It was a long day at school again, pretending everything was fine. The light of the sun still bothers her as she walks out of the school and into her bakery. "Hey sweetie, you okay?" Sabine as concerned as always...

"Yeah, I'm fine! I'm just, going to take a break before starting my homework," Marinette silently sighed. "Okay, just don't-" "Okay! I get it- I'm going up now." Marinette walks upstairs, closes the hatchet behind her as she goes into her room. "Marinette, are you okay? You never snapped at your mom before." Tikki said in her soft voice. "Yeah, I'm just so tired...the exhaustion never goes away, that's all." Marinette sighed and went to her bed after putting a plate of crossaints on her table. She pauses and sits in a curled-up position. Holding her knees, trying to calm herself down.

*-Knock knock-* Marinette hears the sound, (knocking) her out of her trance. Marinette puzzled, wondering why someone's knocking on her- oh wait. Chat Noir.

"Hey Marinette!" Chat Noir smiled cheerfully. Marinette blinked and she smiled softly. "Uhm, why are you here? Isn't it a bit, early? Marinette questioned, as she let him in. "Well, if I'm being honest, I got in a fight with my-" Chat froze for a second mid-sentence. "parent..." Chat Noir continued.

Marinette understood he has his troubles as well, they are partners after all. Chat Noir sat beside Marinette in her bed. Marinette looked over her shoulder, then looked down. How can I cheer him up? Marinette looked at Chat Noir. His worries went away and he gently smiled at her. Marinette's heart skipped a beat, her bluebell eyes slightly widened and she let out a small gasp. It was like a feeling, one that wasn't the same when Adrien gave her the umbrella. It was like a confession,

"I like you..." slowly echoed in her head.

His gentle, cute smile is so warm and comforting, she wished this moment never ended.

Marinette shook her head, returning to reality, and looked at Chat Noir's blond, messy hair. His eyes droopy with love, like he could look at her all day without getting one ounce of bored. His smile was so sweet, it could eat her up.

"Are you hungry?" Marinette asked, putting her hand on the bed while her other on her knee. "Actually, quite a bit!" Chat confessed. Marinette raised a brow, "Really? Well, we can talk about that later, right now, say, are you in the mood for crossaints?" Marinette's eyes lit up, and so did Chat Noir's. "Yes, I'd love that! Thank you princess!" Marinette chuckled and blushed at the nickname.

I have crossaints at the table, but those are for the kwamis...nevermind, I can make some for them later. Chat Noir is like a poor street kitten just waiting to be fed, and I can't go downstairs, especially with my parents concerned about my safety and not to mention the fact that I can't lie for crap and then they might find a boy in my bed. Anyways, I wonder if Chat's going through a tough time..

As Marinette was about to grab the plate, she noticed a notification from her phone, which was sitting on her table. She picked it up in curiosity. 3 missed calls from Alya and 11 messages. Marinette froze in thought. Is something wrong? In any way, I can't pause now, Chat Noir needs my help. I just hope it isn't too late when I reach out later. She set her phone back down and grabbed the plate of crossaints.

"Here it is- a plate full of crossaints!" Marinette happily said. Chat Noir took the plate and heartily smiled. "Are crossaints your favorite?" Marinette looked in his eyes.

"Well, I love all kinds of foods, really,"

"Oh, is that so?" Marinette replied playfully.

Chat Noir has taken, let's say, an interest in Marinette Dupain-Cheng. She is like his civillian partner in crime and craves attention from her like no other. They hangout often, but also care for each other- like no other.

An hour passes by, what feels like a split second, and it is now a Thursday evening.

"Chat Noir, don't be such a mess!" Marinette laughs with such joy. "What, I'm just hungry!" Chat Noir gives Marinette the last crossaint. "I can't fit all of these!" Marinette says, still laughing. "Then maybe I can help you!" Chat Noir smirks. Marinette giggling, "Yeah, sure, I could've let you do that, except I've already finished!" Marinette proudly and messingly finishes that sentence. They both laugh.

After a minute of giggling and chuckling, they both lay down on opposite sides of the bed.

"So," Chat began. "Aren't you going to be mad that I'm leaving dirt all over your bed?"

"No, because you'll clean it up with me." She replied with a cheeky smile. They both laughed once more.

"Do you want to play a game?"

Marinette sat up, with Chat Noir feeling her movement, he sat up as well.

"Well I mean, I don't mind, Marinette replied. She moved closer to her pillow and faced Chat Noir. "What kind of game?"

"A truth game," Chat Noir said.

"Alright. You go first."

"Do you have any siblings?" Chat Noir asked.

Marinette paused. She looked down for a moment and looked back at Chat Noir. His eyes seemed to calm her down.

"Next question, please?" Marinette said softly.

What was that? Is Mari okay?

"Okay," Chat Noir continued. "Do you have a crush on somebody?"

Marinette tilted her head and opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. This moment wasn't awkward in any way, shape, or form. It was a way of comfort. Chat Noir caressed her cheek with his hand, telling her it's okay. "N.." Marinette started. "Yes, I do, actually.." "Can you tell me who it is?" Chat Noir asked. Marinette slowly took his hand off her cheek and held it to her chest.

"Nope!" She smiled.

Chat Noir looked like a small kitten and his teddy bear was taken away from him. Marinette laughed, "Don't worry about it Chat Noir! Now, it's my turn to ask you a question."

Chat Noir blinked. "Uhh... let's watch a movie instead?" Marinette exhaled, "Sure, silly kitty."

"Hey, what about Tangled?" Chat Noir looked at Marinette while going through the DVD collection. "Sure, I've never seen it before!"

Halfway into the movie, they got more comfortable and got physically close while looking at the animated screen.

Marinette laughed, "Aw, I think I got a little crush on Rapunzel!" Marinette let out another giggle. Chat Noir smiled and looked at her (not very obvious) small bi flag on her wall of pictures. He then looked back at Mari, who put her head on his shoulder. /Do you get deja vuuu okay yeah I'm/

What is this? Is it a hangout or something more? No, it's definitely something more.

He looks at her with these dumb love eyes that you just can't get enough of...

And they sure are a bit too touchy to be friends, anyways.

A few minutes later, Chat Noir had his arm comfortably wrapped around Marinette's waist, and she grew more and more tired as the movie went on. She yawned a bit loudly but cutely. That put Chat in awe even more than he already was in this moment. "Shouldn't you be heading home?" Marinette asked quietly. "No, I'd rather be here with you, if you don't mind." Chat Noir smiled and tilted his head so his lips could face the top of Marinette's head. Marinette smiled as she opened her tired bluebell eyes and looked up at Chat Noir. She lighty grabbed his bell and said "Okay, you can stay for tonight." Chat Noir took his other arm and held her while they both fell asleep.

Being the gaurdian has changed many things, but the one thing that hasn't changed is him. It's him. Chat Noir.