Emotional Support [Complete]

S1 E25: Ladynoir Role Play

"What are you gonna do?" Marinette spoke sarcastically. "Annoy me to tears with lame puns and flirts?"

Although Adrien wasn't transformed as his alter ego, he felt his non-existent ears flatten and his once heart-shaped tail droop. "Is Cat Noir really that annoying?"

"Sometimes, I guess." Marinette shrugged. "Why are you upset?"

"Oh, um, well, I'm pretending to be Cat Noir right now, and..." Adrien looked down, "and I think he'd be really hurt if he heard Ladybug, or you, say that to him."

Adrien was right. Cat Noir would pout for weeks if Ladybug had said that to him. "Aw, I'm sorry, Chaton." She rubbed his head. "I didn't mean it."

Adrien pouted further at her sweet, meaningless words. He wondered if Marinette would be good practice talking to Ladybug. Maybe if she knew pretty accurately what she might say, it could get some answers out of her.

"Yes, you did," Adrien hesitated, brushing Marinette's hand off his head as he got off his knees and stood up. "Ladybug... Why don't you love me?"

Are they still playing the game? Adrien did refer to her as Ladybug, so Marinette supposed they were. It was a weird choice of conversation, but she played along.

"Because you're such a flirt!" Marinette giggled. "And you're horrible at it, too!"

"Is that all I am to you?" Adrien huffed. "Just a flirt? I've loved you since the day we met, my lady! You've never even considered my feelings! Don't you see how much faith I put in you? Why can't you put some in me?"

Adrien's playing seriously. Marinette thought. Maybe I should, too.

"How can I when all you ever do is flirt?" Marinette folded her arms. "You probably flirt like that with every pretty girl!"

Does Ladybug really think that of him? Or is it just Marinette that feels this way? Either scenario is just as terrible as the other.

"I don't, my lady..." Adrien became quiet. "I only speak that way... with you."

Marinette found a blush across her face as she heard a sincerity in his voice. "Y-Yeah, well, how come you flirt with Marinette, then? How can I put my faith in someone who can't stay loyal to his lady?"

Adrien's eyes widened. Why had he done that? He really liked to show off with Marinette sometimes, but he only wanted to impress his friend.

"Sh-She's a personal friend and I wanted her to be impressed. I don't usually get praise from people I actually care about," Adrien explained, holding Marinette's cheek. "It's different with you. I actually mean it with you. I-I love you."

"I'm in love with someone else, Cat," Marinette told him, removing his hand. "I can't control who I love."

"I know, but... is there something he has that I don't?"