The Guardians Book

A friendly hug

Chat's mind was in turmoil. His head was pounding and his heart was heavy. He felt numb. He hoped without a doubt that Hawkmoth was not.... Well. Ladybug was seldom wrong. He trusted her with his life, even if he didn't know what she had planned. He lurched sideways as a chimney rushed at him and almost collided with a wall. Skidding to an abrupt halt, he barely managed to stop before he crunched facefirst into the wall. Running a hand through his hair he closed his eyes breathing heavily. Chat Noir would not cry, he was a hero! "AHHHHHH!" Chat punched the wall in front of him causing an audible crunch to be heard and a moment later pain in his fist. He pulled his hand back and stared at it before sighing. Well at least he had another pain to worry about. Turning around His green eyes locked onto a balcony below him. Marinette! Of course! He was about to leap down onto the balcony until he saw the girl in question emerge from her trapdoor and lean on the balcony and let out a heavy sigh. Curious he hopped from the roof he was currently on and onto the roof above her balcony. Marinette sighed again and turned around and looked up. Chat froze, He had been caught! This was not how he envisioned visiting Marinette. And here he was looking like a stalker... Neither of them moved for what felt like years. Chat with his green eyes locked onto her wide blue eyes....that just happened to be the exact same blue as... "Chat Noir? What are you doing here?" Chat snapped out of his thoughts. Geez he needed to stop thinking so much! However at this very moment he was worried as to why Marinette had seemed so down. He blinked and grinned before responding, "What I can't visit a Purrrincess in her tower? I was just coming off patrol with My Lady and I was in the neighborhood and saw you looking sullen on your balcony." Chat cocked his head to the side and waited patiently for her response. Marinette studied him for a moment before appearing to make up her mind about something. "Come inside Chat, I could use a friend right now." Marinette disappeared down into the trapdoor she had entered from. Chat hesitated a moment reflecting on his day. Well if Marinette needed a friend, he would be there for her. His problems might be large but Marinette needed him. Chat wasn't going to lie, he liked the thought of being needed. Chat hopped down onto her balcony and through the trapdoor.

Tumbling from her bed straight onto the floor he groaned as his face had hit the floor. Hopefully it hadn't bruised or he would have a hard time explaining why his face was injured. He started to pick himself up only to hear laughter. Propping up on his elbows he looked at Marinette who was laughing so hard she was starting to cry, and pretty soon he found himself laughing with her until his stomache hurt. "No more! Oh god Marinette!" Chat started wiping his eyes as him and Marinette calmed down. "You know, I knew you had bad luck but I thought cats landed on their feet!" A Genuine smile was on her face and Chat couldn't help but stare. This was a whole different Marinette than he was used to. Getting to his feet and mentally checking to make sure he hadn't injured himself he stood up and winked at her. "Well Princess I couldn't help but fall for a fair maiden!" Suddenly pain bloomed on his face as Marinette flicked his nose. "None of that Chat Noir!" She admonished him. Chat chuckled and turned to the side and rubbed the back of his neck. "You said you needed a friend?"

Whoever or whatever was bothering Marinette he wanted to rectify it. She deserved whatever joy he could give her. After all he knew what it was like to feel alone. "Well..." Marinette moved to her desk and sat in her chair facing him. She glanced at a framed photo and back at chat before responding "A friend of mine, he seems so down and tired lately. I want to ask him whats wrong but I can barely form a coherent sentence around him.." Chat glanced at the photo on her desk. Was that him? With... hearts? Marinette must be a good fan to be supportive enough to add to one of his photos, after all she was an amazing fashion designer even if she refused to admit it. "How so? Is he just tired?" Marinette bit her lip and looked away as if gathering her thoughts. "He seems preoccupied and he says it has something to do with his father... Not that he told me! I overheard him talking to his friend!" Chat chuckled at how flustered she was getting. Marinette really cared about him as Adrien. She must not have wanted to ask because she didn't want to upset him. "Well.." Chat tapped his chin and looked up "Maybe he is having issues at home? But feels pressured so he cant talk about it." Chat glanced back down at Marinette who was watching him closely. He looked away suddenly feeling very vulnerable. "Maybe he just doesnt know what to say... or how to handle whats going on and...." Suddenly he felt Marinettes tiny body hugging him. He froze, why was she hugging him?! "Chat.. its okay to cry." Cry? He reached up with his gloved hand and brought his fingers in front of his face to see them wet. Suddenly all he felt was Marinette hugging him. Leaning down a bit he wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her hair. Letting out a choked sob he relaxed. Marinette was so kind and understanding... for one moment he wished she was Ladybug....