CW: This chapter contains triggering content of SA. If you want to avoid it but read the rest, don't read past the flashback, which will be italicized and begins about halfway through the chapter. I also am including a TLDR at the end of the chapter.
A/N: I updated chapter 23 "Pumpkins and Confessions" because I... didn't like the confession. So, there is no confession, and Adrien and Marinette are still Officially Friends. Feel free to go back and reread the chapter to know exactly what happened! Sorry for the change, but I have a better plan for that 3 (I'll take this notice down in about a week for new readers!)... Thank you SO MUCH for reading, and for commenting. Every comment genuinely means the world to me.
Marinette's heart pounded as she walked through the hallway, her entire body bouncing from enthusiasm and her blue dress shimmering in the soft morning light. Today was the day she had eagerly anticipated for weeks. As she held the beautifully wrapped box in her hands, her excitement radiated from her like a warm glow. She couldn't wait to see Adrien's reaction when he received the surprise she had been planning for so long.
With the giant box securely in her grasp, Marinette happily made her way to the classroom, her heart dancing with anticipation. Her steps had a lightness to them, and she couldn't help but skip a little along the way, careful to not twist her ankle.
Upon entering the classroom, Marinette was greeted by the sight of Adrien already there, looking as golden as ever. His eyes lit up with genuine delight when he saw her, and he welcomed her with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Marinette," Adrien greeted her, his voice as warm as his smile. "You seem particularly cheerful today."
Marinette's grin grew even wider, her enthusiasm nearly bubbling over. "It's a surprise!" she sang, putting the box in front of her on her desk. "You'll have to wait until after our lessons to find out."
Adrien raised an eyebrow, and he leaned in to her, putting his chin in his hand. "Really?" he inquired. "Now, you've got me thoroughly intrigued. I can hardly wait."
Their lessons began, but both Marinette and Adrien found it challenging to concentrate. Tikki was present for the lessons as usual, but her hazel eyes sparkled with excitement, and while Plagg droned on about higher-level maths, neither could pay attention with Tikki's hand buzzing across a paper, writing notes clearly not related to higher-level maths. She was clearly waiting for something, and that knowledge made Marinette worried-an overly excited Tikki probably wasn't the best thing.
Finally, during a break in the lessons, Marinette couldn't contain herself any longer. She turned to Tikki, her voice tinged nervousness.
"Tikki," she began, her words slightly shaky, "what's, uh, up?"
Tikki's eyes shimmered with little hearts as she opened her mouth, her voice filled with anticipation. "Oh, Marinette," she gushed, "You and Adrien are just so cute together!" She showed the two a crudely drawn pencil sketch of the two studying. "You see, the Christmas ball is the perfect occasion for a romantic engagement. I've thought of countless engagement ideas-from a surprise proposal in front of the entire kingdom to a quiet, intimate moment under the stars. But the ball? Oh! That's the best."
Adrien and Marinette exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes meeting as they tried to stifle awkward laughter.
However, their laughter was short-lived as Plagg, who had been lounging lazily nearby drinking water, still wearing a cast, decided to interject.
"Can you stop acting like this is a fairy tale?" he grumbled at Tikki. "This is the real world, you know. Just tell them the facts and be done with it."
Tikki shot Plagg an annoyed look. "Love is real, Plagg, and it's part of my job to make it happen."
Plagg rolled his eyes dramatically, clearly unimpressed with Tikki's passionate stance on the matter. "Your job is to keep them out of trouble. End of story."
The two adults continued to bicker back and forth about the merits of love and the practicality of engagement. Marinette and Adrien exchanged glances, unsure what to say. They hadn't actually talked about "the next steps" yet, like Tikki told them to. She probably assumed they had since they continued their lessons, and that their answer had been a resounding yes.
Tikki and Plagg's debate raged on until Tikki, with a sigh of resignation, finally conceded. "Fine, we'll ask them what they want to do."
Marinette and Adrien exchanged awkward glances, their cheeks tinted with a rosy hue. Tikki and Plagg's argument had suddenly pushed the topic to the forefront, leaving them in an unexpected and somewhat uncomfortable position.
Plagg rolled his eyes. "See? They don't even know what they want." He walked toward Tikki and grabbed her arm with a firm hand, and, sensing the tension in the room, decided to take matters into his own hands. With a decisive tone, he addressed Marinette and Adrien. "You two have one hour to decide if you want an engagement, and if so, how you want it to happen," he declared firmly. "If not, tell us."
Then, with surprising strength, he practically dragged Tikki out of the room, leaving Marinette and Adrien alone, their hearts racing and their minds spinning.
The classroom was filled with an awkward silence, and Marinette couldn't help but laugh nervously. "Well, that was unexpected," she remarked, attempting to diffuse the palpable tension in the air.
Adrien chuckled in agreement, grateful for the lighthearted moment amid the uncertainty. "Indeed it was. So, an hour, huh?"
Marinette nodded, her heart pounding as she considered the weight of the decision they were about to make. "Yes, an hour to decide if we want an engagement."
Adrien leaned back in his chair, huffing. "It's a big step, Marinette," he admitted, his expression serious.
She nodded, her own thoughts dancing around her head without landing on anything. "Yes, it is. But..." She looked away, feeling very silly saying it out loud.
"But?"
She cringed. "But at the same time, I don't want us to stop being friends."
Adrien met her gaze, his eyes filled with understanding and warmth. "So, a fake engagement, then?" he suggested, a hint of playfulness in his voice.
Marinette's heart sank slightly at the words "fake engagement." She didn't think she was ready for anything real, but she wanted... but she knew Adrien was right. It was the best way to preserve their precious friendship.
"A fake engagement," she agreed with a small smile, hoping her eyes reflected a mixture of silly whimsy, not the disappointment she felt. "Can't wait to be a fake fiancé."
They both laughed, the tension in the room dissolving like morning mist. The weight of the decision had momentarily lifted, and Marinette decided it was the perfect time to show Adrien what she brought for him. Marinette eagerly retrieved the large, beautifully wrapped box she had been carrying earlier and presented it to Adrien with a playful flourish. "Better now than later," she quipped, her laughter filling the room.
Adrien's eyes widened with surprise as he unwrapped the gift, revealing a beautifully handed-crafted Steps and Slides board game. His face lit up with genuine delight, and he looked at Marinette with a heartwarming smile.
"Marinette! You remembered," he exclaimed, his gratitude evident in his voice and expression. "I used to play this game with my mom when I was a kid." He turned it over, his face open and excited, like a kid on Christmas morning.
Marinette blushed at his heartfelt response. "Well, now you get to play it with your friend."
They set up the game and began to play, their laughter filling the room as they enjoyed each other's company. As they rolled the dice, moved their game pieces, and climbed stairs or slid down slides, Adrien spoke about his mom.
"She was pretty busy," he said, "but she did make time for me. My parents are busy people-that comes with the business, as I'm sure you can imagine. She had a soft smile, you know?" Then he sighed. "I hate looking at photos of her now that I'm older, though," he said, his smile falling slightly. "It was a soft smile, but it was also sad."
It was silent for a few moments. Marinette landed on a staircase, bringing her forward 10 spaces. He gave her a fake glare. "You don't have a chance to win," he said as he pointed at her spot, which was about 6 rows behind him.
"Thanks for the reminder," she deadpanned.
He grinned widely, looking back down and taking his turn. After a few ups and downs, Adrien said casually, "Just out of curiosity, how many people have you dated? I know you said that guard and you were just friends, but..." He trailed off.
The vision of her and Luka's last fight rushed to her mind and she scowled. "We're barely that right now."
Adrien's eyes widened. "Oh, er, sorry."
She shook her hand, pushing the thought away again. "No, we're friends. I'm just upset with him at the moment."
"Ah, I see," he said. "Remind me to not get on your bad side."
The corner of her lip lifted. "Don't get on my bad side."
He raised his arms in surrender. "Yes, ma'am."
She took her turn and said, "But to answer your question, I've never dated anyone." Then she raised her eyes to him. "Not any real dating, that is." After he rolled his eyes, she asked, "What about you?"
He grimaced. "I've, uh, dated a lot of people."
Marinette knew this, of course. Marinette heard all about him growing up, in the news, among her friends, in magazines. Famous Adrien and his famous girlfriends. Famous Adrien and the trouble he got into. She knew this, of course, but hearing it directly from his mouth made a lightning strike of jealousy surge through her body, and she had to swallow down the sudden knot in her throat. She decided to respond in the most honest way she could, just... omitting the green monster clawing at the bottom of her stomach.
"I'm not judging," she said, honestly. "Did you like any of them?"
He shrugged. "Of course I did. We just... weren't meant to be together."
"Did you love any of them?"
He was silent for a second. "Honestly? Yes. I loved them all."
Marinette tried to force down that green monster as it scratched its way through her chest, hoping to at least keep it down in her lower stomach. If it got to her throat, she didn't think she'd be able to talk again. She swallowed hard, taking too long to shake the dice in her hands, and she mechanically let it go, and it landed on a 6. The spot made her fall down 2 rows.
At her silence, Adrien found himself rambling about it. "They were a lot of fun, they accompanied me to my father's fancy dinners, kept me company when I was lonely. I don't know what kind of love it was, but I loved them all - gosh, saying this out loud right now, does that mean something is wrong with me? I just-"
Marinette lifted a hand to him, who was immediately silenced. She felt the mini monster lose some of its energy as she handed Adrien the dice. "You don't have to explain yourself to me," she said. "I think it's good you have enough love to give lots of people. I wish I was more like that."
Adrien's head tilted like a puppy trying to understand a new trick. "What do you mean?"
It was her turn to shrug. "It's just hard to love sometimes," she said. "And when I do, it's harder to say it."
"Why is it hard?" he asked.
Marinette moved forward. "Not sure. I just get stuck before I can say it. I try to show it in other ways, though."
Adrien looked down at the game they played, seeming to be thinking too deeply about the gift. Marinette tossed him the dice, and then they were silent. When Adrien was on the second to the last row, he spoke.
"You know," he said, his voice thoughtful, "this game feels a lot like life sometimes."
Marinette raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Adrien smiled, his gaze fixed on the game board as he contemplated the metaphor. "We try so hard to move forward in life, but then we make one wrong move, and we can fall backward so fast."
Marinette nodded in agreement, not sure she was wise enough to add anything on. He rolled the dice and landed on a Slide space, which sent his game piece all the way back to the third row. "But," he said with a grin, "at least we don't fall all the way back at step one."
Marinette took her turn, rolling the dice and landing on a Slide space as well, causing her game piece to fall back three rows. She met Adrien's gaze, and at seeing his grin, she felt bold.
"Maybe, then, I do have a fighting chance," she added playfully, giving him a wink. He laughed, but the pink on his cheeks gave her something to think of throughout the rest of the day.
As Marinette prepared for bed, she pulled on her emerald pajama set, reminiscent of the outfit she'd worn during her first meeting with Chat Noir. Her room was bathed in the soft glow of moonlight as she changed into the pajamas.
Just as she was about to settle into her cozy bed, her phone buzzed with a message. She reached for it and saw Chat Noir's email notification flashing on the screen. Her heart raced at the sight of his name, but her excitement quickly turned to concern as she read his message.
hamsterman32: im hurt... outside the castle walls. wasn't sure where else to go
Marinette's eyes widened with worry. She immediately replied: Where are you? I'm coming.
Chat Noir's response came quickly.
hiding behind the garden.. outside the walls
Marinette knew she had to act fast. Without hesitation, she pulled on a large black beanie hat, pulling it over her head to hide her ears and forehead, and she pulled out her black masquerade mask.
Marinette, now dressed as Ladybug, moved with urgency, knowing the importance of reaching Chat Noir quickly. She made her way to the vent, pulling the loose screws out quickly. The faster she moved, the harder it was to navigate the narrow passage, and soon she found herself sweating profusely with the effort.
Finally, she emerged in the nurse's room. In the dim light, she gathered supplies she might need, unsure of how bad his injuries were - she grabbed bandages, medicine, ice packs, and a needle and thread, just in case. She knew she couldn't waste any more time.
With her makeshift medical kit in hand, Marinette made her way through the sprawling castle gardens. The moon hung low in the sky, casting eerie shadows among the foliage. Her heart pounded with each step as she moved closer towards her injured partner.
When Marinette reached the garden's edge, she spotted Chat Noir hidden amidst the bushes. She rushed over to him, her voice filled with worry. "Chat, you shouldn't have come all this way."
Chat Noir winced as he attempted to sit up, his masked eyes filled with pain. "I wasn't too far from here," he replied, his voice strained. "You're actually the closest person I know."
Marinette's brow furrowed as she examined his injuries. "What happened? Why are you hurt?"
Chat Noir sighed, wincing again. "I was on my way... out... when some town guards caught me. They tried to arrest me, but I fought them off. They got a few good hits in."
Marinette's expression darkened with frustration. "I told you to be safe," she scolded.
Chat Noir grimaced, his injuries clearly causing him discomfort. He attempted to stand, but his legs gave out, and he fell back to the ground. Marinette's worry deepened as she watched him struggle.
She considered her options for a moment. What if she sought help from Luka? No, that would reveal her secret exit, and he might close it off. What about Chloe? The thought crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it. It was too risky. If Chloe were under orders to arrest Chat Noir, it could jeopardize everything.
Marinette, filled with a worry-filled determination, slid under Chat Noir's right arm, offering support. She helped him to his feet, albeit with some difficulty. Together, they made their way to the center of the garden, where the wooden gazebo stood. Marinette had spent countless nights observing the guards' routines from her balcony, and she knew that they typically circled the gardens-on the hour-but rarely ventured inside. They'd probably be okay inside the gazebo. It was the safest place to be without prying eyes.
"Do you have a watch?" she asked Chat Noir as they reached the gazebo.
He shook his head weakly. "No, I don't."
Marinette frowned, contemplating their timing. "We'll have to hope we time it right," she said.
They crouched down in the gazebo, hidden from outward view. The tension in the air was palpable as they waited for the guards to pass by. Quietly, they exchanged worried glances, their hearts pounding with the fear of getting caught.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the sounds of guards patrolling the garden grew distant, and they were left in peace for the moment.
Marinette turned her attention back to Chat Noir. "Where are you hurt the most?" she asked, concerned.
Chat Noir tried to lift his shirt to show her, but his movements were feeble. She reached over and helped him raise the fabric, revealing the deep cut on his side. It was jagged and still oozing blood.
"I got a few good hits in afterward," he said with a sheepish smile.
As she wrapped the bandage around his waist, she couldn't help but notice the shape of his body beneath his suit. It was strong and well-defined, but not overly muscular. Her thoughts briefly strayed to how different Chat Noir was from Adrien, both physically and in personality.
Finally, she finished tending to his wound and sat back, her anger still simmering beneath the surface. She knew there was a reason Chat Noir wore his mask, a reason he was so guarded about his identity.
As Marinette carefully tended to Chat Noir's injuries in the shelter of the gazebo, she couldn't help but notice his intense gaze fixed on her. The moonlight filtered through the wooden lattice walls, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow across their faces.
His voice broke the silence. "You know, I've always liked that mask of yours."
Marinette jumped slightly at his sudden comment. "This thing?" She frowned, adjusting the black mask on her face. "I hate it. So much."
Curiosity filled his masked eyes as he studied her. "Why?"
She hesitated for a moment, her fingers deftly wrapping a bandage around his wounded arm. Memories of the previous year's masquerade ball flooded her mind.
Marinette's heart felt heavy as she entered the grand ballroom of the royal palace. The grand chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, golden glow over the beautiful and lavish surroundings. But no amount of luxury could fill the void left by the absence of her mother. Today, it hit the one month mark of Marinette waking up and learning that her mother had died in a car crash, that her father was engaged to the Queen of their country, and she couldn't go back home. It had been one month, but she hadn't been able to mourn like she wanted. Although there was a numb, dull feeling on the surface of her skin, the pain still lingered, and Marinette doubted it would go away any time soon.
Tonight was a special occasion, a grand masquerade ball celebrating the unity of the kingdom. As the princess, Marinette was expected to attend and play her part in the festivities. She wore a stunning black gown, designed by Gabriel Agreste himself. It was a delicate masterpiece, adorned with intricate black lace and silver embroidery. The dress shimmered in the dim light, its dark color matching with her raven-black hair and black mask.
Her father, the king, stood at the entrance, greeting the guests with a warm smile. As she approached him, his eyes lit up with pride, and he extended his arm to escort her into the ballroom.
But as they were about to enter, a figure appeared at her father's side, the queen. A sense of sadness washed over Marinette as she watched her father's attention shift away from her. The queen was lovely nd elegant, but she was replacing Marinette. And it hurt.
Feeling like a spectator in her own life, Marinette decided to slip away from the commotion and find a quiet corner. She murmured a polite excuse to her father and retreated into the shadows, making her way to an empty area. She wouldn't be missed anyway.
Taking refuge there, she sighed deeply and looked out over the ballroom. The room was filled with noble guests, their large masks concealing their faces, as they danced and reveled in the celebration, drank and danced some more. Marinette felt like an outsider in her own kingdom. She was a stranger among her people.
She needed a moment to herself, away from the weight of her responsibilities and the memories that had resurfaced. So, she grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing tray and took a sip, the bubbles filling her throat. She downed it quickly and grabbed another one, and the alcohol offered her a lightheaded feeling, and she felt the tension in her back and shoulders melt away.
As she stood there, lost in thought, a voice interrupted her reverie. "Fun to watch them all," the voice said, coming from beside her.
Marinette turned to see a tall figure standing beside her. He was... handsome. Brown hair and dark, intense eyes, chisled jawline. He looked to be in his thirties, significantly older than Marinette, but at his charming smile, Marinette found herself blushing. Not something she expected.
She offered a small smile, lifting her near-empty glass towards the partygoers, appreciating the sentiment behind his words. "Yes, it is," she replied softly. "It's... I like their costumes." She mentally facepalmed. She sounded sooo juvenile.
The man returned her smile with a charming one of his own. "I couldn't agree more. I'm Kad, by the way."
Marinette extended her hand in greeting. "Marinette. Nice to meet you, Kad."
He took her hand and brought it to his lips, planting a gentle kiss on the back of her gloved hand. "The pleasure is all mine, Princess Marinette."
Marinette couldn't help but blush. She wasn't used to such direct attention from strangers, though she imagined she should get used to it. Still, something about Kad intrigued her, and he continued to engage her in conversation, sharing stories about various guests. Maybe it was the alcohol, but Marinette found herself laughing freely, and the sadness that had weighed on her heart began to lift. For a brief moment, she felt like a carefree young woman, unburdened by her recent life changes.
As the night wore on, and the champagne flowed freely, Marinette's inhibitions faded away. She allowed herself to forget her misery, even going as far as dancing with Kad. In the excitement of it all, as the night grew darker and the music filled the air, Marinette left with Kad out the hallway and into a closet, hidden away from the prying eyes of the other guests. There, he leaned in, his lips dangerously close to hers.
Marinette hesitated for a moment, torn between the thrill of the moment and her sense of propriety. Kad was older, charming, and undeniably attractive, but she knew this was a dangerous path to tread. She didn't even know him, or why he was at the masquerade ball... She had always considered herself strong-willed, but something about Kad's presence made her question her own resolve.
And you know what? Why should she have to fight it? She could give herself one night-one moment-to just do something she wanted to do. In that moment, she allowed herself to give in to the temptation, closing her eyes and kissing him back. Their lips met in a passionate embrace, a stolen moment of desire and longing. It was a brief escape from the burdens of her royal duty, a chance to be someone else, even if only for a moment.
But when Kad asked her to be with him, to see him again, Marinette's sense of self snapped back into place.
She pulled away from Kad, her eyes filled with determination. "What? No," she said firmly. "I can't do that."
Kad's expression darkened, his charm giving way to frustration. He tried to convince her, painting a picture of a life filled with adventure and freedom. He claimed to know secrets that could help her rule wisely, but his words fell on deaf ears.
"I'm not interested," Marinette told him, her voice sounding too high. "I just wanted a bit of fun tonight, but... I feel gross now. You're... gross... I'm leaving..."
Kad's anger flared, and he shot her a venomous look before he grabbed her, stopping her from leaving.
Marinette didn't remember what happened next. When she woke up the next morning, she only remembered going into the closet, and then what he said when he left.
She just remembered that, as he left, he delivered a parting shot, a cruel promise that left Marinette shaken to her core.
"You're mine, now. And when no boy wants you because of it," he hissed, "I'll still be here."
Marinette stood there, trembling with a mix of anger and fear. She had let herself be carried away by the allure of the masquerade, and it had nearly cost her everything. The encounter with Kad was a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked beneath the surface, even in the most glamorous of settings.
With a heavy heart, she composed herself and stepped out of the closet, determined to put the incident behind her. She would continue to fulfill her duties as the princess, taking her responsibilities to her people and her father more seriously. From then on, she would be the Perfectly Perfect Princess that they needed her to be.
But the memory of that night, the kiss stolen in the shadows, and the haunting promise made by Kad would linger in the corners of her mind, a reminder of the fragility of her world and the secrets she held close to her heart.
Ladybug waited for her throat to close. But instead, she felt the words jerking through her vocal chords, feeling like sandpaper on a chalkboard as she said them. "I wore it last Halloween, for a party. While wearing it, some... person took advantage of me at that party."
The anger in her words permeated the space between them, and the memory of that night brought back a whirlwind of emotions.
Chat Noir furrowed his brows, concern evident in his masked expression. "I'm so sorry to hear that."
Ladybug felt the lump in her throat now, but she pressed on. She needed to share this part of herself, though she'd later be unable to explain why, painful as it was. "The mask was still on the whole time."
Chat Noir's eyes darkened with understanding, and he realized the significance of what she was telling him. When he spoke, his tone was serious, dark. "Who is he?"
Ladybug hesitated, knowing that revealing the identity of the person who had hurt her would also expose her own identity. "I can't tell you that," she said, her voice firm. "If I did, you'd know who I am."
Chat Noir nodded. "I want to know who he is, maybe even give him a little message. I won't go looking for you."
Ladybug couldn't help but chuckle at the idea. "What, will you leave him a little mouse by his front door?"
Chat Noir's gloved hand gently squeezed hers. "Something like that."
She didn't respond, just opened another cleaning pad. Chat Noir's eyes never left her face. He seemed lost in thought, as if contemplating something of great importance. Eventually, he spoke, his voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of trepidation.
"Thank you for trusting me."
Her smile fell slightly, but she said, "Thanks for listening, Chat."
As Ladybug worked diligently to heal Chat Noir's wounds, she couldn't help but feel a small bit of pride that she could help him with this. She liked that he'd come to her for her-she felt like she was finally doing something good. The moon casted a gentle silver glow over the gardens as they sat there. The air was filled with a mix of tension and vulnerability, a stark contrast to the world outside.
She sighed, finishing the bandaging, and then turned her attention to his wounds on his right arm. Her skilled hands worked meticulously as she cleaned and dressed each one. Chat Noir winced at the sensation, but he didn't complain. Instead, he gazed at her for a long time. The gazebo placed a sort of protection against the outside world, with their vulnerability trapped inside. When Chat spoke again, the gazebo's care snuggled close.
"You remember the clockmaker? Allard?" he said.
Ladybug nodded, recalling the name from their visit. More than anything, she remembered his smell. "Yes, I remember him. What about him?"
Chat Noir's expression darkened. "He did the same to me."
Her eyes widened, her hands freezing in the middle of her movement. "Wait, what?"
"Yeah," Chat Noir continued, his voice heavy as he looked down at his left hand. "Growing up, my family was very distant. We knew him. My family, I mean, friends with the clockmaker. He was so friendly and kind, so whenever I got lonely, I'd go to him. He'd let me watch TV, play video games, rest... His... games started out small, but over time, it got bigger."
Ladybug couldn't fathom the betrayal that Chat Noir had experienced. She didn't know anything about Chat beyond the fact that he wanted to stop the akumas. She knew he knew the clockmaker. She knew he wanted to protect people and that he was good, and that he had a motorcycle. But she had never suspected the darkness that lurked beneath the surface, a darkness that he did not deserve.
"What?" Ladybug exclaimed, her anger flaring up again.
Chat Noir shrugged, his expression resigned. "It's a messed-up world sometimes."
She couldn't argue with that sentiment. The revelation about the clockmaker made her wish he were still alive, just so she could kill him again.
"Is it weird," Chat Noir said after a moment, "that sometimes I miss him?"
Ladybug blinked, taken aback by his unexpected confession. "Miss him? After what he did to you?"
He nodded, his gaze distant, and he looked back to his left hand, unmoving. "He wasn't all bad. He gave me something I lost. He was kind of the only one growing up who ever showed me care, after..."
He trailed off, leaving the rest of his sentence unsaid. Ladybug didn't even try to push away the pain she felt for him. It was heavy on her chest. She couldn't imagine how heavy it was on him.
But before she could respond, he changed the subject, bringing their conversation full circle. "Ladybug?"
She met his eyes. They shone in the moonlight, too dark to see the exact color but light enough to know they were green, and kind. He leaned forward.
"Thank you for being here, for helping me."
Ladybug struggled to move. "Of course, Chat. We're a team, aren't we?"
A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Indeed, my lady."
They both fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of their shared revelations hanging in the air. Before they could move from their hiding spot, he hesitated for a moment, as if debating whether to continue. "I've wondered about the girl behind the mask," he admitted.
"Ditto," she replied with a hint of playfulness, trying to ease the tension that had settled between them.
Chat Noir chuckled, appreciating her attempt to lighten the mood. "Someday," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "I'm going to know the girl behind the mask."
"Not in your worst nightmare," she joked. But it was tempting. It was a tantalizing thought, the idea of sharing her true identity with him. Yet, she didn't really know him. And what would that even mean if she did tell him?
As Ladybug helped Chat Noir to his feet, their hands brushed briefly, sending a shiver down her spine. They were no longer just superheroes; they were two individuals who had bared their souls, their secrets, to each other.
With Chat Noir leaning on her for support, they made their way back to the shadows, she lead him back outside the walls, towards his motorcycle, so he could go home safely. But in that moment, they also carried with them the weight of their shared understanding-but this weight felt lighter on both of them as they carried it together.
For now, they were content with the knowledge that they could trust each other.
Marinette had spent the night tossing and turning in her bed, unable to find a comfortable position. The itchiness of her skin seemed to intensify with each passing minute. She glanced at the ornate clock on her bedside table-3:04 in the morning.
Frustrated with her inability to sleep, she finally decided to get up. She slipped out of her luxurious canopy bed, the soft silk sheets rustling as she moved. She tiptoed across the room, still in her emerald-green pajamas, and she opened her bedroom door, coming face to face with Chloe, who stood tall against the wall, a perfect picture of a protective guard.
The air was cold against her, but Marinette chose to ignore it-and ignore the weird expression Chloe was giving her-as she sat on the floor in front of her door, leaning back against the cold wood, looking up at her morning guard.
Chloe's blonde hair shuffled as she leaned forward slightly, her uniform crisp and her demeanor alert."Your Highness," she began, her high voice tone a mixture of concern and admonishment. "You should be asleep."
Marinette turned to face Chloe, her expression a mix of weariness and curiosity. "Chloe," she said softly, "what did you mean by thinking that being a guard would be 'just'?"
Chloe didn't move as she observed Marinette for a few seconds, then looked to the left of the hallway, then the right. Besides the two of them, it was silent. She hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "Well, Your Highness," she began, "I thought being a guard would be amazing-valiant, strong, doing good for the kingdom. But it seems..." She cut herself off, looking worriedly at Marinette, as if she was expecting an angry response.
"But it seems what?"
Chloe shook her head.
"Chloe..." Marinette sighed, rubbing her eyes, the cold air drying her eyes the way her bedroom couldn't. Her hands made a small slap as she dropped them to her lap, and she brought her legs closer to her, wrapping her arms around her ankles. She laid her chin against her knees as she said, "I'm asking for your honest opinion. I won't tell anyone. I'll appreciate the honesty, always."
Chloe narrowed her eyes, making sure Marinette both was telling the truth and understood that her words were not a criticism of the crown. "It seems that being a castle guard, or any guard for that matter, is more about... keeping people in line, maintaining order. It feels-and I promise I mean no ill will against the crown-less about doing what's truly right."
Marinette nodded in understanding, having felt the same all night. "I have faith in you, Chloe, to do what's right," she said sincerely. "I believe that, at the end of the day, you will always choose to do what's right, even if it means going against the status quo."
Chloe offered a small but somewhat sad smile in response. "Yes, Your Highness," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of resignation.
The two women fell into a brief silence, staring at opposite walls. Marinette, determined to offer some comfort to her loyal guard, decided to delve deeper into Chloe's experiences during her training.
"So," Marinette began, "tell me more about your time in training. What was it like?"
Chloe's stoic façade wavered for a moment, and a faint blush colored her cheeks. She hesitated before responding, "It was arduous. And filled with moments of hope."
Marinette, intrigued by Chloe's reaction, pressed for more details. "What was your favorite part?"
Chloe's expression became guarded once more, but the blush on her cheeks remained. "My favorite was both the best and worst part," she admitted, her voice slightly shaky. "It had to do with one of the other guards and the time we spent together."
Marinette probed further, feeling intrigued. There was obvious care in Chloe's eyes, but also hurt. "Tell me more. Where are they stationed now?" Maybe she could convince General Manden to bring this other guard to the castle, closer to Chloe. Not only would that help Chloe, but it might also distract Chloe enough to let Marinette do more sneaking out.
Chloe grimaced, clearly conflicted. "She left, Your Highness," she confessed. "She realized that this life wasn't for her, and we haven't been in contact since."
Marinette's eyebrows rose, partially from excitement but also surprise at the 'she'. "What was her name?" she asked.
Chloe hesitated but revealed, "Her name was Sabrina."
Marinette couldn't help but smile, and realized that talking with Chloe took away quite a bit of her nervous energy. Marinette also decided that she had a new side quest-to find Sabrina and extend an invitation to the upcoming Christmas ball. She could work with that.
The princess yawned then. "I'm going back to bed, Chloe. Thanks for chatting. Maybe I'll come out more often."
Chloe's expression shifted, a mix of surprise and gratitude in her eyes. But her lips pursed in what seemed like a suppressed smile "I certainly hope not, Your Highness," she said. "It's way too late."
Marinette snorted, and slowly got to her feet. "Good night, Chloe."
"Good night, Your Highness."
"Marinette."
As Marinette closed the door behind her, she heard Chloe's soft, "Good night, Marinette."
TLDR; Marinette and Adrien decide to move forward with the engagement (a fake engagement); Chat Noir gets attacked by guards, and Marinette helps wrap up his injuries; Marinette and Chloe chat late at night.