Disclaimer: I don't own Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir.

Author's Note: Actually, I have 7 minutes left before my lunch ends then go back to work, then after work it's online class for law school. Like I said, it's a busy week, especially midterms coming up next week.

Desideratum

Chapter 9

Cadence had just climbed onto his bed when his mother made her appearance in his room that night.

"Ready for sleep?" she inquired in a soft voice, bending down to pick up the shirt he had thrown carelessly on the floor.

Cadence frowned. She had not complained and she had not rebuffed him—but his mother hated cleaning up after him.

"Are you mad at me?" he ventured, unsure.

"No," she answered as she draped the piece of clothing over the back of his chair; there was a frown on her face as she turned to face him. "Why would I be?"

His answer was simple. "Because I met up with Dad."

"Cadence," she started as she made her way towards him. "I was the one who wanted you to meet him, remember?" Sitting down beside him, she encouraged him to slip underneath the covers, tucking him in once he complied.

"Well, yeah, but…"

"You heard us fighting," she deduced. "I agree, that wasn't the best start your relationship with him could have had. But it's only natural that he got mad when he found out that I kept you a secret."

Unsure of how to answer to that, Cadence extended his arms towards her in a silent gesture. Marinette understood, smiling a small smile as she shifted so that her back was to the headboard, welcoming him in her arms. Immediately, he snuggled up beside her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head over her stomach.

"I still love you more," he murmured.

"Don't say that," she chided softly, running her fingers through his hair. "He deserves to be loved just as much as I do. And once you get to know him, you'll realize that."

"You speak nice of him," he remarked. "As if you knew he was a good person."

"He is a good person."

"Then why did you break up?" he demanded. "Why don't you get along now?"

Marinette's brows furrowed as the interrogatory continued. "We do get along," she answered.

Cadence rolled his eyes. "You didn't even come to talk to him, Mom."

"I talked to him yesterday, after I dropped you off at school."

"Did you?"

"Yes."

"But then why didn't you at least say hello today?" he pressed.

"Because—" She paused abruptly, shaking her head. "Because maybe it's exactly because of that that we do get along. Because we don't talk—not even greet."

Cadence frowned, looking up at her for the first time since they started the conversation. "How does that even work?"

"You don't have to understand this now," she said. "You're too young. Maybe life will teach you this lesson, maybe it won't. But sometime in the future, you'll understand what I'm saying and why."

It didn't take him long to catch on, and his eyes burned with stubbornness and determination as they pierced right through her. "It's because you fight, isn't it? Because every time you talk, you end up fighting."

Marinette swallowed. "Yes." Her answer was a whisper.

"Why?" he demanded, sitting up. "Why can't you just say nice things to one another?"

"Because sometimes even nice things hurt," she snapped.

Cadence reeled back with the force of her words, and she sighed, taking a deep breath in order to calm down.

"Look, Cadence… Please don't do this to me," she begged. "Don't start asking me why. Don't start wishing that your father and I got back together. I know it's hard for you to understand. I know you want what every other child has—a family. But you'll have to learn to conform to the fact that you have me, and you have him, and we're two different persons that have nothing to do with one another. Be grateful that you have us."

His entire resolve melted at the sight of the tears that shone brightly in her eyes. "I am," he promised, his little arms coming to wrap tightly against her waist as he buried his face back into her stomach. "I'm not trying to make you go back to him. I just wanted to know why… I don't understand what's going on."

"Stop thinking about what's going on and start enjoying his presence in your life," she advised. "Alright?"

He nodded.

"Is that a promise?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now go to sleep," she whispered as she slipped out of his embrace, bending down to kiss his forehead after he had accommodated himself on the pillow. "I'll see you tomorrow."

She managed to keep herself together until she exited his darkened room. The moment the door closed behind her, however, she could no longer avoid reality crushing her. She closed her eyes, and leaned back against the wooden surface, a shuddering breath leaving her lips as she forced her body to relax.

How was she supposed to do this? How had she assumed that she would?

A/N: I don't even know what to say, but I'll post another chapter in a few minutes, again. Please leave a review. Thanks!