""Pound it!" Ladybug and Cat Noir smirked to each other as they did their signature after-fight fist bump of celebration for deafeating another one of Hawkmoth's Akumas.

She was about to swing away and head back home and have a long, long chat with her kwami about her non-existent love life, but Cat grabbed her wrist before she could go.

"Are you sure you okay?" His green eyes were shiny with concern and Ladybug shifted nervously under his entente gaze. "You kinda froze back there during the fight with tha Akuma."

The black and red spotted superhero had just opened her mouth to say something when a loud, shrill beeping made her freeze in place. She only had two minutes left before she de-transformed.

The dark-haired girl sighed yet again and shook her head to clear her thoughts away. She looked up at her lather-clad partner and gave him a tight smile. "Yes I'm fine Cat: but I should really get going." And without another word, she swung her to-to and leaped away back to the bakery.

She had gone home and detransformed. Tikki tried to get her to talk about it. She had been trying since the kiss with Juleka but Marinette had shut down any conversations. She felt uncertain, afraid. It was better not to think about it. She wanted to see Juleka again, but she wasn't sure what would happen. What she wanted to happen.

"You shouldn't avoid your feelings Marinette!"

"But what if something happens. I don't want to cause any problems. And I know that Rose probably likes her." Marinette sighed. It was so complicated. She tossed herself onto the bed. It was easier just not to think about it!

"It's not like you're the first Ladybug to feel this way. There have been many Ladybugs and not all of them are the same."

"Others have... fallen for other women?"

"Or other men! Or nonbinary people! And some have been that themselves."

"It's hard to think that I'm not some weird anomaly."

"You never were, Marinette."

That did make Marinette feel better about one part but the rest of it? There was still a lot that she had to deal with. She pulled a pillow over her face to the disappointment of Tikki. The kewami just sighed and left Marinette to her own devices. Eventually she finished her homework and then went to sleep. Trying not to dwell on the Akuma or her own feelings.

XXXXXX

Marinette thought maybe that would be the end of it for a time at least, but it turns out the next day brought it back.

She was out on patrol and ran into Cat Noir. She knew that she probably would but that didn't mean she didn't wish she hadn't. He was fine, if annoying sometimes, but he had seen how she reacted to the girl and the Akuma. Marinette was worried about what he might say. What he might ask.

"We should take a break."

Cat Noir leaned against the railing, smiling at her. "I know you don't want to talk about it, but... are you okay? You were pretty freaked out the other day."

"You're right I don't want to talk about it."

Marinette hated this. She didn't want to be mean to Cat Noir, but it wasn't as if she could just tell him. Right? How would he even react?

"I'm not going to judge you Ladybug. You can tell me anything."

"Not my identity."

"Not that specific one, no."

Marinette sighed, gripping the railing tight. Why did he need to make this so difficult? "I don't know what you mean."

"You'll feel better if you say it."

Cat Noir laughed but he dropped it. He started talking about something else. Which was fine but there was a tension building in Marinette. Something that suddenly came over her. She wasn't sure what it was.

"I like girls!" There it was. Out in the opening. Her words rang out, too loud, too sharp, echoing across the sky. She couldn't look at Cat. Couldn't think of anything else but to keep going. "Or at least there's this girl that I like! She kissed me and I- I want to do it again. I really like her. She's amazing and smart and talented and pretty but- but- I don't know what to da about it. I-I just-" She trailed off, finishing her rambling with a short scream. Then she waited to see what happened. If she had ruined her friendship with Cat.

"Feel better? Got it all out?"

It did feel like a weight had been lifted from her. She had spent so long avoiding saying the words up until now. And now she had said what was building. She liked Juleka. It was complicated and a mess and not so easily resolved but she admitted to it.

"Yes. I guess I do."

"I told you so." Cat Noir laughed again and leaned over to her. "I told you I wouldn't judge you. You're secret is safe with me milady. Whoever this girl is - they are quite lucky to have your affections." Marinette groaned but she appreciated it. "Are you worried about what people will think?"

"Yeah I'm a little worried," she admitted with a soft sigh. "How am I going to even approach ghe topic with her?" Marinette shifted anxiously from foot to foot and stared out at the cityscape as she spoke. "I don't know what to do."

"Yeah, you're in quite a mess. I think being honest is a good start. Tell the girl how you feel."

It was Marinette's turn to laugh. "That's not so easy Cat. Although I'm sure she'll be happy to know. I don't want hurt to my friend though."

"It can be rough but if she doesn't actually want to be dating her, then it's only going to end in heartbreak anyways. You might be doing this other girl a favor."

She hadn't thought about it like that. There was still much more to say. To think about. But Cat climbed up on the railing and extended a hand.

"Let's go patrol some more. There's no rush."

Marinette took his hand and they headed out. She didn't know what she was going to do next. If she'd be able to confess to Juleka or tell her family that she's bisexual, but for now, she was happy. For now she had this.