Marinette was aware that she was one step away from swooning out loud when he patted her on the shoulder, but the still coherent part of her brain was screaming in alarm.
“Adrien, wait.” Marinette surprised herself with the lack of stutter.
He turned around, walking back towards her and stopping a couple of steps away. “What happened?”
Marinette took a deep breath and looked in his eyes, trying to push aside the crush just for a moment. Something wasn’t clicking in place here. Straightening hr back, she stated. “I didn’t tell anyone about helping Chat Noir. How did you know?”
Adrien looked surprised. He scratched the back of his neck nervously. “Um… I’ve seen you with Chat Noir, when you escaped the boat.”
Marinette’s smile faltered. Did he seriously think she’d buy that?
“Adrien,” her voice came out colder than intended. “Don’t take me for a fool.”
“No, no, I’m not, I… “ he gulped, knowing he had no plausible excuse.
Marinette narrowed her eyes at him. How could he possibly know? The only people knowing were her and Chat and… oh no. Marinette’s eyes grew in surprise while taking in his look. Blonde hair, but not messy enough, green eyes, but not cat like, reserved smile and not smirk, but… oh no.
“Oh. My God.” Marinette managed to say out loud, her mouth hanging open.
Adrien sent her a panicked look as she covered her mouth in surprise. “I can’t believe it has been you the whole time!”
He looked around, and felt slightly relieved to see the locker room was empty. He reached for her shoulders, trying to calm her down, cause, in all honesty, she looked close to a breakdown.
“Marinette, listen to me, you can’t tell anybody. You can be in danger because of this, I’m so sorry, I should have kept my mouth shut. I’ll speak with Ladybug, we’ll make sure you are safe, I promise.” he squeezed her shoulders reassuringly, but Marinette seemed out of it. And then.
“I can’t believe you have been flirting with me the whole time and I refused you!” she screamed in his face.
Adrien blinked in surprise. Flirting with her? Well, maybe his actions as Chat Noir were flirty, he might have gotten a little carried away, but al the time? How could he possibly… wait. Dark hair and pigtails and blue eyes and… could it be?
