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Adrien's P.O.V

After I returned back home, Natalie came and acknowledged me with a last minute scheduled photo shoot. Knowing that I wouldn't be at the funeral at the time I planned, I followed my father's assistant out to the limo sadly.

My mind drifted wondering if Marinette would be okay for the time being until my arrival. I would likely be an hour late if not longer depending on how picky my photographer is today.

We soon arrived at Notre Dame, there a few feet away was the said photographer. From what I could see, he looked quite agitated with something which meant this was going to take a while. With a sigh, I exited the limo and went over to start.

"Ah, Adrien. You have arrived! Perfect! Let's begin!" the photographer exclaimed.

"Let's get this over with," I thought, watching the limo leave to return later.

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The photoshoot took two hours since I was either "too tense" or "very distracted" with every pose I did. The truth was, I was very distracted and itched to leave as soon as possible which didn't happen.

I quickly went to my room without a second thought and knew no one would come in for the rest of the night. This gave me the advantage to go out as Chat for the rest of the funeral tonight. Without a second thought or one complaint from my lazy Kwami, I transformed then left through the window.

I leaped from roof to roof as fast as possible and found the building. It stuck out like a sore thumb with the flowers and a giant picture frame of the deceased woman and some words. I opened the door and poked my head in to see a bunch of people talking or crying quietly in the hallway.

Some people noticed me and whispered through the crowd probably wondering what one of Paris superheroes is doing at Sabine's funeral. If I was ever going to find Marinette, I had to keep a low profile.

"Chat Noir, what are you doing here?"

I jumped when the sudden voice came up from behind me. My attention was brought onto who I recognized to be Marinette's grandmother. She had red tear tracks flowing down her face and puffy eyes misted over.

"Hi, Miss. I was looking for my friend, Marinette," I explained, quietly so no one else would hear. The elder woman gave a sweet smile before gesturing me to follow her. Marinette's grandmother guided me to a small room in the back filled with some children and a couple of adults.

She pointed to the far corner of the room at a couch and at the end of it was the bluenette. She sat there curled up, facing the wall and leaning on the back of the couch as if sleeping. I knew better though. She wanted to be alone.

"From what Tom tells me, Marinette hasn't moved from that spot ever since they arrived. I don't think she even went into the main room yet to see her mother. I have a feeling you could change that," the elder woman explained.

I glanced up at her and nodded, thanking her before walking over to my shy friend. I could feel the room grow tense. Some of the adults and children went silent, eyes watching my every move carefully. They were either surprised I was here or thinking it was a bad idea to mess with my Princess. Maybe both.

I ignored them and sat down next to Marinette who didn't acknowledge my presence, probably thinking it was someone pitying her.

I reached out and laid a hand on her shoulder. She flinched at the touch, burying herself more into the cushion of the brown furniture.

"Marinette, I'm here," I said, gently. Mari looked over her shoulder to meet my green ones, a little dumbfounded to see me. I gave a small reassuring smile after observing bloodshot eyes and stained cheeks. She turned around and rested her head on my shoulder, nuzzling it a little.

I felt heat rise into my cheeks before securing an arm around her slim form. If it wasn't for my enhanced hearing, I wouldn't have heard what my Princess just said.

"I thought you weren't coming," she rasped, sniffling. It crushed my soul in more ways than one when hearing her doubt. I felt horrible that I didn't come as planned. Then again, it would bring suspicion if Adrien just happened to disappear.

I didn't want Marinette to worry about my civilian form while still feeling the ache of her mother's passing.

"I'm sorry. I would have been here sooner but something in my civilian form popped up at the last minute and there was no way out of it. I know that's no excuse-"I was cut off when Marinette shushed me.

"Your h-here now and t-that's all that matters," Marinette said, burying her face in my shoulder. I smiled a little and rubbed her back soothingly, letting the silence fill the air between us. As much as I loved to stay here with this wonderful girl in my arms, I knew there was something else that had to be done.

I know she will regret it if she didn't do it.

"Mari, I know you're not going to like hearing this, but you should go see your mom," I urged, feeling the girl flinch and tense a little.

"W-Will you come with me? I don't think I could do this alone," she admitted, timidly. I intertwined my fingers with hers and replied, "Of course, Princess."

We stood up and Marinette stood as close as possible to me. I felt my face flush a bit as we walked hand in hand to the main room. There were whispers and gasps as we passed people. We ignored them the whole way to the main room, not that it was a long walk.

We reached the entrance of the main room when Marinette hesitated at the door for a moment. I gently urged her to go inside the room with some hesitation from her. She soon complied.

As the two of us grew closer to the casket, the tighter the bluenette's hand clutched in mine.

I gave a squeeze back to reassure her that it was going to be okay. Marinette is a very brave girl and has proven that in more ways than one like Ladybug. So stubborn, creative, smart and...beautiful. I shook the thought out of my head and mentally hit myself for thinking it.

Ladybug's the one I love. Yet there just might be a soft spot where Marinette is slowly creeping in.

"C-Chat..." I blinked, hearing Marinette's small voice then noticed we stood merely a few feet away from the passed on baker.

"I'm scared," she admitted.

"It's okay to be scared. I'll be right behind you the whole time if you need me, okay?" I reassured her. Marinette slowly nodded, parting away and letting go of my hand with her warmth gone. She walked up to the casket then looked down inside.

I was able to make out a few words when turning to face Tom. He stared back in shock before smiling as a silent "thank you." I smiled a little back and nodded my head. Poor Tom, lost his wife just like my father did as well. I know he wouldn't act like my dad.

Tom is a good man to let Marinette suffer alone like me. As long as the two had each other, they would be alright.

I turned my attention back to Marinette to see her lean down and kiss her mother on the forehead.

She walked back over then grabbed my hand, dragging me outside to a nearby bench.

"Marinette?" I questioned why she did that.

"W-Why?" she asked, wiping her face and sniffling.

"Why what?" I asked, gently.

"Why are you helping me when you could have other things in your civilian life? I really am grateful for what you've been doing but..." Marinette said trailing off.

Marinette's P.O.V

Chat's ears flattened and lips turned to a frown. He sighed and crossed his arms protectively around himself.

"I...I don't want to lose anyone else when I could have done something. My family lost someone very important to us. It damaged my family to the point where my parent hides all day, every day. I lost both of my parents in that same day without realizing it till it was too late. I eat alone at every meal and don't have much freedom unless I'm Chat Noir. I...I didn't want to lose another person that's dear to me, because I wasn't there for them," Chat explained.

I saw a whole new side of Chat that hid under the mask. The emotional mask. Under it, was someone who feared of being lonely. He didn't want to lose another person he cared about. He wanted to help reassure that I was really okay, so I wouldn't be as lonely as him. Something he wasn't able to do in the past.

"Thank you," I spoke with gratitude, smiling. Chat let one of his famous relaxed smirks spread across his face.

"No prruu-oblem, Prruu-incess. Anything for mew," he said, laughing. I groaned when hearing the stupid cat puns before laughing along myself. Chat was a real idiot at times, but I'm so glad he is my partner. I couldn't imagine anyone else to replace this silly cat.

Beep

Chat stood up at the sound and stretched then grabbed my hand, placing a kiss on it.

"This cat has to scat. I'll see you later, Princess," the hero of destruction said with a small smile. He leaped up to the roof and sped off, leaving me on the bench.

I swore my cheeks flushed pink after his departure.

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