Marinette's heart beat even faster, hearing him say that. Did she really care about him that much that his declaration meant so much to her? It's not like I didn't already know, Marinette reminded herself, I shouldn't rush into this. I don't want to get hurt again. Looking him in the eye, she was forced to remember he wasn't the first green-eyed boy she had fallen in love with. Actually, she wasn't sure if his eyes actually were green. Since his mask made even the whites of his eyes green, she always wondered if it didn't change his eye color completely.

"Then why have you been avoiding me?" Marinette asked him hesitantly, worried to hear the answer. It's because he loves Ladybug, not Marinette, she told herself, what else could it be? He looked so sincere when he said he loved her that she couldn't doubt it was true. Besides, he had never lied to her before, and she trusted that he never would.

"I haven't…" he started to say, then looked away, embarrassed, "Yes I have," he admitted, proving Marinette right, "I was just afraid… When I found out who you are, I was so excited. I thought… maybe I was too excited. I didn't want to go too fast and scare you away." He glanced back at her, a shy smile on his face.

"Oh," Marinette replied. He wasn't lying to her, she was certain of that, but there was definitely something he was hiding. Maybe he wants to get to know me better as Marinette, she thought, trying to rationalize, he must not actually know me after all, and he wants to get to know me for me, not just for Ladybug! The thought excited her somehow, that he wanted to know all of her, not just the mask she put on.

"I was thinking," she said slowly, looking at him expectantly, "that maybe we could plan another rooftop dinner." She gave him a smile, trying to show her sincerity, "I promise to show up this time."

"What?" Cat Noir blinked, shocked. No! This isn't how it's supposed to go, he chided himself, now she's falling for Cat Noir? But I need her to forgive me as Adrien! "No! Uh, I mean…" he recovered quickly, trying to explain himself, "Well, didn't you say… there was a boy you're… in love with?" He couldn't look her in the eyes as he said this, worried to see her reaction.

"Oh, him," Cat Noir heard the way Marinette said it, the tone of disgust and… was that regret? "He's nothing to me anymore, you can just forget about it."

"What happened?" Cat Noir asked, hoping that he could find the right thing to say if they just kept on the topic.

"He…" Marinette's voice had a harsh tone to it at first, then she stopped and took a deep breath before continuing, "I gave him my heart, and he crushed it." she put it simply. Cat Noir could hear the disappointment in her voice, though, and he could've sworn he saw a tear forming as she said it. So she hasn't fully moved on yet, he realized, there's still a chance I can fix this!

"But you still have feelings for him," Cat Noir pointed out, almost too eagerly, giving her a sideways glance, "I can see it in your eyes."

"Why do you care about this so much?" Marinette sounded impatient and frustrated. Cat Noir saw a glimmer of that anger he had seen yesterday. I have to be more careful, he realized, I'm walking a very dangerous path.

"M'lady," Cat Noir looked at her, choosing his words very carefully, "I just want you to be happy, even if your happiness is with someone else. If you still have feelings for him, then you need to resolve those feelings. If you really don't care for him anymore, I'll be waiting, but if you do…" He trailed off, looking away. Then we can finally be together, he finished to himself.

"I…" Marinette sounded uncertain. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her conflicted expression, so uncertain, so confused. He knew how she felt, because he felt the same way himself.

"How can I talk to him again?" Marinette's voice was starting to choke as tears formed in her eyes. "He broke my heart; I can hardly stand to look at him now."

The tears were too much for him. Cat Noir couldn't bear to see her upset like this. With his superhuman speed and grace, he jumped to her side faster than the eye could see. Compassion and love were etched into his expression as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. She could feel her body relaxing against him, taking comfort from the contact. She really is falling for Cat Noir now, he sighed inwardly. He couldn't express how happy he was that this had happened, after so long chasing after her to finally have his feelings reciprocated. But if they ever wanted a chance to be together, she had to fall in love with Adrien again.

"Give him a chance to apologize," Cat Noir said quietly, hoping his words would have the desired effect, "see if he's sorry. If not, then leave him behind and never look back. Just remember to trust what your heart tells you."

"Thank you," Marinette whispered as she hugged him back, her tears rolling down his chest, "Thank you."