Quick doodle in tribute to @uptoolateart's fic "Finding a Way!"
I really enjoyed it and wanted to at least scribble something. I figure Plagg has enough tact not to bring it up in front of the kids after what they've been through, but I totally think he'd tell Tikki.
Chat Noir is feeling very lost and alone. He goes to visit the one person that he feels is his friend.
Written for @mlbigbang2024. Snippet below the cut.
Also, check out the artwork made for this chapter by the amazing @uptoolateart!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
“Why wouldn’t I be sweet to you?”
“Again, just ask Ladybug. All I’ve ever done is try to be good to her. I always jump into battle with humor, trying to keep things light so she doesn’t feel as much pressure. I take every beating the akumas want to dish out so she doesn’t have to. Do you know how much pain I’ve suffered to help her? I’ve died for her. Over. And over. And over. But despite everything I’ve sacrificed, I’m still just a tool to her, something to be used. So, yeah. I do have a hard time believing that anyone could be kind to me.”
“You’ve been a good partner to her. I’m sure she appreciates it.”
“If she does, nobody would know it,” Chat said bitterly. “Especially not me.”
Marinette didn’t know what to say. She toyed with the idea of telling him about her identity, but she ultimately decided against it. Chat was vulnerable right now and he needed someone he trusted. If she told him that she was Ladybug, that trust would evaporate, which would probably make things worse. But at the same time, it might really help him if he knew that Ladybug did appreciate him and did care about him. However, he probably wouldn’t stick around long enough for her to tell him if she were to reveal herself right now.
Marinette sighed unhappily. She felt trapped, caught in a catch-22. Chat needed Ladybug’s reassurance, but she couldn’t give that to him without revealing herself. If she revealed herself, though, he wouldn’t stay for her to give him the reassurance that he needed.
