[Response to reviews from Chapter 1:
MidnightRider44678: "This looks like it is going to be interesting. Looking forward to more!"
Me: Well, you don't have to worry about waiting. I already have the entire story typed and will be posting the chapters periodically over the coming week or so. Thanks for reading!!
MissLogophile: "Oooh a good start! Waiting for more"
Me: Well, again, you won't have to wait long. Love the enthusiasm.]
"Hey, Marinette. Is it alright if I come in?"
Cat Noir's voice was the saddest it had ever been, at least to Marinette's ears. His eyes were bloodshot, revealing that he had been crying. She stepped out from under the trapdoor and nodded. "S-sure. Come on down." He climbed in and stood beside the bed.
"Something bothering you?", Marinette asked as she hugged her knees.
"Of course something's bothering him. It's you", she scolded herself.
Cat Noir sighed as he twirled the tail-end of his belt. "Yeah. I don't feel like I should bother you with it, though. I don't wanna make you feel sorry for me."
Marinette looked away for a moment and bit her lip.
"You're right. I should feel sorry for myself because I'm so mean", she said in her mind.
She looked back at him and put her hand on his shoulder. "Cat Noir, you can tell me anything. We're friends, aren't we?"
"I guess. Okay. I'll tell you."
He took a second, as if he was dreading the very words that came out of his mouth.
"Ladybug and I had an argument. She said...some things. I almost got both of us hurt because I was too busy trying to be a big flirt."
The hero didn't even stop to joke about that accidental rhyme, so Marinette knew he must be upset.
"Oh no. What did she say?"
"She...she said she'd never wanna date me. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. She's too amazing for a guy like me." Marinette saw more tears start to leak from the corners of his eyes.
She tried not to cry herself. Then, Marinette did something she never pictured herself doing.
She stood up and hugged Cat Noir.
He was definitely surprised, but wrapped his arms around the girl in return. He let his tears fall, not wanting to keep his emotions contained anymore. Suddenly, he felt comfort. More comfort than Adrien had ever received from his father and more than he'd ever gotten in return for all the comfort he'd offered Ladybug.
"*sniff* Thank you, Marinette."
"You're welcome, Cat Noir."
His Miraculous beeped, signifying his transformation was about to wear off.
Flashback...
"CATACLYSM!!!!"
Cat Noir slammed his hand into a lamppost, shattering it into thousands of pieces as he took out his anger.
"Ladybug hates me. Now I don't have anyone."
Flashforward...
They separated and Cat headed for the trapdoor to the roof. "I gotta go. Bye, Mari."
Marinette waved and said, "Come back any time, Cat Noir."
He waved back with a weak smile before climbing up and closing the trapdoor behind him.
Marinette laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling, feeling sorry for the hero.
"You were right, Tikki. I really hurt his feelings. I need to apologize."
"I know you'll do the right thing, Marinette. I have faith in you. But right now you'd better get some sleep. It's still a school night."
The human giggled and nuzzled her Kwami's head before turning out the lights.