(M/n) couldn't keep his eyes off Adrien during the performance. He couldn't help himself--and if he could, he didn't have the strength to.

The young knight shifted his attention to the piano, his tired legs dragging him towards it. The keys themselves were a pretty creme color and the black slats and sharps were shiny from the bright purple stage-lights. (M/n) wondered if anyone else had played this piano.

He quietly sat down on the small seat, his hands resting on the keys. The chattering of his classmates paused abruptly when he began to play. The music was slow and enchantingly somber, the Knight never speaking as he continued to play. The keys created a dull hollow sound that mixed with the melody of the song.

One by one, the boys and girls began to join hands with their partners--all except Chloe, the main princess lead. Adrien kept his promise, dancing with Marinette who was a commoner invited due to her unique power to create anything with a touch of her finger.

Chloe stood confused in the center of the stage as her classmates danced around her together with the slow melody of the melancholy piano. The quiet tapping of metallic boots knocked the girl out of her senses as she glanced up at the silent knight who had been playing moments prior.

The song continued, a deeper sound coming from the strings as the knight offered his hand to the blonde princess.

"May I have this dance?" He questions, the knight slipped his helmet off, exposing his gelled back hair and (e/c)-colored irises that focused on nothing but her.

The Princess smiled and nodded, reaching her hand out toward the knight's gloved one.

"You may," she answers back softly.

---

The play was a success, the people who had come early to the festival clapped as the cast bowed on stage. (M/n)'s eyes held nothing but fear as he stumbled off the platform, he needed to get out of these clothes. It was hot and he was starting to feel claustrophobic in the tight material.

He could see Marinette next to Adrien near the stage equipment, talking and laughing together. His heart clenched, it wasn't as though Adrien excepted the girl's confession, right?

The (h/c)-haired teen pursed his lips, running a hand down his face as he shuffled away from his classmates and to the tent where his clothes were. Once he had changed, (M/n) was greeted by Rose and Juleka.

"Hey! We're gonna check out the stands, do you wanna come with us?" Rose chirped. (M/n) found it hard to reject her. Sucking in a deep inhale, he forced a smile as he lightly shook his head.

"I wanted to get back home, I'm pretty sure I forgot something there.." he lies swiftly. (M/n) gestured off toward the direction of his house, giving another smile before turning around and beginning to walk away. Rose pouted but hummed.

"Bye, (M/n)!" she called out, her voice wasn't heard by the taller teen as he walked numbly.

I don't know if I can do this anymore...seeing them so happy together, I thought I would be okay with it--

The pianist shook his head, scratching the back of his head. A frown made its way onto his face faster than he would've liked. He groaned softly, turning down a few alleyways until he came across a small open area. It had a clear view of the festival from a good enough distance. You could see the bright lights of the Ferris wheel, the distant sound of loud music and laughter.

The bright lights caught his attention, his hands dropping from his head as he stared at the bright fluorescent purple and blue lights.

"You walked super far--" Adrien's whine caught the teen off guard, forcing a small yelp to leave his throat as he whipped his head around to look at the model. He was still dressed in his costume, catching some of the wandering eyes of the people around them.

"Adrien--"

"Just let me talk..." Adrien's eyes caught the wide teary (e/c)-colored hues of the taller teenager. Adrien forced his gaze back to the ground, I've hurt him so much...

He let out a light sigh, shifting his stare back up at the boy, "can we go to your place?" he mutters, voice quiet and lonely.

(M/n)'s lips tightened into a thin line before he nodded hesitantly.

The walk to the boy's house was quiet and awkward, the cold shoulder that the taller was giving forced Adrien to stay silent the entire time until they had finally made it back to the familiar entrance to the boy's cold and uninviting home.

Plagg peaked out from Adrien's inside pocket, gliding over to (M/n)'s shoulder. He was hesitant, his moves slowed as he rested his body against the boy's neck.

Adrien swallowed the lump forming in his throat.

A shudder raked through his body as he fiddled with his fingers. The two walked quietly to the couch after locking the door again, Adrien sat across from the taller teen, enveloped in a deafening silence. The model could've sworn (M/n) could hear his heart drumming against his ribcage in a hollow thud.

However, (M/n) was almost ready to jump out of his skin, he was pale and sweaty from his overwhelming nerves--he tried hard to keep his poker face and keep his breathing steady and unchanged.

But the more he sees Adrien fidget and tighten his lips, the more he grows anxious.

"You're making me nervous..." (M/n) mutters, hugging his arms as he forced his eyes to focus on something other than Adrien. The said model gaped but let out a small chuckle before nodding, "Right," he whispers, "Sorry about that...I'm nervous too."

(M/n) dully nodded, humming as his voice tapered off, his eyes shifting back onto the boy in front of him. He hadn't seen his costume up close--well, had a good chance to really admire the craftsmanship of the costume. It must've taken Marinette all night to make it. The (h/c)-haired pianist frowned, biting the inside of his cheek to numb the thoughts.

Stop thinking about it...

Adrien's stuttered inhale caused the taller teen to wince, his cheeks warming as he tried to lower his thoughts to a muted level, he swallowed down his bubbling groan.

"I..I did talk with Marinette, before the performance. She," Adrien glances up into (M/n)'s attentive gaze, "she told me that she was Ladybug and that you knew that she was." This got (M/n)'s actual attention.

"What...?" he mouths, eyes widening, "she told you--just out of the blue?--"

"No! I mean...no, she saw Plagg--"

"Adrien." The model paused, his shameful gaping making (M/n) sigh out deeply and rub his slightly prickly chin. He forgot to shave this morning.

Plagg barked out a laugh(ironic as it was) and flew up from (M/n)'s shoulder to the center coffee table that was stopping (M/n) from choking the golden blond out. "It was my own fault, kiddo, so don't be mad at Adrien--as easy it is"

"Hey!"

Plagg rolled his eyes and waved the boy off with his tiny paw, "whatever, anyway, Marinette only talked about them being Heroes. Nothing more and nothing less."

(M/n) perked up, his eyes watering instantly as he shoved his glasses off his face and onto the floor, covering his eyes with his hands--(M/n) quickly calmed himself down by breathing in deeply and slowly before letting out another drunken sigh.

Adrien's lips pursed as he gestured Plagg to go to the kitchen with a small tilt of his head, going unnoticed by the stressed teenager across from him.

Plagg hastily agrees before zooming off to the freshly stocked pantry.

"(M/n)," Adrien voices, snatching the teen's attention back to the task at hand, he would call Marinette later once he found the time, "I wanted to say that...even if I didn't make it clear before, that you're important to me. I love you, and only you. It might seem that way--sure, I was confused for a while, but I know what's important and what isn't." Adrien rambles, smiling to himself as his cheeks flushed with color.

Adrien rubbed his palms on his slacks, hoping that his hands weren't too sweaty as he reached over the small coffee table to grab the boy's right hand in his.

Holding the soft skin tenderly, a solemn glint flickered in his eyes, a sigh leaving his chapped lips. His tongue darted over the muscle before he continued.

"I went three weeks to win you over," Adrien sent the boy a lopsided grin that made (M/n)'s heart flutter and for his lips to part, "It would be dumb for me not to fall for you!" (M/n) thinned his lips. Standing up abruptly before pushing Adrien away by the shoulders and turning his back to the boy.

Adrien stared at him dumbfoundedly before noticing the bright red tips of his ears and his shaking shoulders. A sweet grin formed on his warm expression, laughing softly before getting up and walking around the table side to the pianist. (M/n) whipping his head to the side, still avoiding the boy's alluring warmth as he kept his head high.

"Can you look at me please?" Adrien questioned in a hushed whisper. The faint pop of the fireworks made (M/n) gulp before nodding hesitantly and turning his head back to the blond.

"I'm all for going at your pace in this, (M/n), I hope you realize that I'm here for you."

That was the last straw---

(M/n) hastily shoved Adrien onto the couch before hugging him tightly, burrowing his nose into the nook of Adrien's neck. Adrien immediately hugged back, smiling into the thin fabric of the taller teen's long-sleeved shirt.

"I love you," (M/n) whispered out.

And this time, he said it out loud.