No More Secrets

Chapter 17

Black Widow scoffed as Chat Noir struggled against her webs.

"It's useless. Your time is going to run out soon. Just-"

"Then take it!" Chat Noir cried out.

"What?"

"Why are you just standing there?! Are you mocking me or something?! Just take my ring!"

Black Widow remained silent.

"What? Too scared to admit you still care for our safety?"

Black Widow clenched her fists. "No. I just..." Trailing off, she looked down at her hands. "I..." She clenched her fists.

"Black Widow. Take his miraculous!" An infuriated Hawkmoth commanded.
As if a strong force was controlling her, Black Widow took a step towards Chat Noir. Reaching her hand out, she grabbed his wrist and gently grabbed his ring. As she began to slide it off, she felt a strange presence looming over her. Her hand began to tremble, fearing for what might happen if she removed the ring. Almost immediately, she removed her hand from the ring and began to stumble back. Her head began to spin, and she fell backwards. As soon as her head hit the cold concrete, a small white butterfly flew from her earring, leaving an unconscious Marinette behind.

0~0

Luka felt the webs tied around him loosen, making it easy for Luka to escape. As soon as he did, he ran to the bluenette on the ground. Cradling her head, Luka began to gently move the bangs from her eyes. "I'm glad you're okay, Marinette."

✺✤⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆✤✺

Marinette woke up to find herself in a slightly familiar room. She recalled the blue walls and the familiar scent of the river that belonged to Luka. Smiling, she sat up, only to feel her head begin to pound, causing her to fall back. Sighing, she took a deep breath and sat up once more.

"Marinette?"

The bluenette jumped as she heard her name being called. Looking down, she saw the source to be none other than her kwamii.

"Tikki? What are you doing here?"

"I heard what happened to you, so I came here as soon as I could!" The small creature explained. "I saw you get akumatized. I knew this was going to happen but... I can't believe I let it." Sighing the small bug looked up at Marinette. "I'm sorry."

Marinette sighed. "It's not your fault Tikki. I know you were only trying to give me space."

"But still! It's my job to keep you safe! And I failed..."

"No, you didn't." Marinette smiled. "I'm the one that failed you. I know that as Ladybug I'm supposed to be strong enough to handle villains like Hawkmoth. But I got weak, and let his power take over my mind. I was lucky to have defied him. If not, Chat's identity would have been revealed."

Tikki stared at her holder, a slightly amazed look in her eyes. "You are something else, aren't you Marinette."

"What do you mean?" The bluenette cocked her head.

"Marinette, Hawkmoth never took control of your mind. You were strong enough to handle him. You were the first person to be able to fight Hawkmoth. You may have failed at not getting akumatized, but you were able to keep him far enough away to save Chat Noir and Luka."

Marinette smiled. "Thank you, Tikki."

"Marinette?"

Marinette jumped once again as she heard her name being called. However this time she knew exactly who it was.

"Luka?" Marinette looked up to see the black and blue-haired boy looking down at her.

"Marinette!" Practically jumping towards her, he wrapped his arms around the bluenette. "I'm so glad you're okay." His voice was barely a whisper as he spoke. Marinette smiled and buried her nose in his shoulder, as she wrapped her arms around him in return.

There was a moment of silence between the two, and Marinette couldn't help but feel a weight lift from her shoulders. However, there was something still looming over her. Something powerful and something that could still drag her down.

Why did Chat Noir kiss her?