Adrien's point of view

I hope Marinette like her present. Does she even like sweaters? Is it self centered of me to give her a Chat Noir sweater? It's just a black sweater with a green paw print on it, that doesn't mean it's Chat Noi-what am I kidding. I really like her. Today I'm finally going to ask her out.

When I reach her balcony, I knock on the trapdoor. After a few minutes of her not answering I put my ear to the door and hear crying.

"Princess?" I call through the crack that I created by opening the trapdoor slightly. The crying stops for a second as Marinette sniffs out a couple words.

"Ch-chat, c-come come I-in."

I open the trapdoor and swing down to the floor. Upon seeing Marinette with her head barrier in her legs and her arms wrapped around them, I run over to her. I must've missed something at school today. I can't believe I had a photoshoot during school today!

I sit down next to her and wrap my arms around her.

"Princess, are you ok?"

"N-no Chat. There's a ne-new boy at school and h-h-he was bullying ma- ma-me!" Marinette wimpers.

*flashback 10 years to Adrien's*

*preschool classroom*

"Class, it's time for recess!" The teacher says from the front of the room and we all line up at the door. The teacher opens the door and leads us to the playground. I walk over to a group of boys near the swings.

"Can I play wi-"

"Hey pipsqueek, why do you have a yellow mop on your head?" One of the boys says.

"Oh and nice shirt by the way, bunnies are cool." Another says.

"Go play with the other girls, princess. Maybe the teacher will let you go inside to get your dollies out of your My Little Ponies backpack!" Another boy laughs. I turn with tears in my eyes and slowly walk to the teacher.

Remember, dad said the you can't show them that they got to you again. Why are you telling the teacher, she never does anything. I don't care what they say, princesses are awesome and tough. Bunnies are cool. You can't cry, Adrien. Just like father says. One day I'm going to have my princess and that'll show them.

*flashback to present time*

"Who is this guy." I say standing, now I'm really madly.

"Ch-ch-Chat," I look down at Mari, "Please don't go." She begs with sad eyes.

"I know those eyes, I do those eyes!" Marinette giggles a little bit and finally smiles. I sit back down next to her and smile too. "So, I got you a present."

"Really?" I stand up and walk over to grab the box I dropped when I came in.

"Ya, I know you like pink, so I got a pink box." I hold the present out to her, "Here open it."

Marinette looks at me and smiles, taking the box.

"Thanks Chat."

"A smile from you is all the thanks I need... and perhaps a kiss?" You're pushing your luck Adrien!

"Thank you Chat, but I like someone else."

"You too? I have the worst luck with girls. Would you at least tell me who this guy is?" I ask, rather discouraged.

"I-I-it's A-Adrien Agrestè." She says, tucking some hair behind her ear as she starts to blush.

Now's your chance Adrien! If you revile your identity to her, then you still have a shot, but do you really want to tell her? The only person you've ever really thought about reviling your identity to is Ladybug and what if there's some unspoken rule about telling someone your identity? I can't do it. I look back at Marinette and see that she's almost done unwrapping her present so I get ready to leave.

"I have to go, I hope you like your present." I say just as she finishes opening her present and I leave before she finishes calling out to me.

"Chat wait! I-"

*Bang*

The trapdoor slams shut behind me and I hurry home. If that stupid new boy is mean to her again, I'll... I'll... I can't even think, I'm so mad!

______the next day in class______

Marinette's point of view

I decided to wear the sweater Chat got me today. It's actually really comfortable and it kinda smells like Chat cologne. I bet it's called ode of cat and he got it so he could make a joke about it.

"Hey twirp, nice sweater." Hade Wilson, the new kid in class, says while leaning on the desk with his hand the table.

"What do you want now, Hade? Going to make fun of me again?" What are you doing Marinette? This guy is huge! He could pick you up with one hand! I bet he wouldn't do that to Ladybug.

"No, I just want my seat." He says, getting in my face. "Ya see, after you left yesterday, this became my seat." I hear the classroom door open and close, oh please be the teacher!

"Hey! Why don't you pick on someone your own size, like an elephant." Wait, I know that voice, is that? No it couldn't be...

"And who the hell is this cupcake?" Hade says, turning and leaning down in the opposite direction, hiding the person who confronted him.

"My name is Adrien Agrestè and I really don't like the way you're talking to my friend, so back off or you'll see what 10 years of karate can do."

Adrien pushes Hade aside and stands next to me. I scoot over and motion for him to sit down, which he does with a smile. I see Adrien look at my sweater and star to blush, what is he blushing about? I'm the one who's sitting super close to my crush!

"Why'd you do that, Adrien?" Adrien scoots closer to me and thinks for a moment. Huh, I can't smell his cologne today, it normally smells like... Like Chat's cologne! No, it's probably just a quintessence. It's probably just a cologne Adrien modeled for and got a sample of.

"Because I know what it's like to be bullied. Oh and Marinette, I'm sorry I didn't get you anything for your birthday yesterday. Will you forgive me?"

"Y-y-yes, I mean totally!" He... likes me? Like, he like likes me like I like him? Oh I think I messed that up, wait... No that's right.

"Well I was actually wondering if maybe you would like to go see a movie together, like a date?"

"Aw, look at the two lovebirds. I hope there isn't a hunter around to shoot the pretty birds! Oh, never mind, there is. Pop! Pop! And the birds are dead and nobody cares."

"That's it! I'm sick and tired of you being a jerk to my princess." Princess! No way! Adrien isn't, couldn't be Chat Noir! I see the classroom door open and the teacher walk in. "You bully Marinette and act like you can get away with it. I've had enough of you and your insistent and truly insipid teasing."

"Mr. Agrestè please sit back down. Mr. Wilson, to the principal's office."

"Ma'am with all do respect, please don't call me Mr. Agrestè. I don't like to be compared to my father and by calling me Mr. Agrestè that's all you're doing."

"Sit. Down. Now." The teacher says extremely irritatedly.

"Yes ma'am." Adrien says sitting down next to me again.

I look at Adrien in shock. He called me princess, like Chat does.

"What? Do I have something in my teeth?" Adrien says looking at me.

"You called me your princess... Little Chat does... and you blushed when you saw me wearing Chat's sweater... and for a second when you were talking to Hade I thought you were Chat because of your voice... are you?"

Adrien leans in and whispers in my ear, "Princess you have to be more careful about who hears you." My eyes go wide and my mouth falls open, enough so that I'm afraid my jaw may have broken out of pure shock. Pull it together Marinette, now you have to tell him you're Ladybug. Oh god what do I say? Then I see a small ball of paper land on the desk. I unfold it and read it.

'Say this -Tikki.

Thank you Tikki! I lean in and whisper in Adrien's ear, "You may as well call me m'lady or bug-a-boo, kitty. After all, that's what you normally call me, especially when I wear the mask." Adrien looks at me questioningly and then his eyes widened slightly when he realizes what I'm talking about.

Today was one big surprise.