Alya, Nino, and Adrien walked into the Boulangerie Patisserie on a Saturday, late into the morning. The day was cool enough for baked good, but warm enough to enjoy ice cream. The trio were picking up their friend at her house to get lunch and then a special treat. Marinette was nowhere to be seen in the downstairs bakery.
“Good Morning Mrs. Cheng,” they greeted their friends mother cheerily.
“Good morning, kids. Marinette is upstairs. She was feeling a bit dizzy this morning so she’s probably laying down. Go ahead and go on up.”
“Thank you,” Alya called as she lead the way upstairs to the living space. They headed up the second set of stairs to Marinette’s room. They found their friend laying on her pink chaise, sound asleep. Alya smiled and shook her head fondly. Judging from the mess on the floor and the strewn papers everywhere, her best friend had been up late doing some designing. She nudged her boyfriend and smiled at Adrien.
“Nino and I will go grab food. Adrien, stay with Marinette, okay?” She asked softly.
Adrien nodded, completely missing the mischievous glint in Alya’s eyes and how Nino only shook his head with fondness. Adrien found he couldn’t look away from the sleeping form of his friend. She had her hair in a cute, messy bun. Her usual outfit was replaced with pink shorts that showed off her, surprisingly, toned legs and a light blue, almost white, blouse with the cup sleeves and collar made of white lace. Her regular flats were currently replaced with plain white sandals. Adrien had never seen her look so cute and he felt his heart beat faster.
Recently, anything Marinette did made his heart race. From the simple way she smiled at her friends, to the endearing stutter she had when talking to him, it all made him feel like he’d been running. He felt his cheeks flush at the thought and then turned when he heard a soft sigh coming from her desk. What had made that sound? He moved to her desk, surprised by the red, kwami-sized bug. Tikki. Ladybug’s kwami. But why was she with Marinette? Unless….
His heart started to beat faster than it ever had before. Marinette, his Marinette, was Ladybug. Of course she was Ladybug; it made sense! The two were amazingly talented, thoughtful, kind, caring, smart, creative, the list could go on. But instead, he halted his thoughts as his heart spoke. He loved Marinette. He gulped at the sudden realization, feeling dizzy. He turned away from the kwami, his eyes suddenly meeting a startling blue. He blushed as the girl he loved looked at him, her sleep-filled mind slowly coming to terms with what she already knew. He had seen.
“Adrien! I can explain! Uh...well...you see, I uh-”
“Marinette, it’s okay. I know you’re Ladybug. I won’t tell anyone.”
She stared at him, first in surprise, then defeat, and finally determination.
“You can’t let ANYONE know you know! If you do, it could put you in danger!”
She was worried about him. In true Marinette fashion, she was worried for others before her own safety. He smiled and nodded in understanding, then took her hand in both of his. He was filled with delight at her blush.
“Marinette, I have to tell you something.”
She stared up at him with wide blue eyes that sent his heart racing.
“Y-yes Adrien?”
“Marinette...I love you.”
He heard more than saw her gasp, so intent was he on her eyes. He saw her smile a little, forced. Not her usual smile.
“You only love me cause I’m Ladybug, right?”
He gaped at her.
“What? No! Not at all! I mean, I do love that side of you. But, Marinette, I’ve been in love with you for a long time!”
She blushed, her eyes growing wide again.
“Y-you do?”
“Yes! How could I NOT love you? You’re amazing, talented, and you always care for others above yourself. While you might be more creative with the ideas as Ladybug, you’re so talented as Marinette too. You make people smile and you’re beautiful!”
She blushed and looked at him.
“I-I too, love Adrien, you.”
He smiled endearingly. She loved him back. He looked at her lips for the first time that day, realizing she had on some kind of lip gloss that made her lips almost irresistible. Probably strawberry flavored. He looked back to her eyes to find her watching him.
“Marinette...may I kiss you?”
She blushed to the roots of her hair.
“I’d like if you did.”
He smiled and gently leaned down to kiss her lips. Raspberry, not strawberry. But all the better, because now he’d always remember the taste as her first kiss with him. He pulled away slowly and then watched her try not to pout. He chuckled softly and then leaned in to kiss her again. Before he pulled away the second time, her heard a scream and then Alya shouting.
“I KNEW IT!”