The Prince and his Princess

"You alright, bro?" Nino asks.

Adrien slumps into his chair, burying his face in his arms. "I'm an idiot."

"Huh?"

"I found out who Marinette li—"

The classroom door opens and Marinette and Alya enter, followed by Nathaniel. Adrien goes quiet. The girls take their seats and greet them. Or at least Alya does. Marinette bites her lip and shoots glances at him over the top of her bag, which she has yet to put on the floor. His stomach flutters.

"Goomdorningdrin," she squeaks. Red spills over her cheeks like bright dye. "I-I mean good moaning. No! Morning. Good morning, Adrien!"

He smiles, as he always does, because the way she trips through conversation with him is as endearing as ever. But he also wants to bash his head against his desk. He really is such an idiot. It's so obvious now that she likes him. She had told him—or at least Chat Noir—that she gets tongue-tied around her crush. She had told him about the failed confession attempts.

How had he missed it?

How had he ever taken her words at face value when she claimed she didn't have feelings for him or that she was just a fan of fashion?

"Good morning, Marinette," he says, warm and wanting to put her at ease. He knows how much distress he unintentionally causes her.

A fresh wave of colour blooms on her face and her lips curve, dreamy and wide.

Adorable. She's so adorable.

Kim approaches their desks. "Hi, Marinette," he says with a wave and a cheery smile. "Do you wanna—"

"No," Adrien blurts.

Everyone stares at him.

Heat grazes Adrien's cheeks and he sinks more into his chair. "I, er … don't mind me. Just thinking out loud."

"Okay," Kim says, shrugging off the matter with a grin. "So, Marinette, there's this movie coming out on Friday and I …"

Adrien faces the front as Kim asks Marinette out. The tips of his ears are hot. He really needs to get a grip. It's not his place to reject boys for her, even if she does like him. Even if he is the idiot who nudged Kim into pursuing her. Though Adrien does take petty pleasure when he hears her apologise and say she can't go to the movies.

Still, he really needs to get a grip.

oOo

The akuma strikes while Adrien is researching in the library. Someone must have ticked off the librarian, as suddenly students are turning into stone statues. He doesn't hesitate to transform and rescue a trapped Marinette, scooping her up into his arms bridal-style and earning a small yelp from her.

"Chat Noir," she says, looking up at him with wide blue eyes. "What are you doing here?"

He grins. "It's kind of my job."

"I know that, but how did you get here so—"

A beam of light almost hits them.

"And now we run," he says, clutching her tighter and dashing for the door. "Don't worry, I won't let you become a statuenette."

She lets out a strangled laugh and presses her face into his chest, relaxing into his hold. His heart thumps faster. Being professional is so much harder now. She's warm and soft in his arms. Temptingly so. Her scent is a teasing bouquet that wraps around him like a breath of spring. And she likes him. That's the thing he can never forget. This beautiful, amazing girl likes him.

Would it be so bad to admit he likes her too?

Yes, he swore his heart would always belong to Ladybug. He still loves his partner, but what he feels for Marinette is just as real. It whispers to him through his jumping pulse and the skipping flutters of his heart. Whispers unshakeable truth.

"I think you can put me down now," Marinette says, once they reach the courtyard.

His arms tighten instinctively around her. The akuma has been left far behind. He needs to let her go, but his arms refuse to obey.

"Er, Chat?"

Right.

He sets her on her feet and sweeps into a flourishing bow. "You're safe, Princess."

She giggles, eyes lighting up in that lovely way that makes him think of bluebell sunshine. "Thank you."

"What, no kiss?"

The words are out before he can stop them.

She blinks.

Heat crawls all over his face. Why had he said that? What is wrong with him?

A smile curves her lips and she steps forward. "Thank you, Chat Noir." She leans up on her tiptoes and kisses his cheek.

His jaw drops, even as his skin tingles with the imprint of her lips.

"Now go stop that akuma," she says.

His heartbeat stumbles clumsily. "Y-yeah. I'll go do that."

Oh, he is such a goner.

oOo

"Good job," Ladybug says, holding out her fist.

He bumps his fist to hers, as is their usual routine. Both their miraculouses give a beep.

"I'd better go," she says.

"Wait."

She raises her eyebrows questioningly. Of course that's when he realises he has no idea what he wants to say.

"Chat, I really have to—"

"I know, I know. I'm sorry. I just …"

A hint of concern creeps into her eyes. "What? Is everything okay?"

His gaze travels over her face, taking in her mask, the colour of her eyes, her lips. So familiar, so similar. It still throws him how much Ladybug and Marinette are alike.

She tilts her head. "What is it?"

"I like someone else."

"Oh." She sounds surprised. Her little nose scrunch isn't the most positive reaction either. "I see."

"I mean you'll always be my lady, but you … you don't feel that way about me, right?"

"Right."

"Right," he echoes. It shouldn't hurt so much, but the rejection is still a punch to the heart. "So, this is good then."

"If that's what you think. I mean it seems kind of sudden. Just two days ago you were swearing your undying love for me."

His lips purse. "Are you accusing me of being fickle?"

"No. I'm just pointing out the facts."

"I'll have you know that Ma—that she's a really good friend of mine. I've had feelings for her for a long time. I just didn't realise it until I tried to be her secret wingman."

A blink. "Wait, what?"

"What?"

Beep.

They both ignore the warning sound.

"Did you … did you just say you were her secret wingman?"

He rubs the base of his neck, cheeks heating. "Yeah. I, um, wanted to make her happy, you know? She was really down over this boy she likes, so I thought I'd help her out. Turns out I'm the boy she likes."

Ladybug makes an odd, choking sound.

"You okay?" he asks in alarm.

Her eyes are wide like saucers and she wobbles on her feet. "Adrien?"

He freezes from head to toe.

"It is you, isn't it?" she says, taking a shaky step closer. "You're Adrien."

"N-no, I—"

"Oh my gosh!" She makes panicked, dance-like motions with her hands, touching her head and cheeks. "You're Adri—"

He surges forward and clamps his hand over her mouth. Her eyes bulge.

"Sorry," he says. "I just don't really want you shouting that to all of Paris."

She blinks at him.

"Can I remove my hand now?"

A nod.

He carefully pulls his hand away.

She lets out a breath and colour spills over her cheeks, almost matching her suit.

"How did you figure out it's me?" he asks.

A half-hysterical laugh is dragged out of her.

"What?" he says, a bit offended. Was he really that obvious?

"Chat, you were my secret wingman."

His jaw drops. "Wait—"

The final beep on their miraculouses goes off. Neither makes an effort to run. They're already out of sight from public view, so they simply stand there and stare at each other as their suits fade away in bursts of colour. She bites her lip, smiling shyly. Same pigtails, same freckled cheeks, same blue eyes.

Marinette. Of course Ladybug is Marinette. Of course he would fall for this amazing girl twice.

"Um, hi," she says.

"Hi."

Her blush darkens and she tucks a strand of hair behind her hair.

Adorable. She's so—

"Finally!" Plagg declares. "Thought this love drama would never end. Hey, kid, where's my cheese?"

"Plagg," Tikki scolds. "Can't you see they're trying to have a moment?"

"So? They can keep having their moment after I get my cheese."

Adrien presses his hands to his hot face. This is so embarrassing. Fortunately, after suitable kwami sustenance is handed over, Tikki drags Plagg off to eat with her and give them some proper privacy.

"Sorry about that," Adrien murmurs. "Plagg is … Plagg."

Marinette giggles. "I can see that."

They stare at each other. His heart pounds faster and faster. It's like there's a fluttering song humming through his blood, urging him to close the distance between them. So he does. She moistens her lips, tilting her head back to meet his gaze. The scent of spring flowers, subtler now that his senses aren't heightened by the power of the miraculous, tugs him the last step closer. His fingers brush hers.

"I really like you," he says softly.

Fresh colour blooms on her cheeks. "I really like you too."

Insecurity has him search her eyes. "Then this doesn't change anything for you?"

"What do mean?"

"Me. That I'm Chat Noir."

"Oh, Adrien, no." She runs the pad of her thumb along his cheek, right where the black mask would cover. "It doesn't change a thing. In fact, I … I'm relieved."

"Relieved?"

She ducks her head, her blush deepening to ripe plum. "I think I've liked you for a while. Chat Noir you, I mean. I just … didn't want to admit it."

"Oh."

She sneaks a glance at him from under her lashes. It's utterly adorable and he can't help but lean forward, resting his forehead against hers. Their breath intermingles. His heart drums and he nuzzles her a little as he holds her gaze.

"May I kiss you?" he whispers.

She nods.

He tilts his head and brushes his lips against hers, soft and sweet. They linger like that before they pull back.

"Looks like the third time really is the charm," he says.

"Huh?"

"I forgot our last two kisses."

A smile peeps out on her face. "You dork."

He grins even as she kisses him again, pulling him into her arms. This suits him just fine.

Yay, we've reached the end!

I just need you all to know that the t button on my keyboard stopped working while I was writing the 3rd chapter, so on this one I had to copy paste every t. Struggle was real. That said, I've really enjoyed writing this little fic for you, Arisu-ArtnFics! Big thank you to everyone who has commented as well! (I know I've been slow with replies, but they're coming!)

Hope you all have a great Christmas!