Summary;

Marinette and Adrien have a heart to heart; Chloe finally shuts down and suddenly finds herself back to square one, alone.

Chapter: Because P.2

There's a silence between them for the first few moments.

Marinette and Adrien both sat on his bed in his spacious room. Both teens had taken their shoes off, they got fairly comfortable.

Adrien sighed softly, not really sure how to comfort the girl, the girl he saw as his best friend, a best friend that he found out, had been in love with him. Past tense of course.

Marinette sat on the bed, hugging her knees, she stared at nothing in particular. She had spilled the beans, she had finally told Adrien she loved him, or well, had loved him. It was somehow refreshing, but also unnerving. She wasn't sure what Adrien was thinking, what he felt after she told him how she had felt.

Adrien suddenly laid down onto his back, arms folded behind his head. "You're an awesome girl, Mari." Adrien said softly, being the first to break the silence between them. "Honestly, I think if I hadn't had feelings for someone else, I would have wanted to try being with you. You're smart, pretty, and very kind.", he wore a soft smile as he spoke.

Marinette hummed softly. She turned her head to look over her shoulder, she stares at him.

Adrien is looking at the ceiling, "You're my best friend, Marinette, and nothing you said today will change my view of you in a bad way. I don't want you to feel embarrassed or shy away from me. I want you to know that you can talk to me, confide in me and that I won't ever turn my back on you.", the boy kept his gaze at the ceiling, a smile still curled his lips.

Marinette felt her chest fill with warmth, she was starting to feel safe, she sighed softly and slowly laid back, laying next to him, she crossed her arms over her chest. Here she was, laying next to the boy she once loved romantically. "I...I wasn't planning to come out...not yet. I...I'm scared.", she whispered softly, her blue eyes stared at the creamy white ceiling, her pink lips pressed into a tight line for a moment.

The boy turned his head to the side, he gazed softly at the side of the ravenette's face. "There's no need to be scared, Mari. You have people who love you, support you, and want to be there for you. Sure, some people are still a bunch of jerks, but don't let that stop you from being...you."

Marinette turned her head to the side and met the boy's gaze. She smiled lightly, God, Adrien was such a perfect being. "I...Adrien?"

Their eyes locked.

"Yeah?"

"I love you, in a friend way.", she said softly. She stared at him with affection. Her expression is soft.

Adrien beamed like a child full of innocence, "I love you too, Mari.", his cheeks flushed slightly.

Both teens suddenly break out into fits of laughter. Their cheeks flushed. Tears glistening the ravenette's lashes. The Agreste unfolds his arms from behind his head and brings them to his sides. The room is filled with their laughter.

Marinette feels herself getting a grip. She got a huge weight off her chest, she felt lighter. Adrien's words, helped her feel better. She was thankful. "Thank you.", she says sincerely.

"No problem, you deserve to feel safe and comfortable.", he said, "I'm happy I'm able to be here for you."

The ravenette turns her head, she gazes at the ceiling once more, "Me too.", she breathes out softly.

Both teens lay there comfortably, Adrien adjusts himself and returns his gaze back to ceiling as well, they both just bask in the comfortable silence.

Both thinking.

Marinette felt her fears dissipating, she felt her doubts being pushed back, she was starting to feel more...like her. She didn't think talking to Adrien would have done so much for her. The boy was kind and definitely cared about friendship. He was a true friend.

The boy felt relief, seeing the ravenette relax more and open up a bit was relieving, he cared for all of his friends, especially the more closer ones, Nino, Marinette, Alya and Chloe, those four were his best friends, he loved them unconditionally. Although Chloe edged more on being like a sister to him. He valued the friendships he received.

"Oh, Mari?", Adrien spoke again.

"Yeah?", Marinette responded.

"You...you said you fell for someone else.", he paused for a moment, "Can I know who?", his question came out hesitantly and cautiously.

Marinette felt her heart starting to beat a little faster, she felt her face heat up. "U-uh...well…", she uncrossed her arms from her chest and laid her arms on her sides, she gripped the bed sheets tightly out of nervousness. "Um…"

Adrien could tell the girl was struggling, he didn't want to press her too much, "it's fine if you don't want to tell me-"

"No, it's not that...it's just...I'm still…", Marinette sucked in a breath, and she released it in a shaky exhale, "I-I'm still processing it."

Adrien hummed softly, "Oh...um, I see."

Such a precious boy, Marinette thought to herself. She sighed, "I...I'll tell you...but please, don't tell her or anyone else."

"I wouldn't tell anyone, I promise.", Adrien said gently, he once again turned his head so he could face the side of the ravenette's face, he could see the tip of the Dupain-Cheng's ears burning pink.

The teen sucked in another breath, she closed her eyes and slowly exhaled, she collected herself. She knew that by telling Adrien she had feelings for Chloe, it would make it real, like really real. Sure she told Alya, but she tells Alya everything, the brunette didn't exactly count. But someone like Adrien, he did count, because he was someone else.

"I…", she paused and cleared her throat.

"Take your time.", Adrien said softly, encouraging her to take her time, "Don't feel pressured, let it come naturally."

Marinette nodded, she thought of how to say it, how she would say that she fell for Chloe. Should she say she liked her or should she say she...loved her? A short moment of silence washed over them before Marinette finally got it together, she was going to say it, and it was going to become real. This was her finally acknowledging it openly, to someone that wasn't Alya.

Fists balled up the sheets, Marinette swallowed thickly, pink lips parted, and words finally came out.

"I'm in love with Chloe."

The words seem to suddenly sound much louder than she expected them to sound. The silence in the room had practically amplified the volume of her words. There was no way Adrien could have possibly missed what was said.

Pink lips tremble slightly. Blue eyes screwed shut.

"You fell for her huh.", Adrien breaks the silence before it could get awkward or uncomfortable. The Agreste paused for a moment, he brings a hand up to his chin and rubs it, "Can you look at me and say it again?", his expression grows slightly serious.

Marinette's eyes snap open and she slowly turns to the boy, "Y-You want me to say it again?", her voice is barely above a whisper, it comes out and breathy.

Adrien merely nods, his gaze is suddenly firm.

Marinette licks her lips slightly to moisten them and she swallows thickly, and once again says it, "I'm in love with Chloe.", she says again, her eyes not leaving Adrien's own.

They both remain still, their eyes locked, Emerald eyes searching Sapphire ones, almost as if they were looking for something specifically.

"Why?", he asks.

It's a question that throws Marinette off a bit, eyebrows furrowed slightly, her expression filled with confusion.

Adrien knew he had to explain himself, so he did. "What I mean is, Why do you love her? Like, what was it that made you fall for her?", his eyes softened slightly.

Marinette's lips part, "I...It's a surprise isn't it?", the girl doesn't answer his question, she merely throws one back.

"Mari, please.", he says. Almost pleading.

The Dupain-Cheng sighed softly, she kept their gazes locked, "It's not a secret that we had problems before, she was mean to me, always picked on me and always tried to make me feel small.", the ravenette started. "For a while I did dislike her, but only because of how she treated me."

"What changed?", Adrien asked. He knew what changed, Chloe had changed. He noticed how Chloe interacted with Marinette after everything that happened, even a little before that, Chloe started to change for the better after she was given another chance to be Queen Bee. He was only asking because he wanted to hear Marinette say it.

"She…", Marinette's cheeks flushed more, she knew Adrien would be able to see it. She calmed herself, closing her eyes, she started to speak, "She started to treat me better. She was nice, caring and...sweet. she...she'd hold my hand whenever I got uncomfortable somewhere, she would sometimes slip her fingers between my own, her hands were always soft and warm, never clammy.", the ravenette was getting into it, she was speaking sincerely. "Most of the times she sits next to me whenever we all go somewhere as a group, she'll touch her knee to mine most times, or she'll just hold my hand under the table or out of sight.", she opened her eyes and continued, "She'd give me these hugs, the first few were a little awkward, but the times she delivered those, I knew she was trying to comfort me, and then the hugs got better, and warmer. She'd also give me these smiles from across any room we'd be in, she'd just look at me and smile in a way she never did before and...now, she's started walking me home after school most days.", the Dupain-Cheng's gaze was soft, tender and filled with affection, "Chloe made me feel safe, her presence just...filled me with this warmth I can't really explain."

The blonde was in awe, the ravenette got into it alright, and from what he's just heard, there's no mistaking that Marinette certainly has strong feelings for the heiress. He felt relief. He questioned the teen because he cared for Chloe, he didn't want to push them two together if Marinette wasn't really into Chloe. But thankfully, the kind hearted teen was definitely interested in the Miraculous wielder. "I see.", he smiled softly, his firm expression had broken into a softer one. "You really love her huh?"

Marinette swallowed slightly, she spoke again, "I think, these feelings were growing since a little before the whole…'Brutalizer' thing.", the teen admitted softly, "I...when I threw myself into that fight...I...wanted to protect Chloe.", Slowly the teen was coming to realize that she had protected the teen for more than one reason. She cared for Chloe, the blonde grew on her, on the Ladybug her, and during a few of their patrols, they worked together and chatted from time to time, she got to see a little more of the heiress each time they interacted and maybe it was then that she started to realize something.

She started to realize she liked Chloe a little more than she should and so...she started to pull away.

Just like what Chloe said to Adrien.

Ladybug pulled Chloe in, only to push her away, she kept track of the blonde, wanting to make sure the heiress didn't get hurt, she'd retrieve the miraculous after each patrol and...didn't stick around like she usually did.

Marinette groaned and faced away from Adrien suddenly, she faced the ceiling again and face palmed, as realization all of a suddenly began to dawn upon her. She was an asshole. She was hurting Chloe, she was making Chloe feel unsure and insecure.

"Shit.", she cursed under her breath.

Adrien's eyebrow shot up sharply, "What happened?"

Marinette released a breath, "I...I'm such an idiot. I've been in denial for a little longer than I thought.", the ravenette groaned again, frustration starting to creep up on her. She sat up and sucked in a deep breath, before blowing out her cheeks.

The boy sat up, "Hey, Hey, relax. Don't start beating yourself up over it. These things happen, talking about it helps bring out reasons behind why we do certain things the way we do them.", he said, trying to keep the ravenette calm.

"I...just...feel like such an idiot, I-", and she paused, she wouldn't be able to get into depth about why she felt this way, after all, these feelings started to arise when Chloe joined their superhero team, a team that consisted of Ladybug, Chat Noir, Rena Rouge and Carapace. A team that Marinette Dupain-Cheng had no part of. She brought a hand to her mouth, her shoulders sagged a bit.

The Agreste was a little confused. "Why?"

Marinette nodded her head, "It just...took me a little while to actually take in what I was feeling for her.", she merely said. She didn't want to get further into the topic anymore. She was drawing the line here. She came out and told Adrien about her feelings for Chloe, telling him she was secretly also Paris's Ladybug hero, would probably be pushing it too far.

She's been Impulsive enough for one day.

"Don't stress it, Mari. Just take it easy for now. I won't tell Chloe or anyone anything.", Adrien reassured the girl. He brought a hand to his chest and moved his index finger drawing an invisible X on his chest.

The Dupain-Cheng nodded, relaxing, she turned to him, "I...um...can I ask you something?", her voice comes out a bit shaky.

"Of course.", he answers her immediately.

"Do you...do you think I have a chance?", she asks, cheeks pink, "A chance with Chloe?"

Adrien sits a bit back, he brings both his hands to a spot behind him and props himself up on both his arms, he breaks their locked gaze and faces forwards, "I'm not entirely sure. Chloe's always been a little vague when it came to 'liking' people romantically. She never really discussed those things with me.", he answers as honestly as he can. He really had no idea if Chloe even felt anything towards girls, but the blonde also hardly went crazy for boys, the only exception was him, but deep down, he always felt that Chloe never really meant it like 'that', her claims of 'liking' him always just came out...bland and dry. Chloe seemed interested in him, but...Chloe never really 'confessed' to him or told him in a serious manner that indicated that indeed Chloe romantically liked him.

Marinette looked down, ducking her head a bit, her eyes on her knees. "I see.", blue eyes watered up slightly, accepting she had feelings for Chloe was also accepting the fact that Chloe may not return her feelings, after all, Chloe never once indicated she liked girls. She'd stand a higher chance of getting hurt. "She's…probably straight.", the ravenette whispered. "No. She is straight.", The teen said more clearly, as if accepting this as a truth.

Adrien frowned slightly, "Don't jump to conclusions, Mari. I could talk to her, see what she thinks and where she stands with that topic.", the boy offered. He'd get a better understanding of what Chloe preferred.

The ravenette shrugged slightly, "Would you do that?", she slowly lifted her watery gaze.

Adrien turned to her and nodded, "Of course. If there's a chance she'll end up with someone as great as you, I'd gladly love to help." He smiled softly, "You're a catch, Mari. I could actually see you two together.", he rose a hand and put it over Marinette's shoulder, "Whatever happens, I'm here for you."

The teen nodded and returned the blonde hired teen's smile. "Thank you."

Chloe sighed deeply, she walked beside Sabrina, her expression was glum, her lips were in a soft broken frown. She walked with little purpose.

Sabrina would take subtle side glances of the teen, she couldn't help but feel her chest tighten, she hated seeing Chloe like this. The sad broken distant looks Chloe would wear most of the times. After the whole 'Brutalizer' thing began, Chloe seemed to just be a shell of her former self, Sabrina knew Chloe put on a facade most days, the heiress merely masqueraded around people, acting with a front. The redhead knew Chloe was just stuffing whatever she really felt down into small tiny boxes. Chloe was trying to keep herself together.

Sabrina knew, even after everything, even after 'changing', how much Chloe hated revealing what she really felt.

"Thanks for today, Sabrina.", Chloe said as they finally reached the hotel. The blonde sighed softly.

The redhead turned to see the blonde, she met the heiress's sad gaze. She felt her chest ache. Sure she's known Chloe for quite some time, but that didn't mean the blonde opened up to her quite often, she could count the amount of times she comforted Chloe on one hand. Two times. The first time Sabrina comforted Chloe was when they were just little kids, when Chloe's mother decided she was leaving, the second time, was after the woman left.

After that, it was like Chloe became a different person.

"No problem, Chloe.", Sabrina forced a smile.

And both teen parted ways.

Chloe entered through the doors, sluggishly walking, practically dragging her feet.

Sabrina however, stopped in her tracks as she turned to look over her shoulder to see Chloe entering the building. She frowned heavily, debating with herself. She wanted to help Chloe, she knew the blonde was burying her feelings and problems, but she also knew that if she pressed Chloe, Chloe would shut her down. The redhead balled her fists up and sucked in a breath, she spun around on her heel and started to walk towards the building again. She wanted the best for the blonde, she wanted Chloe to not have to deal with things on her own. So, she filled herself with resolve and picked up her pace once she entered the building, wanting to catch up to the heiress.

She sighs in relief when she sees Chloe waiting by the elevator, and she breaks into a jog, "Chloe.", she calls out.

The blonde snaps her head towards the teen, eyebrows raised. "Sabrina?"

The teen stops just in front of the blonde, "I know...I know you're hurting, I know you're keeping your feelings boxed away and I know damn well you hate it when someone tries to unbox your feelings.", the girls speaks sincerely, her expression is soft and full of worry, "But I won't let you shut me out so easily, Chloe, not anymore. I won't let you drown yourself any further. I can't stand seeing you...like this. Please, please talk to me. Let me help you.", the plea in the girls tone is almost heartbreaking and it certainly affects Chloe.

The heiress's straight expression breaks, lips part and close for a moment, and before she could manage to say anything, the elevator dings as the metal doors open.

Both teens stand there for a moment.

Until Chloe manages to speak, "Let's go to my room", her voice a mere whisper.

And both teens silently enter the elevator, the ride up is filled with silence, neither speaking. The elevator finally comes to a stop, the doors open and both teens step out, both silently walking to the heiress's room.

Chloe felt each step growing heavier and heavier, she felt her hands growing clammy, she felt her heart starting to speed up. She was nervous, anxious even. She knew she could just lock the redhead out, she knew she could put a brave face on and say 'I'm okay, Sabrina. Really.', but she was tired and she just didn't have the energy to bring that fake facade into her bedroom. She was sick of pretending that everything was okay. Adrien knew she was struggling, but she didn't want to burden him with her problems, especially with a problem regarding her sexuality. She knew Adrien was never one to judge, but she still worried, fear that maybe Adrien wouldn't continue to be her friend if he was against such things as same-sex relationships. She had come to terms with it. She knew who she was, what she preferred. She liked the more gentler sex, she tried to like boys, but she just couldn't. It seemed her eyes always just found themselves on girls. One specific girl becoming the center of her attention in recent years.

Both girls finally made it to Chloe's room door, the blonde stiffened and took a deep breath as she opened her room's door, her hand shaking slightly, she swallowed thickly as she walked in, Sabrina walking in behind her, shutting the door.

Both teens could feel the apprehension building in the room's atmosphere. It was unnerving, Ominous even.

Sabrina somehow knew Chloe wasn't going to break the silence. By the way Chloe immediately created distance between them, it took the blonde mere seconds to be on the other side of the spacious room.

It made Sabrina feel sad.

"Chloe.", The teen looks at the heiress with a concerned expression.

The blonde is facing away from the redhead, she was looking through her glass doors to her balcony. "What?", she whispered quietly. If Sabrina wasn't paying attention, she would have missed Chloe answering her.

"Talk to me. Please, Chloe.", Sabrina pleads, "I know it's been hard for you...your dad and my dad talk sometimes. I know you're struggling.", eyes growing watery, the teen swallows thickly, "You...put on this act in front of people at school, and that's not healthy.", her voice is small. The redhead slowly steps to the heiress.

Chloe tenses and then relaxes, she takes her bottom lip between her teeth, of course Sabrina knew. Sabrina knew her really well, the redhead had been beside her since they were both 7.

Chloe's lips quivered slightly, she hardened her gaze, guilt building in her chest, her stomach grew all knotty. "Why do you care, really?", the blonde swallows the knot building in her throat and speaks, a hint of malice on her tone. She came to a sudden conclusion.

She knew Sabrina was going to try and coax her into talking, she knew the redhead would get it out of her, all her problems and suddenly Chloe figured, she didn't want that, she didn't want Sabrina to do that.

Sabrina stops in her tracks, she stiffens, her watery eyes widened slightly in surprise at Chloe's tone.

Chloe wraps her arms around herself, she remains put, her eyes staring out the window. "I've been the biggest bitch for the majority of my life. I've treated you horribly for the majority of the time we've known each other.", Chloe's lips trembled slightly, her vision starting to cloud. It hurt, it hurt so much. She didn't deserve help, not from Sabrina anyway. Not from her peers. No, in a way she believed that maybe this was her punishment, to suffer alone, silently. She was a horrible person, a horrible person who only changed because she wanted to impress Ladybug, and now...she had no real reason to change. During the passed few weeks since Ladybugs return, she started to realize that she never truly changed because she wanted to. She only changed because of a certain hero, once Idol.

The Bee miraculous only serving her vanity.

Chloe Bourgeois did not deserve to get better, not after everything she's done, not after how little she's truly grown as a person. Her reasons for change were not virtuous, it was not from the bottom of her heart. It was not real.

Underneath it all, she was still ugly, petty, selfish and pathetic.

And she did not deserve help.

"Chloe.", Sabrina whispered softly, brokenly.

"I'm a horrible person, and I always will be, Sabrina. This is who I am.", she slowly turned around, "I know my dad could easily just kick your dad to the curb, I know that's scary. But I promise, Sabrina, I won't ever let my dad do that to your dad, it's the least I could do for you after today."

"Wh-What are you…", the redheads expression was a mix of emotions.

Chloe's expression grew distant. She needed to get everything off her chest, she needed to free Sabrina. "You don't have to pretend you care about me anymore, Sabrina.", she finally says, a soft, genuine smile curling her lips.

It's chilling, Sabrina can't help but suddenly feel a pang in her chest, it's one of the very few genuine smiles she's seen. A smile Chloe hardly ever gave to anyone. She feels sick, she feels her heart dropping to her stomach. She can't muster up any words.

"It's okay", Chloe says softly, tears glistening on long lashes, "You don't have to be here for me anymore. You can...I don't know, Go make some new friends or something. Just, forget about me.", The blonde seemed unfazed, cold, yet genuine. "You're a good person, Sabrina, You deserve a friend that respects you, and is there for you. So go."

"N-No, C-Chloe that's-", the redhead started to whimper softly, her lips trembling, tears rolled down her rosy cheeks.

Chloe chuckled softly, tears rolling down her cheeks, "Stop it, Sabrina.", she says, her tone starting to waver, "I'm not someone worth wasting anymore time on.", she raises a hand and stops the girl from speaking any further. "Let's leave it here, Sabrina. While we still can.", Chloe's words almost sound like a warning.

The redhead suddenly regrets going after Chloe, she regrets trying to coax the girl out from behind whatever walls Chloe suddenly built around herself. She feels her heart break, and she starts to cry, uncontrollably. Sabrina spins around on her heel and speed walks out of the bed room, sobbing, whimpering and crying.

Chloe stands there, she sees the teen exit hastily from her room, her smile falters once the sound of the door shutting echoes inside her empty bedroom, her knees give out from under her, she falls to her knees. She bursts out laughing, she laughs through her tears, through her pain, through the night.

Welp

Here's an update!

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