Chat Noir X Reader: The Muse

Chapter 43: Ch. 19: The Jewel of the Fields (Chat's/Adrien's POV)

A/N: Hello dear readers! While this chapter isn't completely new plotwise, I tried to add some information that will be useful for the next chapters. It has way more angst than I anticipated, sorry about that!

Here are some trigger warnings, just in case: mentions of blood, death, and violence

I hope you enjoy! :)

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Chat balanced himself on the parapet of his artist's window. He knew she was struggling with a project and he, as her wonderful muse, was going to help her. He couldn't wait to see her again.

Her laugh reached his ears, making him lean closer to the window. He tried to peak inside, but the curtains were closed. Odd. She never closed the curtains, did she? He opened the lock of the window with ease and stepped inside, pushing the curtains out of the way.

A grin curled his lips when saw his dear one sitting in front of a canvas, but his expression soon clouded as his eyes fell on the half-naked man standing in the middle of the room.

The two of them turned to look at him.

"Oh, hey Chat," the artist said, putting her brush down.

"Am I interrupting something?" He glanced at the man. It was the same guy from Christmas night, the one he had made run away in fear.

"Kostas agreed to help me with my new project." She motioned with her hand to the man, who waved at Chat with a smug grin on his face. The blonde narrowed his eyes. "He has been a great help so far."

The two of them shared a warm look that made Chat feel nauseated. The room seemed to get darker, like a light had just burned out, but maybe it was just his imagination.

The blonde focused on his artist, determined to ignore the guy. "I could've helped you."

"About that..." His dear one sighed and got up from her chair. Chat's hands balled into fists as she stopped by Kostas' side and put a hand on his arm. What is she doing? "I don't need your help anymore."

Her voice cut through him like a sharp blade. "What?" He waited for an explanation, but she was silent, her gaze void of emotion. "I thought I was your muse."

She arched one eyebrow at him. "You were."

Chat's shoulders slumped. The corners of the room got even darker, and this time he knew it wasn't his imagination. It was like the darkness of the room was slowly trying to reach him, to consume him.

"But you promised," he said in a small voice. She had promised he was going to be her only muse. Didn't that mean anything to her? "I thought... I thought you liked my help. I thought you liked me."

"Oh Chat," the artist let go of Kostas and walked up to him. "Did you really believe that? Did you think I'd even love you one day?" Her limbs began to stretch with each step she gave in his direction. Soon she was towering over him, looking down with eyes filled with pity. "You're full of secrets, always away fighting crime and what not. How could I love someone like that?"

Chat could feel his tear ducts burning, tears begging to be let free. "Chérie, please. Let's talk about it, ok?" He heard Kostas chuckle, as if mocking him. He really wanted to hit the guy.

The artist grew even taller, destroying the ceiling as she went past it. The room dissolved in darkness until it was only Chat and his dear one in front of him.

"I'm happy now, Chat Noir," she continued, her booming voice making his body vibrate. "I'm happier without you." She looked down at him, her eyes shining in the darkness, and raised her feet. "I don't need you anymore." Her feet came down on top of him, and Chat closed his eyes, waiting for the impact.