Note-

This chapter is slightly darker than the last. I gave Mari a personality with little to no self confidence. Throughout the chapter she doubts herself and other people's love for her. (I'm sorry Mari. You didn't deserve this) I understand if this is not for you. I take no offense.

Marinette was sick for another week. She missed school and couldn't even go on patrol for any length of time. Luckily, Hawkmoth only created one Akuma that week. Marinette waited until Chat freed the Akuma, the she quickly captured it then ran away. Or yoyo-ed away.

Chat knew her identity, and she didn't know how to face him. She refused to talk to him, even when he knocked on her window one night or when he mentioned how he missed her on the news after the Akuma battle.

Now that Chat knew Ladybug was just simple, clumsy Marinette, she knew he wouldn't love her anymore. There was nothing special about her.

And Marinette couldn't take his rejection yet. Over time she grew to like her kitty, more than a friend should. She was still in love with Adrien of course, but Chat had managed to claw himself into her heart. (Pun intended)

Today she would have to go back to school. After days of resting she was finally healthy again.

And of course, she was already running late. On her way out of the bakery she grabbed a few cookies and called to her parents, "See you guys later! Love you!"

Her mother called back, "You better hurry to school, love you too!"

If Marinette didn't live right next to the school, she didn't know what she'd do.

She made it into class right as the bell rang. As she made her way to her seat, she noticed Adrien giving her a strange look. In response, she stuck her tongue out at him, surprising herself with her own confidence. She blushed and quickly sat down in her seat. When she looked at him from behind, she saw that his ears had turned a slight red. Is he blushing?

Alya gaped at her, "Did you just stick your tongue out at Adrien?

Marinette's face still had not returned to its usual color, and she doubted it ever would. "Yes? Maybe? I don't know it all just happened so quickly."

Alya squealed. "Yes! It's happening!" She sang. Then told her dead serious, "We will talk about this later. Now,"She said her cheery voice returning, "Girl, I haven't seen you for a week! You cannot just go AWOL for weeks at a time. I missed you. You disappear enough when you do come to school."

Marinette cringed at that last part.

She couldn't believe Alya was still her friend. Marinette didn't deserve her. Alya was the ultimate best friend. Someone else should get to have her. Someone better than Marinette.

Nino and Adrien turned around at her voice. "Hey Marinette," Nino said in his relaxed tone, "Where'd you go?"

"Oh, umm.. I was sick."

"That sucks, dude. Glad you're feeling better."

"Yeah..glad you're feeling better."Adrien echoed. He then shook himself, pasted on a determined face and asked her, "I know you were sick, but did you notice Ladybug was missing all week?" Marinette instantly froze. "She only appeared once then immediately disappeared afterwards. I wonder what's wrong."

Alya chimed in, "Oh my god, yeah. When the Akuma happened and she didn't show up I started to worry because like-"

Marinette stopped paying attention at that point. She loved her best friend but she talked about ladybug almost all the time. She was always so awed by Ladybug, and Marinette couldn't see why. Ladybug wasn't all that great. She pushed those thoughts to the side. Right now Marinette had another thing to worry about.

Adrien was looking at her strange again, almost like he was studying her expression.

She mouthed at him 'What's wrong?' But he just reddened and looked away.

Wait. He blushed. Again. He didn't do that very often, only when Marinette fell or tripped over him. He wouldn't be mean to her when that happens, but he would try to get away from her as soon as possible.

That had been happening for a couple months now, and she didn't know why. It wasn't because he liked her of course. He was way too good for her. Marinette didn't deserve anyone even half as good as Adrien.

She pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind as class began and tried not to stare at Adrien as she did so.

During lunch an Akuma attacked. The teachers had everyone file into their classrooms while Marinette sneaked into the bathroom. After a quick look around she transformed then yoyo-ed up to the roof.

Chat was already there. He smiled at her.

He. Freaking. Smiled. At. Her. She loved his smile. Not the fake one he put on when he didn't feel well and tried to hide it, but the real one that little up her heart. "Hey Bugaboo, glad you could make it. I missed you," He extended his baton and rested it on his shoulders. "It's Mr.Pigeon again. I thought we had convinced him to give pigeons up. Purr-haps this will be the last time."

"Doubt it." She muttered.

"We really need to talk once this is done." He said seriously.

"I know." She said quietly. She quickly planed her escape route for once they won. Maybe while the miraculous ladybugs are doing their work she can slip away. She'd feel bad of course, but-

"And don't you even think about running." He caught her eye and she was frozen. He knew her well, too well. Of course he would know that she would run. She always runs. "Now that that's clear, let's go kick some Akuma butt!"

15 minutes later the battle is over. She had to call her lucky charm, but only to fix all the damage caused. Even with a week break, Mr . Pigeon was just too easy. As she began to back away, Chat stopped her with a look that said if you run your will regret it.

She sighed. Better to just get it over with. They made their way to the Eiffel Tower. She let out a sad laugh under her breath. Of course she would be the one to get rejected on top of the city of love's biggest icon.

A small voice in the back of her head whispered that maybe Chat Noir didn't like her back. Maybe he was about to confess his love for her and they would have a happy ending.

She shook the voice away. No. That was impossible. She shouldn't get her hopes up. But a small part of her still held on to that small chance of good.

Chat turned to her.

"Why didn't you talk to me at all?" He asked quietly.

"Like you saw I was sick and I-"

"No. I don't accept that. You're afraid. You don't know what I think about you being Marinette and you're scared," She didn't deny that. It was true. A lump formed in her throat. "I still love you. Shoot, I probably love you more now. My lady and my princess are the same person. My two best friends are the same person. Why wouldn't I be happy?"

Tears have begun to fall onto his cheeks. Every drop was like a stab to the chest.

"But you didn't talk to me. You didn't go on patrol and you didn't come to school and it hurt. I gave you the power over my heart and you stomped on it. And that hurt. But I know you. I know you're thinking I could never love you. But I do. Whether you're Mari or Ladybug, my feelings don't change. They never will."

He reached for her hand.

No. This isn't true. He can't love her. There's nothing to love. He's wrong. He's wrong. He's wrong. He's wrong.

Pain flashes in his eyes at her withdrawal. "Okay then. I'll prove it."

And then he releases his transformation, and it's all over.

Adrien. Adrien. Adrien!

No, no, no, no, no.

Chat Noir cannot be Adrien.

But he is.

and it's perfect.

It's so perfect that it's not.

Hope glimmers in his eyes "See? It's me. We've always been together. It doesn't matter if we're wearing a costume or not, it's always been us," His voice breaks, "Please Marinette, I need you."

"No. No you're lying. You don't mean this. I have to go." She begins to back away.

"No! Don't go! Don't leave me. I love you. Please."

"I have to go." Ladybug repeats, her mind foggy. "I have to go."

As she left the last thing she saw was his tear-streaked face and his pained eyes that would never leave her.

She cried the whole way home and didn't stop until haunted dreams of false hope drowned her.

Another note-

Thank you for everyone's support! When I opened the app I did not expect to see over 20 saves! I am so happy you guys liked my first chapter. When I saw all the attention this story got I instantly got to work on this one. I know it has a very different tone, but that's what came out.

One last note (I promise)-

P.S.-I lied. This story is no longer a two shot, though I still want it to be short. The longest it will bee (No that was not not a mistake. I love puns.) Is 4-5 chapters. I will update the summary just wanted to say it again.

Okay. Bye. Love you all!