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*1 hour later*
*still on patrol*

  It was a slow night, concerning incidents and/or criminals. But neither complained about it. After all, that was a good thing.

  They both landed on top of an enormous brick building, in a more productive part of the city. Walking over to the edge, Marinette glanced down to the street below.

  Cars were abundant and people bustled past one another. The shine of headlights, indoor lighting, streetlamps, and everything that could reflect; made for a beautiful balance of light against the darkness of night. But that wasn't what SHE was noticing.

  "Everything is clear on this end as well.", she said in apparent satisfaction. She glanced back at Chat Noir when he didn't reply.

  Distraction was written plainly on his face. Noting that he was staring off into the distance and not at her, she figured whatever was bothering him; it didn't have to with HER. She couldn't help but inwardly sigh with relief.
  "Chat Noir?"

  He glanced around like he had lost his bearings. Wide-eyed, his gaze finally landed on her. Seeing her expectant look, he asked, "Yes, M'Lady?"

  "Is everything okay?"

  His mouth gaped as he considered denying his problems to her. But then he winced, and pressed his fist against his forehead. He was so badly needing help. He so needed someone to tell him how to fix all of this!

  Desperate, he finally caved in and stressfully spouted, "No! No it's not! Ladybug, I lied about something. And now I will have to do what I technically don't have permission TO DO. But in trying to stop my lie from being a lie, I would be taking a big risk in being caught rebellious. Which could potentially expose what I had claimed to be REAL, to be a LIE to the people I lied TO."

  Marinette blinked. "Okay... This doesn't have anything to do with you being Chat Noir, does it?"

  "What? ..No. It's something going on in my civilian life."

  "Oh."

  She wasn't at all sure what to say, at first. He hadn't actually asked her for advice, but she was feeling pretty certain he was wanting some. He looked really stressed. His ears were slightly floppy, yet drawn backwards. And his belt/tail was thrashing heavily from side to side.

  "Seeing as this has nothing to do with Chat Noir, why not just admit the truth to these people? That would be the right thing, right?"

  "I can't! If I do, they'll be worried about me and I'll ruin their Thanksgiving! And they'll want to help. And as much as I would LOVE to have what I know they would do for me, it just can't be allowed. Well, more like it probably WON'T be allowed. I hate worrying them."

  "Oh. So... You can't get permission to do this particular thing?"

  He sighed. "I don't know.."

  "Why don't you try asking?"

  "I'd love to. That's if I COULD get permission. But if I don't get it, then it's possible that I will be watched afterwards, to make sure that I obey." He glanced up at her. "I've rebelled so many times, that this person has taken greater lengths to make sure I do what I've been told."

  Marinette stared at him. "Weeellll.... Why don't you just give it a try?"

  Adrien gave her a skeptical look.
  Didnt I just tell her why I cant?

  "Look, try asking for permission as casually as possible. And if they say no: don't argue or beg. If you do, that will give them all the more reason to believe you will rebel. Maybe this way, you won't have to worry about them.. Watching you? And then- if you still intend to do it- go live your lie." She shrugged. "Do you think that would help?"

  His tail had went still, and his ears perked forward some. "Maybe. But it's still-"

  "Taking a risk? But at least you wouldn't have the guilt in knowing you didn't TRY doing it the better way. And Chat, remember Stoneheart? Remember Heroes' Day?"

  His eyes widened momentarily at the mention of Heroes' Day. There for a second, he thought that Ladybug somehow knew of Marinettes' kiss. But this worry quicky fell away as she continued.

  "I had panicked both of those times. I was focused on my fears. And you helped me to look past my fears and to do what needed to be done. Chat, if we focus on our fears, then we'll never get done what needs to be done. You need permission. Ask for it. Don't let the fear of failure stop you from doing what's right. It's better to try and fail, than to never have tried at all."

  He pondered this for a few seconds. What she had said, had left him with a sense of peace. Because he now knew what he was going to do.

  Turning to her, he smiled and said, "Thank you, Ladybug."

  She waved one hand and said, "Pfft.. It's no problem." She tossed the yo-yo up and down in her hand. "Ready to finish our patrol?"

  "Actually, I think I'll go try to get that permission now. Is that alright with you?"

  She smiled warmly at him. "Of course. Good luck, Chat Noir."

  He made an elegant bow. "Thank you, M'Lady, but you're all the luck I'll ever need. I bid you a good night."

  He then blew her a kiss and left.

  Marinette crossed her arms as she watched him vault across the buildings.
  He always somehow slips one in...

  Then her thoughts switched to his problems.
  All of this trouble, because he doesn't want to worry people. ...This is a really important matter to him, if he's willing to abandon spending patrol time with me.

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