*Quick note: This is set after Season 3 Episode 2 "Weredad"

CHAPTER 1

It was actually kind of weird when you thought about it. Because somehow Marinette confessing her love for him and then him rejecting it and then both of them agreeing to just be friends had somehow brought them closer together.

Adrien was just so comfortable being around her as Chat Noir. Whether he hung out with her as she drew sketches, or she used him as a model, or she fed him freshly baked sweets, or they played video games, or he tried out new puns and she pretended to not like them… it was just an atmosphere of peace.

And inevitably, he'd also found out there was a guy she liked. She'd let it slip on accident and he'd endlessly grilled her on it while at the same time trying to think of who it could be and wondering if Adrien knew him.

It could've been someone from another class. Or someone who didn't even go to their school.

But he grilled her anyway, teasing her with "Wow, Princess, am I that easy to get over?"

She'd stuck her tongue out at him, "First of all, I liked you for all of like less than a week and it was more like a 'Oh Chat Noir, he's a cool and nice dude – and you'd better not let that inflate your big head even more. Plus it was more like a superhero crush."

"And a cat in shining armor crush too?

"Sure, Chat, that too."

He'd nudged her shoulder with his own, "And do you plan on letting him know in the same fashion you let me know?"

She'd laughed incredulously at that, "Right, as if that would ever happen. I wish I had that type of courage." Then her voice took a more serious tone, "If he were to reject me, I don't know if I'd be able to stay friends with him and I just…"

This had caused Chat Noir to furrow his eyebrows as he thought about this, "So your love for him is not just a crush but more like my love for Ladybug?"

Hugging herself, Marinette had softly whispered, "Yeah"

He'd never in a million years thought that her love had applied to him…

Thunder rumbled in the distance and rain began to fall in heavy sheets. Chat Noir wrinkled his nose in distaste at the sky – as if today hadn't been bad enough already.

He'd been laughing with Marinette at school as they'd remembered Nino saying some corny line to Alya. Then Lila had approached them, a smug smirk resting firmly on her face. Both his and Marinette's laughs had quickly dried up after that.

"Oh hey, you two! Watching you from afar one would think you were a cute couple. Of course when you get closer, that's proven untrue. Sad, isn't it Marinette?"

At this, Marinette stiffened and Adrien found himself frowning. "Leave her alone, Lila."

"Oh no, this is something you have to hear, Adrien. You see, it's something Marinette has been hiding from you for quite some time now."

Marinette abruptly stood, her bangs falling into her face and obscuring her eyes. "Stop it, Lila."

"Stop what?" Lila answered with false innocence. "Afraid I'll tell Adrien you love him?"

The floor beneath Adrien's feet seemed to fall away as his brain struggled to process Lila's words.

"Oops, I guess I just spilled your little secret."

Adrien felt like he was underwater and everything was muffled. Marinette… Marinette loved him? He was the guy she'd talked to Chat Noir about?

He pulled away from his swirling thoughts and forced himself back into reality. He watched Marinette's whole body tremble as she whispered, "Why? Why would you-"

Lila shrugged casually, "Why not? It was time you found out your petty love is unrequited."

Adrien set his jaw, "Lila, that's enough."

"Is it? Tell me I'm wrong then. Tell me you like her back. Tell me, Adrien."

And he wanted to, just to wipe that stupid smirk on her face and strike back after all the pain she'd clearly caused Marinette. But he couldn't. His heart wouldn't let him because it would be a lie and Adrien didn't lie. He wouldn't renounce his Lady nor would he hurt Marinette further.

His silence caused Marinette to freeze for a few precarious seconds before she bolted away.

Adrien chased after her, unsure of what he would say but knowing he had to try something!

But Marinette was fast and Adrien eventually lost sight of her. Instead he began making his way towards the bakery but Nino intercepted him on the way there. Apparently Marinette was now with Alya and she had specifically asked not to see Adrien.

And so hurt and confused, he'd transformed into Chat Noir and stalked across the rooftops, desperately hoping that Marinette wouldn't be akumatized. Not sweet, heart-on-her-sleeve Marinette. A couple hours had gone by and nothing had occurred but still Chat Noir refused to leave.

Which brought him to where he was now. Soaking wet and shivering yet still staring at Marinette's balcony with a heavy heart.

And suddenly he was on her balcony, not even aware that his feet had begun to move. Then the trapdoor opened and there was Marinette, her eyes puffy and her face sickly pale but regardless still dragging Chat Noir into her room.

Giving him a towel and a good scolding of "Kitty, you'll get sick! Aren't cats supposed to hate rain, anyway?"

Bringing him some hot chocolate and a fresh batch of cookies because "I'm not sure it's a good idea to give you so much sugar but you look pitifully sad all wet so here you go."

Sitting down beside him in silence for a few minutes before he finally had the courage to ask, "Princess, what's wrong?"

Because of course, he had to pretend to be clueless, pretend he didn't know he was the reason her heart was hurting.

"I-I… the guy I liked found out I liked him. And well, he doesn't like me back." Her voice broke, "Which is stupid because I kind of already knew that but- but now it feels real and- and-"

Chat Noir had to work around the lump in his throat. "I'm sorry, Princess."

Her lips curled into a watery smile, "It's okay, I guess. I actually kind of feel bad because he probably feels horrible right now. And it isn't his fault – we don't choose who we like, we just do. But at the time I was hurting and I asked not to see him and knowing him he probably feels guilty but it isn't his fault! Our hearts love who they will and sometimes they love people who don't love us back and I can't change that. But it still hurts."

At this, she leaned her head onto his chest and began to cry. He wrapped his arms around her and held her because that was all he could do.

How did he fix this?

AN: This is my first Miraculous Ladybug fanfiction and I am super excited! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed! Reviews are very much appreciated :D

~LB