Her parents would be livid if they knew Chat Noir just let himself in, and was sitting in her bed listening to her problems. He was a hero, but still an unknown boy when it came down to it. But, his sincerity seemed to shine through to Marinette, and so she trusted him entirely.

'Chat, I'm bothered by many things. I'm a student with so much work, and I fear I'm not coping well enough with it.' He looked puzzled.

'That's all, princess? With how tired you are it would seem true. But, you also have a certain sadness in your voice as well.' He had a very keen eye. He really did know her well, even without knowing her secret.

'Well, I am having some trouble with-,' she paused in fear of being judged. 'Trouble with my feelings. I'm worried about picking the wrong person to love.' His ears perked up and he smiled a toothy lopsided grin.

'For love advice, you've come to the right cat!'

'Chat, you came to me.' He deflated a little.

'It still stands that I can help you with your love problem though.'

'Oh, really?' her sarcasm was thick. 'And why are you so confident?'

'Because I'm great with the ladies, princess. Who could resist this?' He gestured to himself and gave an expectant look. 'I bet you can't resist me either!' She stifled a laugh and proceeded to bite inside her cheek. He wasn't wrong there. She couldn't resist him anymore, and that was the whole problem. 'Just tell me what your problem is. Let's see if we can't figure out a way to ease your mind.'

'I have been in love with a boy from school for a while. He makes me happy even in the worst of times. He brightens every day and makes me want to do better at everything. But, I can't even string a sentence together when I talk to him. And on top of that, I think he likes someone else.' She looked downcast and bit her lip ever so slightly. Chat noticed and wished to comfort her.

'He sounds like a lucky guy to have you think so highly of him. Why don't you attempt to tell him how you feel? I know you think he may like someone else, but you never know.'

'Chat, you haven't seen me around this guy! I sound like I'm eating my own tongue trying to talk to him. It's so bad that I can barely invite him out to a movie!'

'Wow, princess. Here I thought you were completely capable of anything you set your mind too. Well, if it's just building confidence I'm sure we can work on that.'

'It's not, though…' she began to explain being as vague a possible. 'I think I might be having second thoughts about someone else I know. I have a friend who I get along with incredibly well. We know each other emotionally, but I don't know who he really is.'

'You aren't talking about me are you?' Chat wiggled his eye brows and smiled as cheekily as possible.

'Ahh, no! Its an- online friend!'

'Oh. Cool.' Safe for now. She was lucky she didn't put her foot in it.

'He and I started chatting online a little while ago, and we talk about our problems lots. I think I might have feelings for him, too. My problem is that I don't know who to choose. I feel as though Adrien is worlds away, and that I should probably be happy just remaining friends.'

'Woah, woah, woah. Hold up! You're not referring to Adrien Agrest are you?' Marinette seemed stunned. But then again, Adrien was a fashion icon in Paris. Who didn't know him? Chat waited with a stunned look on his face for her answer.

'Um, yeah… He's in my class, and I've tried to ask him on dates for a while. It just never goes the way I hope. And to top it off, I can never admit to him that I like him.'

'Oh, wow. I had no idea that you felt that way. A-about Adrien that is!' They both couldn't hold a gaze. It was too hard for Chat Noir to not feel hot in his cheeks. And Marinette couldn't believe that she was admitting all this to her partner.

'Yeah, it's been an interesting year because my feelings have shaped many of my actions.'

'Marinette, can I ask why you like Adrien so much? He is a model, so many people like him. What makes your feelings different?' This was the first time anyone asked her motivation with such sincerity.

'At the beginning of the school year, Adrien had transferred into our school. I didn't know him from a bar of soap! I had originally taken poorly to him after learning he was friends with Chloe. She's bullied me for years, and I couldn't believe he would be any better than her. I had judged him before getting to know him. But, he was a better person than myself or Chloe. He saw my judgment, my frustration and how dismissive I was. And, instead of becoming the monster I thought he was, he saw my hurt and tried to make it right. He even gave me an umbrella when I had forgotten mine that day. He would rather get soaked than see me get wet in the rain. All this when he barely knew me, after I had lumped him with Chloe and her bad attitude. To me, that was an amazing show of kindness that can't be replicated. He really spoke to my heart that day. I can't help but love him now. I want to see that perfect smile and beautiful heart everyday. I want to be the reason he smiles.' How could Adrien not de-transform and hug her? He felt so conflicted, but decided it was best to keep the status quo.

'That sounds like a decision on your heart's part. You should tell him just that, and I bet he would want to see you smile everyday too.' He prayed that he could make it work with her. With her confession and the friendship they had grown, he couldn't deny his hope to date her anymore.

'That's the thing, Chat. I think I have stronger feelings for this other friend. Don't get me wrong, Adrien is the one I've liked for the longest time, but, this friend I have online is different. Special. He understands me emotionally. I don't stumble over my words with him, so I can be myself entirely. And he sees me in a different light. With a persona that no one else sees. And that persona is what he likes. The real me, the one that is confident but can sometimes makes rash decisions. The one that gets the job done, but sometimes doesn't know when to take advice or help from others. And after all the flaws and good traits are put aside, he has never wavered in his love for me. I've just never reciprocated it feeling that I couldn't betray my love for Adrien. Now, I feel that he is owed my consideration. At the very least.' Chat's ears drooped ever so slightly.

'I can see why you are having trouble. The second guy sounds perfect because he knows you inside out. And having someone love you for every inch of your personality is what I think everyone dreams of.'

'You think so? Then it sounds like you've made a decision for me.' He started to panic. He couldn't lose his princess to some mystery person.

'No, actually. I still think you should try and confess to Adrien. I think he would be incredibly happy to have someone love him for more than just his status and money. He's a person just like everyone else when it comes down to it.' The two sat in silence for a moment too long. Both lost in thought, and both trying to sort their feelings for one and set aside another. Both Marinette and Adrien were sick of feeling like love was a tug of war. Adrien couldn't take another rejection from Ladybug. And Marinette couldn't start a relationship with someone she didn't know the identity of.

Now, Marinette felt the need to steel her emotions and words long enough to try a confession. Meanwhile, Chat knew that Marinette wouldn't have the guts to go through with the confession on her own. So, Chat and Adrien were going to pair up and ask her out. This time as more than just friends. Both with a plan in mind, they turned to the other.

'Chat, thank you for your input. I really needed a friend, and you were just the cat for the job. I-I can't thank you e-enough. Okay, that's weird.' He laughed and gave a huge toothy grin.

'Anytime, m'lad- ah!, princess.' He internally slapped himself for letting slip his affectionate name for Ladybug. Sitting up, he saluted Marinette with a wink and pulled himself through the skylight and out into the night. The internal shift was already visible. How on earth was he going to break the news to Ladybug that he wouldn't pursue her anymore. Though, he knew that she would take it pretty well. After all, it was he who had the one sided love.