I'm Sorry Chaton

Chapter 18

...her eyes were full of tears. Ladybug broke away from the kiss, took one look at him, and let out a heavy sob. "You're alive!" She leaned forward to embrace him.

He smiled and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to his chest, "Yeah, Bugaboo. I'm alive." For a moment, he felt truly happy. He was holding in his arms the one thing he loved most and all of his negative emotions melted away. His happiness was taken away when he felt her jerk away from him. He let her go, but he was confused. Did she not like the hug?

Ladybug abruptly broke away from the hug and raised her hand. With one quick motion, she slapped him across the face.

Adrien's right cheek turned bright red from the sting of the slap. "What the hell was that for?!"

"For letting me think you were dead!" Ladybug yelled at him. She was enraged and happy at the same time if that was even possible! Of course, she was happy, the boy she loved was alive, but she was furious at him for putting her through all that pain and grief.

"Geez Mari! I'm sorry. I didn't know what to tell you... and it was a secret. Not even my father knew," he told her, looking slightly guilty for making her feel so awful. He hadn't meant to make anyone feel terrible, but he didn't know what else to do. Had he known Mari would go crazy after losing him, he never would have put her in that situation.

Ladybug's face was drained of all color and she stared at him in shock. "M-Mari?"

Adrien furrowed his brow in confusion. "Isn't that your name?" Suddenly he realized she didn't know that he knew! "Mari! I know you didn't want us to know who each other were, but I swear I didn't mean to find out! You got knocked out in battle and de-transformed right in front of me! I-I didn't mean to look, I promise!"

Ladybug's shocked face slowly morphed into one of contentedness as she tilted her lips into a smile. She realized nothing could take away from the joy she felt at knowing the love of her life was alive and well. Well, maybe not well, but he was certainly alive! She laid her face on his chest and was welcomed with the loving arms that hugged her. They stayed like that for a while, but the imminent threat of Hawkmoth forced them to stop.

"We need to save Plagg!" Adrien told her once they broke the hug.

Ladybug rolled her eyes. "And the entire city of Paris, Adrien. Don't forget about them!"

"Right..." he replied sheepishly. He stood up and prepared to go find his friend...and save the city.

"Maybe," She looked at him and then avoided his gaze before continuing, "you should stay here."

Adrien wanted nothing more than to fight alongside Ladybug and defeat his father, but he knew she was right. He would do more damage than help if he tried to fight without his Chat Noir suit. He reluctantly agreed and watched as she swung towards the mansion. He had never worried about Ladybug, she could take care of herself, but he felt like he had to do something to help and protect her.

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Ladybug said bye to her kitty before swinging away towards the mansion. She heard the distinct voice of Hawkmoth coming from a tall tower. She inhaled deeply until she felt a sense of calm come over her. Fighting would be pointless if she wasn't in a calm, focused state of mind. Summoning all her courage, she broke through the stained glass and found herself in the room where she had been beaten just an hour before. She shivered and chills went down her spine at the thought of her near-death experience.

She saw Hawkmoth and Plagg right in front of her. They heard the glass shatter and were staring at her as she landed on the floor.

Hawkmoth growled, "Give me the earrings, Marinette!"