Chapter Text
Marinette wanted to scream as she paced her room. She had already spent the majority of the afternoon crying. Tikki tried to calm her down and succeeded for awhile. She took a nap but then she woke up with messages from Alya telling her how wrong she was, and that she didn't want to talk to her until she apologized to Lila. And then Nino texting her to just hear Lila out. She was honestly trying her best to just clam down. To just forget everything that had happened that day. Forget how she was shoved to the back of the classroom by her so called friends, without her own consent, being yelled at for not just being okay with that, being threatened by Lila, the fight with Alya, and then -just to top it off- nearly being akumatized. Gods who knows what would have happened if she had let that happen. Though the more she thought about it the more she was tempted to just let it happen, to watch them all squirm when Ladybug doesn't show up. No magical cure to heal everything.
Let them face their own destruction.
Then maybe they'd see she wasn't just being jealous.
Jealous.
The word made her sick to her stomach. Unable to stop her eyes from nearly rolling out of her head as she once again remembered how her valid argument was just tossed to the side, by her supposedly “best friend”. All for some liar. How easily she was tossed to the side. As if she was nothing. Like she didn't constantly just give and give to make her friends happy, like she didn't go out of her way so many times to make sure they were well thought of. Always making sure everyone was included. So no one felt left out. Not even Chloe. But no. Apparently Alya decided none of it mattered.
Ha. Some friend. She almost snorted at the thought giving a glance at her silent phone on her desk. Nothing. Not even a simple “how are you”. She wondered if she even noticed Marinette left early at all.
She would call Chloe a closer friend at this point in time compared to Alya. She chewed her fingernails as she paced, muttering to herself, just trying to think of what she should do. She knew what she wanted to do and that was for once just to be angry. Everyone else got their turn so wasn't it time she had hers?
No. She knew she had too much responsibility to let herself be angry. As tempting as it was growing by the day. She let out a deep breath thinking back to Adrien's comment earlier. Let her be and it will pass. She can't lie forever. She wanted to trust in Adrien, take the high road. But she couldn't help but wonder what would he say if she told him Lila almost got her akumatized, threatened her? Would he be so high and mighty then?
She had half a mind to tell him that lies did in fact hurt people. Maybe not physically but they could wear and tear at people. Lies broke everything so easily no matter how small they always jolted someone's trust. No one can go back to just how it was after a lie. Marinette knew lies could leave scars. Especially the lies that Lila spins. They weren't like lying to a child about Santa, they were manipulative. She was manipulative. Lila had no remorse she didn't care who she hurt, she only cared about herself and that was it. Everyone to Lila were merely pawns in a way to make her look better.
Marinette gripped her fists at the thought. She wanted nothing more in the moment than to punch that dumb grin off her lying face!
She let out a deep breath.
No.
She couldn't think like that, she had to just let it go. Of course logically it would be the worst possibility if she let herself get akumatized. Though she had to admit the only thing stopping her was the fact she knew she could hurt her loved ones too. That was the last thing she wanted. She was supposed to be Ladybug, she was there to protect them, not hurt them. Though a lot of good that was doing at the moment. She couldn't even protect them from Lila the liar.
Letting out another sigh as she tried to roll the tension out of her shoulders. She would just have to think of a smarter plan. She didn't want to just sit and let it go on, she had to help her friends. Even if they didn't want to talk to her right now. Her face falling to a frown as she checked her phone again. It was silent. Of course.
Yes even if they thought she was the bad guy right now she knew that it was no excuse to let it go. They didn't deserve to be manipulated, or the pain that she knows will come when they find out the truth. She hugged herself at thought. It hurt so much. Could it even get better?
She knew Alya would probably stay mad until she apologized to Lila. Probably even after all her lies came undone, Alya was stubborn. Marinette knew she hated being told she was wrong. Who didn't? A part of her missed the days Alya would fight for her like that. To just trust her enough to have her back when she needed it.
Marinette frowned as she slowly paced. Mind whirling with spiraling thoughts. She knew she had nothing to apologize to Lila for. Though before she could let her thoughts expand again a knock echoed through her quiet room. Breaking her out of her own mind. Jerking her head up gazing at the trap door above her bed. Momentarily surprised as Tikki zoomed off to hide before there was another knock. Panicking a little she loosely tied her hair back in a bun as she scrambled up. Trying not to look like she had been crying all afternoon. Quickly rushing up to see what, or who it was.
She couldn't deny that she was a little more than surprised to see Chat Noir smiling down at her.
“What are you doing here?” She asked as she opened the door so she could join him. Gladly accepting his hands when he offered to help her up. “Isn't it early for patrol?” she spoke lightly more to herself than him. She was pretty sure they hadn't even arranged for patrol tonight, unless she forgot. Again.
“I was worried,” Chat answered helping hoist her up. Letting go of her hands once she had her footing. “Or, uh, well one of your friends was worried, he asked me to check on you,” he added quickly with a sheepish laugh remembering he wasn't supposed to know about the issue with Lila. Remembering he was Chat Noir at the moment. Not Adrien.
“Oh?” Marinette unable to hide her surprise, after today she was sure none of her friends even noticed. Or cared for that matter. Especially not enough to ask Chat Noir to check on her.
For a moment she found she hoped that maybe it was Alya, but she dashed that quickly. She would have texted her something. And the fact Chat had said he. Maybe it was Nino but that thought only lasted a second. He sided with his girlfriend and was also not talking to her at the moment. Or well the last message was him trying to usher her to apologize to Lila or she just needed to “hear her out”. And surely it wasn't Adrien, that just seemed unlikely. So honestly she was a little confused to who it could have been, that reached out to Cat Noir.
Chat nodded offering a smile to hide how his heart hurt seeing how surprised she was to learn someone was worried. Honestly the whole thing had been bothering him all day, he couldn't stop thinking about it even after he got home. A nagging feeling in his gut and a pouting kwami in his pocket. Plagg had merely told him he screwed up and to fix it before it got worse. He wasn't sure what he had done wrong but he couldn't ignore the swelling pain that grew in his chest as the day went on. Only getting worse when he noticed Marinette had disappeared after lunch. Without a word to anyone. Just left. Honestly it had been hard to focus on the rest of the lessons all day. He found himself looking back at the painfully empty seat maybe more times than he should have.
Though okay sure maybe he should have just called or texted her to see how she was, but he was a superhero. It was technically his job to make sure people didn't get akumatized. Especially his cute classmate with the heart of gold. And given how upset she had been the last time he had seen her that morning, he figured maybe she ran a risk of calling Hawkmoth.
“Yea, I believe his name was Adrien or something,” he added going to lean against the railing trying to act casual about it though actually missing the rail itself causing him to nearly fall face first into it.
Marinette couldn't help but giggle at his smooth moves. Covering her mouth with her hand quickly. Grateful for the night sky and low lights to hide her burning face. Surprised at the news that Adrien had been worried about her, it almost brought butterflies to her stomach. Even if it was selfish a part of her felt happy that someone worried about how she was feeling, maybe a little more knowing it was Adrien. And he had gone out of his way to ask Chat Noir for help. She made a mental note to thank him tomorrow.
“He said something happened at school but didn't tell me all that much,” he added trying to ignore the burning embarrassment on his face, eventually finding the railing to lean on. “Did you want to talk about anything?”
She let out a small sigh as she paced to the edge, resting against the balcony railing. Eyes falling to the calming streets of Paris below them. Everything seemed so quiet tonight. Well outside of her screaming thoughts. “I don't know if you really want to hear it,” she sighed with a small shrug of her shoulders, fiddling with her fingers. “After all maybe I'm just being jealous,” she scoffed a little bitterly unable to keep her eyes from rolling. “You know jealous because I care about my friends and don't want them to get hurt,” she muttered with a scowl gripping onto the railing as if to keep her up right.
Chat Noir shook his head quickly. “No, I'm here to listen,” he assured with a small nod taking a small step closer. A part of him wanted to just reach out and hug her to try and comfort her. Seeing her face fall. “It's good to talk to someone Princess, and maybe your friends aren't doing a good job right now, but I'm always willing to lend an ear and see if there's anything I can do,” he added with a weak smile. Gods he just wanted to help her feel better, she was his friend, one of his best friends. She did so much for everyone he wanted to do something for her. He knew he had to knowing he played a part in hurting her.
He knew Marinette didn't deserve to feel such cruel emotions, especially enough to run the risk of maybe getting akumatized. Even if he was unable to read her mind he knew by the look on her face it wasn't good right now. Maybe he couldn't do a lot as Adrien. After all he always seemed to screw up. But perhaps Chat could help better. She was different with Chat. She talked to Chat, easily. Some days it baffled him how easily she spoke to him as Chat but how easily she clammed up around Adrien.
Marinette fidgeted lightly contemplating if she really wanted to tell Chat, but then again what did she have to lose. Who else was going to listen to her? Picking at the chipping metal on the railing, eyes focused on the flecks of metallic like paint flaking to the ground. Sure it made her happy to see he cared. Seeing that stupid earnest look on his face. He looked so heartbroken. She almost missed his stupid goofy smile seeing how upset, almost lost, he looked right now. Was he really that worried? She gave him a soft smile, nodding lightly. “Thank you Chat,” she stated, truly grateful he was willing to listen.
“Of course, you can be as honest as you want,” he encouraged glad to see her smile. Ignoring the thump in his chest when she smiled, how warm his face got. He was here to listen and try to help. Or well at least help better than adding kindling to the fire like he seemed to have done earlier. Point was he wasn't here just to admire how cute her smile was.
“Well, it's a little long, and honestly I'm still frustrated,” she started with a small sigh turning her gaze back to Paris. Bracing herself to explain the past couple of day's events to him. Where to even begin? How much did she really want to tell him? She took a small breath before she began. “So there's this girl my class, her name is Lila Rossi, and she's a huge freaking liar,” she started heated, just thinking about her made her aggravated all over. But she had to admit it was relieving having someone to just listen to her. “She has this habit of just lying about whatever to get people to like her and pretty much just do whatever she wants, and it drives me insane because I know she's taking advantage of my friends,” she added with a sharp intake. Gods it still hurt to think about. Her hands almost trembled as she gripped the railing, so tight her knuckles turned white. Trying to just keep herself together.
Chat was almost afraid she was going to break the railing seeing how tight she gripped it. Watching as she was trying to stay together, whole body trembling, assuming she was trying not to cry. He wasn't aware how hurt she really was by Lila. It was a little surprising to him. They were only lies, people lied all the time right? He didn't know they could hurt someone so much. Well he knew they hurt, but he figured people got used to the hurt. Used to the lying. Just learning not to take things at face value. It's how he learned to deal with the disappointment of his father, he hardly believed anything he said until he saw it. But he was starting to realize it may not have been a normal way of thinking. He frowned thinking back to his stupid advice. If he knew she was hurting this bad he would have tried to think of something else. Something actually helpful.
“But every time I try to point out that she's lying-which honestly doesn't even take that much a simple google search and its clear as day she's a big fat liar--,” she added with a small snap an almost bitter laugh leaving her mouth. She was trying her hardest not to cry. “She just spins another lie to make me look like I'm the mean one. That I'm wrong!” She stomped her foot in anger keeping her head down. “That I'm the liar.”
“But you wouldn't lie,” Chat Noir muttered more to himself than to her. He knew Marinette wouldn't lie like that. She hated liars, anyone who knew her knew she valued honesty, she never lied so why would anyone dismiss her so easily? He didn't understand it earlier and he didn't understand it now. It was cruel how easily they all seemed to forget that fact. He wanted to hit himself for not helping earlier. He honestly regretted letting her be fed to the sharks.
Marinette couldn't help but smile a little hearing his muttered assurance. He sounded so sure of his words. Glad someone still believed her. “Well it's not that they all don't believe me,” she replied lightly wiping her face with the back of her hand. “Adrien knows she's a liar too,” she corrected with a small nod. “But he advised me to ignore it and she'd stop eventually,” she sighed less heated and a little more just disappointed well no disappointed wasn't the feeling but it was similar. Heartbroken was a good analogy to the sound of her voice. “I just don't want to ignore it though, it really hurts seeing her just manipulate all my friends like that and so easily,” she added, her hands wringing the metal bar in her grasp. “If it continues to go on, nothing will be able to be fixed, everyone will be so hurt, trust will be lost, and it just, it hurts because I'm trying to help but no one wants to believe me.”
Chat Noir frowned seeing the small glimmer of a smile die away as quick as it came. “I'm really sorry princess,” he tried to console her unable to hide the earnestness in his words. Trying to just not tell her everything in that very moment and how truly sorry he was that he helped her get this far. But he had to remind himself he was Chat Noir, not Adrien right now. “That was really stupid advice,” he added with a dry laugh of his own. He half wished to return to the morning and punch himself in his own stupid face.
Marinette couldn't help but hear the solemn tone in his voice. What did he have to sound so, guilty about? She wondered but she kept the thought to herself. Eyeing him lightly watching him fidget in his place. His eyes to the ground as he fuddled with his hands, wringing his hands together. He looked guilty, and it was eating him alive. As if he had to apologize for Adrien's behalf. She bit back a giggle at the thought. It wasn't Chat Noir's place to apologize for others. But then again it seemed to arise a curious thought in the back of her mind, she quickly bit back down. No. This wasn't the time for Alya's stupid theories. She didn't need that right now.
Adrien was coming to realize now his stupid advice was just him being a coward. He just didn't want to run the risk of a messy confrontation, and if they didn't believe her how would they believe him? And if they called her out she would have just gotten akumatized again and gone straight for Marinette. But seeing how much it upset Marinette he knew that it was the wrong thing to have done. Perhaps this is what Plagg was chastising him for. For hurting Marinette like this. He honestly was no better than the others at this point. Not saying anything was pretty much just like lying to her as well. Unable to stop the guilt that gnawed at his gut, finding himself hating himself a little more with each realization. Gods he was a shitty friend.
“Though it's not even all of it,” she broke the silence on a tired sigh bringing his attention back to her. Her voice exhausted as she rested her head in the palm of her hand, leaning on the railing.
“O-oh?” he asked unable to hide his surprise his voice almost cracking. What else had Lila done? Had she hurt Marinette more? Threaten her or? He wouldn't put it past Lila in the least. Or perhaps she just hated him now for being so stupid. Maybe she didn't even want to be his friend anymore. Maybe she didn't want to forgive him if he begged for it. It scared him but he knew he probably deserved it. “W-what else is there?”
“There's also way she treats Adrien,” Marinette admitted her face falling to a pout. She didn't like to think about it. Perhaps there was a sliver of jealousy but she would never go to Lila's level. “How she just clings onto him, with a death grip no less, as if he's a possession, forgetting he's a person too and I hate it,” she admitted solemnly watching the few cars below them. “Okay, I'll admit maybe I am a little jealous but that's not the point, its not the reason I'm angry about it,” she added adamantly looking over at him, tired eyes swimming with unshed tears.
Honestly he could have sworn he heard his own heart break seeing her face. Seeing her usually bright eyes dulled and filled with tears, even in the dim light he could see the stains on her cheeks. Wondering how much had she cried today? Even her usually sunny smile was seemingly nonexistent, it looked so forced. “Oh?” he asked forcing himself to swallow the lump in his throat. Surprised by this rather new information unsure how to really respond. What did she have to be jealous about Lila invading his space? Sure maybe some days he almost wished it was Marinette who clung to him. She was amazing, an everyday ladybug -who he swore ran on pure sunshine-, she was sweet and sometimes too kind for her own good. But he was a stupid whiny half orphan model. He was sure that it would probably never happen, she was so far out of his league he probably didn't even fall on her radar.
Though he was quickly brought back from the slightly blissful thought by an aggravated huff. Quickly remembering the situation at hand. He had no time for daydreams.
“Honestly it makes me sick seeing the way she just invades his space, as if she owns it,” she huffed relinquishing the metal bar from her grip, throwing one arm in the air for extra dramatics. “I'm not even sure if she's oblivious to his disgust or just chooses to ignore it,” she grumbled as she sauntered across the balcony to him.
He was trying his absolute best to keep himself together watching her just saunter over to him, in what he would have to admit was very much Ladybug fashion. A hand on her hip as she swayed over a steely look on her face, he knew it as her focused face. He found his words clamming up in his throat again. His face burning bright red when she grabbed his arm. He quickly had to swallow his heart back down. Momentarily worried if she heard his wish.
“Hmm, she loves to just cling onto him,” she sighed almost wistfully. Casually draping herself on him in example. Wrapping her arms around his arm gently resting against him, resting her head on his shoulder as she looked up at him. A little distracted in her frustration, but decided to show him by example.
He momentarily wondered if she was she trying to kill him. As she ever so gently rested against him. His face burning nearly as bright as Ladybug's suit. Hoping she couldn't hear how loud his heart was beating as she rested her head on his shoulder. He knew he shouldn't be that worked up about it. It was just Marinette, and its not like it was the first time he had been this close to her, at least as Cat Noir. But there was something different. He felt something different. Perhaps it was just another realization to add to his ever growing list tonight.
“She loves to just cling to him like this,” she stated softly, her voice quiet as she briefly held his hand in hers. Fidgeting ever so lightly as if to adjust her position. Finding a comfortable stance while also making sure not to just grip onto him. She had some sense to her.
He wanted to protest that statement. Tell her that Lila never clung to him like this. Lila was forceful, constantly digging into his flesh as if to hold him in place, perfectly manicured nails that were better suited claws. No matter how many times he would push her away. But this. Marinette, was not like Lila. She felt so soft against him, barely putting any weight onto him. He didn't feel the need to push her away at all. He rather welcomed it.
She tilted her head up to him giving him her best 'please pity me' pout, placing a hand on his chest, doing her best to just mimic the way Lila clung to Adrien. Momentarily blinded by her anger to ever notice his increasing heart beat, or the way his face lit up when she gazed up at him. “She'll grab onto him and gaze into his -I'll be it dreamy- green eyes and beg him to do whatever work she doesn't feel like doing herself,” she sighed with slight annoyance on her tongue, her hand absentmindedly toyed with the bell at his collar. Rolling her eyes at the thought before tugging his arm lightly looking back up at him a small whiny sigh leaving her lips. “She'll just be like, 'oh Adrien, I can't take notes cuz arthritis in my hand, surely you can do it for me, you promised',” she whined mimicking Lila's voice. “You know on top of his own work and already packed schedule,” she huffed with a roll of her eyes hitting her forehead against his shoulder.
Honestly he couldn't hold back the laugh hearing her mimic Lila. It brought him back to reality, remembering that she was merely using him for demonstration. He wouldn't protest against it, if it helped her feel better, and it was a little amusing to watch. Though he gave her credit it was a pretty spot on imitation, well minus the death grip, Marinette was barely really holding onto him at all. “Oh maybe you should take up acting Princess,” he almost purred. Trying to just act casual. As casual as he could with her still holding onto him. Though he could easily step away without hassle. He chose to stay at this point.
“Ugg gag me with a spoon, he doesn't need to do her work, she can do her own work,” she mumbled against his arm. “But I'm sure she'd just make up another disability that can be magically lied away,” she huffed puffing out her cheeks as she released him from her grasp.
Chat Noir was surprised at the small disappointment that swelled in his chest when she let go of him. Watching as she threw her hands up in frustration beginning to pace in circles. “Why does it make you so mad?” the words had left his mouth before he even registered he spoke. But it was a question that had been bugging him for awhile. Honestly Marinette was the first person who ever noticed that he didn't exactly enjoy being fawned over so much. He didn't even know she worried that much about it. But he was so used to it he had never even really thought about it. He just did as he was told. Smile and be polite. Don't make a scene or a scandal or he ran the risk being put back in homeschooling. He almost shuddered at the thought.
Marinette paused in her pacing looking back at him surprised by the sudden question. Perhaps she had not been clear? “Why wouldn't it?” she replied lightly with a small shrug. “She treats him like a trophy, an accessory,” she explained waving her arms in frustration. “It's an invasion of his space without his consent and anyone with eyes can see he clearly doesn't like it.”
He nodded a little in agreement. “Y-yea but isn't he some famous model?” he asked trying to stay calm. “Surely he's used to that kind of stuff right? Just being fawned over and touched all the time,” he added a little sheepishly seeing her steely stare. “S-so it's not a big deal right?”
Oh no he was wrong again. Marinette giving him a glare that he thought would surely kill him. He swallowed crossing his arms across his chest nervously.
“That is a horrible way to think,” she scolded. “Honestly Chat, I'm surprised to hear you say that,” she grumbled. “Even if he is, it doesn't make it right for someone to just invade his space without his consideration or consent,” she corrected stepping back over to him. “I mean come on I have a massive crush on him, and would love to maybe hold his hand eventually, but I would never get in his space without consent,” she explained with a small nod waving a hand in the air lightly.
He felt his breath hitch again hearing that. Oh he was probably not supposed to know that. If she ever found out he was Chat Noir he was positive she will abosluetly kill him. “B-but...” he sputtered searching for words as his brain momentarily just short circuited. How was he even supposed to process this? How did they even get here? He was just trying to help her feel better not listen to her confess to him without actually confessing to him. Oh this was a mess.
“No buts,” she snapped lightly with small huff eyeing him. “It's harassment Chat Noir, him being a model doesn't change the fact,” she explained seemingly never noticing his inner freak out. “It makes me upset because Adrien is one of my best friends, I care about him, crush or not, it hurts seeing him be harassed like that,” she admitted her tone softening again as she hugged herself, kicking at the dirt with her feet lightly.
Honestly it always bothered her watching how people would just fawn over him, the way Chloe threw herself at him, how Lila clung to him and seeing her dig into him. Watching how uncomfortable he clearly was with it all, even when he did push them away they never noticed how he recoiled, how his face looked like he would vomit. No it wasn't okay. And she couldn't even do anything to help him. She was supposed to protect people, she was Ladybug but yet she couldn't even help one of her best friends.
“Chat, I just don't know what to do,” she broke the silence that bubbled between them. “It really hurts seeing my friend being treated like that, no one should be forced to feel uncomfortable and walked over like that,” she added shrinking in on herself as she knelt down, hugging her knees to her chest. Trying her damnedest not to cry again as she felt the anger bubble up again. She wanted to help her friends. She wanted to fix it so bad. “He's a person, he has the right to his own body, he's not just a model, he's not a trophy or a prize,” she mumbled eyes to the ground. It hurt so much and she just wanted it to stop. “He's an amazing person who deserves the same rights as everyone else, he deserves to the right to be himself without the worry of living up to his so called famous image,” she blubbered unable to stop herself.
Chat Noir couldn't help but frown watching as she shrunk in on herself. Oh this was the exact opposite of what he hoped to do. He knelt down beside her resting a hand on her back to try to comfort her. He had never really thought about it like that. But listening to her describe it he guess he couldn't really argue. He was just used to it being normal, he thought it was normal but now he's realizing that it wasn't. That maybe he didn't have to actually feel uncomfortable. That he had the right to say no. Plagg was right, he didn't have to put up with it. But for now he pushed those thoughts back turning his attention to his small sobbing classmate.
“And she claims she loves him,” she laughed trying to stop her tears, unable to look him in the face. “Lila and Chloe are just the same, they don't even know what love is,” she snapped scowling at the thought. How could anyone proclaim their love to someone and treat them like they didn't even matter? That they weren't even human?
“Don't you think, if you loved someone you wouldn't let yourself make them uncomfortable all the time, you wouldn't just treat them like an accessory,” she mumbled filling the silence between them. Resting her head on her knees, giving up on trying to stop her tears. Hugging herself tighter. She just wished she could fix all of this. Wishing the miraculous cure could help her now. “Wouldn't you try to just make them happy if you loved them?” she muttered. “I mean I couldn't even tell him that it was me who made his scarf on his birthday, because he just looked so happy when he thought his father got it for him,” she admitted with a small dry laugh resting her head on her knees, turning lightly to look over at him. “So how can they lie and hurt him but proclaim they love him?” she asked quietly, her voice was hoarse almost broken.
It took him a moment to find his words trying to process the truth. His mind felt like it was buzzing. Apparently tonight was the night to just learn a bunch of new information. First she had a crush and now she made his favorite scarf? Sure why not, next thing she'd tell him is she's actually Ladybug. Gods he wasn't even sure if his heart could handle it. He almost regretted coming here. Almost. A small part of him was happy to know the truth, even if he found it did hurt a lot.
“I'm not sure Princess,” he mumbled up once he found his words again. Rubbing small circles on her back trying to just help keep her calm. Knowing at least if an akuma did come he could kill it before anything monumental. So he would let her cry, she clearly needed it. “I'm not really a love expert.”
She let out a small dry laugh as she leaned against him. “A flirt like you?” she replied dryly as he wrapped his arm around her. “Thought that was your expertise next to akuma fights.”
He couldn't help but chuckle a little at her comment. “Princess, I'm almost offended,” he laughed a little, giving her a falsely offended pout. “You make it sound like I flirt with everyone,” he sassed lightly rubbing her arm lightly. “You honestly think so little of me?”
“I always assumed you would flirt with anything if it had a pulse,” she teased softly, fiddling with her fingers lightly. “But I suppose I should apologize for such assumptions, after all you know what they say about assuming,” she mused softly relaxing against him.
“Well I probably earned those assumptions huh?” he chuckled a little lazily rubbing her arm. After all he figured from her perspective all he really ever did was flirt with Ladybug and he knew he had probably flirted with her a few times without realizing it. It just came naturally with Chat Noir. “I probably haven't given you any reason not believe that huh?”
She giggled a little at his reply, shaking her head lightly. “No, I know you're a good hero Chat,” she answered softly. “After all you went out of your way to just come listen to me bitch,” she laughed. “But I really appreciate it.”
He smiled a little happy to hear her laugh again. “Of course Princess, I'm always here if you need me,” he replied with assurance. “I don't want anyone to get akumatized but you are probably the last person I would ever want to see like that,” he admitted lightly. “You're amazing Marinette, and you do so much for everyone else, listening to you is the least I can do to help you.”
Marinette couldn't stop the blush that rose to her cheeks, letting out a small nervous giggle. He was too sweet. She nudged his side lightly to try and play away her nerves. “You're being too sweet kitty, I don't deserve such kind words.”
He shook his head lightly at her protests. She deserved every compliment. Especially now. Chuckling a little when she nudged him. “I'm being as honest I promise,” he replied giving her his usual grin. “I would never lie to you princess.”
Her face flared to a blush that matched Ladybug's suit quickly averting her eyes. “Well you know I'm glad I can trust you Chat Noir,” she spoke softly. “It's good to know I haven't lost everyone,” she sighed lightly resting her head against his arm, hoping her face will calm down. “It doesn't erase the hurt but you've helped it, I'm truly grateful you came here tonight.”
“You'll never lose me, I promise,” he replied gently, resting his head atop of hers. For the moment enjoying her weight beside him. Her presence always seemed so warm. “I'm sorry the most I can offer is that it'll be okay,” though he knew those words were probably useless. He wished he could help her better. To find a way to help her pain cease. But he was pretty much useless, the best he could do was just try to support her. He hoped maybe he could apologize and earn her forgiveness as Adrien to support her more. “I'm really sorry,” he mumbled again, it seemed to be the only words that came to his mind. He knew he would have to try and help better as Adrien, stop being a coward. He never wanted Marinette to feel like this again.
Marinette was a little surprised to hear his apologies, surprised by the guilt that hung on every word. She wanted to ask about it but perhaps it wasn't her place. “You don't have to apologize Chat,” she assured gently. “You haven't done anything, and it's not your place to apologize for other people,” she added. “If anything I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time, and that you had to see me cry so much,” she laughed to help lighten the space between them.
“I don't mind at all princess,” he replied with a small shake of his head. “Crying is good you know, I'm just glad you were honest with me,” he added kissing the top of her head gently. He was glad she trusted him enough to tell him about everything that was bothering her, and a little more than she probably wanted him to know. “It's never good to hold in those kind of emotions, cuz you never know how long you can keep them in before the damn breaks, so to speak,” he added lightly.
She couldn't help but smile a little feeling the soft kiss. Oh she was so grateful it was dark. “Sometimes it's hard though, not having anyone to talk to,” Marinette sighed a little resting her chin on her knees. Sure she knew she could talk to her parents but they were busy with their business and own lives she didn't want to disrupt them more. “Usually I'd talk to Alya about everything but she's been so Lila-centric I can't tell her anything without a fight,” she huffed it hurt so much to think about how someone she called a friend, who she trusted with most everything, would be so easily turned against her. “So I'm really glad to have you,” she added offering up a small smile.
He was sure his face was burning as bright when she smiled at him, had she always been so cute? He had to fight himself to find his words again. “Ah, of course,” he sputtered out on a nervous laugh. “I'm never too far away,” he added with a smile. “I promise, you can always tell me anything.”
Marinette couldn't help the giggle as she saw his face blush. It was actually pretty nice to talk to him like this, to see this side of him. He seemed much more, casual. She found it was pretty easy to talk to him when he wasn't constantly flirting with her or lamenting about his love for Ladybug. “You know you can talk to me too if you need Chat,” she added softly fidgeting with her hands lightly. “It must be hard being a superhero, and you probably can't tell me everything but I'll always try to help anyway I can,” she added. “It'd be the least I can do for you.”
He let out another nervous laugh hearing her giggle, he was sure his face couldn't turn any redder. This certainly was not how he had ever expected this night to go. Learning so many new things about himself and this mess Lila created. He cleared his throat a little before he stood up, offering her a hand to help her up. “Thank you princess, I'll make sure to keep it in mind if I ever need,” he replied with a small smile. “I'm glad I can trust in you too,” he added as he helped tug her back up to her feet.
She smiled as she accepted the help back to her feet, quickly wrapping her arms around him to give him a hug. “I'm really am happy you stopped by tonight,” she spoke a little muffled by her face against his chest. Really it meant so much to her at the moment in her life, to just know she still had someone. That someone did care. Sure maybe it didn't fix everything but it gave her some hope and strength to not let her troubles eat at her. That maybe she can help it get better. Even if she seemed it she wasn't alone because she had him too.
He smiled returning the hug. “Anytime princess,” he mused with a small nod kissing the top of her head again gently. Silently he enjoyed the warmth that just radiated off of her. It was much better than the impending doom he had felt earlier. He knew it wasn't fixed, there was still a lot of damage that needed to be taken care of, but he was glad to know she at least seemed better.
They stayed together for a moment a beat of silence passing between them. Neither really seemed too keen on breaking the embrace. It wasn't until both heard the hatch of Marinette's bedroom open that she pulled away. Her face red as a tomato as she untangled her arms from him. “You probably have to get going though huh, I'm sure you have superhero stuff to do,” she spoke on a sheepish laugh her nerves spiking again. She didn't understand why she felt so nervous about a hug with Chat. It was just Chat Noir, her silly partner but she couldn't help but note tonight he was different. He wasn't the flirty cat he usually was, he genuinely seemed so worried. It was odd how similar it felt to her but she couldn't quite place why.
He was a little sad when she pulled away, he would have loved to stay a little longer in her arms but he knew it was probably for the better. Giving a small shrug offering a grin. “Oh yea, you know just breezing through the city watching for Hawkmoth, stopping jay walkers, the usual,” he chuckled.
“Oh what the life,” she laughed at his comment, glad to see him joke again. “Remember to stay safe though, don't want anything to hurt that pretty face, your fans might cry.”
He laughed grinning. “I'm honored you think I'm pretty princess,” he smirked. “Though I think you'd have me beat there, tear stains and all,” he mused softly.
She let out a small laugh to ignore how hot her face felt, quickly averting her eyes. “I thought Ladybug was the prettiest,” she mused to try and ignore the warm feeling in her chest. Oh no she was not feeling things for Chat Noir. Not today. But she couldn't deny the warmth that was growing in her chest, oh she knew this feeling. She should not be feeling it for him. But she knew somewhere in the back of her mind, it felt so natural. “Even without ugly crying,” she added dryly rubbing her eyes of the last remaining tears. She was sure she had cried herself dry at this point.
He chuckled a little probably smiling like an idiot. “She is also very pretty yes, but I think you might have her beat.”
She scoffed a little nudging him in the arm lightly. “You really are a flirt, and here I thought you might be better than that,” she teased with a small playful smile of her own earning a laugh from him.
“Sorry Princess, I couldn't help myself,” he chuckled rubbing his neck lightly. “I guess I just wanted to see you smile before I left.”
“Your horrible,” she groaned with a roll of her eyes.
He laughed. “Are you feeling better now though Princess?” he asked genuinely worried, wanting to make absolute sure she would be okay when he left.
She offered a soft smile at his worry. “I am feeling a lot better now,” she assured with a small nod. “You helped a lot.”
“That's great,” he replied with a smile, relieved to hear she was feeling better. He would have felt terrible if he hadn't been able to help at least a little.
She giggled seeing him smile like an idiot. He was such a dork. “Hey, do you think you can wait here a second before you go back to superhero stuff?” she asked an idea popping into her head. She had to do something to thank him.
He blinked surprised by the sudden question before nodded. “Yea of course,” he answered.
“Great, I'll be right back,” she spoke with a smile as she scurried back to the trap door. Plopping back down on her bed with a soft thud before rushing down. She didn't want to take up too much longer of his time but she didn't want him to leave without a good thank you.
He stood there fidgeting lightly, biting back the laugh when he heard a small crash and a few grumbles before her voice disappeared, he assumed she had left her room. He didn't mind waiting taking the time to reflect on everything that had happened. Marinette had a crush on him, Marinette made his favorite scarf and didn't tell him because she wanted him to be happy and Lila was a huge bitch. Okay so Lila being a huge bitch wasn't new but she did in fact hurt Marinette, a lot and he found he really did not like that. Seeing Marinette cry was something he discovered he never wanted to see again. To see her so broken, it was heartbreaking in itself. When she did so much for everyone, literally like a walking ray of sunshine herself. Silently he vowed he would stop Lila from ever hurting her again. He wasn't sure if it was logical or not he didn't really care. Though he also knew he had to defiantly apologize to Marinette, for having a hand in hurting her.
He was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard her return. Popping back up, a smile bright on her face as she walked back to him now holding a small paper bag and a to-go cup. It was almost hard for him to believe that mere moments ago she was bawling her eyes out if it wasn't for the fact he had seen it himself. It warmed his heart a little seeing she was doing better. Glad to know he hadn't completely fucked it further.
“For you,” she stated handing him the goodies. They were a few leftovers from the bakery. She figured he probably worked up an appetite being a superhero. “A couple croissants, cheese danish and some coco, extra marshmallows,” she explained her face a light shade of pink, smile bright on her face. “A thank you for all your hard work, and for letting me talk to you, it means a lot to me.”
He was surprised by the small gift, he hadn't expected that. He didn't really think he deserved it. After all this whole mess was partially his fault. They wouldn't be here if he had been a better supportive friend. “Ah you didn't have to do that Marinette,” he replied a little bashfully though accepted the offer, it would be rude to refuse.
She giggled shaking her head a little. “I wanted to, besides heroes deserve a treat too,” she replied before she heard her mother call to her. “Sorry I have to go,” she spoke taking a step closer, standing on her toes to give him a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks again Chat, it really means a lot to me that you came here, I probably can't say it enough,” she spoke softly trying to hide the blush on her cheeks.
He felt his mind halt when she kissed his cheek. “O-of course Princess,” he muttered out trying to just stay calm and casual. “Besides it would be a shame if our everyday ladybug got akumatized, so I'm glad I was able to help,” he added with a sheepish laugh scratching his cheek lightly.
Marinette blinked at his response, taken off guard. She was about to question him before she heard her mother calling her. She pouted a little glancing back at the opened trap door. Now was not the time. It was probably a coincidence anyway. After all he knew Adrien so perhaps he just said something? Chat Noir had no reason to call her their everyday ladybug.
“Are you okay Marinette?” Chat Noir asked seeing her pause.
“O-oh, yea of course!” she squeaked out coming back to reality. She gave him another quick hug, careful not to squish his desserts. “Good night kitty, get home safe,” she added giving him one last smile before scurrying back inside. She didn't need her mother climbing up here and questioning why she was taking so long with Chat Noir. She didn't need assumptions, gods know they'd just bring up her crush on Adrien and it'd just be a mess. She had enough messes for one day.
“Good night Princess,” he replied as she disappeared back inside, waiting a few moments before he decided to head home as well. He had a lot to think about, he almost dreaded it but he couldn't ignore it.