I sat up, alone in the room. The walls, along with the rest of the decor, were a light bluish gray colour. I held my throbbing side as I scooted to the edge of the bed and planted my feet on the ground. It took a moment to gain balance and made my way to the door, startled a bit when I realized I had an IV in. I bit my lip as I turned the handle, unsure of what awaited me in the hallway, gripping the metal bar holding the IV for support.

Stepping out, it was empty and dead silent. My eyes scanned the hall as I took another step out, shutting the door behind me, the door closing with a small click. It was strange not to hear anything, even with my wolf ears.

I made my way down the hall and finally I heard something. A loud crash came from the other side of the floor and I ran to the noise. I had no idea what happened but I wanted to make sure everything was alright.

Finding the source of the noise, i gentlely pressed on the door and opened it a crack. On the other side, I saw Chat glaring at Kagami as Ladybug standing in front of a broken window.

“Hello Ladybug.” His voice was cold and harsh.

“Chat Noir.” Kagami came off equally harsh yet not as cold.

“I hope you’re not here to take her away from me.” While a simple statement, his voice gave away the underlying threat.

She said nothing yet spoke volumes as she took a sturdy stance, preparing to defend from an attack, I stayed where I was, clutching my side, watching through the door

“You can’t do that! If you do, I won’t be able to help her! Hawkmoth gave me this power and I intend to use it!” Chat readied himself as well, furrowing his brow.

“No, you’re doing more harm! When she wakes up, how do you think she’ll feel knowing that you allowed yourself to become, this? It would break her heart!” She was playing off his emotions I realized.

“You don’t know that, you don’t know anything! I know that if you just give me your miraculous, we can help her, I know that you’re her friend too.” He recognized what she was trying at and played the same game.

“You’ll have to pry them from my corpse first!” She readyed her yoyo, letting it spin dangerously fast and Chat started to attack.

“No! Stop!” I cried, throwing the door open. They both froze and turned to look at me.

“You’re finally awake!” Chat sounded relieved and for the first time I’ve seen him in this state, smiled, warmly. “I’m sorry Marinette, but could you wait a moment? I just need to grab Ladybug’s miraculous.”

“Chat, please don’t, can you talk to me?” Kagami's eyes were wide seeing me, a million thoughts ran through her head but only one was evident in her face: she needed to leave.

“Okay, I’ll leave, but it’s only because of Marinette, she deserves an explanation and comfort after everything.” she lied and backed away to the window, disappearing from sight. Chat looked like he wanted to run after her, to finish the fight but knew Ladybug was right.

“How are you feeling?” He came over, his hand on my shoulder and he had a kind look in his eyes.

“I’m okay, but how are you?” My hand rested on his cheek, studying his features.

“I’ll be alright.”

“What’s happening, why do you need Ladybug’s miraculous?”

“That doesn't matter.” He shook his head, removing my hand.

“But don’t I deserve an explanation?”

“You do, but right now, all you need to know, is that I’m going to do everything I can to ensure your safety.” I looked away, processing everything.

“And I’m safe being here? With an Akuma?” hurt flashed across his face. “Chat, you know I care about you! It’s just, Akumas, well, you’ve always fought them and now you are one- I just don’t know what to think!”

“I understand, and I don’t expect you to be okay with it right away, but now I have extra power and I can help you!”

“What do you mean?”

“You got hurt way too many times because you’re a werewolf. What I want to do is get rid of the wolf. That night, when you were changed back to human, my heart was broken hearing you in that much pain, and then you were stabbed-” His voice faltered recalling that night.

“How long ago was that night?”

“Two weeks. It was hard seeing you go through that much suffering and then for you not to wake up.” He took a moment to gather himself. “I became an Akuma that night and I don’t regret it, I can’t.”

“What do you mean you can’t?” My brow furrowed.

“I mean, I can’t let go of the Akumas powers, because of it, I’ve found Hawkmoth and I’ve started making great strides in research on how to save you. Oh! I got Lila thrown in jail for lying about you. Even after being expelled, she managed to spin a crazy web of lies about you.” he smirked at the last part.

“Wait, Chat? Could you back it up? What do you mean you found Hawkmoth?”

His features darkened. “I-” He sighed. “About a week ago, I was wandering the city and Hawkmoth called for me. I followed and found him. He tried to control me but I fought him. Ladybug had followed me and helped me- Nevermind that, We caught him and found out he was… My dad.” The last part seemed hard for him to say.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” I wasn’t sure what else to say, it was his dad and my idol. And how do you cope with finding out that your dad was a supervillain that terrorized the city and hurt the people you care about?

“But it’s alright, because now, once I get Ladybugs miraculous, I can help you.”

“Can’t we find another way?”

“That would take longer.” I opened my mouth to protest but the room started tilting and I had to grab the IV rack to steady myself.

“Marinette? Are you alright?” Chat’s fingers wrap around my arms to help hold me up. I wave him off even though I still felt like I was on a ship in a storm.

“I’m fine, fine. I think I just need some fresh air.” He helped me to my room. I had only given it a quick glance the first time and had looked over the balcony doors. Chat flung the doors open with a dramatic air before holding out his hand to me.

I accepted and took a step out. My bare feet shocked slightly at the cold concrete as soon as I took my first step. There was a small roof over the balcony so I didn't have to worry about snow as I looked out over the snow dusted garden.

My chest rose as I took a deep breath of air. The cold invaded my lungs and felt fresh and sharp. I release my breath and relax seeing my breath. Everything felt so, I’m not sure, so empty? Releasing this breath startled the calm, the only sound I could hear was my breathing which felt treating. I should be hearing civilians going about their lives.

“Chat? Why is it so quiet?” I raised an eyebrow his way.

“They learned.” Pardon?! They?! Learned?! I don’t understand!

“O-oh, um, well where are we then?”

“At my house.” It took me a moment before I remembered that his dad was Gabriel Agreste.

“Hm.” I nodded. My heart panged a bit, I wanted to go home. “Chat? Could I go home? Like, am I healed enough?”

“You’re to be ruling by my side, you’ll be safe from Ladybug here.”

“I love you Chat, but I’d like to see my parents.” I crossed my arms, staring him down.

“And I’d never stop you.”

“Then I’ll be staying with them.” I saw the emotions in his eyes retreat leaving him look as empty as it felt outside, I took a second and realized that he’d be all alone. “I’m- I’m sorry, that was selfish of me, I don’t want you to be alone.”

“No, it’s alright. I can’t make you do anything and I don’t want to keep you here against your will. I just want you to be happy.”

“No, it’s not just because- No, I don’t want to leave you alone as an Akuma or even when you aren’t an Akuma. I’m not sure what caused your Akumatization but I want to help you.”

“I don’t need help loseing the Akuma!”

“And I don’t need to lose the wolf.”

He kept his mouth shut, cornered. His lips twitched up slightly. “Touché.” his words purred.

“Good, now, I’m going to see my parents now. I’ll be back soon enough but I want to see them as soon as I can.” I made my way in.

“Wait! A doctor should examine you first and you might want to eat something.” I thought of food and my stomach didn’t hesitate to agree.

“Alright.” I took a seat on the bed and Chat nodded.

“I’ll give you privacy, besides, I have something to discuss with the former mayor.” I opened my mouth to ask him what he meant by the former mayor but he was gone too soon. It wasn’t long before a doctor ran in, to my side, trailed by a nurse.

“Hello, I’m your doctor, doctor Tompson and this is nurse Huggerd.” They gave a small bow and another girl made her way in.

“And I’m your assistant. Kathy Bailey.” She also bowed but looked me up and down immediately with a disgusted look.

Kathy searched through the walk in closet in the room as Tompson and Huggerd took a look at my wound.

“Is there any pain or discomfort?” Huggerd continued to look over it.

“Um, no.” I squirmed inside under their gazes.

“Okay, it looks good, I’d suggest going and taking a shower to clean it.” Huggerd nodded backing away. I said nothing and hid behind the bathroom door. I breathed a sigh of relief. This was so strange, what was going on?”

“Why are we doing this?” I heard Kathy wine on the other side of the door being shushed.

“We can’t fight an Akuma, especially this one. Even Ladybug is struggling with Chat hiding by her close friend.” Tompson whispered harshly.

“So we’re just going to let the two of them walk all over us?” I backed away from the door and turned on the faucet not wanting to hear anymore.

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Im back with the sequel! Yay! I know this first chapter is... odd... but bear with me! It gets much better! Thanks for reading and i hope you have an amazing week!