#asexual adrien

[starryarchitect]

ace adrien?

Ace Adrien.

[starryarchitect]

Headcanons

[inkjackets]

A Matter of Ace-ceptance Ch5  Who We Want to Be - Part 2

Ch1 Ch2 Ch3 Ch4 Epilogue

It can also be found on AO3 under the same username.

“Adrien?”

That one word hung suspended between the two superheroes. Chat Noir saw it shimmer and waver in front of him. He closed his eyes and swallowed, willing it to disappear, to vanish from the space between him and Ladybug. But when he opened his eyes once more, he found that that single word was still stubbornly staring back at him in the form of a pair of bright blue eyes.

Chat barely breathed. Those eyes... he felt ensnared by them. Their shackles gripped his spine and pinned down his mind, rendering him incapable of movement.

Chat wrestled against the shackles and let air fill his lungs. Maybe...just maybe, she had misidentified him. It wasn’t like he was the only Adrien in Paris...

“Adrien? Is that really you?”

Once more Ladybug’s voice rang through the air, soft and gentle despite the unmistakable disbelief in her tone. Chat noticed she wasn’t her usual confident self. Her posture was stiff and taut, her legs were locked together and arms squeezed across her body. She looked so small.

“There...” Chat croaked, he wet his dry lips before trying again, “There are many Adrien’s in Paris...” he said, weighing each word on his tongue before trailing off.

Once more those eyes held him captive before flicking to something behind him. With apprehension building in his gut, Chat turned to follow Ladybug’s gaze.

The floor disappeared beneath him as his eyes landed on a garishly bright billboard on the other side of the street.

There he was, in all his superficial prime, modelling the latest Gabriel collection...

Adrien Agreste!

The Golden Boy!

Paris’ Perfect Ray of Sunshine!

Chat felt sick.

“Chat Noir,” said Ladybug, more urgent this time, “are you Adrien Agreste?”

Chat flinched at the sound of his civilian surname. It took all his willpower to tear his eyes from the blinding lights and face Ladybug. He cowered under her gaze. He had been wrong, she wasn’t unconfident at all; those eyes held power.

“How,” Chat’s voice was weak, “How did you figure out who I am?” Ladybug sucked in her breath and widened her eyes but didn’t say a word.

Once more neither of them moved. Chat’s eyes gave off a cold power to equal Ladybug’s, demanding her to answer his question. It was as if they were frozen in a mental battle.

The world, however, moved on without them. Evening traffic and chatter drifted up from the street below, a couple of cats were growling in an alleyway, the soft pounding of music carried over from a nearby bar. One by one the lights turned on in the surrounding houses, bathing everything in a yellow glow, and finally, a breeze weaved between them, causing both their hair to flutter and sent a shiver down Chat's spine.

Suddenly, Chat couldn’t take it anymore. He released Ladybug from his gaze as exhaustion rushed into his heart. He collapsed against a chimney wall.

“Forget it,” he muttered.

He drew his knees up and hugged them as he gazed listlessly over the rooftop. This wasn’t how any of his reveals were supposed to have gone, identity, sexuality nor the love confession. He felt so empty.

His ears twitched involuntarily as Ladybug moved in his periphery vision.

“Adrien?” she said, taking a tentative step towards him.

Chat Noir rolled his heavy eyes towards her but refused to verbally confirm who she thought he was.

Ladybug bit her lip, "I'm sorry," she whispered, "I can't do this right now." Then without warning, she spun on her heel, launched her yo-yo and flew away.

Chat felt the needles of numbness prick his skin as he watched his partner disappear into the dusty darkness. He tried to muster some anger, or annoyance, or confusion, or any emotion really to get him back up on his feet and charge after her, but his limbs wouldn't respond. The pricks of numbness intensified.

He lay his head against the bricks with a soft ‘thump’ and exhaled. His head started pounding. He was so tired.

A small part of him was worried that he wasn’t feeling anything, but he shoved that part deep down and smothered it with a layer of apathy and instead, drew his gaze to the sky.

The light pollution from the city reached its snaky tendrils up into the heavens, but right above his head was a patch of the clear midnight sky. The stars glistened at him, not a care in the world. Chat gave a wan smile. It was almost comforting how little the universe cared what he did, almost reassuring how he was just a speck amongst many in the universe. His smile dropped. Almost. He closed his eyes and let the cool night air wash over him, taking with it all his thoughts.

Chat sat there for what felt like an eternity, his mind comfortably empty as the night embraced him.

Suddenly a shriek from the street below pierced night air. Instinct caused him to scramble to his feet and reach for his baton before he realised it was just some kids mucking around. He slumped back to the floor with a sigh and rubbed his face. He tried to empty his mind once more but it was no good, the kick of adrenaline was pumping through him, forcing unwanted energy through his veins. Once more he turned his gaze to the stars; he may just be a speck in the universe, but he still had a job here on earth, a duty to the people of Paris.

He gritted his teeth.

He was still Chat Noir.

He forced himself to stand. Both mind and body screamed at him in protest, but he fought it and drew himself to his feet. He continued drawing upwards, stood on his toes and stretched up to the twinkling stars. He exhaled strongly and put his hands on his hips. He tried to cock a confident smile as he looked over the sparkling city and, though he wasn’t entirely successful, it still put some assurance back into his being.

In one swift motion, he leapt onto a ledge, twirled his baton, and leapt off the building into the night. He left his emotions behind in a messy puddle on the rooftop and instead let the exhilaration of bounding across the Parisian rooftops fill his mind and body.

Chat flew through his patrol route at record speed, something he soon regretted as it meant he had to face his emotions sooner rather than later. He slowed right down and ambled along the Parisian rooftops, coming to a complete halt when he saw a red figure in the distance. Chat scowled. He turned on his heel. The last thing he wanted to do right now was talk to Ladybug. Chat froze... but neither did he want to leave things as they were. He rubbed his temples. He couldn't just run and disappear. If he had learnt anything from his past, it was that he could never, ever inflict that sort of pain on anyone, especially someone he loved. Neither was he so fickle that one little argument was enough to rid his love of Ladybug. Still, he wasn't ready to forgive her that easily.

So it was with a heavy heart that Chat bounded over the rooftop and landed behind Ladybug with a soft thud, crunching in the murky darkness.

Ladybug spun around as soon as his feet touched the roof. Her expression of hope quickly fell upon seeing Chat’s dark eyes.

“Adri- Chat!” she cried.

Slowly, Chat Noir drew himself up. His eyes never left Ladybug’s, but they were cold and vacant.

“I came back almost as soon as I left, but you had already gone,” Ladybug said a little too quickly. Chat didn’t blink. “Patrol,” he said dismissively and walked past her.

“That’s what I had hoped, which was why I waited here.”

He ignored her and jumped up onto a nearby chimney to gaze out at the city.

“Chat, I wanted to apologise.”

Chat took a deep breath of cool fresh air and said nothing, she would have to do a lot more than simply apologise to earn his forgiveness.

“Chat, please!”

He closed his eyes.

“Chat! Please!”

He gritted his teeth.

“Chat Noir!” she yelled.

“What!” He cried, spinning around and throwing his arms wide, before visibly deflating, “What do you want from me?”

“I, I,” she stepped back, “I just wanted to say sorry,” she looked at the floor.

“Yeah, well you've done that already,” he muttered.

“Can you,” Ladybugs voice shook, “can you blame me though? For wh-”

"For running away when you couldn't bear to face me? Yeah, yeah I can."

Chat felt cold anger trickle back into his being. He smiled dryly, at least his emotions were returning.

“But you act so different as Adrien!” Ladybug cried.

“Do I?” He rounded on her, eyes blazing, “Then you obviously don't know Adrien at all!” Tears welled in Ladybug’s eyes but she hastily wiped them away.

"I deserved that," she whispered. "The fact that you said you felt you had no one and I..." she drew a shaky breath, "I just ran away. The the fact that you," her lip wobbled, "you j-just lay your heart out in front of me tonight a-and," tears welled in her eyes, "and I just c-crushed it..." she choked and threw her hand over her mouth, “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive myself,” she said horrified.

Chat made no move to comfort her.

Ladybug lowered her hands and clutched them at her chest.

“And then saying you are completely different as Adrien?” She shook her head at her own naivety, “You’re right, I don’t know you.” She looked at the ground. “I mean, my eyes have been starting to open today, but now everything's being torn wide and I'm only now realising the extent of my blindness and... how am I meant to help out the people of Paris if I can't even see the person who sits right in front of me?”

Chat stayed stoic and reserved but drew his eyebrows together. That last sentence didn't make any sense.

Ladybug bit her lip and gazed sideways. Chat properly looked at her and took in the strangeness of Ladybug's posture. Gone was her usual proud and sure self, instead, she was hunched in, her hands were shaking and her lip wobbled.

She reminded Chat of when they had first met, the shy superhero who had felt way out of her depth.

He hadn’t forgiven her yet, but there was no denying those warm memories that rose to mind. Of them taking down their first enemy together, of their first bout of banter, of them cowering before Hawkmoth before she rose up and showed the whole of Paris exactly what she was capable of.

Chat inhaled. He didn't want to feel for her right now, he really didn't. However, there was no denying the emotions that came crashing back into his heart. He gave an exhausted exhale.

“Chat Noir?” Ladybug said, drawing Chat out of his mind.

He looked at her but didn't say anything.

"I know I messed up earlier," she said, "and I don't expect you to forgive me, but," she breathed in deeply and met his eyes with a fierce determination, "I think it's time to show you something."

Chat raised an eyebrow before realising what she was going to do a second too late. 

"Tikki-"

 “-No! Wait!-”

“-Spots off!”

A red light flashed just beyond Chat’s outstretched hand as Ladybug de-transformed.

A small red creature appeared and Chat followed its flight path a moment before turning his attention to the person in front of him. To say he was shocked was an understatement. Out of all the people she could have been, Ladybug was Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

Marinette swallowed and brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She lifted her hand in a small wave, "H-Hey," she said.

“H-Hey,” Chat replied instinctively, giving a small wave of his own.

There was another awkward silence.

“So, um...” Marinette rocked on her heels anxiously, “I know this is-“

 “You’re Marinette,” Chat stated.

“Uh, yes,” she nodded, “yes, I am Mari-“

“But you sit behind me,” Chat said incredulously.

“What? Oh, yes I do...and you sit in front of me,” she said.

The following silence was broken only by Marinette’s soft rocking. Her eyes darted about but Chat’s gaze was stuck on her. He couldn’t believe it. Ladybug was Marinette.

Something was different about her appearance wise though, and it wasn't until she shifted her head that he noticed the light glinting off something in her hair. Her hair! That's what was different. Gone were her signature pigtails and instead she had tied it up into an elegant bun, held in place with the beautiful pin he had given her.

“The um...the pin looks nice,” he said, his voice shaking for some reason.

"Oh," she ran her fingers lightly over the ladybirds, "Thank you- I mean, thank you for uh, giving it um...I mean," she took a deep breath, "Thank you for giving it to me," her voice was steady for once, "it really is gorgeous."

Chat felt heat rise in his cheeks. He didn’t know what to say.

"So, um, Chat Noir," Marinette's eyes darted once more, "I want to apologise for one more time for running away."

“Oh,” Chat’s expression went blank.

"Do you..." she bit her lip, "Do you understand why I ran away?" She looked up at him with expressive eyes full of both sorrow and hope.

“Because of-“ Chat’s eyes suddenly widened, “it...was because of who I am, wasn't it? Not the asexual thing...” he stated slowly.

Marinette’s expression changed into mortification, “The asexual thing? No, no, gosh, no! Is that what you thought? Oh my god I’m so sorry, no that wasn’t it at all!”

Chat felt a part of himself unwind from relief.

“I would never run away from someone coming out to me, you know that right?” Marinette gushed, “Oh my god, you do know that right? I mean I'll admit it took a bit of time to wrap my head around it but," her speech got faster and faster, "but yeah it was the realisation of who you are that completely threw me off and, obviously I know I shouldn't have run away that was completely wrong of me but I didn't mean for you to take it that way at all and... ughhh" Marinette threw her head in her hands and groaned, "I'm such an idiot."

Chat didn’t speak for a moment, he just observed the girl in front of him who was so completely unlike Ladybug, and yet the same.

“You are many things, Marinette,” said Chat softly, “but an idiot is not one of them.”

Marinette peeked at him through her fingers, not quite managing to hide her surprise. Pink dusted her cheeks.

"Though you do let your emotions get the better of you sometimes," Chat let the barest of smile's show.

Marinette blinked before releasing a nervous laugh, “I knooooww,” she groaned and returned Chat’s smile as she lowered her hands, “I’ll work on that,” she smiled.

Chat frowned once more, “Wait but, I get me being Adrien might be a shock... but why...?” Marinette cast her eyes to the side, biting her lip as she did so. It suddenly hit him, “Oh,” his eyes widened, “Oh!”

Chat's brilliant green eyes landed on her blue ones. "I love Ladybug," he whispered.

Marinette gave a small sad smile and nodded.

“My head was in a turmoil,” she said, “you had just confessed to being in love with Ladybug,” she scuffed the ground with her shoe, “but earlier today you...” she sighed, “you said you didn’t love Marinette.”

Chat was silent.

“Except I am both Ladybug and Marinette, how could love only one part of me?”

Chat didn't move.

“That was the question that was going around my head, that was the reason I had to leave, to get some space and think.”

Once more silence engulfed them. “But-“ began Chat.

“-I know I’m just as guilty,” Marinette said quickly before Chat could speak, “I’m...I’m not denying that.” She drew into herself, “I love Adrien Agreste, but I...” she swallowed, “I don’t love Chat Noir.”

“Oh,” Chat didn’t know what to feel. He was happy Ladybug was Marinette, there was no denying that. However there was also no denying the fact that he didn’t love Marinette, he loved Ladybug.

Chat felt a little dizzy. He was starting to understand why Ladybug had needed space. “But I'm both-“ he started to say.

“I know!” Marinette cut him off, throwing out her hand in defence. The other hand she clutched at her heart. “I know,” she said softly, closing her open fist, “and I hate myself for it.”

The silence stretched out between them.

Chat continued to try to make sense of the situation. He loved Ladybug, and Marinette loved

Adrien. But Ladybug was Marinette, and he was Adrien. All of a sudden it hit him

“Oh my god, we love each other.” Chat said deadpan. He met Marinette’s eyes. Her cheeks turned bright red.

 A bubble of giddy warmth rose up inside him. “Marinette!” He jumped down off the chimney, “Don’t you see?”

Marinette watched him but didn't say anything.

“I love Ladybug, but you’re Ladybug!”

Marinette gave a small smile.

“And you love Adrien, but I’m Adrien!”

Marinette giggled at Chat’s excitement.

“Don’t you see?” Chat cried, placing his hands on Marinette's shoulders, "We're idiots!” He threw back his head and laughed.

Marinette blinked before laughing at Chat more than his revelation. She jokingly scoffed shrugged Chat’s hands off of her.

"Excuse me!" she exclaimed, "I thought you just said I wasn't an idiot!" She threw her hands on her hips and smirked at Chat with that twinkle in her eye he saw so often as Ladybug.

Chat blinked. “Nope changed my mind, you are a complete and utter idiot!” he grinned.

Marinette laughed, "Silly kitty," she said before letting her smile drop slightly.

Chat cocked his head to the side, “What is it?”

Marinette twisted her hands together, “I... love Adrien Agreste,” she repeated slowly. “...Yes?”

“Chat Noir is my best friend.”

Chat paused, “Oh.”

"But, you know what?" Marinette's blue eyes sparkled as she looked up at him, "I want to get to know Adrien as a best friend, and my love for Chat Noir can only deepen, so...," a blush rose on her cheeks, "What I'm trying to say is...will you let me grow to love you? The whole you?”

Once more those blue eyes held Chat Noir in their power, but this time instead of shackles and pain it was with love and comfort. It was her smile though that took his breath away, that small lopsided smile which was asking him to be nothing other than who he was. He knew he had mentioned Ladybug had his mother’s smile before, but now he realised why he had felt so at ease around Marinette earlier, she had his mother’s soft smile that only asked him to be whoever he was, in his entirety.

“I...,” Chat’s words stuck in his throat, he didn’t trust himself to speak so he nodded instead. Marinette’s eyes lit up.

“But only if I get the chance to know the whole you too,” Chat managed to say, “I want to know more than the outgoing, strong-willed, stubborn Ladybug.” He said softly, “I want to get to know the timid yet quietly confident Marinette.”

Marinette’s smile broadened, Chat thought she was positively glowing. “I’d love that,” she said softly, she took a small step towards him.

 Chat took a step back, “But, there's just,” his hand subconsciously went to the ring on his finger as he hesitated, “my aceness...” his eyes darted to the side, “It kind of...complicated matters.”

To Chat's complete surprise, Marinette giggled.

“Chat,” she said, with that gentle, understanding smile that made his heart melt, “When has love ever been simple?”

Her eyes pierced his. A lump rose in his throat.

“Adrien,” she said softly and gently raised her hand to his cheek, he almost flinched away but then she spoke once more and he let her touch him, “Chat Noir,” she murmured, as she stepped closer to him. Her touch was so soft it felt more like she was caressing his soul than his skin. His heart started to thump in his chest, “Ladybug,” his voice trembled as he too cupped her face with his hand, “Marinette.”

Marinette stood on her toes, “I will love you,”

He lowered her face to hers, “I will love you too,” his voice was barely above a whisper.

Then, Marinette boldly closed the gap between them and kissed him full on the lips.

Chat held the kiss and waited with anticipation for the spark, the fire, the passion, to shoot through his veins.

He clenched his eyes.

He willed it with all his might.

It never came.

Chat broke the kiss. He turned away and bit back the tears that were threatening to fall.

“Chat?” Marinette said softly, she put her hand on his shoulder but he flinched at her touch.

Chat spun on his heel, grabbing his tail in the process, “I do want to love you, please trust me, I want to but," he twisted his tail frantically in his hands, "I'll never be able to give you everything you want."

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Marinette cried, “You are everything I could want and more! Don’t you dare think you aren’t good enough for me and don’t you dare think you can’t give me what I need!” Chat blinked at the outburst.

“I do love Adrien Agreste and I will love Chat Noir. I will grow to love whoever you want to be, whoever you are, in your entirety! In. You’re. Entirety!” she repeated, “Do you understand?”

Chat froze before a sweep of relief rushed over him, the likes of which hadn't been felt in a long time.

Chat ran at her and embraced her with all his being, shoving all the love and emotion he felt for her into that one heartfelt hug. Marinette gasped with surprise and happiness.

“I have one condition though,” Marinette murmured softly into his hair, “that you do the same for me,” her voice was the gentlest whisper.

Chat squeezed her tighter in response and nuzzled his head into her shoulder.

Marinette wrapped her arms around him and hugged him back as hard as she could.

Together they slowly sank to the floor, neither of them daring to release the other.

And there, entwined with Ladybug, Chat felt it; the love, the compassion, the passion that he had so often dreamed of. He didn't even realise he was crying until he felt the dampness on Marinette’s shoulder.

"Shhh," Marinette stroked Chat's head, "you don't need to hide yourself anymore," Marinette gripped him harder and murmured into his ear, "I don't want you to feel like nobody could ever love you ever again."

Chat gave a sob and buried himself deeper in her arms.

They sat there, woven together, as the warmth that blossomed between them protected them from the icy air.

Chat’s tears slowed.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

 Bonus:

Marinette’s shifted as her legs started to go numb. She tried her best not to disturb Chat, but she failed. He lifted his head and looked at her with wide eyes. She grinned, it truly was like having a kitten on her lap.

“Is it time to go?” Chat asked.

 "I don't want to go either, Kitty," she ran her hands down his arms, "but it is getting late, and we have school tomorrow."

Chat nodded reluctantly.

“I will see you tomorrow though, right?” he asked.

“Of course!”

Chat smiled. He released her and stood up to stretch.

Marinette shivered as her skin, previously protected by Chat’s warmth, was pierced by the cold. Chat looked at her with concern, “Are you alright?”

"Yeah, I'll be- Tikki, spots on!" Heat flushed her body, "I'm fine." She grinned.

Neither of them spoke.

"So... tomorrow?" said Ladybug, taking a few steps away.

"Yeah, tomorrow," Chat agreed, also taking a few steps away. Both were reluctant to leave.

Chat started to speak, "Okay then, so um-"

“Chat! Wait,”

He froze at her cry.

“I just... I want to say something,” she paused.

Chat cocked his head to the side.

“You know,” she said, meeting his eyes, “I’ve always thought you were a pretty ace guy.”

There was stunned silence.

Ladybug sucked in her lips in an attempt to smother her smile.

Chat stared at her, stupefied.

At his idiotic expression, Ladybug couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The stars twinkled down on them both as Chat’s mouth widened into his biggest grin yet.

IT'S DONE!!!

Thank you all so much for your patience with me, I'm so sorry for taking ages to get this chapter up. It felt like no matter what I did, or what angle I came from, the story felt off. I think I'm happy with it now though.

I hope you guys like it at least.

Edit: Okay there’s an epilogue now, so it’s not quite over yet... :D

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[inkjackets]

A Matter of Ace-ceptance Chapter 2

Okay I know Valentine’s day was a while ago now, but I’ve had some ideas bouncing round my head for this fic and they wouldn’t let me go. So after some encouragement from the fabulous JudieJodia, I’ve decided to continue.

It shouldn’t be any more than about four short chapters and hopefully I’ll get the whole thing published before March rolls around.

I hope you enjoy :)

Read on AO3

Ch1 Ch3 Ch4 Ch5 Epilogue

Adrien took a deep breathe in as the car pulled up to the school’s entrance. He exhaled slowly, giving himself a chance to collect his thoughts and mentally prepare for the day ahead. Valentine’s Day tended to be an overwhelming affair, what with the magnitude of adoring fans swarming over him. This year would be no different - worse even since he couldn’t shut himself away in his room. There was nothing to stop fellow students from expressing their adoration to his face.

He twizzled the ring on his finger and nodded at the Gorilla before opening the door and stepping out the car. Immediately he was swamped by a mass of blonde hair.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Adrihoney!” Chloé shrilled in his ear, hugging him far tighter than was comfortable.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Chloé,” Adrien replied less enthusiastically, gently easing her off him.

“I’ve got your present right here,” she said, releasing him. She snapped her fingers and Sabrina brought forward a large heart shaped box of, very expensive and clearly store-bought, chocolates. Adrien forced himself to grin, “Thanks, Chloé! I’ll-”

“Yo! Adrien!” He was cut off by a yell across the school yard.

He turned to see Alya enthusiastically waving him over, an abashed Marinette standing next to her. His face lit up.

“Ugh, what do they want,” Chloé said, disgusted.

“Hey, um, Chloé,” said Adrien, “do you think you can give me your present later?”

“Excuse me?” Chloé looked taken aback.

“Thanks, Chlo! ‘preciate it,” He gave her a hasty wave before jogging over to Alya and Marinette, though not without feeling Chloé’s outraged eyes glued to his back. He felt a little guilty but Alya’s smirk and the look of delight on Marinette’s face were enough to dispel it.

“Morning, girls!” He said when he reached them, “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

“And to you too,” Alya replied, hand on hip. “Mari here has something for you.” She nudged her frozen friend. Marinette let out a small squeak.

“Oh?” Adrien smiled down at her.

Marinette gave her knees an anxious wiggle as she fingered the carefully wrapped present in her hands.

“I, um, I…” her eyes darted about wildly, “I want to gift you - I MEAN GIVE - uh, you, er…” her eyes landed on something near Adrien’s shoulder. “You’ve moved your ring to your middle finger,” she said softly, her voice clear and fluent for once.

Adrien’s smile stuck as his body went numb. He glanced at his hand which was currently wrapped around the strap of his shoulder bag. Immediately he released it and put it behind his back, out of sight.

“Y-Yes, I, um,” his eyes shifted hesitantly, “I did.”

Marinette’s eyes widened as the blood slowly rose to her face, turning her cheeks bright red. “I said that out loud?” She whispered, horrified. She brought the present to her face and hid behind it, “I’m so sorry,” she groaned.

Realising Marinette didn’t know the significance of what she had just said, Adrien relaxed. He smiled and acted as if nothing had happened.

“Alya said you have something for me?”

“Yes! I…here,” she held out the gift and blushed, “this is for you.”

Adrien couldn’t help but feel warmth flood through him as her bright blue eyes met his. But then the implications of what the present meant sank in and the warmth vanished.

He recovered by flashing his rehearsed model smile, “Marinette, you shouldn’t have!”

Gingerly he took the present. Instantly Marinette clasped her hands behind her back and eagerly leant forward. With a sinking heart, Adrien realised he had no choice but to open the gift right there and then in front of her. He was going to have to find the fine line between showing gratitude but not leading her on, and that wasn’t going to be easy.

Using more caution than was necessary, Adrien unravelled the bow and opened the box.

“Wow, Marinette, these are gorgeous!” He knew he was overdoing it, but he couldn’t help himself, “Did you make these yourself?” he continued, “You truly are a talented person!”

Marinette’s beaming smile was almost enough to make it all worthwhile but he couldn’t help but cringe on the inside, he had way overshot the line. Adrien’s praise had been genuine though, the rows of little handmade chocolates were indeed beautifully crafted, each one individually created with the utmost care.

Despite knowing he probably shouldn’t, he gave her a brief hug. Marinette was stiff at first but she quickly relaxed.

“Thank you so much, Marinette,” he pulled back, “You’re a great friend, you know that?”

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Marinette’s expression shifted. If he was anyone else he wouldn’t have noticed it, but he was a master of fake expressions. Adrien felt a flash of self-hatred course through him as Marinette hid her disappointment with a very convincing smile.

“It was no problem!” She said a little too happily, “I had fun making them.”

There was an awkward pause.

Adrien saw Nino walk around the corner in his peripheral vision.

“I, uh, I’ll catch you later, and thanks again, Marinette!” He gave her and Alya a brief wave before walking away.

“You go, girl!” Adrien heard Alya exclaim behind him.

“Yeah…” Marinette’s dejected response was like a punch to the gut. He gritted his teeth. Damn, Marinette deserved better than him.

“You ‘right, bro?” Nino asked as soon as he saw his friend.

Adrien tried his best to put on a convincing smile, “Yeah, I’ll be fine.” He looked around and suddenly noticed the groups of whispering girls pointing at him and giggling nervously.

He felt a twinge of annoyance, “Let’s just get out of here.”

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