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Marinette's P.O.V

I never thought I would see a day like this.

The day I finally admit to myself that I had fallen in love with my silly partner, Chat Noir.

The day I would reject his feelings and hurt both of us.

I couldn't be with him, not as Marinette or Ladybug.

My family and friends would be in mortal danger. My identity would be at a high risk of being discovered. My greatest strength would become my greatest weakness. He is my weakness. Someone to lean on and feel safe. Someone who has my back and never fails to cheer me up. My best friend...my partner...someone I love, but I can't be with.

I've never seen Chat look so pain-stricken or heard him go completely silent. He stared at me, both shock and fear filling his emerald eyes. His lips were turned upside down, something that just looked so wrong in so many ways. My heart tore at the sight of his ears drooping, his emotions quickly changing into sadness and confusion.

I had to look away. I had to stay strong. I couldn't give in to the temptation even though it was hard to do so. He cannot stay. He cannot be with me.

"W-What?" I heard him quietly ask, sadness sewed within his tone, "Marinette...why?" I bit down on the bottom of my lip and clenched my hands into fists. My eyes were screwed shut before forcing them open and looking up at Chat Noir in the eye.

"You can't come back here ever again. My identity is being put at risk if Hawkmoth finds out. I can't put my family and friends in danger again. A-and, I just..." my rambling soon trailed off, unable to say the last part.

"W-We can still be together as our superhero selves," Chat quickly said, but I shook my head "no."

"If Paris saw Ladybug acting differently when they already think that Marinette is with Chat Noir, someone might put two and two together..." I explained, feeling my soul become heavier when Chat bowed his head in defeat.

"I...I'm sorry, Chat. I-" I was stopped when he held up his hand for me to stop talking.

"I...I understand," Chat replied then turned around and grabbed his baton.

"Kitty..." I shakily called, almost unable to get the word passed my lips. I knew he heard me when his ears perked up a bit. Yet, he didn't turn around nor paused and vaulted off of my balcony. Just like that, he was gone.

The only thing that I could hear was not the sounds of the city, but my heart falling onto the ground and shattering. I numbly stared out into the city before going back into my bedroom. I sat on my bed and pulled my knees up to my chest, hazily staring at the pink wall across the room.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something out of place that didn't belong. I slowly shifted my dull gaze over at the object and forgot how to breathe. Within the mixture of my sheets, Chat's blanket stuck out with the unique design that I loved so much. I forgot to give it back to him.

I grabbed the soft blanket and wrapped it around my shoulders, pulling some of it up to cover my head like a hood. It smelled like fresh air, but there was also another faint scent that stood out the most. I could smell a hint of Chat's cologne that still clung to the blanket.

I buried my face into the blanket and closed my eyes, soaking in the warmth and comfort the blanket brought.

"Marinette, can you get me some-," Tikki paused, noticing something was wrong. I took in a couple of deep breaths to calm myself before lifting my head, a forced smile forming onto my face.

"Did you need something, Tikki?" I asked my Kwami in a quiet voice. Her blue eyes saddened as she said, "Marinette...you're crying."

I blinked then let one of my hands unclench the blanket to brush the wetness on my cheek. I hadn't realized that I was crying and buried my face back into the blanket ashamed.

"What's wrong? Did Chat reject you?" Tikki questioned, worried, "I was so sure he had feelings for you."

"N-No," I said, voice quaking, "I-I basically told him to leave a-and that we couldn't ever be together." Tikki's eyes widen so much that they could've popped out of her head.

"Why would you do that?" she asked in disbelief.

"I-It's just too much of a risk," I said then climbed down her loft and headed towards the trap door, the blanket still wrapped around my shoulders.

"I assume you want cookies," I said, quietly, "I'll go get you some."

I didn't look at Tikki the whole time but could feel her worried stare on me. I went quietly down the steps and saw papa sitting on the couch, watching TV in the dark. I knelt down and crept over to the fridge, trying not to alert my dad that I was not in bed yet and sneaking snacks.

I stood off to the side of the fridge and reached for the handle slowly. My hand grasped the cool metal and slightly tugged the door open. I squinted my eyes, quickly searching for some cookies so I could return to my room and go back to my pitiful fetal position with Chat's blanket wrapped around me.

I spotted the box of cookies and grabbed them. Once the fridge was closed, I began to silently shuffle over to the stairs that lead up to my room. Papa still hadn't noticed me sneaking cookies to my luck.

When I looked down to see what kind of cookies I grabbed, my eyes widened in shock and my clumsiness awakened. I accidentally stepped on Chat's blanket and fell with a loud thump! My head hit the floor hard which made me groan in pain and rub the spot that hurt.

"Marinette? What are you doing?"

Busted.

My mind was spinning as I tried to hide the cookies inside the cover of the blanket. I looked up at Papa to see him questionably staring down at me in confusion. I stumbled up onto my feet and saw his eyes were drawn down to what I was trying to hide from him.

"N-Nothing, just getting a g-glass of w-water," I lied, avoiding eye contact and feeling like the worst person to ever exist. He gave me a look of disappointment, hearing the lie loud and clear as day. I felt even worse and dropped my gaze towards the ground.

I heard him let out a long sigh and peeked up to see him pinching the bridge of his nose, eyes shut tight in exhaustion. Guilt gnawed at me in more ways than one and an ache settled within my chest. My stomach twisted when he moved to stand in front of me and looked down at my smaller form.

I shifted on my spot uncomfortably and tightened the blanket around my shoulders as if it would protect me from papa's wrath. I clenched the box a little too hard that there was a slight dent in it.

"Marinette," Papa started, sternly, "Why do you keep lying to me?" I forced myself to slowly look up to see papa with narrowed eyes and arms crossed.

I opened my mouth but no words formed on my tongue. I didn't know what to say. Do I make up another excuse, continuing my hurtful lies to keep my secret identity? Do I tell him the truth and risk putting his life in more danger?

What do I do?

I feel so torn...

...guilty...

...and lost...without him...without her.

"Why do you keep lying to me, Marinette?" Papa sharply spoke, making me flinch and gaping like a fish. My mouth felt dry and mind racing with a million thoughts.

"I...I don't know," I whimpered, admittedly and looking down in shame. He let out another long and stressful sigh before saying, "You're grounded."

"But, papa-" I tried to argue but shut my mouth when he gestured his hand up for me to stop talking.

"I don't want to hear it. As for your punishment, you come home immediately after school and do your homework. No late-night snacks or video games. And, your curfew is now going to be two hours earlier," Papa said, "Now, I can't stop Chat Noir from coming over, but I expect you to have him leave before your new curfew. Understand?"

I could only numbly nod in response.

"What has gotten into, Marinette? You weren't like this when..." Papa trailed off before looking down at me sadly. I sniffled before being pulled into my father's embrace. My grip on the cookies...mama's last baked cookies...gave out and fell onto the floor. I returned the hug, gripping his shirt and burying my face into his chest.

"I love you. You know that right?" he asked, softly.

"I love you too," I replied. We pulled away, then he let me go back up to my room. I was able to sneak a cookie and gave it to Tikki. My Kwami carefully watched me as I climbed into bed with Chat's blanket still secured around my frame.

I barely got a wink of sleep that night.

The next morning wasn't any better either. My eyelids felt heavy and tried to hold back as much yawning as possible.

"You look worse than a train wreck."

I glared at Lila, who smirked.

"I'm not in the mood. So, why don't you go spread more lies to somewhere else and ruin your life more," I grumpily spat and shut my locker door. Lila chuckled deviously, making the urge to punch her rise greatly.

"Well, I had some news to tell you, but you'd probably think I would be lying. So, I won't bother," she said, catching my attention.

"What news?" I asked, glaring at the Italian.

"Oh, nothing much," she started before leaning into my ear and whispering a few words. My eyes widened and rage began to seethe through my body at an alarming rate. My mind went blank, blinded by red as my fist collided with her face. Her words rand through my ears, echoing within my mind on repeat.

"I'm the one that gave that last akuma the idea to harass your dear daddy and ex-best friend."

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Readers: Why are you slacking?!

Me: *takes in a deep breathe* I'VE BEEN BUSY AND VERY VERY LAZY!!!! Though that second one is not a good excuse sssooo...SUE ME!!

I am joking! Please, do not sue me! 0_0

Lol, anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!