tests?

Who were the people she hung out with? What did she do as a hobby? Did she have a crush on anyone?

Adrien tried shaking it off. The quiz had begun and still, she occupied his thoughts.

Part 4: Marinette

It was around 10 in the evening when Marinette had finished her new project. It was a special project; a dress made from the old white sheets she had found the other week throughout the days when she was resting from her superhero missions with Chat Noir. To be honest, she was more than happy to be far away from any akuma attack. That also meant Paris was safe.

For now, at least. Who knows? She might have to transform into Ladybug again anytime soon. But since that day hasn't arrived yet, she has enough time to finish that white dress.

"Tikki, did you see the look on Adrien's face this morning? He seemed.. really down. I hope he isn't worrying to much." Marinette sighs. "I know he's really busy and all. I just wish I knew what's making him feel so down."

Tikki likely knew why. Her first assumption was probably the fact that Adrien was missing his Ladybug. It has been a couple days, after all. Other than that, her assumptions lay elsewhere.

"You can try cheering him up, Marinette." Tikki offers.

"M-M-Me?!" She stammers.

"You could give him sweets tomorrow morning or maybe take him out somewhere. Tomorrow's Friday and André the ice cream man will be out."

"Ohh, Tikki I... I don't know. But I really want to cheer him up." Then, Marinette's face lights up. "I know! I'll bring him a box of his favourite macaroons! Strawberry."

"Take him out for some ice cream too!" Tikki insists. Marinette lets out an almost crazed laugh.

"A-And end up blabbering nonsense again?"

Marinette was never really good with her words. She would always end up eating her own words while failing to get any message through. But she still wanted to try.

Part 5a: Adrien and Marinette

Adrien continued sulking again the very next day. He was staring gloomily out the window minutes before Marinette walked in.

"Hey, girl! I see you have something for Adrien!" Alya grins mischievously at the macarons. Beneath the box, she could visibly see Marinette quaking like crazy.

"You've got this. Don't worry, he loves these." Alya gives an encouraging push. The dark haired girl was almost terrified. But Marinette was determined. Carefully, she approached him.

"H-Hi... Adrien! Good-morrow noon! Afternoon! Momomoronow!.. Mornight! Night-day!" She shook. This startled Adrien and now, he was staring at her with slight confusion. "No, that's not right!" She groans to herself. She can see from the corner of her eye that Adrien was waiting expectantly for her to say something.

"Hey, Marinette." He says. "Good morning to you, too."

"Right! Good m-morning!" She lets out a nervous laugh. "I was trying to say that.."

Looking down, she slowly starts to extend the box in her hands.

Until "Adrikins!" Chloe shoves Marinette back, practically sending her flying out the door. "Daddy is allowing me to invite my bestest friends to the grand premiere of our new hotel resort in Dubai! And of course, you will be my date!" Marinette was furious. She was practically blowing steam out her head from the rage.

"Ugh, the nerve!" She growls. But looking around, she notices that Adrien's macaroons are now crushed and scattered on the floor. "Ooh, what am I supposed to do now?"

"Don't worry, Marinette! You still got time after classes! Invite him out for some ice cream!" Tikki says from inside Marinette's bag. "Don't let Chloe ruin your day."

"Y-Yeah.. you're right." Marinette gets up; dusting herself off before cleaning up the mess.

But a hand extends down to grab a seemingly wholesome piece.

"I'm really sorry about Chloe. She can be a bit too much, you know." Adrien says. Marinette swiftly snatches the macaroon piece from him shamefully.

"Please don't put that in your mouth." She says. "I was expecting this anyway. I'm such a klutz."

"Hey, I can always drop by the bakery some time? Your pastries never fail to impress me."

"O-Okay.." The red flush was creeping back in. Why did he always have to be so kind, handsome, and sweet? "A-Adrien! I was wondering if you'd like to haha, uh- go for the bait? I meant great! Really great! You're great I mean! No, what I meant to say was take a break! Noo! Ugh, gyrate! Come debate? Sunbathe!" Marinette sighs in surrender. She was terrible with words, and now whatever dreamscape she had concocted in her head was a disaster in reality!

"Not sure I'm picking up.." Adrien says apologetically. "Try two words?"

Marinette gave a few seconds for herself to prepare. Two words. Don't screw up.

"Ice cream." She said. "Let's.. Let's get ice cream. After school."

"Aah. Sounds great!" Adrien smiles at her. This made Marinette blush even harder.

He's just soooo handsome!

Part 5b: Marinette and Adrien

"Marinette!" Adrien calls out. She was about to leave with Alya when she realized that what happened this morning was not a dream. "Ice cream!"

"O-Oh, right!" She tried to pull herself together.

"A date with Adrien?! And you didn't tell me!" Alya whispers.

"That's probably because when he said yes, I was in the middle of having a seizure." She clenched her fists together in an attempt to calm down.

A date with Adrien. Holy smokes.

"Relax, girl! You will have the best day of your life. Just enjoy the moment and don't think too much."

"C-Can't you go with me?" Marinette pleads.

"Sorry, M! I got stuff to do for the Ladyblog. Besides, me being there will ruin it!" Alya bids her goodbye and walks on home.

"I know the perfect place to get ice cream." Adrien says, walking over to her.

They stop by at André's for some cones as they sit by the bridge.

"Hope this is making you feel better." Marinette says shyly.

"It is! I mean, you're being such a great friend, I don't know how else to thank you."

"O-Oh, well sticking around is more than enough." Marinette says. "I just wanted to cheer you up."

Great.. friend?

"Also.. I've been meaning to tell you something. For a while now." She says. "I've always.. You're so admirable and amazing and I just.." She tried to collect herself. She felt like she was on the verge of melting now that she noticed Adrien was staring intently at her. As always, her words began spiralling out of control.

"Thought of you as so great! Gruelsome! Cruel-gruesome! I mean, great, cool and awesome. Handsome too and so perfect, uh yeah. Of course. I'm blabbering again-!"

"Marinette." Adrien cuts her off. "Slow down. You'd feel a whole lot better if you relaxed a little."

"Okay.." She hesitated. She was actually going to tell Adrien.

I love you. So much. You have no idea.

Bang!

Marinette and Adrien both look up at the sky. It was a blue black; taking over the blue sky and conquering the brightness of day.

"I have to go. I'm so sorry, Marinette. Maybe.. some other time?" Adrien seemed to be in a hurry. He spared no second glance as he ran off the opposite direction.

"He.. just left." Marinette says, sighing loudly.

Tikki quickly gets out of Marinette's bag.

"Snap out of it, Marinette! It's another akuma!" Tikki yells.

"You're right. No time to sulk." Marinette says in a low voice.

"Tikki, spots on!"

Part 6a: Chat Noir and Ladybug

"Adrien, could that have been a love confession?" Plagg teases him.

"Nonesense, Plagg. Marinette is just a friend." Adrien sighs. "Besides, I'm about to meet the girl of my dreams again. Plagg, claws out!"

From the screens over Paris, everyone spotted today's villain; a pale skinned pink haired pixie with electric blue eyes and a mischievous smirk.

"I'm going to be your worst nightmare! Here to avenge myself and those others who have been burdened by petty requests and chaotic nuisances! Here to give back all the trouble you deserve!"

Adrien recognized the victim straight away. She's Jagged Stone's assistant. The akuma must have grown from something that happened at her work place; petty requests from Jagged, arguments with the manager and director.

Chat Noir rushes straight for the source; the network station where Jagged must have been shooting for an interview.

Quickly, he crashes in through the main room.

"Here comes trouble!" The troublemaker announces.

"Against the power of bad luck and destruction? We'll see about that!" Chat Noir breaks in, readying his staff and charging straight for Troublemaker.

"Oh no you don't kitty!" Ladybug tugs at Chat Noir's collar. "Look carefully. Troublemaker aims silly string at people one at a time. If we split in any attempts to distract her, we could get to her quicker."

"Good thinking, m'lady," He smiles, reaching down to kiss her hand. "Oh how I've missed you so."

"No time for your rambunctious charm, Chat Noir." She pokes him on the forehead. "Now let's put a stop to that akuma!" They split ways; Ladybug on the left and Chat Noir on the right. Troublemaker shoots on both directions but failed to hit through their dodging.

"You can't stop me!" Troublemaker exclaims. All of a sudden, rockets sprout from her boots as she shoots herself up to the ceiling, escaping the two heroes.

"Ack!" They collide into one another. Bumping sides as the fall to the ground. Chat Noir gives a nervous laugh, still against Ladybug until she pushes back, looking observantly at the remaining people.

"She's got an array of powers. Silly string, airhorns, paper towels- almost like a.."

"Troublemaker?" Cat Noir suggests, offering a mischievous smirk.

"I was gonna say teenage boy from the 90's but that works." Ladybug laughs. "Come, let's get a move on!"

Part 6b: Chat Noir and Ladybug

"Ah, glad you could make an appearance, Ladybug and Chat Noir! Just in time for my best part!" Troublemaker laughs gleefully. The almost entirety of Paris was covered in toilet paper. Most of the cars were stuck due to either having no available path or because it had been egged on or glued to the ground by silly string.

"This by far, is the messiest akuma attack." Ladybug sighs. "Maybe next to Paris being underwater. Gosh, was that a hoot."

"A.. hoot?" Chat Noir laughs at this.

"Surrender your miraculouses to me now! Or I will release a giant Marmite bomb that will drown Paris in its gooey goodness!"

"Eww, Marmite of all things?" Chat Noir sticks out his tongue in disgust.

"Lucky Charm!" Ladybug exclaims. Her powers conjure up another one of her special tools.

"A straw and spitballs?" Ladybug looks around for clues. "I guess we fight fire with fire, then!"

"Ladybug, the akuma seems to be in that present box." Chat Noir says, using his inclined vision to see her from a fair distance. "It's where all her powers are coming from." When Ladybug turns to face her partner, he glows red with the Ladybug pattern.

"Chat Noir, I need you to aim at her face." Ladybug instructs. "Keep her distracted while I'm going straight for the akuma."

"Got it!"

"Let's try accomplishing this before-" Ladybug eyes the timer at the bomb. "Two minutes!" She throws her yoyo, swinging herself for Troublemaker, charging straight.

"Ladybug! How pleasant of you to drop in!" Troublemaker readies her can of invincible silly string, shaking it tentatively.

"Now, Chat Noir!"

Pang! Straight in the face, Troublemaker is attacked by a stray patch of wet tissue.

"Agh!" Troublemaker pulls out a straw of her own, aiming back at Chat Noir. As she extends her hands, Ladybug throws out her yoyo, lassoing Troublemaker back.

"Cataclysm!" Chat Noir comes crashing down with his staff, holding out his destructive claw as he takes a swipe at the box. And just like dust, the box is pulverised in an instant. As it disintegrates, the akuma is released and caught by Ladybug just in time.

"Miraculous Ladybug!" She exclaims. A flourish of her powers course through Paris, cleaning the entire mess of things and obliterating the marmite bomb right before it got to explode.

"Pound it!" Ladybug and Chat Noir collide fists in triumph of another hard day's work.

"W-Where am I?" Penny looks around cluelessly. "Ladybug and Chat Noir?!"

"You've been akumatized. Don't worry, everything is fine now." Ladybug smiles. Everyone had gone home by now. Penny was now reconciling things with her bosses and Paris was whole again. As usual, Chat Noir sat on a roof, waiting for the sun to set.

But then..

"Ladybug?"

She was still here. And she didn't seem to want to go home yet.

"Is everything okay?"

"What made you say something wasn't?" She asks. Followed by the worst fake laugh ever.

It almost reminded him of a certain stuttering baker girl.

The same girl he left at the Pont des Arts bridge just before the akuma attack.

Aw, crud.

"I.. don't know, actually." She admits. "I guess I'm okay."

"You can tell me." Chat Noir puts a hand on her shoulder.

"I.. don't know who to talk to right now about this. I-I mean you're a guy and all and I don't have too many close guy friends so I.." He could see Ladybug blush under her mask.

"What is it?" He was ready to listen. He seemed rather eager, too since this might be the last time he'd be seeing her again in days.

"Before the akuma attack.." She tried to find the right words. "I was going to confess to this boy that I like. I've always liked him and.. I don't know if he'll ever accept my feelings."

"A.. boy you like?" He repeats her words. This struck a rather large pang of hurt somewhere in his chest. He wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea of answering a question such as this, but.. he'd be doing it for Ladybug.

"It was probably for the best that the akuma struck at the right time. Must have been a sign that things would go... downhill." She sighs.

"Likely, he wasn't the right one for you." Chat Noir shrugs. He wasn't really doing his best to mask the hurt he felt. "But I'd probably suggest.. saving those words. Wait for the right person to arrive. Surely you can spot that for yourself. You know, someone willing to catch a grenade for you, or something."

The last words were more than just advice. Hopefully, Ladybug had realized that.

"You're right. Thanks, Chat Noir. I'll take those words to heart." Ladybug extends her yoyo, swinging it out and taking herself away with it.

Chat Noir sighs. But he wouldn't be giving up so soon.

Someday. He thought to himself. I hope.

Part 7: Marinette and Adrien

"How dare Chat Noir say that Adrien isn't the right person for me!" Marinette mutters almost to herself. But she was in fact, talking to Tikki while making her way to school. "We were made for each other! He's my soulmate! I can't possibly think of living in a world without Adrien!"

"But maybe Chat Noir is right." Tikki says. "Look around, Marinette. Who else could protect you and love you wholeheartedly?"

Marinette thought hard for a while. "... I can't think of anyone else but Adrien."

Tikki sighs. Of course, Adrien. This girl eats his schedule for breakfast.

They reach the school entrance. Just in time, Adrien's car pulls over and he steps out.

"It's Adrien!" Marinette jumps. She wasn't exactly ready to see him yet. She was this close to embarrassing herself and breaking her own heart perhaps.

Someday, I hope. She thought.

"Marinette!" Adrien runs over to her.

"A-A-Adrien! Good morning beautiful!" Marinette spits out. "I me-mean, it's a beautiful morning! Good.. Good to see you!"

"Good to see you too." He says. "Listen, I wanna say sorry about yesterday. For running off like that. You probably think I'm kind of a wimp now, huh."

"What?! No, never! I-uh, you're nothing close to that! You're smart and braver than a-anyone."

Adrien gives a laugh. "You're awesome, Marinette. I.. didn't think you'd understand at first." He says. "But I was wrong. Anyway, you were gonna tell me something yesterday-?"

"O-Oh! Would you look at the time? We're really gonna be late for first period!"

Adrien checks his phone. "Twenty minutes-?"

"See you inside, Adrien!" Marinette runs off in a rush.

"I'm still sensing it." Plagg teases from inside Adrien's bag.

"Just a friend, Plagg!" He rolls his eyes.

Oh, Adrien.

This has been made weeks before the release of Troublemaker so forgive me in advance because I know I'm gonna be getting her powers wrong. I didn't leave in the first part of the canon Troublemaker because I wanted to focus more on Adrien and Marinette :)))