Marinette kept glancing at her phone.
It had really been a while since she'd gotten any response from Chat Noir and she was worried something might have happened to him. There didn't seem to be any serious news going around the school about one of the students going through something overly impactful and there really wasn't any way she could ask around without prying too far into just who Chat was. She didn't want to do that. She just wanted to help.
She groaned and let her head hit her desk, staring at her hamster who was currently nibbling on a cookie. The tiny rodent paused her munching to look over at her.
"I just don't know what to do Tikki!" Marinette complained. "What if I said something wrong and scared him off? What if something happened to him? Or his family or friends? Or what if he just doesn't want to talk right now and I'm just bothering him with all my messages?"
Tikki blinked at her and took another bite of the cookie.
"Don't judge me," Marinette huffed and shoved herself upright and pulled out her latest project. After opening up her emails once again to see if there was a new message. Nothing. Of course.
She pulled out some neon green embroidery thread and set to work stitching in some of the finer details. That would at least keep her from constantly checking her messages even if it wouldn't stop her from thinking about her latest friend.
There was the small ping of the chat notification opening.
She stabbed herself with the needle in her rush to set down her work and open her phone.
Chat Noir opened [Please Don't Hurt Me].
Chat Noir changed [Please Don't Hurt Me] to [I'm Sorry].
Chat Noir: Hey
Chat Noir: Are you free to talk
Ladybug opened [I'm Sorry].
Ladybug: Anytime. Are you okay? You've been gone for a while. I was worried.
Chat Noir: Yeah
Chat Noir: Sorry about that
Chat Noir: There's just been some stuff going on with the family
Chat Noir: It's been rough
Ladybug: Did something bad happen? Is anyone hurt? Are you okay?
Chat Noir: No!
Chat Noir: No nothing super bad
Chat Noir: Just
Chat Noir: Just some rough anniversaries
Chat Noir: I'm fine
Chat Noir: Just needed a bit of time to sort some things out
Chat Noir: Sorry to worry you…
Ladybug: It's fine. I'm glad you're not hurt.
Ladybug: Do… Do you want to talk about it?
Chat Noir: What? Gonna get some information and try to figure out who I am?
Ladybug: Of course not. I just want to help.
Chat Noir: Yeah, I know
Chat Noir: Sorry for saying that
Chat Noir: …I guess I probably do need to talk about it
Chat Noir: And it would probably help cause you don't know who I actually am and I don't know who you are but we know each other well enough to try and help
Chat Noir: Kinda like the whole point of this email exchange I guess
Chat Noir: Here goes…
Chat Noir: Actually
Chat Noir: This might be easier to explain over an email rather than chat
Ladybug: Whatever you're comfortable with.
Chat Noir: Yeah
Chat Noir: I'll…
Chat Noir: I'll just send it through an email
Chat Noir: So I guess I'll go get started on that
Ladybug: Wait before you go…
Chat Noir: Yeah?
Ladybug: I'm glad you're back. I missed you.
Chat Noir: I missed you too Ladybug.
Chat Noir: Thank you for caring
Chat Noir closed [I'm Sorry].
Ladybug: Always, Chat Noir.
Ladybug closed [I'm Sorry].
Marinette scrolled through the chat once more, a frown tugging on her lips.
"He doesn't sound alright, Tikki," she murmured worriedly. "I hope it all works out…"
Guess who's back and done with finals and most of her Christmas shopping! Sorry it's taking so long guys. It's almost impossible to write during the school year and it's been a rush to get things together while I'm at home (parents decided to completely redo the kitchen while I was gone and I'm having to do a lot of prep work for it). But things are finally slowing down a bit so I have time to write.
Haven't been able to see any of the show that hasn't appeared on Netflix so I would appreciate it if you avoid spoilers in any comments. Let me know what you think!