Chapter Nine: Out of Sync
Chat smashed through the window of the building, crumpling through the weakened structure of the floor, toppling down several layers until his back collided with what appeared to be a solid wooden desk. The air pushed with violent protest from his lungs, paralyzing him with the sudden jerk of his body stopping, and his vibrant eyes widened as he endeavored to usher in more oxygen. His diaphragm adamantly refused.
"Chat Noir!" Rena's panicked voice rung unnaturally in his prosthetics, making them flinch as he rolled off the sturdy piece of furniture to all fours, hacking as the first tendrils of air reached his abused form. Crimson splattered the floor beneath him in stark contrast amidst the rubble.
"I'm fine," he growled, his resonating voice far more gravelly than normal. As a pre-teen, Chat's tone had been impish and playful, but going through puberty had deepened his chords a considerable notch. However, this pitch was rasp and irritated from anxiety and raw exertion. Although the eighteen year old still held a playful demeanor, usually, he felt the mischievous edge waning over the last few days as Ladybug's absence resumed, and Mari…continued to ignore him.
"Dude, you took a fall," the turtle commented down the several floors, making the feline roll his eyes.
"I hadn't noticed," he spat back brusquely. "Thanks for pointing it out!" He pulled his weapon from the sheath, vaulting himself back through the holes his crashing body had created, promptly joining the other heroes on the rooftop again.
"This Akuma victim is pretty strong," Rena said softly, her teeth worrying along her lower lip. "What do you think happened to Ladybug for her to be gone for so long?"
"I was assured she'd be back soon," Chat replied shortly, splitting his weapon into two. Fu gave his word that Ladybug was only temporarily out of play. The first two days gave the bad luck Miraculous wielder several doubts, but the Guardian quelled his fears repeatedly, offering firmly that his Lady was simply sick. Humans got sick. Even heroes became too sick to fight sometimes. She was bedridden. She was ordered to rest, or she would risk causing further damage and delaying her return. Chat stopped arguing.
Each Akuma that cropped up needed to be captured in a jar once vacated. The jar was delivered to the Guardian, and his Lady could purify it with ease. In the end, who was he to question the arrangement? He was just a dumb stray that messed everything up anyway.
He'd messed up being loyal to the spotted heroine of Paris. The most beautiful being to exist. However, he'd betrayed her for an equally beautiful woman, with fierce passion and cunning. A woman who didn't want anything to do with him. He'd managed to mess up his relationship with both women in his life without meaning to. Well, Ladybug probably didn't have any qualms with him, but Chat doubted he'd be the same around her, now.
Ladybug didn't want him. He'd somehow given Mari the impression he didn't want her and he was just messing around with her feelings…which, he supposed, was fair turnabout, and Adrien was left in the wind of the catastrophic consequences of his dumb actions for not realizing sooner that the bluenette could…mean more to him than he realized. What had he done?
Princess, you can't go! The phantom voice made him visibly flinch.
"Chat!"
The warning came too late. Well, it wouldn't have been too late if his mind was focused on the battle instead of on the pain welling up inside of his chest and mind. The blast smashed into his chest, throwing him off the roof…again. He didn't even bother trying to stifle his fall this time. There really wasn't any point. He'd take his lumps.
***POV Change***
She'd been out of commission for almost ten days, and true to her request, Chat didn't come knocking on her skylight. The voices in her head only grew louder, and the fits her body was enduring seemed to be growing stronger. She might have been able to endure those two things, if the footage she was watching didn't wreck her heart into unrecognizable pieces.
Chat Noir took another brutal hit, seemingly distracted by his own thoughts. His normally vibrant green eyes seemed distant, and despite Rena and Carapace speaking directly to him, the feline didn't respond. When he was able to rejoin them once more (after a savage fall), his tail trailed lifelessly against the ground, and his shoulders slumped a little, his confident stance long gone. Another blow, and he flew backwards, making Mari cry out softly in emotional agony.
"L-Look at him, Tikki," she murmured. "Is it because Ladybug is gone?"
The crimson being flinched, offering a small shake of her oversized head. "I can't tell you for sure, Marinette. Maybe? Or, maybe he misses you?"
"That can't be it," she said firmly, standing a little shakily. "He must dearly miss his Lady," she whispered hoarsely, pain erupting along her left leg from the lack of use and her injury still healing. More agony swelled inside of her chest at the thought of her Chat taking on the Akumas without his partner by his side, and she swallowed thickly, releasing a loud sob. "Oh, Ch-Chat!"
Part of her wished she hadn't said the awful things she had. She regretted some of the words that had tumbled freely beyond her lips into existence, despite feeling each one to be true at the time. Telling the hero he was doing nothing more than using her for his own pleasure, basically, had been low, and uncalled for, but she was hurt and guilty…and didn't know what to do. Part of her still felt confused about the entire situation.
Mari loved Adrien. However, part of her cared deeply for Chat, and craved the desire he incited in her body. The heat and pleasure he elicited on her skin. The ecstasy he'd brought her to that…night. More than that, she craved his company. She missed him. The way he'd smile at her with the goofy grin and sly eyes. Whether they were filled with heat, mischief, or friendly shenanigans…she missed being under his watchful gaze.
"Ch-Chat," she breathed, heart coming to a complete halt as she swallowed. "Why do I l-love him so much, Tikki?"
"It's bound to happen after so long," the Kwami responded firmly. "You've trusted him with your life, Marinette. He has guarded you. He has saved you. He has loved you. Ladybug is you, whether you want to believe it or not. Chat Noir will do anything for you. That is love, anyway you look at it. Why wouldn't you fall in love with a man like him? Loyal, kind, brave…willing to give up everything…for you…"
The bluenette felt the tears streaming down her cheeks as her ancient described, to the very core, exactly how she felt about her partner…her Chat, the man she'd fought side by side with for…years, without ever realizing how she truly felt.
"How could I have not seen it?"
"Love can sneak up on you," she replied calmly.
"He's g-going to get himself killed," she shrieked, staring at the screen in horror as her…her love took another blow, crimson dripping heavily from his mouth. Those lips, which she realized…she hadn't even been able to kiss yet…
***POV Change***
The feline slipped to a knee, pressing the tip of his baton against the roof to use to support his weight as he panted his exhaustion. "I'm open to a plan," he muttered, sweat drenching his forehead as his golden locks clung to his flesh, partially obscuring his vision.
Kid, you're going to kill yourself if you keep going.
"I can use an illusion to distract her?"
Chat let his aching orbs slide closed, nodding a little.
Kitten…please. I'll even…
"Okay, and then wh-what? We've already been at it for two hours, and despite not using our special abilities, I'm sure your Kwamis are growing exhausted. Shall we take an intermission to recharge? I'm not sure what to do here…" His ears perked up, and this time he did spin his weapon in time to deflect the concussive blast threatening to slam into his body.
The glimmering shower of beige sparks launched high into the sky, dissipating, and he let out a dry heave before coughing, shaking his head. The disgraced sound technician wasn't letting up an inch, and unfortunately, didn't seem to be suffering from the same fatigue the heroes felt weighing on their bodies and minds.
"Okay, maybe we should rotate out and recharge our Kwamis," Rena offered softly. "Chat should go first since he has been here the longest."
"N-No," the veteran's tail did a minute twitch. "Ladies first, always," he groaned, pulling himself up to a faltering stance. Another assault barreled down on them, and all three missed it.
***POV Change***
She landed with a loud groan, excruciation rippling through her left leg, but she ignored it, swirling her yo-yo into a turbulent shield. "Not on my watch!" The blast shot back at the akumatized victim, Sonic Boom, and the villain shrieked, skating backwards to avoid her own handiwork.
"Ladybug!" Rena's excited tone brought warmth to the heroine's chest, but the bluenette hid the wince as she pulled herself up to a standing position once the imminent threat was gone, avoiding the fox woman's reaching arms.
Instead, she walked towards her flushed Chat. The man looked sallow, kneeling, one eye closed as he used his baton to support his weight. "Kitty?" His swollen, gashed mouth twitched.
"It's nice to see you, m'lady," he said softly, offering a weak smile, and she laughed, a tear popping free without her consent.
"Chaton," she whispered, frowning. "I'm sorry I left you alone."
"I understand," he said shortly, drawing himself to his feet, and his dull green orbs gazed down at her. "We all get sick, right?"
Was that what Fu had told him? She supposed it was better than being injured because he might be able to connect the dots. "Still, I'm sorry," she breathed, flicking his bell gently, and the ghost of one of his grins graced his beautiful face.
"You can make it up to me later," he cooed, winking playfully, and this time she laughed, giving him a gentle shove.
I love you, my knight.
She flinched, but swallowed. "G-Go, all three of you, and I will hold her off while you recharge. I'm good for now!" Ladybug turned towards the hostile, but she still wasn't causing an onslaught, yet.
Carapace faltered. "You sure?"
"Get your butts back here, quickly," she snapped playfully, winking. "I'll survive until then!"
***POV Change***
Chat watched Ladybug skipping nimbly over the rooftops, drawing Sonic Boom's fire, but something about her stance was wrong. Each time he took note of the inconsistency, it slipped completely from his brain, falling out of existence.
"Dammit," he spat, livid.
It's okay, kid.
"Shut the fuck up," he snarled, pissed off with the magic. He was tired of the barriers preventing their connection. He was tired of the secrets.Chat was…tired…of…being alone. His heart and soul splintered.
Dance with me? "Fuck it all to Hell!" He grabbed his head, his claws beginning to rake down his scalp, but a body collided with his, knocking him off his feet, pushing the air from his lungs as they fell in a heap of limbs.
"Dude!"
The instant the word left the hero's lips, in that familiar tone he'd listened to for years, recognition sparked through his body, and Adrien's brain shifted the features of Carpace's face swiftly as they parted their tangled forms. All he could see now…all…he saw…
Nino? "Y-You okay," he rasped instead, the world crashing around his fragile mind. The turtle tossed him a quizzical glance, brows furrowing before snorting.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be? Not like we've never taken a pounding!"
The model released half a genuine chuckle as they both rose to their feet, and Ladybug tumbled across the rooftop, half on accident, half with practiced skill, but the woman released a squeal of pain that gave the feline's heart several pumps of adrenaline, forcing him to rush forward without thought.
"M'lady!"
Her boots scuffed the harsh surface to brace against her momentum, but her face contorted in agony, and Chat launched himself towards her. Another concussive wave, and he used his body as a shield. He defended her. He was the defense and she was the brains. He would sacrifice his life, and she would live on if that was the way things needed to be.
"No, Ch-Chat don't!"
"Shell-ter!"
The shield erected around their bodies, and he heard her immediate sigh of relief as he slipped to a kneel in front of her in its confines, shaking his head. "You okay?" He barely got the words out before Ladybug flung her arms around his neck, sobbing softly.
"I hate when you do that," she whispered. "You're going to get yourself killed!"
The blonde blushed, returning her sudden embrace gently, giving her back a light rub. "I'm okay, m'lady, truly. You need to be protected so you can save everyone," he said firmly. "I'll trade my life for yours. Paris needs you."
The spotted heroine pulled back from him a little, staring up through pink-rimmed eyes, the salty sorrow cascading down her flushed cheeks, and something about her…entire face seemed a little off. Bruises?
"M-Maybe," she breathed. "B-But I need you!" Her lips touched his cheek, moving down his jaw in feather light touches, and Chat shivered, emerald orbs widening in surprise. He'd wanted for so long to hear her confess words of affection for him, and now she…did…right?
However, Marinette's beautiful face flashed in the back of his mind, and he released a hiss without meaning to, yanking almost violently from her grasp, startling the young woman. Her gorgeous eyes were impossibly big as she gaped at him.
"I'm s-sorry," he groaned. "I d-don't…can't…Carapace is getting tired," he offered quickly, gesturing with a nod of his head at the wavering shield.
The feline heard her swallowing, and his soul shifted, a sliver dissipating with the agony plaguing her face. "You don't want me." Her voice was flat, almost conversational as she turned away from him, hugging herself.
"M'lady, I…just," he sighed, scuffing his locks, growling. "Can we talk about this when there isn't a battle?"
He watched the line of her back stiffen, but she nodded as Carapace's shield faded. He moved to touch her shoulder, but she wasted no time in putting ample distance between them, launching herself to another roof to get a better vantage to continue battling Sonic Boom.
What…was going on in his life?
Kid, you just turned down, Ladybug.
"Shut up," he snapped under his breath, diving out of the way as the fox created and army of Rena's to confuse the villain, giving him the opportunity to try and sneak up behind the evasive woman.
***POV Change***
Ladybug swung onto her rooftop, slumping onto the hard surface. The pain pulsating along her left knee was noticeable, so she knew when she dropped her transformation, it was going to be excruciating.
"He doesn't care about me," she said bitterly, staring up at the darkening sky. "Spots off," she whispered, and the agony seethed along her limb, making her scream her displeasure, clutching at the brace, sobbing.
Tikki groaned, chewing worriedly at her lower lip. "M-Marinette. I can protect you while you're transformed, but I can't heal your knee, not the way I do everything else. I don't know why. You did it when you hit one of those trees…and it…I don't know why I can't heal it," she sobbed softly. "I'm sorry."
"N-Not your fault," she hissed, pulling the kwami into her cheek as she rocked with her knee against her chest with her free hand. "It'll heal faster than normal, right?"
"If you don't keep charging into battle, y-yeah."
The bluenette made a strangled noise, but nodded slowly. "He didn't even want me there," she growled, using the ledge to pull herself up, putting her weight on her right leg.
"I think you should give him a chance to talk," the ancient said.
"Doesn't matter, I don't care," she groaned, endeavoring to limp towards the skylight, but the pain was unbearable, and she cried out, letting herself fall to her ass before lying on her back. She didn't try to get back up, everything hurt too much, and her eyes slid closed as she let the pain envelope her mind.
Author Notes:
Geez, how much more miscommunication can they suffer through? Hm, I could probably torture them a lot more :P
NotOften, I'm not entirely sure what's happening, but if Tikki and Marinette can't even remember that odd encounter is it REALLY that important? :P Sorry, doesn't seem she's happier…or Chat is either, for that matter. No, it didn't go well for him, despite the fact he could almost tell she was lying to him. You're very welcome for the update, glad you're still here ^_^
Mayuralover, yeah…that would be bad o.o'' geez, hadn't even thought of that…muhahaha *scribbles notes*
Trying414, you won't be…*hopefully* when we get further along
