Authors note: This takes place after Miraculous: New York - United Heros and is based off the english dub. If you're reading this, you should probably already know that the characters are not owned by me. This is a fanfiction based on Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir created by Thomas Astruc.

This is my first chapter in an eight chapter series. I expect my upcoming chapters to be longer than this one. Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoy it. :)

Chapter 1: Conflicted

"A friend or more than a friend? There will never be a better time to be clear with yourself Marinette. Do you want him to leave or do you want him to stay?" Alya's words linger in Marinette's mind after their trip to New York. She chased after Adrien in the rain but doesn't know why. She thought she was ready to just be friends and move on but now she's more unsure than before she left.

She drops her suitcase on the floor and speaks to her kwami. "What am I going to do Tikki!? My feelings are all jumbled!" Marinette groans as she falls to her knees dramatically.

Tikki flies out of Marinette's purse and up to her face. "Don't worry so much Marinette! Everything will work out, I promise."

Mrs. Dupen-Cheng calls from downstairs, "Marinette! Someone's here to see you!"

"Who could that be?" Marinette goes downstairs to see Luka making small talk with her parents.

"Hey Mari. How was New York?"

Sabine smiles and grabs Tom by the arm, "We'll leave you two to catch up!" She drags Tom into the other room.

Luka's words before she left to New York come to mind, "You know what's important, Marinette? Is that this trip helps you get some clarity." She fumbles trying to come up with what to say, "It was um- really good actually. I learned a lot about America and stuff."

Luka chuckles. "I'm glad you had a good time. What about Adrien?"

Marinette's face gets hot. How does he always know what she's thinking about? She takes a breath to clear her thoughts. "Actually Luka…" she looks down to avoid eye contact, "I thought I was ready to move on but I'm still so confused."

"It's okay, I understand." She meets his eyes and a flood of guilt rushes over Marinette. She doesn't deserve his understanding. Luka sees her expression and reassures her. "Really Marinette, it's best to take your time to figure things out. I'll be here when you need me."

His soothing voice makes Marinette's heart hum. "Thanks Luka." She gives him a kiss on the cheek that results in both of them blushing.

"Well I have food to deliver, better get going."

He grabs his helmet and waves goodbye as he heads out the door. Marinette goes back up to her room and starts unpacking. "He's so nice to me Tikki! I need to get over Adrien fast!"

"No, Marinette! I agree with Luka, you've got to take your time!"

Marinette lets out a loud groan. "Why does this have to be so difficult?!"

Tikki flies up to her friend and nuzzles her cheek, "Like I said before, everything will work out just fine! I promise."

Marinette holds Tikki to her face, sort of like a hug. "Thanks Tikki." She lets go and continues packing. "I just feel so bad for Luka."

"There's nothing to feel bad about. Luka understands."

Marinette isn't convinced. "I'm going for some fresh air." She leaves Tikki behind and climbs up to her balcony.

Adrien lets out a loving sigh as he scrolls through the Ladyblog. He can't help it, she's too beautiful. That's not why he's in love with her though. She's selfless, brave, resourceful, and always has the right idea at the right time.

Plagg emerges from a cabinet with a slice of smelly camembert. "When are you going to stop gawking over Ladybug and start showing interest in someone actually available?" he snarls.

Adrien doesn't take his eyes off the monitor. "I am Plagg! I'm with Kagami now, but I'm still in love with Ladybug you know."

Plagg knows all too well about the love square and the recent complications with Kagami and Luka. Tikki and him have a lot of time to talk during school. He groans and hovers in front of Adrien's face. "Not her!" He holds his chin in his paw, pretending to be in deep thought. "I know! How about Marinette!"

Adrien rolls his eyes. "Don't be ridiculous, Plagg. Marinette's with Luka now."

The kwami teases him. "Ohhhhhh? Is that the only thing holding you back?"

"Why would Marinette ever be interested in me? Sometimes I feel like she doesn't even like me…"

"I'm sure you're wrong. You should ask her before you make assumptions Romeo!"

Nathalie rapidly knocks on his bedroom door. "I don't hear you practicing piano, Adrien."

"Sorry Nathalie! I'll get started right away." Adrien grabs his phone and plays piano lessons on youtube. "I don't know about you Plagg, but I have too much on my mind to be practicing piano right now. What do you say Chat Noir goes for an evening patrol?"

Plagg grins ear to ear. "I like your style Adrien."

"Plagg claws out!"

He checks to make sure nobody is looking before he launches himself from his bedroom window to the building across the street. Leaping from roof to roof is so freeing when you don't have an akuma to worry about. As the day turns to dusk, street lights flicker on. Chat Noir is about to sit down and rest when he spots a lonely girl on her balcony. Marinette doesn't look like her bubbly self, instead she's leaning against her railing and resting her head in her hand.

Without a second thought, Chat Noir finds himself perched on her railing. "Hello," he calls out quietly as to not alarm her.

She jumps back surprised, "Chat Noir!? What are you doing here?"

"I was getting some air when I saw you looked lonely. I don't mean to intrude, but can stay for a while? I'm not ready to go back home just yet." Marinette nods her head in approval. Chat Noir jumps down from the railing and leans against it. "Is something wrong?"

"It's just that…" Marinette holds her breath, struggling to open up about what she's feeling. "This boy really likes me and I like him too but I can seem to move on from someone else."

Adrien knows that she's talking about Luka, but who's the boy she can't move on from? Regardless, he feels the same way about Ladybug and Kagami. "Believe it or not but I'm facing a similar issue at the moment."

Marinette is surprised by this. She leans closer to him, "You want to move on from Ladybug!?"

Chat Noir chuckles. "No, I don't think I ever can. But she's made it clear how she feels so it's time I pursue someone else." He looks down at Marinette's curious eyes. So blue.

"That makes sense." Marinette feels sad that her Kitty wants to pursue someone else but she can't blame him. It's selfish to expect him to never move on when she's so stubborn.

"So who's this boy you're trying to move on from?" Chat Noir tries to lighten the mood by talking in a teasing tone.

Marinette looks up to the sky as she pictures Adrien. "Well he's perfect! He's kind, smart, talented, and cute of course." She giggles and blushes just picturing that boy. Chat Noir can't help but smile when she looks so in love. Suddenly her expression becomes very determined, "But I have to move on and be with Luka."

"I'm no expert but I don't think you're quite ready for that just yet."

Marinette lets out a heavy sigh, "You sound just like Tikk- I mean- my friend from school." She grins, hoping that Chat Noir isn't suspicious.

He's not. "Well I appreciate this time with you Marinette. Thank you."

"Any time Chat Noir. You're always welcome." Marinette loves the sensitive side of Chat Noir she sees in her civilian form. She's glad that he feels like he can talk to her. He must be pretty lonely in real life.

Chat Noir is filled with warmth. Someone enjoys listening to him be himself. "In that case, I'll be back tomorrow to make sure you're still not akumatized," he smiles.

Marinette giggles. It's nice having someone to talk to about her troubles. Sure, Alya is great and all but she's very biased to Adrien. "See you then, Chaton."

On that note, Chat Noir launches himself into the vast city. He steals a glimpse of Marinette in the moonlight before he vanishes behind a building.

That night, Adrien stays awake in bed thinking about his encounter with Marinette. Chaton. His cheeks fluster thinking about that nickname. No matter how long he stays up he can't answer the question: Why does she act so different towards Chat Noir than Adrien?