A/N: Two chapters on one day? Yes, yes certainly…I feel a bit on a Marichat roll so I hope you enjoy lovely readers! :D

Prompt: (from me) Marinette starts doubting herself about never being as good as her alter ego, but little did she know a certain cat thinks quite differently.

Rated: K+

My Responsibilities

I trust you Ladybug.

Ladybug always knows what to do in every situation.

Ladybug will save us all, I know she will!

Ladybug will save the day, just like she always does!

I'm not afraid of some akuma, because I know Ladybug will save us in the end!

Marinette clenched her hands into fists, sensing Tikki's presence behind her, "Marinette?" the kwami sounded worried and sad, but Marinette couldn't – didn't want to- talk right now.

"I'm sorry Tikki, but…I don't want to talk right now," there was a pang in her heart for saying those words, but she breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Tikki gently close the hatch.

And her thoughts assaulted her again.

Can you like, not be so clumsy all the time?

Try being more like Ladybug!

I'm sorry, Marinette's usually a bit on the clumsy side.

Well, it wouldn't be Marinette if she didn't trip or get late to class!

Seriously Marinette, everyone idolizes Ladybug and tries to be like her, why can't you?

Marinette grit her teeth, "But I am Ladybug!" the initial anger in her eyes vanished in the next moment and she solemnly rested her chin on her hands on the railing of her balcony, "At least I think…" she sighed, long and hard as she gazed at the sky, bathed in the fading light of the sun and the darkening tones of the approaching night.

"Good day, princess," a soft voice reached her ears from behind her and Marinette's eyes flew open.

She whirled around, surprised to see Chat Noir standing there, looking worried, "Chat Noir!" her eyes quickly scanned her balcony, reaffirming her suspicions of Tikki still being inside, out of sight.

Then, her heart sped up nervously, "H-How long have you been standing there for?"

Had he heard what she had told herself? Had he heard the bit about Ladybug?

Chat Noir's ears flattened to his head uncharacteristically and he slowly approached her, "Not long," he looked down at their feet, "I saw an akuma flying around here somewhere, but it's gone now, I managed to shoo it away," his serious gaze met hers and Marinette suddenly felt too exposed in front of her partner, "Why are you upset?"

A chill ran down her body. Had she almost gotten akumatized? Had she almost been responsible for a catastrophe which not even Ladybug could save them from because of her insecurities?

Marinette buried her face in her hands, "An akuma-I, oh, I'm so, so sorry Chat Noir! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get akumatized! I w-wasn't…it's just I was-" she tensed when she felt the familiar, strong but lithe arms of her partner, her kitty, wrap around her.

For some reason, it felt more intimate feeling the strength and warmth from his arms through her civilian clothes than it did through her suit, she couldn't explain the difference, she wasn't even sure if she was just imagining it. But…she felt closer to him.

She felt his hair gently tickle the side of her face and his warm breath hit her cheek, "Marinette," the use of her real name surprised her, coming from him. Usually it were pet names, or words of endearment, all things she hadn't ever paid much attention to but she sensed his seriousness when he used her name, "We're friends, right? Whatever it is that's bothering you, you can tell me. I'll listen, kitty promise," he rubbed his cheek against the side of her head and she felt a sense of warmth flood her at the sweet gesture.

Marinette sighed, feeling her body sagging against the reassuring tower of strength she knew was Chat Noir. For all his goofy behavior, bad puns and silly antics, he was serious when the situation called for it.

She felt his arms around her tighten and she closed her eyes, allowing herself what she usually always strictly allowed her alter ego: be comforted by Chat Noir.

It felt odd, being so close to the cat without the insistent feeling of duty and professionalism like a brick wall between them. He didn't know she was Ladybug, so in a sense, she had no duty, no need to keep the professional distance between them.

She felt him rub gentle circles upon her back and it took her a split second to recognize the vibrations coming from his chest and the soft growling which sounded like from a motor were his purring noises. She remembered him using that tactic to comfort akuma victims, especially small children, since purring, as she learned through her partner, seemed therapeutic.

Now she understood why.

The subtle vibrations felt nice, the soft, soothing voice calmed her body and mind, and the added warmth from his body lulled her in a blanket of security, like she was shielded from the world, like nothing could possibly harm or touch her.

She never realized how much she needed that feeling until now.

When she felt Chat Noir try to pull away, she stubbornly clung onto him, refusing to face the reality of her troubles just yet, "Princess?" she could hear the confusion and worry in his voice.

She was thankful he managed to understand her muffled words as she mumbled into his shoulder, "Can I…just stay like this a little longer? Please?" it only took a second longer before she was enveloped in his arms again, this time she swore the embrace was tighter and he pulled her even closer.

She heard the soft purrs in her ear and she nuzzled the side of his head appreciatively, giggling when he nuzzled her back, like a big, cuddly cat.

Marinette didn't know how long they stood there for like that, but after a while she broke the embrace and judging from the way Chat Noir's hands gripped her waist just a bit tighter before falling away, she had the impression she wasn't the only one missing the contact.

Marinette looked into his eyes and found unconditional support, trust but also confusion in them, like he was desperately trying to help her and figure out what was wrong but needed her to tell him what was wrong.

It was dark around them, but the light from her room enabled her to still see him thankfully, "Thank you kitty…" Marinette wasn't sure if the heat she felt in her cheeks was from embarrassment of being so vulnerable around her partner or the cool night breeze hitting her previously warm skin that caused the reaction.

Chat smiled, "Anytime princess," he settled to lean against the railing behind him, arms loosely crossed as he watched her carefully, "Any time you're ready, I'm here,"

Anytime you're ready to talk, she knew what he meant and she had to smile.

Taking a deep breath, Marinette spoke, "It's just…" how was she going to talk about feeling insecure about her duties as Ladybug when she couldn't reveal who she really was? "A…friend of mine," she mentally cringed but continued on anyway, "She…she has a really important job and she loves doing it but, she sometimes feels like people only see her for her job and not for herself, the person I mean," Marinette played with her fingers nervously, "She told me all her troubles today and…I guess I sympathized with her and…got upset," she sighed, staring at her feet.

The atmosphere was silent, she was sure she could hear the wind softly breezing by, until Chat finally spoke quietly, "And…this friend, did she talk to anyone about it?"

She sighed, "No…well, with me today,"

Chat frowned, "I know the feeling actually," Marinette's eyes widened and her gaze fell on Chat Noir, who was looking at his feet, "Of messing up, not living up to your reputation, pretending to be someone you're not just to please people…feeling cornered to handle your duties," he shrugged, "If…that friend of yours, if she ever needs someone to talk to, she can always come to me, I'll lend her a listening ear no matter the time of night, we cats are nocturnal animals after all," he offered her a soft smile, his gaze intense and meaningful as he spoke.

Marinette felt nervousness assault her, "But…what if…what if my friend doesn't want to bother anyone? What if she can't just…talk about her job to just anyone?" Marinette frowned deeply, voice cracking, "What if…she's afraid she'll mess up and everyone and her friends will hate her for not being who she is in her job?"

Her hands were shaking at her sides and she barely noticed the pain in her palms from pressing her fingernails into her skin, until a gloved hand suddenly grabbed them and gently pried them open.

She froze, watching as Chat Noir gently pried her fingers open, one by one, revealing the small red indentations her nails left behind on her skin, "If your friend is afraid of everyone hating her for not being the same person she is in her job then, they're no friends at all." She watched the way, mindful of his claws, he traced the marks on her skin with his fingers gently, soothing the irritated skin, "I'm sure the person she is at her job and the person she is as a civilian are one and the same, just different sides to her personality. And if she can't see that, then her friends will just have to remind her what a great person she is,"

Marinette had remained frozen during Chat's speech, acutely aware of his weirdly burning touch on her skin, "And…I'll be there to remind her too," she lifted her gaze from their hands to look at her partner's face, who already had his eyes trained on her, expression soft and warm and open, "I'll tell her what an amazing person she is for doing the things she did, I'll tell her how clever she is to figure out a situation quicker than anyone else and save the day, I'll tell her how brave she is for standing up to Chloe and anyone else behaving unjustly to others, I'll also tell her how sweet and kind she is for helping everyone without expecting anything in return," she felt like she couldn't breathe, like she couldn't move, didn't want to move.

She felt Chat wrap his larger hands around her own, gently but firmly holding them in the cocoon of warmth that were his hands, "And if she ever needs any reminders about what an amazing girl she is, she knows I'm only a cat's call away," he grinned, the care and warmth in his eyes shining.

Marinette felt moisture gather at the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them back stubbornly, "Oh kitty…" the hero, her hero, smiled boyishly.

Marinette allowed herself to cross a line she always kept at a minimum as her alter ego, she hugged Chat Noir tightly and turned her head to kiss his cheek, the kiss lasting a few seconds longer to be considered entirely friendly.

Chat was frozen stiff in her arms, even when Marinette pulled away to beam a smile up at him, "Thank you so much Chat, I needed that," her eyes softened, her heart beating quicker than normal.

It seemed like he broke out of whatever trance that had taken a hold of him, he stared down at her in awe before he smiled, "You're welcome purrincess," he bowed, "A knight's duty is to protect his princess after all," he winked and grinned.

Marinette giggled, reaching a hand up to rub away at the tear that threatened to slid down her cheek, but she met Chat's hand already wiping it away, her hand frozen over his own on her cheek.

Her cheeks heated up and she was sure he could feel it through the material of his gloves, "Chat…"

His expression was off. Why was he looking at her even more intensely than he did Ladybug? Why was he so close? Why did she feel so weird and tingly?

There was a warm smile on his face even as he moved closer, his breath ghosting over her lips, eliciting goosebumps all over her skin and she closed her eyes in anticipation.

She felt the soft, warm press of his lips against her skin, but her eyes opened when she realized it was at a different spot than she thought, had hoped, it would be.

Chat Noir leaned away after tenderly kissing her forehead, his eyes soft when he looked at her, "Good night my lady," he grasped her hand gently in his and kissed the top of her hand.

Grabbing his baton, Chat Noir glanced at her one more time, "Remember, I'm always a cat's meow away,"

Marinette smiled, hugging herself after he leaped off the balcony, spinning his baton and using it to jump over rooftops towards home.

"Thanks kitty…" she whispered into the night, feeling immensely better.

Adrien fell into a puddle of goo on his bed, feeling energized but tired at the same time.

His heart was racing.

"Bleh, I don't get what the big deal is with you humans. Why can't things be so simple as eating camembert?" Plagg zoned from beside his head but Adrien felt he was practically vibrating from happiness.

"But don't you get it Plagg? It is!" Adrien jumped up and scooped his kwami in his hands, who was about to take a bite out of his precious cheese, "My princess and my lady are the same person! And she trusts me to comfort her and be there for her when she needs it!" a dreamy smile filled the entirety of the model's face, "And she kissed me Plagg,"

The kwami grumbled, "On the cheek,"

"Longer than friends do," Adrien shot back, grinning like a cat, "I can't believe it…all this time…what do you think Plagg? Did she want me to figure it out? Was that why she said 'her friend' to not directly tell me it was Ladybug? That she was Ladybug?" Adrien didn't wait for his kwami to answer, instead he flopped back down onto his bed, "This has to be the best night of my life." He smiled up at the ceiling, already missing his precious princess and lady in his arms.

Plagg sighed, "Humans," and munched on his camembert, hiding his satisfied smirk.

Tikki smiled, zipping this way and that over Marinette's head as the girl laid in bed, "Chat Noir was so sweet today, don't you think Marinette? And so considerate and thoughtful!" Marinette had a permanent smile on her face, gazing up at the ceiling, unknowingly, the picture of Adrien and Chat Noir in her mind fused together.

"Mhmm…he sure was Tikki," she smiled.

Tikki threw her hands up in the air, "And to think you were so clever as to tell him your identity without actually saying it! That was brilliant Marinette! I'm so happy you decided it was time! He seemed so happy when he left!"

Tikki's words barely registered to the half-dazed girl, still lost in thoughts about Chat Noir, until they suddenly hit her full force.

"…What?" Marinette blinked.

Tikki, oblivious to her charge's growing panic, continued chirping excitedly, "I can't believe another Black Cat and Ladybug will fall in love! I was hoping you were meant to be! You and Adrien would look so cute together too! I bet Plagg was secretly happy that too,"

Marinette's mind drew a blank, "…Adrien?"

"Just imagine how less awkward you will be around Adrien at school! I already noticed his Chat Noir side was showing sometimes, but I bet now that you both know, he will start bombarding you with all sorts of puns again!" Tikki stopped her rant, turning around to look at her star struck chosen, "Marinette?" she flew close to her face, gently tapping her cheeks.

"…C-Chat Noir is…ADRIEN?!" the squeal that had erupted from her throat nearly knocked Tikki over.

"He knows I'm Ladybug?! Adrien is Chat Noir?! I kissed Chat Noir! I told him I was Ladybug?! Chat Noir kissed me! …LADYBUG KNOWS CHAT NOIR IS ADRIEN?! I'M LADYBUG?!" Tikki quickly grabbed a cookie from the plate on Marinette's desk and stuffed it into the hyperventilating girl's mouth, effectively calming her down enough to chew on the pastry.

Tikki sighed, shaking her head, "Oh Marinette…"

Tikki was sure Marinette would get a visit tomorrow, either from Chat Noir or Adrien, but she also knew once Marinette was calmed down and taken care of, she would need to listen to Plagg's hour-long rants about how his ship had been the first to sail before hers did.

The end! Hope you all enjoyed it. Next chapter will be… "Balcony Scene". ;)