Adrien's POV

12:37 AM

I lay in bed, wide awake. I couldn't sleep a wink since that kiss I had with Marinette...

Plagg had told me there was a new Ladybug... I didn't take it well...

It almost caused me to have a panic attack, but I controlled my breathing and lay down to try and sleep.

Plagg didn't give me any clues on who Ladybug was, which worried me since I knew who my lady was...

Marinette...

I don't know how I didn't see it before. I was completely oblivious of who her true identity was until that night on the roof top. I was overwhelmingly shocked when her mask came off, yet I didn't look away. When I seen it was Marinette, my heart beat picked up its pace. I knew that I liked her, but that night I seen her in a different light. I seen her as the girl of my dreams... My lady...

This only worried me even more since Marinette had just accepted my apology. What if I told her I was Cat Noir, and she hated me even more? We just got back on good terms and with this little 'mess' up in the way, I'm afraid she's going to resent me even more.

"You need to stop worrying so much, Adrien." Plagg flew over to my side and landed next to my pillow.

I sigh and close my eyes. "I can't help it, Plagg, I'm always going to worry about things, especially when it involves Marinette."

He shrugs. "She's not going to hate you, she's still in love with you, can't you see that?"

My eyes bolt open and I look down at him. "If she was still in love with me, why would she tell me that she moved on? She said it right to my fac-- er, Cat's face."

"You really are this oblivious, aren't you?"

"Guess so." I shrug. "I just don't see why she would do that."

Plagg face-palms and shakes his head again.

"Marinette is still in love with you, she lied about moving on so she could save your friendship."

My eyes grow wide in realization. "S-she did?"

Plagg nods. "Yes, and you shou--"

He was cut off by a knock at the door. We exchange looks before I sat up and made my way to the door. Plagg quickly hid underneath my pillow.

With a small sigh, I open the door and glance down at the figure before me.

Her sapphire blue eyes were bloodshot and puffy. She had been crying... All of my previous worry had come running back. Without any warning, I wrapped my arms around her small frame, and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

She didn't speak, and she didn't need to. I could tell something was wrong by watching her body language. She was slightly trembling as a few more tears left her eyes.

We remained standing in the threshold, me holding her protectively. It was only a few minutes before we parted and she looked up at me.

"Adrien..." She croaked out.

"Yes?"

"I know..."

I searched her eyes for a clue at what she meant, but found nothing. "What do you mean?" I asked, nervously. Did she know that I was Cat Noir? Hopefully not.

"You're him..." She paused. "You're Cat Noir..." Shit...

I laugh to throw her off, clearly not working.

"Adrien, please, you can tell me." She said quietly.

I let out a huff of air and held her tighter. "I am... I'm Cat Noir, Ladybug's partner... Your partner, my lady."

I could feel her trembling cease and smiled as she rested her head on my shoulder. It was another perfect moment with her.. My one and only true heaven...

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She asked.

"I thought for sure you would be even more mad at me, even after accepting my apology. I didn't want it to look like I was keeping a secret, even though I kind of was."

"Adrien," She cupped my cheek gently. "I don't mind that you kept this secret, but I wish that you wouldn't since we have an honest and open relationship"

I smiled and looked down at the floor. Relationship... Not as boyfriend and girlfriend, but as friends, and I was okay with it. If we couldn't be together as a couple because of my own stupidity, then I was fine with being friends. As long as I got to see her beautiful face, I'd be all right.

"I'm sorry." I hugged her tightly and rested my head atop of hers.

"Don't apologize," She hugged back. "I'm just glad we have no more secrets between us."

"Me too." A sudden pang of guilt hit me straight in the stomach, sending me down a road of dread.

"Adrien, are you all right?" She asked, wiggling out of my grip to look at me.

I nod. "I am. Just worried, is all." I nod again and force a smile, even though I didn't want to. And she seen right through it.

"Something's wrong with you, you can't lie and say that nothing is. What is it?"

Hanging my head, Marinette managed to squirm free from my grip, and walk into my dorm. I close the door and turn to face her.

"Mar, you know me too well."

She shrugs and smiles. "Didn't have to look hard, I can tell something's bothering you. You can tell me." With a nod, she sits down on my bed, and crosses one leg over the other.

Marinette was beautiful, a goddess even, and it took everything in me, to not kiss her. She sat straight up, without the slightest curve of her spine, she truly was my princess, and I couldn't be happier. But I still have to tell her how I feel, it wouldn't be right if I didn't.

Sighing, I follow her lead, and sit next to her, thumping my fingers on the comforter. "I can't let him go... I just can't..."

Without a word, she wrapped her arms around me as my eyes welled up with tears. "You can though, I know you can."

I shake my head. "I can't, Mar. If I do, I'm afraid that I'll lose all the memories we had together as Ladybug and Cat Noir, and I can't lose those. They're apart of my childhood, probably the only good thing I had then. I can't and won't let that go."

"Adrien, you won't lose those memories. They'll be with you forever, I'm sure of it." She sighs and rubs my back. "Look, I know that it may be scary to think that we're getting older, but it was bound to happen. We only have our kwamis until we're ready to admit that we're adults, and we are. Our entire lives are changing right underneath our noses, and there's nothing we can do to go back to those adolescent years. We're no longer kids, Adrien."

She picked up my hand, lacing her fingers with mine.

"No matter what happens, where we go, who we're with, I will stand by your side through it all. Everyone needs to be held every now and then, and you are no exception. Face it, you're stuck with me and I'm stuck with you." That would be pure bliss. As her words entered my brain and made me realize how much she was right, I relaxed and leaned closer to her.

"Thanks Mari. You're the best." She smiles at my praise and nods.

"Don't mention it, just a friend helping out a friend. And if you ever feel discouraged or lonely, just call me, and I'll be there."

I nod and lean closer, so does she. Our lips are just mere inches from each other's, but before either of us could close the gap, the door opens and whoever was there, gasped loudly.

"Oh, crap! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt." Lucas. Thanks for, possibly, cock-blocking me, man! Not that Marinette and I would actually do that, but it could've happened and would it have been so wrong if it did? I really need to calm down, like holy hell...

Marinette's face turns bright red as she quickly stands up and clears her throat. "I should get going, I'll talk to you later, okay?"

I nod and watch as she walks past Lucas and down the hall. Once she was out of earshot, I glanced at Lucas and crossed my arms.

He smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck. "I really didn't mean to do that, but look on the bright side! You almost kissed her!"

"It would've been brighter if we actually did kiss." I mumble and fall back on the bed, letting out a frustrated groan. I've got faith that another moment like that one will happen again very soon.

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[A/N:] Hey guys!!! Sorry it's been so long since the last update!! I'm trying my best to keep up with the schedule I have, but clearly failing. Updates will be up as soon as possible!!