SOO much angst, but hey hopefully this one is better than the last
(ADRIEN'S P.O.V)
"How could this happen, Plagg," The teen's voice was muffled through his pillow. He was lying face down, sprawled out, lifeless.
"Maybe you should've revealed your identity while you had the chance," he jested, eating a whole slice of Camembert.
"Not funny," the muffled voice replied. Three taps echoed around his room. He peered out from under his pillow to be met with ladybug outside his window.
"Not her..." he mumbled.
"She doesn't know you're Chat Noir, remember," Plagg helpfully chimed in for once. "You could use this to your advantage." Adrien rubbed the back of his head in thought. He could ask her some questions...
Adrien gave her a motion signalling she could come inside. She entered the room and sat at the end of his bed.
"I heard you'd had a rough day," she started, her voice compassionate with a tinge of sadness. He could feel her eyes searching his face, analysing everything.
"Yeah," he replied, keeping his gaze away from hers. He forced a painful smile and chuckled slightly, "I got dumped."
"I'm truly sorry to hear that, Adrien," she kept her composure under the mask. Completely professional. It made Adrien feel slightly sick. "I'm sure she had her reasons though. From what I could see, that girl was being torn from the inside out." Ladybug was analysing him, alright. She could tell he wanted to know more, that he wanted answers and reasons. "It's not my place to say though." She sighed a deep breath and looked to her lap. All Adrien could do was sit there and listen.
"I was doing some rounds before coming here and I thought I'd check up on the both of you to make sure everything was alright." Adrien knew this was a lie, of course. Ladybug couldn't check on herself, plus it wasn't the usual time they'd start their rounds yet.
"I," she hesitated. "I overheard her talking about needing to speak with Chat Noir over and over again. I guess you could ask him if he knows anything more than I do."
"Yeah, maybe," Adrien finally chimed in. "but why would she need to speak with him?" Was this about what he asked her the other day? He barely wanted to think about that. Could she be under threat from Hawkmoth? Did he somehow find out? Or was it simply to have someone to confide in? Adrien's head ran wild with thoughts. He tried to cover every possibility, from dangers to unexpected problems, even the possibility of her moving away.
"I'm sorry, I've said too much haven't I," a bashful ladybug rested her forehead in her palms. "I should get going. Don't be afraid to call if you need a helping hand." She gave him a warm smile, but her eyes reflected sadness. Adrien couldn't help but notice she was walking without crutches and a slight limp. She had risked injuring herself even more just to check on him. With a swift flick of her yo-yo, Ladybug was gone.
With his mind a mess, Adrien called on Plagg.
"You heard what she said, Marinette want's to speak with Chat Noir," he had a fire behind the words. All he wanted to know was if Marinette was okay.
(MARINETTE'S P.O.V.)
"Are you sure this would work, Tikki," Marinette questioned, fear behind her eyes.
"Have you seen how he is around you? Of course it will," the kwami replied in full support. "Just practice what you'll say, speak from your heart." Marinette stood still for a moment, processed a few words, and then let a soft rose fall onto her cheeks.
"From the very first moment I met you, I knew you would become dear to me," she began. A gentle thump made its way to her balcony, but both Marinette and Tikki were too involved in the speech to hear it. "You know how to lift me up, how to make me smile, even in the face of imminent danger. For so long I had tried to hide what I felt, but in these past few weeks, after you found out, it seems I'm struggling to do so. It sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? That as soon as my dream crush finally notices my existence that I'd start to fall for someone else. My heart is split in half between loving him...and you. I need to know what you really think of me."
"So you lied, princess," a thud landed behind her. She whipped her head around to see Chat standing in her room, arms crossed over his chest, leaning against the wall.
"H-how long have you b-been there," she stuttered in absolute shock.
"Long enough," he responded in a cold, bitter tone. "You lied to him, there is someone else." He locked eyes with her. They were her kryptonite, locking her in place. She couldn't move as he began moving towards her. He didn't look away once, keeping her locked in a death stare. When he arrived mere centimetres from her, he didn't stop. Chat lifted her up and kept walking. He sat her down on the bed, only to push her chest backwards and pin her down. He stared down at her with cold, unforgiving eyes. Even in his state of rage, Marinette turned bright red at the intimate position they were placed in. She was on her back, arms splayed out and knees over the side of her bed. One of Chat's legs remained standing, while the other knelt between her thighs. One of his hands was close by her side in the gap between her ribs and sprawled out arm. The other had his weight and was right beside her head. She was completely powerless, unable to speak. Her entire being was under Chat's spell. Chat noir must have seen how vulnerable she became as he began lowering his head. Marinette could feel his breath on her lips. She managed to break free from his enchantment just enough to raise a hand to his cheek. An instant warmth was created below it on Chat's skin. His eyes softened, beginning to swim in the deep pools of blue staring back at him. He drew back slightly, suddenly realising the position he'd put Marinette in.
"Marinette I-I don't know what came over me," he began. "I'm so-"
"I'm in love with you."
Cutting it right at the good bit mwahaha! I hope this ch was more enjoyable to read and a bit more interesting :)
Thank you all so much for reading and motivating me to keep on going!
Love you all ︎
~Ash
