The Salt Files: Additional Cases (MLB)

Self-Worth

Cat Noir realizes he is often overlooked by citizens and is usually seen as the sidekick rather than a partner. Ladybug notices his mood and sets the record straight.

Once again after another long akuma battle, Ladybug and Cat Noir fistbumped and addressed the crowd of reporters on the latest attack.

"Hawkmoth is getting stronger, but me and Cat Noir will make sure to stay on top of the battles and not stop until Paris is safe from Hawkmoth's rein." The crowd applauded Ladybug's testimony and asked her more questions. Cat Noir just stayed in the background, smiling and being attentive for the camera but being lost in the background.

Lately, he couldn't help but notice that when most people talk about the heroes, they talk about Ladybug like she does all the work. Given, he will admit she is the brainpower and more creative one of the two, and he just goes along with it and trusts her plan. But the feline hero likes to consider that he also helps, right? They were a team, equal and on the same level right?

He also couldn't help but start seeing more comments of how Ladybug could handle the villains herself without him, which hurt him a little. One couldn't exist without the other, that's why there was two of them to balance each other out. But the thought that he was considered less than Ladybug did hurt his feelings a little bit.

His mood change was small but gradual. Adrien would be more attentive towards news outlets and comparisons during class breaks while Cat Noir made sure to push himself to be just as fast, smart, and quick-witted as Ladybug. Whenever she questioned him, he just said he wanted to contribute more so she didn't feel as alone. That brightened his lady's mood up a bit, which somewhat confirmed his suspicions that he might not have been helping out as much as he thought. He also made sure to turn on as many notifications as possible if there was a sudden akuma spotting, so he would be just as early and ready as she was. Ladybug once again asked if he was alright, but pushed back with an excuse to help more. He could definitely tell more that she was becoming suspicious.

Things came to a breaking point a few days later. Hawkmoth struck with another powerful akuma, a child who was angry and had a sonic scream that could push you back like Stormy Weather and her umbrella. Cat Noir kept getting pushed back while helping other citizens get to safety, leaving Ladybug to handle distractions. She did get blown back and scraped up a few times, but Cat Noir made sure to take more hits to even it out. Eventually Ladybug was able to take down the akuma with her amazing plan, and everything went back to normal again. Even though the ladybugs cured the damage, it didn't take away the faint pain of Cat's ribs breaking. The soreness still lingered, even after evening out his breaths. Ladybug ran towards him, concerned.

"Cat, are you alright? You got flung around more than I did, surely that did some damage to you!" She was looking him over, searching for any bruises or pains. But he just waved it off.

"I'm fine, M'lady. Just a bit battered up, but nothing a bit of rest can't handle. Now let's get this citizen to safety before the news people flock him." The heroes ran to take the child to his parents before the news outlets could question them. Ladybug asked again if he was alright, assuring her that he was fine and would be healed up in no time.

He knew himself that was a lie, but he would never tell her that.

And even though Cat had been pushing himself to help out more, it still wasn't enough. Because later that night a #FlyingCat trend was going around, with Cat Noir being seen flying around while Ladybug handled the villain. Some people were berating him for goofing off while Ladybug handled the real danger, while other people defended him and pulled up videos of him getting other people to safety. Even after all that and getting bruises that would last for days, nothing would change. Adrien would still be seen as lower and less than than Ladybug. His hope that they were on equal footing was falling into despair. Not even Plagg could help him feel better at this point.