Marinette shot down the stairs when Chat-or whoever he was in real life- told her it was clear. Her head began to pound as she jumped three steps into the living room, skipping steps on the next flight, again jumping into the bakery. Cheese. Cheese.

Where is the cheese? Marinette scoured the cupboards, trying desperately to remember where the cheese was. She could feel her chest tightening up, symptoms of an oncoming anxiety attack. Finding the Camembert, Marinette grabbed a wheel, knowing just how much a Kwami could eat when hungry.

Racing up the stairs again, Marinette slammed into her door, fumbling with the knob. It must have closed when she had left the room. Getting it open, Marinette knocked on her bathroom door. "Cheese!" She squeaked, pushing the wheel through the small opening Chat had opened.

Quite surprised she hadn't fallen or tripped, Marinette pulled her hand back. "Sorry, Chat. I should've been paying more atten-" Marinette began.

"It isn't your fault. It's my job to remember to make sure I have food and that I have enough time." Chat said from the other side of the door, from where munching and sighing could be heard.

Marinette wanted to say something more, but she didn't have the words. Breathing slowly, Marinette tried to calm herself down. The racing of her heart didn't slow down, and Marinette had to take faster breaths. She didn't like the lack of control she felt over something as simple as her own breathing. Marinette began to pant faster, her chest closing in again. Calm down, Marinette. Don't want Chat to find you like this. Marinette's anxiety got worse when she thought of the boy in her bathroom. How close she had come to finding out who he was! Her heartbeat picked up more. Crouching, Marinette squeezed her head, trying to rid herself of a headache. "Sorry, Prin- Princess!" Chat said, kneeling in front of Marinette, placing his hands on her shoulders.

"You're back." She said, looking up, hands still pressing forcefully into the sides of her head.

"What's wrong?" He asked, shaking her slightly.

"I-it's nothing." Marinette said, turning her head away.

"It doesn't seem like nothing."

Marinette bit her lip, tears filling her eyes. She launched herself at Chat, latching onto him as he fell back. "Marin-"

"Shh... Please, don't say anything." She said, burying her head into Chat's shoulder.

Chat put his arms around Marinette and stayed silent. Marinette was so scared of finding out who he was. She didn't need to know. Besides, if Marinette knew who Chat was, how was Lady Bug going to be able to pretend she didn't know that? Knowing that Chat would brush it off as nothing, Marinette needed to shut him up to keep him from making her anxiety worse.

When Marinette finally calmed again, she became drowsy in Chat's arms. Beep. Marinette jolted suddenly, the beep breaking her near-sleep. "Shh, Mari. Go to sleep. I'll come back soon." Chat said, touching Marinette's hair softly. 

"What time is it?" She yawned.

"It's six." Chat said.

"It's been a while..." Marinette sighed.

"Yep. My life calls for me, as does my lack of time left as Chat Noir." Chat said, picking Marinette up bridal style.

"Don't go!" Marinette said, struggling in Chat's arms.

"I won't, calm down. I have, like, three left before I better leave." Chat said, pulling aside Marinette's blanket and laying her down on her bed.

"Thank you." Marinette said, grabbing Chat's hand.

She was awake for no longer than a moment before sleep overtook her.

---------

Marinette rolled over, eyes half opened. She wanted to go back to sleep, but she had an itch to check the time. 12 AM. She'd better put on her pajamas. And eat her dinner. Sitting up, Marinette was surprised to see a note with a meal and a pair pajamas.

Picking up the note, Marinette sighed. Flipping on a lamp, she read it aloud.

Dearest Princess, 

           You've fallen asleep now, so I left some pajamas and a croissant I nuked in the microwave. Hope it's still warm. We didn't get a chance to finish our movie, so I do hope we can do that. Have a nice day at school, Mari. Don't stay up too late either. I advise against it.

Your cat in somewhat shiny leather, 

                         Chat Noir.

The letter was written in a scrawly boyish print, signed at the bottom with a paw stamp. Smiling, Marinette lifted the cover on the croissant and touched it, finding it was still reasonably warm. Eating some, she changed her clothes without getting out of bed, discarding the dirty ones on her floor.

Finishing the croissant, Marinette yawned. She was tired, but she wasn't that tired. Laying back down, Marinette decided to think. Not stress, not question, just think. Wherever her thoughts went, they went. 

Of course, she automatically thought of Adrien. Just a couple more hours and she could see him! And talk to Alya to clear things over. What was happening there? Those texts were weird, and even after over a year, she couldn't quite get what was going on. If Alya was mad, she would've come right out and said it. Whatever. I'll see her tomorrow and find out that her mom was trying to get her off her phone. Marinette promised herself. 

Mind going blank, Marinette's thoughts slowly crawled over to Chat Noir. How sweet of him. He left a note and food and pajamas.... Marinette sighed happily. He's so cute- Wait! What? Marinette exclaimed mentally. Remembering her original intent, to not stress or question, Marinette hesitantly allowed her thoughts to continue. He's so cute when he's being stupid. He's so flirty. And silly. That Kitty. Did I call him Kitty? Oh crap. Could I... Could I have a... Marinette's brain choked on her thoughts.

Do I.... Do I have a crush on my Kitty? Marinette knew she pinned the nickname on the end to distract herself from the actual thought. 

Marinette's hands pulled at her hair. I do, don't I? But, Adrien! I like him, too! I---- I'm stressing. Marinette sighed.

Squeezing her eyes, Marinette decided to just accept it. Marinette had a crush on Chat Noir, but Lady Bug did not. Lady Bug still liked Adrien, and only Adrien. Marinette compromised internally. Yawning, she turned her lamp off, turning onto her side.

Marinette couldn't fall asleep for an hour or two. She liked Chat Noir? Her alter-ego's partner in savior? 

"Chat Noir, what have you done to me?"