It Only Took One Night

Rejection - Chapter 1

"Pound it!" Chat Noir and Ladybug recited together. They had just defeated the Sapotis 2.0 and were now leaping from building to building over Paris. When they came to a stop, Chat Noir's heart rate increased and his breathing now rapid.

"M'lady," Chat Noir's voice was shaky and his tone turned serious. Ladybug faced him in confusion. She had never heard Chat Noir speak like that to her, normally it was just lame puns and stupid jokes.

"Yes, kitty?" Ladybug smiled, ignoring his odd behavior. Chat Noir was putting off telling her his true feelings because he wanted to wait for the right moment, but that moment never came. So, he finally came to the conclusion that there will never be the "right" moment and that he should just do it. (Like Nike) :D

"M'lady, I- I have to tell you something. Um," he rubbed the back of his neck and took a deep breath. He noticed Ladybug's confused expression, which made the situation seemingly worse. He shut his eyes and tightened his fists. "I- I'm in love with you."

Ladybug's eyes widened as the words left his mouth. She lost contact with his eyes and began glancing at her surroundings, feeling more awkward than ever. What does one do in a situation like this?

"Chat Noir," she swallowed. Ladybug didn't want to hurt him, all she could do was let him down easily. "I-I'm so sorry but-"

"Yeah, yeah I know Ladybug. You'll never feel the same way I do. I just had to let you know," Chat's brows knitted in a frown, his body no longer quaking. "Well anyways, see you next time."

Chat Noir leapt off the building and into the night before Ladybug could say anything back to him. She was left stranded. Her entire body was stiff and it almost felt like she couldn't move from where she was standing. Her heart hurt when she saw Chat Noir's expression so down, but, she was in love with someone else.

She finally got the motivation to move and swung through the cool breeze of the night. The nightly breeze whistled softly and was blowing through her dark blue pigtails. The sky was deep as the moonlight reflected on people's windows and created shadows under structures. Not a single person could be seen walking through the streets as it had been cleared due to the akuma attack. Ladybug felt relieved that after her long day at school, babysitting, and the akuma attack that she could finally relax.

Ladybug landed behind a dark shadow by a bench in the park swiftly, making sure no one was in sight first.

"Spots off," Ladybug detransformed into Marinette as Tikki flew up beside her to meet her face. 

"I feel so bad about Chat Noir," Marinette began ambling to her bakery as Tikki was flying beside her.

"Don't be, Marinette! You did what you had to. He understands!" Tikki encouragingly reassured her. Marinette smiled but it quickly faded as her hands flew to her face.

"Oh no! It's gonna be SO awkward in our next encounter, isn't it?" Marinette grunted as she ran up the steps to her house. 

"I'm sure you'll both work it out. Besides, it's not like anything is different. You knew this whole time he was in love with you!" Tikki explained.

"But it feels different! I mean, sure I knew but him actually saying it OUT LOUD?" Marinette opened her trap door, revealing her large, pink bedroom. She instantly went over to her desk, spinning in her chair.

"Maybe I'll just work on designs on my balcony. That always calms me down and it may take things off my mind," Marinette gathered her sketchbook, a few pens, and made her way to her balcony. She sat in her striped chair and reclined herself for comfort. The cool breeze swept through, causing Marinette to shiver. Tikki came up through the trap door with a blanket, struggling to keep hold of it. Marinette giggled as she thanked Tikki and wrapped the blanket around her.