Since I keep neglecting my disclaimers, here it is. I own: _ (-whoa, lookit that, no Miraculous Ladybug.)

Hostage Situation

Running up and down the halls was getting old fast, Marinette thought wryly as she turned another corner. Finally! A door she recognized! She quickly opened it and slipped inside, making sure to close it quietly behind her. Just a broom closet, but perfect for her needs.

Then, and only then, did she breathe a sigh of relief and check how Tikki was doing in her bag.

"Just a few more minutes," Tikki promised, her mouth full of cookie. Marinette nodded and left her to it, sighing as she leaned against the wall.

What a day. Miss Bustier was out sick, and their substitute history teacher had turned out to be very enthusiastic about the Greek Classics. And then, when she and Alya had informed him that they weren't even on that subject right now (they were studying ancient China) and Chloe and Sabrina had started making fun of him for trying to push it through anyway… well…

But still, her mind raged, to get akumatized over something so little?! He was supposed to be teaching them what they needed to learn, not what—okay, okay, Marinette, calm down. Think this through. He thought his dream of teaching his favorite subject was finally coming true, and instead he gets mocked by a bunch of teenagers. Yeah, that'd upset anyone—

Maybe even enough to turn their whole school into a Labyrinth and start hunting students as the Minotaur.

'COME OUT, COME OUT, LITTLE LADYBUG! I WANT TO SQUASH YOU AGAINST A WALL OF MY A-MAZE-ING LABYRINTH!"

Ehh, then again, if Ladybug managed to kick him in the face a couple of times before finding the akumatized object… well, it was only her job, right?

"STOP HIDING! I GROW TIRED OF THIS GAME!"

And whose fault is that, buddy?

"NO MORE HIDING! DOORS, DISINTEGRATE!" the Minotaur roared. Marinette squeaked as the closet door vanished in front of her. She quickly backed into the closet further, hiding under a couple mops and a broom.

Since when was changing the rules in the middle of the game fair? she wondered.

Something landed softly behind her, and two arms shot out, one pinning her arms to her sides and the other hand covering her mouth, muffling her scream. Marinette struggled, panic overtaking her.

"Shhh, shhh, it's me," a familiar voice whispered in her ear. She slumped in relief. Chat Noir. He slowly removed his hand from her mouth.

"I thought you were the monster," she hissed.

"I figured you would," he chuckled lowly in return. "Are the other students safe?"

"As safe as they can be in that prison he's got going in what used to be the courtyard," Marinette muttered.

"Damn."

"Yeah." She tried to turn and face him, and realized that he'd never truly released her from his grip. She was still pressed tight against his body, back to front, and a low, happy purr had started in his chest.

"Chat," she growled, remembering to keep her voice down.

"Yes, princess?" he asked innocently.

"Are you going to let me go?"

"Well, I don't think you should move around a lot right now," he said, his voice taking on a teasing tone. "He might find you easier."

"Chat," she said flatly, "that is a horrible excuse."

He snickered in her ear. "I don't know what you mean," he breathed in her ear. "Surely, you aren't suggesting something…."

"Don't you have a monster to fight?"

"I'm waiting for Ladybug to get back. She had to go recharge her Miraculous," he murmured, nosing her hair.

She could get here a lot quicker if you'd just leave! Marinette silently seethed when it became apparent that the incorrigible cat-boy wasn't going to be leaving anytime soon. What a conundrum.

I can't leave until I come back because you won't leave me until I get here.

I hate paradoxes.

This would all be solvable if I could just reveal myself to you… but, we're going to have to get a bit more creative.

"I think I saw her heading back towards the center just before you grabbed me," she said softly, inwardly wincing at the lie.

"How?" Chat snickered. "There was a door in the way. Princess, are you nervous about being alone with me?"

"No!" Marinette squeaked, cursing when her voice broke.

"You sure?" he pressed, his nose trailing down to her neck.

Her breath caught. "W-what are you—?" She froze as she felt his teeth press against her neck. "Ch-chat?"

"I saw you with that Adrien boy earlier," he murmured in her ear. "You looked so happy. Why haven't you done anything about that yet?"

She huffed in frustration. "It's not that easy, Chat!" she exclaimed, remembering at the last moment to keep her voice down.

"I think he likes you back," Chat continued, his mouth moving back down to her neck. "What do you think he'll say if someone else puts their mark on you?" His teeth went to her neck again and she felt a slight pull.

Marinette paled at the implications. "You wouldn't."

"You think he'll be mad? Grossed out? Curious?"

"Chat—"

"Maybe he'll ask you out himself when he finally realizes somebody else might scoop you up from underneath him," Chat purred. Marinette felt the pressure on her neck increase and tried to ignore the heady rush as her pulse quickened.

"I don't think—"

"CHAT NOIR, COME OUT AND FACE ME!" the Minotaur roared. "I HAVE YOUR PRECIOUS PARTNER TIED UP, AND I'LL CARVE HER INTO A DOZEN PIECES UNLESS YOU SURRENDER YOUR MIRACULOUS!"

Chat cursed and released Marinette, moving to make for the opening. She quickly spun around and grabbed him around the waist.

"Don't go," she pleaded. "It's a trap!"

"Hostage situations usually are," Chat said wryly. He smiled down at her. "Don't worry, Princess—"

"He's lying!" she burst out with a gulp. "He doesn't have Ladybug."

He gave a short laugh. "I thought you said you just saw her going towards the center? It would make sense."

"I was lying," Marinette said quietly. He blinked down at her and she quickly buried her face in his chest. Of all the ways he could find out… this was not the one she'd choose at all! But if it was a choice between her identity and an obvious trap….

"He could still have her," Chat pointed out.

She swallowed again, before tightening her hold on him. "He doesn't," she whispered.

Chat went still in her arms.

"And… how do you know that, princess?" he asked slowly. She slumped in his arms.

"You're gonna make me say it, aren't you," she groaned.

"Yes," he breathed. His hand slipped under her chin and he lifted her head to look at him. His eyes were shining with excitement and hope… and longing…. "Please, say it. Tell me, Marinette."

Even now, she could save herself. She could say that Ladybug told her to stay here until she called to say the coast was clear, or wait until the Minotaur lost patience again, or just say it was a gut instinct, or that she'd overheard the monster saying he was going to make a trap…. Oh God, it would be so easy! So simple to trick Chat and mislead him… and one could even argue it was the right thing to do, since they weren't supposed to know each other's identities….

Yes, she should simply lie—

But another part of her was sick of all the lies. So tired of dancing around with half-truths and misdirection—and never quite able to look her partner in the eye, neither as Marinette nor Ladybug, because there was always the pervading feeling that he should know… and she could tell that he'd probably already put the pieces together himself, he was just waiting for her to be ready….

But if he knew… if he knew-knew, there'd be nowhere for her to hide. He'd know. And her friends and family could be put in danger, if Chat was ever captured or put under a spell again. And he certainly wouldn't support her chasing after Adrien anymore, once he realized how much he stood to lose….

And even now, the hope was dimming in his eyes as she hesitated….

Chat cleared his throat and stepped away from her. "You know what, don't tell me," he said cheerfully. "Right now, I have a monster to fight. I'll see you tonight, okay, princess?"

She nodded, even as she hung her head.

Coward, she snarled at herself. Some superhero you are! You don't even trust your own partner! If Chat is ever captured or put under a spell, your first priority should be saving him anyway! It's not like your friends and family won't be in danger if he's turned to the dark side. Hell, the whole city would be in danger. And—

I want to, she thought, nearly sobbing. I want to tell him. I want to be able to laugh and joke with him as Ladybug, like we do when it's just him and Marinette. I want to be able to brainstorm battle plans when he comes over, or give in and kiss him goodbye after a battle. I want to learn who he is, and meet that amazing boy under the mask—God, I bet Alya would love him, they're both such dorks—I want to be able to introduce him to my parents, and go on dates, and just enjoy this city that we protect… with him.

"Chat?" she choked out.

No reply.

She looked up to see that he'd already left.

Coward. I'm such a coward.

End.