A/N: Warning - light mention of rape in the end, just for you to know.Pushed from the Pedestal

"Paris is really beautiful. Isn't it? Especially in Summer, when everything is just so colorful and everybody around is happy and the people-"

"Chat?"

"Oui, Milady?"

Ladybug had crossed her arms a few minutes ago, watching her partner silently, who looked out over the city, that they both tried to protect with everything they had. He was leaning casually at the handrail, his eyes gleaming with joy in the colors of the lights from down below. And yet she could see, how his shoulders were still so tense, how his hands gripped a little more tightly onto the metal and how his lips almost formed a forced smile.

Something was going on – occupied his mind for so many days now, perhaps ever since the day he left… and this was just a tiny moment of bliss, until his life would catch up with him again…

Did he even have somebody, with whom he could have talked about all these things? Somebody who would listen?

… somebody, who was his friend?

Sure – he had Plagg and the black kwami and his Chosen were as close, as she was with Tikki. And yet… could he – the young man underneath that mask – ever open up to another human being? Or had he lost the chance to do so, when he had left ten years ago?

And yet – now he was here, again. And she – she would listen. Wanted to do so. For she was his friend – has always been and with the vanishing scorn and anger she knew, that she still wanted to be by his side as such.

For it had always been them against the world, right?

"There is something… you want to talk about? Not just about how much you love Paris and Summer and all these things… but… other things, perhaps?"

He pressed his lips together into a thin line, his eyes closing for a moment, while he sighed.

Chat Noir turned around, standing across from her, his hip now leaning dangerously at the handrail, while the young man's body sank into itself in a lax way. Pain crossed his features and he finally opened his eyes again.

"Has your mind ever crossed the thought, of how similar we were to Hawk Moth and Mayura? Just once? Or did it hit you in the gut as well, when she said all these things? It certainly… hurt… to hear it".

"Oh Chat, we are not-"

"I know, we aren't Hawk Moth and Mayura. And yet there was unrequited love and strong passion for the good cause. And… and trust and amazing powers. And… yeah… destruction…"

"And creation as well… don't forget that…"

His eyes lit up again and he looked back up into her face, grinning.

"Yeah… Creation…"

"So you want to tell me, that you believe Nathalie's words? That we are just like them. I mean it's not like I have broken your-"

She bit her tongue, gulping.

Of course she had broken Chat Noir's heart. Multiple times and each time she refused his advances. Each time she said, she loved somebody else, that they never could be together and that they always were just friends and partners and nothing more.

Just like Gabriel did with never loving Nathalie back…

"It's okay! It really is…", he said, his hands rising in defense and he smiled sincerely at her. "I know my place and I should have known back then. I was just learning. Love and all that stuff. Stupid teenage me didn't know all these things, so I was trying really hard! But don't worry – I won't try to push you into any feelings for me anymore. We are friends, right?"

"Right…", Ladybug answered in a tiny voice. "And yet…"

"Don't worry… I will not persuade your love anymore… I don't…" He gulped and looked her directly in the eyes. "I don't love you anymore. I mean, not like that and you will always be special to me. That is true. And yet… looking at you feels like I am looking at an expensive drawing I have made. Like… like a statue on a pedestal. It's like you are dear and me, because you are gorgeous and beautiful and fascinating. Divine almost. And there is adoration. But it's not like before. And maybe… maybe… there is somebody else now, who I like and who I would love to put up on this pedestal, because she is… she is such a wonderful person and gorgeous and beautiful as well and - … does that all make sense?"

She smiled warmly, hearing these words and reached up for his shoulders. To steady him. He needed it, for he was fumbling, desperate to find the right words and close to becoming a mess.

So… he really found someone?

"It does. The first love for somebody is always something special…" Even though her feelings for Adrien seem to be returning, even if she wanted to deny it herself. "And I am okay to be pushed down from the pedestal by another. Just… tell me, when you think about revealing yourself to her, okay?"

He grinned.

"I don't even know, if she likes me that way… But… I will try my best and-" He shook his head, sheepishly scratching the back of his head and stepped back. "Sorry. I am definitely not here to talk with you about relationships and advices and all these things. Though I might come back to you, when I feel stuck".

"Sure…"

Ladybug rolled her eyes at the silly cuteness that was her partner, wondering slightly and with some curiosity, who it might be – the girl, that has stolen his heart. Though… she might never know, until they would reveal their identities to each other.

"So… what else is there to talk about? For we don't have any new clue…"

"We should check Chloe Bourgeois out – both Gabriel and Nathalie have mentioned her, so she might be important in that case. Maybe she can lead us in Lady Titalee's direction. Not to mention, that she has a history with Akumas – being akumatized and getting people akumatized almost daily…"

"Right. Also – how about your hatred for Gabriel and Nathalie?"

Chat Noir hissed and grimaced.

"You noticed?"

"Even Nathalie's cigarettes noticed… and its better to speak about it now, before it gets us into trouble. You know – the Akuma-kind of trouble…"

He narrowed his eyes, when he heard that and was now the one to cross his arms in front of his chest, mustering her completely.

Ladybug didn't like it and she had the feeling, that he would – sooner or later direct this conversation into an completely different direction. One she did not like…

And sadly – it happed the moment he opened his mouth again:

"So… your greatest fear is me? Or… the version, that was twisted by an Akuma?"

Now it was her, who heavily gulped and she chuckled nervously, starting to stutter nonsensical things, stepping back, until her back hit the handrail behind her. She hurriedly turned around, facing Paris once more and let the silence grasp them both entirely.

And he let her, respecting her and this silence, waiting for an answer, or maybe an excuse.

Would he… even take an excuse? Would he want to argue? Persuade the truth? Search for facts?

But… he wouldn't… he would accept it – any answer, or none at all, like he had always done.

His words from before came back into her mind – about the way he saw her and felt about her and it warmed her heart, even when a soft breeze of Summer reached her, tried to tousle her hair and calmed her nerves. At least a little…

He should know about her fear… some truth about it. He should understand, that she worried to be powerless in any way possible. For it was there – daily deeply within her and it could reach her in every fight. Maybe… she would even be vulnerable to an Akuma, or yet another attack of the psychological kind. And he was the only one, who could help her then…

… like always.

She steadied herself, by laying her hands and the cool metal of the handrail and looked out to the city, she so dearly tried to protect on a daily basis.

"There is more to my fear, than one can see right away. I… fear to be powerless. As myself and as Ladybug. In every aspect of my life… and yet… There is one villain, I truly fear. One akumatized victim, who would make me feel completely and utterly powerless. It is you… it's true".

He sighed behind her and a warm, leathered hand was laid on her shoulder, gripping her tightly as a sign of support.

"I won't get akumatized. I promise you that. I will always be your partner and-"

"It happened", she calmly said and turned around, facing him without fear.

"Uhm… no? I should have been there, right? That's how Akumas work".

Slowly she shook her head, lowering her eyes to the floor.

"It happed, believe me… In another future. In another reality… Bunnyx asked for my help and brought me to the future. I mean – not like this future, like ten or something years later. But… a few weeks or so after… something… happened. I don't know the whole truth, but there you were. All white and… creepy and… fighting me".

She looked back up into his eyes – these emerald orbs, that shone even in the deepest darkness. Mindlessly she reached up, her fingertips brushing the rim of his mask, while he stood still, taking all these words in.

"Your eyes were blue. So icey blue… I hate that color on you… It felt like they could draw holes into my skin. In my soul… And you… you were Chat Blanc".

She felt this intense pressure leaving her body, when she said this – telling him the truth, now, after so many years.

It felt right…

Before she could say more, Chat Noir stepped forward, throwing his arms around her shoulders, pulling her against his chest tightly. Her face hid in his leathered chest and she could take in his scent, that was so uniquely him. Ladybug felt him shaking, when he breathed, but he soon relaxed, as she did as well.

"That won't happen again. Don't worry… I promise you, that I will not get akumatized. Not again... And you… you, too, Milady! Because then we will be fucking screwed!"

Ladybug chuckled against him and patted his side.

"I won't get akumatized. Don't worry!"

"Good… and… why haven't you told me sooner? Is there more about this fear of yours?"

She shrugged, her head turning to breath probably again, her ear now pressed against his chest, hearing his rapid heartbeat in it. Her hands almost absently laying on his lower back, just above his attached black, leathery belt.

"As I said – I don't know much, of what has happened. But you somehow knew my identity…"

"The you underneath the mask?", came the whisper, as his cheek lowered to the top of her head.

"You said my name…"

His muscles tensed once more.

"And you know mine?"

"No…" Chat Noir relaxed again, "Not back then and not right now."

"Now that I know about this I understand, why you don't want us to reveal our identities to each other. More now than ever… And I feel bad for you, knowing, what I made you go through…"

He embraced her a little more tightly and she let him for a minute or two. It felt good, to have somebody here, she could talk about all these things – which had been a secret for so many years. But now this secret was no more and Chat Noir was back, ready to fight by her side, again and they both were grown up and stronger and maybe a little wiseer and-

-and why the hell were they hugging like that anyway?

Both eventually came to this realization and stepped back at the same time, both crimson and nervously chuckling and stuttering tiny excuses, until both started to laugh heartily at that.

Mirth reached their eyes and soon their stomaches started to hurt and breathing became necessary.

"Who are we? Lovesick teenagers?", Chat Noir said breathlessly, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Some habits hardly die, right, Chaton?"

"That is true, Bugaboo!"

She fakely gasped and pushed against his shoulder.

"Don't you dare!"

"Make me stop, Milady Bugaboo!"

"I will throw you down the Eiffel Tower, if you don't stop calling me that! I thought we are all grown up now!"

"Some habits won't die, right?", he repeated once more and smirked. "Because even when all is said and done you will always be my Lady. And… you know… being here and talking with you like that I am just really happy, that I am finally back – even with all, that is happening right now in my life".

"And I am glad, that you are back. I really am", she truthfully said to that. "Just don't you dare to disappear again. Or get akumatized. Please!"

Chat Noir chuckled and nodded, his eyes never leaving hers.

"I promise you that. And for your previous question:", A heavy sigh escaped his lips, but never that smile that still lingered on them. "Hawk Moth and Mayura… Gabriel and Nathalie… they… quite fucked me up by akumatizing so many people, that I know. And it hurt to always fight my friends…"

"I know, what you mean".

"Mhm… Also… their actions affected my whole family. The way I was raised as well… You remember, that my dad never let me out and all these things? Stuff like that. And my mum… my mum got sick because of all this shit and she hadn't recovered until this day. And seeing them both now again it brings all these things back, like it happened just yesterday. I will try my best to control this anger and scorn… yet… it is hard to do so…"

She nodded, understood his words, almost his feelings. But not all his emotions, for she felt, that he was hiding something from her was well. Unsaid truths and facts, though… maybe it would reveal to much about him…

And suddenly it was him, whose face was struck by confusion once more and a tiny crease emerged between his hidden eyebrows, underneath his mask.

"… don't you feel the same, when you see them? I mean – we were fighting them from day to day. They made our life pretty miserable, right. And yet they greet you like an old acquaintance…"

"Because I don't scorn them. Not anymore. It's true – they made our life hard. Each day. But… That's the past. And I have talked with Gabriel many, many times about his misdeeds and his guilt. And as the years passed I could only see a miserable, aging man, who had turned to the dark side, because he had lost he woman he loved and wasn't able to move on. For the sake of his son. Maybe to embrace the love to another woman. Because he had lost it all in the end… and that's kinda sad. And… Mayura? Nathalie? As you said yourself – in every equation and in every possible reality she was crossed out, because she was the one, who could only loose. And now she is broken beyond repair. What for? Because both loved somebody, they couldn't have by their side. And maybe in the end I realized, that there is only pity left for them. Not more… Do you know, what I mean?"

He might do so. He might not, for on his side there was so much left to say, that he chose to keep as a secret.

She would need to respect that.

… and perhaps he might tell her about these thoughts in the future.

But for now he seemed to be a little more relaxed than before. And maybe both have started to understand the other a little better.

She sure did and by the way he soon leaned against the handrail – beside her – once more, she could tell, that he did, too.

"But…", he yet said, as both relaxed next to each other, just looking down and saying nothing, "… Why have you never stopped to be Ladybug? We had them behind bars, the people of Paris were save and you could settle down and relax. Travel the world, have a huge family and all these things…?"

"Did you ever stop being Chat Noir?"

He shrugged.

"Sure, I could have given you the ring back – dearest Guardian of the Miraculous. But Plagg was the only friend, that was left. And… where ever I went it was nice to sometimes get out, sneak through all these cities at night and to discover everything from the rooftops. But I was never on duty. You know – never the hero… You on the other hand – nightly patrols, saving people from bad guys and catching thiefs and robbers and all these evil beings. Ten years – all on your own".

"You know about these things?"

"I never deleted the news app for Paris from my phone – and I even downloaded it, when I had a new one… to be up to date…"

"You did?"

"Of course! If you needed me, I would have come! Right away! Astro Cat – remember?"

"Right… So… why did I never stop?"

She remembered that moment vividly. A memory, that pained her, but it was the reason, why she never laid the Ladybug Miraculous down, again.

"It was about a year after we have caught Gabriel and Mayura. Maybe a little longer. I wasn't that active anymore… Maybe a night stroll at night. Swinging over the rooftops to escape reality. But nothing serious. And… then… one night… I was out at night, as my civilian self with my friends. And me and my girl friends went home alone and everyone was safe and… the next day I read in the news, that there… there was this girl, who was not so lucky. Not far away from the path we have taken. And… I believe this girl never recovered from the things these guys did to her and…"

She gulped and Chat Noir exhaled sharply next to her. Understanding, even without further explanation.

"Gosh…"

"Yeah… I talked with Tikki about that. She said, it wasn't my fault. That things like that happened, for they happen every day. But… I didn't want it to happen again. Not under my watch. And since then… I am out almost every day. At night for one hour. Maybe two. To make sure, that everybody is safe. Because one monster might be down. One with magical powers. But there are still so many out there, that are equally bad… That's why I don't have a family on my own. That's why I never left Paris. I never take breaks. Because these people down there need their Ladybug…"

"Hearing that I feel the urge to hug it out again…"

She looked over to him, blinking, but he stared still down to the city. Not moving, merely breathing.

"Now I understand. It makes me… sad and angry at myself. I should have been here as well… I should have never left – running away like a spoiled brat, because my dad-" He shook his head. "Never mind…"

"It doesn't matter now, Chat. For now you are here. And now we can fight together – everybody, who means any harm. Remember – it's us-"

"-against the world".

They turned to each other, their hands finding the other, holding into a tight, promising handshake, determined smiles crossing their features.

Just like it once has been.

Reunited now, hopefully forever.

… until blue smoke swallowed Paris and let it tumble deep into madness.

For the night was not over, yet.

A/N:

So... A break last week? No - I hated the chapter, the first time I wrote it, for the dialogue did not feel organic and felt forced, I did not like their actions and all that. So I deleted it completely and re-write it. So here is the version, though shorter, but one I really like. I love their dynamic here, also slight hinting for Chat 'liking' a certain girl *wonder who that might be* and some obvious Ladybug x Chat Noir here. (All forms of the love square will have their moments here, for some more than the other)Also I really hope you guys have a few answers on why they both behave that way - even if Chat couldn't tell the whole truth about his anger against Gabriel and Nathalie. He will eventually do so ;DI really hope you enjoy this chapter :DNext Chapter: Tumble into madness...