Chapter 1

How're you feline?

"Boo."

Marinette jumped, falling off her chair.

Oops. Chat Noir hopped down from his perch behind the girl and helped her up. "Sorry about that, didn't mean to startle you."

"Then why did you say 'Boo'?" Marinette accused, then curled back up on her chair.

"Oh, yeah, well, I didn't mean for you to jump a mile in the air and fall over." Chat Noir swaggered over to the chair next to Marinette and sat down.

"I wasn't really expecting any guests on the roof with me." It sounded like she was trying to sound annoyed, but didn't have the energy. Instead, she pulled her legs up to her chest, resting her head on her knees.

Man, it sounds like something's bothering Marinette. "So Marinette, how are we feline tonight?" She hasn't really been like herself at school either, but not like this. Marinette stayed quiet. "Hey, cat got your tongue?" Still, the girl was silent, now tucking her head between her legs. "Alright, there's no purrressure to answer, I'm gonna sit here for a while anyway, k. It's a nice night, and I'm really starting to like this chair."

"Why are you so interested? What are you even doing here?" Marinette pulled her head back up to stare at Chat with pursed lips and a slightly furrowed brow.

Standing up to stretch and do a handstand, "Well, secondly, I was out on an impromptu patrol." Chat walked on his hands over to the edge of the balcony, leaping up to perch on the railing. "And firstly, I came to return a favor."

"Favor?" Marinette perked up a little at that last piece of news, eyes widening, mouth narrowing a bit, forming a tiny 'o'.

That seems to have broken through the slump she was in, at least temporarily. "Yeah, remember when André was akumatized? Before he attacked you, I was feeling lonely, and you let me stay and talk. I showed you the surprise I had made for Ladybug, and you listened to how I was feline. I really appreciated that, and I figured I could do the same for you."

Rolling her eyes at the latest pun, Marinette stretched her legs out, and straightened her arms, placing her hands on her knees. "Alright, fine. I'll tell you what's on my mind. But please, no more puns. I'm not in the mood tonight."

Success! Time to find out what's been bothering her! Hopefully it's something I can help with. False hurt heavy in his voice, "Why, I never! My puns aren't that clawful!" Seeing the look of disapproval on Marinette's face, Chat rubbed the back of his neck and gave a bashful smile. "Sorry, last one."

A hint of amusement now on her face, Marinette teased, "It better be." Taking a deep breath, the amusement left her face, and she continued, "OK. I- There's a lot happening recently, and, I'm responsible for all of it, and it's just- it's all so much, it's overwhelming. I don't know what to do anymore. I don't know how to do it all. I can't do it all. I-" Marinette took a shuddering breath and wiped away the tears welling in her eyes.

Wow. It sounds like she's trying to outwork Ladybug. I'd be impressed she kept this all bottled up for so long if it wasn't so unhealthy. Maybe I can't help her with her personal responsibilities, but her friend Adrein might. "Hey Marinette, sounds like you're trying to hold the world on your shoulders." He gently hopped off the railing and moved to sit next to Marinette before continuing. "If you're not careful, you'll be trapped like Atlas under all those responsibilities. Have you tried asking your friends for help? I'm sure they'd be more than willing to help you."

Bringing just one leg up to hold on to, Marinette replied with an unsteady voice. "No. I don't want them to worry. I can't just dump my problems on them."

Marinette is always thinking about her friends, even when she needs help. How can I help her if she doesn't ask for it? The two sat in the noise of the sleeping city, before Chat spoke again. "Marinette, I can't make you do anything you don't want to, but at least think about what I said. And if there's anything I can do, please, let me know." Chat Noir stood up to leave, but before he disappeared into the night, Marinette stood as well.

"Wait." Marinette stood there with her head down, hands behind her back. "Can I have a hug before you go?"

"A hug?"

"Yeah, now that I've put all that out there, a hug would be pretty good right now. If you don't mind of course…"

"Sure, I don't mind."

Chat embraced Marinette, doing his best to comfort her. Marinette buried her face between Chat's neck and shoulder. They stood there for only a few minutes, but it felt much longer. Marinette's breath quivered as Chat Noir held her.

Marinette disengaged from the superhero. Chat Noir gazed at the girl, trying to read her. "Are you ok now?"

"No. But I will be, eventually. Thank you Chat."

Marinette said goodbye then made her way to her room. Chat Noir stayed on the balcony, wondering about his classmate, before returning home himself.

Author's Note

This is my first time writing a fan fic, and the first time I've tried writing fiction in a couple of years. I've rewritten this chapter at least 3 times, but I think I'm finally satisfied and I have a pretty good outline for the story now. I'm hoping that after publishing this, it'll give me some more drive to continue writing and stop backtracking, but I don't think I can promise an upload schedule. All feedback is welcome, especially constructive criticism. Let me know what you liked, and what you didn't.