"Cake!" Gigantain called out as he terrorized the streets with Ladybug and Chat Noir trailing behind, noticing the baby zeroing in on the Dupain-Cheung bakery. "CAKE!" Gigantain cried out in glee.

But as the hero's his the streets Ladybug noticed his parents were outside the store, having no doubt that his father was trying to protect the store while his mother kept trying to pull him back in. Ladybug threw his yo-yo around Gigantitan's arm, gaining his attention as he called out. "Pa—Mr. Dupain! Move aside! It's dangerous!"

He said as Chat Noir casually walked towards him, resting his arms on his staff. "Wow, my heart is just like that yo-yo-wrapped baby's wrist. Taken prisoner by my Lady forever." He said, but the next thing he knew, Gigantain set his partner flying, slamming into a billboard. Chat Noir gasped in chocked, quickly catching Ladybug, who landed into his arms. "Admit it, for a second there, you almost fell for my poetic verse." He teased as he placed his partner back onto the ground.

"If those are your standards, then I fell for baby August the same way." Ladybug remarked as he threw up his yo-yo, "Lucky Charm!" but immediately grew panicked as a huge plastic donut fell on him. He was stunned for a moment until Gigantitan picked it up in glee.

"Cake!" Gigantitan said, taking the doughnut and tried to eat it. But immediately was repulsed when he realized it wasn't real. "Not cake!"

"Your plastic doughnut doesn't stand a chance against the best macaroons in Paris. That baby has taste." Chat Noir said as he helped Ladybug to his feet. He sprinted first, using his staff to lift himself towards the baby's neck, but was immediately caught as the baby started throwing a tantrum, shaking the hero wildly as though he were a toy.

"My LADY I WOULD LIKE TO GET OFF THIS RIDE NOW PLEASE!" Chat Noir cried out as Ladybug closed his eyes for a moment, sensing the Akuma possessing the pacifier around Gigantitans' neck. With the baby distracted Ladybug jumped up towards on his shoulder, then using his yo-yo to break the tie around his neck, making the pacifier fall to the ground.

"Gummy!" Gigantitan called out as he dropped Chat Noir, this time being caught by Ladybug.

"See, somehow I always end up falling for you." Chat Noir said as Ladybug pointed out the pacifier.

"The Akuma's in there." He said as Gigantitan started crying, his wails breaking window's as both heroes had to cover their ears. Chat Noir was rendered useless with his heightened hearing, falling to his knees as Ladybug looked up towards his Lucky Charm. He used his yo-yo to jump up, then used the momentum from his fall to remove the encased toy.

Gigantitan eyed it for a moment, starting to gnaw it as his eyes were still wet with tears. Ladybug's expression softened as he petted the baby's head, standing on his shoulder. "Miraculous Ladybug!" He called out, turning everything back to normal as Gigantitan searched for his missing toy, about to cry again. "Chat Noir!" He called out as his partner nodded.

"Cataclysm!" He said, destroying the pacifier, releasing the Akuma.

Ladybug caught August as well as the Akuma, releasing the newly purified Akuma as he landed on his feet. "Bye-bye little Butterfly." He said as he and Chat Noir pounded fists.

"So what was it this time?" Chat Noir asked, placing both of his hands on his hips, looking down at the cooing baby, having calmed down after his crying.

"A late-night craving, huh, baby August?" Ladybug asked picking up the pacifier, unable to stop himself from bouncing the baby in his arms who laughed playfully. "Aw, you such a cutie." He said, planting a bunch of small pecks on the baby's face as August only laughed.

Chat Noir hummed for a moment as his ears flattened. "I'm a bit jealous." He stated, just as Ladybug's earring beeped.

"Don't be, now it's your turn." He said, taking out his yo-yo, he took a moment to pink August's cheeks before he was lifted into the rooftops, out of sighed.

"I meant jealous of him!" Chat Noir called out, then looked at the baby he was stuck with, who cooed innocently as Chat Noir sighed heavily. But he snapped back to attention again as August started getting fussy. "You miss him already too? I know how it feels."

"Gummy!" August cried out, as Chat Noir remembered Ladybug accidentally took it along with him. He extended his staff onto the balcony of Marin's roof, a smile drawing on his face as he saw his friend standing on there, holding the pacifier in his hands, freezing up as Chat Noir landed.

"Marin!" Chat Noir greeted as he landed, still holding August in his arms, who started getting fussy as he spotted Marin.

"Uh…" Marin mumbled for a moment as he realized what was in his hand, handing it over to baby August. "This is his I guess. I just found it on my balcony." He said nervously, avert his gaze as Chat Noir couldn't help but tease him a little.

"Oh? And were you maybe waiting for someone important? Perhaps, a handsome knight in search of his prince?" He asked, taking a step closer as a smile broke out on Marin's face.

"Right, a prince that is madly in love with a knight with cat ears." He joked, but then both of them froze as it turned out, Marin's father overheard their banter.

"Oh!" The man's eyes lit up with the fire of a thousand cadled as Chat Noir spotted Marin slapping his forehead.

"Cake!"

"What a surprise!" He said stepping up on to the balcony as Chat Noir's Miraculous started to beep. He struggled to keep baby August in his arms as the baby's eyes lit up at the sight of the jolly baker.

"Oh! Well, perfect timing! I have to go and take him back to his mother." Chat Noir said, trying to escape, but was stopped by Tom placing his hands on his shoulders.

Wait! Why don't you come have Sunday brunch with us tomorrow?" Tom asked with an infectious smile.

Chat Noirs' eyes darted between him and Marin, who was motioning "no" in a panic.

"I'll make my prize-winning pastries." Tom offered as he looked down at the hero in expectation.

"Um...How could I say no to that?" He said, his polite side taking over as he saw the dumbfounded expression in Marin's eyes, now glaring at him as Chat Noir immediately jumped off the roof. "Well, see you tomorrow then!"

"Our son's boyfriend is coming for lunch tomorrow! Do you realize Marin has a boyfriend?! And he's a superhero! On top of that! She'll be safe with him." Tom rambled as Marin slowly wanted to crumble into dust at his father's eagerness. But couldn't find the words, as the only phrases that popped into his mind were curses.

Sabine picked up on the mood as she took a sip of tea from her cup. "Aren't you jumping the gun a little, Tom?" She asked, but her husband was too swept up in his baking affair.

Tom: You're right. I can't be baking dessert when I haven't even started on the first course yet!"

Sabine: (exhales in concerned and frustrated manner)

" I know! I'm going to cook them a delicious sweetheart's vol-au-vent! Now, where are the candied oranges?"

"What I meant is Chat Noir hasn't said anything about his feelings-"

"Come now, it's obvious that he's in love with Marin. Besides, who wouldn't love Marin? Everyone loves our little moon!" He remarked as he quickly planted a kiss on his mortified child's head. Who then gave a pleading expression to his mother who could only shrug her shoulders in defeat.

Scene: Adrien's room. Chat Noir flips through the window and detransforms upon landing.

Plagg: You finally got yourself a boyfriend! And not just any boyfriend, the best baker of the best bakery in Paris!" Plagg remarked as he flew to his cheese cabinet.

"Marin isn't my- Chat Noir's boyfriend, Plagg. We were just-"

"Flirting? Yes, you two happen to do that alot when you're together. Now it'll actually be to an end with you finally meeting his parents. Ah, I can already hear the wedding bells and the three tiers of warm and crispy bread to pair with every piece of cheese. Our life is about to change!" He said joyously

"Stop it, Plagg. You know I'm in love with Ladybug." Adrien sighed as walked to the bathroom to wash his face.

"So? I don't see the problem in keeping two pots simmering on the stove! Especially when there's actually only one pot." He mumbled the last part to himself as he gobbled down some cheese, then flew over to his partner.

"I going to have to be upfront about it with his parents, I can't just leave my friend hanging like that. I'll go for brunch, and just clear the air." He said reasonably, but was surprised.

"Are you kidding? Marin is the best person you will ever find! Marry him." He demanded, hovering behind Adrien who just scoffed at his Kwami's persistence.

"You're just thinking with your stomach."

Scene: Sunday afternoon. The apartment. Tom is setting out plates for brunch.

(Marin is looking out from her balcony with Tikki. The sky is cloudy. She smirks and crosses her arms.)

Marin: He's not coming."

Tikki: But if he does, what are you gonna say to him?"

"Oh crap, he can't come, if he comes here, it'll just make everything worse" Marin whined as he rested his back to the railing."What's love good for? Ruining lives, and Sunday brunches." He then snapped as Tikki sat on his knees. She then gasped as she phased through the floor. Marin glanced down in the spot where she was before he froze for a moment as someone above him cleared his throat.

Next thing he knew, he was looking up at Chat Noir, squatting on the railing of his balcony, looking down at him with a rose in his hand.

"Um...my prince?" He said with a nervous smile, as he could see Marin's annoyed expression.

"What the heck were you thinking?!" He suddenly snapped, standing up, now eye level with the hero who looked taken aback.

"I panicked, I'm sorry!" He said as Marin sighed heavily.

"You know what, this is fine. You just need to leave now, and my dad will just have to get over this. Problem solved." He said hastily.

"What? I can't just leave your dad sad like that." Chat Noir remarked.

"Can't you?" Marin begged as Chat Noir shook his head.

"I made this mess, I'll be the one to clean it up. Starting with entering your home, not from the roof for once." Chat Noir said, jumping off the roof as Marin screaming into the sleeve of his jacket, glancing back at his Kwami who reappeared.

"Tikki, help me." He asked as his Kwami petted his head.

"Maybe this is a good thing. You care about Chat Noir a lot, maybe you should give your relationship a try." She tried to reason, but Marin stared at her with a dumbfounded expression.

"Chat Noir and I don't have a relationship, not like that. I like him a lot, but asking, or expecting anything more would be selfish and irresponsible." He sighed.

"But you love him." Tikki said bluntly as Marin immediately blushed. "Just follow your heart."

His heart faced at the mere thought, but he couldn't let himself feel that way. There was too much uncertainty, too many, similarities...

For a moment his mind flashed back to the other day, to the similarities that Chat Noir and Adrien shared. Even if it wasn't true, even if he was just being crazy, if the two were one in the same, then there could never be anything between them. He could never take advantage of his partner, of his friend like that.

Even if it was equal, even if they both knew each other's identities, it would just be more dangerous for both of them. No. Whatever he was feeling, whatever impractical emotions that were festering, he had to wipe them out, wipe them away.

Marin groaned as loud as he could, slapping his cheeks multiple times to push away those intrusive thoughts, then nodded as his chest swelled with determination.

"I am going to get through this, and everything is going to be fine." He said as Tikki sighed heavily.

"Welcome to our home!" Marin heard his father remarked as he bear-hugged Chat Noir who looked to be in pain as their locked eyes for a moment. The scene made Marin's stomach curl as he walked down the stairs. This was a nightmare, this had to be some kind of very specific bad dream that he was experiencing.

"Tom! Let him come up for some air, huh?" His mother pointed out as Tom laughed apologetically.

"Ah right, sorry." Tom said as he then spotted his son, grabbing his arm as he pulled him into the scene. "Mio picolo principe, look who is here, your special friend." His father said with a smile, while Marin wanted to cry. "Come on now, say hello!" He said as he pushed Chat Noir towards him.

"Uh, hello, Marin. How are you?" Chat Noir said as he scratched the back of his head nervously, holding out the rose towards him.

Marin stared at it for a moment but just as he was about to touch the flower he recoiled at the sound of his father's voice.

"Oh, he brought a pink rose for Marin Sabine! You two already know each other so well." Tom swooned as Marin averted his gaze to the corner below, his shoulder's tensing up.

"Tom, why don't we start setting the table." Sabine said as she had to drag her husband away from the scene, now faced towards the kitchen as Marin could finally breathe a little. He then flinched slightly as Chat Noir placed his hand on his shoulder, stepping closer as he whispered into his ear.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything." He promised, pressing the flower into Marin's hand as he couldn't help but relax for a moment, glanced at Chat Noir's reassuring smile.

"Come on now kids, I have the first course all ready for you!" Tom called in glee as Marin's anxiety returned. But was washed away fro a moment as Chat Noir panted a kiss on his cheek, quick, so that no one would see. His expression reminding him of the promise he just made.

As they sat at the table, sitting next to each other. Tom placed appetizers before them. "Voilà!" Tom said as he set down a heart-shaped two-tiered tray filled with heart-shaped pastries. "Sweethearts' vol-au-vent. For two, of course."

Marin hesitated for a moment while Chat Noir had already popped one into his mouth.

"Tell me, Chat Noir, is being a superhero a steady profession?" Marin wanted to scream while Chat Noir almost choked, having to pound his chest to get the food down.

"Tom?" Sabine said glancing up at his husband with a, what are you doing?, expression; while her husband looked at her as if to say, what's the harm in asking?

"Um, I can't say it pays the bills." Chat Noir offered.

Marin: You're right, Dad, it's gotta be super dangerous being a superhero's girlfriend. Maybe I should rethink this.

" Of course, not sweetie. Chat Noir won't be a superhero all his life. Once he's defeated Hawk Moth, he won't need to run on the rooftops with a stick saving people. "He suddenly gasped as Chat Noir took another pastry. "I know! He could work in the bakery with me! I could train you, young man." He offered as Chat Noir then dropped the pastry looking helpless as his eyes darted from person to person.

"Uh—" Chat Noir was about to speak up before he was interrupted.

"Papa, maybe Chat Noir doesn't want to be a baker at all." Marin offered as Chat Noir nodded.

"Don't be silly, everyone loves bakers. After all, once you begin your own business in the fashion industry, someone will have to look after the shop."

"Uh—"

" The "Dupain-Chat Noir" Bakery. Doesn't that sound purr-fect? I can already see the little kittens running around in the house. And pet hamsters. Do you like hamsters?" Tom asked not seeing the two supposed, lovers blushing fiercely at the notion of kittens.

"Hamsters?:

"Because my little moon loves them. What did you want to name your future hamster again, sweetie?" Tom asked, but Marin only groaned.

"How about help?" He said sarcastically as his father only chuckled.

"Help?! That's a funny name for a pet, isn't it?" He said as he then turned around towards the oven, a chocolatey aroma now spreading throughout the kitchen. "I'll bring the soufflé."

Chat Noir popped another pastry into his mouth, growing more overwhelmed as what should have been a 1-minute notice was now diving into an actual brunch. He had to stop eating, but the pastries were so nice and savory with a soft yet crunchy crust, anyone in their right mind couldn't have stopped.

"Voilà!" Tom said as Chat Noir's heart sank, looking at a beautiful heart-shaped chocolate souffle with powdered sugar. He wanted it, he wanted it so much.

"Tom, how about we all calm down and let Chat Noir tell us himself what he wants." Marin's mother said as Tom seemed to take the hint this time, looking at Chat Noir more openly as he placed the pastry on a coaster.

"Well, actually, Mr. Dupain, Mrs. Dupain-Cheng, Marin, here's the thing. You're really nice people and this meal is delicious and by far the friendliest I've had in a long time." He said, hanging his head as he was uncertain of what to say next. A feeling of guilt started to bubble in his stomach, stopping him from speaking. That was, until he perked up, feeling Marin hold his hand under the table, flashing him a reassuring grin as Chat Noir couldn't help but feel at ease. "Marin, is an amazing person, anyone would be lucky to have him. But...I'm afraid my heart belongs to someone else." He said, feeling Marin squeeze his hand as Chat Noir hung his head shamefully.

"But...yesterday, what you two said-" Tom murmured in pure shock.

"Was just us messing around papa." Marin said, "Chat Noir and I are on friendly terms, that's all it is. The only reason he came here today was to clear the air about your misunderstanding."

"But, couldn't you give him a chance? You two seem to-"

"No, papa." Marin said sternly as he stood up, releasing his and Chat Noir's hold. "You already know how I feel about love. This whole thing just further's my point, you're being blinded by possibility that you don't even want to accept reality."

Chat Noir's ear's perked up as glanced at his friend, then noticed Tom's somber expression while Sabrina looked between the two of them nervously. Her gaze then settled on Chat Noir as she walked over to him.

"Why don't we let these two talk things out." Sabine said as she guided him out of the living room and towards the front door.

"I'm really sorry." He apologized, but Sabine shook her head.

"You have nothing to apologize for Chat Noir, my husband just got a little eager at the thought of Marin finding someone who he loves."

"Hm?" Chat Noir looked at her curiously. "What does that mean?" He asked, noticed Sabine's conflicted expression.

As they reached the front door, she folded her hands together. "It's a little complicated, but if you ask, I'm sure Marin will tell you."

"I don't mean to pry." Chat Noir said as Sabine shook her head.

"You're not. I can tell you have a good heart Chat Noir. I'm truly sorry if we've made you feel uncomfortable, or unwelcome this evening. But if you could, please look out for my son when you can." She requested, bowing her head respectfully, as Chat Noir mirrored her.

"I always will." He promised, walking out the front door. But not wanting to leave as he used his staff to jump up onto the balcony. He waited for a few moments, hearing some yelling, and then a slammed door. He slowly peeked his head through the sunroof, seeing Marin resting his head in his hands at his desk.

"Penny for your thoughts?" He asked hesitantly, wondering if he should give his friend some space. But Marin only sighed, climbing up towards the balcony as Chat Noir helped him up.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into family drama back there, that wasn't cool." He said, averting his gaze.

"It's alright, but is your dad going to be alright? He looked a little upset." Chat Noir said, but they both knew that was an understatement.

"He's an adult, he can handle his son being defiant about one thing."

"So, that one thing..." Chat Noir said carefully, not wanting to rile up any feathers. "You wanna maybe talk about it?" He offered as Marin sighed heavily, walking towards the railing as he rested his arms on it, handing his head.

"Did my mom ask you to talk to me?" He asked.

"No, not really." Chat Noir responded as he sat on the railing.

"My parents, my dad especially, can be awkward when it comes to love. Because I don't believe in love."

"You don't...what?" Chat Noir asked in shock as he glanced at his friend. His positive, upbeat, sees the good in everyone, friend.

"Love isn't pragmatic. It makes people stupid and reckless and blind and selfish, things I never want to be or inflict on other people, especially ones that I care about."

"But-"

"Don't get started with me Chat I've heard it all." Marin sighed heavily, making Chat Noir wonder a number of things.

"Why's your dad so...insistant on you finding someone to love?" Chat Noir asked.

"Guilt?" Marin thought aloud. "It was because of his parents, my grandparents, that helped me realize how messed up the notion was. I saw and heard every ugly thing that happened. It got so bad that my dad disappeared for a while, and it all just stuck with me."

"How long?"

"Couple of years."

"YEARS?!" Chat Noir gasped as Marin looked at him with an apathetic expression, resting his head on his hand.

"Yup, it didn't help that I was a frail kid. When he came back, I was really sick, couldn't even leave my bed for months. So now all the guilt he had back that morphed into a fixation on finding someone who can protect and take care of me. I managed to shut him down with most of my friends, but then you came along." He groaned in embarrassment as Chat Noir rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Now it's starting to seem like they're looking for a reason to imprison me."

"I guess a kindly superhero would be the ideal person to look after a baker's frail son." He said.

"Hey-" Marin remarked, pointing a finger in Chat Noir's face, "I can take care of myself, I don't need to be protected." He said but was surprised as Chat Noir laughed.

"Are you kidding? You're one of the most reckless people I've seen. One way or another, danger always seems to find you." He said, recalling the numerous amounts of times that his friend was caught up in an Akuma attack, or targeted specifically." Maybe your dad was onto something."

"Ugh, don't be a dummy-" Marin said, but was stunned as Chat Noir grasped his hand.

"Not to mention, you let strange cats into your bedroom at night."

"He's not that strange." Marin retorted, pulling his hand back. "Besides, I'm not worried. After all, I have a lucky charm. " He said as Chat Noir noticed a small smile draw on his face as pulled out a familiar yellow beaded bracelet. "I know it'll help keep me safe." He said softly as he looked down at it fondly.

"Oh, was it a gift?" Chat Noir asked knowingly.

"Yeah, kinda," Marin said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I found it in my locker with a note. Someone made it for me with their own two hands..."

"Sounds like someone has a secret admirer, should I be jealous?" Chat Noir asked cheekily as Marin chuckled.

"It's not like that. I was just kinda glad that someone noticed me."

"Why wouldn't anyone notice you? You're amazing."

"Thanks, but I mean..." Marin's words faded as all of a sudden, the ground started to shake under them as large brambles began to break through Marin's home.

"What is-" Chat Noir remarked, but just as he was about to grab his friend, Marin pushed him back. Chat Noir's eyes widened in shock as he saw the thorny vines wrap around his friend, dragging him into their depth as he was sealed out of reach.

"Marinus!" Chat Noir yelled out in shock as he could only watch the vines rise up towards the cloud line.

"Owowow!" Marin winced as the thorns pinched him. Struggling only seemed to make the bindings worse as they tightened around him, keeping him in place. He looked around, not seeing anything familiar besides all the vines. Not even able to touch his Miraculous to summon Tikki, having no idea where his Kwami was.

"Tikki?!" He called out, his voice echoing through the halls of vines. But received no response. He didn't have his messenger bag, he didn't have his partner, he didn't even have his Kwami. He hummed to himself for a moment, wondering what he should do, maybe think about the number of ways this situation could have been avoided.

"Follow your heart they said. I bet anyone who said that never thought that they'd up in a prison of thorns." He said bitterly, but then fell face-first onto the ground as the vines retracted. He couldn't feel the ground move under him, but he could tell something was wrong as the air began getting colder, and his breath started to get shorter, he grasped his chest as he could feel it begin to hurt.

"This is fine."

Chat Noir ran through the Dupain-Cheung household, muttering under his breath. "I messed up. I really messed up!" As he opened the door to the living room, he saw Sabine looking at the vines in her living room, turning towards him in concern.

"I'm so sorry, this is all my fault!" He apologized profusely.

" Of course not, Chat Noir. It's Tom." Sabine sighed, "No matter how many times I tell him, he always takes things too far." She said, hugged herself as she glanced at a photo of her family sitting nearby.

Chat Noir placed a hand on her shoulder, smiling reassuringly at her. "Don't worry, I'll bring your husband back to his senses and get Marin out of this. I promise." He said. Then again, he promised Marin that he would take care of the situation, and then he got his father Akumatized.

"Shouldn't you wait for Ladybug?" Sabine asked as she saw Chat Noir heading for the door.

"Don't worry, I trust him to show up just in time." He said, noticing Sabine's warm smile.

"You really love him, huh?"

Chat Noir froze for a moment, "Um, of course, we're partners after all-And Marin is amazing too, can't really compare the two." He rambled as Sabine placed her hand on his shoulder.

"You never have to apologize for your feelings, I have faith in you Chat Noir." She said as Chat Noir felt a warm feeling in his chest, he nodded towards her as he ran out of the house and up the vines, his claws digging into the plants as he scaled up to the cloudline. The further he scaled, the more he feared for his friend. As he landed on top, he looked around at all the vines surrounding them. "Marin?! ?!" He called out, then spotted a large ball of vines looming overhead.

But he was greeted by a new villain landing before him, a large brown werewolf-looking creature with green shorts and vines around his wrists, ankles, and waist.

"How dare you come back after what you've done?!" This, Weredad demanded as he antagonized Chat Noir.

Chat Noir stared for a moment. "What I've done?" He remarked as he evaded Weredad's fists.

"I invite you in, break bread, and how you respond? By upsetting my son!" Weredad said as he tried to grab Chat Noir. "Haven't you done enough?!"

Chat Noir narrowed his eyes for a moment, looking at the cloud line, the fall he would have to experience he faltered now. But he took out his staff, prepared for whatever came as he looked up towards Weredad. "I'm sorry, but I promised I would keep Marin safe!" He said as he deflected one of Weredad's punches.

"Save? I'm the only keeping my son safe from people like you!"

"From people like me? You're the one who put his kid thousands of feet in the air! Heck, Marin hates heights!"

Weredad only responded with a growl, kicking Chat Noir towards the edge. Only his claws kept him from falling down towards the ground.

"Where are you, Ladybug?" He asked under his breath as he looked up at Weredad walking towards him. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you keep Marin-"

"Don't say his name!" Weredad cried out, slamming Chat Noir to the ground as he hugged him tightly, squeezing him as Chat Noir gasped painfully. "Just give up, I'll keep my son safe from now on."

Chat Noir gritted his teeth together, stunning Weredad for a moment as he, hit his head with his own. Immediately he placed distance between them as he readjusted the grip of his weapon. "Safe? You're keeping him prisoner!" He said, then trying to scale the thorns,

"Exactly! I'll keep him safe from sadness, hardship, and anything else that could hurt him." Weredad said as he grabbed onto Chat Noir's belt tail, slamming him to the ground.

"But...you won't be able to keep him safe from the one thing that hurt the most." He rasped trying to catch his breath as he was winded.

Weredad scoffed, "If my son desires isolation, that I will happily provide it, he even said it himself."

"No! You don't get it!" Chat Noir yelled out. "What hurts the most is solitude. Believe me, I know all about it. Nothing hurts more than isolation. Having to sit alone in front of a cold meal. Is that what you want for your son? A lifetime of cold meals in a prison of roses above the clouds?!" He asked, but Weredad didn't miss a beat as he knocked Chat Noir aside, making him lose his staff as it fell to the ground below.

"I will do whatever it takes to keep my son safe."

"Even sacrifice his happiness?!"

"If that's what it takes." Weredad said without remorse as Chat Noir stared at him in shock at what he was hearing. "No matter what, even if a prince or princess comes searching, daring enough to face me! Who will brave the many dangers and pick the magic rose for him! All will fall to my guard." He said, flexing his claws as he was prepared to charge.

Chat Noir forced himself to stand up, gripping his arm angrily as he glared at the villain before him. "I will always keep Marin safe." He said as he then charged towards Weredad.

Marin hugged his arms as he could see his breath started to form before his eyes, just where the heck was he? He already tried to summon Tikki by removing his Miraculous, but she didn't appear before him, this prison probably preventing anyone from getting close.

"Tikki!" He called out, but wasn't getting anything. "There must be a way out of here..." He said to himself as he closed his eyes, truly focusing as he forced himself to stop shivering. Sending the negativity, sensing a possessed item...

He eyes suddenly widened with realization as he glanced up towards a yellow light, the item that the Akuma had possessed, he was sure. As he walked towards it, the cold setting in again, his vision started to go hazy as he sincerely hoped someone could be able to help him out here. He thought he heard banging as he reached out towards the flower.

Chat Noir hung his head as his entire body ached, being beaten down by Weredad really...tired him out. He could barely lift his head as Weredad glared down at him.

"I may not be his prince, but I'm charming enough to free her. You beating me over and over or losing my staff won't keep me from saving him. I'll never give up. Never!"

Weredad scoffed as he lifted Chat Noir up by the scruff of his neck, holding him up over the cloud sea. "You're the misguided one here Chat Noir. You would never understand the sacrifices a parent has to make to keep his only child safe." He said as Chat Noir glared back, exhausted, beaten down, but still had a fury blazing in his eyes.

"No, I wouldn't. But here's something a parent would never understand; how their child has to sacrifice just to quell their "protector", even if it makes them miserable!" He said, digging his claws into Weredad's arms, but in response, received a swift punch to the face, his vision failing as the last thing he felt was his body in free fall, falling to the surface...

...

...

...

"Chat Noir...Chat Noir!"

His eyes flickered as he was pleasantly awoken in the arms of his partner, on the ground, he looked around to see Ladybug had already saved, having activated his Lucky charm. Suddenly his eyes snapped open, "Marin! He's somewhere around-" He was about to say, until Ladybug interrupted him.

"Don't worry, he's safe." Ladybug said as he lifted Chat Noir to his feet. Both of them saw as Sabine hugged her husband. Ladybug walked over to his Lucky Charm, throwing it up into the air, "Miraculous Ladybug!" He said as everything turned back to normal. Chat Noir no longer felt any pain as he then walked over to his partner, bumping fists as Chat Noir remembered.

"Wait, so where's Marin?" He asked as Ladybug avert his gaze.

"He...should be back in his room." As soon as he said that, his parents immediately ran up the stairs to check on their son as Chat Noir lingered, uncertain. That was until Ladybug placed a hand on his shoulder.

"If you have something to say, then you should say it." Ladybug said, not realizing the weight of his words as he then used his yo-yo to jump atop the roofs.

He waited until night fell, until they would be disturbed as Chat Noir snuck by, knocking on the sunroof as he crawled onto the bed, his heart falling as he saw that Marin looked exhausted, more so than usual. He was wearing his adorable cat hoodie with his hood pulled over his head, looking sullen.

"Miss me?" Marin chuckled, but as Chat Noir reached out towards him, Marin pulled away, hanging his head."We should probably stop meeting up, if you keep coming around, I'll start to get the wrong idea." He said half-joking, half-serious.

"Why?" Chat Noir asked as he rested his back against the wall, near all the photos of his friends, their friends.

"Was today not reason enough? I'm a mess, I make mistakes that hurt others, that would've hurt you, if it wasn't for some pretty extreme good luck..." Marin murmured, but froze as Chat Noir held his face in his hands, lifting his expression so they made eye contact.

"I'm not going to give up this friendship, not ever."

"But-"

"I don't think you heard me properly," Chat Noir said smugly as he smiled cheekily. "You are never going to hurt me because I already know that you care too much to ever intentionally hurt anyone. Even when you believe you've done something wrong, I'll be the one to correct you, and remind you of what kind of person you are." He said honestly as he couldn't help but be proud of the smile that broke out on his friend's face. The smile that he caused, the smile that he wanted to always keep safe.

"You're good." Marin said sincerely. "You're too good a person." He said, allowing Chat Noir to pull him into a hug, allowing him to rest on his chest for a few moments. For a few moments, he didn't think about being Ladybug, about consequences, about anything bad that could happen, taking a few moments to be selfish as he simply closed his eyes.

"Where do you think I learned it from?" He asked with a smile as he pulled the blanket around them, snuggling his friend closer as he heard his soft snores.

Notes:

-Wow, would you look at all this friendship, just two dudes being bros, just two bros being friends, just two friends risking their lives to save each other because they're really good friends.

-Don't make promises you can't keep Chat, (because continuity is a thing)

-Plagg and Tikki want their ship to sale, also probably everyone else that knows Marin and Adrien are "friends"

-Man, if you think Tom was protective, imagine Sabine...hint, hint

-For the record, the pink rose is still in play ya'll. It will pop up again.