The next morning both girls woke up in crumbs on their couch with the tv still on. They got ready for school, cleaned the apartment and left. The morning was like no other. It was spring and the cold weather was unexpected. As Alya and Marinette walked the footpaths in the park Marinette zoned out of the conversation.

She remembered the night before and the events. When Chat left she couldn't help but cry. But to her crying didn't make sense. When she was Ladybug she was furious with Chat Noir. And as Marinette, her interaction was very... intimate, raw. She didn't have a lot of interactions with him. Only on a few occasions would she help with akuma's as her civilian persona. Something after their interaction last night left her broken.

The night played through her mind. All thse memories of emotion and heartfelt times brought tears to her eyes.

"Marinette?" Alya grabbed Marinette's shoulder and turned Marinette to face her. Marinette sniffled and quickly wiped her tears. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Alya crouched a bit and tried to look into Marinette's eyes but couldn't because the dark-haired girl had her head down and her bangs were covering her eyes.

"Let's skip the first period." Marinette looked at her best friend through her bangs.

"What we can't do that."

"Why not? You have art first period and you're top of your class."

"Yeah, and don't you have journalism. Alya, you can't skip that." Marinette shook her head, disagreeing. Marinette was a stubborn person but Alya was just as stubborn.

"Extra credits." Alya lifted her phone with a cheeky smile. Marinette sighed and hung her head again.

They walked through the park into a nice cafe. Once the door behind them shut they were greeted with the smell of coffee beans and warmth. Marinette closed her eyes and took a deep breath, smelling the strong scent.

"The usual?" Alya asked walking to the front counter.

"Yeah, I'll grab a table." Marinette saw Alya nod and she walked to get a table in the back where the coffee machines were. Marinette took off her bag and took a seat. Tikki popped out of the bag and Marinette looked at her lap.

"Are you okay, Marinette?"

"I don't know, Tikki."

The night before Tikki tried to comfort Marinette and Tikki did her best. Marinette really appreciated Tikki caring but it did piss her off that Alya made her sit down so they could talk. How was she supposed to explain that she was upset because Chat Noir turned up in her room and she hit him with a book?

Alya walked over with a number on a metal stand and set it down on the table as she took a seat.

"Want to tell me why you're upset?" Alya rested her folded arms on the table.

"Not really." Marinette didn't make eye contact.

"If- Thank you." Alya smiled at the woman who brought their hot drinks and snacks. Alya had a cappuccino with a raspberry muffin. Marinette had a latte with a choc chip cookie. Marinette took a bite of the cookie, broke some off and gave the piece to Tikki.

"If it's something you don't want to talk about I'm still here. It's not like I didn't know you were upset last night." Marinette looked up at Alya with wide-eyes.

"How'd you know?" Alya smiled a bit.

"Marinette, I'm your best friend. Just because I don't say it or point it out, it doesn't mean that I don't know when you're upset." Marinette's chest grew heavy.

"I'll talk." Alya smiled at that but when Marinette didn't say anything Alya started to ask questions.

"Did something happen with your parents?"

"No, everything's fine. I should probably check up on them though." Marinette smiled and took a sip of her drink.

"Was it something at school?" Alya pressed eating her muffin.

"No, surprisingly." They sat in silence slurping on their hot coffee's and nibbling at their baked goods.

"Was it a guy?" Alya asked after a few minutes. Marinette didn't respond at first but then she slowly nodded.

"What happened?"

And Marinette explained everything. Besides the fact that the guy was Chat Noir and was in her room. She told Alya how she messed up and how she wished she could take back everything she said. How she saw the look in his eyes when he said goodbye. How she wished it went differently.

"Marinette. Listen, I don't know who this guy is but it sounds like you really like him. It doesn't matter, but the second you see him again explain that you were upset and apologize." Alya smiled. Marinette took a deep breath and returned the gesture.

"Okay, I explained. Now let's get to class I don't want to waste any more time." They finished their snacks and drinks and left the cafe.

When they got to school they went to their second class. The rest of the day went smoothly for Marinette and she had Alya to thank for it. She felt less stressed and less upset. But she had last period with Adrien which she spent the hour avoiding him. She could feel his eyes on her at times during the lesson and she ignored all verbal interaction. She got through one problem today she didn't want to deal with another.

But there was one thing that she thought about that didn't even involve her. Ladybug. She left Chat Noir and now that she thought about it, she was harsh. But she was upset. She had a right to be upset. Even though she still was, she was going to take the advice Alya gave her. And minutes before the bell rang she decided that she was going to talk to Chat Noir as Ladybug as well.

It was night and most of Paris would've been in the comforts of their home but Ladybug had patrol. She wasn't the only person looking into the depths of the night.

Chat balanced on his baton on a building near the Eiffel tower. He's been out since 6 pm and it was currently 8:30. If there was no sign of Ladybug by 9 he was going to call it a night. But on his way back to the Agreste Manor he saw movement in the sky. Fast but it was definitely there. He turned to see Ladybug swinging to the Eiffel tower.

They landed at the same time on the edge of the Eiffel tower. Chat stood there staring at Ladybug. Her stance visibly deflated.

"About the other day." Ladybug started. They were standing far from each other and Ladybug was speaking in an inside voice but Chat could hear her with his cat-like senses.

"I'm still upset." She took a step forward. "I don't know when I won't be. And the things I said. Weren't worded right. So, let me say it again. The right way." She took more steps standing almost a metre apart.

"The past year has been very difficult. More than I thought it could be. Things I never imagined has happened. People have died."

Ladybug went on. She told him a few of the biggest attacks, ones that killed almost dozens, probably a dozen. She told him how she unlocked her powers. How his suspicions of her almost dying was right. She needed help and she got it but it wasn't from him.

"I don't mean to upset you by saying these things. I'm just trying to explain. That I have gotten through that year without you." Her voice cracked and Chat Noir stood still.

"But..." And that's when emotion showed on his face. A flash of hope. His face softened and his eyes held anticipation.

"It'd be nice to have a partner again." She smiled. He took a heavy breath, his chest falling in on itself. He hiccupped and slowly wrapped his arms around Ladybug's shoulders. She hesitantly wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed gently. Chat nuzzled his nose into her hair and breathed in.

"I'm sorry." He breathed out. Ladybug rubbed her cheek against his chest.

"I am too." Her throat burned and her eyes stung but she didn't let any tears slip yet.

They didn't know how long they stood like that but it was long enough for tears to fall.

Ladybug could feel the tears dampen her air. Her face against the cold leather of his suit. She couldn't bring herself to cry. She smiled and grabbed his forearms removing her face from his chest.

"No tears, there's enough of those. How was your year?" Chat chuckled and wiped his face.

"No details." Ladybug shook her head.

"Just the important parts."

"Shall we?" Chat gestured to the edge and they took a seat.

So, he explained everything he could. Certain things such as names and people were left out. She figured out that he was famous of sorts and travelled a lot. He met amazing people and tasted delicious food. Some people weren't the best, not the friendliest. He had crazy timetables and at times things were extreme but he did have fun. But it wasn't what he wanted.

"Then what do you want to do?" She nudged him with her shoulder. Their feet dangled in front of them.

"It was actually exactly what I wanted. But I was trapped the whole time, under orders and instructions. I'd love to do it again."

"It sounds like you just want to be free." He looked at her.

"Well, you're still smart, Ladybug."

"What happened to the nicknames?" Ladybug snickered.

"Old habits." He shrugged.

"Die hard." Ladybug finished. They shared a look. Chat sighed.

She was right. He didn't know when it happened but at some point, he stopped looking at her like he used to. Maybe it was because he couldn't. Maybe it was when he started realizing his feelings for Marinette, how he was so distracted by her. He looked at Ladybug like she was everything but he couldn't have it. There was too much at risk and it wasn't what Ladybug wanted, in the end neither did he.

He gave up on trying to love someone who wouldn't love him the same way. It was a tough time for him and it was in no way easy. It was anything but easy. He didn't want to stop loving her but it hurt too much. It hurt him to know that his dreams couldn't become a reality. So, he made his reality a dream. A happy one. Everything he didn't think about, was in his face and he saw it. Everything out of reach, he let go.

"We should call it a night." Chat stood up lending his hand to Ladybug. She took it and stood up.

"I think we should." She let go and took out her yo-yo.

"Patrol tomorrow morning 6 am." She turned ready to leave and so did he."Oh and Chat?" He turned around.

"Yes, Ladybug?" Ladybug grinned.

"It was night chatting with you." She said softly. As she leapt off the edge Chat asked one thing to the night.

"Was that a pun!?"