Author's Note: Last Chapter, the lovely Vm asked me a very good question about the chapter title, "My Ex-Crush." I'm sorry, my computer wouldn't let me pm you for some reason. To answer your question, the title refers to Nathan as Marinette's ex-crush as in someone who used to crush on her. I know that doesn't really make sense but it was all I could think of to go with the prompt which was "Your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend/crush." The reader can also take it as a reference to Ladybug's and Chat's dynamic, as we see in that chapter. That is, if the reader wanted to make me seem smarter than I really was. Hope that answers your question!

I got some of my cat puns were borrowed from post/72332709432/cat-puns

I got the idea of a skinny/dieting Adrien from a post/comic strip I saw on tumblr but I can't find it now! If you know it, please send me the link.

Someone I don't talk to as much as I want to

Let me just tell you what's up, Journal. Today was so… so…I don't know! Maybe if I write it down, it'll make more sense?

So this morning started out pretty great. My mom and dad accidently made double the number of cookies a customer ordered so I got to take the extras to school. Everyone in the class loved them (except Chloé and her little minion, of course). Adrien really acted like he enjoyed them, moaning about how amazing chocolate was. Normally, I would have exploded in happiness but that didn't happen today.

Don't get me wrong, I was super glad that he liked them. It's just, I heard him mumble something about how Natalie would never let him have anything like cookies because of his 'modeling diet.' Maybe it's the fact I come from a family of carb creators, but that rubbed me the wrong way. I hate it, actually. He's only fifteen and he can't even HAVE COOKIES?!

Ugh. So that was on my mind most of the day. Alya could tell something was up and she didn't press. She just knows when not to push, somehow. I guess it's just her magic best friend powers. She barely bothered me about the Chat Noir thing. She didn't mention my name at all when people came up to talk to her about the interview. How did I get so lucky to have a friend like her?

Nathan came up to me after lunch and asked if I wanted to work on some sketches after school. I told him I would love to but I had a lot of chores to do at the bakery. It wasn't exactly a lie but it wasn't the whole truth. There is always something to do at the bakery but nothing that I absolutely had to do. Am I a bad person? Let me just give you my reasons.

First, I could feel a headache coming on. With that plus my exhaustion, I didn't think I would be much fun to hang out with. The second thing is, I kept looking at Adrien and how skinny he was. How had I never seen it before? It kind of ruined my mood. The third thing is… I can't believe I'm writing this. Ugh… the third thing is, I was keeping my afternoon open for Chat to visit. Only to yell at him, of course.

Nathan looked a bit disappointed but not 'akuma' disappointed. I told him I should be free tomorrow and his eyes lit up. I spent the rest of the day trying not to notice how thin Adrien's wrists were or how his cheekbones were almost too defined. I know that it's none of my business but who does that to their child? Gabriel Agreste might be a god among designers but he doesn't seem like a very good dad from where I sit.

As soon as I walked in the bakery doors, a wave of nausea hit me. I tried to help mom with some croissants but she sent me straight to my room.

"You look pale as a ghost, baby. Go lie down and rest." I tried to argue with her but she would have none of it.

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng," she said in the mom voice (you know what I mean),"Go to your room and lie down before I carry you up there. Besides, do you really want to infect all our customers?" She said the last sentence in a whisper but I thought I saw a few of the patrons sitting close to us look at me accusingly. That was that.

The headache came full force as I climbed the stairs. I abandoned my backpack and the homework beside my desk, lying down on the futon. Tikki was worse than mom, fluttering around my head with worry. She kept insisting I skip school for the next few days, to make sure I could heal as fast as possible.

"Tikki, it's probably only a cold or some bug. Don't worry, I'll be back to normal soon enough," I said in what I will admit was a very weak voice. My head was pounding and the simple action of moving my jaw muscles sent throbbing pain through my skull.

"Asking me not to worry about you is like asking Chat to stop with his puns. It might make your life a little more comfortable, but it's just not going to happen, Sweetheart. I'm not going to argue with you right now, because you need to rest. But you should think about how horrible fighting akumas would be if you wanted to throw up the whole time."

I was going to reply but I felt my lunch coming up when my head decided to give me a particularly nasty pound. All I could manage was a small nod before closing my eyes. I fell into a near-comatose state. It was exactly what I needed.

I awoke to an insistent tapping noise. Chat. Not what I needed. The knocking continued and I groaned, forcing my stiff limbs up from the soft futon. He let himself in when he saw me through the window. I was too terrible feeling to care.

"Woah, Princess, are you okay? Maybe you should sit down?" Chat grabbed my elbow and led me back to the futon. His voice was so innocent and worried, I felt myself letting go of my irritation, unwillingly of course.

"I'm doing great, Kitty," I grimaced at my raspy voice. Clearing my throat, I continued, "You might not be when I get done with you, though." The threat was lost a bit I collapsed on the futon, rather ungracefully.

"You can spank me for whatever I did later, Marinette. Can I feel your head?" he didn't wait for my permission as he pressed a cold, clawed hand on my forehead. I'll admit, it felt nice. Maybe I do have a fever.

"Marinette, I can freaking feel your fever through my glove! You're burning up, and not in a good way!" his loud voice sent a throb of pain in my head.

"Not so loud, please. And could you stop flirting for a minute. I don't have the energy to brush you off right now, "I mumbled as I pulled my quilt over my shoulders.

"Sorry, Princess. You know, you could always just accept my attentions and save energy…" he said softly as he adjusted my covers. I wish he would stop being so nice. I'm supposed to mad at him!

"Well, you could have listened to me when I asked you not to spill the beans to Alya. She's convinced we're a thing now," I wanted to look cross but my glare only made my head hurt worse.

"We're not?" he teased. I couldn't help but laugh at his dumfounded expression. It was so over the top.

"Stop, it hurts to laugh. Ugh, I can't even be cross with you, alley cat," I went to shove him but it felt embarrassingly weak. His eyes softened at my pathetic-ness.

"I really didn't mean to out you to Alya. It just slipped out. You know that girl. She's a shark for information," he brushed my bangs from my sweaty forehead (yum).

"I heard you asked her what I, and I'm quoting her here, what I 'thought of you.' That doesn't sound like something that just slips out, Chat Noir. Care to explain?" my voice was stronger, having warmed up a bit. I felt a surge of triumph as his eyes widened in surprise.

"Umm, no comment," he said, plopping down on the floor beside my futon, seeming unaffected.

"What?" I asked incredulously, sitting up on my elbow to look at him.

"I said 'no comment.'" Chat began picking at my rug with his little claws.

"This isn't Alya you're talking to, you bad cat!" I glared and it was worth every bit of the pain.

"It sure feels like it," he chuckled, scratching the back of his head. The action looked so familiar but I couldn't place it. I noticed his wrist. They were so thin, just like Adrien's. I felt a pang in my heart as I remembered the events of that morning.

"Have I upset you, Marinette?" Chat said in a concerned voice as he leaned forward, looking me in the eye. His gentle tone and bright green eyes filled with worried disarmed me completely.

"No, no. It's just, I'm just worried about this boy in my class," I confided. Chat Noir seemed relieved that I wasn't upset with him but he didn't look exactly happy when I mentioned another boy.

"Tell me about it. Is he bothering you? You know I will show my claws for you anytime," I could tell he was only half joking.

"No, it's not that. It's just… well, it's silly," I felt myself blushing a bit. If Chat really did go to my school, he could know Adrien, maybe even be his friend. Admitting that I had noticed Adrien's eating habits would be admitting that I noticed Adrien.

"Please, tell me, Marinette," his voice was uncharacteristically serious as he grabbed my hand under the covers, "Is it that boy who was akumatized? That Nathan boy? I can tell him to leave you alone if you want." I was too stunned to pull my hand out of his immediately.

"What? No, Nathan is fine. Why would you…" I suddenly remembered our rooftop conversation from the night before and felt like an idiot. I had thought Chat was just being dramatic to get Ladybug's attention.

"Never mind," I said, finally pulling my hand from his, "Nathan is fine. I actually think he's over the whole 'crush' thing which is great. I thought he would hate me after the incident but he's doesn't. I think we might even be friends," I was killing two birds with one stone; clearing up the Nathan issue and avoiding the Adrien one.

"And why would he hate you? He kidnapped you, Marinette. None of that was your fault. If anyone, it was his and Chloé's fault," Chat sounded irritated but I knew it wasn't directed at me.

"It was Hawk Moth's fault. He took Nathan's pain and used it. He is the only one to blame," Well, Chloé is no angel but at least she doesn't purposefully make akumas. Well, I don't think she does. File under Bourgeois Conspiracy Theories.

Chat stood up and stretched his legs. He didn't seem like he was getting ready to leave, only taking a chance to look around. I mentally thanked my lucky stars that I had taken down my Adrien wall art after his visit on Alya's birthday. No need to paste my insanity on the walls. It was much better to keep in stuffed in my desk drawer.

"You're right. It's all on Hawk Moth. But your real problem, I bet that isn't. Tell me about this boy that you're worried about it," he gaze was distracted, flipping through my design book, but his voice was not. It's weird; I don't feel embarrassed for him to be looking at my work like I usually am. I guess it's because I trust him. That or I don't value his fashion opinion.

"You're exasperatingly persistent. Well, it's this boy who..." he began tsking me as he held my sketchbook. For a minute, I thought he was judging my work and my heart skipped a beat. Guess I do care.

"Give me a name, Princess."

"What?"

"What's the boy's name? These are amazing, by the way. I knew you were good but that is some professional stuff right ther," he said as he sat my design book down.

"Thank you. I don't know about it being 'professional' though. Anyway, his name doesn't matter,"

"First off, trust me, I know my stuff. You are definitely skilled. Second off, it matters to me," Chat gave me look that was 100% stubbornness and I gave up. My headache was gone but I still was drained.

"Adrien Agreste," I sighed, defeated.

"What?" Chat whispered, shocked. His eyes were huge green saucers.

"The boy I'm worried about is Adrien Agreste," I felt the confusion on my face. Chat must know Adrien then. I hope it's not personally. Maybe he just saw him around the city on billboards and stuff. Yeah, let's go with that. Even if Chat is friends with Adrien, he probably (hopefully) won't mention this.

"Isn't he the boy model I had to save that time? What's wrong with him?" he was trying to sound disinterested but I could see it was an act. It was hard to say why he cared but I could see that he really did.

"He's not just some boy model. He's my friend. Nothing's wrong with him. I just noticed for the first time today how… how thin he is," I felt like I was betraying Adrien, confiding this in Chat.

"Well, he is a model. Is that a bad thing? Is he too skinny?" Chat sounded a little wounded and he sat in my desk chair. Maybe he was feeling defensive because he was a bit on the skinny side. It was hard to see in the black suit, but he really was just as bad as Adrien. Why do I keep fixating on boy's weights?

"No, but I heard him talking about being put on a diet today and it bothered me. He may be a model but he's still a growing boy. He should be able to eat all the cookies, he wants Chat!" I sat up in bed in anger. I felt dizziness come over me and I sank back down. Chat was at my side in a flash, palming my forehead again.

"And you could put on some weight too, Chat. You are a freaking super hero! Eat a doughnut!" I tried to sit up but he pushed me back down.

"Princess, you should rest. I'm sorry I keep agitating you," his voice was sweet and I felt myself leaning into his hand that he moved to my cheek. Must be the fever killing my brain cells. His hand feels so cool though.

"I'll be okay, Kitty. Thanks," I mumbled, suddenly tired. Maybe I wore myself out talking.

"I think it's really nice of you to worry about Adrien. Maybe you should bake him some cookies or invite him to the bakery. I'm sure he would appreciate it," he said in kind tone as he ran his claws through my sticky bangs. I don't know why I let him do that. No, I do know why. It was because it felt so good and the rest of me felt so bad.

"Good advice, Chat. I might just do that," I murmured, closing my eyes against his touch.

"Marinette?" he started. I opened one eye in irritation. He chuckled and flicked my nose.

"You remember last time, when you said I wasn't your only kitty? Who's your other kitty?" his smile was teasing but it didn't quite reach his eyes. It took me a moment to remember what he was talking about. Sleep was trying to take me.

"Oh, that! I was talking about Mr. Sparkle-Butt!" I said with a snort.

"Sparkle what?" Chat looked taken aback.

"Sparkle-Butt. Mr. Sparkle Butt actually. We were married. I guess we technically still are, actually. No, I guess my babysitter wasn't ordained so…"

"Princess, how bad is your fever?" I laughed at his alarm as he checked my head again.

"Go look on my bed," the super hero did as he was told, reluctantly. He came back with a small black stuffed cat with a bedazzled green heart on his back end.

"This is Sparkle-Butt?" he held up the stuffed toy in disdain. It was a well loved toy of mine. I'll admit, he had seen better days. His little left ear was barely hanging on.

"Mr. Sparkle-Butt and yes. I've had him since I was six. Bedazzled his bottom myself," I didn't hide my pride.

"Nice touch, Princess. As a man of feline nature, I can tell you that I would personally love a shiny, green heart right on my…" His ring beeped right as he was gesturing to his rear end with my favorite stuffed animal. He threw Mr. Sparkle-Butt on me and leapt unto my bed flat.

"You got to be kitten me! Already? Sorry, Princess. You know I would purr-sonally paw-fur to stay all night but un-fur-tunately, I must bid you adieu," he said all this while opening the window. I groaned and threw the stuffed cat at him.

"Aww, Chat, you were doing so well at not being puny! And you just went and ruined it!" I threw my head back on the futon pillow, closing my eyes. Chat snickered.

"You know you love it. Puns are the purr-est form of comedy."

"I think you mean torture." His ring beeped again, this time more urgently.

"Bye, my Princess. Get better soon. I need you at full health so you can appreciate my wit and charm."

"Bye, Chat or should I say, my Purr-ince," his jaw dropped open and I burst into laughter. He climbed out of my room, like a shocked little mechanical toy cat.

Journal, snot is pouring out my nose as I write this but I just had to get it all down. Chat really pulled through for me today. I can't believe I'm saying this but I really had fun with him, even though I felt miserable. Maybe Chat being friends with my civilian self isn't so bad. When I'm Ladybug, I feel like I can't play around too much. The silly cat gets distracted enough as it is. I wouldn't mind talking to him more as Marinette, where I can be as ridiculous as I want.