Behind the Mask - A Miraculous Ladybug Fanfic

Chapter 4

Adrien's POV

My head was spinning after staying with Marinette last night.

We're just friends. We're just friends. We're just friends. We're just friends. We're just friends.

So why was she making my heart race like this?

The only other person who had ever made me feel this way was Ladybug, and these feelings towards Mari terrified me. I can't fall for her.

I'm in love with Ladybug...

...right?

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As Gorilla drove me to school this morning, I couldn't help but think about Marinette again. I wonder if she'll be in a better
mood today. She seemed... happy? when we woke up together. I know I was. I don't know how I ended up cuddling her, but I wasn't complaining. At all.

I was really excited to see her at school today. I had hoped that Chat's visit last night would have her in a better mood today.

I couldn't help but stare at her in Miss Bustier's class, and she actually stayed awake for the entire class today. At one point, she turned back and made eye contact with me. Whenever we locked eyes, I gave her a smile and she returned it. Her smile seemed genuine. It didn't last for long, but it was there. She turned back to the board, and that's when the gears started turning in my head.

If I started visiting Marinette as Chat more often, I could help her feel better. She wasn't comfortable around Adrien, or at least, not in the way that she was with Chat. When she talked to Chat, she never stuttered. Somehow, all of her words always made sense. Now that I think about it, I'm the only person she stutters around like that. It made me wonder if I did something to offend her as Adrien. At least, as Chat, I have a chance to make everything better.

After class ended, I stopped Marinette before she could walk out the door.

"Hey, Mari, wait!" she jumped at my voice, but nonetheless, she stopped and turned around.

"Adrien?" she asked, almost nervously.

"I uh, heard about your visit with Chat Noir last night,"

"Wait really? How'd you find out about that?" Marinette's eyes widened a bit.

Shit. Adrien, you idiot! You aren't supposed to know about Chat. Think of something, fast!

"Oh! Uhm.. Chat and I are actually uh, pretty good friends and he told me he was going to hang out with you?" I replied, rubbing the back of the neck. Hopefully, she doesn't question this.

"Oh, okay. So uhm.. why'd you ask?" She responded. This was the clearest that she had spoken to me in a while, which was a bit surprising.

"I was just curious. How was it? What do you think of him?" I keep digging, desperately trying to find out what she thinks of my alter-ego.

"It was nice. He's.. amazing. I mean- not as amazing as you! Because no one could be as amazing as you of course.. but yeah!" And there she went doing her little rambling habit she tended to do around me. It was adorable, actually. I felt my cheeks heating up a bit, hearing her compliment both sides of me. Maybe she didn't hate me like I thought.

"Oh yeah, you think I'm amazing?" I asked teasingly, because, quite frankly, she was adorable when she got flustered. I found myself leaning in towards her, and this action caused her cheeks to darken.

"Yes, I want you to kiss me," she murmured. I don't think she realized what she just said. I blinked a few times.

"Wait, what?" I asked, my cheeks heating up again.