Hey everyone,

I got a lot of new followers and favorites recently and I just wanted to thank you. Your feedback means the world to me.

I'm writing this in biology class while I'm supposed to be taking notes, but like.. It really doesn't interest me. As long as I pass this class I'm happy.

I apologize for the delay, things have been weird.

Your girl has been going through it.

My brother is doing amazing in college (he's a freshman) and while I'm super happy for him, it still sucks that I don't think I'll ever accomplish that much in college in that little got on the presidential scholars list and was recommended for the Student Philosophy Board by a professor.

I adore him and couldn't imagine a better sibling, but I hate being the problem child. I have time, I'm only a junior in high school, but it seems like I might always live in his shadow.

My mom hasn't been doing well either, and (TRIGGER WARNING: alcoholism) I've had some issues with her because she said she wouldn't drink on a four day trip, but she snuck a drink and I had to replace her order another time. It's just frustrating.

In other news, I've decided recently to continue with my fanfiction writing career.

I decided to update this one first.

Anyway, let's get started!

MARINETTE POV:

Marinette squeezed Chat tightly, and pressed her cheek against his chest.

He stroked her hair gently as she slowly ran out of tears and let out a breath into his warm chest.

His arms went around her waist and he held her just as tight.

She could hear his heartbeat through his leather suit, and blushed a little as she realized it was beating unusually fast.

She couldn't help but smile a bit when he tucked his chin on top of her head.

"Thank you, by the way." Her voice was soft and a little bit gravely from her throat being choked up for a while.

"For what?" His voice was also softer than normal, almost a purr that she could feel against her cheek when he spoke.

"For visiting. For talking to me."

He leaned back, frowning. "Mari…" He took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and lifted it, staring until she raised her gaze to meet his eyes. "I need you just as much, if not more, than you need me."

She smiled sadly, unable to look away from him. "Seems like you might be the only one."

"My princess doesn't have a prince?"

"I don't really know. Things haven't seemed to work out lately."

"I know how that feels."

"Oh, Chat."

Had they moved closer?

It seemed like their lips were only an inch or two apart.

She saw his eyes heat and lower, and could feel the flush in her cheeks.

Her own eyelids fell, and she leaned in.

Closer, just a tiny bit closer-

"I can't," Chat said abruptly.

Marinette leaned back, nodding and pressing her lips together. Her gaze was on the floor.

"It's not that I don't want to," he whispered, and she looked up at him hopefully. "It's just… Ladybug. And you have your own.. Whatever he is."

Luka.

How could she have forgotten?

She had just almost just cheated on her kind, caring boyfriend who she had just gotten together with.

What kind of person did that?

She took a deep breath and nodded.

"Yeah."

"Yeah," he repeated, regretfully.

"I thought you were mad at Ladybug?"

"I am. Furious." And he was. She could see it in his eyes. There was a fire of betrayal in them.

Marinette could feel her guilt creeping up again.

"But love doesn't work like that. Even if I'm angry with her, I don't stop loving her. And even if I did stop.. She's my best friend."

"You're her's."

Chat looked at her curiously. Marinette willed fate to not let him ask how she knew, and simply accept the promise in her voice.

He did.

Sighing, he looked away from her. "I thought I was. I'm not sure anymore."

Mari didn't know what she could say next, so she just stayed silent and took his hand.

And they stood there like that. For a long time.

ADRIEN POV:

Marinette had been acting strange.

Even Nino had been talking about it.

"Hey, have you talked to Mari lately?"

Not as Adrien Agreste. "No, not really. Why?"

"She seemed weird when I talked to her yesterday."

"How?"

"She just seemed really sad. She said you guys fought, but she didn't give me any more information than you did."

"It wasn't a big deal. I'm pretty sure we're fine."

"Are you? Because when I mentioned your name, she almost started crying."

Adrien's heart stopped. "What? What did you say?"

"Nothing! I just asked if she had heard from you."

"I didn't know it was that bad."

"Look, man. I seriously don't think it's your fault. It's probably just a miscommunication."

"I got mad at her, though."

"She got upset with you, too."

"Nino.. I need to tell you something."

"Yeah?"

"But you can't tell anyone."

"Come on, man. You know you can trust me."

"Mari and I almost kissed when we fought."

"WHAT?"

"Shhhh. Come on, dude. Be quiet."

Nino's eyes were wider than he had ever seen before. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah. We didn't, though. She has a boyfriend and she officially chose him."

"Honestly, I really thought she liked you."

"I thought so, too."

"Well, she can't be that into Luka if she almost kissed you, right?"

Twice.

"Honestly, I'm trying to ignore that whole situation."

"But-"

"Nino."

"Okay. I'll stop mentioning it. But just so you know, Luka and Mari are like, thirty feet behind you."

Adrien felt his heart stop, and whipped around.

It was true. She had her face buried into Luka's shoulder.

That's how they had been when she saw him as Chat, just a few nights ago.

Adrien knew that their interaction had meant less to her than it did to him, but still. This hurt.

He couldn't see her face, but by the way her shoulders shook, he could tell she was crying.

"Dude," Nino said gently, shaking him out of the painful trance. "Are you okay?"

"I need to talk to her," Adrien said, firmly, quietly.

He looked over to his concerned friend.

"Umm, I don't know if that's the best idea, bud."

"I need to. She's hurting."

Nino sighed. He knew his friend well enough to know that anything he said wouldn't matter, and Adrien was grateful his friend understood his stubbornness.

Adrien started walking towards his least favorite couple, his focus solely on Marinette, but as he looked towards Luka, he realized the boy was glaring at him.

"Is everything okay?" He cleared his throat, realizing his voice was unstable and strange sounding.

Marinette looked up at him, tears in her big, bluebell eyes.

Luka just glared more.

"Yeah," Marinette said softly.

Luka stood up quickly. "Hey, man, can we talk?"

Friendly words spoken in a growl. Adrien really didn't want to talk to this guy, but it seemed like he should.

Marinette didn't stop staring at him.

There was something in her eyes that he didn't understand.

Was it longing? Or just worry that he would spill the beans about their almost kiss?

"Okay."

Luka walked to a shady corner near the corner of a closed down shop, and Adrien followed.

Adrien couldn't stop himself from looking back at Mari, who still hadn't taken her eyes off of him.

His heart skipped a beat, just like it did every time he saw her.

Ever since their first meeting.

The only other person that happened with was Ladybug.

Before he could think about that too much, Luka turned to face him.

"Look. I don't know what's going on with you and Mari, but I know something went down between you too."

Adrien raised his eyebrows. This was a lot more confrontational than he had expected. "Elaborate?"

Did he know that they had almost kissed? Was Adrien about to get punched?

"I talked to Alya. She hasn't had any issues with Mari recently, she says Nino and anyone else haven't fought with her either."

"We didn't fight. We just argued."

"About what?"

Adrien paused.

Luka sighed. "Yeah, okay, I don't need to know that. That's too personal. But it seems like you hurt her."

"I know."

Adrien wanted to scream at Luka.

He wanted to punch the possession he had over Marinette right out of his stupid, boy band face.

He wanted to go over to Marinette and tell her that he wanted to be with her, and that he didn't care what stood in their way.

But he didn't do any of that.

Instead, he kept Luka's gaze.

"You're a lucky guy."

Luka's eyes narrowed. "I know."

"So just… take good care of her, okay?"

Luka watched Adrien with an unreadable expression, and eventually he nodded, with maybe a little bit of respect in his eyes.

"I'll do my best."

"Good."

Adrien walked back to Nino, with a new kind of sadness that had settled in his chest.

"Are you okay?"

Adrien shook his head, turning back to where Luka had returned to Marinette.

He put his arm around her shoulder and the two walked away together.

"I will be."

Thank you guys so much for reading, I really appreciate it.

I'm sorry about how this chapter is a little shorter than normal.

I'll probably update it sooner than later.

I really appreciate the views and reviews.

I love you all,

-Mari