minglingworlds | whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth ( marinette

(he really did think that would work better. at least, at the time.

the moment he sees everything beginning to crumble right in front of his eyes (is that a metaphor for his life), he's filled with a sinking sense of dread. not only that it could easily crush him, but that was his only shot at saving ladybug. and he wasn't doing it for any dramatic reasons like hoping she'd fall for him, or trust him with her identity.

chat just wanted her to be safe and feel safe. that's all he's ever wanted.

it's lucky marinette tugs him away, or he could have sustained injuries worse than hers. he stumbles back a few steps, and almost on instinct, his head barely turns to look at her before snapping back up ahead of him. he let her down once today, he'd rather not do it again.) Y... yeah, I'm fine.

(there's a defeated sigh as he stares at the rubble before them, still trying to think of a way out of this.) Maybe I can... try to dig us out. Pull away the rocks or something.

[ Her heart skipped a beat when she noticed his head turning. She wouldn't have even blamed him, had her secret came crashing down right then and there... but she's glad it didn't. She stubbornly holds onto that secret for just a little while longer, staying out of his peripheral vision as she reapproaches him.

She puts a hand on his shoulder, smiling with relief. ]

Well, you don't have to do it alone. I can get my hands dirty too.

[ To illustrate the point, she lets go of him and bends down to pick up a piece of rock. ]

It's... just going to be a little awkward, until I can transform again.

[ Tikki is still out like a light though, and she has no snacks. Plus, Cat just used Cataclysm...

So now the clock is ticking on him, as well. ]

(and his clock has quite literally begun ticking.

as marinette bends over to begin picking up the rocks and helping with the herculean task before them, chat's ring goes off with it's usual beeping, a signal that he's already got less than five minutes before they're both in an even more awkward situation.

but marinette is doing more than she knows already. there's no exasperation or exhaustion to her voice, no frustration or annoyance. in fact, there's only sympathy.

and chat wishes more than anything that he could wrap her up in a hug, wax poetic all the support she gives him on a daily basis.

unfortunately, there's no time for chat noir to be a hopeless romantic. they've got a cave in to dig themselves out of, and less than five minutes to do it. and he doesn't have any camembert on him, either.) Ah, Ladybug, as if things could be anything but wonderful with you around.

(well, he's flirting. so he's picking himself up, at least. while marinette handles one side, chat moves a bit away so there will be less risk of seeing each other, shoving the rocks away as best he can.)

[ Marinette pauses, glancing in his direction with a smirk at the remark. She is so used to it that she doesn't get a case of the blushing or even the nervousness anymore.

She shakes her head quietly, looking him over (while she can), before returning to their task. ]

It'll be wonderful if this works.

[ A pause, and even though she doesn't want to...

When she hears the beeping, she's forced to approach the elephant in the room. ]

Cat Noir... what do you think we should do, if we can't do this in time?

(he stills his movements when she brings up the one awkward situation he's sure neither of them are quite ready to handle yet. there's truly no avoiding what comes after this unless the cave in suddenly disappears and they can escape.

chat lets out a defeated sigh, still keeping his back to her as he rubs the back of his neck in thought. what should they do? she's asking him?) I... I don't know.

(he's never the one coming up with ingenious plans on the spot to magically save the day. and he knows after today he's not exactly the best to lead with a plan. following ladybug's idea has always been more his speed.)

[ Likewise, she's not used to being this lost or aimless. Even as she works to clear the cave-in with him, it feels like she's going through the motions. Like it's pointless. There's just so much of it.

They have so little time, too, but at the same time, this is probably the longest five minutes of her life. She finally has to cover her face from a combination of embarrassment and worry (and he's not even looking at her—yikes). ]

We can't work like this.

[ Her voice shakes, but Marinette tries desperately to cling to composure. She may not be transformed right now, but she's Ladybug, damnit. ]

We... We can't— After all this time, and this is how it's going to happen?

[ She really can't decide if she's sad or angry. Mostly she just really hates that she has to break her promise to Tikki while her friend isn't even conscious. ]

(chat noir isn't becoming worried because of anything like if ladybug doesn't have answers or confidence, how will they possibly survive. there's no nonsense like that anywhere in his mind.

all he cares about is that seeing (or, well, hearing) her like this simply breaks his heart. chat would have given anything for ladybug to avoid this heartache and troubled mind. she deserves better.

and what frustrates him more than anything is that he can't help. his words don't magically fix the situation like ladybug's can. he doesn't have that power, and god, he wishes he did.

but there are small things he's capable of. little things. it's not ideal, but he'll do whatever is within his abilities.

he takes in a breath, not letting himself lose composure at his ring getting down to the last mark.) Ladybug, can you turn around? So you're not facing me.

[ The fact that he's not getting all worked up is helping more than he knows. She peeks at him one last time through her fingers before breathing in a deep, calming sigh. She closes her eyes as she turns around. ]

...O-Okay.

[ It takes all her willpower to keep her lip from quivering.

This can't be the end of the world. Tikki would forgive her. Cat would forgive her.

...Right? ]

(of course he'll forgive her. ladybug could punch him right in the face, and he'd forgive her without a second thought.

with her back now to him, chat takes a moment to wrap his arms around her, pulling her to his chest in a hug. he desperately hopes this isn't crossing any lines, but he feels the need to do this now, while they still have a few moments of secrecy.) No one will blame you for this, Ladybug. You did all you could, and we kept this up as long as we were able. I won't think of you any different, no matter what happens, or who you are. I...

(it's down to the last few seconds, the last moments they'll have to hide, and chat can't bring himself to let go. he doesn't want to. he does, but at the same time, ladybug deserved better than this. if he had just been more careful, they'd be out and she'd be safe and comfortable.

but that's not the way the world always works. he takes a deep breath, exhaling it shakily from nerves, and he just has to say it.) I love you.

(then, in a blur of black and green, it's all over. the secrets are going to come out as soon as they both turn to face each other.

... when they can get the courage to.)

[ The hug is unexpected. Marinette nearly jolts out of her skin, her eyes opening wide in a moment of weakness. She wills herself not to turn around though, before melting to jelly in his arms.

She feels weak. Cat's words pierce her right in the heart—in the good way, she thinks—though they come as no surprise, after all this time. She's not entirely convinced that nothing will change between them, either, but at this point, all she can do is trust him, and hope for the best. ]

I know. [ It's a quiet acknowledgement, laced with sadness that she still can't return those feelings. Not yet. ] I'm so sorry, Cat Noir.

[ Marinette closes her eyes again, reaching up to squeeze his hand, which she noticed are no longer gloved. ]

...I'm going to turn around. But don't look yet...okay?

We can do it together.

(he's hardly concerned about her returning his feelings. while it certainly would be nice, he doesn't expect anything from her. simply being able to support her and be by her side has always been enough for him. and something like this situation would never cause him to change his mind.

but feeling her rest in his arms, hold him close, this moment, however much sadness permeates it, will always hold a special place in his heart now.) Don't be. You've done everything you can.

(this has never been her fault. she's already done everything she can to prevent it from happening. but their safety is at stake now, and though plagg will not be pleased, there's no avoiding it.

his arms move to her shoulders, holding her there as the rest of this plays out. and yet, somehow... adrien isn't scared. he's not sad. they'll get through this.) We'll close our eyes and open them on three. Sound good?

Okay... on three.

[ She's a step ahead of him, since her eyes are already closed. She keeps them that way; her voice is quiet, but it's all the warning Adrien gets before she actually turns around.

His weight on her shoulders is a comfort. She focuses on that, taking a deep breath. ]

One.

[ She swallows. Her throat feels dry. ]

Two...

(he quickly shuts his eyes as he feels her moving, wanting to let her control the situation as much as she's able. he wants to know ladybug's identity, there's no denying that.

he just wishes it didn't have to be like this. forced. an unavoidable situation. adrien wanted them both to confess their identities when they both felt comfortable with the notion of truly getting to know each other.

adrien's heart is threatening to pound out of his chest, suddenly getting second thoughts of wondering if this is really okay, have they really done all they can to avoid this, is there no other way. but marinette is already counting down, and with a nervous exhale, adrien says:) ... Three.

(it takes all his effort to open his eyes, and once his eyes adjust to the darkness without his night vision... his breath almost stops.) M... Marinette?

[ Marinette hesitates yet still. At first, she still can’t bring herself to open her eyes. After she specifically suggested the idea, it just feels like another way in which she’s failed, but hearing her own name gives her the nudge she needs.

She winces, but slowly opens one of her eyes... until they finally spring open completely in shock.

There is a desperation behind the gasp she lets out then, knowing she can never take it back or unsee what she’s just seen. ]

A...A—

Adri...

I...

[ She can’t even bring herself to fully say his name, not with the confidence and adoration she had before. She’s just too confused.

Should she be happy? Sad?

Is this even possible?

Is she dreaming? ]

[ Before she can figure it out, her knees go weak. Her mind hazes over in an instant.

And she faints, making friends with the cave floor. ]

(his mind is rushing so quickly, doing whatever it can to process this and let it sink in that adrien doesn't even realize marinette is having a mild panic attack right in front of him.

marinette is ladybug? he's not so surprised it's her, after all, marinette is the sweetest person in their class. adrien just never expected ladybug to be someone close to him, someone he was already well acquainted with.

it's more than shocking, that's for sure.

but adrien at least manages to keep consciousness. once he realizes marinette is no longer standing, he scrambles to catch her before she makes contact with the floor, and now he's trying not to have a panic attack.) Marinette!?

(he rushes through the possible reasons she could've collapsed, see if there's anything he could do to help. scanning her rather quickly, he notices that his tail is no longer covering her wound, and he has a brief moment of dreading that she's dying of blood loss.

except... on further inspection, the wound isn't that severe. in fact, it's already showing a little improvement. even so, he sets her down gently, trying to make her as comfortable as possible, before shedding his button up shirt to drape over her as a makeshift blanket.

now. he can only wait.)

[ He won't have to wait long, at least. The spell only lasts for a moment, but it's a moment Marinette spends stirring, as if dreaming and trying to come back to reality. She vaguely feels the softness of Adrien's shirt draped over her and struggles to reopen her eyes.

In truth, she's already forgotten about whatever injuries she sustained from the initial cave in.

Her head feels heavy; she blinks, trying to stave off her wooziness as she rights herself. ]

Whoa... I just...

[ fainted.

When she finds herself in Adrien's arms, remembering why she fainted, it's hard not to let it happen again. Instead, she gasps again upon seeing him, wishing that she had a pillow to scream into. ]

Adrien! Oh my god, Adrien... Adrien. Adrien, it's you...

[ She's blushing, because of course she is. She finds it hard to meet his eyes, those beautiful green cat-eyes. ]

This isn't one of Chloe's pranks... is it?

Edited 2018-07-28 20:50 (UTC)

(there's a sigh of relief when he feels her stirring again, and seeing her speak and open her eyes at least brings a smile to his face. though... there's really no escaping how awkward this situation is going to be, and adrien can't really say he's looking forward to it.

after all, marinette already seems plenty nervous about everything.

equally for him, it's hard to make eye contact with marinette at this point. he's not ashamed or disappointed to discover she's ladybug. hardly. but it's more... he doesn't know what to do now. or where this leaves them. if they were strangers, this might have, in a way, been easier.

but they're good friends (possibly something more on adrien's end if he ever manages to be honest), and he simply wonders where this leaves them.

he chuckles awkwardly under his breath, setting marinette down out of his arms so she'll be able to move on her own now.) Yeah, it's me. No prank or anything. I'm... Chat Noir.

[ Plenty nervous is... perhaps an understatement. Plenty embarrassed would also be spot on here; she can't help it. Hearing him say that... I'm Chat Noir. She covers her face, making unintelligible noises for a few moments, as if to get it out of her system.

No, she. She really can't believe this. This changes so much.

How... How is she supposed to know how to feel about him now? ]

Of course Chat Noir would be someone as cool as you. Even though I always... E-Even though I never took your feelings seriously...

Even though I'm just... me.

[ Lame, ordinary, clumsy Marinette Dupain-Cheng. ]

I'm scared to even imagine how you must be feeling right now.

[ ...But the funny part is: she can't remember the last time she's been this coherent around him. ]

(the last thing adrien wants is marinette feeling as though she somehow isn't good enough. just hearing her say that stuns him into silence as he remembers all the times she's done incredible things, whether it was as ladybug or herself.

and he can't help but wonder... if he always felt this way.

sure, adrien has always loved ladybug. that has never been in question. but he never stopped to think about the person behind the mask. marinette and ladybug are hardly that different from each other, one just happens to have super luck powers. they've both given so much for the city of paris, for their friends, for the good of others. to better lives.) I still love you.

(the words are out of his mouth before he's even aware of it, and once he is, adrien's face slowly glows bright red, visible even in the dark. ducking his head in shyness, he can't quite understand where his earlier confidence went. maybe it's something about having the mask of chat noir on.

or maybe it's the realization that he's finally confessing to someone he knows.)

[ wwwwwwHHATT ]

[ Marinette's already covered her face again by the time the words reach her ears. He was silent for long enough that she genuinely believed all her fears were justified, but...

But... ]

[ I still love you.

(How??)

Her eyes widen like she's just been shocked with electricity. Her hands drag down her face to cover her mouth, an audible gasp escaping just beforehand. She is blushing madly, whether he is telling the truth or not.

She really wants to believe he is.

She wants to believe that this isn't a dream. ]

.......I, I lo...

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