Chapter 4

Thoughtful

"Alya that wasn't funny," she complained as they exited the movie together. "You know I don't like scary movies. That was really scary! Horrific!"

Alya wrapped her arm around her shoulder laughing. "Sorry girl, but we told you what movie we're watching during class. You were just so excited to bring Adrien along that you probably forgot."

Marinette stiffened and bloomed into a rose. She shoved a finger to Alya's mouth and flung herself backward to make sure that Adrien was at a distance away. She didn't need to have him hear that little part of Alya's explanation.

"Okay fine, my fault."

Alya pulled her slightly away from the two boys who had their own flustered conversation going. Alya looked as if she had the whole world handed to her with the way her smile beamed sunshines at Marinette. She wondered what might've happened between her and Nino to warrant such happiness, but Marinette was glad for her.

"Looks like you and Nino hit it off?" she teased.

Alya was stumped, her own blush growing on her cheeks before she dismissed it and turned the conversation on Marinette and Adrien.

"Uh-uh. We are going to talk about you and Adrien," she asserted. "What was that?"

Marinette blinked a few times.

"What was what?"

Alya was starting to look frustrated as her curiosities were bolstering out from her. "How Adrien held you throughout the entire movie, girl."

Held me?

There was a few moments of silence before Marinette exploded with absolute terror. Adrien had done what? And why didn't she know about it? Was she so stunned by the horrors of the movie that she hadn't felt Adrien comforting her at all? She remembered him telling her to calm down, but that was it. She tried so hard to just focus and not focus on the movie simultaneously that it exhausted her -did it numb her too?

"No…" Marinette tried to deny.

"Honestly girl… you need help," Alya laughed.

They walked back to the boys and Marinette heard a snippet of their conversation. It appeared that Nino was asking Adrien the same thing, because as they neared their vicinity, she picked up on the way Adrien was explaining how he wanted to make sure she was calm.

It embarrassed Marinette.

"Sorry," she mumbled. Her apology picked up by the three. "I didn't mean to keep you from watching the movie."

Adrien brushed it off with a smile. "Don't worry; I didn't miss a thing. Seemed like you did though," he teased. "Want me to fill you in?"

"We can over dinner," Nino interjected as he piled his weight onto Adrien's shoulders. "I'm still hungry!"

"Got it, got it," Adrien slowly removed Nino's arm and started walking toward the door. "So where's this new restaurant?"

"Not too far from here actually; it's just down the road. I've been craving for their fries, I heard they're killer."

The two boys ran toward the venue and left Marinette and Alya to catch up slowly behind.

"So where do you think you stand with Adrien?"

She's just a friend.

Marinette had heard one too many times to think that her status had changed much since the last time he called her just a friend. Gloomily she turned to Alya and presented a rather dejected grin. "I mean, I'm a lot more comfortable talking with him?"

"That's a start," Alya beamed optimistically.

"It is."

Marinette was proud with herself despite the relationship not so much as steering toward anything remotely near intimate, but they were progressing. If she could keep it up, it was possible that Marinette didn't need to feel so nervous anymore, maybe she could allow herself a little more bravery and courage. Maybe one day she could even confess.

The two finally caught up with the boys as they waited patiently in from of the small shop's entrance. It was a new tiny diner, which recently peaked interest amongst the Parisians for its french fries and shakes. Marinette was eager to try it and she was just about to order a mint chocolate shake when a distressed boy not too far away from her created a massive tantrum.

The mother tried anxiously to attend to him, but the young boy who had his shake spilt all over him was far from being calmed.

It began to worry Marinette, and within the same second, her worry was justified when an alumna fluttered right toward him.

"Oh no…"

"Awesome,"

The young boy was now transformed into an akumatized version of himself: a cherry upon his head, and he held straws in each hand that mimicked swords. He threateningly swung them around and demand for free shakes.

Marinette whipped her attention quickly to Alya in confusion, and then immediately at disappointment. Alya had her phone in position and in an instant, began her Ladyblog.

"Live at the new shake shop: La-"

"Alya!" Marinette scolded and pulled her aside. "Nows not the ti-"

A flash of purple exploded all around and Marinette and Alya had split apart almost instantly. She could see in the midst of the dissipating spray of the liquid of Nino pulling Alya away.

Marinette surveyed the kid afterwards and ultimately decided that he was going to be an easy villain -the akuma were definitely in the 'swords'. It appeared that Hawk Moth returned considering it had been a peaceful couple of days.

She looked around for an opening, a free and private space to run to. She settled for the bathroom, but on her stride there, the young boy screamed at her and flung the straws at her. Suddenly a thick substance started to shoot out from them and Marinette was slightly shocked. They weren't swords; they were more like hoses…

"Watch out!"

Marinette was tackled to the ground. Chat Noir was atop her, hand cradled protectively above her head.

Marinette was surprised at the convenience of his appearance. He'd gotten to the scene of an akuma attack almost instantly; she wondered how close he'd been to see the drama unfold, but was snapped out of it when Chat Noir called for her attention.

"You need to leave, princess."

There was a small pause, but Adrien snapped her out of it when he lifted Marinette off her feet in a hurry. He didn't wait for an agreement or reply as he hastily encircled Marinette's tiny wrist and ran toward the bathrooms where he shoved her gently into a stall.

"Stay in here and don't come out," Chat Noir directed as he began to close the door. "It's dangerous."

Marinette wanted to roll her eyes at him, but thought of her identity. She played the damsel in distress perfectly when she thinned her lips and nodded her agreement anxiously. "Be careful, Chat Noir." She thought of Adrien at that moment. "Save Adrien!"

Chat Noir stiffened, and there was just half a second of hesitation before he flashed her a flirty smirk. Marinette wanted desperately to express her annoyance but fought against it. "Adrien's fine. Just stay in here, princess and I'll come back for you soon." With that said, he saluted her and shut the door.

Marinette sighed and quickly released Tikki from her purse.

"He's so playful, huh Tikki?"

Tikki only laughed. "He is Marinette, but let's get to it."

Marinated gave her a nod and proceeded to her transformation. "Tikki, spots on!"

Ladybug waited a bit before exiting the bathroom, in hopes that Chat was no longer in the area. To her relief, it appeared the battle grounds had changed a few distance away. Chat and the boy, whom he announced to be The Shaker, were fighting just down the road. Ladybug flung her yoyo and made her way to the scene.

She encircled her strand to a nearby light pole and joined Chat who'd been doused with shake-liquid. Ladybug laughed at the sight. "Oh Chaton, you're drenched."

"Let's finish this quick, m'lady. I need to dry off quick."

She thought of her dinner with her friends. She'd very much like to end the battle soon as well. She agreed and made no delay to call for her Lucky Charm, which revealed itself to be a couple of rubber bands.

"Huh?" Ladybug made haste looking at helpful items she may use. She eyed trash bags and the light post. "Ahh… Chat Noir cover me."

"No problem!"

While Chat Noir distracted The Shaker with his endless taunts and a display of his capabilities with his staff, Marinette flew down to collect a couple of trash bags. When she looked up to make sure that Chat Noir wasn't in any trouble, she was slightly dismayed to see that he'd been toying with The Shaker, until he was blasted with yet even more liquid due to his reckless playing.

It was a giant mess. It was as if The Shaker had spilt his shake all over Paris. Ladybug found herself losing her balance a couple of times when she ran toward Chat.

She shared her plans quickly and they were off.

Chat Noir once again caught the attention of the Shaker while Ladybug flew her yoyo around the light post near him with the trash bags and rubber bands in hand. Maneuvering skillfully around The Shaker, Ladybug managed to tie bags at the ends of his straws as he was in the midst of his spillage act.

The liquid was caught in the bag and the sudden weight caused him to drop his straws, which was quickly caught and snapped by Chat Noir's staff.

The akuma quickly broke free from the straws in which Ladybug quickly caught and de-evilized.

The city was restored once again and the boy reunited with a grateful mom.

"Nice work, Bugaboo."

"Same to you," Ladybug smiled.

Before they parted, Chat Noir asked about her progress. Ladybug was reluctant to share, but she felt as if she owed it to Chat since he'd been the one to give her the push she needed.

"I'm a lot more confident, Chat. Thank you. I feel like I'm progressing, even just a little at a time."

"I'm glad to hear that." He said it with a smile, but Ladybug could pick up the dismay in his tone. Her heart squeezed within her chest, and it hurt her to know that it was her fault he felt that way. She was just about to apologize, but Chat quickly stopped her, as if he had been aware of her thoughts. "I am, LB, I really am. Keep going for it," he encouraged.

"Thank you." Her earrings began to beep, signifying the end of her transformation. "Well, have a good evening, Chaton -bug out!"

When Marinette returned to the shop, she noticed Adrien in the middle of yanking the bathroom door open. Needless to say it had been the women's stall and she noted that he should really take precaution before doing so until she remembered that she was supposed to be in there.

Adrien looked almost anxious as he turned to Nino with worried eyes. "Have you seen Marinette?"

Before Nino could answer, Marinette bolted toward them and signified her presence.

"Here, sorry, I just wanted to… uh, make sure Alya was alright."

"She was with Nino," Adrien explained.

"She was too busy filming," Nino complained. "I had to force her out of the way. I swear she's careless."

"Fearless," Alya corrected matter-of-factly.

"Reckless," Marinette added. Her persona of Ladybug shone through and it had served a purpose to hopefully instill to Alya one more time that her safety was a top priority. "If you want to film Alya, do it from a distance -it's dangerous. Please."

"Oh Mari, I'm fine. But I'll be careful, I promise."

Their dinner went on as planned, but Marinette noticed a shift in Adrien's character. Was he distracted because of the events that just took place? Was he shocked? Marinette didn't think that that would be a catalyst for the switch in behavior; he'd succumb to multiple akuma attacks and never once silenced himself like how he was now.

They stayed a little less than an hour before the two couplets split up. Nino and Alya left opposite of them, while Adrien decided to take Marinette home in their car since she had been on the way.

Marinette didn't want to intrude during Adrien's pondering, but she thought he'd appreciate a little distraction.

"Sorry Mari, it's just.."

"I'm here to listen Adrien."

He leaned further into his chair, if he went any deeper he could disappear. "I like this girl. I really like this girl," Adrien whined.

Marinette did not expect that. Her heart clenched within her chest, and she found it hard to keep her hands from shaking so she had them in fists and tucked them under her. Was it not just yesterday that Marinette had decided to show Adrien the kind of girl she really was in hopes that he'd find love in that girl?

She did not expect that he'd already found that love in someone else.

Marinette was devasted; she had just told Adrien that she'd be there to listen, but the internal cry in her mind made it hard to pay attention. She needed to be the consoling and not the other way around, so why couldn't she find her voice that moment?

She gulped down the rock that formed in her throat, and attempted to say something, but Adrien continued, unaware that his words were drilling holes into her heart.

"I just don't know how to get it across to he -of how much I love her. Or if I should continue to love her, but it's not like I can just stop, you know?"

He caught himself instantly; Marinette saw the way his eyes widened, the heat in his cheeks flamed, and embarrassment washed his entire face.

"I'm so sorry," he blurted. "I -I just don't… I have no one to really talk to about this kind of stuff. I didn't meant to-"

"It's okay," Marinette quickly dismissed. She didn't need to hear him all flustered, she knew enough of that feeling to allow Adrien the same torment.

She was left confused after his confession. Who would ever reject Adrien?

"Maybe there's a good reason?"

"It's a very good reason," Adrien complained silently. "But… I still…"

Marinette understood perfectly. She was experiencing it that exact moment.

Be a friend, she reminded herself. Be there for him.

"But it's okay. I'm okay. She knows I love her, and that's good enough."

Did Marinette even have a heart? It felt like it had been pulverized, with Adrien physically gripping at it until it burst within his hand. Marinette pushed back the tears that threatened to roll over. The hurt was unbearable, but Adrien didn't owe her anything, not his love or affection. Maybe -maybe they'd never be anything but friends.

Finally, Marinette internalized his constant definition of her. She felt herself crippling over and Adrien quickly leaned over to her, concern weighted in those jaded eyes.

"Marinette, are you okay?"

Great, Marinette whined. Now he's comforting you.

"I'm… I'm okay. Just… I suddenly thought of the movie and thought about whether or not I'd be able to get some sleep tonight." Her speech began to rush as she neared her home. "As for that girl… she seems really special, Adrien; but if she can't see how amazing you are, her loss. Chin up, keep your love strong, and maybe you'll attract a love that matches yours. Oh, there's my house. Gotta go! Thank you for the ride!" She exited the car immediately, not even fully waiting until the vehicle made a complete stop which aggravated Gorilla and worried Adrien.

Marinette ran upstairs after announcing to her parents that she was pretty exhausted and was going straight to bed. Immediately she dived into bed and fought against her tears. She was not going to cry for Adrien; she was not heartbroken. They weren't anything but friends, and although Marinette's long term crush seemed to have hit a dead end, she didn't regret the feelings she held for Adrien.

He was amazing and Marinette decided to hold onto that love for him. She was not going to admit defeat just yet. She'll be the best of friends with him and if in the end he sees her as more than a friend, then great, but if not, she'll be rewarded with having Adrien as a close friend of hers. It's a win-win situation.

But in the meantime, she wanted to wallow in her pain and accept it for what it was.

Suddenly there was a knock on her balcony door.

"Marinette, I think it's Chat," Tikki observed.

"That can't be. Why would he come here?"

Tikki shrugged but quickly beneath her pillows. "It's him Marinette; I can feel his swami."

Marinette frowned. She moved the pillows away from Tikki and ushered her out of her room. She hid some cookies for her in the kitchen and thought she'd much prefer to stuff herself then hide in a pile of cushions.

Before opening the door, Marinette waited a moment and asked who it had been outside. It might have been slightly suspicious for her to open the door right away even though she knew who it had been, she wouldn't have been able to explain why to Chat.

"It's your one and only friendly black cat, my princess. Won't you let me in?"

Marinette rolled her eyes and refrained from releasing the lock.

"Hmmm, I don't know. I don't like to let strays into my room."

Adrien could hear his feigned gasp and chuckled quietly before unlocking the door and allowing Chat to fumble in.

"What brings you here, Chat?" It wasn't long since she'd saw him -maybe he wanted to check up on her after the incident with The Shaker, but did that mean he'd also checked on Alya and the others too?

He sat on the edge of her bed and watched her a little too comfortably. In fact, he almost acted as if it were his own room. Marinette didn't mind it, since Chat was nearly her other half, but Chat didn't know that.

"I… well, I just wanted to check up on you. After Ladybug de-evilized the akuma I went back, but you weren't there and I didn't have time to look for you."

Sweet Chat.

She beamed at him and presented herself with wide arms. "Well I'm fine. Thanks, Chat." She briefly looked at the clock and noticed how late it was getting. She didn't mind having Chat over, but she wasn't so sure he should be staying out, especially in his superhero form.

"Umm, if that's it, you should head on home before it gets too late. Your kwa-AAAhhhh…I just want to make sure you have enough rest after beating that akuma."

Marinette bit her lip and shut her eyes in disappointment. She had almost revealed the fact that she knew about kwamis -she'd never be able to explain how she knew without also revealing her identity.

"Hey, are you alright?"

"Grand," Marinette laughed.

Suddenly the mood dropped, and Marinette found Chat leaned over on his knees. Maybe it wasn't her that needed to be checked on.

"How about you?" Concerned, Marinette sat next to him and rested a hand on his back.

"I'm fine, princess. I actually wanted to come see you for some advice."

He wasn't looking at her, but Marinette's eyes grew wide. The feeling of absolute dread creeped up on her when the possibility of him talking to her about herself in the persona of Ladybug made her extremely uncomfortable. Not for that fact that she knew he'd be pouring out his heart to her, but it unnerved her to know that he came to her for confidence, a new and fresh ear that can be there for him, but he'd only found consolation in her counterpart.

"What is it?"

Chat seemed to backtrack on his intention and bit down on his lips regrettably.

"I shouldn't; I'm sorry."

He was just about to leave, but now Marinette felt inclined to make certain he left her place all better; she couldn't just let him go away. Not when he looked as if he'd been defeated.

"Croissants?"

The offer peaked Chat's interest, and like a stray, he made himself comfortable on her chasten while he waited for her return.

Marinette found Tikki slumped on her table with cookie remnants on her cheeks. She laughed a the sight and cleaned her up before plating a few croissants and milk for Chat.

"What does he want, Marinette?"

"I think he's here to talk about Ladybug."

"Marinette…"

"I know, I know," Marinette waved.

She headed back to her room as quietly as she could. When she came to, she found Chat laying peacefully on her chasten, eyes wandering above her ceiling. She sighed with relief. It was a good thing she had taken all of her Adrien posters done; she'd been so embarrassed when they had been broadcasted, even more so when Chat witnessed it first hand.

"I'm back."

She saw the way his ears perked up and he shuffled back into a sitting posture. His smile returned, though Marinette could pick out the sad undertones of it.

"Thanks, princess."

He scarfed the croissants down and choked a few times before he drowned himself in milk. You think he hadn't eaten all day.

Marinette's laugh broke Chat mid devour.

"Sorry…"

"It's fine. You just seem like a an actual pet," she joked. Her hand reached out to him on their own accord, and once she felt his hair gently beneath her palm, she cousin't help but stroke her fingers through them. Chat didn't seem to mind; in fact, the way he curled into her hand prompted her to continue her soft ministrations.

"So what's bothering you, Chat?"

"I'm not so much bothered -or maybe I am, I don't know. Maybe I feel alone?"

"Alone?" Marinette sulked at the revelation. Chat was adored by her, as Ladybug and Marinette, she never wanted him to feel so dejected.

"Well I like Ladybug, it's no secret."

"Yes…"

"But she likes someone else."

Adrien.

"And I'm okay with that, but I'm still down about it. I don't really have anyone I can talk to about this. My father… well, he's kind of distant. I have a best friend, but I think he'll just tease me about it. And well, since our last encounter, I feel like I can talk to you. You make me feel better," he admitted. His eyes shied away from her, so he couldn't see the acceptance growing on Marinette's face.

Maybe it was wrong for her to cheer him up over her rejection as Ladybug, but she was Marinette then, and she decided that she could be just the friend Chat needed.

She moved away from him for a moment and sat on her computer chair before she rolled herself over to Chat. "Well, I'm all ears, and we have all night," she encouraged.

Chat laughed. "Not all night. I won't stay long, I promise. I'm usually quite chatty, but a princess surely needs her beauty sleep."

Marinette couldn't stop her eyes from rolling and Chat noticed. He pouted and accused her of being yet another girl who didn't appreciate his puns.

"Oh don't be silly, Chat Noir, everyone loves your puns."

He wasn't convinced, but for the remainder of the night, Marinette listened to him. His feelings, his uncertainty. She made him feel less alone, and it reflected in the way Chat was now on his back, hands over his mouth as he tried to muffle out his laughs. Marinette too, was stifled with giggles as they joked about their most embarrassing moments.

Chat Noir shared about how he accidentally fell down the stairs during his entrance to his birthday party when he was young, and Marinette shared about she had nearly confessed to a boy she liked but was immediately told he had liked someone else.

Marinette could see how Chat Noir sympathized with her then, but decided if she had wanted to delve deeper into her own struggles she would do it some other night.

It was nearing midnight, and though she enjoyed having Chat to talk to, she couldn't hide away her exhaustion as her yawns grew frequent.

"You should go to bed," Chat instructed. He got to his feet and reached out to her, his hands cradled below her knees and behind her back. In a quick moment, Chat had her in his arms, cradled next to his chest as he leapt silently to the top and laid her gently on her bed.

Marinette apologized but snuggled deeper into her cushion and sheets.

"Don't be," Chat Noir assured. Marinette peaked up to see his face warm up, almost as if he had blushing, but thought she saw wrong with her tiredness growing.

"Feel free to come over whenever you like, Chat Noir."

"Thank you."

And with that she heard the latch above click shut and a few moments before sleep took her, she felt Tikki shimmied her way into the blanket next to her cheeks.

"Is he okay?" she heard him ask.

"He will be," Marinette whispered.

And the night drifted on.

Sorry. It's been a min, huh?