Marinette POV:

Marinette had determinedly told herself that she was going to break up with Luka today, but now she was questioning herself.

Maybe she could be happy with Luka and she was making a terrible mistake. Maybe with more time she could fully commit herself to him.

Luka was a great guy, and she owed it to him to give him the girl he deserved. She couldn't hurt him.

Her jumbled thoughts were swirling in her mind and she couldn’t focus on one. All she could feel was the constant twisting of the knots in her stomach.

She knew she was doing the right thing, but she couldn’t help but be fearful of his reaction.

She knew that Alya was right, she shouldn't be in a relationship if she likes someone else.

But Marinette couldn't bring herself to break up with him. He cared so much about her, how could she break up with him?

She was greeted by Alya when she arrived at school.

"Did you make a decision girl?" Her best friend asked curiously.

"Kind of? I know I need to but I just can't Alya!" She exclaimed miserably, burying her face in her hands.

Alya sighed heavily pulling Marinette’s hands away, revealing her panicked expression, "I've already told you what I think, but I'm with you no matter what, okay?"

Marinette felt a strong sense of relief wash over her from her best friends words. After hours of her nerves consuming her, she relinquished in her fleeting sense of clarity.

"Thanks Alya, I needed that" Marinette replied gratefully.

She was still uncertain… and still afraid… but Marinette could do it.

She needed to.

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After two long agonizing hours of class it was finally lunch break. Marinette had debated over every outcome, including the one that involved Hawkmoth.

Marinette took Alya’s advice and breathed in deeply.

She knew what she needed to do. All along she had known, but now, she was ready.

She hesitantly walked over to where Luka was sitting, strumming his guitar. Marinette desperately tried to hold onto the burst of confidence that rushed through her a few minutes ago, but with every step it faltered.

"Uhhh… Luka, can we talk in private please?" She asked her soon to be ex boyfriend.

"Of course Marinette, let's go" Luka said, and Marinette followed him to an empty classroom.

"What's up my honey pie?" Luka asked, confused as to what was so private.

Marinette couldn’t help but cringe a little at the nickname he had given her...m’lady is much better a voice in her head whispered before she quickly shook away her thoughts.

"Uhh, well Luka, you're amazing and I really appreciate how much you care for me, but 's just not working out. I'm not over him and it's not fair to you."

“Him!?” Luka cried out in despair. “Who are you talking about Marinette!”

"Luka I'm sorry it's not fair to you for me to like someone else. Who I like isn't important, what's important is the fact that I'm not devoted to you!"

“Its Adrien isn’t! I knew it! You two always are flirting with each other! I can’t believe you're leaving me for him,” his voice laced with the bitter sting of venom as he spoke of Adrien.

"It's not Adrien! And even if it was it wouldn't make a difference! You're a great guy Luka, but it's not fair to you for me to date you right now. I need a break from relationships"

Luka opened his mouth in, looking like he was going to protest, before he abruptly closed his mouth deciding against it. Instead his angry features softened and he looked up with remorse clear in his eyes.

"I'm sorry for getting mad Marinette. I was just hurt that you still haven't moved on. I don't see what he's doing that I don't, but Adrien's really lucky to have you, you're an amazing girl, and if he can't see that, I'll still be here." Luka said softly.

Marinette couldn’t hold back the strong sense of relief that flooded her from his supportive  words. She felt a deep pit of guilt sit in her stomach for hurting him, she never meant to hurt him. But his understanding assured her that he would be okay.

"Thanks for understanding Luka. And it's not Adrien that I like! I just can't be in a relationship if I'm not fully committed to liking someone. I'm taking a break from relationships." Marinette said, trying to explain her thoughts.

Luka's face brightened slightly. "So it's just a break then" he said, smiling a little wider.

"Uhh yeah… I need a break so I can figure out my feelings before anything happens" Marinette said, a bit confused as to what he was referring to.

She saw something that was similar to solace gleam in his eyes as his mouth split into a wide smile.

"Well then, I hope you enjoy your break, and I'll still be here when it's over" Luka said, hugging her before leaving.

What had just happened? She had broken up with him but he had seemed so…  happy about it. She shook her head, ordering her thoughts. He was probably just putting on a brave face.

She knew that she should feel more guilty about the whole ordeal, and she did feel guilty, but deep down she had always known that they wouldn’t work out and now she was ready to accept it.

She had been so foolish believing  that she could ever betray her heart, forget him. So as she walked away from her relationship with Luka she did feel guilt sit in her gut  but at the same time she felt more free.

Perhaps free wasn't the right word. Maybe a better description would be less stifled. She was single, she could like who she liked without feeling guilty. Alya was right, this was the correct thing to do.

Speaking of her best friend, she spotted the brunette running up to her from the corner of her eye.

"New Akuma in the park, c'mon you need to go" Alya said in a rush, pulling Marinette with her into the girls washroom.

Marinette had screwed up. She should have made sure he was okay. Why hadn't she seen that it was a brave face. Of course he'd be vulnerable to an akuma after a break up, who wouldn't. This was all her fault. How had she been so stupid?

"Girl, calm down, you're starting to hyperventilate" Alya said, comforting her distressed friend.

"Alya I think I messed up, this is all my fault" she confided in her best friend, her voice full of panic.

"It'll be okay Mari, you've got to fight the akuma. You can do this" Alya said, hugging Marinette.

"Okay, Tikki, spots on!"

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Adrien POV:

Adrien had officially decided that the universe was after him. It had been the first good day in what felt like forever, but of course Hawkmoth couldn't let that happen.

And of course the akumatized victim had to be Mr. Pigeon, but not just Mr Pigeon oh no, that would be too easy, now he proclaimed himself as Mega Pidgeon.

Of all the people to get upgrades to their power, it just had to be the person who had the power to make him sneeze, and not to mention he controlled a bunch of birds that crapped everywhere.

And now the birds also could spit fire. Just what he needed to ruin a good day.

At least he had got to try out the fire powerup, though he was sure to hear endless complaints from Plagg about it now.

He had taken a few moments to admire the additions to his suit to make it fire resistant when he had first transformed, but now the initial excitement of having a new costume had worn off and he was done with the Pigeons.

The only powerup he really needed was an anti-sneezing one he thought as he fought off the hundredth pigeon in five minutes.

Where was his lady, he wondered, as he rapidly spun his baton, sending the annoying and aggressive squawking pigeons trying to attack him flying.

He couldn’t hold Mr. Mega Pigeon and his army of aggressive pigeons off on his own... and fighting by her side always made the akuma battles better. He couldn’t imagine fighting crime with anyone else.

He had sent her a message, saying to use the fire powerup. Maybe she had got the message halfway on her way to the park and had to find a place to detransform and powerup.

That was probably it, he thought. He still hoped she would arrive soon.

His prayers were answered not a minute later when Ladybug arrived, clad in a red suit with black spots and gold accents, a matching yo-yo by her side.

"Sorry I'm late, something happened in civilian life and then I had to power up and anyway is he..." Ladybug said, stopping herself from rambling anymore.

“No worries M’lady, I’m just happy you're here to help me ward off these relentless bird army” He playfully reassured her not being able to hide the joy that flooded his voice from seeing his partner.

"So uh… any idea where the Akuma is, and are those pigeons on fire?" Ladybug said, her sentence starting normal but ending with a shocked question.

"Akuma's in the same place as usual and no, it's spitting fire. Also he goes by Mega Pigeon now, since fancy upgrades mean fancy name" He replied.

"Wait… it's an upgraded version of Mr. Pigeon. Oh thank God! It's okay!" Ladybug said happily, bouncing up and down slightly.

Chat jumped in front of her to shield her from an incoming flaming pigeon. "Yes, it's Mr. Pigeon with fire, can we focus on defeating him?" Chat Noir said before he abruptly sneezed into his elbow.

“I'm allergic,” he mumbled, his cheeks flushed in embarrassment,  before pulling her along towards where Mega Pigeon was sitting.

"Right, sorry Chat, let's do this." Ladybug said, straightening herself out and getting in a defensive stance.

Chat Noir could see the gears turning in his partners head while she formed a plan.

"Okay! I've got a plan."

A couple failed plans, a Lucky Charm and a Cataclysm later, Mega Pigeon was finally restored to his normal self.

I hope we never have to deal with pigeons again Chat Noir shuddered as a last sudden sneeze escaped from him.

Ladybug laughed at him, before offering her fist.

"Pound it?"

"Pound it" he said, bumping his fist with hers.

A sudden beep came from Ladybug’s earrings and she knew that in minutes her transformation would wear off.

"I've got more time than you, I'll explain everything to Mr. Ramier" he said, waving goodbye to his partner.

“Thanks kitty” she said gratefully as she swung her yoyo out.

He watched as she disappeared behind the buildings of Paris, before explaining what happened to Mr. Ramier and leaving the park himself.