To Fall

Family Ties

Chat stared up at Argos, the newcomer reaching out to run his fingers through the white locks. Chat leaned into the touch; his eyes soft as Argos caressed his cheek.

"Are you feeling better? Can they let you go?"

Chat sighed and nodded, relaxing his body. Viperion and Ladybug stared at Argos as he calmed Chat, confused as Chat seemed to completely relax around the peacock. They gave him a raised brow and Argos nodded, the two heroes removing themselves from on top of Chat. Argos held his hand out, smiling as Chat took it, and hoisted the man to his feet. No sooner had Chat gotten on his feet had he thrown his arms around Argos, burying his face into the purple coat. 

"You're here!"

Argos smiled and placed a soft kiss onto the top of his head, running his fingers through Chat's hair and hugging the boy to him tight. "I told you I would come back for you." Chat shook in his arms as he openly cried, holding on to Argos like a lifeline. 

A lifeline he had lost. 

Sixteen year old Adrien sat in the cold silence of his room; bandages scattered across his bed as he patched himself up from his last job. Tears stung his eyes as he thought of the cold bodies, the faces morphed in terror inside the overturned car.

He was supposed to kill the man, a political candidate. He had attacked the car on the overpass, sending it barreling to the ground below and landing in a blaze as he watched with cold uncaring eyes. Then he heard the screams. He was unaware of the three children in the car. His heart had hammered in his chest as he battled the flames, trying desperately to free the children from the inferno. 

He had failed. 

A knock sounded on his door, and he unemotionally called for the person to enter, no doubt it being Nathalie. Blonde hair peaked into the room, his own face staring back at him as his cousin slid quickly into the room. Adrien jumped up and sprinted to him, Felix catching him as he was engulfed in the arms. He sobbed into his cousin's shoulder, fists twisting into the vest he always wore. 

Felix soothed him with small circles on his back, hand combing through his hair. Felix looked down at him worried, taking in the small burns and cuts. He hated not having the time to comfort his cousin. He was only here with a purpose. 

Felix had learned of Adrien's role of Chat Blanc, stumbling upon the abused form of his cousin after he received a harsh 'lesson' from his uncle. The boy had broken down, spilled everything to the one person that showed him any care, even from London. Felix's heart ached as he explained not being able to defy Gabriel, another nail in his plan.

Felix knew of his own role as a Senti-monster, now convinced of his cousin's own fate. Felix showed him the jewel in his hand, the peacock miraculous shining in the room light. Adrien's eyes widened and he went to protest, fear gripping him.  

"Adrien, listen to me. I don't have much time, but you trust me, right?"

Adrien nodded, eyes not leaving the jewel. "Of course, Fe, but that is Master's! When he finds out what you did-" Felix cut him off and pinned the jewel to his vest, eyes snapping to the door as his uncle's scream echoed up the hall.

"I think he just did. Listen to me Adrien, no matter what happens, I'm coming back for you. I'm going to get you out of this. You have to trust me, okay?"

Adrien winced as thunderous footsteps sounded outside the door, his master's angry voice booming.

"FELIX!"

Felix called his transformation and gave his cousin one last hug, tears in both boy's eyes. He reached into his pocket quickly and withdrew a stuffed peacock feather, placing it in his cousin's hand. "No matter what, remember I'm coming back." He quickly ran to the window and threw it open, poised to leap out. Green eyes met purple in a silent farewell, Felix sending him a sad smile. 

"No matter what Adrien, remember Argos loves you."

Chat calmed slightly as he wiped his tears, looking up at the face of Argos. He had grown tall over the years, his face slimmed and toned. His body was slim yet rippled with well-maintained muscle. Chat smiled and poked his chest, giving him a once over.

"You are looking good, Argos."

Argos chuckled and ruffled Chat's hair, looking him over. "Not so bad yourself." The two smiled at each other before Argos turned his head to Ladybug, hand held out in a gentle offer.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ladybug." 

Ladybug shook his hand, unsure of the newcomer. Argos gave her a soft smile and raised his hands in peace, backing away. "I'm not your enemy. I came to see this idiot, only to see he really got himself in a mess." Chat pouted and crossed his arms, looking away.

"Ya well.."

They all laughed as the two picked at each other. Argos turned serious and his hard gaze fell to Ladybug. 

"Please. I know he has done unspeakable things, but you have to understand he genuinely had no choice." 

Ladybug frowned as she recalled his entrance, so caught up in his presence that she forgot the bombshell he had dropped. "He is a Senti-monster?" Argos nodded and placed a reassuring hand on Chat's shoulder, the boy holding back his tears.

"Yes. We both are actually."

All eyes snapped to him, and Chat smacked him on the arm, mouth open. "You didn't have to tell them about yours!" Argos smiled and squeezed his shoulder. "If we are going to free you, there needs to be no secrets." Chat nodded and sucked in a breath, willing himself to relax. Ladybug's eyes were locked on the peacock miraculous, curious. 

"How did you come into possession of that miraculous? Last we checked, Hawkmoth had it."

Argos smirked and flicked the miraculous. "It's simple really, I stole it. Speaking of the dumpster fire that is Hawkmoth, I know his identity." Chat's eyes widened and Argos held a hand up, his eyes hard.

"Do not try to save his sorry ass. When you are ready to reveal yourself, we can proceed. Until then, I won't say anything."

Chat released the breath he wasn't aware he was holding and smiled, his eyes thankful. "Thank you, Argos." Argos clicked his tongue and clenched his fists. 

"Don't thank me yet. Once we move on Hawkmoth, it will be a race between me and your Kwami as to who gets to kill him first." 

Chat chuckled and his gaze fell to Ladybug, her eyes locked on him. He stepped forward to stand in front of her, dropping to his knees. "I'm sorry. I understand if you never-" He was cut off as she collapsed with him, arms wrapping around him and pulling him tight to her.

"I'm sorry Chat."

He stiffened under her, his eyes wide. She was apologizing? He was the one killing and attacking people, yet she was apologizing? "Ladybug you have nothing to apologize for." She shook her head against him, gripping him tighter. "You asked me to understand and now I do." He sighed and held her, burying his face in her neck. 

"Can we go inside?"

She pulled back and gave him a confused look, brow raised and mouth thin. Chat sighed and looked at the blood on the ground, eyes catching the glint of spent shell casings.

"They deserve to know. They deserve an apology. I don't expect forgiveness, especially not from Captain Tight Shirt, but they deserve to know that I never wanted any of that to happen."

Ladybug sighed and looked to Viperion, the snake hero relaying the message to Rena through the com system they shared. He gave her a nod back, his face soft.

"They said okay."

Ladybug pulled Chat up and gripped his hand, squeezing gently as the boy shrunk in on himself. "Hey, I know these guys. Just explain everything." Chat nodded and allowed her to pull him inside, Argos and Viperion flanking them. He tried not to meet the eyes of the injured as he walked down the hall, anger and fear meeting him.

Ladybug led him to the conference room, the night of terror flashing in his mind as his eyes met Ellis. All chatter stopped as every eye in the crowded room snapped to him. Chat steeled himself and stood tall, Argos coming to place a gentle hand on his shoulder. He stepped forward into the middle of the room, glancing around. His eyes met Halsey, the man watching him curiously.  

"My name is Chat Blanc, and I am what is called a Senti-monster."