Thank you anonymousfriend27 for your support!

Reply to reviews:

To mayuralover: I'm glad you liked the chapter. And you're right about her confessing as Ladybug. Thanks for reviewing! :D

To pipinoir: Thanks! And yeah, you're right that he'd get hurt a little if he finds out Ladybug's identity but, in this fic, he won't have the time to get upset. You'll see what I mean in chapter 17. Thanks for reviewing! :D

To anonymousfriend27: I am glad you finally caught up just in the time for the next update. Lucky for you, it's an early update today!

I wouldn't really blame Nino for anything, I mean sure he's oblivious too but, he ships it! It's not like he knew Cat Noir was visiting Marinette.

You're thinking just like me when you said the story isn't fun without any drama. Muahahaha! Hope you like this chapter even if you're scared. Thanks for reviewing! :D

I am really very, very sorry.

But, get ready for the angst and emotional rollercoaster nobody asked for!

Yeah, can't make that sound exciting.

Sorry again...

Remember, it gets worse before it gets better. Things do get better, eventually and somehow, though not always in the way we expect.

Chapter 11

Heaven's A Heartbreak Away

Adrien Agreste, contrary to the popular belief, was a helpless romantic and a giant dork. He wasn't as complicated as others thought he was. He was pretty straightforward and never really had any problem with expressing his feelings. This was the reason why he had no problem flirting with Ladybug. Despite her continuous rejections, he never gave up hope and always tried to pull a romantic gesture for her which always ended up in vain.

Today was different, he wasn't going to confess to his spotted partner, he was going to confess to his princess, his Marinette. It had a nice ring to it. Call it his childishness but, he couldn't wipe off the grin that he was wearing on his face while getting ready for his big day. Today as the day.

Maybe it was just because of the fact that he was going to ask someone out who he already knew had feelings for him. It was good, the feeling that he wouldn't be rejected like always.

I am going to confess to her! I am going to confess to my princess!

He was literally jumping all around his room. Luckily, neither Nathalie nor his father notice. He had imagined everything— how he was going to approach Marinette, how he would confess his undying love for her, how her face would light up, how he would scoop her up in his arms and finally kiss those kissable lips.

Yellow Tulips?

Check.

Chocolate bon bons?

Check.

Bracelet?

Check.

"God! I can't wait to see her today." He was on cloud nine. He checked his reflection in the mirror for the umpteenth time. He had to look perfect.

"Kid, I don't think this is a good idea..." The black kwami brought Adrien back to reality.

"What do you mean, Plagg?"

"Don't you think it's kind of like cheating? You fell in love with her, you spend time with her as Cat Noir, you two practically act like a couple. She is so open around Cat Noir and you know that too. Now, confessing to her as Adrien... it's misleading. You are lying to her and yourself."

"You are being ridiculous, Plagg. Cat Noir and Adrien are the same people. Besides, I am giving her what she wants. I'm not lying, just not telling her my identity."

"You are still omitting the truth. Kid, you are giving her an illusion. How are you even so sure that she will say yes? And even if she did, don't you think it will complicate her friendship with your alter ego." Plagg sighed in exasperation, he wasn't the wise guy, that was Tikki's job. He was more of a 'go ahead YOLO' type but his chosen was making a grave mistake.

Adrien considered this for a moment. Even after all the appealing things about this situation, something in his conscience was siding with Plagg. Like his sixth sense. He didn't want to hold back. Honestly, he was a little nervous but, that was just because he wanted everything to be perfect. Marinette deserved nothing less. He had to be confident. Besides, his kwami had no idea about Marinette's feelings. He wasn't a psychic. He pushed all of his uncertainty away.

Of course she is gonna say yes. Nino told me she likes me.

"Plagg, I am going to confess to her as Adrien. And I will think about the Cat Noir problem later." He said firmly. "She's the love of my life and I can't let her go. Especially now I know that she has feelings for me too."

"Really?" The kwami was sceptical, "Because just last week the love of your life was Ladybug and Marinette was just a friend."

The teen cringed at his words. 'Just friends' had such a bad sour aftertaste in his mouth. He was already kicking himself for being an oblivious idiot. He wondered how Marinette dealt with him friend zoning her.

He didn't like being fickle, he wasn't confused. Both Ladybug and Marinette had a special spot in his heart, Marinette just managed to occupy more. He couldn't back out. Nope!

"I am doing this, Plagg. Deal with it."

The school bell rang indicating the end of another school day.

Finally!

The entire day had been spent daydreaming by Adrien. Sneaking glances towards Marinette, accidental brushing of hands while working in the Chemistry lab, excuses to be with her and Nino teasing him about being lovesick.

Adrien had everything arranged. Nino was going to record everything. The blonde was thankful that he had convinced his best friend to keep this from his girlfriend.

He saw Marinette pack her things up. She was walking very fastly. He wondered the reason behind her hurried movements. He followed her out of the corridor, to the stairs.

This is it!

He took a deep breath and tried to calm down his pounding heart.

"Marinette?" He called out, hiding the gifts behind his back.

The bluenette turned around to meet his eyes, she smiled and he returned her grin.

"Yes, Adrien?"

Oh, Marinette! You have voice of an angel.

"I... I g-got you something." He cursed himself for the stuttering as he introduced the bouquet of pretty Yellow Tulips to her.

His smile grew wider as he saw her eyes brighten up. Just like he had imagined. He watched her reaction very carefully.

His nerves were so high strung that it felt like he was vibrating. Why was he so nervous? Was he afraid that she'd reject him.

Don't be ridiculous! A yes is guaranteed.

Was it because of what Plagg had said earlier? Probably. He knew his kwami meant well, he just wanted him to be happy. And Adrien was happy with Marinette. They just needed a label— of a couple. Yet, something kept nagging him. Could he really be happy without showing her his every aspect? Deciding it was too late to chicken out now, he returned his attention to the beautiful girl in front of him.

"Thanks Adrien! Yellow Tulips are my favourite. What are these for?" She questioned as she accepted the flowers. Her voice was so sweet.

That's because I know you more than you think, princess.

Gosh! That sounded so stalker-ish. No, I should probably not say this.

"I got them bec-"

"Are these chocolate bon bons?" Her question cut him off as she pulled out the box from the bouquet. Her smile widened at her favourite flavour and she was immediately reminded of a certain cat.

"Yep." He said popping the 'p'. "They are, with hazelnut."

"These are my favourite too." Marinette said, smiling.

I know that too, princess.

"But seriously, what are these for?" She asked as she curiously tilted her head to a side.

Stop being so cute!

"Marinette, a lot has happened in the past few weeks. You got hurt because of the akumatisation that was caused because of my father's competition. It must be hard for you so, I got you these to help you feel better."

The bluenette giggled. "You know that you are such a gentleman, Adrien."

"But that's not the only reason I got you these..."

"Huh?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

Adrien prepared himself, his heart was beating way too loudly now that he was afraid that Marinette would hear it. He had practised this the whole night. He wasn't going to screw things up now. Not when he was going to ask out the girl of his dreams.

"Marinette, a girl as awesome as you deserves to be swept off her feet by her Prince Charming. You deserve to receive flowers, chocolates, gifts, hugs and kisses from him just because he loves you. You deserve to be spoilt like the princess you are. Marinette, I... I want to be your Prince Charming. I love you."

There, I did it! Now we will be together, we will get married and get a hamster. We will even have three kids named Emma, Hugo and Louis. We will be so happy!

He looked over at Nino who was recording the whole scene on his phone. He gave him a thumbs up indicating he did well and that he was proud of him.

Adrien flashed a grateful smile at him. He looked over at Alya. She looked concerned?

He finally looked at Marinette. She looked as if she had seen a ghost. Her paleness alarmed him. She dropped the bouquet and he barely managed to catch it.

"Look, I know all of this is very sudden and I am sorry for making you wait so long-" He began.

"I am sorry." Marinette said breathlessly.

"What?" He looked at her. Her eyes held so many emotions, mainly regret.

"I am sorry, Adrien... I am afr-" She inhaled sharply, "I am afraid I can't return those feelings... not anymore." She said, avoiding his gaze.

No! This can't be happening.

He felt the bracelet burn a hole in his pocket.

"What do you mean? I thought you had a crush on me..." His voice was so shaky, his breaths became heavier as his hands started shaking.

Marinette finally looked at him to meet his teary eyes. Tears that he didn't realise existed.

"I really hope that you can forgive me and that we can still be friends. But, I just can't accept all this."

"What. Happened?" He managed to croak out.

And with that, she gave him an answer he wished she had never said. A phrase he was way too familiar with, just not under these circumstances.

"I changed targets, Adrien."

Adrien ran into his room, tears blinding him. They kept flowing. After Marinette's rejection, he had just ran into his car, ignoring Nino's and Alya's cries and his princess' cries. He balled his hands into fists, nails digging into his palms.

She wasn't his. He corrected himself over and over again. What hurt the most was that she was never his to begin with. He had lost her. Since when did breathing become so hard? Life was much easier when he didn't understand love, when there were no girls.

How many times do people have to trample his poor heart? There was a certain limit on the amount of heartbreak a person could take. First Ladybug and now Marinette? What had he done to deserve this cruelty?

Sob after sob escaped his mouth as he sunk down to the floor. His body was shaking and shuddering as he cried his eyes out. He wanted the ground to open beneath him as he curled up in himself. His mind had begun a litany of why me? Why me? WHY ME?

What was I thinking? No one can love me and now... now, I have lost her as well. Why can't anyone love me? Why can't SHE love me? Will I ever be enough?

"Kid, please, control your emotions. You don't want Hawkmoth coming after you." His kwami tried to console him.

"You don't get it, Plagg. All you care about is cheese. And it hurts so much." He said harshly. His entire being was racked with heartbreak.

Love is cruel, love is lethal.

Plagg knew the real truth and he had tried to talk him out of the idea of him confessing to her as Adrien. He couldn't bear to look at his broken kitten. He knew he was breaking a rule but, what could he do? This particular holder of his already lacked love in his life. How much more torment was planned for him?

Cat Noir mustn't loose his Ladybug. Adrien mustn't loose his Marinette. He couldn't loose his faith in love. The otherwise results were never pretty. Screw secrecy!

"Adrien, I don't think that you should jump to conclusions. She did say that she had changed targets but how do you know that her new target isn't you." He tried to sound as cheerful as possible.

"Huh?" Adrien snifled as he looked at Plagg.

"Kid, you know that there are high chances that she fell in love with Cat Noir. I've seen the way she looks at you. And I mean, why can't it be possible? You changed targets and so did she. Why can't her new target be Cat Noir? Be positive and do the reasonable thing. Something you should've done in the first place."

Adrien smiled at the little god. He had cheered him up. He sniffed and wiped his eyes. He really hoped that his kwami was right.

Yes! Why isn't that possible?

I am going to give love a try, one more time.

Despite of all the evidences, Marinette liked to believe that she'd never chicken out while confessing, that she did what she planned and that she stuck to a decision. She did, really. She was that kind of person just not when she had to ask someone out.

All the times she tried to ask out Adrien she had all but reduced to a stuttering mess. Blushing, stuttering, babbling, rambling and some more stuttering. Like the time she tried to ask him out on phone or the day when baby August was akumatised. Every single attempt of hers had failed. She had always ended up being embarrassed or way too scared to ask him out.

Adrien.

Her heart felt very heavy after rejecting him. His torn face, broken expression was still fresh in her mind. His hot tears were burnt in her memory. But, what could she do?

The heart wants what the heart wants.

His words were so sweet and she wondered what would it take for him to make her swoon like earlier. It was true that he would always remain special to her but, Cat Noir was well, her kitten. But, the guilt was there, to break the heart of such an amazing boy. He had been too late, she had waited for him for three years and now when she finally moved on, he made his move.

Guilt. That's all she felt. The moment he asked her out, she was reminded of Cat Noir. If she had said yes then she couldn't be with him. The moment 'I want to be your Prince Charming' left his lips, she knew that she just wanted to call Cat Noir by that name. No one else. He was her knight after all. She'd always adore Adrien probably even love him and do anything for him but-

There was always a 'but'.

But, she- she loved Cat Noir more. The pun-loving, dorky, goofball who was fiercely loyal and caring and protective and kind.

But, the guilt!

She couldn't escape from it, no matter how hard she tried. She shook her head. She couldn't let things get in the way of her confessing to her feline partner. She'd always been so confident around him. She wasn't going to be nervous now. She tried to calm her nerves.

"Marinette, I don't think that you should do this." The red ladybug-like kwami warned her chosen.

"What, Tikki? Confessing to Cat Noir?" She asked.

"No, confessing to him is good but, not as Ladybug. It's wrong."

"It isn't Tikki. I won't be able to handle a rejection especially now that I already feel guilty for hurting Adrien. Besides, I am giving him what he wants." She defended herself. "I love him and he loves me, there's no need of complications."

Tikki glowered at the girl. She had dealt with so many things and every time Marinette made a mistake, she'd correct her, explain her gently and console her. She'd always make her look at the bright side but, she couldn't help but frown at what the young heroine was going to do.

Complications? She had no idea.

"Correction, you are giving him what he thinks he wants and how can you be so sure that he won't turn down Ladybug. You've always loved him and his friendship with Marinette and not Ladybug triggered the realisation." The kwami crossed her arms. "It's not the right thing, trust me."

"It's one and the same thing Tikki. And you know Cat, he'd never give up on Ladybug. I am just saving myself a heartbreak." She grimaced an then her expression changed into a soft one, "I just want to be happy. I deserve that, don't I?"

Tikki's resolve actually wavered but she quickly tried to convince her holder one more time, "Marinette please, try t-"

"Oh god! Tikki it's time for patrol," She cut her off, "Tikki, Spots On!"

Ladybug arrived at the Eiffel Tower, she was there early. It was usually Cat Noir who would come early in the hope that his lady would be there. She would make all his dreams come true today.

It was safer to confess as Ladybug, he would scoop her in his arms in delight, spin her around and kiss her senseless, telling her that he'd been dreaming about this day since forever. They'd talk, kiss, laugh together and kiss some more.

She didn't know that if it was just her luck that she happened to be Cat Noir's partner, the love of his life since their second day together. She knew that she'd be devastated if he really loved someone else. The fact that she was Ladybug was such a relief.

She wondered how much Marinette mattered to him. Did her alter-ego have a place in his heart, just like Ladybug did? It was manipulative, she could agree to that— to be his girlfriend as Ladybug whenever they were together as superheroes and just best friends when she was Marinette. He'd reject her if she asked for a relationship, just like he did when she 'confessed' to him on her balcony, the night before her Dad was akumatised. He was most likely to say yes to Ladybug in a heartbeat. It was twisted and wrong, just like Tikki insisted.

But, wasn't it her idea to keep their identities secret in the first place? Things would've been much easier without any secrets. He saw Marinette only as a friend. Maybe, just maybe, if she peeled off her mask, he could have more than just platonic feelings? No, he'd probably hate her for hiding something so big. And she couldn't have that, she couldn't live with his hate.

Geez, Tikki's getting to my head. Everything will be fine. Don't overthink.

She turned her face to the beautiful scenery in front of her, the sun was just setting, creating the most delicious hues of pink and orange she'd ever seen. It was romantic. She shivered and rubbed her arms to keep herself warm. It wasn't even cold yet she had chills. Her nerves were on edge. Yes, Tikki had gotten to her head.

Calm down! A yes is guaranteed.

A familiar thud resonated behind her, bringing her back from her reverie. She smiled. You can do this!

"Minou!" She greeted him.

"Good evening, Ladybug. Can we hurry today's patrol? I've got have some important work to do tonight." Cat Noir said, without looking at her as he scanned the rooftops in front of him.

"Chaton," Her tone became serious, "I need to tell you something." She blushed

He eyed and nodded.

"I- I wanted..." She cut off herself angrily. This wasn't the time to be nervous. Just do it! She was brave, she was fearless. Insecurity was pointless.

"I love you." She blurted out, cursing herself for not practising it more thoroughly.

Silence. She looked at her feline partner and his expression looked... pained? Shouldn't he look happier?

He must be shocked. Yeah, that's it.

Despite the unsettling and uncomfortable feeling the silence gave her, she continued. "I know that it's very sudden but it turns out that I've always loved you and when my kwami told me to picture my future, I pictured it with you."

His face looked paler. WHY isn't he saying anything?

She took out a dead rose from her yo-yo, it was the same he had given to her after they defeated 'Glaciator'. "You see, I have always kept this rose. I am sorry for turning you down so many times and I hope we can start from a new page. I want to be with you."

Now we will always be together. We will live on an island and eat nothing but fruits...

"I am sorry, Ladybug."

Wait, What?

"What?" She voiced her thoughts.

Cat sighed. "I've spent my early teen years waiting for this day to arrive but, I am sorry Ladybug, I don't feel the same way anymore. I'm sorry."

Wait, no. No! No, please. You love Ladybug. You always had.

She was close to tears, the heavy feeling in her heart was increasing every second. How could he not love her anymore? It was even more ridiculous than her moving on from Adrien, especially since he was the reason she moved on. Since when did breathing become so hard?

Unless- he loves Marinette?

"Is there someone else, Cat?" She asked hopefully. She saw him gulp, his expression morphing from one of concern to one of pain.

Please. Please say yes, please say yes, please say yes, please say ye-

"No, LB, there isn't. I just- just moved on." He tried to smile but failed.

Oh!

"Well, in that case, we have a patrol to do." She fought back her tears.

"Ladybug wait! Will you be okay? Please be okay."

The concern in his voice made her fall harder. But, she didn't answer. She couldn't even face him. Her eyes were stinging with tears as her heart was tore into a million pieces.

Marinette dropped her transformation and fell on her balcony. Sobs shook her frame as she cried, hard. She cried like she never did before. His words felt like knife stabbing her heart again and again. It felt as if the entire blood from her heart had been squeezed out, the blood in her blood vessels had frozen solid, the world had stopped spinning.

They say that they can only kill you once but words, words can kill you once, twice, thrice and again and again and again. It hurt, it hurt so much. Hot tears kept spilling out of her eyes as he remembered all the times she had rejected him.

I deserve this. I was so late.

I was so stupid...

"Marinette?" An all too familiar voice asked.

Great! I can't deal with this now.

"Princess, what happened? Are you okay? Who made you cry?" His voice was laced with panick and concern as he bent to pick her up.

My foolishness made me cry.

"Let's get you inside, princess. Then, we can talk about it? I have something to tell you that might cheer yo-"

He was cut off as she surprisingly shoved him away.

"Cat Noir, I think it'd be better if we return to our past lives." She said.

I can't do this anymore.

"W-What do you mean, princess?" He tried to hug her but she backed away.

"Cat, we can't be friends anymore."

I am sorry that I am doing this.

"Cheriè, princess, ple-"

"We are better off without each other. I can't do this anymore."

"M-Mar-Marinette-"

"We can still talk every once in a while now, but, your frequent visits have to stop."

If you came visiting me every night, I won't be able to get over you. I need to forget you.

Her stubbornness got over her logic and she failed to see Cat's tears, his quivering lips, tensed shoulders and the hurt in his voice as he begged her to listen to him.

"I hope you can forgive me. I am sorry. Goodbye."

With that she left him alone, frozen, confused and most off all heartbroken. She didn't hear him whisper, "But I love love you...", as tears slid down his cheeks.

She called her best friend after she left her heart on her balcony.

"Hello?" Alya asked.

"Alya... He doesn't... He doesn't love me back." She broke down.

Stab the body and it heals, but injure the heart and the wound lasts a lifetime.

The words were more than true for Marinette Dupain-Cheng. She was curled up into a ball on her chaise. Her beautiful bluebell eyes were now red and puffy from all the crying. The tears refused to cease.

It had been 48 hours 12 minutes 26 seconds since here heart was ripped into pieces.

27 seconds... 28 now...

The bluenette refused to go to school. Her parents had offered help but she had declined. She refused to see anyone. Especially him.

"Why do I even try, Tikki? Why did I fall in love? Why did I even confess?" She managed to say between sobs.

Tikki herself was pained at her chosen's condition. Only she knew the real truth. And Plagg. She had tried to stop her from making a huge mistake but she hadn't listened.

Tikki flew to her face. "Marinette, please don't cry. Everything will be fine. Everything happens for a reason. Love is a beautiful thing, you'll realise it soon enough. Stop wasting your tears."

"YOU THINK THIS IS EASY, TIKKI? YOU DON'T EVEN REALISE HOW PAINFUL IT IS. YOU'RE A KWAMI, NOT A HEARTBROKEN TEENAGER!" Marinette snapped. Her cheerful voice was replaced by a cold and harsh voice.

"Marinette, I do realise, but you can't go on like this. You need to move on. Stop torturing yourself. Remember what Alya said."

Alya's words rang into her mind.

'Stop your suffering.'

She got up and went to the sink. She saw her reflection in mirror. Indeed, she was a mess. She took a deep breath and went to take a shower.

Marinette unlocked her phone after her relaxing shower. She had to talk to someone. But who?

She went through her contacts and found the perfect person.

She started texting.

[Me] : Hey! Are you free? Do you mind if I come over? I have to talk to you.

[Me] : Actually I desperately need to talk to someone and I thought about you. Hope you don't mind...

She waited.

[Ding]

She opened her texts.

[L_C] : Sure, why not? And no, I won't mind. I like your company.

She smiled a sad smile at the familiar words.

I like your company.

Someone else had said that too but, it didn't matter anymore.

The blue-black haired boy was practising on his guitar when his phone dinged. He was surprised to find it was Marinette.

She needed to talk to him?

[Me] : Sure, why not? And no, I won't mind. I like your company.

He put down his phone and prepared for his visitor.

"Is everything okay, Marinette?"

"Y-yeah everything is f-fine. Why would you t-think otherwise, Luka?"

Luka looked at Marinette carefully as if he was inspecting her.

"I know that something's wrong Marinette. Your beautiful bluebell eyes are dull and lifeless, your bright and cheerful smile is nowhere to be seen. What's going on?" Luka put a hand on her shoulder.

Marinette looked at the blue-eyed boy.

I can trust him, right?

He did confess to her. He called her an extraordinary girl. He told her that she was the melody that had been playing in his head ever since they met.

She could count on him. Tears welled up her eyes. "I c-confe confessed t-to the g-guy I l-like no liked a-and he b-broke m-my heart. He d-didn't like me back." She tore up.

Luka looked at the girl he loved. How could anyone not like her?

He pulled her into a gentle hug as he consoled her, "Shh... calm down Marinette. If he doesn't like you for you then he is a jerk and doesn't deserve you.", he stroked her hair.

Marinette wanted to retort. She wanted to defend her love for her guy, but Alya's advice came back to her mind. She pulled back.

'Stop your suffering.'

She took a deep breath and calmed herself down. "Luka, I am not here to cry over him."

The boy tilted his head in confusion.

"I am here to make things right."

'Instead of pining after impossible love and crying over the mistakes of past, learn from those mistakes.'

"I want your help, Luka."

"Marinette what're you-"

Marinette interrupted him, "I want to start a new chapter in my life."

'Focus on what's in front of you.'

"Will you help me?" Marinette looked at Luka expectantly.

The boy nodded.

Marinette took another deep breath.

"Luka Couffaine, will you go out with me?"

'But, most importantly, get over him...'

A/N: Extremely sorry to those who I have offended. As a reader, I know that rejections are pretty hard to deal.

In my defense...

Yeah, I got nothing.

But, no regrets! Boy, am I rude?

Do you think I nailed the angst? More is on the way. The next chapter will be focusing on Adrien-fuelled angst.

I tried to keep this chapter as gentle as possible. Don't kill me for the unnecessary complications! That's what the show is really about. Have to keep up with the tradition, don't you think?

Update's a day earlier because the last update was a day late. (Does that make any sense to you?)

Stay tuned, Stay Miraculous!

Peace, I'm out!

P.S: Don't forget to leave your reviews! And if you like the story then, follow and favourite it. :)