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Tossing her Lucky Charm into the air, she called forth her Miraculous Cure. She watched with satisfaction as Paris returned once more to its former glory, pristine after her ladybugs were through.
She lifted her hand to bump fists with her partner.
“Pound it,” she whispered, her voice slurring from exhaustion.
Arms wrapped around her as she swayed on her feet.
“I’ve got you, LB.” Chat lowered her to the ground, her head in his lap. “I’m here. I’m right here.”
His voice sounded weird. She couldn’t pinpoint why, but she knew it wasn’t his usual cheery one.
“You okay, Chaton?”
Her vision blurred as she looked up, his face fuzzy around the edges.
He nodded. “I’m okay, my Lady.”
His smile looked off. Was he hurt and trying to hide it from her? Why would he lie? Did her ladybugs not fix him?
“Rest, LB. You’re going to be okay. You hear me? I’m not going to lose you.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, silent tears dripping onto her cool skin.
His words washed over her, not making any sense.
She struggled to sit up, but he held her firm.
“Don’t look. It’s not pretty, but you’ll be okay. You have to be okay.”
Trailing her hand as far as she could reach, she met the sticky dampness at her side.
“Oh,” she breathed, realization hitting her.
His hands shook as he ran them over her hair.
“Chat, listen.” She licked her lips. “I need a favor if I don’t make it.”
“No, don’t say that. You’re going to be fine. You’re not going to –”
She covered his mouth with her hand though she tried to smile up at him.
Fresh tears filled his eyes.
“Please, Chat, do this for me.”
“Anything. But, my Lady, you can’t leave me alone. I can’t do this without you.”
She swallowed, tears brimming her own eyes. His pain mirrored hers as she laid with him on the sidewalk.
“I’ll do my best.” She stopped to gather herself, recognizing the inevitable. “I need you to tell my parents I love them. My friends, too. Promise me.”
“I promise.”
“You’re so good to me.” She smiled, her eyes closing against the brightness of the sun. She allowed it to warm her against the chill taking over her. “I love you, too, Chat. You’re the best friend, the best partner, I’ve ever had.”
A soft sob wracked his body, vibrating into hers.
She tried to reassure him, but her lips wouldn’t cooperate.
Her body felt heavy and tired, so tired.
“My Lady?” Tears made his voice raspy.
I’m here.
“Please, don’t go. Please.”
Spots off, Tikki. It’s time to let me go.
The magic drained from her. Tikki’s hesitance to leave her touched her, warming her despite the numbing cold.
Don’t cry for me. Just take care of him for me. Please, Tikki.
“Mari?”
Chat’s cry roused her.
“No, no, no. Mari, no, please.” His words flowed with the rapid tears he shed, trickling onto her skin.
Goodbye, Chaton.