Missing My Other Half

Irreplaceable You.

Chat Noir awoke with a dry sensation in his throat. His head ached and his mouth tasted of a copper substance. Trying to take in his surroundings, he was met by hazy senses, his eyes refusing to adjust to the darkness that surrounded him.

Where was he? Chat was growing anxious. What happened?

It was then that he noticed the sleeping frame resting on his stomach. He decided his best move was to wake whoever it was and ask for an explanation. Attempting to reach out with a clawed hand, he found he was too weak to touch the figure. Trying again, yet still struggling, he managed to graze their shoulder. The small touch must have counted for something because he noticed the silhouette begin to stir.

When they came to, they quickly scrambled up, shocking Chat and releasing his hand that he hadn't realized they'd been holding.

The shadow of a person rushed to turn on the lights, allowing Chat's vision to adapt to the new illumination. He came to notice that he was in a very pink room that seemed familiar, but was also one that he didn't quite recognize. He shifted his gaze, eyes coming to rest upon one of his classmates. Marinette. Her hands and clothes were stained with blood, and her sky blue eyes were laced with concern and exhaustion.

"Mar-" he tried to say, but was interrupted by the fit of coughs that escaped his hoarse throat.

He watched as the frantic girl hastily retrieved a glass of water from her nightstand, spilling some as she made her way back over to him.  Putting one of her delicate hands behind Chat's head, she lifted it as she raised the glass to his chapped lips.

The clear liquid tasted heavenly and Chat couldn't help but think that Marinette was the angel lifting him into the clouds.

As she lowered it, he could do nothing but stare into her glassy eyes as he tried to piece together his reason for being in her room.

"Marinette... what happened?"

"I don't really know. You see, you c-collapsed on my balcony. And when I made my way over to y-you, you were b-bleeding out." Heavy tears were now falling from her eyes. "You were s-stabbed and your wounds were deep..."

As she continued with her words, memories from that night flooded into Chat's mind.

*flashback*

He was so wrapped up in his thoughts about Ladybug that Chat didn't care about anything else. He didn't care about the city. He didn't care about his being here. He just wanted to... no. He needed her back. Even if all she saw him as was a simple side kick, he needed her. Without her he just felt empty.

Pain was originating in his heart and could be felt no where else.

Unfocused and unaware, Chat had wondered into the darker streets of Paris. And he was no longer alone. No longer safe.

And when he looked down to see the knife in his thigh, he felt nothing.

The attacker took out the knife, plunging it into his side. He felt nothing.

With indifference, Chat took the knife by the hilt, pulling it out, and throwing it across the alley.

His reaction resided in two simple words. Looking the striker in the eye, he said "Try again."

And he did. He shoved Chat into the alley wall and began launching attacks toward his face. He jabbed him in the ribs and crushed his joints under his weight.

"Well I guess it's kinda hard to feel pain when the best part of you is already gone!" The leather clad, broken hero shouted between laughs.

After the low life fulfilled his sadistic agenda, he left. Leaving Chat alone again and making him think of Ladybug. How she had abandoned him with no explanation.

He wondered the streets, feeling hopeless and feeling lost like the stray cat he knew he was. 

And eventually when the universe saw it fit, it stole him away from consciousness on the balcony of his blue eyed classmate.

*end of flashback*

"Well thanks for your hospitality, but I think I'll be just fine from here on out.

Chat attempted to get up, only to be pushed back down softly by Marinette's hand.

"Whoa there kitty. You're not going anywhere. You're injured and weak. You need to rest. I'm going to take care of you until you're back to being healed and healthy."

He opened his mouth to protest, but was silenced by Marinette's slim finger pressing against his lips.

"You would give help to anyone who needed it in a heartbeat. You're always saving everyone, and I think that sometimes that distracts you from saving yourself. So let me do this for you."

He was left in shock by Marinette's words. It seemed no one in his life had ever shown him this much kindness.

"Well then my purrincess, I guess your stuck with this alley cat until that day comes." He said with a smirk despite the amount of pain he was in.

"Pinky promise?" She asked, pleading with her eyes.

"Don't you think we're a little old for that?"

"It's only as childish as you make it. And let's face it, no one is as immature as you." she replied playfully.

Knowing there was no way he would win in an argument against Marinette, he held up a clawed pinky, linking it with a dainty one of hers.

"Good kitty." Marinette said, scratching behind his ears. He let out a loud purr, making her giggle. A blush graced his cheeks and he could only pray that his mask covered it.

A series of purrs cascaded from his mouth as Marinette continued to scratch his head. He couldn't help himself. What was he doing? He thought. He melted into her touch and nuzzled her hand.

She continued to pet him until he drifted off to sleep and closed his lime green eyes.

"Good night my kitty." she said, kissing his forehead, and snuggling up against his sleeping figure along her chaise. At that moment the only words running through her mind were don't you dare leave me.