Thought this song would go well with the story....not sure if it does, but I'll let you guys decide.

Warning: Chapter contains Marithaniel

Pls do not end my life.

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Marinette POV

It just had to start raining. One of the many reminders I have of Adrien. I'm really trying not to think about him, but for some reason it seems harder today than it did this past week.

I looked into my purse to check on Tikki, she smiled up at me while she took a bite out of one of the cookies that I had stashed in my purse. I smiled and closed my purse back up, not all the way, and walk down the sidewalk.

Alya always wondered why I never focused on getting a car. Besides the fact of the financial issue, I never really gave it much thought since I usually transform into Ladybug whenever I need to get somewhere faster.

Plus, when you drive you can't really enjoy the beauty of Paris if you're too focused on the road. Even though I've lived here my whole life, I can't think of any other city that can compare this one.

I noticed something black in the corner of my eye and I look up at the top of the building across the street.

Hmm...maybe it was a bird.

I spotted the Lourve up ahead and cross the street to make my way over. Near the entrance holding a blue umbrella was Nathaniel. He looked like he was looking for someone and his face brighten once he saw me.

"Marinette!" He said happily when I approached him. "You made it."

"Yeah...I'm sorry if you had to wait long." I apologised.

"Oh no! It wasn't long at all." His grin widen. "Shall we go inside?"

I nodded. Closing our umbrellas we went inside.

Chat Noir POV

I had to duck down when Marinette turned in my direction. After getting busted the other night for practically spying on her I figured that I needed to be a little more careful.

She was heading for the Lourve, I was curious about why she would be going there all of a sudden. I remembered her telling me that it was one of her favorite places to go for inspiration.

Marinette walked up to another figure near the entrance. My eyes widen when I realized that the unknown figure was male.

Who is that???

I pulled out my baton and used my camera to try to get a closer look. I zoomed in and noticed that he had red hair. Something about him seemed familiar, but I can't figure out where I know him from...

They closed their umbrellas and headed inside of the museum. I couldn't see them anymore.

A million thoughts ran through my mind. I could be getting ahead of myself right now by jumping to conclusions. For all I know that could just be a friend of hers that I just never knew about, or maybe a work buddy, but my fears keep getting in the way of that simple thought.

What if....what if she was on a date.

It HAS been awhile since her and I spoke and we've never started dating in the first place so technically she was free to do what she wanted. Still, if this is a date this could possibly ruin every possible chance I had of winning Marinette back or at least to let her know about my feelings.

Every logical thought in my mind is telling me NOT to go in there after them and to NOT watch them from a distance to make sure that this isn't a date.

Then again.....those same thoughts told me not to stalk...I mean...'keep tabs' on Marinette this past week.

Did I listen?

No....I didn't.

Marinette POV

Nathaniel showed me all the new exhibits that I've missed out on since the last time I've been inside of this place, along with some of his favorite ones that he enjoys to look at.

I've almost forgotten about how passionate he was about art, he pretty much has the entire map of the art exhibit memorized in his head. He must be here alot.

"Finally my favorite piece of all." Nathaniel gestured down the hall where the Mona Lisa was displayed.

"This is your favorite piece?" I asked

"Mmmhmm. It was one of the first pieces of art I had to learn about. I'm embarrassed to say, but I always thought the woman in this painting was really beautiful."

"You had a crush on a painting?" I giggled.

He rubbed the back of his neck and his face turned slightly red. "Kind of, but honestly I've seen more beautiful things." He looked at me for a moment almost as if he was hinting at something, then he pulled out his phone. "Wow we've been here for a few hours now."

I checked the time on my own phone. He was right, it was currently 9 o'clock and the museum closed in an hour.

"I guess we should head out now." I suggested. "I'm really glad you invited me to tag along Nathaniel."

He smiled. " And I'm glad you came."

Adrien POV

I know I thought about it before, the idea of Marinette being with another man or finding someone new, but thinking about it and actually seeing for myself was alot different than I expected.

I was dressed in a dark hoodie and sunglasses. I usually only wear this when I need a day away from the paparazzi and any other crazed fan that might see me. Plus if Marinette saw me I think she just might kill me.

I made sure to keep my distance this entire time though. So I would prevent raising any suspicion.

All they did was talk, just having friendly conversations with one another. They didn't hold hands, she didn't lean on him, she didn't kiss him, he didn't kiss her. They didn't do anything that 'just friends' wouldn't do.

And yet....just SEEING her with another man was enough to make my blood start to boil.

I never thought of the fact that she might've had other male friends out there. I mean she did get along with everyone back in highschool...well besides Chloe...and Marinette was a really loveable person and a joy to be around.

So yeah...I guess it shouldn't surprise me.

Still....seeing her simply ENJOY another man's company was starting to make my eye twitch. I mean I know her and Nino get along and there was that time when HE had a crush on her back in highschool, but of course that changed when he started hanging out with Alya.

I finally came to realize that the guy she was with was someone we knew from highschool, I can't remember his name, but he was the same guy who got akumatized and asked Marinette on that date.

Wait.....does that mean he still has a crush on her??

Would Marinette...actually consider dating this guy?

What am I saying....Marinette has all the freedom in the world to be with whoever she wants, if anything it just means that I should've asked her out a long time ago....when she was still mine.

I need to tell her the truth sooner rather than later if I have any chance of keeping any sort of relationship with her even if it's just being friends.

Even if she decides she wants to be with someone else, I don't think I'll ever stop loving her.

Marinette POV

You know....at first I felt somewhat guilty when I first agreed to go on this outing with Nathaniel. I admit I may have been....using him a bit to get my mind off of Adrien, but even so I honestly had a great time with him.

I've always known for him to be a sweet guy, even when he was akumatized that one time he still held his gentle spirit...well when he wasn't going after Chloe that is.

Nathaniel insisted that he'd walk me home, I told him it was fine that I could make it there myself, but he said that it would be rude and inconsiderate if he allowed for me to walk home in the rain alone.

Technically I wasn't alone, I had Tikki and it's not like I couldn't handle myself, superhero and all, but he didn't exactly KNOW that so I didn't argue.

When we got to the front of the apartment complex Nathaniel turned to me. "So this is the place."

"Mmmhmm. Thanks for walking me home."

Nathaniel smiled at me once again. He really did have a nice smile. I remember when he barely did, it made me happy that I could make him happy as well.

"No problem. It's the least I could do really." He said with a slight blush. "Would it be too much trouble if I asked if we could hang out again some other time?"

"No not at all, I'd love to do this again." I gave a sincere smile. "I'll see you around Nath, you take care okay?"

"Yeah...see you Marinette."

I headed up the stairs and made my way into my apartment.

I sat my purse on the counter opening it all the way to let Tikki free. She sat on the counter smiling up at me.

"You seem to really enjoy your time out with Nathaniel." She said with a giggle.

"Oh shush you, he's just a friend."

"Are you saying you're not interested in him?" Tikki asked tilting her head slightly.

"At the moment? No.....I mean Nathaniel is sweet and all, but I really can't think about getting together with another guy until I fixed things with Adrien. Once that's dealt with maybe I'll give it a chance."

Speaking of Adrien, maybe it's about time I finally gave him a call. I think I've ignored him long enough.

Picking up my phone I scroll through my contacts to his profile. I chuckled a little at the picture of him smiling like a child while eating a crossiant and clicked on the button to call him.

It only took a few rings before there was an answer.

"H..Hello?"

"Hey Adrien, it's.....um....it's Marinette."

"M..Marinette! H..Hi how are you?" He almost sounded surprised to hear me over the phone.

"I'm....fine." I can feel myself start to get nervous. Some things never change do they? "Hey I want to apologise for...not answering your calls, but is there anyway we could.....meet up so we could...talk?"

"Y...yes! Yes absolutely yes. I'll come over to your place."

"How long will it take you?"

"Actually....."

There's a knock at my door, still having the phone pressed to my ear I go over to open it.

Standing there was Adrien, soaked in a dark green hoodie, he had the phone pressed to his ear and gave me a small smile.

".....not very long."
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That's it for this chapter guys. Stay tuned for more!

Originally I had planned for there to be an akuma attack, but I am not good at them at all 😐

I enjoy action scenes every now and then, but I'm really all about the romance and drama you know?

Besides most of the time action scenes are the reason some of my couples aren't canon yet.

They always INTERRUPT!!

*Cough* Dark Cupid episode *cough* *cough* Chat's confession *Cough* Ladynoir kiss! *COUGH*

I need water.....