Being outside was such a relief. Paris was so beautiful at night, and the cool air was refreshing. Smells of cinnamon, bread, and sugary sweets filled the air outside of Marinette's home. She took in the view around her before yo-yoing off of her balcony towards her meeting place with Cat Noir.

She was looking forward to patrol. Cat Noir always knew how to cheer her up, even if he didn't know he was doing it, and she enjoyed the banter more than she let on. She was only at the meeting point for a minute or two before she spotted her friend approaching. She watched him leap skillfully across the buildings and couldn't help but notice how graceful his movements were.

"Ah, look what the Cat dragged in." She said playfully when he landed and walked towards her.

"Good evening, M'—Ladybug." He greeted her. "Ready to get started?"

She noticed his pause and briefly wondered what that was about. That didn't last long though, since he was waiting for an answer.

"Ready." She said as she began twirling her Yo-yo for takeoff.

They went on their way patrolling the city, jumping from building to building. They didn't have a usual route, and just went wherever the night took them. They landed on a rooftop and took in the area around them.

"Everything looks good so far," said Ladybug as she scanned her surroundings. "It's been quiet these past few days. I'm a little worried that Hawk Moth might be up to something." This wasn't the first time they've had a few days of peace, but it always made Ladybug a little antsy. Plus, the villains lately had been increasingly tough to beat.

"Whatever it is, I'm sure we can handle it." He replied.

"But we should keep our guard up, just in case."

"I agree."

She glanced over at him, and he was scanning the area. He seemed to have something on his mind, but Ladybug hoped he would bring it up on his own.

Cat Noir picked a direction, and she followed him without much conversation. This silence was unlike him, and she wasn't quite sure what to say about it.

They landed on top of the school and Ladybug was determined to break the silence. She looked at Cat Noir, and as he was focused on something below them, his hair fell just a bit over his eyes. Meg's words echoed in her mind, "He's super gorgeous." In that moment, with the way the moonlight outlined him, she actually noticed. She noticed the straight slope of his nose, the strong shape of his face, the broadness of his shoulders. She'd honestly never realized quite how attractive her partner was. Something in her belly stirred. Why am I suddenly anxious? She asked herself.

She stole another glance at Cat Noir, and noticed the strange expression on his face. She tucked away her thoughts to analyze later. She wanted to know what was on her friend's mind and how she could help.

"Are you okay, Cat Noir?" Ladybug asked, breaking the silence.

"Huh?" he looked at her, and his green eyes made her catch her breath.

"You're very quiet tonight. Something on your mind?" she was concerned, both about his silence, and the things about herself that she was discovering.

"Not really," he said with a shrug.

The look he wore said otherwise. She could tell something was off and was growing increasingly worried by the moment. She hoped he might open up and tell her what was going on, but instead he turned away from her.

"Well everything seems clear tonight, so I'll see you next time. Goodnight Ladybug."

He leapt away without looking back. It surprised her how much she wished he had. What's going on with me?

She waited until the coast was clear and swung over onto her balcony and down into her room.

"Spots off." She said, releasing her kwami into the air. She couldn't shake the image of Cat Noir looking down at the city out of her mind.

"There's this weird pit in my stomach, Tikki. I'm really worried about Cat Noir. Something was clearly bothering him, but he wouldn't talk to me."

"Can you blame him?" she asked in response.

"What do you mean?"

"I think you know what I mean, Marinette. Cat Noir has accepted that you don't feel the same way about him that he feels about you, but it still probably stings a bit. Especially on beautiful nights like this one."

Marinette thought about how the stars shined tonight, the sounds of music coming from the park, and all of the happy people they passed on their patrol. Paris was always beautiful, but there were those nights every now and then where it was just a bit more exceptional.

"Do you really think that's what it was?" she asked, thinking about the look on Cat Noir's face.

"It's a possibility." She said.

It was silent while Marinette thought about Tikki's reasoning. She thought about the night she found out Cat Noirs true feelings for her. He had the same look on his face that night when he came to her balcony that he had tonight. She felt a twinge in her heart at the memory. She remembered the rooftop that he'd lined with candles, and the beautiful scene that he'd put in place for her. She hated having to let him down. She knew exactly how unrequited love felt, and it didn't feel good. For a flicker of a moment, she wished she didn't love Adrien.

The thought scared her, and she immediately chased it away. How could she wish such a thing? Adrien was the most wonderful boy she'd ever met. He was kind to everyone, even Chloe who didn't deserve it. He was smart and gentle and funny… but even still, Cat Noir crept back into her mind.

"I can't get him out of my head, Tikki." She said as she fell back onto her bed and stared at her ceiling.

"It makes sense that you would be worried about him. You two are very close." Tikki said, landing softly on the pillow beside her.

"It's a little more than worry, Tikki." She said softly, remembering the way the moonlight outlined him. "There was something about him tonight—something I'd never noticed before."

Tikki listened patiently.

"I thought about what Meg said the other day. That I haven't let myself see…" she hesitated. "Do you think she might be right?

"Only you can answer that, Marinette." Tikki answered quietly.

Marinette continued to think about Cat Noir. Not just about their encounter tonight, but all of the time they've spent together. He was always there when she needed him to be. He always made her smile. There were so many times that he sacrificed himself for her. She was grateful for him, and of course she loved him. But she wasn't in love with him. Was she?

"I don't know, Tikki. Cat Noir means a lot to me, of course, but…" she trailed off.

"But what?" she asked.

"You know I'm in love with Adrien," she said, feeling conflicted.

Marinette thought about Adrien's gentle smile and his contagious laughter. That's the boy she fell in love with, and that's the boy she wanted to love her back. She only wished Cat Noir didn't have to suffer because of it. She heard his voice in her head, "You're the lady of my dreams".

She groaned and pulled the covers over her head, hoping to escape her thoughts and get some sleep.