Adrien lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling as Plagg floated above him, lazily munching on a piece of camembert.
"She's been too focused on him," Adrien muttered, running a hand through his hair. "For the past month, she's been watching him, following him around, obsessing over what he does at night."
Plagg snorted. "Jealous, much?"
Adrien sat up, his brows furrowing. "No! I mean—no, that's not it." He sighed, leaning back against his pillows. "It's just… it's not like her to get this caught up in someone. Not even me."
Plagg smirked. "Oof. That must sting."
Adrien shot him a glare before shaking his head. "It's not about that, Plagg. It's just—this guy. Gurvinder. She barely knew him before, and now suddenly, she's watching him every night?"
Plagg licked his paw. "Maybe she's just worried about him?"
Adrien exhaled, rubbing his temples. "I get that. But she's never done this for anyone before. It's like…" His voice trailed off as he tried to find the right words.
"Like she cares," Plagg finished for him, smirking again. "A lot."
Adrien's jaw tightened. "Yeah… too much."
Plagg floated closer. "So… what are you gonna do about it, loverboy?"
Adrien stayed silent for a moment, then sat up, determination flashing in his green eyes.
"I'm going to keep an eye on him, too."
Plagg huffed, crossing his tiny arms. "Oh, come on, Adrien. You're seriously gonna start spying on this guy now? That's so not cool."
Adrien frowned. "I'm not spying. I just…" He hesitated before running a hand through his hair. "I just want to know why she's so invested in him. It doesn't make sense, Plagg! She's Ladybug. She doesn't just get attached to random people like this."
Plagg floated lazily onto Adrien's pillow, taking another bite of cheese. "Maybe it's none of your business?"
Adrien shot him a look. "How can you say that? We're partners! If something is messing with her head this much, I should know."
Plagg rolled his eyes. "Ugh, humans and their drama. Look, kid, maybe—just maybe—she's just being a good person. Ever think of that?"
Adrien folded his arms, his jaw tightening. "It's not just that. It's something more."
Plagg sighed dramatically. "And what are you gonna do? Stalk him? Follow him around at night like some kind of jealous ex?"
Adrien groaned, flopping back onto his bed. "I'm not jealous, Plagg."
Plagg snickered. "Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that."
Adrien scowled at the ceiling. "I just… need to figure this out."
Plagg shook his head. "You could just ask her, y'know?"
Adrien sighed, staring up at the ceiling. "No. If I ask, she'll just brush it off. I need to see for myself."
Plagg groaned, covering his face with his paws. "Oh boy. This is so gonna backfire…"
Marinette lay on her bed, staring at her phone screen as her fingers hovered over the keyboard. The dim glow of her phone was the only light in her room, the rest cast in soft shadows. She hesitated before finally typing a message to Alya.
Mari: Alya, I don't know what to do…
A few seconds later, her phone vibrated.
Alya: What happened now, girl?
Marinette exhaled and started typing.
Mari: It's about Gurvinder. I've been watching him for over a month now… I saw his scars, Alya. He's covered in them. Some are old, but some are fresh. He wasn't lying about training at night, but it's not normal training.
She hesitated before typing the next part.
Mari: It's brutal, Alya. His uncle whips him when he makes a mistake.
Alya didn't respond right away. Marinette imagined her best friend staring at the screen, probably processing what she had just said.
Then her phone vibrated again.
Alya: WHAT?!
Alya: Marinette, this is serious! Are you telling me he's getting abused?!
Mari: I don't know… I mean, he never says anything about it. He's always smiling, cracking jokes, acting like nothing's wrong. Even today, after what happened at the bakery, he just… acted normal. Like he didn't almost die from that akuma attack.
Alya's reply was almost instant.
Alya: Girl, you need to ask him. He's not gonna tell you unless you bring it up first.
Marinette bit her lip, her thumbs hovering over the keyboard.
Mari: But what if he shuts down? What if he gets scared and doesn't open up? What if… what if he leaves?
The thought made her stomach twist uncomfortably. She wanted to know. She needed to know. But what if pushing him made him run away?
Alya's response came quickly.
Alya: Mari, if he's really in trouble, then you have to ask. You don't have to push, but at least let him know you see him. He might be waiting for someone to notice.
Marinette exhaled, her fingers tightening around her phone.
Mari: …I'm scared, Alya.
Alya: I know, girl. But you're Ladybug. You're the bravest person I know. You can do this.
Marinette stared at the screen for a long time before finally typing.
Mari: Okay. I'll find the right time.
She turned off her phone and stared up at the ceiling, her heart heavy with everything she had learned.
Tomorrow, she had to talk to Gurvinder.
Marinette sighed, expecting Alya to drop the topic, but her phone vibrated again.
Alya: Mari… are you doing this out of concern? Or… is it something more?
Her eyes widened. Her fingers hovered over the screen, hesitant to type back.
Mari: What? No! I mean, yes, I care about him, but it's not like that!
Alya: Girl, you've been following this guy for a month. You're watching his every move, worrying about him every second, and getting angry when he gets hurt. That's not just concern, Mari.
Marinette's face burned as she sat up in bed, gripping her phone tightly.
Mari: That's ridiculous! I love Adrien!
Alya's response came almost instantly.
Alya: Do you? Or do you just love the idea of him?
That message made her freeze.
Love Adrien? Of course, she loved Adrien! She had been in love with him for years. He was kind, charming, sweet, and everything she had ever dreamed of. She had planned their future together in her head a thousand times. She had blushed over every interaction, giggled at his smiles, and clung to every compliment he had ever given her.
But…
Her mind flashed back to the past month.
To Gurvinder, pushing through his exhaustion to work at the bakery. His dumb jokes, his teasing smirks, his easy confidence. The way he carried pain but never let it break him. The way his eyes softened whenever he spoke about the people who showed him kindness.
The way her heart ached when she saw him hurt.
She swallowed, her breath uneven.
Was her love for Adrien real? Or was it something she had forced herself to believe in for so long that she never questioned it?
And if that wasn't love… then what was this feeling she had for Gurvinder?
Marinette shook her head quickly, as if trying to shake off Alya's words from her mind.
"No, no, no. This is ridiculous," she muttered to herself, placing her phone aside.
She flopped onto her bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to push the thoughts away. I love Adrien. I always have. This is just concern for a friend. That's all.
But deep down, a small, nagging doubt remained.
the next day the bakery was bustling with customers as it was a sunday.
Marinette stood behind the counter, pretending to be busy, but her eyes kept drifting toward Gurvinder.
His usual bright smile never wavered as he greeted customers, lifted heavy flour bags with ease, and kneaded dough with practiced precision. But she noticed the small things—the slight tremble in his legs, the way he arched his back every few minutes as if stretching out a hidden pain, and the brief moments where his eyelids drooped before he snapped himself awake.
How long has he been running on empty? she thought, gripping the edge of the counter.
The bell above the door chimed again, and as Gurvi turned to greet the new customer, his foot wobbled slightly. He caught himself before anyone else noticed, but Marinette did.
That was it. She couldn't watch this anymore.
She stormed over to him, placing a firm hand on his arm. "Sit. Down."
Gurvi blinked at her, then laughed. "Mari, the customers—"
"I don't care," she snapped, cutting him off. "You're running yourself into the ground."
He chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Oh, come on, Princess, I'm fine."
"You're not fine," she said, voice lower now, filled with worry. "You're barely standing."
He gave her a playful smirk, as if he was about to tease her again, but she didn't let him. She grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward a chair in the back.
"Sit. Drink some water. And rest for at least five minutes," she ordered.
Gurvi sighed but finally gave in, plopping down onto the chair. "Fine, fine, but just for five minutes. After that, you owe me a treat."
Marinette rolled her eyes but crossed her arms. "We'll see."
She turned to leave, but not before glancing back at him one more time.
His usual witty front was there, but she saw it now—the exhaustion he tried so hard to hide. And it made her heart ache.
Dinner that night was lively, the warm aroma of freshly baked bread filling the cozy kitchen. Tom, sitting at the head of the table, glanced at Gurvinder, who was stuffing his face as if he hadn't eaten in days.
"You really worked hard today, kid," Tom said, his voice filled with both pride and concern. "I don't think I've ever seen anyone put that much effort into kneading dough."
Gurvi, mid-bite, grinned. "Gotta make sure the customers get the best, right?"
Sabine chuckled. "That's true, but you also need to take care of yourself. You didn't sit down once until Marinette forced you."
Marinette, who had been quietly watching him, huffed. "He nearly collapsed like three times, but sure, let's act like he's totally fine."
Gurvi gave her a cheeky wink. "And yet, here I am, alive and still charming."
Tom shook his head with a chuckle but then turned serious. "Jokes aside, son, you don't have to push yourself like this. You're already doing more than enough. It's okay to rest."
For a second, Gurvinder's smile faltered, his hand gripping the fork just a little tighter. But it was gone in an instant, replaced with his usual playful grin. "Don't worry, Uncle Tom. Hard work is in my blood. I'll rest when I earn it."
Marinette stared at him, his words echoing in her head. Earn it?
Something was definitely not right.
Gurvinder blinked at Marinette's sudden outburst, his fork pausing mid-air. The playful glint in his eyes flickered for a moment before he shrugged.
"I mean exactly what I said," he replied casually, shoving another bite of food into his mouth like it was no big deal. "Nothing in life comes for free. You work hard, you earn your place. Simple."
Marinette frowned, gripping her spoon tightly. "That's not how it works! You're already doing so much—you don't have to earn the right to rest."
Gurvi chuckled, leaning back slightly. "Relax, Mari. I'm not some tragic anime protagonist. I just believe in hard work."
Tom and Sabine exchanged a quick glance, sensing the weight behind Marinette's words.
Sabine spoke gently, "Gurvinder, dear, you're part of this family now. You don't need to prove anything to us."
For the first time, Gurvi hesitated. His fingers curled slightly against the table as if holding onto something unseen. Then, just as quickly, he masked it with a grin.
"I know, Aunty," he said smoothly. "But still, doesn't mean I'll slack off. Now, are we done with the interrogation? Because I'd really like to finish this amazing food before someone lectures me into starvation."
Marinette wanted to argue more, but she could see it—the way he dodged, the way he hid behind jokes. He wasn't going to let her in so easily.
But now, she had to know.
Marinette sat at the table, her fingers lightly tapping against the wood as she watched him. Gurvinder kept up his usual act—grinning, joking, and acting like everything was fine. But as soon as everyone dispersed and the chatter died down, she saw the cracks in his facade.
His steps were slow, calculated. His shoulders, usually broad with confidence, sagged ever so slightly. And then—his feet trembled. Just for a second.
He caught himself quickly, straightening up before he reached his room. But Marinette had seen it.
Her heart clenched.
He's in pain.
She thought about how he never let himself rest, how he kept pushing, and how he always dismissed his own struggles like they didn't matter.
Marinette bit her lip, gripping the edge of the table. I need to do something.
But what if he pushed her away? What if she asked and he just laughed it off?
She exhaled sharply.
No. This time, she wouldn't let it slide.
With quiet steps, she followed him.
she called his name and he stopped in his path as he turned around and asked "yes maricon??"
Marinette crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at him. Even now, he's joking.
"Don't 'Maricon' me," she huffed, stepping closer. "Are you okay?"
Gurvinder blinked at her, then smirked. "Of course! Never better. Why, do I not look my usual stunning self?" He struck a playful pose, but she didn't laugh this time.
Instead, she took another step forward, her voice softer now. "I saw you, Gurvi. You're exhausted, aren't you?"
For a split second, something flickered in his eyes—something guarded, something vulnerable. But it was gone just as quickly. He let out a dramatic gasp.
"You wound me, Mari! Are you saying I look like a sleep-deprived zombie?" He clutched his chest in fake offense.
Marinette wasn't having it. "Stop joking around!" she snapped, her tone surprising even herself.
Gurvinder froze.
She sighed, lowering her voice again. "I'm serious, Gurvi. You don't let yourself rest. You keep pushing and pushing, and I just…" Her fingers curled into fists. "I just don't get it. Why do you do this to yourself?"
He was quiet for a moment, his playful expression faltering. Then, with a small chuckle, he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Because if I stop, I don't know what'll happen," he admitted, voice barely above a whisper.
Marinette's breath hitched. She wasn't expecting him to actually answer.
Before she could respond, he grinned again, that usual mischievous spark returning to his eyes. "But enough about me! How about we grab some late-night Mari-cons? You still owe me for calling me 'stubborn' last time."
She knew he was dodging, pushing the topic away like always. But this time, she wasn't going to let it slide so easily.
Marinette gave him a long, hard look before finally sighing. "Fine. But you're sitting down while we eat. No arguments."
Gurvinder gasped dramatically again. "Are you… ordering me around? My own landlady? The audacity!"
Marinette rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. Fine, Gurvi. Keep pretending. But I see you. And one day, you're going to have to let me in.
Marinette let out a small sigh, watching as Gurvinder casually leaned against the doorframe, his smirk still in place. He's not going to budge… not yet.
If she pushed too hard now, he'd just retreat further behind that playful mask of his. She had to be patient. Had to build trust first.
"Alright, fine," she relented, crossing her arms. "I won't ask anymore."
Gurvinder raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Just like that?"
"Just like that," she repeated, though the determination in her voice made it clear—this wasn't over. She was just waiting for the right moment.
He studied her for a second before flashing another grin. "Wow, Mari, you're getting soft on me. Next thing I know, you'll be making me a special batch of Mari-cons just to spoil me."
She scoffed. "In your dreams, Gurvi."
He chuckled, turning toward his room. "Goodnight, Mari."
"Goodnight," she murmured, watching as he walked away. His steps were steady now, but she noticed the subtle way he clenched his jaw—how he made sure not to show any sign of weakness until he was out of sight.
As soon as his door shut, Marinette exhaled, glancing down at her hands.
Tikki was right. He's hiding too much… but why?
Whatever it was, she'd find out. But first, she had to make sure he knew—he wasn't alone anymore.
Back in her room, Marinette sat on her bed, hugging her knees as Tikki floated in front of her, concern written all over the tiny kwami's face.
"I just don't get it, Tikki," Marinette murmured. "Why is his uncle training him like that? That wasn't just normal training—it was punishment. The way he was getting whipped for every mistake… that's not okay."
Tikki frowned. "I don't know, Marinette… but whatever it is, it's not right. No training should involve that kind of pain."
Marinette bit her lip, remembering the fresh and fading scars on Gurvinder's back, the exhaustion in his movements, the way he tried so hard to act like everything was fine.
"And why is he pushing himself so much?" she continued. "He barely sleeps, barely eats, and still works himself to the bone every day. It's like… like he has to prove something. But to who?"
Tikki floated closer. "Maybe he thinks he has no choice."
That thought made Marinette's chest tighten.
No choice…
She had seen it before—the way people acted when they felt trapped, like they had to keep going no matter how much it hurt.
But Gurvinder wasn't alone anymore.
Marinette's hands curled into fists. "I have to find out more, Tikki. I can't just watch him suffer and do nothing."
Tikki nodded. "But you have to be careful, Marinette. He might not be ready to open up yet."
"I know," Marinette sighed. "But I won't stop until I know the truth."
She laid back on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing.
Whatever Gurvinder was going through… she was going to find out.
tikki then asked marinette again, "you sure marinette you dont love him"
Marinette's breath hitched at Tikki's question. She sat up quickly, her cheeks flushing as she looked at the little red kwami floating in front of her.
"W-What? Tikki! That's not what this is about!" she stammered.
Tikki gave her a knowing look. "Are you sure?"
Marinette opened her mouth to argue but then hesitated.
Was she sure?
She had been so focused on figuring out Gurvinder's secrets, on worrying about him, on watching him…
She thought about how her heart clenched whenever she saw his exhaustion, how she felt angry when he was in pain, how she wanted to protect him from whatever was hurting him.
Was that just concern? Or was it something more?
"I—" Marinette bit her lip. "I don't know, Tikki…"
Tikki floated closer. "You've been thinking about him so much, Marinette. You're drawn to him, you care about him, and when he gets hurt, it hurts you too. That sounds a lot like love."
Marinette swallowed hard, her mind flashing back to Adrien. The boy she had loved for so long. The one she had dreamed about, fought for, cherished from a distance.
And yet…
Lately, when she thought of warm smiles, teasing remarks, and a presence that made her feel safe—it wasn't Adrien who came to mind first.
Marinette gripped her blanket.
"I don't know, Tikki," she whispered, her voice uncertain. "I just don't know."