Marinette's POV

"Hey, Kitty." I say as I make patrol. Tikki's magic makes my hair look the way it was before, so no one suspects me. Cat Noir doesn't turn around.

"Cat got your tongue?" I ask, trying to get a reaction out of him. He doesn't even notice. I lay my hand on his shoulder, and he jumps like three feet in the air, just like a startled cat does.

"Kitty, it's just me. You weren't reacting."

"Sorry, bugaboo. I'm just worried about a friend of mine."

"I'm sure your friend will be fine," I say comfortingly. Cat Noir and my family are the only people I plan on being nice to.

"You didn't see her, LB. She…she cut herself today." I wince behind him, unsure how to continue the conversation.

"I'm sure it was a one-time thing, Cat. If I were her, I would be grateful for having you around. I also wouldn't want to do that again."

"I hope you're right, Ladybug." He stands up, and I step back to accommodate him, but I trip. His catlike reflexes catch me and pull me snug against him.

"…Cat?"

"Ladybug…" Has he always looked at me like that?

I don't have time to continue my thought because suddenly, his lips are on mine. I kiss him back, needing the comfort. Needing to know he's there. That I haven't lost him as well. I pour all of my frustration and anger into that kiss as he deepens it, running his tongue over my bottom lip. I open for him, and our tongues collide. We keep going until we break apart for air, and as I bend over, panting, I realize what I just did. I kissed Cat Noir. I kissed Cat Noir. Holy shit what have I done.

"I shouldn't have done that…" I whisper.

He hears me and reaches for me. "Ladybug…"

"I have to go." I ran. As soon as I am in the safety of my room, I de-transform, starting to hyperventilate.

"Marinette."

"Ohmygod Oh My God OHMYGOD" I say as I frantically pace back and forth.

"MARINETTE!" Tikki breaks through my panic. "What's wrong?"

"I kissed Cat Noir. And I liked it. And it made me feel better. But I can't just use him to escape my problems. Then there's the problem of my love for Adrien—"

"Marinette, breathe. Everything will work out."

"Tikki, I just left him there. I poured everything into that kiss…and then I ran. I couldn't handle it."

"It's okay. I'm sure Cat Noir will understand. You need time to process. He probably does, too."

"I don't know, Tikki…"

"Trust me. You haven't lost me."

"You're right. I still have you." I hug her to my face before going to get her some macarons.

"Marinette, where have you been?! We've been worried sick! You didn't come home from school—What did you do to your hair?!" My mom starts ranting at me. I completely forgot to check in.

"I'm so sorry, Mama. I came in the back door after I got my hair done, and I just fell asleep. I needed a change… Are you mad?"

"I'm a little surprised… Next time just check in, please. We were so worried," she says, clutching onto my dad.

I throw my arms around the both of them, holding on for dear life. They grip me back with as much love as I give. "I'm sorry." I mumble into them, fighting tears.

"It's okay, sweetheart."

"I love you guys so much."

"We love you, too, Marinette."

After quelling their fears and calming myself down, they go off to bed, and I go to get macarons.

I give them to Tikki and go back to sewing. I decided to also make a black satchel-type shoulder bag, since a pink purse and backpack won't fit my new look. This bag will be both in one. I work late into the night, only stopping when Tikki recommends I head to bed.