Mewtiful ^^

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[Adrien's POV]

"...Plus you got all jelly when that Louis guy showed interest in her, so obviously you have a thing for Marinette. You gonna do anything about it or are you just gonna pretend it isn't there?" Nino interrogates.

For some reason my heartbeat quickens. Why do I feel so flustered all of a sudden?

I force a nervous laugh, "I don't have a thing for Marinette. She's just a friend. I've told you, I'm in love with someone else."

My mind drifts to Ladybug and I feel at ease. That's right, my heart belongs to only her.

"You keep saying that but I haven't heard anything else about this mystery girl of yours." Nino says.

"If I told you, you would only laugh." I reply.

"Dude, I'm your best friend." Nino insists. "Just tell me."

"Alright," I sigh. "It's Ladybug."

"What?" Nino says. "Dude. I knew you admired Ladybug but I thought it was just a childish crush."

"No, I've fallen for her." I say dreamily. "I mean, isn't she just amazing? She-She's perfect!"

"Adrien." Nino puts his arm on my shoulder firmly.

My smile fades as I look into his serious eyes. Nino is never this stern.

"I'm only saying this because you're my best bud. You have no chance with Ladybug." Nino says. "You've created this fantasy in your mind that's totally distracting you from the real world, and the real girl in it."

"You don't understand." I reply feeling slightly angered. "I have to go now."

I turn my back on Nino and leave the festival.

"He's got a point you know." Plagg speaks up once we are out of sight. "Ladybug makes it quite clear that she's not interested."

"Well that's all going to change today. She agreed to spend time with me outside of work, she said I was irreplaceable to her—I think somewhere in there Ladybug loves me, she just doesn't know it yet. I'm going to confess to her after today. I'm going to tell her how I feel." I say. "Plagg, claws out."

Plagg flies into my ring. My body sparkles with green light until I have changed into Cat Noir. I climb up onto the rooftops and leap from building to building, making my way to the center of the festival. There is a small stage set up with a crowd of people already cuing up to meet us. I drop down to see Ladybug is already here. I take her hand and kiss it to greet her.

"My Lady," I say. "Looking forward to our date?"

Ladybug doesn't answer, she seems kind of distracted.

I tilt my head at her. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, everything's fine. Let's get this meet and greet started shall we?" Ladybug answers.

It was cool meeting all the LadyNoir fans, though most of them were more excited to see Ladybug... I wish Marinette were here. Maybe I could have given her some special attention, you know, for fan service.

"It's nice having all of these people support us, don't you think?" I ask Ladybug.

"Do they? None of these people even know who we are. They only like us because we're superheros." Ladybug says.

"No, they like you for the same reasons I like you." I reply. "Because you're endearing. You're smart, brave, talented, caring, selfless—I could do on for days."

Ladybug stops to look at me. Do I...sense some adoration in those eyes? Could it be that I'm getting through to her?

[Marinette's POV]

I stare at Cat Noir. His words touch my heart. Maybe he and Tiki are right, maybe it is me that people love about Ladybug and not just her image.

But...

How can I be sure? Cat Noir only knows me as Ladybug. He is the same as all of these other fans, just infatuated with my image.

"Thanks, Chat." I say before turning back to the line-up glumly.

There are only a few more people left and two of them are Nino and Alya. My spirit lifts a little seeing my friends.

"Ladybug!" Alya says, rushing forward excitedly. "We've finally made it to you."

"How's it hanging?" Nino greets coolly.

"Er, pretty good." I lie.

"Hey, if it isn't LadyNoir shipper number one." Cat Noir says, fist bumping Alya.

I roll my eyes and sign a Ladybug poster for Nino and Alya.

"Sick." Nino says as he takes his poster. "Would you mind signing another one for my boy Adrien? I think I ticked him off earlier and I should make it up to him. I know for a fact he would love one of these."

"S-Sure..." I answer, looking down at the poster sadly.

The Ladybug in the picture looks so powerful and confident, so...flawless. Adrien will probably hang this in his room and admire it every day, just like I do with my photos of him.

I sign the poster and hand it to Nino.

"Do you think you should get one for Marinette?" Nino asks Alya.

Alya looks down at the poster uneasily, no doubt thinking that it would make me upset to see Ladybug.

"I bet I know what your little friend would like." Cat Noir says. "A picture of moi perhaps? The ladies love the Cat."

"Please never refer to yourself as 'the cat' ever again." I retort.

Cat Noir picks up one of my Ladybug posters and flips it over to write on the plain side. He then takes Nino's phone and snaps a picture of him holding up the message.

"Send that to the little lady will you? And tell her it's from me, special for her." Cat Noir says, throwing Nino's phone back to him.

"Uh...okay." Nino replies.

"Anyway, we best be heading off now." Cat Noir says.

"Aw, you couldn't stay for just a quick interview?" Alya pleads, taking out her phone.

"Can't." Cat Noir holds his hand up to his mouth and whispers, "We're going on a date."

Alya gasps happily.

"Alright, let's just leave before you feed the internet any more ridiculous ideas." I say grumpily.

"As you wish, my lady." Cat Noir replies.

He wraps his arm around my waist and extends his staff, lifting us both into the air. He then lets his staff fall, gently landing on a nearby rooftop with me carried bridal style in his arms.

"I could have made it up here myself." I tell him.

"I know, but I am your escort this evening." Cat Noir says.

He leaps from building to building, carrying me in his arms, until finally arriving upon a rooftop right next to the Eifel tower. There is a picnic blanket set up with candlelights all around and a stereo playing smooth love songs in the background. I have to admit, the sight is breathtaking. This would be every girl's dream...if it was with the boy she loved.

"This looks pretty romantic for just two friends hanging out." I say.

"You deserve only the best, Ladybug." Cat Noir replies, taking a seat on the picnic blanket.

I sit down beside him and admire the view. "This city is so large, sometimes it's hard to believe that the responsibility of keeping it safe rests on our shoulders."

"I think it's amazing." Cat Noir says. "I couldn't wish for anything more. The freedom to be who I want to be without consequences, the rush of fighting crime and the love I receive from all the people who appreciate me...but the greatest gift of all was the chance to meet you."

Cat Noir looks deeply into my eyes. His gaze is so loving, but for some reason I only feel pressured. No doubt everyone else looks to me with the same loving gaze, glorifying the image of Ladybug.

"You don't even know who I am." I say.

"But I do," Cat Noir replies. "I've spent every day getting to know who you are. You are brave, talented, smart, resourceful, compassionate...and beautiful, inside and out. I spend every day by your side and that's where I want to stay. By your side, for the rest of my life."

Cat Noir's words make me so happy and so sad at the same time. It's relieving to feel such unconditional love, but how can I trust him when all he knows is Ladybug? If only Adrien would say such wonderful things to me...

Warm tears begin to flow down my cheeks. "You're just the same as him... You're just infatuated with this perfect image that you have created. The real me is not flawless. The real me is awkward, unconfident, stubborn, clumsy, forgetful and—and if what you say is true then he would love me but he doesn't. Only Ladybug gets praised."

"I would praise you every second of every day if you would only let me." Cat Noir says desperately. "I beg you to show me your true self. Whoever the girl is behind that mask, I love her. It doesn't matter if she is clumsy or timid, I would love each and every one of those flaws."

For some reason, I only cry harder. So many emotions are swirling inside me, it's exhausting.

"Please..." Cat Noir lunges forward, wrapping his arms around me. "Please don't cry...I hate to see someone I care for so dearly in pain. Who has hurt you? Who is this guy who keep referring to?"

I gladly except Cat Noir's embrace, hugging him tightly and crying into his shoulder. "For so long I've loved him...For so long... I love him so much it makes my heart hurt, but—but he doesn't even notice. He doesn't give me a second glance, the shy and awkward loser that I am. He only loves the perfection of Ladybug. You say that you love me but you don't know what you're talking about! You only love Ladybug. If I am so spectacular then he would fall for me just as he would fall for Ladybug. But he hasn't!"

Cat Noir pulls away from me but keeps his hands on my shoulders firmly as he looks into my eyes. "Ladybug, if I was so blessed as to know you without the mask and get to spend every day of normal life with you then I would cherish each and every second we spent together. This guy, whoever he is, doesn't know how lucky he is to have you in his life. If he doesn't see you for the treasure that you are then he doesn't deserve you. He is not worth crying over."

I look into Cat Noir's bright green eyes. They are so genuine, so caring... My chest feels warm and fuzzy inside. His touch puts me at ease. I'm so lucky to have someone like Cat Noir by my side.

"Chat...how can you stay so faithful? You are so kind to me and yet I still push you away. How can you continue to love me so profoundly?" I question.

"That's easy, my Lady." Cat Noir slowly slides his hands from my shoulders down my arms and holds onto my hands. "You're the only girl for me. I look into the future and see only you. And when you feel this way about someone, it's easy to love them. You love them no matter what, even if they think you're just a silly flirt."

His response causes my chest to ache. "I don't deserve your affection, Chat. I'm not the perfect person you think I am. Today I experienced heartbreak for the first time. It's devastating. This cold and empty feeling in my chest...I would never wish it upon you. I meant it when I said that I couldn't stand hurting you and I don't want to lead you on. Maybe...Maybe I shouldn't have agreed to come here."

I stand up and make my way to the edge of the building.

"Ladybug, wait!" Cat Noir begs. "I won't ask you to reveal your identity anymore, nor will I force my feelings onto you, but I want you to know that I will always love you no matter what and just being by your side is enough for me. I want you to be happy so if you say you're in love with this guy then you shouldn't give up on him. You're an amazing girl and he will realise that one day."

"Thank you, Chat..." I say softly. "You're going to make a lucky girl very happy someday."

I jump from the rooftop and swing away on my yoyo. It was such a long day, I almost don't have the strength to get home. I land in an isolated corner by the bakery and transform out of my Ladybug costume. I can almost feel the expectations and responsibility leaving my body as I do so. It's kind of relieving.

As soon as Tiki comes out from my earrings, she tries to talk to me. "Marinette—"

"Hush, Tiki..." I say gently. "I'm sorry for just transforming without saying anything to you. I know you must have been worried but I'm feeling a little better now. You must stay out of sight; we will talk once we're in my room."

Tiki looks at me worriedly before hiding away in my bag. I turn the corner and walk into the bakery that is my home.

"I'm back from the festival." I announce as I enter.

"Welcome home, Marinette. Did you have a good time?" My dad asks kindly.

"Yeah, it was really fun." I lie before making my way upstairs.

I tell my parents that I'm tired and go straight up into my room. As soon as I close the hatch door, Tiki comes zooming out from my bag.

"Are you okay Marinette?" She asks.

"Yeah...I'm fine." I answer, slumping down into my desk chair. "I think I just needed a good cry and some courage. Cat Noir really helped me."

"He is a good person." Tiki agrees.

Cat Noir's words linger in my mind and for some reason my heart skips a beat.

My computer beeps and an email from Nino pops up. I click on the image he has attached and a photo of Cat Noir appears on my screen. He is holding up a personal message, that one he wrote at the meet and greet,

To the mewtiful Marinette,

Cat Noir thinks you're purrrfect ;)

Signed: Chat

Heat prickles at the surface of my cheeks. My breathing slows as I stare at the picture on my screen.

Chat thinks I'm...perfect? Me, Marinette not me, Ladybug? I know that Cat Noir is a big flirt and he probably doesn't even know who I am but...this gives me confidence. After the day I've had, it really touches my heart.

I notice Tiki watching me and tear my eyes from the computer screen. "Him and his stupid puns, am I right? 'Cat Noir thinks you're purrfect'? Ha! Lame..."

Tiki smiles. "He's right you know. Marinette, you are just as amazing as Ladybug. Adrien just doesn't know it yet. Ladybug is famous and well known, which is why people recognise your admirability as her. If Adrien could get to know you as well as the world knows Ladybug, he would surely love you. Everyone else who knows you as Marinette loves you." She tells me. "Your parents love you, Alya loves you and most of all, I love you Marinette!"

Tiki's bright smile warms my heart.

"I love you too, Tiki." I say. "And you know what, you and Cat Noir are both right. I will not give up on Adrien! If he won't see how awesome I am as Marinette then I'll make him see me! And to prove it," I open the options on my computer and print the photo of Cat Noir. After the picture comes out of my printer, I stick it up on my wall amongst all the photos of Adrien. "I'll keep these words up here on my wall to motivate me!"

"Way to go, Marinette!" Tiki cheers.

"Cat Noir looks pretty out of place up there with all the pictures of Adrien." I giggle.

My phone starts ringing, startling me a little.

"Oh, it's Alya! She must be really concerned." I say as I pick up the phone.

"Marinette! Where have you been? Why haven't you answered any of my calls or texts?" Alya stresses.

"I know, I know. I'm so sorry for worrying you Alya but really I'm fine. I've had time to think and a lot of time to cry and I'm feeling much better." I say.

"You can't just run away in tears after hearing your crush confess his love to a superhero and then say you're alright! What happened? How are you feeling?" Alya pesters.

I look up at the photo of Cat Noir on my wall and smile. "I'm feeling that it doesn't matter how perfect Ladybug is, I will win over Adrien's heart."