(This sort of blew up on me. It'll go for one or 2 more chapters. Let me know, if you want more stories like this.)
Marinette doesn't know when she fell asleep in Alya's arms, but when she woke up, it was pitch black outside. She climbed out of Alya's arms without waking her, stretching once she stood. She still felt horrible, but sobbing uncontrollably for hours makes one feel better.
A noise above her made her look up. 'Kitty?' Marinette thought as she climbed up onto her balcony.
Sitting on the railing looking out over the city was indeed her Kitty Kat. The sight of him made her heart ache, both in love and pain. Part of her wanted to go back inside, but Alya's word about how he had suffered so long in silence with his love for her changed her mind.
"Kitty?" Marinette climbed onto the balcony to see him better. "Are you okay?" She knew he wasn't, but Marinette didn't.
"Yes, no, I don't know. How do you stop loving someone? Not… that I want to. I just… it, I don't know." He shook his head, and he jumped down and leaned against the railing instead.
"It hurts?" She offered as she steps up behind her. He had yet to look at her.
She realises with horror that she'd just spent the last 24 hours crying and must look like crap. She took her hair out, so it will cover her face, some.
She stepped up next to him and stole a quick glance at him. His face was blank, but you could see the tears fighting to come out.
"Did you and Ladybug have a fight?" She prompted. She knew why he was sad, but she wanted him to talk about it.
"I don't know. We had the perfect night. It was magical, and beautiful, and perfect. And then… she kissed me." He smiled as a single tear ran down his cheek.
"Then why are you so sad?" Marinette asked, as she wiped away his tear.
"Because I know the truth now. She loves me, loves me as much as I love her. Now I know she's because of me. And that hurts me more than you can imagine." He sighed and looked down as he closed his eyes.
"Maybe, now. She finally understands how much pain you are in. Maybe she'll be nicer and more affectionate." Mari Laid a hand on his shoulder. Wishing she could take him into her arms and hold him as he cried. Wishing she could tell him everything, profess her love for him. And kiss him.
"My pain was mine to bear alone. I don't want her to carry it for either of us." He sighed and slid to the floor beside her.
She slid down next to him and laid her head on his shoulder. "Being partners means carrying the burden equally, Kitty. You can't carry it all on your ow-" Marinette gasped and sat up straight.
She'd just realised that this whole time. She'd been shielding Cat Noir from the troubles of being a hero. Letting him take the light load while she did the heavy lifting. To protect him. She hasn't been sharing the load equally. She was just as guilty as him.
It started out as, not trusting him, then wanting to protect him, to just being stubborn and thinking she has to do it all herself. Because she was the guardian.
"How stupid is that?" Marinette snapped at herself.
"What?" Cat Noir looked at her, confused.
She'd almost forgot her was there. "Oh, sorry. Alya said Ladybug wants to see you at the Eiffel Tower, like… now." Marinette smiled and climbed back inside. "Bye!"
Cat Noir sat there confused and got up slowly. Before he jumped off towards the Tower.
(PLEASE REVIEW!)
