A Picture of You [An Adrienette Story]

Chapter Twelve

"So where's Adrien?" Nino, Alya and Marinette were walking along the river to where André was situated on the Pont des Arts bridge, Nino was desperate for his friend to join them. He didn't mind spending time with the girls, it's just he preferred Adrien to be there too. At least then it stopped Marinette from talking so much.

"He had to go somewhere whilst I was getting my parents baking supplies. He never exactly told me where." Marinette explained. Her nerves were on edge. She needed to see him and see him soon. He knew ... she knew he now knew. He just had to. She was anxious to see his reaction.

"So come on Mari, spill the beans, did you have a good day?" Alya wanted to know all the gossip. She wanted to know everything. She could tell there had been a shift between the to two of them from just reading the WhatsApp messages.

"I had a great day thank you."

"Is that all were going to get? I'm disappointed Marinette Dupain-Cheng!" Alya faked being angry at Marinette which caused the blunette to giggle out loud.

"What can I say? It was just a fun day." Marinette shrugged her shoulders.

"So what were your pictures like?" Nino asked the two girls. They were in close proximity to the rest of the group but scanning her eyes over everyone, Marinette couldn't see Adrien there.

"Ivan took mine next to the news studio. The future Nadja Chamack." Ayla waves her arms in front of her imagining her name in lights.

"Chloé took mine with the hat and headphones off. She told me my hair was actually a lot more stylish than she thought." The girls started laughing at Nino.

"How about you and Adrien, Mari?" Nino asked.

"We'll hopefully be taking one later, we haven't had chance to yet." Marinette wanted to wait until everything was out in the open before choosing the most perfect picture for Adrien. She had a few ideas to try, but nothing set in stone. Alya and Nino were about to argue that they'd spent the whole day together when they were interrupted.

"Hey guys." A chirpy voice was heard behind them. Turning around they came face to face with none other than the model himself. Adrien Agreste. In his hand he held a sweetheart ice cream; pink and blue. "Have you all had a good day?"

The friends all chorused yes' going into brief descriptions of what they had done throughout the day. Adrien was purposefully avoiding Marinette's big blue eyes. She had pulled a fast one on him earlier and he was going to get his revenge, it true Chat style.

"We're going to get some ice cream. Save us a seat Adrien." Alya and Nino turned and strode up onto the bridge hand in hand. Marinette continued looking at Adrien with pursed lips. His eyes finally bore into hers, emeralds vs sapphires in an intense staring match, never separating until she turned around.

Satisfied with step one he walked over to the others and placed himself down near to Kim. He wanted to kiss Marinette so badly and let her know he was there for her and he loved her more than anything, but now wasn't the time. He needed to do it in private, plus she could sweat a little bit more before he let on that he understood their meeting earlier. He laughed to himself. He'd been so close to the girl he loved for so long, if only he'd opened his eyes a little wider to the girl he called his 'really good friend'.

The gang returned with their ice creams. Marinette's had an additional colour to her usual sweetheart ice cream; vanilla and mint and .... chocolate. Adrien smiled. Now it was all coming out. He could use this to his advantage.

"Hey dude, so did you choose your flavours or ask for a sweetheart?" Nino sat next to Adrien and placed a hand on his shoulder as he eyed his ice cream.

"Oh definitely a sweetheart, and after the day I've had I'm not surprised how it worked out." Marinette squealed at Adrien's answer. She honestly thought knowing who they are would stop her from acting like an idiot ... low and behold, out of the suits, he was the one with the luck.

"Niceeeee." Nino nodded his head appreciating the hint Adrien was giving.

"Hey Marinette, it seems like your dream might be coming true." Nino shouted over to Marinette causing everyone else to look over too. Marinette's face went a lava shade of red.

"I don't think so, man, look at her ice cream. That's not Adrien anymore." Kim looked over at Marinette as the girls all started to giggle. Marinette had felt embarrassed before, but this was excruciating.

"I wonder who that could be?" Alix asked.

"Someone tall, dark and handsome, I think." Rose replied.

"I know," Adrien began, "don't you think it looks a little like ... oh ... Chat Noir."

Marinette could have disappeared into thin air. Her kitty was playing with her. He was making this situation a lot more awkward than it needed to be. She had two choices; go with it or deny it. She made her choice, now it was going to be Adrien's turn to blush.

"Well, I can't deny I find him sexy. He is a hero after all and incredibly handsome."

Adrien smirked in admiration for what his lady was saying. That was until he heard what was coming out next.

"And that leather suit leaves nothing to the imagination. Even his buns of steal." All the girls started fan girling as Adrien was contemplating jumping into the river.

The guys began to discuss how their bodies were better than the teenage superhero with plenty of knock backs from the girls. Soon the discussion came back to Marinette about what's better about Chat rather than Adrien.

"Oh well, no offence Adrien but you just haven't got the charisma of Chat, you're too much of a sweet, pretty boy. Not quite what all girls want. Chat Noir's a bit more of a bad boy." Marinette smirked back.

Kim smirked, "well, well, well Dupain-Cheng, likes the bad boys. Wish I'd known that soon. I can be pretty bad myself."

Adrien's face flattened. Time for some additional payback, as usual he was going to be dishing out equal to what she was. Two could play at this game.

"I understand that. I suppose it's like you and Ladybug. Ladybug is bossy and conceited; where as you're a lot simpler. Why have someone difficult when you can have someone easy." And at that precise moment he knew he'd messed up ... again. Why couldn't he keep his big mouth shut!

Marinette stood up gracefully and brushed her skirt down. "I'll text you when I get home Alya." With that she began to walk away.

"Well done Agreste, you've destroyed that before it even began. I can't believe you just called Marinette easy." Kim tapped Adrien on the shoulder laughing as Alya gave him an evil glare.

"Dude, that was a bit harsh man." Nino looked at Adrien and shook his head. Adrien seriously needed a 101 on social behaviour, especially when it came to Marinette. What was his problem?

Adrien stood up and began to run the way she'd left. Looking up into the sky he saw Ladybug swinging away. He needed to transform quickly if he had any hope of catching her up.

"Plagg, come on. We need to get to her. Claws out." As Chat Noir began to run over the rooftops of Paris he kept his eyes tracking on the beautiful figure in front of him. Why did he keep talking? Why didn't he keep his big mouth shut? Why didn't he just kiss her? His heart was breaking thinking he might have completely blown the opportunity to be with his one true love. He'd die right now for one kiss from her that he could actually remember.

She dropped down on a familiar balcony. A balcony she once told him she loved him on. If only he could turn back time and accept that love they wouldn't be in this mess now. However they'd only be Chat Noir and Marinette. At least now he had the chance to be Adrien and Marinette; Ladybug and Chat Noir, soul mates, best friends, partners. He just needed to find a way to fix it.

He jumped onto Marinette's balcony and looked through the sky light. She was pacing around her room talking to someone who he guessed was Tikki, her kwami. As the thought crossed his mind the little red kwami crossed the room below him as Marinette launched her phone onto her chaise.

He'd messed up big time.