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Inferior.
Cat Noir HATES feeling inferior. Absolutely detests it.
This feeling of uselessness punches him in the gut.
And yet, a part of him hates that he feels this way.
Ladybug is the guardian. Of course, she has more responsibilities on her plate, and thus, she'd recruit more help. After all, she needs to lighten the load somehow, right?
So why does he feel this way?
Why does he feel so... useless?
This feeling of inferiority first began when Grand Master Su-Han had intended to take his and Ladybug's Miraculous. He had intended to do that because he believed that the two of them were young, inexperienced, immature... and inferior to an adult holder. He didn't like that. He didn't like the idea that Paris could have a better holder, the idea that Paris needed a more experienced, mature holder and not him... he didn't like it. The idea that he wasn't needed.
And yet, he and Ladybug had fought to prove that they were worthy of the Miraculous that Master Fu had bestowed upon them. By that battle's end, he felt his self-confidence restored.
But then it fell once again during the battle against Optigami. When Ladybug had so easily managed to the defeat the villain without his help. He was only useful for his cataclysm by the time that situation had come to a close. Ladybug had reassured him that she'd have come to get him if she had known his identity. And at the time, he accepted that and gave her reassurance that he was fine. But really, he knew he wasn't.
And it all came to a head during the fight against Sentibubbler. The two person plan.
The goddamn. Two person. Plan.
"Two person plan, huh?! So what am I then?! USELESS?!"
He remembers roaring those words that day, before smashing a wall in his anger. It was unlike him. Unlike him to lose his cool in such a fashion, and yet the resentment he felt in that moment just came bubbling up to the surface. He shouldn't have done that. But he couldn't help it. "Ladybug's Miraculous Ladybug will repair it." He had told himself in order to justify his raging display. He could only be glad that Ladybug hadn't been around to see it.
He felt guilty for it, especially the cold way he spoke to Ladybug afterward. But he hated that feeling. That feeling of being useless, that feeling that she didn't really need him. In recent times, he felt as if she relied on Rena Rouge more than she relied on him.
But today just really did it for him. Seeing all those signs of Ladybug and him, those tabloids spreading tales of their 'love'... he doesn't know why, but it just angered him. Is that all people saw him as? Just someone to be paired up with Ladybug in some weird fantasy?
No, he wants to believe it wasn't that. That people genuinely believed they were made for each other and they were just expressing that in the wrong way. But the idea he's only worth something because of Ladybug, or the idea that he's useless without her... or just useless in general...
That's what he felt when he saw those billboards displaying a false truth.
When he had gotten home that day, he was in no mood to talk. Especially not to his father, even when asked. To give credit to Gabriel, he did try. And Connor did feel some slight appreciation that his dad at least made somewhat of an effort to check on him, despite his distance to him and Adrien since their mother disappeared. It wasn't his fault. It wasn't anyone's fault, really. He didn't want to talk to anyone about this. Not even Adrien, who was the only person who knew his secret identity, and probably the best person to talk to about his feelings.
So here he was, just sitting on this building, brooding.
What a waste of a good day.
Nothing to do, thought Zoe. Paris was interesting for sure, and there's so much she'd like to do.
Right now, her dear half-sister is unleashing a tirade on the poor butler for a reason that Zoe can't even remember. Something to do with sushi?
Her mother, as usual, was ignoring her existence, and her stepfather Andre was busy at City Hall.
Yes, suffice it to say, she had nothing to do at the moment. She called Marinette in hopes that perhaps they could hang out today, but... She said she was busy with something. What exactly that something was, her friend wouldn't specify. So then she tried Connor, another one of her friends she was close with, mainly due to the fact they both related on the subject of being the inferior sibling. Though he was a bit luckier than her, since Gabriel doesn't seem to favor his twin brother Adrien so much anymore. At least, that's what she's seen in the time she's been here. Adrien and Connor were different in many ways. Adrien was polite, kind, and almost meek. Yet Connor was fierce, determined, and almost a bit boisterous. Yet they still got along and were very close despite that. Zoe almost envied it.
Oh yes, about the fact that she tried to call him... The call didn't go through. "I wonder why that is..." Zoe mumbled to herself.
Sigh.
What could she do today...?
...
Huh?
Who's that on the balcony...? Actually, scratch that, how could they reach that part of the building...?
...
...
Cat Noir?
What's he doing over there? Why is he alone?
And... Why does he look so sad?
Zoe frowned. She once fought alongside Cat Noir, as the temporary Bee Heroine, Vesperia. And when she met Cat Noir he was confident, brave, determined... a bit reckless sometimes, but she found it somewhat endearing. The way he kissed her hand, as well.
It's hard to believe that a person who she once saw sporting so much bravado looking so down in the dumps.
She contemplated calling out to him. Should she? What would she even say to him? What could she even say to him? He was a superhero, she was a civilian. If what was bothering him was a personal issue, it's not like she could get him to open about it without revealing too much about himself and compromising his secret identity. Back in New York, the heroes back there were pretty casual with their identities. But Zoe is well-aware that it's a different story here.
Still... She didn't want to just leave him like that.
So she called to him. "Cat Noir! Hey! Over here!"
As quickly as her voice called out, Cat Noir turned in the direction of it. She immediately jumped over to the rooftop of the hotel, the sad look previously adorning his face now replaced with an expression of concern. "Are you okay Zo- Uh, Miss? Is there a supervillain?"
Aw. The fact that his first thought was to worry about her safety or the possibility of danger showed that he had a good heart. "Oh, no, I'm fine. I was just, uh..." ...Just what? Concerned? Yeah, she was concerned, but now that he's actually here, she's not entirely sure how to express that.
...
Then, she decided to go for the most simplest way. "Uh... Are you okay?"
...
"What?" He asked, blinking at her.
Yeah, in hindsight, that probably was gonna sound a bit weird and out of context. Zoe clears her throat, trying to express herself more clearly. "Uh, I saw you looking kinda sad... I-I just wanted to know if you were okay?"
His face seemed to fall at that. "Oh. Uh... Sorry. You shouldn't have seen me like that."
Those words tugged at Zoe's heartstrings. He looks as if he shouldn't have appeared so vulnerable in public. She wasn't sure whether it was foolish pride or the fact that he was a superhero, but either way, she felt bad for him. "H-Hey, it's okay. You're a superhero, not a machine. You're allowed to have feelings."
He chuckled, although she could detect a certain sadness behind it. "Thanks, but I'm fine. Seriously."
Zoe's frown deepens. "Are you? You didn't seem that way earlier." She pointed out. "Look, I know what it's like to keep it all inside, and trust me, it doesn't help. You can be yourself sometimes. I know you don't know me, but I'm willing to talk to you, if you want."
Cat Noir gave her a smile, but... "Thanks, but you're a civilian, I'm a superhero. I shouldn't be burdening you with my problems."
Zoe huffed. This guy was stubborn. Really stubborn. She'd have to approach this from a different direction. "Fine, you don't want to talk. Then maybe..." She paused for a moment. "Maybe you'd like to do something to take your mind off whatever was bothering you?"
Cat Noir raised an eyebrow at her. "Such as?"
Crap. She really stuck her foot in it now. "Uh..." She racked her brain for something they could do. "...Movie?"
What the hell? Did she ask a superhero out for a movie? Has she lost her mind?! She's totally lost her mind!
Cat Noir smiles. "Movie... yeah. Yeah, maybe that will get my mind off things."
Oh god, oh god, oh god, he actually said yes. He actually said yes.
She basically just asked Cat Noir, Paris's most beloved hero, out on a date.
What had she gotten herself into?
Marinette was fuming as she stormed into the bus. Fuming. She's had enough of all these billboards, and right now, she needs a good movie to calm herself down.
She's sick of this! These billboards, these tabloids, everything! All this nonsense about her and Cat Noir being a couple! It's ridiculous! She managed to get Alya to delete all of that crap off her blog, but she couldn't get the billboards taken down without paying, and suing the tabloids would be... difficult.
Sigh. Where did people get this idea anyway? She and Cat Noir were just partners, friends, and he wasn't even remotely interested in her. Yet people still insist on 'shipping them'. It's become annoying as hell, and this is probably the only thing she can find comfort in. That, and Adrien, but he wasn't around right now.
Well, the bus is about to leave, so-
...
Wait...
Is that Zoe?
What great timing, maybe they could go toge-
...
Hold the phone.
Is that... Cat Noir with her?
What?! Why on earth was Cat Noir with Zoe?!
Marinette quickly hid herself from sight, crouching down behind the seats, trying not to be seen by them. What were they doing together?
"What's wrong?" Zoe inquires, seeing Cat Noir fumble around his pockets after scanning her card.
"Uh, I usually travel by stick." Cat Noir responded, scratching the back of his head. "I don't have money for a ticket."
The Bus Driver quickly comes to his rescue, giving Cat Noir a smile and a thumbs up. "This one's on me, Cat Noir! You've saved us so many times, it's the least I can do."
Cat Noir gave the driver a grateful grin at this display of kindness. "Thanks! I me-owe you one!" He punned with a saluting motion, causing Zoe to giggle, and the other people on the Bus to cheer Cat Noir.
Marinette remained hidden behind the seat, gobsmacked more by the fact that Zoe and Cat Noir are together, as the two of them take the seats in front of her. Given that she's hidden behind the seat, they don't seem to notice her.
Marinette quietly whispers to Tikki in her purse. "Why's Zoe with Cat Noir?"
Tikki shrugged, and giggled. "Maybe they're on a date?"
Date? Zoe? Cat Noir?!
No way, that couldn't be. Surely not? Cat Noir doesn't really seem like Zoe's type, not to mention Cat Noir mentioned that he would never date a civilian, as he thought it would be 'inviting trouble'.
"Hm, let's see..." Zoe scrolled through her phone, looking through a list of movies. "'Little Love Notes'..." She mused.
Cat Noir shrugged. "Eh. Don't mind romantic comedies. Don't love 'em either."
Zoe nodded. "Hm, how about... 'Captain Supreme: The Ultimate Duel'?"
Cat Noir cringed at that. "Er... could we possibly avoid films about superheroes?"
Zoe nodded again in understanding. "Got it. What about 'Sharktank vs. Mechatiger'?"
Cat Noir smiled, indicating that this one sounded okay. "Well, with a title like that, I think we should be safe."
And the two started laughing simultaneously. Unbeknown to them, however, Marinette wasn't the only one watching this scene...
Little did they know that when they arrived, the movie did have a bit of romance. Not of the comedic kind, mind.
"That was so misleading." Zoe grumbled.
"Tell me about it." Cat Noir laughed. As a big movie nerd, he found the plot of this movie to be rather... ...cringeworthy, to be polite about it. Although... "My brother is a sucker for romance, though."
Zoe raised an eyebrow. "You have a brother?"
Connor stiffened. Crap. He let slip something he probably shouldn't have, and if Ladybug found out about this, she'd probably kill him.
Still, what he told her isn't particularly revealing. Lots of people like romance movies, narrowing down who Cat Noir's brother might be just from that probably wouldn't bear much fruit. "Oh, yeah. I do. Sorry. Can't tell you much more than that, I'm afraid, on the off-chance that you might know him." He joked, although the chances are extremely high, since EVERYONE knows who Adrien Agreste is. Zoe more than anyone, considering she's friends with Connor, his twin brother, and Marinette, his friend.
Zoe seemed to understand, and didn't pry any further. She did, however, say something else... "Well, whoever he is, he must be nicer than my sister."
Her sister? Ah, she's talking about Chloe, obviously. How ironic. If only she knew that the brother Cat Noir spoke of was the best friend of her sister... or used to be. Connor isn't sure, he's noticed a lot of distance between Chloe and Adrien ever since the incident with Queen Banana. It was probably due to the argument they had, that Connor had been present to witness. Adrien had wanted to follow after Chloe after she ran off, but Connor had told him to leave it be, as Chloe would probably have just gotten even angrier. Not that that stopped Shadow Moth from akumatizing her.
"Why do you say that?" Cat Noir asked. Although, he knew exactly why she was saying that, but it's not like he could tell her that without giving himself away.
Zoe sighed in resignation. "My half-sister is just so... mean. Honestly, I don't know what she even gets out of it. I thought things could be different if I moved here, but I only realized when I arrived to Paris that I had to act just as horrid as her and my mother just for them to appreciate me. And when I didn't, they turned against me."
Cat Noir felt a pang at that. He remembered that situation all too well, what resulted her akumatization into Sole Crusher. He felt so bad for her. Especially when she explained her previous behavior as just trying to get her mother and sister to like her.
Connor had understand how she felt, in a way. When his mother, Emilie Agreste had disappeared, he felt as if he had to be like his brother just to win his father's approval. He eventually realized he didn't need to, as Gabriel softened up in recent times, but still, he knew how Zoe felt in some way.
"If it's any consolation..." Cat Noir said in a kind voice. "I think you're fine just the way you are."
Zoe smiled, as if hearing that from him was probably the best thing to happen to her all to day. "Thanks. That means a lot."
Then, the person behind them snapped... "And it'd mean a lot if you could let me watch this film in peace and quiet."
Both Zoe and Cat Noir blinked before bursting into an uncontrollable fit of laughter.
All while NOT noticing a nearby Marinette who was totally NOT spying on them. "They're on a date, they're on a date, oh my god, they're on a date." She repeated.
Marinette had absolutely no idea what to make of this.
And when the movie ended, she lost them in the crowd of people that had begun to leave, so she could no longer find out if it really was a romantic date.
As Zoe and Cat Noir moved to leave the movie theater, they noticed it was raining. A downpour. Oh boy. Chloe was gonna have a field day with making fun of Zoe's drenched clothes.
Luckily, Cat Noir came to the rescue, activating the umbrella function and shielding them from the rain. Zoe looked up in awe. "Wow, I didn't know your stick could turn into an umbrella."
"Cats don't like water, you know." Cat Noir joked, eliciting a giggle from the girl. As the two walked together, Cat Noir has a look of contemplation. And then he says... "You know, I can sort of understand you." He told her. "That feeling of not being good enough for someone, I mean."
Zoe blinked. He was finally opening up to her, but what he was saying caused her to look concerned. "Why would you say that? You're a superhero, you save Paris all the time! How could you not be good enough?"
Cat Noir sighed. "I don't know. It feels like ever since Ladybug became the Guardian, she doesn't need me as much anymore. I guess I just kinda feel... I dunno, useless."
Zoe gave him a sad look. Cat Noir was a savior of Paris, and yet he feels like he isn't needed. It was true that Ladybug has been calling upon more superheroes as of late, and with Zoe being one of them, she had to admit she felt a little guilty that he felt this way because Ladybug relied on them more than him.
So, she gave him a reassuring smile, and said... "Don't say that. You're not useless."
Cat Noir chuckled. "You sure...? I kinda feel like it."
Zoe gently took his hand and squeezed it, and said... "You're not. You're a good cat. I'm sure you'll figure things out."
As the two walked off, they failed to notice the Ice Cream Vendor who had witnessed their interaction. Needless to say, what he saw had upset him very much...
Zoe giggled as Cat Noir landed on the roof of the Le Grand Paris, and he let her down from his arms. "Thanks for flying Cat Noir Airways. We hope you'll be fe-lying again soon." He joked. He feels a lot better. Spending the day with Zoe has managed to put his spirits back up.
"Heehee! Thanks. That was nice." She said, then placing a chaste kiss on his cheek.
"Yeah, I think I really needed that today. Thanks, Zoe." He told her. Well, it was time for him to go. He hadn't seen Adrien all day, and his brother was probably worried about him. "Well, see you."
However, as Cat Noir was about to leap away, he heard Zoe call out to him. "Wait! Cat Noir!"
Cat Noir turned. "Yeah?"
"Um..." Zoe mumbled, as if embarrassed by what she's going to say. "I had a really nice day with you today, and-"
Before Zoe could finish what she was saying, a loud, booming voice echoed through the air. Their heads turned, and they were met with the sight of a giant ice-cream monster. "Ladybug and Cat Noir should be in love, NOT you two!"
Cat Noir gaped. "What the fu-? You again? That's impossible, you should have been given a magical charm!"
Zoe, however, was blushing furiously at what Glaciator had said. "W-We're not in love, we were just having a friendly outing!"
Unfortunately, Zoe's words did nothing to placate Glaciator's rage, and he poised his hands to shoot at them. Before he could do that, however, Cat Noir quickly scooped Zoe up in his arms and jumped away from the roof. He quickly found a secluded alleyway, and gently let her down there. "Stay here, Zoe. I'll be back."
He then moved to jump away again, but then Zoe said... "Cat Noir!" He turned back. "Be... be careful."
Cat Noir then gave her a confident smirk, and she suddenly felt like the sad, brooding cat she saw this morning was a distant memory. "Always." He told her before jumping away.
Ladybug quickly jumped into action as soon as she heard that Glaciator had returned. She was still mentally kicking herself for forgetting to give him the magical charm so he didn't get akumatized again.
Luckily, she intervened just in time to stop the car that Glaciator had flung at Cat Noir from hitting him. They quickly hid behind a vehicle, breathing heavily. "Well... Didn't really expect for him to start freezing up Paris again, heehee." Ladybug joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Although, to her complete surprise, Cat Noir seemed far from amused. If anything, he looked... annoyed. He rarely looked that annoyed at her. "Care to explain why Glaciator's returned even though the magical charm should have stopped from getting akumatized again?"
Ladybug gave him a sheepish look. "I... might have been annoyed by the couple of the year thing that I forgot to give it to him."
Cat Noir smacked his forehead. "Right, so you were too busy being pissed at a tabloid story that you forgot to give Andre the one thing that would have stopped this from happening again. That's just great." He said in a sarcastic voice.
Ladybug almost flinched at the way he spoke to her. She's never heard such... acidity in his tone of voice. "Kitty-"
"Whatever. Have you got a plan?" He said, not letting her finish.
Ladybug gulped. Without missing a beat, she quickly summoned her Lucky Charm, the resulting item being a... wow. A sports car.
Driving the car, the two drove away from Glaciator at breakneck speed. For a giant ice cream monster, he was able to keep up with them rather well. But in the end, using air from the big exhaust in front of the Gare du Nord, the two managed melt the ice cream of Glaciator's body, and de-akumatize him.
And THIS TIME she remembered to give Andre the magical charm.
Afterwards, she walked up to her partner, and tentatively raised her fist. "Pound it...?"
He looked at her, paused for a brief moment, and then sighed. "Pound it." He said, bumping fists with her. "Look, sorry for snapping at you earlier. It wasn't nice. It's just been a long day."
"I... can't really blame you for getting mad. It was sorta my fault..." She said sheepishly.
Cat Noir affected a look of guilt for his earlier treatment of her. "Hey, it's..." He suddenly paused, as if he had forgotten something momentarily... then, a look of realization dawns his face. "Zoe."
Before Ladybug could say anything, he quickly jumped away.
As soon as the battle was over, Connor quickly ran back to the alleyway where he had left Zoe, hoping that she would still be there. To his complete relief, she was, and he quickly took her back to the roof of her home. "Thank you, Cat Noir. I knew I could count on you." She smiled warmly.
Connor seemed to find that smile really... soothing, for some reason. "Course. See ya." But before he turned to jump away, he asked her... "Actually, you were going to say something before Glaciator attacked. What was it?"
Zoe felt her cheeks go slightly red. She felt the trepidation creep up her back, but at this point, he asked, and... well, she figured she might as well just get it off her chest. Besides... it might help him to hear this. "I just wanted to say that... You aren't useless." Those words surprised him, but she continued. "It's normal to have moments of self-doubts, and to question whether you're really good enough... But, in my experience, there will always be out there who think you're good enough. So never doubt yourself. Because even if you think you're useless, you aren't. Because there are those out there who think the opposite."
Connor was in awe of Zoe's kind, uplifting words. This kind girl, who didn't even know who he was under the mask, had gone out of her way to make sure he didn't leave her the same way he first encountered her; sad and brooding. And honestly? He no longer felt that way. His words brought her comfort, and it made him think that maybe he wasn't as useless as he thought.
"Thanks, Zoe." He said.
She smiled at him, and then suddenly she heard a yell... "HALF OF A SISTER! WHERE ARE YOU?!"
"Crap. Chloe." Zoe mumbled under her breath.
Connor chuckled. "See you, Zoe." He then jumped away, while Zoe looked on with a smile.
Connor quickly jumped down into his bedroom. "Claws in!" And with that, the black-clad cat superhero disappeared, leaving the teenage Connor Agreste in his place.
"Well, I gotta say. For someone who doesn't want to get a girlfriend, you and that Zoe girl got pretty close." Plagg snickered as he chowed on a slice of Camembert that Connor got out of his jacket.
"Oh, shut up Plagg." Connor rolled his eyes. "She's just a friend."
Plagg groaned in annoyance. "Uggggh, I swear. You and your brother are much more alike than you think."
Speaking of Adrien, as if right on cue, the younger Agreste twin rushed in. "There you are!" Adrien said, a mix of annoyance and worry in his tone. "You've been gone all day!"
Connor smiled, happy to see Adrien. "I have."
Adrien groaned in frustration. "I swear, if you're gonna go out 'Cat Noiring' all day, you should at least drop me a text to know you're fine! Like, seriously! Just because you're a superhero, that doesn't mean you can-" Adrien paused, noticing that Connor was smiling at him still. "What are you smiling at me like that for?"
Before Adrien could say anything else, Connor suddenly threw his arms around him, enveloping his younger twin in a big hug. "Nothing. Just keep yelling at me."
Adrien blinked, not entirely sure what was causing this behavior, but he chuckled, and hugged his brother back. "Aww, okay."
But Connor knew exactly why he was acting like this. After his day with Zoe, he knew that there were people out there who did value him, who did appreciate him for who he was. And he knew that Adrien was one of those people.
Perhaps he wasn't useless after all.