Things Aren't Always As They Seem: A Miraculous Ladybug Fan Fiction

Confusing Truths

Nino cringed at his own words as soon as they left the safety of his mouth. They didn't sound right. Nino knew they were true, he'd seen proof of that, but saying them like that just made them real. And now Adrien knew, and he was going to be a heartbroken mess. Nino didn't want to see his reaction. He knew it would be devastating for Adrien to find out that the girl he was in love with was betraying him, but he also knew he was probably the only one who could be there for him. That meant Nino had to look up and meet his friend's eyes, expecting to see sorrow and betrayal staring back at him. Instead he looked up to see a face that would have been funny had it not been a serious conversation.

Adrien was staring at him. His mouth was slightly open, but not from shock. One of his eyebrows was raised higher than the other. It was the kind of look you gave someone after they told you the sun was purple. Because in Adrien's mind it was the equivalent of that same thing. He trusted Marinette with his life and he was paw-sitive (sorry couldn't resist) she trusted him with hers. He knew his girlfriend better than anyone and was absolutely certain she'd never do anything like what Nino was suggesting. He wasn't laughing, though, so Adrien was fairly sure this wasn't a joke either. Especially when he thought back to the way Nino had said it, filled with sadness and guilt. Nino thought he was breaking Adrien's heart. But how could what he said be true? Marinette would never, ever cheat on him. He was certain.

"Um... Are you ok man?" Nino asked hesitantly when all Adrien did was stare at him like that for a good few minutes. He'd expected some other sort of reaction but his friend seemed to be frozen.

"Yeah," Adrien replied, but he seemed like he was million miles away. Nino was about ask him another question when Adrien's eyes snapped back into focus right on him. Nino almost jumped with how fast and intense Adrien did it. "Why do you think she cheated on me?" He asked and for some reason his voice was laced with a tinge of worry. Nino shook his head to clear it. This was definitely not how he expected Adrien to take the news. He wasn't acting sad or mad or anything like that. He was acting like he was trying to find a loophole out of this situation. Like he knew that this wasn't true. But Nino knew it was and he had to get him to believe it.

"Listen, I know you probably don't believe me. I wouldn't either if I was you because Marinette is one of the most loyal people I know. But it's true. I promise you it's true. Alya even got evidence." Nino told him, now just trying to get his friend to believe him. Adrien still didn't seem to buy it, though. He was squinting at him like he was trying to figure him out. Because Adrien was very, very confused. Nino seemed to believe that Marinette was cheating on him, but why would she do that? He needed more information.

"Alya got evidence?" Adrien asked. He didn't really believe that Alya would have anything. It was probably some misunderstanding. Mari wouldn't cheat on him. Nino nodded. He didn't want to give Adrien Cat Noir's name yet for a few good reasons. Firstly Adrien would probably go on a mission to break the cat's neck, and secondly because he knew it would probably just hurt more knowing that Mari was cheating on him with a superhero.

"Yeah, she caught Marinette kissing another guy." Nino said. He was sure this would be enough for his friend to believe him but Adrien still didn't look impressed.

"Are you sure it wasn't a misunderstanding?" He asked.

"I'm sure," Nino said. When Adrien looked at him again he could still see that his friend was confused, but he could also see some belief coming through, too.

Adrien was still trying to think of every possible situation to somehow figure out how Nino could possibly think that Marientte was cheating on him. But, what if she was? He tried to push the thought out of his mind but it stayed put. He always knew he wasn't good enough for her, no one really was. So what if she found someone better than him? And it was just like her not to want to break someone's heart, which is why she'd do it in secret. But Mari wouldn't cheat on him! But what if she did? Who could possibly be the guy she left him for? He knew he shouldn't ask more, it was a sign that he was starting to believe Nino, but he couldn't help his stupid curiosity.