Who is he?

Chat Noir watched as the light left Ladybugs eyes. To be fair, they had been lightly joking around before. She probably wasn’t prepared for the conversation to get this deep so fast. It had been a week and she still hadn’t told him who Monarch was behind the mask. It had also been a week since his dad had died helping her. But it’s not like she knew the last part.

“I can’t tell you”

The words came out in a rushed whisper. Tears welled up in her eyes. Why wouldn’t she share this with him? They were supposed to be partners after all. He looked at her questioningly.

“I made a promise not to tell.”

“You promised Monarch?”

She nodded not looking him in the eyes. Maybe it was the lack of sleep or the grief from losing his father, but Chat Noir had finally had enough. He felt the anger rising in his chest.

“Ladybug I can’t do this. You won’t tell me his identity because you fucking promised a supervillain you wouldn’t. That’s bullshit.”

Ladybug jumped at his unexpected outburst. Had he crossed a line? Oh well she should’ve told him the truth. But then the walls she had so carefully built finally came crashing down. She broke down sobbing saying, “I’m sorry.” over and over again.

Chat was confused. How could he be angry at her in her current state? How could he have forgotten that she had faced their mortal enemy and unmasked him ALONE. Without him. He should’ve been there to help carry the weight of this burden. And here he was lashing out at her. Stop being so selfish Agreste she’s been through enough.

He picked up the mess that was Ladybug and wrapped his arms around her. Slowly the tears faded away. She looked up at him and Chat saw the brokenness in her eyes.

“He’s my boyfriend’s father”, was all she managed to choke out before bursting into tears again.

What? Her boyfriend’s father? She had been fighting the man whose son she loved? Poor Ladybug no wonder she hadn’t told him.

“It’s okay buggaboo-“

“No! It’s not! I had to lie to him over and over! And it’s not like I can even tell him the truth. I made up a lie and said his dad helped me defeat Monarch when really he was Monarch! Do you know how fucked that is?”

“Ladybug I-“

He didn’t know what to say. For the first time Chat was left speechless. I should’ve been there

Then the pieces began to click together in Chat Noir’s head. Was it possible that she was talking about Adrien? About him? And his father? Ladybug had told Adrien those this almost in those exact words. But he wasn’t dating Ladybug, he was dating Marinette. That could only mean one thing Ladybug was-

“Marinette?”

He felt her body go still.

“What did you just say?”

This all but confirmed his newfound revelation. Marinette was Ladybug and his dad was Monarch. Gabriel Agreste had not died a hero’s death like he was told, he died like the monster he truly was.

“What the fuck did you just say?”

Ladybug turned to face him pulling herself out of his arms. Her sadness turning into anger, her whole body shaking with rage.

“He’s Gabriel Agreste isn’t he?”

A gasp escaped her lips. This was the final bit of confirmation he needed to fit the pieces together. Ladybug (Marinette) had told him as Adrien how his father died a noble death, helping her defeat Monarch. But that was a lie? He died the death he deserved, Chat Noir couldn’t deny that.

“Hello? Chat i’m talking to you! Why did you say that?”

Was this how things were going to go down? This was the reveal? With yin and yang both completely broken? Chat Noir found the courage to utter-

“My father was Monarch?”

It was his turn to break down. Chat pulled his knees towards his chest feeling his breathing getting faster and faster. He knew this was a panic attack, the last time he had one was when his mother had disappeared. And he knew that there was nothing he could do to stop it. He felt his chest tighten making it harder and harder to breathe. His father really was a bad person? Was it fucked up that it made more sense that he was the villain, rather than being a hero?

“Adrien?”

The words only made the feeling in his chest worst. She must hate Adrien for being the son of HIM. The monster who tormented them throughout their teenage years. The man who took away his childhood. The father who was never there. Monarch being Gabriel Agreste made perfect sense. How could I not have seen it?

He should have known. He should have