Chapter Five – A Broad Shoulder

Chat Noir remained rooted to the spot despite Ladybug's departure. Since he hadn't used cataclysm during their brief encounter with Mr Pigeon, there was no rush for him to race off before the magic ran out. Instead he was lost in his own thoughts. Ladybug was sad about something and it reminded him of Marinette's mournful disposition throughout the day.

And he'd been responsible for his friend's misery while unable to help Ladybug with hers. Chat Noir felt utterly useless. Causing one friend pain while being powerless to alleviate his partner's. In both cases it was due to their resistance to let him close.

Raking his hand through his wild blonde locks, Chat Noir began pacing. There had to be something he could do. As his alter ego he hated being alone when upset. The comfort of human touch, or even just the presence of a compassionate being was enough to help lift his spirits. Surely Marinette only wanted him to leave her alone as Adrien because he'd been the source of her anguish, as for Ladybug she'd never let Chat Noir close due to her stupid rules about keeping their private lives secret.

Dropping his hands to his sides, Chat Noir paused in his pacing to gaze out at the horizon. Adrien was unable to comfort Marinette, while Chat Noir was in the same boat with Ladybug. Feline eyes widened as an idea sprang to mind. Perhaps Chat Noir could offer Marinette a sympathetic ear or shoulder to cry on.

Upon impulse the cat-themed hero reached for his baton and leapt his way across the skyline. As he came into view of the Dupain-Cheng bakery, he spotted Marinette upon her balcony staring absently forward. With feline grace, he landed on her metal railing with ease. The movement of his lean form had Marinette's head pivoting in his direction.

"Chat Noir," she said with open surprise and wide eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighbourhood," he said with a gentle smile as he shrank down into a crouch, placing his hands before his feet as he gripped the metal. "You looked lost in your own thoughts."

A wane smile spread across her lips. "Yeah, I guess I was."

It was then he noticed the puffiness under her eyes and red-rimmed eyelids. Damn, he'd caused that. In a fluid movement, he slid from the railing and strode towards her. Before Marinette could utter a word, Chat Noir pulled her into his arms and fiercely embraced her. It took a moment for her stunned arms to encircle him in return and then Marinette let out a strangled noise that he recognised all too easily. That of complete despair at having your heart cracked open and left bleeding.

Never had Ladybug witnessed just how badly she wounded Chat Noir with her constant rejections. He'd held onto his own optimism in the hope that one day she would see him as he saw her. But for Marinette, any hope that her feelings would be reciprocated had been crushed. As Adrien he'd made it clear that he didn't feel that way. He'd tried to be gentle in his rebuff but regardless of that, it still meant that he didn't love her the way she loved him.

Pursing his lips in a firm line, Chat Noir dipped his head and burrowed his face against the side of Marinette's head. She deserved someone wonderful, someone who was as vibrant and amazing as she was. But for now, perhaps he could ease her pain as his alter ego.

Adrien finally got to give his comforting hug to Marinette, even if he was in the guise of Chat Noir. Next chapter, Marinette's thoughts on the matter.

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