Adrien's POV;

This chapter is all in Adrien's point of view, again trigger warning about self-harm, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders and anxiety.

No without further-a-do, let's see what happens next.

It was a normal day for me, woke up took a shower, got dress and then Plagg begging for cheese like usual.

Had my breakfast got my schedule from Natalie, luckily today was a free day other than Chinese revision for my test I had the next day.

As I was on my way to school something didn't feel right in the pit of my stomach, Plagg didn't seem to be himself either after we left the house, I guess today was going to be one of those days. I sighed to myself as we approached the school.

'I don't have a great feeling about today… not one bit'

I thought to myself as I walked into the school, but I put on my usual façade hoping that I can smile for real soon but being around my friends always helped me so it shouldn't be too much longer.

I walked into my class room as usual and sat down in my seat and caught up on some of my class work from the day before that I never ended up finishing up.

I heard Alya and Marinette talking in the background, even though I never looked behind me I could hear it in Marinette's voice that she was really tired, she mentioned that she was helping her parents in the bakery, I believe that but there was something else within that voice but I didn't want to make assumptions so I set it aside for the moment.

I continued on with my work as Nino made small conversation with me and Alya from time to time. Nothing much was being said so I went about my day but something cold went through my body like a transparent ghost or something like that.

The bell rang for our first break I gather up my things slowly making sure I didn't forget anything but again I felt this weight on my shoulders, usually it was stress about modelling and everything else but no this was something bigger than that, Nino said he was going to chill out with Alya since Marinette took off before anyone could say anything to her. It wasn't like Marinette to do that, she would at least tell someone she was going somewhere else for break.

I grabbed everything I needed and walked outside of the classroom and then I saw Marinette looking around then inside the library, she seemed to give out a sign of relief and then walked inside, I wondered to myself if she was at all okay. It did seem like she wanted to be alone usually I am a bystander when it comes to this type of thing just so people have the space, they need to have time to reflect and think.

Clearly something was telling me that wasn't the case and I felt my body move on its own towards the library, so I made an instant B-line to the library making sure no one stopped me.

"Adrikins!"

Fuck… of course she would pick me out of the crowd…

I turned around gave Chloe a simple smile and wave "Hi Chloe, sorry I can't stop and catch I have to study for my Chinese test"

"In the library? Oh, come on Adrien I'm sure you can brush the study off for this one time, I'm sure your father would understand" Chloe tried convincing me as she wrapped her arms around mine.

I pulled my arm out of her grip she looked at me slightly shocked.

"Look Chloe I don't have the time at the moment I really need to study" after I stated that I walked more quicker to the library, I opened the door ever so slightly and walked in, I looked around to find Marinette, a sigh of relief came out of my mouth as I saw her sitting at a desk sketching she looked like she was in her own deep thoughts.

I didn't want to startle her like I usually do for some reason, so I slowly walked over when I finally got near her, she didn't notice me, so I cleared my throat a little bit, still nothing.

"Mari?" I said quietly, she seemed to snap out of her thoughts for a moment looked dead straight into my eyes not really saying anything, I never really noticed how blue her eyes were, they were like the beautiful sky, I waited for a minute just in-case she was processing some thoughts.

When she didn't say anything else, I continued talking explaining why I was there.

"I know you probably came here wanting to concentrate but I umm" Why was I suddenly nervous… this never happens I looked down at the floor and rubbed the back of my neck like I usually do when I'm feeling out of place or nervous, "Do you mind if I sit down with you?", I looked back at her slightly she seemed a bit dumbfounded I hope I didn't say anything wrong "I-I mean like you seemed like you needed the company.. but I wouldn't want to intrude on what you were doing but…"

I saw that she smiled a little bit, it was a genuine real smile, granted it was small, but it was real unlike the other times people have been talking to her, she cut of my sentences with saying that I can sit with her but just no small talk. I wondered why that was so for a bit, but I figured it was her wanting us both to concentrate on our own work which seemed fair.

I nodded agreeing to her terms and pulled out the chair next to her and sat down, pulling my books out of my back and started doing some of my Chinese translations and also muttering how they may be pronounced, I would catch a glimpse of Mari from time to time seeing her focused eyes on her sketch book with her hand moving the pencil within motion of what she was thinking, I never noticed that she stuck out her tongue a little bit as she concentrated, I smiled a little bit thinking it was the cutest thing I have ever seen.

'Huh Ladybug does the same thing from time to time' I thought to myself for a brief moment.

"How are things going at home?"

Even though Marinette clearly said no small talk I couldn't help but break the silence a bit.

"Fine, but been busy a few times" She sounded bit unenthusiastic about talking about her parent's bakery… I guess she doesn't want to talk about that… Oh I know

"Yeah I bet… How's the designing?" I knew she would love to talk about her designs she is very talented when it comes to sewing and designing.

"Fine I guess…"

I was a bit taken back by what she had said this was not the type of response I was expecting… now I was worried.

"What do you mea-" My sentence got cut off by Marinette firmly talking.

"I said… NO small talk" She snapped… that was very unlike her, granted she did say at the very start that she didn't want any small talk, but I still did it anyways, it hurt yes but I needed to respect Mari's wishes and I pushed it over the line.

"S-Sorry" I said as I looked to the ground trying not to dwell on the emotions I was feeling at the present time. I had a thought in my head to present a gesture to her and in hoping that might break the ice between us again without talking or breaking any barriers.

I moved closer to her inch by inch in hopes that she didn't completely push me away, I slowly lowered my head on shoulder she seemed to jump at the contact, and I can't blame her, "Is this okay?" I waited for a response in hoping that this was okay.

"Yeah, it's fine"

I smiled and rubbed my head even more into her shoulder like a cat with that response, if I was really honest with myself, I would give anything to just be in this moment right now, I sighed to myself as I relaxed a little bit more within her comfort.

The day was going by smoothly and everything seemed really relaxed and quiet after everything happened at their first break, Marinette was still sketching and smiling now which was a good change, I continued talking with Nino about what I was getting up to after school then I heard Alya complimenting Marinette on her designs, they were truly amazing.

She mentioned it was an evening dress, I had already seen the early stages of the sketching I didn't want to spoil it and see the end result of what it looked like I knew Mari being the designer she is she would most likely make it herself as well.

I heard Chloe's voice pierce through the air of course she would have something to say, she always does I rolled my eyes and opened my mouth to say something but then I say Marinette quickly get up and run, she didn't even pack anything she just grabbed her little bag and ran out the classroom, I turned to her with a massive clear of disgust.

"Chloe! How dare you do something like that to Marinette?" I could feel my throat tighten up and something inside my burning, I guess this feeling was rage.

"Whatever do you mean Adrikins, all I did was tell her the truth"

I could feel myself burning up more and more.

"It doesn't matter Chloe! You have upset her to the point of tears, Marinette is an amazing, independent, beautiful woman, she never breaks like that at all! You have probably pushed her to the unthinkable and the only person to blame is YOU!"

I stormed out of the classroom with all the things and went to the locker rooms.

"Ditching class are we kid?" Plagg said as he came out of my bag that had the smell of camembert left behind.

"Well I guess we are now… I don't know what it is but something about today seemed very off since the time I had woken up from sleeping"

"Yeah I kind of felt that too just felt a little bit stronger than what you were feeling maybe…" Plagg explained looking very down as he explained more.

"You kid when a Kwami feels this kind of thing when it comes to another Kwami or miraculous holder we can sense what the other person is thinking or feeling a lot more than what others would think of them" Plagg explained into more detail

"So… what you're saying this that Ladybug's true self is feeling down?" I looked at Plagg in dis belief

"Yeah, that's exactly what I am saying, granted us Kwami's can never have effect on what our holders' emotions"

I sighed in a deep thought about how Ladybug would be feeling right now, if I was feeling this down then she might be suffering in silence…

I snapped myself back into reality with a shake of my head, I reach into my front pant pocket and grabbed out my phone and went to dial Marinette's number, I needed to make sure that she was okay.

It rang a few times, I was hoping she was going to answer very soon;

'Please Mari answer the phone'

'Please be okay'

'Please… Please… Please…'

"He-Hello"

I heard a slight sniffle as Marinette answered but the phone but regardless, I sighed of relief left my mouth that she finally answered the phone.

"Hey Marinette, so umm I'm pretty sure you don't want to talk to anyone right now, but I wanted to know if you were okay? Just wanted to make sure if you needed anyone or if you were okay"

She seemed very silent I would assume she was still trying to collect her thoughts, I might have caught her off guard with me calling her, I hope she didn't mind that I was calling her…

"Ye-Yeah, I'm fine… I'm really sorry I ran out like that, it wasn't like me…"

Why was she apologising for something g that clearly was out of her control and not her fault?

"Oh no Marinette don't apologies for something like that, you didn't do anything wrong it was just Chloe, you never have to apologies for showing how you truly feel inside"

I hope I wasn't over stepping the line again or anything like that, I would never want to hurt her or over step the friendship we had, I opened my mouth to speak but then I heard her sniff like she was holding back something.

"Tha… Thank you Adrien, I really appreciate everything you are doing for me right now…"

I heard a little break in her voice… she was defiantly crying… why couldn't I help her! WHY AM I NOT THERE RIGHT NOW!

I silently sighed to myself before talking "It's okay Marinette, I just want you to know that I do care about you and always will be here for you even if it's just for company and sitting in silence"

I was hoping she would say something along the lines of "Yes", but I will humbling respect her if she said no.

"As much as I appreciate the offer, Adrien I think I might pass it for today. I want some time to collect myself and just get my head on straight I just think today was just one of those days where I just need time for myself"

I sighed once again but I wasn't annoyed just more out of respect and acknowledging the fact she needed all the space she needed at the time, "Well okay, all I can do is respect your wishes and if you ever need someone never hesitate to reach out to me and ask for my help okay"

"Thank you again Adrien… I'll defiantly keep that in mind, I should probably go through just to collect myself more and maybe get some rest"

I chuckled to just to break the mood a little bit as we both relaxed a little, "Yeah I'll let you go and get some rest"

It seemed too quiet on the other side of the line, "Oh and Marinette"

"Y-yes?" Marinette questioned

"I'm always one call away, not matter the time of day, I will answer the phone no matter what it is for"

After saying that we kind of just sat in silence for a while listening to the white noise between us, it felt kinda isolated but not on my end… it was on Mari's end.

Finally, Marinette broke the silence, "Thank you again Adrien, I will keep that in mind as well, thank you for checking up on me"

"Okay Marinette, take care of yourself and get some rest"

Once the call was over, I called up my ride and went home early… I had a lot of thinking to do and I can't actually can't even get over how much emotion Marinette was feeling.

I was sitting at my desk working on my school work, but I couldn't focus enough to get anything done… I was too focused on the conversation I had with Marinette, something didn't seem right, and I needed to help her… She may know it, but she does need to help.

"Are you okay kid?" Plagg asked as he flowed over towards me as I lodged back into my seat and rolled it away from my desk, honestly, I wasn't even sure if I was okay, and well I couldn't feel anything, I didn't feel any emotion at the time I was too focused into Mari's emotions.

"Yeah I'm fine Plagg just well… I don't know just feeling this odd feeling again but it's a lot stronger than what it was before hand and I honestly don't know how to cope with it"

I got up from my seat and started sluggishly walking around my room constantly fiddling with my fingers, just didn't know what to do at the time honestly… Then a thought finally hit me.

"Hey Plagg, you're probably going to hate me"

"Claws Out" I shouted before Plagg could answer me back

I transformed and opened up window, I jumped out extending my baton and headed towards Marinette's, no idea why I was so drawn to knowing what was wrong, but I guess I was at the time.

As I sat near the Dupain-Chengs residence my heart was starting to pound harder than I have ever felt before this moment, it was a very odd feeling but if I didn't have that feeling right now in this moment I probably would of turned my cheek and went back home… But something was drawing me towards this moment for some reason, it must mean something at the very least.

I sighed to myself hoping that a light would come on, or I would hear some noise coming from her room… I just hope she was okay.

I got lost in my thoughts for a while until I saw at the corner of my eye that a light came on from Marinette's room, it wasn't bright one but warmer feel like a lamp or something like that.

She slowly came out from her room onto her balcony, she seemed very ill but not like a common cold ill, she looked mentally and psychologically ill… I had to help her somehow…

I stuck out my chest with a deep breath and made my way carefully over to her, I came down with a slight thud and I knew she heard me from that little jump she did… 'Crap I didn't mean to startle her'

She slowly turned on the balls of her feet looking at the ground still but then she slowly started to look up, our eyes gazed at each other, I could see her eyes were red and puffy… 'was she crying before-hand? Is she needing help? SAY SOMETHING YOU IDIOT'

"Hello Princess"

Really? 'Hello Princess' was the only thing you could think of really Agreste?

I could feel my own brain face palming me from the inside of my skull when I said that, I was about to say sorry to her but then Mari bolted towards me and hugged me, keeping a really good grip on me, she was hurting… and she was hurting really badly.. I have to do something!

'Started tomorrow I will be there for you no matter what! Both as Adrien and Chat Noir! I will protect you with everything I have got to offer'

Heeey… so new chapter yay…

So I just want to put out there that I don't know if I can finish so many things at once, I am struggling with a lot of things right now, work, family, friends even my current relationship with anyone really, I'm sorry for this very late update and I don't know when I'll be updating again, I hope you can all understand and just hold out a little longer.

Thank you all soooo so sooooo much for all your support during through this, things will be getting more intense as the chapters go on, but I will put disclaimers at the start of the chapters just so you know what you're in for, hope you all have are well today and see in the next chapter

XOXO