Part II

Chapter Thirteen: Reconciliation

A/N: I am not happy with how this chapter turned out.

I am just going to put that out there.

Despite the brewing cauldron of ideas I have for this arc, I couldn't find a good way to articulate the exposition.

So yeah, if you end up cringing at the declined quality... I'm sorry.

And I should have waited. I should have waited one more week, but I just couldn't.

TheStrangeClaireBean: When will the MariChat begin? whEN WILL THE MARICHAT BEGIN? If you can't tell, I'm going for a sloooooow burn. Enjoy!

Rose Tiger: Me too...

mayuralover: Thank you! I'll need it...

ChristiRose13: You know that moment when you read a really amazing review and you feel like running a marathon? That's me.

coolbeans04: Thank you so much!

Reconciliation: (noun) the restoration of friendly relations

Marinette was never one to lose control over her emotions.

That's a lie. There were multiple times Marinette choose passion or practical. Even as the cool-headed Ladybug, there were always times she would lash out on those she thought were unworthy. This was not the case.

It had been three weeks since Marinette had made amends with Adrien. And for some reason, it had been three weeks since she had last seen Chat Noir out of costume. She had tried to get in contact with the cat, but with no prevail. If she and Chat still didn't do their weekly patrols, the bluenette would have assumed he's dead! But nevertheless, she tried to focus on the matter at hand: Adrien.

Marinette had thought she would take things slow with him, slowly build up a relation with him. But the boy seemed so desperate to make things how they were before, it got difficult. Because things would never be the same. There will always be some sort of awkwardness when the two hung out. This was what Marinette wanted to avoid before.

But as always, she chose passion over practical.

As Marinette walked down the courtyard, her gaze met Adrien's. Immediately looking away, she chasticized herself.

Stop staring, Marinette. You're making it more awkward than it is. He's just a friend.

Walking up the stairs, she saw an impatient Alya.

"Girl, look! It's Chat Noir! We haven't seen him in public for weeks! Have you?"

"We've still been doing patrols, but he's been even more cautious as to hiding from everyone. Do you think he's avoiding someone?" Marinette asked.

"You."

The bluenette arched back. "ME?! W-why would you say that? Why would he be avoiding me?"

"From what it seems to me, you guys have been growing closer. Maybe he's just scared he'll have to 'choose' Ladybug or Marinette." Alya shrugged.

"What are you talking about?! We're just friends!" Marinette exclaimed. "And anyways, who's to say it won't end up how it was with Adrien. I mean, you were wrong about his feelings, who's saying it'll be any different?"

Alya grabbed the bluenette by the shoulders. "Marinette Dupain-Cheng, listen to me. You will find love. Whether it be with Adrien or Chat, you deserve to be happy."

Marinette nodded, as the two headed to class.

I can do this.

I'm Ladybug, after all.

Adrien had always kept control over his emotions.

Except when he was Chat Noir. That's when he could free himself from his father's overbearing control and be him. Adrien had always believed that he wore a mask, metaphorically and physically.

As Adrien Agreste, teenage heartthrob, he had to be perfect. He had to refrain from using any negative emotion, in order to not tarnish his family's name. Adrien wanted to say this was preparation when it came to being targeted by akumas, but he knew it was only because to his father, he was nothing more than a model.

And that's when a guardian angel came in the form of destruction. With the help of Plagg, Adrien transformed into Chat Noir, a public figure whose voice can be heard freely. As Chat Noir, he could freely chase his lady, publicly embarrass himself, and save the day all from the comfort of a mask.

If he could, Adrien would stay Chat Noir forever, but he knew Plagg would never let him. Not to mention that people like Nino, Alya and Marinette would miss him.

Marinette. It's been weeks since he had visited her, and it hurt him every time. But if Adrien went, he knew that buzzy feeling would come back.

The feeling knowing that he'd eventually have to choose between Marinette and Ladybug. But Marinette was just a friend. So how could he consider her as anything more?

After their falling out and eventual rekindling, Marinette had made it clear she wanted to avoid the topic of their friendship as much as possible. But even he could tell that Marinette was hurting. Maybe just one visit…

No. Until Adrien sorts out these unwanted, and most likely unrequited, feelings, it was better to stay away from Marinette before he says something they'd both regret. He was not going to get on her bad side both in and out the suit.

But what will Adrien face when he finally returns?

"Dude?"

Adrien jolted up. Staring at his concerned friend, he laughed sheepishly at the snickers that were thrown at him.

"How long have I been out of it?" The blond asked drowsily.

"About five minutes." As Adrien examined the onlookers, he could see Marinette staring at him sympathetically.

And with a single gaze by those bluebell eyes, Adrien decided that he'd wait no longer. He was going to visit his princess. Tonight.

"Son, we will be traveling to Milan in order to gain more exposure for the company."
Dang it.

Two months.

Two freaking months.

It had been two months since Marinette had heard a word from him. And she hated every second of it.

At first she had assumed Chat was just avoiding her because of the most recent visit, but it had been weeks since she had ever heard from him as Ladybug! At first she feared for his life, but Marinette realized Master Fu would have informed her about any changes, but even he had no clue as to Chat Noir's whereabouts.

Until the black cat dropped in, uninvited, onto Marinette Dupain-Cheng's bronze balcony. Maybe she could of said "hi", or asked how he'd been. But no, she had to confront him in the least welcoming way possible.

"Princess-"
"Two months." Marinette growled, voice low. "You've been gone for two freaking months. Two months and not a single thought occured to you to tell me you were alright?!"

"Marinette, I'm sorry-"
"I thought you were dead! O-or something had happened to you! You idiot! Do you know how scared I was?!" Marinette shouted.

"I have been keeping low, but you're right. I should have told you about it. I'm really sorry-"

"The last time I saw you, you were scratched up! What do you think I thought when you had never shown up?"
"Marinette, please-"

"Enough!" Marinette threw a cup at Chat Noir, who blocked it with his suit. "You better have a good explanation as to where the heck you've been!"

"I've been away from Paris." Chat Noir said, brushing off the broken remains of the cup. "I couldn't get a hold of anyone because I had never gotten a chance to transform."

"Stop withholding the truth from me." Marinette sighed. "Although nobody had seen you on camera, I see you bouncing around with Ladybug on patrol. You've been on patrol for three weeks before you disappeared. So tell me why you were avoiding me for that long."
Silence.

"Chat, you know it's only me, Marinette. No matter what your explanation is, I'll understand."

"Says the girl who threw a mug at me!" Chat Noir retorted. "But I really truly am sorry. I just needed to get a grip my emotions."

"Heh, I guess I did overreact a bit, didn't I?" Marinette chuckled. "But what emotions did you need to get a grasp on?"

Closing his eyes, the blond turned away. "I need to ask you something Marinette, and you need to answer honestly." Marinette nodded.

"Do you see me as more than just a friend?"

Marinette was taken aback.. "C-Chat, what are you-"

"If you never met Adrien, could you see a future of us together?"

"Honestly…"

Chat Noir stared at Marinette.

"Honestly no." Marinette sighed. "And I think it's time for you to go."

As Chat Noir lept away, Marinette slumped in her chair as a red bug flew from behind.

"You lied, didn't you?"

Marinette turned to Tikki. "Honestly, I don't know anymore. The only thing I do know… is that it'll take a lot more than an apology to fix this mess."

"Why the heck am I gravitating towards Marinette when she doesn't even feel the same?"

The god of destruction munched on his cheese. "Same reason why you fell head over heels for Ladybug."

"And what is that?"

"They're both powerful women."

Adrien scoffed. "Marinette's not a superhero. There's a reason why Ladybug and I exist. It's to protect people like her."

"Like I've been telling you, especially since you basically called Pigtails weak, there are different kinds of strength." Plagg said vaguely before floating away.

Adrien sighed as he stared at the window. "Marinette & I are in a good place now, both in and out of costume. She seemed to be content that our friendship would just be platonic… but why don't I feel the same?"

Stupid emotions. Why can't anything ever be simple?

A/N: Um... because it's fanfiction?

Bug Out!