Identity Reveal / Established Adrinette / Jealous Adrien Agreste

•••••

Marinette settled down on the opposite side of the sofa to Adrien, swinging her legs up onto his and taking a drink of the hot tea nestled between her hands; his own hands automatically came down to squeeze her feet in the way she loved so much. Heel to toes; toes to heel.

"How was your day?" he asked, his green eyes meeting hers and sending a shiver down her spine. It had been 2 years and Adrien could still make her brain short circuit with just one look — one smile and she was a goner.

"It was good. Not too much longer to go until the BACs; then we can go to university and live together." The sigh leaving her lips was as dreamy as the words. She really could not wait to be spending more time with Adrien.

Since they had continued their education at different lycées, Marinette had realised just how much she had missed everything about him. So what if they'd only dated for a couple of months before the end of collége and she saw him pretty much everyday anyway, that wasn't the point. She adored him so much she just wanted to be around him all the time.

However, there was one major positive in the fact that he no longer attempted to protect her during akuma attacks, and that she could easily talk about her counterpart as 'someone from lycée'. It was so nice to talk about Chat Noir with someone other than Alya.

"Did you do anything exciting?" he asked.

She considered the question for a moment before answering. "Actually, yeah... My friend told me this joke today. Honestly he's so funny, one of the funniest guys I've ever met in my life. Listen to this, what do you call the ruler of a pencil case? No, wait, that's wrong... what was it?"

Moving her feet from Adrien's lap, she moved up onto her knees shuffling herself closer to him. A hand to her chin as she attempted to recall the joke Chat Noir had shared mid battle. Dammit! She knew his timing was bad — she couldn't even remember the joke!

"It'll come back to me." She brushed off, snuggling into his shoulder and dropping an arm over his waist. "But, yeah he was so funny I actually snorted. Do you know how hard it is to make me snort?"

Who's in charge of a pencil case? The ruler. Adrien was close to punching something. He'd told her the exact same joke last week and all he had was a small giggle in response. How could someone else telling her the same joke cause her to snort?

"I have no idea," Adrien said through gritted teeth, his arm dropping around her shoulders.

"Really hard," she continued gushing. "He's the funniest person ever, you'd love him."

Adrien tried to keep his cool. Another guy was making his girlfriend laugh to the point she snorted. He'd only managed to do that himself a couple of times, so what the hell had this guy got which he hadn't? Adrien knew he was a funny guy! Everyone said it. He was hilarious.

Marinette thought Adrien would love this unnamed friend.

Adrien, however, was quite certain he would not.

•••••

Adrien had spent the better part of the past two days researching jokes, puns and funny quips. There was no way this guy was going to continue to be the funniest person Marinette knew. Not a chance!

He'd prepared a vast array of side splitting jokes and even had a couple of practical tricks up his sleeve ready to whip out if needed, and there was no better time to show it.

It was Nino's birthday and the party was about to get comical thanks to the prankster powers of Adrien Agreste. He was prepared for everything and everyone, and he was certain Marinette would be snorting like a small piglet by the end of the evening.

Take that Mr Funny Guy.

Adrien already practised a couple of his jokes and tricks on Ladybug and Rena Rouge earlier that day - incognito of course - and Ladybug finally admitted he'd made her pee a little in her suit. After 3 years of superheroing she was finally willing to accept the top class humour he provided.

Pacing the kitchen of Nino's apartment, Adrien eagerly awaited Marinette's arrival. Once she was here it was showtime and he was going to be absolutely hilarious. She wasn't going to know what hit her — literally. There was a fake flower laying around here somewhere to spray on her face.

"Dude, you're going to leave track marks on my floor stalking backwards and forwards like that."

Adrien stopped and looked at Nino, contemplating how much he should actually tell his friend. Nino's eyebrows frowned as he grabbed a bottle of beer for himself and threw a second one to Adrien.

"You've been a nightmare all week. What the hell is going on man?" the capped DJ asked.

It was an hour before any guests were due to arrive. The girls, however, were due to arrive soon to help finish setting up the decorations along with bringing Nino's cake.

Moving to the sofa, Adrien dropped down, Nino following swiftly behind.

"You're not thinking of breaking it off with Marinette, are you? Man, she'll be devastated. I thought you loved her, dude... do I need to call Alya and hold Marinette off?"

"What?" Adrien's eyes widened.

How the hell had Nino come to that conclusion?

"No! Hell no! No chance. I love her, she's the undisputable love of my life. I'm not breaking up with her."

A sigh came from Nino's mouth, and Adrien realised his friend had already taken his phone out of his pocket. "Thank God!" he said, returning it to his trouser pocket. "Alya would have killed me. So what's wrong? Why are you so down?"

Adrien took the cap off his bottle before taking an aggressive swig and hanging it in between his legs.

"Promise you won't laugh."

Nino took the cap from his own bottle and held up three fingers like a Boy Scout.

"I promise."

Sighing, Adrien began. "I'm jealous of this guy at Marinette's lycée. She keeps telling me he's the funniest person she's ever met and..." He trailed off.

Unfortunately, Nino had already raised his beer bottle to his lips, resulting in a rather disturbing spray leaving his mouth.

"Dude!" Nino looked shocked, a welcome relief to the laughter Adrien was expecting. "How can anyone be funnier than you? I mean come on, that prank you pulled on Kim last week was legendary."

"I know," Adrien said exasperatedly — Kim the douche deserved it too. "But whoever this guy is... well, he's homing in on my girl."

Nino pursed his lips before taking a swig of beer. "Have you asked her if she... you know, likes the guy?"

Gasping, Adrien turned sharply to face Nino. "Do you think she does? Oh my God! She's in love with him, that's why she keeps talking about him. She used to always talk about me!"

Standing up, he began to pace the room again.

"What if she leaves me? I can't live without her! I love her so much! I just... I don't..."

Going to join him, Nino placed his hands on Adrien's shoulders, holding him still.

"Get a grip on yourself, Dude! Marinette's already planned your wedding and the names of your kids —"

"How many?" Adrien interrupted.

"How many, what?"

"Kids. How many kids does she want?" Adrien stared deeply into Nino's eyes. An intense look of insanity.

"I can't remember! 2 or 3, I think?"

"Huh?" Adrien said, removing his hands from where they'd gripped Nino's shirt. His voice relaxing in the moment. "I always saw her as someone wanting a big family. Maybe 4 or more?"

Nino shrugged. "Maybe she's been looking into the current economic climate and changed her mind."

"Makes sense," Adrien agreed with a nod. "Have you seen how much childcare is costing these days?"

"You've got model money, you'll be okay." Nino moved back to the kitchen and disposed of his now empty bottle into the bin, Adrien following after.

"I don't make as much as you think, you know. It's a lot of effort for nothing."

"I'm sure you could still afford Pampers over Aldi."

A sudden knock at the door ended their conversation. Nino, being the humble host he was, moved forward ready to welcome the girls into the party zone. Adrien's first joke ready and positioned on the tip of his tongue.

"Welcome to the..."

The sound of laughing from the other side of the doorway cut into Nino's introduction as Marinette and Alya entered the room with tears in their eyes. They clung to each other the best they could with the supplies, Alya almost keeling over and onto the floor.

"What's — what's so funny?" Adrien asked, smiling and moving forward to take the cake from Marinette's arms before it ended up as a cake smash on the floor.

"Marinette said —" Alya looked at her friend before bursting out laughing again. "She said—"

The two girls were uncontrollable, both of them clinging to each other as they laughed.

"Woah! Have you two taken something on your way here?" Nino said, walking over to his girlfriend and lifting her onto her feet. He gave her a quick sniff, Alya batting him away as she placed her bags on the counter.

"No, it's just —" Alya looked at Marinette and burst out laughing, they were uncontrollable and slightly bordering insanity.

As though the two of them laughing wasn't enough, Nino began to chuckle along too. Adrien walked behind him, smacking him around the back of the head and sending his cap flying onto the floor.

"You're meant to be on my side, dude!" Adrien hissed into Nino's ear, the DJ holding his hands up in defence.

"Sorry, man! Their laughter is just infectious."

The girls burst out laughing again and Adrien could feel his anger rising.

"Would either of you like to share with the class?" Adrien crossed his arms over his chest as he stared at Marinette having a breakdown in the middle of Nino's kitchen.

"Today, he - he - that guy I was telling you about, he - he." Bursting into tears, laughter spilled from Marinette's lips again. Damn, she couldn't even control herself. "You had to be there!"

Marinette and Alya attempted to calm themselves down; yet, everytime Marinette looked at her friend they started off again; both in complete wild laughter.

"Alya finds it funny and she doesn't go to your lycée!"

"I was there Buttercup!" Alya sniffed before wiping under her eyes and letting out a hoot which sounded suspiciously like an owl.

"What? How?" Nino asked. "Is that why you bailed on me at lunch time?"

Alya nodded before looking over to Adrien, her eyebrows furrowing. "Oh, are you jealous?"

"What? Me? Pfft, no! I've got the girl after all..." he tailed off and looked over to Marinette, his eyes pleading with her. "I have got the girl, haven't I?"

"Of course! And you always will!" Walking over to him, Marinette wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly on the lips. He was close to sinking into a pile of Adrien goo.

Even if whoever this guy was was making his girlfriend pee her pants from laughter, at least he was the one she was coming home to, and he was determined if he wasn't the funniest he'd be the most romantic. He was sure he could sweep his girlfriend off her small, nibble feet.

•••••

Adrien hated his life.

"So, he asked me what I'd think about this plan he had for his girlfriend, and I almost melted."

They were sitting around with the rest of Kitty Section during a break in rehearsals, Marinette sitting beside Adrien as she spoke about her 'friend'. Not only was he Mr Funniest Man in the Universe, it seemed now he was also Mr Amour, and even worse, the guy was stealing his moves!

"What was the plan?" Adrien asked, his teeth clenched to the point of breaking. He looked over to Luka for a bit of support, wondering how the hell the guy coped when Marinette kept calling him Adrien. It's a good job Luka didn't have a jealous bone in his body.

"Oh it's so romantic! He's going to invite her out and tell her to wear something nice; then he's going to take her to where he first fell in love with her before continuing on with a run down of their dates and all their special places. He was telling me he was even getting her favourite food prepared to have in his garden at home in front of her favourite rose bush. He's setting up such a romantic picnic, honestly, his girlfriend is such a lucky girl!"

Feeling his nose flare, Adrien stood abruptly, almost knocking Marinette over in the movement. This damn guy must be bugging him or something because that was the exact plan he had for his next date with Marinette. If he went through with it now he'd have to try and defend himself that it was his idea — that he hadn't copied whoever the hell this guy was. This guy was unknowingly ruining his life!

"Adrien? Are you okay?"

"Peachy," he growled before looking over to Luka.

"Hey, Adrien, I've just remembered, you left your notepad in my room the other day when we were writing, do you want to go and get it?" His eyes burned into Adrien's and Adrien could only stare back.

What?

"I — um — did I?"

"Yup. Do you want me to come down with you?"

Adrien stopped and stared again. This had to be some kind of joke. He was certain there was no notepad down there because he hadn't used his, he'd used Luka's.

"No, it's okay. You can just grab it for me. I don't mind you touching it."

"I'd really feel better if you came too."

Why did Luka need Adrien to go with him to his room for a notepad he was certain would not be there.

"For god sake Adrien," Marinette said with exasperation. "Luka obviously wants you to go with him!"

"Well, why didn't he just ask?"

He stretched up and rubbed the back of his neck.

"If you needed to talk to Adrien about me you could have just said." She pouted her lips and crossed her arms. Oh, no! Not the grump! He couldn't stand it when she had the grump.

"It's not what..."

"Just go, Adrien." She looked sad and he was torn.

He looked around at the others on the ship deck hoping someone would hold up a sign and tell him what to do. Did he stay here and grovel for forgiveness? Did he pretend he was actually after his book and head down alone coming back empty handed and with a lie to tell? Or, did he grab Luka by the hood and yank him down into his bedroom and question him? Did he know something about Mr Comedian?

The choice was easy.

Reaching out, Adrien grabbed the hood of his friend's jacket and dragged him towards the staircase leading him down to the rooms.

"Excuse us a second," Adrien said, smiling politely as he manhandled Luka away from the group. He ignored Marinette's shocked expression as he dragged their friend down the staircase and into his room, slamming the door behind them.

"What's going on, Adrien?" Luka asked, sitting cross legged on his bed.

"I'm losing her." He began to pace up and down Luka's room, his hands threading through his hair and grabbing it intensely.

"Losing who?"

"I never thought this would happen. I thought we would get married, have kids and a hamster. I didn't think someone would come along and steal her from me." Adrien turned sharply to look at his musical friend, his bottom lip quivering and eyes prickling. "This must have been how you felt when you were dating her and she kept calling you my name. Apart from the fact I don't even know this guy's name. But I bet you do! She talks to you, doesn't she?"

Luka furrowed his eyebrows and stroked a hand across his cheek. "Guy? What guy? Adrien, what's going on? I thought everything was great between you and Marinette."

"Oh, it was," Adrien started before all control was lost and he started chuckling like a maniac. "It was amazing! Then she went to lycée and met him!"

"Who?" Luka looked and sounded more confused than a penguin in the North Pole.

"Him!" Adrien reiterated, sounding it out like Luka may be deaf.

"Adrien? I don't want to sound out of the loop here, especially as I was away for a while. But who are you talking about?"

With a deep, over dramatic sigh, Adrien seated himself beside Luka on the bed and brought his legs up to mirror his friend's image.

"Has Marinette been hanging around with anyone at lycée? A guy in particular?"

Luka looked thoughtful for a moment before pouting his lips and shaking his head. "No, I don't think so. She still spends time with Nathaniel and Marc, and sometimes I'll catch up with her at break times, but then she's always with you or Alya for lunch."

"So you haven't seen her meet with someone who makes her laugh a lot?" Adrien questioned.

Luka shook his head again. "No, that's usually just you and..." he stopped, taking in a large amount of air through his teeth.

Slamming his hand on his knees, Adrien made Luka jump as he leaned forward, his eyes menacing. "Who, Luka? Who?"

Luka looked around before clambering off the bed and heading to the doorway and closing the door quietly.

"Random question. Have you been visiting Marinette as..." Luka lowered his voice and moved closer to Adrien. Adrien moving in to match. "You-know-who?" Luka finished.

Adrien recoiled back, a puzzled look complimenting his face. "Voldemort?"

Luka slammed a hand to his face, and Adrien couldn't help but feel like he'd missed something quite obvious here.

"No," Luka hissed almost an identical phrasing as his kwami counterpart. "Your other self."

"Not for a while, no. Since we got together I haven't had to use my suit to see her as much. Do you think she means Chat Noir?" Adrien asked.

Shrugging, Luka stood up and made his way to his desk grabbing a notepad and tossing it to Adrien. "It's just an idea, and here, so everyone doesn't think you're going crazy."

"I feel like I am. What if she's found someone else, Luka. What if she doesn't want to be with me anymore? I can't survive without her."

Crossing his arms, Luka tilted his head to one side in consideration. "Trust me when I say you have nothing to worry about."

Adrien huffed. "You know what makes this all worse? He's stealing my jokes and my romantic ideas. I'd planned an amazing date for Marinette, but now Mr Casanova has pretty much ruined the surprise. How the hell could someone have come up with the same idea as me? It was so unique and perfect."

"Listen, Adrien, if this is upsetting you then speak to Marinette."

"What? So she can tell me she's falling in love with another guy and my wonderful personality and devilish good looks just don't do it for her anymore?" Adrien sulked.

"I would have probably phrased it a different way, but seriously, she loves you. No matter what this guy does, he's no Adrien Agreste."

As Luka led Adrien out and back up to the deck, Adrien was completely oblivious to the fingers crossed behind Luka's back.

•••••

"Allez!"

Before the instructor had finished saying the word, Kagami had stepped forward and jabbed Adrien straight in the heart... the hits just kept on coming. Nothing beats a stab in the heart.

As Adrien ripped his mask from his head, he looked at Kagami with annoyance.

"You went before the call," he said, tucking the mask under his arm.

Kagami repeated Adrien's actions, taking the red mask from her face and tucking it under her own arm, shaking her hair out in bother.

"I don't think so, Adrien. Do not blame me for your incompetence to start when the call is made."

Adrien tensed, looking from Kagami to the instructor. "You agree with me, don't you?"

M. D'Argencourt looked uncomfortable as he came over.

"I'm afraid I agree with Ms. Tsurugi, she went in accordance with the command."

Adrien's mouth fell open. There was no way she went on the call. Glaring at his instructor once more, Adrien turned on his heel and marched straight to the locker room, slamming the door open as he went.

He collapsed on the bench in the middle of the room, throwing his mask and gloves out in front of him and slamming them against his locker.

"I know I'm not the best when it comes to feelings, however, I believe something is bothering you, Adrien."

A snort left his nose. "No shit, Sherlock."

Before he could comprehend what was happening, Kagami had pulled him to his feet by the uniform and slammed his back into his locker.

"Listen, Agreste, I get enough sass from your cousin. I don't need it from you as well." Letting go of him with one more shove, she crossed her arms and glared.

Holding his hands up in defence, Adrien bowed his head in an apology. "Sorry."

"You should be."

Kagami indicated for Adrien to sit back down, her legs leading her to sit beside him. He knew she'd want him to talk. Everyone else had seemed to be asking him the same questions recently.

"I'm not going to push you to talk, Adrien, but just so you know I'll stay here as long as you need."

And wouldn't she just. This was probably a challenge now for Kagami. The excitement for her Wednesday evening.

He could be just as stubborn though. He would sit here in complete silence without saying a damn word and when Kagami got bored and left, he could continue sulking.

A chime echoed through the room; Kagami made her way to her locker and pulled out her bag, complete with phone. Adrien watched as she looked between her phone and him, repeating the action once, twice, three times.

"What is it?" he asked, face morphing into worry. "Is everything okay? Is it Marinette?"

"Oh, it's definitely Marinette," she said, a pull to the corners of her lips.

Adrien leapt from the bench and stumbled into his locker, a desperate attempt to get to his own phone. What if she was hurt? What if Mr Comedian sent her into a coma from laughing too much? Damn, these were all just different reasons to hate him more. He'd hurt his Marinette.

"Calm down. You're being a little dramatic," Kagami stated, pushing him down onto the bench again and turning her attention back to her phone with her usual serious expression.

A moment later, Kagami's face crumbled and a weird noise came out of her mouth. He thought it might be a... laugh.

"Oh, this guy is hilarious." Kagami's fingers hit against the screen faster than how she usually messages his cousin back.

"Who — who's hilarious?"

Kagami shrugged. Her phone chimed in her hands before she began to message again. "Just this guy that —"

She couldn't even finish the sentence. Instead, Kagami — hardass — Tsurugi crumbled into a heap as she laughed and laughed and laughed. She dropped the phone on the bench, Adrien looking over to see the message.

Marinette: You'll never guess what he did today....

Not wanting to hear anymore about this class A clown, Adrien yanked open his locker, grabbed his bag and swiftly made his way out of there.

It was time to bring in the big guns.

•••••

"So then, she tells me how this guy had ordered something for his girlfriend that she'd wanted for years and how he couldn't wait to give it to his girlfriend. 'Apparently' he'd had it magically imported from America because 'he has contacts'." Adrien blew out his lips. "Like I've never done that for Marinette. Has she forgotten about her limited edition 'Vera Bradley' tote bag with the little Peonies over it? It was a lot of hassle to get that import."

Adrien sat on his computer chair as Félix lay on Adrien's bed throwing and catching a ball. If anyone could give him advice, it'd be his cousin.

"And what did Marinette do to thank you?"

Adrien cheeks heated, he knew he shouldn't have told Félix! "That's not important! And you know what else?"

"He caught a star and presented it to her in a diamond encrusted box?" Adrien knew his cousin was being sarcastic, however, Adrien couldn't help but wonder if this guy actually had.

"No, though now... no! That's impossible."

"What else did he do then?" Félix sighed.

"He gave her a stitch," Adrien replied.

The ball came down from where Félix had just thrown it and hit him square in the forehead. "He did what?" Exasperatedly, Félix moved onto his side and looked at Adrien.

"I know!" he shrieked. "She could barely breathe!"

"So you're telling me... he wore her out?"

"Yes," Adrien almost shouted.

"And you're... okay with that?"

Adrien sighed, leaning forward on his chair and placing his elbows on his thighs. "What other choice do I have?"

A moment of silence passed between them.

"Give me your clothes!"

Adrien's head shot up to see his cousin beginning to take off his waistcoat and shirt.

"What? Why?"

"So I can dress as you and go knock the shit out of that bastard!"

Adrien stood and stopped his cousin from taking off anymore clothing. "Don't you think that's a bit drastic?"

"Not if he's touching your girl!"

"I never said he was touching her!" Adrien gasped, where the hell had Félix got... oh!

"He's not touching her, Félix. He's just making her laugh."

Stopping his unwanted strip tease, Félix froze with his shirt half way down his arms leaving it to hang in his elbows.

"Laugh?" Félix asked.

Adrien nodded.

"That's it? He makes her laugh?"

Unable to control himself, Félix did a wonderful impression of Marinette. Bending over in two as he laughed. What was going on with everyone?

Maybe speaking to Félix wasn't his best option. It was time he consulted the top dog.

•••••

Quickly moving to the right, Chat Noir threw his staff hard against the Akuma, knocking the object from its hand and into Ladybug's.

"Have you tried talking to her, Kitty? She probably doesn't even know you feel this way?"

Snapping the object on her knee, the small purple butterfly began to make its way out into the open skies of Paris. Swiping a finger over her yo-yo, she began her cleansing routine as Chat Noir set his sights on the victim.

"I don't know how to broach the subject with her. The last thing I want to do is lose her because I can't cope with her having a male best friend."

Crouching down, Chat Noir placed a hand on the Akuma victim's shoulder. "So, what did you learn today?"

"Getting caught up in a game of monopoly isn't the best idea."

"Too right, my dude."

Chat Noir held out a fist to pound against Ladybug's as she made her way over to the scene.

"And if I may," the young male said, standing by himself from where he was sitting on the floor and brushing down his jeans. "Talk to your girlfriend. I'm sure she doesn't know you feel this way, and if I've learned anything — communication is key."

They waved goodbye as the guy wandered off into the streets of Paris.

"He's right, you know," Ladybug said. "You need to talk to her. If my boyfriend felt like this and hadn't told me I'd be gutted."

Chat Noir looked at the retreating figure before looking back to Ladybug. "Have you got time to talk? I could really do with some advice."

"What about your friends?" she asked.

Reaching behind his neck, Chat Noir rubbed a hand hard through his hair.

"Come with me." A small giggle left her lips as she pulled his hand down and held it tightly in hers. Swinging her yo-yo, she sent them both flying through the air and up onto the rooftops, finding them a secluded place to sit down and talk.

"Okay, Kitty Cat, what's wrong? You've been so excited over the past couple of weeks, why the sudden change?"

He sighed and picked up a stone, passing it from one hand to the other. There was so much he wanted to ask her, he just didn't know where to start.

"You have a boyfriend, right?"

She smiled, bringing her knees up to her body. "I do."

"And... is it all going well?"

"Chaton, you know it is. He's the love of my life, has been for years. Though there is this girl he keeps talking about, and sometimes I can't help but feel jealous. I always feel like I'm about to lose him and then a big, wild gesture appears from nowhere, almost like he's guilty of something."

He nodded in response. He could completely understand that; he often wondered the reason for the random scarves and such Marinette would send him. In all fairness though, Adrien had brought Ladybug up to Marinette a few times in passing. Always the worried best friend who wanted the best for his number two female. She was special to him, she was his best friend and he only wanted the best for her.

"What does he think about... well... us?"

Her eyebrows furrowed and he could see she was considering the question. The silence became uncomfortable and he needed to continue to speak, he couldn't sit here like this.

"Not 'us' us, but you know... us?"

Ladybug pouted her lips and looked out over to the distance with a slight shrug. "He hasn't said anything to me. I mean, since I no longer go to the same lycée as him I can talk about you more, but he's never really made any indication that it bothers him. Why?"

Quietly, Chat Noir sighed. Here goes nothing. Hopefully she can give him some sort of advice and himself and Marinette can move past this.

"My girlfriend has this new friend and she seems to really, really like him. I'm just worried about in what exact way."

"Has she given you any indication that she likes him in.. you know... that way?"

Chat Noir shrugged. "You can tell there's something there. It's just what?"

They sat thinking for a while. Chat running through thoughts of what Marinette might be doing right now. The thought of someone else protecting her and comforting her after an akuma kicking him hard in the gut. That was his job! It'd be like someone else sacrificing themself for Ladybug. It just wouldn't be right.

"You need to speak to her and ask her outright who this guy is and what her feelings are?"

He sniffed, unaware of the tears beginning to fall from his lower lids. She was right, and he knew it. But the thought of Marinette admitting there was more with this guy killed him.

"I'm scared," he whispered. Ladybug was quick to move, her arms looping around him and pulling him into her body. Just like many times before, her gloved hand began to run through his wild, untamed hair as she rocked him side to side.

"It'll be okay, Chaton. It'll be okay."

He had no idea how long he stayed in her arms, but he needed it—he so, so needed.

Apart from his mother, these were the arms he felt safest in — safer than with Marinette, and that thought shook him to the core.

•••••

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Plagg asked, refuelling himself with a delightful piece of rotting, aged cheese.

"I need to, Plagg. Nothing over the past couple of weeks has been right. We can't keep going on like this." Moving from behind the tree he'd used to drop his transformation, Adrien headed in the direction of the boulangerie.

"I don't know why you just can't be happy that you finally have a girl. Why does it matter that someone has a better sense of humour than you? If we're being honest, most people do."

"Way to kick me when I'm down. Anything else you'd like to bestow on me, old wise one?" Adrien rolled his eyes, stopping at the crosswalk and waiting to cross.

"Yup! She's not the only one 'talking' about someone else, Mr 'Ladybug's so special she called me a Prince today'." Plagg put on his best Adrien impression, the boy yanking him into his pocket with annoyance.

"Shut up, Plagg. I don't sound anything like that."

Finally reaching the boulangerie, Adrien knocked on the door and waited for Marinette to answer; his stomach was churning as he considered what might be the outcome of the evening.

His talk and other things with Ladybug had confused him more than anything else. Since getting with Marinette he'd never considered the possibility of breaking up, or not having a future with her, but he couldn't deny the bleak possibility this could be the end.

A few minutes after he'd rung the bell, Marinette appeared on the other side of the door. Her stance was timid and huddled.

"Adrien, hi!" She was also breathless and stunning and his heart wanted to leap from his chest and hug her.

"I hope you don't mind me turning up like this," he said, stretching to reach the back of his head. "I just... I really need to talk to you."

The shocked expression on her face almost shredded his heart into confetti. Maybe he should just turn away, leave and forget he was ever here.

"C-c-come in."

She stepped aside to allow him into the hallway, indicating for him to head up the staircase to their main apartment.

"Maman, Papa," she shouted behind him. "Adrien's here. We're just heading upstairs."

Without waiting to hear the response, Adrien pushed on, working hard to keep the tears and the fears at bay. Before he knew it, they were in the apartment, Marinette heading to grab them a drink as Adrien continued up to her room.

What was usually a settled and warm environment had turned cold and awkward, neither knowing what to do or say. He knew why he was acting this way, but why was she?

"Drink?" Marinette broke the silence, holding out a bottle of water to him only for him to deny.

"No, thank you. I won't be here long."

Her face fell, the colour draining with it as she turned and placed the bottles on the worktop. As she turned back to look at him, her eyes closed and her hands clenched together in the middle of her chest.

"Just do it, Adrien," Marinette said. "Tell me the truth, you're leaving me for her, aren't you?"

Her?

"W-what?" he said, his voice stuttering and stumbling as he spoke.

"The girl you're always on about, the one from lycée, you've fallen in love with her haven't you?"

Oh! Oh! OH!

"No, of course not, Marinette. I love you!"

She shook her head. A slither of silver trailing down her cheeks from her closed eyes. "You adore her. I can tell from the way you talk about her. You'll be happy together," she sniffed. "I just wished it had been me."

He wasn't quite sure what was happening. He'd come here expecting her to break up with him due to 'this guy'; yet, somehow, he'd inadvertently broken up with her because of Ladybug. Something very odd was happening here.

Yes, he'd mentioned Ladybug a few times in the past; however, he didn't think he spoke about her that much? Did he?

"It is you!" he said, stepping forward and holding onto her arms. "You're my present and future Marinette, Ladybug's just a friend."

"Adrien, no need to — what?"

Suddenly realising what he'd just said, one hand released from Marinette and placed itself firmly over his mouth. He rubbed hard before dropping his other hand and taking a step backwards.

"I — um — what?"

"No, no, no!" Marinette said, stepping towards him, her eyes almost setting him on fire. "You said 'Ladybug'."

"Pfft, ha ha! Yeah, because Ladybug would want to be friends with me."

Marinette tilted her head to one side, her eyes narrowing into him. "Why did you come here?"

"I wanted to see you."

"Good try. Now tell me the truth. Why are you here?"

Adrien gulped. Why did he suddenly feel like he was going to be put on the naughty step? Or tied to a chair with a lamp glaring over him?

"I wanted to know who the guy was you're always talking about."

"You want to know about him?" She moved forward some more and placed her hands on his shoulders, pushing him backwards and causing him to fall on the sofa with a yelp.

Keeping her hands on her shoulders, Marinette placed one knee either side of him, trapping him in place and causing his hands to hover uncomfortably beside him.

"Who is he, Marinette?" Adrien whispered, his head spinning from the close proximity of Marinette and her floral perfume. Oh man!

"He's strong." She kissed his cheek. "He's sweet." She moved her head to the other and pressed her lips there too. He couldn't even remember his own name at the moment let alone what he'd originally asked her. What were they talking about again?

"He's the funniest person I know." Her lips gently brushed against his nose and his eyes rolled backwards. "And he's..." she bent her head down and kissed his lips, whispering the word again them. "You!"

"Me?" he asked dreamily, closing his eyes as his lips gravitated towards hers. "It's me." He moved closer, so close he could feel her hot breath colliding against his own.

Him. It was him.

What?

It was... HIM!

"Me," he pulled his head back and grabbed Marinette by her shoulders, holding her away from him and studying her face.

"Yep. I'm your biggest fan." She dropped him a wink and he was sure he'd lost the ability to speak.

"Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy!"

Marinette giggled again. "You've been jealous of yourself, Kitty."

"Me?" Adrien said again. This just wasn't soaking in.

"Yes, you. My best friend, my boyfriend... my partner. I'm sorry I made you feel that way."

"You can talk. You thought I was breaking up with you, for you." He snorted before pressing a quick kiss to her nose. "I'm sorry too."

Leaning forward, Adrien kissed her again. Smiling with the release.

"Why are you not freaking out?" he said softly, his eyes skimming her face.

"Oh, I will! Just, right now, I've decided kissing you would be a better idea. I'll panic about it later."

"Can I panic with you?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"I'd like that." She smiled before continuing. "We have a lot to talk about, Kitty," she whispered, Adrien nodding in agreement.

"We do," he agreed, "but that can wait for another day."

With no need to be told again, Marinette pushed her hands through his hair and pulled him closer, kissing him deeply and meaningfully. Things were about to change and neither could comprehend; however, as long as they were together they knew they could handle it — especially as Adrien was still the funniest and most romantic guy Marinette knew, a title he'd wear proudly for the rest of his life.