Marinette had long stopped crying since she first revealed the truth, and she was currently calm enough to know that no akuma would find her right now. If this was like any other time, she had almost let her emotions run wild, then this would be it, she would let it go, she would push the pain back, and go about her day as if nothing happened.

Ladybug is strong, Ladybug doesn't get mental breakdowns, Ladybug will never cry, because Ladybug can't be akumatized.

The battle between her instincts and her heart raged once more, she wanted to cry, she wanted to just explain everything, but she was paralyzed by something that went beyond the consequences and fear, she wanted to stay silent out of this instinct to protect her heart, from everything, not just akumas.

And yet for once, she was allowed, no, she was required to choose her heart.

She almost wanted to cry again, and although it would be a lie to say that it was not because of the chaos of her mind, that was not what prompted it this time. No, she wanted to cry as she watched Chat Noir tend to her leg so carefully, so quietly.

He heard her whole story, and his first reaction was to keep Marinette safe. Marinette. Not Ladybug. He had sacrificed whatever he was going to do as a civilian today, and finally chose to face an issue he had buried just like she did, because he would stay by her side.

Wordlessly, Marinette watched his face, devoid of any of the mirth she was so used to seeing on it. And yet, the silence was not painful, it was thoughtful, and the expression on his face was concentrated and serious. He could not have looked less like the Chat Noir she had grown to know, and she knew without a doubt that this caring boy was one and the same as the hero she stood beside in battle.

She wanted to cry, yes, what had she ever done to deserve such a wonderful partner as him?

"There," Chat breathed, tying the bandage close, his work complete. Marinette barely felt the pain, but she knew it wouldn't last. "How are you feeling, Princess?" he asked her softly, taking her hand.

She pulled it ever so slightly, signaling him to sit next to her again. A wry smile formed on her face as he obliged, and she said, "I don't know, Chat."

"Talk to me," he urged. His eyes were serious, not quite wide, but full. There was no second guessing in his statement.

Marinette took a deep breath. She wasn't sure what she even wanted to say. "I just… There's so much," she squeezed her eyes shut. Chat Blanc, being Ladybug, being the Guardian, then as Marinette, there was Lila and everything that entailed.

Chat began circling his thumb on her hand patiently, "It doesn't have to be about… about Chat Blanc," he offered. "It can be anything. I'm here, I'll listen."

She made a small smile, before taking another shuddering breath. "I'm so tired, Chat. I'm so done with all of this," she whispered. "I'm tired of Hawkmoth, I'm tired of Lila, I'm tired of somehow being so untrustworthy that even-" she took a shuddering breath, "that I only have one friend at school, and even my parents don't fully trust me."

Chat's eyes widened. "Just one…?" he murmured. "And your parents, I thought they fully support you in everything…?"

Marinette shook her head with a humorless laugh. "Do you know what they did when I got expelled?" Chat stiffened, and she realized he probably didn't know about her expelling. "That's right, I got expelled thanks to a bundle of lies Lila made against me. I don't know why she suddenly decided to let me back in, but," her face darkened. "No one has trusted me since."

She shook her head in an effort to clear her thoughts. "Anyways, my parents, they-" she swallowed. "Neither of them believed me when I told them I was framed. And then, Papa decided to teach me how to make bread. How to make bread. As if I haven't lived in a bakery my whole life. They seriously had that little faith in me?"

"And my so-called friends," she continued, "when hearing it was thanks to a 'lying disease,' which somehow is a believable excuse, did not decide to trust me again because even though a 'lying disease' means she was, oh I dunno, lying, that they still didn't trust me because of actions I didn't take. Or maybe they decided that she said that because she forgave me like the angel she was, and knew it was a load of bullshit. And in that case, then the one thing they believe is a lie, is a lie because every ounce of trust they had in me is suddenly on Lila with even more, and I," Marinette threw her free hand up in frustration, cutting herself off mid rant.

Her instincts screamed that she was oversharing, but Chat was still listening quietly, his hand squeezing hers tightly. He was listening. "I just, every time I go to school, I feel like I'm walking barefoot on the shards of my many broken friendships," Marinette whispered in conclusion, her eyes stinging with tears yet again. She had begun to think that she had no more tears to cry, but clearly, she had more to go.

Chat's eyes flickered for a moment, and Marinette thought she saw a flash of pure hatred, almost murderous intent, but it was gone before she had even realized it was there. His eyes were soft, and he murmured, "I'm sorry, Princess." The kindness in his voice sent shudders down her spine, and she wondered if she had imagined the hatred she saw.

But she could never imagine such a look on his face, no, she had to have seen it. Was that anger for her? Her mind told her that wanting to murder for her should really by terrifying, but her heart only felt fuller.

"You mentioned a friend…?" He offered.

She nodded, "Yes, I do have one person that still trusts me. He's," she hesitated for a moment, trying to think of how to word it. "He sees through her lies too, but, I don't think he fully realizes how hurtful Lila is," she murmured. "He told me to take the high road, and that as long as we know she was lying that it would be okay, but…" her face darkened.

She wasn't trying to bash Adrien here, but honestly it hurt. She wished he had stood up to her, she wished he had done something more, but at the same time, it was his endless kindness that she had fallen in love with, wasn't it? It's only natural that this kindness should extend to scum such as Lila, right? He would always give her a second chance, because he had the heart to do so.

And yet, she knew he would never hate for her, because he could never hate.

"It's good to know I have another ally at school, but I don't think he would understand. He sees good in everyone, and nothing about Lila is good. I can't agree with him there," she finished.

Marinette kept her eyes on the floor as he responded. "...I see."

Marinette's mind flashed over everything she had just admitted, and few tears spilled once more. "Am I really that untrustworthy? Do I-" she whispered but was interrupted.

"No," Chat's voice was a solid wall. "Marinette, you are a beautiful, kind, wonderful girl, and the horrible way you have been treated is on them, not you." His eyes met with hers, and fierce conviction in his startled her. He didn't break eye contact as he murmured, "Cataclysm," and Marinette's head whipped around the room, but the akuma was already in Chat's waiting hand.

She gaped at him, that was- that was really cool. She flushed and looked down; the tears stopped again. "Chat, I- thank you. Thank you so much." She buried her face in his chest, wrapped her arms around him. He shifted slightly, his hand rubbing itself free of the ashes, before wrapping around her.

"Claws in," he murmured, and Plagg was free once again. Marinette wasn't watching however, instead taking in the comfort that was Chat's arms. He pulled her close, and they stayed like that, breathing together, a being of comfort and kindness. She sniffled and began to sob once again.

A few moments later, Chat called on his transformation once more, and she could see the flash of light through her closed eyes. It was something else, to feel his transformation. It was magical, yes, but she could truly feel the magic of it. She only held him tighter, barely breathing through her sobs.

Her mind began to wander, as she thought of Chat. The imperfect boy she had rejected time and time again for the perfect one. Chat never understood timing, always throwing flirts and puns in the middle of combat, when he should be fully focused on battle. Chat was always grinning and joking, even when times were appropriately serious enough that he should not be. Chat would always rush into battle, sometimes before she was ready, and it could have serious consequences. He died for her, time and time again, and once he accidentally killed a friend, in New York.

He had lied to her, and Paris had suffered in his absence. He even gave up his ring, when he was the only Chat Noir that would ever mean anything to her.

Didn't he know that? Didn't he realize just how important he was?

Chat was always by her side, no matter what they were facing. He gave her calm, making the fact that there was a freaking supervillain in Paris seem like a fun little game, taking off the bite of each battle. He was quick on his feet, always giving her the time to think of a plan and would sacrifice himself for her no matter what. When he made a serious mistake, he had the agency to own up to it, and return the ring.

And his love, Marinette realized, it was very, very real. She had thought he was just joking, and when it became clear it was not, she argued that surely, he was just in love with the mask. He couldn't love the real Marinette, no one loves the real Marinette. That was already more than clear.

And yet, here he was, holding her tight, sacrificing his day for her, without the mask. Here he was, telling her she was wonderful, despite the fact that she just told him she saw him destroy the world. That should have been enough to make someone run.

But he never did. When she was forlorn after Adrien never showing to get ice cream, it was Chat that showed her just how much Ladybug meant to him, while at the same time giving Marinette a wonderful evening, something to hold on to after her disappointment.

Chat was not perfect, no, he was capable of cold fury, if that expression she had seen meant anything. But he calmed himself, if temporarily, for her. He was capable of being sensitive, and thoughtful, but he was joking, to lighten life.

And judging on his relationship with his father, she could understand why the poor boy would need more light in his life.

Chat was not perfect, not by any means. But Marinette was tired of the high road, and Chat possessed just as much kindness as Adrien did, if his comfort given to victims after almost every battle had meant anything.

If she had never met Adrien, Marinette would have fallen in love with Chat long, long ago.

And if Chat Blanc was anything to go by, then she certainly had. Her instinct to hide popped up once again, it wasn't safe to fall in love with him, what if-

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Responsibilities, who cares. You matter too you know," Plagg's earlier statement interrupted her thoughts.

That's right, Marinette realized as her fingers tightened around Chat's back. Today was the day for her heart, and her heart chose Chat Noir.

AN: There we have it, the realization I've been waiting for~ That's right Marinette you love Chat Noir. And that's right Adrien, you done derped. I hope you enjoyed the fluff as much as I did! Again, thank you so much for all of your comments and love, it makes my day :)