To Heal a Broken Heart

Chapter 1

Chat was hiding in a tree at a park. His heart was still aching and his eyes were full of unshed tears. He could not cry, he must not cry, he had to be strong and live through it just as a lot of others did and still do. The pain of the rejection was still feeling very fresh and recent although it happened a couple of weeks ago. He, Chat Noir, poured out his heart to the only one, who he loved and adored, to his Lady. He told her just how much he loves her, how he always thinks of her, how he cannot imagine any kind of future without her. He hoped that she would accept him, that she will also love him, or at least like him a little more than a friend.

"I am really sorry Chat... I wish I could love you more than a friend but unfortunately, that spot in my heart is filled. I am sorry..."

His world was shattered, even though he made it look as nothing special has happened.

"It's alright, My Lady. I guess it isn't time yet."

But the time seems to never arrive. Almost a month has passed and he still felt the pain, the embarrassment, the despair, and jealousy of a lucky one who has HIS Lady's heart. They still patrolled on a daily basis and fight akumas once in a while, but the relationship between them was not the same. The sadness and silent apology were present in every word, in every look. His Lady was really sympathetic and he knew that it was not anyone's fault that his affections were one-sided but it didn't help with the dull pain in his heart, with his misery.

Chat was about to head home from his hiding place when he spotted her on a bench trying to catch a breath. She must have run home but sat down to rest. She was cute and he knew she had a crush on him. He also knew that she had been through a situation just like his, a couple of months ago, hers however was much worse - her rejection became public. Marinette had confessed her love to Adrian. She was shy, she was cute and blushed all the time but he couldn't say the same back to her. Adrien liked her, but his Lady had his heart. Marinette accepted her rejection gracefully (not counting the tears that were about to roll) and she walked away and never mentioned this topic again to him. Imagine her horror when the next day the video file was sent to everyone in a school featuring her confession. They never found out who did it but Marinette had a REALLY hard time in a school, if it wasn't for Alya who was guarding her at all times she would probably drop out. Adrien felt very sorry for her but he couldn't help himself to change his feelings.

"Maybe she can help me? She knows how it feels." The thought was quick and he already was standing before her.

"Hi, Marinette! Do you mind if I sit here... with you... for a while?"

Marinette glanced at him surprisingly.

"Of course, suit yourself. How is the Paris-saving business going? Any good villains lately?"

"Very funny. How can they be good? Um, I was actually hoping you could help me?"

The surprise in her eyes was louder than the words. "Me? How?"

"Well, you ... were.... in a situation... like a couple of months ago...." He was already regretting but there was no way back and it couldn't hurt to talk to someone.

"Oh! That..." the sadness returned to her eyes, just as he remembered at the moment he broke her heart. "What can I help you with? It's not a very enriching experience. And how do you know?"

"The video...."

She was about to start to cry and Chat regretted once more his actions. But he continued anyway.

"How do you deal with it all? How do you deal with the pain? How can you smile again when you see him there sitting in front of you and know that he will probably never be yours?"

Marinette knew exactly why he was asking those questions, she knew that it must still hurt him. She was hurting herself for the same reason. But she couldn't let him know that she knows so she continued quietly. "I have good support, I guess. My friend spent days sleeping at my house before I was able to fall asleep without crying. My Mom and Dad were extra sensitive and very understanding. And it does get a little better with time. You just learn to live with the pain. But family and friends are the best remedies. Don't you have friends and family?"

"No, not really."

Marinette was watching him in shock and confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, my father is an absent one, I don't have a mom or any siblings. I have one friend but I can't tell him that I got rejected by Ladybug because I don't want anyone to know that I am Chat Noir."

"I am so sorry Chat.... I didn't know."

Marinette leaned over and hugged the poor boy's frame.

"I am really, really sorry."

Her arms were warm and caring and Chat melted into the comfort they provided. The long-held tears started to escape his eyes and Marinette was wishing with all her being that she would be able to help him, to be able to heal his broken heart.

"I'll help you Chat. I'll be your friend. We'll heal together, wouldn't we?"