»»[ I don't know if it's Sunday in your country yet but, it is in mine and I am wide awake, completing my work when I thought of updating this. After all, it's a long overdue. ]««

Please don't forget to vote and comment. Let me know what you liked and what you didn't.

And I am sorry again.
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"Stay safe here, I will take care of the rest." Ladybug put down Rose as they landed on the terrace of Le Grand Paris hotel.

"Wait, Ladybug! What about Cat Noir? Where is he? You two are a team and best friends, right?" Rose asked rather worriedly.

The heroine gulped at the name of her partner. Their partnership was never the same ever since she had confessed to him. Their usual sync was disturbed. Cat Noir had tried to address the issue several times but she refused to talk to him.

No matter what, no one could really blame her. She was going through a really painful heartbreak. Every time she saw him, she was reminded of all the memories they had shared, all the fun, the playful banters, their laughs. It just took a single minute for all the sweet dreams to get shattered as he rejected her and she watched her world burn into ashes. Her friendship with him, both in her civilian and hero form, was ruined. Her heart ached badly for him.

At Rose's words, she couldn't help but feel guilty. They were partners after all. He was her best friend, her closest friend. She had put the safety of Paris at stake just because she was uncomfortable around him, just because she couldn't meet his eyes. It wasn't his fault that he had moved on. He had a right to like anyone or no one. She didn't have any right to be upset with him. If anything, she should be mad at herself for being so immature.

He didn't do this when she rejected him, countless times. She would set this right. Ladybug and Cat Noir are a duo and she was going to fix the mess she created. Her first mistake was breaking the heart of the sweetest guy she'd ever met and alienating him would be her second blunder. It was time to end this, for the greater good.

"Yes, Rose. We're best friends. Sorry that we haven't been focused lately. But, I promise we will do our best to keep Paris safe." She said holding her chin high up.

"That's the Ladybug we all know." Rose cheered.

Ladybug smiled at her friend. Even though she was amused by Rose being afraid of an Akuma that people no longer saw as a threat, she was grateful that she made her realise her mistake unknowingly.

Her attention was caught by a lot of pigeons carrying Cat Noir, the poor boy was sneezing very loudly.

"Hey, Mr Pigeon! Stop messing with the cat. Wanna get scratched or something?" She taunted him as she used her yo-yo to swing across to her partner.

Seriously, Hawkmoth should stop trying Mr Pigeon.

.

.

.

"Pound it!" The duo fist-bumped.

"Wow LB! Thanks for helping me out today." His face morphed into a serious expression, "Listen, uh I- I am sorry Ladybug for breaking your heart. I really am but, I can't lie to you, I can't lead you on. I-I ca-can't give you false hope. I hope you understand."

The throbbing in her head and the pain in her heart returned as he uttered those words. The words were so familiar, the only thing that changed was that it was her hearing them this time. So, this was how he felt every time.

"It's okay." Even though she had calmed her breathing a little, her voice sounded breathless and her heart sank. What if he realises that she was still upset and that it wasn't okay after all?

"You have forgiven me?" Cat Noir asked hopefully.

"Oh, chaton! You did nothing wrong. It was my fault that it took me this long to get my head back into place. I hope that we can go back to being the dynamic superhero team we were." Her lips twitched slightly as she tried to put on a smile for his sake. A broken smile.

"I would really like that." He did a two-finger salute and left.

Oh, how times have changed...
Why did I fall in love?

******

Unfortunately, things weren't easy for Paris' superheroes alter-egoes.

Marinette had completely shut out Cat Noir. She refused to talk to him. She didn't even look at him. Handling him as a civilian was harder, knowing that he wanted her back but, just as a friend. She couldn't give him that because that would be unfair.

As Ladybug she had a responsibility and she couldn't afford to be selfish. The logical part of her wanted things to go back to how they were but, the more human part of her, the emotional part, wanted to forget about the pain. No matter how hard she tried, she knew that if her friendship with Cat Noir as a civilian continued then she wouldn't be able to move on. The friendship he had with her superhero for wasn't as open as it was with Marinette. She couldn't let him in.

The poor hero did his best to reach out to her or tried to correct his mistakes that upset her, only to fail. Because he didn't know what his mistake was. Because she wouldn't tell him, because she didn't give him a chance.

The night after she abandoned him, he went to her balcony in hope of talking things out with her. He was about to knock on her skylight when he came across a note left by her.

'Please don't come back here.' It read.

He always respected her and her boundaries. So, he never returned. He could feel her slip away from his fingers, out of his reach.

He had lost her, her friendship, her love, her everything. And it hurt, so bad. His love story reached its 'The End' before it even began. He didn't know what did he do to deserve such fate. No one loved him.

Plagg and Tikki could feel the tension between them. The bond between the yin and yang was severing. The balance between creation and destruction was seriously disturbed. The helpless kwamis could do nothing to make the fragile teens feel better.

The feeling you get in the stomach when your heart is broken, it's like all the butterflies died in there.

It had been 55 hours 38 minutes and 45 seconds since Marinette had rejected Adrien.

It had been 51 hours 12 minutes and 26 seconds since he had rejected Ladybug.

It had been 48 hours 56 minutes and 30 seconds since Marinette had shut him out of her life completely, on her balcony.

"S-She healed m-me o-only t-to break me com-completely." The poor boy said between his sobs. He had been crying for hours now. By this point, he wasn't even trying to hold back his tears.

He clutched the Cat Noir themed onesie that Marinette had made him for his birthday very tightly as if it was the only thing he felt safe with. He held the cloth near his chest. It had a faint fragrance of his princess that wouldn't be so faint with his Cat like senses.

He had spent hours looked through the pictures of him and Marinette in the scrapbook Sabine had given him. The latest one was in which his princess was in his arms, sleeping peacefully. He was smiling softly at her as he held her, his expression clearly stated that he was glad to have her in his arms. Something he couldn't do now. Everything around him reminded him of her. It was torturing, very torturing.

"No matter how much you hurt me, Mari, my princess, no matter how much you break my heart... I will always love you with all the pieces that are le-left." He managed to mutter.

Plagg was worried about his chosen's health. And, he was very angry with Tikki's chosen. Why did she complicate things? Why didn't she confess as Marinette? He thought she was smarter than this. But no! Apparently, she was just as stupid as his holder and got not only hers but also his kid's heartbroken. Badmouthing her probably won't help. "Adrien, kid, it's no use crying. Please don't think about it." He rubbed the boy's back soothingly with his paws.

"DON'T THINK ABOUT IT? YOU ARE TELLING ME TO NOT TO THINK ABOUT IT? WELL, GUESS WHAT CHEESE-LOVER, IT ISN'T EASY. I LOVE HER!" Adrien yelled at his kwamis.

Plagg flinched. Adrien wasn't a person that would ever raise his voice.

The blonde saw his hurt expression and softened his gaze. "I a-am s-sorry, Plagg. I-It's jus-just th-that I mi-miss h-her so bad."

The kwami nodded. He understood the boy. He didn't know how to deal with this situation. Maybe, he faintly registered the idea of telling him the truth but, Tikki's anger stopped him from telling the boy Ladybug's identity.

Adrien thought that he knew pain. He had lost his loved ones before, his mother, his father who became cold after Emilie's departure.

Although, nothing had hit him as hard as losing Marinette. She was his silver lining to every cloud. And now, the poor kid had to deal with the guilt of breaking Ladybug's heart too. Although they had agreed on the terms of going back to where they were, that is friends, for Paris' sake, he knew that things would never be the same.

If he had only known, if he had been warned that falling for Marinette would complicate things and would affect their friendship, then he would've prevented it.

Who am I kidding? I would've fallen in love with her, anyhow. Marinette is the kind of person you can't help falling for.

He had tried talking to Sabine and Tom as Cat Noir about this issue. Despite their persuasion, Marinette wouldn't talk to him. He couldn't blame her parents though, that girl was stubborn.

I hope she doesn't hate me.

The worst part was, he didn't know what he did to make her hate him so much that she refused to even look at him. What could he have possibly done to make things go downhill? How was he supposed to fix everything when she wouldn't tell him what he did wrong in the first place?

The sound of his phone ringing made him look up. He checked his phone. Nino's number flashed the screen. He wiped his tears and calmed his voice.

"H-Hello?"

"Oh, Adrien! Dude! You finally picked up. I was so worried sick. You didn't even come to school today."

"Sorry, Nino. I wa-was busy."

"Crying?"

Adrien's eyes widened. Was it that obvious? "How did you know?"

"It's okay bro. No need to feel ashamed. We didn't expect it to be any easier for you. It's okay to cry. And I am so so sorry. I-I didn't know that she... that she, well you know."

Adrien winced. "It's-it's okay re-really. N-not yo-your fault. I wa-was late and st-stupid... How is she? Marinette?"

"Way worse than you. She felt really guilty to see you like that. And also... I think you should know a thing."

"What?"

"Well, you see that day, she-she confessed to the guy she was in love with..."

"Oh?" Adrien could feel the blood being squeezed out of his heart. It had been 48 hours 58 minutes and 12 seconds since his heart was ripped apart and it was still capable of feeling more pain? She-she confessed?

"And, well, things didn't go as planned and she was rejected and the poor girl had been crying her eyes out."

"What?! She was rejected? Who in the right mind would do that?"

"I don't know, dude. She didn't even tell Alya about him. Apparently, she had been friends with this guy for years now, he always said that he liked her and she always turned him down. And when she confessed to him, he said that he had moved on."

Adrien frowned, not only because this situation seemed oddly familiar but also that Marinette never told Cat about this guy.

"So... she re-rejected m-me for a jerk that didn't even appreciate her." He said, ignoring the faint flutter of hope he had in his heart. Maybe he had a chance now? I am a horrible person.

"That's not even the worst part, bro. You see, um, the even-evening he rejected her, she... she went to Alya, crying. She told he-her to learn from the mistakes of the past and to move on. Only... Marinette took the advice way too seriously..."

"Stop beating about the bush. What happened?"

"Look, I am really sorry Adrien... The thing is... ahem she-she asked out Luka a-and he said yes."

Adrien felt as if his whole world had collapsed. He dropped the phone out of shock.

"Adrien? Adrien?!"

He heard the DJ desperately calling him but he didn't care. He didn't care anymore. More tears streamed down his eyes as his breathing got heavier. His eyelids felt heavier too.

Falling in love is like handing a person a gun pointed at your heart, hoping that they would never pull the trigger.

******

Running away from fear is fear,
Fighting pain is pain,
Trying to be brave is being scared,
If the mind is in pain;
the mind is pain.

Adrien had always enjoyed being Cat Noir and the freedom it gave him. He never thought that he would use the freedom to run from his pain.

He had never entertained the idea of people running away from their problems. But, he now understood very clearly. He couldn't get rid of the burning sensation in his heart so, he decided to outrun it. It was just easier than facing the painful truth.

Marinette doesn't want me.

At the back of his mind, Adrien knew that he could never outrun the bitter truth. He leapt across the rooftops, not really aiming for a certain destination. His eyes were brimming with tears. There wasn't just pain from heartbreak, there was also guilt— the guilt of breaking Ladybug's heart.

The guilt ate him. When his partner confessed to him, the question of who he loved more between Marinette and Ladybug wasn't even a question anymore. He couldn't deny it.

He had always fantasized about Ladybug confessing to him. He had literally dreamed about it for years but, things changed. They changed drastically... probably for the worst.

The moment 'I want to be with you' escaped her lips, the only thing that came to his mind was he couldn't be with Marinette if he dated Ladybug.

Ladybug was his crush, his best friend, his partner but- but Marinette was his love, his happiness, his everything. He wanted to be with her. He wanted to have a proper relationship with her, he wanted to take her out on romantic dates, he wanted to sing her songs, he wanted to hold her hand and kiss her.

His partner would always have a special place in his heart but he couldn't ignore what Marinette made him feel, not anymore.

Despite everything, he still cared about his superhero partner. He knew exactly how it felt when the person you like tells you about someone else. It felt like thorns pricking into one's fragile heart. He couldn't do it to her. Telling her about Marinette would be like sprinkling salt on Ladybug's wounds. He didn't want her to experience that pain. So, when she asked him if he found someone else, he denied.

It felt like it was karmic justice, the love of his life locking him out of her life in less than a few hours of him breaking Ladybug's heart. The pain didn't stop even after running around aimlessly for hours.

It never stops!

He missed Marinette, so much. He missed her terribly. It felt really weird that he had got used to her presence and warmth in just a few months as if things were always meant to be like that. If she'd be around to see him in this state, she would most likely console him. She'd hug him, feed him cookies with her hands and smile cheerfully, with a smile that could melt stones.

How am I not supposed to love her?

He was used to people leaving him alone. What sin he could've possibly committed to deserve this cruelty? Was he really that bad? Or was it just the bad luck he symbolised? Maybe it was just him... Maybe it was his fault that people were like this to him. First, his Mom left him then Gabriel became more of a boss than a Father, his childhood friend called him a sidekick unknowingly, Ladybug always rejected him. And when he finally found a little happiness, when his messed-up life and the world finally made sense, Marinette shut him out.

He choked back a sob as he wiped away some tears in his forearm. No! He couldn't cry right now, not in front of everyone. The civilians must not see their hero get vulnerable. He had spent the past few hours crying his eyes out and yet more tears kept coming. They never stopped.

He stilled suddenly as he made out two familiar figures on the street across the rooftop he was on. He narrowed his eyes and his breathing got heavier again as he recognised the couple in front of him.

It was Marinette with Luka. They were holding hands and were supposedly on a date. His heart pained to see them together. It seemed like they were enjoying themselves. Thanking God for the stealth his suit gave him, he moved closer.

He heard the sound of her sweet laughter as she snorted cutely at a lame joke that Luka had just made. He gritted his teeth as jealousy washed over him. His heartbeat came to a sudden halt and he could all but stand like a statue as he watched her press a kiss on Luka's cheek. He gripped his baton tightly as his eyes reflected pure rage and pain. Another part of his soul shrivelled and died.

It isn't fair!

It wasn't fair that she could go out on dates, giggle and kiss her boyfriend when he had nothing better to do than to cry in his Father's desolate mansion. He didn't want to sound bitter. He wanted to be happy for Marinette, he really did. But, something about her smile and her laugh made him suspicious, like they were incomplete. She had a distant look in her eyes. Maybe, she wasn't happy with her boyfriend?

Or maybe that was just the selfish part of him that wanted nothing more than to be in Luka's place. He wanted to be the one to make Marinette happy, to be the reason for the biggest happiness in her life. She was his life, he wanted him to be hers too.

Why him? Why not me?

Seeing those two together made him realise something. He had not only lost faith in first love but, he had lost all faith in love. Any passer-by would probably wonder why his face looked equal part hurt and equal part betrayed.

This would always prick his heart, he would never be able to get rid of all the pain. The 'Great' Adrien Agreste had made just one single mistake in his life— falling in love with the most unattainable girl in Paris. He would spend the rest of his life in the pain of her rejection. The ache was unbearable, he was suffering.

He would never be able to fall in love again. He knew that if he ever professed his love to someone in the future, he would see Marinette's face. He wouldn't be able to love anyone else, ever again. Because he wanted to love Marinette till his last breath. He wanted her to love him— all of him.

Was it asking too much? He just wanted someone who cared about him, who loved his every aspect.

It was asking too much. She had a right to like anyone she wanted to. And he had a right to want her in his life. With a heavy heart and tearful eyes, he left the couple to themselves.

Adrien and Marinette are not meant to be...

******

The school ball was something that all the students looked forward to. Well, most of them...

Adrien was dressed in a black tuxedo and a green tie. He was wearing expensive attire. His father had forced him to go to the ball. He had lectured him about showing-off the latest men's formal collection at the ball.

So currently, the secret hero was surrounded by fans for autographs and photographs.

"Hey, dude!" He heard someone call out.
When the crowd thinned, he saw his best friend Nino with his girlfriend Alya.

They walked over to him. "Hey bro! I didn't expect you to be here. Nice outfit, by the way."

Adrien smiled half-heartedly. "Yeah, my father told me to attend the ball today so..."

"Well, would you like to join us, if that's okay with you?" Nino offered kindly.

"What? No, no. You guys enjoy your evening. I will be okay." He said.

"You sure?" Alya asked.

"Positive." The blonde replied.

"Very well. Still, if you need us, we will be here." Nino said as he took his girlfriend by hand and went to the dance floor.

"Adrien?"

His head snapped to the direction of the familiar voice. His breath hitched when he saw who it was. It was his princess, looking more beautiful than ever.

She was wearing a beautiful baby pink sleeveless, tulle dress. It had a sweetheart neckline and the skirt was adorned with beautiful jewels strung together in a floral pattern. Her heels matched her dress and her hair tied in a high bun. Her lips were pinker than ever and she wore a pretty necklace.

His heart ached when he realised that she wasn't dolled up for him but for her boyfriend, Luka. They've been dating for two weeks now.

Two weeks, three days and eleven hours forty minutes and two seconds.

Not that he was counting. "Hey, M-Marinette." He said.

"Fancy seeing you here, I thought you weren't coming." She inquired.

"O-Oh yeah. My father told me to..." His voice trailed off.

"Oh!" She realised what he was going to say. "Listen, Adrien, I am really sorry..." She started.

Adrien cut her off by putting his finger on her lips. After realising what he had done and withdrew his finger awkwardly. "It's okay, Marinette. I am fine. Y-You go an-and enjoy yourself." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

She looked unconvinced and was about to say something when she decided against it. She rubbed his arm gently and smiled at him. Then she went to join her date.

Adrien stood there, transfixed. Marinette's touch always affected him and today he was affected way more.

He could feel tears forming when he saw her dancing with Luka as he leaned in to kiss her.

Adrien could see no more. He turned around and rushed to an empty classroom.

Falling in love is no different than falling in an endless debt.

******

Marinette rushed to an empty classroom, blinded with tears. She felt horrible. She got inside the chemistry class, locked the door behind her and slid down to the floor, sobbing.

"You know, you shouldn't be here." A voice that she recognised only too well shook her.

"Adrien?" She asked.

He appeared in front of her and knelt down beside her. His eyes were filled with concern. "What happened?" He asked softly.

"What are you doing here?" She ignored his question.

"I came here to escape from my fans and, um, a few other things." He answered. "But, you didn't answer my question. What happened? Why are you crying?" He cupped her cheeks gently and wiped her tears.

Unbeknownst to the bluenette, Adrien was undergoing a serious turmoil.

What are you doing Agreste? You should be mad at her! She rejected you and asked out another guy. You can't console her.

But she is my princess and she is crying.

So? She made you cry and you shou-

No! I can't see her in tears. She deserves the world. She needs someone right now and I promised her that I will always be by her side.

"What are you doing here?" He asked gently one more time.

"I-I bro-broke up with Luka." She said bursting into tears.

Adrien knew that he should feel bad about her crying and he was, really. But, he couldn't help smiling internally upon learning that she had broken up with her boyfriend. Maybe he did have a chance, after all.

"Why?" He asked.

"It wasn't working out for either of us. I still have feelings for the guy that rejected me. It wasn't fair for Luka that I was using him as a replacement. I mean, I didn't want to use him. I honestly wanted to give him a chance, but it's jus-just th-that my heart can nev-never belong to him. And now, I feel like a horrible person who used a friend just f-for self-selfish desires." She tore up.

Adrien looked at the girl he loved. She was so wrong about her using Luka. He knew her well, she would never do that kind of thing.

Slowly, he reached out for her. He cupped her cheeks and wiped her tears. Cradling her head, he brought her closer to him so that he could hug her properly.

"Sh... Calm down." He rubbed her back soothingly as he continued to hug her. "Mari, you are not a selfish person. You are the most kind-hearted, selfless, brave and amazing person I have ever met. You didn't use him. You were undergoing a heartbreak. It's okay. You are only human and to err is human." He comforted her. "What you did was just what heartbreak does to you."

She sobbed even more. "Why are you doing this? Why are you taking care of me?"

"Because I want to. Isn't that good enough of a reason?" He suggested.

"Even after I rejected you? Shouldn't you be mad at me? Shouldn't you hate me?"

He held her face and made her look at him. "Marinette, I can never be mad at someone so pure. You never mean to hurt anybody. And no one, I repeat no one can hate Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

"Thank you, Adrien. This means a lot to me." She sniffed and buried her face in his chest

I will always be at your service princess.

"Sure, that's what friends are for!" He fake chuckled.

Friends...

•°•°•°•°•°•°•
A/N: I am extremely sorry for the late update. I am really busy nowadays with my online classes and sometimes I am too bored to do anything. Don't know how much longer this pandemic is going to last. But, staying at home is the safest option.

Stay at home! Stay Healthy! Stay Miraculous!

Peace ✌🏻
I'm out!

{Edited: April 9, 2020}