I am going to try to get back into writing. Miraculous is my spark. Let's give this a try. After the season 3 finale.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the plot.

Only Human

I pushed open the trap door to my room. With a heavy sigh, I drop my school bag onto the chaise. Before I can fling my small bag, Tikki flies out to my eye level. I look sadly at Tikki, pulling her closer to my cheek. Her tiny arms hold onto me, trying to comfort me.

"I'll be okay Tikki. Nights like this require song therapy."

Tikki pulled away from me and woke up my computer. The Adrien background made my heart flutter and my stomach roll. "Okay Marinette, where should we start?"

I had just come back from eating ice cream with my classmates. My head spinning. Adrien and Kagami...are a good couple. Yes, that's what a supportive friend would think. Even if my heart shatters a little bit more every time I look at them together. Lila and Chloe are scheming, there's something coming- I just know it. Not even just them...Hawkmoth too. He came so close... Alya wouldn't understand and even if she did, I can't take that risk. I can't risk hurting anyone I love. I can't let the other holders know my identity. Even my Kitty. For their safety.

So yup. All good over here. Just me and my kwami's that have been forced onto me by the only friend who knew everything. Master Fu and his wisdom and friendship just...gone.

I can be a guardian right? Master would not have given me the miracle box. I only have a dozen or so tiny creatures floating around my room all the time now. Maybe Chat...no, he is too busy. This is my burden to carry. I was entrusted with their tiny Godly lives. Only me.

I followed Tikki to my now opened computer. I quickly changed my background to a group picture of my class. Baby steps, baby steps.

"Tikki, today we are in dire need of a cry-my-heart-out-till-my-voice-hurts. And then maybe some ice cream later to soothe the physical and emotional pain." I gave a half hearted laugh. I pulled up Youtube and found my newly made playlist, 'To Cry.' I scrolled to the bottom where my fresh choices are located.

Drivers License, Heather, Amnesia...hmm none of those felt like a good place to start. They didn't feel right yet.

"This one." I clicked on the song as I laid my head down on my desk. Pulling my hoodie tighter around myself, knocking my hair out of it's already loose pigtails. Tikki sat down in her tiny bed across from me. After she closed her eyes, I followed.

I can hold my breath

I can bite my tongue

I can stay awake for days

If that's what you want

I let out a shaky breath. This is the time for me to cry, no one is around. I can grieve over the people I've lost, the freedom I lost.

I can fake a smile

I can force a laugh

Let it out, I squeeze my eyes tighter. Push my face into my arm, breathe.

I can do it

I can do it

I can do it

The tears start falling. The music became louder, the melody drowning my sorrow.

But I'm only human

And I bleed when I fall down

I'm only human

And I crash and I break down

Your words in my head, knives in my heart

You build me up and then I fall apart

'Cause I'm only human

My throat is so tight, it hurts to sing. Yet, I continue my heart song. With every word, my pain doubles and melts away. Memories from akuma attacks and school attacks keep running through my mind. Every time I slipped and failed that led to losing Chat Noir.

Chat Noir. His anger at my carelessness. Nothing compares to his face after I reject him, that heartbroken look that I have seen on my own face too often. I can't remember the last time he hugged me and that just broke my heart a little bit more.

I can take so much

'Til I've had enough

As the rest of the song played out, my tears slowed down. Rubbing at my cheeks and nose with my sleeve, I opened my eyes. Blue eyes met green. That black cat is sitting at my propped open balcony door. His hand hovered in the air like he was going to knock. His gaze was so soft, hesitant.

My luck hasn't completely run out. I managed the smallest smile,"Hi Kitty."

The floating hand receded to rub his neck, "I'm uh...I'm sorry to interrupt, I wanted to come see you, but.. You sounded so beautiful...and sad. I shouldn't be here, I can lea-"

"No, please stay. It's okay, I could use the company, I mean...if you want to stay. I know I look like a mess but-" The anxiety in my voice became heavier by the end of my rant.

"You're beautiful, Princess." Chat opened the trapdoor more to let himself down into my room. I lifted my head and leaned back in my desk chair. An ad was playing, I scrunch my nose at the song that was trying to play next. Not yet. Instead, Unloving You played.

"Rough day?" Chat Noir asked softly from his seat on my chaise.

I spun around in my seat to face him, "Yeah...to put it simply. I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders, makes the weight in my heart that much more heavy."

"I know the feeling, my heart is aching. I don't know if what I'm going through could begin to compare to you. Superhero and all," He gave a half smirk that deflated with a sigh. "But, nothing is like a good cry to music. Especially with someone who I trust."

The playlist softly flowed in the background as we talked, filling in the silent moments. We sang horribly and cried all our tears out. We talked about our troubles, albeit vaguely with the secret and identities and all. We shared a whole gallon of double chocolate ice cream, after arguing over whether it is healthy for cats to eat or not.

We are now laying on the floor, opposite of each other. Blankets were under and on top of us, swaddling us in a big cocoon of warmth. The long silence was broken by Chat.

"Can I show you a song Princess?"

"Go ahead Kitty." The chair blocked my view of the screen. I closed my eyes and listened to the clicking of the keyboard. I feel lighter than I have in a while, but I still have a long way to go till I am healed.

"I found this song a little while ago and I couldn't help but think of my Princess. You are always so strong. It's not the cry your heart out songs we have been listening to but... I think you'll like it."

Boys they're handsome and strong

But always the first to tell me I'm wrong

I lifted my head to look at the screen. Princesses Don't Cry. I smiled and locked eyes with Chat as he sat back down in his seat.

'Cause a princess doesn't cry (no-oh)

A princess doesn't cry (no-oh, oh)

Over monsters in the night

Don't waste our precious time

On boys with pretty eyes

I laugh in agreement with that line, akumas and Adrien. Chat's eyes lit up. He began singing the rest of the song, doing hair flips and dramatic movements. He sure is a pretty princess.

I'm fine, I won't waste my time

Keep it in a jar, and we'll leave it for the next one

Yeah, I'm fine, I won't waste my time

Keep it in a jar, and we'll leave it for the next one

I got up from my seat as the song neared the end. Definitely adding that song to a playlist. Chat and I started showing each other songs back and forth. It was nearly 1 am and I started to feel exhausted from all of the tears. I tried to stifle a yawn but Chat saw it anyway.

"I should be leaving, it's getting pretty late and it has been a long day for both of us." Chat stood up, but I grabbed his wrist before he could walk away.

"Can you stay for one more song? I'll even lay down for it, I can't fall asleep without music anyway lately…" I looked everywhere except for in his eyes. The hand I was holding moved to hold mine instead. I slowly looked up from our joined hands to Chat's face. His eyes looked so tired, he looked so much older in that moment. That boyish smile became more mature and worn. My breath hitched when he tugged me up from my seat on the floor.

"Anything for my Purrincess."

I didn't even have the energy to roll my eyes at that pun. I turned off my computer, switching to my laptop and I climbed up to my bed. Patting next to me, signaling for my Kitty to join me. I tucked myself under all of my blankets, my laptop sitting mostly closed next to me. Chat leaned against my kitty pillow, waiting for me to make a move like a perfect gentleman. I smiled and leaned into his side as the loaded to be played.

"This song is a sad one, but...it gives me hope. It is somehow soothing, I think you would like it Kitty." I closed my eyes and leaned further into Chat's side. His arm wrapped around the back of my head and shoulders.

There goes my heart beating

'Cause you are the reason

I'm losing my sleep

Please come back now

There goes my mind racing

And you are the reason

That I'm still breathing

I'm hopeless now

I'd climb every mountain

And swim every ocean

Just to be with you

And fix what I've broken

Oh, 'cause I need you to see

That you are the reason

I'm beginning to fall asleep. In the lull of the melody, I managed to say, "Thank you for tonight My Kitty."

With Marinette now asleep, Chat couldn't bring himself to leave yet. He listened to the lyrics, trying to find the same comfort this girl, peacefully sleeping after having cried for hours, had found. As the lyrics and melody became more intense, he pulled that girl just a little bit closer. A single tear leaked out of his eye as the intense words faded back into their happiness, still drenched with sorrow. He sang the last part quietly under his breath.

I'd climb every mountain

And swim every ocean

Just to be with you

And fix what I've broken

Oh, 'cause I need you to see

That you are the reason

Chat closed the laptop before sliding out from around the girl. He brought the blankets a little tighter around her, brushing her hair from blocking her face. Chat left a single, tingling kiss on her brow before leaving without a second look.

And that was the best night's sleep either of them have had in a long while.

A/N: Songs mentioned within:

Drivers License by Olivia Rodrigo, Heather by Conan Gray, Amnesia by 5 Seconds of Summer, Human by Christina Perri, Unloving You by Alex Aiono, Princess Don't Cry by Aviva Mongillo, You Are The Reason by Calum Scott

Sorry if this seems long, but I wanted to capture it all in one chapter.