[junryou]

{ it’s okay to cry }

He felt his heart seize.

Across from him, one of his best friends wore a look of panic on her face. He felt terrible for putting her in this awkward situation. Why had he come?

Marinette was always so kind. Seeking her listening ear seemed like a good idea earlier. Even his intrusion in the middle of the night didn’t keep her from hearing out his problems (though he had given her quite a scare—it’s not every night a superhero drops through your skylight, onto your bed). Now, however, he regretted opening his mouth.

“What do you mean you’re going to stop being Chat Noir?”

The tightness in her voice matched the tightness in his chest.

“Ladybug doesn’t need me. She has better heroes now–" Marinette tried to protest but he continued in a rush, “Rena Rouge and Carapace are super-cool and capable, and she CHOSE them to work with her. I know she’s tired of me. She’s already told me off twice, saying she was interested in someone else. Well, actually, she’s rejected me many times… Not that that should matter, not that I mat–”

He couldn’t finish. His long-held back emotions finally boiled their way up, making hot tears spill down his face. He tried to tame the brief moment of vulnerability, hastily brushing the back of his hand over his eyes and apologizing to the girl sitting in front of him.

The next thing he knew, he was being embraced.

Marinette whispered, “You can cry… It’s ok–okay to cry…” The warmth of her words and of her hug sent a wave of reassurance through him. The tension in his shoulders eased as he thought about how selfless his friend was, holding and consoling a boy she barely knew. Her comforting voice continued,

“Ladybug loves you. She’s got to. You’re friends, right? Don’t you have friends that you love?”

Friends that he loves? Of course he did. One was holding him right now, but he could hardly say that. He wasn’t Adrien at the moment. He took a steadying breath and pulled back from her embrace.

“You’re right.” He wiped one more tear away before flashing her a meek smile. “You’re right. Ladybug did say that she saw me as more than just a partner…”

“Then trust her.”

Marinette’s words felt solid. Confident. Like he couldn’t deny them. He quietly replied, “I do… with my life.” His eyes flicked to his friend’s face. Was– was she blushing? It must be the light. Right? Regardless, he’d better let her get back to sleep. Didn’t they have a test tomorrow? He placed a hand on her shoulder. “Thank you, Marinette. For lending your ears to this silly chaton.”

She nodded, eyes focused on him. Her reply was cautious and quiet, “Anytime.”

He leaned forward, kissed her cheek, and grinned, “Be careful what you promise, Princess.” He crawled through the skylight, giving her flustered face one more glance, before he made his way home, feeling lighter than he’d felt in a long time. He’d remain Chat Noir for as long as he had friends who believed in him.

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