In the Morning

Chapter Three: The Dark

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"You've got to eat something," Plagg barks at me as he himself eats a piece of smelly cheese.

"I know." I say coldly without making a move to go get anything.

"What are you going to do when an akuma comes? You are going to be so weak even with my help. Are you going to be able to do anything to help? No. No you won't be able to fight because you are so weak and tired." Plagg pauses then continues, his tone softer now, "Are you even going to be able to talk to her when the time comes?" he sighs, "Adrien, I promise it will all be alright. You just have to give it time."

I look to me little black cat friend and sigh, "I know, you are right. Let's go to the kitchen." He smiles and zips to my pocket. As I walk down there, knowing our path will be empty I answer his question from earlier. "Yes, I will be able to talk to her." I let my breath out in a small huff, "I just need sometime. You know, to get over it. To possibly get over her…"I step in the kitchen and Plagg makes his way to get more cheese and I find an apple. I try and ignore its red color as I take a bite.

"You promise you'll be okay? I don't like seeing you do down." Plagg's voice calls from across the room.

A smile pulls at my lips for the first time in what feels like years. Seeing how much Plagg really cares always makes me smile. "I promise Plagg." I eat a few more bites before something catches my eye from outside. "Well Plagg, I guess I have to be ready to face her now. Paris needs Ladybug and Chat Noir." I toss my half eaten apple to the trash, "Plagg, claws out!"

"Hello My Lady," I say in a chipper voice as I land next to the red clad girl on a roof top. "What have we got today?" I push all of my hurt and pain away, because like I said I'd be there for her. Always.

"Chat Noir," She smiles at me, a soft, small one but I feel my hear twinge at the sight of her beautiful expression. "I was wondering when you'd get here." She jokes, I know she is joking because I got to the roof a mere moment after watching her land. "The akuma is in the wings shaped pin on his chest." She fills me in as my eyes find the pin.

"Got it," I pull my eyes away from the akuma victim and steal a sidelong glance at Ladybug. Her lips look extra red today, like she have been biting or chewing on them. My mind drifts to an unwelcome though, of some guy kissing her and making her lips that shade. I feel a growl in my throat. "Let's go." I spring away toward the akuma.

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"Chat Noir?" 'What was that about? I'm pretty sure he just growled.' "Wait! Chat!" I dash off after him to the akuma who now has himself surrounded by propellers. "Chat! Be careful!"

"Aren't I always?" I hear his yell in the form of a question reach back to me.

"Well-" I stop myself as my eyes see what is about to happen. "CHAT NOIR! LOOK OUT!" I jump and grab my distracted partner out of the path of one of the spinning blades just as it misses his cheek.

I feel and see him breathing harshly next to me, I turn to scold him for being so careless but his expression stops me. "Thanks, My Lady." Falls from his lips as I take in his masked expression. His eyes are wide and full of… what is that? Fear? Confusion? Panic?

I purse my lips, "Let's wrap this up." I stand and brush myself off, "Luck Charm!"

"Chat Noir, what was that?" I finally ask, breaking the quiet between us, "You didn't ever try to move out of its way, you were looking right at it."

"I was thinking, not looking. Sorry Ladybug. I didn't mean to worry you. He smiles at me, his smile is normally so silly and fun but no this one. This one made my heart hurt and eyes sting. "You need to get going," He says just as my earrings beep at me, "see you around, My Lady." He bows at me and leaps off into the distance.

By the time get back to my house Alya is rushing up the steps to my room. "Girl! You will not believe what you just missed! After all those times Chat Noir as jumped in to save Ladybug she just saved him! He total zoned out and wasn't moving. It was crazy! He really would have gotten hurt if she wouldn't have been there. I really can't believe I got it all on camera!" She moves over to my computer and logs on to the Ladyblog. "See!" she exclaims as the video starts.

I watch the scene that my eyes just witnessed first hand and try to act shocked, "Whoa! That is so crazy! That is so unlike Chat Noir!"

"I know right!" Alya turns to me, her expression changes, "You okay Marinette?"

"Hum?" I pull my eyebrows together, "Yeah, I'm fine!" I smile.

"Okay, still worried about Adrien?"

"Yeah," I half lie because now my thoughts are concerned about two different blonde boys.

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"What do you mean you don't know what happened?" Plagg inquired right in front of my eyes.

"I don't…" I lie to my kwami. I just can't tell him-

"You wanted it to hit you, didn't you Adrien."

His words hit my ears and my breath leaves my lungs. I gulp and fist my hands. "I- I think I did. Plagg…" I hear my voice shaking. "I-" a sob cuts me off.

"Shh," Plagg comforts me, and it only makes me cry harder. "You are hurt and I get that Adrien. But you can't feel this way. Hurt is what Hawkmoth looks for. He can't find you." He lands on my shoulder and rubs his head against my cheek,

"I know, I know. But it's not just hurt now. I really thought I wanted to give up everything in that one moment. I wanted everything gone. The pain, hurt, confusion, thoughts, everything… "I stifle a cry as I try and calm down, but I look to my arms and hands which as shaking like leafs.

"Don't think about it. Think about something that isn't going to upset you. Ahhh, oh, think about Marinette!"

"Marinette?" I question.

"Yeah, like that whole scene this morning. She seemed really worried about you." Plagg informed me, reminding me of the scene.

"Well, she is my classmate. She is always supportive and nice to me, and everyone." I think of the look in Marinette's eyes this morning. Ladybug's worried expression flashes before my mind's eye. I ignore it, not wanting the think about my partner right now. "Here's dinner," I offer Plagg some fresh Camembert. "I'm going to take a shower."

Once in my bathroom I take off all of my clothes and start the water, making it as hot as it can be and step in. The hot stream of water washes over my body and I sigh. Some people can't stand sculling hot showers, but they are my favorite. They used to be my mom's favorite, I remember one time she came out of a shower with the reddest shade to her skin, I'm that way with every shower. Hot showers just melt everything away, or off of you. I love it, just like Mom. I wash my hair and then rise it, loving the water against my scalp. As I relax to the feeling I let my thoughts go to Ladybug.

'I need to be happy for her. Maybe I should try to figure who the guy is. That could help us both! Or I could not try as hard… and maybe then she will realize how much she really does like me. Or… Marinette. I could just stop trying for Ladybug. She has never seemed interested in me, from day one she always shot me down. So maybe Marinette is a good possibility. I've seen my pictures in her room, I always thought it was because she wants to be a designer, but maybe it's actually because of me. Marinette…" I smile as I think about my classmate.

'This is a new chapter and it's going to be great.'

Thanks you for reading! [: Let me know what you guys think so far in a review! [: I hope to have chapter four up quickly!