Sweet Dreams

Reality

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   "She's avoiding me," Adrien thought, watching Marinette race out of the classroom.

   With gravity's love for Marinette, he was surprised she didn't trip once on her way out. Not that he wished that upon her. It was just...strange not seeing her fumble just a little. If she had a hard time talking to him before, she hardly squeaked out a word to him anymore.

   Something changed in Marinette's demeanor since the Sandboy attack a week ago. He decided not to visit as Chat for a little bit so Marinette could get some rest so he wasn't sure what was wrong.

   Usually, when Adrien approached Marinette, she would be jumbling over her words and waving her arms around. Now, she was avoiding him like the plague. The most she's said to him was a "hi" before quite literally running off somewhere else.

   Adrien couldn't help wondering if he did something wrong and ruined their friendship indefinitely. He wished he could ask Marinette what he did so he could fix it. But it didn't seem that was going to be any more possible than Plagg giving up cheese.

   "I don't get it. I don't think I did anything to upset her," Adrien murmured under his breath, switching out his books.

   At least, she seemed better rested these days. The dark circles under her eyes were nearly gone as proof of improvement. That was good news.

   "Who knows. Human emotions are too complicated and complex for me to understand. On the other hand, cheese isn't either of those things. That's why it's so perfect," Plagg said, gulping down his second slice of Camembert.

Adrien just shook his head. He'd just have to get some answers out of Marinette tonight on patrol. It would be her first night back since her nightmares started.

"Now that I know her identity, Marinette might open up more to Chat Noir," Adrien thought, making his way to his next class.

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Nope, he was wrong.

The moment he landed on the Eiffel Tower, Ladybug said where she was patrolling tonight and swung off.

Chat Noir blinked in surprise, growing more suspicious with his partner. First, she was avoiding Adrien, now Chat Noir. Why? Did Chat Noir do something to her too? He couldn't think of anything, shifting through his memories of their last encounter before her avoidance.

   The night he found out her identity.

   Was that the issue? Was she troubled by him knowing that Ladybug is Marinette? Or maybe her nightmares were getting to her again?

   "But that wouldn't make any sense as to why she is avoiding Adrien," Chat thought until a theory emerged in his mind, "Could she know...who I am? Maybe, she did wake up at some point that night when I fell asleep next to her. Is that why she's been avoiding both Chat and Adrien?"

   Chat had to know...after patrol.

   So, he quickly started. Patrol was one giant blur and a head full of thoughts. He hadn't been paying attention much to see if there was any criminal activity. He didn't think there was...he hoped at least. He was too busy thinking about what to say to Marinette and how to get her to stay without leaving so quickly.

Chat returned to the tower and waited for his lady to finish her patrol.

Yet, she never arrived after ten minutes. The blonde hero found that strange and made his stomach churn in worry. Was she battling an akuma right now? Did something happen on patrol? Did she...