"I'm so sorry!"
Adrien laughed a little trying not to move too much, "Really it's fine."
"I'm not poking you am I?" Marinette buzzed around him as quickly as she could, pinning things in or together.
"Nope." Adrien lifted his arms so she could work on the coats sleeves.
"Thank you again for doing this. You're my hero."
Adrien tried not to smirk. "A hero in shining armour M'lady?"
That was definitely blush he saw on Marinette's cheeks and his grin grew a little wider.
"You're such a flirt."
Adrien pouted, "I thought I was a hero."
Marinette smiled, "That was before the cheesy line."
Adrien grinned. Marinette put a few more pins in the coat and helped him out of it. "What time is the shoot again?"
Marinette laughed a little, "I don't know if it counts as a shoot. It's just gonna be me and you with the school's camera. Sorry it's not that professional."
Adrien gave her a kind smile, "It'll be great Mari. Why didn't you ask me sooner to model for your class?"
"Because I know you're busy and I didn't want you to add anything more to your schedule."
"I'm always happy to help you Marinette. And not just when someone else cancels."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Adrien smiled, and Marinette returned the gesture. They were silent for a moment before Adrien's face contorted in panic, "Oh crap!"
"What?"
"It's 4, I have to go meet a friend!"
Marinette did a double take and looked at the clock, "Crap! I have to be somewhere too!"
In a rush of coats and shoes, both of them seemed to manage to get out of the apartment and down the stairs.
"Well I'm going this way!" They said in unison pointing in the same direction.
"I mean this way!" Adrien called as he already took off in the opposite direction.
Marinette yelled back some sort of goodbye before ducking around her building.
"Tikki, Spots on." She muttered and felt the usual wave of magic hit her. In no time she was bounding over the rooftops of Paris to her and Chat's meeting point. Chat wasn't far behind her at all, maybe only by a couple seconds.
"Sorry I'm late." He said panting slightly.
"Just got here too." She said also a little out of breath.
"What did you want to discuss M'lady?"
Ladybug took a deep breath and looked at her feet, "I wanted to say I'm sorry."
Chat's eyes went a little wide.
"I've been immature, untrusting and rude these past months. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you sooner, I'm sorry I refused to let Volpina on the team, and I'm sorry I didn't let you help me." Ladybug looked up at Chat, "You are just as important to this team as me and I've been acting like an asshat. I know you might not forgive me right away and I wouldn't expect you to. It's my fault we're in the situation we're in right now. If it weren't for my stupidity we'd have two new teammates and maybe Master Fu might still be-"
Chat had both hands on her shoulders and a kind smile on his lips, "It's ok. It's not your fault. You didn't burn down the shop. It's not your fault he's gone Ladybug."
Ladybug felt the water pooling in her eyes, "How can you forgive me just like that? Why aren't you angry? I've been awful-"
Chat shook his head with a laugh. His golden hair bounced as he smiled, "You've been stressed. I forgive you because you are my friend. Because I know that you are kind and caring and that you're hurting and scared. I wasn't angry ladybug. I was sad you didn't trust me to help you."
Ladybug threw her arms around Chat, "I trust you more than anyone."
They stayed like that for a while before Ladybug said, "We should build a real team. Hawkmoth has two kwami, we should have four."
Chat smiled wider than he thought he ever could. "I couldn't agree more."
Adrien: LB wants talk about Superhero stuff
Nino: What's going on?
Adrien: Ladybug wants Volpina to join the team!
Adrien: ? ゚ムヘ? ? ゚ミ゙? ゚ミネ
Nino: What?! Yes!
Nino: Also what are half of those supposed to be?
Adrien: it's our team! Team miraculous! It's got the cat the ladybugs the turtle and now the fox.
Nino: that's supposed to be a fox?
Adrien: whatever. Just get back to the city soon. We need to find Volpina!
Adrien put his phone back in his pocket and hit the buzzer on Marinette's apartment.
"Hello! Adrien?"
"Yep."
"Come on up."
Adrien heard the door unlock and went inside.
Marinette's apartment had only gotten messier since they had helped her move. There was fabric all over the place and clothes draped over chairs, some of which were Marinette's some of which were projects for school. There was almost always a bowl of fruit somewhere in the kitchen along with half a dozen baked goods either from her parents, or some that she had baked herself when she felt anxious.
"Are we all ready for the shoot?" Adrien asked with a grin.
Marinette laughed a little, "Honestly I don't think it counts as a shoot." She grabbed a couple bags that were by the door, "But yes we are ready. Can you grab that bag on the counter?"
Adrien nodded and grabbed what looked to be a camera bag.
He ended up holding onto a few more bags once they were in the hallway so that Marinette could lock the door. He peeked inside. There was the coat from yesterday and a few more items that looked liked scarves and gloves.
"They look great!"He beamed up at her and Marinette felt herself smile in return.
"Thanks."
The car ride was filled with light chatter and a particularly bad joke Marinette had heard about a ball of string that she thought Adrien might like. She was right, he had. Maybe she should tell it to Chat as well.
They reached the park and unpacked the bags picking a spot under a tree for the first couple photos. They got stopped a couple times by fans of Adrien's and said model wasted no time in promoting Marinette and her work.
"You're going to have to open a store soon." Adrien laughed, "Everyone's so mad they can't get your clothes anywhere."
"I think they just want to cute model who's in them." Marinette raised her eyebrow knowingly.
"Cute?" Adrien repeated to himself with a grin.
Marinette just started to put away the camera instead of giving a response.
"Hey Mari?" Adrien played with the sleeves of his coat as Marinette started to put away the other coats and scarves.
"Yeah?" She hummed over her shoulder.
"Want to get coffee?" Adrien kind of spat it out as quickly as possible.
"Sure, do you know a place?" Marinette said grabbing the bags and turning to face him.
"No I mean… like.. Coffee." Adrien said, avoiding eye contact.
"Coffee?" She raised her eyebrows.
"Coffee." Adrien finally met her gaze, "Like…. Date coffee not friend coffee."
Marinette froze, mouth open and gaze vacant.
"Mari… Sorry I said anything. I shouldn't have-"
"I'd love to!" Marinette blurted out of sheer panic, "I mean, yeah, I'd enjoy that. The whole not friend coffee, d-date coffee thing."
"You would?" Adrien's entire face lit up, "When?"
"I don't know. Anytime really."
"Now?"
"Now?" Mari laughed.
"Why not?" Adrien was grinning ear to ear, "You can just put your stuff in my car and we can walk around the park."
Marinette found herself grinning just as wide, "Ok."
Five years ago if you had told her that Adrien Agreste would be asking her to walk around the park with him on a date, she would have fainted, but now, well she still felt a little light headed, but she felt too happy to let her shock and self doubt over take her. She looked over at him. He was one of her best friend's now. He had changed a lot over the years. He was still goofy, but he was a lot more open about it now. His face had narrowed and his hair was a little shorter, but his smile had only gotten wider and more frequent. He had the same bright eyes and tinkly laugh. She was too proud to be his friend.
They ended up getting coffee at the small shop near the park. They sat on the bench together and looked out at the river. Marinette couldn't count the number of times she had been thrown into the river as Ladybug, but looking at it now as she leaned her head on Adrien's shoulder, it looked beautiful. She felt him turn to look at her and she smiled up in return. His lips quirked up as their eyes met.
"Marinette…" He leaned a little closer his eyes falling to her lips, "Can I-"
Before he could finish his thought, Marinette brought their lips together in a sudden act of courage that she only felt as Ladybug. Adrien did that to her. He made her feel like the best parts of Ladybug, strong, brave, beautiful, adored.
He hadn't pulled away. In fact he had only deepened the kiss. Marinette couldn't help the smile the spread across her lips as they pressed against his.
Adrien pulled his head back slightly and opened his eyes. Marinette hadn't even realised she had closed her own.
They stayed like that for a second and Marinette couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips. Adrien laughed a little in return. Mari leaned closer again and gave him a soft peck on the lips before turning back to face the river. The sun was setting and the reflection from the buildings and the watercast purple and pink hues on already red faces.
"Nino," Alya took a deep breath, sitting crossed legged on the couch, "We need to talk."
Nino frowned as he hung up his coat and closed the door to his apartment, "What did I do?"
"What? Nothing!" Alya waved her hands to dismiss his worry, "Just come sit down."
Nino took the seat next to her cautiously. "What's going on?"
Alya took another deep breath. "Nino… There's something I need to tell you, but you need to promise me that you trust me and remember that it's not your job to take care of me. I can look after myself."
"Ok?"
"Promise!"
"I promise." Nino smiled, "I love you Al, I trust you more than anyone."
Alya gave him a nervous smile, "there's someone I want you to meet." She got up and went to the bedroom door. "Remember how I told you I had a friend looking out for me?"
"Yeah." Nino looked at the bedroom with a frown, "Why are they in your bedroom?"
Alya opened the door and out stepped a tall woman with firey hair that ended in white tips. She wore loose clothing and one of her feet was wrapped in bandage.
"This is-"
"Volpina's kwami." Nino finished for her staring at the strange woman in awe.
Fanna gave him a toothy grin and he took a step forward. "I am so sorry about your leg!"
"Nino how did- Her leg?" Alya stared at him and realization hit her like a wall, "Oh my god you're Jade Turtle."
"You're Volpina." Nino turned to her and she couldn't read his expression. He was going to be mad. He was going to be mad at her for everything she said to Jade Turtle and for not telling her, and for making him worry.
Nino smiled with true joy and flung himself at her in a hug.
"What-"
"I'm so sorry about her leg! I didn't know if I'd ever get to apologize-"
"I should be saying sorry I didn't even hear you out-"
"But it was my fault-"
"It wasn't-"
"I dove in front of-"
"I love you!" Alya yelled above Nino and he fell silent, "I love you so much. I'm sorry I never told you. I love you."
Nino kissed her happily, "I love you too. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
Fanna had returned to her fox form and weaved herself in between their legs.
"That's so cool! How does she do that?"
"Can't yours?" Alya asked.
"I don't know. Can you Wayzz?" Nino called over to the kitchen and a small floating turtle approached them eating a walnut.
"That's why you bought walnuts!" Alya laughed.
"What would you like me to do Nino?" Wayzz asked finishing his snack.
"Can you turn into a turtle? Or like a person?"
Wayzz nodded gravely, "I can Nino but…" Wayzz looked at Fanna gravely. "I don't know if I should."
Fanna changed again and floated up next to Alya. "A kwami and their chosen are bonded Kit, they share energy. When you become Jade Turtle Wayzz gives you his energy. When I take a human form I take Alya's energy."
Alya nodded, "Both of us as humans is really hard because we have to share completely. You should be able to do it with Wayzz too once you train a little."
Fanna look over at Wayzz, "The other kwami's don't share their energy anymore Alya. I'm the only one who still does."
"What? Why?" Alya frowned and looked at her kwami.
"They're afraid too." Fanna answered, "Plagg told me that there was an accident with Celine and the Desuu."
Wayzz nodded, "They died."
"Wait what? Who's Desuu?" Nino asked looking between Fanna and Wayzz
"Who's Plagg?" Ayla added.
Wayzz sighed and floated to the couch. "I'll tell you all I can."
They all took a seat. Wayzz floated in front of them with Fanna by his side.
"Desuu was the peacock Kwami and Celine was her chosen." Fanna began.
"They were heroes like you are, but we they didn't have a super villain to fight, they protected citizens, but they also researched." Wayzz continued.
"Celine was friend's with Sage," Fanna looked to Nino, "That's the previous Volpina. Celine was… She wa never satisfied with the Peacock Miraculous. Celine was the one who found the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculous after years of them being missing. Her goal was always to be a guardian like Master Fu was."
"Master Fu didn't agree and never trained her to replace him. Instead she did her own research and found out about the miraculous on her own. Desuu did little to sway her. She was intrigued by Celine's curiosity and brains."
"They were always pushing their limits. One of their best techniques was being able to switch forms in the middle of battle. Celine and Desuu were able to fight side by side as well as sharing energy. They were so strong they could last for days without having to switch back to this form." Fanna gestured at herself.
"They pushed it too far though." Wayzz said solemnly, "They were training together and tried to stay transformed at the same time."
Fanna looked over eyes wide, "What? Why would they try that?"
Wayzz looked at the ground, "After Sage passed Celine had only one focus. To improve. She couldn't let that happen again."
Alya raised her hand tentatively, "I'm sorry but what did they try and do?"
Fanna looked over to her, "You know when you're Volpina and I give you all my energy? There have been times where I've taken all of yours."
"What? I don't remember that."
"That's because it kind of knocks you out. That's how I talked to Plagg again. That's Chat Noir's Kwami."
"So you mean if I gave you all my energy you'd become Volpina and I wouldn't be there anymore? Just like how you disappear into the necklace."
"Yes. Except not really Volpina, just like full strength mega awesome Fanna."
"Celine and Desuu were trying to both be at full strength at the same time." Wayzz added. "Theoretically possible, but evidently dangerous."
"They both died? I didn't know Kwami could die." Nino said in worry.
"Neither did we." Wayzz said mournfully.
"But as long as we don't push it, is it safe to share energy like that?" Nino asked.
"When done correctly it's perfectly safe." Fanna answered.
"I want to learn it." Nino said turning to Wayzz.
"It's dangerous. We could end up-"
"We won't. You heard what Fanna said."
Wayzz sighed, "Nino, you are still not able to use your powers effectively. We should focus on that before getting to more dangerous techniques."
Nino slumped slightly forward and Alya gave him a sympathetic look. He caught her look and smiled, "Who else knows about you?"
She smiled back, "You're the only one for now. But I'm planning on telling Ladybug."
"Really? Does that mean you want to join the team?" Nino sat up excited.
"I have a feeling that Ladybug isn't going to let me join."
"That's not true! Ladybug was the one who called me back from Nona's house. She wants to assemble the team."
"Nino.. Ladybug isn't going to want me on the team when she finds out I know who she is."
"What?"
"That's why I have to tell her my identity. It's only fair."
"Are you sure? I think Ladybug would-"
"Nino I told Hawkmoth!" Alya blurted out. "It was an accident. I didn't mean to but he was in my head and he made me."
Nino stared blankly back at her in shock. "Hawkmoth knows who Ladybug is?"
Alya nodded and felt tears prickling at her eyes. She took a deep breath and willed them to dissipate. "I need to fix this."
"How?" Nino frowned.
"I'm going to go find her." Alya stood up, "Fanna, teeth barred."
Nino watched as Alya was enveloped in a bright orange light and as the light faded Volpina stood in front of him.
"I'll be back later, I promise." Volpina bent down to kiss him gently. "I love you."
"I love you too."
And with that Volpina was out the window and dashing off.
Behind him Nino heard something hit the floor. He whipped around arms up and ready to fight only to be met with the sight of Adrien's shocked face and a bag of spilt groceries on the floor.
"For fuck's sake. Is everyone in our lives a goddamn superhero?"
Marinette heard a knock on her window and looked up in shock to see the orange clad fox.
"What-"
"Let me in."
Marinette did as the hero asked her to and dumbly stood looking at the woman she had recently been trying to befriend, desperately trying to think of a reason why Volpina would know her address.
"Volpina… Why are you here?"
"I'm sorry Ladybug. But there isn't a lot of time to do this delicately."
"Ladybug-"
"I know who you are. And I promise I wasn't trying to find out! I was trying so hard not to figure it out, but he made me… There are a lot of things we need to talk about Marinette." Alya let her transformation go and watched as Marinette's eyes widened.
"No."
"Ladybug-"
"No! It can't be you! I couldn't have done that to you! I am so sorry Alya-"
"Hawkmoth knows who you are!"
There was silence between the two of them. And Marinette's eyes grew even wider.
"Hawkmoth knows that I'm Ladybug?"
Alya didn't trust her voice so she simply nodded biting her lip.
"How?"
"Sit down." Alya said, moving over to her friend's couch. "You remember at the funeral, when I was yelling at you?"
"When I touched your shoulder."
Alya nodded, "I wasn't yelling at you.. I mean I was… Marinette for the past month Hawkmoth has been trying to control me. He's been talking to me like a voice in the back of my head, and he's been taking over my dreams."
"Oh my god."
"He was asking me to figure out who you are." Alya reached to grab her necklace, "I couldn't sleep or focus. That's when I got this."
"It was stolen from my uncle's store."
"Master Fu, not your uncle." Alya said, "And I didn't steal it. Hawkmoth did. Remember when I ended up in the hospital? It was because I had chased Hawkmoth. He attacked me."
"Why did he give the miraculous to you though?"
"He didn't. Another victim of Hawkmoth stole it and gave it to me so that Hawkmoth wouldn't be able to reach me. With Fanna's help I was able to stop Hawkmoth from reaching my dreams."
"Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"I didn't know you were Ladybug, and I didn't know how much I could tell without you thinking I was crazy."
"How did you find out I was Ladybug?"
"After Fu and my Father died, I was in a bad place. Hawk Moth feeds on negative emotions and he only got stronger the more I lost. Nino and I got into a fight and I stormed off without Fanna… He attacked again and I pieced it together at the wrong moment."
Marinette was silent and Alya bit her lip again.
"Mari… I'm so sorry… I shouldn't have-"
"I wasn't there for you. This is all my fault. If I had just been a good friend none of this would have happened."
Alya fell silent.
"You must be pretty disappointed… Ladybug is just some clumsy girl."
Alya's jaw tensed, "I was disappointed that the kind, smart, and amazing Marinette turned out to be the rude Ladybug."
Marinette looked up at Alya, "What?"
"Marinette. You are my best friend. You are wonderful and brave, and Ladybug can't hold a candle to you." Alya looked at the ground, "When I found out.. it made me really sad, because the person I've been fighting with for the past month is my best friend."
"I guess I haven't been too great this past month."
"Girl… I didn't mean it like that." Alya reached out and put a hand on her friends shoulder, "You're doing fine. And now I'm here to help."
Marinette's eyes widened, "you're joining the team."
"I think it's about time we all worked together."
Marinette nodded, "I couldn't agree more."
New Message from Anonymous on your Ladyblog account
Hi
I think it's time we had our first meeting don't you?
Afterall, a team needs to share info and I think half of us are still in the dark.
See you at Notre Dame at 11pm
-Volpina
Ladybug was the first one on the roof of Notre Dame that night, but only be a minute. All four heros stood facing each other in silence. Chat kept staring at Volpina, who in turn was looking at Ladybug. It was strange how knowing who was behind the mask changed everything. Ladybug didn't know how to begin. Her usual confidence of ambiguity was suddenly gone and in that moment she realised not only did Volpina know her identity, she really knew her. Alya had been there for every crush, every confession, every sleepover. How was she supposed to lead her team when the person she was leading knew about the time she tripped walking up a flight of stairs? Or spilt punch on her dress at the school dance?
"I made a list." Volpina broke the silence and pulled a piece of paper from her pocket.
"A list?" Chat asked peeking over her shoulder to look at it.
"Yeah," Jade turtle pulled out a matching piece of paper, "Of all the things we know, to compare notes."
"Ok," Ladybug said, "Who wants to start?"
"I can." Volpina offered, "Let's start with what I've found out about Hawkmoth. Over the past month Hawkmoth has been taking over my dreams and my mind. He has been trying to take control of me to figure out Ladybug's identity. Something he succeeded in doing." Volpina looked regretfully to Ladybug who gave a nervous nod, "In return though I've learned a bit about him. Hawkmoth is a kwami who was never bonded to an object. He is taking control of a civilian and using him to share energy with when he is too weak. His real name is Rekko and he has stolen the butterfly miraculous."
"Rekko?" Ladybug's eyes widened, "That can't be true, Tik- my kwami knows Rekko. She said they were friends."
"It makes sense though. That's why my kwami sensed Rekko at the break in to master Fu's." Chat supplied.
"My kwami did as well… Something must have happened to Rekko to make him do this." Ladybug turned to Volpina again.
"He told me something about finding the woman he loves… Maybe he lost someone?"
"Maybe the peacock Miraculous?" Jade joined in, "Didn't the kwami and the user die?"
"What?" Ladybug looked at Jade turtle, "A kwami died?"
"Yes. Desuu the Peacock and her chosen Celine."
Chat Noir froze. And stared at Jade Turtle. "C-Celine?"
Jade frowned, "Yeah. Are you ok?"
"I used to know someone…" Chat trailed off. His head hurt as a distant thought he never quite remembered played in his head. A woman crying and holding on to him. His mother holding onto him, but they were standing in front of her grave. Celine Agreste. How could she be dead and holding him?
"Chat?" Volpina had placed a hand on his shoulder. Ladybug was looking at him with concern.
"I'm ok." He shook his head, "How did you know Celine had the miraculous?"
"My kwami told me," Volpina said, "Celine was good friends with Sage. She was the last Volpina."
"Sage was the one…"
"The last Chat Noir killed yeah." Volpina nodded gravely.
"What?" Ladybug asked again, "How do you know all this? Who was the last Chat Noir?"
"Philippe Gillet… But my kwami didn't tell me much about him."
Volpina and Jade shared a look.
"What is it?" Ladybug asked.
"I've heard that name before." Volpina answered.
"Where did we hear it though.."
"Gillet… Up in the country!" Volpina's eyes went wide, "When we visited-" she cut herself short.
"You both know each other?" Ladybug looked shocked.
"Uh… Yeah?" Volpina started.
"Don't say anything more… I don't want to know."
"Eleanor Gillet." Jade turtle supplied. "That's where I've heard it"
Chat froze in one spot again. Memories of a woman with brown hair and green eyes came to him. Dancing in his pajamas with her as his mother danced with his father. Her smiling face reflected back to him through the window where a storm was raging.
"Elle.." Chat looked up at the rest of his team. "I knew her.. She was engaged to the previous Chat Noir."
"What do you mean you know her?" Jade asked.
"I don't know… I have all these memories of her.. Maybe they belong to the previous Chat Noir… I think she knew the peacock miraculous."
"Which means she must have known Sage."Volpina chimed in, "Maybe she knew Rekko."
"We should find her." Ladybug said meeting their gaze, "If she's this connected to Hawkmoth she might be able to help us take him down."
"There's something the rest of you should know." Volpina said, "I didn't steal my miraculous from Master Fu, it was stolen by Hawkmoth. But it wasn't given to me by Hawkmoth. For the past month Hawkmoth has been trying to contact me. This miraculous was given to me in order to protect me from his influence by a civilian who is facing similar problems. Rekko is using the butterfly miraculous, but he is also controlling a civilian man when he is too weak to hold a human form."
"We also know that he has the bee miraculous as well." Chat added in.
"We've spent too long responding to Hawkmoth, it's time we fight back. We finally have some answers. First thing tomorrow we're going to find this Elle. Hawkmo-... Rekko. Rekko doesn't stand a chance against us." Ladybug smiled.
"A real team." Volpina met her gaze.
"Hey."
Marinette looked up from her sewing to see a familiar hero at her window.
"Chat Noir?"
"Let me in?"
Marinette got up and opened the window watching as he gracefully stepped inside much like Volpina had done earlier.
"What's up-"
Before she could finish her sentence Chat's arms were around her. She stood shocked for a second before wrapping up the feline hero in a hug.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm scared."
Marinette frowned and held him a little closer, "Why are you scared?"
"I don't want to bother you.."
"Well you've already woken me up." Marinette tried to laugh as she pulled Chat back to look at him, "Seriously what's wrong? You can talk to me, we're friends right?"
"Are you sure I'm not just some flirt appearing at girls windows?"
Marinette stared mouth wide open at Chat. He looked away, "Nevermind I should go-"
"Are you still mad at me?" Marinette asked catching his arm.
"No.."
"I didn't mean it that way." Marinette moved so she could catch his eyes. "Back then I didn't mean it that way, and I definitely don't mean that now. Why do you remember that?"
Chat shrugged still looking away.
"Chat?"
"You're important to me."
Marinette pulled him gently so he'd look up, "You're important to me too."
"You don't understand Marinette, You're more important to me then your realise, and I just can't… I'm scared that you don't like.."
"Don't like what?"
"Me!" Chat finally met her gaze. "When I'm Chat Noir I'm just myself. I don't have to think and rethink what I'm saying, I don't have to be restricted, not by anyone not by anything… and I… I want you to like me for…"
"For the real you." Marinette finished for him.
"Yeah."
"I get it." Marinette looked down embarrassed. "There's this part of my life… I just don't talk about it a lot. And people they… The boy I was in love with my whole life fell in love with this other me. The me that's confident and perfect. And it broke my heart a little, because I just thought he'd always love this ideal me, and how disappointed he'd be.. 'That I'm just this stuttering clumsy mess-"
"Mari you're not-"
"But it's not true Chat… This boy… Adrien. He cares about me because of who I really am. And it took him breaking my heart when we were 17 to realise that this whole time, when I was worried he loved the wrong me, I loved the wrong him."
"Oh," Was all Chat managed to say.
"So I get it." Marinette gave him a smile, "And I can honestly tell you, that you are one of my best friends Chat. You are so important to me, more than you'll ever know." She reached up and ruffled his hair fondly, "Now what are you so scared of?"
Chat sighed and moved to sit on her couch. "I leave tomorrow to meet with this woman who might be able to help us stop Hawkmoth."
"That's amazing!" Marinette sat next to him, "I'm sure you'll learn a lot from tomorrow!"
"I know this woman…" Chat looked at his hands, "I'm afraid to meet her."
"Afraid to meet her?"
"I have all these memories of her. I can't place them. I-" Chat stopped short and shook his head.
"What is it?"
"It's just… I think she's my mother." Chat said quietly. "And I know she can't be. My mother is dead, she doesn't even have my mother's name. But I just remember her so closely."
Marinette reached out tentatively and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Chat took a breath and met her gaze, "It's stupid. It's just that I spent my whole life knowing I'd never see my mother again, knowing she's dead. And just the feeling, that this woman might be my mother, that she's alive and healthy and happy… I don't want to meet her and have to face the fact she's not my… I just don't want that disappointment." Chat laughed, "It's selfish isn't it. This is for the good of Paris."
"It's a little selfish." Marinette gave his shoulder a squeeze, "But you deserve to be a little selfish. You can't control what you feel and what you want. I know you will do the right thing Chat."
Chat Noir smiled "Thank you Marinette."
"Maybe this woman isn't exactly what you're hoping for, but she is still important to yo. Maybe it'll be better to have her be a part of your life instead out of it."
Chat leaned forward and kissed Marinette's forehead. "Thank you."
