"You're going to tell him?" Tikki curiously looked at Marinette, while chewing on a chocolate cookie.

"Yeah. This Monday. I'm going to tell Adrien that I liked him and still kinda do", - bluenette replied, not taking her eyes off the design she currently was working on.

"Wow. That's great! I'm so proud of you!"

"Thanks, Tikki" Mari smiled at her.

But then a loud knock was heard. Little kwami immediately hides behind the computer screen.

Marinette went up and opened the window to see no other person then Chat Noir himself.

"Hi, Princess. Are you working on your designs again? - black-suited superhero asked, climbing inside. - And what about a normal sleep?"

"There's no school tomorrow, so there's no problem in staying up late. Why are you not sleeping at that hour?"

Chat shrugged his shoulders:

"Just couldn't fall asleep"

They were silent for some time, when Chat spoke:

"I know this is sudden, and you really don't have to answer but... I need an advice and you're the only one I talk to as Chat, so here goes: have you ever had a situation, when a person, you're in love with, does not return your feelings? And you know you can't actually do anything about it, because you've already tried so many times?"

Marinette didn't reply for some time, but then turned, and looked directly into Chat's green eyes. If she was going to let Adrien go, she needs Chat to know about him.

"Yes, I did. I'm sure you know the model Adrien Aggreste, right? - after black cat nodded, she continued: We're classmates. And I fell in love with him. No, don't say anything, just listen. I know what you were going to say: 'He's a model, everybody likes him'. I did not like him for his appearance, even though he is really good-looking. I fell in love with a boy, who was knew to school, knew to friendship and who was incredibly kind and frank..."

She kept silence for some time and then continued:

"But I had never told him. I couldn't, - she smiled, - every time he was around I just couldn't speak normally, became all stuttery and shy. It went for quite a long time. And now I'm ready to tell him. But I know that there's someone else that he likes. And... that's okay. I still like him a little bit, and I always will. I just know that he needs more love in his life, and I'm okay with just giving it to him... Besides, I found myself falling for another person".

Chat was so shocked, he couldn't even say anything. So all this time she has liked him? Him? And... he was late. It was too late when he figured out that she's Ladybug. Too late for him to do anything now. He was so close, but now...

Seeing that her cat didn't react she teasingly said:

"Where's your cat's famous curiosity? Don't you want to know who he is?".

She was in love with him. Was. Always too late. He hated himself at the moment. How could he be so blind? Why did he thought that she's going to return his feelings after what he heard yesterday? Why?

"Umm... Chat? Kitty? You okay?"

He didn't say anything, just hugged her really tight.

"I'm so sorry, Princess"

"Oh, you don't have to be. Everything is fine. - she rubbed his head, hugging him back. - I told you, I just want him to know. I won't be able to quite move on until I tell him".

He didn't let her go for some time. He was holding her so closely and desperately, as if he will never be able to hug her again. Of course he will, but it won't feel the same.

"Sorry, it's really late, I should go. Hope you are lucky this time, and that new guy likes you back. He ought to. You're wonderful. Good night, Princess"

And with nothing more he just left, leaving Marinette alone with her thoughts, smiling widely.

"You know what, Tikki? I'm gonna tell Chat that I like him too. As Ladybug on tomorrow's patrol"

"Two confessions in a row? You're really making me proud" - giggled kwami flying to Marinette's shoulder. Bluenette just playfully poked her friend, as she really had nothing to say in defense.

***

"Does this look okay?" - Marinette asked her kwami, dolling up in front of the mirror.

"Marinette, it looks wonderful. I'm sure Chat Noir will say so–" - she was cut off with a loud knock on a window. Tikki sighed and hided behind the computer screen. Marinette lets Chat in. He looks at her from head to toe, heart beating a bit faster. She was beautiful, as always.

"Awww, thanks, Kitty"

He said that out loud, didn't he?

"Are you going on a date?"

Nice save, Chat. Nice save. Marinette smiles and returns to the mirror.

"Well, it's not exactly a date, but something like a small walk. Why?"

"I know you must be in a hurry, but, please, let me take at least five minutes of your time". Marinette turned towards him and crooked an eyebrow, inviting him to continue. Chat took a deep breath. His life may get ruined right now. In a worst-case scenario his lady won't forgive him, and he will lose her friendship too. But he hoped that wouldn't happen.

"I know you're Ladybug."

Marinette's heart dropped.

'Oh no. That's it. He isn't happy. I knew it'

"And I'm so so sorry. Please, don't say anything. I know you warned that this could happen and I didn't listen, but I swear that no one else will ever find out. And... I love you. With my whole heart and soul. I'm sorry that I didn't understand it earlier, that I was so stupid and blind".

Marinette reached to cup his cheek and say that he's not stupid and not the only one who was blind, but he stopped her:

"Don't. I should have figured it out earlier, you two are so alike it's strange that I didn't. I love you, my Lady, my Princess... and it's okay. I understand now, what you said yesterday, about giving love. I'm sorry, that it happened the way it did, and I wish I could start it over and do everything right. But for now... I'm not going to stand in the way of your happiness. I wish you a good luck and hope we can still be at least friends" - he was going to leave, but come back and gave Marinette a kiss on a cheek and not saying a single word, left.

Bluenette just stood there motionless, holding her cheek. Her kwami popped up from behind the screen and flew to her holder.

"Um... Marinette?"

The small smile appeared on girls lips, growing wilder and wilder, until she let out a small laugh, and went to her wardrobe. Her kwami, concerned with such reaction, came after her:

"What are you going to do now?"

"His words has really shocked me, but at the same time, made me the happiest person alive. I want to make him happy too. Especially now, when I know I can. What do you think about this dress?"

***

Chat was sitting alone on the rooftop. He really couldn't bring himself to patrol right now. Despite the fact, that he said it was okay. It really wasn't. He couldn't stop thinking about what could have been. The blonde was heartbroken. And it was his own fault. It hurt really bad, to the point he barely could hold back tears.

Ladybug noticed her partner almost immediately, he wasn't too far from her house. She landed on the rooftop and transformed back. She went towards Chat and sat near him. But the boy didn't even flinch, he was so lost in his thoughts that only noticed his Princess when she started talking:

"Stars are beautiful tonight, isn't it?" - bluenette said the cheesiest thing she could think off, while smiling, waiting for his reaction.

"Mari..? But– Aren't you were going on a date?"

The girl smiled a little wider, but responded with surprise in her voice:

"What date? I thought I said it was going to be a small walk?"

Chat blinked a few times, still trying to figure out why she's not on a date, did something happen. While Marinette were fondly watching him, smiling softly. She then smirks, and pokes him on a shoulder.

"If you're calling this a date, you should invite me somewhere or, at least, join the conversation"

'What'

His lack of understanding was written on his face that clearly, that young girl couldn't help but start laughing. When she calmed down she looked him straight in the eyes and said:

"I'm in love with you too, Kitty. Have been for a pretty long time now, but I was so wrapped up in my feelings for Adrien, that I couldn't notice nor yours, nor mine own feelings towards you. I'm sorry, that it took me so long. I'm sorry, that I have hurt you way to many times and–"

Chat cut her off with sudden, really tight hug. He is the happiest person alive right now. This was more than a dream coming true, it was his dreams coming back to life and coming true. He could've cried at the moment.

Marinette hugged him back, whispering that everything is fine now, everything is going to be the way it should be. Some moments later he let her go, asking his love to close her eyes.

"Plagg, claws in".

After he detransformed, and made sure Plagg received his camembert, he let Mari open her eyes. At first, bluenette just stared at him, her mouth slightly open. Until it sank in. It's Adrien. Adrien Agreste. ADRIEN, the one, she has been crushing on for so long, the one she just gave up on, the one, she confessed to without even knowing, the one she kissed and OH MY GOD. Kissed! She grabbed her head. What has she done. The blonde just smiled at that adorable reaction, but he won't spoil that she said his name out loud a few times. It was cute. He just pulls her closer, kissing her forehead.

"Is this okay?" he asked. Marinette could just nod, she still was kinda surprised. Adrien hugged her quickly, then started living small kisses on her nose, on her cheeks, on her forehead, brows, eyes, everywhere he could, until his adorable girlfriend (well, at least he hoped she wouldn't mind that) started giggling too.

"There's no surprise it's you, actually"

"Really? You knew?"

"No, but I should have. After all, only you would be able to capture my heart twice".

He smiled fondly at her. Boy, was he smitten? Yes, completely. He kissed the tip of her nose again, and put their foreheads together, looking into her mesmerizing bluebell eyes.