Confrontation

When I see Marinette the next day, my face quickly turns sour.

"Dude, what's up?" Nino notices.

"Oh, nothing. I was just remembering I have to fence after school and I don't feel like it today."

"Couldn't you just not go?"

"Maybe."

I've been contemplating whether or not to say anything to her, but would it even do any good?

It would take too long between classes, and I'm not missing lunch on her account, anyway.

Maybe after school?

But I really do have fencing, although I don't actually mind going.

I just wish I knew what to say.

"Hey, turns out you're just really mean with no reason, apologize now."?

I can't do that!

So the whole day, I think about what I could say to her.

And when classes are over, I quickly decide that I'll say something before fencing.

"Do you need to leave now?" I approach her and ask.

"Uhh, no! Why?!"

"We need to discuss some things." I say, and motion for her to come with me.

After a second she follows, and we go to the locker rooms, but they're full.

Eventually we find an empty classroom and duck into it.

"O-ok, what uh, what did you want to talk about??" She stutters.

"Kwamis don't have periods." I get right to the point, shutting the door so nobody can hear that we're talking as miraculous holders.

"Huh?"

"Yeah, Plagg told me. So there was no excuse for you to say the things you did to me, and especially not what you said to y/n."

A look of shock passes over her face and she stays silent for a moment.

"Uhh. I, um. I- what?"

"Marinette. I am not your little sidekick. We are supposed to be partners. So why did you think it was OK to say that stuff?! To say that I wasn't fit to have a miraculous?"

"I was just mad!"

"Why?! I've never said anything like that to you!"

"I know! You are good at being Cat Noir, I shouldn't have said that."

"No. You shouldn't have. But if you didn't mean it why did you say it?"

"I was upset at the time."

"At me?"

"Kinda."

"But why?! I would've thought you'd be extra happy with me because I'd stopped bothering you!"

"Yeah, well. That was in a way the problem too."

"Why?! You always got mad. You didn't like when I did and you didn't like when I didn't, so do you just not like when I do anything?!"

"No! I was just confused!"

"Confusion doesn't make someone act like a jerk."

"I'm not a jerk!"

"Then why would you tell me, someone who has risked my life for you on many occasions, that I don't deserve a miraculous?! Therefore, I don't deserve to be your partner? Have I not died for you enough times?"

"It's not that! I know you've done all that and I'm very grateful!"

"Then why would you say such mean things to me, and to y/n? Why would you tell her that you'd make sure I never saw her?"

"Because I was jealous, OK?!"

"You had no reason to be. I would ask you out, and you would always say no. So you clearly didn't like me!"

"Well maybe I did!"

"Well maybe that's still no reason to be so awful. But I just wanted to tell you, so maybe you wouldn't try to use that excuse again. And I was hoping you might feel like an apology was in order, but apparently you just want to make excuses for yourself."

"OK, I'm sorry!"

"Good." I say as I turn towards the door.

I don't think I'll be able to stay friends with her.

But what do I do if the city needs Cat Noir and Ladybug to work together again?

"Wait, Adrien, I'm really REALLY sorry!" She says as I reach for the doorknob.

"You should be." I glance back at her.

Oh great, she's crying.

She's done bad things, and has really upset me, but still, I don't like the idea that I've made someone cry.

"Maybe I'll be able to forgive you, eventually. But I'm not gonna speak for y/n."

"Stop."

"What?"

"Stop talking about her! That's the reason I was upset! I was upset at her for taking my partner and I was upset at you for being taken!"

"Excuse me?"

"The truth is, I was always secretly in love with you!"

"Yeah, OK. And that's why you said mean things, because everyone says horrible things to their loved ones! Once upon a time I may have believed that, but not anymore. Not now that I've actually experienced love by more than just my mother."

"Do you really think that? That I don't love you?!" She says, suddenly growing enraged.

"It sure seems that way?"

"I spent so long fawning over you! Doing anything I could to try and talk to you! I even mapped out your schedule because I love you so much!"

"If that is your idea of love, you are sorely mistaken. That is infatuation."

Now I'm scared, she mapped out my schedule?!

"You don't know what love is!"

"It seems like I know it more than you. How is that even possible? You have two parents who love and support you, and I only have one! And even then, she was gone or too sick to do anything for a lot of time."

"All I know is that I've been in love with you since you gave me your umbrella!"

"Really? A small amount of decency is all it takes for you to fall in 'love'?"

"Just shut up! You don't know how I feel!" She yells, advancing closer towards me.

"Do you?" I ask, reaching behind me for the door again.

I don't want her all up in my business, but I don't want to have to hurt her either, so it'll just be best to leave this conversation.

Before I can turn around and find it, my hand is grabbed.

"Does this answer your question?" She asks, forcing me lower and trying to kiss me.

Forget not wanting to hurt her, I'm not having a kiss with her that I remember.