Here we are with the second day of Adrienette April! This didn't turn out super accurate to the prompt (it was originally secret admirer),  but whatever. I like it too much to get rid of it. So now the original idea that I had you can find in my one-shots book as the Valentine's special (because I did technically write this before Valentine's) go and check that out if you're interested! It's the one-shot titled Things I'll Never Say. Vote and comment if you've enjoyed!                                                                                                                                     -Colorado

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One thing that Adrien Agreste had come to terms with over the years was that he had the worst luck. He wasn't sure if it was a side effect of being Chat Noir or if life just liked to mess with him.

That was why when he learned that Ladybug was none other than Marinette Dupain-Cheng, he was sure that his mind was playing tricks on him. There was no way he could be that lucky. Under no circumstances could his fantasy actually be reality.

Yet... it was.

His suspicions had started on Heroes Day. The name 'Everyday Ladybug' fit her a little bit too well. He had squashed that suspicion however, because he knew that Ladybug didn't want him to figure out her identity.

Then Kwami Buster had happened and he had felt so sure that Ladybug and Marinette were one in the same. Alas, Marinette was Multimouse, so there was no possible way for her to be Ladybug, right?

So for a while, he had forgotten all about his suspicions. Until the akuma attack where he had combined the cat and fox miraculous to create the illusion of Adrien and Chat Noir interacting with each other. That was when he realized that if he used the fox miraculous to protect his identity, so could Ladybug.

His suspicions had been confirmed when he had been trying to find an alley to transform in and had accidentally witnessed Marinette turning into Ladybug. The fact that his current crush was his first love made too much sense for Adrien to try and deny what he had seen.

Now here he was in his current dilemma.

On one hand, he was hopelessly in love with the most wonderful girl that he knew. He wanted to be hers and for her to be his so badly. He knew that he could shoot his shot, too. Marinette didn't seem to mind people thinking they were dating when they were running around from his fans, so maybe he had a chance?

On the other hand, he knew that Marinette was in love with someone else. He also knew that it wasn't Luka, because she had broken up with him, so he was left in the dark about who this mystery boy could be. He didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable. He also didn't want to make her feel like she had to date him. If they were to become a couple, he wanted it to be because they both wanted it.

"Will you stop moping already?" Plagg complained from Adrien's couch. 

"You just don't get it, Plagg! Marinette is Ladybug! Ladybug is Marinette!" Adrien was pacing in front of him again.

"And? I don't see how this is a big deal."

"It's a huge deal, Plagg! It's the biggest deal of all time!" Adrien screeched into his hands.

"So, your lady turned out to be your Princess. I don't see why you're freaking out so much, especially when you had your suspicions." Plagg shrugged, munching on a piece of camembert.

"Fantasizing about something and having that something come true are completely different things! I mean, yeah, I wanted Ladybug to be Marinette more than I wanted her to be anyone else, but the fact that I was right." Adrien ran his hands through his hair. "It's a lot to take in." 

"The sooner you take it in the better. What if you're like this the next time an akuma attack happens?" Plagg asked him.

"I can be professional enough to put up a front." Adrien grumbled, but then let out a sigh. "But I suppose you're right, Ladybug knows me well enough to know when something is up."

"Well, at least then you won't have to stress on telling her that you know her identity."

Adrien's eyes widened.

"Crap! I have to do that, don't I? Oh no, she's going to kill me!" Adrien fretted.

"Wait... was that not what you were worried about?" Plagg flew over to him.

"W-well, no." Adrien said sheepishly.

"Then what was all of that?" Plagg asked.

"It was," Adrien looked down at the ground. "Whether or not I should ask her out." He muttered.

"Seriously?" Plagg was obviously not impressed.

"She's amazing, Plagg. The only two girls I've ever loved rolled into one. She may very well be the love of my life." Adrien smiled, thoughts of his Lady filling his head.

"So then ask her out! At least then I may have a break from your lovesickness."

"But at the same time, she likes someone else. I don't want to make her feel like she has to go out with me to be nice. I would never want to make her uncomfortable."

"So don't ask her out."

"But, whenever I look at her, I feel like my heart is going to burst. Today at school, all I wanted to do was hug her and never let her go. I didn't, of course, because I have no right to do so, but I love her so much it hurts." Adrien sighed.

"So then ask her out! I don't see why you have to over complicate it." Plagg shook his head. Adrien groaned.

"Why is love so hard?" He asked, walking over and face-planting in his bed.

"You know what I like to do when I find a new cheese that has taken my affections?" Plagg asked.

"Sure, why not?" Adrien said dryly.

"It's simple. I compose a ballad for the cheese."

"You write a song for cheese? That's ridiculous."

"On the contrary, it allows my feelings to get out and into the open. It's not good to bottle emotions up."

Adrien looked at his kwami.

"That's actually not a bad idea."

"Of course it isn't, it's my idea after all."

"I could write Marinette a letter, get all of my emotions out. Then, I wouldn't need to be worried about telling her impulsively. Plus, I wouldn't even need to give her the letter."

"Glad to see that you're finally taking my advice."

Adrien ignored Plagg and walked over to his desk.

He sat down, took in a deep breath, and started to write. 

'My Lady,

The day I found out you were you will forever be one of the best days of my life. It was no secret that I had been in love with Ladybug for the longest time. However, recently heart had begun to speed up around a certain pigtailed classmate of mine. Ever since New York I suddenly found myself facing feelings for Marinette. They were feelings that had been there for a long time, longer than I had expected, but I had always been able to deny them easily. Then when my father told me to come home, I wanted Marinette to tell me to stay. I wanted to stay with her and be with her because I loved her.

I love you Marinette Ladybug Dupain-Cheng. I love everything about you. I love your determination. I love your kindness. I love how you never give up, even when you make mistakes. I love how you're able to admit your mistakes and try to fix them. I just love you.

But I know you don't feel the same way, so I'm afraid my confession will be confined to this paper. I would never want to make you uncomfortable, or overstep your boundaries. I've said it before and I'll say it again, your friendship means the world to me. Even if you're never going to be my girlfriend, the fact that you're my partner and my best friend makes my heart feel so full.

I wish I could tell you this. That I know who you are. I hate lying to you, bugaboo, I really do, but I know it was your wish for identities to remain a secret. I don't want some accident to come in between that. Especially because you would feel pressured to have me tell you my identity as well and although I have no complaints, I would never want to force you into something as big as this.

So I don't know when I'll work up the courage to tell you the truth, but just know that I love you and I'm so happy that you're you.

With love,

Your chaton'

"How are you feeling, Adrien?" Plagg asked him.

"A lot better now that I've got it off my chest." Adrien let out a yawn. "Come on, Plagg. It's late, we should head to bed."

"See you in the morning, Adrien."

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It had been a normal day for Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

She had woken up late, rushed out of the bakery, and had managed to get to school just barely on time. Maybe it wasn't the best start, but it was nothing out of the usual for her. Everyone around her was acting like normal, too.

It was supposed to be just another boring school day and patrol with Chat Noir in the evening.

Too bad the letter in her locker had other plans.

"Marinette? You good?" Alya broke her out of her thoughts.

"Y-yeah. I'm fine." She shook her head and stuffed the letter inside of her backpack.

"What was that anyway?" Alya asked.

"Nothing." She said, far too quickly.

"Oh come on! You were staring at that letter for what had to be five minutes straight. Don't tell me," Alya smirked. "It was a love letter."

"Eep!" Marinette flushed and put her face in her hands, trying to distract herself from what exactly the letter had said.

"Oh my gosh! It was! Marinette, do you have a secret admirer?"

"What's this about a secret admirer?" Nino asked, walking over to the both of them with....

'Don'tstaredon'tstaredon'tstaredon'tstare.' Marinette chanted as Adrien turned his gaze towards her. 'Don't think about how the letter said that his father had told him to come home and he wanted you to tell him to stay. Don't think about it, Marinette!'

"A letter?" Nino asked.

"Yeah! It's a total love letter too." Alya said excitedly. Adrien coughed.

"You didn't see what was in the letter though, right?"

'Why? Afraid she'll figure out your identity?' Marinette thought before she could stop herself. 'No! That's not possible. Adrien can't be Chat Noir, that'd be crazy.'

"I didn't need to." Alya shrugged. "I asked her if it was from a secret admirer and she turned bright right."

"Do you have any idea who?" Adrien asked.

It would've sounded convincing to anyone but her. There was a faint wobble in his voice that could've been excitement, but Marinette knew better.

She nodded not meeting his gaze.

"O-oh." His voice was an octave higher than usual.

"Wait, Marinette...."

'Alya, please don't.' Marinette prayed.

"Is Adrien...?" The question went unanswered as Alya and Nino burst into laughter.

"No way." Nino said through his laughter. "Finally not so oblivious, eh?" Nino patted Adrien on the back.

Marinette still couldn't bear to meet his eyes.

"This is your lucky day, Sunshine." Alya winked. "Come on, Nino, let's head to class."

"Good luck you two!" He called as they exited the lockers together.

Marinette took in a deep breath and finally turned her gaze to Adrien.

He looked at her like a kitten left out in the rain. Was he really that scared? Oh, her poor chaton.

'Okay, Marinette, deep breaths. It's Ladybug time.'

"Mari, I-."

"We'll talk about this later, at lunch." She said, her eyes wandering to the other students in the locker room. "This isn't the time nor the place."

"Okay." He said quietly.

She smiled softly at him.

Adrien Agreste was Chat Noir.

There were definitely worse things in the world than this development.

She reached out and grabbed his hand.

"It'll be okay. I'm not mad." She whispered.

"Really?" He asked.

"Really, really."

"I'm so, so, sorry."

"What's done is done, we'll talk about it later." She said.

"Okay, Princess."

Her heart fluttered.

Adrien Agreste was Chat Noir and he loved her. He loved both Marinette and Ladybug.

Yeah, there were definitely worse things in the world.

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"Wanna head to the bakery?" Marinette asked Adrien as soon as they were released for their lunch break.

He nodded.

"Sounds great! You know how much I love your dad's pastries, Marinette."

"You need more meat on your bones anyway." She lowered her voice. "I highly doubt your dietitian accounts for your extra cardio."

Now that she had been able to sit with it all morning, the reality of Adrien being Chat Noir was finally starting to settle in. She still couldn't believe she had been so lucky, but she was Ladybug after all. A symbol of luck that spread throughout the entire city.

Adrien being Chat Noir just made too much sense for her not to believe it. They were both major dorks, something that became apparent after Marinette stopped crushing on Adrien. They both had similar family lives, which had broken her heart. They both had the same good looks. It had all clicked for her.

"Y-yeah. She doesn't."

"Well then, shall we go?" Marinette chirped, holding out her hand.

Adrien looked from her to her hand back to her, wearing a surprised expression that was way too cute.

"Uhhh...sure." He said slipping his hand into hers.

"Yo, lovebirds! I expect the full details when you two come back, okay? I have waited for too long for this." Alya teased.

Marinette rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, sure thing."

"Lovebirds?" Adrien asked in a whisper, his face red.

"I'll explain everything when we get to the bakery, okay?"

"Okay."

She hummed as they walked to the bakery. It was pleasant being there with him. They might not have been in deep conversation, but feeling his hand in hers was enough. He was enough. In fact, he was more than enough.

"Maman, Papa, I'm home!" Marinette called as they entered the bakery. Luckily, too many customers weren't there.

"Hey sweetheart." Sabine's eyes flickered down to Adrien and Marinette's entwined hands before looking back up at the duo. "Hello, Adrien. It's lovely to see you again."

"Thank you, Madame Cheng."

"Oh call me Sabine, honey. Madame Cheng makes me feel old." She winked. "Go ahead and head up, you two."

"Thanks, Maman." Marinette kissed her mother on her cheek and waved to her father.

"He's not going to try and kill me again, is he?" Adrien whispered in her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

Marinette shook her head.

"I still can't believe he did that."

"I still can't believe I rejected the love of my life." He muttered.

She tried to hold back her lovesick sigh.

"S-sorry, I know there's still that other boy." Adrien said quickly, misinterpreting her silence.

"Right, about that. You're going to laugh, I promise."

"If you say so, bugaboo."

"Come on." Marinette tugged on his hand and led him up into their apartment. "Tikki you can come out now."

"You too, Plagg."

The two kwami's flew out hovering in front of their holders.

"How are you feeling, Marinette?" Tikki asked her softly.

"It was a lot to take in, but" A smile split her face as a giggle slipped out of her lips. "Adrien's Chat Noir." She said giddily.

"That he is, Marinette." 

"I've got a bone to pick with you, Plagg." Adrien's eyes narrowed.

"Who, me?" He said, trying to act innocent.

"Oh don't give me that. It was you who told me to write a letter, this was your plan all along wasn't it?"

"Okay so maybe I slipped the letter into Pigtails locker, but who cares? If I had let this go on, who knows how much longer it would've been until they got everything sorted out."

"Plagg was the one who put the letter in my locker?" Marinette asked. It made sense, Adrien had said in the letter that the confession was supposed to stay in the letter.

"Yeah. My mind was still reeling last night and I felt like I just needed to tell you, but I didn't want to force you into anything, so I didn't know what to do. Then Plagg told me to write a letter and so I did." He finished.

"Well, it must be your lucky day then because you aren't forcing me into anything. I fell for you all on my own." She told him, trying to hide her nervousness.

She did it! She actually confessed to Adrien/Chat Noir!

"W-what?" He looked at her, his eyes wide.

"Yeah. Why'd you think I was so nervous around you?"

"Because you were intimidated by my status as a model?" He asked, giving her a sheepish smile.

"Nope!" She bopped him on the nose. Something that wasn't strange to them whatsoever. "It's because I had a crush of the century on you."

"A-ah. I see." He said awkwardly. "And those feelings...?" He trailed off, as if he were afraid to ask.

But he was her partner, he didn't need to be afraid of her answer whatsoever.

"Only went away when I started to crush on my partner instead. Then I found out that they were the same person and shared my feelings." She said, giving him a dorky smile.

He nodded, his mouth opening and closing.

"Cool. Cool, cool, cool. That's really great! Awesome." He finger-gunned with his free hand.

"I know right." She said, finger gunning back him. This dork. She loved him so much.

"So, you like me." Adrien said slowly.

"Yep!"

"And I like you." She blushed.

"That's what the letter said."

"S-so you wouldn't be opposed to me asking you out sometime?"

"N-nope! I wouldn't be opposed to that at all." She would definitely be screaming in her pillow about this tonight.

"S-so you also wouldn't mind if you were, hypothetically, my girlfriend?" His face was flushed and she knew that hers was two.

"N-no. I wouldn't mind that whatsoever." She said giggling.

"Okay, um, great! I guess we're girlfriend and boyfriend now."

"I guess we are." Marinette couldn't stop smiling even if she wanted too, but why in the world would she want to?

The love of her life was now her boyfriend! 

"So, does that mean we can do girlfriend and boyfriend things?" Adrien asked hopefully. Marinette nodded.

"Yep. I think it does."

"So we can cuddle? And hold hands? And hug? And, you know," He looked down at his feet. "Kiss?"

"S-sure. That would be nice." She could barely feel herself over the pounding of her heart.

"So could we," his voice lowered. "Maybe do some of that now? Only if you want of course!"

"Well, we're already holding hands, what else would you want to do?" Marinette croaked.

"Maybe this?" Adrien whispered and tugged her closer.

Her arms automatically went around him as she rested her head on his chest.

"Yeah, this is really nice." She murmured.

"I like your hugs." He said softly.

"Well, expect to get them a lot more often. Like on patrol every single night. Be prepared for tons of cuddles and affection."

"T-that sounds like a dream, Marinette."

"Then your dream has turned into reality."

"That seems to be happening a lot. I used to dream about you and Ladybug being the same person and here you are!"

"Here I am." She looked up at him.

He met her gaze and she sucked in a breath. He was looking at her with so much love in his eyes it made her feel light on her feet.

He leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers as he laughed quietly.

"I love you, Marinette." He whispered.

"I love you too, Adrien."

"M-Marinette?" He asked after a few moments of blissful silence.

"Yeah?"

"May I kiss you?" He barely breathed.

She sucked in a breath as she tried to form a complete thought. The only thing that came out was:

"Please."

And so he did. 

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These two are such dorks! Vote and comment if you've enjoyed and I'll see you tomorrow!                                                     -Colorado