"Kitty? What's wrong? You haven't been yourself today."

Thunder echoed around them, the downpour just a few minutes away from soaking them. Still, this couldn't wait. Something was troubling her partner, her Minou, and she had to find out what. He scarcely said anything to her—which was odd in its self as Chat Noir was a socialist at the core— he hadn't even called her "Milady" during patrol or earlier when they were fighting M. Pigeon.

she wasn't at all prepared for the hollowness of his eyes or the dark circles around them

Ladybug never had felt so stunned before, even when fighting the Akumas who had paralyzed her in battle. She managed a clear head and a steady heart; she consistently took action without hesitation. She never panicked. Hell, even as Marinette, she had been calm in situations that could have killed her!

So... Why? Why did she feel so frozen?

Wide bluebell eyes gawked at the dull emerald green. Raindrops now slid down her face to her red suit making it cling to her more than normal as the boy replied nothing to her. All he did was turn around when she inquired what was amiss, yet here she was, acting as if Le Papillon was right in front of her.

A harsh chuckle drew Ladybug out of her concerns and her focus back on Chat Noir. "You ask that now?" his voice sounded so... vacant of life, the cheerfulness and love gone. Like a particular white, blue-eyed cat- she shook her head, hastily banishing the thought before it could invade her mind. Instead, as gently as she could, she took a step—making sure not to slip on the slippery tiles of the roof— towards Chat, raising her hand to grasp his own. "Chaton... you know you can-" Dull eyes became piercing acid. "-Can what Ladybug? Talk to you?" he had cut her off with such a venomous tone that she had taken a step back in bewilderment.

It was at that moment that Ladybug had, after so many days, finally studied at her partner. His claws were a few inches longer than before, his tail lashed back and forth, and his faux ears flat on his head, his formerly shiny messy blond hair was ashen and was messier than normal—the downpour certainly didn't help in that regard—, his tan skin now a pale tint, his earnest emerald eyes were now acid green that glowered at her with such a furious intensity that she could have sworn she stopped inhaling, his once — though reluctantly admitted — adorable face was scowling at her with loathing, hell she could even hear him growling!

this was the first time Ladybug had ever seen Chat Noir so furious

and by the way, he was glaring at her… she had a feeling she was the source of his ire

Urging herself to not move and to not agitate him any further, Ladybug took a sharp breath and tenderly looked at her Chaton. "C-Chat... please, talk to me." she pleaded, wishing to understand what she did to make him so upset so she can fix it. Chat Noir tilted his head to the side, his fierce gaze never wavering as he stared her down.

Emeralds turned into icy blues. He took a step towards her, comforting black turned into harsh, hollow white, his soft, luxurious lips opening.

Ladybug watched in horror as she saw her kitty change. He took another step forward.

her heart banged against her rib cage,

another step

her breathing quickened

Another

tears formed in her eyes

And another

"Kitty"

Hepaused in front of her, the height difference becoming more apparent as she glanced up at him, the glare was now gone and replaced with sorrow, his tail laid limp behind him, the scowl now woeful, the only appearance of the prior fiery anger was his faux ears still pressing against his head. Ladybug bit her lip as the moon slid through the cover of the storm clouds, shining upon them, causing him to look ethereal...

and oh, so unreachable.

He leaned down towards her, his breath warming her now red ear. "Milady." she recoils at his miserable tone. "Princess, Mari..." her breathing hitches as he stood straight again, taking her palm in his and bringing her knuckles to his lips. Her heart broke as she peered at his tormented face.

"Save Me."