Trust Takes Moments to Break, But Time to Create

9-Marinette

I almost got caught in my lie! How ironic, I'm trying to stay away from the lies and rumors that ruined my life back at Francis Dupont, and I'm lying my way out of situations. I sigh, as the pain relievers finally kick in. I've had to stitch myself multiple times in the past due to the injuries I've gotten after akuma attacks. I shouldn't, but I need to meet Cat Noir up for patrol so I ignore the dull pain that is still around even with the pain killers working their best to keep the worst of it away. 

"Mare, this isn't a good idea! You would rip your stitches!" I sigh, knowing my kwami is right, but I can't neglect my duties as Guardian of the Miraculous and Ladybug. "I have to. Tikki, Spots On!" Once transformed, I carefully whiz away on my yoyo to our meeting place. Once I land on the Eiffel Tower, Cat Noir gives me a look of disapproval. "What is it Cat Noir?" 

"Why the hell are you here? You need to be resting after the injury you got in the akuma fight." I roll my eyes. "I'm fine Chaton. Now, you take the south side while I take north?" His gloved hand grabs mine and swirls me around, him hands finding my shoulders. "Chaton?" He looks at the side of my suit, where the akuma's bullet shot had hit me, then back at my eyes quickly, not letting his eyes examine my body at all. Another part of him I am grateful for. He might be flirty at times, but Cat Noir is a gentlemen. 

"You told me the miraculous doesn't heal your injuries from our akuma fights. How many times have you had to stitch yourself due to the injuries we have gotten over the years we have worked together?" I look down, knowing that he will not like the answer. "More times than I can count. I lost count after around twenty times. Tikki tries her best, but even she can't heal me." His eyebrows furrow in worry. 

"Your in pain. You are allowed to be in pain in front of me M'lady." That's when a single tear comes out of my eye as I look away, furiously wiping it away as more come. Even though he's seen me through a panic attack, I don't like being vulnerable in front of anyone. It feels wrong. I feel Cat Noir's finger under my chin gently turning my head to face him. I can feel tears flooding my eyes making my vision blurry though I can still make out his bluish gray eyes staring at down at me. 

"It's okay LB. Let it out. There's no one here but me." That opens the floodgates as I cover my face with my hands, lowering my gaze away from him, silently crying. Partially from the pain of being shot and having to stitch my wound back up while carefully cleaning it, but also from the stress and betrayal I've felt as of late. I can feel Cat Noir prying my hands away from my face and gently lifting my face, wiping the tears off with his thumbs. I furiously wipe the remainder tears away and look down in shame. 

"There is no need to look away, you can be yourself around me. We are partners, we need to be as open as we possibly can with each other if we are going to work together against the akumatized victims and defeat Hawkmoth for once and for all. Though we are not able to reveal our identities to one another, we do need to be honest about our situations." I look at my partner, my confidant, the one who I trust with my life, and I feel so thankful for him. So thankful for his understanding. So thankful that he isn't going to judge me for my vulnerability. 

"Why are you so kind and understanding? I've never met anyone like you before. One minute you are blunt and serious, the next a huge goofball, the next sensitive and caring." He looks down and turns away from me. 

"I understand loss. I know what it's like to lose someone close to me. I understand what your going through, but I admire your ability to be so strong. I never had the opportunity after my own loss to grieve and be vulnerable as no one was there for me. I don't want that to happen to you too." My eyes widen in shock. 

"If I may ask, who did you lose?" 

"My mother. She disappeared without a trace. One day she was there, the next, gone. You remind me of her. Your kind and selfless persona is identical to hers. Even the sound of your laughter is the same." I feel my heart ache for him. "It must be painful for you, if I remind you of your mother so much." He turns quickly at me, his eyes wide. 

"No, not at all. Being your partner has helped me make peace about my mother's disappearance. In my life, I have no one who was quite like her, and me and Mother were extremely close. Being with someone who is so like her in personality has been gratifying. I'm not sad about it, but grateful. You've allowed me to be myself again. The way I was with her." I stare at him before smiling. "I'm glad, because I'm grateful for you too. You are the only one who seemed to not be against me sometimes. Thank you." He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles lightly. 

"Your welcome M'lady." I laugh lightly, but the pain spikes and I grimace. 

"The pain spiked didn't it?" I nod, and wince when he gently touches my side. "I took some pain killers but obviously it wasn't enough for all the pain to go away. Shouldn't we go on our patrol?" He shakes his head. 

"For now M'lady, you are going to rest with your injury. I don't want you to get worse. Got it?" 

"But-"

"Nope, you will be resting. I got patrol tonight." I would've put up a fight, but the pain is getting worse so I nod, grimacing, and zipping away. Once I reach my dorm, I let my transformation fade away as I fall into the bed and slightly writhing in pain, trying desperately to find a comfortable position. Once I do, I fall asleep instantly from the exhaustion of the day and the crying.