Behind My Smile - EDITING SOON

VIII) It's All Coming Together

Ladybug stared at her own body across from her. Marinette, well, Chat, stared right back. She felt the rawness of her legs and the pound of her head, but mostly focused on the burn of her arm. His arm. "Chat..."

Chat Noir stared at Ladybug with wide eyes. He felt like running. There was no hiding this from her. She could literally feel every cut and burn. "I'm fine. It was my cat." He was grasping at any excuse now. Anything at all. Ladybug clearly didn't fall for it, go figure. Tears formed in her eyes as she looked him up and over.

She should have seen the signs a long time ago. He'd pulled himself away, only showing up for the occasional akuma. On rare occasions he'd stay a little longer after patrol. Chat Noir had always seemed sad, but... now he seemed overwhelmingly so. He'd always craved attention. "Why didn't you come talk to me?" Ladybug whispered.

"About a couple cat scratches? Spunky get's carried away somet-"

"You know I don't believe that for a second." Chat Noir looked at Ladybug. She was hurt, in more ways than one, and had tears streaming down her face. It only made him angry. She doesn't get to be upset. She had fueled his self loathing, she didn't get to cry for him.

"So, what? You suddenly care about my civilian life now? One thing, and you instantly want to 'quote on quote' help?"

Ladybug looked at him in shock. Her blonde hair sticking to her forehead from sweat and blood. "That's n-"

"I hate myself. I've been neglected and emotionally abused by my father ever since my mother died. I've hurt people close to me, just by being me. The one person I unconditionally loved said she hated me... what else? Oh! I got super drunk last night and had sex with an old class mate. You had your fill yet?" Adrien went off, and then instantly regretted it. He'd spilled almost everything onto Ladybug, who was only concerned for his well-being.

"I-I didn't mean to pry, Chat." She whimpered. He scowled and looked away, his eyes settling on their floating kwamis, who had been ignored in the aftermath of Ladybug's discovery. "Chat?" Ladybug turned to see her partner take her kwami and exit the alley. "Chat Noir!"

"He's not coming back until the work is done." Ladybug found herself gasping, despite knowing of the small creature's existence. "The name's Plagg. And you're Marinette, right?" Her eyes grew wide, and all she could do was nod. "I've known since you guys were fourteen. Ten years is a long time to keep that from him. He needs a win. Someone to make him happy, no matter what type of day." Plagg slumped closer to Marinette, settling on her knee.

"How... how long has he..."

"Possibly years. I only found out less than a month ago. He... he went overboard the last time." Plagg's stomach grumbled, but his mind was anywhere but food. "I'm doing what I can, but I'm no where near enough to help him. I've suggested he get professional help before, but he brushed it off." Pink lights flashed over the alley and turned, ready to sweep into it. "He's my everything." The alley flooded with little dancing insects, nibbling at the broken body against the wall before flying away again.

Plagg watched Adrien's eyes go from being super wide, to being cool and distant. "I defeated the akuma." He stood from his spot and stretched, wincing only slightly at the pain.

"As I see. Can we just go home? You need a shower, and I need some cheese." Adrien smirked as he began walking, a sad look on his face.

"We're on the way, Plagg."

«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«

Marinette stood beside Gabriel Agreste with a poker face. She'd discovered something terrible, and was only left to think about it. Tikki had explained to her how Chat had saved the day and returned themselves to their own bodies, but it did nothing to ease her worry. He was cutting himself. It really settled in how disturbing that was, how he could take a blade to his arm and act all surgeon with a scalpel. She invisioned the blood oozing from his arm, thick as more were added.