Chapter Text
Everyone’s akuma experience is different. Some only attack one or two people, and so almost no one know what they did. Some villains prefer a more theatrical approach, they have all of Paris watch. Some don’t leave any crowds at all.
But what they all have in common is that after the fact no one likes being reminded of their akumatization. It just isn’t talked about. They’re assured that it was all Hawkmoth, that they didn’t really do anything. And that’s all well and good in theory, but if you’ve just spent the afternoon killing your classmates, knowing a madman made you do it isn’t much of a comfort. Because you still experienced it.
So when you’re akumatized on a special day, one you can’t ignore, not being reminded gets rather difficult. The kids who were akumatized on their birthdays, or holidays have it the worse. Everyone else is celebrating, but how can they? Knowing what they’ve done.
That’s where we find ourselves now, February eleventh, a year since the akumatization of Le Chéin Kim.
•••
“How are you holding up Kim? It’s only a few days until, well, you know.”
“What, Valentine’s Day? Thanks for your concern Rose, but I’m fine. Really”
Most of the class was in the locker room before school started, except for Adrian and Marinette that is, since those two never seemed to be at school on time. They were all milling about, talking in groups, and getting ready for the day. Chloé stood a few feet away leaning against the wall, with Sabrina filing her nails.
“It’s just Valentine’s Day, why wouldn’t he be fine?”
“Um Chloé, don’t you remember what happened last year?” Asked Max, shooting a concerned look at his friend.
“Not really. Why?”
“He got akumatized Chloé!” Alix said, looking as if she might punch the blond at any moment.
“Really? That doesn’t ring a bell.”
This was bad, Max wished he had some way to shut Chloé up, he really did. He knew how Kim felt about Chloé, the whole class did. And so he knew how much the girls dismissal was going to hurt Kim.
“It was because of you, how can you not remember?” Kim said, trying to sound casual, desperately hoping that with a bit of prodding Chloé would remember what had happened and that she would apologize.
That was of course too much to hope for.
“She probably causes so many akumas it’s hard to keep track. What number are you on now Chloé? A hundred and what, ten?” The small pink haired girl shared a worried look with Max.
“Pifff a superhero like me? Cause someone to be akumatized? Never.”
“Are you kidding, it was the worst day of my life! I asked you to be my valentine and you rejected me, and you laughed at me, and publicly humiliated me!”
Everyone in the class was a bit surprised at Kim’s outburst. It wasn’t often someone stood up to Chloé, especially Kim.
“I just wanted you to be my valentine! But no, that would have been too much, instead you had to send that embarrassing photo to the whole class!”
“Kim maybe you should try and calm—“
“Please, that doesn’t sound at all like something I would do!”
“Well you did it Chloé, and because of it I became Dark Cupid. Do you know how many peoples valentines days I ruined? I even made Chat Noir and Ladybug fight each other! Because of you!”
“That is ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!”
The class had gone dead silent. They didn’t understand how Chloé could be so dense as to not see what her words were doing to the boy in front of her. Kim’s eyes had started to glisten with tears and frustration.
“And do you know the worst part? After all of that, even though your mean, and selfish. Even though you ignore me and use me, and you’re horrible to my friends, I can’t stop my stupid dumb heart from loving you!”
Kim turned and punched the nearest locker, leaving a sizeable dent. Rose and Mylen jumped away, and for the first time in his life, Max had no idea what to do.
“And I don’t want to like you, I don’t want these feelings! I don’t want any feelings!” Kim had tears rolling down his cheeks at this point. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a heart shaped box.
Alya gasped.
“Is that?” Alix asked.
“Oh Kim no!” Rose squeaked.
“I’ve been carrying this stupid broach around for a year hoping that some how you’d decide that you liked me back. Or that you’d at least give me a chance. But every time you dismiss me or ignore me or laugh at me, I feel like I’m right back on that bridge,” Kim paused and took several shaky breaths, “But you know what? I’m done with you Chloé, I’m not going to let myself love you anymore.”
“Dude! Behind you!”
A black butterfly had made its way through the open window and was heading straight for Kim. A wave of panic seized the room, Myléne hid behind Ivan, and Rose stepped protectively in front of Juleka.
“Kim you have to calm down now!” Max was pulling on Kim’s arm in a vain attempt to move the taller boy out of the way. Kim shook him off.
“No, you know what, someone needs to take Chloé down a peg, it’s been too long.” Kim took the broach out of its box.
“Kim no!” Max yelled
“And besides,” Kim turned to look down at his best friend, smiling, “it’ll feel so good to fly again.”
The akuma latched onto the broach and the all to familiar purple butterfly appeared on his face.
“Dark Cupid, it’s been awhile, I am Hawkmoth. I can give you a second chance to get your revenge on the girl who wronged you, but in return—“
“Blah blah Miraculous I know I know.”
“Very well.”
Kim was covered in dark purple smoke, and when it dissipated he was once again Dark Cupid.