Adrien wasn't able to escape his house for hours. When he arrived home after school, he was surprised to find his father waiting for him, and even more surprised when Gabriel pulled him into a brief hug.

"I heard what happened at the school. I don't know what I would have done if you'd been hurt." he said gruffly.

Adrien only had a second to return the hug before Gabriel stepped back.

"I've arranged a tutor to go over what lessons you missed today because of the attack. I don't want you falling behind."

Adrien deflated. "But father, a friend of mine got hurt. I was going to go visit her."

"That can wait. Go to your lesson. After that you can go over your piano set until dinner."

Adrien never made it to the piano.

As soon as his tutor left after filling his head with mathematics and chemistry formulas, Adrien performed his usual trick of putting on a long piece of music then transformed into Chat Noir.

Out the window, springing to the next roof along, gliding through the darkening evening. He paused on the roof opposite the Dupain-Cheng bakery. To go in as Chat Noir, his free, uninhibited self? Or mild, quiet Adrien?

The superhero, or the friend?

He jumped down.

"Plagg, Claws In."

The bell tinkled when he entered, but Sabine was slow in reacting.

"Oh, Adrien. Have you come to visit Marinette?"

"Yes, if that's okay. I would have come earlier but-"

"Don't worry, I know you're a busy young man." She pointed him to the door. "I'm sure you know the way. You just missed Alya and her other friend."

"Has Marinette woken up yet?"

"No. But we had a doctor look at her; she's fine. No injuries."

Adrien grinned in relief. "Oh good. I'll go up now."

His footsteps seemed too loud as he ran up the stairs, disliking the echoing clicks bouncing around him. He paused upon reaching Marinette's door. Was there any point knocking for someone unconscious?

"What are you waiting for?" Plagg hissed. "Go in."

Adrien nodded and pushed open the door. Marinette's room was as he remembered it: pale pink and tidy. If he hadn't known any better he would have thought no one was in. He crept across the floor and silently slipped up the narrow staircase to her bed.

Marinette was tucked neatly beneath her blanket. Her chest rose and fell with every breath; she sighed softly in her sleep. Adrien remembered the last time he'd watched her sleep: the night he fished her out of the Seine. He flushed – that had been the night he'd first realised that maybe he had feelings for the girl.

But did she have feelings for him?

Marinette, who had always been so flustered around him. Who couldn't get a sentence out without stuttering. Who spoke in spoonerisms and jumbled words.

Ladybug, who had always rejected his advances. Who flirted back, but made it painfully clear it was nothing more than playful banter. Who was strong and confident and could dish back whatever he gave her.

The girl who had told him of her heartbreak once on a lonely balcony. The girl who revealed her feelings for another boy on a candlelit rooftop.

There was no way – no way – she wanted him too. It was an impossible dream.

He sat down at the foot of her bed; his eyes latched onto the yellow and green charm sitting innocently on her shelf. Even if she didn't return his feelings, he owed it to her to tell her.

To tell her that he loved her, all of her, completely and utterly.

The first thing Marinette saw was a square of starlight floating above her head. Then the wooden frame around it. Then the pale ceiling, illuminated by a lamp's soft glow.

Then she felt the bed beneath her, the blanket on top. Her fingers pressing into the soft mattress, the pillow cradling her head.

Her head. Dull pain throbbed at the back of her skull. Her body ached all over.

What on earth had happened?

She squeezed her eyes shut again and tried to remember. P.E. class. Chloe throwing the ball. The giant hand – an akuma attack! Adrien rushing after her. Chat Noir prising her from a giant hand. Being sped away to Notre Dame. Scaling a wall in the rain.

Yes, that was right. Then the akuma – King Kong or something? - grabbed her again, brought her back. She couldn't transform because of her earrings.

Marinette gasped, hands shooting up to check her ears. Her Miraculous were back in place.

Of course they were; she remembered capturing the akuma. But why did she feel like there was something missing?

Marinette was reminded of the incident a few weeks ago when she'd woken up with a cold and little memory of the night before. She'd woken up to find Adrien in her bed, but when she turned now, she felt a small stab of disappointment when he wasn't there.

Probably for the best.

Steeling herself, Marinette sat up. Her mind pulsated and the room span for a few moments. She moved her pillows so she could lean up against the wall without hurting her back then noticed a lump at the end of her bed. Something white and blue and yellow. Something moving. Something peering at her with green eyes.

With a cry of, "You're awake!" the lump launched itself towards her. Fingers curled into her shirt, something warm tickled her neck. The lump quivered against her.

"A-Adrien!?"

Adrien sniffed loudly and nuzzled his face further into her neck. Something wet touched her skin. Marinette hesitantly rested her arms on his back and felt silent sobs wrack through chest. Finally he collected himself and pulled back enough to look at her.

"S-sorry." He smiled. "I'm just glad you're okay. I mean, I already knew… your kwami said… but I needed to see you awake."

Marinette lost herself for a second staring awestruck into his glistening green eyes. Then his words registered in her head. "Wait, what? M-my kwami? You know?"

Adrien furrowed his brow. "You told me. Before you fainted. You were Ladybug and transformed back."

"I…" Marinette's face flashed cold. She suddenly remembered. After the fight, Chat Noir desperately searching for Marinette. Feeling so guilty she'd worried him, and so tired of all those secrets, all those shadows in each other's lives, and so emotionally exhausted that it had seemed like the best thing to do.

Now, of course, the force of her mistake nearly made her faint again. But Adrien cradled her head with his hand and gently stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Don't worry. I'm glad you told me. Everything makes so much sense now."

"But… you… me…" Marinette blinked several times. "You're not disappointed?"

"Why would I be disappointed? The two girls I love are the same."

Marinette jolted and pushed him off of her. "What!"

Adrien flushed and backed away, rubbing his neck. "Sorry, I shouldn't have sprung that on you. After all, you've already told me you like someone else." He sighed, smile turning melancholy. "I just wanted you to know."

"Like… someone else?"

"Don't you remember?" Adrien dropped his voice and the smile faded altogether. "As Ladybug… when I confessed to you and you said there was a boy."

Marinette blinked. Then blinked again. Then she laughed. "Adrien… the boy was you."

"What?!" Adrien's mouth fell open. He crawled closer to her and sat cross-legged next to her knees. "But… but you can't talk to me properly."

"That's because whenever I see you I get all tongue-tied." She shook her head and tried to fight down the blush rising to her face. "I've liked you ever since you gave me your umbrella."

His shock melted into joy. "Really? That long? But wait. If you liked me then why have you been avoiding me?"

Marinette looked away, shoulders rising to her ears.

When a reply didn't come, Adrien continued. "You saw me that day, didn't you? When I brought you home. You saw me that morning and figured out that I'm Chat Noir."

Marinette nodded silently.

"But if you liked me as Adrien why did you push me away?"

"Because you loved Ladybug," she whispered. "Not me. And I thought if – when – you found out that I'm Ladybug you'd lose interest."

"Why would you think that? I love Ladybug. I love you."

"Because you were – are! –Adrien Agreste!" she burst out. "You're the most desirable guy at school! You're handsome and charming and funny and kind and generous and amazing. And I'm-" her shoulders fell- "just me. It's a bit underwhelming to think it's just been me under the mask, right?"

Adrien scooted closer and inclined his head towards her. "Marinette," he said softly, but with an edge to his voice. "I couldn't be more thrilled that it's you. Even if you think you're 'just you', I think you're amazing. Even though I first fell for Ladybug, I started falling for you too. I love you. All of you. With and without the mask."

His nose was touching hers, his breath tickling her lips. Marinette's heart thumped erratically, and she wanted to both shove him away and pull him closer. Instead she took a deep, trembling breath. "S-so, when you were here. As Chat Noir. And you said the other girl you liked was already in love. That was me?"

Adrien chuckled quietly. "Yeah, it was you. I was always you." He drew back a couple of inches and stared into her eyes. "Marinette, please. Tell me… do you love me? All of me? With and without the mask?"

"Yes," she breathed.

"Can I kiss you?"

Marinette turned red. How long had she been waiting for him to say that? How many times had she dreamt about this moment? So now that it had finally happened, why did she feel so hopelessly unprepared?

Before she could remember how to speak, the door below opened and Adrien jumped back as if electrocuted. Tom poked his head up, spotted them, and hurtled into the room, shortly followed by Sabine.

Adrien quickly clambered off the bed to allow her parents more space. As the Dupain-Cheng family hugged, he lingered awkwardly by the narrow staircase.

"You're not going, are you?" Tom asked, his arms wrapped firmly around Sabine and Marinette.

"Please, stay for dinner," Sabine added.

Adrien shook his head. "I'm sorry but I have to get home. My father doesn't actually know I'm out… I'll see you at school tomorrow, Marinette."

He didn't make it out of the room. Marinette hurtled after him, catching his arm when he was mere steps from the door. "Before you go," she said as he whirled around, "you forgot something."

"I did?"

"This." Marinette grinned nervously then rose onto the tips of her toes, drawing her face next to his. She held it there for a moment, just in case he'd changed his mind.

Adrien cupped her face, his other hand resting on the small of her back, and leant down to close the gap. He pressed his lips to hers in a sweet, tender kiss.

It ended all too soon. He pulled away after a few seconds, and although she missed the softness and warmth of his mouth, the smile he gave her afterwards could have made her fall in love with him all over again.

"Are you sure you won't stay for dinner?" Sabine called as she and her husband clambered down the stairs.

Marinette blushed and leapt backwards. "S-sorry!"

"Why are you apologising?" His smile slid into an easy Chat Noir grin. "I'd love to stay but I really do have to get home. I'll see you tomorrow, princess."

Marinette shoved him playfully. "Okay."

"I'm sorry I can't stay," Adrien said to her parents. "Maybe another day?"

"Definitely," said Tom sternly. "We need to have a chat."

Adrien paled slightly, but grinned when Tom winked. "Okay. Goodbye." He brushed a final kiss against Marinette's knuckles and departed.

"Girl!" Alya cried the next morning, throwing her arms around a bemused Marinette. "How are you feeling? We visited you yesterday but you were out cold."

"I'm sorry about that," Marinette replied, smiling bashfully. "When the akuma attacked me yesterday I hit my head. But Ladybug cured me. Except I guess I was still pretty exhausted and yeah…"

"About that… do you fancy giving me an account of what happened? For the Ladyblog. I didn't get anything on film."

"Sure! Maybe later though."

"Sweet." Alya grinned. "Oh, did Adrien visit you by any chance? He was meant to come with us but you know what his bodyguard's like."

"Yeah, he visited." Marinette sighed, eyes growing misty. "He was there when I woke up."

Alya gasped. "What happened? Don't leave anything out. What did he say? He was super worried when that akuma got you yesterday. Chased after it until Chat Noir arrived."

Marinette gave a giggle and turned to face the front of the classroom. "He did say he was worried, and that he wanted to make sure I was okay."

"And?" Alya pressed.

"And… he may have said-"

"Good morning!" Adrien stood in front of Marinette's desk, teeth glinting. She hadn't seen him come in. "Quick question for you. I forgot to ask last night."

"What is it?"

"Do you want to catch a movie with me later? Just the two of us?" He propped his elbows on the desk, his face on his hands.

Despite everything that had happened before, Marinette felt her nose and cheeks heat up. "Like a- a date?"

"Like the luckiest guy in the entire world and his beautiful girlfriend."

Something clattered next to her, but Marinette didn't look away form Adrien. "I don't remember agreeing to be your firlgriend. I mean girlfriend."

His attempt at a suave smirk disappeared. "I'm sorry, I thought-"

Marinette giggled and scratched his head affectionately. "I'm joking. I'd love to go to the movies as your girlfriend."

Adrien laughed, leaned forward, and kissed her.

Neither heard Alya drop her notebook again, or Chloe's scream of disgust, or Nino's triumphant cheer. They didn't hear Rose and Juleka applaud, or Mylene's delighted whoops! And they didn't hear Madame Bustier walk in and laugh, "It's about time."

All they could hear was the beating of their hearts, and a low, contented purr.

There you have it! A completed romance with a cheesy ending even though I really suck at writing romance but never mind.

I hope you all enjoyed my silly little story. I've currently got a few more in the works – a couple of silly oneshots (which hopefully will stay the right genre this time) and a version of Beauty and the Beast (overdone but I have a few twists up my sleeve…)

See y'all next time!

Flare, the Frivolous~