Caught by Surprise

How it all started

Chat Noir gave her a little wave, trying his best not to look miserable. Marinette let him in, although she was screaming inside and her heart was beating so fast he must have heard it.

"Hey."

"Hey, kitty, what brings you here this late?"

"I guess I needed a friend... and your light was on... I don't want to intrude..."

"It's OK, Chat. Come sit next to me."

She might have screwed up as Ladybug, but she could still be there for him as Marinette. At least there's no chance of Chat kissing her civilian self. He loved Ladybug, not Marinette. But both Ladybug and Marinette loved Adrien, right?

Since they went their separate ways after leaving the lycée, she only got to see Adrien every other month as some party or another. They didn't talk much (not that she could ever really talk to him anyway) and their friend group grew apart. But she still loved him, no matter what. Although it wasn't mutual and it hurt every time she saw him, heard his voice or smelled his cologne. Although she never asked him out or expressed her feelings, deep inside she knew this teenage fantasy was over and it was time for her heart to let go of Adrien Agreste.

"You know, I still love Ladybug. Even though it's not mutual and it hurts every time I see her, every time I hear her voice. I've told her a million times and today I thought she might finally reach out and... realize that we could be more than just partners."

Wow, this sweet vulnerable boy is nothing like the flirt she got to see before. He feels exactly the same way she does about Adrien. They were both heart-broken, lonely, lost.

"How can you be so sure she doesn't see you that way?" Yes, Marinette decided to add some salt into both of their wounds.

"Tonight I tried to kiss her. And she ran away, shocked and disgusted."

"...that's not why I... I'm sure that's not how she felt. How could any woman feel disgusted by your lips? Shocked, maybe. Scared, a little. But..."

She swallowed. He arched his eyebrows, staring at her. She was drowning in green.

"...I bet you're delicious, kitty." There. She said it. The wine, the smell of cinnamon still on his lips, the thought of Adrien never loving her back and the guilt she felt for hurting Chat by running away like that.

"I wouldn't want yet another girl to run away in terror. So before I try to kiss you, I need your permission, princess."

And just like that, Marinette's lips brushed against Chat's. His hands reached into her hair and her tiny hands rested on his chest. Just a small kiss, but that's what it took for them to start crying. Everything they were keeping bottled inside just poured out, their foreheads touching, both of them sobbing, but also smiling. Because it was such a relief to finally, FINALLY! let go and to feel... loved?

Then suddenly, they heard a key in the front door. Alya was home. Chat planted a kiss on Marinette's forehead and hurriedly left through the kitchen window.

And that's how it all started.