Ladybug was still stunned. She had let herself lean her head on Cat Noir. Everything seemed to be going well and then he just... left.

Did she do something wrong? She thought they had an understanding. He didn't know she was his soulmate when she was Ladybug, but why did he just get up and leave? She was hurt.

She stayed at the Eiffel Tower for a moment, observing the city. It was late at night and most of the city was still asleep, but it was still just as beautiful.

She decided she didn't want to go home just yet. She swung her yo-yo and continued her patrol through the city. She needed to clear her head.

After she had finished patrol a second time she decided it was finally time to head home.

When she got home she detransformed and immediately flopped down onto her bed and fell asleep, too tired to even talk to Tikki like she normally did.

The next day, when Marinette arrived at school, Alya was giving her a look. Knowing her best friend for as long as she did, she knew this look was are-you-ready-to-tell-me-about-your-mark-and-why-you-kept-it-a-secret look. Marinette shook her head with a small smile, feeling guilty.

Alya sighed but dropped it.

Marinette was grateful that Alya understood Marinette didn't want to talk about it. As they were walking to class, they walked past Chloe and Sabrina, seemingly deep in conversation. Then, typically, Chloe 'accidentally' stuck out her foot and tripped Marinette.

"Hey, watch where you're going Mari-trash!" Chloe said, laughing while she walked away, Sabrina at her heels.

"Marinette! Are you okay?" a concerned voice asked. Marinette looked up and saw it was Adrien, who had come over with Nino. She quickly ducked her head and pushed a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Hey, Nino, I forgot to do my homework! Can I copy off yours?" Alya asked, grabbing Nino's arm after one look at Marinette.

Nino looked confused. "Huh? But you always do your homewor-"

"Thanks, Nino, you're a lifesaver," Alya said, pushing him away and leaving Marinette and Adrien alone.

Adrien offered his hand out to Marinette who took it and he helped her up. She quickly let go, remembering her promise to herself: she had to let go.

"Th-thanks, Adrien," Marinette said, avoiding his eyes.

"No problem," Adrien said, smiling. "So... you still haven't gotten your mark?" he asked.

"Uh, no... so, um, any ideas of who your soulmate is?" Marinette asked.

Adrien tensed.

"Oh, um... No, not yet," he said. It was his turn to avoid her eyes.

"Oh, well, um, I'm sure she'll be worth the wait when you find her," Marinette said, trying to smile.She could feel the awkwardness hanging in the air.

"Thanks, I'm sure the same is true about your soulmate," he said touching her shoulder briefly to show support. Marinette's heart quickened when he did so.

"I - um, uh, w-we need to get to class," Marinette said.

"Yeah, we don't want to be late," Adrien said.

When Marinette got to class, she saw that Alya and Nino were already there. When Marinette sat down, Alya passed her a folded-up note with an impatient glance. Marinette opened it and read what Alya had written.

Marinette sighed. She knew there was no getting out of this one. She knew exactly what details Alya wanted. Alya knew that she had her soulmate mark, but didn't know why she was keeping it secret, so what Alya wanted to know was: Where did Adrien fit into this picture?

Marinette took the note, wrote a reply and gave Alya back the paper.

.

Alya nodded, happy she was going to finally get some answers.

After school, the two walked the distance to Marinette's house and went up to her room. Alya took a long look around the room even though she had been there multiple time before. She was clearly looking for something

"So, no more Adrien pictures," Alya said in a confused tone, observing the blank walls.

"Yeah, well, when you get a soulmate, you can't be drooling over another boy," Marinette said, shrugging and trying to look nonchalant.

"So, I'm not asking you details about the mark or person, if you know who it is," said Alya. Marinette breathed a sigh of relief. She wanted to tell Alya, but she just couldn't, not right now at least. "What want to know, is what about Adrien? Can you really drop him just like that?" Alya asked.

Marinette looked at her best friend miserably.

"I can't, and that's the problem. I have a soulmate, but my heart still belongs to Adrien," Marinette said.

Alya walked up to Marinette and hugged her. She didn't let go for a while.

"It's okay, girl, I'm sure you'll overcome this." Alya said.

"Thanks Alya, you're the best," Marinette said.

"Hey, what are best friends for?" Alya said. "So, do you want to watch a movie or something?" she asked.

"A movie sounds perfect." Marinette said, genuinely smiling.

For the next hour or so, they watched a chick flick while eating popcorn. Marinette was able to temporarily forget about all her worries about Adrien, Cat Noir, and soulmates.

Once the movie finished, Alya got a text on her phone.

"I got to get home, my mom needs me to look after my younger sisters," Alya said, and walked to the door. Just as she was about to leave, she turned around.

"When you're ready to talk, Marinette, I'll be here for you," Alya said, then she opened the door and left.

After she left, Marinette had a smile on her face. She was so lucky to have friends like Alya in her life, and she was glad she'd been able to remember that.

"Um, Marinette?" Tikki said.

Marinette had been so lost in thought she didn't realize that Tikki had been calling her name for a couple of minutes.

"Oh, sorry, Tikki, what is it?" Marinette asked her kwami.

"You're late," Tikki said, flying to her dresser and staying there.

"Late for what?" Marinette asked, confused.

"You're late for patrol," Tikki said.

Marinette looked at the clock. Tikki was right! She had to go, right now.

"Uh oh! Tikki, spots on!" Ladybug transformed and rushed as fast as she could to the Eiffel Tower, where Cat Noir was patiently waiting for her.

"I thought you were going to stand me up M'Lady," he joked with his signature grin.

Ladybug looked at him, and then the previous's night's memories flooded her head. She didn't understand why he would just leave?

"M'Lady, are you alright?" he asked.

"Let's just get to patrol, Cat Noir," Ladybug said, then she swung her yo-yo and started patrol.

When she finished, Cat Noir was already waiting for her at the Eiffel Tower.

"Ladybug, are you okay?" Cat Noir asked, taking her hand.

Ladybug was quiet, then she spoke, and all her hurt came out, directed at Cat Noir.

"Last night, we were having a moment. We were enjoying each other's company and then you just stood up and left! Were you upset with me? Did I do something?" Ladybug asked.

Cat Noir was silent. He wasn't looking Ladybug in the eye. Ladybug sighed. She tried to get Cat Noir to let go of her hand but Cat Noir held on tight, then engulfed her in a hug that made her feel warm and protected despite all her issues with Cat Noir.

"You haven't done anything, you're perfect, and that's the thing. I fell in love with you. You're kind, brave and beautiful! I thought we were going to be soulmates, and then... we weren't. I found my soulmate and she is amazing, but every time I get close to you, my heart starts beating out of its chest, and I feel like I'm betraying my soulmate. I like my soulmate, yes, but you, I love you, Ladybug, and it kills me that we weren't destined to be together."

Ladybug was silent.

"I'll, uh, I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" Cat Noir said softly.

He walked the the edge of the Eiffel Tower.

"Goodnight, Ladybug," he said and left, leaving Ladybug frozen where she was.

She couldn't move, she couldn't think. His words were replaying over and over in her head.

I like my soulmate, but you, I love you.

Was she destined to forever be compared to her alter ego? Would Cat Noir ever love her for her and not her mask?

Marinette went home and detransformed, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. It was late at night, but she needed a friend. She left her house and went to Alya's. She knew she could always rely on her. When she arrived, she knocked on the door.

The door opened, and there was Alya, looking concerned.

"Hello? Huh? Marinette? What happened?" Alya asked when she saw it was Marinette at the door, looking incredibly distraught.

"Come inside," Alya said, gesturing inside.

When Marinette came inside she couldn't help it. The tears started to spill down her cheeks.

"Oh Marinette..." Alya said. She walked up to Marinette and hugged her. Marinette leaned into the hug. She needed her best friend right now. When Marinette finally calmed down, she let go of Alya.

"Marinette, what happened?" Alya asked, her brown eyes staring into Marinette's blue ones.

"It's my soulmate," Marinette said.

"Your soulmate?" Alya asked.

"I'm always going to be his number 2. The shadow of his dream girl," she said.

Alan listened without saying a word. She was trying to be supportive but Marinette could see the rage building up inside her.

"I'm going to call your parents. Tell them you're here and that you're spending the night." Alya said.

After she called Marinette's parents, she gave marinette some pajamas and set up two sleeping bags in the living room. After the two settled in, Marinette realized just how tired she was. All this drama with soulmates had drained all her energy.

Before she fell asleep, she spoke up.

"Alya?" she said.

Alya turned around to face her in her sleeping bag, her face shadowy in the dark of the night.

"Yes, Marinette ?" she said.

"Thank you, for always being there for me when I need you," Marinette said.

Just as she was about to fall into a deep slumber she heard Alya reply

"It's what best friends are for."