minglingworlds | whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth ( marinette

(truth be told, chat was more surprised something like this hadn't happened more often. god only knows how overpowered some of these villains could be, and for them to rarely be in something as catastrophic as this was probably a good sign.

probably.

there's a vague groan from where chat is buried under the rubble, using whatever strength he can to shove the ceiling of the cave off of himself.) Ugh... I've definitely been better, milady. How about you? Are you hurt?

[ She hears the distant groaning and zeros in on him immediately, ignoring any pain she probably should have felt. Naturally, she doesn’t want to seem too relieved, since he tends to let that kind of thing go to his head, but she is smiling when she sees him pop out of the rubble.

And she offers him a hand. ]

Just some scratches. [ literally she doesn’t even feel them (yet) ]

Sorry, I’d let you lick your wounds, but we’ve got to get out of here.

(her caring about him is already going to his head, already filled with thoughts of she worried about me before herself!

he's about to take her hand with a smile and a quip, but thanks to the night vision in his mask, he's able to notice ladybug's wound before he does anything else. chat scrambles up, already inspecting it with nothing but worry and panic in his voice.) This isn't a scratch, it's a wound! Don't move that arm, we need something to cover it! There's got to be something around here...

(sure, they're in a dark and dreary cave with not a lot of resources, but that won't stop him from trying.)

[ Ah. What else did she expect, really?

Not that she isn’t used to being fussed over by Cat Noir, but even she can’t help the slight fuzzy feeling that washes over her; the comfortable warmth of caring. Still, she’s Ladybug, and she won’t be distracted.

She shakes her head, gripping Cat’s shoulder with her good arm to get his attention. ]

No. I’ll be fine until we get to the surface. Until then, we need to focus.

You trust me, right?

(he can't blame her for focusing on the mission instead of her own wound. if he were in that position, he'd do the same thing, only with the upside of ladybug not having night vision.

but this is different. this is the girl he loves injured in front of him, and chat noir being unable to do anything about it.

all he can do in this moment is unclasp his tail without a second thought, and begin carefully wrapping it around her wound. it's not perfect, but he doesn't want to see her hurt.) I trust you with my life, Ladybug, but you can't act like this is something you can hold off on. Just... keep that there, okay?

But—

[ It is stubborn for her to resist; even Ladybug can admit that. Seeing him unclasp his tail alarms her, though, maybe because she’s never seen him do that before. Maybe because she just assumed it was magic, like their masks.

By the time he’s done wrapping the wound, she is frowning, eyes lit with concern as she runs her good hand across the black fuzz. ]

Oh, you... [ What starts as a mumble under her breath becomes something more direct when she looks up to address him. ] You are one stubborn cat, you know?

[ She does move her hand to touch his cheek though, smiling teasingly. ]

Don’t lose your balance trying to keep up with me.

(a little stubbornness from his ladybug isn't something that can deter chat noir from taking care of her. if all it took to scare him off was her standing her ground, he'd have quit ages ago.

but in truth, it's something that makes him gravitate towards her even now. she's so strong, so insistent, even when it's not completely necessary.

a light tipped smile blossoms on his face, a catty retort at the ready. one that's stopped cold by her hand gently cupping his cheek in affection. maybe not the affection he wants, but ladybug is grateful for him, and that alone makes his day.

he is going to stop her here, though, taking that hand from his cheek and holding it in his.) It's too dark in here for you to move around as you wish, especially with that wound. I'll guide us out of here, so you trust me.

[ She doesn’t feel the urge to distance herself, as she usually does. The warmth of her hand in his, and the warmth behind his smile—she finds it inviting. She giggles, despite the pain, despite the seriousness of their situation, maybe because she’s a little embarrassed. ]

Okay, kitty. You always did have better night vision than me.

[ Ladybug squeezes his hand. ]

But no detours.

[ and then—as if on cue, as if they needed the fire under their butts—her beloved earrings, the Ladybug miraculous, start to blink an ominous warning from either side of her face.

She did use Lucky Charm, didn’t she? ]

(chat noir isn't letting himself get his hopes up about ladybug suddenly returning his feelings. he'd been completely rejected before, and he doesn't expect her feelings to change just because he dropped the cat act for a moment. but... he'll dream. just for the day, as her hand stays in his, he can pretend everything fell into place just this once.) I do what I can to help you.

(the line is flippant and casual, how he usually is, but only to mask how truly happy he is with her trusting him, holding his hand tightly.

he's okay with never waking up if this is a dream. he loves it more than he can say.) Don't worry, I'll stay strictly on the path.

(and chat noir means it. detouring will only cause more trouble for ladybug, and that's the last thing he wants in this moment. but he hears her earrings, and after they've only walked a few yards, he turns back and tries to think something up on the spot.

he opts for crouching down, his arms straight behind him in a gesture for her to get on his back. he can see, she can't, and she's about to be in danger.) Get on, Ladybug, I'll rush us out of here so you don't detransform.

[ Ladybug instinctively moves touch her earrings, letting go of his hand in the process with a frown. She mumbles a curse in the process—something under her breath she’d probably never say as Marinette—and in trying to think of a solution, she sees Cat Noir has already beaten her to the punch.

......Or so he seems to think.

She stares for a moment, eyebrow raised, yet finds herself approaching him. His words echo from just moments before.

Trust me. ]

But we could hurt ourselves even more. Plus my weight will only slow you down.

M-My legs are fine, you know? Maybe I can just—

[ Every beep of her miraculous rattles her nerves with urgency. She doesn’t have time to argue, and...

Even now, looking around and exhausting their surroundings, she sees nowhere she can hide. ]

(with the beeping of her earrings only getting louder and louder, chat noir is realizing they have less and less time. if they don't act now, things may end badly for ladybug.

and while that outcome would be positive for him, he'd rather not have her be stuck in a position she doesn't want to be in.

it kills him that they still have to play this game of secrecy, constantly left unable to tell each other what they most wish to say. but it's stressed over and over again that it's for the best that they have their identities remain secret.

so, though it pains him, he tries to reassure her.) If you ride on my back, I won't be able to see you. I promise, I won't look.

[ It isn't as if she enjoys it. Keeping secrets... it's just part of the job. Part of being a hero.

Ladybug frowns, putting a hand on his shoulder to steady herself as it sinks in that she's really going to do this. She has second thoughts all the way til the end, when she slowly swings her leg around and clings to him with all her weight. ]

I'm sorry.

[ She feels so self-conscious, even with Cat actively pushing for the idea.

From within, she can feel Tikki's presence weakening. ]

...We'll figure this out.

Edited 2018-05-23 18:08 (UTC)

(he stays true to his word, eyes staying to the front at all times. he'd rather not risk glancing back right as she detransforms, eliminating all the effort they've gone through to keep their identities a secret in the first place.

but chat noir is well aware both of them aren't the happiest at keeping their own selves a secret from each other. it's hardly a pleasant feeling at all. but he understands, he always has.

normally, chat noir would make some quip about how overjoyed ladybug riding piggyback makes him. but as the situation hardly calls for jokes, he gives a nod as an affirmative.) We always do, right? Hold on tight, and I promise I won't look back.

(and with that, he hoists himself up to immediately begin running through the passageways to uncover a way out.)

[ So that's it then.

No dramatic confession, no drum roll. No contrived coincidences. Just a swirl of black and red, and a nervous little girl, tucking an unmoving, small, keychain-sized little doll into her jacket as she holds onto this cat boy, her partner, for dear life.

She can't even bring herself to say anything when it happens. Like, what if she sounds different? What if he can tell?

Perhaps the worst part of it is quelling the one part of her that is curious how he'd react. How Paris would react, knowing Ladybug is just Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

But when they come face to face with a wall, nearly running into it if not for Cat Noir's quick reflexes, she is startled, gripping his shoulders firmly. ]

A dead end? But...

[ She didn't notice any other way, any fork in the road. ]

(it's impossible to miss the flash of light bouncing off the walls and lighting up the area for only a few seconds. with only a turn of his head, he'd know who she is. everything would be out in the open.

and she wouldn't be comfortable. that knowledge is ultimately what keeps him from throwing his promise out the window and finally discovering who she is right now.

chat noir loves her, and therefore respects her wishes to remain a secret.

seeing the dead end coming up, he skids to a halt a good few feet before the wall. here, he takes his time, carefully surveying the area around them to see if there might possibly be a way out.

then he gets an idea.) Ladybug, I'm going to let you down so I can use Cataclysm. As soon as I set you down, turn around and walk a few feet away so I can't see you, and I'll take care of the wall.

[ Marinette can think of a million objections, and they all essentially boil down to the same thing: their safety.

But to bring that up would mean assuming that he hasn't done this a million times before. It would mean not trusting her partner.

So even though she worries, she tries to smile, for once allowing him to take point on this. ]

...All right. But be careful.

[ And to keep the mood light, she adds: ]

Not all of us have nine lives.

(it's a relief to hear her usual quips, taking away some of the severity of the situation. it helps him more than she knows.

he almost turns back to give her a wink, a force of habit, but stopping himself just in time and focusing on the wall in front of them.

instead, he gives her a thumbs up, a light and airy laugh on his end.) Don't worry, Ladybug, I'd spare all nine of them for you.

(with his attention back on the slab of rock in front of them, chat noir takes his usual stance, activating cataclysm before leaping at the wall and slapping his palm on it, the usual rusty appearance overtaking it.

and for a moment, he feels accomplished. the wall crumbles instantly, showing a pathway for them to walk through to what is hopefully safety.) All right, Ladybug, let's--

(but soon after, a rumbling fills the caverns, immediately putting him on edge, and before he has enough time to react, the ceiling crash down in front of them, blocking the pathway he'd just created moments ago.)

[ Oh, god. I knew it.

The thought briefly flickers in her mind, along with the hope that the quiet rumbling is just a remnant from the wall clearing. When the rumbling continues, however, jostling her to the point of imbalance, the hope is extinguished and she hastily reaches forward to pull Cat Noir away from the rock and debris suddenly falling from the ceiling. ]

Cat!

[ In her relief that she hadn't been too late, she nearly turns him around. She really wants to see his face. Or...at least his mask, and the bright green eyes behind it.

Instead, she loosens the grip on his wrist (which had been tight, admittedly). She takes a step back to give him space, speaking with a sadness in her voice. ]

...That was close. You okay?

(he really did think that would work better. at least, at the time.

the moment he sees everything beginning to crumble right in front of his eyes (is that a metaphor for his life), he's filled with a sinking sense of dread. not only that it could easily crush him, but that was his only shot at saving ladybug. and he wasn't doing it for any dramatic reasons like hoping she'd fall for him, or trust him with her identity.

chat just wanted her to be safe and feel safe. that's all he's ever wanted.

it's lucky marinette tugs him away, or he could have sustained injuries worse than hers. he stumbles back a few steps, and almost on instinct, his head barely turns to look at her before snapping back up ahead of him. he let her down once today, he'd rather not do it again.) Y... yeah, I'm fine.

(there's a defeated sigh as he stares at the rubble before them, still trying to think of a way out of this.) Maybe I can... try to dig us out. Pull away the rocks or something.

[ Her heart skipped a beat when she noticed his head turning. She wouldn't have even blamed him, had her secret came crashing down right then and there... but she's glad it didn't. She stubbornly holds onto that secret for just a little while longer, staying out of his peripheral vision as she reapproaches him.

She puts a hand on his shoulder, smiling with relief. ]

Well, you don't have to do it alone. I can get my hands dirty too.

[ To illustrate the point, she lets go of him and bends down to pick up a piece of rock. ]

It's... just going to be a little awkward, until I can transform again.

[ Tikki is still out like a light though, and she has no snacks. Plus, Cat just used Cataclysm...

So now the clock is ticking on him, as well. ]

(and his clock has quite literally begun ticking.

as marinette bends over to begin picking up the rocks and helping with the herculean task before them, chat's ring goes off with it's usual beeping, a signal that he's already got less than five minutes before they're both in an even more awkward situation.

but marinette is doing more than she knows already. there's no exasperation or exhaustion to her voice, no frustration or annoyance. in fact, there's only sympathy.

and chat wishes more than anything that he could wrap her up in a hug, wax poetic all the support she gives him on a daily basis.

unfortunately, there's no time for chat noir to be a hopeless romantic. they've got a cave in to dig themselves out of, and less than five minutes to do it. and he doesn't have any camembert on him, either.) Ah, Ladybug, as if things could be anything but wonderful with you around.

(well, he's flirting. so he's picking himself up, at least. while marinette handles one side, chat moves a bit away so there will be less risk of seeing each other, shoving the rocks away as best he can.)

[ Marinette pauses, glancing in his direction with a smirk at the remark. She is so used to it that she doesn't get a case of the blushing or even the nervousness anymore.

She shakes her head quietly, looking him over (while she can), before returning to their task. ]

It'll be wonderful if this works.

[ A pause, and even though she doesn't want to...

When she hears the beeping, she's forced to approach the elephant in the room. ]

Cat Noir... what do you think we should do, if we can't do this in time?

(he stills his movements when she brings up the one awkward situation he's sure neither of them are quite ready to handle yet. there's truly no avoiding what comes after this unless the cave in suddenly disappears and they can escape.

chat lets out a defeated sigh, still keeping his back to her as he rubs the back of his neck in thought. what should they do? she's asking him?) I... I don't know.

(he's never the one coming up with ingenious plans on the spot to magically save the day. and he knows after today he's not exactly the best to lead with a plan. following ladybug's idea has always been more his speed.)

[ Likewise, she's not used to being this lost or aimless. Even as she works to clear the cave-in with him, it feels like she's going through the motions. Like it's pointless. There's just so much of it.

They have so little time, too, but at the same time, this is probably the longest five minutes of her life. She finally has to cover her face from a combination of embarrassment and worry (and he's not even looking at her—yikes). ]

We can't work like this.

[ Her voice shakes, but Marinette tries desperately to cling to composure. She may not be transformed right now, but she's Ladybug, damnit. ]

We... We can't— After all this time, and this is how it's going to happen?

[ She really can't decide if she's sad or angry. Mostly she just really hates that she has to break her promise to Tikki while her friend isn't even conscious. ]

(chat noir isn't becoming worried because of anything like if ladybug doesn't have answers or confidence, how will they possibly survive. there's no nonsense like that anywhere in his mind.

all he cares about is that seeing (or, well, hearing) her like this simply breaks his heart. chat would have given anything for ladybug to avoid this heartache and troubled mind. she deserves better.

and what frustrates him more than anything is that he can't help. his words don't magically fix the situation like ladybug's can. he doesn't have that power, and god, he wishes he did.

but there are small things he's capable of. little things. it's not ideal, but he'll do whatever is within his abilities.

he takes in a breath, not letting himself lose composure at his ring getting down to the last mark.) Ladybug, can you turn around? So you're not facing me.

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