When Walls Crumble

Chapter 27: Tumbling Down

WARNING:  This takes a slightly dark turn and goes through implied suicidal thoughts.  Proceed with caution...

Cat Noir re-entered the room with the baking sheet.

"There we go!" Marinette said, laying out the cookie dough.

Cat Noir cleared his throat. "Ladybug?" he began, his tone serious.

"Yes, kitty?"

"I've been thinking. I know your identity, but you don't know mine."

Marinette's smile was washed off by worry.

"And?"

"And, well, I trust you. I always trusted Ladybug, but I've also trusted Marinette. It's not fair that you alone should have to give up your secret. Let me share mine too."

Tears welled up in Marinette's eyes. "Oh, kitty," she sniffed. He gathered her up into a hug.

"Just say when you're ready and I'll show you."

She squeezed him tighter. "No, kitty. You can't. No one can know. Ever. I messed up badly last night. I forgot about everything in my attempt to...well, you know."

He sighed. "I had a feeling you would say something like that. But I still dared to hope...It's pretty ironic, isn't it, Bugaboo?"

Marinette pulled back to look at his face. "I know and I'm sorry. You were always the one who wanted to share and I was always averse. But the fact that I was sloppy doesn't mean you should be compromised. You've been akumatized before. What if one day I am? What if I come after you? I'm really truly sorry, Chaton. I have always trusted you with my very life and if this was just a matter of trust I would have told you long ago. Unfortunately, it's more than that."

Tears welled in Cat Noir's eyes. "Thanks, princess. That means a lot to me."

Marinette opened a drawer and took out the little octagonal box she received the earrings in so long ago. Noticing Cat Noir's sad expression at the box, she gave him a reassuring smile. "This can wait. Right now, cookies are ready."

"I'll get the milk." He poured two glasses while she set the plate on the table. Tikki came out for a cookie and stayed for many.

Marinette went back into the kitchen for more napkins and Tikki flew up to Cat Noir.

"I need you to do me a favor, Adrian," she whispered.

"Sure. What is it?"

"I need you to stay with her as much as possible. I don't care which form, but she needs more help than she lets on. I am normally her emotional support, but while I'm with Kagami, I want to make sure she's doing all right. You shouldn't have put his phone back yet, but I noticed you didn't put the other thing back. What was it?"

Cat Noir sighed. "A necklace that was engraved as an anniversary gift.  He mentioned his elaborate plans for that day a couple times.  I wasn't sure if I should give it to her now or wait until their anniversary."

The kwami thought for a moment.  "Wait until the anniversary.  She'll probably be to the point where his memories are pleasant by then."

"Tikki," he began, not sure yet if he wanted to know the answer to his question.  "Luka knew, didn't he?"

Tikki nodded.  "Yes, he did.  But Marinette never told him.  Like she said before, he was a really observant guy.  He figured it out himself on the night of their first real date when he was bequeathed the snake miraculous."

Cat Noir nodded.  "I probably should have put it together then too.  It was a bit obvious, right?"

Tikki giggled.  "You'd be surprised how blind the average person can be.  Look at Alya!"