The night passed by quickly as the morning sun raised. Shining light into the room. The light eventually met Marinette's eyes.

She stirred in her sleep. Opening her eyes. To then blinking them to readjust to the light. Letting out a yawn from her mouth. Looking down to see Tikki and Plagg laying next to her sound asleep. Smiling at the kwamis. She then made her way to the bathroom to get ready for the day. Still being half asleep. She brushed her teeth. Taking a quick shower that woke her up from how cold it was.

Once she's done with that. She got to the kitchen. First making a mug of coffee. Making her way towards the coffee maker. Putting in the proper things. Turned it on. Deciding to also make some tea for Damian. Started to boil some water. Looking through her bag to find the black tea that she brings with her on a daily bases.

Once she found it. Placing it on the kitchen counter. Then going over towards the couch cushion to take a look at the cat. It wasn't there. Cursing in French. She looked around the apartment. She couldn't find the cat after looking in every nook and cranny. The final place she hasn't looked at was the room, Damian was sleeping in.

Walking towards the room. Being careful when opening the door as to not wake him. Once she opened the door to look in. She saw him curled up with the cat sleeping next to him. Taking in the beautiful scene in front of her. She swiftly took out her phone and took a picture.

He must've heard her when she took the picture because he started to wake up. Stirring in his sleep. He woke up startled. Looking closer, Marinette noticed a hint of fear and caution in his eyes. Worried, she made her way to his side. Waiting for a few more minutes. He calmed down and looked her in the eyes. They stayed like that for a few seconds before he broke eye contact with her.

Sighing, she said, "Breakfast is going to be ready in five, so freshen up." Mari made her way out of the room. Closing the door. When out of the room. She wondered what got him so cautious and scared. She wanted to know what was troubling him. But not wanting to invade his personal space. She set it aside until after breakfast.

Going towards the kitchen to start preparing some french toast. Halfway into making the food. Damian came out of the room with the cat in his arms.

Walking towards the couch to sit in it. Then turning on the news. Marinette wasn't paying attention, but she heard something about an argument on who is the best hero. Specifically the heroes in America. She wanted to know what was so special about who is better than who. They are all one and the same. Just have different ways of showing it.

Drowning out the argument happening on live television. She returned her attention to the french toast that was almost burned.

Tikki got off the couch to fly over towards Marinette.

"Marinette," said Tikki with a worried face.

"Yeah? Tikki," replied Marinette as she started to finish cooking breakfast.

"Could we talk in private… this involves Damian," replied Tikki with a very worried face. Marinette nodded and placed food on the table. Along with his cup of tea. Telling Damian that he can start eating without her. She proceeded towards the bathroom. Closing the door.

When she knows that the door's locked and secured. Turning towards Tikki. Asking what she's worried about. She then goes on to explain that Damian has so much corruption tied to his soul. This is likely because he was near one of the pits his whole life. So it started to weave onto his soul becoming a part of him.

When Marinette suggested that she removes the corruption from him. Tikki said that it is going to be difficult. And any wrong move could tear years of his life from him. So it is a very delicate process to do. The only successful way for her to do it. Is if Plagg agrees to help. He can help by focusing on the corruption with the extra help of her and Marinette. Another thing Tikki mentioned is that Damian has to agree to do this. During the process, he would be reliving memories. That was buried deep in his subconscious. Which would not flow well if he is not letting his memories flow like a river.

They continued to talk till Tikki remembered something important. Marinette asked what got her so worked up. Tikki told her to stay put. And she left to receive Plagg from whatever he was doing. It wasn't like Marinette was going anywhere. So she looked at her reflection.

So many things have happened in the last ten years of her life. When she started as Ladybug, she had no idea what to do. And to think that she thought Tikki was a bug. Thinking back to it, it was a funny memory. She was thrown into her first battle with no prior knowledge. Which in turn made even more disasters. Never would she have thought that she and her partner would work well together in the beginning. But they somehow did become teammates and defeated many akumas. They worked well together like a pin and needle. She was the needle and chat was the pin. Then Lila came into the picture. Everyone Marinette once trusted betrayed her. She thought that they would come back to their senses. But like the manipulator, Lila is she turned everyone against her. Even her parents.

The only people she could trust were Chloe, Kagami, Luka, Adrian, and many other celebrities. The bullying became worst. To the point of death threats. Marinette tried to file restraining orders. But like the world was against her. It didn't work and the court dropped it. This in turn backfired for them. Chloe threatened to release every single bit of information about this. Kagami, being from a well-known family. Along with being a fantastic fencer. She told her mother about the situation. Kagami's mother liked Marinette to an extent. And agreed to take guardianship of her if her parents are any more abusive. Even though Miss Tsurugi is not any better. She is still a mother. Even if she wouldn't say it, she loves her daughter. Luka tried his best to comfort her with his songs. Which worked sometimes, but not always. Adrian couldn't do anything at school. With the fear of being dragged out of public school, so he was a mole for his friends. It helped Marinette from some of the events that would hurt her.

The real turning point was when she was walking in the courtyard and her former classmates. Started with verbal comments. Then it proceeded to physical assaults. One of them was stupid enough to post a video online. Let's say it wasn't pretty. The celebrities Marinette was acquainted with? Every single one saw the video. And they were outraged. They all thought of Marinette as a daughter or at most, a friend. When they finished watching it. They posted stuff online about the video and if legal charges weren't brought upon them. It could bring the people involved and the school's reputation down to the dirt. And then there would be no more future for them.

This exploded on the internet. It soon reached America. The feud reached everywhere. Even the most famous of people in America. Like the CEOs of Wayne Industries and Queen consolidated. Due to the amount of criticism, Mr. Damocles was taken from his job. Ms. Mendeleiev became the new principle. Things become much better. She had given everyone involved, detention for the rest of the school year. Another thing, she contacted every parent of the children involved in this dispute. Will have to come to a parent-teacher meeting. And it was mandatory, they cannot avoid this. And if something comes in the way, they will reschedule. Whether they like it or not.

Things became easier, as Lila couldn't lie out of this one. Especially when her mother is coming. With the addition to learning that her daughter's involved. Sealed it. Marinette agreed to attend the meetings. On the condition that Adrian and his bodyguard were with her. Mendeleiev agreed. Right now she was in a meeting with Lila and her mother. Every lie Lila has said was being revealed as false. Her mother screamed at her daughter about her behavior. And that she almost got another student expelled for this. Lila tried to talk her way out of this. Stupid decision. Her mother screamed at her even more. Saying that she will be sending her to a school that fixes unruly children. Not even she can climb out of it.

Mrs. Rossi told Marinette that if this happens again, to call her. She also offered to pay for her therapy. Marinette accepted.

Marinette's parents got word of this and they apologized to their daughter. The three of them know that this will forever put a hole in the trust that Marinette had with her parents.

Three years have passed since this incident. Marinette was doing significantly better than she was years ago. Sometimes people brought up the incident. Other times, celebrities came and hoped that she will have a better future. Sometimes they would ask to do business with her. The ones that asked were the ones directed to her. Most of the time it would be their friends that wore her MDC originals.

With this, her business boomed. For two years. She had somehow become a famous fashion designer within the fashion community. It also helped that she started her clothing line, with her own business. She owned a store that would sell her designs. Her store sold any type of clothing. If the client wanted a personalized outfit. They would have to go to the waiting list. She also became pretty wealthy during that small-time frame. Last she checked her bank account was somewhere in the millions.

Marinette still can't believe that happened in four years. The next year moved forward with no hiccups. And then came the time that she and chat took down Hawkmoth. When she left on a journey to find herself and honed her skills.

Now here she is. A business owner that is traveling the world to find her true purpose in this world. She has grown attached to Damian. Even if he disagrees with her. She knows that deep down he too has grown attached to her.

She's brought out of her thoughts when a loud crash sounded throughout the apartment. Coming to her senses. Unlocking the door and ran out of the bathroom. Seeing Lily in front of the injured cat, growling in the direction of the living room. Then she remembered that Damian was in there. Panic reached her face as she ran into the living room. She saw a strange man in her rented apartment. He held a katana in his right hand. The person's attire was that of a ninja's. But the man's attention wasn't on her, it was Damian.

She watched as the man took the first strike. Damian dodged it, returning it with a right cross to the face. Another swung was directed at Damian. He jumped over the man. Landing behind him. Then kicked the guy. Sending him into a wall. Before the man could peel himself off said wall. Damian hit a nerve on the neck. Rendering the assailant unconscious. Lily stopped growling, but was still in protective mode. The cat was still injured.

Then Damian noticed someone watching him. Turning around to look for the person. Noticing it was Marinette his guard went down a little. It looked like she was still processing what was in front of her. Walking towards her. He snapped his fingers a few times. She was still in a daze.

"Let me try," said Tikki. She then took in a deep breath.

"Marinette! You are going to be late for boarding!" Shouted Tikki. Marinette then had a look of panic. Proceeding to start running towards her bag.

It then registered that she hasn't scheduled a flight for today. She turned her head towards the right. To see that there was a man glued to the wall. She made way to tie the said man up and gagged the guy. The fight that happened in front of her registered in her mind. She had a look of worry as she made her way towards Damian. Crouching down to start looking for any significant injuries. He had a look of annoyance. She then asked him if he was okay and who was the man that was glued to the wall.

Damian didn't want to explain about the assassin glued to the wall. He also didn't want to explain to her that the people at the temple has now found him. Judging by the assassin on the wall, his mother will most likely be coming for him in the coming days. He would want to leave right away, but he didn't want to leave Marinette. And it was likely that the league would be after her too. After that stunt, she pulled.

Marinette's looked into his eyes filled with worry. Damian looked the other way. Trying to avoid her gaze.

"Damian… look at me," said Marinette. She gripped his shoulders in fear that he would disappear right in front of her.

Damian didn't have the courage to look her in the eyes. He wanted to look at her. But he couldn't. He didn't want to tell her about his worries. His newly formed nightmares. The weird dream he had a night ago. He didn't have the courage to tell her about how dangerous his family actually is. He didn't want to put her in any danger. Even though he knows that she can take care of herself. She can't go up against the league all at once.

They were stuck in that position for a few minutes as looks of worry depend on Marinette. She's worried about Damian's wellbeing. She didn't know how to help him if he didn't open up about his feelings. She wanted to help him heal. She really does. But that can't be done if they can't trust each other.

Moving her right hand towards his cheek. Touching it. He didn't resist her touch. Taking this as an okay, she proceeded to move his face to face her. She noticed that Damian was scared. Even if he didn't show any signs of fear on his face. His eyes told her otherwise. Without thinking, she hugged him. Damian stood there wide-eyed. He didn't make an attempt to move. Tears started to build up. He didn't let them flow. Still thinking that any emotion he showed was a weakness.

────── 〔✿〕──────

Marinette didn't know how long they stayed like that. But now she knows what her new goal is and that is to protect this child. She wants to protect him like her little cub. She didn't care if she got hurt in the process. She wanted to protect him, care for him, help him heal. Even if he denies these things. She will do everything in her power to help him have a better life than his previous one.