"Mari, wake up." I gently shake Marinette's shoulder. She opens her eyes slowly. "Cat?" she rubs her eyes. "Good morning, Princess."

She looks at me, and I start to worry. The bags under her eyes have been there for a few days, and it worries me. She's been way to quiet.

I hug her as I do every morning when we wake up. I don't exactly know when I started staying here overnight, but staying with Mari is better then any prescription a medicine could provide.

I don't have a mother, she disappeared a few years ago, and since then my Father has also disappeared into himself.

He was strict and a bit stubborn, but he loved my mother. He loved me. I don't know how I got through night after lonely night. It's almost like I didn't exist in Father's eyes anymore. But sometimes there are moments that I get hopeful, only to be disappointed.

At Mari's it's different. Family meals, hugs, love. This girl is loved, and I love her so much. I think Marinette was trying to tell me she loved me yesterday, and got scared. I was Adrien and not Cat, though I know she has feelings for either side of me.

Mari just lays there, looking up at me. What is going on in her mind? Ladybug was quieter during patrol last night too. She wanted to hug a long time before we said goodbye to each other for the evening.

Before I met Mari (or Ladybug) there was no one to hug. Father is shut up in his office and I can't bother him. Will he ever be the same again?

"I'm going to make us some oatmeal," I say, kissing the back of her head. She grabs my hand and squeezes.

I wander downstairs and sigh. I know where everything is, so I start to measure out the oats and milk and set a pan of water. I lean against the counter, waiting for it to boil.

I know what Mari's trying to tell me. She loves me, and she afraid I'll reject her if she tells me her true feelings.

I don't get it. She's so confident most of the time. And, when I'm Cat? She can tell me everything. Maybe I should start spending more time with her as Adrien. But I have a secret, and no its not my secret identity.

I can be as shy as she is, sometimes. I pour in the oats, and start to stir. My thoughts go round like the spoon that I stir.

I should get some flowers. Somehow, they always cheer her up.

"Hey," I say, setting her oatmeal bowl on the table. Its like she's not there, lost in a world I can't get through. "Princess?" I ask. She looks up at me, blank. "I can't help you, if you put up a wall," I say.

Still nothing. I know she isn't mad, and sometimes she like this. When I drop her off at school I make sure to tell her I love her.

When I walk into the classroom a few minutes later as Adrien, I'm glad to see it's just Marinette and I in the room. Suddenly, I have a idea.

"May I sit here?" I ask. "Oh, hi, Adrien. Yeah," she scoots over giving me room to sit on the bench. "My mother used to rub my back when I was upset," I say, quietly. "May I?" she nods, and I start stroke her back gently.

"Cat Noir told me you've been quiet. Is there anything I can do help?" I ask. "I guess my confidence is off, that's all. You want to know something?" she asks. "what?" "Well, Cat and I spend a lot time together and usually he's fun and silly. But lately, he's been different."

Oh, no. Wait, don't pounce until you heard what she has to say, Agreste. "He takes good care of me, and when he does, he's really mature and caring." "He loves you, Mari. He just wants to make you feel better," I say. "Would it make him feel better that I have feelings for you and Cat?" "Why haven't you told him, us, sooner? Has this been going on awhile?"

Mari leans into my chest. "Adrien, I've been in love with you from the moment I met you!"

I don't know what to say. She loves me. I know that we are friends, but love? "And what about Cat?" I ask. "That was more gradual." she wants to say more, but the bell rings. I sigh.

If only I could tell her that Cat and Adrien are the same person. But I can't. When I pick her up, I try again to cheer her up.

"Should we take a walk, Princess?" I ask. Maybe a walk will do us both good, and then I can stop by the flower shop. "Okay."

"Cat, can I tell you something?" There it is again. I wasn't thinking about this morning. Her voice gets quieter when she sad, and playful when she's happy.

"I really like the way to take care of me," she says, squeezing my hand. "I like the way you take of me too, Princess."

"No, I'm serious. I...wasn't used to this more serious side of you until recently. Or maybe I just noticed it," she tells me.

"Mari," I pull her close. She looks up at me. "I know I like to make cat puns and making you laugh," I start. "But if ever you need anything, don't be afraid. I love you."

"Maybe I have been afraid to tell you what's going on," she says. "I told Adrien how I feel about both of you," she says.

"And...I want things to stay the same as they are," she explains. Right, makes sense. We start walking again, the flower shop is close by.

We enter the shop, and my nose transported to a fairy garden. The smell is heavenly. I know enough about flowers to know what to pick out for Mari.

dose

I pay as she looks around, and we start heading back home. Home doesn't have to be a physical place. A person who loves you can provide love and shelter. All I need are Mari's arms to make me feel better.

She is Ladybug? All I know is I'm glad Mari told me she likes both sides of me as Cat. Different sides, same partner. And if Mari is Ladybug I will be one happy Kitty, loving her always and forever.

"Mari, I wanted to give you these flowers to make you feel better," I say. I hand her a small bouquet. A red rose which symbolizes our love for each other, then other blue, like the beauty of her eyes and the hope she gives me when we both need a cuddle.