The story below is based on the characters from Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir. I own nothing of the show. This is purely fictitious and written for the enjoyment of my readers and myself. All rights go to the proper parties.

I was actually able to finish this chapter early, so you get to have it now. The next chapter may take a bit more time though. I'm excited to see your reactions to this chapter. I didn't plan for it to go this fast, but when you're in the process of writing, some things just come out and it's best not to argue with it. Following the natural flow as ideas come seems to work the best for me.


Adrien paces at the entrance to the school. He waits for Marinette to arrive, anxious from his conversation last night, and exhausted from his lack of sleep. He stayed up all night replaying his day over and over in his head, his morning meeting up with Marinette, the akuma, his conversation with Marinette, and his parting words with Ladybug.

Adrien stops pacing as Alya and Nino walk up to him, "Hey dude, you alright?" Nino asks.

"Yeah, you're looking a little anxious there Sunshine." Alya says.

"Oh, um," Adrien rubs the back of his neck, "I'm alright. Just didn't get very much sleep last night is all." He explains.

"Were you one of the 'dolls' the akuma played with Yesterday?" Alya shivers. "Yesterday was pretty scary. I can't imagine being one of the people she wanted to play dolls with."

"N-no," Adrien says. "I was actually hiding in the sewers most of Yesterday. The akuma never found me."

Alya makes a face, "well at least you were safe." She scrunches her nose, "I hope you took a shower after that."

Nino and Adrien chuckle, "don't you know the model in him showers any chance he gets?" Nino jokes.

Alya joins their laughter, "Anyway, are you waiting for Marinette again?" Alya asks Adrien as their laughter subsides.

Adrien rubs the back of his neck once again, "yeah, I just want to make sure she's alright. I haven't talked to her since the akuma attack." Adrien admits, not exactly lying as Adrien hasn't seen Marinette, even though Cat Noir has.

Alya and Nino eye each other. A silent conversation as Alya smirks, "you really care about her, don't you?" She asks.

Adrien blushes and rubs his neck, again, "Yeah. She means a lot to me." He admits.

Alya opens her mouth to ask him more about how he feels for Marinette, but she's interrupted by Adrien calling Marinette's name.

"Marinette!" Adrien calls as he leaves Alya and Nino behind to run to Marinette. "Did you get home alright Yesterday? Did the akuma find you?" He asks.

"H-hi, Adrien." Marinette responds. She yawns, "I got home fine. And no, I guess I hid pretty well." She smirks.

"Are you okay, Marinette? You look really tired." He says, looking at the dark circles under her eyes and her pale skin.

Marinette yawns again but smiles. "I'm okay. I couldn't sleep well last night." She admits. Her tiredness interrupting her usual stuttering self. She looks up at Adrien and notices his own tired face, "you look like you didn't sleep well either." She says.

Adrien chuckles lightly, "I had a lot on my mind last night." He admits.

"I know how that feels." Marinette mutters.

Adrien and Marinette walk to class in silence together. Content to be in each others company. Adrien watches Marinette carefully, ensuring she's safe and able to walk. He's even more paranoid about her suddenly collapsing or something from the effects of using so many miraculous. She's pale and clearly tired, but she claims to have just struggled to sleep. He's not sure how long she stayed asleep after he left Yesterday. Her nap could have interfered with her ability to sleep last night. His guilt rises as he takes his seat after watching Marinette takes hers.

Marinette sits and watches Adrien sit in his own seat. He's clearly tired, but he's worrying about Marinette. Alya nudges her arm and gives her a knowing look before looking at Adrien and smirking. Marinette blushes at Alya's suggestion. There's no way Adrien likes her.

"He said you mean a lot to him." Alya shares.

Marinette's blush deepens. She smiles to herself before sudden guilt overwhelms her again. She's here, happy from the attention Adrien is giving her, while Cat Noir is no doubt still upset about Yesterday. She lied to him, she tricked him, she caused him so much pain. Marinette pales as nausea seeps through her. Her kitty is suffering because of her. She chokes down a sob.

"Marinette, are you okay?" Alya asks.

Marinette shakes her head. "No. I hurt him, Alya."

"Who?" Alya asks.

"Cat Noir." Marinette admits.

"Marinette, Alya, if you would please refrain from talking during my lesson." Ms. Bustier states.

"I'm sorry Ms. Bustier, but Marinette isn't feeling very well. I think she needs to go to the nurse." Alya explains.

Ms. Bustier looks at Marinette's face and nods, "You can go to the nurse if you need, Marinette, do you want someone to accompany you?"

"I'll go." Adrien offers before Alya gets a chance. "I mean, if that's alright with you, Marinette." He smiles.

Marinette smiles and nods. "Okay, Adrien, you take Marinette to the nurse." Ms. Bustier says, "the rest of you pay attention to my lesson please."

Adrien and Marinette leave the classroom together. Adrien wraps Marinette around him, supporting her weight. Adrien's concern for her grows as she leans on him heavily. "What's going on, Marinette?" He asks as they make their way to the nurse.

Marinette pushes past her nausea and says, "I'm just a bit nauseated. I've had a pretty hectic few days." She admits. "I'm sure some sleep will help."

Adrien nods and opens the door to the nurses office for her. She walks inside and he follows. They have a conversation with the nurse before she sends Adrien back to class.

The rest of the day at school goes by in a blur for Adrien. Marinette was sent home to rest and he had nothing better to do than focus on school. He couldn't stop thinking about whatever the two girls that mean the most to him are hiding from him. He needs to talk to Ladybug again.


~That Night~

Cat Noir lands on the rooftop he and Ladybug meet at for patrol. He's surprised to find her already there, waiting for him. "Ladybug?" He calls.

Ladybug wipes her eyes, trying to wipe away the tears. She turns around and smiles at Cat Noir, "hi Kitty." She says.

Cat Noir stares at Ladybug, surprised that he caught her crying, and his anger from the last two days starts to soften. "Are you alright, M'Lady?" He asks.

Ladybug chokes on a sob, "no," she says, "I'm not."

Cat Noir reaches out to her before stopping halfway. Ladybug is curling in on herself, holding back tears, and he wants to help, but he needs to understand what's going on. He can't take it anymore. He needs answers.

"Ladybug," he says, "can you tell me what's been going on? Ever since you chose a new mouse miraculous holder, no, ever since you became the guardian, you've been keeping more and more from me. You promised that you being the guardian wouldn't change anything between us, but everything has changed. You've been keeping stuff from me, giving a miraculous to people that have compromised identities, giving multiple miraculous to Marinette when you know it's not safe, and creating illusions to trick me. I don't understand why you keep having to lie to me. I just want it to stop. You and me against the world, remember? Right now it feels like you're taking on the world by yourself and I'm just here to watch you fall. Please let me in, Ladybug." Cat Noir begs before he finally pulls Ladybug close for an embrace.

Ladybug sobs into his shoulder, grateful that her Kitty is still so caring even when she continues to mess things up. She carefully backs away from him, steeling her emotions in order to avoid attracting an akuma. She's lucky that Shadowmoth hasn't sent one already with how miserable her and Cat Noir have both been recently. She looks at Cat Noir and smiles softly.

"In order to let you in, you would have to know who I am." She states.

Cat Noir stares at her, mouth agape at the thing she's suggesting. "What do you mean, Ladybug?" He questions.

"Let's get patrol over with, and then, I think you should visit Marinette." She states.

Cat Noir looks at her, confusion written plainly on his face. "You want me to visit Marinette?"

"She can explain things to you better than I can. Please trust me. We'll finish patrol and while you replenish your kwami, I'll let Marinette know you are coming for a visit." She states before using her yo-yo to swing across Paris.

Cat Noir watches her in disbelief before coming to his senses and following Ladybug for patrol. He doesn't know what to think about Ladybug's suggestion, but he's glad to have another excuse to visit his princess. Maybe this time, he'll come away with some answers.