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It was during a trip into the city did Chat Blanc finally ran into the Collector. His ears flattened back, tail moving slowly behind him, but he found that he couldn’t move. Frozen in the spot on the other side of the road, watching the Akuma who caused him so much grief and heartache…though it was more Collector’s Counterpart wasn’t it?
Stoneheart and Horrificator are setting up some kind of gardening store here in the main plaza; inviting Chat Blanc along so he can get the chance to see more of Anti-Paris. He left them to go explore the park – meeting new Akumas and hanging out with others – before deciding to go to Weredad’s Bakery where Collector just so happens to be sitting outside at one of the tables.
He’s reading a book with one hand and holding a mug of something in the other.
Completely at ease and the sight just piss Chat Blanc off more than he thought.
He wants to storm right over there and say everything that has been bottling up inside since he got here.
The hatred.
The loneliness.
Questioning why he wasn’t good enough for Collector to come see him.
Chat Blanc knows that he doesn’t have to be even near the Akuma if he doesn’t want to; being told that by Stoneheart so many times. But he wants to know, wants his questions to be answered. However, he was stuck on the other side of the road and unable to do any of that.
Collector looks up from his book – taking a second to scan the area – before returning to his reading.
Chat Blanc had quickly hidden behind the stone wall that surrounded the park. His knees to his chest that he holds close to himself; feeling stupid for hiding away. He has every right to be in this city just as much as Collector does. So, why does it feel like Chat Blanc is the one isolating himself?
“Enjoying the afternoon?”
He jumps, smacking into the wall with his ears snapping up and tailing lashing.
Looking up, the sight of Collector looking down at him sent Chat Blanc back into his anger.
“I was until you showed up.” Chat Blanc quickly got to his feet, trying to calm himself down so as not to make an embarrassment of himself. Especially since there are other Akumas around that Chat Blanc never personally met yet. “What do you want?”
Collector’s expression hasn’t changed. Not smug or mean or anything that Chat Blanc always thought but a softness, understanding. It’s almost like pity in a way but Chat Blanc knows that’s not right since he has seen pity and that’s not even close.
“I figured I owe you a conversation,” Collector said.
Collector owes so much more than just one conversation but it’s better than nothing.
The two went across the road to Weredad’s Bakery where Collector took his original seat with Chat Blanc sitting across from him. The Older Akuma pushes a plate of a few different baked goods towards him.
“Wasn’t quite sure what you would like.” Collector shrugs before leaning back into his chair, gesturing for Chat Blanc to start.
Everything that Chat Blanc wanted to say was forgotten with that simple gesture. Where does he even begin? Should he just come out and say that he hates Collector or that he wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for his counterpart? Why are his words failing now when he was able to rant and rave about what he wanted to say for months?
“You hurt me, you know?”
Collector didn’t say anything.
“And I don’t know what else to say.”
Chat Blanc feels stupid for making such a big deal out of this. Everyone always reminds him that he can take his time on this and that he has time to figure himself out before confronting anything. However, he was never good at being patient which was what Ladybug was meant for. His other half that he…
“There’s no apology I could give for what my Counterpart put you through,” Collector said. “And I doubt becoming friends right now will help you figure out what you want. I suggest talking to someone else about this before coming back to me, okay?”
Collector wasn’t pushing him away but allowing him time.
Chat Blanc nods – thanking the Akuma – before getting up and walking back to the gardening store.
When he looks through the window, Stoneheart and Horrificator are at the counter both working on their things. Chat Blanc gives a wave when Stoneheart notices him before continuing down the street where Gorizilla is standing and holding a stack of papers, waiting for Silencer and Reflekta to finish hanging up their posters.
Gorizilla gives a greeting but wasn’t expecting Chat Blanc to lean against his shoulder; both being at ease with the other being close by again.
Maybe one day, Chat Blanc will be able to have that conversation with Collector. However, he knows that even if it never happens, he has a family to go home at the end of the day.
And that’s all he can ask for.