That hesitation in Frozer when Adrien said, “She’s… just a friend,” the faltering way he said it? When I was roasting him for it on that gifset, I said that what makes me act that way is talking about people who, “I adore beyond words.” Which, uh, which is something it took me a while to get to. Now that I’m done roasting Adrien and think about myself at his age, I realized something.
The feeling that comes from a connection like Adrien has with Marinette? I literally would not have had the words for it.
When Adrien thinks about romance, he thinks back to what he’s seen in movies and TV. That’s what he compares his relationship with Marinette to. As far as we know, he’s never been told or shown that there’s way more to a romantic relationship than what they put in dramatic romance stories.
Like how the person you love makes you feel safe through whatever mess your day throws at you…
… whether they’re actually with you in person, or just in spirit…
… like how it doesn’t matter how off beat the situation is, because it’s not about what,when,where, or how. The important partis who, it’s that you’re happy, and they’re the why.
All Adrien knows about romantic love doesn’t account for that, though. To him, it’s all heart pounding, it’s in your face, it’s candlelit dinners and fireworks—a feeling unmistakable and undeniable—you just know. What he feels with Marinette doesn’t fit that idea. The closest word he has for it is “friendship.”
… It’s close, but doesn’t quite fit either. He’s not sure what does.
So Adrien goes with what he knows, even as trying to make sense of how she makes him feel has him stumbling over not having the right words. He wasn’t ready for this. Somehow, somewhere along the way, what they have together has grown into something more. What she means to him now is so much greater than the word “friend” can contain.
This- this is completely canon, though. Astruc has gone on record that Chat’s antics are the result of him fumbling through romance, thinking grand romantic gestures are the best way to flirt. So it is a 100% logical conclusion that Adrien could very well have a more-than-friends relationship but have no idea.
You’ve swayed me, guys. Adrien might actually be interested in Marinette.
Sunshine and Shit Jokes 