All characters belong to the creators of Miraculous Ladybug: Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir. Contains Season 5 spoilers.

Adrien rubbed his father's wedding band between his fingers. He scowled, throwing the cold metal to the floor. Soft footsteps padded behind him, and a gentle hand landed on his shoulder.

"Adrien?"

"He lied to me." Marinette's face drooped. "He used me!" Marinette knelt in front of him.

"Adrien, I'm so sorry." He turned his face away, anger contorting his features. Marinette placed her hand on his cheek, gently guiding his eyes to hers. "We'll get through this. Together."

"How? I'm not human, Marinette! What's there to figure out?!" He stood, though some part of him broke at how he took his pain out on her.

Marinette stood to look at him. "Adrien, it doesn't matter whether you're human or not - I still love you."

"And you thought that was a good idea?" Marinette's eyes widened slightly.

"Adrien, you don't have to say cruel things to me. I know you're just trying to push me away. Why?"

"What makes you think everything's about you?!"

"The fact that the boy I love is telling me I was foolish to love him back!"

"Well, get used to it! I'm a senti-monster, Marinette! What do you expect? For me to fall into your arms?"

"We can figure this out, Adrien!"

"Oh, yeah? How? How do you plan on making this right, Ladybug? Your magic ladybugs can't fix this one!"

"Because there's nothing in you that needs fixing!" Adrien froze. "Adrien, I love you exactly how you are. I know this is hard on you - that's why I want to help you get through this. You may not be human, but that doesn't change who you are. You're Adrien: kind, sweet, selfless, caring, brave, funny, and bold. You're the one I fell in love with, human or not." She gave him a tender smile, trying to convey all the love she had through her eyes.

Adrien noticed the sadness in her expression. But that didn't make her words any less touching. He looked at his feet.

"Still... I feel like I've lost part of myself." He jumped slight as he felt Marinette wrapping her arms around him.

"I'm so sorry, Adrien." Adrien returned the embrace, tears flooding the corners of his eyes. He didn't dare let any of them fall. "Whatever you need, Adrien - I'm here."

That touched his heart in just the right place. Tears streamed down his face as Marinette held him. She held him close as he wept, determined to stay that way for as long as he needed. When they finally pulled apart, his eyes were red and puffy, matching hers.

"M'lady..."

"I'm fine, Kitty." She gave him a small smile, but he knew that couldn't be the case. "Really," she added, tilting her head down and looking up at him. "I'm fine." The smile she gave was a little more believable, and he smiled, too.

Adrien looked around. The butterfly sanctuary was ruined. Framework was battered and metal pillars were busted, laying on the floor. The metal bridge was falling apart, some of it floating in the water below. The Miraculous of the Butterfly lay broken in the grass beside his mother's casket.

"What do you think they'll do to him?" he asked.

"I don't know. Are you sure you're going to be okay?"

"To be honest... I don't know what I'm feeling. I'm angry, but I don't want them to do anything bad to him. Is that wrong?"

"No. That's one of the reasons I fell in love with you." Adrien quirked a brow. "You're big heart." Adrien shared her smile. He pulled her up to her feet.

"What should we do now?"

"I think only you can decide that," Marinette said. Adrien shook his head.

"You mean only we can decide that." Marinette giggled at the cheesy line. And she was grateful for it.

Hey, guys! I hope you enjoyed this. I've been watching the show and this is the scene that came to mind: Adrien and Marinette after the big battle with Monarch/Shadowmoth/Hawkmoth/ThisGuyHasTooManyNames. Thank you so much for reading, and God bless!