Stuck on the Puzzle

Talking

Chat had told her that she never said the wrong thing. It was silly maybe, patronizing for sure, but Marinette couldn't stop thinking about it.
Was he right? Afterall, the only person who really disliked her was Chloe, and Chloe hated everyone. It would be so much easier to talk to Adrien if she could be guaranteed that she could never say anything wrong.
"Alya," she whispered to her friend, sitting besides her.
"Yes?"
"I need help."
"With?"
"Talking to Adrien."
"Ooh, finally." Alya pressed her hands together excitedly. "What are you thinking?"
"I have no idea."
Alya frowned. "Okay, baby steps, baby steps. Let's start with a conversation, move up to a friend date, then a date date. Sound good?"
"Oh my god. A conversation? I don't even know how people have those, what would we talk about?"
"Marinette... we are having a conversation right now. Trust me, it's not that hard."
"Okay, okay. Fair point."
"The bell is going to ring in like, a minute. Ask him about anything. Schoolwork. Fashion. Ladybug and Chat Noir. Whatever. Think you can do that?"
"I can try. I can try."
"That's my girl. I'm proud of you." She clapped a hand on Marinette's back. "You got this."
Marinette smiled at her. The next minute stretched into what felt like five, as the teacher continued to drawl monotonously. Finally, the shrill bell rang, and students immediately begin to move towards the exit.
Wait, what was she going to talk about?
Oh god, choose a topic, choose a topic!
"Adrien!" Alya called out. "Marinette wanted to ask you something!"
Adrien turned around, his eyebrows slightly raised. His eyes looked like the gates to Emerald City. "Yes?"
Marinette immediately felt her face go red. "I was just wondering if... you understood the chemistry lesson? Because neither of us got it, and you know, I'm trying to pass her class, and stuff."
Adrien smiled warmly. "Actually, I think that's my worst subject. Sorry."
"Oh, me too, actually! I mean, it would probably help if our teacher didn't sound like an angry robot all the time, but you know. Nobody's perfect." Marinette shrugged, and smiled awkwardly.
Adrien laughed. "Yeah, she does sound like that," he agreed.
"Oh yeah, how was that green cake yesterday?"
"The green tea cake? Oh, it was great! But not as good as anything your dad can make, you know. You should've come!"
Marinette beamed. "Maybe next time?"
"Yeah, let's go! Anyways, see ya later, Marinette!"
"Bye," she said, waving at him as he walked away from her.
As soon as he had walked a good distance away, Alya squeaked and hugged her from behind.
"Oh, you nugget, you did it!"
What, I'm a nugget now?
Marinette felt elated. "Yeah, I did," she said dreamily.
"And you totally set the foundation for a future date."
"What? No, no, no."
"Yes, yes, yes! What's gotten into you? Since when are you so suave?"
Marinette shrugged. "I got a confidence booster yesterday."
"I like it," Alya said grinning. "Keep it coming, girl, you're on fire."
Marinette felt the red in her face fade to a soft pink. Yeah, she was on fire.
~
Chat Noir visited her again that night.
"Did you follow my advice?!" He asked excitedly.
"I did," she nearly sang, "and it worked. Did you follow mine?"
"Alas, my love and I did not cross paths this day!"
Marinette pouted. "Next time?"
"Next time," he agreed.
"You know, you don't have to come here at night like some stalker. The bakery's lovely in the morning."
"I've been to your bakery, I know. It smells like dreams and wonders."
"That's actually my natural aroma, so thank you."
Chat laughed and cocked his head. "You're so different at night," he noted.
"How so?"
"You're just more... open."
"Wait, so you've met me in the morning?"
Chat turned red. "Y-yeah! I mean, remember that time I saved you from the evil painter kid?"
Marinette laughed. "Right, that."
"How could you forget the day you fell completely head over heels in love with me?"
She pretended to think pensively. "Hmm, could it because... I didn't?"
"Oh, you wound me!"
"Good! Look at you, stalking me at night, dressed in all black. That leather is skintight, you scandal."
"I didn't choose it! Besides, I like going out at night. Don't you?"
"It is calming," she admitted. She paused. "Do you feel different, when you become Chat Noir?"
Chat smiled. "Completely."
"In a good way?"
"In the best way," he said happily. "When I'm not Chat, people expect me to be polite and well-mannered and... perfect." He frowned. "But when I put on the mask, I don't have to worry about what people expect of me."
Marinette smiled at him, gently. "You should never be what people expect of you. Just be you. Other people are stupid."
He returned the smile. "Wanna go to the top of the Eiffel Tower?"
Marinette thought about it. "No, no, what if my parents noticed?"
"They won't."
"Next time," she promised. "It's late. You need to sleep, you have villains to fight."
"And you have school to go to. Goodnight, princess."
"Goodnight, Chat."
He pounced away, hopping from building to building, until he disappeared.