Work Text:
It was another typical day in Paris, and Chat Noir found himself patrolling the streets alone once again. Ladybug had been called away on yet another mission, leaving him to deal with any trouble that came their way.
As he swung from rooftop to rooftop, he couldn't shake the feeling of frustration that had been building up inside of him. Ladybug always seemed to get all the attention. Her face was plastered all over billboards and posters, while his only existence in the public eye was as her forgettable sidekick.
But it wasn't just the lack of recognition that was bothering him. It was the feeling of being left behind, of constantly fighting by Ladybug's side and yet being invisible to everyone else.
Chat Noir landed on a balcony and sighed, running his hand through his hair. He felt like he was drowning in self-pity and couldn't shake the feeling that he would always be stuck in Ladybug's shadow.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of glass shattering from a nearby building. Without thinking, he sprang into action, hurling himself through the open window and landing in a crouch.
Standing before him was a villain he had never seen before, clad in dark armor and wielding a dangerous-looking weapon.
"Finally, I get to face Ladybug's partner alone," the villain sneered. "I've been waiting for this moment for so long."
Chat Noir took a step back, confused. "What do you mean, alone?"
The villain laughed. "Isn't it obvious? Ladybug is the one who's always in the spotlight. No one cares about you, Chat Noir."
The realization hit Chat Noir like a ton of bricks. Was he really so forgettable? So invisible? He had never felt more alone in his life.
But even as the villain advanced on him, Chat Noir refused to give up. Ladybug might get all the attention, but he was still a superhero, and he had a city to protect.
In the end, he managed to defeat the villain, but the victory left him feeling hollow. As he swung away from the scene, he couldn't help but wonder if anyone would ever see him as more than Ladybug's sidekick.
The sun had begun to set by the time he landed on his balcony, exhausted and defeated. He slumped onto his bed and stared up at the ceiling, feeling like he was drowning in his own thoughts.
But then he heard a soft knock at his door.
"Chat Noir?" Ladybug's voice called out tentatively.
He sat up, surprised. "Ladybug? What are you doing here?"
"I finished the mission early and wanted to check on you," she explained as she made her way to his bed. "Are you okay?"
Chat Noir hesitated, unsure of how to voice his concerns without seeming selfish. But as he looked into Ladybug's compassionate eyes, he knew he needed to be honest.
"I feel like I'm always left out, like no one ever sees me," he admitted. "I'm always just the sidekick, and it's frustrating."
Ladybug reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently. "You're not just a sidekick, Chat Noir. You're my partner, my friend, and an amazing superhero in your own right. Don't ever forget that."
Chat Noir felt a weight lift off his shoulders, and he smiled at Ladybug gratefully.
"Thank you, Ladybug. I needed to hear that."
They sat in silence for a moment before Ladybug spoke up again.
"You know, I was thinking. Maybe it's time we showed Paris who Chat Noir really is. You deserve to be recognized just as much as I do, and we can do it together."
Chat Noir felt a spark of excitement ignite within him. Maybe it was time to step out of Ladybug's shadow and show everyone what he was truly capable of.
"I'm in," he said, grinning.
And with that, Ladybug and Chat Noir decided that it was time for the city of Paris to see them as the equals they truly were. They were superheroes, partners, and above all, friends, ready to take on whatever came their way.
